Happy Halloween! =]
I would put up pictures, but my camera ran out of battery and my charger's at school.
Today I gave apples to Brie and Nina as a Halloween treat. Brie ate it in about two bites. We're still working with the mounting block. It took me at least a half hour, I didn't keep track of time, for her to stand still next to the mounting block and let me get on. We did that twice! Not in a row, though, because that would be way too amazing. So I felt very accomplished. I try not to get discouraged when people tell me that I should just give Brie one good smack and then she'll understand what I want her to do. That wouldn't help solve anything, that'd only make her upset and even more confused. While people say that she doesn't care how I feel. I don't think that. I think she cares how I feel. Horses have to be in tune to how their riders feel, that's what makes them nervous and gives them confidence, it affects their whole mood. So I'm just going to go on the way I have been, even though it might seem soft, because I want to teach Brie by showing her primarily what I want her to do, not what I don't want her to do.
My mom fell off of Nina today. It's like a curse of bad luck at the stable. She didn't full blown fall off of her like the owner's wife did. Nina was gaiting across the sound board and turned around to go on the sound board next to it and the saddle slipped and went sideways with my mom in it. My mom sort of gracefully fell onto her butt from there. Nina wasn't moving, like the good horse she is, until she saw my brother running towards her to help my mom. She ran down the sound board and I cut her off with Brie. My mom's okay, so that's really good.
Did I mention that Dominic isn't coming? Yeah, he was supposed to come two weeks ago, but the owner cancelled it because the clinic would've only been us at the stable. We couldn't get anymore people that were interested to attend, so we just have to wait until the spring to try again.
Aside from all of that, today was a good day. I'm bringing a whole load of books with me to school this week to read about horse manners, dressage for Paso Finos, thinking like horses. I'm even bringing the entire Parelli Level 1 DVD set. Yes, I'm that bored at school. I don't have any homework ever. So this should be very productive.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Day 22
Didn't make it out yesterday because I was at my very first football game! Yay! We won, too!
So, apparently the owner's wife broke one rib and she's on her way to a recovery. I hope that it's a speedy one.
And apparently Brie was kind of nuts because my dad rode her yesterday. My dad never rides. Ever. So he didn't know what he was doing and she kind of went crazy.
Today she was okay. She was happy to see me, I could tell. I rode her inside for a little bit. My new goal: Getting her to line up and stay still at the mounting block. We've recently acquired one at our stable and I want full use of it! I don't think I'll be jumping Brie until her hooves grow out a little bit more in front. I think she's sore, because there's really no hoof wall, she's walking on her soles.
I rode her outside in the arena, where new, very long, sounding board was installed. It's slightly raised above the sand because we need more sand still, and Brie was okay with it the first time, but then when she realized she could jump to get on it, she jumped. Not good, since it's pretty much a 2 inch difference between the sand and the board. Then she kept falling off sideways and I got freaked that she'd twist her ankle or something. So I had her walk very slowly over it a few times, and she got the idea.
Nina is her pokey little self.
And next weekend is Halloween! Maybe I can go trick-or-treating with Brie and Nina =]
So, apparently the owner's wife broke one rib and she's on her way to a recovery. I hope that it's a speedy one.
And apparently Brie was kind of nuts because my dad rode her yesterday. My dad never rides. Ever. So he didn't know what he was doing and she kind of went crazy.
Today she was okay. She was happy to see me, I could tell. I rode her inside for a little bit. My new goal: Getting her to line up and stay still at the mounting block. We've recently acquired one at our stable and I want full use of it! I don't think I'll be jumping Brie until her hooves grow out a little bit more in front. I think she's sore, because there's really no hoof wall, she's walking on her soles.
I rode her outside in the arena, where new, very long, sounding board was installed. It's slightly raised above the sand because we need more sand still, and Brie was okay with it the first time, but then when she realized she could jump to get on it, she jumped. Not good, since it's pretty much a 2 inch difference between the sand and the board. Then she kept falling off sideways and I got freaked that she'd twist her ankle or something. So I had her walk very slowly over it a few times, and she got the idea.
Nina is her pokey little self.
And next weekend is Halloween! Maybe I can go trick-or-treating with Brie and Nina =]
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Day 21
(originally started Sunday night at 11pm)
I wasn't able to make it out yesterday.
But yesterday Andre got fired.
I feel really bad for him. I mean, he was a great guy. I genuinely liked his training. But he changed, and we all know who did that do him. He's not the same as he was when we met him, and I'm truly sorry to see him leave.
Apparently Brie was horrible with mom yesterday. When I rode her today she was sweet as a pea! Maybe she missed me.
I didn't do much riding though because we had an accident.
