Had a slight whoopsie on the 23rd... I think the bloody cat barreled INTO Maximus' front legs, without him or myself catching a glimpse of it. Other riders in our group did see a long-tailed black blur and every horse jumped a mile. Only Max pulled the ol' Whirl n' Buck before I could even process that we were off our intended path. He deposited my stunned self directly onto the cement-like gravel road we'd only just a blink before been walking beside and continued his bucking antics around the then snoozing group, of course coming to settle back in the very grassy ditch we left to munch. I'd much rather have been left behind in said bed o' grasses, bristles and thistles, thank you very much.
The meeting of rock against rock (that'd be me against the road) resulted in a very minor concussion (where was that helmet I'd only just pledged to wear every ride??), a brutally tenderised hip and thigh, a very broken rib and some surface and sub-surface road rash. Oddly enough, with exception to being taken out of commission for everything fun and interesting, it's the chafing scabs and bruising that is irritating me the most, lol. So typical. Other than snapping in frustration at every little thing (sorry, Hubby), I'm quite relieved to sustain injury to a solid bone rather than a joint. Two months til I can climb back on. Bummer.
Now, if only I could stop laughing at the toddler's antics...
Maximus
Well, OK... 1/2 Norse. He's a Quarter Horse/Norwegian Fjord cross.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Grounded
Have a wicked head cold, so made some lemonade. Took our trusty little 16 month old pony gelding out for some play time. I've worked with him a total of 4 times, maybe 20 minutes each time. He's getting better about standing for grooming and gainng general patience about standing tied for no reason at all.
The the first session, I simply took him with me everywhere I went... between parked horse trailers, between fences and stacked bales, over massive logs, up onto patio slabs and driveway ledges, down into ditches and up the other side.
The second session, I took him into the arena with my Parelli stick.... don't run away and stop the eye rolls. In the right hands, the thing is a good tool for both desensitising and sensitising. I swung it and draped it over every square inch of his body, including his legs. Once he stood still for all that, I whapped the rope end on the ground, increasingly closer to him. We moved to the helicopter move once he stood still for that. We also explored various obstacles in the arena and introduced the idea of moving out on the line his own circle. Then I put him away for another couple of months.
The third time, we re-hashed what we'd done the time before, and he yawned at me. Literally. Alrighty. Down the road for a little walk and back. Then he was dallied to the horn on the saddle of his favourite buddy and our herd leader, Bill. Again over numerous obstacles through the yard. Oh, and I loaded him into the Sardine Can in 30 seconds, flat, with one ask. That was totally boring for him.
Cue the fourth session, today. Again, it's been something like 3 weeks since I've touched him. Today was tarp day. Scout became a pack pony. After carting our toddler around patiently (27lbs) on the lead line, I introduced him to our 20 foot brown tarp, wadding it up and piling it up on his back. Seriously, not one scoot from this little trooper. He carted that thing around like a pro.
How awesome!
The the first session, I simply took him with me everywhere I went... between parked horse trailers, between fences and stacked bales, over massive logs, up onto patio slabs and driveway ledges, down into ditches and up the other side.
The second session, I took him into the arena with my Parelli stick.... don't run away and stop the eye rolls. In the right hands, the thing is a good tool for both desensitising and sensitising. I swung it and draped it over every square inch of his body, including his legs. Once he stood still for all that, I whapped the rope end on the ground, increasingly closer to him. We moved to the helicopter move once he stood still for that. We also explored various obstacles in the arena and introduced the idea of moving out on the line his own circle. Then I put him away for another couple of months.
The third time, we re-hashed what we'd done the time before, and he yawned at me. Literally. Alrighty. Down the road for a little walk and back. Then he was dallied to the horn on the saddle of his favourite buddy and our herd leader, Bill. Again over numerous obstacles through the yard. Oh, and I loaded him into the Sardine Can in 30 seconds, flat, with one ask. That was totally boring for him.
Cue the fourth session, today. Again, it's been something like 3 weeks since I've touched him. Today was tarp day. Scout became a pack pony. After carting our toddler around patiently (27lbs) on the lead line, I introduced him to our 20 foot brown tarp, wadding it up and piling it up on his back. Seriously, not one scoot from this little trooper. He carted that thing around like a pro.
