So, today was one of those days where everything that COULD go wrong did go wrong. By the time I got home at 5:15 I was completely tuckered out, and wasn't even sure if I could make it to the barn. But around 7:00 I was feeling less exhausted and knew that I'd only feel better once I actually dragged myself to the barn!
When I got there it was threatening to rain so I just grabbed him and gave him a quick grooming. Still, he got to practice standing PATIENTLY while I vented to a friend about my hellacious day for at least 10 minutes. He didn't go to sleep, but he also didn't offer up a fuss either.
Oh, and on the bright side his leg is almost fully healed! We've got a giant scab now that needs to be covered in REAL skin and hair, but at least there's no more blood!! I'm still keeping SWAT on it to be on the safe side, but it's healed REMARKABLY well, especially considering what it looked like the day he did it!!
Tomorrow morning I actually get to go RIDE my horsey!!! Yay! (Well, if it doesn't thunderstorm again that is....)
Ok, it wasn't much of an update, but technically it WAS an update!!! :D
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Kate & Pro - 7/9 (amazing lesson!)
I. Love. My. Trainer. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
So of course Pro put on his best behaving personality show today...tried to make a liar out of me...but Gayle obviously knows that he's not like that all the time. Her working student came to watch the lesson, so thankfully he was good. Today's lesson was a lot of mini lightbulb moments for me, so writing them down will actually be really helpful.
First we discussed "too much bend". How it's necessary when he's being naughty, to correct him, but he gets fussy because he didn't like it...but then again, I wouldn't have to do it if he wasn't naughty in the first place. So she adjusted me to "appropriate" bend (aka, "straight"...the horse isn't straight unless they're bent) and I got a feel for that. Some counterbend at the walk to really get me feeling my outside rein and have him "in" that.
We also worked on getting me to GIVE my inside rein. Which is hard, because for the first few months of his retraining, the inside rein was my #1 Tool to gain submission. But Gayle pointed out that we can't very well go on forever like that. However, it's habit, so it's hard to break. She suggested I bribe Erik into standing in the arena and watching my inside rein so he can scold me if I don't give it up. ;)
This all transferred into the trot, where he was still very good. Then, as a prelude to leg-yields, we did figure eights at the posting trot and focused on GIVING my inside rein and at each cross-over/change of bend, giving my inside rein while pushing him to the outside. Well, he just puffed up and went around cute as can be. *#@(% it was that easy!?
After that, LEG YIELDS!!!! Woohoo!!! So it's kinda hard to explain, but I did them on a diagonal line. So I would circle going right, and then when I got to the wall, instead of continuing the circle, I angled down a diagonal line that was sort of tangental to the circle. And then leg yield left off that line. After a few good steps, I would turn left and then be circling left, and repeat this all in the other direction. I would start the leg yield (let's say by going left) by opening up my left rein (to give him a place to go, Gayle said), and NOT pulling back on the inside rein like he wants me to. A kick from my inside if necessary, and then he would pleasantly leg yield over. She said he manipulates me into not giving the inside rein because when I do, he can be lazy with his HQs and just yield his shoulders. Naughty!
This was all done sitting, so I got some nice practice sitting trot. Anyway, he was fantastic. After the lesson, her working student said he was the "cutest damn thing she'd ever seen" and she was really impressed when she found out he was 16. She also said that it's impressive that we've only been doing this (working with Gayle to rebuild basics) since September - that most horses take two years to make progress like this from a state like that. She even said (**proud mommy moment here!!** that in watching his leg yield, she can tell he's going to have a good passage someday!!! :) :) So the three of us did talk about his future and Gayle said that besides learning how to reeeeeally balance at the canter (since he does have a long neck), he's physically capable of doing everything through GP (not all equally, like most horses except those who are Olympic level, but still). It's mental. Most horses, even if they can DO the stuff, can't do that intense focus for the whole GP test. But with Pro...yeah he can be a snot, but I think he's intelligent enough to be able to handle it, and maybe that intense challenge would hold his attention!! We'll see. :)
He got a nice big carrot today and lots of hugs from Mom. :)
So of course Pro put on his best behaving personality show today...tried to make a liar out of me...but Gayle obviously knows that he's not like that all the time. Her working student came to watch the lesson, so thankfully he was good. Today's lesson was a lot of mini lightbulb moments for me, so writing them down will actually be really helpful.
