I fed everybody early, including me, and rode late. Harley eagerly set his head in the halter when I went to the pasture for him. How delightful.
Off to the arena, dressed dressage. Longing went well, except for that brief moment when the deer rustled in the pasture and startled him. Can't hardly get mad when he was frightened. Neck stretcher work was good, and I left him there a little bit longer than average on purpose. I was curious if it would help.
I don't know if it was the different saddle/seat contact, if it was the extra leg pressure I could easily add, the reinforcement of four days in a row, cooler temperatures, or what.. But Harley was forward without a lot of effort, and gave to the bit, holding it three or four strides at a time. It felt great to ride his trot, bouncing in a sweet posting trot that was actually pleasant to ride.
We had four doe deer running around the arena, obviously irritated we interrupted their evening. The feeling was mutual. One doe, we'll call her "Dinner" for short, came within 5' of the arena fence. Harley was uncomfortable with her closeness, so I slowed him to a walk, and started making all kinds of annoying noises at her. Dinner didn't move, not at all. This is the same DinnerDeer from last season, stealing Ransom's supper and interrupting his work. Finally, I started pushing Harley towards her. He snorted at Dinner at the same time I was making silly noises, walking up to her. Finally, Dinner got the hint and retreated. Her partners got the hint, making a very wide detour around the arena and our very large space we'd set.
Total ride, about an hour. Had Dinner and her buddies not interrupted, I would've cantered. He felt that good. Hoping tonight is even better. I'm ready to quit riding him western in the arena. It's time to get to business. We've been at this tiptoe'ing nonsense too long now. I feel good enough, my balance is back, and my energy is nearly 100%. No reason why we can't get out of my "security blanket saddle", at least in the arena.
Showing posts with label Spooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spooks. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
4-21-11 The Tarp
I laid a 6'x8' tarp across a flat spot in the pasture, anchored it down with some old pipe and wood posts, and went inside to change clothes after work. Harley look at it, snorted at it, but didn't get too close. I came back outside to find him about ten feet away staring at it...
I haltered him, brushed a little of the dirt off, and led him to the tarp. I walked over it, and turned to face him, tugging just a little on the lead rope.
You all know this point in the drill, right? This is where I was planning for a disagreement, and had entire intentions on getting him over the tarp, or at least showing interest. Approach and Retreat, but don't let him look away....
Harley reached his neck forward, sniffed at the tarp, hesitated, and took a step towards it. I tugged again, he stepped ON the tarp. Crunch! Noise it made when he stepped on it, and he hesitated, his head popping up to the sky. He then lowered his head a little, and STOMPED on the tarp with the remaining four hooves as he pounded it down. Every time after that, he walked across, with no hesitation, his "stomp" decreasing each time.
I hung the tarp over the paddock fence, and the wind caught it a little. Harley barely reacted to it. I stuck my hand inside the fold over the fence, and crunched it a little, to which he reached forward and put his nose on it, so I scratched his nose through the tarp.
Then I took the tarp in my hands, and held it up over my head like a flying cape. He finally spooked a little when the wind caught it, and shot away about fifteen feet before I got ahold of him, and kept him facing the tarp. Within another few minutes, he was standing a safe distance from the tarp while the wind was blowing it, and I was swishing it around by flapping my arms. He didn't seem phased by it much after the first reaction.
The Big Tarp Spook? Almost a non-event. I still don't really have my hands around this. This is the same Harley I had a hard time catching, that didn't trust me at all last year. He was terrified of everything. Now, something as scary as a blowing tarp hardly catches his attention. It's excellent, but I am still not entirely sure I understand it.
I haltered him, brushed a little of the dirt off, and led him to the tarp. I walked over it, and turned to face him, tugging just a little on the lead rope.
You all know this point in the drill, right? This is where I was planning for a disagreement, and had entire intentions on getting him over the tarp, or at least showing interest. Approach and Retreat, but don't let him look away....
Harley reached his neck forward, sniffed at the tarp, hesitated, and took a step towards it. I tugged again, he stepped ON the tarp. Crunch! Noise it made when he stepped on it, and he hesitated, his head popping up to the sky. He then lowered his head a little, and STOMPED on the tarp with the remaining four hooves as he pounded it down. Every time after that, he walked across, with no hesitation, his "stomp" decreasing each time.
I hung the tarp over the paddock fence, and the wind caught it a little. Harley barely reacted to it. I stuck my hand inside the fold over the fence, and crunched it a little, to which he reached forward and put his nose on it, so I scratched his nose through the tarp.
Then I took the tarp in my hands, and held it up over my head like a flying cape. He finally spooked a little when the wind caught it, and shot away about fifteen feet before I got ahold of him, and kept him facing the tarp. Within another few minutes, he was standing a safe distance from the tarp while the wind was blowing it, and I was swishing it around by flapping my arms. He didn't seem phased by it much after the first reaction.
The Big Tarp Spook? Almost a non-event. I still don't really have my hands around this. This is the same Harley I had a hard time catching, that didn't trust me at all last year. He was terrified of everything. Now, something as scary as a blowing tarp hardly catches his attention. It's excellent, but I am still not entirely sure I understand it.
Monday, October 4, 2010
10/2/10 Harley Bad Dog
*giggle* That's a funny subject heading to even type out!
I caught Harley, I wrapped his legs, feet came easier to check, and off we went.
I got him lunged a little while at the trot, kissed to him, thinking I could extend the trot. Oop! He picked up a nice canter-right, correct lead, and in fact, my first thought was, "Gosh that'll be sweet to ride!"
I reversed him left, and asked again with a kiss. darnit. Wrong lead. I slowed him to a trot, asked again. Wrong lead again. Asked him to slow, he jerked, and pulled, and *zIp*! There goes the lunge line, right through my fingers. OWCH! I let go - well duh! It hurt!
stupid me for not leaving my gloves on. I assumed he was quiet enough he wouldn't pull me, since it hadn't happened. stupid stupid pitiful me.
Took a few minutes, but I caught him. I just asked him to trot out on the line. Pulled on me hard again. This time, gloves on, I felt the glove friction with the line burning. Oop! Then, I let go before the glove leather burned into my palm. OWch again! Bad dog Harley!
Deep breaths ruled as I walked towards him slowly. Muttering to my brain, "Shoulda had my gloves on to begin with. Maybe too soon to canter, dang it. Maybe I'm rushing. Okay, let's catch him, and back up."
I got the line, took him back to the arena middle. We trotted lunge circles, and all was well. His halt was not as great as days previous, but at that point, he was wide-eyed and worried. I got slows to walk, which was better than yanking my hand loose again.
I pointed him over his circular path at trot over two ground poles. At first, he avoided them. Then, he stopped right in front of them. Third trip, he walked through. Finally, fourth trip past, he trotted through. Bounce Bounce! I giggled and praised lavishly. Good Boy Harley! We found something new to do! Reversed, and repeated, with similar initial results, though without the refusing halt.
Finally, I tried some turns on the haunches, turns on the forehand, backing up, and flexing. All went well. Knowing all this, I asked for canter right again. Picked up his lead first try, and I stopped.
Time to desensitize. Lunge whip was nearby, so I grabbed it. Immediately, Harley paniced again. I had a good hold on the line, but that made no difference. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with that lunge whip. I tried not even looking his way while I barely wiggled the end of the whip. No-Go Spooking!
Finally, I got him calmed, as I led him around on the lunge line, swinging the whip tail side to side, letting him follow the whip. I turned, faced him, and swung it while I walked backwards, him forwards. Improvements.. So I barely wiggled the tail facing him, near his shoulder. He jumped, jittered, and worried, but I eventually, finally, got him to let me toss it up over his back gently, and when the deep sighs came, I would back off. A heavy sigh, a little lip licking, and I'd retreat.
By now, it'd been nearly an hour. Harley was a huffin' and a puffin'. I walked him around in hand a while, led him up to the house, and tied him. It took another half hour, with a lot of standing around, polo wraps removed, and then finally I could hose him off. Still a little winded, I let him stand a while longer while I removed some flybot eggs from his legs.
We had a bad day. The baby got scared, and while I didn't react, maybe I didn't do it quick enough. Maybe I went too far, too fast, expected too much.
Will it repeat on Sunday? Or will I have a lesson day with Jen that I can show off all our great achievements?
I caught Harley, I wrapped his legs, feet came easier to check, and off we went.
I got him lunged a little while at the trot, kissed to him, thinking I could extend the trot. Oop! He picked up a nice canter-right, correct lead, and in fact, my first thought was, "Gosh that'll be sweet to ride!"
I reversed him left, and asked again with a kiss. darnit. Wrong lead. I slowed him to a trot, asked again. Wrong lead again. Asked him to slow, he jerked, and pulled, and *zIp*! There goes the lunge line, right through my fingers. OWCH! I let go - well duh! It hurt!
stupid me for not leaving my gloves on. I assumed he was quiet enough he wouldn't pull me, since it hadn't happened. stupid stupid pitiful me.
Took a few minutes, but I caught him. I just asked him to trot out on the line. Pulled on me hard again. This time, gloves on, I felt the glove friction with the line burning. Oop! Then, I let go before the glove leather burned into my palm. OWch again! Bad dog Harley!
Deep breaths ruled as I walked towards him slowly. Muttering to my brain, "Shoulda had my gloves on to begin with. Maybe too soon to canter, dang it. Maybe I'm rushing. Okay, let's catch him, and back up."
