There is nothing worse than working horses in 90 degree weather. Yuck!
So my dad dragged the ring this morning, so it was nice and smooth to ride on. It's actually pretty decent footing when it's taken care of properly! I even moved all the poles out of the way, so he did a good job.
I took Bella out into the 'galloping lane', as I call it, and let her do some serious extended trots back and forth. It was a little tough to get her focused, and took about 6 trips before she stopped ripping on my arms and actually used her back. Then we went into the newly dragged arena and did some collected work. Her collected trot is still a little stiff in the neck and takes some work to get the kinks out, but her canter has really improved. It's actually to the point where it takes nothing but the occasional half-halt to keep her there. It's all seat and leg. Pretty awesome:D
I just took Patrick for a solo walk around the farm and did some walk circles in the ring today. I figured he worked pretty hard yesterday and he deserved an easy day. I put him in Bella's loose ring snaffle, thinking it was no big deal just for walking around, but he didn't seem to like it at first. He really likes double jointed bits; I think it gives him something to play with. I'll have to pull out my lvl 2 Myler and my double jointed loose ring and see if he likes them any more than the full cheek. He's to the point where he doesn't really need something so stationary. Experiment time!
Lastly, I put Bailey in the chambon (which took forever to get a hole punched into!) and put her back on the lunge-line today. This time I ventured into the ring, instead of the round pen, and with the cavesson on, she was super. I really love lunging in the chambon, rather than side reins, especially early on. I love that it lets them stretch their head down as low as they want, instead of giving them a specific area to contain themselves in. She really stretched out and seemed to enjoy the work. After quick rinses, I tossed them all back outside with their fly masks (which hopefully Patrick will not rip off today) and called it quits.
Ah, air conditioning!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Here's those pictures I promised
I have sun poisoning on my legs. Complete with blisters. Ew. I look like a leper. Thank you horsehows!
Anywho, I just returned from my old boss's. He might have a horse for me to show in July. Granted, I hate this horse, but hey...it's exposure. So here are a few choice gems from this afternoon...
Bella, looking gorgeous, as always:D
TaDa! 2'9", not perfect, but close enough for me! Look at that even take-off with his hind end:D My little boy is growing up!
Anywho, I just returned from my old boss's. He might have a horse for me to show in July. Granted, I hate this horse, but hey...it's exposure. So here are a few choice gems from this afternoon...
And his first jump without ground poles and his first time over this particular jump.
And this last little gem is our usual 'cool down' trot lap, but he was wayyy too excited to merely pitter around...as you can see.
Two updates in one
So yesterday I did a quick ride on Bella, who was a little spitfire, while I waited for my friend to come over.
Once she got there, we tacked up Patrick and Bailey for a little ride. We started out walking them in the hill field again so that they could warm up a little and she could get used to Patrick. Nothing special.
Then we hacked them around the ring a bit, and I must say, Patrick was a total angel for her. I was so pleased with him! He picked up his leads and everything. Bailey was super as well, being her usual little self. Then we finished up by walking them around the property again, this time Bailey was on the buckle the whole time, even when we had to walk up near the road. She's such a good girl!
Then today I had my mom and sister come out for more photo ops when I decided to push the jumps on Patrick a little higher today. I also put flower boxes in front of both jumps, which really confused him. The first and second time through, I don't think he realized he was supposed to jump over them, and saw it more as a barrier. He wasn't afraid of it, just confused. So I took him back and walked him over it (it was THAT small), and after that he had no issues with it or the other jump he hadn't seen yet. After a couple of times through both lines, I had them put up another hole in the cinderblocks, which made each jump about 2'9" or so. He whacked both jumps pretty good the first time through, not realizing that this time he actually had to rock back and use his hind end. But after hitting them once, he figured it out and actually jumped really nicely! I even pointed him to my little log jump, which was also about 2'9" and had no ground poles leading up to it. He didn't even bat an eye, and hopped right over it. Cool. Pictures coming.
