Horses that do not startle were all eaten long ago. - Charles de Kunffy
...though she is so, so much better, I almost hate to say such things about her! :)
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Rhapsody's Motto
...though she is so, so much better, I almost hate to say such things about her! :)
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Good, Bad, Yesterday
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| Old picture, but old picture is better than no picture right?! |
--Silly organizers thought I could survive working hard from 9 till 3 with no lunch. Bad. :(
--Cleared brush at the therapeutic riding center instructor D runs and got a whole lot done. Good!
--Got extremely sore and exhausted from clearing brush for 5 hours straight with no lunch. Bad. :(
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| Part of our awesome brush-clearing job! |
--Coach told me to ride Tanner and he's strong. My arms....! Bad!
--Switched off to Fringe because she was being hot and intimidating the girl who was riding her. Fringey-goose calmed down somewhat once I told her off of her naughtiness. Good!
--She still pulled my arms off, generally speaking. Bad.
--Rode with a bunch of other people of varied skill levels in the ring and she was (overall) decent. Good!
--She tried to kick a little girl and her pony. BAD! Bad bad Fringe! Lol fortunately she didn't actually but came too close for my comfort!
--Trotted 18" jumps with a little tiny tiny spread (about 6" or so) and she actually started jumping them and cantering off!! YAY good good good! :)
--Had one refusal when I had my crop in the wrong hand and couldn't use it to correct her diving out. Bad.
--Went for a nice trail ride since she was blowing pretty hard and she was fantastic, not worried at all. Good good!
--Discovered Rhapsody's catch halter is now off. BAD bad bad bad ughhh well I know what I'm doing on Friday...
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| So tired of seeing this...! |
Well it's off and running again for us I guess. I am 100% planning on getting the halter back on Rhapsody, but if it's pouring rain I won't go. We'll just have to wait and see. Wish us luck! :)
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Trail Rides & Trot
'Twas sunny on Friday!!
Still muddy but dry enough to get Brandi and do walk/halt work in the arena. I put the simplest D-ring snaffle we have on her, and she seemed to like it better than the bit I had her in last time. Overall she did really well (still need to devote a whole lesson to teaching her to stand for mounting, but anyway...) until we went to move off to trot; then we had something of a repeat of last time--head bobbing, tail swishing, unhappy. Slightly more willing but still not happy. Next time I'll put her in the Western saddle (it's wider) and see if it's a saddle fit issue. We got a couple good tries at the trot tracking right (her better direction), though, and then I let her just walk out. She had a lovely natural head carriage on a loose rein for much of the ride, and no problem with me purposely flopping all over her, stretching forward and backward, in and out of two-point, standing in the stirrups, giving her hugs, tugging on her mane, etc., etc.. She has the mind to be a great kids' horse and I want to have her as bomb-proof as possible. Though she's already pretty close to it! Good girl. :)
Then I went to Nowhere to get Rhapsody and met Coach on the way back. She suggested trail work, so I put on the Western saddle (so I had more things to hang onto in case of attack by the Invisible Horse-Eating Monster) and we walked up and down the roads for 20 minutes or so. Rhapsody was much better than I had expected; we had a few minutes of hyper-ness but overall she was quite calm, "looky" but not spooky. Afterwards took her back out and she stood at the gate watching me leave again. :)
Proud of both my girls this weekend! Hoping to have a lesson on Monday at long last--we'll see if I've again forgotten everything I ever knew about jumping. ;)
Still muddy but dry enough to get Brandi and do walk/halt work in the arena. I put the simplest D-ring snaffle we have on her, and she seemed to like it better than the bit I had her in last time. Overall she did really well (still need to devote a whole lesson to teaching her to stand for mounting, but anyway...) until we went to move off to trot; then we had something of a repeat of last time--head bobbing, tail swishing, unhappy. Slightly more willing but still not happy. Next time I'll put her in the Western saddle (it's wider) and see if it's a saddle fit issue. We got a couple good tries at the trot tracking right (her better direction), though, and then I let her just walk out. She had a lovely natural head carriage on a loose rein for much of the ride, and no problem with me purposely flopping all over her, stretching forward and backward, in and out of two-point, standing in the stirrups, giving her hugs, tugging on her mane, etc., etc.. She has the mind to be a great kids' horse and I want to have her as bomb-proof as possible. Though she's already pretty close to it! Good girl. :)
Then I went to Nowhere to get Rhapsody and met Coach on the way back. She suggested trail work, so I put on the Western saddle (so I had more things to hang onto in case of attack by the Invisible Horse-Eating Monster) and we walked up and down the roads for 20 minutes or so. Rhapsody was much better than I had expected; we had a few minutes of hyper-ness but overall she was quite calm, "looky" but not spooky. Afterwards took her back out and she stood at the gate watching me leave again. :)
Proud of both my girls this weekend! Hoping to have a lesson on Monday at long last--we'll see if I've again forgotten everything I ever knew about jumping. ;)
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Inspiration on a Rainy Day
...is these girls! If you're not following them on Facebook, you should be! They're pretty much awesome. :)
Someday I'm going to quit teaching for a while just to do something like they're doing (only, of course, much lower-profile!). Just because I want to more than almost anything else in the world.