I got the line, took him back to the arena middle. We trotted lunge circles, and all was well. His halt was not as great as days previous, but at that point, he was wide-eyed and worried. I got slows to walk, which was better than yanking my hand loose again.
I pointed him over his circular path at trot over two ground poles. At first, he avoided them. Then, he stopped right in front of them. Third trip, he walked through. Finally, fourth trip past, he trotted through. Bounce Bounce! I giggled and praised lavishly. Good Boy Harley! We found something new to do! Reversed, and repeated, with similar initial results, though without the refusing halt.
Finally, I tried some turns on the haunches, turns on the forehand, backing up, and flexing. All went well. Knowing all this, I asked for canter right again. Picked up his lead first try, and I stopped.
Time to desensitize. Lunge whip was nearby, so I grabbed it. Immediately, Harley paniced again. I had a good hold on the line, but that made no difference. He wanted absolutely nothing to do with that lunge whip. I tried not even looking his way while I barely wiggled the end of the whip. No-Go Spooking!
Finally, I got him calmed, as I led him around on the lunge line, swinging the whip tail side to side, letting him follow the whip. I turned, faced him, and swung it while I walked backwards, him forwards. Improvements.. So I barely wiggled the tail facing him, near his shoulder. He jumped, jittered, and worried, but I eventually, finally, got him to let me toss it up over his back gently, and when the deep sighs came, I would back off. A heavy sigh, a little lip licking, and I'd retreat.
By now, it'd been nearly an hour. Harley was a huffin' and a puffin'. I walked him around in hand a while, led him up to the house, and tied him. It took another half hour, with a lot of standing around, polo wraps removed, and then finally I could hose him off. Still a little winded, I let him stand a while longer while I removed some flybot eggs from his legs.
We had a bad day. The baby got scared, and while I didn't react, maybe I didn't do it quick enough. Maybe I went too far, too fast, expected too much.
Will it repeat on Sunday? Or will I have a lesson day with Jen that I can show off all our great achievements?
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
08/31/10 I Didn't Lose It
R was out shredding the pasture, and lost an item while sitting aboard the tractor. When I got home, he had a metal detector in-hand, and began walking pasture bit by bit. I knew I could try to help, but had a better idea than just looking by foot.
Romeo!! Hey Romeo! You wanna be a big boy & help Momma out? Good! Get your rump over here, and wear this saddle. It's time to be a working pony!! Romeo, his western saddle & western bit, and I, started walking.
And we walked.
And we looked.
And we walked.
And we looked.
While we didn't find what we were looking for, I learned a few things, and had a spooky fun moment.
# Romeo follows my head, and my seat, better than I ever realized. I caught us a few times, I'd turn my head, hands wouldn't move, and his head & body followed my head.
# He neckreins a whole lot better than I give him credit for. We were scouring the ground, looking all about, and a few times, I recognized that I had one hand on the reins, the other on my leg resting, and he was following every cue
# He'll go wherever I point, so watch out for low hanging limbs. *giggle* Thump!
# He still handles spooks the same as always...
Spooks! We got away from the barn, in the thick trees & brush, and wandered into a small clearing. Suddenly, Mo stopped hard with a little shake. A doe and her fawn scampered out of my pasture, into the neighbors, obviously scared. The baby ran and ran, stopped hard, looked back at Momma, and ran again. Momma, however, stood, tail flagged, and watched us. Realizing we weren't a threat, she walked off calmly. Romeo and I took a few steps down that fenceline, and I resumed my looking, cautious. Just then, the neighbor's one big dog, and two little dogs, came bursting from their yard, towards the doe, big dog leading the charge. The doe took charge. That dog wasn't getting her, or her baby. She reared up, kicking at the dog, and then chased the dog. The dogs were all barking nuts, the little ones approaching big dog in some effort to "get" the doe. That doe hasn't having any big of it. Not one little teensie tiny bit. She charged the dogs multiple times, backing them up in fear nearly to their little back yard chain link fence. Big dog finally got a little more aggressive, and chased her just a little ways across their pasture. She turned back, and charged big dog one more time, before big dog retreated, and ran back home.
During that whole event, I was up on Romeo (of course), watching. They were probably a couple hundred yards off, but with all three dogs barking hysterically, and that doe charging, Romeo never spooked, never startled. He, in fact, took a few walk-on steps, like he was annoyed I was asking him to watch the dogs. As we finally marched back on course, the doe glanced up at us, and went back to grazing quietly. The dogs found a new target to chase, Romeo. We kept on walking, they quickly realized there was a line of their owner's barbed wire fence between us, and went on back home.
Romeo is Romeo. His little tiny spook, squirting maybe 3-4", then halting, is just about my favorite thing about him. When he spooks, he doesn't run off, he squirts just a little, then stands, facing the spook, whatever it is. It's exhilirating, and comforting at the same time.
Romeo!! Hey Romeo! You wanna be a big boy & help Momma out? Good! Get your rump over here, and wear this saddle. It's time to be a working pony!! Romeo, his western saddle & western bit, and I, started walking.
And we walked.
And we looked.
And we walked.
And we looked.
While we didn't find what we were looking for, I learned a few things, and had a spooky fun moment.
# Romeo follows my head, and my seat, better than I ever realized. I caught us a few times, I'd turn my head, hands wouldn't move, and his head & body followed my head.
# He neckreins a whole lot better than I give him credit for. We were scouring the ground, looking all about, and a few times, I recognized that I had one hand on the reins, the other on my leg resting, and he was following every cue
# He'll go wherever I point, so watch out for low hanging limbs. *giggle* Thump!
# He still handles spooks the same as always...
Spooks! We got away from the barn, in the thick trees & brush, and wandered into a small clearing. Suddenly, Mo stopped hard with a little shake. A doe and her fawn scampered out of my pasture, into the neighbors, obviously scared. The baby ran and ran, stopped hard, looked back at Momma, and ran again. Momma, however, stood, tail flagged, and watched us. Realizing we weren't a threat, she walked off calmly. Romeo and I took a few steps down that fenceline, and I resumed my looking, cautious. Just then, the neighbor's one big dog, and two little dogs, came bursting from their yard, towards the doe, big dog leading the charge. The doe took charge. That dog wasn't getting her, or her baby. She reared up, kicking at the dog, and then chased the dog. The dogs were all barking nuts, the little ones approaching big dog in some effort to "get" the doe. That doe hasn't having any big of it. Not one little teensie tiny bit. She charged the dogs multiple times, backing them up in fear nearly to their little back yard chain link fence. Big dog finally got a little more aggressive, and chased her just a little ways across their pasture. She turned back, and charged big dog one more time, before big dog retreated, and ran back home.
During that whole event, I was up on Romeo (of course), watching. They were probably a couple hundred yards off, but with all three dogs barking hysterically, and that doe charging, Romeo never spooked, never startled. He, in fact, took a few walk-on steps, like he was annoyed I was asking him to watch the dogs. As we finally marched back on course, the doe glanced up at us, and went back to grazing quietly. The dogs found a new target to chase, Romeo. We kept on walking, they quickly realized there was a line of their owner's barbed wire fence between us, and went on back home.
Romeo is Romeo. His little tiny spook, squirting maybe 3-4", then halting, is just about my favorite thing about him. When he spooks, he doesn't run off, he squirts just a little, then stands, facing the spook, whatever it is. It's exhilirating, and comforting at the same time.
Friday, August 27, 2010
08/24/10 The Teaser Solution
*laugh* I assume some of the readership looked at the list, and thought all kinds of things.
Feed Sack.
A simple, shaking, rattling Feed Sack. :)
Is that a riot, or what? R shook the feed sack, with Romeo standing at a distance. His head popped up, and he wanted NOTHING to do with it. So I let him walk over to sniff it, which usually works. No-go. I had R walk away from us, rattling it, and we chased it. Then, I turned Mo around, and let the "shaking sack" chase us. I allowed Mo to rest, and the sniff the sack again. Success! He touched it with his nose, realized it wasn't going to harm him, and issue over.
We followed R's truck down the road - Flashy lights, blinkers, rough rocks bouncing around, no spooks. R turned back to home, and we "chased the truck" to the house. There, he honked a few times, with no Mo reaction. Finally, I handed him the bag. He shook the bag, honked the horn, and moved the truck around a little bit. No reaction.
Mo and I played silly spooks for probably 25 minutes, if not more. I explained to R what we were doing, why, and how. He was a good help, and a great sport, noticing that as soon as Mo would calm even a little, he'd "up the ante", increasing the spook intensity. Mo's an easy teach...
Feed Sack.
A simple, shaking, rattling Feed Sack. :)
Is that a riot, or what? R shook the feed sack, with Romeo standing at a distance. His head popped up, and he wanted NOTHING to do with it. So I let him walk over to sniff it, which usually works. No-go. I had R walk away from us, rattling it, and we chased it. Then, I turned Mo around, and let the "shaking sack" chase us. I allowed Mo to rest, and the sniff the sack again. Success! He touched it with his nose, realized it wasn't going to harm him, and issue over.
We followed R's truck down the road - Flashy lights, blinkers, rough rocks bouncing around, no spooks. R turned back to home, and we "chased the truck" to the house. There, he honked a few times, with no Mo reaction. Finally, I handed him the bag. He shook the bag, honked the horn, and moved the truck around a little bit. No reaction.
