Another session with not too much to tell. Focused on more classical work today, trying to get a better shoulder in (more bend, less angle). Did a few steps of renvers on one rein. I also challenged her more about spooky places in the arena. The wind was howling today, but I was very pleased with how she worked. One missing element--her canter on the lunge is still very choppy. She will rush her way past the scary part of the arena, then try to run be down to the nice end. At this point I am more interested in working through her spookiness than going down to the friendly part of the arena and doing perfect circles. I stopped when I saw some progress. Flexing to the bridle is now adequate--enough to think about riding her again, but not nearly as light as Jordan and Panda are. I also introduced Baucher flexions today, where we look for vertical flexion and a soft mouth before releasing.
Joe was kind enough to loan a trailer for practice loading and I spent 20 minutes at the end introducing Maddie to it. I sent her around all 3 sides and repeated with the doors open. Once she started showing interest in the trailer, I changed positions and sent her towards the open doors. After she had stuck her head in well a couple of times, I quit for the day. It was so windy I was concerned a door could slam shut on her and wreck our progress. It should be no problem to load her tomorrow.
We also visited with Joe, Donna, and Michelle outside for awhile. It was really nice to have a sane horse who could stand still while all four of us loved on her. She could not have done this a week ago.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
more horse, less mustang
Another super-calm session with Maddie. I put her in the aisle and went back to work on her feet. I removed the excess bar material on the fore and hinds, and brought the hind heels down to the sole. She is still more ticklish on the hinds and they need to be rolled a bit. Strangely, even with the heels lowered her hinds still have a funny break in the pastern.
Started with long-lining off the bit. My feeling is that long-lining is not the best exercise for the advanced horse. It's just too demanding on the trainer to keep good contact. But I felt this was a very good experience for Maddie, to feel that bit pressure in motion. She was difficult to keep on the circle, and when I used the outside rein to keep her out there, she ended up bent to the outside. But she really did well. I got directly behind her a few times and drove her around the arena a bit. I also got her to back several times. Changes of direction were very easy. She is just touchy when you take contact on the outside and tends to turn all at once.
Did the C exercise off the bridle. The far end of the arena is frustrating--why is she still afraid of it???? It's gotten better, but she just spends the whole time down there acting much more stupid than she should at this point. Jumpiness, stiffness, etc. I did a lot of resting down there, and a lot of flexing.
I ended with backing her down the entire barn aisle, twice. I had to really act crazy to keep her moving, but she did it. Overall today was intentionally fairly quiet, with a lot of head lowering, flexing, and rubbing all over. She is still kicky around her loins but we are making progress. Go, Maddie!
BTW, my plan is to do 2 more days of groundwork, and ride her on Friday when Lalo can come over. We had talked about doing that today, but I canceled after yesterday's session. I felt Maddie should be flexing lighter and more reliably before bringing Lalo back and getting in the saddle again.
Started with long-lining off the bit. My feeling is that long-lining is not the best exercise for the advanced horse. It's just too demanding on the trainer to keep good contact. But I felt this was a very good experience for Maddie, to feel that bit pressure in motion. She was difficult to keep on the circle, and when I used the outside rein to keep her out there, she ended up bent to the outside. But she really did well. I got directly behind her a few times and drove her around the arena a bit. I also got her to back several times. Changes of direction were very easy. She is just touchy when you take contact on the outside and tends to turn all at once.
Did the C exercise off the bridle. The far end of the arena is frustrating--why is she still afraid of it???? It's gotten better, but she just spends the whole time down there acting much more stupid than she should at this point. Jumpiness, stiffness, etc. I did a lot of resting down there, and a lot of flexing.
I ended with backing her down the entire barn aisle, twice. I had to really act crazy to keep her moving, but she did it. Overall today was intentionally fairly quiet, with a lot of head lowering, flexing, and rubbing all over. She is still kicky around her loins but we are making progress. Go, Maddie!
BTW, my plan is to do 2 more days of groundwork, and ride her on Friday when Lalo can come over. We had talked about doing that today, but I canceled after yesterday's session. I felt Maddie should be flexing lighter and more reliably before bringing Lalo back and getting in the saddle again.
Monday, February 27, 2012
New attitude
She is lunging well off the halter at all 3 gaits and over most of the arena. The far end is still a spooky area. She is more nervous when I lunge off the bit ring. I lunged directly off the ring and also lunged her again with the lunge line anchored to the girth.
