Saturday
It was absolutely freezing today, such a difference from last week.
During the week, everyone got their hooves done...well, mostly. Nina didn't get her hooves done because the new farrier said that there wasn't enough growth to trim or put nails into, so he is going to let her grow until next time. He said that Brie's hooves were too small to support her frame, so he's going to work on letting them grow in a certain way so that they are more effective. I'm not entirely sure how much he wants them to grow, as they've never been very big her whole life. We'll see. And Harry was a good boy and didn't need to take the tranquilizer so I was proud of him =]
I didn't ride Harry today. I was more focused on Brie. I was super proud of her for not embarrassing me at the mounting block in front of everyone. She let me get on in one try! She was in a very fast mood today and we worked on reversing. She is getting better at not speeding through them and breaking into a canter. It took a while for us to get into our groove, but once we did, I felt her collecting a little bit. Not as much as those couple of times, but it was a definite improvement. I felt her rounding her back and really settling into it.
Sunday
Day to night, this weather is. It was 70 degrees out today, so I took advantage of it by riding outside. Brie is so much more relaxed now in the outdoor arena than she has been in the past and I really think it's because I take time before we tack up to go longe out there. I think it helps her set up where we're going to be for the day. I will have to try to get to the arena early at the shows so that we can do that there too. The main arena, not just the warm up one.
She was SO good walking outside today! We actually walked out in the pasture. AND on top of that, we all went for a mini ride down the street! Down the street from Gary's place is a dead end, so we rode down to the end and back. Everyone was super calm, even Harry. I can't even tell you how proud I am of everyone, especially with a barking dog in someone's yard. I feel like their good behavior out on trail means that they really trust all of us that nothing bad will happen to them, which is exactly what we want them to understand. It's nice to finally be getting there.
I suppose with our first show coming up in 2 weeks that I should start riding Harry more. I will have to make it a point to ride him each day every weekend until the show comes to make sure that we're on the same page. If he stays in gait, he will sweep the pleasure classes.
Showing posts with label Farrier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Farrier. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Day 291
Sunday
I didn't make it out yesterday because I was touring an open house for one of my law schools. Hopefully I will have the whole of next weekend, willing that I get back from another law school on Friday as planned!
I rode Harry today! It was super nice outside so we let them all run around outside first, which mainly resulted in them eating, but at least they got to stretch their legs before we started with them. Harry was beautiful when I made him longe. I was careful to work on flexing before I got on and he was much more willing today. I'm using my hands to directly push the points that need to be flexed, as he flexes just with his nose and not with his whole head and that seems to be part of the problem, so I push the top of his head too. He got kind of bugged by it at first, but when I turned it into a fun hug he went along with it!
I used the draw reins on him to see if it would help him keep his head down. He was compliant, but didn't seem too pleased by them as he kept bobbing his head forward throughout the ride. He was very relaxed and didn't really break gait, so that was great. I feel like he's a bit pokey, but I guess that's what we were going for back when he was hyped up. We're toying with the idea now of taking him off his calming supplement and seeing how he does without it, but I'm not sure now if we should change that so close to shows starting.
After we worked, I switched to normal reins and took him outside. He has such stubby legs, everyone else can walk faster than him! So he had to canter a bit to keep up with everyone, but they slowed down for him and he could just go at a brisk corto haha. What a short little guy.
This week, we're switching back to an old farrier that the barn flies in due to the whole vet v. farrier debate that happened a couple of weeks ago...I really am not a fan of this guy mainly because of his attitude and his unwillingness to answer lots of questions...doesn't seem like a people person. But we'll see how his work measures up after he trims and shoes them. I hate not being there for it. I like to think that the staff won't be rough with any of them, but I'm not 100% confident, and it is worrisome. We left tranquilizer for Nina and Harry though, so they should be okay. Brie loves getting her hooves done, but is a little wobbly on her bad leg sometimes. I hope they don't take that for her being bad...
I didn't make it out yesterday because I was touring an open house for one of my law schools. Hopefully I will have the whole of next weekend, willing that I get back from another law school on Friday as planned!
I rode Harry today! It was super nice outside so we let them all run around outside first, which mainly resulted in them eating, but at least they got to stretch their legs before we started with them. Harry was beautiful when I made him longe. I was careful to work on flexing before I got on and he was much more willing today. I'm using my hands to directly push the points that need to be flexed, as he flexes just with his nose and not with his whole head and that seems to be part of the problem, so I push the top of his head too. He got kind of bugged by it at first, but when I turned it into a fun hug he went along with it!
I used the draw reins on him to see if it would help him keep his head down. He was compliant, but didn't seem too pleased by them as he kept bobbing his head forward throughout the ride. He was very relaxed and didn't really break gait, so that was great. I feel like he's a bit pokey, but I guess that's what we were going for back when he was hyped up. We're toying with the idea now of taking him off his calming supplement and seeing how he does without it, but I'm not sure now if we should change that so close to shows starting.
After we worked, I switched to normal reins and took him outside. He has such stubby legs, everyone else can walk faster than him! So he had to canter a bit to keep up with everyone, but they slowed down for him and he could just go at a brisk corto haha. What a short little guy.
This week, we're switching back to an old farrier that the barn flies in due to the whole vet v. farrier debate that happened a couple of weeks ago...I really am not a fan of this guy mainly because of his attitude and his unwillingness to answer lots of questions...doesn't seem like a people person. But we'll see how his work measures up after he trims and shoes them. I hate not being there for it. I like to think that the staff won't be rough with any of them, but I'm not 100% confident, and it is worrisome. We left tranquilizer for Nina and Harry though, so they should be okay. Brie loves getting her hooves done, but is a little wobbly on her bad leg sometimes. I hope they don't take that for her being bad...
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Days 288 & 289
Saturday
We got up and out super early. Surprisingly, I was full of energy! It was also super nice outside, so I decided that I would ride outside. I was a little hesitant, since they haven't been ridden outdoors since fall, but I took Brie out to do our little program like nothing was different and after a few bucks of happiness, she settled right into it! We got ready to ride and were out there riding before anyone else was ready and she was sooo calm! It was a really nice surprise. She walked so slowly and was just happily going along with no problems. She tried to speed up a tiny bit when we would turn the corners to face going towards the gate, but with a little correction she regained her focus and settled back into a beautifully slow walk. Our corto was equally as calm. It was fantastic! Once everyone else came out she got a little hyper, but not really badly. We went outside in the fields to walk around and she was not super crazy so that was a plus! She actually wasn't bad at all. Never tried to stop or run away on me, just plugged along in her corto. =] It was truly a great day.
In other news...we're changing farriers. Our current farrier, according to the vet, cut Jane's horses hooves at all different angles. This lead to mass confusion but when confronted about it, the farrier had good explanations (supposedly) for what he did. After talking more with Nick, he explained how just being off on angles a tiny bit can make the horse not gait well or go into a pace. Harry has been pacing...so now we're concerned. We've decided on going back to a previous farrier that Gary and Nick fly in from Puerto Rico who supposedly specializes in Paso Finos.
This whole farrier v. vet business makes me anxious. Do farriers and vets ever really get along? And I'm not entirely convinced that Pasos need a special farrier just for their hooves. If the farrier is good, he should be able to comprehend adjusting the angles as necessary for the breed and conformation of he horse, right?
Sunday
Rode Brie some more today. I didn't use the mounting block because everyone was standing around it like a herd of cattle. I don't get it, really. No one outside of my family uses the mounting block for their horses, but they keep it in an area where they all stand. I might just move it to the corner or something, that way I don't have to keep asking everyone to move so I can use it and then feel judged if Brie doesn't stand still the first time. Also, there is a gazebo in the middle of the arena for this gathering purpose! Can't they go in there?!
It was crummy out today, so as much as I wanted to go back out, we got stuck inside again. Oh well. I'm really confident that Brie is going to do well if we take her to Michigan. This whole spring and show season is getting hectic, at least for me. I want to go to Michigan to show Brie, but my best friend has her graduation on the second day of the show...I'm not sure if my parents will want to drive back on Saturday night so that I can go to graduation. Otherwise, I might just stay home and then Brie will miss another year of showing, since I think Michigan is the last local one before State Fair, which I won't be able to go to because of law school starting, so no one will bring her to show anyways...plus I wanted to be the one to show her...
Anyways. This weekend is Easter! Maybe we'll go out on Friday and Saturday to make up for missing Sunday.
We got up and out super early. Surprisingly, I was full of energy! It was also super nice outside, so I decided that I would ride outside. I was a little hesitant, since they haven't been ridden outdoors since fall, but I took Brie out to do our little program like nothing was different and after a few bucks of happiness, she settled right into it! We got ready to ride and were out there riding before anyone else was ready and she was sooo calm! It was a really nice surprise. She walked so slowly and was just happily going along with no problems. She tried to speed up a tiny bit when we would turn the corners to face going towards the gate, but with a little correction she regained her focus and settled back into a beautifully slow walk. Our corto was equally as calm. It was fantastic! Once everyone else came out she got a little hyper, but not really badly. We went outside in the fields to walk around and she was not super crazy so that was a plus! She actually wasn't bad at all. Never tried to stop or run away on me, just plugged along in her corto. =] It was truly a great day.
In other news...we're changing farriers. Our current farrier, according to the vet, cut Jane's horses hooves at all different angles. This lead to mass confusion but when confronted about it, the farrier had good explanations (supposedly) for what he did. After talking more with Nick, he explained how just being off on angles a tiny bit can make the horse not gait well or go into a pace. Harry has been pacing...so now we're concerned. We've decided on going back to a previous farrier that Gary and Nick fly in from Puerto Rico who supposedly specializes in Paso Finos.
This whole farrier v. vet business makes me anxious. Do farriers and vets ever really get along? And I'm not entirely convinced that Pasos need a special farrier just for their hooves. If the farrier is good, he should be able to comprehend adjusting the angles as necessary for the breed and conformation of he horse, right?
