tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41314463049824897482024-03-20T01:33:11.004-07:00Gotland EnduranceTalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-11400249745890930642012-03-20T16:11:00.000-07:002012-03-20T16:11:02.238-07:00Our first ride...Yesterday was quite the day. It dawned clear and sunny, and was 17 Celsius when I went outside at 8am. In mid-March! Hubby was home and we spent the whole morning outside with Sqwid and the 4 dogs.<br />
<br />
As noon drew nearer, I got more and more excited. I was to meet the trainer for my first ride on Red!<br />
<br />
So at 11:30 I put on my riding pants (to which hubby said, "Boy, those are tight!" Grrr...) But I didn't smack him, I was in too good a mood.<br />
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It had warmed to 23 C and a warm wind had really picked up.<br />
<br />
When I got to the barn, it was empty and the trainer's car was missing.Then someone walked in and mentioned her horse had gotten loose and she was out looking. Luckily, soon afterward a woman walked in asking if we knew anyone with a horse matching her description! The mare had almost made it back to the barn, but had turned in one driveway too early! Trainer came back and then went over to get her mare as I went out to bring Red in.<br />
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I took the time to check his feet and a touch up on his heels and bars.<br />
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He was dropping a bit of condition along his topline, with being in work. So feeding adjustments are in order.<br />
<br />
I started to tack him up as the trainer went out and grabbed Evil Poneh. She had a bit of a "pony" moment as she hopped up to ride her to the barn. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCrnkzF_d6nnEyXluuP_boKOyzhT5IcWAtnj7sy_LZhL_1xalzdAkG2H-FsPUZZ8LMct9AbBjrddM5M6wt9FWbqEacOIVdqJhx6AWrFwsi2iG7sotydfdT39afd-EDA-h4gyoKrx0IhI-/s1600/043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUCrnkzF_d6nnEyXluuP_boKOyzhT5IcWAtnj7sy_LZhL_1xalzdAkG2H-FsPUZZ8LMct9AbBjrddM5M6wt9FWbqEacOIVdqJhx6AWrFwsi2iG7sotydfdT39afd-EDA-h4gyoKrx0IhI-/s400/043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil Poneh getting ready in the barn</td></tr>
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<br />
I am really happy with how Narra is looking. She has gained lots of muscle and lost her hay belly. Wish I had gotten a picture of her being ridden. She is adorable!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-JqRaN89A8fOIU_sfyzIs411GnnoEGVzabxmvc8X5imYBt5ImnGutqt80jIvcDeL2zNFRm_4HUIGlgCwVL5pqWX40eVVLOqPX7lO5qOgvbW54QveAKAHaTapFFdL3Jil-ZJwLcQ215wk/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-JqRaN89A8fOIU_sfyzIs411GnnoEGVzabxmvc8X5imYBt5ImnGutqt80jIvcDeL2zNFRm_4HUIGlgCwVL5pqWX40eVVLOqPX7lO5qOgvbW54QveAKAHaTapFFdL3Jil-ZJwLcQ215wk/s400/044.JPG" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red wearing his saddle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We scraped off as much hair as possible and tacked up. Red in his Torsion saddle and new bit (she had been using a different one for simplicity). EP was just wearing a bridle, as I had only sent one saddle with the two horses (the Torsion fits both). We both hopped up and left for the park. <br />
<br />
15 minutes later we were still heading down the driveway. No, it is not that long. But they were doing a great impression of dumb and dumber. <br />
<br />
Red politely said "After you" <br />
<br />
To which EP replied, "No, after you!" <br />
<br />
Ad nauseum.<br />
<br />
The trainer was horribly embarrassed. I laughed and said I was not surprised. And thought, "hey, this is only their 11th/ 12th ride!"<br />
<br />
We eventually got to Sapton road and rode the 200 feet down the ditch to the highway. They crossed the busy highway with no worries. Red took the lead, and Miranda let me set the pace. Once I got a good feel for his walk and he calmed down (because I was calming down lol), I asked for a trot. He has a big trot! It will take getting used to a trotting horse again. Not that he is rough, just springy!<br />
<br />
Then I asked for a canter. He was calmly trotting, I lightly cued with leg and seat and kissed and he immediately stepped into a smooth canter. The first 2 strides had me thinking "nice". Then he started to reach under with his hind legs and his front end lifted and we did about 10 super comfy, rolling, uphill strides before I asked him to slow, which he immediately did. I was exstatic! It was beautiful! <br />
<br />
,Unfortunately things didn't stay that way. My trainer has much better hands than I, and she rides him primarily on seat and legs, as he needs very little pressure on the bit. But I found myself nervous about being more than a passenger on a horse for the first time in a two years. And I was pretty clutchy. Sigh. <br />
<br />
He started to get confused and nervous with me. No big surprise. Then we reached the edge of the polo field. The wind was up. Narra trotted to catch up and Red jumped into a trot, I tried to slow him, but the saddle had started to slip (too loose), and so ended up clamping with legs to stay on. Which had him confused and cantering. I eventually got him to stop, hopped off to straighten and tighten the cinch. Looked back as poor Miranda and EP cantered up. EP was not impressed with having to do all that work to keep up! Lazy beast!<br />
<br />
I took a deep breath and hopped back up and off we went. We came across a deer, but neither spooked (too tired?). Then we made our way over to the CDE obstacles a distance away. We decided to try the bridge. No go on the first try. We both got off an lead them over. She got right back on and turned around to go back over. I lead Red over and EP followed, then the trainer battled with EP (she was earning her name that day) to get her over again. I just stood there with Red and watched. <br />
<br />
I called out a warning she was going to try and roll int he sand. Miranda kicked her (she ignored it), so she smacked her with the rommels (she ignored it). She had to step off or get rolled on. At which point she really yelled and smacked her with the reins! EP got up and shook like nothing had happened. Brat! the trainer joked that sometimes she has to "beat" EP, I completely understood. (I say joked because she is patience personified with her! Way more than I would manage to be!) I was glad I sent her to Miranda then. Not sure I would have managed what she did! She eventually got her back over and stood her on the bridge.<br />
<br />
When she asked if I was going to try again, I put on the big girl panties and mounted up and guided Red over without too many problems. Whew! <br />
<br />
We then went over to wade in the big pond. It has obstacles and lots of interesting things. It wasn't too deep. Red immediately waded in and drank. I warned Miranda she may roll in the water (I have had a sweaty Gotland do that to me). So she didn't let her stop long.<br />
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We crossed the big field to Pope's Mound. We both got off and walked them up the stairs. I joked she was training EP to come up the deck into the house. At the top she got back on and rode down, but I continued to walk for the next 10 minutes to try to loosen up my knee. I forgot how stiff it gets with riding. <br />
<br />
This turned out to be good for Red and I. I calmed down and so did he. When I got back on he was his regular (according to Miranda) soft self again. <br />
<br />
So it IS me that is the problem, not him! I will have to work on my hands and confidence again. Likely dressage lessons will be in order again.<br />
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We got back to the barn with no real incidents on the ride. We had been gone 2 hours! And had probably done 5+ miles. Both horses were real sweaty. So we did a quick once over and put them out in the paddock. They have nice dry sandy paddock. So they both had fun rolling their sweaty selves in the the sand ground! I took lots of photos!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssTOF6WI09SYFeGr_HOvkG1JVYh09qwiNYc3r8S7mOlyGhrcbyYxjDnM4sgYcsMVl8kcnsFzjVSqOwo1saKxHkee548f0MF2Ye3rHl2VFdxWTrPCmw4lYoeQV99czIP7LTRJT5Vzv90ft/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssTOF6WI09SYFeGr_HOvkG1JVYh09qwiNYc3r8S7mOlyGhrcbyYxjDnM4sgYcsMVl8kcnsFzjVSqOwo1saKxHkee548f0MF2Ye3rHl2VFdxWTrPCmw4lYoeQV99czIP7LTRJT5Vzv90ft/s400/051.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red says; ahhh! I prefer sand baths!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_CmLCnLr4XyLplgFxitB7RiJtoO0Y-9mvx_ydI82xMEcMo_thrcKRU7ceItoKlNbhm4O98_D5HbTqg1XJbm2WakhJvtUi-HV6QLzDb1NGz58rDyh-3_bv-tu5OU6vRIw5CjS_wYrJSHZ/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_CmLCnLr4XyLplgFxitB7RiJtoO0Y-9mvx_ydI82xMEcMo_thrcKRU7ceItoKlNbhm4O98_D5HbTqg1XJbm2WakhJvtUi-HV6QLzDb1NGz58rDyh-3_bv-tu5OU6vRIw5CjS_wYrJSHZ/s400/052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narra is a super wiggly roller. Very amusing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNwMJu9bqdEY2mx947n_miCOnqksxXDiLWF7aV8cuqEsMnP5vrKgfvnP2PnA2lNo02ofUpyZZPWX7AZfQ_wOR_zQN39Ndzps12FqyoYu5_eiNLfGOxoGfmSc71PtPmWL1Y99hJWTOwOBn/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNwMJu9bqdEY2mx947n_miCOnqksxXDiLWF7aV8cuqEsMnP5vrKgfvnP2PnA2lNo02ofUpyZZPWX7AZfQ_wOR_zQN39Ndzps12FqyoYu5_eiNLfGOxoGfmSc71PtPmWL1Y99hJWTOwOBn/s400/055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red was very thirsty. Good drinker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRltz1UIICXq-BwNizx5xBP-sEh8UjTo7FWjq8f5LjiuMmYUrISoGdFOuW3wjT5rDL80wuCLEuErzoY56ze_6Ft_L069TeBns3Woh1fJSfmYC93p1JGECkMCi8ppz4IhqKcq6Ywgym0fj/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRltz1UIICXq-BwNizx5xBP-sEh8UjTo7FWjq8f5LjiuMmYUrISoGdFOuW3wjT5rDL80wuCLEuErzoY56ze_6Ft_L069TeBns3Woh1fJSfmYC93p1JGECkMCi8ppz4IhqKcq6Ywgym0fj/s400/057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narra's priority was to eat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-36983757763047967462012-03-16T16:37:00.009-07:002012-03-20T18:50:20.840-07:00Trainer's Day 16 report<span style="color: #444444;"> <blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">Narra on Friday was SO good! I took her for a ride in the ditches and had NO problems with her being lazy. She trotted and went through huge puddles and then had 2 GREAT canters which she enjoyed and held like a champ. She was a very happy girl. She knows her way home because she got a little quick on the way back and was doing little jigs here and there which I hate but she was great at the end. Her breaks are MUCH improved as well as her steering. She is a little apprehensive with the steering. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">I worked Red in the ring again and worked with ground tying. He is not taking to it as fast as Narra because he just wants to follow. Narra seems to take pride in standing nicely haha. It's cute. He did well though and let me untack him without moving and then go away from him and open the gate. His steering was excellent as well as his pace. You could really tell he was waiting to see what I was going to ask next and almost was trying to be one step ahead. for his breaks I just have to say whoa and relax and he stops. No rein pressure. The steering in the canter was great and I will be starting to get him moving off the leg right away so that he starts to take a bit more shape and get the proper bend. He is a bit barrel horseish with a slow pace right now. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Very comfortable gaits for both horses!</span></blockquote></span><br />
Great progress for both horses. Since these would be rides 8 for both horses. TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-8369133341153136382012-03-16T16:22:00.000-07:002012-03-16T16:22:51.963-07:00Mommy Mental Health MorningToday hubby was home, so even though Sqwid is pretty sick, I abandonded them both and went to the barn.<br />
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I stopped at Canvasback on the way to the barn and got myself a Groomer's Stone. Great for shedding hair and polished the coat too. So much better (and kinder) than a shedding blade! The horses loved it (they both hate the shedding blade). I liked the stone too. It is a porous "stone" made from recycled glass. It is oblong and fits nicely into your hand. And with the rounded sides, it's softer on their body and legs.<br />
<br />
<br />
