Worked Maddie alone today, doing more at the walk and challenging her to reduce her energy and deal with the environment without getting nervous or balky. In the woods I spent time tree bending and desensitizing her to all the sticks and branches. I was very surprised to learn how sensitive she is to branches. After doing a little tree bending, backing, etc, I hopped off and went to find a branch I could rub over her. As soon as I touched her with it, she contracted hard and I could barely hang on to the rein. She was going around me in a circle but in a real panic. I immediately dropped the stick and it still took everything I had to hang on and calm her down. She was crashing into small trees, careening over sticks and rotting logs, and really getting worked up. No wonder I failed to hold her the other day when I was on the ground after having just come off.
Anyway, I retreated to smaller sticks and very soon I was able to push all kinds of branches into her legs while she walked around me calmly. But I will have to repeat this again and keep working on it. Her haunches are still very electric. Similarly, I am still working to be able to rub behind the saddle when mounted. When I do this for the first time each ride, she is still squirting forward. I repeated the stick work towards the end of the ride today, and she was only marginally better. This time her haunches brushed a sapling pretty good and it really panicked her. I think the woods in general are mentally challenging for her and we will just have to keep chipping away at this.
We worked in the Schumann's outdoor arena again and Maddie was really making nice circles. I am now working on getting her straight on the diagonal and the centerline. Canter departs on the left lead were ugly--only got the correct lead about 50% of the time today. At the walk her renvers is coming along, which will be key to improving her canter leads. Getting some half pass to the left now, too. All in all, a fun, solid ride.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
left bend left bend left bend...
A somewhat shorter and more intense session today. The trails were wet so I just went next door and worked in the outdoor arena. This was the first time for her in this arena, and it took her about 10 minutes to settle down. Even then, for the entire session she would occasionally revert to spookiness and drunkenness. This arena is an olympic sized (and groomed) affair, so I worked on straight lines and round circles. In between trot and canter work I focused on shoulder in and developing renvers/half pass/turn on the forehand with opposite flexion/etc. The left bend is still her glaring weakness. I made some progress and finally saw some honest half pass to the left. But her natural position is bent to the right, that is for sure. In shoulder in to the left, it's easy to be fooled by a neck that is mostly bent to the left, but her nose is tipped out. I experimented with different combinations of hand and leg to help her along.
It's so much fun to canter a horse that does not want to run away! She really has an honest canter. Towards the end I had to be careful when transitioning to trot that she did not die out. I also did a lot of walk-trot transitions on circles, using inside rein to keep her from contracting.
It's so much fun to canter a horse that does not want to run away! She really has an honest canter. Towards the end I had to be careful when transitioning to trot that she did not die out. I also did a lot of walk-trot transitions on circles, using inside rein to keep her from contracting.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
2nd session
Went back at 4:00 for a quickie, which was a solid hour of riding after all. Did a little work on the Irish steps at the Kind's cc course, cantered around a couple of hay fields, and visited a couple of barns. My driving aids are really coming along, and I think my timing overall has improved. A couple of times when she was stuck, I only had to reach for the flogger and she jumped forward. A little tree bending, a couple of jumps, and a bunch of canter departs. I've also started practicing backing and little rollbacks.
The walk of shame...
Outstanding ride this morning, I mean it! Learned a lot and accomplished a lot. I went out early to get a session in before my noon class at the Y. Maddie walked out well. I was riding with a dressage whip for the first time with her. Today I decided to wait out her slowdown spooks until she came to a complete halt, then ask her to move off again. I wanted to get out of the pattern we had started, and to try and be very black and white about it. She would start to really really walk slowly around something spooky, but I decided that as long as she was moving, I would leave her alone. This strategy worked well and I think we made progress on her confidence.
Rode up to the Schumann's and chatted with Jane for a few minutes. The dog gave us some good barks but Maddie did not notice. Maddie stood very well and let Jane pet her.
We spent about 20 minutes in the outdoor arena. Circles are getting rounder, and canter departs are coming along. Did a little bit of lateral work. We took some of Wendy's jumps, both around the pasture and in the woods. After a jump series in the woods I let her rest, and she managed to step into a pretty large branch that was on the ground. The branch got caught up in her feet and slapped her on the hindquarters. When she started to dance, I came off in a slow, undignified slide to the right. I had a good grip on the reins, but I was on my back and she just kept dancing and prancing. I tried calming her down but she would not shut down. After about 20 seconds I let go of the reins and she trotted off. Never looked back. Aaaaargh!
I called Maria at home and started walking in the direction Maddie had taken. It was 20 minutes before I got to the Kind's. Maddie was not there, but Maria was there tacking up Jordan. She headed out and I hopped in the truck to go find that mare. I found Maddie in a plowed field off of 7 Mile Rd. and it was no problem to walk out and catch her. Once she saw it was me, she trotted towards me a bit and then halted and waited for me to walk up to her. Jane helped me as I parked the truck in a safe place and found my helmet. I rode Maddie back to the farm without incident.
I'm not particularly concerned about coming off today. Maddie did nothing wrong or vicious, and 14hh horses were made for dumb-asses like me that can't stay in the saddle. We will work harder to get her hindquarters desensitized, and I'll try to react quicker next time. I know that she would not have spooked like this in the company of another horse, and that pretty soon even this kind of mental challenge will be easy for her.
Rode up to the Schumann's and chatted with Jane for a few minutes. The dog gave us some good barks but Maddie did not notice. Maddie stood very well and let Jane pet her.
We spent about 20 minutes in the outdoor arena. Circles are getting rounder, and canter departs are coming along. Did a little bit of lateral work. We took some of Wendy's jumps, both around the pasture and in the woods. After a jump series in the woods I let her rest, and she managed to step into a pretty large branch that was on the ground. The branch got caught up in her feet and slapped her on the hindquarters. When she started to dance, I came off in a slow, undignified slide to the right. I had a good grip on the reins, but I was on my back and she just kept dancing and prancing. I tried calming her down but she would not shut down. After about 20 seconds I let go of the reins and she trotted off. Never looked back. Aaaaargh!
I called Maria at home and started walking in the direction Maddie had taken. It was 20 minutes before I got to the Kind's. Maddie was not there, but Maria was there tacking up Jordan. She headed out and I hopped in the truck to go find that mare. I found Maddie in a plowed field off of 7 Mile Rd. and it was no problem to walk out and catch her. Once she saw it was me, she trotted towards me a bit and then halted and waited for me to walk up to her. Jane helped me as I parked the truck in a safe place and found my helmet. I rode Maddie back to the farm without incident.
I'm not particularly concerned about coming off today. Maddie did nothing wrong or vicious, and 14hh horses were made for dumb-asses like me that can't stay in the saddle. We will work harder to get her hindquarters desensitized, and I'll try to react quicker next time. I know that she would not have spooked like this in the company of another horse, and that pretty soon even this kind of mental challenge will be easy for her.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Jump day in the woods
Looong ride with Maria on Jordan today. Maria is impatient with anything that smacks of training, so it was primarily an opportunity to put miles on Maddie. We did a little bit of tree-bending when Maria wasn't looking, and some lateral work. Starting to develop a transition from shoulder-in to haunches in, with either the same bend, or a change of bend. I'm happy with her progress.
We felt a little bad tacking up Jordan and Maddie when we arrived at the farm. The herd was camped out in the mud lot, every horse sitting down and soaking up the sun. We are so pleased that Maddie has a group to hang out with. They get turnout on green pasture twice a day.
Pleased to report that her left canter was clean today, without jumping into the cross canter. In fact, once or twice she even chose the left canter herself. So I'm feeling pretty good about her gaits today. I pushed her out front when she was ready for it, but overall I tried to avoid provoking conflict with her today. A couple of times when she was out front she came to a dead standstill over something that concerned her, but I just waited for Jordan to pass us and she walked on. This happens primarily at the walk, but she has shut down from the trot or canter, too. She will always walk forward when Jordan is out front, no matter what is concerning her. At one place where Jordan did not want to pass, Maddie led the way in a super-calm fashion (while poor Maria was 50 feet behind me trying to get Jordan to stop rearing).
