It's official! We finally own Harry! Gary signed him over to us today and I couldn't be more happy!
Plus I got to ride all three today!!
First off, I cleaned out the tack box. I finally found my other glove, so they worked out well. I'll probably only use them until i retrain myself to hold the reins like I normally did, and at the lessons only. I cleaned Harry's saddle so it looks all shiny like new.
Lunging was better today than yesterday but still needs improvement. He started off vey excited, like yesterday, but he worked it out. He kept trying to rush the corners so I had to keep halting him and restarting. My mom noticed as I rode that he had a skip in his back left hoof but it kept coming and going so I didn't think anything of it. My brother rode Harry today too. I instructed him on what to do and it looks like the only problem they had was going over the soundboard without rushing it. Then my mom got on and she rode a bit before going over the board and then again at a walk, during which his hoof was then noticeably dragging so she got off and gave him a bath and put liniment on his legs. There was no swelling or heat, so it has to be either in his muscles or his hoof. The farrier comes out in a week, I think, so we'll have him take a look then if this problem persists.
While my brother was riding Harry, I got to ride Nina! She is like no other horse I've ever ridden. She's so hard to operate! You have to keep on her and keep her alert and focused on what you're doing or she breaks into a trot. After a good amount of time I think I got the hang of it. We took the board a few times and each time I got better at figuring out what she needed. I'm honestly just happy using her as a trail horse, but I guess I need to keep learning on how to show her.
Brie! I'm so happy I got to ride my baby today. She got really spoiled in the past few weeks from not being pushed into what she needs to do and just kind of running amok. We worked in the indoor until she stopped trying to pull me around and then we went outside and I insisted on walking. She did pretty well. When she walked for a bit I let her corto. We went all along the back and front of the property and on our way back I decided to let her get the speed out of her system. What was meant to be a canter turned into a gallop one way and I was jerked forward when she stopped. Stayed on! Then we cantered very nicely in the opposite direction, I was so proud of her. She snorted away so happily. Then we WALKED calmly back to the stable for her bath, which she thoroughly enjoyed. It's the funniest thing watching horses quiver their lips when you scratch them.
So today was good. I only hope that Harry's leg can fix itself because we really don't know what's wrong with it. Hopefully a week of rest will fix it.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Day 89
We didn't have very much time to ride today. We went to a sale today! We had a 50% off coupon for everything we bought at the Saddle Shop. Harry needed a new saddle pad so I bought him a southwestern looking wool blanket that looks quite dashing on him, if I do say so myself. We bought Nina an Australian stock saddle because her show saddle is getting beat up from everyday use. I didn't get to try it out because we had to cut the underflaps so they wouldn't rub up against Nina's skin, which took up a good chunk of time.
Harry wasn't too hot today. I'm now working on just lunging inside the riding arena like every other horse can do. We had a few pullouts, but he calmed down. We went straight outside in that arena to work and boy was he excited! He rarely gaited, just like in the show. He didn't want to walk either. So everytime he broke into that excited crow hop, I stopped him or made a circle. He raced down the soundboard, so we worked on calmly walking across it and when he did we ended on that note.
It was kind of painful to ride today because yesterday at my lesson I got and then popped a blister all in a half hour on the outside of my ring finger. I had a bandaid and gloves on today, but it still hurt. Now I either have to retrain myself a different way to hold the reins or wear gloves while riding hunt seat. Lovely. If I hadn't listened to Nell's nagging about putting the reins between my pinky and my ring finger and just held them all in my palm like I used to, I wouldn't have had this problem.
Harry wasn't too hot today. I'm now working on just lunging inside the riding arena like every other horse can do. We had a few pullouts, but he calmed down. We went straight outside in that arena to work and boy was he excited! He rarely gaited, just like in the show. He didn't want to walk either. So everytime he broke into that excited crow hop, I stopped him or made a circle. He raced down the soundboard, so we worked on calmly walking across it and when he did we ended on that note.
