After cancelling last night's lesson due to rain, I rescheduled for today at 12.
Luke let me catch him right away in the pasture, but was a pain to tack up. Seriously, I'm never motivated to ride him anymore and it's because I'm sick of dealing with his crap on the ground. I've tried everything. He pulled back and snapped a cross tie snap in half. In half. The metal literally snapped. I give up. Oy.
He was hyped up when I got on...it was all I could do to get him to stand while I got on, and then we had crazy hyper walk on speed. He settled though, eventually. And focused, sort of. The arena was kind of muddy, but oh well. I do miss having an indoor, but I'll live :) Luke was actually more focused than he's been sometimes. I was keeping my back really tense today...I don't know if that's a new thing, or if it explains my back pain.
We trotted, and worked on keeping him focused and off the forehand, and using his butt. It's hard too because he doesn't respond to my leg. I'm going to start carrying a crop and insist on crisper transitions...he needs to go when I say, not when he feels like it. Then we moved on to canter...I don't know what my deal is with cantering, but I feel so insecure anymore. Started on the left lead, and it was okay..he broke to a trot a couple times, but I think he just needs more strength. And to actually ride the canter and not just sit there. He got all his leads correct today, which makes me really happy. Yay! I think it was a me issue, not a him issue. Either way, I'm glad it seems to be fixed! I'm not sure how much I'll get to ride this winter, but I'll at least try to as much as I can. I want to keep him moving forward. Then in the spring, lesson/training package, and hopefully truck and trailer by February ish.
We jumped a little crossrail too, and Luke was fine. I love my new standards...way better than buckets, especially since the poles are pvc..they don't fall off of the standards quite as easily.
I'm glad I got a lesson in...maybe not as productive as if I'd been riding more frequently, but at least it pushed me in the right direction. If I get a truck and trailer, I'll try to find an indoor to go to once every week or something like that. I'm proud of Luke..I just wish I could ride him as well as he deserves. Maybe someday!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Eek, time for an update!
Wow, I can't believe I haven't updated in so long! Not too too much has happened though.
Luke stayed with Gwen the week after the mini trial. He was a good boy up there. I got to go up and ride on Tuesday night, where he did his first gymnastics. He wasn't a big fan, but I think they were a little big for him. We did a single cross rail and ended with that.
When I went up on Saturday, Luke was really good! We made the gymnastics smaller, and did a cross rail with five trotting poles before it. The first time through that one, Luke launched at the beginning of the trot poles and landed after the jump. Apparently he forgot how to trot jumps. Second time through, he did a good job though. Then we moved on to the gymnastics. The smaller ones were much easier.
I decided to try jumping him over some plastic barrels because he was being so good. I figured he'd rush it really badly, but he didn't at all! Trotted it really cute, and didn't even look at it! He seems to settle down more over larger jumps, which is weird.
I brought him back home on the 20th, and didn't do much with him for a week. He got new shoes on Thursday, and then he just didn't do much until this past week. On Thursday I went out and rode, and was really happy with him. I didn't think he would be very good since he'd been off for so long. He was great though. I just walked and trotted...I don't want to work on his canter until I'm in a lesson, because I'm not good at him. I rode again yesterday, and he was a little testy. I hung out with Molly today and got to ride Atticus, and then she came over and rode Luke. He proved that he could canter on both correct leads and jump all cute like. I hope she can come ride him more...and I just need to learn to ride better. Hopefully soon...I want to be better!
Luke stayed with Gwen the week after the mini trial. He was a good boy up there. I got to go up and ride on Tuesday night, where he did his first gymnastics. He wasn't a big fan, but I think they were a little big for him. We did a single cross rail and ended with that.
When I went up on Saturday, Luke was really good! We made the gymnastics smaller, and did a cross rail with five trotting poles before it. The first time through that one, Luke launched at the beginning of the trot poles and landed after the jump. Apparently he forgot how to trot jumps. Second time through, he did a good job though. Then we moved on to the gymnastics. The smaller ones were much easier.
I decided to try jumping him over some plastic barrels because he was being so good. I figured he'd rush it really badly, but he didn't at all! Trotted it really cute, and didn't even look at it! He seems to settle down more over larger jumps, which is weird.