Yes, this is what I do when it's sleety rain outside and has been raining non-stop the last week. However, tomorrow it looks like this!
Guess who's going riding?!?!?!
Someday I'm going to quit teaching for a while just to do something like they're doing (only, of course, much lower-profile!). Just because I want to more than almost anything else in the world.
Yes, this is what I do when it's sleety rain outside and has been raining non-stop the last week. However, tomorrow it looks like this!
Guess who's going riding?!?!?!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
In Which We Are Famous!
Well look at that, the ponies and I are famous today! Haha :)
Haynet, the "UK's No. 1 Equine Social Blogging Network" (which is gracious enough to include those of us across the pond that want to be a part too!), selected us as their "Blog of the Day" today! Check them out if you haven't already! I have been looking round to see if I can find their button to put on my blog but I haven't found it. So here is the link. They have a huge number of blogs you can look over, plus a helpful forum and an "Equine Agony Aunt" you can ask questions of! Very cool site. :)
In the meantime, we sit in the rain...middle of this coming week we're finally supposed to dry out though! Good thing because I'm nearly afraid to go out to the barn; I think I'd sink out of sight in the mud in the back pasture!
Haynet, the "UK's No. 1 Equine Social Blogging Network" (which is gracious enough to include those of us across the pond that want to be a part too!), selected us as their "Blog of the Day" today! Check them out if you haven't already! I have been looking round to see if I can find their button to put on my blog but I haven't found it. So here is the link. They have a huge number of blogs you can look over, plus a helpful forum and an "Equine Agony Aunt" you can ask questions of! Very cool site. :)
In the meantime, we sit in the rain...middle of this coming week we're finally supposed to dry out though! Good thing because I'm nearly afraid to go out to the barn; I think I'd sink out of sight in the mud in the back pasture!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
And Then There Was School...
...and rain...oh it has been raining SO. MUCH. Ugh. I hate rain. Especially cold rain with no indoor.
...and a highly overwhelmed me with the equivalent of 19 credits in classes, plus 9-15 hours of work.
...and Coach had a family emergency and had to leave.
...and I have not been riding! Don't even know if I will ride at all this week because of the rain. Checked on Coach's horses on Monday, caught Rhapsody and groomed her up a bit and did some groundwork out in the pasture, but otherwise just plain ickyness and school. Lol. Hopefully we'll have an update next week?? We'd better or I will go crazy and that will be the end of that!
...and a highly overwhelmed me with the equivalent of 19 credits in classes, plus 9-15 hours of work.
...and Coach had a family emergency and had to leave.
...and I have not been riding! Don't even know if I will ride at all this week because of the rain. Checked on Coach's horses on Monday, caught Rhapsody and groomed her up a bit and did some groundwork out in the pasture, but otherwise just plain ickyness and school. Lol. Hopefully we'll have an update next week?? We'd better or I will go crazy and that will be the end of that!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Brandi Ride
Well it is official that Brandi is now the greenest horse I've ever ridden. ;) If Fringe was green, then Rhapsody is very green, and Brandi is pretty much barely started. Haha!