How awesome!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Fall is THE Season!
Egads, it's been ages, it seems.
Been having some fun here & there, but for the most part, things have been limited to quiet arena rides. Have moved up to a simple leverage snaffle and see much more response from poor Maximost. He really is an incredible partner to have and I can't seem to help getting frustrated with the brick wall that remains wedged between our communication efforts. I'm thinking of backing right off this winter... bareback pad riding (think we've outgrown our latest saddle), oodles of groundwork via some guru I can dig (Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, maybe?)... see if I can find that connection I crave where thoughts become acts before you ask while riding. It may be beyond us, but I'll sure give it my all.
Ran into some local Fjord breeders and drummed up the courage to talk with them. I am SURE glad I did! They were amazing folks, with none of the distain I've learned to duck from when encountering breed purists. It's become reflexive to wince while I inform people of what kind of horse I have. I absolutely adore this creature for a multitude of reasons, the least of which is his funky, cartoon-character build. I can't wait to get a cartoon tattoo of him! Turns out, many of his temperament traits can, as I susptected, be traced to his stockier relations.
Anyhoo, some fun pics of the recent camping trip the hubby and I made:
Been having some fun here & there, but for the most part, things have been limited to quiet arena rides. Have moved up to a simple leverage snaffle and see much more response from poor Maximost. He really is an incredible partner to have and I can't seem to help getting frustrated with the brick wall that remains wedged between our communication efforts. I'm thinking of backing right off this winter... bareback pad riding (think we've outgrown our latest saddle), oodles of groundwork via some guru I can dig (Klaus Ferdinand Hempfling, maybe?)... see if I can find that connection I crave where thoughts become acts before you ask while riding. It may be beyond us, but I'll sure give it my all.
Ran into some local Fjord breeders and drummed up the courage to talk with them. I am SURE glad I did! They were amazing folks, with none of the distain I've learned to duck from when encountering breed purists. It's become reflexive to wince while I inform people of what kind of horse I have. I absolutely adore this creature for a multitude of reasons, the least of which is his funky, cartoon-character build. I can't wait to get a cartoon tattoo of him! Turns out, many of his temperament traits can, as I susptected, be traced to his stockier relations.
Anyhoo, some fun pics of the recent camping trip the hubby and I made:
The weather was right up our alley - cool enough that the only part of you sticking out of the sleeping bag (your nose, hopefully) was icy cold while the rest of you awoke in the coziest flannel nest of a sleeping bag! The days warmed up enough that for the most part, we had almost too many layers on. Not much water to be found on the trails this year, though we did manage to fjord (pardon the pun) one ankle-deep rapid. Actually, remembering the details, we fjorded while our scairt horses tumbled and plunged over the VAST 2 foot gap with the most strenuous of leaps. Pffft. Still chaps my ass that we had to dismount to end the impasse! Other than that one time, I did also have to do a lot of pulling my saddle back forward after any fun hill work. Good practice for the beast to stand still and calm on the trail while I flounder up there.
Big deamy sighs all week as the reel in my brain lives over moment after blissful moment. Yay for another fabulous fall vacation!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Mc Fatty
Ha! He's LOST weight! He'll never lose his 'brick' -like look thanks to his fjord lineage but the jiggling bits are receeding, thank god! I think that besides a couple of inches of height that his hip has filled out this past year.
A confo shot taken two months ago (yay! he's not downhill! please excuse the long front toes. I'm working on taking them back):
And the ultimate comparison photo, in the trailer with Bill about one month ago:
The lighting is bad, but when compared to the same shot from last year (lower left), I think you can really see a difference in Max's height. SO glad I've been waiting to get a western saddle fitted for him!!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Bath Time!!
Great way to have fun on the hottest of days and give the horses a small reprieve from itchy bugs and dried sweat. Been playing with my friend's product line, Ecolicious Equestrian (shameless plug). Love the citrus scent and a 20 min conditioner soak of the Maximus Dianna Ross mane and tail yeilded soft silk, days later!
He was less than impressed and sulked until I turned him back out. Five strides to the nearest dirt spot and he was down for a good, back-scratching roll.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Gorgeous Summer
Lots of fun this summer... not quantity of riding but most definitely quality. Canter work in the outdoor arena is building confidence and balance. He does a fabulous light little prance on his favourite lead.