Red also got a big massage. Red stood for the curry and brushing, but then wandered off. Narra loved all the attention. I shedded her out pretty good with the groomer's stone, and gooped on lots of Ecolicious DeStress on her mane and tail. Then I went over to Red who was laying down. I gooped some DeStress on his mane, then gave him a 20 minute massage. It was funny, he kept grunting and stretching his head forward and nodding off. Eventually he leaned against my leg, and nearly knocked me over as he really relaxed. Funny boy. <br />
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Lord do they need a bath. Once they are home, I plan an Ecolicious makeover. I am planning to add a hot water tap outside beside my regualr tap, so I can give warm water baths, for horses and dogs on my washrack. <br />
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TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-85359631063147993562012-03-15T20:52:00.001-07:002012-03-16T14:56:42.957-07:00Trainer's Day 15 report<span style="color: #444444;"> <blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">Red: I worked Red again in the outdoor ring. He was a lot better with his steering and his breaks were great. I just had to sit back, pick up the reins a bit and give the cue and he would slow and stop. We worked on the figure 8 to sharpen his steering even further and then tried out some canter in the ring. His transitions up into the canter were better than most horses at this stage and he was very responsive to the whoa. His steering of course needs work at the canter while he works on balancing but I will be working him on the lunge to help him out with that. His canter was uphill and forward. He did buck a couple of times but nothing to try to harm anyone. Just 1 buck twice when I had to get his attention with my leg. I gave him shit for that and he realized it was bad and didn't do it again.</span></blockquote><br />
<br />
I LOVE THIS HORSE! He sounds so honest and just what I need to get back into riding.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">Narra: Narra was so keen and did great with the walk and trot. Her steering faltered a little because she was interested in a couple other things such as, playing in the puddles and other horses. We worked on a small figure 8 and she got over it. She is quite lazy and needs a lot of reinforcement with the leg. With a LOT of transition work she should get over this no problem. I decided to see how she did with the canter. I FINALLY got her up into it and she bucked into the canter with a little leap but then settled and had a beautiful round canter both ways. After this I tried to ask her again and she just slowed her trot. Very lazy. I think we had only done 6 strides each way. I FINALLY got another 6 strides out of her and ended there. She was a sleepy girl. Very happy though. She has not been bratty at all. Just lazy but if she would rather stop than bolt, that is much more desirable for a kids pony. Still want to get her on an even forward pace though. I will be working her on the lunge as well to get her keeping her rhythm a little better and keeping the canter without me having to dislocate a hip. haha. </span></blockquote><br />
I hate lazy horses! Ahhhh! Oh, well. <br />
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She has also been ponying the two off each other (must look hilarious when she reverses things and ponies the 15h gelding off the 13h mare! lol) It bothers them not a bit. Next she will try to pony them off a strange horse. <br />
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</span> </span>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-61135739672270682222012-03-15T16:00:00.000-07:002012-03-15T16:00:09.069-07:00Trainer's Day 14 reportGot a great email today.<br />
<br />
Evil Poneh may yet become Not-so Evil Poneh. Her ride last night sounded like a big improvement.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">...her shortest ride yet! I rode her in the riding ring and she did amazing. We just worked on the circle at the walk and trot. worked on keeping straight and relaxed. She kept a good pace and was a little bit lazy even (we will work on that). I was able to get her stopping at the "whoa" cue while sitting deep and putting very little pressure on the reins. At the trot and walk she was reaching down into the bit and she had no issues with stubbornness.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Red was also very good. He was also reaching down into the bit at the walk and trot. He kept a good pace but was more inclined to speed up. He will do very well at dressage. You can feel a little pause in his trot! Some suspension happening there. He was a little apprehensive with the steering today but his breaks are great! By the end he was trotting in relaxed circles and beginning to drop his poll. After this I decided to take him on a little 15 min trail ride. So Red had his first canter! I had to urge him into it the first time but he kept his pace and was very honest about it on a loose rein. The second time I asked him he basically stepped right up into it. I cantered him about 10 strides each time. He was VERY happy about this!</span> </blockquote></span><br />
I am SO looking forward to riding him! He is shaping up to be exactly the horse I wanted when I went shopping.<br />
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And while I had wanted to start him myself, I am not regretting sending him to this woman. For one thing, she is working him so much more often than I could and he is learning so quickly! And keeping me in the loop the entire time.TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-6029101564550819802012-03-13T13:32:00.011-07:002012-03-15T15:43:09.401-07:00Trainer's Day 11 reportRed went for a ride in Bird's Hill Park!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">I was able to walk him right across the highway without issues. He did give the rock at the trail entrance a little look but passed it after I let him relax for a second and then gave him a little squeeze. I walked him on a loose rein and did a little bit of trot as well. He did require some half halting but was thoroughly enjoying himself! We came across some deer which spooked him but he just did the "on the spot" spook and then carried on without any further worries. His breaks were excellent and he learned to back up so I could get him pushing off with his hind a little more and getting it to tuck under. I basically plan on backing him up a couple steps after every whoa to sharpen his breaks up a tad.</span> </blockquote></span><br />
OK, that sounds like fun!<br />
<br />
Narra was not ready for a ride in BHP.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">...worked on being relaxed and willing in the yard. We did a bit of trot and she even softened to the bit at times! She threw a couple of "I don't want to" fits just by stopping and becoming numb but I gave her a moment to think and then she carried on and I petted her for continuing. By the end of the ride there were no issues with steering or stubbornness. She still has a few things to learn about breaks.</span> </blockquote></span><br />
She is also planning to work on clipper training this weekend. I said she can clip whatever she wants to, to keep them cooler. I don't mind giggling at their expense if she does a funny clip (like an "endurance clip" I have heard others doing). She said she would just clip the head and bridle path, as she wants to do pictures as they progress! That's just fine with me. She is an amazine equine photographer!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-72944224759782532762012-03-11T15:13:00.000-07:002012-03-11T15:13:57.769-07:00Trainer`s Day 9 updateNarra:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">I decided I would just hop up and walk around the yard. She had her initial stubborn streak with not wanting to go forward (not a big issue) and then once she went forward she was super proud of herself again. No attempts to buck or bolt. She was wanting to go wherever she wanted but did not get away with it so by the end she was moving forward with a very small cue and turning in both directions as well as stopping and standing. She was very happy and we even went for a little walk in the ditch where there was some VERY deep snow but she did not hesitate. She scooted up a little snow hill to get back onto the driveway too. After the ride, when I put her out, she followed me around. Looks like she is learning that listening is fun! YAY!</blockquote>I think Evil Poneh is her favourite, since she always starts with her. <br />
<br />
Red is progressing faster:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">I did the EXACT same thing but with a saddle. He made no different reactions, other than him not wanting to turn to the right. He got over that though and was relaxed and happy by the end. Very easy to work with! He even started to look for contact at the end. But when he wasn't wanting to turn, I was blown away by how far he can get his head back. That was the only head tossing he did though so phew. </blockquote>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-61538914207611001012012-03-11T15:11:00.000-07:002012-03-11T15:11:52.711-07:00Trainer`s Day 8 updateSounds like things are progressing nicely. Between managing the barn (while owners away) and her full time job, she has been working them after dark mostly. Good thing the nights were so bright! But they are handling wallking in strange places, doing new things, in the dark, with little worry.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">I worked again with long reining. [Evil Poneh] was much better but still extremely stubborn. All she did though was not want to go forward and then when she did, she decided to do her own little serpentines. Not a big deal since she was at least going forward. We covered 4x the distance this time! By the end she was responsive to me asking her to move forward and seemed quite pleased with herself. After this I took her in and groomed her. She is MUCH calmer in the barn now. She stood ground tied while I groomed her and then ate her food and munched some hay calmly in the stall while I went to get Red.</blockquote>She was actually born in a barn and spent her first month in a small barn with attached run. So really barns are not the problem. Listening is!<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">I rode Red! I did not have a saddle on him for this time though. He was very good but a little confused. I took him through the ditch and around trees, working on steering and moving forward. At first he was a little apprehensive to go, but was very much enjoying himself at the end. He was walking on a loose rein at a good pace and did not hesitate (as Narra did) to turn away from home. When we got back he was very snuggly in the barn and kept his eye on me. It was very cute.</blockquote>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-69651744401461079082012-03-11T14:49:00.001-07:002012-03-11T15:07:18.096-07:00Training update for Red and Evil PonehI have been getting regular emails from the horse trainer on how the horses are doing with training. I'm finding this great not just because I am a control freak and nosy, but because this way I also get to "see" how thay are responding to being pressured. So far her assesment is exactly what I expected they would be like. But I find this so much better than coming back a month later to pick them up and just getting "she didn't like this, but got over it". I like details.<br />
<br />
I've gotten my trainer's permission to share her email snippets of their training progress, so I will just get you all caught up...<br />
<br />
<strong>Trainer's Day 3 report:</strong><br />
<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #444444;">I worked with your babies today. Since they got out last night, and got into a burr patch (knocked rail down) there was a lot of ground tying and patience work for them. Narra got to work on being in the barn because she decided to jump out of the stall, likely just due to being herd bound. I did some sacking out with both horses who were at first a little twitchy but calmed pretty quickly! I worked on the lunge with both as well and used the cues walk and whoa. Both horses were quite attentive (especially Red). Narra was doing a lot of testing today so we worked a lot on getting over that. Just by keeping her attention on me and then making a HUGE fuss so she realized I'm not so bad. She was pretty cuddly after all of this! </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Tomorrow I will be taking them both for a walk with a saddle and bridle (with halter over top), and work again on lunging.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">As for the escaping, they met me at the barn door this morning and were VERY excited. Red was confused... Narra wanted to play with EVERYONE! Both horses were uninjured and happy. As for Narra jumping out of the stall, she is ok after that as well. I don't think you have to worry about her being game for jumping or not.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Both horses have also been eating and drinking well.</span></blockquote><br />