Mo and I played silly spooks for probably 25 minutes, if not more. I explained to R what we were doing, why, and how. He was a good help, and a great sport, noticing that as soon as Mo would calm even a little, he'd "up the ante", increasing the spook intensity. Mo's an easy teach...
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Rides Since Then
I have had one moderately decent dressage ride on Ransom since 5-20. And the rest? It absolutely, completely, no doubt about it, poured rain with heavy storms on 5-21 and 5-22. I estimate about 10”of rain or more at my house between Friday & Saturday.
As a result, there was a puddly, muddy arena. Then, there were and still are, mosquitoes. Some things are bigger in Texas, and these blood sucking bugs are no exception.
I’ve been confined to trail rides down the road mostly. Those started out as a good idea, but then I realized I treated more of my property with bug killers than my neighbors did.
The one dressage ride was good, but short. I got about 20 minutes of decent ride in, taking advantage of Ransom’s new hocks with a really nice set at sitting trot. I felt my butt tuck underneath me, and I was able to push him forward without holding on with my legs. Really nice. I thought I’d reward the good brief work with a walk down the road. We both ended up coated in mosquitoes & frustrated.
The walks out the road have been mostly uneventful. Ransom spooked at a flatbed trailer/truck combo. Romeo jumped sideways at some barking dogs. Both have been quiet around traffic, other quieter dogs, which has been nice.
I’m eager for the bugs to ease up, to get back in the tack, and get back settled in my hunt saddle on Ransom. I miss my stirrup-free airplane arms.
As a result, there was a puddly, muddy arena. Then, there were and still are, mosquitoes. Some things are bigger in Texas, and these blood sucking bugs are no exception.
I’ve been confined to trail rides down the road mostly. Those started out as a good idea, but then I realized I treated more of my property with bug killers than my neighbors did.
The one dressage ride was good, but short. I got about 20 minutes of decent ride in, taking advantage of Ransom’s new hocks with a really nice set at sitting trot. I felt my butt tuck underneath me, and I was able to push him forward without holding on with my legs. Really nice. I thought I’d reward the good brief work with a walk down the road. We both ended up coated in mosquitoes & frustrated.
The walks out the road have been mostly uneventful. Ransom spooked at a flatbed trailer/truck combo. Romeo jumped sideways at some barking dogs. Both have been quiet around traffic, other quieter dogs, which has been nice.
I’m eager for the bugs to ease up, to get back in the tack, and get back settled in my hunt saddle on Ransom. I miss my stirrup-free airplane arms.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
5/18/10 Polar Opposites OR What You Can Do in the Puddles
I’m torn between the two titles for the entry from last night. I got home after work, changed shoes only, to some nice rubber boots, and sploshed through the puddles back to Ransom.
He’s terrific. Never before has a horse walked up to me from across the pasture and dropped his head into a halter as often as he does. With the days he’s had off due to puddly stormy weather, he walked with great eagerness to me, and dropped his head straightaway into his halter. Love that!
I saddled him up western, in his twisted wire bit. Snapped on my helmet, tightened the girth, and got to walking. Since my side yard is nearly underwater all over, I walked him through it, testing a few things. What kind of mood was he in, and, if faced with a puddle across the road, would he go through it. Well, his belly got splashed with water he was so eager through the puddles.
Down the road we went. I walked away from the mailboxes first, eager to see just how far my courage would take us. He almost broke to trot, but was settled with a few half halts. I love that about him – he never tried to turn back to home, never weaved around the road, but settled in just on the edge of the gravel, and tromped happily. We didn’t see any deer, but encountered a few bunny rabbits and a few territorial dogs. One would yap her little head off when his toes hit her grass, but if he got his toes back on the gravel road, she’d hush. Funny! We walked five driveways down, which I believe left only one more at the dead end. We made it all the way to the last pond on the right, halted, and turned back to home.
Ransom slowed to a crawl. He poked tail the whole way back to the house. I realized it hadn’t been but a 15minute ride at this point, and it didn’t seem fair to quit just yet. Back up the road, towards the mailboxes. And again, how far would my courage take us? Would I see the neighbor’s goats splashing in his hideous pasture, and chicken out for home? Or would the incoming traffic send us trotting back to the trailer?
We made it! All the way to the road’s end, made a 180 turn, and headed for home. No goats to fear, just one silly car-chasing terrier cross that thought she could conquer Ransom, until he started walking towards her. Ransom pinned his ears at her, dropped his head, and I *swear* he was trying to cut her like a cow! It was hysterical. That dog was running from him, barking all the while, and Ransom stayed right along with her. So funny!
As we completed our journey, Ransom carried me safely straight back to the trailer, as if he knew he’d gone as far as he was going to, the adventure had come to a close. He let out a huge heavy sigh on the way back as we crossed into my property, as if satisfied with himself. My horse isn’t eager to get back to the barn, he’s eager to get going away from home. The polar opposite of a “barn sour” horse. How fabulous!
He’s terrific. Never before has a horse walked up to me from across the pasture and dropped his head into a halter as often as he does. With the days he’s had off due to puddly stormy weather, he walked with great eagerness to me, and dropped his head straightaway into his halter. Love that!
I saddled him up western, in his twisted wire bit. Snapped on my helmet, tightened the girth, and got to walking. Since my side yard is nearly underwater all over, I walked him through it, testing a few things. What kind of mood was he in, and, if faced with a puddle across the road, would he go through it. Well, his belly got splashed with water he was so eager through the puddles.
Down the road we went. I walked away from the mailboxes first, eager to see just how far my courage would take us. He almost broke to trot, but was settled with a few half halts. I love that about him – he never tried to turn back to home, never weaved around the road, but settled in just on the edge of the gravel, and tromped happily. We didn’t see any deer, but encountered a few bunny rabbits and a few territorial dogs. One would yap her little head off when his toes hit her grass, but if he got his toes back on the gravel road, she’d hush. Funny! We walked five driveways down, which I believe left only one more at the dead end. We made it all the way to the last pond on the right, halted, and turned back to home.
Ransom slowed to a crawl. He poked tail the whole way back to the house. I realized it hadn’t been but a 15minute ride at this point, and it didn’t seem fair to quit just yet. Back up the road, towards the mailboxes. And again, how far would my courage take us? Would I see the neighbor’s goats splashing in his hideous pasture, and chicken out for home? Or would the incoming traffic send us trotting back to the trailer?
We made it! All the way to the road’s end, made a 180 turn, and headed for home. No goats to fear, just one silly car-chasing terrier cross that thought she could conquer Ransom, until he started walking towards her. Ransom pinned his ears at her, dropped his head, and I *swear* he was trying to cut her like a cow! It was hysterical. That dog was running from him, barking all the while, and Ransom stayed right along with her. So funny!
As we completed our journey, Ransom carried me safely straight back to the trailer, as if he knew he’d gone as far as he was going to, the adventure had come to a close. He let out a huge heavy sigh on the way back as we crossed into my property, as if satisfied with himself. My horse isn’t eager to get back to the barn, he’s eager to get going away from home. The polar opposite of a “barn sour” horse. How fabulous!
Friday, May 14, 2010
5/13/10
I finally found a way to make Ransom eat – stall lockup. For about three meals straight, I locked him up in his stall for a few hours, with water & grain. No hay, no attention. He got the hint – if he wants freedom, he’ll eat. J Works like a charm.
Thursday after work, the wind was howling my name. Howling “boo look at me.” I bucked up my courage, and got in the tack.
Ransom was delightful. We rode all three gaits, both directions, and even looked at the cows a few times. Yes, cows. They were grazing in the pasture next to us, and a few even laid down for a rest. Right where they usually are that spooks him. He didn’t flinch. That was absolutely delightful.
Knowing that dressage is getting boring & repetitive for both of us, I asked for some leg yields at walk. Sweet, and pretty. Stepping it up, I asked for leg yielding at trot. Heading to the right (left leg pressure), he was gawgeous! Heading left, a little stickie, but it got better the longer we did it.
I rode for about 40 minutes before admitting that weather had more wind and sprinkles than I had courage. We did have fun, though.
Thursday after work, the wind was howling my name. Howling “boo look at me.” I bucked up my courage, and got in the tack.
Ransom was delightful. We rode all three gaits, both directions, and even looked at the cows a few times. Yes, cows. They were grazing in the pasture next to us, and a few even laid down for a rest. Right where they usually are that spooks him. He didn’t flinch. That was absolutely delightful.
Knowing that dressage is getting boring & repetitive for both of us, I asked for some leg yields at walk. Sweet, and pretty. Stepping it up, I asked for leg yielding at trot. Heading to the right (left leg pressure), he was gawgeous! Heading left, a little stickie, but it got better the longer we did it.
I rode for about 40 minutes before admitting that weather had more wind and sprinkles than I had courage. We did have fun, though.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
3/14/10 What Did I Learn in the Lesson?
I am teaching my horse pace & rhythm.
And cows still eat ponies.
=) I warmed Ransom up briefly free lunge. He decided this was a good day for a gallop, and ran like a nut for probably five minutes. I knew he'd have the lesson anyways, so I left him go. He wasn't going to end the ride in the lazies, and I was going to force him to move out.
Jen arrived, and we got to business. I didn't spend a lot of time riding flat before trotting to the poles. First set of trot cavaletti, he hit one. Second, third, same deal. Kept knocking over one or two. Jen said, "He's being lazy, watch this." She set the landscape timbers I've been using as poles on their sides, making them a little bit taller. I approached at the trot, and Ransom hopped through the pattern without knocking anything over. "See? He's being lazy. Now, get him up to canter, ride the canter poles, and show me what the heck he's been pulling over there. I suspect more of the same lazies."