Almost have the hubby convinced on a mud road ride. I want to get out and stretch his legs! ...the horse, not the hubby. We'll have to trailer 10 minutes from home but it's a much better option than riding rocky roads at the walk for over an hour.
Hay is pretty sexy this year!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A Mazing
Some great adventures over the last few days that I've finally got time to re-live.
Thursday and Friday nights I rode with a friend who was prepping for a weekend show, at the arena up the road. Never get enough time with this fantastic friend and had a blast. Max is really coming along. It has been almost an entire year and I finally feel like we are moving closer to that elusive seemless connection. I am asking for my space more, both on his back and on the ground.
Someone else with some kind of equine education climbed up on his back in recent days and I felt much better about the conversations we do have. What I manage to make seem easy is in fact quite difficult with this boy. Yahoo! Two riders were amazed at how much physical effort was required for the most simple tasks.
One particular session that really seemed to be a turning point for us was working on our canter departures and doward trasitions in our 110x120 outdoor arena. I think the lack of visual barriers (walls) helped him to feel more comfortable as, the next two rides - in the indoor - his confidence and balance was much improved.
This weekend held a first outting for Maximus. We attended a local horse show, a few miles from home. I have to say he blew my expectations out of the water. 100+ horses - no problem. Childrens Choo-Choo Train tooling around - no problem. Flags, tents and garbage debris flapping and floating around - no problem. Children zipping about, yodeling - no problem. He was phenomenal. Even stood around like a gentleman for 20 minutes to watch the show and allowed me to use all manner of obstacles to mount up from. - Really should punch more holes in that girth!! I might then be able to spring up from the ground... spring... hmmm. Whatever there is left exisiting of that, at this point in my life.
Thursday and Friday nights I rode with a friend who was prepping for a weekend show, at the arena up the road. Never get enough time with this fantastic friend and had a blast. Max is really coming along. It has been almost an entire year and I finally feel like we are moving closer to that elusive seemless connection. I am asking for my space more, both on his back and on the ground.
Someone else with some kind of equine education climbed up on his back in recent days and I felt much better about the conversations we do have. What I manage to make seem easy is in fact quite difficult with this boy. Yahoo! Two riders were amazed at how much physical effort was required for the most simple tasks.
One particular session that really seemed to be a turning point for us was working on our canter departures and doward trasitions in our 110x120 outdoor arena. I think the lack of visual barriers (walls) helped him to feel more comfortable as, the next two rides - in the indoor - his confidence and balance was much improved.
This weekend held a first outting for Maximus. We attended a local horse show, a few miles from home. I have to say he blew my expectations out of the water. 100+ horses - no problem. Childrens Choo-Choo Train tooling around - no problem. Flags, tents and garbage debris flapping and floating around - no problem. Children zipping about, yodeling - no problem. He was phenomenal. Even stood around like a gentleman for 20 minutes to watch the show and allowed me to use all manner of obstacles to mount up from. - Really should punch more holes in that girth!! I might then be able to spring up from the ground... spring... hmmm. Whatever there is left exisiting of that, at this point in my life.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
FINALLY!!
After more than a month of anticipating the arrival of our little alien, SHE'S here!!!!
True to horsey form, Mom waited until the wee hours to pull off her little surprise. We were quite ecstatic to peek out our kitchen window at 6 a.m. this morning (thanks! toddler) to espy Mom leading baby around the pasture. It was a little chilly before the clouds cleared way for the sun and I imagine she was trying to keep her shivering baby warm. Both have come through the ordeal well and Mom is proving to be properly concerned and protective, not letting us within 10 feet of them and equally keeping her filly away from the herd.
True to horsey form, Mom waited until the wee hours to pull off her little surprise. We were quite ecstatic to peek out our kitchen window at 6 a.m. this morning (thanks! toddler) to espy Mom leading baby around the pasture. It was a little chilly before the clouds cleared way for the sun and I imagine she was trying to keep her shivering baby warm. Both have come through the ordeal well and Mom is proving to be properly concerned and protective, not letting us within 10 feet of them and equally keeping her filly away from the herd.
