Saturday
Only two more days left!!!
Thursday was Nina's birthday! Happy 7th Birthday, Nina! =] She still is a little baby horse to me <3 p="">
I didn't really work Brie today. We mostly just kind of walked around a bit to stretch out in the indoor and then went outside to go find where my mom and brother went. My mom was working Harry in the round pen and he looked good! If there was a round pen class, he would win it. I don't get how he is perfectly okay going in a circle and pretty much okay going around outside, but when he is in the arena, if he largos, he has a tendency to pace.
After my mom was done, we went for a walk around outside. All was going well until we started to come back. My brother just lets Nina go wherever she wants to outside, even if it's away from us, but Harry always wants to be by Nina so if she starts to go away, he wants to catch up to her. Well Nina started to walk back to the barn and Harry was back with me and Brie, a ways away from Nina. We were walking back to the barn too, but Harry wanted to catch up to Nina. My mom let him go into a largo but he tried to start cantering. First of all, Harry doesn't even have the coordination to do a canter. Really, it's true! He never picks up the right lead! And it takes him a while to pick it up. So as he was trying to pick up his canter, my mom started bouncing in the saddle and started to fall over. She almost righted herself, but not enough, so she rolled out of the saddle and into the grass. Thankfully, she is okay.
When that happened, Harry turned around and looked at her on the ground and backed up a little bit before standing still and putting his head towards the ground. He was looking at her like, "Momma? What are you doing down there??" It was the cutest face! I was scared he was going to bolt, but he just stood there as I got off Brie and went over by him to hold him and help my mom up. She got back on and rode Harry back to the barn by the outdoor arena and worked him in there for a while, but he was pretty shaken up after she fell off so he wasn't really cooperating. We brought them all in and brushed them off before we gave them some giant carrots for Nina's birthday.
Sunday
Happy Mother's Day! I made my mom pancakes today before we went to the barn.
I worked Brie today. She was a little canter-y on the corners, so I was working on slowing that down. She was coming along great! I really want to show her at Michigan.
Mom and Harry worked more in the round pen before we walked around outside for a bit. Brie has gotten this nasty habit now of trying to race to the little hill in the back as soon as we get out the door. She likes to look over everything. But she has to know that she can't do that if I don't want her to do that! No one fell off today, which is great =]
We came in and Jane was having a hard time with Taco. She just got a new jaquima for him and he was acting up and cantering the board and generally not listening to her. My mom adjusted it because it was pretty tight and then raised the bit because that was pretty low. No wonder he was being weird, he was uncomfortable in the face and lax in the mouth! After that he was a little better for Jane, but still was being weird and spinning the reverse back onto the board, so my mom offered to get on.
Taco was super good with my mom! He was gaiting and looked fantastic. Super fabulous. I forgot how pretty he could look. And he sounded like a train! If that was a class, he would've one first place. After my mom got off, Jane got back on and he was better for her, but she needs to work on faking him out before he reverses back onto the board because he anticipates it and spins it, which could lead to Jane falling off if he goes too fast. After her short little trial, she was satisfied with him being nice to her and got off.
Then she offered him to me. I haven't ridden Taco in a long time, not since last year when I was trying to train to bring him to the State Fair because Paco was complaining about it. Paco didn't want anyone else to ride Taco and complained to Jane that I was screwing Taco up, even though he was getting better with me at the time. So I got mad and just stopped. So I was iffy when Jane asked me to ride him, but I did after my mom pressed me on. Taco was like a dream! He wasn't pulling like he used to, he was practically floating. I would love to show him, but I don't know if I want to deal with the sass and remarks from people about what I do when I ride him.
Finally, I don't know whether we're going to go to a Parelli clinic or the Michigan show...if we went to the Michigan show, I could show Brie for the first time in years, and I'd really like to because she's coming along great. I would also miss my friend's graduation...If we went to the Parelli clinic, we would bring Harry, and I think it would be beneficial for him in the long run. I could then potentially go to my friend's graduation. I really don't know what to do. I was so set on showing Brie this year and I'm not sure if I'll have the chance to again this season if I don't go to Michigan. I don't know what to do.
