Monday, July 8, 2013
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Lesson 7.6.2013
Two video clips to share with you today. I'll summarize the lesson.. probably tomorrow. I've been home a while - cooling down and refueling with all the water I can stuff in me.
Friday, July 5, 2013
7-5-13 Only One
Caught Harley, dressed him to ride. In the arena, I attempted to put his bridle on (to add side reins & the longe line), and he backed away from me. After walking clear to the back of the arena, I was able to retrieve him, bridle, and with side reins, off he went on the line. He was fighting it, stiff and awkward.10-15 minutes of that, and I hopped on.
Stiff and awkward continued in the saddle. He argued about almost everything, and when he did round, it wasn't for long. I worked him in transition after transition, only allowing him to continue at the gait when he wasn't fighting. A few long walk stretch breaks didn't even help. Some canter work, and he was totally twisted and horrid ugly. Lots of hanging on the front end, even with some sharp leg from me. It seemed nothing I was doing was going to lighten him up.
I rode TL #1, well, I thought I did. I realized after that I'd ridden the entire thing backwards. I got the pieces in, and other than one break at canter-left (first straight line was good, second he broke right after the half circle), we went right back to transitions again. I ended up riding trot/canter/trot with only a few canter strides before he finally lightened up.
Almost instantly, I had obedience. He started to round up at the trot, and his canter was correct. Not a twisted face, and certainly not round and collected, but at least he was bent to the inside, and staying UP in the stride rather than lazy. Finally, if I got what I wanted from him for a few strides at once, I'd loosen my hands a bit. Shorten them back up, and while he would argue a little, at least he wasn't twisting his whole face around.
With the new light and forward, I glanced at my watch. Nearly an hour. I pushed a little bit longer for some additional trot work, and then I quit. Tossed the reins completely away, and took my feet out of the irons. A job well done, despite the huge long argument. Total work 1 hr.
Hosed him off, doused him in a vetrolin/water mix, allowed him to air dry a bit munching grass, and slapped poultice on lower legs. He had a big day. He fought, but finally gave, and knowing we're going to trailer and work hard tomorrow, I did all I know to do to help ease the muscle tension I'm sure he'll have from this morning's work.
I glanced at my watch. I took a brief self-assessment of how I was feeling. Ugh. Not super sore, not super tired, not overly hot, just run-down. Not able to ride Mo as planned. Maybe this evening I'll be able to take him out for a spin. For now, though, a hot shower, and some rest is in order.
Stiff and awkward continued in the saddle. He argued about almost everything, and when he did round, it wasn't for long. I worked him in transition after transition, only allowing him to continue at the gait when he wasn't fighting. A few long walk stretch breaks didn't even help. Some canter work, and he was totally twisted and horrid ugly. Lots of hanging on the front end, even with some sharp leg from me. It seemed nothing I was doing was going to lighten him up.
I rode TL #1, well, I thought I did. I realized after that I'd ridden the entire thing backwards. I got the pieces in, and other than one break at canter-left (first straight line was good, second he broke right after the half circle), we went right back to transitions again. I ended up riding trot/canter/trot with only a few canter strides before he finally lightened up.
Almost instantly, I had obedience. He started to round up at the trot, and his canter was correct. Not a twisted face, and certainly not round and collected, but at least he was bent to the inside, and staying UP in the stride rather than lazy. Finally, if I got what I wanted from him for a few strides at once, I'd loosen my hands a bit. Shorten them back up, and while he would argue a little, at least he wasn't twisting his whole face around.
With the new light and forward, I glanced at my watch. Nearly an hour. I pushed a little bit longer for some additional trot work, and then I quit. Tossed the reins completely away, and took my feet out of the irons. A job well done, despite the huge long argument. Total work 1 hr.
Hosed him off, doused him in a vetrolin/water mix, allowed him to air dry a bit munching grass, and slapped poultice on lower legs. He had a big day. He fought, but finally gave, and knowing we're going to trailer and work hard tomorrow, I did all I know to do to help ease the muscle tension I'm sure he'll have from this morning's work.
