*SIGH*
This time in RH, not LH. It was really weird, and I'm not sure what to make of it, but Bob's pretty confident a new trim might help. He also wants to shoe her on the trim after this, just to stop the bit of toe dragging we are still having.
Mainly because, she's a 1/2inch shorter on the toe on the RH, and Bob thinks that's adding to her being so uneven. She's got a way better stride on the LH, which is now fully grown out and looks great.
She was doing great when I got on. We warmed up on a loose rein. She felt a little funny, but I figure that was because I was rushing because it was getting dark, thanks to me forgetting my boots and having to go back to the house, and I had put her saddle a little far up.
But she always feels short-strided when I first get on, then she warms up and gets loose. She was great...she walks almost all the time perfectly on the bit, nice and consistent. Trot is improving. We started to trot to the right, and she was doing good, and we got halfway around and she tripped, or something wonky, and after that, she just looked PISSED. Her ears were pinned, she felt funny. I called Bob over to tell me what he was seeing, if it was just her being a witch because it was almost dinner time, or if something was really off.
I asked her to trot and she tensed up and ALMOST thew a tantrum. Definitely pain. Bob said he saw it in the RH right off.
So I got off and we trotted her down the barn on the concrete...and she was perfectly sound. WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?!
Bob looked at her feet, measured her angles, and concluded that her angles are almost perfect right now, but the 1/2 inch of toe is probably making her strides wonky, and the stumble she had might have made something sore too.
I guess we'll see. It's not like last time. I'm hoping it's just her being wonky because of her feet being due for a trim. She also has a huge chip out, although I tested it to see if it was sensitive and it wasn't. But I looked at the RH and there's a lot of weight on the outside hoof wall...basically none on the sole right there, thanks to some chipping. Despite my frequent oiling of her feet, the dry summer is hard on them.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Belated, but excellent ride!
I had an excellent ride on Monday. Victoria came to visit! Yay!
First off, when I drove up, I said "Ohhh $h!+"...all the geldings were loose.
I was the only one there, and I immediately concluded the very clever pony in that pasture opened the gate. I decided to start out methodically. I caught the oldest, calmest gelding first - Peppy, the schoolmaster that packs all the very inexperienced or young kids around. He couldn't have cared less, he was like "Eh, whatever, breakfast soon anyway..."
Then, Cody, one of the little girl's ponies, put himself in a stall, so I put him in his own stall. Then the pony behind the escape and the BO's walker gelding came in and stalled themselves. Cool. Two more. Grasshopper, the fat paint pony, was easy. Although his god awful ground manners could use work, he launched into his stall and almost knocked me down.
Last one was Tommy, the allegedly deadbroke, senior citizen saddlebred. Well, at this point, Deuce, one of the mares in Amber's pasture, was being "flirty" with him. Definitely in heat. And he was acting like a serious stud. Well, I went and haltered him fine. He started to walk fine. I was like, okay, he's good, he realizes the party is over. When we get near the barn, he starts to flip. Running around me, threatening to rear...hmm. I was alone, plus him not being my horse...I didn't want to have to wrestle with him. So I let him go again and he became even more wild. Victoria got there and we captured him. He lead a little better for her, mainly out of exhaust I think, and when we put him in his stall, he started to sweat buckets, screaming, and just having a freak out in his stall. So we went ahead and brought in all the mares so he'd chill. Then, as there were only 3 more horses, we put them in too.
What a morning.
I was going to ride Amber in Victoria's new CC Courbette, but I didn't think about the fact that the billets on my AP are lower down due to the dressage saddle-ish flaps. She definitely can't do a 44 on a CC. We couldn't find a girth big enough. So I rode in my saddle.
We had a GREAT ride. She's really starting to get on the bit. We trotted and cantered poles for just a few minutes, then I let Victoria have a ride before she got too low on energy. She was actually pretty sluggish for me. I figured it was the fact that we were riding later than planned thanks to the gelding escape.
Well, Victoria got on, and Amber was like a ROCKET. I think Victoria took up a little too much contact right away, and Amber takes this as a message that the rider wants to FLY. It took Victoria 3 laps to slow her. Then they went over a ground pole and Amber JUMPED it huge. Took off sooo early, but her strides were off. Victoria said admittedly she should have been counting. Amber doesn't know how to time her own strides yet...I'm still doing that for her.