He did the exact same thing he's been doing, breaking to trot, and trying to canter in the middle of it, or heading out of it. Jen started kissing to him in front of the poles, and I focused on heels down, energy up. After three go's, he got it. Stayed in canter for all three poles, and stayed steady throughout. Similar action happened heading right as well, started out messy, ended clean. The homework here? Keep doing it, and forcing him to canter. He's way out of practice needing to think about low steady work, and I'm retraining him on rhythm & pace, to see his distances, and stay quiet through the pattern work.
Then we set up the low crossrail, and I got after those too. Jen got some neat pictures (psst,, share!) of us looking great, and looking terrible. On one of the approaches heading right, I thought I heard her say "release your knees." By the time I started processing the thought, and changing my body, it was too late. Ransom jumped big, and pitched me straight out of the tack. We laughed - That's how I'll know if I'm holding on at the knees.. legs come behind me, and his launch will shove me out of the saddle. Each direction we hopped a few ways, and it got progressively better.
Changed direction to left, hopped once, talked about what I needed to change, and circled around. Hopped again, landed, one stride, two stride,
Horse Explosion!
Ransom jumped HARD to the left, 3-4 feet, and I quickly shoved my heels down, sat back, and grabbed one rein to turn him. What in the hell was THAT all about?
Cows.. That's what. About a dozen cows were trotting across the neighbor's pasture. They came out from behind the trees about two strides away from the fence. Spooked Ransom, and he was absolutely convinced they were going to eat him. When I got Ransom stopped, I hopped off, and spent some time talking with Jen about what happened. This isn't the first time he's spooked at the cows, and it's worse the faster they're moving. We're still formulating a "cow desensitizing plan" for him, and it's probably going to involve some time in a pipe fence pen with a few quiet ones. We can't keep repeating this "spook after the fence" nonsense.. For sure!
I "cowgirled up", got back on him, and he settled. Jumped a few more times, rode a little on the flat, and called it a lesson.
Long ride, and a lot learned. We're to keep up the canter poles, and if he gets lazy, move the cavaletti rail razors over to the canter poles. Switch up location of the canter poles and the trot cavaletti to keep him thinking and try to not repeat any one thing too many times in a row to prevent anticipation and laziness.
And cows still eat ponies.
=) I warmed Ransom up briefly free lunge. He decided this was a good day for a gallop, and ran like a nut for probably five minutes. I knew he'd have the lesson anyways, so I left him go. He wasn't going to end the ride in the lazies, and I was going to force him to move out.
Jen arrived, and we got to business. I didn't spend a lot of time riding flat before trotting to the poles. First set of trot cavaletti, he hit one. Second, third, same deal. Kept knocking over one or two. Jen said, "He's being lazy, watch this." She set the landscape timbers I've been using as poles on their sides, making them a little bit taller. I approached at the trot, and Ransom hopped through the pattern without knocking anything over. "See? He's being lazy. Now, get him up to canter, ride the canter poles, and show me what the heck he's been pulling over there. I suspect more of the same lazies."
He did the exact same thing he's been doing, breaking to trot, and trying to canter in the middle of it, or heading out of it. Jen started kissing to him in front of the poles, and I focused on heels down, energy up. After three go's, he got it. Stayed in canter for all three poles, and stayed steady throughout. Similar action happened heading right as well, started out messy, ended clean. The homework here? Keep doing it, and forcing him to canter. He's way out of practice needing to think about low steady work, and I'm retraining him on rhythm & pace, to see his distances, and stay quiet through the pattern work.
Then we set up the low crossrail, and I got after those too. Jen got some neat pictures (psst,, share!) of us looking great, and looking terrible. On one of the approaches heading right, I thought I heard her say "release your knees." By the time I started processing the thought, and changing my body, it was too late. Ransom jumped big, and pitched me straight out of the tack. We laughed - That's how I'll know if I'm holding on at the knees.. legs come behind me, and his launch will shove me out of the saddle. Each direction we hopped a few ways, and it got progressively better.
Changed direction to left, hopped once, talked about what I needed to change, and circled around. Hopped again, landed, one stride, two stride,
Horse Explosion!
Ransom jumped HARD to the left, 3-4 feet, and I quickly shoved my heels down, sat back, and grabbed one rein to turn him. What in the hell was THAT all about?
Cows.. That's what. About a dozen cows were trotting across the neighbor's pasture. They came out from behind the trees about two strides away from the fence. Spooked Ransom, and he was absolutely convinced they were going to eat him. When I got Ransom stopped, I hopped off, and spent some time talking with Jen about what happened. This isn't the first time he's spooked at the cows, and it's worse the faster they're moving. We're still formulating a "cow desensitizing plan" for him, and it's probably going to involve some time in a pipe fence pen with a few quiet ones. We can't keep repeating this "spook after the fence" nonsense.. For sure!
I "cowgirled up", got back on him, and he settled. Jumped a few more times, rode a little on the flat, and called it a lesson.
Long ride, and a lot learned. We're to keep up the canter poles, and if he gets lazy, move the cavaletti rail razors over to the canter poles. Switch up location of the canter poles and the trot cavaletti to keep him thinking and try to not repeat any one thing too many times in a row to prevent anticipation and laziness.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
1/21/10 Gotta Start Somewhere, Pt 1
I got home after work, scrambled to the barn, and gathered up Ransom. "It's gonna be a dressage day!" Well, that was the plan.
The weather, well, was perfect. Sunshiney, gentle breeze, and it was too hard to pass up. Ransom was glancing down the road while I was saddling.
I got my half chaps on, helmet attached, even my gloves. Ransom was all dressed & ready. I flipped a bucket upside down, and hopped on. *Note, I saddle up at the trailer, in my side yard.*
See, I figured, if I'm going to be on HorseMaster, if I'm going to try to learn how to jump, if I'm going to start riding Training Level at unfenced arenas this season, I better learn how to ride outside of my own yard. Ransom's a "been there, done that", and I ought to get over my fears.
So to get over those fears, we've got to start somewhere! I checked the girth just before mounting, and we were good to go. I muttered to Ransom, "This isn't the day to spook, goof off, or test my security. Go easy on me."
He tip toed down the road away from home. And I do mean tip-toed. Itsie bitsie steps, for the first few hundred yards. I was just about to relax, when a neighbor and their yapping dog startled us. Well, me, at least.
I said to the neighbor, "He's 20, I've had him a bit over a year, and this is the first time we've come down the road. I have NO CLUE what he's going to do about that dog. Heads up!" Ransom and the dog stood facing each other a bit, dog barking nervously. Finally, I decided, "Enough's enough", and I urged Ransom forward. The dog darted into the trees, still barking a fit, and Ransom was unshaken. I relaxed my grip on the reins, when I saw my knuckles were white. Ransom and I made it down the road, oh, about three driveways.
Thinking that was good enough, I started walking him home. As we approached the yard, the Monster decided we needed more, and he tugged me away from the house, only this time up the dirt road (towards the mailboxes). We disagreed about this choice just a bit, him tugging away from home, me tugging towards. I decided t'was easier to agree, and his forward stepping walk showed he was enjoying himself. Romeo nickered at us as we meandered back away from home again.
We made it up the road, around the first curve, but not quite to the second driveway, when another neighbor in their car approached from behind. With said neighbor comes a not so horse friendly (or car friendly, for that matter) dog of larger stature and slightly less mental capability. Okay, so the dog chases cars and horses. I was not amused. When it became apparent the dog was going to pursue us, I headed back towards home.
Ransom and I had ridden away from the house up & down the road, for about 20 minutes. I walked him back to the arena, much against his better judgment. I laughed at him hard when he stopped at the slightly muddy patch before the arena. He did NOT want to go to the arena. His disposition sunned back up when I let him trot & canter big on light contact. That and a little more walking, and we went back to the trailer. (I never closed the arena gate, but simply left it open. So I didn't dismount at all during this ride.)
Total ride? About 35 minutes. Experience? Ransom trail rides, in his own little way. Give him rein, he'll stretch long and low, and relax more than I could've figured he would. A pretty neat time.
The weather, well, was perfect. Sunshiney, gentle breeze, and it was too hard to pass up. Ransom was glancing down the road while I was saddling.
I got my half chaps on, helmet attached, even my gloves. Ransom was all dressed & ready. I flipped a bucket upside down, and hopped on. *Note, I saddle up at the trailer, in my side yard.*
See, I figured, if I'm going to be on HorseMaster, if I'm going to try to learn how to jump, if I'm going to start riding Training Level at unfenced arenas this season, I better learn how to ride outside of my own yard. Ransom's a "been there, done that", and I ought to get over my fears.
So to get over those fears, we've got to start somewhere! I checked the girth just before mounting, and we were good to go. I muttered to Ransom, "This isn't the day to spook, goof off, or test my security. Go easy on me."
He tip toed down the road away from home. And I do mean tip-toed. Itsie bitsie steps, for the first few hundred yards. I was just about to relax, when a neighbor and their yapping dog startled us. Well, me, at least.
I said to the neighbor, "He's 20, I've had him a bit over a year, and this is the first time we've come down the road. I have NO CLUE what he's going to do about that dog. Heads up!" Ransom and the dog stood facing each other a bit, dog barking nervously. Finally, I decided, "Enough's enough", and I urged Ransom forward. The dog darted into the trees, still barking a fit, and Ransom was unshaken. I relaxed my grip on the reins, when I saw my knuckles were white. Ransom and I made it down the road, oh, about three driveways.
