Monday night, I could hear my horses growling at me when I got home. It was in the upper 30s, misting rain, and breezy. I hurried to get their blankets on, apologized profusely, fed them quickly, then hurried back inside. It was too too cold to mess with anybody, too much a breeding ground for sickness.
Tuesday, however, when I walked out of my lab building, the sun was shining, blue-bird sky, mid 60s. Oh yeah... That's what I'm talking about. I hurried home, watered the dogs, changed into my breeches, and grabbed Romeo.
Saddled up Romeo English, grabbed my helmet, and headed to the arena. Rain had sprinkled the property, knocking the dust down to something reasonable, instead of the wild dust bowl it was. I was relieved.
Worked in the English bit, a Korsteel loose ring link snaffle, with a copper link in the middle. Spent enough time on the flat w/t/c to make sure he'd stop. I caught myself resting my calves on his sides, and he kept breaking from walk to trot. After two of those "up transitions", I figured out what I was doing wrong, pulled my legs off, apologized to him. Romeo let out this huge head-shaking sigh... It was quite comical.
Friend from work came to set up the x-rail, and "babysit" our first jump attempts since the June show disaster. I had the new saddle pad on, a gentler girth, and Romeo seemed responsive. He sailed over the x-s like we hadn't taken a break. It was beyond awesome. He hopped the rail three times clean, and I quit that. I did learn last night that if I keep leg on over the fence, he's probably going to land in a canter. First time over it, I thought mid-jump "geez, I better get my leg off, he sure did take off with some high energy." He landed in a canter stride, but took my light aids and went back to a trot. I don't want my first canter-from, or canter-to for that matter, to be without educated counsel standing by. I haven't a clue what I'm doing, and don't want his first experience to be horrid.
Finished up the work with a little loose rein canter, almost as a reward to Romeo for his contact work. On each walk "break", I kept leaving the reins loose, trying to reward him working on contact. Each time, he would stretch into "long and low", reaching out slowly with his face, looking for the contact. How Cool Cool Cool!
Neat 40 minute ride. Ransom was free in the pasture just outside the arena, wandering around, watching, grazing, and acting like it was no big deal to him I was riding Romeo and not him. Awesome!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
1/4/09 More Rides
Romeo - English, TT bit. His canter was pretty darn awesome... Nice & easy enough that I was able to release the death grip on the saddle pommel. I grabbed on for the up transition, then lightly took a rein in each hand, and worked on bending elbows & upper body with the forward motion. Pretty neat! As we worked through the trot, I could feel him happy to be in a nice hunter trot, bending with me as I changed diagonals. We put hoofprints on nearly every inch of the arena, a pretty cool thing to do.
Rather abruptly, Romeo slowed to a halt, his head aiming south-west. I was a bit annoyed, and was just about ready to leg him up to the lope, growling, when I heard it... The cold front weathermen had been warning us of. The wind whistled through the trees behind us, and I turned to face it just as the temperatures started to drop.
At the start of the weather, it was in the 80s out. By the time I unsaddled, brushed the sweat marks out, gave him cookies, took him to his pasture, it was in the 60s. By dark, it was in the 40s. Texas winters... YUCK.
Later in the afternoon, an old friend came over, and watched a bit with me and Ransom. She suggested a Clinton Anderson style "extra knots on the nose" rope halter for leading pushy issues. I borrowed one to try it out, and it worked pretty darn good. Got his attention, for certain. She also suggested lungeline lessons to get us used to each other. Something I may take her up on - gives me a chance to get to know him with someone experienced holding the line end.
A good day overall, but transitioned from too-hot-for-winter, to good-grief cold and blustery wind in the evening. Warm blankets & cookies for all... Including me!
Rather abruptly, Romeo slowed to a halt, his head aiming south-west. I was a bit annoyed, and was just about ready to leg him up to the lope, growling, when I heard it... The cold front weathermen had been warning us of. The wind whistled through the trees behind us, and I turned to face it just as the temperatures started to drop.
At the start of the weather, it was in the 80s out. By the time I unsaddled, brushed the sweat marks out, gave him cookies, took him to his pasture, it was in the 60s. By dark, it was in the 40s. Texas winters... YUCK.