It was kind of painful to ride today because yesterday at my lesson I got and then popped a blister all in a half hour on the outside of my ring finger. I had a bandaid and gloves on today, but it still hurt. Now I either have to retrain myself a different way to hold the reins or wear gloves while riding hunt seat. Lovely. If I hadn't listened to Nell's nagging about putting the reins between my pinky and my ring finger and just held them all in my palm like I used to, I wouldn't have had this problem.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Day 88
Today we went out in hopes of practicing getting Harry in the trailer AND being able to have some time to ride. Well, we spent the entire time trying to get him in the trailer. It wasn't a very hectic process; actually, it was quite laid back. We took out the divider and turned it into a one horse trailer first, that way it wouldn't seem so claustrophobic-looking. For about an hour, I stood/sat at the top of the ramp, encouraging him to come up. He kept digging the ground in front of it and hitting it with his hooves but never actually stepped up on it.
After that hour of waiting and food-bribing a la John, Paco came over and said "Let me give it a go". He kept gently tugging Harry and Harry kept slightly rearing. After about a half hour of that, Paco got Harry to get up onto the ramp but he wouldn't go forwards into the trailer. He made a loop of the lead rope around Harry's nose and led him in that way. After that, Harry was loading in and out perfectly! So now it was my turn.
He did a few good loads while I was leading him and then he got a little frustrated so Paco took him again. We shut Harry in the trailer and he was a little nervous about the butt bar. After a few minutes of standing there, we unhooked the bar so we could unload him, but Harry just pulled and released the quick release ties and slid down the ramp on his butt. Now he's scared of going in the trailer! It was just stubbornness before, but now he's actually scared! He'll go all the way up the ramp but never in. After another half hour of trying to get him to go back in, Paco said Harry was too worked up over it to keep trying today, so I hosed him down and stuck him back in his stall. Best words for this situation: "When you fall on your butt, don't you know you're supposed to get back up and try again?"
After that hour of waiting and food-bribing a la John, Paco came over and said "Let me give it a go". He kept gently tugging Harry and Harry kept slightly rearing. After about a half hour of that, Paco got Harry to get up onto the ramp but he wouldn't go forwards into the trailer. He made a loop of the lead rope around Harry's nose and led him in that way. After that, Harry was loading in and out perfectly! So now it was my turn.
He did a few good loads while I was leading him and then he got a little frustrated so Paco took him again. We shut Harry in the trailer and he was a little nervous about the butt bar. After a few minutes of standing there, we unhooked the bar so we could unload him, but Harry just pulled and released the quick release ties and slid down the ramp on his butt. Now he's scared of going in the trailer! It was just stubbornness before, but now he's actually scared! He'll go all the way up the ramp but never in. After another half hour of trying to get him to go back in, Paco said Harry was too worked up over it to keep trying today, so I hosed him down and stuck him back in his stall. Best words for this situation: "When you fall on your butt, don't you know you're supposed to get back up and try again?"
Sunday, August 22, 2010
State Fair
Day 1
We were leaving at 11.
Yeah okay. It took two sweaty, 90 degree hours to get Harry in. I ended up not even putting him in. My dad reeled him in like a fishing line over the bar at the front of the trailer. It was complete nonsense for two hours: rearing and pulling and head tossing!
I ended up missing my first class, which was against all of the trainers. I was able to make the second class I was signed up for though! I think it was Pleasure Amateur Owners. There were 16 signed up and guess what! I got 6th place! He performed perectly and never once skipped out on me. The crowd roared when I was asked to back up. I was so thrilled and proud of Harry. This was our very first class together.
Afterwards, my brother rode Nina in Performance Youth and he took 4th place. She just snaps into show mode when she gets there, she absolutely knows what she's there for.
Day 2
Two classes today. I had Performance Youth and then the Performance Stakes class. Since I didn't get a place high enough for money yesterday, I wanted to win some today.
There were...I wanna say 10 kids in my Youth class. Harry skipped a couple of times and I kept trying to get him on the rail but he was going sideways. He wasn't paying attention to me and kept looking up at the audience. We got honorable mention.
I was going to ride Nina in the Pleasure Schooling class, since my brother didn't want to, but after riding her in the warmup for a while, I decided I didn't want to go in and make a fool of myself because I don't know how to correct her as well as my mom or brother do, so my mom rode her and took 4th again. She beat out Ray, so that pretty much made her entire year.