Lots of strong trot and canter today, and we took a bunch of jumps in the woods. Maria could not believe it! These were the biggest jumps to date--some honest 2 footers. Maddie felt so smooth and solid! She showed no signs of refusing, and she took beautiful arcs and perfect take-offs, every time.
We felt a little bad tacking up Jordan and Maddie when we arrived at the farm. The herd was camped out in the mud lot, every horse sitting down and soaking up the sun. We are so pleased that Maddie has a group to hang out with. They get turnout on green pasture twice a day.
Pleased to report that her left canter was clean today, without jumping into the cross canter. In fact, once or twice she even chose the left canter herself. So I'm feeling pretty good about her gaits today. I pushed her out front when she was ready for it, but overall I tried to avoid provoking conflict with her today. A couple of times when she was out front she came to a dead standstill over something that concerned her, but I just waited for Jordan to pass us and she walked on. This happens primarily at the walk, but she has shut down from the trot or canter, too. She will always walk forward when Jordan is out front, no matter what is concerning her. At one place where Jordan did not want to pass, Maddie led the way in a super-calm fashion (while poor Maria was 50 feet behind me trying to get Jordan to stop rearing).
Lots of strong trot and canter today, and we took a bunch of jumps in the woods. Maria could not believe it! These were the biggest jumps to date--some honest 2 footers. Maddie felt so smooth and solid! She showed no signs of refusing, and she took beautiful arcs and perfect take-offs, every time.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Two kinds of spooks
Today was VERY windy and I was so impressed with how Maddie handled it. I was all alone and tacking up was the calmest it's been since the Pink Barn. She sat still and seemed relaxed. Before mounting, I worked on her lateral flexion, which has just been getting duller and duller. This is strange to me, since the last two horses I worked with got so light so quickly. With Maddie I am focusing on picking up contact more gradually and trying not to surprise her. I made progress today, but it's going to take some time to get the lightness back that we had at the Pink Barn.
Maddie walked out pretty well, just sticking a little bit in the driveway. Once we were in the woods, she did not have trouble moving forward. I found a place where we could work on "tree bending," where I ask her to bend around a tree, come to halt, back up, and repeat on the other side. She softened well and we were able to move up to the trot. We repeated this exercise off and on for the rest of the ride. She was changing sides fairly well and a couple of times she was showing the beginnings of sitting on her haunches and coming across in front.
After a bit of work in the woods, we walked out into the fields and went to visit some new farms. She alternated between relaxation, electric spook, and dead-duck spook. Let me explain.
"Dead-duck spook" is the most frustrating. Maddie will see something (today that included an excavator, a yard full of trailers and equipment, a flapping vinyl fence, and several undetermined stimuli) and come to a DEAD stop. Dead, nothing. No movement, not particularly upset, just unwilling to pick up a leg and take a step forward, despite me giving her everything I have (legs, end of the reins, crop, flogger). Her lateral flexion and yielding of hindquarters is also very poor in this configuration. Today I took some advice from John Lyons and tried to keep her moving in other directions, then offering her the direction I want. This helped a lot, but at one point she found all points of the compass equally spooky and she just sat still. I could not even turn her around to go home. Surprisingly, it was in an open area along a fenceline with friendly, calm horses in the pasture and no buildings nearby, on a hilltop with a good view in all directions. To get out of there I had to back her up. Once we were 100 feet away, moving towards home, she reverted to "electric spook."
"Electric spook" is when Maddie is dancing in her gait with a high head and zero softness in any part of her body, ready to canter or bolt with the slightest encouragement from me or the environment. In this situation I can either pet her on her neck, go into a smooth posting trot, or yield her hindquarters and try bringing her attention back to me. Tree bending is especially helpful for electric spook. She at least has movement and some working controls, so I find electric spook much more preferable than dead duck spook.
We worked a bit in the Schumann's outdoor arena, making fairly round 15m circles at the trot, and doing a lot of canter departs. She cross fired again at one point. We also went into the woods and did a few more jumps. She has not shown any problems with going over simple log jumps. Good impulsion, no sign of refusal, and no over jump. I'm really pleased with that.
Finished a great ride (close to 2 hrs, I'd say) and I threw her back with the herd. No one looked up when she entered the mud lot. Maddie rolled and munched on some hay.
Maddie walked out pretty well, just sticking a little bit in the driveway. Once we were in the woods, she did not have trouble moving forward. I found a place where we could work on "tree bending," where I ask her to bend around a tree, come to halt, back up, and repeat on the other side. She softened well and we were able to move up to the trot. We repeated this exercise off and on for the rest of the ride. She was changing sides fairly well and a couple of times she was showing the beginnings of sitting on her haunches and coming across in front.
After a bit of work in the woods, we walked out into the fields and went to visit some new farms. She alternated between relaxation, electric spook, and dead-duck spook. Let me explain.
"Dead-duck spook" is the most frustrating. Maddie will see something (today that included an excavator, a yard full of trailers and equipment, a flapping vinyl fence, and several undetermined stimuli) and come to a DEAD stop. Dead, nothing. No movement, not particularly upset, just unwilling to pick up a leg and take a step forward, despite me giving her everything I have (legs, end of the reins, crop, flogger). Her lateral flexion and yielding of hindquarters is also very poor in this configuration. Today I took some advice from John Lyons and tried to keep her moving in other directions, then offering her the direction I want. This helped a lot, but at one point she found all points of the compass equally spooky and she just sat still. I could not even turn her around to go home. Surprisingly, it was in an open area along a fenceline with friendly, calm horses in the pasture and no buildings nearby, on a hilltop with a good view in all directions. To get out of there I had to back her up. Once we were 100 feet away, moving towards home, she reverted to "electric spook."
"Electric spook" is when Maddie is dancing in her gait with a high head and zero softness in any part of her body, ready to canter or bolt with the slightest encouragement from me or the environment. In this situation I can either pet her on her neck, go into a smooth posting trot, or yield her hindquarters and try bringing her attention back to me. Tree bending is especially helpful for electric spook. She at least has movement and some working controls, so I find electric spook much more preferable than dead duck spook.
We worked a bit in the Schumann's outdoor arena, making fairly round 15m circles at the trot, and doing a lot of canter departs. She cross fired again at one point. We also went into the woods and did a few more jumps. She has not shown any problems with going over simple log jumps. Good impulsion, no sign of refusal, and no over jump. I'm really pleased with that.
Finished a great ride (close to 2 hrs, I'd say) and I threw her back with the herd. No one looked up when she entered the mud lot. Maddie rolled and munched on some hay.
Monday, March 26, 2012
stuff to work on
I went over to the barn after teaching my spin class and together Chuck & I let Maddie out into one of his pastures, along with Chuck's morab, Moses. We put the other two, more dominant horses into the other pasture. Maddie did great and there were no fireworks. After 30 minutes we put Maddie into her stall and everyone else back into the mud lot.
Around 3:00 I came back and went out on the trails with Chuck on Moses. We took the river trail and I spent some time working Maddie around trees while Chuck walked ahead. Along 7 mile road we picked up the canter and Maddie bolted when a noisy truck came by. I had to circle into a wheat field to get her under control. Not my favorite thing to do on a horse! But she calmed down quickly after that, and it only took a half-circle to get her walking. But there were some serious gallop steps in there, I assure you.
A little further along we took a string of at least 8 jumps in the woods, which Maddie really did an amazing job on. These were all log-sized jumps, but it still felt great going over them. She waited for them and did not over jump. She also timed her takeoff well at the canter. Unfortunately, a herd of horses (the same herd that rattled us a couple of days ago) could see us in the woods and came galloping by the fence line, which was only 50 feet away. Maddie picked up on their energy and I had to ask Chuck to come to a walk to stop Maddie from tearing away from me. We ended up on Moses' rump, but no harm done. To get out of there we had to walk directly along the fence line, which was difficult for Maddie to do. The herd was tearing around and she was really feeding off of it. I had to sidepass Maddie to keep her in hand.
