Much to report after my last set of days off with the horses - phew! Good news first though, as I hate to taint the good news with the bad. So, without further ado, we'll start with the client horses in training:
Skittles
The mini pony did fantastic throughout her sessions! We started off just building and expanding upon what we already had, including the circling game and some work with the tarp and also water (bathing) in our sessions. Asking increasingly more of her, to focus and respond more intensely now that the tasks were becoming a little more challenging and thus demanding of more respect, allowed me the opportunity to further build on our level of respect. First intro to the tarp, Skittles seemed quite concerned with the tarp - yet she rarely actually focused on it. Rather than make any effort toward my request that she approach the tarp, she felt bolting over top of me was appropriate ;) We slowly and progressively (re)established first that this was my space and therefore bolting over top of the human was not an acceptable answer, and then continued to set up parameters and ask her to focus on the task at hand. Once her focus actually turned to the task at hand (in this case, the tarp), she responded beautifully and was quite bold and unconcerned (overall) with the tarp itself. Respecting my space, she started to make attempts towards my request to 'play' with the tarp and was soon jumping over, then later walking over, the tarp. With her, it might not be so much that she is scared of something, but rather that she is a little apprehensive and so just decides to do her own thing rather than focus on the task at hand and exhibit any effort. She displayed this same type of thinking toward the circling game and also bathing. Within a few seconds of the bathing process however, she was standing relaxed on a loose lead, with water sloshing all over her. Only the very occasional correction was necessary to remind her of the parameters I had established. Same followed for the circling game - a few spunky rebellion-inspired kicks in my direction later, she finally understood the task and parameters and thus that the easiest and quickest way with which to get me to stop correcting her, was just to do the task, or to at least try. I'm looking forward to really cementing and building on all we've worked on thus far, over our next set of sessions! Oh, and she's pretty comfortable wearing her pretty-in-pink rain jacket now, though we're still working on desensitization a bit when it comes to putting it on ;)
Mesa
The star student has been doing wonderful and has been progressing rapidly. Since her owner will be primarily riding her bareback, we've started riding her with a bareback pad now. First intro to it she was a little cold so I think that might have contributed to it, but she was a little apprehensive. Second session with it, I not-so-gracefully leapt onto her back from the fence - she quietly ignored me as if it were just another day at the office, and moved out quiet and relaxed when asked. She was fully comfortable with a rider throughout it all! Despite a few snorts and spins aimed at some suspicious-looking bushes and logs, she was also great bareback out in the pasture - no apprehension toward the rider at all, or my losing my balance a little in the spins, or what. My goal with the spooking outside in the pasture was just that she remain facing our initial direction - no spinning and/or bolting! Ultimately, you are teaching them to think (ie, spook in place and survey whatever is suspicious while focusing on you, the rider) rather than react (ie, fleeing). We finished our set of sessions with her owner riding her in the round pen, and her owner has continued with her while I have been away, including progressing toward the trot! They have had a little trouble picking up the trot together yet, however I have full confidence we can iron out the details upon my return, if Mesa's owner hasn't worked it out with Mesa already (I've given them a few exercises to try). Looking forward though to furthering Mesa u/s, including w/t/c this time I am home. She is a very soft, responsive, willing, intelligent and brave little mare - all ingredients to a great horse. Last point is that we further progressed Mesa's groundwork with traveling circles (ie, my walking all over the pasture and her maintaining gait and path as she circles me) and the figure-8 pattern around cones at the walk. Due to the mucky, slippery footing in the roundpen my first week home, most of our work was done out in the nearby pasture, but Mesa took it all in stride.
Charlee
The red mare was progressing quite nicely albeit slowly, despite the mucky weather we were dealing with the first week or so I was home. The weather not only had everyone on edge, but also cold (which makes for a very distracted horse!), and me worrying about footing. As such, I was using the roundpen sparingly - primarily for u/s work, where groundwork was being done just outside the roundpen in the surrounding pasture area. All this meant I had to be very slow and careful with Charlee, since she is so highly reactive - as I mentioned in my previous blog, she goes from 0 to 10 in about 0.03s, which leaves no room for intervention of said explosion. She was actually progressing quite well, including a lap or two at the walk u/s in the roundpen, but Day 5 it was too much for her and she blew. She was on about step #2 before I felt her tense and react and BOOM I was on the ground. The good news is that she did not continue reacting after I was off - she dropped me, then stood with big round eyes...but no bucking! An improvement on past situations where she's taken several seconds of bucking before she calmed sufficiently to stand. It took me several minutes to catch my breath but as soon as I did, I remounted her. I waited a split second, then dismounted, did a little groundwork, and called it a day. The rest of our sessions were comprised of expanding our groundwork - traveling circle and figure-8 at the walk, which allowed us opportunity to further teach Charlee to be relaxed and thinking as opposed to reactive. Due to the mucky footing in the roundpen, we did all our work outside the roundpen; as a result of both the footing and thus being unable to work in an enclosed space, I did not feel it appropriate to re-try walking Charlee u/s. Instead however, we further cemented mounting and allowing me to sit on her back quietly. Next set of sessions I am actually hoping a friend can help me just by leading Charlee with me on her back - we will continue hashing out Charlee's reactiveness on the ground, however I feel some of her reactiveness (that is directed toward u/s work directly) needs also to be dealt with u/s at this point. Having someone lead us might be what Charlee needs and what I might need to get my foot in the door with her, so to speak. If we can establish a few good rides u/s at the walk while being led, we then have something to build off of. So wish us luck! I will continue patiently progressing with her and slowly, gently pushing and developing her.