First we discussed "too much bend". How it's necessary when he's being naughty, to correct him, but he gets fussy because he didn't like it...but then again, I wouldn't have to do it if he wasn't naughty in the first place. So she adjusted me to "appropriate" bend (aka, "straight"...the horse isn't straight unless they're bent) and I got a feel for that. Some counterbend at the walk to really get me feeling my outside rein and have him "in" that.
We also worked on getting me to GIVE my inside rein. Which is hard, because for the first few months of his retraining, the inside rein was my #1 Tool to gain submission. But Gayle pointed out that we can't very well go on forever like that. However, it's habit, so it's hard to break. She suggested I bribe Erik into standing in the arena and watching my inside rein so he can scold me if I don't give it up. ;)
This all transferred into the trot, where he was still very good. Then, as a prelude to leg-yields, we did figure eights at the posting trot and focused on GIVING my inside rein and at each cross-over/change of bend, giving my inside rein while pushing him to the outside. Well, he just puffed up and went around cute as can be. *#@(% it was that easy!?
After that, LEG YIELDS!!!! Woohoo!!! So it's kinda hard to explain, but I did them on a diagonal line. So I would circle going right, and then when I got to the wall, instead of continuing the circle, I angled down a diagonal line that was sort of tangental to the circle. And then leg yield left off that line. After a few good steps, I would turn left and then be circling left, and repeat this all in the other direction. I would start the leg yield (let's say by going left) by opening up my left rein (to give him a place to go, Gayle said), and NOT pulling back on the inside rein like he wants me to. A kick from my inside if necessary, and then he would pleasantly leg yield over. She said he manipulates me into not giving the inside rein because when I do, he can be lazy with his HQs and just yield his shoulders. Naughty!
This was all done sitting, so I got some nice practice sitting trot. Anyway, he was fantastic. After the lesson, her working student said he was the "cutest damn thing she'd ever seen" and she was really impressed when she found out he was 16. She also said that it's impressive that we've only been doing this (working with Gayle to rebuild basics) since September - that most horses take two years to make progress like this from a state like that. She even said (**proud mommy moment here!!** that in watching his leg yield, she can tell he's going to have a good passage someday!!! :) :) So the three of us did talk about his future and Gayle said that besides learning how to reeeeeally balance at the canter (since he does have a long neck), he's physically capable of doing everything through GP (not all equally, like most horses except those who are Olympic level, but still). It's mental. Most horses, even if they can DO the stuff, can't do that intense focus for the whole GP test. But with Pro...yeah he can be a snot, but I think he's intelligent enough to be able to handle it, and maybe that intense challenge would hold his attention!! We'll see. :)
He got a nice big carrot today and lots of hugs from Mom. :)
Mary & Pepsi
Well, I've had a migraine for the past 3 DAYS, so unfortunately my riding has taken a back seat to lying on the couch and sleeping. :(
BUT, the good news is that I went out today and he was SOOO good still! I had to measure his feet for boots and since it was getting ready to POUR (how do I always manage to get out to the barn right when it's getting ready to rain?!) I just measured him in the pasture WITHOUT a halter or anything! He stood perfectly still and kept both feet up for me without a complaint while I sat there and fiddled with the measuring tape and got his measurements.
I've been doing lots of groundwork with him too and he's stayed consistently good. We're even starting to get a step of sidepass consistently and quickly! (Usually within 2-3 strides or 'asks'.) That was our biggest hurdle at the clinic but I've been working with him consistently and he's really starting to get it!
Next time I go out I'd like to try riding him with the rope halter bareback and just see how he feels with that. I'm playing with changing bits and I'd like to see how responsive I can get him with just the rope halter. So I'll keep you all updated on that!
BUT, the good news is that I went out today and he was SOOO good still! I had to measure his feet for boots and since it was getting ready to POUR (how do I always manage to get out to the barn right when it's getting ready to rain?!) I just measured him in the pasture WITHOUT a halter or anything! He stood perfectly still and kept both feet up for me without a complaint while I sat there and fiddled with the measuring tape and got his measurements.
