Monday 30th April
Last day of April already...another month gone. Today started off drizzly, it had been raining overnight a bit but the afternoon cheered up with the sunshine and I went out to play/ride some horses ;)
When I arrived down in the field Solly and Holly were laying down snoozing, Tara was on look out duty whilst snoozing standing up and Stormy was also on upright snoozing duty, having got himself into the round pen nicely for me! lol.
Tara, Solly and Holly enjoying a snooze in the sunshine
opportunity to play with him ;)
So, with Stormy perfectly set up in the round pen I went to him first and gave him a really good groom. He stood perfectly still for me and brought his head down nicely for me to groom his mane and forelock too. I then haltered him and put him on the 22' feather light rope. I like using this one as it's lighter so helps me be lighter to refine things with all the horses now.
He played beautifully, xt friendly, porcupine hq's and fq's 360* with light pulsing phases around his girth area ;) driving game excellent, yo-yo's light and to the end of the 22' line. His circling was pretty good too with 1 lap of walk L&R, 3 of trot L&R and a little canter to see if all okay there too. His sideways was superb, from Z1, Z3 and Z5 too.
So, after such a good play session I saddled him and cinched him slowly with some play again. All okay so I mount and we have our first real riding session in 2yrs (had a bad accident off him 2yrs ago). He was a bit heavy on the forehand and had sticky feet but it was good to check my confidence with him and we got along nice and slowly but well ;) I am going to put the clip on reins in a different place next time I ride him to see if that will help to lighten his forehand...we really don't want to bridle/bit him.
Here's some nice pic's Mark took of us today:
He played beautifully, xt friendly, porcupine hq's and fq's 360* with light pulsing phases around his girth area ;) driving game excellent, yo-yo's light and to the end of the 22' line. His circling was pretty good too with 1 lap of walk L&R, 3 of trot L&R and a little canter to see if all okay there too. His sideways was superb, from Z1, Z3 and Z5 too.
So, after such a good play session I saddled him and cinched him slowly with some play again. All okay so I mount and we have our first real riding session in 2yrs (had a bad accident off him 2yrs ago). He was a bit heavy on the forehand and had sticky feet but it was good to check my confidence with him and we got along nice and slowly but well ;) I am going to put the clip on reins in a different place next time I ride him to see if that will help to lighten his forehand...we really don't want to bridle/bit him.
Here's some nice pic's Mark took of us today:
FORWARD, forward, forward ;)
So, after that good time with Stormy I let him go with a mouthful of pony nuts as a treat and went in search of Solly. He was down a small incline but came quickly when I asked him to catch me. He was pretty muddy from rolling so the first thing I did was groom him thoroughly. Then we played a bit at liberty, checking we had all four feet moving where I asked and some circling with transitions too. Then I haltered him up and we played some fig 8's to check for flexibility. Next I saddled him up and played more whilst cinching up a few times more. All went well, relaxation there nicely, willing obedience was very good, impulsion was okay...could ask for more but sticky feet okay for now and nicely flexible SO, mounted up with the halter/rope reins on to do some freestyle in the round pen.
We worked on transitions and impulsion. Perry Wood gave me a great technique where if he gets sticky feet ask him to trot, then ask him with a half-halt to come down to walk for just ONE step and then straight back into trot...really works for Solly and before we knew it he was trotting much nicer. I asked for some spiralling leg yields and also checked out w/t/c whilst we RtR. All went well so I dismounted and changed the halter/rope reins for the leather bridle/bit.
We checked that all was working still at freestyle with the bridle/bit in (yes it was) and then I opened up the round pen and walked out into the large field. It's just a short few steps to the open dressage arena and I thought it would be good to go from one pen to the other without me actually getting off. Solly thought otherwise...he planted his feet and said NO I can't. I just sat there, unstuck his feet a few times but unbalancing him left or right and then focussed on small things between the two pens, like a grassy tussock, a poo pile etc and just serpentined around them all back and forth until we found ourselves in the dressage arena ;))
Once in the next arena he was fine, thought about running out of the top end where I decided to not enclose it for a change...we can use the arena without closing the gates can't we??? actually YES we can now ;)) glad we did this. Here's some pics from this session:
We worked on transitions and impulsion. Perry Wood gave me a great technique where if he gets sticky feet ask him to trot, then ask him with a half-halt to come down to walk for just ONE step and then straight back into trot...really works for Solly and before we knew it he was trotting much nicer. I asked for some spiralling leg yields and also checked out w/t/c whilst we RtR. All went well so I dismounted and changed the halter/rope reins for the leather bridle/bit.
