Yesterday there was sunshine. In this area, sunshine does not come around much from the months of November through May. So when it does, you do what you can to get outside and soak it up.
My daughter had stayed home sick from school, so my husband came home early to help take care of her so I could get some work done. But when I saw that glorious bright light, I opted to ditch work and head out to the barn instead.
I got there as the light was starting to fade, so I decided to ride in the arena. Despite having four days off, Licorice looked half asleep in the cross ties. I got him tacked him up and was getting ready to head into the arena when my trainer reminded me that he had his teeth done that morning (and a sheath cleaning while he was drugged up)
"Will he be okay to ride?"
"He looks alright, but pay attention. It's been a while so he should be fine."
I got on and we walked around the arena. We tried two steps of trot. He stumbled both steps. I patted his neck and got off.
Back in the cross ties, I could see signs of being a little out of it. His front legs were a little wider than normal. He was resting a back leg so hard that his fetlock was practically touching the ground. He got lots of praise and put back in his stall to sleep it off.
It's only been 30 days, and this was a good reminder that we only barely know each other. I still absolutely love him, but I need to pay closer attention so I have a baseline of normal.
In other news, look at his gorgeous new saddle pad! I love, love, love this color on him. I bought the pad from Tack of the Day and am a little disappointed in how thin it is. It wrinkles up super easy. But the color is perfect.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Best Intentions
This morning started off super stormy, with a crazy squall blowing through with high winds and sideways rain. Though I was dressed for the barn, I decided to wait and see what the weather did.
It did finally stop raining and the wind settled into a breezy day, but not a crazy windy day so I geared up and headed out to the barn. Only to find the barn completely dark and quiet. A horse was turned out in the arena and all the lights were off. The horses that were in stalls were all taking their mid-morning nap.
My pony was outside. I contemplated bringing him in and riding him, especially since I haven't ridden since Monday. But without a soul around, I just didn't feel comfortable. I also didn't know the horse in the arena, so I wasn't sure where I would put him so that I could ride.
I ended up going out and giving my horse a carrot and some scritches. He was turned out with his new buddy, Fallon. At one point, Fallon kept trying to get in my space and despite my waving my arms at him, he wouldn't back off. He would put his ears back and move his head to the side, but wouldn't get out of my space. I was starting to get nervous.
Until Licorice stepped in and told him what for with a quick bite to the neck. I know, Licorice probably wasn't protecting me, but it felt nice anyway. Fallon immediately backed off and every time after that when Fallon would come to close to me, Licorice would shoo him away with pinned ears and a wrinkled muzzle.
I stood outside the gate for a few minutes to say goodbye and managed to get a few pictures of the two of them. Fallon loves Licorice and wants to do whatever he's doing, including drinking water at the same time.
I'm sad to see the mud back so quickly. It's only early November, but we've had some major downpours of rain. This is the mud before it gets bad. Welcome to horsekeeping on small acreage in the Northwest. Mud, mud and more mud. I know some places do gravel turnouts, which does keep down on the mud. But then in the summer, there's just gravel. We at least will have some grass in the summer. Oh summer. Why are you 9 months away?
It did finally stop raining and the wind settled into a breezy day, but not a crazy windy day so I geared up and headed out to the barn. Only to find the barn completely dark and quiet. A horse was turned out in the arena and all the lights were off. The horses that were in stalls were all taking their mid-morning nap.
My pony was outside. I contemplated bringing him in and riding him, especially since I haven't ridden since Monday. But without a soul around, I just didn't feel comfortable. I also didn't know the horse in the arena, so I wasn't sure where I would put him so that I could ride.
Until Licorice stepped in and told him what for with a quick bite to the neck. I know, Licorice probably wasn't protecting me, but it felt nice anyway. Fallon immediately backed off and every time after that when Fallon would come to close to me, Licorice would shoo him away with pinned ears and a wrinkled muzzle.
