Friday, January 10, 2014

Day 6 & the Bay Brigade










I've made it to "Day 6" of my 100 days and still going strong. Okay, I know, it's only been 6 days but it's going to get warmer so I think a trail ride is definitely in order. All I have to say is that today, I found my horse again. He's getting softer and quieter. Less reactive. Ready to work. Yesterday I rode while K worked with Lu and well, when it was just us, Ms. Lucy was in her "NO I DON'T WANNA!" mode, rearing, bolting back and just refusing to even just go in a circle. I think she was definitely excited to get back out with other horses (especially one of her many boyfriends). K was great with her and she got her head back in no time at all (very impressed). I stayed on one end of the ring doing figure-8's with small gait changes on the other end of the ring and no matter what that mare did, B didn't even flinch. Proud mom moment? Absolutely.

We heard a few "door!"s coming around the corner and a few girls from the main barn including the BO came in to ride. With all the horses trotting around, Lucy was on her very best behavior. No issues at all! She just quietly stood by K and was the ultimate well-behaved little horse. We were all very impressed. After the crew left, I did some work with Lucy. She wasn't very amused, but it needed to happen and she was almost backing up like a reining horse at the end. She's getting softer and softer as time goes on. Actually thinking about her steps and not getting worried or anticipating what you want. Very happy with that pony.

R, my favorite future-junior Olympian, and her horse hung out for a while. She asked if I would play some games with her horse. In a nutshell, this horse is an athlete. He's trained to be mounted, jump a course, and go back in his stall/paddock. What that means? He's pushy and a bully. He'll follow you lightly, but stopping? Backing up? Turns into a brick wall. I whacked him over and over with the rope and he just stood there without even and ear twitch. I tried to start sending him around... Ha! I asked harder? He exploded in a giant, "Go F yourself" manner, striking out, kicking at me, tossing his head, and actually falling on his front end. I looked at R and explained what was going on, she understood. I told her I didn't want to push it because I know that he's a lease, expensive, and I'm not a trainer. I worked on some more backing up cues and he was getting better... But he actually made me nervous because I knew I couldn't really get after him. I felt awful about the situation and apologized later, she asked me if I'd work with him again... Obviously I will help her in any way I can because you see her get bullied and all anyone can see is this beautiful athletic jumper. She's strong and she'll stick with him, I just don't want her to get hurt.

Today I had another half day so obviously, riding my horse was a priority. We had a really great warm up, and an even better ride. I left my reins over my horn and just let him bomb about for most of the ride, trying to use my body to guide him. That's getting better too. Loping to the left? Perfect. Loping to the right? He bombed off the rail in mutiny and I gave him a swift kick and one-rein spin to get him on the rail and asked again. I tried to be nice, but I really hate that. I asked him again after bringing him around the arena, perfect. I know, I'm horrible.



After work I met A and Nat at the barn. They tacked up and headed over to the indoor. They warmed up in their rope halters and I realized how much of a "bad influence" I have become. But it has seemed to be working. I rode Comic last night and he was awesome. Rounding out, getting on the bit, working his hind end, and we even attempted a canter (TERRIBLE!). I expected nothing less than perfection from him for Nat today. When she got on and started walking around I asked how he felt. Calm, quiet, soft... My favorite words. She trotted him for at least 30 minutes straight! I was so proud. Comic had no reaction to Lucy being in the ring. Didn't even give her a second thought. Seeing them paying attention to each other (Comic and N) vs. whatever else was going on was amazing and gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside...


A... Rode Lucy walk/trot, in a rope halter, and my barrel saddle. How was Lu you may ask? Perfect. And she even let A kiss her EARS! HER EARS!



I just realized how wordy this post is getting...

SO HERE'S A VIDEO!


My goal in life is to make people happy to be with their horses.
I think I'm succeeding...


posted by Madeline C. @ 11:00 PM   4 Comments

4 Comments:

At January 10, 2014 at 11:05 PM , Blogger Semi Feral Equestrian said...

Isn't that the goal so that everyone can be happy with their horses?

And sad with the lease horse. What a difficult situation. I know many leasers would be perturbed to have any sort of "schooling" put on their animals, even if its seriously needed.

 
At January 10, 2014 at 11:14 PM , Blogger Madeline C. said...

Completely agree with you. It really sucks because I wish I could do more but it's definitely not my place. I'm thinking about letting her play a little with my horse and give her enough tools so that she can use it, but not enough where she'd put herself in harms way.