Thinking that was good enough, I started walking him home. As we approached the yard, the Monster decided we needed more, and he tugged me away from the house, only this time up the dirt road (towards the mailboxes). We disagreed about this choice just a bit, him tugging away from home, me tugging towards. I decided t'was easier to agree, and his forward stepping walk showed he was enjoying himself. Romeo nickered at us as we meandered back away from home again.
We made it up the road, around the first curve, but not quite to the second driveway, when another neighbor in their car approached from behind. With said neighbor comes a not so horse friendly (or car friendly, for that matter) dog of larger stature and slightly less mental capability. Okay, so the dog chases cars and horses. I was not amused. When it became apparent the dog was going to pursue us, I headed back towards home.
Ransom and I had ridden away from the house up & down the road, for about 20 minutes. I walked him back to the arena, much against his better judgment. I laughed at him hard when he stopped at the slightly muddy patch before the arena. He did NOT want to go to the arena. His disposition sunned back up when I let him trot & canter big on light contact. That and a little more walking, and we went back to the trailer. (I never closed the arena gate, but simply left it open. So I didn't dismount at all during this ride.)
Total ride? About 35 minutes. Experience? Ransom trail rides, in his own little way. Give him rein, he'll stretch long and low, and relax more than I could've figured he would. A pretty neat time.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
12/15/09 It's A Deer!!!
Ransom in his hunt saddle, and me bundled up in a heavy coat, pink beanie hat & full chaps... Off we went to the arena.
I peered at the crossrail set up in the arena. I stared at it. I chickened out.
With the new shorter stirrup length, I'm finding the overall ride a bit easier. It's also getting a little easier to feel sunk down in my heels, especially at the canter. Working on moving with him, and not feeling so bouncy in the tack.
About 6 deer popped up into the pasture just outside the arena. I think they saw Ransom, and knew he was working. I also don't think they saw me. I ended up making a boogerload of noises, hollering at them, near them, around them. Finally, they scampered back off into the woods, two of 'em still standing in the pasture edge munching.
Now, did Ransom go bonkers-goofy-spooked? Nope, not one bit. He looked hard at them once, realized what they were, and went about his merry working ways. We played together for about 35 minutes. The sharp north wind, combined with some drizzly sprinkles cut our action short.
Still, much fun. A whole heckuva lot better than sittin' inside watching the weather channel. Even in the winter here, it's not super-cold, and with the right gear, is tolerable to ride outside.
I peered at the crossrail set up in the arena. I stared at it. I chickened out.
With the new shorter stirrup length, I'm finding the overall ride a bit easier. It's also getting a little easier to feel sunk down in my heels, especially at the canter. Working on moving with him, and not feeling so bouncy in the tack.
About 6 deer popped up into the pasture just outside the arena. I think they saw Ransom, and knew he was working. I also don't think they saw me. I ended up making a boogerload of noises, hollering at them, near them, around them. Finally, they scampered back off into the woods, two of 'em still standing in the pasture edge munching.
Now, did Ransom go bonkers-goofy-spooked? Nope, not one bit. He looked hard at them once, realized what they were, and went about his merry working ways. We played together for about 35 minutes. The sharp north wind, combined with some drizzly sprinkles cut our action short.
Still, much fun. A whole heckuva lot better than sittin' inside watching the weather channel. Even in the winter here, it's not super-cold, and with the right gear, is tolerable to ride outside.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
12/14/09 It's a Cow ! ! ! !
Ransom and I played dressage last night.. However, so did the #$*^& neighbor's cows.
Stupid Cows!
Ransom had the "lookie loos" at the cows. I don't mean peek & get back to work. I mean head & neck in complete denial of forward and away from the cows. He was flexed OUT at the rail facing the cows.
I rode through it for nearly 30 minutes. In his cool down, he got fussy crabby again, and really stopped paying attention to me, as if he needed to know why the cows were coming closer to him. I dismounted and hand walked him over to the cows. I stood & waited with him until he started to drop his head & relax.
We ended up walking back to the trailer in near dark. Undressed & put his sheet on, in the dark. I hate winter here - dark & dreary. Not cold enough to be called winter, not snowy, not even sleet. Just dreary.. and dark.
When he did work, it wasn't too shabby. In the cooler temperatures, getting forward is really quite easy. Transitions aren't beautiful, but that's expected since my rides have been so irregular.
Stupid Cows!
Ransom had the "lookie loos" at the cows. I don't mean peek & get back to work. I mean head & neck in complete denial of forward and away from the cows. He was flexed OUT at the rail facing the cows.
I rode through it for nearly 30 minutes. In his cool down, he got fussy crabby again, and really stopped paying attention to me, as if he needed to know why the cows were coming closer to him. I dismounted and hand walked him over to the cows. I stood & waited with him until he started to drop his head & relax.
We ended up walking back to the trailer in near dark. Undressed & put his sheet on, in the dark. I hate winter here - dark & dreary. Not cold enough to be called winter, not snowy, not even sleet. Just dreary.. and dark.
When he did work, it wasn't too shabby. In the cooler temperatures, getting forward is really quite easy. Transitions aren't beautiful, but that's expected since my rides have been so irregular.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
11/23/09 Mailbox
Okay, so I've been MIA for a while. First, I wanted to give Ransom a break. Then, I went to the concert. Then, it POURED rain at my house, puddling almost the entire property.
So, with things finally dried out enough to get to the trailer door, I grabbed a brush, and Romeo's link bit, and walked to the pasture.
Brushed off the dirt, well, where my bottom would go. Took of his cribbing collar, put the bit on, and hopped on with great apologies. See, I'd had a stressful day at work, and I felt kinda bad even asking him to do anything. The day was bad enough that I worked late, got home about a half hour before dark began. That left no time for a saddle, and no time for a proper grooming. I just needed my hiney-time.
We walked around the house just a minute or three, to see what kind of goober mood he'd be in. Acting like he'd been doing this for years without a day off, Romeo rumbled straight down the road, head down, ears alert in every which direction. He went up the trail on the sharp corner of the road, the one where I always worry we'll run into a deer, dog, or 4-wheeler. When we got to the straightaway again, I leaned, squeezed, and prayed.
We trotted for a little bit, along the side of the road, until a neighbor's car approached. They slowed to a crawl, so I did them the courtesy of coming to walk. Walked past them, then quickly picked up trot again. When I ran out of "side of the road" to be on, and the gravelly dirt road was our only choice, we went back to walk as we approached the mailbox.
Suddenly, something got Romeo's attention. What's that! Oh My Goodness! It's a big purple & blue MONSTER! A horse-eating monster! No silly man! It's just the neighbor lady exercise walking down the road! She's headed this way, so you better get used to it.
I got us to the mailbox, and she passed us. She said to me, "Well, that sure looks like a fun relaxing way to go get the mail! You're getting fresh air, too! What a good idea!" And, it hit me...
I was on my horse
Bareback
In barely enough bit to stop him if I'd needed to
On the road
Away from home
Side passing to the mailbox to grab the mail & stuff it in my coat pocket
And I was enjoying myself
What a far cry from my previously terrified rides, where it was all I could do to walk in a western saddle with a death grip on the horn, praying nothing bad would happen & send my butt catapulting to the gravel road.
Romeo and I alternated walk & trot the whole way back home. He was relaxed, and I let him go all the way to the buckle, trotting along in the dusk. It was approaching dark(er) when we got home. And I didn't care. I've accomplished another goal - walk,trot,bareback,away from home. We're well on our way, now...
So, with things finally dried out enough to get to the trailer door, I grabbed a brush, and Romeo's link bit, and walked to the pasture.
Brushed off the dirt, well, where my bottom would go. Took of his cribbing collar, put the bit on, and hopped on with great apologies. See, I'd had a stressful day at work, and I felt kinda bad even asking him to do anything. The day was bad enough that I worked late, got home about a half hour before dark began. That left no time for a saddle, and no time for a proper grooming. I just needed my hiney-time.
We walked around the house just a minute or three, to see what kind of goober mood he'd be in. Acting like he'd been doing this for years without a day off, Romeo rumbled straight down the road, head down, ears alert in every which direction. He went up the trail on the sharp corner of the road, the one where I always worry we'll run into a deer, dog, or 4-wheeler. When we got to the straightaway again, I leaned, squeezed, and prayed.
We trotted for a little bit, along the side of the road, until a neighbor's car approached. They slowed to a crawl, so I did them the courtesy of coming to walk. Walked past them, then quickly picked up trot again. When I ran out of "side of the road" to be on, and the gravelly dirt road was our only choice, we went back to walk as we approached the mailbox.
Suddenly, something got Romeo's attention. What's that! Oh My Goodness! It's a big purple & blue MONSTER! A horse-eating monster! No silly man! It's just the neighbor lady exercise walking down the road! She's headed this way, so you better get used to it.
I got us to the mailbox, and she passed us. She said to me, "Well, that sure looks like a fun relaxing way to go get the mail! You're getting fresh air, too! What a good idea!" And, it hit me...
I was on my horse
Bareback
In barely enough bit to stop him if I'd needed to
On the road
Away from home
Side passing to the mailbox to grab the mail & stuff it in my coat pocket
And I was enjoying myself
What a far cry from my previously terrified rides, where it was all I could do to walk in a western saddle with a death grip on the horn, praying nothing bad would happen & send my butt catapulting to the gravel road.