I'd love for Victoria to ride her more in the future. Victoria is a good rider and she and I are pretty much on the same page about training greenies. She, without me telling her, did exactly what I do. Use the ground pole as a reward, because Amber enjoys obstacles so much, and only letting her go over it after she softens and engages herself. Victoria also got Amber on the bit for 90% of their ride.
Bob saw a little of the ride I think and he seemed pretty impressed with the progress.
I finally sat down and made a serious plan for training though. For the rest of July, she will be ridden 2x a week, working on softeness, ground poles at trot with a little canter, and balancing. Lots of serpantines, circles and figure 8s.
Then, in August, for 3 weeks I will ride 3x a week, we will work lightly on intro dressage, with lots of the same things from "phase 1" as I call it. Starting to focus more on lateral work and more consistency in tempo.
And finally, after that, we will add in a little more dressage, and working on *my* position over the ground poles, as well as timing strides more. Treating them as jumps, but obviously lesser so, so that I can focus more on us if they "were" jumps, without the complication of take of and landing yet.
After that, it'll be just improving, and we will see where we're at in October. Hopefully some small Xrails.
I'm kind of toying with the idea of taking her to a fun show Andrea is having, but I kind of don't want to have our name associated with going to that joke. It's really hilarious, even for a fun show. The class list is ridiculous. "Creative dress" is encouraged. My first thought was, fine line between creative and tacky. Andrea always has had a bit of a warped sense of horse shows. When someone says "fun show", I think of a relaxed atmosphere that's basically a casual-dress practice day for bigger shows. Still with distinct disciplines and such. Which she doesn't have. It's just jump the fences and walk/trot/canter or whatever. In what style? Hunters? Equitation? I mean, sounds more like a gaming event than a show.
So I probably won't take her, but I kind of did want to, just to go beat the pants off Andrea's riders. But that's not a good attitude, so I really do doubt I'll end up going.
First off, when I drove up, I said "Ohhh $h!+"...all the geldings were loose.
I was the only one there, and I immediately concluded the very clever pony in that pasture opened the gate. I decided to start out methodically. I caught the oldest, calmest gelding first - Peppy, the schoolmaster that packs all the very inexperienced or young kids around. He couldn't have cared less, he was like "Eh, whatever, breakfast soon anyway..."
Then, Cody, one of the little girl's ponies, put himself in a stall, so I put him in his own stall. Then the pony behind the escape and the BO's walker gelding came in and stalled themselves. Cool. Two more. Grasshopper, the fat paint pony, was easy. Although his god awful ground manners could use work, he launched into his stall and almost knocked me down.
Last one was Tommy, the allegedly deadbroke, senior citizen saddlebred. Well, at this point, Deuce, one of the mares in Amber's pasture, was being "flirty" with him. Definitely in heat. And he was acting like a serious stud. Well, I went and haltered him fine. He started to walk fine. I was like, okay, he's good, he realizes the party is over. When we get near the barn, he starts to flip. Running around me, threatening to rear...hmm. I was alone, plus him not being my horse...I didn't want to have to wrestle with him. So I let him go again and he became even more wild. Victoria got there and we captured him. He lead a little better for her, mainly out of exhaust I think, and when we put him in his stall, he started to sweat buckets, screaming, and just having a freak out in his stall. So we went ahead and brought in all the mares so he'd chill. Then, as there were only 3 more horses, we put them in too.
What a morning.
I was going to ride Amber in Victoria's new CC Courbette, but I didn't think about the fact that the billets on my AP are lower down due to the dressage saddle-ish flaps. She definitely can't do a 44 on a CC. We couldn't find a girth big enough. So I rode in my saddle.
We had a GREAT ride. She's really starting to get on the bit. We trotted and cantered poles for just a few minutes, then I let Victoria have a ride before she got too low on energy. She was actually pretty sluggish for me. I figured it was the fact that we were riding later than planned thanks to the gelding escape.
Well, Victoria got on, and Amber was like a ROCKET. I think Victoria took up a little too much contact right away, and Amber takes this as a message that the rider wants to FLY. It took Victoria 3 laps to slow her. Then they went over a ground pole and Amber JUMPED it huge. Took off sooo early, but her strides were off. Victoria said admittedly she should have been counting. Amber doesn't know how to time her own strides yet...I'm still doing that for her.