And that is why I call her Evil Poneh. <br />
<br />
Because I know it was her who knocked it down, and promptly led Red astray. And yup, when I went out to visit with the Chiro that day, there was a bunch of poop in the hay shed. Where she had likely spent the night.<br />
<br />
I was embarrased. <br />
<br />
But EP is soaking up all the attention, everyone thinks she is just adorable, especially her hair cut! <br />
<br />
<strong>Trainer's Day 5 report:</strong><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">...was relatively stress free for the horses. We went for a walk down the road with a bridle and saddle on. Both horses seemed like they didn't care at all. Narra did not like to idea of having to listen to the bit at ALL. But got used to it. </span></blockquote><span style="color: black;">I had let her wear a bridle a few times, but just low stress stuff, while grooming, etc... </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;">Red had never worn one before. His bit arrived in the mail just days before he went to the barn. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">I got brave and sat on both of your horses bareback yesterday and today. In the pasture yesterday we just fiddled around and did some circles. Both seemed to like the attention except Narra was mad that she wasn't allowed to eat. Hah. I rode both horses back to the paddoc after their lesson today Again both were good but you can tell Narra just wants to do what she wants. Getting better though. Oh...rode them bareback by the way. I did not get on them with a saddle on. I like to do those separate. Now that they know both I will be getting on with a saddle in the next few days once their steering and breaks are a bit better.</span> </blockquote></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Red had been sat on before, EP never. But I was not expecting the sitting to be the problem with her!</span> <br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">Today was long reining day. Narra was not a happy girl about that. She tried to fight and I let her tire herself out and just kept her facing straight. About an hour later she finally felt that it was better worth it to just walk up the driveway. And she was good. Although she is herdbound she did not trot home. Her steering and breaks improved a lot! I put her in a stall and she did not try to jump out this time. She pawed a bit but I ignored her and she stopped. She was cuddly afterwards.</span> </blockquote></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Are we seeing a pattern here? lol "We did this... Narra was not happy. We did that... Narra was not happy"</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span>. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">Then there was Red. His steering and breaks were quite decent to begin with. I walked him on the long reins and he even got to trot a bit. He stopped to the command of whoa with a little bit of pressure on the reins. He was happy and listening. This is good, I will be able to progress a little faster with him and he should be good to go for you by the end of the month! I will likely be backing him within the next couple days</span></blockquote><br />
<span style="color: black;">This is what I was expecting of him after working with him. I knew he would need a few days to begin to trust her, then he would try very hard for her. Evil Poneh would try very hard to still do what she wanted.<br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span></span><span style="color: black;"><br />
I mentioned to her I was glad I had apparently gotten her over one her (more amusing) bad habits; when she cannot get her way, she throws herself on the ground and rolls like a toddler having a tantrum. This habit developed after I convinced her that kicking at me when she does not get her way, was a Very Bad Idea!<br />
<br />
She went "huh, at one point I thought she was going to roll, then I thought: Nah, that was silly" <br />
</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="color: #444444;">Narra may need some more time for her rebellious attitude to subside. I knopw why you call her evil pony now haha. I expected this though. I have been letting her realize a lot that it is better worth her time to and energy to listen. I have a feeling that she will be one of those horses where it will just click with her one day and then she will be quite a good pony!</span> <br />
<span style="color: #444444;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">Red is quite the catch I would say! Very good boy. Narra is just a classic pony!</span></blockquote></span>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-49913889317650387432012-03-09T11:44:00.000-08:002012-03-09T11:44:49.327-08:00Manitoba Horse Council membershipHow awesome is that?! <br />
<br />
MHC just added a way to buy or renew you membership all online! You can even print it off right away. In case you needed it ASAP for an event. <br />
<br />
Just select the "My MHC Online" tab at the top of <a href="http://www.manitobahorsecouncil.ca/">http://www.manitobahorsecouncil.ca/</a> and it walks you through the process. Easy peasy.TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-41027271764076856492012-03-01T23:18:00.001-08:002012-03-09T11:39:15.423-08:00Bye Bye horsesKinda wierd here now. There are no horses at home for the first time in over 2 years. <br />
<br />
The trainer's other client horse was not able to come by, so she asked if I wanted to bring Evil Poneh by as well, have them both trained at the same time. So I packed her up and was on the road 2 hours later!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wJ5ED2cOyiJJYiG9rhrdML6p2lAIDCGt86BsDuXqYP2byRgedXyj7INTDp7nT69AwgkDwmqm-Pq7H4CiGSz1rBWHUyVeizvjwRbDY5H-55jhql1hIU5XL-I1VrU5VYoj6GD8252YA2DT/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wJ5ED2cOyiJJYiG9rhrdML6p2lAIDCGt86BsDuXqYP2byRgedXyj7INTDp7nT69AwgkDwmqm-Pq7H4CiGSz1rBWHUyVeizvjwRbDY5H-55jhql1hIU5XL-I1VrU5VYoj6GD8252YA2DT/s400/001.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil Poneh waiting to be loaded</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">EP was a dream to load. Zero issues. But she did not trailer so well. There was a lot of trailer shaking goin' on! Even though I always tie my horses, and drive slowly. By the time we got to the Barn, she was drenched and hollering! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Boy, was she happy to see Red! And I was happy to not be dealing with her herd bound self! That will be one of the trainer's challenges with her. And I will be building fencing this year to be able to occasionally seperate the two, so they are more used to it. My bad.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wMoC1O09P9iINg3xtOlMS8p_JLqJOYKSc65vltJPBER_gPN6doWB4NPMcoBnTcoPJZnRmdt6bRJ8cQN-cxv43Nujm6aY0FJNuybM9VG-3vQe2QjZIAw_dMoXT8maHRRWN2E79439WAXq/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wMoC1O09P9iINg3xtOlMS8p_JLqJOYKSc65vltJPBER_gPN6doWB4NPMcoBnTcoPJZnRmdt6bRJ8cQN-cxv43Nujm6aY0FJNuybM9VG-3vQe2QjZIAw_dMoXT8maHRRWN2E79439WAXq/s640/002.JPG" width="640" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narra checking out her new home (for a month or two, at least!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The trainer has promised to keep me updated with occasional emails on their progress. I'll be sure to share!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-32028808426675044082012-02-29T20:12:00.000-08:002012-02-29T20:12:17.133-08:00A big day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I had set myself a goal, but I was still not making it out often enough to get Red properly started. So I decided to send him out to the same trainer Evil Poneh was going to. But she could only take one, and since I want to do the mid May CT ride, I decided to send Red out first. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And today was Moving Day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This morning I made up ziplocs of his munchies mix, packed all his tack and ran out to do some shopping. When we got back it was time to put Sqwid down for his nap, and time to load Red.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Remembering The Great Trailering Wars of 2011, I thought I'd start as soon as Sqwid went down for his nap. And with good luck and dogged perseverence Red would be loaded in time for me to run in, feed Sqwid a quick snack, and then leave by 4:30.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I haltered Red, put his munchies and hay in the trailer and grabbed the longing whip in anticipation of having to make him work. We walked up to the trailer, he snorted (like he hasn't been tied to it for hours over the last two days). I walked up and tossed two cookies on the floor. His ears snapped forward (I felt the rush of wind) and he snuck up on the cookies and gobbled them before they could escape. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I asked him to step in. I got a "No way, Lady!" So I backed him quickly 10 feet, sent him in a tight circle, then approached the trailer and stepped in. He stepped right up. I stood there confused on what had just happened. </div><br />
<br />
We turned around and stepped out. Then loaded right back in. <br />
<br />
My nerve broke at this point and I decided to leave him in there with his food until it's time to leave. lol<br />
<br />
So there he sat, all relaxed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvyHoAsCW8tyqAo9D1xP4em5asiIGEs_nI_GSa7eq5XvfLDV148XYJQP6IsGsNfeEMSNQTbWKUoQHDKmInuCupTMrrKibVws53t2Qq2M9ZWFfe5EC0YNN9mCD32uJxfWcALu2m4YEPmp0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvyHoAsCW8tyqAo9D1xP4em5asiIGEs_nI_GSa7eq5XvfLDV148XYJQP6IsGsNfeEMSNQTbWKUoQHDKmInuCupTMrrKibVws53t2Qq2M9ZWFfe5EC0YNN9mCD32uJxfWcALu2m4YEPmp0/s320/003.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Evil Poneh wass a basket case; hollering and running back and forth. Oh, well, she needs to loose weight. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsVauE6N-adFX7r6wADjQzSvC80nGZWLzwOsi8vxBZJ3dKokz3nxokaPZnv7I-ytCi9phE1sc8WuDNI2vcCCCI2gzhFbkD9VC0HOVW7O8ugEQFiOoqQNKXI45iTsWCoWt11f95TKXev4j/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsVauE6N-adFX7r6wADjQzSvC80nGZWLzwOsi8vxBZJ3dKokz3nxokaPZnv7I-ytCi9phE1sc8WuDNI2vcCCCI2gzhFbkD9VC0HOVW7O8ugEQFiOoqQNKXI45iTsWCoWt11f95TKXev4j/s320/005.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She did not settle down the whole time, and was a bit sweaty by the time to leave! I got Sqwid dressed in his snowsuit and put the poor Berner puppy in the crate.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa5vt4FhD91o1cwOOntQku4ScO44hlQDjtA3MJL55M4cIQhigcG9qc7MHT1WyusiaTW_ldF5Pn0jFGQwOcoHzTnzP0rI0Upa-kcVLEYlQGRPiIrcOag6IAcUBSuDpslDDPo4rPmVpQriS/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKa5vt4FhD91o1cwOOntQku4ScO44hlQDjtA3MJL55M4cIQhigcG9qc7MHT1WyusiaTW_ldF5Pn0jFGQwOcoHzTnzP0rI0Upa-kcVLEYlQGRPiIrcOag6IAcUBSuDpslDDPo4rPmVpQriS/s320/009.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please don't make me go in the crate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And we were off. Unfortuantely, due to an accident, we had to take a long detour that add 20+ minutes. But we got there before nightfall, barely. Here is a picture of Red's nosy neighbours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0Rmr5s6654KjV18H2Njm8e2waCmDIT_S5S0xmI2WKUSDOgRR3Qys1r3Rgul7PWbRxG-aFsPclMwLD9Sg33TnhWe3EwhbacLvUPo52w1uvzWb1kWfruw53RhT6YoJfejcNN4V3wPWroFr/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0Rmr5s6654KjV18H2Njm8e2waCmDIT_S5S0xmI2WKUSDOgRR3Qys1r3Rgul7PWbRxG-aFsPclMwLD9Sg33TnhWe3EwhbacLvUPo52w1uvzWb1kWfruw53RhT6YoJfejcNN4V3wPWroFr/s320/010.