I stood outside the gate for a few minutes to say goodbye and managed to get a few pictures of the two of them. Fallon loves Licorice and wants to do whatever he's doing, including drinking water at the same time.
Sunshine Award
Sunshine Award. Better late then never, right? Thanks to Equine Snob and Kelly at PrincessDiva Diaries for nominating me.
I'm skipping the part where you nominate other folks because I'm pretty sure it's already made the rounds.
1. Mares or Geldings?
I've always owned mares. I've enjoyed the deep bond that you get with a mare. When you get it right, a mare will turn herself inside out for you. Now I'm on the gelding team though and I'm enjoying his steadiness and his ability to forgive mistakes. Looks like I play for both teams on this one.
2. English or Western?
I currently ride English and it's what I'm most familiar with. But I've also ridden some Western and really enjoyed it. I'd love to do some reining events and some cow events. I'd also love to go on a dude ranch vacation! So, yeah. Again, I choose both.
3. Do you prefer younger or older horses?
I like them right in the middle, but probably more on the older side. I really appreciate Licorice's tolerance and his ability to retain information. He's not prone to testing boundaries the way a young horse is.
4. Have you trained a horse from ground zero?
No. All of my horses had basics when I got them.
5. Do you prefer riding or groundwork?
Obviously I don't have huge preferences in my horsey life, because this is another one where it depends. If you are really, really working on groundwork it can be super satisfying and carries over into the riding work. There's also something to be said for working up a sweat on horseback or flying around the arena on your horse, the wind on your face and a big grin from ear to ear.
6. Do you board your horse or keep him at home?
I board. I bought a house once with a little barn and pastures and brought my horse home. The year that I lived there I only rode a handful of times. I was too busy mending fences, picking out pastures, cleaning stalls and water buckets and other chores to actually ride. Also, where I live it rains and gets muddy for a good chunk of the year. You need an arena with decent footing if you want to ride year round. And that would require more maintenance and more money. Plus, I like the social aspect of boarding.
7. Do you use all natural products or commercial?
I use commercial natural products and some chemical products. Mostly I want stuff that works that isn't going to give anybody cancer.
8. All tacked up or bareback?
All tacked up. But bareback is on my bucket list with Licorice. I want to get to know him a bit more before I try.
9. Equestrian role model?
Younger girls and their horses. They ride without fear, without worry. They dress their ponies up. They ride backwards and bareback and sometimes get bucked off for riding bareback and backwards. They laugh, dust themselves off and get back on. They play games. They go on trail rides. And they can kick my ass in the dressage ring, but still find plenty of time to just mess around with their horses.
10. What's your one main goal while being in the horse world?
To keep enjoying my horse and to get to a point where it's not a question of being scared. I'd like to just be excited to ride, without the extra edge of fear.
I'm skipping the part where you nominate other folks because I'm pretty sure it's already made the rounds.
1. Mares or Geldings?
I've always owned mares. I've enjoyed the deep bond that you get with a mare. When you get it right, a mare will turn herself inside out for you. Now I'm on the gelding team though and I'm enjoying his steadiness and his ability to forgive mistakes. Looks like I play for both teams on this one.
2. English or Western?
I currently ride English and it's what I'm most familiar with. But I've also ridden some Western and really enjoyed it. I'd love to do some reining events and some cow events. I'd also love to go on a dude ranch vacation! So, yeah. Again, I choose both.
3. Do you prefer younger or older horses?
I like them right in the middle, but probably more on the older side. I really appreciate Licorice's tolerance and his ability to retain information. He's not prone to testing boundaries the way a young horse is.
4. Have you trained a horse from ground zero?
No. All of my horses had basics when I got them.
5. Do you prefer riding or groundwork?
Obviously I don't have huge preferences in my horsey life, because this is another one where it depends. If you are really, really working on groundwork it can be super satisfying and carries over into the riding work. There's also something to be said for working up a sweat on horseback or flying around the arena on your horse, the wind on your face and a big grin from ear to ear.