I brought him back home on the 20th, and didn't do much with him for a week. He got new shoes on Thursday, and then he just didn't do much until this past week. On Thursday I went out and rode, and was really happy with him. I didn't think he would be very good since he'd been off for so long. He was great though. I just walked and trotted...I don't want to work on his canter until I'm in a lesson, because I'm not good at him. I rode again yesterday, and he was a little testy. I hung out with Molly today and got to ride Atticus, and then she came over and rode Luke. He proved that he could canter on both correct leads and jump all cute like. I hope she can come ride him more...and I just need to learn to ride better. Hopefully soon...I want to be better!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Mini Trial Update
Luke is SUCH a good boy! We went out schooling with Molly on Saturday, and he warmed up perfectly, even with horses coming at him from all directions. He took a few of the first little jumps like they were 5' tall, and didn't understand the lack of enthusiasm displayed by the other horses. Typical Luke. So we walked over a few, and trotted a few, and ended on a good note. I'm very happy with him. Then he stood tied to the trailer for a long time, and didn't do anything bad. He saw his first horse and buggy on Saturday and his eyes were saucer sized. I got a cute picture of the "buggy" face...I'll upload pictures later.
Sunday we headed out and got to South Farm around 11? I didn't ride until 2:30 so it was really nice to have some time to warm up. We got our packets, I found my camera that I left behind on Saturday, and checked out the tack trailer. I didn't even buy anything! So I'm going to put $10 in a Congress fund, along with $40 from my paycheck. I really want to have some money to spend at Congress this year!
I tacked Luke up and headed over to warm up for dressage. I was able to walk him around the farm on a loose rein, but once we got to the warm up area and started trotting, he got a little quick and panicky. A trainer kindly helped us warm up, and that helped. We did lots of transitions and figure 8's, and he got his brain back. I headed into my test feeling nervous, but more prepared than usual. We did our courtesy lap, and he didn't spook at the flowers or the trailer. He came down centerline nice and straight, and stopped completely for the halt. Good boy! We had a few sticky moments in our test - he cantered a few strides of the trot circle, was a little counterbent in a couple spots, and I overshot center line. Bad me! I know better!
I threw him back on the trailer with some hay so I could relax a little bit. I walked around, watched a little stadium, and then tacked him back up for stadium and xc. I was literally three feet away from him, he was tied to the trailer, and he pulled back. Broke the snap on the lead rope in half, and proceeded to run around the farm - he ran a good 1/4 mile down a stretch, and back up, and then made a big circle around me and let me catch him. I was not a happy camper. I threatened to sell him to the Amish to be a buggy horse. Maybe he was just warming himself up for XC. I finished tacking him up quickly, and hopped on to go warm up for the other phases. He got me so flustered I forgot my gloves. Ouch!
He took the first couple warm up fences as flyers, so we walked a few, and then trotted a few. I remembered to go through the start flags this year! He didn't look at anything on course and hopped right over it all. We trotted and cantered the course - he was a little wigglier than I would have liked, but not too badly. And he didn't knock anything down! I decided NOT to get off, so we walked around for a while, and then headed over to XC warm up. I opted not to jump anything except one little vertical. We trotted out of the start box, I asked him to walk the first jump, and then we alternated between walking and trotting the rest of the jumps. Again, he rocked it...he didn't look at ANYTHING out there. I came across the finish line exhausted, but so proud of him!
I cooled him out, untacked him, put my stuff away, and loaded him on the trailer with some nice hay. I went over to check my scores, which still weren't up. We waited around for a while - my division was of course the last one posted. I went up to look at our results and did a double, maybe triple take. I asked them "are you sure?!" Luke and I came in 2nd place! We finished on our dressage score of 34.0, which is our best score by about 10 points. Even with our mistakes, the test must have looked better than it felt. The comments were helpful - the judge really liked him, said he was a nice mover, and said she liked what a patient rider I was for him. He went clean on XC and Stadium, so we finished on our 34! Good boy Luke! We were only out of first place by 2 points, but I couldn't be happier with the pretty red ribbon. It was such a great day - the ribbon was just icing on the cake! We made it back home and unloaded, fed him dinner, and turned him out. And then I went home and crashed.
Other than the broken lead rope and escape, it was a great weekend. That's the next thing I need to tackle - get him to stand tied again. I'm not sure if it's possible. Always something to work on!
