I've been giving lessons on and off to a girl (13 years old) for the past several months. She's as busy or busier than I was at her, but LOVES horses so her parents got her one for Christmas to be a surprise.
I always fostered this dream as a kid. To be asked to help make it come true for someone else makes up for never living the dream myself. I get to live vicariously through her in the process of things.
I helped to find available horses for the girl's mom and dad; another friend and
owner of a Friesian sporthorse facility in town helped in the assessment
of potential horses as well as the wheeling and dealing. It's been a whirlwind of activity in the last two weeks!
So far the chosen horse - a gelding - sounds as if he's a pretty solid guy, but I'll assess for
certain on Sunday and update you all! He's a B&W tobiano paint,
registered, 11 years old and will be kept where I keep my horses.
He arrives today.
The way its going to go is as follows: He'll stay at Dee's in a separate corral for a few days. Her parents are going to tell her on Christmas Eve that since she always gets one gift that night, they've planned a surprise lesson with me. They'll then drive her over (they actually are neighbors so she'll have him in her backyard!) and surprise her with her horse.
If my Christmas Eve day goes in a timely manner, I hope to be able to go over and clean him up for her so he's not a muddy mess. I doubt I'm going to get to watch the surprise though since I have family plans of my own. (Though I'm trying my damndest to get them to film it!)
I wanted to pick up some little horse things for her, nothing expensive, that her
parents may not have gotten. She's basically starting completely fresh. Her mom once had horses but hasn't in years. She's only started riding lately and doesn't have much of ANYTHING needed to ride in, groom with, train with, etc. My mind overwhelmed me with ideas, but I
couldn't decide and then became conflicted over some things. I thought I'd inquire to the horse blogging community for more ideas!
What I wanted to ask of you all was the following:
As an experienced, long-time horse owner/rider, what (beyond the obvious brushes, halter, lead, saddle, pad) would you recommend she have to get started with her horse?
Do you have anything extra (but usable!) lying around that you'd be willing to send for her and this new horse?
This is totally a shot in the dark, but I wanted to try. I recognize that if anyone sent anything, it wouldn't be here by Xmas Eve, but at least it would help her out.
Please comment with your ideas! Please! If you do have something you'd be willing to mail, email me at estout18 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thank you, everyone, in advance for all of your ideas! I'll be certain to update about this story and the surprise next week!!
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Video: Q in side reins & US
Once again:
- All videos are relatively short.
- She's wet because this was filmed in the middle of a HUGE rain event (rain for >24 hours); she's outside 24/7 and thus was in the elements. (This was actually a day I found the horses shivering outside due to the cold and wet. In the future, I plan to blanket them during such instances to help them out.)
- I have zero idea what the audio is like other than obnoxious because of the rain. Jeremy was filming for me (yay!), and I did try to explain some things to him here and there as he's never ever been around horses in this capacity before I corrupted his time with them. I recommend muting the sound.
- Draw your own conclusions, ask questions if you have them, provide supportive suggestions where you see fit.
- She's making progress. Truly, truly. She's working so hard to figure out those side reins. Every session produces better and better results.
- She's really trying to figure out what I want under saddle with the contact, too. She adjusts her head up and down and up and down.
- Its funny, but when she nails it and gets into that 'sweet spot' she becomes stretchy and really forward. She wants to break into a trot without any encouragement from me. Odd for her with any work off-trail. I'd like to take this as her enjoying the work we're doing?
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Videos: Griffin in side reins
(Please ignore the naming schema for the videos. I uploaded from my phone in bulk and am way too lazy to change them all now.)
Notes:
My take on it all:
Notes:
- All videos are relatively short.
- He's wet because this was filmed in the middle of a HUGE rain event (rain for >24 hours); he's outside 24/7 and thus was in the elements. (This was actually a day I found the horses shivering outside due to the cold and wet. In the future I plan to blanket them during such instances to help them out.)
- I have zero idea what the audio is like other than obnoxious because of the rain. Jeremy was filming for me (yay!), and I did try to explain some things to him here and there as he's never ever been around horses in this capacity before I corrupted his time with them. I recommend muting the sound.
- Draw your own conclusions, ask questions if you have them, provide supportive suggestions where you see fit.
My take on it all:
- I'm really thrilled with the progress he's making (we're making). He's learning to use himself and he's learning that feeling contact on the bit is no reason to be concerned or upset.
- His angsty fits are minimal now. They've become quite predictable, actually. On colder days or days when he's obviously "up" from shenanigans with his friends, he'll give me a little sass within the first 5 minutes of work. I can expect more sass from requests for canter work. I can expect further sass once the side reins have been engaged. Its like he's saying, "Damnit, this is actually taking effort. WHY do I have to? Ugh. FINE. I'll work." And every time, as the session continues, he calms and exudes great working behaviors and willingness.