I'd love for Victoria to ride her more in the future. Victoria is a good rider and she and I are pretty much on the same page about training greenies. She, without me telling her, did exactly what I do. Use the ground pole as a reward, because Amber enjoys obstacles so much, and only letting her go over it after she softens and engages herself. Victoria also got Amber on the bit for 90% of their ride.
Bob saw a little of the ride I think and he seemed pretty impressed with the progress.
I finally sat down and made a serious plan for training though. For the rest of July, she will be ridden 2x a week, working on softeness, ground poles at trot with a little canter, and balancing. Lots of serpantines, circles and figure 8s.
Then, in August, for 3 weeks I will ride 3x a week, we will work lightly on intro dressage, with lots of the same things from "phase 1" as I call it. Starting to focus more on lateral work and more consistency in tempo.
And finally, after that, we will add in a little more dressage, and working on *my* position over the ground poles, as well as timing strides more. Treating them as jumps, but obviously lesser so, so that I can focus more on us if they "were" jumps, without the complication of take of and landing yet.
After that, it'll be just improving, and we will see where we're at in October. Hopefully some small Xrails.
I'm kind of toying with the idea of taking her to a fun show Andrea is having, but I kind of don't want to have our name associated with going to that joke. It's really hilarious, even for a fun show. The class list is ridiculous. "Creative dress" is encouraged. My first thought was, fine line between creative and tacky. Andrea always has had a bit of a warped sense of horse shows. When someone says "fun show", I think of a relaxed atmosphere that's basically a casual-dress practice day for bigger shows. Still with distinct disciplines and such. Which she doesn't have. It's just jump the fences and walk/trot/canter or whatever. In what style? Hunters? Equitation? I mean, sounds more like a gaming event than a show.
So I probably won't take her, but I kind of did want to, just to go beat the pants off Andrea's riders. But that's not a good attitude, so I really do doubt I'll end up going.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Didn't see THAT coming.
Sooo. I had a crazy work week. Plus tons of general stress.
I didn't ride for almost a week. I felt horrible. I'm supposed to be getting her back into shape here!
So I got on Thursday. Not expecting the awesome response I got from her! She was really starting to learn to give and stretch down. Lots more in trot. Still toe dragging on one side, BUT that's just one side, compared to both a couple of months ago. She just needs to get her muscle balanced. She's definitely off balance tracking right. That's the only side she gets rushy and leany on.
We did some poles. I found out why she "jumps" the poles at the canter. She's switching leads over them when I do a figure 8, although I didn't ask for it. So she really DOES do automatic changes. Fan-freakin-tastic! When I realized what she was doing I just squealed and hugged her and let her be done.
Riding tomorrow morning. Should be pretty good. Things are really starting to click!
After my ride, which was done by 11, I went to the beach with Jessie and the dogs. Had a blast! It was great weather, not too hot, plenty of breeze.
Allie did NOT want anything to do with the water. I got her in it, but she kept trying to pull us out. She's such a good dog, she hung her head and drooped her ears and walked in when I called her, but it was just a little too much for her I think. She used to like water, I have no idea what changed. Thinking of taking her to a dog-friendly pond to swim and maybe if she sees Matilda and me swimming, she'll get a little more brave.
Matilda, on the other hand, was a little scared at first, and then, after a few minutes, she was like "Oh...it's water, I can swim in it! It's kind of noisy, but WEEE!" She would run into the water and swim a moment when the water pulled out and flattened, then she'd run away from the waves. So cute. I didn't want to let her go too far though, because it was pretty strong current and I definitely didn't want she and I getting caught in a rip-tide. She was leashed, so if she got caught, the weight of her being pulled would take me too - and it's not like I'd let go of my sweet girl!
Ended up having pizza for dinner on the way home. Just a great day. I was thinking, could it get any better? A great ride, the beach, my dogs, and pizza.
Hoping to report another great ride tomorrow!
I didn't ride for almost a week. I felt horrible. I'm supposed to be getting her back into shape here!