Sunday
Rode Brie some more today. I didn't use the mounting block because everyone was standing around it like a herd of cattle. I don't get it, really. No one outside of my family uses the mounting block for their horses, but they keep it in an area where they all stand. I might just move it to the corner or something, that way I don't have to keep asking everyone to move so I can use it and then feel judged if Brie doesn't stand still the first time. Also, there is a gazebo in the middle of the arena for this gathering purpose! Can't they go in there?!
It was crummy out today, so as much as I wanted to go back out, we got stuck inside again. Oh well. I'm really confident that Brie is going to do well if we take her to Michigan. This whole spring and show season is getting hectic, at least for me. I want to go to Michigan to show Brie, but my best friend has her graduation on the second day of the show...I'm not sure if my parents will want to drive back on Saturday night so that I can go to graduation. Otherwise, I might just stay home and then Brie will miss another year of showing, since I think Michigan is the last local one before State Fair, which I won't be able to go to because of law school starting, so no one will bring her to show anyways...plus I wanted to be the one to show her...
Anyways. This weekend is Easter! Maybe we'll go out on Friday and Saturday to make up for missing Sunday.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Days 284 & 285
Saturday
Yesterday was Harry's 8th birthday!! Naturally, today we had to celebrate =] We bought him special cookies, not those cheapie treats that they sell in the feed stores. They're called Stud Muffins!
He definitely enjoyed them. They seemed kind of sticky like peanut butter is when dogs eat it, because he kept sticking his tongue out.
Today was also farrier day. Nina had to be tranquilized, so we couldn't ride her, but my mom and I rode Brie and Harry for a short time after they were trimmed. I rode Brie, and she was super full of energy today! Her head is coming down better and I need to look for supplements that will help her gain muscle in her back end, because her butt is not as round and muscular as Harry's and Nina's. Her's is kind of not hollow but not filled in either. I think that increased muscle will also help with her arthritis.
Sunday
Today I got to ride Harry AND Nina!! What a treat! I rode Brie first. I'm really working on sitting back and deep in the saddle and not letting my hands get to high or lean too far forward. I think it helps with her balance. I feel weird, I constantly keep changing my seat with Brie. I feel like this current trend is going more back to her roots whereas I was sitting more forward during my jumping lessons and then a little further back after those ended. Now I'm finally really sitting back and deep again and I think it's helping with her headset a little bit.
Harry, we've decided, is going to go into Pleasure class. Rather than trying to work him up to be all excited for Performance class and risk him losing his gait, we'll settle for the pokey relaxed gait he seems to like right now and put him in Pleasure and see how he does. If he wins, it'll be a good choice! He is a lot more calm when I'm not trying to get him to move quicker but stay in gait. He didn't break much at all so that was fantastic. He is also walking very nicely finally. All we have to work on now is getting him to largo!
Nina was a blast. She is so funny, she will get into races with Brie if they're going side by side. She has a pretty fast largo! Not as fast as Brie though, but she will do wonderfully in Pleasure and Performance.
For the shows this year, we're seriously talking about bringing Brie! Our first show is the Midwest Classic in May down in St. Louis and we're thinking of bringing Harry and Nina to that one, since it's more competitive. Then the second show is in Michigan in June and we're thinking of bringing Brie and Nina to that one because it's more relaxed and while it's still competitive, not a lot of the big barns go to it so it's more smaller barns and families for a calmer atmosphere that I think Brie will like. She was in Michigan before though...tried to run back to the barn while I was still on her. But that was years ago. We have a little system in place. I think that as long as I longe her on the line for a bit and keep myself calm and just go in with the goal of making it through the class and staying as relaxed as possible, we will do well.
Yesterday was Harry's 8th birthday!! Naturally, today we had to celebrate =] We bought him special cookies, not those cheapie treats that they sell in the feed stores. They're called Stud Muffins!
He definitely enjoyed them. They seemed kind of sticky like peanut butter is when dogs eat it, because he kept sticking his tongue out.
Today was also farrier day. Nina had to be tranquilized, so we couldn't ride her, but my mom and I rode Brie and Harry for a short time after they were trimmed. I rode Brie, and she was super full of energy today! Her head is coming down better and I need to look for supplements that will help her gain muscle in her back end, because her butt is not as round and muscular as Harry's and Nina's. Her's is kind of not hollow but not filled in either. I think that increased muscle will also help with her arthritis.
Sunday
Today I got to ride Harry AND Nina!! What a treat! I rode Brie first. I'm really working on sitting back and deep in the saddle and not letting my hands get to high or lean too far forward. I think it helps with her balance. I feel weird, I constantly keep changing my seat with Brie. I feel like this current trend is going more back to her roots whereas I was sitting more forward during my jumping lessons and then a little further back after those ended. Now I'm finally really sitting back and deep again and I think it's helping with her headset a little bit.
Harry, we've decided, is going to go into Pleasure class. Rather than trying to work him up to be all excited for Performance class and risk him losing his gait, we'll settle for the pokey relaxed gait he seems to like right now and put him in Pleasure and see how he does. If he wins, it'll be a good choice! He is a lot more calm when I'm not trying to get him to move quicker but stay in gait. He didn't break much at all so that was fantastic. He is also walking very nicely finally. All we have to work on now is getting him to largo!
Nina was a blast. She is so funny, she will get into races with Brie if they're going side by side. She has a pretty fast largo! Not as fast as Brie though, but she will do wonderfully in Pleasure and Performance.
For the shows this year, we're seriously talking about bringing Brie! Our first show is the Midwest Classic in May down in St. Louis and we're thinking of bringing Harry and Nina to that one, since it's more competitive. Then the second show is in Michigan in June and we're thinking of bringing Brie and Nina to that one because it's more relaxed and while it's still competitive, not a lot of the big barns go to it so it's more smaller barns and families for a calmer atmosphere that I think Brie will like. She was in Michigan before though...tried to run back to the barn while I was still on her. But that was years ago. We have a little system in place. I think that as long as I longe her on the line for a bit and keep myself calm and just go in with the goal of making it through the class and staying as relaxed as possible, we will do well.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Days 274 & 275
Saturday
Brie was pretty stiff today, which might have had something to do with the weather. It was unseasonably warm today and although it was a nice surprise, I'm sure it affected everyone in some way. Except Nina! She was working fantastically! If only Brie and Harry could be more like her.
That's not entirely true. Harry looked like he was working really well. I didn't get the chance to ride him today, but I'm planning on it for next weekend. I think that the same groundwork program that we did with Harry would be good for Brie. Maybe not to give her a month off like he did, but to incorporate it into what she's doing now. She really needs to refocus herself and remember what she's supposed to be doing, not just running around all of the time, especially if I want to bring her to show this year. After this summer, I don't know when I might be able to go to another horse show again, or even ride again, once I go to law school in the fall, so I have to make the best of it now! That means enjoying every weekend and every ride to the fullest. I want Brie to be in great condition, physically and mentally, for this show season that way in case there is an empty spot in someone's trailer, she can take it! Maybe after a couple of years of not showing, she will forget how scary the shows were for her.
Sunday
The farrier came out today, which is Brie's favorite day! I think she really likes getting her hooves trimmed, she just looks so happy. While we were waiting for the farrier, I took Harry and the giant exercise ball that we have in the tack room and brought them into the arena. I wanted him to sniff it and eventually push it with his nose, but we got to sniffing it. I let him go up to it and pet him when he did. I started pushing the ball towards him but he was getting scared, so I started kicking the ball away from him and making him follow me and the ball so that way it would perk his interest. It seemed to work! He really needs to get over his timidness and now that he is better after his month off, I think that the next step is really focusing on overcoming his fears on the ground. Especially since they are so simple, like being scared of balls and tarps! Even puddles. We're going to work on those a lot because once we move (hopefully) out West, he'll have to get used to all sorts of new things, especially for trail rides!
Brie was pretty stiff today, which might have had something to do with the weather. It was unseasonably warm today and although it was a nice surprise, I'm sure it affected everyone in some way. Except Nina! She was working fantastically! If only Brie and Harry could be more like her.
That's not entirely true. Harry looked like he was working really well. I didn't get the chance to ride him today, but I'm planning on it for next weekend. I think that the same groundwork program that we did with Harry would be good for Brie. Maybe not to give her a month off like he did, but to incorporate it into what she's doing now. She really needs to refocus herself and remember what she's supposed to be doing, not just running around all of the time, especially if I want to bring her to show this year. After this summer, I don't know when I might be able to go to another horse show again, or even ride again, once I go to law school in the fall, so I have to make the best of it now! That means enjoying every weekend and every ride to the fullest. I want Brie to be in great condition, physically and mentally, for this show season that way in case there is an empty spot in someone's trailer, she can take it! Maybe after a couple of years of not showing, she will forget how scary the shows were for her.
Sunday
The farrier came out today, which is Brie's favorite day! I think she really likes getting her hooves trimmed, she just looks so happy. While we were waiting for the farrier, I took Harry and the giant exercise ball that we have in the tack room and brought them into the arena. I wanted him to sniff it and eventually push it with his nose, but we got to sniffing it. I let him go up to it and pet him when he did. I started pushing the ball towards him but he was getting scared, so I started kicking the ball away from him and making him follow me and the ball so that way it would perk his interest. It seemed to work! He really needs to get over his timidness and now that he is better after his month off, I think that the next step is really focusing on overcoming his fears on the ground. Especially since they are so simple, like being scared of balls and tarps! Even puddles. We're going to work on those a lot because once we move (hopefully) out West, he'll have to get used to all sorts of new things, especially for trail rides!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Day 266
Yay for posting on the same day that I went out!
The farrier came out this weekend. He was actually only an hour late, so that is an improvement!