Sunday we headed out and got to South Farm around 11? I didn't ride until 2:30 so it was really nice to have some time to warm up. We got our packets, I found my camera that I left behind on Saturday, and checked out the tack trailer. I didn't even buy anything! So I'm going to put $10 in a Congress fund, along with $40 from my paycheck. I really want to have some money to spend at Congress this year!
I tacked Luke up and headed over to warm up for dressage. I was able to walk him around the farm on a loose rein, but once we got to the warm up area and started trotting, he got a little quick and panicky. A trainer kindly helped us warm up, and that helped. We did lots of transitions and figure 8's, and he got his brain back. I headed into my test feeling nervous, but more prepared than usual. We did our courtesy lap, and he didn't spook at the flowers or the trailer. He came down centerline nice and straight, and stopped completely for the halt. Good boy! We had a few sticky moments in our test - he cantered a few strides of the trot circle, was a little counterbent in a couple spots, and I overshot center line. Bad me! I know better!
I threw him back on the trailer with some hay so I could relax a little bit. I walked around, watched a little stadium, and then tacked him back up for stadium and xc. I was literally three feet away from him, he was tied to the trailer, and he pulled back. Broke the snap on the lead rope in half, and proceeded to run around the farm - he ran a good 1/4 mile down a stretch, and back up, and then made a big circle around me and let me catch him. I was not a happy camper. I threatened to sell him to the Amish to be a buggy horse. Maybe he was just warming himself up for XC. I finished tacking him up quickly, and hopped on to go warm up for the other phases. He got me so flustered I forgot my gloves. Ouch!
He took the first couple warm up fences as flyers, so we walked a few, and then trotted a few. I remembered to go through the start flags this year! He didn't look at anything on course and hopped right over it all. We trotted and cantered the course - he was a little wigglier than I would have liked, but not too badly. And he didn't knock anything down! I decided NOT to get off, so we walked around for a while, and then headed over to XC warm up. I opted not to jump anything except one little vertical. We trotted out of the start box, I asked him to walk the first jump, and then we alternated between walking and trotting the rest of the jumps. Again, he rocked it...he didn't look at ANYTHING out there. I came across the finish line exhausted, but so proud of him!
I cooled him out, untacked him, put my stuff away, and loaded him on the trailer with some nice hay. I went over to check my scores, which still weren't up. We waited around for a while - my division was of course the last one posted. I went up to look at our results and did a double, maybe triple take. I asked them "are you sure?!" Luke and I came in 2nd place! We finished on our dressage score of 34.0, which is our best score by about 10 points. Even with our mistakes, the test must have looked better than it felt. The comments were helpful - the judge really liked him, said he was a nice mover, and said she liked what a patient rider I was for him. He went clean on XC and Stadium, so we finished on our 34! Good boy Luke! We were only out of first place by 2 points, but I couldn't be happier with the pretty red ribbon. It was such a great day - the ribbon was just icing on the cake! We made it back home and unloaded, fed him dinner, and turned him out. And then I went home and crashed.
Other than the broken lead rope and escape, it was a great weekend. That's the next thing I need to tackle - get him to stand tied again. I'm not sure if it's possible. Always something to work on!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lightbulbs! And mini trials!
First off, I got my ride times for the mini trial this weekend. I have nice late times, which is nice...I'm used to getting up at 5 a.m.! I ride Dressage at 2:36, Stadium at 4:30 and XC at 5:30 - woohoo! :)
On Tuesday, I had the best ride on Luke I've possibly ever had. It was incredible...he was reaching for the bit (his new happy mouth), was transitioning without fussing at all, actually bending around my leg instead of blowing me off...it was so nice! I paid for it yesterday though, my wrist was killing me. So I bought a separate brace to ride in and last night it didn't hurt so bad.
I had an awesome lesson last night! I rode in my dressage bridle and saddle to get myself acclimated to it again. I lengthened my stirrups a hole, which helped, and we got some very nice work. I think if he goes like this at South Farm, we have a pretty good chance of doing well. I've been cautioned to not panic if my warmup doesn't go well at first - just keep riding him through it until I get the bend and stretch I'm looking for. I think we'll be okay - we get to go schooling on Saturday, which I'm really excited about - Luke hasn't jumped any XC stuff except for little logs since last fall...oh dang! But 12" won't be too bad.