After we got back to the barn, I went out alone with Maddie to start working on her weaknesses. She is showing a real lack of confidence in the lead, so I wanted her to be by herself for a bit. When alone, she can spook at strange things and sometimes I find us cutting off the corner of a field, Maddie sidepassing her way around something that doesn't look right to her. At certain points it was just about impossible to get her moving at all. At other times, we could trot or canter with ease. I am also finding that her bend and one-rein stop are very poor when she is like this. So I am going to really work on her confidence and her impulsion this week. Overall, my plan is to hold off on working her in any arenas for a few days and get her trail work while alone better. She needs to give me bend whenever I ask for it, hold her gaits, be able to trot in small circles, and go forward whenever I ask.
During one stretch, I picked up the left lead (her favorite lead is her right) and after about ten strides she began cross cantering and was really stuck there. We also saw her cross canter earlier in the day when she was turned out in the pasture.
When I got back, the 3 horses were out in a pasture together and I put Maddie out there with them. None of the horses paid her any attention and they were all happily munching on grass together. Chuck & I decided to try putting them all together in the mud lot for the night. Diego, the alpha, gave Maddie a few dirty looks, but she trotted away each time and it did not look like there would be trouble. We decided to leave Maddie with the herd for the night. So Maddie finally has a herd! I am so happy. She can move around, roll in the sand, and be part of a group. Chuck will turn them all out in the morning for an hour of pasture. Lucky mare!
A little further along we took a string of at least 8 jumps in the woods, which Maddie really did an amazing job on. These were all log-sized jumps, but it still felt great going over them. She waited for them and did not over jump. She also timed her takeoff well at the canter. Unfortunately, a herd of horses (the same herd that rattled us a couple of days ago) could see us in the woods and came galloping by the fence line, which was only 50 feet away. Maddie picked up on their energy and I had to ask Chuck to come to a walk to stop Maddie from tearing away from me. We ended up on Moses' rump, but no harm done. To get out of there we had to walk directly along the fence line, which was difficult for Maddie to do. The herd was tearing around and she was really feeding off of it. I had to sidepass Maddie to keep her in hand.
After we got back to the barn, I went out alone with Maddie to start working on her weaknesses. She is showing a real lack of confidence in the lead, so I wanted her to be by herself for a bit. When alone, she can spook at strange things and sometimes I find us cutting off the corner of a field, Maddie sidepassing her way around something that doesn't look right to her. At certain points it was just about impossible to get her moving at all. At other times, we could trot or canter with ease. I am also finding that her bend and one-rein stop are very poor when she is like this. So I am going to really work on her confidence and her impulsion this week. Overall, my plan is to hold off on working her in any arenas for a few days and get her trail work while alone better. She needs to give me bend whenever I ask for it, hold her gaits, be able to trot in small circles, and go forward whenever I ask.
During one stretch, I picked up the left lead (her favorite lead is her right) and after about ten strides she began cross cantering and was really stuck there. We also saw her cross canter earlier in the day when she was turned out in the pasture.
When I got back, the 3 horses were out in a pasture together and I put Maddie out there with them. None of the horses paid her any attention and they were all happily munching on grass together. Chuck & I decided to try putting them all together in the mud lot for the night. Diego, the alpha, gave Maddie a few dirty looks, but she trotted away each time and it did not look like there would be trouble. We decided to leave Maddie with the herd for the night. So Maddie finally has a herd! I am so happy. She can move around, roll in the sand, and be part of a group. Chuck will turn them all out in the morning for an hour of pasture. Lucky mare!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Basic trail ride
Maria rode with me again, this time she was on Maddie the whole time. She did not push things much and we basically just got a decent trail ride in. We went an honest 6 miles, mostly at the walk and trot, with a few canters. Maria led a bit of the way, but Jordan & I were out front for most of the ride. It was windy and we dealt with more traffic, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians (with dogs). All good experience for Maddie.
I am anxious to start pushing the issue with her. She needs to be pushed out front and encouraged to listen to the rider, and not Jordan. I will be taking her out to multiple riding arenas this week--we'll see what happens!
We introduced her to the herd at her new barn after the ride and she did well. We started with just Maddie & Jordan in the mud lot together, and gradually added the other two, higher-ranking horses. The top horse (who is kind of pushy and obnoxious, with horses and people) chased her around a lot but she mostly ran away from him. We put her back in her stall and went home. After 30 minutes we got a call that the alpha had kicked in her stall door trying to get at her. Aaaargh! I ran out and found the door latch and door jamb in splinters, and the door hinges bent. I glued and hammered things back together and closed her into her stall for the night.
We introduced her to the herd at her new barn after the ride and she did well. We started with just Maddie & Jordan in the mud lot together, and gradually added the other two, higher-ranking horses. The top horse (who is kind of pushy and obnoxious, with horses and people) chased her around a lot but she mostly ran away from him. We put her back in her stall and went home. After 30 minutes we got a call that the alpha had kicked in her stall door trying to get at her. Aaaargh! I ran out and found the door latch and door jamb in splinters, and the door hinges bent. I glued and hammered things back together and closed her into her stall for the night.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
really nice trail ride!
I went over early this morning and did some in-hand work in the driveway. Still contracting when her mind finds something in the bushes to worry about, but it's getting better. Renvers coming along--just a couple steps at this point.
Maria came with me in the afternoon and we rode out together. Maria was on Jordan the whole ride. We were able to ride out at a walk very easily, for the first mile. This included walking along the road and crossing a busy highway. Really impressive progress.
On the trail we traded the lead a bunch of times and Maddie spent a lot of time out front. I also made Maddie circle Jordan at the trot while he walked. Jordan is not the best horse for this exercise but it was helpful for Maddie. We were out for almost 2 hours, crossed two roads, went through a lot of mud, and Maddie was just a rock star. Zero spooks and it was the most solid she has felt to date.
Maria came with me in the afternoon and we rode out together. Maria was on Jordan the whole ride. We were able to ride out at a walk very easily, for the first mile. This included walking along the road and crossing a busy highway. Really impressive progress.
On the trail we traded the lead a bunch of times and Maddie spent a lot of time out front. I also made Maddie circle Jordan at the trot while he walked. Jordan is not the best horse for this exercise but it was helpful for Maddie. We were out for almost 2 hours, crossed two roads, went through a lot of mud, and Maddie was just a rock star. Zero spooks and it was the most solid she has felt to date.
Friday, March 23, 2012
spooky indoor
I went to check on Maddie early in the day and did a little work in the driveway, in-hand. Did some passes of shoulder-in and introduced renvers. I came back around 4:00 (when the rain had lightened up enough) and I tacked her up and walked her over to Northwind farm.
She had not worked in this indoor arena before. It was no problem to lead her in, but she was fussy from the start. I made her walk for the first few minutes and then did some loooong trot sessions. I did a lot of 10m circles while going down the long side, and a lot of serpentines. For some of the serpentines I even doubled back when she anticipated the turn. Her circles were very sloppy but we made improvement. The left bend especially felt like a truck with the power steering broken. She was really fighting it, and the only thing that helped was putting my left heel into her belly. It would really help to be wearing spurs for this work, although I don't want to be wearing spurs when she spooks at things! She only jumped once or twice today, but it was always for something dumb, like a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall.
Her lateral work at the walk was very fun. She has a little trouble mentally handling shoulder in along the walls, but she does it very well on straight lines across the open or on circles. Did a tiny bit of renvers on the circle, too. In a couple of the rest sessions she was able to halt and stay still, but just as often she was fussy and refused to shut down. Hope she gets over this stuff soon.