I board. I bought a house once with a little barn and pastures and brought my horse home. The year that I lived there I only rode a handful of times. I was too busy mending fences, picking out pastures, cleaning stalls and water buckets and other chores to actually ride. Also, where I live it rains and gets muddy for a good chunk of the year. You need an arena with decent footing if you want to ride year round. And that would require more maintenance and more money. Plus, I like the social aspect of boarding.
7. Do you use all natural products or commercial?
I use commercial natural products and some chemical products. Mostly I want stuff that works that isn't going to give anybody cancer.
8. All tacked up or bareback?
All tacked up. But bareback is on my bucket list with Licorice. I want to get to know him a bit more before I try.
9. Equestrian role model?
Younger girls and their horses. They ride without fear, without worry. They dress their ponies up. They ride backwards and bareback and sometimes get bucked off for riding bareback and backwards. They laugh, dust themselves off and get back on. They play games. They go on trail rides. And they can kick my ass in the dressage ring, but still find plenty of time to just mess around with their horses.
10. What's your one main goal while being in the horse world?
To keep enjoying my horse and to get to a point where it's not a question of being scared. I'd like to just be excited to ride, without the extra edge of fear.
Monday, November 4, 2013
Atten-Tion!
Licorice had four days off this week due to work stuff and then the barn lost power in a big windstorm on Saturday. Not that I would have ridden in the big windstorm anyway...
I decided to lunge him on Sunday before I got on. I'm not sure that he needed it, but it went a long ways towards calming me down. While I was lunging him, he had a very hard time focusing. He would whinny to his friends outside, he would spin his head to look out the open door to see what was happening there.
This happens, to a lesser degree, under saddle. If we're really working hard and focused I can keep him with me, but it's a struggle whenever another horse enters the arena. He's just very horse focused.
On the ground, if I do very specific exercises with him (yielding of hindquarters etc.) he will pay attention, sort of. I'm not as confident with these and I don't want to just yank on him. But I'm losing his attention constantly.
What are your best exercises for getting a horses attention back on you while you're on the ground? He will move his hindquarters while his head is completely away from you and he's whinnying to his friends! I want his focus to be in the arena and on me. Same thing when we're walking and I'm leading him. He's not naughty, just oblivious.
I decided to lunge him on Sunday before I got on. I'm not sure that he needed it, but it went a long ways towards calming me down. While I was lunging him, he had a very hard time focusing. He would whinny to his friends outside, he would spin his head to look out the open door to see what was happening there.
This happens, to a lesser degree, under saddle. If we're really working hard and focused I can keep him with me, but it's a struggle whenever another horse enters the arena. He's just very horse focused.
On the ground, if I do very specific exercises with him (yielding of hindquarters etc.) he will pay attention, sort of. I'm not as confident with these and I don't want to just yank on him. But I'm losing his attention constantly.
What are your best exercises for getting a horses attention back on you while you're on the ground? He will move his hindquarters while his head is completely away from you and he's whinnying to his friends! I want his focus to be in the arena and on me. Same thing when we're walking and I'm leading him. He's not naughty, just oblivious.
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| Who me? What? I think I see my friend over there.... |
Friday, November 1, 2013
Spooktacular
Today was sunny and warm-ish and a perfect day for a fall trail ride. Sadly, there wasn't anyone out at the barn to go with me when I got there. So instead, Licorice and I worked on our sitting trot and canter transitions.
After a short but effective workout, I took him outside to ride around a little bit. By this time there was a lesson in the arena and Licorice's buddy was getting tacked up in the aisle way. I got on outside and was walking on a loose rein towards the barn. Our barn is small, so it's like riding in the front yard. Something spooked Licorice and he jumped a little sideways.