Bella flatted like a superstar, and Becca got some awesome shots of her. They're coming, too, as soon as she loads them to Facebook and I can steal them.
Bailey was her usual self, only she's realizing she's a mare, which basically means now every time I tap her with a whip, she does this little half-kick/buck/squeal thing. It's purely entertaining, and not meant to dislodge me, but interesting to note none-the-less. I figured she couldn't be perfect all the time. That'd be too easy!
Anywho, I gotta run a saddle over to my old racehorse boss. I'll load those pictures as soon as I get a chance!
Once she got there, we tacked up Patrick and Bailey for a little ride. We started out walking them in the hill field again so that they could warm up a little and she could get used to Patrick. Nothing special.
Then we hacked them around the ring a bit, and I must say, Patrick was a total angel for her. I was so pleased with him! He picked up his leads and everything. Bailey was super as well, being her usual little self. Then we finished up by walking them around the property again, this time Bailey was on the buckle the whole time, even when we had to walk up near the road. She's such a good girl!
Then today I had my mom and sister come out for more photo ops when I decided to push the jumps on Patrick a little higher today. I also put flower boxes in front of both jumps, which really confused him. The first and second time through, I don't think he realized he was supposed to jump over them, and saw it more as a barrier. He wasn't afraid of it, just confused. So I took him back and walked him over it (it was THAT small), and after that he had no issues with it or the other jump he hadn't seen yet. After a couple of times through both lines, I had them put up another hole in the cinderblocks, which made each jump about 2'9" or so. He whacked both jumps pretty good the first time through, not realizing that this time he actually had to rock back and use his hind end. But after hitting them once, he figured it out and actually jumped really nicely! I even pointed him to my little log jump, which was also about 2'9" and had no ground poles leading up to it. He didn't even bat an eye, and hopped right over it. Cool. Pictures coming.
Bella flatted like a superstar, and Becca got some awesome shots of her. They're coming, too, as soon as she loads them to Facebook and I can steal them.
Bailey was her usual self, only she's realizing she's a mare, which basically means now every time I tap her with a whip, she does this little half-kick/buck/squeal thing. It's purely entertaining, and not meant to dislodge me, but interesting to note none-the-less. I figured she couldn't be perfect all the time. That'd be too easy!
Anywho, I gotta run a saddle over to my old racehorse boss. I'll load those pictures as soon as I get a chance!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Quiet days
The last couple of days have been fairly quiet around here. Monday everyone had off and took a nice long day out in the field while I recuperated from the weekend's hot, sweaty horse show.
On Tuesday, Bella had yet another day off, so the only responsibilities I had were to the babies. My little sister finally decided to make some time in her schedule to hop up on a horse, and I handed Patrick's reins over to her while I tacked up Bailey. I was reluctant to let her on him, because he's just turned into such a fun little horse to ride, but it needs to be done if I'm ever going to sell him. As some of you may know, I was a little worried that I'm making Patrick into 'too much horse' for the quality of rider he's likely to go to, but he proved my worries wrong. He was a total doll for my sister, and it provided Bailey with a buddy for some new adventures.
First, we took them out into the field and trotted them up the hill a few times. It was the first time Bailey had done this, and she handled it like she was a 30 year old school pony.
Then we took them into the ring and gave them both a good hack. Patrick slowed his trot right down for Becca, and once she figured out how to balance her body correctly, he even picked up his leads for her. It was nice to have another horse in the ring, because it gave me the opportunity to teach Bailey that it isn't follow the leader, and allowed her to experience being ridden head-on at another horse. All valuable lessons for a show horse, as most of you know!
After the sweat session, we decided to take them for a little walk around the property; something neither one of them have ever done. However, Patrick boldly lead the way around the perimeter of our 15 acres, and Bailey calmly tagged along right behind him, occasionally trotting to catch up if she stopped to sniff something for too long. It was actually pretty cute, and I'm glad they both behaved so well!