They are all excited, battles for heirarchy momentarily forgotten as they oggle and prance along their shared fenceline. Everyone seems to be on their best behaviour so far and their curiosity remains polite.
I'll have to go snag some better pictures, now that the sun is out and everyone's settled down a bit.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Much Activity
Well, I was totally irresponsible and spent my MPI rebate on new riding gear - ultra-chushy paddock boots, gorgeous vented half-chaps, and little nubbed spurs, all English and all chocolate coloured!! All I can say is YUH-mmy!
The pair of new horses have arrived, had their feet trimmed, been dewormed and just yesterday, integrated into the main herd. Busy week for them! Below is the 4 year old Canadian Mare, of Quebec breeding stock. She's an entirely different creature than what we see through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Just poetry standing stock still and one gorgeous nature on her.
Her herd mate is a rather boisterous Quarter Horse in his teens, rather tall and lean like her. He's also quite pretty, though very territorial over his ladies - he's already claimed the skinny grey mare, to which I think Bill was rather relieved. He takes his responsibilities of herd protection seriously but she never had a moment's interest in him.
Speaking of grey mares, the fat one is expanding by the minute. She's bagged up. We're all waiting anxiously to see who arrives and hoping for a nice morning suprise. This will be her 4th baby and we really have no desire to wallow in the experience of birthing ourselves. She's got 2 acres of grass all to herself - plenty of room to safely deliver, we hope.
And just cause he's such a camera ham and I adore him:
Before hubby left for his extra-long weekend (and after this photo), he helped me nail Max's feet down as well as I ever have - read: he held the lead rope and backed him over top of me a couple of times, lmao! I'd say three more trims and Max'll be steady enough to park a milk crate under so I can save my back! He's really come a long way from the dancing prankster of last year.
The pair of new horses have arrived, had their feet trimmed, been dewormed and just yesterday, integrated into the main herd. Busy week for them! Below is the 4 year old Canadian Mare, of Quebec breeding stock. She's an entirely different creature than what we see through Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Just poetry standing stock still and one gorgeous nature on her.
Her herd mate is a rather boisterous Quarter Horse in his teens, rather tall and lean like her. He's also quite pretty, though very territorial over his ladies - he's already claimed the skinny grey mare, to which I think Bill was rather relieved. He takes his responsibilities of herd protection seriously but she never had a moment's interest in him.
Speaking of grey mares, the fat one is expanding by the minute. She's bagged up. We're all waiting anxiously to see who arrives and hoping for a nice morning suprise. This will be her 4th baby and we really have no desire to wallow in the experience of birthing ourselves. She's got 2 acres of grass all to herself - plenty of room to safely deliver, we hope.
And just cause he's such a camera ham and I adore him:
Before hubby left for his extra-long weekend (and after this photo), he helped me nail Max's feet down as well as I ever have - read: he held the lead rope and backed him over top of me a couple of times, lmao! I'd say three more trims and Max'll be steady enough to park a milk crate under so I can save my back! He's really come a long way from the dancing prankster of last year.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle
Title is inspired by how my toddler wiggles his little tushy to music, as he says the words, no less. And back on topic:
We have two new arrivals, the last to round off our herd, showing this coming weekend. Very excited about it! Not only do we have great horses rounding out our herd, but we have great people filling our ranks!
Worms. Newest arrival was just dewormed yesterday and voila! I haven't seen such large round worms before!!! Methinks a second round of the paste before integration would be prudent. A gorgeous yearling shire colt that did NOT show any obvious symptoms. Goes to show...
Our first arrival from last year has proven herself a little too flirtatious just prior to her purchase and subsequent move to our place. She's due to POP within the month. Very exciting! Anyone out there want to buy a Paint/Percheron/Quarter Horse filly? I'm just sure it's a girl!
We have two new arrivals, the last to round off our herd, showing this coming weekend. Very excited about it! Not only do we have great horses rounding out our herd, but we have great people filling our ranks!
~~~
You know that dream you had as a horse-crazy youngster? Every square inch of green was pasture potential, every picket of white fence spurred a frantic search for a tail-swish contained within, every barrel on sticks a potential pardner? The horses movies were made of danced through your head every night you fell asleep... if only you could just have that solid buddy to race around the back yard with! You could stretch out on his back, reading a novel as he grazed in some picturesque meadow. You could just leap up on, bareback, at any whim and happily prance around, sans equipment, in total unison...