I am so proud of Harry. He didn't even need to be tranquilized to do his trim! Only Nina, but she is getting better at taking the tranquilizer. We didn't have to tie her to the H post today, we just were able to give it to her in her stall without her killing anyone, so that is a definite improvement!
After Harry and Brie got their trims, I brushed them up and played with them. I had Harry longe for a while and then asked my mom if she would longe him while I sat on him bareback. We never did that before and he was so good!!! He didn't try anything goofy at all and was actually really well behaved in response to me being on him bareback. So I am very proud of him. =]
Brie was stiff today, as we didn't make it out yesterday. She was bored with longeing so I ran around the arena with her a couple of times and over the board. Then I got the idea to teach her a trick so she could use her little brain instead of going in a boring circle (she is a pro at that), so I got some carrots and started to teach her how to bow! She was actually getting the hang of it and went so far down by the end that she was touching her forehead to the dirt as she bowed. Pretty soon I won't need carrots! And then she'll be able to lay down and get back up for people to mount her! That is wishful thinking right now, but it is entirely a possibility. I love teaching her tricks. Just like how I taught her to give kisses.
I won't be out next week (fingers crossed) because hopefully I will be in LA! But if I get stuck home because of flights, I will take a little video of her bowing to show you all =]
The farrier came out this weekend. He was actually only an hour late, so that is an improvement!
I am so proud of Harry. He didn't even need to be tranquilized to do his trim! Only Nina, but she is getting better at taking the tranquilizer. We didn't have to tie her to the H post today, we just were able to give it to her in her stall without her killing anyone, so that is a definite improvement!
After Harry and Brie got their trims, I brushed them up and played with them. I had Harry longe for a while and then asked my mom if she would longe him while I sat on him bareback. We never did that before and he was so good!!! He didn't try anything goofy at all and was actually really well behaved in response to me being on him bareback. So I am very proud of him. =]
Brie was stiff today, as we didn't make it out yesterday. She was bored with longeing so I ran around the arena with her a couple of times and over the board. Then I got the idea to teach her a trick so she could use her little brain instead of going in a boring circle (she is a pro at that), so I got some carrots and started to teach her how to bow! She was actually getting the hang of it and went so far down by the end that she was touching her forehead to the dirt as she bowed. Pretty soon I won't need carrots! And then she'll be able to lay down and get back up for people to mount her! That is wishful thinking right now, but it is entirely a possibility. I love teaching her tricks. Just like how I taught her to give kisses.
I won't be out next week (fingers crossed) because hopefully I will be in LA! But if I get stuck home because of flights, I will take a little video of her bowing to show you all =]
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Days 264 & 265
Saturday
I don't think I've gotten as upset as I did today in a long time. I don't understand what is going on with Harry. I had the draw reins on him but he stil kept throwing his head up in the air and was getting mad, so I eventually took those off and put on normal reins. He was still mad, so I changed his bit. I don't know if he's tired of working or if he's just being lazy, but he will not gait. His boards sounded terrible. He won't gait around the rail. He acts like you're stabbing him if you put a little leg pressure on. Is something wrong with him medically? I don't think there would be. He's acting normal on the ground. I just don't know what to do with him anymore. I had a terrible time and actually cried after I got off. He doesn't want to walk, but he can't figure out how to canter either, he doesn't largo, instead he paces. So he can't do anything right. I really don't know what to do with him and it's very upsetting because I feel like every time we take a step forward, we take three steps back. Is it because of the weather? Is he burned out?
Sunday
The farrier was supposed to come today. He didn't. He thought he was supposed to come next Sunday. So we sat around and wasted half of our day. We rode before we thought he was supposed to be there. I rode Brie today while my mom took Harry. She was very stiff and limping when we started, but after she warmed up she was better. I have to remember that my efforts do pay off, because I've been working so hard with Brie the whole time I've had her and she is so good now. She is calm and happy and responsive and does everything I ask of her. I have fun when I ride her, which is a lot more than I could've said a couple of years ago. I just have to figure out what is wrong with Harry.
He was obnoxious for my mom today too and kept trying to rear. She got mad too, so she got off and brought him out into the round pen and just made him run. By the time I got out there after I brushed off Brie, he was tired and just walking around her. I don't know what is his deal. Is it because he's off of the Calmex? He shouldn't be this stubborn, he is a gelding after all! Does he need a break? Should we leave him alone for a month? I really don't know what to do.
I don't think I've gotten as upset as I did today in a long time. I don't understand what is going on with Harry. I had the draw reins on him but he stil kept throwing his head up in the air and was getting mad, so I eventually took those off and put on normal reins. He was still mad, so I changed his bit. I don't know if he's tired of working or if he's just being lazy, but he will not gait. His boards sounded terrible. He won't gait around the rail. He acts like you're stabbing him if you put a little leg pressure on. Is something wrong with him medically? I don't think there would be. He's acting normal on the ground. I just don't know what to do with him anymore. I had a terrible time and actually cried after I got off. He doesn't want to walk, but he can't figure out how to canter either, he doesn't largo, instead he paces. So he can't do anything right. I really don't know what to do with him and it's very upsetting because I feel like every time we take a step forward, we take three steps back. Is it because of the weather? Is he burned out?
Sunday
The farrier was supposed to come today. He didn't. He thought he was supposed to come next Sunday. So we sat around and wasted half of our day. We rode before we thought he was supposed to be there. I rode Brie today while my mom took Harry. She was very stiff and limping when we started, but after she warmed up she was better. I have to remember that my efforts do pay off, because I've been working so hard with Brie the whole time I've had her and she is so good now. She is calm and happy and responsive and does everything I ask of her. I have fun when I ride her, which is a lot more than I could've said a couple of years ago. I just have to figure out what is wrong with Harry.
He was obnoxious for my mom today too and kept trying to rear. She got mad too, so she got off and brought him out into the round pen and just made him run. By the time I got out there after I brushed off Brie, he was tired and just walking around her. I don't know what is his deal. Is it because he's off of the Calmex? He shouldn't be this stubborn, he is a gelding after all! Does he need a break? Should we leave him alone for a month? I really don't know what to do.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Day 253
Sunday
The farrier came out today and surprisingly he wasn't more than an hour late! While we were waiting for him, we let everyone out in the paddock to play. Harry and I played "I'm gonna get you!", which is basically where I walk around all cool and calm while he's eating, then stop and look at him and he looks up at me, then I crouch down really fast and he takes off. It's really cute, I need to record it. He knows to come by me or not be bothered by me when I'm standing upright, but when I crouch down, he speeds away! It's adorable =]
We only had enough tranquilizer for Nina, so Harry didn't get his shoes back on. I just remembered that I forgot to bring them with to school for luck. I left them at home. I'll have to get them when I go back this weekend. Harry was a little nervous at first and kicked out with his front foot when the farrier was trying to pull the shoe off and he knocked the hoof stand and then got scared because it fell down, but after that I put light pressure over his nose with my hand when he started to get tense and he relaxed into the whole process. After that, there weren't anymore issues.
Kimmy was looking for someone to ride with, since Sadie doesn't like to ride alone, and Brie was already trimmed so I took her for the first ride we've had in a while. I hate getting preoccupied with one horse over another, but it happens. She was so calm today and I think a lot of it has to do with my attitude. I was determined to keep a light rein and steady contact with my legs and seat. I've been trying to rely more on my lower body than my upper body while riding. We walked for a long time, each time she started to speed up I only lifted the reins when she started to jerk forward in anticipation or if she started to steadily start trying to increase, I sank my rear down into the saddle and gently started closing my fingers more tightly around the reins and she would slow back down before I even closed my hands all the way. After much walking to make sure that she got all of the kinks out of her arthritic leg, we sped up for a nice corto and then again for a smooth largo. I could really tell that she was happy with today's work. I also focused more on my legs than my hands for some serpentines and figure 8's throughout the ride.
At the end of the ride I put both reins into one hand and just let it rest on the pommel all while trying to direct her solely from my lower half and she responded wonderfully. She never tried to take off, so eventually I just dropped my stirrups and my rein and let her walk herself around the arena to cool and then gave her a nice warm shower. In all, a great day.
The farrier came out today and surprisingly he wasn't more than an hour late! While we were waiting for him, we let everyone out in the paddock to play. Harry and I played "I'm gonna get you!", which is basically where I walk around all cool and calm while he's eating, then stop and look at him and he looks up at me, then I crouch down really fast and he takes off. It's really cute, I need to record it. He knows to come by me or not be bothered by me when I'm standing upright, but when I crouch down, he speeds away! It's adorable =]
We only had enough tranquilizer for Nina, so Harry didn't get his shoes back on. I just remembered that I forgot to bring them with to school for luck. I left them at home. I'll have to get them when I go back this weekend. Harry was a little nervous at first and kicked out with his front foot when the farrier was trying to pull the shoe off and he knocked the hoof stand and then got scared because it fell down, but after that I put light pressure over his nose with my hand when he started to get tense and he relaxed into the whole process. After that, there weren't anymore issues.
Kimmy was looking for someone to ride with, since Sadie doesn't like to ride alone, and Brie was already trimmed so I took her for the first ride we've had in a while. I hate getting preoccupied with one horse over another, but it happens. She was so calm today and I think a lot of it has to do with my attitude. I was determined to keep a light rein and steady contact with my legs and seat. I've been trying to rely more on my lower body than my upper body while riding. We walked for a long time, each time she started to speed up I only lifted the reins when she started to jerk forward in anticipation or if she started to steadily start trying to increase, I sank my rear down into the saddle and gently started closing my fingers more tightly around the reins and she would slow back down before I even closed my hands all the way. After much walking to make sure that she got all of the kinks out of her arthritic leg, we sped up for a nice corto and then again for a smooth largo. I could really tell that she was happy with today's work. I also focused more on my legs than my hands for some serpentines and figure 8's throughout the ride.