I've been doing lots of groundwork with him too and he's stayed consistently good. We're even starting to get a step of sidepass consistently and quickly! (Usually within 2-3 strides or 'asks'.) That was our biggest hurdle at the clinic but I've been working with him consistently and he's really starting to get it!
Next time I go out I'd like to try riding him with the rope halter bareback and just see how he feels with that. I'm playing with changing bits and I'd like to see how responsive I can get him with just the rope halter. So I'll keep you all updated on that!
Well, this'll be the Final Nines Update
When my vet said, "If you decide to go ahead and buy him, I'll be glad to help you manage the issue", I decided I'd best be movin on! NO MORE LAMENESS ISSUES!
Yeah, Dr. Meeker was adamant that suspensory injuries are bad news, even on the front, and it is highly likely to be problematic down the road.
Damn...I really loved that horse.
Yeah, Dr. Meeker was adamant that suspensory injuries are bad news, even on the front, and it is highly likely to be problematic down the road.
Damn...I really loved that horse.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Christie and Deuce Vet Visit 7/7: Brief Update
Well, I know I haven't been posting much because I haven't been able to ride, which is what I SO wanted to do this summer. It is not because I haven't wanted to ride! I have really enjoyed keeping up with everyone else's posts, though!
Deuce did go to the vet yesterday to get his teeth floated and to work on figuring out what is wrong with him. I felt really bad, because I have just been letting him hang out for the last three weeks after doing a LOT to work him up myself to figure out what is wrong. Everything was VERY vague and just "not right" then. Well, I palpated his back before heading to the vet yesterday and he was a LOT worse. :(
I wanted to briefly update and say that I will post in full ASAP. We figured out a few things yesterday, and are waiting for blood work and urinalysis to come back today, and then I will have more complete info to add to yesterday's workup. Deuce DOES have a mighty fine set of chompers on him now, but he (and I) really need good thoughts, prayers, jingles, etc. right now. Thanks all. I also have photos to post! :)
Deuce did go to the vet yesterday to get his teeth floated and to work on figuring out what is wrong with him. I felt really bad, because I have just been letting him hang out for the last three weeks after doing a LOT to work him up myself to figure out what is wrong. Everything was VERY vague and just "not right" then. Well, I palpated his back before heading to the vet yesterday and he was a LOT worse. :(
I wanted to briefly update and say that I will post in full ASAP. We figured out a few things yesterday, and are waiting for blood work and urinalysis to come back today, and then I will have more complete info to add to yesterday's workup. Deuce DOES have a mighty fine set of chompers on him now, but he (and I) really need good thoughts, prayers, jingles, etc. right now. Thanks all. I also have photos to post! :)
Dare and Mandros 7/07
My ride was pretty good today. I had some trouble at first with him to the left, but we worked through it. I was almost done and his owner came out. I told her I had trouble with the left lead and he didnt want to keep it. She told me that he isnt hurting, he looks great in all gaits and does mind when we stretch his leg from the ground, so make him do the work. He is just out of shape. He doesnt act like it hurts, he is just trying to get out of the work.
So, we did a couple more canter circles and she helped me through them and he did fine. I guess I was just babying him. She said I can start to add in more collected work. YEA!!!! Im so exicted, I need to work on my sitting trot in the collected work, and now I get to. When he hurt his leg, I was just getting good at it, and now I havent done it in over a month.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Andrea and Pro (7/7)
In order to save Kate the cost of a saddle, Pro had to be a dressage pony this evening. For that matter, he had to be a precise dressage pony. We had a minor set back when Pro discovered that the trot poles he likes had become the dreaded pole-monster under the bunny tree again, but for Pro it was a half-hearted attempt at stupidity at worst.