She'd been so good last time I rode, so I caught her on Friday, did some groundwork, and then went and rode. For the first little bit, we did walk both directions and she was great. But when I asked for the trot, she started bobbing her head and throwing it around. So not wanting to get tossed, I hopped off, put her on the lunge, and trotted her up on that. No lameness, a little nervous but she went both ways fine. Got back on and the same problem. Finally I got her to trot tracking right (always the racehorses' better direction) but tracking left she was still throwing fits. Coach helped me out a bit once she came down but it still wasn't easy. And there were lessons going on and little kids riding so it just wasn't a good place to school a baby. Eventually I decided to just get off and walk her out and try again another day when things were quieter.
I'm not really frustrated with her, though; I think she just doesn't understand. Coach agrees with me, so I think we are pretty close to right then. ;) Didn't help that the arena was busy--unusual for a Friday afternoon--and every time we saw a horse going the opposite direction, Brandi pretty much put on a what in the WORLD is THAT?!?! face and stopped dead. Lol. Last time I rode her with nobody else in the arena, but this time there was always someone with us. She's not used to that, and Friday showed me that she's not really solid on her cues for the different gaits, either. That's okay, but I'll just have to be more careful to enable her to be successful. Next time I'm going to ride her when it's quiet and just school walk/halt transitions until she's solid there before I ask her for trot. She freezes when she's nervous or doesn't understand, so I'll just have to be very clear and patient with her. We'll get there soon; she's very smart, curious, and playful, so it won't take long. Overall I still really like her. :)
On other news, I went down to give Rhapsody an apple and a scratch, and she came up to me! Also when I grabbed her catch halter she didn't jump like she did last time. I think I'm going to start acting as if I'm catching her without a halter when I go get her, so as hopefully to get her used to it. In addition to our catching groundwork, of course.
She'd been so good last time I rode, so I caught her on Friday, did some groundwork, and then went and rode. For the first little bit, we did walk both directions and she was great. But when I asked for the trot, she started bobbing her head and throwing it around. So not wanting to get tossed, I hopped off, put her on the lunge, and trotted her up on that. No lameness, a little nervous but she went both ways fine. Got back on and the same problem. Finally I got her to trot tracking right (always the racehorses' better direction) but tracking left she was still throwing fits. Coach helped me out a bit once she came down but it still wasn't easy. And there were lessons going on and little kids riding so it just wasn't a good place to school a baby. Eventually I decided to just get off and walk her out and try again another day when things were quieter.
I'm not really frustrated with her, though; I think she just doesn't understand. Coach agrees with me, so I think we are pretty close to right then. ;) Didn't help that the arena was busy--unusual for a Friday afternoon--and every time we saw a horse going the opposite direction, Brandi pretty much put on a what in the WORLD is THAT?!?! face and stopped dead. Lol. Last time I rode her with nobody else in the arena, but this time there was always someone with us. She's not used to that, and Friday showed me that she's not really solid on her cues for the different gaits, either. That's okay, but I'll just have to be more careful to enable her to be successful. Next time I'm going to ride her when it's quiet and just school walk/halt transitions until she's solid there before I ask her for trot. She freezes when she's nervous or doesn't understand, so I'll just have to be very clear and patient with her. We'll get there soon; she's very smart, curious, and playful, so it won't take long. Overall I still really like her. :)
On other news, I went down to give Rhapsody an apple and a scratch, and she came up to me! Also when I grabbed her catch halter she didn't jump like she did last time. I think I'm going to start acting as if I'm catching her without a halter when I go get her, so as hopefully to get her used to it. In addition to our catching groundwork, of course.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Rhapsody Week
This last week of break I am designating as my "Rhapsody week" and though I can't really be out there every day (sigh), I'm at least managing to work her three days this week. So far we are doing really really well!
I went early to lesson on Monday and found Coach had already brought her in (and was quite pleased with herself for doing it too, I must add, lol!). So instead of trekking 3/4 mile out to the Back of Nowhere pasture where Rhapsody currently lives, I worked her in a groundwork clinic Coach was putting on. A lot of it was stuff I already knew, but it was nice to have more experienced eyes watching me, and I did learn some new things too. Then I tacked her up and rode her for my lesson so that if she showed any inclination to do "funny" things, we'd be able to catch them before I'm on my own. She was rather skittery under saddle, but no major spooks. We rode walk/trot/canter and even trotted over some ground poles and a little tiny half-crossrail, which she did quite well on considering that she used to trip all over anything on the ground. Also I got to ride Lucky for one jump, and another girl's new horse, Will, for one jump. Hehe I think Coach felt she needed to get me over a jump at least a couple times during the lesson! ;) It was fun anyway.