Kismet
Situation has been much the same with Kismet with respect to weather and footing and where we have been working. Until the last couple of sessions, our work was primarily comprised of building and expanding our groundwork (including the traveling circle and the figure-8 pattern), and cementing her being comfortable with my being on her back in the pasture. As the ground dried the last couple of days, I started asking her to move out u/s and last session in front of her owner was a great success with her walking calmly u/s! Her owner was very excited at her progress and I am very excited with how far Kismet has come and how much calmer and less reactive she is with me, the more work we do. She is still quite tentative and apprehensive though, so I am careful to always push her to learn and grow, but not to blow and lose confidence. I'm not sure she will be ready for the trot yet u/s upon our next set of sessions, but I am hoping to at least have her fully comfortable with the walk. Her owner will be able to start riding her in August, so my hope is that by that time Kismet will be comfortable enough with a rider to transfer what she has learnt with me, to another rider.
Bella
Though she's been a little iffy to catch (and by that I mean I've just had to really use a lot of body language and be very aware of my approach, etc to have her willingly approach or at least stand) but we're getting there in the 'draw' (ie, willingness) department. Our last set of sessions, we did much the same and her progress was much the same, as the other mares. We expanded our groundwork outside the roundpen and she did well, including seeming quite comfortable with me on her back out in the pasture. Only reason I did not ask her for more progress was that I need her to be much softer and more responsive before we leave the roundpen u/s. Right now she can still be quite resistant and want to do her own thing - as we build that softness and responsiveness and thus set her up for success, then I will have confidence in bringing her out. Her comfort level with a rider's weight and balance though does not seem to be an issue, so once she's sufficiently responsive, I anticipate she will be w/t/c within no time. My challenge is to make everything fun, enjoyable, and engaging for her - so that's my job this next set of sessions!
Unfortunately this set of days off I did not get the chance I had wanted to work with Link and Onyx. I continued to work all the client horses each day despite the rain, which meant I was pretty exhausted and freezing cold by the time I finished working with all five mares. After Charlee so kindly dropped me in the mud the one day, I also had to add being very sore to my list of excuses ;) In fact, over two weeks later now, I'm still quite sore - definite bone bruising! Furthermore, the rhino outbreak from the Ogden, Ohio cutting event meant everything stopped - nothing in or out and many shows were cancelled... including the small show we had anticipated taking Onyx, Link, and Sonny to. Fortunately though, just prior to my leaving for work things lifted a bit and we were allowed to move horses, which meant we were able to bring Soraya and Phoenix in to where Link and Onyx are at, and get them settled in! I made sure all the horses got their vaccinations though and were dewormed, squeezed in a lesson with another client and also Phoenix's vet appointment, and put my mom on Onyx to give her a try and see if they might be a good match. Though Onyx still lacks confidence in some areas, she is a very naturally quiet and non-spooky horse overall, so when my mom expressed interest, I told her to give it a shot.
Onyx was absolutely fantastic with my mom and my mom really enjoyed riding her, even trying some trot at the end! For an unconfident rider she did exceptionally well, and Onyx really took care of her. I will probably still put Onyx up for sale in case it does not work out, but in the mean time mom will continue trying Onyx. When I rode Onyx, I noticed she was quite unbalanced though and a little rusty, though she is being ridden a few times a week. Her novice riders are doing well on her (including trail riding and jumping her over small jumps now!), but I am looking forward to doing a little refinement on her this next time I am home. Should only take a session or two to get her back on track and from there it's all progress :)
The vet was out as planned, the 30th, but after doing several flexions and watching Phoenix move out on various surfaces, felt that x-rays at this point were unnecessary. While Phoenix was footsore in both fronts, he did not seem unsound on one leg over the other - indicating the left front ankle that was the problem last year, did not seem to be a problem this year (at least not at this point). The vet recommended having his fronts shod to hopefully resolve the footsoreness, then working him over a week or two, then re-evaluating from there. I managed to sneak Phoenix in to a good farrier the day before I left - after looking at Phoenix's feet he basically parroted back to me the vet's concerns re: angles (ie, lowering the one heel and matching the angles to Pheonix's conformation and his two front feet being different). He felt Phoenix's feet could be improved upon over the course of a few shoeings, and shod him up front. It will have been 2 1/2-3 weeks before I can get home and riding him, so first things first I will see how he is on the ground, then swing my leg over! I'm excited and am knocking on wood, hoping he is no longer footsore after the time off (shod) to heal, and that whatever was occurring last year in that left ankle, is resolved/healed. He's had a good 11 months off since racing, which should have been (hopefully!) ample time for something to heal (depending on the injury though of course).
I am quite excited to get back and working with all my own horses. There is another small show at the end of this month so if I can get a ride for Link, I am going to be attending the jumpers day with him. I'm considering the hunters for Onyx though it is the day prior, or I might ask Sonny's lessees if they would like to ride Onyx (and maybe Link) the day prior. If so though, it would only be to ride her hors concours over poles though, so I might just bring her the jumper day, and get her accustomed to the show scene, warm-up ring, etc... she's not quite ready to show over jumps yet!
The sad news to report is that we lost Sonny Friday, May 27, due to colic. The vet clinic did all they could to help him, but it was likely a twist in his (large) gut and surgery was unfortunately not an option. It's been a hard loss for all of us, but especially my mom and his lessess - the latter being the ones who spent so much time with him over the recent year. He was a fantastic horse and was shaping up into such a super little hunter - he had a lot of life left to live. It's still hard going out there and not seeing his perky little face in the pasture, but we're getting through it okay now.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
This summer's training roster
Well, welcome to the mares and fillies in training this year! Due to my 2-2 schedule and thus only being able to work each horse 2 weeks at a time - leaving them sitting for another 2 weeks at a time between sets of sessions, looks like I will be working with most or all of them throughout the summer. I have already put 5 sessions on each horse in May, will put 8 sessions on this set of days home (June), and will from then on put 10 sessions per month on each horse (July, August, etc). At the end of each set of sessions (if not during also, optimally), I work with each owner and teach them how to continue their horse's progression while I am away. So, without further ado, I present (and photos will accompany my next reports!):
Skittles - 9mo AQHA filly, had some groundwork prior
Our primary goal was her lifting her feet as she was in need of a trim at the time I started working with her; our secondary goal was allowing her belly and hernia to be touched (the owner would like the hernia to be able to be pushed up daily, as per her vet). By the end of our 5 sessions she was picking up her feet nicely and allowing me to push up on her hernia and touch her belly without much concern. She also quieted some and became a little less skittish as she learned the first 4 Parelli games - friendly (using tarps, ropes, etc), porcupine (releasing and responding to pressure), driving (keeping out of the handler's space and moving away according to assertive body language), and yo-yo (learning to back and come in according to pressure via the lead rope). She did progressively well; still yet much to work on over the course of the summer, including further desensitization (ie, blankets, tarps, ropes, clippers), progressing the other games, and teaching her the other 3 games and some further patterns. Everything possible so she is prepared for being started under-saddle in the future. She's a cute filly who learns very quick.