- His canter has become much more balanced and collected. In past cantering experiences in our tiny little indoor pen, he's been strung out and spastic about his movements. Not so now!
- His transitions between all gaits are much improved. I even got him to do the 10-10-10 exercise (10 strides trot, 10 strides canter, 10 strides trot, etc.) quite successfully the other day! Such a good boy.
- I'm proud of where we've come with training and where we're headed. He's such a wonderful little horse.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Trimming 8 Hooves
I was surprised and amused at the number of comments about trimming 8 hooves in one evening when I shared it both on the blog and Facebook last week. While I thank those of you who think I'm superwoman for doing this, I have to reveal the truth: I'm not! (Well, duh.)
What I am though, is organized about my trimming schedule. I have my guys on a 2-ish week schedule for maintenance trims. That way, when I have to trim its always minor. Just a tiny tweak here and there to modify small things. It saves me sweat and it saves my horses from a potential horrible error on my part that lames them up. (Also, guys, its WINTER. Everything trimming-wise is easy with the cold temps! No sweating! YAY!)
But two weeks is, like ALWAYS! You shriek. Eh. Yes. Kind of.
But its not, too bad, really!
Sometimes I do completely skip doing anything. I'm fortunate that my horses (especially Q) do a lot of self-trimming through their turn out situation and their work schedule - I try to work my horses barefoot as much as possible! I still set a time every 2-ish weeks where I plan to complete a full trim/assessment. If I note that they'd be fine waiting until the next time. And sometimes, especially with Griffin, I'm guilty of passing things off as "okay" even when I could probably stand to bring his toes back a bit. (Though sweating through it later when its more work has taught me the lesson of NOT doing this often!)
This schedule/timeline works so great for me and the horses. It lets me let their hooves dictate what I should do without risking some huge crazy issue later. I observe and learn. I modify a little at a time and see if my modification was appropriate or if what I did is replicated by the horse in a short time because they really NEED what appeared to me as trim-worthy.
I'm still learning so much about trimming and hooves and their function for each horse vs. horses as a whole, but tell you what: I've got my guys pretty well figured. The one area of mystery for me is just how their hooves want to change size as time goes on. The best I can do for now is just to continue with my slow, steady maintenance trims and frequent observations. With patience, all will be fine.
What I am though, is organized about my trimming schedule. I have my guys on a 2-ish week schedule for maintenance trims. That way, when I have to trim its always minor. Just a tiny tweak here and there to modify small things. It saves me sweat and it saves my horses from a potential horrible error on my part that lames them up. (Also, guys, its WINTER. Everything trimming-wise is easy with the cold temps! No sweating! YAY!)
But two weeks is, like ALWAYS! You shriek. Eh. Yes. Kind of.
But its not, too bad, really!
Sometimes I do completely skip doing anything. I'm fortunate that my horses (especially Q) do a lot of self-trimming through their turn out situation and their work schedule - I try to work my horses barefoot as much as possible! I still set a time every 2-ish weeks where I plan to complete a full trim/assessment. If I note that they'd be fine waiting until the next time. And sometimes, especially with Griffin, I'm guilty of passing things off as "okay" even when I could probably stand to bring his toes back a bit. (Though sweating through it later when its more work has taught me the lesson of NOT doing this often!)
This schedule/timeline works so great for me and the horses. It lets me let their hooves dictate what I should do without risking some huge crazy issue later. I observe and learn. I modify a little at a time and see if my modification was appropriate or if what I did is replicated by the horse in a short time because they really NEED what appeared to me as trim-worthy.
I'm still learning so much about trimming and hooves and their function for each horse vs. horses as a whole, but tell you what: I've got my guys pretty well figured. The one area of mystery for me is just how their hooves want to change size as time goes on. The best I can do for now is just to continue with my slow, steady maintenance trims and frequent observations. With patience, all will be fine.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Why "In Omnia Paratus"?
Today marks THREE years of blogging here.
I'm sure many of you have wondered why my blog is titled the way it is. I'm certain I covered it somewhere in the beginning of my blogging journey, but if you're like me you hardly have time to go back and read the past entries of all the blogs you begin following beyond the pertinent must-know details!
In actuality, I doubt many of you would gain much from my early entries. When I began this blog, I didn't have a purpose for it more than an outlet. I'd been reading a handful of blogs and liked that they had some sort of support system and the community. I did Xanga YEARS ago for awhile, too, and enjoyed that. I wanted to bring it back.
In Omnia Paratus is Latin for "ready for anything" or "preparation in all things". I picked it up from my all-time favorite show, Gilmore Girls.
I was a senior in college headed into my final semester when I started this blog. I pondered the name for awhile before starting it. I made my URL on blogger my name because I couldn't be certain I'd even KEEP the blog's name forever.