Excellent lateral work in hand today. Shoulder in is real good, although she is starting to look for a way out with her nipping. In general I am taking the approach of ignoring this behavior, as opposed to punishing her for it. If she does something really obvious and obnoxious I may clock her in the jaw, but mostly my approach is to cultivate good habits and wait for the bad habits to go away. (keep in mind, this mare DOES bite and DOES kick. The real thing. But at this point it's more of an extension of her tail swish than something really aggressive, IMHO. So I am only reacting to the really outlandish stuff.)
Flexing to the bridle ended well, but when I first started the exercise I felt she was dull. A little disappointing, I was hoping she would be real light by now.
Finished in the aisle, working on her feet. Fronts have been taken all the way down and a good mustang roll applied. Still need to work on the bars. In the rear I worked on the heels, but it was mostly an introduction to the file. Her feet are a little strange to me--I'm not used to hooves which are so upright. The hoof wall is unbelievably thick and strong. I see almost no flaring or separation. Nice feet!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
another level
Really good session today. It's hard to believe it, but we've jumped into another level, yet again. There have been several of these quantum leaps in the last 4 weeks. I'm just surprised at how many of them there are between wild horse and broke horse.
I tied her to a blocker ring in the aisle and worked on her feet right away. I picked out the fronts and picked up the rears. Brushed her all over--I never realized how much work I need to do around her flanks and loins. She hauled off and kicked at me quite a bit when I went back there, but with her head tied I felt safe. (Keep in mind, she still nips when she feels threatened, so I'm feeling it from both ends!) Waited for some concession and then saddled her up and went to work.
Put the bit in right away and lunged her directly off the ring, w-t-c. Then I switched to "French Sytle," where the lunge line goes through the bit ring and back to the saddle. This exercise was very helpful--she got to feel her head being pulled back towards the saddle, while in motion. At the trot I waited for her mouth to give and then switched sides. She gave me some nice strides.
Made a long "L" out of ground poles and practiced backing her through them. I also put two barrels about 2' apart and made her back through them. I was impressed she did this, because she had to brush past them to make it through. BTW, today was windy and the snow was crashing off the roof, but her focus stayed 90% on me. I was really impressed.
In-hand work along classical lines--very soft and responsive. Shoulder in with a long, low neck! Ended with more Clinton Anderson flexing to the bit. She's a little dull, but both sides have the concept.
Took her saddle off and tied her in the aisle again. This time I started trimming her front feet. Was able to cradle her hooves in a stand, and also take them forward on a pedestal and apply a mustang roll. Did not take off everything, but got maybe 1/2 of it off. Her feet look good--minimal flaring and a wide frog. Bars are overgrown--I picked at them a little with the knife. The hind legs were more ticklish and I only picked them out. The heels on her hind feet are definitely long and I really want to take them down ASAP.
Spent a good 15 minutes brushing her and working more on her hindquarters. Still ticklish but made some improvements. I'm feeling today that the combination of picking up all 4 feet, really going into her remaining ticklish areas, and putting the bit in have really taken her to a new level. There is a dramatic, new level of submission (trust?) now.
I tied her to a blocker ring in the aisle and worked on her feet right away. I picked out the fronts and picked up the rears. Brushed her all over--I never realized how much work I need to do around her flanks and loins. She hauled off and kicked at me quite a bit when I went back there, but with her head tied I felt safe. (Keep in mind, she still nips when she feels threatened, so I'm feeling it from both ends!) Waited for some concession and then saddled her up and went to work.
Put the bit in right away and lunged her directly off the ring, w-t-c. Then I switched to "French Sytle," where the lunge line goes through the bit ring and back to the saddle. This exercise was very helpful--she got to feel her head being pulled back towards the saddle, while in motion. At the trot I waited for her mouth to give and then switched sides. She gave me some nice strides.
Made a long "L" out of ground poles and practiced backing her through them. I also put two barrels about 2' apart and made her back through them. I was impressed she did this, because she had to brush past them to make it through. BTW, today was windy and the snow was crashing off the roof, but her focus stayed 90% on me. I was really impressed.
In-hand work along classical lines--very soft and responsive. Shoulder in with a long, low neck! Ended with more Clinton Anderson flexing to the bit. She's a little dull, but both sides have the concept.
Took her saddle off and tied her in the aisle again. This time I started trimming her front feet. Was able to cradle her hooves in a stand, and also take them forward on a pedestal and apply a mustang roll. Did not take off everything, but got maybe 1/2 of it off. Her feet look good--minimal flaring and a wide frog. Bars are overgrown--I picked at them a little with the knife. The hind legs were more ticklish and I only picked them out. The heels on her hind feet are definitely long and I really want to take them down ASAP.