We checked that all was working still at freestyle with the bridle/bit in (yes it was) and then I opened up the round pen and walked out into the large field. It's just a short few steps to the open dressage arena and I thought it would be good to go from one pen to the other without me actually getting off. Solly thought otherwise...he planted his feet and said NO I can't. I just sat there, unstuck his feet a few times but unbalancing him left or right and then focussed on small things between the two pens, like a grassy tussock, a poo pile etc and just serpentined around them all back and forth until we found ourselves in the dressage arena ;))
Once in the next arena he was fine, thought about running out of the top end where I decided to not enclose it for a change...we can use the arena without closing the gates can't we??? actually YES we can now ;)) glad we did this. Here's some pics from this session:
after the lateral manoeuvres ;))
It was a good session, a bit under impulsed to start with but worked out well in the end. We both had nice confidence and after our dressage session I took him out of the top open end of the arena, this time the other way from the round pen where I have a few jumps set up. Stormy had knocked them all down earlier but Mark put one up for me to just pop over a few times for fun and Solly did me proud ;))
Solly looks great, his jumping is very good now...
I need to learn to keep my butt in the saddle more...working on it ;)
Sitting better this time ;)
Sunday 29th April
Spent yesterday at a Perry Wood clinic in Fife and am inspired to get back on Solly and practice our finesse more. Now that the weather has stopped raining or blowing a gale it's a great opportunity to start the year back with some bridle/bit work ;)
But before any play/riding we decided to take Tara back to the herd. She's been at the house paddocks for about 2 weeks now, the swelling in her back right lower leg has gone down dramatically and although not completely sound she is in much better spirits AND I felt she was missing the herd (and the herd missing her too) SO I led her back to the big field around lunchtime with a spring in her step as she got closer.
When I let her into the top of the field Stormy just ran up the hill to greet her and Solly wasn't far behind. It was lovely to see them welcome her home and she really perked up big time too. Then Holly came up to greet her from a distance and they all drank before slowly coming down the hill together to graze and laze ;)
It felt good having the herd of 4 back together and I think they felt it big time too as Holly and Stormy lay down near each other for a relaxing rest and Tara lay down flat out and snoozed and snoozed and snoozed. I think being on her own at the house makes her sleep deprived as she probably didn't lay down and rest/sleep deeply at all on her own there. She looked SO relaxed and happy to be back with her herd mates it was lovely....
But before any play/riding we decided to take Tara back to the herd. She's been at the house paddocks for about 2 weeks now, the swelling in her back right lower leg has gone down dramatically and although not completely sound she is in much better spirits AND I felt she was missing the herd (and the herd missing her too) SO I led her back to the big field around lunchtime with a spring in her step as she got closer.
When I let her into the top of the field Stormy just ran up the hill to greet her and Solly wasn't far behind. It was lovely to see them welcome her home and she really perked up big time too. Then Holly came up to greet her from a distance and they all drank before slowly coming down the hill together to graze and laze ;)
It felt good having the herd of 4 back together and I think they felt it big time too as Holly and Stormy lay down near each other for a relaxing rest and Tara lay down flat out and snoozed and snoozed and snoozed. I think being on her own at the house makes her sleep deprived as she probably didn't lay down and rest/sleep deeply at all on her own there. She looked SO relaxed and happy to be back with her herd mates it was lovely....
Welcoming Tara back to the herd
where someone looks out for her whilst she sleeps ;)
So, onto some play whilst Tara sleeps! lol. First up is Stormy...Solly is staying close to Tara for now so it's a great opportunity to play with the big boy first ;) Here are some pictures from our session....
with his head here but I counteract it quickly and ask
him to continue with what I've asked ;)
the online play and so I do some liberty with him afterwards
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, that was a great start to the day, Stormy all happy and clean too. I then go to where Solly is grazing and I ask him to catch me...he does so very nicely in trot and we can start out session now. First is grooming as normal and I do this today in the dressage arena and he's still moulting big time, especially on his butt ;) We did quite a bit of play, all the games and all gaits with some jumping too and then I saddled him up and cinched him in three sittings. Everything A OK ;) I then went on and mounted and worked on our freestyle (with halter and rope reins) making sure there was LF, FHQ's, move FQ's, w/t/h/bkup and worked on circles, fig 8's and serpentines basically using body weight and body language rather than the reins. All nicely in place so at this point I dismounted and asked Solly to take the bridle/bit...which he did after only a short while. This is the first time this year he's had the bridle/bit in and I know that we need to do this EVERY time I ride from now on and practice our dressage moves more so that when I go to Perry Wood's clinic in July with Sol we can progress onto more fun stuff together ;)
So, todays session was a bit rusty but came together very nicely and pretty quickly, here are the piccie's from the session:
So, todays session was a bit rusty but came together very nicely and pretty quickly, here are the piccie's from the session:
(I'm much more upright and balanced this year)
needs more practice but the thought is there ;)
This was a great first dressage session with Solly, the basic's from last year are still in place, I've learnt how to sit more balanced and am in harmony more with his actions rather than trying to push him over and leaning badly like last year. Things are progressing well and I can feel that a few more sessions will bring us up to a good standard to where the leg yields and shoulder-in will be good in walk and maybe do-able in trot if we try it out ;) Am hoping weather is good tomorrow for another good session the same as today for a good session to set us up for more in the month.
Far left Tara still fully laid out snoozing...