I did know one thing though: senior year of college is scary. You have all these grand ideas about what you want to be and where you want to go, but nothing is quite certain. Not yet.
I wanted to go to grad school. I wanted to move away west. I didn't have a horse. Only Kenai. I had dreams. So many dreams. I had several small plans. So many small plans.
But none of that came to fruition.
In Omnia Paratus.
I had to be ready for that. And even if I wasn't, I had to put on my best "fake it to make it" facade and push forward making the best of whatever came.
Spring of 2011 brought about a series of unexpected things. The job I still have (though my position is much different) fell into my lap. I would be moving back to my small hometown after graduation. And I suddenly had acquired my very first horse.
In Omnia Paratus.
I took it all in stride and took off with it. I did my best. I kept my chin up. I learned a ton. I developed new plans and goals and dreams. I embraced the reintroduction of an equestrian influence in my life. I started training for Nat'l Ski Patrol - a lifetime goal that would prove stressful and amazing to accomplish.
But then cold reality struck with my first horse as I realized that he had piss-poor conformation for nigh on everything I had great interest in doing. He broke down under routine exercise that I'd built up over months. I had to quickly evolve my dreams, goals, and aspirations again.
In Omnia Paratus.
I rehabbed the horse. Not even completely through the program, a friend asked if she could buy him. Have you sold a still-lame horse before? Without advertising? Yeah. Didn't think so.
It was crazy and an incredible stroke of luck for all involved. The horse got to return to the first place I'd kept him. The girl gained her first horse. And all her plans (and now realities) with him have been PERFECT and beyond for what he is capable of doing and what she's been learning. Such a great team.
In Omnia Paratus.
And so I continued sans horse for the rest of 2011, resolving to find and buy a nice little Arab to compete in endurance after ski season. I completed my NSP training. It stressed me out, but I loved it. It was a HUGE accomplishment and time of growth for me. I'd conquered some intense training while still doing well in my "real" job as a biologist.
In Omnia Paratus.
With another new year, Griffin fell into my lap as a project. "Train him," I was told, "If you like him, keep him. If you don't like him sell him. If you can't stand him, give him back."
I think we all know where that went!
In Omnia Paratus.
A few months later, fresh out of snow season and into the warmer months, Q fell into my lap as an opportunity. Buy her or don't buy her and risk wondering forever why I hadn't and what had come of her at the auction she was headed for. At a minimum, she could be a project that I would sell if I didn't like her. And just like that, I became the owner of two horses.
In Omnia Paratus.
And so it goes.
You're all likely familiar with most of the story from there. Its been documented pretty well. The flip flopping of horses into, out of, and into my life again has helped me develop this originally undirected blog into a primarily equestrian focus. It will forever contain additional small chapters on all of my adventurous pursuits, too. I think you all enjoy living vicariously through those as much as I love writing about them so I can one day look back on them.
This blog grew into its name - as things tend to do. Things have changed a lot in my life in the few years since its birth. I've met them all head on with as positive an attitude as I can. In omnia paratus, ready for anything.
I'm sure many of you have wondered why my blog is titled the way it is. I'm certain I covered it somewhere in the beginning of my blogging journey, but if you're like me you hardly have time to go back and read the past entries of all the blogs you begin following beyond the pertinent must-know details!
In actuality, I doubt many of you would gain much from my early entries. When I began this blog, I didn't have a purpose for it more than an outlet. I'd been reading a handful of blogs and liked that they had some sort of support system and the community. I did Xanga YEARS ago for awhile, too, and enjoyed that. I wanted to bring it back.
In Omnia Paratus is Latin for "ready for anything" or "preparation in all things". I picked it up from my all-time favorite show, Gilmore Girls.
I was a senior in college headed into my final semester when I started this blog. I pondered the name for awhile before starting it. I made my URL on blogger my name because I couldn't be certain I'd even KEEP the blog's name forever.
I did know one thing though: senior year of college is scary. You have all these grand ideas about what you want to be and where you want to go, but nothing is quite certain. Not yet.
I wanted to go to grad school. I wanted to move away west. I didn't have a horse. Only Kenai. I had dreams. So many dreams. I had several small plans. So many small plans.
But none of that came to fruition.
In Omnia Paratus.
I had to be ready for that. And even if I wasn't, I had to put on my best "fake it to make it" facade and push forward making the best of whatever came.
Spring of 2011 brought about a series of unexpected things. The job I still have (though my position is much different) fell into my lap. I would be moving back to my small hometown after graduation. And I suddenly had acquired my very first horse.
In Omnia Paratus.
I took it all in stride and took off with it. I did my best. I kept my chin up. I learned a ton. I developed new plans and goals and dreams. I embraced the reintroduction of an equestrian influence in my life. I started training for Nat'l Ski Patrol - a lifetime goal that would prove stressful and amazing to accomplish.