Later in the afternoon, an old friend came over, and watched a bit with me and Ransom. She suggested a Clinton Anderson style "extra knots on the nose" rope halter for leading pushy issues. I borrowed one to try it out, and it worked pretty darn good. Got his attention, for certain. She also suggested lungeline lessons to get us used to each other. Something I may take her up on - gives me a chance to get to know him with someone experienced holding the line end.
A good day overall, but transitioned from too-hot-for-winter, to good-grief cold and blustery wind in the evening. Warm blankets & cookies for all... Including me!
Monday, January 5, 2009
1/3/08 Determined to Ride
Both boys were ridden. Romeo was tacked up English, in the new saddle pad I'd bought. It's fleecie-soft, and a bit thicker than anything else I have. I didn't want to argue "whoa" with him, so I put the Tom Thumb on. Yes, very uncoordinated, and very unprofessional. I don't care - I wanted to canter in the English saddle, and didn't want to have a discussion with him about brakes in the tack. Last time I rode in the English saddle, he refused "whoa" - and I wasn't going to have that again.
The pad made the difference. I got in w/t and canter both ways, in the English saddle. He didn't flinch, didn't take off, didn't speed away without me, and listened to "whoa" just as good as always. A fabulous ride overall. He was a sweaty mess when we got done, since his winter coat and the warm Texas winter day didn't agree. About 45 minutes total, the sand still a bit deep in the arena.
Saddled Ransom western, and headed to the arena. I worked with him a few minutes on the lunge line, and he was pretty obedient, understanding "whoa" and "come into me" a bit more. I hopped on, with my full cheek slow twist bit that had arrived via mail order.
I worked entirely at the walk. Ransom had a huge, flowing, ground-covering walk. I worked on contact, on transitions, on a loose rein, all over the arena. I was also testing out various cues on him, and I learned that a left-right-left pulse on the reins, with thigh squeezes, bring him through down transitions. He'll walk super fast, but unless I squeeze with calves, he won't break to trot. He never tried to run to the out-gate, never broke to a trot, no matter how fast I left him go. Nice big walking work.... About 40 minutes total. I was much happier with him today than during the lesson, when I was entirely frustrated I wouldn't be riding.
The pad made the difference. I got in w/t and canter both ways, in the English saddle. He didn't flinch, didn't take off, didn't speed away without me, and listened to "whoa" just as good as always. A fabulous ride overall. He was a sweaty mess when we got done, since his winter coat and the warm Texas winter day didn't agree. About 45 minutes total, the sand still a bit deep in the arena.
Saddled Ransom western, and headed to the arena. I worked with him a few minutes on the lunge line, and he was pretty obedient, understanding "whoa" and "come into me" a bit more. I hopped on, with my full cheek slow twist bit that had arrived via mail order.
I worked entirely at the walk. Ransom had a huge, flowing, ground-covering walk. I worked on contact, on transitions, on a loose rein, all over the arena. I was also testing out various cues on him, and I learned that a left-right-left pulse on the reins, with thigh squeezes, bring him through down transitions. He'll walk super fast, but unless I squeeze with calves, he won't break to trot. He never tried to run to the out-gate, never broke to a trot, no matter how fast I left him go. Nice big walking work.... About 40 minutes total. I was much happier with him today than during the lesson, when I was entirely frustrated I wouldn't be riding.
1/2/09 Ransom Lesson #1
A good summary - a waste of time. I considered hauling both horses, just to show Susan what Ransom looked like, then leaving him tied to the trailer. After the 1/1 ride, I was pretty convinced he'd be a great lesson, and left Romeo at home.
As I took Ransom off the trailer, Susan seemed to want to be involved in all of it. When I mentioned Ransom doesn't waste time getting off the trailer, she suddenly acted like he needed her supervision. She made a huge dramatic deal about unloading him. I was misunderstood. I only untied him before opening the trailer door because the knot got stuck the last time I unloaded him, and he was hard to stop while I fiddled with it. So after much turmoil, he was off the trailer.
The lesson consisted of disagreements. I wasn't leading him correctly. She got out a lunge line, and free lunged him a bit. Unlike anyone else I've ever seen lunge a horse, she stood stationary, not even turning her body with his. It was very strange. I'm used to keeping my eye facing the horse, turning my entire body, even walking a small circle. When I did this, she said I was "chasing him", and forcing him to go faster. I didn't see a bigger trot when I lunged as opposed to her, so I figured difference of opinion.