Romeo and I alternated walk & trot the whole way back home. He was relaxed, and I let him go all the way to the buckle, trotting along in the dusk. It was approaching dark(er) when we got home. And I didn't care. I've accomplished another goal - walk,trot,bareback,away from home. We're well on our way, now...
Thursday, November 12, 2009
11/12/09 Dedication to the Spot
Dedication is waking up at 4:45am, to feed the boys, to inhale coffee & breakfast, to get my bottom dressed in breeches (with work clothes set aside), to ride a lesson at the break of day.
Jen arrived around, hmm... 6:15am? We walked a saddled & prepared Ransom out to the arena, just as the sun was coming up. I tossed the reins over Ransom's neck to lunge him, and he spooked, or got a mosquito bite on his rear, or got in a habit, or something..
But he TOOK OFF. Ran at a near gallop around the arena, dragging the bridle behind him. This is the same bridle he's already tried to destroy once in the same fashion. He TOOK OFF running. We finally got him caught, but by then, my bridle was in pieces in the arena. Jen surveyed the damage, found my browband MIA, and had to go back to the trailer to find a new bridle to piece together for the lesson. She came back with another bridle, and his knotted noseband rope halter. I lunged him a while, and, in the morning foggy air, as I stopped to finally get on, steam was rising off his entire body. It wasn't particularly cold out, but incredibly humid.
We worked through all the normal test pieces, all the things he's been stickie on. Jen did NOT see the bending problems as Leslie described, so we're both puzzled by the whole "bend" discussion. We agreed on a slightly compromised hand position, not as high as the BRM lesson, but not touching the sheepskin half pad, either. Instead, something in the middle, forward and elevated slightly. It's not something I'll change overnight, but I will keep working on it.
When Ransom would be agreeable to some sitting trot and plenty of trot to walk transitions, I was able to let him canter. This is an ongoing activity as well - get him to quit antici-pating the canter just because I sit, or just because I'm in a corner, or whatever his excuse.
Total ride well over an hour. I scurried to get him undressed, change my clothes, and arrived at my job at 8:35am. *WheW*
I was exhausted the rest of the day. Take-home here? DON'T ride on a morning BEFORE going to work. Makes the work day feel like it'll never end.
Jen arrived around, hmm... 6:15am? We walked a saddled & prepared Ransom out to the arena, just as the sun was coming up. I tossed the reins over Ransom's neck to lunge him, and he spooked, or got a mosquito bite on his rear, or got in a habit, or something..
But he TOOK OFF. Ran at a near gallop around the arena, dragging the bridle behind him. This is the same bridle he's already tried to destroy once in the same fashion. He TOOK OFF running. We finally got him caught, but by then, my bridle was in pieces in the arena. Jen surveyed the damage, found my browband MIA, and had to go back to the trailer to find a new bridle to piece together for the lesson. She came back with another bridle, and his knotted noseband rope halter. I lunged him a while, and, in the morning foggy air, as I stopped to finally get on, steam was rising off his entire body. It wasn't particularly cold out, but incredibly humid.
We worked through all the normal test pieces, all the things he's been stickie on. Jen did NOT see the bending problems as Leslie described, so we're both puzzled by the whole "bend" discussion. We agreed on a slightly compromised hand position, not as high as the BRM lesson, but not touching the sheepskin half pad, either. Instead, something in the middle, forward and elevated slightly. It's not something I'll change overnight, but I will keep working on it.
When Ransom would be agreeable to some sitting trot and plenty of trot to walk transitions, I was able to let him canter. This is an ongoing activity as well - get him to quit antici-pating the canter just because I sit, or just because I'm in a corner, or whatever his excuse.
Total ride well over an hour. I scurried to get him undressed, change my clothes, and arrived at my job at 8:35am. *WheW*
I was exhausted the rest of the day. Take-home here? DON'T ride on a morning BEFORE going to work. Makes the work day feel like it'll never end.
Friday, November 6, 2009
11/5/09 Ransom & The Deer
I couldn't decide how hard Ransom and I were going to ride, so when I caught him, I only got ready enough to work hard if we had to, but not planned on it.
Warmed him up kind of quick, and while he was trotting along the wooded side of the arena, a deer squirted out of the trees & brush, running around the outside of the arena. Ransom certainly spooked, but heck, it startled me! He relaxed again pretty quickly.
I hopped on, did lots of collected & free walk warm-up before pushing into a trot. He tried to avoid working walk with collection a few times by springing into a jog, but I didn't let him get away with it. When we did go into trot, he tried giving me a strung out lazy trot, and again, I had to work hard, but pushed him into a pretty good trot forward with collection.
He tried breaking to canter every time I sat the trot, so I did lots of down to walk transitions until he quit thinking he knew what was coming next. As we were trotting back towards the barn, I saw three deer about 20 ft from the short side. I started talking to them, so they'd see me and hopefully get lost. One by one, they acknowledged the human on the horse, and sprinted around the long side, to the back of the arena corner. I told Ransom, "They're not getting the hint. Let's trot back there and get rid of them, so nobody gets startled."
Ransom seemed into this little game, and I went on really light contact, and trotted him very forward back to the corner. Squirt! There go the deer!
With the distractions gone, I pushed him into canter-right. EW! Head popping transitions. EW EW EW. Yeah, I'm not having any of that. Until he tucked his head for a transition to canter, I didn't let him have more than a stride or three of canter. When he finally dropped his noggin for the transition, I let him canter a few circles. Repeated this a few times, until I had a handful of pretty transitions.
Went left, and he started anticipating the left-canter again. Back to walk, sitting trot, walk, sitting trot, posting trot, sitting trot, walk. Ooooh.. one unhappy horse, tossing his head just a bit, pinning his ears. He was NOT happy with my not allowing him to canter. After he finally settled down, we cantered left a bit. Transitions weren't all that bad heading left. He was lazy into one of them, and quickly was shut down to trot before I let him canter up again. Then, the up transition was much better.
I rode for about 45 minutes before dark settled in. Given his irratic laziness, ugly transitions, and the deer sprinting all over the place, screaming neighbor kids, I stayed in the arena. Before the show on the 15th we need at least one goof off walking in the pasture day....
Warmed him up kind of quick, and while he was trotting along the wooded side of the arena, a deer squirted out of the trees & brush, running around the outside of the arena. Ransom certainly spooked, but heck, it startled me! He relaxed again pretty quickly.
I hopped on, did lots of collected & free walk warm-up before pushing into a trot. He tried to avoid working walk with collection a few times by springing into a jog, but I didn't let him get away with it. When we did go into trot, he tried giving me a strung out lazy trot, and again, I had to work hard, but pushed him into a pretty good trot forward with collection.
He tried breaking to canter every time I sat the trot, so I did lots of down to walk transitions until he quit thinking he knew what was coming next. As we were trotting back towards the barn, I saw three deer about 20 ft from the short side. I started talking to them, so they'd see me and hopefully get lost. One by one, they acknowledged the human on the horse, and sprinted around the long side, to the back of the arena corner. I told Ransom, "They're not getting the hint. Let's trot back there and get rid of them, so nobody gets startled."
Ransom seemed into this little game, and I went on really light contact, and trotted him very forward back to the corner. Squirt! There go the deer!
With the distractions gone, I pushed him into canter-right. EW! Head popping transitions. EW EW EW. Yeah, I'm not having any of that. Until he tucked his head for a transition to canter, I didn't let him have more than a stride or three of canter. When he finally dropped his noggin for the transition, I let him canter a few circles. Repeated this a few times, until I had a handful of pretty transitions.
Went left, and he started anticipating the left-canter again. Back to walk, sitting trot, walk, sitting trot, posting trot, sitting trot, walk. Ooooh.. one unhappy horse, tossing his head just a bit, pinning his ears. He was NOT happy with my not allowing him to canter. After he finally settled down, we cantered left a bit. Transitions weren't all that bad heading left. He was lazy into one of them, and quickly was shut down to trot before I let him canter up again. Then, the up transition was much better.
I rode for about 45 minutes before dark settled in. Given his irratic laziness, ugly transitions, and the deer sprinting all over the place, screaming neighbor kids, I stayed in the arena. Before the show on the 15th we need at least one goof off walking in the pasture day....
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
10/19/09 A Better Focus
I was and still am in that dazed mood. It's a bit hard to concentrate on, well, just about anything. Jen has it about right here. Plenty of horrible people are left to continue on, but we've lost a great person. The hard part, is I can't stop life but to pause & pray for her family & close friends.
So, Ransom and I warmed up free lunge, a solid stretch on the line in side reins, french link bit, and off we went. He was a little chargy at the canter again, but settled down after a while. I got all three gaits relaxed & collected, asked for some more transitions, and things improved the longer I sat up there.
After a good half hour's work under saddle, I went through my two tests. Did what I could remember, and I'm pretty sure I got them right. Training 2 coming out of canter-left, heading down the long side, is by far the ugliest part of both tests. He absolutely refuses to make that pretty, and I have to tug with way too much rein to get him to ease up to a trot. I'm going to concentrate on that tonight, again. Work into a nice canter, when he settles in it, push him a bit farther, then head down the long side, and relax into a trot. Every other trot/canter/trot transition was marvelous.
In fact, these were probably his best trot/halt/salute transitions ever. It feels like he halts right of centerline, and my right leg pressure doesn't seem to be helping that. Otherwise, he's only sticking a few strides of walk in, and is keeping his head down & relaxed. *Whew* Got that monster bug worked out, I hope.