Then today I went back over and caught her myself, after a rather wild time trying to chase off the superbly obnoxious and rather large gelding-that-acts-like-a-stallion that also resides in the Back of Nowhere. But despite all that she actually came running over to me when I came in! And she didn't take off for the far corners of the earth when I was chasing Mr. Obnoxious. Instead I was able to catch her fairly easily and then she followed me happily nearly half the way up to the barn--until the mares came galloping out into their field alongside us and got her all hyper and spooky. Oh well. We went up to the barn without any mishap and then I worked her alongside the clinic students again. This time they were really only doing things we'd already worked on, so I worked with her on lowering her head when I asked, accepting the rope just behind her ears, and lowering her head off light rope pressure behind her ears. I hope that will help her with haltering; I guess we'll see. Overall though I was extremely happy with how calm and responsive she was today. Very nice day of work!
Well my camera battery is dead so no pictures. Eh I'm going to try and get some more batteries because picture-less posts are boring. Lol. Until next time!
I went early to lesson on Monday and found Coach had already brought her in (and was quite pleased with herself for doing it too, I must add, lol!). So instead of trekking 3/4 mile out to the Back of Nowhere pasture where Rhapsody currently lives, I worked her in a groundwork clinic Coach was putting on. A lot of it was stuff I already knew, but it was nice to have more experienced eyes watching me, and I did learn some new things too. Then I tacked her up and rode her for my lesson so that if she showed any inclination to do "funny" things, we'd be able to catch them before I'm on my own. She was rather skittery under saddle, but no major spooks. We rode walk/trot/canter and even trotted over some ground poles and a little tiny half-crossrail, which she did quite well on considering that she used to trip all over anything on the ground. Also I got to ride Lucky for one jump, and another girl's new horse, Will, for one jump. Hehe I think Coach felt she needed to get me over a jump at least a couple times during the lesson! ;) It was fun anyway.
Then today I went back over and caught her myself, after a rather wild time trying to chase off the superbly obnoxious and rather large gelding-that-acts-like-a-stallion that also resides in the Back of Nowhere. But despite all that she actually came running over to me when I came in! And she didn't take off for the far corners of the earth when I was chasing Mr. Obnoxious. Instead I was able to catch her fairly easily and then she followed me happily nearly half the way up to the barn--until the mares came galloping out into their field alongside us and got her all hyper and spooky. Oh well. We went up to the barn without any mishap and then I worked her alongside the clinic students again. This time they were really only doing things we'd already worked on, so I worked with her on lowering her head when I asked, accepting the rope just behind her ears, and lowering her head off light rope pressure behind her ears. I hope that will help her with haltering; I guess we'll see. Overall though I was extremely happy with how calm and responsive she was today. Very nice day of work!
Well my camera battery is dead so no pictures. Eh I'm going to try and get some more batteries because picture-less posts are boring. Lol. Until next time!
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Goodbye 2012, Welcome 2013!
I really can't believe we're here already, at the last day of the year!
Today I am going out for some time with Rhapsody trying to persuade her that catching is good and doesn't always lead to getting your hiney worked off; then I'm going to have a lesson with Coach. Plus I have pretty much knocked the cold I got on Friday night; I lost my voice pretty much, but otherwise I'm doing quite well! A fine way to start the new year if you ask me! :)
A year ago I was just starting lessons with Coach after nearly 2 1/2 years off from riding. Did I ever mention that on that first lesson with Coach, I fell off and got a mild concussion? Well yes, I did; and it was the Thursday before a full weekend of work and a week of finals, too. Poor Coach, I think she thought she'd scared me off horses for life. Couldn't be farther from the truth, fortunately!
The rest of the winter and spring we spent working out exactly where I was on the riding scale, improving my confidence, and fixing a bunch of little bad habits I had acquired and/or been taught. In May I finished school, stopped working at the school cafeteria (therefore no more weekend work) and started a new job that I still love! Also we took a family vacation to Alaska.