I can't believe it's so soon - I haven't started packing ANYTHING yet. Or given him a bath...it's too hard to do one handed... *sigh*... :) Maybe I'll just rub him down with baby wipes...he smells disgusting from his fly spray anyway! Molly is coming over tomorrow night and we're going to pack all of my stuff up into her car, and then off we go on Saturday morning. Wish us luck! I can't wait to see Gwen, Lis, and Jen too...we're having a mini exracers picnic...yay!
On Tuesday, I had the best ride on Luke I've possibly ever had. It was incredible...he was reaching for the bit (his new happy mouth), was transitioning without fussing at all, actually bending around my leg instead of blowing me off...it was so nice! I paid for it yesterday though, my wrist was killing me. So I bought a separate brace to ride in and last night it didn't hurt so bad.
I had an awesome lesson last night! I rode in my dressage bridle and saddle to get myself acclimated to it again. I lengthened my stirrups a hole, which helped, and we got some very nice work. I think if he goes like this at South Farm, we have a pretty good chance of doing well. I've been cautioned to not panic if my warmup doesn't go well at first - just keep riding him through it until I get the bend and stretch I'm looking for. I think we'll be okay - we get to go schooling on Saturday, which I'm really excited about - Luke hasn't jumped any XC stuff except for little logs since last fall...oh dang! But 12" won't be too bad.
I can't believe it's so soon - I haven't started packing ANYTHING yet. Or given him a bath...it's too hard to do one handed... *sigh*... :) Maybe I'll just rub him down with baby wipes...he smells disgusting from his fly spray anyway! Molly is coming over tomorrow night and we're going to pack all of my stuff up into her car, and then off we go on Saturday morning. Wish us luck! I can't wait to see Gwen, Lis, and Jen too...we're having a mini exracers picnic...yay!
Friday, September 4, 2009
You take one step forward and two steps back...
It feels like it anyway!
I had a great lesson on Monday...actually they've all been great lately. Unfortunately, I can't achieve that same greatness when I ride by myself. It sure doesn't feel like it anyway. We just walked and trotted on Monday, but we worked on turns, centerlines, halts...everything I'd need for my test. It went pretty well. Then I took him out in the big pasture and we worked on me keeping his attention and getting actual work in large spaces.
Tuesday, I was all excited to ride, and thought it was going to be the best ride ever. He started out by breaking his halter...which was kind of my fault, I know that I shouldn't cross tie him until we figure this out, but I was in a hurry. I put a rope halter on him and got him to stand semi still while I finished tacking up. The ride went downhill from there. Nothing went right...he wanted to hollow out his back and be an ostrich. The only plus I can think of is that he got his leads. It just spiraled downward though, and I ended the ride in tears. I was freaking out, thinking we were never going to get better, and I was ready to sell him to someone more experienced.
On Wednesday, I woke up feelingi less frustrated. I sent in my mini trial entry and decided to look at it as a learning experience. I went out and played with the boys, but gave Luke a day off from riding. I went to the doctor and discovered I have tendonitis in my wrist, and I have to wear a brace all the time. I'm going to have to buy another one to ride in - I don't want to get this one all dirty.
Last night I went out and got Luke out of the pasture, and tied him with a trailer tie while I tacked him up. He stood relatively still, a little dancing, but no halter breaking. I took him out in the ring, and rode for about 5 minutes before I realized that the bugs were REALLY bothering him. So I took him back inside and used MORE fly spray. I think that did the trick, because he was a little less fussy. I should have put his ear net on though, he was still a little upset. The work we got wasn't nearly as good as my lesson, but it wasn't terrible either. There were a few moments of genuine correct work, and some almost there moments. He was pulling through my halts coming down center line, so we did lots of transitions. I have to go to IN this weekend, so Luke will get three days off...hopefully he won't be a wild man on Monday.
South Farm is in 9 days...yikes!
I had a great lesson on Monday...actually they've all been great lately. Unfortunately, I can't achieve that same greatness when I ride by myself. It sure doesn't feel like it anyway. We just walked and trotted on Monday, but we worked on turns, centerlines, halts...everything I'd need for my test. It went pretty well. Then I took him out in the big pasture and we worked on me keeping his attention and getting actual work in large spaces.