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div> And a quick one of Red exploring his new paddock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknPyTupQQjamLMQd6aEz4YLbTXWXKA3nEJookwRJJVxlTlYUPVskmKv4sq4oA7r-4BcxScW8uj9bO-F7S8zW4N_ENaLZvZ8FJslUa4bZdrQk68V0YV8B8e6KKod7hlfRHXClq-9p6O19B/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknPyTupQQjamLMQd6aEz4YLbTXWXKA3nEJookwRJJVxlTlYUPVskmKv4sq4oA7r-4BcxScW8uj9bO-F7S8zW4N_ENaLZvZ8FJslUa4bZdrQk68V0YV8B8e6KKod7hlfRHXClq-9p6O19B/s320/011.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trainer has promised to keep me emailed with regular updates on his progress. Yeah!</div>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-13615628669853321162012-02-10T13:35:00.000-08:002012-02-10T13:35:48.325-08:00My New Resolution<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been doing horrible this year for my training resolutions. I have two untrained coming four year olds just sittign in my yard. And while I am sure they are perfectly happy just trotting around, having fun and eating hay, I believe it is my responsibility as their owner to see them trained. Horses are not like dogs, where if something were to happen to you, can still find a home relatively easily. There is not a very good market for untrained horses, and it greatly increases their chance of going to the knackers! And the more training and exposure to things, the better home they can likely find.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I set myself a few goals this year. General ones, like ground work on Red. Undersaddle work by March, 2-3 pleasure rides at the endurance rides this ride season. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But at the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to be undersaddle by September! So I have set more exact goals. With appointments on my e-calendar and reminders that pop up! Every Wednesday is a ground driving lesson for Red. Fridays are a short longeing lesson for Red and other stuff to fill in an hour. Such as carrying a bit while I groom, or hobble training. Sundays are another ground driving lesson, at least for another week or two, until I feel comfortable to ask someone over to lead us as I sit on his back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'll try to keep myself honest by blogging about the training days. They'll likely be short, and not all will have photos. So this may get boring for those reading this! lol</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">------------------------------</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Two weeks ago I ordered some stuff from a tack store closing. 75% off!!!! And I have anxiously awaiting delivery. I got my stuff yesterday, only to have 75% on backorder! So who knows when it will arrive!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In that order, I got bits for both horses. For Evil Poneh, who has a normal tongue and good arch, I got a simple 5" loose ring snaffle in German silver. Since she is going to the trainer in 2 1/2 weeks I wanted to do some basic prep work. I will be beginning hobble training and bitting her. Just low stress, pop the bit in and brush her, which she loves! Unfortunately her bit was one of the items on backorder. So I ended up borrowing a happy-mouth eggbutt snaffle. Meh. I attached it to my stupid simple Snap-On bridle last night and resolved to go outside today and put it on!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So as Sqwid went down for his nap, I could delay no longer *shudder* I bundled up and brought the bridle outside. I haltered both horses, and tied Red a distance away so he wouldn't chase Narra away from me. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I got a gander at Evil Poneh's bridle path. I would categorize her as follically well-endowed. I would have had to let out the cheekepieces a few notches to get over that fro. Unfortuately the roaching shears I ordered were also on backorder. So I re-trimmed her roach (it was starting to flop) using the twine scissors. Hmmmm... not the same effect.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It came time to try the bit. I put it on my hand, and she gobbled it up like candy. She was not too impressed that it was not edible.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pkw1wsJpS0hgvnyAJ1CPuGTrDtM-bw9oeR2Ox9wtdk1rb7qqZauMZiBKuTO5gLhIJnuxaKmW35VV7vFmMK3YoxFepCzxBfIKMaFQgjtMmTM0VOr0YsmENnkSgFrtYHqxiZ_EPtGlvTAc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pkw1wsJpS0hgvnyAJ1CPuGTrDtM-bw9oeR2Ox9wtdk1rb7qqZauMZiBKuTO5gLhIJnuxaKmW35VV7vFmMK3YoxFepCzxBfIKMaFQgjtMmTM0VOr0YsmENnkSgFrtYHqxiZ_EPtGlvTAc/s320/007.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">But other than constantly mouthing it, she didn't care. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMydzKRGjdu9tnzlD0MddnPUpw5berHVyJmgFVvSEMf12yXh1OKkp1v-BvnD4AI7y1Y-9-jUZC6zupcYg8BeqLrWGjwRhE1PyIaKIqBh-g_GI9vAjYmYWr33_lBCOTTZFqN72AtELjJ6rJ/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMydzKRGjdu9tnzlD0MddnPUpw5berHVyJmgFVvSEMf12yXh1OKkp1v-BvnD4AI7y1Y-9-jUZC6zupcYg8BeqLrWGjwRhE1PyIaKIqBh-g_GI9vAjYmYWr33_lBCOTTZFqN72AtELjJ6rJ/s320/010.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><br />
So I slipped it off, then back on quickly. Gave her a few treats, and took it off and left her alone.<br />
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By this time my pinkies had gone numb, and my legs were freezing so I packed it all up and ran inside. <br />
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It's a start.TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-55621220884728666852012-02-07T13:24:00.000-08:002012-02-07T13:24:03.743-08:00Found a Trainer!It has been difficult trying to find a tainer for Evil Poneh. She will be the Sqwid's pony, so I feel she has to have an excellent base on her. I have called, talked to and checked refernces on 6 trainers before finding the young woman I decided on. <br />
<br />
And I never would have even heard of her if it wasn't for a friend of mine. She knew a pony the woman had trained, and liked what she saw of her riding. She also knew the young woman from Pony Club (where I HOPE Sqwid will want to go!) I think PC is a great place for kids to learn responsibility and horsmanship.<br />
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I was pretty undecided on type of trainer, as I just wanted a good base. The plan is to put 1-2 months on her, just enough to really get her reliable; solid on transitions, whoa and steering. Have her riden, but not too much cantering as she still has growing to do. Then bring her home and keep up on her exposure to new things and places. Then later, when a little more mature and able to better hold up to a more grueling workout, send her back to get the fine tuning and finishing. <br />
<br />
I gave a list of all things I want her to be able to do. She said most of these are what she does for all horses, but a few are new to her! I said I would do the hobble training, as I am now an "expert". lol<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Musts:<br />
*excellent whoa (either off voice or seat or legs) gonna be kid's pony<br />
*ground ties (so stops when rope hits ground, gets loose or reins are dropped)<br />
*walk/ trot in hand (so my son can do endurance with me!)<br />
*more responsive, quicker to move off lighter pressure<br />
*longing<br />
*ground driving (would eventually like her in harness for winter fun!)<br />
*MUST be forward, HATE plugs<br />
*a good working trot with impulsion<br />
*hobble trained<br />
<br />
Wants:<br />
-willing enough to be ridden in sidepull or hack<br />
-low jumps (to see if likes)<br />
-head down at "eeeasy" command (so kid can halter/ bridle her)<br />
-teach to stand, four square, without moving at "stand" command (got my gelding doing that in just 3 quick sessions) Very useful.<br />
-stops if saddle slips <br />
-clips (because she is a hairy yak late into spring, and for ease of roaching)<br />
</blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qW5ERzvbGWAr9BGRPvips1_MuQjuLIJXRn3ZLCPOz35geK2cEB95uOPEJyhmR9laUo6PmTvvjHayuCQiwRaAuEzbc9wZdgNRnGAVYPxXH6r7fTc-f1k5HNDuji1R17w3uxfmR5SUq_DN/s1600/Frost+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qW5ERzvbGWAr9BGRPvips1_MuQjuLIJXRn3ZLCPOz35geK2cEB95uOPEJyhmR9laUo6PmTvvjHayuCQiwRaAuEzbc9wZdgNRnGAVYPxXH6r7fTc-f1k5HNDuji1R17w3uxfmR5SUq_DN/s320/Frost+012.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Boy, am I glad the search is over! It was hard to find the right trainer. Most of the ones I talked to were not overly fond of ponies, and had no one small to ride them. They would do a lot of ground work, but either could only do a little bit of undersaddle work because they felt they were too big, or would do lots of undersaddle work because they didn;t care if it was too much for Evil Poneh. Bah! And few were really wanting to spend the time to talk to me. They wanted me to drive out to meet them instead of simply talking on the phone (for me to even decide if the drive was worht it!)<br />
<br />
This woman came out to meet EP, to decide if she likes her and would work with her and also to talk to me about her training ideas. I liked all that she said. She is smaller than me and so would not stress EP, and can ride more. And she likes ponies! Not many of those around!<br />
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So. Narra is off to the trainer's barn on March 1st. I'll be sure to keep you updated!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-3319720176061013942012-01-28T16:32:00.000-08:002012-01-28T19:51:00.234-08:00Progress!The last several days of nice weather have made me feel horribly guilty for not being out working Red. So today, I sucked it up, dressed warm and put on two pairs of gloves. Cause I just don't enjoy winter like I did as a kid.<br /><br />It had been a few weeks since we last worked. So we started off kinda slow, with a lot of flat sides to our circle. And I came to a realization, becase he is so sensitive I tend to baby him. And surprise, he takes advantage! When he didn't want to do what I asked, he tried to evade. His choice of evasion is to spin to face me and back, or even rear if I keep pressuring him. Delightful.<br /><br />Since having the Sqwid, I have noticed I am a lot more cautious working around the horses. I am constanly aware that I cannot afford to be injured and still take care of him. So I find myself getting nervous and even backing off when the horses get bad. This is not good!<br /><br />So I gritted my teeth and got after him. I ran around to his side, got big and noisy and drove him forward. Once he trotted forward again, I stopped him and lest him rest.<br /><br />And a fascinating thing happened. I had to do that another time, and then I got a beautiful working trot. We executed a nice turn, and did the same going the other way.<br /><br />And on that note we took a break.<br /><br />Later we moved onto a bit of ground driving.<br /><br />You could tell I had let him sit too long and he gave me a bit of trouble. But eventually we got going nicely in the trees. It's a nice place to walk him, as every 50-100 feet there is a fork in the trail. Here he is taking the right fork.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYM2wSxnHg3PynNhYoJMqHFdO9NBe6ukqLjQwAfh-RjJciQddSMVaLR59SXQJ1wrbHvuQgsp6Az5sT7RfXsreSUEPeBW_K3BBQM4o8cdkVpu91jYljUhATmwE8MY4rzxx9AZFwPgu18UH/s1600/Red+016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702853828371186578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijYM2wSxnHg3PynNhYoJMqHFdO9NBe6ukqLjQwAfh-RjJciQddSMVaLR59SXQJ1wrbHvuQgsp6Az5sT7RfXsreSUEPeBW_K3BBQM4o8cdkVpu91jYljUhATmwE8MY4rzxx9AZFwPgu18UH/s320/Red+016.JPG" /></a> </p><br /><br /><p>Afterward, since he was nice and relaxed, I decided to do some hobble work. He was just lightly sweaty, and in a pretty good frame of mind.</p><br /><br /><p>I had done 3 (5 minute long) sessions of prepwork before this. Always at the end of a work session. Using a 12' cotton rope, I got him used to ropes around his legs. Stopping once he stopped moving away. Working him up to wrapping the rope around and then pulling it off. Last session I had wrapped the rope around 3 legs at once, tugging on both ends. When he moved not at all, I decided that next time it was ok to starp them on.</p><br /><br /><p>So today, I did a quick refresher, using the rope to wrap his two fronts, then drawing it off slowly. Yup, time to strap them on! So I carefully attached one to his near side pastern. He politely stood still, trying to see over my shoulder to find out what I was doing. I told him "stand" and shifted over to strap on the second one. Then I undid the lead and walked away. </p><br /><br /><p>At first he just looked at them...