She had not worked in this indoor arena before. It was no problem to lead her in, but she was fussy from the start. I made her walk for the first few minutes and then did some loooong trot sessions. I did a lot of 10m circles while going down the long side, and a lot of serpentines. For some of the serpentines I even doubled back when she anticipated the turn. Her circles were very sloppy but we made improvement. The left bend especially felt like a truck with the power steering broken. She was really fighting it, and the only thing that helped was putting my left heel into her belly. It would really help to be wearing spurs for this work, although I don't want to be wearing spurs when she spooks at things! She only jumped once or twice today, but it was always for something dumb, like a fire extinguisher hanging on the wall.
Her lateral work at the walk was very fun. She has a little trouble mentally handling shoulder in along the walls, but she does it very well on straight lines across the open or on circles. Did a tiny bit of renvers on the circle, too. In a couple of the rest sessions she was able to halt and stay still, but just as often she was fussy and refused to shut down. Hope she gets over this stuff soon.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
taking the lead
Two sessions today. First one was a quickie--worked her in the Nelson's round pen and tried rope work from the saddle for the first time. No issues--could swing the rope all around, recover it, drag it, etc. Did not let it wrap around the haunches, though. Repeated with a small log on the end.
We moved her over to a neighboring farm that had an empty stall. It's a little quieter there and we are in the same facility as Jordan. She will stay there until the horse fair.
Around 4:30 we saddled up both horses and went out on the trails again. I tried keeping her at a walk a bit longer this time, but we were cantering before long again. Today she took the lead the majority of the time. There is a little electricity when she is alongside Jordan, but she felt pretty solid in the lead. We also me up with Brenda on her paso fino and rode as a threesome for about 15 minutes. We rode next to a field with about 8 horses in it and I was a little nervous. The herd was really showing off (I'm pretty sure it was there first day on pasture this spring) and Maddie was feeding off it quite a bit. The fencing was wire with exposed T-posts and it felt like she could go through it to join them. So we stayed at a walk until we were away from the herd.
One quick spook at a road sign. It's so weird--she walked right up to it, and then took a giant jump once her eye got to the back side. But we walked alongside a couple of roads today with traffic and she's really getting good at it.
Ended with a short session in Kim Kind's cross country course. We took the Irish steps and had a ball. Maria said she looked so cute as we hopped up and down. It started to rain and we headed home at a canter. A really fun ride.
We moved her over to a neighboring farm that had an empty stall. It's a little quieter there and we are in the same facility as Jordan. She will stay there until the horse fair.
Around 4:30 we saddled up both horses and went out on the trails again. I tried keeping her at a walk a bit longer this time, but we were cantering before long again. Today she took the lead the majority of the time. There is a little electricity when she is alongside Jordan, but she felt pretty solid in the lead. We also me up with Brenda on her paso fino and rode as a threesome for about 15 minutes. We rode next to a field with about 8 horses in it and I was a little nervous. The herd was really showing off (I'm pretty sure it was there first day on pasture this spring) and Maddie was feeding off it quite a bit. The fencing was wire with exposed T-posts and it felt like she could go through it to join them. So we stayed at a walk until we were away from the herd.
One quick spook at a road sign. It's so weird--she walked right up to it, and then took a giant jump once her eye got to the back side. But we walked alongside a couple of roads today with traffic and she's really getting good at it.
Ended with a short session in Kim Kind's cross country course. We took the Irish steps and had a ball. Maria said she looked so cute as we hopped up and down. It started to rain and we headed home at a canter. A really fun ride.
2.5 sessions
Yesterday I visited Maddie 3 times at the Nelson's. In the morning I spent a few minutes doing groundwork in the driveway, but when I came back later I did a full groundwork session. Worked her with the lariat in the round pen and made sure she was ready to drag things from the saddle. She could drag a log and let the lariat go all around her legs, behind her haunches, etc. I even roped her legs without meaning to a couple of times and she handled it well. After the round pen work I walked her across the street and did ground work in the Bauer's cross-country course. What a blast! There is a set of graduated Irish steps and she was going in both directions off the high steps (~3 feet) very quickly. Really amazing that such a small horse can move over these kinds of obstacles. We moved on to some of the field jumps and took some of the simpler ones made out of telephone poles and she aced them every time. I was really impressed that she never refused--these are tb-sized jumps, mind you, close to 3' high.
I came back with Maria around 5:00 pm and we went on a late afternoon trail ride together. (Maria was riding Jordan) Jordan led for most of the way and both horses did terrific. Maddie did not spook once for me, and I could ride her on the buckle during the walks. When we were moving out she tended to climb up on Jordan's back, but I got her to back off without a lot of nagging eventually. We did not spend a lot of time with Maddie leading--she pinned her ears a bunch and showed a desire to kick at Jordan. Will work on this another day. We did lots of trot and canter and did most of the river trail. About 1 hour into the ride we switched horses. Maddie seemed a little fussier after this, but Maria is also a little more willing to indulge her. Both horses got a real good ride in and we put them up good and tired.
I came back with Maria around 5:00 pm and we went on a late afternoon trail ride together. (Maria was riding Jordan) Jordan led for most of the way and both horses did terrific. Maddie did not spook once for me, and I could ride her on the buckle during the walks. When we were moving out she tended to climb up on Jordan's back, but I got her to back off without a lot of nagging eventually. We did not spend a lot of time with Maddie leading--she pinned her ears a bunch and showed a desire to kick at Jordan. Will work on this another day. We did lots of trot and canter and did most of the river trail. About 1 hour into the ride we switched horses. Maddie seemed a little fussier after this, but Maria is also a little more willing to indulge her. Both horses got a real good ride in and we put them up good and tired.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
First trail ride!
Maddie settled in at the Nelson' very quickly. We stopped out last night and loved on her for awhile. She had already made friends with another mare and seemed very calm overall. I am really impressed at how quickly she can accept this change. The Nelson's is absolute chaos--at least 5 dogs, usually loose; a goat was loose when we stopped there; over the fence are about 20 head of cattle; the adjacent pen has a week old foal with her dam in it; and there are always tractors and such driving right past her pen. I am really confident that all this exposure will pay off for her big time.
Soooooo....today's ride went as well as it possibly could. I saddled up and spent two minutes in the driveway checking her flexion and asking for a bit of shoulder in from the ground. Then I led her across the street to the hay field and hopped on. She was dancing and tense, but after a few circles in both directions I started to get some control. She backed away hard from a jump made out of tires in one corner of the field and after that I put her to work. Starting with a strong trot, she started to stretch forward and offer canter. It took a bit, but I eventually started to ease up on the death grip I had on the reins and let her go. The edge of the field winds and twists and we were able to follow the tree line fairly well at a medium canter. It was really heavenly. I was on a mustang, cantering in an open field. Wow!
I hopped off to walk her across the street and hooked up with some other trails. I trotted her through a wooded section and did some more cantering along the edges of the fields. She was very solid in the woods. We also passed several farms with horses in the fields. At Soderberg's we did some walk work in their outdoor arena. Maddie was super calm and attentive for this. The right side pass is so solid that I am going to leave in alone until the left is better. Right now both renvers on the right rein and the left half pass are just barely there, so I need to get that left bend better. Shoulder in on the left rein is pretty good, though.
She was a little spooky and giving me that drunken walk and trot on the way home. At this stage of her training, those quiet moments (like walk work in the arena) need to be used judiciously. Once things quiet down, she starts looking for things to spook at. She is best kept busy. But I was very pleased that we did this ride successfully and without an escort. She will learn to listen to me and no one else.
I hopped off to walk her across the street and hooked up with some other trails. I trotted her through a wooded section and did some more cantering along the edges of the fields. She was very solid in the woods. We also passed several farms with horses in the fields. At Soderberg's we did some walk work in their outdoor arena. Maddie was super calm and attentive for this. The right side pass is so solid that I am going to leave in alone until the left is better. Right now both renvers on the right rein and the left half pass are just barely there, so I need to get that left bend better. Shoulder in on the left rein is pretty good, though.
She was a little spooky and giving me that drunken walk and trot on the way home. At this stage of her training, those quiet moments (like walk work in the arena) need to be used judiciously. Once things quiet down, she starts looking for things to spook at. She is best kept busy. But I was very pleased that we did this ride successfully and without an escort. She will learn to listen to me and no one else.