But then cold reality struck with my first horse as I realized that he had piss-poor conformation for nigh on everything I had great interest in doing. He broke down under routine exercise that I'd built up over months. I had to quickly evolve my dreams, goals, and aspirations again.
In Omnia Paratus.
I rehabbed the horse. Not even completely through the program, a friend asked if she could buy him. Have you sold a still-lame horse before? Without advertising? Yeah. Didn't think so.
It was crazy and an incredible stroke of luck for all involved. The horse got to return to the first place I'd kept him. The girl gained her first horse. And all her plans (and now realities) with him have been PERFECT and beyond for what he is capable of doing and what she's been learning. Such a great team.
In Omnia Paratus.
And so I continued sans horse for the rest of 2011, resolving to find and buy a nice little Arab to compete in endurance after ski season. I completed my NSP training. It stressed me out, but I loved it. It was a HUGE accomplishment and time of growth for me. I'd conquered some intense training while still doing well in my "real" job as a biologist.
In Omnia Paratus.
With another new year, Griffin fell into my lap as a project. "Train him," I was told, "If you like him, keep him. If you don't like him sell him. If you can't stand him, give him back."
I think we all know where that went!
In Omnia Paratus.
A few months later, fresh out of snow season and into the warmer months, Q fell into my lap as an opportunity. Buy her or don't buy her and risk wondering forever why I hadn't and what had come of her at the auction she was headed for. At a minimum, she could be a project that I would sell if I didn't like her. And just like that, I became the owner of two horses.
In Omnia Paratus.
And so it goes.
You're all likely familiar with most of the story from there. Its been documented pretty well. The flip flopping of horses into, out of, and into my life again has helped me develop this originally undirected blog into a primarily equestrian focus. It will forever contain additional small chapters on all of my adventurous pursuits, too. I think you all enjoy living vicariously through those as much as I love writing about them so I can one day look back on them.
This blog grew into its name - as things tend to do. Things have changed a lot in my life in the few years since its birth. I've met them all head on with as positive an attitude as I can. In omnia paratus, ready for anything.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Winter Gear
Emmi @ My Life On Horses started this winter gear tag.
: : : : :
Well, for those who haven't suspected, its time for me to come out of the closet: I am a gear whore.
But in my defense, I am an outdoors professional (Nat'l Ski Patrol; and my career as a biologist), so some of my gear sluttiness is merited and enabled through my profession. And basically becomes a bigger problem by the year.
As a result, I have a distinct feeling no one's list of winter barn attire will hurt their bank accounts as much as mine has through the years. In my defense though, I use a lot of this gear for multiple outdoors pursuits in the cold months.
It is VERY rare that I pay full price for anything. I am THE QUEEN of shopping for cheap, quality gear. Seriously. (Though for all gear below I've linked wherever I can straight to the manufacturer's website where the full price is listed.)
The rundown on what I wear: I have an arsenal of baselayers, softlayers, and hardlayers. I start with appropriate baselayers for the level of cold. From there I double them with softlayers. If its snowing or raining I add a hardlayer. I will take my baselayer leggings and double them into my breeches BEFORE I put my breeches on. This way I have some pretty kickass warm breeches. (Though I'm considering some of those fleecy, wind-proof breeches from Kerrits for some point.)
Without further ado, my winter gear accoutrements for the barn (note: not all of these items are worn all together, this is just my quiver of gear that I layer to best manage whatever weather is thrown at me):
Baselayers (all synthetic or wool. death to cotton.)
- Smartwool midweight crew (merino wool)
- Smartwool midweight bottom (merino wool)
- Patagonia Cap-4 expedition weight bottom (synthetic)
- Mountain Hardwear Wicked Ts (synthetic)
- Various Smartwool socks or Darn Tough socks (made in the USA) (all wool)
- **a dream winter gear article** Patagonia Cap-4 Onsie!!
- Outdoor Research Neoplume synthetic down jacket (discontinued; similar here)
- Marmot Ama Dablam down jacket
- Marmot Threshold softshell (discontinued; similar here)
- Marmot wind vest (discontinued; similar here)
- Patagonia R1 hoody (I have the mens, but I linked the women's that just came out this year)
- Patagonia R2 zip
- Mountain Khakis Old Faithful sweater
- Prana Maura vest
- Prana lined jean
- Various Kerrits breeches
- A Carhartt-esque jacket
- Marmot Spire (my retired - aka now for horse pursuits - hardshell)
- Gore-Tex rain pant - old and from LLBean
- Outdoor Research liner gloves
- Leather gloves to go over the liners
- Mountain Horse insulated winter boots
- Muck boots
- Various hats I knitted
- Silk scarf
- Broad brim oil-skin hat
If you have any inquiries about what would be good for such-and-such outdoors activity - winter or non - feel free to hit me up and ask what I've had good/bad experiences with. I've done lots of research and personal experiments with a LOT of gear through the years and may be able to guide you in the right direction and help you find something at a good price. Seriously, ask. I'm more than happy to help!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Snow
Well, life got busy real quick!