Well, okay... maybe we aren't there yet and maybe we will only reach our muted, twisted little version of it. But to have a horse you can trust so much is so freeing and uplifting! We still butt heads every other stride but we're sure happy doing it. I can lounge on him in almost any position as we socialise. He's always eager to play and try any thing. Nothing phases this solid boy and I'm so ecstatic I took the chance on him! He's been cleared for another year by the vet and bridling is 120% better. This summer, we tackle the last obstacle: our fear of vehicles, those trixy things!!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Great Times!
Not much happening over the last month. Did plunk around the property bareback with the hubby one gorgeous afternoon. Was quiet bliss. What a great horse - sidled up to the water trough with very little encouragment, where an electric fence had just been an hour before, so I could clamour up. I think he's grown an inch or two. Rode in just a halter, and while he did try to take advantage of the more vague communication, I could hoot, boot and hollar to try and get my point across, all without an instant of feeling unsafe on him.
Tonight was a new adventure for us. I've been taking him to a quite sedate riding group on Wednesdays and tonight we joined the rowdies! Four other horses, trotting, cantering, jumping and ripping up the round pen all around him. I did have to employ the rather abrupt one-rein-stop twice to regain his attention, but he really impressed me with how well he settled down with all that distraction. His brain may have been bouncing from one flourish of movement to another, but he really tried hard - especially at the canter! Our first one did include a canon-boom to catch up with the group, which resulted in his nose being cranked to my knee. But the second try was just top-knotch. We pranced right through a cluster of various personalities like old pros.
No pictures of our galavanting, but I did snap one of our young boy. Seems to me he's really growing up. I can't wait for all the ice in the yard to melt away so I can start playing with this boy again! He's been having quite a great time ripping around the pasture with his one-month-older playmate. We have another yearling scheduled to arrive sometime this spring. Bunch o' punk boys decorating my yard. Love it.
Tonight was a new adventure for us. I've been taking him to a quite sedate riding group on Wednesdays and tonight we joined the rowdies! Four other horses, trotting, cantering, jumping and ripping up the round pen all around him. I did have to employ the rather abrupt one-rein-stop twice to regain his attention, but he really impressed me with how well he settled down with all that distraction. His brain may have been bouncing from one flourish of movement to another, but he really tried hard - especially at the canter! Our first one did include a canon-boom to catch up with the group, which resulted in his nose being cranked to my knee. But the second try was just top-knotch. We pranced right through a cluster of various personalities like old pros.
No pictures of our galavanting, but I did snap one of our young boy. Seems to me he's really growing up. I can't wait for all the ice in the yard to melt away so I can start playing with this boy again! He's been having quite a great time ripping around the pasture with his one-month-older playmate. We have another yearling scheduled to arrive sometime this spring. Bunch o' punk boys decorating my yard. Love it.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Good Times
I think our boys are wintering well...
Been playing around with a friend, taking lessons. Learning and remembering to break things down simpler and work on one thing at a time. Great success with Maximus in this approach! Such as an active walk. Simply getting a good, comfortable stride rather than our pokey amble has been a worthy and rewarding task. I've adopted a dressage whip to reinforce my leg cues, rather than my short bat. I'm very glad to be able to say that a little tap behind my leg goes a LONG way with this boy!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Bush Wacking
Well, it's been what? 4? 6? weeks since I've last ridden this sweet boy?
He was AMAZING. He definitely responds well to the lovey-dovey approach and opened right up to me. Bridling is 80% better with the lovin'.
Right off the hop we decided to hit the bush on the property rather than try to battle the windy road. We locked the rest of the herd up front in our 2 acres of open pasture and found our trusting mounting tree stump just inside the bushline of our 8 acres out back.
Exploring the horse-made trails through the bush is like entering a private world all their own. Of course, watching out for branches above wither height is necessary to ensure rider survival.
Max lead like a champ once I made it clear forward motion at a reasonable pace was expected. He marched down their trails, off their trails and through all kinds of bush. Winding around trees prompted tighter communication as the boy has no idea how to watch out for anything beyond the sides of his barrel (read: KNEES!). Oh, who am I kidding? He's the kind of horse that will "Opps." rub and bump his way through things with only his own fuzzy grey coat to slow him down. It was tricky work and I've got at least one bruise to show for a critical moment's lack of attention.