Monday, March 19, 2012
moving day
Nice session with Maddie today, and it's not over yet. I ran out to meet Erika with her stock trailer, then realized she had some chores to do and it would be awhile. So I saddled up Maddie and spent about 45 minutes in the outdoor arena with her. I began with classical in-hand work, which felt good. She would shy at something and lose her bend, but in this situation I just put her on a small circle and then continued with the shoulder-in. We did two squares on each rein.
In the saddle we did two-barrel work, both on small, yielding circles and medium size circles with more straightness. She tipped her nose in well for this work, which was 90% trot. The fist couple of canters were rough (looking out, spooking forward, etc), but I got some nice turns on both leads.
Worked lateral stuff at the walk in between work sessions. Introduced renvers on the circle--right bend is much easier to get. Was able to step out of this exercise on the left rein into a smart half-pass to the right. The half pass to the left was mostly a leg-yield (no bend). But I'm pleased with her first attempts. More backing in circles, straight lines, and straight lines with turns.
She was good and soaked when it came time to load her, which was just what I wanted. We were using a large stock trailer and she walked right on. She danced a bit while I got ready to close the divider on her, but she did the best she could. She settled down for the ride to Nelson's and we unloaded with no problems.
I spent 30 minutes letting her settle into her new stall and walking her around the property. I plan to head over this evening for a trail ride.
In the saddle we did two-barrel work, both on small, yielding circles and medium size circles with more straightness. She tipped her nose in well for this work, which was 90% trot. The fist couple of canters were rough (looking out, spooking forward, etc), but I got some nice turns on both leads.
Worked lateral stuff at the walk in between work sessions. Introduced renvers on the circle--right bend is much easier to get. Was able to step out of this exercise on the left rein into a smart half-pass to the right. The half pass to the left was mostly a leg-yield (no bend). But I'm pleased with her first attempts. More backing in circles, straight lines, and straight lines with turns.
She was good and soaked when it came time to load her, which was just what I wanted. We were using a large stock trailer and she walked right on. She danced a bit while I got ready to close the divider on her, but she did the best she could. She settled down for the ride to Nelson's and we unloaded with no problems.
I spent 30 minutes letting her settle into her new stall and walking her around the property. I plan to head over this evening for a trail ride.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
a little jumpy
Beautiful day to work horses, and we got a good productive session in. There was a hay wagon parked in the indoor arena, so after tacking up we walked outside and I hopped on without any warmup whatsoever. She handled this just fine. In the outdoor arena she was a little jumpy, which I think was a combination of the windy conditions and being alone. I think it helps her when Maria or I am on the ground watching. Anyway, today I started to focus on inside bend when she spooked, rather than trying to keep the center of mass on the track. We did a lot of 5m circles along the outside of the ring and she softened nicely. Did this at the walk and trot. Canter work was messy and I did not work through it. The outdoor arena has a 5' drop on one long side, a wire fence on the other, and two harrows parked at one end. When she is cantering and spooky, it's not a good combination.
Shoulder in coming along nicely. We did a lot of backing, including backing in circles. We also trotted around barrels, went over the telephone poles, and sidepassed while straddling the telephone poles.
Finished with some solid trailer work in the side by side. I worked on tying her, by feeding the lead line through the ring and getting her to move forward off the pressure. Made a lot of progress and her confidence really improved.
Shoulder in coming along nicely. We did a lot of backing, including backing in circles. We also trotted around barrels, went over the telephone poles, and sidepassed while straddling the telephone poles.
Finished with some solid trailer work in the side by side. I worked on tying her, by feeding the lead line through the ring and getting her to move forward off the pressure. Made a lot of progress and her confidence really improved.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Trailering setback
REALLY frustrating morning--really don't want to talk about it!
I have been dutifully practice loading at the end of every session for two weeks running, but there was still a hitch when I went to close the doors. She was difficult to keep on if I messed with the doors or the butt bar. I had hoped that a change of trailer plus some help and we could push through this today. Tracy brought over her slant load last night and I arrived early today and put her on and off a bunch of times. She was getting all feet on no problem and hanging out fairly calm. But when I started playing with the divider, bumping her on the haunches with it, she kept tearing out backwards. Once or twice she took the wrong angle and caught herself good in the back corner of the trailer. Aaargh. Anyway, I made some progress, then gave her a break while I waited for Tracy and Maria to come help me. The three of us spent another 90 minutes and ended up pretty much where we started. So we nixed the trail ride and Maria & I just did some basic work with Maddie around the Pink Barn. I really really really hope the trailer thing doesn't go downhill. It would mess up a whole lotta things. It's hard enough finding trailers to borrow, and having a poor loader just screws all that up. Come on, Maddie! I'm worried that all this incremental loading work will be for naught, and we'll just end up having to cowboy her onto a stock trailer, slam the door, and hope for the best to get to Madison. Not what I had hoped for.
I have been dutifully practice loading at the end of every session for two weeks running, but there was still a hitch when I went to close the doors. She was difficult to keep on if I messed with the doors or the butt bar. I had hoped that a change of trailer plus some help and we could push through this today. Tracy brought over her slant load last night and I arrived early today and put her on and off a bunch of times. She was getting all feet on no problem and hanging out fairly calm. But when I started playing with the divider, bumping her on the haunches with it, she kept tearing out backwards. Once or twice she took the wrong angle and caught herself good in the back corner of the trailer. Aaargh. Anyway, I made some progress, then gave her a break while I waited for Tracy and Maria to come help me. The three of us spent another 90 minutes and ended up pretty much where we started. So we nixed the trail ride and Maria & I just did some basic work with Maddie around the Pink Barn. I really really really hope the trailer thing doesn't go downhill. It would mess up a whole lotta things. It's hard enough finding trailers to borrow, and having a poor loader just screws all that up. Come on, Maddie! I'm worried that all this incremental loading work will be for naught, and we'll just end up having to cowboy her onto a stock trailer, slam the door, and hope for the best to get to Madison. Not what I had hoped for.
Friday, March 16, 2012
a jumper!
I worked Maddie alone today, and we had another fantastic session. I set up the ground poles down the center line, and added a set of jump standards at the end. Then I could trot her down the center line over the ground poles and take either rein to go back and repeat. She was able to go into the corners well and set up her approach off a ten meter circle very nicely today, for the most part. I did not have any more run outs, at least.
After a few canters around the entire arena, I returned to trot and set up cross poles on the jump standards. She took the low jump very nicely on both reins. No hesitation. She jumped it half the time, and the rest of the time she just trotted over it. This is exactly how I like it. Some riders arrived when we were putting away the jump standards and couldn't believe Maddie was jumping already. I like that, too!
I also threw down a plastic tarp and a piece of plywood and rode her over them. She had no problem and no hesitation.
Left rein is definitely a weakness. She is harder at everything on this side, and she has even picked up the outside lead when cantering to the left (and then made a flying change to the inside, which I also observed on the lunge a few times early on). So we need to work on things "lefty."
Went outside and did trot work in the outdoor for the first time. She would soften and then lose it--a little overwhelmed by all the stimulation. But not bad by any means. We also trotted over the telephone poles on both reins.
Finished with walking up and down the driveway and some trailer loading practice. Put her away good and sweaty today. I'm really pleased.
This video was some stuff Maria shot yesterday. A fair look of where we are at with this horse, which I'm thinking is about ride #12 or so.
After a few canters around the entire arena, I returned to trot and set up cross poles on the jump standards. She took the low jump very nicely on both reins. No hesitation. She jumped it half the time, and the rest of the time she just trotted over it. This is exactly how I like it. Some riders arrived when we were putting away the jump standards and couldn't believe Maddie was jumping already. I like that, too!
I also threw down a plastic tarp and a piece of plywood and rode her over them. She had no problem and no hesitation.