Yesterday, I finally put Bella back into work after a three day vacation. Usually she's much better after a break, but she was just kind of a pain yesterday. Her A.D.D. had her all over the place, but it wasn't altogether entirely unsuccessful. I just kind of dealt with it. Her feet are getting so long and nasty that I'm keeping it easy until the new farrier comes on Monday. I finally got someone to return my phone call, after weeks of struggling to get someone out here.
Patrick was a bit of a lazy bum yesterday. One ride with my sister and he decides he's done working hard! It took some convincing to get him moving, even with spurs (mind you, I'm against flatting horses in spurs, but for now, they just work=/).
I lunged Bailey in side reins and introduced her to the cavesson, which took some convincing to get on her head. After that, she went right into her lofty, slow warmblood gaits. Not exactly what I had in mind! She really needs to learn how to stretch her shoulders. I think it's part of her growing process still, but I don't want her to get in the habit of falling short with her reach.
Today I'm holding off on riding because a friend of mine from school is coming to join me. I've decided Patrick is not only the safest option for her, but probably the smartest as well. Not only can Bailey get another opportunity to ride outside of the arena, but Patrick gets some exposure and another different rider. We'll see how it goes!
On Tuesday, Bella had yet another day off, so the only responsibilities I had were to the babies. My little sister finally decided to make some time in her schedule to hop up on a horse, and I handed Patrick's reins over to her while I tacked up Bailey. I was reluctant to let her on him, because he's just turned into such a fun little horse to ride, but it needs to be done if I'm ever going to sell him. As some of you may know, I was a little worried that I'm making Patrick into 'too much horse' for the quality of rider he's likely to go to, but he proved my worries wrong. He was a total doll for my sister, and it provided Bailey with a buddy for some new adventures.
First, we took them out into the field and trotted them up the hill a few times. It was the first time Bailey had done this, and she handled it like she was a 30 year old school pony.
Then we took them into the ring and gave them both a good hack. Patrick slowed his trot right down for Becca, and once she figured out how to balance her body correctly, he even picked up his leads for her. It was nice to have another horse in the ring, because it gave me the opportunity to teach Bailey that it isn't follow the leader, and allowed her to experience being ridden head-on at another horse. All valuable lessons for a show horse, as most of you know!
After the sweat session, we decided to take them for a little walk around the property; something neither one of them have ever done. However, Patrick boldly lead the way around the perimeter of our 15 acres, and Bailey calmly tagged along right behind him, occasionally trotting to catch up if she stopped to sniff something for too long. It was actually pretty cute, and I'm glad they both behaved so well!
Patrick was a bit of a lazy bum yesterday. One ride with my sister and he decides he's done working hard! It took some convincing to get him moving, even with spurs (mind you, I'm against flatting horses in spurs, but for now, they just work=/).
I lunged Bailey in side reins and introduced her to the cavesson, which took some convincing to get on her head. After that, she went right into her lofty, slow warmblood gaits. Not exactly what I had in mind! She really needs to learn how to stretch her shoulders. I think it's part of her growing process still, but I don't want her to get in the habit of falling short with her reach.
Today I'm holding off on riding because a friend of mine from school is coming to join me. I've decided Patrick is not only the safest option for her, but probably the smartest as well. Not only can Bailey get another opportunity to ride outside of the arena, but Patrick gets some exposure and another different rider. We'll see how it goes!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Whew, sorry I took so long!
So Sunday wound up being a long day (by choice) and yesterday was my self-proclaimed 'day off', so I did nothing but chill out.