All in all it a great break from the arena routine and an opportunity to really test him in a trail-like environment with a touch more comfort to him. I was able to snap branches left & right, above his head without him twitching an ear. Decent-sized sapplings were tugged and pulled between his barrel and my leg without a worry. We became somewhat proficient with our back & forth, enabling us to miss almost all of the more substantial trees.
Mostly, I was impressed with his sweet willingness to pick up right where we left off. I love how he just plunks along with whatever plan is put to him. Such a good boy!
He was AMAZING. He definitely responds well to the lovey-dovey approach and opened right up to me. Bridling is 80% better with the lovin'.
Right off the hop we decided to hit the bush on the property rather than try to battle the windy road. We locked the rest of the herd up front in our 2 acres of open pasture and found our trusting mounting tree stump just inside the bushline of our 8 acres out back.
Exploring the horse-made trails through the bush is like entering a private world all their own. Of course, watching out for branches above wither height is necessary to ensure rider survival.
Max lead like a champ once I made it clear forward motion at a reasonable pace was expected. He marched down their trails, off their trails and through all kinds of bush. Winding around trees prompted tighter communication as the boy has no idea how to watch out for anything beyond the sides of his barrel (read: KNEES!). Oh, who am I kidding? He's the kind of horse that will "Opps." rub and bump his way through things with only his own fuzzy grey coat to slow him down. It was tricky work and I've got at least one bruise to show for a critical moment's lack of attention.
All in all it a great break from the arena routine and an opportunity to really test him in a trail-like environment with a touch more comfort to him. I was able to snap branches left & right, above his head without him twitching an ear. Decent-sized sapplings were tugged and pulled between his barrel and my leg without a worry. We became somewhat proficient with our back & forth, enabling us to miss almost all of the more substantial trees.
Mostly, I was impressed with his sweet willingness to pick up right where we left off. I love how he just plunks along with whatever plan is put to him. Such a good boy!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Bugs
Been laying pretty low for quite a while. First, the weather. Then some mysterious sinus infection ran through our herd, affecting 4 of 7 horses. The two younsters were hit, of course. Our boy had to be upgraded from pills to shots and finally we see results. He's getting better for the handling, I think. Despite some punk-antics and understandable reaction to the 4 18-guage needles per day, he remains a very well-balanced boy. We really like him and are excited about what kind of horse he's going to be!
Just said hullo to Maximus for the first time in weeks, tonight. He's as sexy and funny as ever. If they could bottle him up, I'd be rich. Of course, I'm disgustingly bias.
Not sure if I'll take him off property this week or wait another, just to be safe. No sense spreading this thing around.
Feet are on the docket soon, too. Going to take some brush-up lessons from my farrier and recharge my batteries. All three look quite good, if long. I hope to never have difficult feet to keep again! In fact, upgrade that to a difficult horse to keep, period, again! I just love our three boys!!
Just said hullo to Maximus for the first time in weeks, tonight. He's as sexy and funny as ever. If they could bottle him up, I'd be rich. Of course, I'm disgustingly bias.
Not sure if I'll take him off property this week or wait another, just to be safe. No sense spreading this thing around.
Feet are on the docket soon, too. Going to take some brush-up lessons from my farrier and recharge my batteries. All three look quite good, if long. I hope to never have difficult feet to keep again! In fact, upgrade that to a difficult horse to keep, period, again! I just love our three boys!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Well Hell
I have NO idea what is happening but I'm forced to confront an issue that has come up.
I am crazy about this fun-loving, inquisitive beast. I do not want to 'break out of him' what makes him him. I want a willing, eager partner. He's always been sluggish. The lightest tap of a spur will having him forward. If only I could wear spurs every time I ride. Without them, our communication is immediately one-sided. That said, the trot is his happy gait. Once there, I never have to ask for any more. He'll give this gorgeous, yummy, consistent pace until he runs out of steam, which we discovered tonight was at about 30 mins. Then NO amount of asking will get any more give until he's rested up for a bit. But all this makes me chuckle, despite how annoying it can be in the moment.