</p><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702885606603627314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJXi3MwyRORmvh9ChCEXu50b4MgeZ7aFBRYwCG7DMcrFsVNqWGv3BKH3XILICUhD_Qu9UnB3K1PIeWOWRTwazS8u2MHdi_rsmqnV3ocdJ4A1iKwAultD6gI1-0NYoB02zMsM29QTFn3IC/s320/Red+019.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><div>Then he chewed them a bit...</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnstqir4CsNGkL0g0e4bFv4e5waJbz41tnfWkvJ84XrbsQ-WfVklKda2HBnjEeSnPucL3vZb7mvzZO74d-zEcBG9mnXFHhkW2TpkkD208dFlOvQvEFhYCHvI71tis1rmcU9XVx3CQOfw2/s1600/Red+030.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702853846774620194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnstqir4CsNGkL0g0e4bFv4e5waJbz41tnfWkvJ84XrbsQ-WfVklKda2HBnjEeSnPucL3vZb7mvzZO74d-zEcBG9mnXFHhkW2TpkkD208dFlOvQvEFhYCHvI71tis1rmcU9XVx3CQOfw2/s320/Red+030.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br />Then he backed up...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuVl6fuXD0Q1jJ4dNP16RosMQjoQpLcbwf4IIqNDWV7Uywdhqw9OqvL77Yu4kH-WlRZryvaxrhAMw-RHbdD9iC7nDTYDhQ83hOkqtl5L4wVG2L_zKKtDjwzGNNZpSdkK_7yDmKBgWMqqe/s1600/Red+022.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702853853538147074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuVl6fuXD0Q1jJ4dNP16RosMQjoQpLcbwf4IIqNDWV7Uywdhqw9OqvL77Yu4kH-WlRZryvaxrhAMw-RHbdD9iC7nDTYDhQ83hOkqtl5L4wVG2L_zKKtDjwzGNNZpSdkK_7yDmKBgWMqqe/s320/Red+022.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Then he stood still and chewed for a bit. He relaxed and just looked around. He watched Caerwen patrolling in the distance...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaO15ssMDkcRJg25PVEW1KMMXZ_UsbetYqzUdLoiC1oLSrs56qZXWoX7bNMHi9-77stORP_hd1RuLkV4JjC0kiQP45Q_EY8itUZ1J16fLuESu9DOmNKsoXvfU27V3_lOOUB8QXG9lvpcM/s1600/Red+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702853867916553586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaO15ssMDkcRJg25PVEW1KMMXZ_UsbetYqzUdLoiC1oLSrs56qZXWoX7bNMHi9-77stORP_hd1RuLkV4JjC0kiQP45Q_EY8itUZ1J16fLuESu9DOmNKsoXvfU27V3_lOOUB8QXG9lvpcM/s320/Red+031.JPG" /></a></div><br />In all, it was a good day.<br /><br />And I think I found a trainer for Evil Poneh!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-16539082845280894342011-12-12T08:39:00.000-08:002011-12-12T09:30:47.977-08:00We're getting there!I'll start off by apologizing for not taking any pics (was a little busy), but promise that despite the lack of pictures, it did actually happen! Here are some pics from earlier in the year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh298PyykJKqMl5aGYLVPXmqeuOh2keiFomOMHj_xqL4mxjT6g97dLOhA6whcXUtxVX2ABl_4wKDdMh_1XMckLXBImGzB3lueCbsHDzpc3jyq3s-C9AQGMNTbOc6OhozjYEgEe3pzVDMd2O/s1600/032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh298PyykJKqMl5aGYLVPXmqeuOh2keiFomOMHj_xqL4mxjT6g97dLOhA6whcXUtxVX2ABl_4wKDdMh_1XMckLXBImGzB3lueCbsHDzpc3jyq3s-C9AQGMNTbOc6OhozjYEgEe3pzVDMd2O/s320/032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685295057434005970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVkXseBngXVvz07QKoyJ2iry88IX2veTQImt0RluLCDUvpCteF0Q2otwznP4DdcQmFapxziNuoPJG-k0JFNxHruFJcz70kC2fXsKJGpqh0R5IZ2idAVh09Gr1lp6xhazx0ckFCeqyjgzR/s1600/033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVkXseBngXVvz07QKoyJ2iry88IX2veTQImt0RluLCDUvpCteF0Q2otwznP4DdcQmFapxziNuoPJG-k0JFNxHruFJcz70kC2fXsKJGpqh0R5IZ2idAVh09Gr1lp6xhazx0ckFCeqyjgzR/s320/033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685295046955279570" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7IqfS6-X7pNxLU9gUuLaz114jU4G0y3jqSs5DDxJCd-Q-gx-rarVf6td7HNUjNmqdaHAzYkhO-M8CM9eTk6HdC0PHM4Nj1Eg2VfrM78nyWypTwdErg6QFEYoD5AJ-oDaUYbNTbCn0MxV/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7IqfS6-X7pNxLU9gUuLaz114jU4G0y3jqSs5DDxJCd-Q-gx-rarVf6td7HNUjNmqdaHAzYkhO-M8CM9eTk6HdC0PHM4Nj1Eg2VfrM78nyWypTwdErg6QFEYoD5AJ-oDaUYbNTbCn0MxV/s320/034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685295044916364498" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzY0pSWUwqZeO2cjL-fzw-mx3uluVkVj9vkDitYljtuWyRyUdMPuFDHHH6Gj0rdN22ti37coh_aEVa1o2KPA5ItBWdAlpW3r9CUs-Z3xKTEq4itYR3X8P6GSuyk4z7xhFpg0GLLOGchrN/s1600/035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzY0pSWUwqZeO2cjL-fzw-mx3uluVkVj9vkDitYljtuWyRyUdMPuFDHHH6Gj0rdN22ti37coh_aEVa1o2KPA5ItBWdAlpW3r9CUs-Z3xKTEq4itYR3X8P6GSuyk4z7xhFpg0GLLOGchrN/s320/035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685295041695791154" /></a><br /><br />I have been feeling like we are floundering in my training of Red. I felt like I was not communicating effectively what I wanted from him, not progressing greatly, etc... So I called out my old riding instructor (also starts, trains and finishes horses) to come out and help me with the getting Red going on the longeline. <br /><br />I will admit, I have only put about 7 training sessions into Red since I got him. The rest was just messing around while moving him here to there, a bit of trailer training (after taking him to a hoof clinic off site and having difficulties with the trailering). But only 7 real sessions with goals in mind. He is coming 4 in March.<br /><br />Anyway, she came out today and started by her putting him on the longeline. I told her my goals for him, and what I'd already worked on. Walk/ trot in hand, head down (has high head set), yield on fore and hind, back, accustom to lunge whip (once), turn on the long line with it down far side of his body, and beginning hobble training (2 sessions). So she attached my 30 ft line and started longing him. Took a few minutes, but she got him doing a circle (my attempts yielded a square, hexagon and an isosceles triangle before I gave up and called an expert!). Walk and trot, transitions up and down. Then handed him over, saying I did a great job of putting a stop on him. I basked in her praise, not wanting to tell her it took 2 sessions to teach him that. And I achieved it by teaching him like I do the show dogs to free stack. LOL. I can now whoa him and walk 10-15 ft away to grab the whip, etc. And it is due to his innate awesomeness, not any skills on my part. But I let her believe it was my great skills for a while. <br /><br />So I longed him for another 10 minutes or so, working on getting a round circle. He tends to collapse in to stand with me when he is uncertain. Walk, trot, transitions; he was doing beautiful. <br /><br />Then she asked if I had a second cotton line. I ran to get it. We attached a line on either side knot of my rope halter (a home made one with rings it the side knots) and she walked in ground driving position while I led off the side to get him used to it. We wandered around like this for a while before she took over, running both lines through the surcingle. Took him a bit to understand since he didn't like the pressure on his nose AT ALL! But he REALLY hates the cavesson, so halter works better. She got him going pretty good, but we found out he would absolutely ROCK at twister! Man, that horse is flexible!<br /><br />Then she passed him over to me to ground drive. Whee!!! She suggested he would do better at this with a bit in as he did not like the twisting the halter did. The bit would clear up the signals. So I'll be bit shopping sooner than expected!<br /><br />Then she casually asked if I had a helmet handy. I ran to go get it. Thinking; she can't mean to...<br /><br />But she did! Said he was doing so well and is so calm and accepting that we could try if I was comfortable. I decided it would be better with her there than with my inexperienced husband! So she boosted me up to lay over his back. Then I hopped down and we did on the other side. Rinse, repeat. Then the same but with a few steps. Then a few more times with me sitting like I was side saddle. Then she asked me if I was comfortable with astride. I thought, well, we've gone this far! So we did that too! When he stood completely relaxed with me fully upright we quit for the day. <br /><br />She came in for hot chocolate (we had been outside for an hour in the minus 5 with 35 km/h wind) and we chatted for a bit. She was impressed with his mind and willingness. I told her how much work (or how little) I had actually done with him. She was even more impressed with him. And in her opinion, she feels I am doing fine by myself. Whew! I'm not ruining him like I thought! But I will be asking her back often to keep us progressing!<br /><br />I am feeling great about this horse again! Because I totally credit him with ALL his great progress. I have never dealt with a horse who tried so incredibly hard to please me and was so careful around me. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFcqJH47ko6y46o9eyYf3_IpxiB_lyPYHmDqnRUA3BIHbpxBq1giwotplCQ48tQ_BNqyo00ivFHzT_6BQ8-Aw7-UlNIwIDJOd_X-SrzUMLepfIuwUhTBDV6oqyOBVraNU3s7Uik89YoL/s1600/Red+First+Saddling+Aug+4_11+LR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFcqJH47ko6y46o9eyYf3_IpxiB_lyPYHmDqnRUA3BIHbpxBq1giwotplCQ48tQ_BNqyo00ivFHzT_6BQ8-Aw7-UlNIwIDJOd_X-SrzUMLepfIuwUhTBDV6oqyOBVraNU3s7Uik89YoL/s320/Red+First+Saddling+Aug+4_11+LR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685287911842589570" /></a>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-952824765597830102011-09-30T12:53:00.001-07:002011-09-30T14:51:06.091-07:00Breeder ReportThis September, I finally went on a vacation with the whole family. First one in over 9 years! We borrowed my parents 40 ft RV and packed up the Sqwid and the Kuvs (dogs) and set off for Alberta and beyond. Boy, was it hard to come home.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaHIDyJCMNZ-PcsUdz9pGj5JxB3hP2VIpzcLwSnGnulZ6EmCqkZkdN8YIje5nmLD7EnDcFilX19kBSBj8lFHvipprHaOo6hyphenhyphensPCcwr7Fupp-lmv0JyFFQCNHHbjBeF66jRAOA10ktSxlb/s1600/2011+trip+031.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658262333374341314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaHIDyJCMNZ-PcsUdz9pGj5JxB3hP2VIpzcLwSnGnulZ6EmCqkZkdN8YIje5nmLD7EnDcFilX19kBSBj8lFHvipprHaOo6hyphenhyphensPCcwr7Fupp-lmv0JyFFQCNHHbjBeF66jRAOA10ktSxlb/s320/2011+trip+031.JPG" /></a><br /><br />But on our travels, I managed to squeeze in a trip to Red's breeder! That was a highlight of the trip for me! Bold Vantage Farm has one of the largest herds of purebred Akhal Tekes in North America. Cynthia very graciously came and picked me up at the RV park in High River and drove me around to the 3 sites with her horses. I had a blast with her. She is funny and loves to talk about Tekes. Me too! But I don't know near as much as she does!<br /><br />We started at the old farm site, near town. Right away I met Murgab, in a paddock with a leased bay mare and her buckskin filly. The mare was of heavier build (not quite massive type – she did have a German? mare of MASSIVE type. She called her Cookie). Fun thing about Cynthia; she names all her horses funny barn names. The magnificent Murgab is Murray, there is also Cookie, Potato, Dinnerplate (Potato's part bred colt), Smootches, Covergirl, Cabbage, etc...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5aInDoj34JRWk5W5uVETEiFKPGRFaMJRUR11SbLBQUUDuneBFWGg4hS_opXPMkVfwhCrXv6lT0AHKvaLd1-twZTar738RTwKFSB9vjMRkL66iceds_42-_hwyzRhU6DQnAsxvZjIwz8T/s1600/Leased+mare%2527s+Murray+foal+%2528Portia%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658248781268399666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5aInDoj34JRWk5W5uVETEiFKPGRFaMJRUR11SbLBQUUDuneBFWGg4hS_opXPMkVfwhCrXv6lT0AHKvaLd1-twZTar738RTwKFSB9vjMRkL66iceds_42-_hwyzRhU6DQnAsxvZjIwz8T/s320/Leased+mare%2527s+Murray+foal+%2528Portia%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I liked the leased bay mare and her buckskin filly. Substantial girls! I think the filly will grow into a very nice mare! They may not be super “typey” but they are correct and will be sound! I'd rather that. I hate those Teke breeders that compromise proper conformation for typeyness. Another thing that struck me is Murgab has TONS of bone! I drooled. I would post pics of him, but he was INCREDIBLY uncooperative for photos.<br /><br />Unfortunately, Mr. Murray was feeling lazy in the warm fall sun and he WOULD NOT MOVE FOR ME!!! I was really looking forward to seeing his awesome movement in person. No such luck. In fact, we saw 6 more PB (pureblood) Tekes at the old farm site before we came across one that would move out for me! More on her later.