So I got on Thursday. Not expecting the awesome response I got from her! She was really starting to learn to give and stretch down. Lots more in trot. Still toe dragging on one side, BUT that's just one side, compared to both a couple of months ago. She just needs to get her muscle balanced. She's definitely off balance tracking right. That's the only side she gets rushy and leany on.
We did some poles. I found out why she "jumps" the poles at the canter. She's switching leads over them when I do a figure 8, although I didn't ask for it. So she really DOES do automatic changes. Fan-freakin-tastic! When I realized what she was doing I just squealed and hugged her and let her be done.
Riding tomorrow morning. Should be pretty good. Things are really starting to click!
After my ride, which was done by 11, I went to the beach with Jessie and the dogs. Had a blast! It was great weather, not too hot, plenty of breeze.
Allie did NOT want anything to do with the water. I got her in it, but she kept trying to pull us out. She's such a good dog, she hung her head and drooped her ears and walked in when I called her, but it was just a little too much for her I think. She used to like water, I have no idea what changed. Thinking of taking her to a dog-friendly pond to swim and maybe if she sees Matilda and me swimming, she'll get a little more brave.
Matilda, on the other hand, was a little scared at first, and then, after a few minutes, she was like "Oh...it's water, I can swim in it! It's kind of noisy, but WEEE!" She would run into the water and swim a moment when the water pulled out and flattened, then she'd run away from the waves. So cute. I didn't want to let her go too far though, because it was pretty strong current and I definitely didn't want she and I getting caught in a rip-tide. She was leashed, so if she got caught, the weight of her being pulled would take me too - and it's not like I'd let go of my sweet girl!
Ended up having pizza for dinner on the way home. Just a great day. I was thinking, could it get any better? A great ride, the beach, my dogs, and pizza.
Hoping to report another great ride tomorrow!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Poles, poles, poles.
Today I was reminded how much easier it is to soften Amber and get her working by throwing in random ground poles in our work.
We utilized them in full. I used the training fork today, loosely, but it was obvious it was a mere aid to keep her head from going so inverted that I can't get her back. It was all she and I. First, it came loose when the twine I had tied (my girth has no clips) came undone...and I didn't even notice she was being so responsive. Thank God Emma told me!
I tied a more secure knot and after making sure it was good to go, we tried again and got some GREAT work. She's in heat and I was expecting no attention, but she was fannnntastic. Even with construction going on beside the arena. The window and door company was installing garage doors on the storage shed and obviously making quite a bit of noise with power tools and such.
There were two ground poles sitting at a V angle, perfect for figure 8s. And three on the long side set at trot length.
So I decided, a few minutes in, to take her over them. We did some 8s, a few times with canter transitions. She jumped them a couple of times, then started to remember how to time her strides. We even cantered over a few times.
She loves obstacles. Even ground poles. She's going to jump, whatever we do. Hunters, eventing, jumping, equitation - I'm sure the more we advance, it will be clear which she's best at. But I get so much attention and effort when I add poles.
She was dripping when I cooled her out, but she was STILL full of energy. I didn't want to work her any longer though, even if she thought we should trot over poles all day.
I gave her a bath and threw her in her stall. Gave her some pepsi, treats and a piece of taffy. Not spoiled at all, like I've said before.
A couple of hours later, I rode her bareback on a short trail ride, which we enjoyed very much. She's a much better trail horse than I imagined. Ever since I got after her that one time, she's awesome. As I mentioned before, Christopher bit her on the butt during the last ride, and she did nothing but jump in surprise. Even though he had his nose up her rear end, she didn't make a nasty face.
Today, Star bit her on the butt as well and stayed perpetually stuck to her rear. Not a nasty face, only a jump when she was bitten. I mean, really. You gotta give a horse props for putting up with that BS on the trail. I can't even really expect her to behave as well as she does. I wouldn't have scolded her for kicking when another horse does that, but she's just golden about it.
It was a great day. She's not perfect by any means. But she's so smart and willing, I have a lot of faith in her. Even if something happened, God forbid, and she could never be ridden again, she'd stay with me until she was an old, old mare. There will be bad days, just like the good, but I feel so strongly connected with her. More so than any other horse, and I mean no exceptions. Not even Gulliver.
Got tomorrow off and I plan on washing my wraps and pads. They are *gross*.