The main reason? The resort I patrol for opened this weekend. Saturday was the first day, but I didn't get to ski then. I was busy with my instructor duties. We tested 10 new ski patrol candidates. An all day effort that is definitely worth it. GREAT folks. Very excited to have them as a part of our team.
Post-test, we all went to a huge party of puffy jacket wearing, flannel clothed, bearded hippie folk. Free beer, homemade whiskey-moonshine (yes its a combo and not two things) out of the shot-ski (video 1), and the biggest potluck I've ever attended. Great seasonal party. An effigy of Ullr, the god of winter and snow, was burned in sacrifice (video 2) to an excellent season with lots of cold and snow.
We were rewarded the following morning. We got 6"+ in a hurry! My first turns on my mountain were powder. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Effortless. Flowing. I loved it.
And a teaser: Prior to all of the above shenanigans, Jeremy got a lot of videos of Q and Griffin and I working. I'm still processing through them and trying to get things uploaded. I'm really excited to have some videos though! They will be a great baseline for later on when I've (hopefully) made a lot of progress with my two!
The main reason? The resort I patrol for opened this weekend. Saturday was the first day, but I didn't get to ski then. I was busy with my instructor duties. We tested 10 new ski patrol candidates. An all day effort that is definitely worth it. GREAT folks. Very excited to have them as a part of our team.
 |
| Candidates awaiting their test scenarios |
Post-test, we all went to a huge party of puffy jacket wearing, flannel clothed, bearded hippie folk. Free beer, homemade whiskey-moonshine (yes its a combo and not two things) out of the shot-ski (video 1), and the biggest potluck I've ever attended. Great seasonal party. An effigy of Ullr, the god of winter and snow, was burned in sacrifice (video 2) to an excellent season with lots of cold and snow.
We were rewarded the following morning. We got 6"+ in a hurry! My first turns on my mountain were powder. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Effortless. Flowing. I loved it.
And a teaser: Prior to all of the above shenanigans, Jeremy got a lot of videos of Q and Griffin and I working. I'm still processing through them and trying to get things uploaded. I'm really excited to have some videos though! They will be a great baseline for later on when I've (hopefully) made a lot of progress with my two!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
A Myriad of Updates
I had a list of many mini-posts to write. But then that was gonna lead scheduled posts so far into the future that I'd never get current things documented. So instead, you're gonna get a list of bullets with a myriad of updates and random things I want to have documented.
- I had a GREAT first ride back (since I the day I was hucked off) on Griffin on Dec. 4. I put a big, heavy (30#) western saddle on him that I'd never had on him before. I figured this would slow his thought process for bucking since it is such a burden! I worked him at liberty in the round pen for 15 minutes. Five minutes were warm up, 10 minutes were further warm up with the side reins. He never once offered a buck with that saddle on. He was weirded out by it some, judging from his movement. He had to figure it out. But he adapted well. I took him to the indoor round pen for riding. He stood solid for mounting and dismounting. He was forward and happy. He responded well to all of my requests. Awkward body position through small circles and turns to reverse. The combo of big saddle + Liz confused him, I think. He was clumsy walking over ground poles, but he tried. He was a champion at backing up. And while he was a little tiny bit angsty about the trot, he quickly (very quickly) got over it and focused on his job. We mostly walked and worked on walking and halting transitions. I added the trot at the end a little in each direction. We ended on a beautiful note with a wonderful trot-halt-back sequence. I love him!
- I ordered side reins a week ago. They've been a huge hit with both of my horses. Griffin learned them quickly, as he's been exposed to other gadgetry of late and solves the mystery quickly. His first session with them I really asked him to work. Not much above a trot, but kid was really breathin' hard (for him) at the end. Not very sweaty, but OH did he have to really use himself. He did better with the side reins than previous gadgetry, but I don't think he'd have had such a great first session without prior work on Fauxssoa and briefly with the chambon. --- Q's first session? Oh dear. THAT was entertaining. I let her warm up with them loose for awhile so she could become accustomed to the additional swinging things while she moved. Then I put them a setting tighter than where I hope to have her eventually. I did this because I had a very good feeling she would fight, brace, and generally dislike them at first. And then, when she figured out that bracing wouldn't work, the right solution seemed even more rewarding. I sent her around and around and watched her fight with them. Bracing against them with her head as high as she could get it and trying to get it higher. Then she realized they would stretch and release depending on her intensity with making her head high vs. HIGH. Then she found some release. Only for a second. Back to HIGH head and high head. And then back to the sweet spot. Again and again with quicker and quicker transitions between comfortable and not comfortable. Within 5 minutes she had it. I didn't ask for her to move fast or slow. I just wanted her to move forward. I wanted to see if she could figure them out. Proceeding sessions I've added further requests to drive her forward into the contact (is that the proper term?). She's getting better each session, but is still slightly resistant about it all. Still, this is a HUGE change for her and I'm really excited to continue the progression.