We moved on and kept walking. We went around the side and then came back down. Licorice was definitely more up than he has been previously. Then, as we were heading back to the 'front lawn' Licorice suddenly scooted and took off. And by took off, really he trotted two steps, flung his head up and cantered one step. I pulled him to a halt and looked around.
One of the teenagers at the barn was walking up the driveway. Licorice and I walked over, said hello, she gave him a scratch. We walked around a little bit more, but he was tense and I was tenser.
The upside of this is that Licorice is a different spooker from Tessa. He still does the scoot and bolt, but he's just not as athletic as Tessa. His body can't get out from underneath me the way Tessa could. She's got that Arab athleticism on her side, but Licorice doesn't. It was much easier to sit and though he was tense afterwards, he was willing to go right back to work.
I really need to make a plan to get him out more. The key is going to be getting him outside and on the trails more often, not less often. My barn just doesn't have a lot of folks (ie: there are NONE) that go out unless it's to shows. And since it's not show season, well....people just aren't going anywhere.
I'm going to email my trainers and ask if we can put together a plan to go out at least once a month. I want to do it now before it becomes more of a THING in my head.
Edited to add: I wrote this on Tuesday. It's now Friday and I haven't been out to the barn since. I definitely need to not let this get underneath my skin. Man, it's hard to be a worrier some days.
After a short but effective workout, I took him outside to ride around a little bit. By this time there was a lesson in the arena and Licorice's buddy was getting tacked up in the aisle way. I got on outside and was walking on a loose rein towards the barn. Our barn is small, so it's like riding in the front yard. Something spooked Licorice and he jumped a little sideways.
We moved on and kept walking. We went around the side and then came back down. Licorice was definitely more up than he has been previously. Then, as we were heading back to the 'front lawn' Licorice suddenly scooted and took off. And by took off, really he trotted two steps, flung his head up and cantered one step. I pulled him to a halt and looked around.
One of the teenagers at the barn was walking up the driveway. Licorice and I walked over, said hello, she gave him a scratch. We walked around a little bit more, but he was tense and I was tenser.
The upside of this is that Licorice is a different spooker from Tessa. He still does the scoot and bolt, but he's just not as athletic as Tessa. His body can't get out from underneath me the way Tessa could. She's got that Arab athleticism on her side, but Licorice doesn't. It was much easier to sit and though he was tense afterwards, he was willing to go right back to work.
I really need to make a plan to get him out more. The key is going to be getting him outside and on the trails more often, not less often. My barn just doesn't have a lot of folks (ie: there are NONE) that go out unless it's to shows. And since it's not show season, well....people just aren't going anywhere.
I'm going to email my trainers and ask if we can put together a plan to go out at least once a month. I want to do it now before it becomes more of a THING in my head.
Edited to add: I wrote this on Tuesday. It's now Friday and I haven't been out to the barn since. I definitely need to not let this get underneath my skin. Man, it's hard to be a worrier some days.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Lessons in Love
Not really a lesson in love, but a lesson and I'm in love. Ha! Monday was our lesson night and Licorice was fabulous. So fabulous that I heard Linda say "He might be ready to go to a dressage show in a few months." Wheeeeeee!
We started with making sure he was marching in the walk and moving forward into contact. He's a long horse, so its super important to make sure he's pushing into the contact. He would rather pull into it. We did the same thing with trot, adding in some bend and pushing him off my inside leg. Going to the left he falls out and going to the right he falls in.
Then we did sitting trot. I have not sat the trot in uh.....fifteen years? I didn't sit the trot with Tessa because she would spaz out when I would try. I just gripped too much with her. And before that I had a looooong riding hiatus, so it's been ages since I've sat the trot. Let's just say that I am feeling the burn today.
It was clear that Licorice hadn't had folks sit the trot much on him, as he kept trying to rush into canter. But I stayed focused on bending him and relaxing him and we had some lovely sitting trot. Then we worked on going into the canter without throwing his head up and scrambling with his back feet. This was hard for both of us. For Licorice it was hard because he became very flustered when I asked for canter. We ended up asking and if he didn't go into it right away and using his hind end, we just went back to getting him relaxed and bending.