We utilized them in full. I used the training fork today, loosely, but it was obvious it was a mere aid to keep her head from going so inverted that I can't get her back. It was all she and I. First, it came loose when the twine I had tied (my girth has no clips) came undone...and I didn't even notice she was being so responsive. Thank God Emma told me!
I tied a more secure knot and after making sure it was good to go, we tried again and got some GREAT work. She's in heat and I was expecting no attention, but she was fannnntastic. Even with construction going on beside the arena. The window and door company was installing garage doors on the storage shed and obviously making quite a bit of noise with power tools and such.
There were two ground poles sitting at a V angle, perfect for figure 8s. And three on the long side set at trot length.
So I decided, a few minutes in, to take her over them. We did some 8s, a few times with canter transitions. She jumped them a couple of times, then started to remember how to time her strides. We even cantered over a few times.
She loves obstacles. Even ground poles. She's going to jump, whatever we do. Hunters, eventing, jumping, equitation - I'm sure the more we advance, it will be clear which she's best at. But I get so much attention and effort when I add poles.
She was dripping when I cooled her out, but she was STILL full of energy. I didn't want to work her any longer though, even if she thought we should trot over poles all day.
I gave her a bath and threw her in her stall. Gave her some pepsi, treats and a piece of taffy. Not spoiled at all, like I've said before.
A couple of hours later, I rode her bareback on a short trail ride, which we enjoyed very much. She's a much better trail horse than I imagined. Ever since I got after her that one time, she's awesome. As I mentioned before, Christopher bit her on the butt during the last ride, and she did nothing but jump in surprise. Even though he had his nose up her rear end, she didn't make a nasty face.
Today, Star bit her on the butt as well and stayed perpetually stuck to her rear. Not a nasty face, only a jump when she was bitten. I mean, really. You gotta give a horse props for putting up with that BS on the trail. I can't even really expect her to behave as well as she does. I wouldn't have scolded her for kicking when another horse does that, but she's just golden about it.
It was a great day. She's not perfect by any means. But she's so smart and willing, I have a lot of faith in her. Even if something happened, God forbid, and she could never be ridden again, she'd stay with me until she was an old, old mare. There will be bad days, just like the good, but I feel so strongly connected with her. More so than any other horse, and I mean no exceptions. Not even Gulliver.
Got tomorrow off and I plan on washing my wraps and pads. They are *gross*.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
More trail riding!
I was running late Monday, and it was soooo hot I decided not to do serious training with Amber again. Besides, trail rides are a gentle, fun way to condition an out of shape horse anyway. She still gets her work. She tracks up on trail rides anyway - she gets so excited about it. She really loves it.
I took my non-horsey friend along. I gave her a pony ride on Amber, and then she waited patiently for me while I took Amber on a trail ride. Almost everyone at the barn went! Amber was the lead horse, but Emma's pony (ridden by older Hannah), this 12hh little Welsh, was competing with her for top spot. Amber didn't mind him, even when he bit her on the butt! Hannah was like, "I'm glad she's being so tolerant of him, or I'd probably get kicked!"
It was a fun ride. A little trotting, lots of adventuring. There were 7 horses in all.
I mounted up a couple of minutes before everyone else and trotted and cantered Amber in the big area behind the barn. Avoiding contact, but no bucking and not quite as rushed as she has been in the open. Just practice is all we need I think.
Found her flymask...requested that it be taken off before she's turned out. It was only $10, it's not the best mask, but it keeps the flies off her face in her stall, and it's not like they are abundant at night. I'd just rather it not be lost in the field again...
On another topic, I've been doing a lot of thinking about Amber's training lately. Bob...he's good. He knows what he's talking about, and I respect his opinion but he takes a pretty aggressive approach with the horses. While his "popping" method works, I'm not sure I want to use it as rough as he has suggested. I just feel like it's doing the opposite of what needs to be done for Amber. I need to offer her an inviting contact. Yeah, I do need to be tougher on her, and I do need to get after her when she's avoiding contact, but I have to remember WHY she avoids contact. She's had mouth snatchers in her face before. I think the method might have worked on Jack, because he was always just being stubborn, he wasn't skeptical of contact because of an unpleasant experience. But with Amber, I want her to LEARN that my contact is a welcoming thing.