I definitely started warming Harry up too early for the Stakes class. I started when my brother was warming up Nina for the Performance Stakes class (they took 8th by the way). Close to the start of the class, I had to keep squeezing him on because he wanted to stop. In the class he never stopped skipping but we rode nicely on the inside of the rail and get this: there were 20 entries!!! We broke into a canter a few times but we diet get disqualified! Overall, I think it was a pretty good first show experience. He never got kicked out.
Day 3
Going home. Harry wouldn't load into the trailer still even with Annie and her mom Karla helping, so before we went to try a tranquilizer, Jane suggested that we take Taco out of their trailer and just switch horses on the ride back. So now Harry is in Karla's 2 horse trailer, all spaciously set up without the divider and Nina and Taco are having a lunch date in ours. It was too cute when Taco got in. He and Nina started nickering to each other in the most adorable way.
We were leaving at 11.
Yeah okay. It took two sweaty, 90 degree hours to get Harry in. I ended up not even putting him in. My dad reeled him in like a fishing line over the bar at the front of the trailer. It was complete nonsense for two hours: rearing and pulling and head tossing!
I ended up missing my first class, which was against all of the trainers. I was able to make the second class I was signed up for though! I think it was Pleasure Amateur Owners. There were 16 signed up and guess what! I got 6th place! He performed perectly and never once skipped out on me. The crowd roared when I was asked to back up. I was so thrilled and proud of Harry. This was our very first class together.
Afterwards, my brother rode Nina in Performance Youth and he took 4th place. She just snaps into show mode when she gets there, she absolutely knows what she's there for.
Day 2
Two classes today. I had Performance Youth and then the Performance Stakes class. Since I didn't get a place high enough for money yesterday, I wanted to win some today.
There were...I wanna say 10 kids in my Youth class. Harry skipped a couple of times and I kept trying to get him on the rail but he was going sideways. He wasn't paying attention to me and kept looking up at the audience. We got honorable mention.
I was going to ride Nina in the Pleasure Schooling class, since my brother didn't want to, but after riding her in the warmup for a while, I decided I didn't want to go in and make a fool of myself because I don't know how to correct her as well as my mom or brother do, so my mom rode her and took 4th again. She beat out Ray, so that pretty much made her entire year.
I definitely started warming Harry up too early for the Stakes class. I started when my brother was warming up Nina for the Performance Stakes class (they took 8th by the way). Close to the start of the class, I had to keep squeezing him on because he wanted to stop. In the class he never stopped skipping but we rode nicely on the inside of the rail and get this: there were 20 entries!!! We broke into a canter a few times but we diet get disqualified! Overall, I think it was a pretty good first show experience. He never got kicked out.
Day 3
Going home. Harry wouldn't load into the trailer still even with Annie and her mom Karla helping, so before we went to try a tranquilizer, Jane suggested that we take Taco out of their trailer and just switch horses on the ride back. So now Harry is in Karla's 2 horse trailer, all spaciously set up without the divider and Nina and Taco are having a lunch date in ours. It was too cute when Taco got in. He and Nina started nickering to each other in the most adorable way.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Day 87
As expected, Harry was much better today. He was calm and collected and I got compliments from Ray. He worked perfectly well with the tack change. We had to punch extra holes in the bridle because his face is so tiny. Brie's saddle looked really nice on him. He was very relaxed and did wonderfully on the soundboard after the first pass. He tends to break gait in the middle, Paco suggested lightly tugging him to one side that way it keeps his attention. I hope we place high in the State Fair!
Nina was fantastic in the board today. Her head is finally coming down more where it's supposed to be.
Brie and I had an adventure today. I was too tired to fully tack her up so I just got the bit hanger and a rein and we went! Walking of course. Completely bareback, my thighs are killing me! I have to give major props to anyone who can jump horses bareback or even ride at a full gallop bareback like in the movies. They must have thighs of steel!! I'm kind of sad that we have to leave Brie home but I think maybe she'll like the vacation away from Nina (and especially Harry). One more practice before the show!!
Nina was fantastic in the board today. Her head is finally coming down more where it's supposed to be.
Brie and I had an adventure today. I was too tired to fully tack her up so I just got the bit hanger and a rein and we went! Walking of course. Completely bareback, my thighs are killing me! I have to give major props to anyone who can jump horses bareback or even ride at a full gallop bareback like in the movies. They must have thighs of steel!! I'm kind of sad that we have to leave Brie home but I think maybe she'll like the vacation away from Nina (and especially Harry). One more practice before the show!!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Day 86
There has to be an off day once in a while.