Anyways, I woke up super early Sunday morning to take Patrick over to the show for his first venture off the farm. He loaded like a doll and stood on the trailer for a while as I put the other horses outside. Then we shipped off 10 minutes down the road to my old barn, who was hosting the show. He came off the trailer super alert and bouncy, but minded his manners for the most part. No rearing or anything of the sort. Granted, I trailered him over with everything but his bridle on. So we hand-walked for a few minutes as he took in all the sights, but then I hopped up on him because I feel safer up there than I do on the ground, in most cases. He stood super for me to get a leg up (and he's never had one of those before). I walked around for a little while, and then ventured toward the rings.
The only time he really questioned my authority was when we had to cross between these two big boulders that were on each side of the pathway leading to the rings. He walked backwards rather swiftly, but then followed this tiny grey pony through. He didn't mind any of the tents, or the 20 ponies galloping around and jumping. There were a few times he would spook if they jumped right next to him, or cantered at him from the other direction, but it was mostly just a step sideways, and nothing scary or unmanageable.
Getting him to settle into a working frame was an entirely different story. I think we trotted for about 45 minutes nonstop in the sweltering heat, alternating between a collected sitting trot and an extended posting trot. Eventually he just got so hot and tired that I was able to really get his attention back and do some legit work. He finished up like a little super star, cantering around the ring like a champ. A girl that knew him as a baby seemed pretty impressed with how far he's come, so that made me happy:D Then we cooled out in the hunter ring, with all the fancy jumps. I was a little nervous that it was going to be total stimulus overload, but he walked around on a loose rein, as calm and placid as the Patrick I know and love.
I'm not sure if he'll be ready to show by their July show, but they keep their jumper jumps pretty low-key, so I might be able to take him in the classes that I did Bella in on Saturday. They have a 2'0" division, but I don't think I can reduce myself to such tiny jumps :( That's hardly anything for him to even think about, let alone jump over.
Anyways, here are some pictures of Bella from Saturday. Take note on the entirely NOT 3'0" fences!
And Patrick, on the second trailer ride of his life, headed to the showgrounds:D
Off to ride the babies while Bella has another day off:D
Anyways, I woke up super early Sunday morning to take Patrick over to the show for his first venture off the farm. He loaded like a doll and stood on the trailer for a while as I put the other horses outside. Then we shipped off 10 minutes down the road to my old barn, who was hosting the show. He came off the trailer super alert and bouncy, but minded his manners for the most part. No rearing or anything of the sort. Granted, I trailered him over with everything but his bridle on. So we hand-walked for a few minutes as he took in all the sights, but then I hopped up on him because I feel safer up there than I do on the ground, in most cases. He stood super for me to get a leg up (and he's never had one of those before). I walked around for a little while, and then ventured toward the rings.
The only time he really questioned my authority was when we had to cross between these two big boulders that were on each side of the pathway leading to the rings. He walked backwards rather swiftly, but then followed this tiny grey pony through. He didn't mind any of the tents, or the 20 ponies galloping around and jumping. There were a few times he would spook if they jumped right next to him, or cantered at him from the other direction, but it was mostly just a step sideways, and nothing scary or unmanageable.
Getting him to settle into a working frame was an entirely different story. I think we trotted for about 45 minutes nonstop in the sweltering heat, alternating between a collected sitting trot and an extended posting trot. Eventually he just got so hot and tired that I was able to really get his attention back and do some legit work. He finished up like a little super star, cantering around the ring like a champ. A girl that knew him as a baby seemed pretty impressed with how far he's come, so that made me happy:D Then we cooled out in the hunter ring, with all the fancy jumps. I was a little nervous that it was going to be total stimulus overload, but he walked around on a loose rein, as calm and placid as the Patrick I know and love.
I'm not sure if he'll be ready to show by their July show, but they keep their jumper jumps pretty low-key, so I might be able to take him in the classes that I did Bella in on Saturday. They have a 2'0" division, but I don't think I can reduce myself to such tiny jumps :( That's hardly anything for him to even think about, let alone jump over.
Anyways, here are some pictures of Bella from Saturday. Take note on the entirely NOT 3'0" fences!
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