I glanced at my watch. I took a brief self-assessment of how I was feeling. Ugh. Not super sore, not super tired, not overly hot, just run-down. Not able to ride Mo as planned. Maybe this evening I'll be able to take him out for a spin. For now, though, a hot shower, and some rest is in order.
Thursday, July 4, 2013
7/4/2013 Mo & Harley
Harley was up first this morning. Mid 70s temperatures, relatively low humidity for the time of year. I was late getting started, honestly. It was cooler (but more humid) an hour earlier, but being vacation, I slept. Late.. On purpose. :)
With Harley saddled, and free longed a few minutes, I realized he wasn't in the mood to work, at all. He wanted to piddle along, mosey, be lazy. Didn't want to go, didn't want to rush off. So I hopped on.
Immediately, as I shortened my reins a bit, he gave the most beautiful collected walk. I lavished him with praise and pats. Wow. Terrific. Rode a bit on a longer rein trot & canter. He was a bit more awake, but still being lazy. At our first canter left, something startled him in the brush, and he tried to get out of the work - ducking to the outside about one stride. Apparently, muscle memory from "playing the spook tapes in my head" took over, as I sat up tall, and stayed with him. It was a small reaction on his part, so I praised him and sent him forward immediately. A half circle of trot, and right back to canter. Neighbor's dog barked -- ahh, so someone's outside next door. That explains it.
Neighbor fired up a chainsaw to shorten some tree limbs he'd cut previously, and Harley hardly reacted. More praise and pats. Good reaction. See it, notice it, but don't crawl outta yer skin. After the spook, it took a while longer on serpentines & tight circles to get his neck & ribs bending. Once he started cooperating, I shortened the reins.
Down to business. Super. He was still being a little lazy (I thought), so I wandered to a part of the arena I hadn't used with fresh "unhoofed" dirt. When I saw near-tracking hoof prints, I quit pushing so hard. How nice, I didn't even realize he wasn't moving out. More canter, and he tried breaking after the first line. I sent him back to it, and worked some lines again. Better, so it was probably me relaxing a bit too much.
I sat some trot, and he burst forward. Fantastic! I was hardly wiggling in the tack as well, which can only mean he was a bit collected - I can't sit it if he's hollow at all . I bounce all about. We also worked on halt/trot/halt, and they were superb. I guess he remembered from his last lesson at that. :) Super!!
Worn down from Harley's ride, I kept things simple with Mo. I put him out on the longe line, and he took off. Bat outta h-e-double-hockey-sticks took off. It was hysterical. He wasn't hanging on the line, and if he'd bump it, he'd change directions, and take off again. Bucking, crowhopping, kicking out, the works. He ran like a nut for a good 20 minutes, then settled. I got some nice walk on the circles, and a slow jog. I hopped on in his halter & lead rope a few minutes, got a little walk and some jog. Neighbor was still chainsawing beside the arena, and he was definitely tuned to it. booger
Day 1 of ride vacation - total success. I'm anxious for our next lesson on Saturday. I wonder what we'll work on. I've got zero plans, but I am certainly ready for something new.
With Harley saddled, and free longed a few minutes, I realized he wasn't in the mood to work, at all. He wanted to piddle along, mosey, be lazy. Didn't want to go, didn't want to rush off. So I hopped on.
Immediately, as I shortened my reins a bit, he gave the most beautiful collected walk. I lavished him with praise and pats. Wow. Terrific. Rode a bit on a longer rein trot & canter. He was a bit more awake, but still being lazy. At our first canter left, something startled him in the brush, and he tried to get out of the work - ducking to the outside about one stride. Apparently, muscle memory from "playing the spook tapes in my head" took over, as I sat up tall, and stayed with him. It was a small reaction on his part, so I praised him and sent him forward immediately. A half circle of trot, and right back to canter. Neighbor's dog barked -- ahh, so someone's outside next door. That explains it.