Spent a good 15 minutes brushing her and working more on her hindquarters. Still ticklish but made some improvements. I'm feeling today that the combination of picking up all 4 feet, really going into her remaining ticklish areas, and putting the bit in have really taken her to a new level. There is a dramatic, new level of submission (trust?) now.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Recovery Day
Really good session with Maddie today. She spent a lot of time with a low head and a softly chewing mouth. I worked her in the halter first and it was fun because I had an audience that was really impressed. It also helped that another horse in the arena was dragging its trainer all over the place! Made us look good. Maddie was little Miss Perfect, sending, stopping, backing, and yielding. I set up some ground poles and backed her through no problem.
I put the bit in after a few minutes of head lowering and jaw preparation--piece of cake. I proceeded to lunge her directly off the bit. A lot of my sources advise against this, but I felt she really needed to feel someone pulling on that bit at a walk, trot, and canter, so she would have some idea what it meant the next time she pitched a fit. So I made her lunge at all three gaits, with lots of stops and transitions.
We took a break to put the saddle on, and I continued with more classical in-hand work. Shoulder in on the circle, shoulder in on the straight line, and backing. I used the dressage whip. She is still stiffer on the right rein, but with the bit now we can really progress. Did a lot of flexions at the halt, Clinton Anderson style. Interestingly, she was much stiffer on the left for this.
Ended with picking up all four feet and picking out the front feet. She's not quite ready for me to trim her hooves, but maybe in a few days. The rear legs I used a rope on.
I put the bit in after a few minutes of head lowering and jaw preparation--piece of cake. I proceeded to lunge her directly off the bit. A lot of my sources advise against this, but I felt she really needed to feel someone pulling on that bit at a walk, trot, and canter, so she would have some idea what it meant the next time she pitched a fit. So I made her lunge at all three gaits, with lots of stops and transitions.
We took a break to put the saddle on, and I continued with more classical in-hand work. Shoulder in on the circle, shoulder in on the straight line, and backing. I used the dressage whip. She is still stiffer on the right rein, but with the bit now we can really progress. Did a lot of flexions at the halt, Clinton Anderson style. Interestingly, she was much stiffer on the left for this.
Ended with picking up all four feet and picking out the front feet. She's not quite ready for me to trim her hooves, but maybe in a few days. The rear legs I used a rope on.
Bad ending to a good day
Lalo came out today to see Maddie. He was only able to stay for about 45 minutes, but we made some important headway together. Right away she showed some of her bad habits, like pinning ears and trying to nip. Lalo really got on her case and she backed down pretty quickly. After playing with a little groundwork, he started preparing her to be bridled. Lalo was able to put his hand across her nose and get her mouth open very reliably with his thumb. The bit when in on the first try and we kept it in for the rest of the session. Lalo felt it would help with her nipping if she had the bit in her mouth.
We did a bit of work with the lead line clipped simultaneously to the bit ring and the rope halter, helping her understand the bit. She did not step over well in the beginning due to her overall nervousness, but she softened after some extended work. After getting some concession we worked on her legs. With Lalo holding I picked up both front legs and got her very holding her feet up softly for at least 10 seconds. In the rear we started with a rope and graduated to me holding them by hand. I was able to pull the feet out back, farrier style, but not all the way.
Lalo had to leave to go give a lesson. I decided to put the saddle on and work Maddie outside. There was fresh snow and I was curious to see how she handled it. She balked several times walking to the outdoor arena--this is a new habit and I'm not sure how to handle it. I made her very uncomfortable by sending and backing, but I'm disappointed that this has started now. In the outdoor arena I focused on sending with solid stops where I wanted them--no running around behind my back. So so results. Also did the C exercise.
I took her back inside intending to unsaddle and put her away, but there were some other horses being worked and I felt it was a good circumstance to get on her back again. I flexed her thoroughly to both sides and hopped on, and almost immediately lost control. She straightened out and went to bucking, rodeo style, at least half way across the arena. The two women lunging horses looked genuinely terrified as we hopped all over, completely out of control. I had a good hold of the left rein but could not pull her head around at all. Nothing. After about 10 seconds I waited for a relatively easy bounce and hopped off, landing on my feet. Aaaaargh. What an ugly ride. And I can't believe I stayed on as long as I did--these bucks were the real thing, not just little kicks. Bucking and rearing.