 
At January 11, 2014 at 10:21 AM , Blogger Kalin said...

Leasing must be tough, I don't think I'd ever want to. I'd constantly feel worried over everything I do with the horse. Oh well, it's awesome that she's so committed!!

 
At January 11, 2014 at 7:15 PM , Blogger Madeline C. said...

It's kind of a training lease which is interesting. I used to be that way until I started leasing horses that needed the extra help. I never ended up having to pay for the lease because the horse was better than it started haha. She's an awesome little girl... Definitely hope I have a daughter like that :)

 

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http://www.controlhaltdelete.com/ Tear Drop Winken: Day 6 & the Bay Brigade

Day 6 & the Bay Brigade










I've made it to "Day 6" of my 100 days and still going strong. Okay, I know, it's only been 6 days but it's going to get warmer so I think a trail ride is definitely in order. All I have to say is that today, I found my horse again. He's getting softer and quieter. Less reactive. Ready to work. Yesterday I rode while K worked with Lu and well, when it was just us, Ms. Lucy was in her "NO I DON'T WANNA!" mode, rearing, bolting back and just refusing to even just go in a circle. I think she was definitely excited to get back out with other horses (especially one of her many boyfriends). K was great with her and she got her head back in no time at all (very impressed). I stayed on one end of the ring doing figure-8's with small gait changes on the other end of the ring and no matter what that mare did, B didn't even flinch. Proud mom moment? Absolutely.

We heard a few "door!"s coming around the corner and a few girls from the main barn including the BO came in to ride. With all the horses trotting around, Lucy was on her very best behavior. No issues at all! She just quietly stood by K and was the ultimate well-behaved little horse. We were all very impressed. After the crew left, I did some work with Lucy. She wasn't very amused, but it needed to happen and she was almost backing up like a reining horse at the end. She's getting softer and softer as time goes on. Actually thinking about her steps and not getting worried or anticipating what you want. Very happy with that pony.

R, my favorite future-junior Olympian, and her horse hung out for a while. She asked if I would play some games with her horse. In a nutshell, this horse is an athlete. He's trained to be mounted, jump a course, and go back in his stall/paddock. What that means? He's pushy and a bully. He'll follow you lightly, but stopping? Backing up? Turns into a brick wall. I whacked him over and over with the rope and he just stood there without even and ear twitch. I tried to start sending him around... Ha! I asked harder? He exploded in a giant, "Go F yourself" manner, striking out, kicking at me, tossing his head, and actually falling on his front end. I looked at R and explained what was going on, she understood. I told her I didn't want to push it because I know that he's a lease, expensive, and I'm not a trainer. I worked on some more backing up cues and he was getting better... But he actually made me nervous because I knew I couldn't really get after him. I felt awful about the situation and apologized later, she asked me if I'd work with him again... Obviously I will help her in any way I can because you see her get bullied and all anyone can see is this beautiful athletic jumper. She's strong and she'll stick with him, I just don't want her to get hurt.

Today I had another half day so obviously, riding my horse was a priority. We had a really great warm up, and an even better ride. I left my reins over my horn and just let him bomb about for most of the ride, trying to use my body to guide him. That's getting better too. Loping to the left? Perfect. Loping to the right? He bombed off the rail in mutiny and I gave him a swift kick and one-rein spin to get him on the rail and asked again. I tried to be nice, but I really hate that. I asked him again after bringing him around the arena, perfect. I know, I'm horrible.



After work I met A and Nat at the barn. They tacked up and headed over to the indoor. They warmed up in their rope halters and I realized how much of a "bad influence" I have become. But it has seemed to be working. I rode Comic last night and he was awesome. Rounding out, getting on the bit, working his hind end, and we even attempted a canter (TERRIBLE!). I expected nothing less than perfection from him for Nat today. When she got on and started walking around I asked how he felt. Calm, quiet, soft... My favorite words. She trotted him for at least 30 minutes straight! I was so proud. Comic had no reaction to Lucy being in the ring. Didn't even give her a second thought. Seeing them paying attention to each other (Comic and N) vs. whatever else was going on was amazing and gave me that warm fuzzy feeling inside...


A... Rode Lucy walk/trot, in a rope halter, and my barrel saddle. How was Lu you may ask? Perfect. And she even let A kiss her EARS! HER EARS!



I just realized how wordy this post is getting...

SO HERE'S A VIDEO!


My goal in life is to make people happy to be with their horses.
I think I'm succeeding...