There was a little barn reunion today. It was good for Harry because he has to get used to lots of other horses riding around with him. After lunging him in the round pen and then a little more in the arena, he's getting the hang of it. I'm just a little worried about finding a good, clear spot to lunge him at the fair.
Speaking of the fair, I can't believe it's next weekend! I have so much work to do! I have to work tomorrow with the show bridle and Brie's saddle since that's the one I'll be using.
Anyways so back to Harry. He still won't walk on the wall. I'm settling now for just going straight on the inside of the arena. As long as I'm out of everybody's way and not causing a distraction, hopefully it won't matter. He wasn't gaiting properly today. It was kind of like Brie's crow feet but less extreme. Maybe it's from trying to get him to tighten up a little bit but now I'm just going to get him to do a consistent corto and largo. We can work on Fino all winter. He kept screwing up on the soundboard but hopefully tomorrow he'll do better since Saturdays are always warm-ups. I've started working more with a single rein and he seems to be adjusting to that pretty well.
Nina is doing much better. I didn't get to ride her today since now we're getting down to pre-show mode. I can't wait til the fall and I get to start working more with Nina for the winter.
Canter fest with Brie today!! I didn't go out because it was super hot, plus the landscapers were out with the industrial mowers.
There was a little barn reunion today. It was good for Harry because he has to get used to lots of other horses riding around with him. After lunging him in the round pen and then a little more in the arena, he's getting the hang of it. I'm just a little worried about finding a good, clear spot to lunge him at the fair.
Speaking of the fair, I can't believe it's next weekend! I have so much work to do! I have to work tomorrow with the show bridle and Brie's saddle since that's the one I'll be using.
Anyways so back to Harry. He still won't walk on the wall. I'm settling now for just going straight on the inside of the arena. As long as I'm out of everybody's way and not causing a distraction, hopefully it won't matter. He wasn't gaiting properly today. It was kind of like Brie's crow feet but less extreme. Maybe it's from trying to get him to tighten up a little bit but now I'm just going to get him to do a consistent corto and largo. We can work on Fino all winter. He kept screwing up on the soundboard but hopefully tomorrow he'll do better since Saturdays are always warm-ups. I've started working more with a single rein and he seems to be adjusting to that pretty well.
Nina is doing much better. I didn't get to ride her today since now we're getting down to pre-show mode. I can't wait til the fall and I get to start working more with Nina for the winter.
Canter fest with Brie today!! I didn't go out because it was super hot, plus the landscapers were out with the industrial mowers.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Days 84 & 85
By the time I post this, I going to feel really bad for keeping this for so long. I've just been waiting for a chance to put up the videos and pictures on my computer.
Day 84 - Saturday
Today was the day to face the scariest thing ever: the trailer.
We weren't even going to bother with Brie because we all know we would've been there all day and we already have a great way to get her in without any problems: We blindfold her! Now I know some people might say "Wait, you have to blindfold your horse to get her in the trailer? That hardly seems like she trusts you at all!" Well to you I say this: Can you blindfold your horse and get them into an enclosed, tight space, while still trusting that they won't freak out and squish you? Yeah...didn't think so. To me, that represents the ultimate in trust on both ends.
Anyways Nina just waltzes in as usual. No problems. Harry's been in a trailer before but we've never loaded him or brought him anywhere so we wanted to test out his skills before the State Fair in a couple of weeks. He went in perfect the first time and then we realized that must've been a fluke. He did the typical planting his feet in the ground and wouldn't go up the ramp.You'd think it'd be less scary because we have a ramp on our trailer right? Wrong! So after much grunting and bribing, he still wasn't moving. Annie and her friends showed up for a bit to gather up Jane and we found our solution to get Harry in the trailer: Jump up and down behind him like a bunch of crazies and he'll load in just fine! Now all we need is a mob on trailering day...