At the end of the ride I put both reins into one hand and just let it rest on the pommel all while trying to direct her solely from my lower half and she responded wonderfully. She never tried to take off, so eventually I just dropped my stirrups and my rein and let her walk herself around the arena to cool and then gave her a nice warm shower. In all, a great day.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Day 245
Nothing too exciting today. The farrier came out (only 2.5 hours late). I'm hoping that soon I have enough money to call out the chiropractor for Harry. Brie is sore and was having a hard time balancing on her bad leg during the farrier session, so maybe she'll have to have another shot soon. It would just kill me if we had to retire her. She still has half of her life to go! Although I'm sure she wouldn't mind doing nothing but eating until she dies.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Days 233 & 234
Saturday
It was an excruciating 105 today and all that was set was the farrier coming out. Alas, he didn't show up on time, so we rescheduled it for tomorrow. We did give everyone a quick hose off and I played a little with Harry and the tarp. I didn't try to make him go over it, but I held it folded up and walked around with it and had him follow me, that way he would get the idea that he is supposed to follow me no matter what scary thing I might be carrying. Eventually, we did get to halt and then I inched my way over to him to press the tarp against his nose. When he finally let me do this, I put the tarp down, still folded up, stood on it, and played the YoYo game to make him come towards me no matter what scary thing was around me. At first he didn't want to come back, but after he came close to me, we called it a day. I'd say that was progress!
Sunday
Harry was absolutely miserable today. He hasn't been quite this bratty in a while. He kept trying to buck me off! I got so sick of him that I got off and made him longe like a devil. After that, he calmed down a little, but was no where near where I wanted him to be. I don't know what happened between now and a month ago when he was being such an angel. It's beyond frustrating.
I got to poke around on Nina today, which was nice. We walked around outside for a little bit. She's so nice. I wish that every horse was like Nina. Or that I got to ride Nina more.
Finally the farrier showed up and everyone stopped riding. Nina is getting better around the farrier. We didn't have as much tranquilizer that we normally do for Nina, we had about half of what she usually gets, and I'm proud to say that she was pretty calm for her standards! She didn't even try to kick him.
It was an excruciating 105 today and all that was set was the farrier coming out. Alas, he didn't show up on time, so we rescheduled it for tomorrow. We did give everyone a quick hose off and I played a little with Harry and the tarp. I didn't try to make him go over it, but I held it folded up and walked around with it and had him follow me, that way he would get the idea that he is supposed to follow me no matter what scary thing I might be carrying. Eventually, we did get to halt and then I inched my way over to him to press the tarp against his nose. When he finally let me do this, I put the tarp down, still folded up, stood on it, and played the YoYo game to make him come towards me no matter what scary thing was around me. At first he didn't want to come back, but after he came close to me, we called it a day. I'd say that was progress!
Sunday
Harry was absolutely miserable today. He hasn't been quite this bratty in a while. He kept trying to buck me off! I got so sick of him that I got off and made him longe like a devil. After that, he calmed down a little, but was no where near where I wanted him to be. I don't know what happened between now and a month ago when he was being such an angel. It's beyond frustrating.
I got to poke around on Nina today, which was nice. We walked around outside for a little bit. She's so nice. I wish that every horse was like Nina. Or that I got to ride Nina more.
Finally the farrier showed up and everyone stopped riding. Nina is getting better around the farrier. We didn't have as much tranquilizer that we normally do for Nina, we had about half of what she usually gets, and I'm proud to say that she was pretty calm for her standards! She didn't even try to kick him.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Day 211
My mom read somewhere earlier this week that celery was a good alternative to carrots for horses with insulin resistance. So we figured we'd try it out. Absolutely no one liked it! Brie thought it was disgusting, Nina wouldn't even look at it, and Harry ate one stalk and then spit out the rest that we tried to feed him. Oh well, guess we just have to cut back on the carrot intake!
Brie is looking kind of skinny, but her eye sockets were filling in last week, so that means her sugar was going up...I feel bad for her. Poor Brie. If she ate enough, she'd probably be happier, but we have to keep her underweight to control her sugar...The vet's supposed to come out this month for shots and teeth, so maybe we'll have her test Brie's blood and then give us some more advice about how to manage her.
We were waiting around for the farrier today. While we were waiting, I decided to longe Harry. I feel like I'm dreaming! He's absolutely wonderful longeing now! I got curious after we stopped and had my brother knock over a couple of poles and lay them on the ground for Harry to walk over them. He didn't want to at first, even though he has tons of times before, but after he saw Nina walking over them he just went for it. Then we decided to try the tarp again. Harry didn't learn by example from that! Nina just thought the tarp was the silliest thing and walked right over it, stomped on it, kicked it around, pushed it with her nose, and even picked it up in her mouth and flung it around! Harry, meanwhile, was fearing for his life (and Nina's). We eventually just settled on him being calm and observing Nina and decided it was a good time to have his break. We put him away and got out Brie, who also thought the whole ordeal was ridiculous. In the end, we laid the tarp over Brie and Nina (separately) and walked them around with it. Brie was used to it because I show costume with her and wear a dress, so she's used to something hanging over her butt, and Nina was really well behaved and unphased by it too! At least now I now that if I ever can't bring Brie to a show, I can do costume with Nina! I feel a new outfit coming on the horizon! I better fire up that sewing machine.
We didn't know whether we should ride them or not, but my brother and mom ended up tacking up Nina and Harry to ride. I only put a bareback pad and bit hanger on Brie because I figured with my luck the farrier would show up right as I started to ride. And just as I thought, I was right! I only got a couple of laps around the arena, as Brie wanted to fly, before the farrier showed up. He did Sadie first, but I dismounted anyways to help him out cleaning up and handling Sadie and the rest of the horses.
My mom switched Harry's bosal to a softer one in order to tuck his head in without using a martingale. We changed this because Pasos resist pressure rather than giving in to it, so after this change, his barbada was stronger than his bosal, which would theoretically lower his head. I got the chance to watch him in action today, rather than being on his back, and he looked pretty good! Only time will tell if this method worked.
Last night, I found this video of Harry's father on Youtube. I was so surprised about how similarly they gait, which I guess would make sense, but having never seen his father in action, it makes me realize that Harry's not actually doing anything wrong with his gait --- he only has those little spouts of nervous tapdancing. After watching this, it really made me proud that he's on the right track to follow in his father's footsteps!
Brie is looking kind of skinny, but her eye sockets were filling in last week, so that means her sugar was going up...I feel bad for her. Poor Brie. If she ate enough, she'd probably be happier, but we have to keep her underweight to control her sugar...The vet's supposed to come out this month for shots and teeth, so maybe we'll have her test Brie's blood and then give us some more advice about how to manage her.
We were waiting around for the farrier today. While we were waiting, I decided to longe Harry. I feel like I'm dreaming! He's absolutely wonderful longeing now! I got curious after we stopped and had my brother knock over a couple of poles and lay them on the ground for Harry to walk over them. He didn't want to at first, even though he has tons of times before, but after he saw Nina walking over them he just went for it. Then we decided to try the tarp again. Harry didn't learn by example from that! Nina just thought the tarp was the silliest thing and walked right over it, stomped on it, kicked it around, pushed it with her nose, and even picked it up in her mouth and flung it around! Harry, meanwhile, was fearing for his life (and Nina's). We eventually just settled on him being calm and observing Nina and decided it was a good time to have his break. We put him away and got out Brie, who also thought the whole ordeal was ridiculous. In the end, we laid the tarp over Brie and Nina (separately) and walked them around with it. Brie was used to it because I show costume with her and wear a dress, so she's used to something hanging over her butt, and Nina was really well behaved and unphased by it too! At least now I now that if I ever can't bring Brie to a show, I can do costume with Nina! I feel a new outfit coming on the horizon! I better fire up that sewing machine.
We didn't know whether we should ride them or not, but my brother and mom ended up tacking up Nina and Harry to ride. I only put a bareback pad and bit hanger on Brie because I figured with my luck the farrier would show up right as I started to ride. And just as I thought, I was right! I only got a couple of laps around the arena, as Brie wanted to fly, before the farrier showed up. He did Sadie first, but I dismounted anyways to help him out cleaning up and handling Sadie and the rest of the horses.
My mom switched Harry's bosal to a softer one in order to tuck his head in without using a martingale. We changed this because Pasos resist pressure rather than giving in to it, so after this change, his barbada was stronger than his bosal, which would theoretically lower his head. I got the chance to watch him in action today, rather than being on his back, and he looked pretty good! Only time will tell if this method worked.
Last night, I found this video of Harry's father on Youtube. I was so surprised about how similarly they gait, which I guess would make sense, but having never seen his father in action, it makes me realize that Harry's not actually doing anything wrong with his gait --- he only has those little spouts of nervous tapdancing. After watching this, it really made me proud that he's on the right track to follow in his father's footsteps!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Day 192
First day out of the new year! What a better way than to get hooves trimmed?
Since the farrier was out today, nothing really exciting happened. Nina and Brie got trimmed, Nina while tranquilized and Brie was, in the farrier's words, "awesome" because she picked up all her hooves for him without being asked. Harry, though, apparently had really bad front hooves. I know a couple weeks back he got that big chip on the inside of his front left hoof that Paco cut off because it was just hanging. The farrier pointed out that Harry's been riding on his frogs because his hoof wall is in such poor condition. We made the decision to put shoes back on his front hooves. He had to be tranquilized to do that because he got one shoe on and then started trying to rear. But overall, they're all fixed up pretty now and I can't wait to ride Harry tomorrow to see if this changes anything even a little bit.