The last week of June, I started working with Fringe--my first project horse and the easiest so far. ;) In July, I started this blog! This wasn't my first time blogging, but it was my first time blogging about horses. I continued working with Fringe, cantered her for the first time, and started getting my confidence back.
In August, Fringe started moving to the beginner riders, so I put less time on her. At the same time, Rhapsody arrived, however, giving me a whole new level of challenge! I had a fantastic jump lesson on Lass that showed me how I can ride if I'll just relax. Shortly after that, I developed plantar fascitis in my foot, but in my true style, continued riding, jumping Fringe for the first time.
September was not too eventful. We did go to the polo match, though, which was fun!
October I spent continuing to try to catch Rhapsody, enjoying jump lessons, and finally getting to go up to the local equestrian showgrounds for an "away" lesson. I started exercising Lass to help her get over her sore leg, and had a bit of a step backward in my riding, which I now suspect was caused by my putting too much pressure on myself to "improve."
In November I caught Rhapsody for the first time! I hit my goal for this fall of jumping 2' verticals, came up with some goals for training Rhapsody, and continued exercising Lass. My jump lesson skills might have been off-and-on for November, but overall it was a very successful month!
December has really followed November's lead as far as success is concerned. Yes, it took me almost the whole month to catch Rhapsody again, but I did, and got a halter on her this time! In addition, Lass came back into regular work. I pinned down (I think) what's holding me back as far as jumping is concerned, came up with some goals for winter training, and got Brandi as a second project horse.
It's been a great year, and I feel blessed! :) Can't wait to see what 2013 has in store!
Today I am going out for some time with Rhapsody trying to persuade her that catching is good and doesn't always lead to getting your hiney worked off; then I'm going to have a lesson with Coach. Plus I have pretty much knocked the cold I got on Friday night; I lost my voice pretty much, but otherwise I'm doing quite well! A fine way to start the new year if you ask me! :)
A year ago I was just starting lessons with Coach after nearly 2 1/2 years off from riding. Did I ever mention that on that first lesson with Coach, I fell off and got a mild concussion? Well yes, I did; and it was the Thursday before a full weekend of work and a week of finals, too. Poor Coach, I think she thought she'd scared me off horses for life. Couldn't be farther from the truth, fortunately!
The rest of the winter and spring we spent working out exactly where I was on the riding scale, improving my confidence, and fixing a bunch of little bad habits I had acquired and/or been taught. In May I finished school, stopped working at the school cafeteria (therefore no more weekend work) and started a new job that I still love! Also we took a family vacation to Alaska.
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| Alaska! |
The last week of June, I started working with Fringe--my first project horse and the easiest so far. ;) In July, I started this blog! This wasn't my first time blogging, but it was my first time blogging about horses. I continued working with Fringe, cantered her for the first time, and started getting my confidence back.
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| Groundwork with Fringe |
In August, Fringe started moving to the beginner riders, so I put less time on her. At the same time, Rhapsody arrived, however, giving me a whole new level of challenge! I had a fantastic jump lesson on Lass that showed me how I can ride if I'll just relax. Shortly after that, I developed plantar fascitis in my foot, but in my true style, continued riding, jumping Fringe for the first time.
September was not too eventful. We did go to the polo match, though, which was fun!
October I spent continuing to try to catch Rhapsody, enjoying jump lessons, and finally getting to go up to the local equestrian showgrounds for an "away" lesson. I started exercising Lass to help her get over her sore leg, and had a bit of a step backward in my riding, which I now suspect was caused by my putting too much pressure on myself to "improve."
In November I caught Rhapsody for the first time! I hit my goal for this fall of jumping 2' verticals, came up with some goals for training Rhapsody, and continued exercising Lass. My jump lesson skills might have been off-and-on for November, but overall it was a very successful month!
December has really followed November's lead as far as success is concerned. Yes, it took me almost the whole month to catch Rhapsody again, but I did, and got a halter on her this time! In addition, Lass came back into regular work. I pinned down (I think) what's holding me back as far as jumping is concerned, came up with some goals for winter training, and got Brandi as a second project horse.
It's been a great year, and I feel blessed! :) Can't wait to see what 2013 has in store!
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