To "improve his ground manners", she got out a stud chain. I should have right then and there refused, but I stayed quiet. The chain was placed over his nose, and again, I should have refused to let it happen, and I didn't. Ransom was a little more obedient, but still pushy. The chain didn't upset him, which is good to know. Nevertheless, I don't think he needs a chain, just a little more patience. He's been a lesson horse, probably allowed to be pushy and greedy, always looking for treats. The pushy behavior won't last at my house, but I won't be fixing it with a chain, either.
I never rode in the lesson, as I'd hoped. All the work was on the ground, and full of disagreements and me questioning why she insisted I do things a certain way. My leading habits weren't right, my showmanship halt wasn't right, my back-up cue wasn't right, I didn't tie a knot in the lead rope to the trailer right. It was almost ridiculous. He didn't have enough weight (I knew that! But it's not fixing overnight). I shouldn't lunge on side reins (even loosely) to build muscle - he's "too old" for that.
I was pretty bummed when I left the lesson. I essentially paid for her to "scout him", find things wrong, and keep me from riding. Frustrated, I didn't want Romeo to think it was his fault, so I skipped that ride, and instead ran errands in town for the afternoon.
Not a good start to the New Year in lessons.
As I took Ransom off the trailer, Susan seemed to want to be involved in all of it. When I mentioned Ransom doesn't waste time getting off the trailer, she suddenly acted like he needed her supervision. She made a huge dramatic deal about unloading him. I was misunderstood. I only untied him before opening the trailer door because the knot got stuck the last time I unloaded him, and he was hard to stop while I fiddled with it. So after much turmoil, he was off the trailer.
The lesson consisted of disagreements. I wasn't leading him correctly. She got out a lunge line, and free lunged him a bit. Unlike anyone else I've ever seen lunge a horse, she stood stationary, not even turning her body with his. It was very strange. I'm used to keeping my eye facing the horse, turning my entire body, even walking a small circle. When I did this, she said I was "chasing him", and forcing him to go faster. I didn't see a bigger trot when I lunged as opposed to her, so I figured difference of opinion.
To "improve his ground manners", she got out a stud chain. I should have right then and there refused, but I stayed quiet. The chain was placed over his nose, and again, I should have refused to let it happen, and I didn't. Ransom was a little more obedient, but still pushy. The chain didn't upset him, which is good to know. Nevertheless, I don't think he needs a chain, just a little more patience. He's been a lesson horse, probably allowed to be pushy and greedy, always looking for treats. The pushy behavior won't last at my house, but I won't be fixing it with a chain, either.
I never rode in the lesson, as I'd hoped. All the work was on the ground, and full of disagreements and me questioning why she insisted I do things a certain way. My leading habits weren't right, my showmanship halt wasn't right, my back-up cue wasn't right, I didn't tie a knot in the lead rope to the trailer right. It was almost ridiculous. He didn't have enough weight (I knew that! But it's not fixing overnight). I shouldn't lunge on side reins (even loosely) to build muscle - he's "too old" for that.
I was pretty bummed when I left the lesson. I essentially paid for her to "scout him", find things wrong, and keep me from riding. Frustrated, I didn't want Romeo to think it was his fault, so I skipped that ride, and instead ran errands in town for the afternoon.
Not a good start to the New Year in lessons.
1/1/09 A New Year
Les and I slaved all morning. The arena was complete. It's fenced in, gate created, disced, dragged to level, and settled in place. After we accomplished our work, the fun got on....
We saddled the boys, both western. Fortunately, I still have my older, larger, "doesn't really fit me" pleasure saddle in the house. It is horribly big for my behind, but fits Les well. He rode Ransom, and I on Romeo, for the first half hour of the ride.
I had Les ride Ransom for a few reasons... One, I wanted to see Ransom in action. I hadn't seen anyone else ride him, and wasn't really sure how he moved with a passenger. Two, I wanted to see if he had any ill reaction to hauling a burly cowboy around my arena. Would he buck? Would he wring his tail or pin his ears? Would he try to be the least bit uncooperative while Les used intermittant leg contact? Three, I wanted Les to do all the stupid things I'm going to do - trot and canter on a loose rein, hold on to the saddle horn & flip his weight all over the place, accidentally pull on the reins without notice. All things a cowboy will do without thinking about it - as cowboys that I know all ride on a loose rein, and the idea of seat contact is "whoa with deep seat" is second-nature.