What I am mad about, though, is Paco riding Harry without telling me beforehand. Actually, I don't like Paco riding Harry at all. It's a really tricky situation because we're friends, but I just don't want him interfering with what I'm trying to accomplish with Harry -- building up his confidence. I know that Harry is really energetic, hyper, and stubborn, but I don't believe that he's mean or is confident. I believe that horses are the same on the ground as they are in the saddle. What I mean by this is that Harry is a spooky horse on the ground, therefore he's a spooky horse in the saddle. I can prove this with Brie. She's like bomb-proof on the ground and is pretty much bomb-proof outside (whether or not she wants to cooperate is a different story). I believe that Harry's spookiness stems from his lack of confidence and while I don't get to work on that on the ground so often, I'm really trying to build up his confidence in the saddle by the work I've been doing that past couple of weeks by trying to get him to collect his own feet and maintain his own speed without me doing all of the work for him, sometimes the wrong way and making him upset. If Paco is going behind me and doing God knows what while I'm not there (not that I think that he's harming him), then how is what I'm doing supposed to stick? It's bad enough that I get ridiculed about doing Parelli techniques and hounded about wasting time while I'm doing them so I can't improve him on the ground, but I have to be working double on riding too? No, I don't appreciate this. And Paco, being older, of course thinks I'm just being a stubborn kid and not wanting to listen to him and his help, but honestly, Paco contradicts himself all of the time. If he's not someone who's consistent in what he's trying to "teach" me, then how am I even supposed to believe what I'm doing is right if the next day what I'm doing is wrong?
Take for example, yesterday when Paco rode Harry he changed the bit. I have no idea what bit he used and he didn't want to show me, but when WE wanted to change the bit, Paco told us No, No, No. Now suddenly it's okay? He can get into our tack room, why couldn't he just use our bit? I want to tell him and I know it shouldn't affect our friendship, but I know that it will. It just comes down to my own horse's well being and the progress I'm trying to make. I know that I should appreciate him exercising Harry because he doesn't get trained and it's cold out, but honestly, that's another thing. Paco should be putting them outside. So what if it's cold? As long as it's above freezing and there's no ice on the ground, I fully believe that they all should be out in the fresh air. It drives me insane because I know they aren't getting out.
This is why I need to, as much as I want to quit, stay in school and force myself into a good job. That way I can get my own barn and my own land and take care of my horses the way that they're supposed to be taken care of.
Since the farrier was out today, nothing really exciting happened. Nina and Brie got trimmed, Nina while tranquilized and Brie was, in the farrier's words, "awesome" because she picked up all her hooves for him without being asked. Harry, though, apparently had really bad front hooves. I know a couple weeks back he got that big chip on the inside of his front left hoof that Paco cut off because it was just hanging. The farrier pointed out that Harry's been riding on his frogs because his hoof wall is in such poor condition. We made the decision to put shoes back on his front hooves. He had to be tranquilized to do that because he got one shoe on and then started trying to rear. But overall, they're all fixed up pretty now and I can't wait to ride Harry tomorrow to see if this changes anything even a little bit.
What I am mad about, though, is Paco riding Harry without telling me beforehand. Actually, I don't like Paco riding Harry at all. It's a really tricky situation because we're friends, but I just don't want him interfering with what I'm trying to accomplish with Harry -- building up his confidence. I know that Harry is really energetic, hyper, and stubborn, but I don't believe that he's mean or is confident. I believe that horses are the same on the ground as they are in the saddle. What I mean by this is that Harry is a spooky horse on the ground, therefore he's a spooky horse in the saddle. I can prove this with Brie. She's like bomb-proof on the ground and is pretty much bomb-proof outside (whether or not she wants to cooperate is a different story). I believe that Harry's spookiness stems from his lack of confidence and while I don't get to work on that on the ground so often, I'm really trying to build up his confidence in the saddle by the work I've been doing that past couple of weeks by trying to get him to collect his own feet and maintain his own speed without me doing all of the work for him, sometimes the wrong way and making him upset. If Paco is going behind me and doing God knows what while I'm not there (not that I think that he's harming him), then how is what I'm doing supposed to stick? It's bad enough that I get ridiculed about doing Parelli techniques and hounded about wasting time while I'm doing them so I can't improve him on the ground, but I have to be working double on riding too? No, I don't appreciate this. And Paco, being older, of course thinks I'm just being a stubborn kid and not wanting to listen to him and his help, but honestly, Paco contradicts himself all of the time. If he's not someone who's consistent in what he's trying to "teach" me, then how am I even supposed to believe what I'm doing is right if the next day what I'm doing is wrong?
Take for example, yesterday when Paco rode Harry he changed the bit. I have no idea what bit he used and he didn't want to show me, but when WE wanted to change the bit, Paco told us No, No, No. Now suddenly it's okay? He can get into our tack room, why couldn't he just use our bit? I want to tell him and I know it shouldn't affect our friendship, but I know that it will. It just comes down to my own horse's well being and the progress I'm trying to make. I know that I should appreciate him exercising Harry because he doesn't get trained and it's cold out, but honestly, that's another thing. Paco should be putting them outside. So what if it's cold? As long as it's above freezing and there's no ice on the ground, I fully believe that they all should be out in the fresh air. It drives me insane because I know they aren't getting out.
This is why I need to, as much as I want to quit, stay in school and force myself into a good job. That way I can get my own barn and my own land and take care of my horses the way that they're supposed to be taken care of.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Days 182 + 183
Saturday
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans! While I'm sad that today was probably the last warm day of the year, it's a good thing because it's supposed to be cold in November. Unfortunately, that means that my horses will be quite stinky until it warms up enough to give them a bath. I can only shudder when I remember how dirty they got last year.
I thought that Brie was perfect today. She was responsive, well-mannered, and flexible. Perfect in every way --- until she hit the board. It was the most bizarre experience, being on Brie when she sounded like she was pacing. She's never been out of gait since she finished training 7 years ago. I thought, "Could I possibly be doing something wrong? Could she not really be as flexible as I thought she was being?" So we did circles and she still wasn't gaiting. My mom suggested that I ease up and let her just walk because it might have been her arthritis acting up. I felt so bad after that! It's so hard to remember that she might be in pain...my poor baby is getting old. =[ But after a nice (most likely) final bath of the year, she seemed pretty happy to go back and continue eating, as usual.
The reason why her leg could be bothering her is because she's KICKING THE STALL so much!!! I don't know what's her problem! Is she hungry? Is she bored? She has a salt lick and a Jolly Ball to play with. She gets outside. It's the saddest thing, especially when it looks like we'll have to be replacing the boards on the wall soon!
Mom worked with Harry today. He was being such a brat longeing! Paco had to step in and we've now made the decision that he won't be working off of the pisador when he's longeing anymore. He'll be working off of his noseband. I do not understand him. It's not that he ever wants to go too fast to stop him, it's that he speeds off and then fishtails out and back, pulling you forward. You would think that after a year of working on this, he would get the picture without having his nose held.
Sunday
Exciting news today! Taco is going to move over to our side of the barn! But now the baby has to take his place on the other side. I'll miss him =[ We don't usually go over there because it's where Ray keeps all of his horses and where the Gary keeps his and Ray just generally excludes us, but we'll have to wander over now and then to visit the cutie pie!
So now that Taco is moving over, we have to rework the stalls. Going back to Brie's kicking, Paco mentioned that maybe even though Nina and Brie grew up together, it's just a mare thing. It's funny that we never thought of that before because we humanized them so much. "Oh they love each other! It must be something else." But it's worth a shot. We know that Brie hates Harry from when she first started kicking to make damage to her stall and it stopped when she was on the end next to Nina for a while, but Paco says it's gotten horrible lately. So we're going to try moving Brie in between Taco and Harry and then putting Nina on the end. It might make her mad that she's next to Harry, but she seems to like Taco and hopefully her like for Taco outweighs her hate for Harry.
She was much better today, gaiting like normal. It must've been her leg bothering her yesterday. We worked more on flexibility today and keeping her corto contained after a largo, because usually after she largos she just wants to fly at a corto, but that won't do if I want to convince my parents to bring her along to shows this year!
I also got to ride Harry today after my mom worked with him. We put weighted bracelets on his back legs again to see if they would help with his tap-dancing, but I don't think they did...Anyways, we're figuring out what we want to do with his largo/corto difference and we're trying to collect his corto a little more and push is largo a little bit. Just a little in each direction. Going counterclockwise he works phenomenally, but clockwise is a little harder (just like longeing). After some fighting on the counterclockwise, we settled into a super collected corto and a smooth but not very fast largo. Clockwise, I fought with him the entire time until Paco told me to just walk and then quit after he gave in at a walk. I have a feeling that if Harry were a person, we wouldn't get along very well, we're both stubborn. But he did give me a nice walk at the end, so I'll give him that.
The farrier also came this afternoon. We did Brie without tranqing her, which is what's normal. She's 10, she's used to this, but he wanted her tranq'd every time he came out before this. I'm glad she was able to show what a good girl she is for the farrier. We started Harry but when he got to the front feet Harry started to try and rear, so we had to tranq him. Of course we needed to tranq Nina. I wonder if she'll ever be able to do it without being drugged...maybe we should lessen the amount each time until she can remember that it's okay? They're all going barefoot for the winter time, so I hope they don't get any cracks!
Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Americans! While I'm sad that today was probably the last warm day of the year, it's a good thing because it's supposed to be cold in November. Unfortunately, that means that my horses will be quite stinky until it warms up enough to give them a bath. I can only shudder when I remember how dirty they got last year.
I thought that Brie was perfect today. She was responsive, well-mannered, and flexible. Perfect in every way --- until she hit the board. It was the most bizarre experience, being on Brie when she sounded like she was pacing. She's never been out of gait since she finished training 7 years ago. I thought, "Could I possibly be doing something wrong? Could she not really be as flexible as I thought she was being?" So we did circles and she still wasn't gaiting. My mom suggested that I ease up and let her just walk because it might have been her arthritis acting up. I felt so bad after that! It's so hard to remember that she might be in pain...my poor baby is getting old. =[ But after a nice (most likely) final bath of the year, she seemed pretty happy to go back and continue eating, as usual.