- Q's calmness of late and behavior overall is so much better. I've really taken special note of my emotions/mood whenever I'm around her. I'm re-routing my behaviors to be better for her. You know how if a horse gets a little out of it while focusing on something not you and then they step on you or bump into you or do a myriad of things if under saddle? So then you pop them in the shoulder or neck with your hand to give a small smack that says, "SNAP OUT OF IT, DUDE!" and then they come back to the present (I'll do this to Kenai, too, when he's being a snot, just a small pop on his rear end or his side to say HELLO!)? Yeah. You can't do that with Q. You can, but if you do she gets more upset and nervous. I'm teaching myself to reroute my tendency to do that with Q and replace the gesture instead with, for lack of a better term, aggressive petting. Just dig my palm into her and pet her hard and, maybe in a mean tone at first, snap at her for being off in space and to please get with it. I may scratch at her neck harder, too. Don't they say the act of petting released endorphines? Either way, Q calms quickly and returns to the present if I rub her as described (I'm trying SO hard to not make this sound sexual...failing...failing...so many jokes...). The re-teaching of myself is quite a process, but its really helping out this mare. (The things we do for our horses!) The aggressive petting (giggle) coupled with lots of peppermint treats the other night, was enough to keep Q calm in the smaller (than typical) area where our cross ties are while I trimmed her feet. She was so good and tried so hard. I was very, very proud of her. We're getting there!!!!
- Hooves. I trimmed them. All 8. 40 - 50 degree weather makes for perfect trimming weather! My winter goals for both horses feet are as follows: Griffin - get his feet to a good, steady state. Working more will do this. Q - keep up small maintenance trims to allow her to really tell me how she wants her feet to be now. I have a feeling this little girl is gonna end up in size 2s in the front and 1s in the back. 14.1hh, but little girl has some big, solid feet!!
Here are some photos of the bottom of their feet to accompany the videos from a week ago of all other parts of their hooves:
Q's (excuse the dirt. I barely touched her feet for this trim) 
Griffin's. - Instagram. I've been pretty regular about updating and posting photos lately. I remember some of you sharing yours and your favorites to follow earlier this summer. My username is estout18 - follow me and please comment on here with YOUR usernames so I can follow you! I really would love to get more horse folks into my feed on there!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Goals Revisited
I posted about goals for Q and goals for Griffin in November.
To revisit Q's goals:
This winter I strive to remedy a myriad of small issues she has that I've grown tired of:
And to revisit Griffin's goals:
On the lunge/at liberty/Fauxssoa:
1. Promptness with transitions and turns Definitely better! His trot-canter transition is wonderful now. The canter-trot is far from perfection, but it is SO much improved! His walk-trot, trot-walk transitions exist now! Readily at the ends of workouts, haha. Very happy with this change. And his turns are so much more prompt and reliable. Not so much rushing and angst involved. He's accepted that they are a part of his job and does them willingly. I'm very satisfied with his progress for this category.
2. Establishing a steady and even pace that is not rushed for each gait He is SO much better at the trot and canter. SO much better. Yay consistent work that leads to steady improvement!
3. Understanding voice commands for changes in gait and stopping Definite improvement, but still needs further practice.
4. Properly using body (engaging hind end/lifting back) through gaits So much better. I wish every night that I 1. had someone to film, 2. had enough light to film! Doing things in the dim and dark and poorly-lit makes video IMPOSSIBLE. Perhaps I can coax some out of visitors who play horse with me very soon...
Beginning foundations for:
1. Lateral movement Hardly touched. Needs further work.
2. Giving to pressure on the bit in an acceptable way (e.g., not throwing head up, throwing head down, or going into a frustrated bucking fit) So much better. The gadgetry experiments have taught Griffin that pitching a fit over pressure on the bit isn't acceptable and won't solve it. Instead he's learned to deal with it in new, acceptable ways. His work in the side reins this past week is BEAUTIFUL. He is moving SO well. I am able to push him forward into the contact and its just gorgeous. But you'll all just have to take my word for it because...yeah...videos...I no haz.
3. Bowing/lying down Shoved on the back burner
: : : : :
: : : : :
To revisit Q's goals:
This winter I strive to remedy a myriad of small issues she has that I've grown tired of:
- slight, yet noticeable one-sidedness with nigh on everything Working on it.
- fidgeting when tied in the barn (she's great outside or just standing freely in an enclosure) With the help of, oh, a quarter bag of peppermint treats, I got her to stand in the ghetto cross ties (a tight space, gasp!) with very minimal issue. GOOD GIRL. Great step in the right direction.