Kismet - approx. 4yo Perch x QH mare, SPCA rescue
Kismet was extremely skittish and distrustful of humans when her owner originally purchased her; she has progressed immensely however in the past time that her owner has had her. When I started working with Kismet, I found her to be quite skittish and reactive at times, but with the right approach she started to quiet and trust. While at first she held a lot of tension and wouldn't lick and chew at the end of a lesson, by the second session she was licking and chewing after each lesson and was increasingly quieter. She became easy for me to catch and quickly grasped the first 5 Parelli games (friendly, porcupine, driving, yo-yo, circling), transitioning from nervous and reactive to progressively trusting, quiet and relaxed. By sessions 3, 4, and 5 she was allowing me to tack her up and stand over her, weighting and bouncing in the stirrup over her, was walking over tarps, and was mastering the games she knew. Though she was a little suspicious yet, more repetition will do the trick and I anticipate to have her walking under-saddle by the end of our sessions in June. I will continue to simultaneously progress her under-saddle as I also progress her groundwork from mastering the games to commencing and eventually mastering the patterns and other extensions of the games.
Bella - 3yo QH filly, some groundwork
Bella is what appears to be a left-brain introvert with some reactive tendencies so while she is yet a little reactive at times, she settles quick and isn't so keen on work! We've had to work a bit on catching and on creating draw so that she is happy and willing to work. Bella has done well with all 5 games also, with more of a focus on the games that earn respect (ie, driving, porcupine); I've also had to ensure though that I have included a lot of undemanding and relaxing moments of rest and rubs though! She tried to be a little pushy at first but I just maintained blase assertiveness and she fell into line; I anticipate she might further challenge me in the future though but if I am careful to balance our focus on the right exercises to motivate and inspire her, she should progress well. She too is accepting of walking on the tarp and having it tossed over her and also to the weight of me standing in a stirrup over her back, on each side; she should be at least walking under-saddle by the end of June also.
Mesa - 3yo (3/4) Arabian x (1/4) QH mare, some groundwork
Mesa is a real treat to work with in part due to her sweet nature and also because no one (ie, previous owners) has screwed around with her! She was imprinted as a foal and has been taught some groundwork basics, including how to longe. I've continued that schooling with the 5 games and am standing over her back also, weighting and bouncing in the stirrup on each side. She was quite quiet and accepting of the saddle, as she is everything, including the tarp! At first we had to work on a little respect, as she was quite okay with walking right into my space - including very rudely walking right into me at one point after she failed to stop when I did (lol). All it took though was teaching her what I wanted and asking her to mind my space and she keenly obeyed. She should be really nice under-saddle!
Charlee - 4yo QH mare, previous training under-saddle
This mare was actually pulled out of training last year by her owner due to her high level of reactivity and unpredictability under-saddle; the trainers told this owner her horse was dangerous under-saddle. This mare is very sweet and quiet on the ground in general, though her reactivity and lack of trust at times has become apparent. The key with her is to not push her... which is not easy at times given her high level of reactivity/low threshold. She can be quite quick to respond, but because she fears an adverse response if she makes the wrong answer; she is quieting as she learns it is okay to make mistakes and that we won't push her beyond what she is capable of. When I first saddled her, she actually blew and bucked out quite a bit (which is unusual her owner tells me) - I think it was a response to her feelings of fear in general and her lack of trust in me, as a relative stranger, at the time. As she gained trust and confidence in me, she increasingly quieted - some good licking and chewing! She too is walking over tarps, having the tarp tossed over her, and is accepting of my standing over her and bouncing around in that one stirrup. Essentially, we are re-starting her on the ground as if she has had no prior training - in such a way we can hopefully fill in gaps in her training and develop her emotionally so that she is a calmer, braver, smarter little mare. Though I tend to under-estimate where a horse will be at such-and-such a date and point, I think she will be walking with the rest under-saddle by the end of June also.
Plan is to continue everyone as I have been - to simultaneously progress groundwork (teaching the last 2 of the 7 games, extending on those games, and teaching some of the patterns) while introducing and progressing work under-saddle with each horse. Groundwork will include working with tarps and ropes thrown all around these horses as well as some liberty work, and under-saddle work will start in the roundpen and hopefully soon progress to working in the (outdoor) arena. I am pretty excited to continue these mares and will try to update regularly for a more interesting and fuller picture :)
Skittles - 9mo AQHA filly, had some groundwork prior
Our primary goal was her lifting her feet as she was in need of a trim at the time I started working with her; our secondary goal was allowing her belly and hernia to be touched (the owner would like the hernia to be able to be pushed up daily, as per her vet). By the end of our 5 sessions she was picking up her feet nicely and allowing me to push up on her hernia and touch her belly without much concern. She also quieted some and became a little less skittish as she learned the first 4 Parelli games - friendly (using tarps, ropes, etc), porcupine (releasing and responding to pressure), driving (keeping out of the handler's space and moving away according to assertive body language), and yo-yo (learning to back and come in according to pressure via the lead rope). She did progressively well; still yet much to work on over the course of the summer, including further desensitization (ie, blankets, tarps, ropes, clippers), progressing the other games, and teaching her the other 3 games and some further patterns. Everything possible so she is prepared for being started under-saddle in the future. She's a cute filly who learns very quick.