The reason why her leg could be bothering her is because she's KICKING THE STALL so much!!! I don't know what's her problem! Is she hungry? Is she bored? She has a salt lick and a Jolly Ball to play with. She gets outside. It's the saddest thing, especially when it looks like we'll have to be replacing the boards on the wall soon!
Mom worked with Harry today. He was being such a brat longeing! Paco had to step in and we've now made the decision that he won't be working off of the pisador when he's longeing anymore. He'll be working off of his noseband. I do not understand him. It's not that he ever wants to go too fast to stop him, it's that he speeds off and then fishtails out and back, pulling you forward. You would think that after a year of working on this, he would get the picture without having his nose held.
Sunday
Exciting news today! Taco is going to move over to our side of the barn! But now the baby has to take his place on the other side. I'll miss him =[ We don't usually go over there because it's where Ray keeps all of his horses and where the Gary keeps his and Ray just generally excludes us, but we'll have to wander over now and then to visit the cutie pie!
So now that Taco is moving over, we have to rework the stalls. Going back to Brie's kicking, Paco mentioned that maybe even though Nina and Brie grew up together, it's just a mare thing. It's funny that we never thought of that before because we humanized them so much. "Oh they love each other! It must be something else." But it's worth a shot. We know that Brie hates Harry from when she first started kicking to make damage to her stall and it stopped when she was on the end next to Nina for a while, but Paco says it's gotten horrible lately. So we're going to try moving Brie in between Taco and Harry and then putting Nina on the end. It might make her mad that she's next to Harry, but she seems to like Taco and hopefully her like for Taco outweighs her hate for Harry.
She was much better today, gaiting like normal. It must've been her leg bothering her yesterday. We worked more on flexibility today and keeping her corto contained after a largo, because usually after she largos she just wants to fly at a corto, but that won't do if I want to convince my parents to bring her along to shows this year!
I also got to ride Harry today after my mom worked with him. We put weighted bracelets on his back legs again to see if they would help with his tap-dancing, but I don't think they did...Anyways, we're figuring out what we want to do with his largo/corto difference and we're trying to collect his corto a little more and push is largo a little bit. Just a little in each direction. Going counterclockwise he works phenomenally, but clockwise is a little harder (just like longeing). After some fighting on the counterclockwise, we settled into a super collected corto and a smooth but not very fast largo. Clockwise, I fought with him the entire time until Paco told me to just walk and then quit after he gave in at a walk. I have a feeling that if Harry were a person, we wouldn't get along very well, we're both stubborn. But he did give me a nice walk at the end, so I'll give him that.
The farrier also came this afternoon. We did Brie without tranqing her, which is what's normal. She's 10, she's used to this, but he wanted her tranq'd every time he came out before this. I'm glad she was able to show what a good girl she is for the farrier. We started Harry but when he got to the front feet Harry started to try and rear, so we had to tranq him. Of course we needed to tranq Nina. I wonder if she'll ever be able to do it without being drugged...maybe we should lessen the amount each time until she can remember that it's okay? They're all going barefoot for the winter time, so I hope they don't get any cracks!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Day 177
I hate when my farrier is late.
I mean, I do enjoy that he takes his time when he gets to our barn, but that means also waiting around while he takes his time on other people's horses at their barns before he gets to ours. Which sometimes means showing up at 5pm instead of noon.
We didn't get to stick around to see Nina being trimmed because I had to get back to school, but we tranq'd her and Paco was going to be there to help out.
On the other hand, after my mom rode Harry today, we found out that he severely cracked his hoof just from being on the rocks for a second on his way out the arena into the grass. I had a picture, but I can't get it off my phone right now. So the farrier tried to fix it and basically told us we can't ride Harry until Thanksgiving now because he had to take off a big piece to fix the chunk that happened with the crack. =[ This makes me beyond depressed.
I rode Brie today. She was really good, but stocked up again. We're thinking maybe it's time for another cortisone shot for her arthritis again, because when she's warmed up and ready to start going faster, she snorts, and it took her a long time for her to snort today before she was warmed up. We're going good with the largo, we only break in the corners now in the counter clockwise direction, but we'll be able to fix that by Spring. There might be a local fun show coming up in November, so I'm hoping we can take Brie to that to get her used to being back out in the show ring!
Today, I also rode Kimmy's horse, Sadie. She's an Icelandic Pony/Foxtrotter who was trained for barrel racing...which is an interesting mix. O.o Anyways, Jane, who's Kimmy's grandma, said that Sadie could use all the practice she could get since Kimmy's having trouble with her doing anything really because Sadie hasn't been ridden too often for over a year now. Boy, was that horse snotty! She almost ran over everyone standing by the arena door at least 4 times trying to get back to her stall and tried a couple of little rear/jumps on me too until my mom had to lead me away from everyone for their safety and stand by the pole and make me do circle work. Then Sadie started to calm down. Apparently, she never gaits, but Sadie was gaiting when I was really looking forward to doing some extra trot/canter transitions. In all, Kimmy has a lot of work a head of her, but I'll take the chance to ride any horse I can get! Especially now that Harry's out for the next month =[
I was proud at the end though. Paco congratulated me on riding Sadie so well because apparently she gave Kimmy a really hard time last weekend and Kimmy got off crying. So that made me happy =]
I mean, I do enjoy that he takes his time when he gets to our barn, but that means also waiting around while he takes his time on other people's horses at their barns before he gets to ours. Which sometimes means showing up at 5pm instead of noon.
We didn't get to stick around to see Nina being trimmed because I had to get back to school, but we tranq'd her and Paco was going to be there to help out.
On the other hand, after my mom rode Harry today, we found out that he severely cracked his hoof just from being on the rocks for a second on his way out the arena into the grass. I had a picture, but I can't get it off my phone right now. So the farrier tried to fix it and basically told us we can't ride Harry until Thanksgiving now because he had to take off a big piece to fix the chunk that happened with the crack. =[ This makes me beyond depressed.
I rode Brie today. She was really good, but stocked up again. We're thinking maybe it's time for another cortisone shot for her arthritis again, because when she's warmed up and ready to start going faster, she snorts, and it took her a long time for her to snort today before she was warmed up. We're going good with the largo, we only break in the corners now in the counter clockwise direction, but we'll be able to fix that by Spring. There might be a local fun show coming up in November, so I'm hoping we can take Brie to that to get her used to being back out in the show ring!
Today, I also rode Kimmy's horse, Sadie. She's an Icelandic Pony/Foxtrotter who was trained for barrel racing...which is an interesting mix. O.o Anyways, Jane, who's Kimmy's grandma, said that Sadie could use all the practice she could get since Kimmy's having trouble with her doing anything really because Sadie hasn't been ridden too often for over a year now. Boy, was that horse snotty! She almost ran over everyone standing by the arena door at least 4 times trying to get back to her stall and tried a couple of little rear/jumps on me too until my mom had to lead me away from everyone for their safety and stand by the pole and make me do circle work. Then Sadie started to calm down. Apparently, she never gaits, but Sadie was gaiting when I was really looking forward to doing some extra trot/canter transitions. In all, Kimmy has a lot of work a head of her, but I'll take the chance to ride any horse I can get! Especially now that Harry's out for the next month =[
I was proud at the end though. Paco congratulated me on riding Sadie so well because apparently she gave Kimmy a really hard time last weekend and Kimmy got off crying. So that made me happy =]
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Day 176
It was just me and my mom today! When we arrived, Paco said he had a surprise for us and it turned out that surprise was he had been riding Nina all week. That's great and all, but I wish he would've told us beforehand. The farrier last week said to lay off her because her hooves are going over her shoes and she couldn't be tranq'd last week to do her shoes so we have to wait until tomorrow. So on top of that, Paco had been using a different, hugely different bit on her all week and trying to make her extend while we've been trying to make her collect. While I generally don't condone my brother talking back to people, I hope he says something to Paco. I mean, it's a nice thought, but when her hooves aren't done and you're using this big bit on her that's completely different from everything we've used and are teaching her to do something different than we want, it's kind of a problem.
So he rode Nina saying she looked so much better and she really looked the same. I started and rode Harry today while my mom walked around Brie. Brie had quite a bit of stocking up in her arthritic leg and it took a while for the swelling to go down. Harry was good but seemed kind of sleepy. Nevertheless, I'm proud that he didn't skip a beat on the board and his largo was very low in the amount of pacing. Tomorrow he'll be even better!
What I'm trying to work on Brie is the speed of her largo without breaking into a canter. She's going super fast but still breaks in the corners sometimes, so we need to find a speed that's still fast but so that she doesn't break.
The farrier's coming back out tomorrow to do Nina, as I said. Hopefully it'll be 1 2 3 done!
So he rode Nina saying she looked so much better and she really looked the same. I started and rode Harry today while my mom walked around Brie. Brie had quite a bit of stocking up in her arthritic leg and it took a while for the swelling to go down. Harry was good but seemed kind of sleepy. Nevertheless, I'm proud that he didn't skip a beat on the board and his largo was very low in the amount of pacing. Tomorrow he'll be even better!
What I'm trying to work on Brie is the speed of her largo without breaking into a canter. She's going super fast but still breaks in the corners sometimes, so we need to find a speed that's still fast but so that she doesn't break.
The farrier's coming back out tomorrow to do Nina, as I said. Hopefully it'll be 1 2 3 done!
Friday, August 12, 2011
Equestrian Team Summer Day 3 + Farrier visit
I'll start off with my ride today.