After locking him in there for a bit by himself (we weren't too sure about locking Nina in there with him just yet...) we let him out and after he nervously stepped down the ramp we turned him out into the grassy pasture that I've ridden with him in. He ran like crazy and shook off his nerves. I then walked in and he proceeded to follow me everywhere around the pasture (except into the shed) like a total sweetheart. I think he likes me. =]
Riding was great, as it has been for the past couple of weeks. I'm so pleased with Harry. His lunging in the arena is getting there, but it's a HUGE improvement from last month when he kept trying to run me over and rear up and escape. I even got a nice canter out of Brie. She was happy as a clam after that.
Day 85 - Sunday
We brought the camera today! Yay! My dad, the unofficial camera man that he is, took a bazillion pictures of us but I'll show you the best.
On our Borders trip this past week, my mom picked up this adorable book.
The idea is that you read it every day for a year. It's full of all sorts of knowledge, from breed characteristics to health issues, it's such a great buy. I recommend every horse owner or lover buy it. On the weekends, it gives you fun activities to do with your horses. For the first weekend of the book, it told us to just go on a walk with our horses. That's exactly what we did.
It was fun and different. Mom got Harry, my brother got Brie, and I got Nina (yay!) and we walked the back of the property. It was a great bonding experience for all of us. My brother got a taste of what handling Brie is like (mega hyper and NEEDS TO BE IN FRONT AT ALL TIMES or she might explode), my mom got to get to know Harry outside of just brushing him and I got to bond with Nina outside of just feeding her carrots!! As we walked back to the stable, Paco and Ray pulled up getting back from Ohio this weekend. Paco came out and watched us as we all took turns lunging Nina, Brie, and Harry like I'd been working with Harry: just a carrot stick and a round pen. Nina and Harry went along just fine, but Brie was being a stinker about it. She's so spoiled and never asked to do anything like that (she automatic lunging in the arena) so it was good that she got to use her brain a bit today.
I started off as usual on Harry. My mom has given Nina up to my brother for him to start and train (it's about time that he learn how on his own!) and she worked with Brie. It's the first time that I can remember her starting Brie in a while and Brie was, of course, being spoiled and trying to get away with everything and anything, including running Harry over and trying to kill him. She does not like boys...or horses other than Nina. So we're working on that, but not pushing it very much because we don't want any injuries. Harry's actually scared of her! She's such a bully.
Then my brother and I switched. Our words to each other before we started: "Don't do much, he/she's really simple and just goes." YEAH RIGHT! Nina was trotting! Not gaiting! And my brother was complaining about some problem with Harry. Sound board? We both sounded horrible!
Switching, our words: "YOU SCREWED UP MY HORSE!" But we got them back.
It took a little longer to get Harry back. He gets so excited when he hears the sound board. But he finally did it.
Afterwards, mom cooled Harry and I got on Brie. Canter city, baby!
After she was all tired out, my brother and I just roamed around the arena, reminiscing about Andre and Nina and Brie played tag as we rode without reins or stirrups. They finally got that full bath I'd been promising all of them and after smelling wonderful for about 10 minutes, they all promptly rolled. Oh well...it was nice while it lasted!
Day 84 - Saturday
Today was the day to face the scariest thing ever: the trailer.
We weren't even going to bother with Brie because we all know we would've been there all day and we already have a great way to get her in without any problems: We blindfold her! Now I know some people might say "Wait, you have to blindfold your horse to get her in the trailer? That hardly seems like she trusts you at all!" Well to you I say this: Can you blindfold your horse and get them into an enclosed, tight space, while still trusting that they won't freak out and squish you? Yeah...didn't think so. To me, that represents the ultimate in trust on both ends.
Anyways Nina just waltzes in as usual. No problems. Harry's been in a trailer before but we've never loaded him or brought him anywhere so we wanted to test out his skills before the State Fair in a couple of weeks. He went in perfect the first time and then we realized that must've been a fluke. He did the typical planting his feet in the ground and wouldn't go up the ramp.You'd think it'd be less scary because we have a ramp on our trailer right? Wrong! So after much grunting and bribing, he still wasn't moving. Annie and her friends showed up for a bit to gather up Jane and we found our solution to get Harry in the trailer: Jump up and down behind him like a bunch of crazies and he'll load in just fine! Now all we need is a mob on trailering day...