Kismet - approx. 4yo Perch x QH mare, SPCA rescue
Kismet was extremely skittish and distrustful of humans when her owner originally purchased her; she has progressed immensely however in the past time that her owner has had her. When I started working with Kismet, I found her to be quite skittish and reactive at times, but with the right approach she started to quiet and trust. While at first she held a lot of tension and wouldn't lick and chew at the end of a lesson, by the second session she was licking and chewing after each lesson and was increasingly quieter. She became easy for me to catch and quickly grasped the first 5 Parelli games (friendly, porcupine, driving, yo-yo, circling), transitioning from nervous and reactive to progressively trusting, quiet and relaxed. By sessions 3, 4, and 5 she was allowing me to tack her up and stand over her, weighting and bouncing in the stirrup over her, was walking over tarps, and was mastering the games she knew. Though she was a little suspicious yet, more repetition will do the trick and I anticipate to have her walking under-saddle by the end of our sessions in June. I will continue to simultaneously progress her under-saddle as I also progress her groundwork from mastering the games to commencing and eventually mastering the patterns and other extensions of the games.
Bella - 3yo QH filly, some groundwork
Bella is what appears to be a left-brain introvert with some reactive tendencies so while she is yet a little reactive at times, she settles quick and isn't so keen on work! We've had to work a bit on catching and on creating draw so that she is happy and willing to work. Bella has done well with all 5 games also, with more of a focus on the games that earn respect (ie, driving, porcupine); I've also had to ensure though that I have included a lot of undemanding and relaxing moments of rest and rubs though! She tried to be a little pushy at first but I just maintained blase assertiveness and she fell into line; I anticipate she might further challenge me in the future though but if I am careful to balance our focus on the right exercises to motivate and inspire her, she should progress well. She too is accepting of walking on the tarp and having it tossed over her and also to the weight of me standing in a stirrup over her back, on each side; she should be at least walking under-saddle by the end of June also.
Mesa - 3yo (3/4) Arabian x (1/4) QH mare, some groundwork
Mesa is a real treat to work with in part due to her sweet nature and also because no one (ie, previous owners) has screwed around with her! She was imprinted as a foal and has been taught some groundwork basics, including how to longe. I've continued that schooling with the 5 games and am standing over her back also, weighting and bouncing in the stirrup on each side. She was quite quiet and accepting of the saddle, as she is everything, including the tarp! At first we had to work on a little respect, as she was quite okay with walking right into my space - including very rudely walking right into me at one point after she failed to stop when I did (lol). All it took though was teaching her what I wanted and asking her to mind my space and she keenly obeyed. She should be really nice under-saddle!
Charlee - 4yo QH mare, previous training under-saddle
This mare was actually pulled out of training last year by her owner due to her high level of reactivity and unpredictability under-saddle; the trainers told this owner her horse was dangerous under-saddle. This mare is very sweet and quiet on the ground in general, though her reactivity and lack of trust at times has become apparent. The key with her is to not push her... which is not easy at times given her high level of reactivity/low threshold. She can be quite quick to respond, but because she fears an adverse response if she makes the wrong answer; she is quieting as she learns it is okay to make mistakes and that we won't push her beyond what she is capable of. When I first saddled her, she actually blew and bucked out quite a bit (which is unusual her owner tells me) - I think it was a response to her feelings of fear in general and her lack of trust in me, as a relative stranger, at the time. As she gained trust and confidence in me, she increasingly quieted - some good licking and chewing! She too is walking over tarps, having the tarp tossed over her, and is accepting of my standing over her and bouncing around in that one stirrup. Essentially, we are re-starting her on the ground as if she has had no prior training - in such a way we can hopefully fill in gaps in her training and develop her emotionally so that she is a calmer, braver, smarter little mare. Though I tend to under-estimate where a horse will be at such-and-such a date and point, I think she will be walking with the rest under-saddle by the end of June also.
Plan is to continue everyone as I have been - to simultaneously progress groundwork (teaching the last 2 of the 7 games, extending on those games, and teaching some of the patterns) while introducing and progressing work under-saddle with each horse. Groundwork will include working with tarps and ropes thrown all around these horses as well as some liberty work, and under-saddle work will start in the roundpen and hopefully soon progress to working in the (outdoor) arena. I am pretty excited to continue these mares and will try to update regularly for a more interesting and fuller picture :)
A summer of potential
So, it's been almost 4 months now since I last blogged here. This is mostly due to the fact that I was working on the road a lot - 3 weeks a month, and thus it was difficult to accomplish much, if anything, with the horses, let alone find the time! I've been doing a lot of work on me personally as well and am learning, growing, and accomplishing much. While our work was supposed to run out (break-up in the oilfield) in March, it was instead extended and we have been working through since last June. Furthermore, it looks like we will be working through next spring (break-up) also. Currently I am working a 2-2 schedule (2 weeks out, 2 weeks at home) and while this still hampers my work with the horses, it is a necessary evil at this point and still allows me sufficient time at home with the horses to accomplish some goals this year. My hope is that, after having gained some ground financially this year and especially this winter/next spring, that I can 'retire' and find work elsewhere that allows me more time at home with the horses. Ultimately, I have my eye on a specific Master's degree but am content on taking a few years to achieve said goal. In the mean time, I am trying to balance work and personal life with accomplishing what I need to with the horses! I've made good strides toward such a balance thus far however and intend on continuing along this path.