- acceptance of me holding up her hind feet for extended periods of time Did a beautiful job during her trim the other night. I was so proud of her.
- standing 100% (not 60%) of the time when mounting Working on it.
- acceptance of clipping hair on her legs (need to prevent scratches) Legs shaved. Patience, calm, and zero issues. WIN.
- more at liberty work to get her attention on me - she's responsive, yet extremely distracted during any liberty session we've ever had; I'd like to figure out how to best get her mind on me and off her friends I'm working on my loudness/softness of body gestures. Definite strides have been made. We've got halts. We've got relatively consistent inside turns. A huge difference. She, like Griffin, is learning the difference between my requests for them to come to me or remain where they are. Both are to the point (bigger difference for Griffin) that they wait to see if I want them to walk to me or remain where they stand. The level of attention they give me is wonderful.
- progressing through the 101 Dressage Exercises book We're doing this.
- lateral movements In progress...
- suppleness In progress...
: : : : :
And to revisit Griffin's goals:
On the lunge/at liberty/Fauxssoa:
1. Promptness with transitions and turns Definitely better! His trot-canter transition is wonderful now. The canter-trot is far from perfection, but it is SO much improved! His walk-trot, trot-walk transitions exist now! Readily at the ends of workouts, haha. Very happy with this change. And his turns are so much more prompt and reliable. Not so much rushing and angst involved. He's accepted that they are a part of his job and does them willingly. I'm very satisfied with his progress for this category.
2. Establishing a steady and even pace that is not rushed for each gait He is SO much better at the trot and canter. SO much better. Yay consistent work that leads to steady improvement!
3. Understanding voice commands for changes in gait and stopping Definite improvement, but still needs further practice.
4. Properly using body (engaging hind end/lifting back) through gaits So much better. I wish every night that I 1. had someone to film, 2. had enough light to film! Doing things in the dim and dark and poorly-lit makes video IMPOSSIBLE. Perhaps I can coax some out of visitors who play horse with me very soon...
Beginning foundations for:
1. Lateral movement Hardly touched. Needs further work.
2. Giving to pressure on the bit in an acceptable way (e.g., not throwing head up, throwing head down, or going into a frustrated bucking fit) So much better. The gadgetry experiments have taught Griffin that pitching a fit over pressure on the bit isn't acceptable and won't solve it. Instead he's learned to deal with it in new, acceptable ways. His work in the side reins this past week is BEAUTIFUL. He is moving SO well. I am able to push him forward into the contact and its just gorgeous. But you'll all just have to take my word for it because...yeah...videos...I no haz.
3. Bowing/lying down Shoved on the back burner
: : : : :
Goals for both weren't initially given a timeline, but Andrea has inspired me with her monthly goals and re-caps, and thus, I'm revisiting goals and seeing where the horses are now. I should have done this ages ago, as this kind of accountability keeps me far more motivated than I would have been otherwise!
Overall, both horses have made great progress with things so far. I'm pleased.
Now, for the next month? In addition to furthering things listed above, let's try...
Q
- Calmness on the ground and in the barn
- Dressage exercises to continue work on suppleness and equality to the left and right
- Lateral work
- Continued work with side reins
- Increasing her attention on me when doing at liberty/lunge work
- And, a bonus for those days I'm bored of complete structure: some experimentation with bareback/bridless
Griffin
- Continued work with side reins
- Walk & trot consistency under saddle
- Walk/trot poles both during lunging and under saddle
Thursday, December 5, 2013
A training ride
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| It was a balmy 22°F...with 20mph winds |
Jen brought both those boys + her seasoned horse Eagle out to the rail trail to get in some easy miles. She was planning to put me on Eagle (aaahh, I wish!), but I end up with some deep bruising if I ride in her Boz saddles for > 5 miles; I requested to use my Ansur. Eagle canNOT stand new tack at ALL, so me riding him was out of the question. (Sadface. This horse just finished a pretty kickass 100 last month in IL and has insane potential all around.)
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| Prince and the redheads |
Jen's daughter had picked Prince out for herself from a list of candidates Jen chose for her last year. Jen has had wonderful experiences with Monarch's sons/daughters/grandbabies in the past and knew Prince would be great for her daughter. (Apparently Monarch babies are all very sweet and personable.)
Prince started out great. But with more and more conditioning he's really emerged as quite the leader. His racing blood has started to dominate of late. Jen knew this may happen, and fortunately, Vinny is turning into a great mount for her daughter instead.
Prince is barely 14hh. Small for Jen - who is accustomed to riding a 15+hh Eagle - but right up my alley since my guys are both right around 14.1hh. He's a tiny thing, but strong and determined.