Rest of the week I'm going to work in the twisted wire full cheek or the twisted loose ring. He won't see that calm french link bit again until showday. I just can't chance it - if I ride him in something strong all week, it'll make him appreciate that lighter bit all the more.
His clipped coat looks fantastic! After not staring at it for a day, then seeing him again, it looks awesome. Better, even though he was sweating when we got done, and the easy-wick square pad was wet on top, he wasn't dripping.. His cool down was super easy - walk out the heavy breathing, and brush. No hose! Fantastic, since it dropped in the low 60s last night. Absolutely fantastic! Even with the horse hair snippets all over the front yard, and all through my clothes on Sunday, I'm glad I did it. I'm sure Ransom is, too.
Funny ride moment - we had just gotten a really nice warm up canter left, and I was finally enjoying having his attention. I asked him to ease into a trot, which he did, keeping collected, and forward. I settled more into a collected walk, and again he complied with grace. I let the reins ease out into a free walk, and just as I reached forward to pat his neck, give him scritches and a huge "Atta boy Good Job!" a doe squirted out of the trees about 10 ft from us. Ransom tossed his head up, and for a brief 3 seconds, we both said "Oh crap! What's that?!" When the critter spook was identified, he went right back to work, in a huge free walk, dropping his head looking for the bit. Fantastic and Funny!!
Countdown to Sienna . . . 6 days
So, Ransom and I warmed up free lunge, a solid stretch on the line in side reins, french link bit, and off we went. He was a little chargy at the canter again, but settled down after a while. I got all three gaits relaxed & collected, asked for some more transitions, and things improved the longer I sat up there.
After a good half hour's work under saddle, I went through my two tests. Did what I could remember, and I'm pretty sure I got them right. Training 2 coming out of canter-left, heading down the long side, is by far the ugliest part of both tests. He absolutely refuses to make that pretty, and I have to tug with way too much rein to get him to ease up to a trot. I'm going to concentrate on that tonight, again. Work into a nice canter, when he settles in it, push him a bit farther, then head down the long side, and relax into a trot. Every other trot/canter/trot transition was marvelous.
In fact, these were probably his best trot/halt/salute transitions ever. It feels like he halts right of centerline, and my right leg pressure doesn't seem to be helping that. Otherwise, he's only sticking a few strides of walk in, and is keeping his head down & relaxed. *Whew* Got that monster bug worked out, I hope.
Rest of the week I'm going to work in the twisted wire full cheek or the twisted loose ring. He won't see that calm french link bit again until showday. I just can't chance it - if I ride him in something strong all week, it'll make him appreciate that lighter bit all the more.
His clipped coat looks fantastic! After not staring at it for a day, then seeing him again, it looks awesome. Better, even though he was sweating when we got done, and the easy-wick square pad was wet on top, he wasn't dripping.. His cool down was super easy - walk out the heavy breathing, and brush. No hose! Fantastic, since it dropped in the low 60s last night. Absolutely fantastic! Even with the horse hair snippets all over the front yard, and all through my clothes on Sunday, I'm glad I did it. I'm sure Ransom is, too.
Funny ride moment - we had just gotten a really nice warm up canter left, and I was finally enjoying having his attention. I asked him to ease into a trot, which he did, keeping collected, and forward. I settled more into a collected walk, and again he complied with grace. I let the reins ease out into a free walk, and just as I reached forward to pat his neck, give him scritches and a huge "Atta boy Good Job!" a doe squirted out of the trees about 10 ft from us. Ransom tossed his head up, and for a brief 3 seconds, we both said "Oh crap! What's that?!" When the critter spook was identified, he went right back to work, in a huge free walk, dropping his head looking for the bit. Fantastic and Funny!!
Countdown to Sienna . . . 6 days
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
10/13/09 Romeo
The rains came Tuesday, and brought even more puddles to the pasture and the arena. I chose to give Ransom the day off. Now, I could've really sucked it up, put on his surcingle, and worked him on the line in side reins. There was enough room to do that carefully. But I didn't want to chance a slip, a slide, or an injury.
So I grabbed Romeo, saddled him Western, French link bit, and offs we went. "To the mailbox, my trusty pal!" I could see dark clouds, and heard booming thunder. Knowing I needed to get the mail & get on home, I got him on the first clear part of the road, and picked up trot. clop clop clop clop ... cool sounds hooves make on the roadside.
We encountered...
One slow-driving neighbor coming towards us.
One fast-driving neighbor towards us, who never even slowed down to pass. grrrr
Goats in the pasture
Horses nickering & calling out
A moderately sized killer chihuahua barking his little head off at us, running circles around us
Another car on the paved road, who slowed just enough to wave at us
Mud puddles and soft hoof-eating dirt
When we arrived at the mail, I leaned over, told Romeo, "Now's a good time to NOT move!" I had to lean pretty far over, as my mail lady LOVES to stuff everything way to the back of the box, just out of reach. Gathered up the mail, stuffed it under my saddle horn, gave Romeo an atta-boy pat, and headed for home. That stupid yappy little dog followed us a while longer, running circles around, yappy yappy yappy. YUCK!
On the way home, another car-driving neighbor was behind us, and just as soon as I realized it, I got out of her way off to the side, and she carefully zipped by.
With walk and trot, the mailbox, the spooks, it tooks us about 25 minutes to go fetch the mail. A cool ride! He wasn't the least bit tired when we got home, even better!
So I grabbed Romeo, saddled him Western, French link bit, and offs we went. "To the mailbox, my trusty pal!" I could see dark clouds, and heard booming thunder. Knowing I needed to get the mail & get on home, I got him on the first clear part of the road, and picked up trot. clop clop clop clop ... cool sounds hooves make on the roadside.
We encountered...
One slow-driving neighbor coming towards us.
One fast-driving neighbor towards us, who never even slowed down to pass. grrrr
Goats in the pasture
Horses nickering & calling out
A moderately sized killer chihuahua barking his little head off at us, running circles around us
Another car on the paved road, who slowed just enough to wave at us
Mud puddles and soft hoof-eating dirt
When we arrived at the mail, I leaned over, told Romeo, "Now's a good time to NOT move!" I had to lean pretty far over, as my mail lady LOVES to stuff everything way to the back of the box, just out of reach. Gathered up the mail, stuffed it under my saddle horn, gave Romeo an atta-boy pat, and headed for home. That stupid yappy little dog followed us a while longer, running circles around, yappy yappy yappy. YUCK!
On the way home, another car-driving neighbor was behind us, and just as soon as I realized it, I got out of her way off to the side, and she carefully zipped by.
With walk and trot, the mailbox, the spooks, it tooks us about 25 minutes to go fetch the mail. A cool ride! He wasn't the least bit tired when we got home, even better!
Monday, October 5, 2009
10/4/09 So Here it is Sunday
And church was over. I went on home, grabbed a snack I called "lunch", and changed clothes.
Jeans that were too long, teeshirt, and my rubber boots. There were (and still are) puddles all over my place. This was the perfect time to fetch my little trail-horse, and get in the goof-off session we were so needing.
Saddled him up Western, then grabbed his french link bit, figuring if I needed any emergency stops, he'd be a little less unhappy with a loose ring bit.
We took off down the road to the right, and as I approached the mailboxes, I said to him, "Well, buddy, where do you want to go? Left or right?" He meandered towards the right, so we kept on walking. This is the farthest I've gone to the right away from home down the paved road on my own. We rode past two pastures of horses, one "spooky spot", and as we approached a cow pasture with a whirring windmill well, Romeo's ears perked up. He paused, pooped, took about another four feet work of walking steps, and paused again. I looked at my watch. 40 minutes already?! Seriously?! Goodness,, I need to get him back home, or we'll both be too tired to cross the water-ditches getting home.
He went through the water ditches, through muddy puddles (depth unknown to him until he realized he was in it over his ankles), passed other horses, a few yarping dogs, over the gravel road, on the asphalt (after being reminded on foot that black asphalt hole-patch does NOT eat ponies LOL), through some tree-limb cluttered pathways, and for nearly an hour. No hard warmup, just a brief lunge at trot to tighten up the saddle girth. One spooky spot that was almost nothing (caught me off guard in fact).
When I got all his tack off, I turned him loose with cookies & praise. Later I remembered we had walked on a lot of gravel, barefoot. I grabbed my hoofpick and went a pickin'. Imagine my surprsie when I found his frogs longer than the rest of his hoof. The shoe-nails from his last shoe job have led to hoof wall being all tore up & chipped. As it turns out, there was only one ittie bittie rock to remove, which I took care of. I was a bit surprised to see that, on each step he took, his frog hit first. I ran my brain on wondering if there was something I should do for him. Should I call Mr Dale to come fix? Should I switch him & Ransom, move dirt around in Ransom's stall, wrap Romeo's hooves & let him stand in the driest spots I have? Should I grab my two hoof boots & force those on? So, I did the next best thing. I called Mrs. Mom, in a bit of a panic. Um, I know it's Sunday afternoon, but can you help me?! I'm a little bit worried I just put Romeo through a mess and might've hurt him. She quickly reassured me that, if he hadn't been taking lame steps, despite the terrain we worked over, he was fine. No need to call Mr Dale out, nothing needs doing at all.