The hissy fit came when I was doing serpentines through the ring and told him that no, he could not do haunches-in for the straight line. After a brief scuffle over who got to control where his butt went, he was actually really good. His canter to the left was really good, I even got him to do a slightly lengthened canter for a circle and then made him collect back up. His canter to the right was much less balanced. When Tara gave me my groundpole lesson though, I remembered her telling me to give him room to go forward and he went much better. So I extended the reins from the 2nd stop to the 3rd stop and he rounded right up and got balanced. I did 3 strides of half-halts, 4 strides with no correction, 3 strides of half-halts, etc until he felt more balanced and didn't need the half-halts then collected him back up to the second stop.
I used to do long(er) reined warm up, then shorten for the meat of the work-out, then long rein cool down, but last time I rode Gayle had me go straight to short reins. What're peoples opinions on the best way to deal with that? I think in that case it was partly because Pro was paying no attention to me. Since Pro tends to be tight in his shoulders I don't know if it'd be better to warm him up long and low and establish the 'forward' first or if that's just asking for two hissy fits (one at working at all, another at swapping to dressage frame).
The hissy fit came when I was doing serpentines through the ring and told him that no, he could not do haunches-in for the straight line. After a brief scuffle over who got to control where his butt went, he was actually really good. His canter to the left was really good, I even got him to do a slightly lengthened canter for a circle and then made him collect back up. His canter to the right was much less balanced. When Tara gave me my groundpole lesson though, I remembered her telling me to give him room to go forward and he went much better. So I extended the reins from the 2nd stop to the 3rd stop and he rounded right up and got balanced. I did 3 strides of half-halts, 4 strides with no correction, 3 strides of half-halts, etc until he felt more balanced and didn't need the half-halts then collected him back up to the second stop.
I used to do long(er) reined warm up, then shorten for the meat of the work-out, then long rein cool down, but last time I rode Gayle had me go straight to short reins. What're peoples opinions on the best way to deal with that? I think in that case it was partly because Pro was paying no attention to me. Since Pro tends to be tight in his shoulders I don't know if it'd be better to warm him up long and low and establish the 'forward' first or if that's just asking for two hissy fits (one at working at all, another at swapping to dressage frame).
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Andrea and Pro (7/6)
I was sort of shocked that I got to actually ride considering the rain last night, but the ring was definitely ride-able. Since Kate's trot poles were still set up I increased the difficulty of them by raising the 2nd and 4th (out of 5) on opposite ends. So sort of like the 2 halves of a cross-rail but with a trot pole in between (and raised all of 4" on either side). He handled it like a pro (emphasis on A there, since that was very un-Pro-like in general).
We didn't do too much walking warm-up initially, just around over the poles and trying to maintain the frame as long as possible towards the poles and get it back as soon as possible after them. Then we did trot work, which was a little iffy at times, but mostly good including the poles. Since the ring was sort of sloppy I didn't do any canter work, but dropped him back down to the walk for some more precision type work. Well, Pro decided he was quite happy to be a HUS Arab and that meant we did not need to do precise dressage. Worked through that tantrum which included lots of swinging his haunches in and hollowing his back and ended on some fairly solid work, including a leg-yield I snuck in down the long side.
I go back out tomorrow since my mom's coming up for Equine Extravaganza this week so that's going to mess with my normal weekend. We'll see if the ring can handle another night of rain or not.
We didn't do too much walking warm-up initially, just around over the poles and trying to maintain the frame as long as possible towards the poles and get it back as soon as possible after them. Then we did trot work, which was a little iffy at times, but mostly good including the poles. Since the ring was sort of sloppy I didn't do any canter work, but dropped him back down to the walk for some more precision type work. Well, Pro decided he was quite happy to be a HUS Arab and that meant we did not need to do precise dressage. Worked through that tantrum which included lots of swinging his haunches in and hollowing his back and ended on some fairly solid work, including a leg-yield I snuck in down the long side.
I go back out tomorrow since my mom's coming up for Equine Extravaganza this week so that's going to mess with my normal weekend. We'll see if the ring can handle another night of rain or not.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Kate & Pro - 7/5
Sometimes I feel like I'm working with a teenager. :P Appropriate, since Pro *is* sixteen, I guess. Or maybe a two-year old would be a better description. He throws fits over the most minor requests. He'll give me a decent walk, but slightly counterbent. I call him out on it, and MAJOR meltdown ensues. If he'd just BEND...he would expend a LOT less energy.