Keeping in mind every critique I got last week, I had such a good lesson today! I remembered to make sure I wasn't sickling my ankles either because I did that last week and it hurt to walk up until yesterday because of muscle aches. I trotted a whole lot, which is great because that's what I've been having difficulty with and Stacy said that she thinks she found the perfect match for me to stick with for a while. His name is Tommy and he's an adorable little pony-Appaloosa-palomino looking thing. He's super sweet too and just my size! I have to admit it's more than an adjustment going from the little Pasos to those huge Thoroughbreds! So we had a good ride, worked a lot on trotting and keeping my legs looking as nice as my upper, keeping my heels DOWN dammit and trotted over some poles. Stacy says she won't put me over jumps until my legs quiet down but that if I keep improving like I have from last week to this week that I'll be over jumps in no time, so I can't wait for that =]
Yesterday the farrier came out and was already halfway done with Harry by the time we got there without any tranquilizer. We ended up drugging all of them, and gave Nina enough for a Clydesdale! She was good this time and didn't fight, but my brother and I had to stand next to her and pet her and make sure she didn't see the farrier because otherwise she might've woken up from being tranq'd. We managed to get all their ears clipped, but Nina was awake enough to fight us with that one and break the clip (again) on her leather halter. That's going back to the shoemaker this weekend!
I can't wait to head out tomorrow, it's our last practice before the State Fair and I hope they work well with their new pedicures!
Keeping in mind every critique I got last week, I had such a good lesson today! I remembered to make sure I wasn't sickling my ankles either because I did that last week and it hurt to walk up until yesterday because of muscle aches. I trotted a whole lot, which is great because that's what I've been having difficulty with and Stacy said that she thinks she found the perfect match for me to stick with for a while. His name is Tommy and he's an adorable little pony-Appaloosa-palomino looking thing. He's super sweet too and just my size! I have to admit it's more than an adjustment going from the little Pasos to those huge Thoroughbreds! So we had a good ride, worked a lot on trotting and keeping my legs looking as nice as my upper, keeping my heels DOWN dammit and trotted over some poles. Stacy says she won't put me over jumps until my legs quiet down but that if I keep improving like I have from last week to this week that I'll be over jumps in no time, so I can't wait for that =]
Yesterday the farrier came out and was already halfway done with Harry by the time we got there without any tranquilizer. We ended up drugging all of them, and gave Nina enough for a Clydesdale! She was good this time and didn't fight, but my brother and I had to stand next to her and pet her and make sure she didn't see the farrier because otherwise she might've woken up from being tranq'd. We managed to get all their ears clipped, but Nina was awake enough to fight us with that one and break the clip (again) on her leather halter. That's going back to the shoemaker this weekend!
I can't wait to head out tomorrow, it's our last practice before the State Fair and I hope they work well with their new pedicures!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Days 162 & 163
Saturday
Back from vacation! I've missed Brie, Nina, and Harry so much. I haven't ridden in two weeks!
Before we went to the barn, we went to John and Jane's barbeque at the yacht club and grabbed some lunch because by the time we all woke up and got out there it was already 1pm! I met up with Annie and her new boyfriend and cousins and we all just hung around for a couple of hours until we left and went to the barn.
I was expecting quite a handful today, especially when mom said that I should ride Harry first so she could tinker around with a new bit that we're trying on Nina. I gathered up Harry after giving everyone much love and brought him out into the round pen. As soon as I let him off the line, he ran around like a maniac! I was happy he was getting it out of his system here instead of while I would be on him. After he started slowing down, I hooked him back onto the line and lunged him some more and he was responding super well to just my voice commands and didn't really try to give me any crap, so I brought him back in, cleaned and tacked him up, and into the arena we went!
I was also anticipating that he'd be a little berserk when I would flex him because he has been lately before we left, but with just a little kick and throwing my weight backwards, he gave in very quickly and stopped trying to start spinning around to throw me off.
I was super super super surprised on how amazingly he worked today! He responded so well to everything I asked him and had a perfect board and wonderfully slow walk and cute little largo. I can only hope that he'll stay that way until Nationals are over and he'll get a nice break going into winter. We went to go walk around outside a little bit by ourselves, but he seems like he doesn't have a lot of confidence to go very far from the barn by himself, as whenever he reached a certain distance from it (about 30 feet), he'd spin around and start heading back, not even in a hurried way, just kind of saying "Nope, not going any further". We'll have to work on that.
The bit my mom tried to use on Nina didn't work out too well, so we're going to try a different one tomorrow. We're trying to get her head to come down more, and with our last show before Nationals coming up in two weeks, we don't have that much time to work with!
After all of this, we were all sweaty and icky and still had to go back by John for dinner and the fireworks show he puts on every year, so we took Paco (who was also going back), and ran to Wal-Mart. I'm not sure what happened, but I do know that I went in with breeches and tall boots and came out with a pair of shorts and child sized flip flops and headed to a lovely fireworks show and dinner of cake (the real food was all eaten by the time we got there...830pm!). In all, it was a nice first day back =]
Sunday
So since Harry was so wonderful yesterday, especially after a two week break, I REALLY expected him to be horrible today. Wrong! I think that a break was really all he needed, he might've been starting to get burned out, because he worked beautifully today too! I even got him to go all around the property (except for by the pond. It might suck him in, you know) by himself! To say that I'm proud is a huge understatement. I hope he keeps it up for Nationals! I might even put him in Pleasure classes for fun at the State Fair just to see if we'll get some blue ribbons if he keeps up this wonderful attitude!
Nina's bit adventures didn't go so well today either, but we've seemed to have settled on a simple Mylar snaffle and a tie-down. With only another weekend's practice until the State Fair, I would start focusing more on working on dropping her head for Nationals instead of short fixes. We've done everything we could think of, it's just been an ongoing problem since she's been broke to ride. If you have any head-setting/dropping suggestions, please tell me!
Brie's leg was a little swollen today, but my brother warmed her up while I rode Harry and she was walking fine by the time I got to her. We all went for a nice walk around the property and she seemed to enjoy it a lot. We even ventured out onto the little side street next to the property, much to my dismay. I was freaking out getting there, but had to pull it together and act like I wasn't scared that way Brie wouldn't flip over on the asphalt and run away. There's nothing to really be scared of, not very many cars drive there, but all I could see was that one scene from The Horse Whisperer.
Thursday we're going out to meet the farrier again for shoeing. Hopefully the tranquilizer will work on Nina this time!
Back from vacation! I've missed Brie, Nina, and Harry so much. I haven't ridden in two weeks!
Before we went to the barn, we went to John and Jane's barbeque at the yacht club and grabbed some lunch because by the time we all woke up and got out there it was already 1pm! I met up with Annie and her new boyfriend and cousins and we all just hung around for a couple of hours until we left and went to the barn.
I was expecting quite a handful today, especially when mom said that I should ride Harry first so she could tinker around with a new bit that we're trying on Nina. I gathered up Harry after giving everyone much love and brought him out into the round pen. As soon as I let him off the line, he ran around like a maniac! I was happy he was getting it out of his system here instead of while I would be on him. After he started slowing down, I hooked him back onto the line and lunged him some more and he was responding super well to just my voice commands and didn't really try to give me any crap, so I brought him back in, cleaned and tacked him up, and into the arena we went!
I was also anticipating that he'd be a little berserk when I would flex him because he has been lately before we left, but with just a little kick and throwing my weight backwards, he gave in very quickly and stopped trying to start spinning around to throw me off.
I was super super super surprised on how amazingly he worked today! He responded so well to everything I asked him and had a perfect board and wonderfully slow walk and cute little largo. I can only hope that he'll stay that way until Nationals are over and he'll get a nice break going into winter. We went to go walk around outside a little bit by ourselves, but he seems like he doesn't have a lot of confidence to go very far from the barn by himself, as whenever he reached a certain distance from it (about 30 feet), he'd spin around and start heading back, not even in a hurried way, just kind of saying "Nope, not going any further". We'll have to work on that.
The bit my mom tried to use on Nina didn't work out too well, so we're going to try a different one tomorrow. We're trying to get her head to come down more, and with our last show before Nationals coming up in two weeks, we don't have that much time to work with!
After all of this, we were all sweaty and icky and still had to go back by John for dinner and the fireworks show he puts on every year, so we took Paco (who was also going back), and ran to Wal-Mart. I'm not sure what happened, but I do know that I went in with breeches and tall boots and came out with a pair of shorts and child sized flip flops and headed to a lovely fireworks show and dinner of cake (the real food was all eaten by the time we got there...830pm!). In all, it was a nice first day back =]
Sunday
So since Harry was so wonderful yesterday, especially after a two week break, I REALLY expected him to be horrible today. Wrong! I think that a break was really all he needed, he might've been starting to get burned out, because he worked beautifully today too! I even got him to go all around the property (except for by the pond. It might suck him in, you know) by himself! To say that I'm proud is a huge understatement. I hope he keeps it up for Nationals! I might even put him in Pleasure classes for fun at the State Fair just to see if we'll get some blue ribbons if he keeps up this wonderful attitude!
Nina's bit adventures didn't go so well today either, but we've seemed to have settled on a simple Mylar snaffle and a tie-down. With only another weekend's practice until the State Fair, I would start focusing more on working on dropping her head for Nationals instead of short fixes. We've done everything we could think of, it's just been an ongoing problem since she's been broke to ride. If you have any head-setting/dropping suggestions, please tell me!
Brie's leg was a little swollen today, but my brother warmed her up while I rode Harry and she was walking fine by the time I got to her. We all went for a nice walk around the property and she seemed to enjoy it a lot. We even ventured out onto the little side street next to the property, much to my dismay. I was freaking out getting there, but had to pull it together and act like I wasn't scared that way Brie wouldn't flip over on the asphalt and run away. There's nothing to really be scared of, not very many cars drive there, but all I could see was that one scene from The Horse Whisperer.