The owner's wife and daughter were galloping and playing on their horse Carmentea. Well his wife was falling off and she almost took her daughter with her. His wife fell off onto her hip then back and couldn't get up, and her daughter just sort of jumped/fell off. After a few seconds of realizing that there wasn't anyone on her, Carmentea bolted out of the arena. The new trainer, Ray, my mom, and I all ran after her. She jumped over a pretty huge mound, and I have to say that while I was breathless trying to catch her she was pretty beautiful! My mom finally caught her and we called an ambulance for his wife. She was able to go home yesterday, they said that she was lucky and just got some nasty bruises, but they'll still keep an eye on her. I hope that she's okay. It really kind of sucks because she was wary of horses before and now she might never want to get on one again. I really hope that's not the case. And I hope that his daughter doesn't blame herself for the accident for riding Carmentea because it wasn't her fault. It was an accident.
I ask you, whoever reads this, to keep their family in your prayers.
I wasn't able to make it out yesterday.
But yesterday Andre got fired.
I feel really bad for him. I mean, he was a great guy. I genuinely liked his training. But he changed, and we all know who did that do him. He's not the same as he was when we met him, and I'm truly sorry to see him leave.
Apparently Brie was horrible with mom yesterday. When I rode her today she was sweet as a pea! Maybe she missed me.
I didn't do much riding though because we had an accident.
The owner's wife and daughter were galloping and playing on their horse Carmentea. Well his wife was falling off and she almost took her daughter with her. His wife fell off onto her hip then back and couldn't get up, and her daughter just sort of jumped/fell off. After a few seconds of realizing that there wasn't anyone on her, Carmentea bolted out of the arena. The new trainer, Ray, my mom, and I all ran after her. She jumped over a pretty huge mound, and I have to say that while I was breathless trying to catch her she was pretty beautiful! My mom finally caught her and we called an ambulance for his wife. She was able to go home yesterday, they said that she was lucky and just got some nasty bruises, but they'll still keep an eye on her. I hope that she's okay. It really kind of sucks because she was wary of horses before and now she might never want to get on one again. I really hope that's not the case. And I hope that his daughter doesn't blame herself for the accident for riding Carmentea because it wasn't her fault. It was an accident.
I ask you, whoever reads this, to keep their family in your prayers.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Days 19 & 20
Day 19
Today was Paco's homecoming, in a way.
Andre wasn't there.
Brie and Nina were very happy to be outside today, even if it was a little cold. Taco's also back! He's limping though, so we'll just walk him until his limp is better.
Brie jumped today. The jump wasn't set up but she started to go towards where it normally is. I just let the reins drop and let her walk where she wanted and she started following my brother around the arena! It was so cute. He would run and she'd run after him. He'd stop and she'd dead stop, even after running. I think she's really happy now that I'm doing more than concentrating on shows and giving her a time to finally just be herself and calm down.
We also started her new vitamins. Time will tell how they work.
Day 20
Brie was limping a bit today. I think it's maybe because she may have stepped on a rock yesterday when we rode outside. Because of this, I didn't jump her.
Andre wasn't there again today.
There was also a farrier that the stable flew in from Florida, I believe. He looked at Nina and Brie's hooves and said that Nina was fine but that Brie's front hooves were just a little bit off, so he trimmed them. It was kind of hard to tell if she was liking how they were trimmed because I only rode her bareback because we were pressed for time at that point. I'll have to see how she does next week, because I don't think that I'll be able to get out this weekend.
I hope she enjoys the new hay that the stable got, because she didn't even touch the old hay she got fed this morning. That must mean it was really bad.
But Paco is here now, so I can rest peacefully knowing that things will be going uphill from here.
Today was Paco's homecoming, in a way.
Andre wasn't there.
Brie and Nina were very happy to be outside today, even if it was a little cold. Taco's also back! He's limping though, so we'll just walk him until his limp is better.
Brie jumped today. The jump wasn't set up but she started to go towards where it normally is. I just let the reins drop and let her walk where she wanted and she started following my brother around the arena! It was so cute. He would run and she'd run after him. He'd stop and she'd dead stop, even after running. I think she's really happy now that I'm doing more than concentrating on shows and giving her a time to finally just be herself and calm down.
We also started her new vitamins. Time will tell how they work.
Day 20
Brie was limping a bit today. I think it's maybe because she may have stepped on a rock yesterday when we rode outside. Because of this, I didn't jump her.
Andre wasn't there again today.
There was also a farrier that the stable flew in from Florida, I believe. He looked at Nina and Brie's hooves and said that Nina was fine but that Brie's front hooves were just a little bit off, so he trimmed them. It was kind of hard to tell if she was liking how they were trimmed because I only rode her bareback because we were pressed for time at that point. I'll have to see how she does next week, because I don't think that I'll be able to get out this weekend.
I hope she enjoys the new hay that the stable got, because she didn't even touch the old hay she got fed this morning. That must mean it was really bad.
But Paco is here now, so I can rest peacefully knowing that things will be going uphill from here.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 18
I failed in getting to the stall first. I need to start racing my mom to the stall.
Paco is officially moved in. It's so nice. And Ken is supposed to be making all the paddocks this week. I can't wait for Brie and Nina to get time outside every day, since Ken's be
en a slacker in turning them out all this time, which probably has a lot to do with Brie's anxiety.
Jane came by today! Taco is coming back very soon, he was at her son's farm just being a horse for this month. I'm so eager to ride him again.