So I will keep a watchful eye on him for a few days, try to find a decently dry spot to work on a brief lunge before supper every day and watch for signs of sore feets. He's a steady boy, and I'd hate for him to be uncomfortable. Otherwise, talk about super hooves! That hard work, on frogs and heels, and he was incredibly sound the entire ride. Good Boy!
Jeans that were too long, teeshirt, and my rubber boots. There were (and still are) puddles all over my place. This was the perfect time to fetch my little trail-horse, and get in the goof-off session we were so needing.
Saddled him up Western, then grabbed his french link bit, figuring if I needed any emergency stops, he'd be a little less unhappy with a loose ring bit.
We took off down the road to the right, and as I approached the mailboxes, I said to him, "Well, buddy, where do you want to go? Left or right?" He meandered towards the right, so we kept on walking. This is the farthest I've gone to the right away from home down the paved road on my own. We rode past two pastures of horses, one "spooky spot", and as we approached a cow pasture with a whirring windmill well, Romeo's ears perked up. He paused, pooped, took about another four feet work of walking steps, and paused again. I looked at my watch. 40 minutes already?! Seriously?! Goodness,, I need to get him back home, or we'll both be too tired to cross the water-ditches getting home.
He went through the water ditches, through muddy puddles (depth unknown to him until he realized he was in it over his ankles), passed other horses, a few yarping dogs, over the gravel road, on the asphalt (after being reminded on foot that black asphalt hole-patch does NOT eat ponies LOL), through some tree-limb cluttered pathways, and for nearly an hour. No hard warmup, just a brief lunge at trot to tighten up the saddle girth. One spooky spot that was almost nothing (caught me off guard in fact).
When I got all his tack off, I turned him loose with cookies & praise. Later I remembered we had walked on a lot of gravel, barefoot. I grabbed my hoofpick and went a pickin'. Imagine my surprsie when I found his frogs longer than the rest of his hoof. The shoe-nails from his last shoe job have led to hoof wall being all tore up & chipped. As it turns out, there was only one ittie bittie rock to remove, which I took care of. I was a bit surprised to see that, on each step he took, his frog hit first. I ran my brain on wondering if there was something I should do for him. Should I call Mr Dale to come fix? Should I switch him & Ransom, move dirt around in Ransom's stall, wrap Romeo's hooves & let him stand in the driest spots I have? Should I grab my two hoof boots & force those on? So, I did the next best thing. I called Mrs. Mom, in a bit of a panic. Um, I know it's Sunday afternoon, but can you help me?! I'm a little bit worried I just put Romeo through a mess and might've hurt him. She quickly reassured me that, if he hadn't been taking lame steps, despite the terrain we worked over, he was fine. No need to call Mr Dale out, nothing needs doing at all.
So I will keep a watchful eye on him for a few days, try to find a decently dry spot to work on a brief lunge before supper every day and watch for signs of sore feets. He's a steady boy, and I'd hate for him to be uncomfortable. Otherwise, talk about super hooves! That hard work, on frogs and heels, and he was incredibly sound the entire ride. Good Boy!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
08/05/09 Ransom
Lesson postponed to 08/06. We would've gotten an uber-late start, and I had someone patiently waiting for me at the end of my ride. Um, sort of patiently, well, kind of, maybe not so much, but waiting anyways...
I grabbed Ransom, explaining to him if he behaved, the ride would be short & sweet. We'd get much done in short order, I wouldn't expect perfection, but I would demand an effort. Saddled up dressage, and happily presented him with his french link bit. He was quite the happy man.
We toodled around the arena, his ears flapping to the sides. It was cute how he was kind of alert, but really responsive to me. Went through all the gaits, free walk, working walk, working trot, extended trots (down diagonals), solid canter all 'round. Pushed him through some canter 20m circles at the far side and in the center.
Then, quite suddenly, I could hear the #$*&%^ neighbor's dogs yapping. We were headed down long side towards their pasture. There they were! Dogs yapping, chasing three heifers and one calf. Ransom stopped cold from a working trot, shaking. Head up, back hollow. Knowing that pushing him back to work right away wasn't the answer (from the past), I chose to let him halt. Rubbed his neck, and talked to him in a soothing tone of voice. "It's okay, baby. Big strong Ransom, you're alright honey. Those big bad mean cows won't get you... neither will the puppies. You're a good boy, and you're going to relax here real soon."
He started to walk off, but head & back still nervous. I brought him right back to a halt, and kept talking & patting. This repeated three more times, but even with the cows out of sight, he was still nervously looking thatta way. I left us at the halt until his head came down, back relaxed, and he was licking & chewing. One big heavy horsie sigh, another solid pat "atta boy", and we went back to work.
And ya know what?! Much better than the last Cow-Fight we had. He relaxed right away, and went back to work. We walked a bit working walk, free walk, then popped into a nice working trot. He had his same cheerful ears, and happy work attitude.
"Work-Work" for nearly 30-35 minutes, followed up with lots of working walk to free walk transitions for about another 10.
Lesson tonight... We're Jumping! We're Jumping! I hope!!! =)
I grabbed Ransom, explaining to him if he behaved, the ride would be short & sweet. We'd get much done in short order, I wouldn't expect perfection, but I would demand an effort. Saddled up dressage, and happily presented him with his french link bit. He was quite the happy man.
We toodled around the arena, his ears flapping to the sides. It was cute how he was kind of alert, but really responsive to me. Went through all the gaits, free walk, working walk, working trot, extended trots (down diagonals), solid canter all 'round. Pushed him through some canter 20m circles at the far side and in the center.
Then, quite suddenly, I could hear the #$*&%^ neighbor's dogs yapping. We were headed down long side towards their pasture. There they were! Dogs yapping, chasing three heifers and one calf. Ransom stopped cold from a working trot, shaking. Head up, back hollow. Knowing that pushing him back to work right away wasn't the answer (from the past), I chose to let him halt. Rubbed his neck, and talked to him in a soothing tone of voice. "It's okay, baby. Big strong Ransom, you're alright honey. Those big bad mean cows won't get you... neither will the puppies. You're a good boy, and you're going to relax here real soon."
He started to walk off, but head & back still nervous. I brought him right back to a halt, and kept talking & patting. This repeated three more times, but even with the cows out of sight, he was still nervously looking thatta way. I left us at the halt until his head came down, back relaxed, and he was licking & chewing. One big heavy horsie sigh, another solid pat "atta boy", and we went back to work.
And ya know what?! Much better than the last Cow-Fight we had. He relaxed right away, and went back to work. We walked a bit working walk, free walk, then popped into a nice working trot. He had his same cheerful ears, and happy work attitude.
"Work-Work" for nearly 30-35 minutes, followed up with lots of working walk to free walk transitions for about another 10.
Lesson tonight... We're Jumping! We're Jumping! I hope!!! =)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
07/30/09 Romeo... Romeo...
Romeo, Western, western bit. We played. Well, no, really, we worked. I spent my time focusing on controlling his speed with my seat. At each gait, I was trying to increase & decrease with toosh & thighs, and general mental energy.
For the most part, it was working. He is finally understanding that just because we pick up canter doesn't mean every up transition after is canter. I only had one "runaway nut" moment with him near the end of the ride. It was "rewarded" with backup around a corner & a good bit after that, and he quickly realized that wasn't a game I was playing.
The cows & their babies were at it again. One mom & baby pair scrambled across the pasture, and Romeo peeked, but didn't spook. Then, quite suddenly, he was five feet in off the rail, and I was "whoa'ing" him to a sharp bending halt. We turned to face the pasture to find about 4 more heifers and their babies, one quite new, uncoordinatedly bumbling around the pasture, trying to learn how to run, and sliding to a splat more than running. I rewarded Romeo for the quick halt, and while he did spook, he didn't focus on it nervous. We quickly walked off from them, and he peeked over once, I wiggled inside rein, and he focused right back on me. Good Boy! o O Now, teach your brother to be that responsive and unspookie! O o
We played together for about 50 minutes, including nice long walk breaks on a super loose rein. I really need to get some focus with him... Not sure when or how to proceed, but we really need something new to do.
Ransom decided he didn't need one of his front shoes anymore. Fortunately, it didn't tear anything up. I called Mr D and explained. We're moved up on the schedule for Friday morning. YAY! new feet new feet!
For the most part, it was working. He is finally understanding that just because we pick up canter doesn't mean every up transition after is canter. I only had one "runaway nut" moment with him near the end of the ride. It was "rewarded" with backup around a corner & a good bit after that, and he quickly realized that wasn't a game I was playing.
The cows & their babies were at it again. One mom & baby pair scrambled across the pasture, and Romeo peeked, but didn't spook. Then, quite suddenly, he was five feet in off the rail, and I was "whoa'ing" him to a sharp bending halt. We turned to face the pasture to find about 4 more heifers and their babies, one quite new, uncoordinatedly bumbling around the pasture, trying to learn how to run, and sliding to a splat more than running. I rewarded Romeo for the quick halt, and while he did spook, he didn't focus on it nervous. We quickly walked off from them, and he peeked over once, I wiggled inside rein, and he focused right back on me. Good Boy! o O Now, teach your brother to be that responsive and unspookie! O o
We played together for about 50 minutes, including nice long walk breaks on a super loose rein. I really need to get some focus with him... Not sure when or how to proceed, but we really need something new to do.
Ransom decided he didn't need one of his front shoes anymore. Fortunately, it didn't tear anything up. I called Mr D and explained. We're moved up on the schedule for Friday morning. YAY! new feet new feet!
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