Tuesday, I was all excited to ride, and thought it was going to be the best ride ever. He started out by breaking his halter...which was kind of my fault, I know that I shouldn't cross tie him until we figure this out, but I was in a hurry. I put a rope halter on him and got him to stand semi still while I finished tacking up. The ride went downhill from there. Nothing went right...he wanted to hollow out his back and be an ostrich. The only plus I can think of is that he got his leads. It just spiraled downward though, and I ended the ride in tears. I was freaking out, thinking we were never going to get better, and I was ready to sell him to someone more experienced.
On Wednesday, I woke up feelingi less frustrated. I sent in my mini trial entry and decided to look at it as a learning experience. I went out and played with the boys, but gave Luke a day off from riding. I went to the doctor and discovered I have tendonitis in my wrist, and I have to wear a brace all the time. I'm going to have to buy another one to ride in - I don't want to get this one all dirty.
Last night I went out and got Luke out of the pasture, and tied him with a trailer tie while I tacked him up. He stood relatively still, a little dancing, but no halter breaking. I took him out in the ring, and rode for about 5 minutes before I realized that the bugs were REALLY bothering him. So I took him back inside and used MORE fly spray. I think that did the trick, because he was a little less fussy. I should have put his ear net on though, he was still a little upset. The work we got wasn't nearly as good as my lesson, but it wasn't terrible either. There were a few moments of genuine correct work, and some almost there moments. He was pulling through my halts coming down center line, so we did lots of transitions. I have to go to IN this weekend, so Luke will get three days off...hopefully he won't be a wild man on Monday.
South Farm is in 9 days...yikes!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Woohoo!
It's so exciting to watch Luke improve! (And me!)
I had another lesson on Tuesday. He was actually not herdbound at all, which led me to believe that he was fixed. Yay! But not...yesterday he charged my sister to try to get into his stall, and knocked her over. I wish I would have been there, but maybe it's best I wasn't. He'd have been in BIG trouble. But anyway...back to the lesson!
We walked a little to warm up, then moved into trotting. Luke immediately felt steadier than last month. He was stretching down some even. He's still not collected, but he's more relaxed, and moving like he's going somewhere. Next step is to get him off of my hands...he can carry his own darn self!
My circles still aren't really all that round...I need to seriously work on that. They are improving some though. At least we don't have the giraffe look going anymore! We did some serpentines, which were far better than they used to be! And my canter work...the right lead is falling into place! Yay! He picked it up 5 out of 6 times in a row, and the mess up was my fault. He started to rush the trot, and I got flustered, and off we went on the wrong lead. Towards the end of my lesson when we cantered again, he was tired, and so was I, and we had a little trouble getting it, but nothing like usual...it's all starting to come together!
We did a little jump, just 12" or so. He's unimpressed. He refuses to trot over it...he prefers to trot THROUGH it...so I'm going to have to find some wood poles to mix in too. Cantering it though, he made it over every time...knocked it down a few times though. Oh well...we're learning.
We're going to South Farm next month, I can't wait! I'm just going to do intro I think, but I can't wait to see if my dressage has improved! I'll be bummed if it doesn't, because he FEELS so much better! And as far as jumping...I just wanna make it around the course without knocking anything over! There's always next year to move up a level! Then Grand River's Hunter Pace is the next weekend...yay!
I had another lesson on Tuesday. He was actually not herdbound at all, which led me to believe that he was fixed. Yay! But not...yesterday he charged my sister to try to get into his stall, and knocked her over. I wish I would have been there, but maybe it's best I wasn't. He'd have been in BIG trouble. But anyway...back to the lesson!
We walked a little to warm up, then moved into trotting. Luke immediately felt steadier than last month. He was stretching down some even. He's still not collected, but he's more relaxed, and moving like he's going somewhere. Next step is to get him off of my hands...he can carry his own darn self!
My circles still aren't really all that round...I need to seriously work on that. They are improving some though. At least we don't have the giraffe look going anymore! We did some serpentines, which were far better than they used to be! And my canter work...the right lead is falling into place! Yay! He picked it up 5 out of 6 times in a row, and the mess up was my fault. He started to rush the trot, and I got flustered, and off we went on the wrong lead. Towards the end of my lesson when we cantered again, he was tired, and so was I, and we had a little trouble getting it, but nothing like usual...it's all starting to come together!