I felt it apt to re-commence blogging though as I drop more work on the road and take up more work at home with the horses. My primary inspiration has been all that I have been accomplishing with my own horses as of late, in addition to my want to blog about the horses I currently have in training. I have made showing (Link, in particular) a #1 priority this year and have already taken Link to a Greg Best clinic at the Mane Event (more later!) and also am planning on attending a show at the end of the month with him and Onyx. Sonny's lessees will be taking Sonny as well (more later!). Several weeks ago the BO at the primary facility I board at sent out a mass email noting a local barn was looking for a trainer. Seeking to spend more time at home, I naturally inquired, and eventually struck a deal whereby I am home 2 weeks a month, and working on the road the other 2 weeks a month. During the two weeks I am home, I work with 5 fillies and mares - 4 to be started under-saddle, 1 to be taught basic groundwork. So the proceeding blogs will be filled with my adventures with these horses and also with my own.
So to start, an update on all my own horses first:
Phoenix is to be moved at the end of the month - with Soraya - to the facility where Link, Sonny, and Onyx currently are boarded. This puts him closer to me (only about 15-20 min from my house). I also plan on (likely) handing Phoenix over to the hubby, provided we can make him sound, as hubby has taken quite the shine to him. Phoenix has got the right 'tude I think to make a good first horse for hubby, especially with my guidance. Keeping Phoenix so close to home will better enable hubby to work with him, especially if I am already out there with my other horses. Phoenix dropped a lot of weight this last winter - it was a hard one; keeping him here at this new place I think he should put that weight on. I currently have him scheduled in for the vet Monday the 30th, so I will update at that time, when we better know what is going on. Last year we did flexions, blocks, and a Legend injection and narrowed the injury down to the left front ankle, but beyond that, we need x-rays, which is what we will be doing the 30th. He has been off the Previcoxx though now for several weeks and appears to have the same level of soundness as he did on the drug (now), so I am hoping that is a positive indicator. Fingers crossed!
Soraya will also be moved, seeing as she is at the same facility as Phoenix. This will allow me a lot more time with her since she will be closer... the indoor arena, too, will be a bonus! Currently, after training the horses at the barn I am training out of, I head on over to work with Link and Onyx; it won't be difficult then to include Soraya in my schedule. She really needs to be started under-saddle this year - that is my other #1 priority besides showing this year; it would be nice even to include a show or two under her girth by the end of the year, but we'll see! I am beyond excited to work with her - she is showing so much tremendous potential! I have worked with her once yet this year (though I have of course been out several times) - last I was home, May 2. Hubby and I went out there on a bright, warm day - he brushed Phoenix and spent some time with him while I worked with the big munster. Initially she was quite reactive and tried to intimidate and dominate me, even turning her hind in towards me a multitude of times - it didn't help that she was in heat and that when we arrived, she had been running the fenceline and working up a lather! We quietly worked through the first 5 of the 7 games, with a few spurts of her reacting poorly to my requests, and finished with a notably quiet horse and some good grooming - I'm sure it felt nice to remove some of that old winter hair still lingering ;) She was extremely responsive and light and sensitive, and as I worked with her, she became increasingly willing. None of the really bad behaviour I've seen from her over the past year - the blatant disrespect. I think she has actually got a decent nature and will sweeten up further with a little more work... keeping her in with Phoenix though we have noticed a drastic improvement in her nature, and I think also putting her in with the herd initially last fall - where she learned some boundaries and respect - was of great benefit also. All in all, I am quite pleased with her. She showed a lot of athletic ability even in our short work, and a lot of change in behaviour and receptiveness with only 20-30min of schooling on the ground. She is so bold and confident though! I can't wait to get on her back. I will probably start her a little slower than I will my client horses, but she should be under-saddle by end of June. So much potential! She is filling out and maturing much, so I will try to get some photos of her next I am home, and post them here. She's yet a little bum-high, so I am hoping that evens out this year, as she turns 4 end of July.
I've done a lot of in-depth research on Soraya's bloodlines though as of late and am quite impressed with what I've found. I had considered doing a broodmare lease on her but have decided against it fully, now. It's just a lot of hassle for me, limits my time to work with her, and is going to be costly. My hope is that next year I can breed her myself - after researching her lines my thoughts are turned to Landkonig, though I have much research yet to do and advice to seek. I love Viva Voltaire as well and am also considering him. I love the Quidams though, but temperament will be #1 and some of them are known for throwing more of a difficult temperament. Since the foal would be sold, I would be breeding for an ammy ride, but for pro potential. It would be optimal however if I could breed Soraya now so she is a proven broodmare prior to her career. So I am in the market (within the next few years) for fresh semen from a jumping stallion who will complement Soraya's conformation, temperament, and bloodlines... I have in mind a stallion auction in the spring I might go for next year. First things first however will be to have Soraya inspected - preferably by both the Hanoverian and the CWB associations.
Link continues to progress and demonstrate a ton of potential. Though I didn't feel the least bit ready and the mere thought of jumping and schooling in front of so many people struck the fear of God into my heart - I decided to enter him and I in a Greg Best clinic at the Mane Event. Our schooling sessions leading to the clinic were okay but increasingly progressive; the day of, Link warmed up very nicely. I was literally shaking with nervousness though, which really did not help relax such a sensitive horse! Poor Link! He did phenomenal though, earning the compliments from Greg that he was quite brave and athletic. I will try to post video and notes of our session asap! When I exited the clinic, tired but happy, hubby immediately commented to me - "he said everything you always say!". *facepalm* - haha, he was right! I loved Greg's approach - it was all about setting up parameters for the horse and not micro-managing... exactly as I teach and train. I wasn't doing it though when it came to jumping, down to telling Link when to jump! When I finally let go of my biases and just allowed Link the freedom to jump, he excelled. It was incredibly challenging however to let go of those old habits (from where I acquired them I have no idea!) but they were the only thing hampering Link. I will delve into the clinic further in a separate post dedicated solely to the Greg Best clinic. Too much learning to share here, and I still want to review the video hubby took, for more to sink in and so I can recall things correctly. Anyway, I learned enough to really feel confident in implementing a program for my jumpers. I am going to take some of the exercises Greg taught me and apply all my other new-found knowledge also to further lesson plans (ie, there are a great many excellent exercises in the book by Islay Auty - Progressive Schooling Exercises for Dressage & Jumping). I am showing Link at a small local show at the end of the month (May 28/29) - an excellent start for us. Hopefully I can quiet my nerves enough not to interfere so much with Link! I am also hoping - if I can get a ride for Link - to take Link down for some schooling rounds at Spruce Meadows while I am home (and continue to do so throughout the summer). I think the schooling rounds will be of great benefit!! Ultimately, I am aiming for an RMSJ show at the end of August and a Spruce show at the end of October. I'd love to have Link competing 09-1.10m by the end of the year - bit of a reach for the stars, but I think if I push myself, that we can really do it. My recent experiences though are further proof it's all about us, the rider. I have done my homework with Link and will continue to do so - not it's about improving myself so as to not hamper Link.