I had Erik out today to take pictures. He got some video of us walking through the puddles from last night's rainstorm:
(I'll upload the pole jumble video tomorrow!!!)
He had some decently good work throughout the rest of the ride, but I ended up spending over an hour in the arena just with simple requests. He seemed quick to let his temper explode over anything, even though I catered to his boredom by adding in fun stuff to our warmup. So when all I want is a circle at the posting trot in a nice easy frame, I can't tolerate the scooting by the trot pole, I'm sorry. I half halt, and he gets PISSED. He was fairly okay during his canter, at least not rushing this time, but reluctant to sufficiently bend. After I'd correct him for something, and he'd get really pissed, I'd let him "cool off" in the "playground" (water or pole jumble) briefly as a reward for finally accepting a correction, but it didn't seem to remedy his mood.
At least I know I'm not horridly off track...Gayle said he's pretty much going to fight me forever, because work will involve challenging him and pushing him, and he's been trained his whole life toward disobedience. She has told other people in the past that their horses aren't suitable for dressage...and she hasn't told me that...so I guess I feel hopeful in that regard, but still. It's frustrating when he's SO good in his good moods. Pleasant, light, soft, free-moving. Just a delight. But push him at all and he's throwing tantrums like a little kid. It gets very exhausting, and REALLY grinds on my patience. But he has come a long way since September (when I started working with Gayle) and I know he'll get better even though he's throwing fits. Gayle said he was "quite buff!!" when she saw him last, so at least his muscle development is still progressing nicely. He just feels the need (like a teenager) to question EVERY SINGLE thing I ask of him, and question it loudly.
Parenting's going to be a breeze once I survive Pro. ;)
I had Erik out today to take pictures. He got some video of us walking through the puddles from last night's rainstorm:
(I'll upload the pole jumble video tomorrow!!!)
He had some decently good work throughout the rest of the ride, but I ended up spending over an hour in the arena just with simple requests. He seemed quick to let his temper explode over anything, even though I catered to his boredom by adding in fun stuff to our warmup. So when all I want is a circle at the posting trot in a nice easy frame, I can't tolerate the scooting by the trot pole, I'm sorry. I half halt, and he gets PISSED. He was fairly okay during his canter, at least not rushing this time, but reluctant to sufficiently bend. After I'd correct him for something, and he'd get really pissed, I'd let him "cool off" in the "playground" (water or pole jumble) briefly as a reward for finally accepting a correction, but it didn't seem to remedy his mood.
At least I know I'm not horridly off track...Gayle said he's pretty much going to fight me forever, because work will involve challenging him and pushing him, and he's been trained his whole life toward disobedience. She has told other people in the past that their horses aren't suitable for dressage...and she hasn't told me that...so I guess I feel hopeful in that regard, but still. It's frustrating when he's SO good in his good moods. Pleasant, light, soft, free-moving. Just a delight. But push him at all and he's throwing tantrums like a little kid. It gets very exhausting, and REALLY grinds on my patience. But he has come a long way since September (when I started working with Gayle) and I know he'll get better even though he's throwing fits. Gayle said he was "quite buff!!" when she saw him last, so at least his muscle development is still progressing nicely. He just feels the need (like a teenager) to question EVERY SINGLE thing I ask of him, and question it loudly.
Parenting's going to be a breeze once I survive Pro. ;)
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Mary HAS been riding...
Yes, I actually have been riding and working with Pookie-head/Pepsi/Fred, but I haven't had time to post about it!
Pepsi has continued to be an angel on the ground. Oh, he's thrown one or two temper-tantrums, but quickly learned they weren't getting him ANYWHERE and he's been super since. (My farrier was AMAZED at how good he was this week! There were SO many distractions around and yet he stood still, didn't try to pull his feet away (ok, a few times, but he was quickly corrected!) AND he didn't try to eat her hair! (I swear, my horse has a shoe and hair fetish...sigh)
Anyway, we did have one....um...interesting...trail ride. For an hour and a half he tried to either catch up with the other horses (who were all of 5 freaking feet in front of him!!) or he tried to turn around and go home. He almost bolted back to the barn one time and let me tell you something- that horse didn't know I could PULL a one rein stop on him so fast!