We did a little jump, just 12" or so. He's unimpressed. He refuses to trot over it...he prefers to trot THROUGH it...so I'm going to have to find some wood poles to mix in too. Cantering it though, he made it over every time...knocked it down a few times though. Oh well...we're learning.
We're going to South Farm next month, I can't wait! I'm just going to do intro I think, but I can't wait to see if my dressage has improved! I'll be bummed if it doesn't, because he FEELS so much better! And as far as jumping...I just wanna make it around the course without knocking anything over! There's always next year to move up a level! Then Grand River's Hunter Pace is the next weekend...yay!
Monday, August 24, 2009
This world's gone crazy.....
Or Luke's world has at least! This past month has been a whirlwind for him (and me!) He moved to a new barn, got his feet screwed up, promptly got them fixed, and turned into a monster, all in the same month.
Okay so he's not really a monster, he's just acting like he could be! He's gotten crazy herdbound, and is in love with a little buckskin mare. Agh...I hate herdboundness! He's been screaming and prancing when I separate them for a few weeks now, but yesterday was the worst. He reared up in hand, reared up in the cross ties, broke his halter, and ran around inside the barn like a maniac. I took him out and lunged him, and even while trotting in a circle, he was screaming his head off. He wasn't even much more manageable after I lunged him. Tonight, I'm going to suck it up and ride, because right now, I have more control when I'm on his back then I do from on the ground.
I'm instituting some tough love though...if he tries to get in front of me, he backs up. If he screams, he gets snapped at, and he has to work. If he prances, I make him work. If he invades my space, he gets smacked on the neck. I'm also lucky that my barn is so small, but with so many pastures. There are 6 horses and 4 pastures, which is reaaallly nice. So today Luke and Jodi are out by themselves in a pasture. He can still see the mare I think, and I'm hoping he doesn't run the fence. He'll deal though. He needs to learn to respect me again. I have a lesson tomorrow, hopefully it will go well.
Okay so he's not really a monster, he's just acting like he could be! He's gotten crazy herdbound, and is in love with a little buckskin mare. Agh...I hate herdboundness! He's been screaming and prancing when I separate them for a few weeks now, but yesterday was the worst. He reared up in hand, reared up in the cross ties, broke his halter, and ran around inside the barn like a maniac. I took him out and lunged him, and even while trotting in a circle, he was screaming his head off. He wasn't even much more manageable after I lunged him. Tonight, I'm going to suck it up and ride, because right now, I have more control when I'm on his back then I do from on the ground.
I'm instituting some tough love though...if he tries to get in front of me, he backs up. If he screams, he gets snapped at, and he has to work. If he prances, I make him work. If he invades my space, he gets smacked on the neck. I'm also lucky that my barn is so small, but with so many pastures. There are 6 horses and 4 pastures, which is reaaallly nice. So today Luke and Jodi are out by themselves in a pasture. He can still see the mare I think, and I'm hoping he doesn't run the fence. He'll deal though. He needs to learn to respect me again. I have a lesson tomorrow, hopefully it will go well.
Monday, August 10, 2009
No more lameness, yay!
Luke got his feet trimmed last Thursday. I let the new barn's farrier trim him, which I shouldn't have done. He came up LAME. I called my old farrier and he came out today and put pads and front shoes on. $$$, but it was a lesson learned. Luke walked off mostly sound. He's still a smidge off, but we think in a couple of days, he'll be good as new.
So I haven't gotten to ride since my lesson last Tuesday. It's driving me crazy, because I want to work on what I learned! Hopefully he'll be sound enough tomorrow evening that I can ride for a little bit.
I'm glad he's starting to feel better, because he needs a serious refresher course in mannners. I know he's been ouchy, but it's no excuse for some of the crap he's been pulling. Dragging my sister around when she leads him, trying to kick me when I pick up his feet, etc. He's fallen in love with a little mare he's turned out with, and she's in heat, so they've been screaming for each other. It's making me CRAZY.
I think some of the herdboundness is from recently moving...he's feeling insecure maybe? At first, when I took Jodi away, Luke would throw himself around his stall screaming for him. He's been better about that lately though, but he still doesn't like being taken away from the mare. He's getting better though, so hopefully once I get him back into serious work, it'll be okay.