Onyx continues to do well and to progress, albeit not at the pace I would like for her to, as I have not been home much. Now that I am on a 2-2 schedule and home 2 weeks at a time however, she should progress at a greater rate. Her only issue is her confidence - when she is in heat, she loses confidence too. That said, she continues to progress w/t/c, is great going out by herself on the trail, and I have her going consistently over jumps 18" and under at a trot without hesitation, though with a little work encouraging her at the start. She continues to be ridden by one of Sonny's riders, an 11yo girl who does wonderful with her. Mom has expressed interest in possibly purchasing Onyx from me and selling Sonny instead and though I am hesitant to offer any bias, I am of the thought that Onyx might be a better fit for her. I expect a decision by the end of the month, at which time I will commence advertising Onyx if mom decides against her. In the mean time, Onyx will also be entered in the same show as Link at the end of the month and will be entered hors concours in the poles division. Entering her in a couple classes will allow her some great experience but running hors concours will be necessary given show rules and also given the fact Onyx is not ready yet to be actually jumping in a show (yet!).
Sonny is shaping up to be quite the little hunter! He isn't 100 percent consistent yet under his novice riders but continues to progress. He looks fabulous though and is also entered in the same show as Link and Onyx. He will be ridden by his two lessees, the 11yo and her father and will be entered in the 18'' and 2'-2'6'' classes. He's got to be at least 17 hands now! If mom decides to sell, I will put some intensive rides on him and refine what he's already got - he's actually got a lot of potential and really is proving a great little horse.
Silver and Koolaid are doing great in their lease homes. Koolaid is being used in weekly lessons and as his lessee's 'fun' horse to relax on. His lessees decided to continue leasing him throughout the year, at least until this fall. Silver is being ridden by a 15(?)yo girl who does all the same things I did with him at that age - cows, barrels, poles, jumping, etc. He looks great and seems happy; he is entered in a yearly lease but his lessee's intend to keep him indefinitely. His lessees decided against moving away and I decided against an indefinite lease or other. Both horses are settled in good homes for the year.
I think that is about it for now - I will blog about the new horses in training and the Greg Best clinic, separately in my next blogs. For now, I am really looking forward to getting home next Wednesday and commencing my work with my own and my client horses Thursday.
With my own horses, after reviewing some of my previous blogs, it really struck me how much some liberty work (ie, using it to create draw and cement our foundation) will be of great benefit. I also would like to focus on on-line work simultaneously. So I am really excited to dedicate say one day a week of work as liberty work in the roundpen and on-line work in the arena with all my own horses (more with Soraya of course since she is not yet started under-saddle). Check out this link - I recently discovered it and feel it really articulates what I've heard Pat Parelli discuss (albeit in other words)... I feel it has much to apply to Link and Onyx especially! So, incorporating even more relaxation, more rest breaks, and more work on a loose casual rein (ie, trail rides!) will be a priority. Since I work the horses Mon-Fri (with exceptions, especially given weather at times), my line of thinking with my own horses - Link and Onyx specifically - is to dedicate one day to groundwork, two to flatwork, and two to jumping. Any extra days I throw in will be dedicated to trails (which can be included also during the week of course) and anything extra we need to work on (ie, jumping), if we are not showing. I've become so focused and work-driven that it's time to also incorporate some play and to cement and progress that foundation, language, and partnership all our work stands on! I anticipate it will greatly benefit all the horses and particularly Link and Onyx.
I felt it apt to re-commence blogging though as I drop more work on the road and take up more work at home with the horses. My primary inspiration has been all that I have been accomplishing with my own horses as of late, in addition to my want to blog about the horses I currently have in training. I have made showing (Link, in particular) a #1 priority this year and have already taken Link to a Greg Best clinic at the Mane Event (more later!) and also am planning on attending a show at the end of the month with him and Onyx. Sonny's lessees will be taking Sonny as well (more later!). Several weeks ago the BO at the primary facility I board at sent out a mass email noting a local barn was looking for a trainer. Seeking to spend more time at home, I naturally inquired, and eventually struck a deal whereby I am home 2 weeks a month, and working on the road the other 2 weeks a month. During the two weeks I am home, I work with 5 fillies and mares - 4 to be started under-saddle, 1 to be taught basic groundwork. So the proceeding blogs will be filled with my adventures with these horses and also with my own.
So to start, an update on all my own horses first:
Phoenix is to be moved at the end of the month - with Soraya - to the facility where Link, Sonny, and Onyx currently are boarded. This puts him closer to me (only about 15-20 min from my house). I also plan on (likely) handing Phoenix over to the hubby, provided we can make him sound, as hubby has taken quite the shine to him. Phoenix has got the right 'tude I think to make a good first horse for hubby, especially with my guidance. Keeping Phoenix so close to home will better enable hubby to work with him, especially if I am already out there with my other horses. Phoenix dropped a lot of weight this last winter - it was a hard one; keeping him here at this new place I think he should put that weight on. I currently have him scheduled in for the vet Monday the 30th, so I will update at that time, when we better know what is going on. Last year we did flexions, blocks, and a Legend injection and narrowed the injury down to the left front ankle, but beyond that, we need x-rays, which is what we will be doing the 30th. He has been off the Previcoxx though now for several weeks and appears to have the same level of soundness as he did on the drug (now), so I am hoping that is a positive indicator. Fingers crossed!