Left rein is definitely a weakness. She is harder at everything on this side, and she has even picked up the outside lead when cantering to the left (and then made a flying change to the inside, which I also observed on the lunge a few times early on). So we need to work on things "lefty."
Went outside and did trot work in the outdoor for the first time. She would soften and then lose it--a little overwhelmed by all the stimulation. But not bad by any means. We also trotted over the telephone poles on both reins.
Finished with walking up and down the driveway and some trailer loading practice. Put her away good and sweaty today. I'm really pleased.
This video was some stuff Maria shot yesterday. A fair look of where we are at with this horse, which I'm thinking is about ride #12 or so.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
loosening up
My wife and ASPCA rep Maria came out again today, although this time she spent most of the time watching. I warmed up Maddie with minimal groundwork and hopped right on. She is really moving out nicely in the trot now. Just a few days ago it was a full time job keeping her going, but now she can go and go without any reminding. If anything, now she is thinking about rushing forward a bit at the trot. I did not do a lot of canter work, but did some good turns on both leads.
We took her outside and Maria hopped on to ride her up and down the driveway. Somebody drove in during this and Maddie did fine. She is just getting quieter and quieter all around.
We worked together at some trailer loading and really got her to like standing in there. It should be no problem to load her on Saturday for her trail ride. Can't wait!
We took her outside and Maria hopped on to ride her up and down the driveway. Somebody drove in during this and Maddie did fine. She is just getting quieter and quieter all around.
We worked together at some trailer loading and really got her to like standing in there. It should be no problem to load her on Saturday for her trail ride. Can't wait!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
my turn
One of my longer sessions today, at least since the early days. I began with some liberty work, which is SO much fun! We have done so much bonding that it's very easy to lunge her without a rope. Just point and cluck to push her out, and drop my eyes to bring her in. I have done this a couple of times now. I also like to leave her loose while I set up ground poles and such. Sometimes I make her yield or back as I walk past her with a ground pole.
Made her trot out strong, going all around the arena. Beginning to push her into the corners. Her impulsion is getting better each session. I worked her over the trotting poles a bit--she has learned how to run out on them if I'm not paying attention. But when she accepts them, she can really dance over those poles. Did the rest sessions down at the scary end, where we did lateral work at the walk. Shoulder in coming along, good turn on the forehands now. Used the dressage whip for the first time--she accepted it fine. No more reaction when I touch or rub behind the saddle. Also introduced backing--she offered beautiful steps. No problem to get 5, 6, 7 or more very smart steps back on a light contact. If anything, she was wondering if this backing could be used to get out of things, so I needed to be judicious.
Finished my indoor work with one canter on the left rein, about 5 or 6 times around a 20m circle. Wow! Like sitting on a couch, and soft on the reins. Good impulsion and no need to keep pushing her. BTW, for the canter I used a short crop on the shoulder, not the more awkward dressage whip.
Took her to the outdoor arena and focused on walk. It's still soft out there and I didn't want her running off with such soft footing. She did very well. There was another horse out there with us for a spell.
Gave Maddie her first bath--just the hose on her legs and chest. Like everything else at the Pink Barn, the wash rack is dangerous (slippery smooth rubber mat, old metal fencing stacked at one end) and primitive (no shutoff or nozzle), so I didn't want to push her. She danced a little, so I just waited for all 4 feet to stand still before taking the hose away.
Did some trailer work. She is stepping on very well, but she still can come off in a hurry. I tried doing some tie practice and she pulled back pretty hard. We plan to trailer her on Saturday for a first trail ride, but I think I will borrow a modern slant load for this.
Finished with a walk down the driveway and some ground work next to the road. Getting better at this.
Made her trot out strong, going all around the arena. Beginning to push her into the corners. Her impulsion is getting better each session. I worked her over the trotting poles a bit--she has learned how to run out on them if I'm not paying attention. But when she accepts them, she can really dance over those poles. Did the rest sessions down at the scary end, where we did lateral work at the walk. Shoulder in coming along, good turn on the forehands now. Used the dressage whip for the first time--she accepted it fine. No more reaction when I touch or rub behind the saddle. Also introduced backing--she offered beautiful steps. No problem to get 5, 6, 7 or more very smart steps back on a light contact. If anything, she was wondering if this backing could be used to get out of things, so I needed to be judicious.
Finished my indoor work with one canter on the left rein, about 5 or 6 times around a 20m circle. Wow! Like sitting on a couch, and soft on the reins. Good impulsion and no need to keep pushing her. BTW, for the canter I used a short crop on the shoulder, not the more awkward dressage whip.
Took her to the outdoor arena and focused on walk. It's still soft out there and I didn't want her running off with such soft footing. She did very well. There was another horse out there with us for a spell.
Gave Maddie her first bath--just the hose on her legs and chest. Like everything else at the Pink Barn, the wash rack is dangerous (slippery smooth rubber mat, old metal fencing stacked at one end) and primitive (no shutoff or nozzle), so I didn't want to push her. She danced a little, so I just waited for all 4 feet to stand still before taking the hose away.
Did some trailer work. She is stepping on very well, but she still can come off in a hurry. I tried doing some tie practice and she pulled back pretty hard. We plan to trailer her on Saturday for a first trail ride, but I think I will borrow a modern slant load for this.
Finished with a walk down the driveway and some ground work next to the road. Getting better at this.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Canter Canter Canter!
FUN session today. Maria came out to help again. I took the first ride and ended with a long trot around the arena. Maria hopped on and continued the trot work. Maddie was moving out nicely with no fuss and just some lingering reluctance to go into the spooky corners. After a rest, Maria said, "I want to canter her," and Maria proceeded to ask for two short canters. The first canter was just a few steps followed by a one-rein stop, which is what I told her was best approach to take. Maddie gave a hop step for the depart but did nothing else. For the second canter, Maria made a couple of circles before hopping off. Maddie looked terrific--she was loping at a comfortable speed with a regular rhythm. I was surprised at how good she looked, because until recently her canter on the lunge was more of a runaway affair without a lot of regularity. Anyway, you can decide for yourself how she looked:
We took Maddie to the outdoor arena and continued the lesson. I took the first ride, which went much better than the first time outside. She was nervous and wanted to run, but I kept shutting her down by yielding her hindquarters and pretty soon she could walk around without too much babysitting. I went over the telephone poles in both directions a few times and then Maria repeated. We did only walk work outside today.
We finished by putting Maddie on a lead, with Maria still on, and walking down the driveway. We stopped about 100' short of the road and hung out. All in all, a fantastic session!
We took Maddie to the outdoor arena and continued the lesson. I took the first ride, which went much better than the first time outside. She was nervous and wanted to run, but I kept shutting her down by yielding her hindquarters and pretty soon she could walk around without too much babysitting. I went over the telephone poles in both directions a few times and then Maria repeated. We did only walk work outside today.
We finished by putting Maddie on a lead, with Maria still on, and walking down the driveway. We stopped about 100' short of the road and hung out. All in all, a fantastic session!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Lots o trotting
Spent an hour in the arena today, which included a good ground warmup, some checking over of desensitizing issues, and about 45 minutes of saddle work. We are working all over the arena now, but she is still spooky at the far end. She is staying in the trot better now. She spooked herself once by kicking some dirt in the wall and I almost lost my seat, but aside from this she is really getting calm. She was breathing hard with all the trot work. I only rested her in the spooky end of the arena. We are just about ready for some canter work. She is going over the trotting poles well now without shutting down now, too.
We had a giant rainstorm today so the outdoor arena was too soft to work in, but I spent about 20 minutes walking her up to the road and hanging out. I alternated simple groundwork with resting with the head lowered. It was rush hour and she made a lot of progress with cars going past, which were passing within 15 feet of us.