The real issue that concerns me is his growing aversion to head gear of any kind. I have to wonder if my general impression of his lack of sensitivity in the above activities hasn't caused me to be less empathetic about handling his face. I'm sure it's not a bit issue as he doesn't fuss once tacked up, other than his 3 minute sulk with his nose in the dirt. He's not as bad for haltering, but every time he sees the bridle, Ugly Face appears and evasion begins. I actually have to back him into an obstacle and block him from bouncing his head off mine in his tactics.
I had limited success one time in creating yummy lovey low snuggly time and being super gentle. (I could not create this today.) Once our ride was over, during untacking he tossed the entire bridle 10 feet away in the sand. In fact, Ugly Face reappears once I reach for the buckle on the cheek strap. I even clipped a bridle path, recalling that my mare of once-up-a-time had issues with mane 'bunching' at the top of the bridle.
I'm considering getting him assessed by a chiro. Haven't done it yet and there are other indicators that crease my brow, such as rounded toes on the hinds and frequent urination. These have been present since I got him - I know... shame on me for no vet check. Being a recreational rider, I don't need the most supreme example of conformational perfection. I just need a sound buddy.
I may try the path to his tummy first, as this approach was so successful with trailer loading. Honey on the bit can be messy, but it might be worth it.
I am crazy about this fun-loving, inquisitive beast. I do not want to 'break out of him' what makes him him. I want a willing, eager partner. He's always been sluggish. The lightest tap of a spur will having him forward. If only I could wear spurs every time I ride. Without them, our communication is immediately one-sided. That said, the trot is his happy gait. Once there, I never have to ask for any more. He'll give this gorgeous, yummy, consistent pace until he runs out of steam, which we discovered tonight was at about 30 mins. Then NO amount of asking will get any more give until he's rested up for a bit. But all this makes me chuckle, despite how annoying it can be in the moment.
The real issue that concerns me is his growing aversion to head gear of any kind. I have to wonder if my general impression of his lack of sensitivity in the above activities hasn't caused me to be less empathetic about handling his face. I'm sure it's not a bit issue as he doesn't fuss once tacked up, other than his 3 minute sulk with his nose in the dirt. He's not as bad for haltering, but every time he sees the bridle, Ugly Face appears and evasion begins. I actually have to back him into an obstacle and block him from bouncing his head off mine in his tactics.
I had limited success one time in creating yummy lovey low snuggly time and being super gentle. (I could not create this today.) Once our ride was over, during untacking he tossed the entire bridle 10 feet away in the sand. In fact, Ugly Face reappears once I reach for the buckle on the cheek strap. I even clipped a bridle path, recalling that my mare of once-up-a-time had issues with mane 'bunching' at the top of the bridle.
I'm considering getting him assessed by a chiro. Haven't done it yet and there are other indicators that crease my brow, such as rounded toes on the hinds and frequent urination. These have been present since I got him - I know... shame on me for no vet check. Being a recreational rider, I don't need the most supreme example of conformational perfection. I just need a sound buddy.
I may try the path to his tummy first, as this approach was so successful with trailer loading. Honey on the bit can be messy, but it might be worth it.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tete a Tete
Not a whole lot of saddle work this past Wednesday. We focused more on our invisible connection with some follow-me-at-liberty work. Unfortunately, right when I went to collect him from the pasture he made it clear that he did NOT want to play with me. He maintained his grouchy face throughout the day. He was good enough to humour me on the follow-me game, but made it entirely clear he was doing so under extreme duress. ha!
There were two other horses playing the same game with their riders in the arena at the time. I removed the halter and just draped the lead rope around his neck/withers. We went over and around all kinds of obstacles, including around the other horses. The goal was to have his head at my shoulder the entire time, by free will. I had to slip my hand onto his outside cheek quite a bit, especially when his friend May was walking by, but we did not too shabby. If only I could have pried his ears from laying flat on his neck!
The next day, he met me at the gate with his usual playful demeanour. Defintely had an off day. Save those for any day but Wednesdays, buddy!
Oh and I forgot my camera. pffft.
There were two other horses playing the same game with their riders in the arena at the time. I removed the halter and just draped the lead rope around his neck/withers. We went over and around all kinds of obstacles, including around the other horses. The goal was to have his head at my shoulder the entire time, by free will. I had to slip my hand onto his outside cheek quite a bit, especially when his friend May was walking by, but we did not too shabby. If only I could have pried his ears from laying flat on his neck!