I think that's all the news I have!
So I haven't gotten to ride since my lesson last Tuesday. It's driving me crazy, because I want to work on what I learned! Hopefully he'll be sound enough tomorrow evening that I can ride for a little bit.
I'm glad he's starting to feel better, because he needs a serious refresher course in mannners. I know he's been ouchy, but it's no excuse for some of the crap he's been pulling. Dragging my sister around when she leads him, trying to kick me when I pick up his feet, etc. He's fallen in love with a little mare he's turned out with, and she's in heat, so they've been screaming for each other. It's making me CRAZY.
I think some of the herdboundness is from recently moving...he's feeling insecure maybe? At first, when I took Jodi away, Luke would throw himself around his stall screaming for him. He's been better about that lately though, but he still doesn't like being taken away from the mare. He's getting better though, so hopefully once I get him back into serious work, it'll be okay.
I think that's all the news I have!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Lesson!
The rain held off, and I got to have my lesson, so I was a very happy girl!
I got a call on Monday from the new barn owner, telling me that my horse was very smart. Never a good thing to hear. He figured out how to escape from the one pasture. There's a 4 foot "gate" that's just one strand of un-electrified tape - the only part of the pasture that's not electric. I was worried about him figuring it out. So until they figure out what to do to make it more secure, he and Jodi moved to another pasture. I actually like this one better. It has a couple of big trees for shade, not that my horses will use them, and it's connected to the paddock where the other horses go at night, so there's 2 run in sheds.
So I went to the barn yesterday around 7, my lesson was at 7:30. It was just about dinner time, so I put Jodi in his stall to eat, and stuck Luke in the cross ties to tack up. He definitely had ants in his pants. He did NOT want to stand still at all. He only let me pick his front two hooves, and then when I went to pick up one back leg, I think he kicked out, or stomped, and his knee caught my thumb. I heard a pop and had to literally go sit down because I almost passed out. I saw stars...that was the worst pain I've had in a long time. It's still really sore today too. So I didn't pick out his back feet. I threw his saddle on, and waited for my new trainer. When she got there, Luke decided he'd never seen a bridle in his life...throwing his head up, backing up, etc. I figured it was gonna be a horrific lesson.
Once we got out to the arena though, Luke was all business. He's such a good horse. He screamed for Jodi a few times while we were warming up, but once he realized that no one was answering him, he was fine.
We did a long walk warm up with lots of serpentines, circles, figure 8's and changes of direction thrown in. I'm really guilty of just walking aimlessly on the rail to warm up, so it was a good change. I'm really going to work on that. Then we moved to the trot, focusing on pushing him from behind instead of letting him flop around on the forehand. When he was working correctly from behind, he found the bit and was reaching for contact. I could definitely feel him improving from the beginning of the lesson to the end. It was really hot, and I hadn't had dinner, and forgot to bring a water bottle, so true to form, I almost passed out two or three times. I'll be better prepared next time. So we just did a little bit of canter so she could see him go. His left lead felt really nice...he was actually slowing down instead of running around with his head in the air. She told me to pretend my left arm was broken so I wasn't hanging on the inside rein, and voila: less tense rider, less tense horse. The right lead took a few tries to get, but she just had me bring him back to a trot quietly. She said there's no point in teaching him bad transitions, which is all jerking him to a trot will do. She said when I ask him to slow down, not to pull on him with both hands, but to just use my outside rein. Lo and behold, he started slowing down enough that I could sit his trot and ask for the correct lead. He gave it to me that time. We did a few circles on each lead, and then called it a day. I'm really proud of Luke.
I feel like we got a ton out of the lesson, and my only regret is that I won't be able to take them more frequently. I'm gonna shoot for every other week, since I probably will have to stop for the winter.
I can't wait to go ride Luke and keep practicing this stuff!! I'm loving the new barn. Kind of lonely sometimes since I'm the only one riding, and the oldest and only one my age, but it's nice at the same time. My barn time is always relaxing, which I need. And the short drive rocks!
This post is already long, but here are my August goals:
1) Have one more lesson this month.
2) Have a consistent right lead at the end of the month.
3) Ride 4 times a week
4) Work on pushing him from behind
5) Be less tense
6) Have FUN with him!