After locking him in there for a bit by himself (we weren't too sure about locking Nina in there with him just yet...) we let him out and after he nervously stepped down the ramp we turned him out into the grassy pasture that I've ridden with him in. He ran like crazy and shook off his nerves. I then walked in and he proceeded to follow me everywhere around the pasture (except into the shed) like a total sweetheart. I think he likes me. =]
Riding was great, as it has been for the past couple of weeks. I'm so pleased with Harry. His lunging in the arena is getting there, but it's a HUGE improvement from last month when he kept trying to run me over and rear up and escape. I even got a nice canter out of Brie. She was happy as a clam after that.
Day 85 - Sunday
We brought the camera today! Yay! My dad, the unofficial camera man that he is, took a bazillion pictures of us but I'll show you the best.
On our Borders trip this past week, my mom picked up this adorable book.
The idea is that you read it every day for a year. It's full of all sorts of knowledge, from breed characteristics to health issues, it's such a great buy. I recommend every horse owner or lover buy it. On the weekends, it gives you fun activities to do with your horses. For the first weekend of the book, it told us to just go on a walk with our horses. That's exactly what we did.
Nina and I
Harry in his natural state.
I think this is the funniest picture. Look at both of their faces! My brother and Brie.
I started off as usual on Harry. My mom has given Nina up to my brother for him to start and train (it's about time that he learn how on his own!) and she worked with Brie. It's the first time that I can remember her starting Brie in a while and Brie was, of course, being spoiled and trying to get away with everything and anything, including running Harry over and trying to kill him. She does not like boys...or horses other than Nina. So we're working on that, but not pushing it very much because we don't want any injuries. Harry's actually scared of her! She's such a bully.
Then my brother and I switched. Our words to each other before we started: "Don't do much, he/she's really simple and just goes." YEAH RIGHT! Nina was trotting! Not gaiting! And my brother was complaining about some problem with Harry. Sound board? We both sounded horrible!
Switching, our words: "YOU SCREWED UP MY HORSE!" But we got them back.
It took a little longer to get Harry back. He gets so excited when he hears the sound board. But he finally did it.
Afterwards, mom cooled Harry and I got on Brie. Canter city, baby!
After she was all tired out, my brother and I just roamed around the arena, reminiscing about Andre and Nina and Brie played tag as we rode without reins or stirrups. They finally got that full bath I'd been promising all of them and after smelling wonderful for about 10 minutes, they all promptly rolled. Oh well...it was nice while it lasted!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Day 83
A new trainer, Colin, was up at the stables today. I think he came from Florida, but he works at the Paso stable down the street about 20 min away. I'm real disappointed that I didn't get the chance to talk to him because I've only seen him work from a distance about 3 years ago before I was seriously into training. Too bad we're not going to Ohio.
Anyways. I'm working with lunging a lot with Harry. My goal is to get him to lunge in the arena without having to use the round pen since there won't be one in a show warmup arena. I did basically the same thing as yesterday except he was better in the arena and we didn't have to go back out. He was tightening his gait fantastically today and his board sounded phenomenal. Too bad Colin wasn't in the arena at the time, I wonder if he would've said anything. Harry's largo is great! He'll definitely be ready for performance classes next year.
Do I even need to mention Nina?
Brie was really excited outside today. She broke into a canter a few times, but I got her back. We went in the puddle again today. She didn't want to leave it! It was the funniest thing and she kept splashing the water. Needless to say, she needed a bath.
While today I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to pick another trainer's brain, I'm very pleased with how Harry is coming along and how Brie is starting to conquer some fears.
Anyways. I'm working with lunging a lot with Harry. My goal is to get him to lunge in the arena without having to use the round pen since there won't be one in a show warmup arena. I did basically the same thing as yesterday except he was better in the arena and we didn't have to go back out. He was tightening his gait fantastically today and his board sounded phenomenal. Too bad Colin wasn't in the arena at the time, I wonder if he would've said anything. Harry's largo is great! He'll definitely be ready for performance classes next year.
Do I even need to mention Nina?
Brie was really excited outside today. She broke into a canter a few times, but I got her back. We went in the puddle again today. She didn't want to leave it! It was the funniest thing and she kept splashing the water. Needless to say, she needed a bath.
While today I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to pick another trainer's brain, I'm very pleased with how Harry is coming along and how Brie is starting to conquer some fears.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)