Always Get Back On

Howdy Readers!

Carmel Update/Overview

     I hope you have been having an awesome week! Yesterday I sat on Carmel and I want to do so again! I haven't technically ridden him, but I have sat on him a couple times and hit the ground once. Yesterday I was sure he bucked, but later Jess told me that he really just jumped a little and started moving. I still fell off.. Haha! Well, whatever actually happened, (I couldn't really tell what he did from my position.) I still sat on Carmel and that makes me really happy.
      I think yesterday was a big day for me. Two years ago, when I got bucked off Precious, I was really scared to ride a very calm and gentle horse at lessons, but I did. That was a big day for me. I think it was a milestone. I got bucked off a horse and I got back on a horse, (different horse, but still meaningful for me.) Yesterday I fell off and within ten-twenty minutes I was back ON THE SAME HORSE! I have never done (probably) anything so reckless in all my life! I was really scared but God carried me through. He gives strength.
       Confession: I have never sat a saddle on Carmel's back. *shame* I should have by now but I haven't yet. Western saddles kinda scare me a little I suppose. Riding bareback feels so much safer. The first time I got bucked off, my feet got stuck in the stirrups and that is dangerous! This last time I just slipped off of him. The Native Americans had no saddles! ;) I do want to put one on his back at some point though, but I do not want to ride him in it until I can ride him well bareback. I say that now, but later I may change my mind on that. ;)

Memphis Update/Overview

   I have also been blessed with a (very, very very,) adorable little white donkey named Memphis!

He is really sweet and precious! He loves people, but doesn't always let you touch him. We have had him for about 3 years and 1 month. He may have been abused previously. The only reason I say this is because he was so terrified when we got him. If there is one thing you must know about my Mempy boy, it is this: he has come a loooooong way!! He is not a fraction of how scared he was before. He is VERY smart and spunky. I love the little guy so much!! He is about 8 years old now. He is small for a donkey, I think.

   The only really bad thing about Memphis is his hooves. They are way overgrown and he is not gentled enough to get them trimmed. Please pray we could get them down before they cause bad bone formation because he is walking on them wrong. There is probably some of that going on now. He has come a long way, however, and I hope he will keep on coming! I love him loads and loads and loads!

Have a blessed day!
~Jewel

Bucked Again..

Greetings Ya'll!
     I know that is has been way too long since I was on and I apologize. I have a lot to catch up on and a lot to say, but I'll make it some-what short for ya'lls reading convenience. ;)
     We sold Precious. Very long story short we finally found a buyer. They bought her for $100, which is practically nothing in the horse world, but we just needed her gone I suppose.
     She was unride-able for us. Her new owners said that they rode her several times and that she bucked the first two, calmed down, then bucked again. They said she had a, "VERY aggressive buck!" They might keep her, but the people said not to worry, if they didn't keep her they would make sure she went to a good home.
     We also got rid or her because she ate ALOT! Very, very fat.. Our pasture could use a break. ;)
     Third reason is that we were afraid she might rub off her bad habits on Carmel.

    She is a good horse. We had some fun days on her! But then things went wrong. I hope someone else has a great time on her. She deserves it.

Precious' Grrr Face (lol)

The Pasture Occupants Currently

   I rode Carmel today! I lean on him almost everyday, but I've actually sat on him three times, well five after today. He bucked. Yup. It was kinda scary. The Lord gave me strength though! God softened the very ground beneath me when I fell. I barely felt it! We backed him up and walked him forward and around and around. You must move a horse's feet to humble them when they are bad. Then I was shaking and really nervous but mom encouraged me and I prayed and then I pictured Carmel being calm and safe. I got on, and I got off. It was such a blessing! The Lord preformed a miracle! (Well, several.)
1. I didn't die! I didn't get hurt at all.
2. Carmel relaxed after bucking and didn't stay riled up like Precious did. (Phew)
3. This terrified girl actually GOT BACK ON! :D

    There is a horse saying, its simple, scary and deathly true:

                                                Always Get Back On.

   Scary, huh? I never really lived it until today. It really teaches us to rely on Christ's strength!
 Here are some pictures. :) (This happened like, an hour ago. I <3 recent pictures! lol)

 This picture (above) was literally taken about 30 seconds before he bucked and I hit the ground!

 (Above) The second mounting. Notice the difference between this picture and the last. See where his head is?! Really high and poised then. Relaxed and not obviously ready for action here. Back legs are different too. His tail is tucked in the first picture. So many signs of tension! Second pic, his tail and back leg muscles and relaxed and steady.

 See how little he is?! He is small for his age and genealogy, but he is strong! I love him so much!

The head is back up, and he is unsteady my moving his foot a little. I think this pic was before I mounted for the second time. Hm. :)

 Bye For now!

                                                      ~Jewels