Neighbor fired up a chainsaw to shorten some tree limbs he'd cut previously, and Harley hardly reacted. More praise and pats. Good reaction. See it, notice it, but don't crawl outta yer skin. After the spook, it took a while longer on serpentines & tight circles to get his neck & ribs bending. Once he started cooperating, I shortened the reins.
Down to business. Super. He was still being a little lazy (I thought), so I wandered to a part of the arena I hadn't used with fresh "unhoofed" dirt. When I saw near-tracking hoof prints, I quit pushing so hard. How nice, I didn't even realize he wasn't moving out. More canter, and he tried breaking after the first line. I sent him back to it, and worked some lines again. Better, so it was probably me relaxing a bit too much.
I sat some trot, and he burst forward. Fantastic! I was hardly wiggling in the tack as well, which can only mean he was a bit collected - I can't sit it if he's hollow at all . I bounce all about. We also worked on halt/trot/halt, and they were superb. I guess he remembered from his last lesson at that. :) Super!!
Worn down from Harley's ride, I kept things simple with Mo. I put him out on the longe line, and he took off. Bat outta h-e-double-hockey-sticks took off. It was hysterical. He wasn't hanging on the line, and if he'd bump it, he'd change directions, and take off again. Bucking, crowhopping, kicking out, the works. He ran like a nut for a good 20 minutes, then settled. I got some nice walk on the circles, and a slow jog. I hopped on in his halter & lead rope a few minutes, got a little walk and some jog. Neighbor was still chainsawing beside the arena, and he was definitely tuned to it. booger
Day 1 of ride vacation - total success. I'm anxious for our next lesson on Saturday. I wonder what we'll work on. I've got zero plans, but I am certainly ready for something new.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
And the Lazy Continues
Great, I go to the efforts to blog why I ride, and why I stay steady riding.. Then I took two straight days off, and I just might make it three straight.
Why three straight? The weather should be fine this evening..
I'm going on vacation!
I'm going on vacation!
I'm going on vacation!
That's right! Six days straight vacation. I intend to sleep, ride, finish up odds & ends that I have begun all over the house, play with the dogs & snuggle on them, and ride, and sleep.
Knowing the boys will have six straight, it seems almost cruel&unusual to ask for seven. We shall see how my evening goes. I might just take the dogs for a walk down the road..
OOH! Reminds me of a joke.
Why did the cowboy buy a dachshund?
So he could get a long little doggie
Why three straight? The weather should be fine this evening..
I'm going on vacation!
I'm going on vacation!
I'm going on vacation!
That's right! Six days straight vacation. I intend to sleep, ride, finish up odds & ends that I have begun all over the house, play with the dogs & snuggle on them, and ride, and sleep.
Knowing the boys will have six straight, it seems almost cruel&unusual to ask for seven. We shall see how my evening goes. I might just take the dogs for a walk down the road..
OOH! Reminds me of a joke.
Why did the cowboy buy a dachshund?
So he could get a long little doggie
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Answering the Question
SunnySD asks, Where do you get your motivation? That's a terrific question, and one I've considered answering before it was asked.. :) So here goes.
I have a general philosophy on the horses. It's a simple one. They're expensive, they take up a lot of space, and a lot of work just to maintain. Grain, hay, supplements, hoof trims, shots, coggins, fencing, truck & trailer to haul for vet visits, land taxes, mortgage (as I wouldn't need the land I have without them). Not including my tack, training, instructor lessons, they're pricey critters. Even if I took them off the supplements, they'd still need all those other things. If I didn't ride, I wouldn't need saddles or bridles, but I'd still need halters, ropes, and a truck/trailer for vet appointments. If they didn't wear blankets in the winter, they'd need a boost in feed.
All that in mind, I figure, for the cost/investment, they need a job. When it's super hot, or raining many days in a row, or I get busy with work (either job), I get frustrated when I go out to feed. In my mind, if they're going to cost what they cost, and take up as much time to care for as they do, they oughta do something.