I feel like horses don't learn as well if they are stressed and POed. Getting in their face when they are just being lazy/stubborn is one thing. A little moment of pissed and then an "Okay, fine". But going around constantly irritated and mad? No learning there.
I can't keep letting up on her and making excuses why she shouldn't have to do this, or shouldn't have to do that, "because she doesn't want to". What the hell is that anyway? I never even considered that with Jack. He didn't want to, I got in his face about it (not literally of course! Leg and seat!). But perhaps just using the same action with my hands, without as much "snap" to it. And watch my position more. And use more seat and leg. When she's just being lazy, running out through her shoulder and wanting to pull all over the place...DRIVE her forward and block the shoulder, block her head from trying to pull us where ever she's trying to go that I didn't ask for. Keep her BUSY in our work.
Bob also thinks that we need to work on bending to the left. She's only dragging one of the hinds now, and he believes it's due to the fact that she's much more built up on the right side. Thus, we shall be working on evening things out.
Hoping to get in a really early ride tomorrow. I really want to put in some arena work, but the heat is sickening...and it's worse in the evenings than early morning!
I took my non-horsey friend along. I gave her a pony ride on Amber, and then she waited patiently for me while I took Amber on a trail ride. Almost everyone at the barn went! Amber was the lead horse, but Emma's pony (ridden by older Hannah), this 12hh little Welsh, was competing with her for top spot. Amber didn't mind him, even when he bit her on the butt! Hannah was like, "I'm glad she's being so tolerant of him, or I'd probably get kicked!"
It was a fun ride. A little trotting, lots of adventuring. There were 7 horses in all.
I mounted up a couple of minutes before everyone else and trotted and cantered Amber in the big area behind the barn. Avoiding contact, but no bucking and not quite as rushed as she has been in the open. Just practice is all we need I think.
Found her flymask...requested that it be taken off before she's turned out. It was only $10, it's not the best mask, but it keeps the flies off her face in her stall, and it's not like they are abundant at night. I'd just rather it not be lost in the field again...
On another topic, I've been doing a lot of thinking about Amber's training lately. Bob...he's good. He knows what he's talking about, and I respect his opinion but he takes a pretty aggressive approach with the horses. While his "popping" method works, I'm not sure I want to use it as rough as he has suggested. I just feel like it's doing the opposite of what needs to be done for Amber. I need to offer her an inviting contact. Yeah, I do need to be tougher on her, and I do need to get after her when she's avoiding contact, but I have to remember WHY she avoids contact. She's had mouth snatchers in her face before. I think the method might have worked on Jack, because he was always just being stubborn, he wasn't skeptical of contact because of an unpleasant experience. But with Amber, I want her to LEARN that my contact is a welcoming thing.
I feel like horses don't learn as well if they are stressed and POed. Getting in their face when they are just being lazy/stubborn is one thing. A little moment of pissed and then an "Okay, fine". But going around constantly irritated and mad? No learning there.
I can't keep letting up on her and making excuses why she shouldn't have to do this, or shouldn't have to do that, "because she doesn't want to". What the hell is that anyway? I never even considered that with Jack. He didn't want to, I got in his face about it (not literally of course! Leg and seat!). But perhaps just using the same action with my hands, without as much "snap" to it. And watch my position more. And use more seat and leg. When she's just being lazy, running out through her shoulder and wanting to pull all over the place...DRIVE her forward and block the shoulder, block her head from trying to pull us where ever she's trying to go that I didn't ask for. Keep her BUSY in our work.
Bob also thinks that we need to work on bending to the left. She's only dragging one of the hinds now, and he believes it's due to the fact that she's much more built up on the right side. Thus, we shall be working on evening things out.
Hoping to get in a really early ride tomorrow. I really want to put in some arena work, but the heat is sickening...and it's worse in the evenings than early morning!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
The lovely lady in purple!
Didn't ride today. I'm not riding on work days now, as it's so hot in the middle of the day, and I get off so late I feel super tired when I get up before it gets super hot.
But I did run out to try on her new clothes!
I ordered her a 75, since the 72 I borrowed for her while at Avalon was too small. It fits a wee bit too big, but I'd rather it be that than too tight. It's not like it's so baggy that it's in danger of getting tangled up on her.