I got a call on Monday from the new barn owner, telling me that my horse was very smart. Never a good thing to hear. He figured out how to escape from the one pasture. There's a 4 foot "gate" that's just one strand of un-electrified tape - the only part of the pasture that's not electric. I was worried about him figuring it out. So until they figure out what to do to make it more secure, he and Jodi moved to another pasture. I actually like this one better. It has a couple of big trees for shade, not that my horses will use them, and it's connected to the paddock where the other horses go at night, so there's 2 run in sheds.
So I went to the barn yesterday around 7, my lesson was at 7:30. It was just about dinner time, so I put Jodi in his stall to eat, and stuck Luke in the cross ties to tack up. He definitely had ants in his pants. He did NOT want to stand still at all. He only let me pick his front two hooves, and then when I went to pick up one back leg, I think he kicked out, or stomped, and his knee caught my thumb. I heard a pop and had to literally go sit down because I almost passed out. I saw stars...that was the worst pain I've had in a long time. It's still really sore today too. So I didn't pick out his back feet. I threw his saddle on, and waited for my new trainer. When she got there, Luke decided he'd never seen a bridle in his life...throwing his head up, backing up, etc. I figured it was gonna be a horrific lesson.
Once we got out to the arena though, Luke was all business. He's such a good horse. He screamed for Jodi a few times while we were warming up, but once he realized that no one was answering him, he was fine.
We did a long walk warm up with lots of serpentines, circles, figure 8's and changes of direction thrown in. I'm really guilty of just walking aimlessly on the rail to warm up, so it was a good change. I'm really going to work on that. Then we moved to the trot, focusing on pushing him from behind instead of letting him flop around on the forehand. When he was working correctly from behind, he found the bit and was reaching for contact. I could definitely feel him improving from the beginning of the lesson to the end. It was really hot, and I hadn't had dinner, and forgot to bring a water bottle, so true to form, I almost passed out two or three times. I'll be better prepared next time. So we just did a little bit of canter so she could see him go. His left lead felt really nice...he was actually slowing down instead of running around with his head in the air. She told me to pretend my left arm was broken so I wasn't hanging on the inside rein, and voila: less tense rider, less tense horse. The right lead took a few tries to get, but she just had me bring him back to a trot quietly. She said there's no point in teaching him bad transitions, which is all jerking him to a trot will do. She said when I ask him to slow down, not to pull on him with both hands, but to just use my outside rein. Lo and behold, he started slowing down enough that I could sit his trot and ask for the correct lead. He gave it to me that time. We did a few circles on each lead, and then called it a day. I'm really proud of Luke.
I feel like we got a ton out of the lesson, and my only regret is that I won't be able to take them more frequently. I'm gonna shoot for every other week, since I probably will have to stop for the winter.
I can't wait to go ride Luke and keep practicing this stuff!! I'm loving the new barn. Kind of lonely sometimes since I'm the only one riding, and the oldest and only one my age, but it's nice at the same time. My barn time is always relaxing, which I need. And the short drive rocks!
This post is already long, but here are my August goals:
1) Have one more lesson this month.
2) Have a consistent right lead at the end of the month.
3) Ride 4 times a week
4) Work on pushing him from behind
5) Be less tense
6) Have FUN with him!
Monday, August 3, 2009
New Home
The boys are all settled in their new home. They go out by themselves in a huge grassy pasture, and both seem very excited to have it all to themselves. Sometimes they'll come to the gate when they see me coming, but usually they stay out grazing.
Melissa rode Jodi yesterday, but I left my girth at home so I didn't ride Luke. I brought him in and groomed him and fly sprayed him, and then put him back out to graze. I don't think he minded. I'm going out to ride tonight, and I will hopefully have a good ride. I lost my lunge line though, so it could be an interesting ride...
I'll try to get some pictures tonight...it's been too long since I've taken new pictures!
Melissa rode Jodi yesterday, but I left my girth at home so I didn't ride Luke. I brought him in and groomed him and fly sprayed him, and then put him back out to graze. I don't think he minded. I'm going out to ride tonight, and I will hopefully have a good ride. I lost my lunge line though, so it could be an interesting ride...
I'll try to get some pictures tonight...it's been too long since I've taken new pictures!
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