<br /><br />We visited the broodmare pen. There were several of her broodmares in this pen, of all breeds. These were all the pregnant or without foal mares, most of them of other breeds. She had a lovely Welsh pony mare, cannot wait to see that foal! Bahilana was there (Red's dam). She has a really soft eye and while a little fat (hence the name Potato) she was very nicely built. She was bred to Kopeli last year, before his gelding, but did not take. (Not to worry, she did a collection on the old guy – 18 years – and has about 50 frozen tubes) So I am curious to see how his future foals come out!<br /><br />Next pen over was a lovely, stereotypical golden buckskin Teke mare. At heel was her cremello (too bad) 2011 colt. He is a lovely boy and a stallion prospect. He was sold to Australia and about to be shipped when the prospective new owner has a reversal of circumstances and said she couldn't pay for him. So we loaded him and his mom to go out to the broodies herd a few miles away.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjCoQYgA4yG0swB4FPml_dPc1V7LuI4PKFdOq8sUyDqKf5ZLH-DEZBF_PofrYgtfIq3DxEr9Q0OWhknG9Esmu3k4Ug8x3ozzi6R0mqj9w9aBL5z4ez_yT26pua5JVF04wr-kWCG1ax29M/s1600/Covergirl%2527s+colt%252C+4+whites+and+bald+face+%2528Adamantium%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658248793958356434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjCoQYgA4yG0swB4FPml_dPc1V7LuI4PKFdOq8sUyDqKf5ZLH-DEZBF_PofrYgtfIq3DxEr9Q0OWhknG9Esmu3k4Ug8x3ozzi6R0mqj9w9aBL5z4ez_yT26pua5JVF04wr-kWCG1ax29M/s320/Covergirl%2527s+colt%252C+4+whites+and+bald+face+%2528Adamantium%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Last horse I looked at the yard site was another Murray filly, a coming 3 yo. They call her Smootch. She is stunning! And she actually moved when asked! Here are some pics... I am very eagerly awaiting news of her in the future, as I think she is very special. She is also Cynthia only filly of her favourite and foundation mare that she just lost this spring.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDonwGVn8K6iECzK02-Ry6ihyhT4KYsK5bijubRh7ACx12pE09BwBfY0vF2Nb7_nnfbRbr8klIO2LLbRepD-k7886BJhBx37UAUHKhJ-dGhNmD8sK9GtSESTfMv8jf3EoN7jnlhmPZF3ir/s1600/Smootch%252C+Jack+%2528Guldjahan%2529+and+Murray.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658248804867982690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDonwGVn8K6iECzK02-Ry6ihyhT4KYsK5bijubRh7ACx12pE09BwBfY0vF2Nb7_nnfbRbr8klIO2LLbRepD-k7886BJhBx37UAUHKhJ-dGhNmD8sK9GtSESTfMv8jf3EoN7jnlhmPZF3ir/s320/Smootch%252C+Jack+%2528Guldjahan%2529+and+Murray.JPG" /></a><br />She is very bright and hot, and lovely to watch. She is very typey, but displays great conformation. For Murgab getting only a 7.5 for type, he sure throws typey foals!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5aUXbE4gAEdBTFjbQIQkI9z_wAjTauoh3IozKlHbIRJaa75jiPHRvLb3o0n924OMbC6n2Yix0r1ZQpIkOi8lr8AV8Y4hAleHxXAMBsFsHb7WdNSLfTYJquSLfdHGaWIjkauhaJBctku6/s1600/Smootches.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658248815773020930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5aUXbE4gAEdBTFjbQIQkI9z_wAjTauoh3IozKlHbIRJaa75jiPHRvLb3o0n924OMbC6n2Yix0r1ZQpIkOi8lr8AV8Y4hAleHxXAMBsFsHb7WdNSLfTYJquSLfdHGaWIjkauhaJBctku6/s320/Smootches.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We also put Kogan on the trailer, he was going to another site.<br /><br />The next stop was the broodie herd a few miles away. Here I met Olimpic Gul, the mare that was for sale in foal to Murgab last winter. I looked at the foal and said... DAMN, shoulda bought her! While she is not hot stuff to me (though high marks in inspection) she makes REALLY nice foals! She improves very nicely. Unfortunately this was also a herd of slow pokes that day and they only moved a little, even when we let out the mare and foal off the trailer. But I did get some pics of what, to me, is a huge Teke herd!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAvmWkjx7KYYpsI0m19KVdi_wZ5tY-LLUH9bGZIxD-KUrpSmsEgtTk7VTE5yqF-c8XeWGjg44AgrQ5bdLSggqJQx2C-4BNaAss6pwXMIRqotttlZLl58M1sG0ifhjue4dFyoBPIBgKnHy/s1600/Teke+herd.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658255444840614866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAvmWkjx7KYYpsI0m19KVdi_wZ5tY-LLUH9bGZIxD-KUrpSmsEgtTk7VTE5yqF-c8XeWGjg44AgrQ5bdLSggqJQx2C-4BNaAss6pwXMIRqotttlZLl58M1sG0ifhjue4dFyoBPIBgKnHy/s320/Teke+herd.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y6bjPRpyVLmS2END5INn5w4FZ1SiC8tfBlXy8LpeSW5hQMokMVs9qjTMNe_eAXXK2-Da1fGlKfCx4C4-qGzB9QC49f320WltHpADEOmf-Qar3YoRaf1eo85nQo_5N5HkAFn2f3MHu7iC/s1600/Big+Teke+herd.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658255415464286306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0y6bjPRpyVLmS2END5INn5w4FZ1SiC8tfBlXy8LpeSW5hQMokMVs9qjTMNe_eAXXK2-Da1fGlKfCx4C4-qGzB9QC49f320WltHpADEOmf-Qar3YoRaf1eo85nQo_5N5HkAFn2f3MHu7iC/s320/Big+Teke+herd.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Out in that field, I didn't spend time with her, was a PB Teke mare that sounds ideal for endurance. She is trained, but does not like going English. But put her out on the trail on a loose rein and she goes anywhere, anytime. She is forward, easygoing and confidant. Sounds perfect to me! Forgot her name though! Oops!<br /><br /><br />Our final stop was the new farm site. It is about 25 kms out of High River, on a GORGEOUS ¼ section of rolling land. I want to live there. They had just purchased it a few months ago and there was lots of work to do before moving themselves and all the horses on.<br /><br />On the west side was her gelding pasture. It was gorgeous, with hills and gulleys and a nice big pond. There were 3 boys in there; a he-doesn't-count-because-he's-just-a-QH, SwiftSure (Red's full younger brother) and a very lovely flashy black yearling PB gelding. He was very typey (another Murray foal), but very conformationally correct. He was one of the top rated colts (if not THE top rated colt) in North America in the 2011 evaluation tour. I liked him, he was pretty, but also personable and friendly. AND A MOVER! Sorry no pics of him. Some are apparently angry Cynthia gelded him, but I think he will be an EXCELLENT ambassador to the breed. I hope someone with dreams of competition swoops him up!<br /><br />Now SwiftSure, AKA Dinnerplate, named for the dishy head when born.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsswKB6Qn3Ey1mPP6TLj8AkHTjBihd-Hof907W8ExjCAv7VIJ2re4AH7L0XrCkLdD6Q3iaxxTJe0byti8jeZsAT51JT1uzjC1C1nY4HdaDqT82uFZ49lkIT9b3nycgZgkJcJEe815C9-v/s1600/Dinnerplate+%2528Swiftsure%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658255455502146786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQsswKB6Qn3Ey1mPP6TLj8AkHTjBihd-Hof907W8ExjCAv7VIJ2re4AH7L0XrCkLdD6Q3iaxxTJe0byti8jeZsAT51JT1uzjC1C1nY4HdaDqT82uFZ49lkIT9b3nycgZgkJcJEe815C9-v/s320/Dinnerplate+%2528Swiftsure%2529.JPG" /></a><br />By the end of our little visit with him, I was ready to stuff him in my back pocket and try to smuggle him home with me. He has Red's (and their sire's, Murgab) wonderful temperament. They are really easygoing, but very responsive. Lovey, huggy boys. SwiftSure is more Arab-ish, rounder and less dry, than Red, and just a smidgen shorter (but a year younger, so...). SwiftSure takes after his dam, while Red really takes after his Teke sire.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVTi0cgIWjwURedzuCPFKFaplG1xEEVgZE7-gIXaMebf2NCpTaPUdu83kItwFf0eETKqofdiQamg00aGQUAeu-yet06xUPkRmel4iu8AjyQ7RjQZIqGOMXGJDQsZQLGMAcQAEUw6j-xZd/s1600/Swiftsure.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658255464327656722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVTi0cgIWjwURedzuCPFKFaplG1xEEVgZE7-gIXaMebf2NCpTaPUdu83kItwFf0eETKqofdiQamg00aGQUAeu-yet06xUPkRmel4iu8AjyQ7RjQZIqGOMXGJDQsZQLGMAcQAEUw6j-xZd/s320/Swiftsure.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />We let out Kogan to play with the other geldings, and then drove over to the east side pasture with the mares. This had 2 older mares. One of which is not used because, while she is a very nice mare, she is the unfortunate colour of cremello! Lol. Cynthia is not fond of cremellos. And when bred to Murgab she has a 50% chance of another cremello foal. (She actually has 3 cremellos on farm presently)<br /><br />I also got a tour of the buildings, one of which is an ancient old barn. It used to be the livery stable in High River, and was moved out to the farm decades ago. I cannot wait to see what they do to this place. It will be a stunning farm for them, I think!<br /><br />I went inside to have tea and meet JK. I finally understood why he sold Red. He is well over 6 foot. I just sticked Red, he is 14.2 h @ 3 ½ years old. However, apparently he is working on an oil rig and claims when they strike it he is buying Red back. I said it had better be a gusher if you want to afford him! We enjoyed a delicious tea and a great chat about dogs (she has the shaggiest Springer EVER) and Tekes, before she drove me back to the RV camp.<br /><br />Next year I am coming back for a ride in the mountains though!!! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-22894655477217466852011-08-04T23:05:00.000-07:002011-08-04T23:17:11.703-07:00My Afternoon ProjectThis afternoon, when Sqwid went down for a nap, I felt like being outside. So I grabbed my camera and baby monitor and went to hassle the horses. I rarely have had time for this. My two 3 1/2 year olds are virtually untouched. I have not done half the groundwork I really should be doing. OK, I've done none of it. In the past year or so, since I got fat with baby and caring for newborn, I have just managed to feed and move the horses around for pasture once a day. Trim feet as needed. Oh, and build a home made automatic waterer because I am cheap. But that's it. Bad me!<br /><br />So I go out with big intentions! lol<br /><br />I halter and tie the two up. Give them both a swipe with grooming tools. Hmm. No crying baby yet. So I dug deep in the horse shed. Crawled over used feed bags, mountains of folded sheets and rugs (a bit obsessive about these). And I pull out the old saddle. This could be interesting. I have not done anything since putting the surcingle on that one time in the fall.<br /><br />I grab a cavesson for Red. I plan to do a bit of work on our hit and miss lunging program. I do this about once every 3 weeks (or months). I do a bit, then haul over the saddle. He inspects it thoroughly. He could probably tell you the name of the sheep the pad came from. I pulled off the heavy stirrups and tossed the saddle over. Hmm. Nothing. So I go grab the cinch, do him up. Still nothing. I tighten it up. Is he alive? OK. Back out on the line. Backing, bending, disengage the hind end; on both the near and far side. All good, very responsive. I take it all off and let him go.<br /><br />Still no crying baby. Must have been tired. Maybe it was stealing and eating all my ripe cherry tomatoes. (Grrr!) Over to Evil Poneh. Same treatment. Zero reaction to the saddle being tossed on. Same lead work (she HATES off side work - ears were pined the entire time). Always gives me giggles. But gives me lots of try, so I let her go too.<br /><br />Now, I wasn't expecting fireworks. But I at least expected their feet to move a little. Red had the biggest reaction, he turned his head to watch me cinch up. I even tried to get a reaction by moving them around, letting them feel the saddle move with them. But no worries. He trusts me. I love that horse.<br /><br />I even had time to scrub out the waterer before Sqwid woke up!<br /><br />Oh, and pics of Oh-so-impressed ponies...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHbfWytZBp9TJJ3FNtAzmETjdgy5rmZUBpMrEfWmNPrgMbVY0HEWhWFWki9ezOvTQjlK2_I9onMymK0TIisXNkev7u-em_6R4vlCwKG1ytClbF-r6Gaq01kG8sb15pG9SmIkDC5nfNQge/s1600/Red+First+Saddling+Aug+4_11+LR.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637250124320829090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHbfWytZBp9TJJ3FNtAzmETjdgy5rmZUBpMrEfWmNPrgMbVY0HEWhWFWki9ezOvTQjlK2_I9onMymK0TIisXNkev7u-em_6R4vlCwKG1ytClbF-r6Gaq01kG8sb15pG9SmIkDC5nfNQge/s320/Red+First+Saddling+Aug+4_11+LR.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gUxyqG-Hg4iJMzbukrEl28Xty9MbwLBSPiUwIlUUPmZQhCWqoevEG6YjOEPLCOSM7SGATSnUQzbgS1EcxlPKHzd-5XyxGJzOyoU-mqpHO9ZATr9crNJ3reOWaZENiSR7O2hizRI0tUkJ/s1600/Narra+first+Saddling+Aug+4_11+LR.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637250126433775922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gUxyqG-Hg4iJMzbukrEl28Xty9MbwLBSPiUwIlUUPmZQhCWqoevEG6YjOEPLCOSM7SGATSnUQzbgS1EcxlPKHzd-5XyxGJzOyoU-mqpHO9ZATr9crNJ3reOWaZENiSR7O2hizRI0tUkJ/s320/Narra+first+Saddling+Aug+4_11+LR.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Saddle fit sucks. I need to make some adjustment to the saddle. I was planning to buy an industrial machine to sew tack, so I can "fix" the saddle later.