The next day, he met me at the gate with his usual playful demeanour. Defintely had an off day. Save those for any day but Wednesdays, buddy!
Oh and I forgot my camera. pffft.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Reinin' in the Freight Train
Had a FABULOUS time last Wednesday. Started out by trying on a new Christmas gift - a sexy black cooler purchased via gift card, compliments of my brother. Whaaa...? The first time EVER a member of my oh-so-non-horsey family has set foot inside a true horsey store. This thing is made of some modern super-wicking material and comes with all the strappings. I chose a no-neck model for my fuzzy "sweater" and I must say he does look like quite the dapper breyer model in his new wardrobe. I'll remember my camera this week, I almost promise.
I got the chance to really try out the new threads, too. Hand-walked him down for 15 minutes or so after our ride with it on. When I pulled it off to let him roll (THE best reward for this guy after a solid ride), he was easily 90% dry. Chillin tied up in the arena during lunch accomplished the rest of the task.
Starting with a modeling session was a great groundwork exercise. Don't know if he'd ever worn such a thing, but he took to it like a good little curious puppy. Next came the hulla hoop. Swung it all around him, put it over his head and lunged him at the trot. Dropped it off every side of him and had him stand in it with every foot (not at once). His first response when I dropped it on the ground in front of him was to pick it up in his mouth and flop it up and down with his lips. Pretty classic Maximus.
Once mounted up we did some steady follow-the-leader at the trot. Max is always up for some of that. Set the pace and just march it out. He's got great rhythm. He has typically been the leader and took some work to maintain as a polite follower. He's got racing brain from our trail rides with Old Man Competative Bill.
Next was some canter work (finally!). I failed to mention that I chose to ride with my glorious little orange crop for the first time. Spurs are difficult to fit to Sorrels and riding without them, I've been very disappointed to see serious regression in his response to leg cues. Rather than repeat our typical 300 foot mad-dash-before-departure, upon my first ask I gave a solid crack to the rump (a loud but harmless startle effect). And we were OFF! And I mean off. Let him get a few strides out before asking him to come back and tried it again and again. Not once did I need to use the orange stick again, in fact. He still runs into it a stride, but I think it's more about confidence. Our very last try was much more elegant and controlled.
...Interesting to note that when I once lost my centre of balance for a moment, he too had to scramble a bit. Have to be more diligent about helping him out! Babies... too cute!
I got the chance to really try out the new threads, too. Hand-walked him down for 15 minutes or so after our ride with it on. When I pulled it off to let him roll (THE best reward for this guy after a solid ride), he was easily 90% dry. Chillin tied up in the arena during lunch accomplished the rest of the task.
Starting with a modeling session was a great groundwork exercise. Don't know if he'd ever worn such a thing, but he took to it like a good little curious puppy. Next came the hulla hoop. Swung it all around him, put it over his head and lunged him at the trot. Dropped it off every side of him and had him stand in it with every foot (not at once). His first response when I dropped it on the ground in front of him was to pick it up in his mouth and flop it up and down with his lips. Pretty classic Maximus.
Once mounted up we did some steady follow-the-leader at the trot. Max is always up for some of that. Set the pace and just march it out. He's got great rhythm. He has typically been the leader and took some work to maintain as a polite follower. He's got racing brain from our trail rides with Old Man Competative Bill.
Next was some canter work (finally!). I failed to mention that I chose to ride with my glorious little orange crop for the first time. Spurs are difficult to fit to Sorrels and riding without them, I've been very disappointed to see serious regression in his response to leg cues. Rather than repeat our typical 300 foot mad-dash-before-departure, upon my first ask I gave a solid crack to the rump (a loud but harmless startle effect). And we were OFF! And I mean off. Let him get a few strides out before asking him to come back and tried it again and again. Not once did I need to use the orange stick again, in fact. He still runs into it a stride, but I think it's more about confidence. Our very last try was much more elegant and controlled.
...Interesting to note that when I once lost my centre of balance for a moment, he too had to scramble a bit. Have to be more diligent about helping him out! Babies... too cute!
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