We had a giant rainstorm today so the outdoor arena was too soft to work in, but I spent about 20 minutes walking her up to the road and hanging out. I alternated simple groundwork with resting with the head lowered. It was rush hour and she made a lot of progress with cars going past, which were passing within 15 feet of us.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Moving out
Getting Maddie to move out a bit more now. I was doing non-stop trotting sessions of at least 5 minutes today. Not steering her that much, just letting her go where she wanted to. It's easier to keep her going now. I found a bigger rope to tie to the pommel to use as a flogger today, which helped. Twizzler and Annie joined us in the arena for about 20 minutes and we watched them do some flying changes. Maddie seemed very calm with a horse cantering just a few feet away. The only thing I noticed is that when we followed Twizzler around, Maddie got hooked up very quickly and did not want to leave. I spent a lot of time guiding her in counter-circles and away from Twizzler when she did this.
Still have more work to do behind the saddle. When I reached back there for the first time today (while mounted at the walk), she hopped a bit. Made some progress but did not work through it completely.
Spent a good 45 minutes inside, then went outside. I re-did her groundwork and mounted her for the first time outdoors. She did OK. We navigated around most of the arena and walked and trotted over the telephone poles. Could not do too much trot work--she felt like she was a couple steps away from a gallop. I waited for some concession and hopped off. We finished with more practice trailer loading.
Still have more work to do behind the saddle. When I reached back there for the first time today (while mounted at the walk), she hopped a bit. Made some progress but did not work through it completely.
Spent a good 45 minutes inside, then went outside. I re-did her groundwork and mounted her for the first time outdoors. She did OK. We navigated around most of the arena and walked and trotted over the telephone poles. Could not do too much trot work--she felt like she was a couple steps away from a gallop. I waited for some concession and hopped off. We finished with more practice trailer loading.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
riding in company
Maria came out today and we each took a good ride on Maddie. Still mostly at the walk, but it's coming along. She spooked a couple of times for each of us, but shut down easily on a one-rein stop. Two riders joined us in the arena and she did very well with them. We had about 1 hour total of saddle time today, I think. As the video shows, impulsion is still the biggest issue. She has really improved at the walk, but Maddie is not staying in the trot for very long. Neither one of us has the nerve to drop the reins and be fully ready with the spanker when she shuts down, but we're making progress. For now, I am just trying to send her into a strong trot and then stopping her before she stops on her own, which I mostly manage to do.
After the ride we walked her out to the road together and took some pictures. Maria left and I gave Maddie a quick mental break in her turnout area. Then I brought her back into the arena and worked on desensitizing. We still can't touch her back behind the saddle very well when mounted, so I trotted her a bunch with my stick rubbing back there. Then I slipped a tarp under the front of the saddle and made it wave like a flag as I trotted her around me. Similarly, I draped the tarp over the lead line and lunged her as well.
I finished with some work under the tail, which was difficult to get right. I attached rope to the saddle and let it drape around her hindquarters, and lunged her around. She was hoppy for the first few turns on both sides, but accepted the rope without too much trouble. When I pulled the rope up under her tail, she went to bucking. I held it there until she stopped, but it was tricky to find a starting point for this exercise. By the end she could handle it well at the halt and the walk, but I did not get it real solid at the trot. I had to work both sides several times. Better try this again tomorrow to make sure there is progress.
I finished with some work under the tail, which was difficult to get right. I attached rope to the saddle and let it drape around her hindquarters, and lunged her around. She was hoppy for the first few turns on both sides, but accepted the rope without too much trouble. When I pulled the rope up under her tail, she went to bucking. I held it there until she stopped, but it was tricky to find a starting point for this exercise. By the end she could handle it well at the halt and the walk, but I did not get it real solid at the trot. I had to work both sides several times. Better try this again tomorrow to make sure there is progress.
Friday, March 9, 2012
sticky feet
A perfect day to work Maddie today. The wind finally died down and it was not too cold. Spent 15 minutes on groundwork and then got right up there. We worked over ground poles, around the barrel, and into the walls. Focus now is on getting her moving. I was able to make some fairly good circuits at the posting trot today, but she was always on the edge of petering out. She is not as dull as Star was, but something like that. I was using a short rope to slap her on the withers to keep her going today. I'll probably try the dressage whip tomorrow. She was bending well and did shoulder in on both reins. We also rode while a horse was being lunged in the arena with us. She did not seem to pick up off the other horse.
In general I think I have her defenses figured out at this point, so I feel much more confident in the saddle now. More than once she came to a quick halt on her own--I couldn't tell if it was to buck, but I made her step around my inside leg just the same. Once when I flexed her she went to bite my leg. This kind of thing should disappear once I have a better "go" button. Same for the pinned ears, which she shows less and less as I gain more control over her. She is holding a fairly low head and not paying too much attention to things around her now.
In general I think I have her defenses figured out at this point, so I feel much more confident in the saddle now. More than once she came to a quick halt on her own--I couldn't tell if it was to buck, but I made her step around my inside leg just the same. Once when I flexed her she went to bite my leg. This kind of thing should disappear once I have a better "go" button. Same for the pinned ears, which she shows less and less as I gain more control over her. She is holding a fairly low head and not paying too much attention to things around her now.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
repeat session
Today was pretty much like yesterday. I did some barrel work and worked up to a few slow circles at the trot. It was another very noisy and windy day but she did not worry about it too much. We were alone together in the arena. We did a few steps of shoulder in on each rein, too.
Afterwards I worked on her front feet and backed up her front toes some more. We finished with some trailer loading. Very easy to get all 4 feet up there, but hard to make her want to stay up there. But she showed progress.
Afterwards I worked on her front feet and backed up her front toes some more. We finished with some trailer loading. Very easy to get all 4 feet up there, but hard to make her want to stay up there. But she showed progress.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Getting my confidence back...
Very productive session today. The wind was howling (30+ mph) and that arena would not quiet down. It was my intention to ride her, but this time I opted for a fairly intense warmup, daring her to lose her focus. Lots of "c" exercise up and down and across the arena. The turns were incredibly agile, doing 180 degree spins on her hindquarters. She was predictably sticky whenever her butt faced the scary end, but she did the best to date. I worked her mouth down at the scary end and chatted for a few minutes when Brian stopped by.
Back at the "shallow end of the pool" I did a final check, getting on and off from both sides several times. She did not show any bad signs, so I hopped on for real and guided her forward. I began by yielding both sides and then expanding it into larger circles and straight lines. She was very good on the left side, but the right was a little stiff. Her head stayed down very well, much better than the session with Maria. She did not have any head toss today at all. Whenever she contracted I just grabbed a single rein and pulled her around. She is moving off the leg well, but better on the left side. Towards the end she pinned her ears a couple times. I dismounted and re-mounted a couple of times during this walk session, and also walked over some ground poles. She did not spook during the ridden work at all, although I hardly gave her the chance to.
By this time the wind was howling and all kinds of things kept making crashing noises outside. I scrapped plans to work on her feet and left her tied on a new tie ring down at the scary end while I took my time closing up. I am really happy with this progress today. A big smile on the ride home...
Back at the "shallow end of the pool" I did a final check, getting on and off from both sides several times. She did not show any bad signs, so I hopped on for real and guided her forward. I began by yielding both sides and then expanding it into larger circles and straight lines. She was very good on the left side, but the right was a little stiff. Her head stayed down very well, much better than the session with Maria. She did not have any head toss today at all. Whenever she contracted I just grabbed a single rein and pulled her around. She is moving off the leg well, but better on the left side. Towards the end she pinned her ears a couple times. I dismounted and re-mounted a couple of times during this walk session, and also walked over some ground poles. She did not spook during the ridden work at all, although I hardly gave her the chance to.
By this time the wind was howling and all kinds of things kept making crashing noises outside. I scrapped plans to work on her feet and left her tied on a new tie ring down at the scary end while I took my time closing up. I am really happy with this progress today. A big smile on the ride home...
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sloooowly getting up there
Maria came out with me this morning and we both took rides again. We started out on a lead line and then graduated to "off line." Maddie is fussier than I expected at this point but she is starting to figure it out.