<br /><br />And yes, feet are in desperate need of a trim. Haven't done in a month, man are they ever growing this summer! Hubby comes home next week and can watch Sqwid while I trim. Yeah?TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-24414788751194657462011-04-03T15:09:00.000-07:002011-04-03T16:02:50.048-07:00Clinics CAN be goodSo, in the past I've been to a few clinics, and walked away shaking my head. It drives me nuts, the fanatics who say you MUST do it like their hero (this clinician or that one) or you are a terrible and abusive horseman. And you need to buy this fancy gimmicky piece of equipment or another. <br /><br />It's usually not the fault of the clinician. Usually they are good people, out to help you develop a better relationship with your horse. But we've all met the Fanatic Followers. Oy.<br /><br />I am a Fanatic Fan. I do admit it. But of a horse blogger, not of a trainer. http://mugwumpchronicles.blogspot.com/ Well, she is a trainer, but it is her musing on horses, training and living with horses that really sticks with me. It is from her that I have learned to take what I like from various training methods and incorporating them to what I am comfortable with. And I didn't even realize it until this weekend!<br /><br />I audited a demo night of a trainer that came to Manitoba on Friday. At first it seemed kinda nuts what he was doing. And I'll admit it, I just stuck around to watch his exhibition of his gorgeous Andalusian stallion. But then I went home and thought about it. What he was actually doing and why; I think it was a gold mine of information! I may not buy his "fancy" Endo-whip. But I will think of a way to incorporate his theories into my training. Can't argue with the amazing results he got! And he doesn't insist you buy expensive whips, sticks or halters!<br /><br />Check out his articles. I can see how I can use his theories to benefit me in what I want to accomplish with the horses...<br /><br />http://www.pkequestrian.com/articles.html<br /><br />And his his dog was ADORABLE! Next time he is in, you should check it out, just to watch the exibition at the end!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-41693059450024871332011-04-03T09:38:00.000-07:002011-04-03T15:07:48.432-07:00Gotta love horsesI woke up real cranky this morning. <br /><br />The Sqwid kept waking up last night (he is teething AND just getting over a nasty cold). Each time he was up at least an hour. So not much sleep... again. <br /><br />My wrist aches; I have DeQuervins Tenosynovitis, AKA "the Sqwid is a heavy lump that refuses to let me put him down". <br /><br />Then I look outside. Despite the Almanac saying that it is now Spring, I see no sign that Winter is leaving. It is sleeting. Big, nasty, wet flakes. Mother Nature obviously hates me (Yes, I am taking it a bit personal). The horses are standing at the fence, wet, filthy and glaring at the house. They are PISSED! Good, I'm not the only one!<br /><br />I sigh and start to bundle myself up against the cold and wet. I had best go out and feed and blanket them. <br /><br />Evil Poneh is not too bad off, her coat is thick and long and fluffy; the wet rarely penetrates to her skin. But she <em>hates</em> rain. I know, she's a mustang that thinks she's a TB! I can practically <em>hear</em> her plotting nasty things to do to me.<br /><br />Big Red is not as well off, while his coat is thick and plush it does not seem to repel water. He gets soaked to the bone quickly. And while it is amusing to watch him get pissed and beat up the Evil Poneh, I should blanket him against the cold. <br /><br />I trudge out and pour their warm slop into their bowls and toss them plenty of hay to keep them distracted. I feed Red first, just to watch EP stomp around thrashing her head. And she does stomp. All four feet. I giggle. I'm mean. Bwahaha. I'm starting to feel a little better.<br /><br />I pull out Red's shoulder slinky and fancy turnout shell. Swearing as I wrestle the slinky over his wet shoulders. It's like trying to pull off slim fit jeans while wet. Then I toss on the shell... then I chase after him to try and get it done up since I was to lazy to also pull out the halter and lead. More swearing. <br /><br />Finally Red stands still and lets me do it up and yank on it to try and get it sitting right. Good boy, he gets a pat.<br /><br />Then it's EP's turn. I pull out the old quilted blanket I got for $5 at a used tack sale and had to do major repairs on. It kinda fits. (See my priorities?) EP is very good and stands still while I toss it on, understanding that it keeps off the rain and is a good thing. I am almost bucked up when I hear a snort behind me. <br /><br />It's Red. He has just spotted the "new" horse. He prances over to meet this pretty new burgundy coloured mare. She sidles nervously away. After all, she is at "his" hay pile. I flap my arm at him to keep him off until it get her safely done up. Then I stand back to enjoy the show. It goes something like this:<br /><br />"Hellooo. My name is Redoubtable. I am a big, handsome boy. See my prancing side pass?"<br /><br />"Uh, Mom?! What wrong with Red?!"<br /><br />"Spring is in the air, pretty lady. Heh heh heh."<br /><br />"MOOOOM! Save me! He's gone crazy!"<br /><br />"I am strong and fast and have a pretty arching neck. See?"<br /><br />"Ahh! He's chasing me!"<br /><br />"Come back, mon cherie! It is love at first sight, no?!" (been watching lots of Loony Tunes lately)<br /><br />I love horses. I walked away laughing. Beautiful day out.TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-2441631605081332632010-10-20T21:05:00.000-07:002010-10-21T21:55:43.259-07:00My babies are growing up!I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. I have finally found the time to do some work with the horses. Jake is being pretty good to me, we are getting into a pattern. The new hay shed is almost done, so I can do a bit of the training I keep saying I will get around to. <br /><br />The Buckskin Kids are starting to look more grown up…<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jBOD2l0oiJOeQHHNJRIVxzSm5Evj0L9CQYT5w6oAxZsx31dLve3ZZZji7Y8GV03uCg33HMmdNdlxj5H8o1cABIMQ5T9arkXFWNgkdFXUz3zK3EGBBd6W2GpoNIRJQEN54EgR3VrueD5w/s1600/Doubty+and+Narra+Oct+1_10+LR.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jBOD2l0oiJOeQHHNJRIVxzSm5Evj0L9CQYT5w6oAxZsx31dLve3ZZZji7Y8GV03uCg33HMmdNdlxj5H8o1cABIMQ5T9arkXFWNgkdFXUz3zK3EGBBd6W2GpoNIRJQEN54EgR3VrueD5w/s400/Doubty+and+Narra+Oct+1_10+LR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530717627403899602" /></a><br /><br />So, yesterday I brought them in and tied them up. Patience, kids. Get some.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqo56PTu4FI3V7PHwt6fp3Beio5ESnklu8xQbp4v1DU4rA7tha2jXHLSca7O1y7LDmE3kOjL7o8nNPPbWF5U9rYP2EyaPXNyWIOpFlci4MLHbwgUl7MjYF8Ypj6OKeQQgDSb1g2Za54X8/s1600/Doubty+modified+mo+Oct+19_10+LR.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqo56PTu4FI3V7PHwt6fp3Beio5ESnklu8xQbp4v1DU4rA7tha2jXHLSca7O1y7LDmE3kOjL7o8nNPPbWF5U9rYP2EyaPXNyWIOpFlci4MLHbwgUl7MjYF8Ypj6OKeQQgDSb1g2Za54X8/s320/Doubty+modified+mo+Oct+19_10+LR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530719382469012002" /></a>I groomed the Big Guy all over, including his feet. Neither of which he is fond of. I had to trim off his wind blown dreads in the mane. Which made his mane look positively dreadful (dreadless?), since he had also rubbed out great big patches. So I pulled out the scissors and evened it up in my version of a Teke roached mane. Here he is sporting his modified mo… <br /><br />Does he look a bit embarrassed to you?? I’ll even it up again later once the hair settles.<br /><br />Then I tried on my various cavessons and surcingles. I’d like to begin lounging him soon, just to get things started. He was very good for cinching up for the first time. Just turned to look at it. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqugN3V4H1DULSK_k0H_p1X954TANjr9pCZ5wd_R5maoIP97yU-TJ9AqE_FW0euTch9PFgYQmTiCstH44i4SufsHFL2Np5x-DiNLPsLSPAhNrp0KYZ1d5_nDeSqBpwRGZEPIRJQ25Kvu7/s1600/Doubty+Handsome+beast+Oct+19_10+LR.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqugN3V4H1DULSK_k0H_p1X954TANjr9pCZ5wd_R5maoIP97yU-TJ9AqE_FW0euTch9PFgYQmTiCstH44i4SufsHFL2Np5x-DiNLPsLSPAhNrp0KYZ1d5_nDeSqBpwRGZEPIRJQ25Kvu7/s400/Doubty+Handsome+beast+Oct+19_10+LR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530720156492531026" /></a><br /><br />I like this surcingle better, but it is a bit big for them. I will have to get out my leather punch and make a few more holes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUa6vZ15IbYWLjbUmg8-4uuw0GWKOAOPbfJ8zF6gECO4_bdIdpyfa8onxDgMLelHp_lJY1hsEKK1uSU-HDJUk8FRiitdiblFzgAemxIDoXAOE6wmvxdcWOhffzbOBmJ4SPuiT2MHDO_0e/s1600/Doubty+Try+this+one+Oct+19_10+LR.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUa6vZ15IbYWLjbUmg8-4uuw0GWKOAOPbfJ8zF6gECO4_bdIdpyfa8onxDgMLelHp_lJY1hsEKK1uSU-HDJUk8FRiitdiblFzgAemxIDoXAOE6wmvxdcWOhffzbOBmJ4SPuiT2MHDO_0e/s400/Doubty+Try+this+one+Oct+19_10+LR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530721636120865090" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpMKjrIPySm3QUvIgYdaQXJKo4P3c-5oBtml9WeClKTzi9qUBbdKvc6k8tIagPmUYmE5poNIDNKynkjjF7BGZ4NYvWKDaF02Rf4vqorRBsE1XnGbAnOrs7IRMRAd5vOZuQp2sVLKxjRIG/s1600/Serreta+cavesson+LR.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpMKjrIPySm3QUvIgYdaQXJKo4P3c-5oBtml9WeClKTzi9qUBbdKvc6k8tIagPmUYmE5poNIDNKynkjjF7BGZ4NYvWKDaF02Rf4vqorRBsE1XnGbAnOrs7IRMRAd5vOZuQp2sVLKxjRIG/s320/Serreta+cavesson+LR.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530723050484423474" /></a>Then I moved on to Narra. She loves being groomed, so that part went very well. Then I put on the serreta type cavesson on her. I liked that one better, though the nose piece is a bit stronger (it has a jointed metal nosepiece). <br />But the jowl strap is attached lower, and will prevent the cheek piece from moving and pressing on the eye. I figure this will be Narra’s, as she is duller, and can take stronger cues to get her to listen. For example, a tree branch across her rump when she kicked me this spring.<br /><br />She was fine with the cavesson. So I backed her up from the fence and cinched up the surcingle slowly. She didn’t care. I think they will be nice horses to play with as things rarely bother them.<br /><br />They are even easy to worm! Narra tries to steal the wormer from other horses, she likes it so much. Yup, she nuckin’ futz! <br /><br />Sorry no pics of Narra. I’ll try to get some tomorrow.TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-11299713951101406512010-09-25T19:13:00.000-07:002010-09-25T19:32:42.705-07:00Jake’s First Endurance RideAugust 22, 2010<br /><br />Well to be truthful, he’s already done 30 competition miles… in utero! But this is the first ride we made it to this year.<br /><br />Actually we packed up and got on the road on Saturday, but halfway to Bel Air Provincial Forest the timing belt on the car shredded and the vehicle died. Jake and I were stuck on the side of the road for an hour, in 30 degree heat. By the time we made it home, I did not feel like packing into the van and trying again.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiushOhy3OLkMvoEe0A9dIWrOjCopT3ZsFWuTGNvHVXA3YhZiH_lsjPm7NfYOm6bRBYaE_0SzWxwSMOCyMCoO4vZew5VJybUN7Ae2urQWpAUvDZHf_8cchwEKS3kctimPcrDoWTndQ_orNr/s1600/Break+down+on+way+to+DRM+ride+visit+Aug+21_10+003+LR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiushOhy3OLkMvoEe0A9dIWrOjCopT3ZsFWuTGNvHVXA3YhZiH_lsjPm7NfYOm6bRBYaE_0SzWxwSMOCyMCoO4vZew5VJybUN7Ae2urQWpAUvDZHf_8cchwEKS3kctimPcrDoWTndQ_orNr/s200/Break+down+on+way+to+DRM+ride+visit+Aug+21_10+003+LR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521040290361809042" /></a><br /><br />The next day we packed into the van and started up to arrive just before people would be coming in for the 25s. I set up chairs for Jake and me, and settled down to chat with friends I have not seen in months. Tanya was there with her daughter, and she delighted in telling me how boys are NUTS as they get older. She has a big boy who will sleep one hour in a 24 hour period. I still have nightmares.<br /><br />Then the five 25s all came in in a pack. I was pleased to see Rachel on Beamer. It was a very exciting few minutes as they all raced to pulse down and present. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR5APedjl_K8qzdkhI58RdOQ2fbLWWKm1x3d6XIp68XLKwXmr16iHJyyDSqvT4qVyKtGtEYUEKDOOXvb5S4DR_JMqen3w-L8LsO04lHg5aJJdGYEu0sajClyv2oqJrbcucAmf_9BaDPHM/s1600/DRM+ride+Aug+22_10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR5APedjl_K8qzdkhI58RdOQ2fbLWWKm1x3d6XIp68XLKwXmr16iHJyyDSqvT4qVyKtGtEYUEKDOOXvb5S4DR_JMqen3w-L8LsO04lHg5aJJdGYEu0sajClyv2oqJrbcucAmf_9BaDPHM/s200/DRM+ride+Aug+22_10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521041835939163874" /></a> <br /><br />I was quietly rooting for Rachel and her Walker. I really like that horse, have ever since riding with them on that CT ride last September. He is so mellow and businesslike about the rides, yet is very forward and you can tell he enjoys it. He looks like a joy to ride, and is so smooth. See, doesn’t he look great?!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6j92DI6AUCV0vbYWgwfCdqb3Kfe0NEtJocye5N7vIVywiijXj3P6j8R9cm5NyQEiVIO0FmTymq5jrV3Y4uAQeuruJLgjyE1lLXO68wAzcT-pFecAIPd6bbBTfz2_XFCVwliw-QD3XC20/s1600/Sunny+DRM+ride+Aug+22_10+009+LR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6j92DI6AUCV0vbYWgwfCdqb3Kfe0NEtJocye5N7vIVywiijXj3P6j8R9cm5NyQEiVIO0FmTymq5jrV3Y4uAQeuruJLgjyE1lLXO68wAzcT-pFecAIPd6bbBTfz2_XFCVwliw-QD3XC20/s200/Sunny+DRM+ride+Aug+22_10+009+LR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521042859643930850" /></a><br /><br />I had lots of time to visit afterwards. Jake was great, just sitting in his chair, and watching the trees waving in the breeze. He really likes watching trees.<br /><br />But I can’t wait to get back into competing! Unfortunately, mine won’t be old enough for two years. Maybe someone will lend me a horse?...TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-33278834623294144912010-07-02T10:37:00.000-07:002010-07-02T14:39:35.896-07:00Who'd a thunk?Well, things have definitely changed in my world. Four weeks ago today I gave birth to a baby boy, Jake. Hubby and I still look at each other and say; “I can’t believe we’re parents!” Many of my friends say the same, they would have sooner believed I’d cut off my left leg. I was always the dog or horse girl, depending on which crowd I was hanging with at the moment, the horsaii or the serious dog people.<br /><br />But here I am with a baby. I stand rocking little Jake in the upstairs dormer window right now and point out the window. “That pale dun pony is yours, and the big buckskin over there… he’s mine. We are going to have so much fun together as you grow.”<br /><br />A few years back now I started doing endurance with a leased Gotland mare. I met the breed when I moved in next to Canada’s biggest Russ breeder. Some of the other Gotland owners had wanted to try Endurance for years and so I went along. I got hooked immediately. I worked really hard and used Willow for two seasons, until it really became an exercise in endurance for me. I had to endure her mare-ish behaviour just to try to complete a ride. <br /><br />During this time, I received an excellent xmas present from hubby; he would pay for stud fee and all associated costs to breed a Gotland foal. I decided that I wanted a more usable horse and so I talked it over with the Gotland owner, and she agreed to breed to a stallion of another breed. I was hoping for more size and improve some conformational weaknesses. We found a beautiful Spanish Colonial Horse Stud (ranch-bred Spanish Mustang), Silvertip. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9iA3l5qV70XT6WRiuIRleGfnhuOrDJXYkZm72K4b0a2EpPs-pzXZcSr8OoT7PcsguDYaPwH2jpml7ZRe8jbBVrc9OY_mELVIJxtToD9qg9A4RYGJvICzkYlwM_FWny_gXoSQjiWCR1fN/s1600/My+Pictures0004+LR.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9iA3l5qV70XT6WRiuIRleGfnhuOrDJXYkZm72K4b0a2EpPs-pzXZcSr8OoT7PcsguDYaPwH2jpml7ZRe8jbBVrc9OY_mELVIJxtToD9qg9A4RYGJvICzkYlwM_FWny_gXoSQjiWCR1fN/s200/My+Pictures0004+LR.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489365470415950802" /></a><br /><br />Luckily, things turned out well. She has all the good points of both parents. But I have learned my lesson; I will never breed again, hoping to get a certain outcome. It is too much of a crapshoot. I had hoped for a colt, maturing around 14h, darkish in colour. Instead I got a short (likely top out at 13.2h), pale (silver dunskin), FILLY! Not more mares!! Horrors!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DhT-YI_cbFbjckEDmZ3eG_UKqvGZx-PF_k03xlEwnCjz3QDj4i7vM6HuylWETnLU_tDw2_otqFlyrKntxEsrJxZGhfyfoJo8cwYtzOIrDKQmmcvEpkkIWTFiavrwXB33tXTas_dsPlS0/s1600/Narra+in+front+yard+May+22_2010+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-DhT-YI_cbFbjckEDmZ3eG_UKqvGZx-PF_k03xlEwnCjz3QDj4i7vM6HuylWETnLU_tDw2_otqFlyrKntxEsrJxZGhfyfoJo8cwYtzOIrDKQmmcvEpkkIWTFiavrwXB33tXTas_dsPlS0/s200/Narra+in+front+yard+May+22_2010+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489369192093755314" /></a><br /><br />But it turned out ok. I became pregnant. And right away hubby said “you’re gonna need a different horse, Narra is going to be the kid’s pony” <br /><br />I said OK. Isn’t he amazing? <br /><br />But the timetable for getting the new horse was sped up, as Willow went back home to the breeder and Narra was living alone. She became a real handful! And I couldn’t correct her properly as I was too cautious around the horses in my pregnant state. She took shameless advantage.<br /><br />So I began looking for a new horse. My criteria list was long. I wanted a youngish gelding, 14.2h to 15.3h max, even tempered; kind, willing, calm. I wanted a very forward horse that I wouldn’t have to push all the time for Endurance and Competitive Trail. I wanted good clean legs and well kept, hard feet (I do endurance without shoes). He needed to have great conformation, in that I wanted him to hold up for years at my chosen sport. I wanted a lighter build horse, so he would cool easier and not tire as quickly. After meeting Rachel’s Walkers, I was looking for a Tennessee Walker. They had the temperament and as I saw could do the sport. <br /><br />Then I got an email from a woman in Alberta. And I fell in love with my dream horse. He is a gelding. But he is just turned two (two years before I can ride and compete on him). And he is an Akhal Teke Sporthorse (crossed with Arab). He was a really great price. Heck, I could probably put a bit of training into him and sell him for MORE than he cost me (training included). Unheard of! But I won’t. I love him already. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePqICeS6HO_9VS8xjSysFzrBl-e3oO6wpWMtU7lZF4NwSKHsJ8yLcdNmL2p0iDfsAprByYiTPKJ0iac-rjh6ZFreW9i6Nm92jorHsRNLt-9KoUbgFx2FNJzs4q3ru7YylCnGuOQ3HKAES/s1600/Doubty+June+18%C2%AD_2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePqICeS6HO_9VS8xjSysFzrBl-e3oO6wpWMtU7lZF4NwSKHsJ8yLcdNmL2p0iDfsAprByYiTPKJ0iac-rjh6ZFreW9i6Nm92jorHsRNLt-9KoUbgFx2FNJzs4q3ru7YylCnGuOQ3HKAES/s200/Doubty+June+18%C2%AD_2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489425788888135986" /></a><br /><br />He plays with the filly, and has gotten her straightened out already. <br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mTQhUFNjjmI&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mTQhUFNjjmI&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br />I like her again. And I just stand there to watch him move. He is exquisite. I like the cross with the Arab, makes him better looking. While I am one of the few who actually likes the look of a purebred Teke (the equine greyhound/ snake look), the Arab blood does make him more appealing to the average person. I cannot wait to begin riding him… in a year. Sigh. He still looks so immature. I have many dreams of our future riding career together. I want to get serious about the endurance. I want to make it on the Manitoba team for the Nationals one year. I want to compete in at least one low level dressage show with him, just for fun. <br /><br />But right now, right now, I am dreaming other things. As I hold Jake, I see a beautiful spring morning. Bright green spring grass and flowers on the wild cranberry bushes along the trail. And me and young Jake, riding The Big Guy and Narra on the trail, just enjoying the spring air.<br /><br />The future is looking great.TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-14957254833757129102010-01-29T14:03:00.000-08:002010-01-29T14:52:56.279-08:00Times are changing!A lot has changed since the last time I wrote. I decided to retire Willow; she did not enjoy her last ride. And so we both decided to both just enjoy riding together occasionally; for a fun ride in the back woods. She stayed living with me for a few more months, but she moved back to her owners for the winter. Now they are talking of selling her to a new home. She will likely be bred this spring too! This is exciting to me as I LOVE her babies. So, I am looking for a new endurance prospect! <br /><br />I love horse shopping!<br /><br />I am looking at a really awesome prospect right now (not a Gotland though!) He has a lot of the great things I liked about Willow, but is built better to suit the sport I want to advance in now. I will have to go out and see him, make sure he has the spunk and willingness to suit the level I want to move up to in endurance. It's not that I have suddenly turned cometitive, but I would love to occasionally try a 50 miler, and I now know that would never happen on a Gotland. They just don't cool as well and they have to take twice as many steps! Too bad!<br /><br />But I am not in a hurry to get a horse for this riding season, as I am pregnant! Hubby and I are so excited, we are already looking forward to all the fun kid stuff. But my second though was... well, there goes my riding plans for 2010!<br /><br />Well, I'll just have to make other horsey plans.<br /><br />So my horsaii goals for 2010:<br /><br />* Work more on Narra, my half Gotland filly! She needs more work on...<br /> * Her leading manners - bossy filly!<br /> * Getting off the property<br /> * Get her used to roads<br /><br />* Work on my lounging skills, with Narra. A few short sessions just to get her started. She will be 2 in June, so good time to start then. I'll have "dropped" my own kidlet by then. I'll do this in all my spare time!<br /><br />* Buy my next endurance horse! Fun!<br /><br />* Volunteer more with my two long distance riding clubs on ride days. <br /><br />* Get involved in fundraising for the two clubs to keep them going!<br /><br />* Work on adding fencing to make more tracks for the horses.<br /><br />* Get back in the saddle by fall! <br /><br />* Figure out the great mystery of long-lining to get the young horse (horse<strong>s</strong> if I buy the second horse!) ready for the trainer next spring.<br /><br />I'll have to take some pictures of Nara in her winter woolies, she looks liek a yak right now. A yak with a beard.<br /><br />Hope you guys are not freezing where you are!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4131446304982489748.post-76710926154208032732009-08-19T09:58:00.000-07:002009-08-19T10:26:17.820-07:00Best Intentions...If anyone is wondering where I went this summer and what happened to my big plans for more competitive rides...<br /><br />I was riding on Willow, with Jill and Debbie and Jill's two guests from Switzerland. All of us were on Gotlands, it was quite fun! Jill borrowed Belle, Camelia's daughter that lives with Kit.<br /><br />Willow decided to be a knob, and spook at a duck that flew up out of the grass under her nose. I mean, really, was that necessary? Actually, I think it startled me more than her! But she spooked down into the ditch, then spun and lunged back up it. I got tangled in one stirrup as I went to kick loose. There was nothing to hold onto on a Torsion, so I just slid off her butt. SPLAT!!! With my legs out in front of me.<br /><br />Of course, I got back on the horse and rode for another 6 miles. This may be been the root of my problem. Or maybe it was the ride I snuck in a week later...<br /><br />I visited the doc at the insistance of my hubby and friends. She said I didn't break anything. So I can go riding right?, I say. She says NO! you need to take 4-6 weeks off for the muscles and ligaments to heal (I buggered up ligaments and they can take longer to heal). I am going to do this right and not risk future pain by returning to riding too soon. My back is bad enough already! <br /><br />So I have been good and not riding. I am pretty cranky. This week is week 4. I <em>might</em> last to the end of the week. <br /><br />Willow is maintaining condition pretty good. I'll just start riding her slow again and work up her wind again and we should be ready for the fall ride in Bel Air! Woohoo! <br /><br />Not as many rides as I might have wished, but we did pretty good this year. And I am deterimined to do my first 20 mile CT at Bel Air this year!TalkTekehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01791356436341920460noreply@blogger.com0