I immediately went back to work flexing and yielding her hindquarters. I was not going to get back on, but at least I could work her and try to act like I was sort of in control of her. :) I felt my biggest mistake was to try riding her off the bit when she was so new to it. But there are probably other issues as well. I ended the session by tying her to the blocker ring and picking out her front feet. Try again tomorrow, I guess.
We did a bit of work with the lead line clipped simultaneously to the bit ring and the rope halter, helping her understand the bit. She did not step over well in the beginning due to her overall nervousness, but she softened after some extended work. After getting some concession we worked on her legs. With Lalo holding I picked up both front legs and got her very holding her feet up softly for at least 10 seconds. In the rear we started with a rope and graduated to me holding them by hand. I was able to pull the feet out back, farrier style, but not all the way.
Lalo had to leave to go give a lesson. I decided to put the saddle on and work Maddie outside. There was fresh snow and I was curious to see how she handled it. She balked several times walking to the outdoor arena--this is a new habit and I'm not sure how to handle it. I made her very uncomfortable by sending and backing, but I'm disappointed that this has started now. In the outdoor arena I focused on sending with solid stops where I wanted them--no running around behind my back. So so results. Also did the C exercise.
I took her back inside intending to unsaddle and put her away, but there were some other horses being worked and I felt it was a good circumstance to get on her back again. I flexed her thoroughly to both sides and hopped on, and almost immediately lost control. She straightened out and went to bucking, rodeo style, at least half way across the arena. The two women lunging horses looked genuinely terrified as we hopped all over, completely out of control. I had a good hold of the left rein but could not pull her head around at all. Nothing. After about 10 seconds I waited for a relatively easy bounce and hopped off, landing on my feet. Aaaaargh. What an ugly ride. And I can't believe I stayed on as long as I did--these bucks were the real thing, not just little kicks. Bucking and rearing.
I immediately went back to work flexing and yielding her hindquarters. I was not going to get back on, but at least I could work her and try to act like I was sort of in control of her. :) I felt my biggest mistake was to try riding her off the bit when she was so new to it. But there are probably other issues as well. I ended the session by tying her to the blocker ring and picking out her front feet. Try again tomorrow, I guess.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Nice ride
Maria came out for another riding session, which went very well. We saddled up Maddie right away, which was kind of fussy. I'd like to start getting on her case more about this. I spent about 5 minutes working her on the ground and then Maria hopped right on for a ride that lasted at least 10 minutes.
I was able to get some separation from Maddie and alternated lunging and line driving all over the arena. We did not push too hard down at the spooky end but went a lot further than last time. Maria dismounted down by the spooky end and we gave her a short break while I rigged up some reins. Maria hopped back on and we slowly introduced the outside rein to Maddie. She did well and Maria was able to steer her to different parts of the arena. We also had Maddie trot a medium size circle in both directions. She looked very solid, neither fussy nor looking to run off.
After another 10 minutes of this, Maria hopped off and I put the stirrups on and got up there myself. Finally! Maddie was a little more fussy with Maria handling her, but Maria did a terrific job keeping her under control. We circled in both directions and worked over most of the arena. She bucked once and thought about it a few more times, plus nipped at Maria a few times. The buck was easy to sit, but I was far from relaxed today, that's for sure. Anyway, it was a fantastic session, all in all.
Maria walked Maddie back to her pen and posed for a couple of pics. Thanks, Maria! Couldn't do this without you.
I was able to get some separation from Maddie and alternated lunging and line driving all over the arena. We did not push too hard down at the spooky end but went a lot further than last time. Maria dismounted down by the spooky end and we gave her a short break while I rigged up some reins. Maria hopped back on and we slowly introduced the outside rein to Maddie. She did well and Maria was able to steer her to different parts of the arena. We also had Maddie trot a medium size circle in both directions. She looked very solid, neither fussy nor looking to run off.
After another 10 minutes of this, Maria hopped off and I put the stirrups on and got up there myself. Finally! Maddie was a little more fussy with Maria handling her, but Maria did a terrific job keeping her under control. We circled in both directions and worked over most of the arena. She bucked once and thought about it a few more times, plus nipped at Maria a few times. The buck was easy to sit, but I was far from relaxed today, that's for sure. Anyway, it was a fantastic session, all in all.
Maria walked Maddie back to her pen and posed for a couple of pics. Thanks, Maria! Couldn't do this without you.
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