Brie! She made me very happy today. We showed off her gaiting and jumping to Ray and everyone else, they were impressed, even though the jump was pretty much a foot off of the ground. She was more anxious outside though, and we had a fright when my mom was riding her and Brie kept backing up, almost into a barbed wire fence. I had to maneuver Nina over to her and pull her forward. Not very safe. Oh and another fright. I lost my stirrup while jumping this tiny fence and Brie tripped and while she got her footing I almost flew off the side of her because she turned so sharply. But I stayed on! And maybe we won't raise the jump for a couple more weeks.
Andre brought back a bit for Nina. She seems a little iffy about it after being bitless since July. She seemed very depressed while Andre was working her and a lot more happy running around outside with Brie. On one hand I feel guilty, because I want to let her just be a horse, but then on the other hand she really does need to be trained! She is just a baby after all.
I'm so eager to see how the stables look this weekend with Paco in charge =]
Paco is officially moved in. It's so nice. And Ken is supposed to be making all the paddocks this week. I can't wait for Brie and Nina to get time outside every day, since Ken's be
en a slacker in turning them out all this time, which probably has a lot to do with Brie's anxiety.Jane came by today! Taco is coming back very soon, he was at her son's farm just being a horse for this month. I'm so eager to ride him again.
Brie! She made me very happy today. We showed off her gaiting and jumping to Ray and everyone else, they were impressed, even though the jump was pretty much a foot off of the ground. She was more anxious outside though, and we had a fright when my mom was riding her and Brie kept backing up, almost into a barbed wire fence. I had to maneuver Nina over to her and pull her forward. Not very safe. Oh and another fright. I lost my stirrup while jumping this tiny fence and Brie tripped and while she got her footing I almost flew off the side of her because she turned so sharply. But I stayed on! And maybe we won't raise the jump for a couple more weeks.
Andre brought back a bit for Nina. She seems a little iffy about it after being bitless since July. She seemed very depressed while Andre was working her and a lot more happy running around outside with Brie. On one hand I feel guilty, because I want to let her just be a horse, but then on the other hand she really does need to be trained! She is just a baby after all.
I'm so eager to see how the stables look this weekend with Paco in charge =]
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Day 17
Well I didn't take Brie out of the stall today, my mom did, and apparently she walked right out.
I won't believe it until I try it myself.
She seems like such a different horse now, even though we've been jumping for only what, two weeks? Four days, really. She seems a lot calmer, even walking around outside. The only problem I have is keeping her away from the jump! I think she's happy that I'm stimulating her mind and just not going in circles all day. Which I, surprisingly, never though about before because that's what Andre and the other trainers do. But I mean, if I went in a circle all day and didn't do anything fun, I guess I'd be angry and anxious for it to be over too.
Today was a very good day. Paco finally is here! He was abandoned with Andre in Georgia until Thursday when Ray, another trainer, drove them and the horses back up here. The truck is still in Georgia being fixed.
The stalls were so nice and SPOTLESS for once! It was great, I was very happy. Now Ken is working outside making more paddocks before the winter really sets in over here. It'll be nice, I hope that he makes them bigger than they are now, because Brie and Nina can really only stretch their legs, not run around and have fun.
We ordered this calming supplement for Brie from Smartpak. Yeah, yeah, I'm usually against supplements, but this one is supposed to work in two months and we'll never need it again because it'll rebalance her hormones. I'll just have to wait and see about that.
Mega excited for Dominic to come up in two weeks! I can't wait to show him how Brie can perfectly gait, go on the soundboard, jump, and go right back to gaiting. As soon as she's calmed down, I have a feeling we'll be cleaning up at the shows in the spring with her.
I won't believe it until I try it myself.
She seems like such a different horse now, even though we've been jumping for only what, two weeks? Four days, really. She seems a lot calmer, even walking around outside. The only problem I have is keeping her away from the jump! I think she's happy that I'm stimulating her mind and just not going in circles all day. Which I, surprisingly, never though about before because that's what Andre and the other trainers do. But I mean, if I went in a circle all day and didn't do anything fun, I guess I'd be angry and anxious for it to be over too.
Today was a very good day. Paco finally is here! He was abandoned with Andre in Georgia until Thursday when Ray, another trainer, drove them and the horses back up here. The truck is still in Georgia being fixed.
The stalls were so nice and SPOTLESS for once! It was great, I was very happy. Now Ken is working outside making more paddocks before the winter really sets in over here. It'll be nice, I hope that he makes them bigger than they are now, because Brie and Nina can really only stretch their legs, not run around and have fun.
We ordered this calming supplement for Brie from Smartpak. Yeah, yeah, I'm usually against supplements, but this one is supposed to work in two months and we'll never need it again because it'll rebalance her hormones. I'll just have to wait and see about that.
Mega excited for Dominic to come up in two weeks! I can't wait to show him how Brie can perfectly gait, go on the soundboard, jump, and go right back to gaiting. As soon as she's calmed down, I have a feeling we'll be cleaning up at the shows in the spring with her.
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