Showing posts with label round pen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label round pen. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Monday, May 6, 2013
Day 296
Sunday
We didn't end up going out yesterday because on Friday, our new puppy, Pepina, accidentally ate one of my brother's pills and she had to stay in the overnight ER. She is okay, thank God, but we stayed home on Saturday just to make sure that she returned to her normal, happy self.
I rode Brie today, since we're aiming to take her to the Michigan show next month, and I wanted to make sure that she stays focused and calm like she has been. We rode in the outdoor arena because it was absolutely beautiful out today, even a bit hot!
I never thought I would say this, but I think that Brie is pretty much finished. At 11 years old, I think that she is done trying to one-up us and has settled into the program -- we come out, we pet her, we groom her, we want to have a nice ride, we give her carrots, we go home for a week. Her attitude is completely relaxed in comparison to the whole rest of her life. I have to say, I think it's probably the magnesium that she's on that's helping break down the sugar in her blood so she's not so hyper all the time. But I also have to give us some credit. Without our understanding and patience, I'm sure she'd still be a crazy fool.
We had a beautiful ride and even did a slow canter...A SLOW CANTER. It was fantastic! And also she was strangely nice to Sadie today, and Sadie was nice to her...we think it's because there's a new mare on our side, Isabel. Brie and Sadie hated each other, but maybe they're teaming up against Isabel. Thankfully they're not all put out together!
My mom was having a hard time with Harry today. I blame it entirely on the wind, which is kind of dumb, but horses make up things in their heads to be afraid of, and it was pretty windy outside. So my mom took him in the indoor, and then the round pen, where he apparently had a magnificent largo. I wish I would've watched, but Brie and I were roaming around the property at that time. Once Harry came out of the round pen, he joined Brie, Nina, and Sadie for a ride around the property. We went a little ways down the street before a big gust of wind came by and Harry got a little iffy, so we turned around and went back.
Afterwards, we scrubbed them with a good bath! Brie was soooo dirty. When I was brushing her at first, the more I brushed, the more dust came up! She was pretty grey by the time she was "clean"! After a good bath, they all felt smooth and I took them out for some grass in the sun before bringing them back in and worming them. For me, it was the perfect day at the barn. Doesn't get much better than that!
We didn't end up going out yesterday because on Friday, our new puppy, Pepina, accidentally ate one of my brother's pills and she had to stay in the overnight ER. She is okay, thank God, but we stayed home on Saturday just to make sure that she returned to her normal, happy self.
I rode Brie today, since we're aiming to take her to the Michigan show next month, and I wanted to make sure that she stays focused and calm like she has been. We rode in the outdoor arena because it was absolutely beautiful out today, even a bit hot!
I never thought I would say this, but I think that Brie is pretty much finished. At 11 years old, I think that she is done trying to one-up us and has settled into the program -- we come out, we pet her, we groom her, we want to have a nice ride, we give her carrots, we go home for a week. Her attitude is completely relaxed in comparison to the whole rest of her life. I have to say, I think it's probably the magnesium that she's on that's helping break down the sugar in her blood so she's not so hyper all the time. But I also have to give us some credit. Without our understanding and patience, I'm sure she'd still be a crazy fool.
We had a beautiful ride and even did a slow canter...A SLOW CANTER. It was fantastic! And also she was strangely nice to Sadie today, and Sadie was nice to her...we think it's because there's a new mare on our side, Isabel. Brie and Sadie hated each other, but maybe they're teaming up against Isabel. Thankfully they're not all put out together!
My mom was having a hard time with Harry today. I blame it entirely on the wind, which is kind of dumb, but horses make up things in their heads to be afraid of, and it was pretty windy outside. So my mom took him in the indoor, and then the round pen, where he apparently had a magnificent largo. I wish I would've watched, but Brie and I were roaming around the property at that time. Once Harry came out of the round pen, he joined Brie, Nina, and Sadie for a ride around the property. We went a little ways down the street before a big gust of wind came by and Harry got a little iffy, so we turned around and went back.