Ransom was an absolute babysitter - Exactly as I'd hoped. Les rode him extensively at trot, and while Ransom cut the arena corners, he never offered any ugliness. He rode him canter left on contact (well, sort of), and cantered right a while on a loose rein. While long-strided, Ransom wasn't speeding around like a crazy jumper.
I rode Romeo just a bit, mostly to "get in the way", and to gauge Ransom's reaction. Neither flipped an ear, or swished a tail. We swapped saddles, and I worked Ransom a bit as well. Light trot in the arena, and then canter in the round pen. Les was absolutely determined to get a canter in the arena outta me, but I wasn't up for the challenge.
Finished up the day with a quick trail ride around the pasture. I got scared, and I'm not entirely sure why, except that Ransom wasn't understanding "whoa and stand" very well. He was antsy, constantly moving his feet, perhaps because he was so pleased with his workout. While Ransom was untacked, I took Romeo on a quick walk around the place, just to remind myself I can ride, and my horses mind me.
A great New Year's Day overall!
We saddled the boys, both western. Fortunately, I still have my older, larger, "doesn't really fit me" pleasure saddle in the house. It is horribly big for my behind, but fits Les well. He rode Ransom, and I on Romeo, for the first half hour of the ride.
I had Les ride Ransom for a few reasons... One, I wanted to see Ransom in action. I hadn't seen anyone else ride him, and wasn't really sure how he moved with a passenger. Two, I wanted to see if he had any ill reaction to hauling a burly cowboy around my arena. Would he buck? Would he wring his tail or pin his ears? Would he try to be the least bit uncooperative while Les used intermittant leg contact? Three, I wanted Les to do all the stupid things I'm going to do - trot and canter on a loose rein, hold on to the saddle horn & flip his weight all over the place, accidentally pull on the reins without notice. All things a cowboy will do without thinking about it - as cowboys that I know all ride on a loose rein, and the idea of seat contact is "whoa with deep seat" is second-nature.
Ransom was an absolute babysitter - Exactly as I'd hoped. Les rode him extensively at trot, and while Ransom cut the arena corners, he never offered any ugliness. He rode him canter left on contact (well, sort of), and cantered right a while on a loose rein. While long-strided, Ransom wasn't speeding around like a crazy jumper.
I rode Romeo just a bit, mostly to "get in the way", and to gauge Ransom's reaction. Neither flipped an ear, or swished a tail. We swapped saddles, and I worked Ransom a bit as well. Light trot in the arena, and then canter in the round pen. Les was absolutely determined to get a canter in the arena outta me, but I wasn't up for the challenge.
Finished up the day with a quick trail ride around the pasture. I got scared, and I'm not entirely sure why, except that Ransom wasn't understanding "whoa and stand" very well. He was antsy, constantly moving his feet, perhaps because he was so pleased with his workout. While Ransom was untacked, I took Romeo on a quick walk around the place, just to remind myself I can ride, and my horses mind me.
A great New Year's Day overall!
12/31/08 We've Got Company!
Friend from work came to meet Ransom, watch some rides, and check up on Romeo's progress. I got to deliver some Christmas cheer where it was needed. We've both been pretty bummed about all the bad news at our employer. They've been announcing plant shutdowns, business closure, joint-ventures that weren't going to happen, announcing lay-offs, more hour reductions, it's just been bad. A really poo-ie situation to build up Christmas cheer. Friend's reaction has been to live "gloom & doom", refusing to participate in Christmas spirit. Mine, however, was to be grateful for what I've got, and find at least a little holiday happy in every situation. It's also been to find a small thoughtful gift for everyone around me, demonstrating that the giving means more than receiving. Well, it worked. Cheer was spread, and I was glowing myself just for giving.
Saddled Ransom english, and headed to the round pen. He was cooperative, but speedie. I wasn't entirely sure of the cause, but one of his front shoes was missing nails on the inside, and had slid a bit to the outside of his hoof. I could hear it clinking a bit. Anyway, we're all getting to know each other, and he put on his standard pretty-old-boy routing, with not a bit of ill spirit.