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| Princey poo |
Unlike my two though, he doesn't have a very big stride. He's rather pogo-sticky actually. And very often on the forehand and braces himself on the bit in such a way that he expects his rider to hold his front end up.
Riding him took a lot of getting used to. Posting his pogo stick trot was...interesting. I couldn't get myself to post fast enough. I tried again and again in the beginning, but I could only stay with him for a couple strides. It was rather ridiculous. I'm not even sure what I ended up doing, but I found a rhythm that worked for both of us and went with it.
He was forward, which startled me a bit in the beginning because I don't like to take off on a horse I don't know well. Q's spooks of late have me SO on edge about speed with a horse. Not to mention the fact that you ask for brakes and he THROWS HIS HEAD IN THE AIR Not violently but damn. VERTICAL. Like RIGHT in my face. Prince's mind is better than Q's though. He was spooky, but he doesn't spook. He'd give the stink eye, slow his gait, and maybe give things a little bit wider a berth, but nothing drastic at all. THAT was a breath of fresh air for me! I miss when Q's spooks were so much more minor...
His short stridedness killed me though. It was so difficult to get used to! And then his tendency to fall onto the forehand at the canter in a way unlike anything I've experienced in memory... Oh gawd. Jen said she'd noticed the SAME thing about him though; she thinks it may be attributed to his longer-than-necessary-for-his-build neck. He tips forward, expects you to hold him up as he leans heavy on the bit, and just gives this overall impression he's about to do a front somersault as he's plowing along.
We did around 15 miles on the flat at an 8.14 mph pace. Not too shabby. Right where Jen wanted them to be.
It was a fun ride. My abs were killing me the following two days from riding that little pogo-stick though! It was definitely a good hurt, but made me appreciate how nicely both of my horses move. Prince is a good little horse, though. I know he'll have nothing but good in his life with Jen and her daughter, too. I'm excited to see where they take him!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
New To Distance and Endurance Riding
For those of you who are thinking of jumping into the sport of endurance riding and distance riding, this is a really great blog post to read! Additionally, here is a second post by the same author - Patti - on gear/tack/feed/etc. Lots of great tips.
I know of at least 3 folks I've met via blogging who have become very interested of late in this sport, and I'm certain others may be, too!
And the link once more in case the above didn't work for some ridiculous reason: http://enduranceintrospection.com/you-are-ready-for-your-first-ride-trust-me/
I know of at least 3 folks I've met via blogging who have become very interested of late in this sport, and I'm certain others may be, too!
And the link once more in case the above didn't work for some ridiculous reason: http://enduranceintrospection.com/you-are-ready-for-your-first-ride-trust-me/
Monday, December 2, 2013
Skiing: Days 1 & 2
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| Early morning corduroy |
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| Dem skis |
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| Solo riding leads to absurd photos |
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| Yep |
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| Mornin' corduroy on Day 2 |
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| Drop off |
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| Besties since we were 5 |
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| Newly minted mountain-folk |
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| When you spend the day with an HR employee you have to try ALL the things |
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| It was yummy |
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| I was skiing when I took this...zooom |
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Snow and Icicles
Her tail was lowered, but she wasn't clamping it nor was she shivering. With 30 mph winds and temperatures in the 20s! Without all that hay, I know she'd been freezin'.
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| Up to her eyeballs in hay! And this is one of two places she can get it. |
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Videos of Griffin
My filming while holding lunge whip and giving direction is less than desirable as far as shakiness, but OH WELL. Here's Griffin warming up the other night at liberty with zero gadgetry.
I'm really excited to start adding riding to our workouts next month. The plan is to stay in the round pen for all December riding and likely all January riding, too. I'd do just one month, but with my schedule changing with my second job beginning, it will be unlikely that I go out more than 3 times a week. (I'll be working 7 days a week for nearly 2 months! Xmas and New Years included.)
Friday, November 29, 2013
A montage of cat photos
Because you all said you wanted more.
Oh, and this guy. Because I couldn't leave him out!
Oh, and this guy. Because I couldn't leave him out!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Being Thankful: Interpretted with Photography
I am thankful for:
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| This mare |
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| This gelding |
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| These guys |
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| Climbing |
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| Fly fishing |
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| New friendship and sillyness |
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| New friends and sharing |
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| Climbing with a mission |
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| Eager athleticism |
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| My daily view |
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| Willingness and athleticism |
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| This dog |
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| A trailer to use and a newly learned skill |
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| These two |
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| New cats |
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| Visiting friends |
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| New jumps and bounces |
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| My job |
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| My state |
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| My goofball |
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| Recoveries |
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| Laughter |
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| Friends |
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| A now healthy, happy boy |
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| A lush WV summer |
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| Great friends and my state |
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| This goofball and the trailer |
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| This smiling face. Every. Day. |
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| Climbing and my state |
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| Winters with amazing people doing wonderful work |
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