Soraya will also be moved, seeing as she is at the same facility as Phoenix. This will allow me a lot more time with her since she will be closer... the indoor arena, too, will be a bonus! Currently, after training the horses at the barn I am training out of, I head on over to work with Link and Onyx; it won't be difficult then to include Soraya in my schedule. She really needs to be started under-saddle this year - that is my other #1 priority besides showing this year; it would be nice even to include a show or two under her girth by the end of the year, but we'll see! I am beyond excited to work with her - she is showing so much tremendous potential! I have worked with her once yet this year (though I have of course been out several times) - last I was home, May 2. Hubby and I went out there on a bright, warm day - he brushed Phoenix and spent some time with him while I worked with the big munster. Initially she was quite reactive and tried to intimidate and dominate me, even turning her hind in towards me a multitude of times - it didn't help that she was in heat and that when we arrived, she had been running the fenceline and working up a lather! We quietly worked through the first 5 of the 7 games, with a few spurts of her reacting poorly to my requests, and finished with a notably quiet horse and some good grooming - I'm sure it felt nice to remove some of that old winter hair still lingering ;) She was extremely responsive and light and sensitive, and as I worked with her, she became increasingly willing. None of the really bad behaviour I've seen from her over the past year - the blatant disrespect. I think she has actually got a decent nature and will sweeten up further with a little more work... keeping her in with Phoenix though we have noticed a drastic improvement in her nature, and I think also putting her in with the herd initially last fall - where she learned some boundaries and respect - was of great benefit also. All in all, I am quite pleased with her. She showed a lot of athletic ability even in our short work, and a lot of change in behaviour and receptiveness with only 20-30min of schooling on the ground. She is so bold and confident though! I can't wait to get on her back. I will probably start her a little slower than I will my client horses, but she should be under-saddle by end of June. So much potential! She is filling out and maturing much, so I will try to get some photos of her next I am home, and post them here. She's yet a little bum-high, so I am hoping that evens out this year, as she turns 4 end of July.
I've done a lot of in-depth research on Soraya's bloodlines though as of late and am quite impressed with what I've found. I had considered doing a broodmare lease on her but have decided against it fully, now. It's just a lot of hassle for me, limits my time to work with her, and is going to be costly. My hope is that next year I can breed her myself - after researching her lines my thoughts are turned to Landkonig, though I have much research yet to do and advice to seek. I love Viva Voltaire as well and am also considering him. I love the Quidams though, but temperament will be #1 and some of them are known for throwing more of a difficult temperament. Since the foal would be sold, I would be breeding for an ammy ride, but for pro potential. It would be optimal however if I could breed Soraya now so she is a proven broodmare prior to her career. So I am in the market (within the next few years) for fresh semen from a jumping stallion who will complement Soraya's conformation, temperament, and bloodlines... I have in mind a stallion auction in the spring I might go for next year. First things first however will be to have Soraya inspected - preferably by both the Hanoverian and the CWB associations.
Link continues to progress and demonstrate a ton of potential. Though I didn't feel the least bit ready and the mere thought of jumping and schooling in front of so many people struck the fear of God into my heart - I decided to enter him and I in a Greg Best clinic at the Mane Event. Our schooling sessions leading to the clinic were okay but increasingly progressive; the day of, Link warmed up very nicely. I was literally shaking with nervousness though, which really did not help relax such a sensitive horse! Poor Link! He did phenomenal though, earning the compliments from Greg that he was quite brave and athletic. I will try to post video and notes of our session asap! When I exited the clinic, tired but happy, hubby immediately commented to me - "he said everything you always say!". *facepalm* - haha, he was right! I loved Greg's approach - it was all about setting up parameters for the horse and not micro-managing... exactly as I teach and train. I wasn't doing it though when it came to jumping, down to telling Link when to jump! When I finally let go of my biases and just allowed Link the freedom to jump, he excelled. It was incredibly challenging however to let go of those old habits (from where I acquired them I have no idea!) but they were the only thing hampering Link. I will delve into the clinic further in a separate post dedicated solely to the Greg Best clinic. Too much learning to share here, and I still want to review the video hubby took, for more to sink in and so I can recall things correctly. Anyway, I learned enough to really feel confident in implementing a program for my jumpers. I am going to take some of the exercises Greg taught me and apply all my other new-found knowledge also to further lesson plans (ie, there are a great many excellent exercises in the book by Islay Auty - Progressive Schooling Exercises for Dressage & Jumping). I am showing Link at a small local show at the end of the month (May 28/29) - an excellent start for us. Hopefully I can quiet my nerves enough not to interfere so much with Link! I am also hoping - if I can get a ride for Link - to take Link down for some schooling rounds at Spruce Meadows while I am home (and continue to do so throughout the summer). I think the schooling rounds will be of great benefit!! Ultimately, I am aiming for an RMSJ show at the end of August and a Spruce show at the end of October. I'd love to have Link competing 09-1.10m by the end of the year - bit of a reach for the stars, but I think if I push myself, that we can really do it. My recent experiences though are further proof it's all about us, the rider. I have done my homework with Link and will continue to do so - not it's about improving myself so as to not hamper Link.
Onyx continues to do well and to progress, albeit not at the pace I would like for her to, as I have not been home much. Now that I am on a 2-2 schedule and home 2 weeks at a time however, she should progress at a greater rate. Her only issue is her confidence - when she is in heat, she loses confidence too. That said, she continues to progress w/t/c, is great going out by herself on the trail, and I have her going consistently over jumps 18" and under at a trot without hesitation, though with a little work encouraging her at the start. She continues to be ridden by one of Sonny's riders, an 11yo girl who does wonderful with her. Mom has expressed interest in possibly purchasing Onyx from me and selling Sonny instead and though I am hesitant to offer any bias, I am of the thought that Onyx might be a better fit for her. I expect a decision by the end of the month, at which time I will commence advertising Onyx if mom decides against her. In the mean time, Onyx will also be entered in the same show as Link at the end of the month and will be entered hors concours in the poles division. Entering her in a couple classes will allow her some great experience but running hors concours will be necessary given show rules and also given the fact Onyx is not ready yet to be actually jumping in a show (yet!).