I also was reminded of how patient and calm she is about blanketing. I've met quite a few horses who are either scared of the blanket and freak out, or don't want to stand still while you fumble with straps and latches. Not Amber. She took herself a nap while I adjusted and readjusted and looked the sheet over. The sheet and the blanket are the same size and brand, so I only tried out the sheet. I'll probably use the sheet for 40-50 weather, and the blanket for 40 and below. Both for under 20. And the sheet I can use to keep her clean for shows.
I'm hoping the blanket stays intact over the winter...probably will let her winter coat grow out in full so she can be naked during the day and just wear her blanket in her stall. I want her skin and coat to have breathing time anyway.
As you can see, she isn't bothered by blankets and sheets in the least...I'm almost positive in this picture she was thinking... "I'm not sure why mom thinks I need a blanket in 95 degree weather, but I sure look pretty...maybe she'll give me yummy snacks for this..."
Also, check out the beeeauuuutiful halter and lead. I got new fleece for the leather halter, which I've got put up now as just her shipping halter. Added cheek pieces too. The old fleece I put on this every day halter. Loving it! Also, you can't really see up close, but her feet are looking great. Her hind hooves are getting toe back great, and she's dragging less. Bob does wonderful trims. The correct angles are starting to make a difference. I put some of her new hoof oil on, which she thoroughly enjoyed having pretty, clean, moisturized feet.
Spoiled? Amber? No way...
But I did run out to try on her new clothes!
I ordered her a 75, since the 72 I borrowed for her while at Avalon was too small. It fits a wee bit too big, but I'd rather it be that than too tight. It's not like it's so baggy that it's in danger of getting tangled up on her.
I also was reminded of how patient and calm she is about blanketing. I've met quite a few horses who are either scared of the blanket and freak out, or don't want to stand still while you fumble with straps and latches. Not Amber. She took herself a nap while I adjusted and readjusted and looked the sheet over. The sheet and the blanket are the same size and brand, so I only tried out the sheet. I'll probably use the sheet for 40-50 weather, and the blanket for 40 and below. Both for under 20. And the sheet I can use to keep her clean for shows.
I'm hoping the blanket stays intact over the winter...probably will let her winter coat grow out in full so she can be naked during the day and just wear her blanket in her stall. I want her skin and coat to have breathing time anyway.
As you can see, she isn't bothered by blankets and sheets in the least...I'm almost positive in this picture she was thinking... "I'm not sure why mom thinks I need a blanket in 95 degree weather, but I sure look pretty...maybe she'll give me yummy snacks for this..."
Also, check out the beeeauuuutiful halter and lead. I got new fleece for the leather halter, which I've got put up now as just her shipping halter. Added cheek pieces too. The old fleece I put on this every day halter. Loving it! Also, you can't really see up close, but her feet are looking great. Her hind hooves are getting toe back great, and she's dragging less. Bob does wonderful trims. The correct angles are starting to make a difference. I put some of her new hoof oil on, which she thoroughly enjoyed having pretty, clean, moisturized feet.
Spoiled? Amber? No way...
Friday, June 24, 2011
The lead mare.
Fannnn-freakin'-tastic day.
Amber all pretty in purple after our trail ride.
(Wanted to add I only used the polos because I knew we wouldn't run into any water on the trail or really thick brush. I wouldn't use wraps if I thought they might get soaked or ripped off! ;))
I got out to the barn at like, 10. Watched a lesson with an advanced student, then watched one of Emma's advanced kids ride. Then then we all went on a trail ride. Emma on Star, a paint gelding she's training to be a trail horse for someone, and the little girl on a super fat large pony gelding named Grasshopper.
I have decided to really incorporate trail riding into Amber's training. Not only do I want her to be a reliable trail horse when I just want to go out and have fun, but I think it will help her be confident through XC courses in a couple of years when we go on to eventing. Not to mention I think it would be super fun to do some light endurance competitions maybe. I've been looking into it lately...seems like fun!
This works out well since Emma is trying to train Star to be a steady trail mount. His owner is an older woman who is a dead beginner. Star is really too much horse for her. He's improved so much over the past couple of months with Emma's training, but he's a very nervous horse and it's going to take a while before Emma can get him to have confidence being ridden all around. So Amber and I can go with her on her training rides and have some company.