Thursday we're going out to meet the farrier again for shoeing. Hopefully the tranquilizer will work on Nina this time!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Farrier Update pt. 2
Thursday
The farrier came out today to finish what he started last Saturday. We had the tranquilizer from our vet, it's this really nice paste kind that kind of looks like dewormer and is as good as an injection. We gave it to Harry and Nina at the same time and then got started with Harry. He was bouncing around a little bit but then the tranq kicked in and he was so sleepy looking and he was drooling! I wish I could've had pictures, but my camera broke =[ So I'm in the market for a new one if you have suggestions. But anyways, Harry got done without a problem and off to Dreamland he went.
Nina, on the other hand, had probably worn off of her tranq by the time we got to her (bad decision to give it to her at the same time as Harry and then leave her for last) so she was putting up a bit of a fight. We called the vet and were cleared to give her another half of a tube, making her dosage for an 1800 lb horse! She's only 800 lbs! But even with that amount, the adrenaline was overriding a lot of it. She ended up calming down a little bit and it took all of us around her, petting her, for her to be calm enough for him to finish nailing the shoes on. It took a total of 2 hours even with a tranq! Hopefully she gets better at this. My brother's been messing with her legs and feet a lot now so that she gets a little more used to a farrier yanking her leg out to the side to rasp it.
So now all of our horses have shoes on and we'll see how they start to perform =] At least their little hooves are protected from chipping now on those awful rocks out front!
The farrier came out today to finish what he started last Saturday. We had the tranquilizer from our vet, it's this really nice paste kind that kind of looks like dewormer and is as good as an injection. We gave it to Harry and Nina at the same time and then got started with Harry. He was bouncing around a little bit but then the tranq kicked in and he was so sleepy looking and he was drooling! I wish I could've had pictures, but my camera broke =[ So I'm in the market for a new one if you have suggestions. But anyways, Harry got done without a problem and off to Dreamland he went.
Nina, on the other hand, had probably worn off of her tranq by the time we got to her (bad decision to give it to her at the same time as Harry and then leave her for last) so she was putting up a bit of a fight. We called the vet and were cleared to give her another half of a tube, making her dosage for an 1800 lb horse! She's only 800 lbs! But even with that amount, the adrenaline was overriding a lot of it. She ended up calming down a little bit and it took all of us around her, petting her, for her to be calm enough for him to finish nailing the shoes on. It took a total of 2 hours even with a tranq! Hopefully she gets better at this. My brother's been messing with her legs and feet a lot now so that she gets a little more used to a farrier yanking her leg out to the side to rasp it.
So now all of our horses have shoes on and we'll see how they start to perform =] At least their little hooves are protected from chipping now on those awful rocks out front!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Days 153 & 154
Saturday
We finally got a farrier to come out! We have a new one, but he got lost for 3 hours, so by the time he got there it was already 5pm. We don't have to leave early on the weekends any more and that makes me super happy, especially because it's summer!
We rode a little bit before he got there. I rode Harry while my mom rode Brie. Harry was pretty good but did a lot of pacing. I took him in the outdoor arena and he paced some more while I was trying to practice our largo. I went to take him out to walk around the property a little bit and when I wanted to take him over the little hill next to the outdoor arena, he got really freaked out and side stepped his way down the hill and ran back to the arena. I thought that was super odd because I'd taken him out by himself before in the back and over the big hill. Brie and Nina came out with my brother and mom and we all rode around the property and Harry seemed to calm down a little bit while Brie was acting like a giant, just stomping around every where, completely not listening to my mom. I guess she feels better!
After we made it back and waited around a while for the farrier, he got to work. Brie was a perfect angel for the trim and shoeing until he got to her back hooves when she started dancing around a little bit, so we had to twitch her. I felt bad because she was being so good and he even commented on how well-mannered she was, then we ended up jinxing it because she started shuffling and jumping around! Our goal was to put shoes on everyone, but that ended up not being the case.
When he got to Harry, you could tell that Harry was nervous, but he stayed still for the trim. He got front shoes on but when the farrier went in back to fit shoes back there, Harry started shaking like a leaf, so the farrier said he'd just leave him with half a set and finish it this upcoming week.
Nina, as you all know, is HORRIBLE with the farrier because of some bad past experiences, so she was fighting with him the entire time while he trimmed her and didn't get any shoes on. The farrier said that he'd rather just have us get some sedative to relax them than stand there and fight with them, risking them or him getting hurt and he wouldn't be able to do that good of a job. Plus, if he stood there and wrestled with them, it'd only reinforce that every time the farrier come out they'll get pushed around. It makes pretty good sense, although I'm not too keen on the sedative. But if they're calm and they're sedated but still alert and get used to trimming and shoeing and see it's not such a big deal, maybe they won't even need it in the future.
Sunday
Brie was sure feeling good today! I can tell that the shoes make her so much happier. Everyone's been barefoot for the longest and finally the chips got so bad that we decided to put shoes on. I'm happy we did!
With the combo of the steroid injection and her new shoes, Brie was flying at her largo! I figured I would just let her celebrate while still making sure she didn't break into a canter. She seemed super happy to finally be out and moving around again. When she went across the board she sounded like thunder, it was so loud with her shoes on!
My mom rode Harry and you could tell that he was different even though he only had front shoes on. You could see in his eyes that he was thinking about how he needed to pick up his feet a little more now that the shoes were on. I can only imagine how phenomenal he might sound when he has a whole set!
We all walked around outside again and Brie was ready to fly again, but we all walked calmly together because Harry was very nervous. I don't know what the sudden fright is with being outside! Yesterday he spooked at a butterfly landing on the fence! If it weren't for Nationals, I would be only concerned with getting him used to all the different outside demons, such as trees or sunshine, and especially those butterflies!
We're going to call our vet this week and see if they'll sell us the sedative or if they need to come out so we can finish up the shoeing job. Hopefully it'll be all taken care of by Thursday!
We finally got a farrier to come out! We have a new one, but he got lost for 3 hours, so by the time he got there it was already 5pm. We don't have to leave early on the weekends any more and that makes me super happy, especially because it's summer!
We rode a little bit before he got there. I rode Harry while my mom rode Brie. Harry was pretty good but did a lot of pacing. I took him in the outdoor arena and he paced some more while I was trying to practice our largo. I went to take him out to walk around the property a little bit and when I wanted to take him over the little hill next to the outdoor arena, he got really freaked out and side stepped his way down the hill and ran back to the arena. I thought that was super odd because I'd taken him out by himself before in the back and over the big hill. Brie and Nina came out with my brother and mom and we all rode around the property and Harry seemed to calm down a little bit while Brie was acting like a giant, just stomping around every where, completely not listening to my mom. I guess she feels better!
After we made it back and waited around a while for the farrier, he got to work. Brie was a perfect angel for the trim and shoeing until he got to her back hooves when she started dancing around a little bit, so we had to twitch her. I felt bad because she was being so good and he even commented on how well-mannered she was, then we ended up jinxing it because she started shuffling and jumping around! Our goal was to put shoes on everyone, but that ended up not being the case.
When he got to Harry, you could tell that Harry was nervous, but he stayed still for the trim. He got front shoes on but when the farrier went in back to fit shoes back there, Harry started shaking like a leaf, so the farrier said he'd just leave him with half a set and finish it this upcoming week.
Nina, as you all know, is HORRIBLE with the farrier because of some bad past experiences, so she was fighting with him the entire time while he trimmed her and didn't get any shoes on. The farrier said that he'd rather just have us get some sedative to relax them than stand there and fight with them, risking them or him getting hurt and he wouldn't be able to do that good of a job. Plus, if he stood there and wrestled with them, it'd only reinforce that every time the farrier come out they'll get pushed around. It makes pretty good sense, although I'm not too keen on the sedative. But if they're calm and they're sedated but still alert and get used to trimming and shoeing and see it's not such a big deal, maybe they won't even need it in the future.
Sunday
Brie was sure feeling good today! I can tell that the shoes make her so much happier. Everyone's been barefoot for the longest and finally the chips got so bad that we decided to put shoes on. I'm happy we did!
With the combo of the steroid injection and her new shoes, Brie was flying at her largo! I figured I would just let her celebrate while still making sure she didn't break into a canter. She seemed super happy to finally be out and moving around again. When she went across the board she sounded like thunder, it was so loud with her shoes on!
My mom rode Harry and you could tell that he was different even though he only had front shoes on. You could see in his eyes that he was thinking about how he needed to pick up his feet a little more now that the shoes were on. I can only imagine how phenomenal he might sound when he has a whole set!
We all walked around outside again and Brie was ready to fly again, but we all walked calmly together because Harry was very nervous. I don't know what the sudden fright is with being outside! Yesterday he spooked at a butterfly landing on the fence! If it weren't for Nationals, I would be only concerned with getting him used to all the different outside demons, such as trees or sunshine, and especially those butterflies!
We're going to call our vet this week and see if they'll sell us the sedative or if they need to come out so we can finish up the shoeing job. Hopefully it'll be all taken care of by Thursday!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Day 147
So it looks like we fired our farrier today. I won't know about my bet until later in the week/month.
We didn't ride today, but we brushed them all really good and put everything together so we're not running around like crazies on Friday afternoon. It's gonna be hectic, my parents have to bring in the dogs to the kennel, load the car, pick me up from school, go back to the house so I can pack quickly, then head out to get the horses, hopefully Harry won't magically forget that he's been loading in the trailer quite normally for the past couple of weeks, and then head on down to Springfield, settle them in, grab some dinner, then come back and train for a while then wake up early on Saturday morning to start more madness! Hopefully we do well!
We didn't ride today, but we brushed them all really good and put everything together so we're not running around like crazies on Friday afternoon. It's gonna be hectic, my parents have to bring in the dogs to the kennel, load the car, pick me up from school, go back to the house so I can pack quickly, then head out to get the horses, hopefully Harry won't magically forget that he's been loading in the trailer quite normally for the past couple of weeks, and then head on down to Springfield, settle them in, grab some dinner, then come back and train for a while then wake up early on Saturday morning to start more madness! Hopefully we do well!
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