Romeo was himself. A saint, an angel, a little cowhorse just dying to show off to anybody that'll watch. The last time the friend saw me ride him, we only cantered a bit, and I still had a death grip on the saddle horn. This time, as I entered his pasture, I didn't even hesitate or warm up with a walk. We worked straight into the lope, and off we went. Romeo was great. He stopped on a dime (and on no rein contact, so I was told later), demo'd his rollbacks, and his awesome easy jog. Friend was more than impressed. Even jumped on for a bit, with me psuedo-leading Romeo, standing at his head walking around. He was, well, himself... no evil spirit intended, and incredibly cooperative as always.
Total rides were around 45 mins a piece. I gathered up a strong pair of pliers, and good will, and removed Ransom's loose shoe. He let out a licking & chewing sigh, perhaps to say "Thank You" for my choice to get it removed.
Saddled Ransom english, and headed to the round pen. He was cooperative, but speedie. I wasn't entirely sure of the cause, but one of his front shoes was missing nails on the inside, and had slid a bit to the outside of his hoof. I could hear it clinking a bit. Anyway, we're all getting to know each other, and he put on his standard pretty-old-boy routing, with not a bit of ill spirit.
Romeo was himself. A saint, an angel, a little cowhorse just dying to show off to anybody that'll watch. The last time the friend saw me ride him, we only cantered a bit, and I still had a death grip on the saddle horn. This time, as I entered his pasture, I didn't even hesitate or warm up with a walk. We worked straight into the lope, and off we went. Romeo was great. He stopped on a dime (and on no rein contact, so I was told later), demo'd his rollbacks, and his awesome easy jog. Friend was more than impressed. Even jumped on for a bit, with me psuedo-leading Romeo, standing at his head walking around. He was, well, himself... no evil spirit intended, and incredibly cooperative as always.
Total rides were around 45 mins a piece. I gathered up a strong pair of pliers, and good will, and removed Ransom's loose shoe. He let out a licking & chewing sigh, perhaps to say "Thank You" for my choice to get it removed.
12/30/08 Romeo Only
The arena was disced enough that, while I didn't have four sides of fence, I sort of had three. That was enough to at least show him the area, get him reaquainted with respecting the rail, and in the swing of work again.
Saddled up, and walked the pasture perimeter behind the treeline to get there. Ransom went bezerk, whinnying, hollering... apparently pretty ticked to be in the paddock & not out grazing.
Worked with Romeo w/t/c for only 30 minutes. The arena was uneven, and still deep in spots. Bad enough that I didn't need him getting an injury in the sand. He was agreeable, and though he had a serious issue picking up the right lead, we got through it.
Opened the paddock, let Ransom out, and the three of us went for another walk around the pasture. I wasn't entirely sure how it'd go - Last time I did that aboard Chewie, they both took off, and left me in the dirt. This trip was completely different, though. Ransom walked all around anywhere Romeo and I went, staying close beside, but not really getting in the way. No one spooked at anything, and Romeo stayed very "alpha horse", listening to me, but making sure Ransom knew he wasn't the horse under saddle.
Total work 45 minutes. We ended & untacked in nearly dark. Darn winter.... stealing my sunshine evenings.
Saddled up, and walked the pasture perimeter behind the treeline to get there. Ransom went bezerk, whinnying, hollering... apparently pretty ticked to be in the paddock & not out grazing.
Worked with Romeo w/t/c for only 30 minutes. The arena was uneven, and still deep in spots. Bad enough that I didn't need him getting an injury in the sand. He was agreeable, and though he had a serious issue picking up the right lead, we got through it.
Opened the paddock, let Ransom out, and the three of us went for another walk around the pasture. I wasn't entirely sure how it'd go - Last time I did that aboard Chewie, they both took off, and left me in the dirt. This trip was completely different, though. Ransom walked all around anywhere Romeo and I went, staying close beside, but not really getting in the way. No one spooked at anything, and Romeo stayed very "alpha horse", listening to me, but making sure Ransom knew he wasn't the horse under saddle.
Total work 45 minutes. We ended & untacked in nearly dark. Darn winter.... stealing my sunshine evenings.
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