It was hard for me because I tend to hear 'canter' and fall apart. Suddenly I have chicken wing elbows, I'm leaning forward and my leg is coming so far up and back I could kick my own behind. So, having to go back to the trot helped me get my self organized too. Then I worked on not waiting TOO long before I asked again. The second he was pushing off with his hind legs and coming into contact, I asked. We had some lovely canter transitions.
At one point, I was cantering to the right and working on maintaining my outside rein and letting my hips swing from inside hip to outside ear and I was grinning like a fool. It felt so good.
In other news, I finally ordered a winter blanket for Licorice. I got the Smartpak blue plaid even though it was not the best deal out there. Tessa had the pink one and I LOVED it.
Also, if you haven't seen it, there is a contest going on over at SprinklerBandits blog for some amazingly cute boots. Of course, I want to win so maybe I don't want you to go over there after all.....but seriously, you should check it out. It looks like a little company just getting started and I love supporting little companies.
We started with making sure he was marching in the walk and moving forward into contact. He's a long horse, so its super important to make sure he's pushing into the contact. He would rather pull into it. We did the same thing with trot, adding in some bend and pushing him off my inside leg. Going to the left he falls out and going to the right he falls in.
Then we did sitting trot. I have not sat the trot in uh.....fifteen years? I didn't sit the trot with Tessa because she would spaz out when I would try. I just gripped too much with her. And before that I had a looooong riding hiatus, so it's been ages since I've sat the trot. Let's just say that I am feeling the burn today.
It was clear that Licorice hadn't had folks sit the trot much on him, as he kept trying to rush into canter. But I stayed focused on bending him and relaxing him and we had some lovely sitting trot. Then we worked on going into the canter without throwing his head up and scrambling with his back feet. This was hard for both of us. For Licorice it was hard because he became very flustered when I asked for canter. We ended up asking and if he didn't go into it right away and using his hind end, we just went back to getting him relaxed and bending.
It was hard for me because I tend to hear 'canter' and fall apart. Suddenly I have chicken wing elbows, I'm leaning forward and my leg is coming so far up and back I could kick my own behind. So, having to go back to the trot helped me get my self organized too. Then I worked on not waiting TOO long before I asked again. The second he was pushing off with his hind legs and coming into contact, I asked. We had some lovely canter transitions.
At one point, I was cantering to the right and working on maintaining my outside rein and letting my hips swing from inside hip to outside ear and I was grinning like a fool. It felt so good.
In other news, I finally ordered a winter blanket for Licorice. I got the Smartpak blue plaid even though it was not the best deal out there. Tessa had the pink one and I LOVED it.
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| My giraffe pony in a too small cooler last night. He was so sweaty! I really need to buy him a cooler that fits. |
Also, if you haven't seen it, there is a contest going on over at SprinklerBandits blog for some amazingly cute boots. Of course, I want to win so maybe I don't want you to go over there after all.....but seriously, you should check it out. It looks like a little company just getting started and I love supporting little companies.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Boundaries and Bad Behavior
I posted something similar to this (I think) about Tessa, so forgive me if I'm rehashing old stuff. I would really like to know your opinions on this.
Where is the line between a horse showing you his opinion and expressing bad behavior?
Here's what brought this up. I went out to visit Licorice yesterday. It was super dark and gloomy in the morning, with a cold wind blowing leaves off the trees and a light drizzle. The barn was empty. I was already feeling reluctant about being there, as a giant pile of laundry was beckoning me to come home and be productive. So I decided to just take Licorice out and groom him.