Sonny is shaping up to be quite the little hunter! He isn't 100 percent consistent yet under his novice riders but continues to progress. He looks fabulous though and is also entered in the same show as Link and Onyx. He will be ridden by his two lessees, the 11yo and her father and will be entered in the 18'' and 2'-2'6'' classes. He's got to be at least 17 hands now! If mom decides to sell, I will put some intensive rides on him and refine what he's already got - he's actually got a lot of potential and really is proving a great little horse.
Silver and Koolaid are doing great in their lease homes. Koolaid is being used in weekly lessons and as his lessee's 'fun' horse to relax on. His lessees decided to continue leasing him throughout the year, at least until this fall. Silver is being ridden by a 15(?)yo girl who does all the same things I did with him at that age - cows, barrels, poles, jumping, etc. He looks great and seems happy; he is entered in a yearly lease but his lessee's intend to keep him indefinitely. His lessees decided against moving away and I decided against an indefinite lease or other. Both horses are settled in good homes for the year.
I think that is about it for now - I will blog about the new horses in training and the Greg Best clinic, separately in my next blogs. For now, I am really looking forward to getting home next Wednesday and commencing my work with my own and my client horses Thursday.
With my own horses, after reviewing some of my previous blogs, it really struck me how much some liberty work (ie, using it to create draw and cement our foundation) will be of great benefit. I also would like to focus on on-line work simultaneously. So I am really excited to dedicate say one day a week of work as liberty work in the roundpen and on-line work in the arena with all my own horses (more with Soraya of course since she is not yet started under-saddle). Check out this link - I recently discovered it and feel it really articulates what I've heard Pat Parelli discuss (albeit in other words)... I feel it has much to apply to Link and Onyx especially! So, incorporating even more relaxation, more rest breaks, and more work on a loose casual rein (ie, trail rides!) will be a priority. Since I work the horses Mon-Fri (with exceptions, especially given weather at times), my line of thinking with my own horses - Link and Onyx specifically - is to dedicate one day to groundwork, two to flatwork, and two to jumping. Any extra days I throw in will be dedicated to trails (which can be included also during the week of course) and anything extra we need to work on (ie, jumping), if we are not showing. I've become so focused and work-driven that it's time to also incorporate some play and to cement and progress that foundation, language, and partnership all our work stands on! I anticipate it will greatly benefit all the horses and particularly Link and Onyx.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Happy (belated) New Year!
Just a little general update! My work season will not end until sometime in March or (hopefully!) May, so until then, my time with the horses will remain as limited as it has been. BUT, it is relatively temporary, especially in the grand scheme of things :)
Silver's lessee's recently decided to move several hours away and as such, asked to purchase him; instead, we will work out a long-term indefinite lease whereby he is essentially theirs, but we maintain rights over him should they ever need to give him up. He is very fit and happy though with his lessees and we can't hold onto every horse we have ever owned, so it was a win-win whereby everyone is happy. Link and Onyx continue to be ridden when possible, by me, by a friend, and by the 11yo (?) who also rides Sonny with her dad. Both have done well and continue to improve: Link is now fairly consistent with his leads, his canter is no longer rushed, etc etc, and Onyx is proving solid under her youngest rider. Sonny is doing so well and looking all the part of a hunter; his two riders are hoping to even show him this spring! I do have a potential lessee for Soraya (breeding lease) however I am still toying with the idea and may not send her out on a breeding lease afterall. The situation requires a lot of thought. Phoenix thus far seems to be MUCH more sound now that he is on the Previcoxx, though he is still not rideable of course. So far so good though and we will re-evaluate in a few months.
Otherwise, all is about the same and nothing much new to report! Just waiting until spring when our work season ends to get some work in on the horses, at which point it will be super dedication to furthering Link and Onyx and Soraya. Crossing our fingers too that all goes well for Phoenix. I am also hoping to take on some client horses in the spring, but that will depend on what my work schedule is like when I pick up work around home. So, I am probably going to refrain from blogging until I actually get back to serious work with the horses, though I may toss in the odd update here or there if it is particularly exciting! Until then, adiosa and good luck :)
Silver's lessee's recently decided to move several hours away and as such, asked to purchase him; instead, we will work out a long-term indefinite lease whereby he is essentially theirs, but we maintain rights over him should they ever need to give him up. He is very fit and happy though with his lessees and we can't hold onto every horse we have ever owned, so it was a win-win whereby everyone is happy. Link and Onyx continue to be ridden when possible, by me, by a friend, and by the 11yo (?) who also rides Sonny with her dad. Both have done well and continue to improve: Link is now fairly consistent with his leads, his canter is no longer rushed, etc etc, and Onyx is proving solid under her youngest rider. Sonny is doing so well and looking all the part of a hunter; his two riders are hoping to even show him this spring! I do have a potential lessee for Soraya (breeding lease) however I am still toying with the idea and may not send her out on a breeding lease afterall. The situation requires a lot of thought. Phoenix thus far seems to be MUCH more sound now that he is on the Previcoxx, though he is still not rideable of course. So far so good though and we will re-evaluate in a few months.
Otherwise, all is about the same and nothing much new to report! Just waiting until spring when our work season ends to get some work in on the horses, at which point it will be super dedication to furthering Link and Onyx and Soraya. Crossing our fingers too that all goes well for Phoenix. I am also hoping to take on some client horses in the spring, but that will depend on what my work schedule is like when I pick up work around home. So, I am probably going to refrain from blogging until I actually get back to serious work with the horses, though I may toss in the odd update here or there if it is particularly exciting! Until then, adiosa and good luck :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