My ride on Maddie was a little shorter--I am still finding my sea legs on this horse. One good thing--during my ride Maddie took off at a good clip after some snow fell off the roof, and she shut down very well on one rein. We resumed the lesson without incident. Actually, her one rein stop and overall responsiveness to bit and leg is very good. She can step over very softly on either rein. Maria was able to step her over very well, too. After my ride Maria hopped on again. We rode 90% at the walk today. There is no doubt that she needs some trot and canter work ASAP, but neither one of us has the skills to do this. We'll proceed with baby steps.
After the arena work, Maria took Maddie outside and released her into an empty paddock. She stayed close by and did not seem overly concerned. Maria is really falling for this horse, btw.
I had intended to ride her yesterday but it didn't work out. I still had the small round pen set up and started to warm her up, but it was a busy night at the barn and there were 3 other horses being worked hard in the arena (even reining practice with high-speed canter). All this commotion was not conducive to an early ride on a 3 y/o, so I stayed on the ground. I also took her outside and loaded her into the trailer a few times. She is stepping onto the trailer well with all 4 feet but not staying in there yet. Once it dries up I can do more practice with the trailer (it's in a mud hole today).
My ride on Maddie was a little shorter--I am still finding my sea legs on this horse. One good thing--during my ride Maddie took off at a good clip after some snow fell off the roof, and she shut down very well on one rein. We resumed the lesson without incident. Actually, her one rein stop and overall responsiveness to bit and leg is very good. She can step over very softly on either rein. Maria was able to step her over very well, too. After my ride Maria hopped on again. We rode 90% at the walk today. There is no doubt that she needs some trot and canter work ASAP, but neither one of us has the skills to do this. We'll proceed with baby steps.
I had intended to ride her yesterday but it didn't work out. I still had the small round pen set up and started to warm her up, but it was a busy night at the barn and there were 3 other horses being worked hard in the arena (even reining practice with high-speed canter). All this commotion was not conducive to an early ride on a 3 y/o, so I stayed on the ground. I also took her outside and loaded her into the trailer a few times. She is stepping onto the trailer well with all 4 feet but not staying in there yet. Once it dries up I can do more practice with the trailer (it's in a mud hole today).
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Rolling is better than bucking, right???
Fun session today. Maria came out and she got most of the saddle time. We tacked up Maddie together in the aisle (wow, she could not do this a week ago!) and Maria walked her around outside while I set up a small round pen in the arena. Once Maddie was back I spent 5 minutes checking her flexing and yielding. Today I just took the slack out of one rein at a time and waited for her to respond. She came around soft on both sides very well. When she was spooking at something she tended to "pop" her head up after releasing, but she always obeyed the bit. This is good.
Maria hopped on and I kept her on the lunge. We walked and trotted in the round pen and did a lot of changes of direction. Then we went outside the round pen (which was a tiny one, just 6 panels I think) and repeated. Maria asked to be unhooked, which she felt very confident about. We continued by having Maddie kind of follow me around. We turned into the walls a bunch of times and I felt pretty confident Maria could yield her hindquarters if needed. BTW, Maddie was handling all this but spent a lot of time tossing her head. Maria ignored the head tossing and rode on a loose rein. We ended with Maria walking her away from me, which Maddie obeyed just fine. When they were about 75 feet away from me, Maddie came to a halt with a quiet sigh and sat down! She lay on her belly for a moment while Maria stepped off of her, then Maddie rolled a bit. My poor saddle! Fortunately Maria was riding without stirrups so Maddie did not get pinched by the irons. The whole thing was very slow and peaceful. I told Maria not to accept this again, but we both felt it was not a major disobedience. Maddie was just exploring her options. It was pretty impressive that she felt safe enough to sit down, I think. This was really Maddie's first time at liberty with a rider.
After the lay down Maria got back on and did enough riding so she would not get ideas about using the lay down to get out of a ride in the future. I hopped on and off a couple of times and we put Maddie away. Maria felt we had done enough. (BTW, she says she wants full props for riding a wild mustang.) What a thrill!
Yesterday I could not see Maddie until 7:00 pm. We did some good work but the spooky end is driving me nuts! She was little miss perfect at the safe end, but then all contracted and looking for trouble the closer we got to the junk pile. Really frustrating, but we made some progress. Aside from this, her groundwork is really good now. She has a nice shoulder in on both sides, which we can do on the wall now. She backs off of the bit nicely as well.
Maria hopped on and I kept her on the lunge. We walked and trotted in the round pen and did a lot of changes of direction. Then we went outside the round pen (which was a tiny one, just 6 panels I think) and repeated. Maria asked to be unhooked, which she felt very confident about. We continued by having Maddie kind of follow me around. We turned into the walls a bunch of times and I felt pretty confident Maria could yield her hindquarters if needed. BTW, Maddie was handling all this but spent a lot of time tossing her head. Maria ignored the head tossing and rode on a loose rein. We ended with Maria walking her away from me, which Maddie obeyed just fine. When they were about 75 feet away from me, Maddie came to a halt with a quiet sigh and sat down! She lay on her belly for a moment while Maria stepped off of her, then Maddie rolled a bit. My poor saddle! Fortunately Maria was riding without stirrups so Maddie did not get pinched by the irons. The whole thing was very slow and peaceful. I told Maria not to accept this again, but we both felt it was not a major disobedience. Maddie was just exploring her options. It was pretty impressive that she felt safe enough to sit down, I think. This was really Maddie's first time at liberty with a rider.
After the lay down Maria got back on and did enough riding so she would not get ideas about using the lay down to get out of a ride in the future. I hopped on and off a couple of times and we put Maddie away. Maria felt we had done enough. (BTW, she says she wants full props for riding a wild mustang.) What a thrill!
Yesterday I could not see Maddie until 7:00 pm. We did some good work but the spooky end is driving me nuts! She was little miss perfect at the safe end, but then all contracted and looking for trouble the closer we got to the junk pile. Really frustrating, but we made some progress. Aside from this, her groundwork is really good now. She has a nice shoulder in on both sides, which we can do on the wall now. She backs off of the bit nicely as well.
Friday, March 2, 2012
back in the saddle
Lalo came out today and we spent about 90 minutes working Maddie together. He was still very concerned about her ear pinning and immediately got on her case about it. LOTS of aggressive backing and yielding of hindquarters. After about 30 minutes of preparation, I lay over her a couple of times and was on her back for the first time since getting pitched last week. We immediately went to work on yielding her hindquarters. We would take a couple of steps, yield, and then repeat. Eventually we worked up to where Lalo could basically stay in the middle with the lunge rope, I would yield her, and then switch directions and repeat. I was disappointed in how dull her flexing was. Although it was workable by the end of the session, there were a couple of times where it was just an ugly pulling contest. Very unexpected, too, as the last couple of horses I've trained have flexed on the weight of the reins. Anyway, she was figuring it out by the end.
We finished with some slow trotting in both directions. She has a nice slow trot and her head stayed down OK. She is still very attuned to noises outside the arena and it's going to take a lot of repetition to get this out of her. Lalo was not optimistic about her being a good horse in time for Madison.
Lalo also helped me with the trailer for about 20 minutes. Today I had some railroad ties laid in back of the trailer to make the step up easier and more incremental. We worked her primarily "old school," with me keeping her head pointed towards the trailer, and Lalo behind with a stick. She went on 3 times and backed out just fine.
Yesterday's session, btw, was a quiet affair with mostly shoulder-in, flexing, lunging, and obstacles.
We finished with some slow trotting in both directions. She has a nice slow trot and her head stayed down OK. She is still very attuned to noises outside the arena and it's going to take a lot of repetition to get this out of her. Lalo was not optimistic about her being a good horse in time for Madison.
Lalo also helped me with the trailer for about 20 minutes. Today I had some railroad ties laid in back of the trailer to make the step up easier and more incremental. We worked her primarily "old school," with me keeping her head pointed towards the trailer, and Lalo behind with a stick. She went on 3 times and backed out just fine.
Yesterday's session, btw, was a quiet affair with mostly shoulder-in, flexing, lunging, and obstacles.
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