I put him in the crossties and ran my hand down his neck. He was so soft and fuzzy and smelled like warm horse that I wanted to hug him. So I did. He was not a fan. He pinned his ears and nipped at the air. Or maybe at me but he didn't get me. I couldn't see exactly clearly. I backed off. Then I moved to his shoulder and simply touched his shoulder with my body. He pinned his ears. I stepped back and put just my hand on his shoulder. No reaction.
I tried it on the other shoulder. Putting my hand on him as fine, but if I put my body up against him he pinned his ears. If I kept my body close while putting my hand near his girth, he pinned his ears.
I didn't push the issue, but instead brushed him (with no pinning of ears during the process no matter where I brushed him) and then let him wander around the arena for a few minutes.
I want to get Licorice and I off to a good start and I'm wondering your opinions about what to do in this situation. Here's my first thoughts:
1. He's pinning his ears because he doesn't like being crowded that way. Do I respect that? Or do I tell him "Sorry buddy, it's not your choice if I crowd you."?
2. Do I discipline for expressing his opinion or only if he actually tries to nip? I'm trying to allow him to be himself, but I also want him to be a safe horse. He was a beginner lesson horse at his previous barn and did not display this at all. Though I don't think I crowded his shoulder there either.
3. Is this unhappiness due to something else? I don't think I can answer that without giving it more time. If it escalates then it could be because his turnout is different at this barn and he doesn't get as much trail riding (his other barn had AWESOME trails and he went out a few times a week, my barn has one sort of trail and we haven't even found it yet, so we've just gone down the driveway and we've only done that twice because I haven't found the courage to trail ride alone yet.)
I will be double checking the usual stuff like saddle fit, looking for signs of pain etc, but my instinct is that it's not those things since it was specific to me putting my body against his shoulder (not even leaning, just being there) and he wasn't sensitive to my hand.
Where is the line between a horse showing you his opinion and expressing bad behavior?
Here's what brought this up. I went out to visit Licorice yesterday. It was super dark and gloomy in the morning, with a cold wind blowing leaves off the trees and a light drizzle. The barn was empty. I was already feeling reluctant about being there, as a giant pile of laundry was beckoning me to come home and be productive. So I decided to just take Licorice out and groom him.
I put him in the crossties and ran my hand down his neck. He was so soft and fuzzy and smelled like warm horse that I wanted to hug him. So I did. He was not a fan. He pinned his ears and nipped at the air. Or maybe at me but he didn't get me. I couldn't see exactly clearly. I backed off. Then I moved to his shoulder and simply touched his shoulder with my body. He pinned his ears. I stepped back and put just my hand on his shoulder. No reaction.
I tried it on the other shoulder. Putting my hand on him as fine, but if I put my body up against him he pinned his ears. If I kept my body close while putting my hand near his girth, he pinned his ears.
I didn't push the issue, but instead brushed him (with no pinning of ears during the process no matter where I brushed him) and then let him wander around the arena for a few minutes.
I want to get Licorice and I off to a good start and I'm wondering your opinions about what to do in this situation. Here's my first thoughts:
1. He's pinning his ears because he doesn't like being crowded that way. Do I respect that? Or do I tell him "Sorry buddy, it's not your choice if I crowd you."?
2. Do I discipline for expressing his opinion or only if he actually tries to nip? I'm trying to allow him to be himself, but I also want him to be a safe horse. He was a beginner lesson horse at his previous barn and did not display this at all. Though I don't think I crowded his shoulder there either.
3. Is this unhappiness due to something else? I don't think I can answer that without giving it more time. If it escalates then it could be because his turnout is different at this barn and he doesn't get as much trail riding (his other barn had AWESOME trails and he went out a few times a week, my barn has one sort of trail and we haven't even found it yet, so we've just gone down the driveway and we've only done that twice because I haven't found the courage to trail ride alone yet.)
I will be double checking the usual stuff like saddle fit, looking for signs of pain etc, but my instinct is that it's not those things since it was specific to me putting my body against his shoulder (not even leaning, just being there) and he wasn't sensitive to my hand.
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