Anyway, a nice lady at my barn (who does endurance) has agreed to take Pepsi and I out for 5-6 hours on several different rides. The idea is to tire him out so he's too exhuasted to fight with me, AND to take him on different parts of the trail that he's never been on before so that he doesn't know where we're going and he HAS to listen to me!
I'll let you all know how that goes.....
Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Pepsi has continued to be an angel on the ground. Oh, he's thrown one or two temper-tantrums, but quickly learned they weren't getting him ANYWHERE and he's been super since. (My farrier was AMAZED at how good he was this week! There were SO many distractions around and yet he stood still, didn't try to pull his feet away (ok, a few times, but he was quickly corrected!) AND he didn't try to eat her hair! (I swear, my horse has a shoe and hair fetish...sigh)
Anyway, we did have one....um...interesting...trail ride. For an hour and a half he tried to either catch up with the other horses (who were all of 5 freaking feet in front of him!!) or he tried to turn around and go home. He almost bolted back to the barn one time and let me tell you something- that horse didn't know I could PULL a one rein stop on him so fast!
Anyway, a nice lady at my barn (who does endurance) has agreed to take Pepsi and I out for 5-6 hours on several different rides. The idea is to tire him out so he's too exhuasted to fight with me, AND to take him on different parts of the trail that he's never been on before so that he doesn't know where we're going and he HAS to listen to me!
I'll let you all know how that goes.....
Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Hmmm...
I spoke to Nines' previous trainer at length last night. She said he was out of work for 9 months due to a "simple" suspensory injury on his right front. She said when they brought him back into work they saw no issues at all.
To be worried or not...I don't know. I have a call in to my vet to get his opinion.
To be worried or not...I don't know. I have a call in to my vet to get his opinion.
Kate & Pro - 7/2
I had to be somewhere last night, so I didn't have a ton of time to spend at the barn...rather than risk a rushed ride (he can ALWAYS tell when I'm on a schedule, and he makes it his business to act up on those rides) I decided to do more lunging and pole work.
As I was turning him out after dinner so I could do stalls while he chilled outside for a bit before our workout, Tara (barn owner) wanted to see his reaction to the big pile of stuff outside the barn - they were cleaning out their apartment and there was a couch, golf bag, etc. He did perk up his ears, but nothing bad. Then we wanted to see if he would step on a couch cushion. I led him over, he snorted a bit warily, wasn't sure. I started to push the cushion toward him with my foot and he jerked back on the lead. He *knows* this is a no-no, and he got whacked for it, and I tried again. This time Tara and I were both laughing because he was LEEEAAANING as faaaar away from the cushion as he could without moving his feet, because he knew that if he moved his feet he would be in trouble. I got him to sniff it and nuzzle it, but he wouldn't step over it (or leap over it, like I was expecting). Tara then tried, and she got to where she could move it to his feet, and then pick up one of his feet and place it on the cushion. He was okay with that, and let her do both feet one at a time, but wouldn't ever STEP on the cushion. We left it at that. :)
Then, on to our workout! Now, the first time (last week, I think) I started moving poles around while still holding him, he was very nervous. Walking beside me while I was dragging a pole...oh my goodness. Yesterday, he was great! He seemed to understand the pole wouldn't hurt him. I set up a pole at 12 and 3 o'clock on my lunging circle, and he was good with those at all gaits. Then I raised up one side of one pole with a jump block. Hmmm, new challenge! He figured it out, especially how to "jump" the raised pole and then rebalance himself for the flat pole right after. We did this in both directions at all gaits, and then messed up five poles (Mary-style!) and he was NOT wanting to do it. I had to whack him with the lunge line for him to stumble through once, and then he remembered that he'd done this the other day. After that, he gracefully picked his way through the "maze" several times.