Afterwards, we scrubbed them with a good bath! Brie was soooo dirty. When I was brushing her at first, the more I brushed, the more dust came up! She was pretty grey by the time she was "clean"! After a good bath, they all felt smooth and I took them out for some grass in the sun before bringing them back in and worming them. For me, it was the perfect day at the barn. Doesn't get much better than that!
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, October 7, 2012
Day 254
Brie might be due for her next arthritis shot soon. She was skipping today and now she's fighting with picking up her one arthritic leg when I want to clean her hoof, so I think that's a sign that she is uncomfortable. The vet is supposed to be coming out this week, so we'll have to ask his opinion. Brie and Harry are also out of their supplements, so we need to order those too. I want to put Harry on a bulk-up supplement. He's so thin and he needs more muscle mass too, but working him and creating muscle also burns off a lot of his fat and he just looks too skinny for my tastes. He is like a toothpick to get my legs around, he is much more narrow than Brie and Nina.
There is construction going on in the indoor arena, so we didn't ride in there. Instead, we rode in the newly finished round pen! It's decent sized, and although I was just going out there with Brie to lead Jane and my mom out on Taco and Harry, I ended up staying with them because Taco and Harry were pretty nervous about the whole thing, being in a new riding environment and what not. Eventually they calmed down and I switched with my mom for Harry, which leads me to this puzzle.
So, he is not wanting to collect himself lately. My mom thinks that we should put a draw rein on him, but I think that he's something going on with him physically. If he's relaxed, he should be setting his head, but he doesn't want to set his head and just wants to bump along in his gait. This makes me think even more that we might need to bring out a chiropractor. While he was not wanting to really do anything, I asked him for a canter.
He couldn't even canter. I thought that cantering was a natural thing for horses, but Harry just seems like he never ever learned how to use all of his legs in sync. He would go for a few strides and then seem like he was tripping over his own feet and then have to start all over again. We never got an even rhythm. Then, he was doing this weird bit when he would start bopping from not having a rhythm and throw his butt up in the air, not like he wanted to buck, but more like a twitch. I'm thinking that maybe there is some discomfort in his back that's preventing him from figuring it out in his legs. My first instinct after his ride today was to go back to basics and work in the round pen and on a circle a lot at varying speeds so that he develops more of a rhythm, but I don't know if that's what I should be doing or calling out a chiropractor. At the end of our ride, he got a good rhythm going, after his bad take at a canter and then walking a bit. So I don't know. Maybe he is just really uncoordinated. How do you build coordination in a horse?
There is construction going on in the indoor arena, so we didn't ride in there. Instead, we rode in the newly finished round pen! It's decent sized, and although I was just going out there with Brie to lead Jane and my mom out on Taco and Harry, I ended up staying with them because Taco and Harry were pretty nervous about the whole thing, being in a new riding environment and what not. Eventually they calmed down and I switched with my mom for Harry, which leads me to this puzzle.
So, he is not wanting to collect himself lately. My mom thinks that we should put a draw rein on him, but I think that he's something going on with him physically. If he's relaxed, he should be setting his head, but he doesn't want to set his head and just wants to bump along in his gait. This makes me think even more that we might need to bring out a chiropractor. While he was not wanting to really do anything, I asked him for a canter.
He couldn't even canter. I thought that cantering was a natural thing for horses, but Harry just seems like he never ever learned how to use all of his legs in sync. He would go for a few strides and then seem like he was tripping over his own feet and then have to start all over again. We never got an even rhythm. Then, he was doing this weird bit when he would start bopping from not having a rhythm and throw his butt up in the air, not like he wanted to buck, but more like a twitch. I'm thinking that maybe there is some discomfort in his back that's preventing him from figuring it out in his legs. My first instinct after his ride today was to go back to basics and work in the round pen and on a circle a lot at varying speeds so that he develops more of a rhythm, but I don't know if that's what I should be doing or calling out a chiropractor. At the end of our ride, he got a good rhythm going, after his bad take at a canter and then walking a bit. So I don't know. Maybe he is just really uncoordinated. How do you build coordination in a horse?
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