Today, I decided that Amber would lead, no matter what. I decided to not let myself get nervous and getting timid when she does. She hesitated a little going into the woods, but went without fuss. Then a few yards down the trail, she stopped and stood like a rock. I sat and pushed, she just sat still, ogling at something. I gave her a good boot with my leg and gave her her head and she didn't balk at anything the rest of the ride.
Then I realized, Amber's been getting scared of being on trails because I was scared. I knew it in the back of my mind all along. She felt me feeling afraid, hanging on her mouth, and she thought "Oh, she's scared, I should be on alert because it must be danger!". I kept 0 contact with her the entire ride. I let her have her head and she had a blast! You could tell she was so proud and full of herself for being the leader. We came back from the trail and rode all around the farm. Around the pastures, down by the house and the old tobacco barns. She didn't bat an eye, even when Star was shying by the house and barns. We rode around the pastures by the road, and some ladies were getting out of their car at a house right in front. They were tickled to see our little group of riders and we all waved.
We went across ditches and back around by the field. Back around the arena and our ride finally ended. We trotted a couple of times but it was really laid back, but it was great fun.
I think we're doing it again on Monday. Might do some work in the arena too, she does need some practice in there, but I think it's really beneficial for us to do these loose rein, laid back trail rides. It's mentally cleansing to get away from the stress and focus arena work takes. I don't want to get burnt out in the arena, nor do I want Amber too.
Finally, I leave you with a picture of the princess drinking iced tea. Spoiled? Noooo, what makes you think that. She actually loves tea, and she likes to lick the ice out and eat it. But I don't really like her to do that...not good for her teeth.
(Wanted to add I only used the polos because I knew we wouldn't run into any water on the trail or really thick brush. I wouldn't use wraps if I thought they might get soaked or ripped off! ;))
I got out to the barn at like, 10. Watched a lesson with an advanced student, then watched one of Emma's advanced kids ride. Then then we all went on a trail ride. Emma on Star, a paint gelding she's training to be a trail horse for someone, and the little girl on a super fat large pony gelding named Grasshopper.
I have decided to really incorporate trail riding into Amber's training. Not only do I want her to be a reliable trail horse when I just want to go out and have fun, but I think it will help her be confident through XC courses in a couple of years when we go on to eventing. Not to mention I think it would be super fun to do some light endurance competitions maybe. I've been looking into it lately...seems like fun!
This works out well since Emma is trying to train Star to be a steady trail mount. His owner is an older woman who is a dead beginner. Star is really too much horse for her. He's improved so much over the past couple of months with Emma's training, but he's a very nervous horse and it's going to take a while before Emma can get him to have confidence being ridden all around. So Amber and I can go with her on her training rides and have some company.
Today, I decided that Amber would lead, no matter what. I decided to not let myself get nervous and getting timid when she does. She hesitated a little going into the woods, but went without fuss. Then a few yards down the trail, she stopped and stood like a rock. I sat and pushed, she just sat still, ogling at something. I gave her a good boot with my leg and gave her her head and she didn't balk at anything the rest of the ride.
Then I realized, Amber's been getting scared of being on trails because I was scared. I knew it in the back of my mind all along. She felt me feeling afraid, hanging on her mouth, and she thought "Oh, she's scared, I should be on alert because it must be danger!". I kept 0 contact with her the entire ride. I let her have her head and she had a blast! You could tell she was so proud and full of herself for being the leader. We came back from the trail and rode all around the farm. Around the pastures, down by the house and the old tobacco barns. She didn't bat an eye, even when Star was shying by the house and barns. We rode around the pastures by the road, and some ladies were getting out of their car at a house right in front. They were tickled to see our little group of riders and we all waved.
We went across ditches and back around by the field. Back around the arena and our ride finally ended. We trotted a couple of times but it was really laid back, but it was great fun.
I think we're doing it again on Monday. Might do some work in the arena too, she does need some practice in there, but I think it's really beneficial for us to do these loose rein, laid back trail rides. It's mentally cleansing to get away from the stress and focus arena work takes. I don't want to get burnt out in the arena, nor do I want Amber too.
Finally, I leave you with a picture of the princess drinking iced tea. Spoiled? Noooo, what makes you think that. She actually loves tea, and she likes to lick the ice out and eat it. But I don't really like her to do that...not good for her teeth.
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