Hopefully he's a good boy for Andrea today. :)
As I was turning him out after dinner so I could do stalls while he chilled outside for a bit before our workout, Tara (barn owner) wanted to see his reaction to the big pile of stuff outside the barn - they were cleaning out their apartment and there was a couch, golf bag, etc. He did perk up his ears, but nothing bad. Then we wanted to see if he would step on a couch cushion. I led him over, he snorted a bit warily, wasn't sure. I started to push the cushion toward him with my foot and he jerked back on the lead. He *knows* this is a no-no, and he got whacked for it, and I tried again. This time Tara and I were both laughing because he was LEEEAAANING as faaaar away from the cushion as he could without moving his feet, because he knew that if he moved his feet he would be in trouble. I got him to sniff it and nuzzle it, but he wouldn't step over it (or leap over it, like I was expecting). Tara then tried, and she got to where she could move it to his feet, and then pick up one of his feet and place it on the cushion. He was okay with that, and let her do both feet one at a time, but wouldn't ever STEP on the cushion. We left it at that. :)
Then, on to our workout! Now, the first time (last week, I think) I started moving poles around while still holding him, he was very nervous. Walking beside me while I was dragging a pole...oh my goodness. Yesterday, he was great! He seemed to understand the pole wouldn't hurt him. I set up a pole at 12 and 3 o'clock on my lunging circle, and he was good with those at all gaits. Then I raised up one side of one pole with a jump block. Hmmm, new challenge! He figured it out, especially how to "jump" the raised pole and then rebalance himself for the flat pole right after. We did this in both directions at all gaits, and then messed up five poles (Mary-style!) and he was NOT wanting to do it. I had to whack him with the lunge line for him to stumble through once, and then he remembered that he'd done this the other day. After that, he gracefully picked his way through the "maze" several times.
Hopefully he's a good boy for Andrea today. :)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
2nd Visit with Nines
So, I finally got back up to see Nines...took my instructor with me. He was a little cranky under saddle, but that's good...I want to know what his acting out is. Its a little half-a$$ed kick when you use the whip. No big deal. He looks stiff in this pic to me, but we discussed it and we agree its b/c he's had 6 months of hanging out in the field and in the past two weeks he's been ridden regularly and the saddle his owner had been using did not fit. Plus, he's still a little footsore from yanking off so much of his hoof with his shoe. If I decide to buy him, the vet check will be key.
Anyway, my instructor, Barbara, rode him. Her opinion: he's lazy, not her type of horse, has buttons and gears (ie. very schooled as a hunter machine), but does try to listen to your seat. We agree that he is a Hobbes dressed in white and that's what I'm comfortable with, so...he is a good horse for me, as long as he's sound.
I did take him out in a field he's never been in and w/t/c...he was awesome. Ears up and interested, but perfectly content to do what I asked. We then went out on a short trail ride...past some horses out in the pasture, a deer running away, rocky terrain, a tiny stream, 4 wheeler coming up behind us, dogs barking in a kennel suddenly, AND a guy dragging his driveway...and Nines was totally unconcerned. He led and followed, no big deal at all.
The real issue now is that he's EXPENSIVE! Ugh. I read an article once about buying the best horse you could buy, but I thought it was a silly article at the time!...this horse was appraised for 50K when he was donated, but I can get him for WAY less due to him being out of work, a little rough looking from hanging out with a colt, and past issues (ie. biting the crap out of his past owner!). I just can't decide what he's worth to me, as his price reflects his suitability as a hunter and I just want a good all-around horse, although I think he'd be a great fit for this.
Ugh. Can someone just tell me what to do? This decision is overwhelming.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Kate & Pro - 7/1...perfect!!!!
Yup, it was GREAT!!!! I was SO pleased with my boy today.
So yesterday, Gayle was out to trim him and we talked about his progress lately (oh the benefits of having your trimmer also be your trainer!!). I explained the boredom theory and she basically said, "Yup, he's probably bored. And no, that's NOT an excuse. Ever." I groaned, of course, but she said that I know he's going to fight me for the rest of his existence. That's Pro - he's had 14/15 years of bad/improper/insufficient training, so it's not all going to get erased quickly. She agreed that he probably is bored with focusing on the basics of going round correctly...but too bad. He can be bored out of his skull but he is NOT in charge and NOT allowed to dictate what we do. She said it was fine and even great that Andrea and I are spicing things up with poles, etc., but that he needs to submit and behave, regardless. *sigh* But unless I want to get 5's on "submission" for the rest of my dressage tests with this horse, I know it's true.