This crosses my mind when I'm on the couch, watching boobtube reruns of whatever, watching the dogs sleep, knowing they're out in pasture doing NOTHING. They don't bark when strangers come to the door, they don't often snuggle on me (without snarfing my pockets looking for cookies). They do reward me with fantastic rides.
So why do I ride the same things over & over? And where do I find the motivation to head to the arena so many days in a row? It's the little things. When the deer enter the visual on our property, and Harley only glances at them. When I get just three more strides of a nice forward trot than I had yesterday. When his canter-left is a little more round and "put together" than before. Best, is when Harley's ears perk as I point him at the crossrail. He enjoys his job, otherwise he wouldn't nicker at me and walk across the pasture to be haltered (when he sees me dressed to ride, half chaps & all, no cookies in-hand, he'll still come to me). When Mo stands in his stall after H's ride, and waits for me, rather than walk to the back of his pasture to be caught or chased.
The guys enjoy their jobs, and I find it necessary that they have a job. It's really that simple. Does this mean I never get completely lazy and unmotivated? HAH! Last night, the weather was perfect to ride. Well, for July. Temperatures were in the high 80s, there was a light breeze, and relatively low humidity. Did I ride? Nope. I stayed inside and played guitar for over an hour. I checked the weather, and I could've easily put Harley to work, or taken Mo down the road. I just couldn't leave the house. The dogs looked peaceful out of their crates, the cats were lounging and sleeping, and I felt more like staying inside rather than going outside to sweat and exercise.
I don't get motivated all the time, but most of the time, there's a purpose in the horses, and they seem to enjoy it. :) That's how I stay motivated!
I have a general philosophy on the horses. It's a simple one. They're expensive, they take up a lot of space, and a lot of work just to maintain. Grain, hay, supplements, hoof trims, shots, coggins, fencing, truck & trailer to haul for vet visits, land taxes, mortgage (as I wouldn't need the land I have without them). Not including my tack, training, instructor lessons, they're pricey critters. Even if I took them off the supplements, they'd still need all those other things. If I didn't ride, I wouldn't need saddles or bridles, but I'd still need halters, ropes, and a truck/trailer for vet appointments. If they didn't wear blankets in the winter, they'd need a boost in feed.
All that in mind, I figure, for the cost/investment, they need a job. When it's super hot, or raining many days in a row, or I get busy with work (either job), I get frustrated when I go out to feed. In my mind, if they're going to cost what they cost, and take up as much time to care for as they do, they oughta do something.
This crosses my mind when I'm on the couch, watching boobtube reruns of whatever, watching the dogs sleep, knowing they're out in pasture doing NOTHING. They don't bark when strangers come to the door, they don't often snuggle on me (without snarfing my pockets looking for cookies). They do reward me with fantastic rides.
So why do I ride the same things over & over? And where do I find the motivation to head to the arena so many days in a row? It's the little things. When the deer enter the visual on our property, and Harley only glances at them. When I get just three more strides of a nice forward trot than I had yesterday. When his canter-left is a little more round and "put together" than before. Best, is when Harley's ears perk as I point him at the crossrail. He enjoys his job, otherwise he wouldn't nicker at me and walk across the pasture to be haltered (when he sees me dressed to ride, half chaps & all, no cookies in-hand, he'll still come to me). When Mo stands in his stall after H's ride, and waits for me, rather than walk to the back of his pasture to be caught or chased.
The guys enjoy their jobs, and I find it necessary that they have a job. It's really that simple. Does this mean I never get completely lazy and unmotivated? HAH! Last night, the weather was perfect to ride. Well, for July. Temperatures were in the high 80s, there was a light breeze, and relatively low humidity. Did I ride? Nope. I stayed inside and played guitar for over an hour. I checked the weather, and I could've easily put Harley to work, or taken Mo down the road. I just couldn't leave the house. The dogs looked peaceful out of their crates, the cats were lounging and sleeping, and I felt more like staying inside rather than going outside to sweat and exercise.
I don't get motivated all the time, but most of the time, there's a purpose in the horses, and they seem to enjoy it. :) That's how I stay motivated!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monkey Mondays 7/1/2013
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