Anyway, she also whomped him on the belly with the flat end of her rasp yesterday because he shoved her. I'm convinced that was the magic smack that knocked some sense into him, because today he was AWESOME.
Mary - I used your "jumbled pole" idea!!! I set up 3 regular trot poles, and put two other poles in a narrow V-shape at the other end of the arena. I walked up to the V and oh my GAWD, the drama queen Pro nearly had a fit over the poles. "But Mooooooom...they're not STRAIGHT!" I kicked him, let him have his head, and he stumbled through, then scooted when he kicked a pole. We repeated a few times and I just couldn't help but grin at how he was relishing the challenge of this new "puzzle".
His walk work after that was great, and submissive, and so was his trot. I then trotted through the regular poles and he was AMAZING. No giraffe imitations; he dropped his neck level and delicately trotted right through, time after time. He bucked into the transition on our canter circle, but I was just so darn pleased with everything, including his canter, that it didn't even matter. He got to figure out the V-shaped pole jumble during our cool down and got a BIG carrot at the end. What a GOOD BOY!!!!
So yesterday, Gayle was out to trim him and we talked about his progress lately (oh the benefits of having your trimmer also be your trainer!!). I explained the boredom theory and she basically said, "Yup, he's probably bored. And no, that's NOT an excuse. Ever." I groaned, of course, but she said that I know he's going to fight me for the rest of his existence. That's Pro - he's had 14/15 years of bad/improper/insufficient training, so it's not all going to get erased quickly. She agreed that he probably is bored with focusing on the basics of going round correctly...but too bad. He can be bored out of his skull but he is NOT in charge and NOT allowed to dictate what we do. She said it was fine and even great that Andrea and I are spicing things up with poles, etc., but that he needs to submit and behave, regardless. *sigh* But unless I want to get 5's on "submission" for the rest of my dressage tests with this horse, I know it's true.
Anyway, she also whomped him on the belly with the flat end of her rasp yesterday because he shoved her. I'm convinced that was the magic smack that knocked some sense into him, because today he was AWESOME.
Mary - I used your "jumbled pole" idea!!! I set up 3 regular trot poles, and put two other poles in a narrow V-shape at the other end of the arena. I walked up to the V and oh my GAWD, the drama queen Pro nearly had a fit over the poles. "But Mooooooom...they're not STRAIGHT!" I kicked him, let him have his head, and he stumbled through, then scooted when he kicked a pole. We repeated a few times and I just couldn't help but grin at how he was relishing the challenge of this new "puzzle".
His walk work after that was great, and submissive, and so was his trot. I then trotted through the regular poles and he was AMAZING. No giraffe imitations; he dropped his neck level and delicately trotted right through, time after time. He bucked into the transition on our canter circle, but I was just so darn pleased with everything, including his canter, that it didn't even matter. He got to figure out the V-shaped pole jumble during our cool down and got a BIG carrot at the end. What a GOOD BOY!!!!
Dare and Mandros June, 30th
Pro isnt the only horse getting ridden, Mandros is working too!
First off, I want to say that Mandros' leg is looking alot better. No more oozing stuff, and the wound is closing nicely.
I worked on alot of circles and serpentines today. Ive been working on being accurate and making my circles round and starting and finishing them exactly on the letter. They are getting better and better.
I did a couple leg yeilds/half passes with him today too. I was having a little trouble getting the half pass at the trot, and his owner told me to try it at the canter because its a little easier. I tried it and he was great. The first time was a little sloppy, but the second time was much better. I even got a glimpse of it in the mirror!!! very cool! He is still doing very little canter work, but doing the halfpass at the canter was exciting.
I got my husband to take some new pictures!!! They arent that great, I had to use a saddle I hadnt ridden in before, and it didnt fit me. I even had to wrap the sturrups twice because they were so long. Notice how the sturrup issue continues when I lost my sturrup in the canter picture.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)