Solly quietly grazing after his dressage session and
Stormy and Holly resting close together as Beta & Alpha of their full herd of 4 ;)
Monday 23rd April
Tara still enjoying the garden...
she's doing a great job of trimming the grass
and making it look so neat and tidy ;))
she's doing a great job of trimming the grass
and making it look so neat and tidy ;))
So, Tara's still here and we'll walk/trot her up again tomorrow and see how that back foot is faring!
The weather is good so I go down to the field around 1 o'clock and had a great 3hrs with Solly and Stormy. First up when down there I play groom Stormy and play with him on the 22' feather lite rope. He was SO good and light with some yo-yo's, some sideways all the way out on the 22' line with me standing still (L&R), backing up from the tail and some great 'compass point' work (that's where I stand next to his shoulder, ask for some backup and then turn the FQ's around 90 degrees, then back up and turn again...all the way around the compass point...N.S.E.W)
He was so good and so we started working on circles, one lap walk L&R ;) Two laps trot L&R ;)) and squeezing over a jump from trot and with enthusiasm L&R ;))) YEEHAA...such a good boy and he so enjoys being played with.
So, then asked Solly to come catch me and he did that very well. I haltered him and put him on the 22' feather lite and went to groom him...he was very muddy but dry and it was good to clean him up.
Today I wanted to see if we could start working on some of the tasks for the 'Wild Agility' course this month. Theres only 8 tasks and I don't have a 'wild' place to play for all those tasks but think we can work on 4 inside the large field and 4 in the forest behind the field....so today is the first day to start some practice ;)
We first play with some S2M to where the field has a small hill, down the hill I have put a cone as one of the tasks needed is to send horse down a hil, turn and return to you...my thoughts were that Solly is good to send away to something rather than just going away so the cone is a good obstacle to 'go' towards...and he did it L&R and online and at liberty, with a great trot back up the hill back to me ;) YEEHAA.
So, on to the next task...running in a large open space. I can only do this in the main field but it's 7 acres and he could just run off so I think it's a good option. He stays with me online really well and I don't have any doubt that he will trot and canter with me in an open space. SO...NEXT...
Next is crossing water. There is only a small burn at the top of the field and it's close to the electric fence but after some work online he crosses it at liberty okay...will work on this more.
The weather is good so I go down to the field around 1 o'clock and had a great 3hrs with Solly and Stormy. First up when down there I play groom Stormy and play with him on the 22' feather lite rope. He was SO good and light with some yo-yo's, some sideways all the way out on the 22' line with me standing still (L&R), backing up from the tail and some great 'compass point' work (that's where I stand next to his shoulder, ask for some backup and then turn the FQ's around 90 degrees, then back up and turn again...all the way around the compass point...N.S.E.W)
He was so good and so we started working on circles, one lap walk L&R ;) Two laps trot L&R ;)) and squeezing over a jump from trot and with enthusiasm L&R ;))) YEEHAA...such a good boy and he so enjoys being played with.
So, then asked Solly to come catch me and he did that very well. I haltered him and put him on the 22' feather lite and went to groom him...he was very muddy but dry and it was good to clean him up.
Today I wanted to see if we could start working on some of the tasks for the 'Wild Agility' course this month. Theres only 8 tasks and I don't have a 'wild' place to play for all those tasks but think we can work on 4 inside the large field and 4 in the forest behind the field....so today is the first day to start some practice ;)
We first play with some S2M to where the field has a small hill, down the hill I have put a cone as one of the tasks needed is to send horse down a hil, turn and return to you...my thoughts were that Solly is good to send away to something rather than just going away so the cone is a good obstacle to 'go' towards...and he did it L&R and online and at liberty, with a great trot back up the hill back to me ;) YEEHAA.
So, on to the next task...running in a large open space. I can only do this in the main field but it's 7 acres and he could just run off so I think it's a good option. He stays with me online really well and I don't have any doubt that he will trot and canter with me in an open space. SO...NEXT...
Next is crossing water. There is only a small burn at the top of the field and it's close to the electric fence but after some work online he crosses it at liberty okay...will work on this more.
Solly after walking through the burn
Now comes the fun bit...we play S2M going to the top gate and he is very calm going out of the field...made me realise how much more he trusts and thinks of me as the leader nowadays ;)
First of all I just allow him to get used to the forest, the sheep moving around that are in there at the moment. He didn't seemed worried and grazed a bit which is good. He was very much 'with' me and listening to my requests which is so different from last year.
managing to stay relaxed and connected ;)
So, the next task was to run up and down the main track in the forest to help him relax and he stayed with me, didn't try to run faster and stayed close which will help if we do it at liberty. After this we practiced jumping the log. The ground is full of broken twigs and stumps so I've cleared it as much as I can to help stop any leg injuries and Solly jumped the log very well both ways with me squeezing him over it and also running with him and jumping it too.
Then came fig 8's around trees. I started by walking with him and hugging the trees to get the rope around them and then I tossed the rope over his back and he did it at liberty which was great ;)
All going very well and now the last task in the forest is to trot weave!! I had chosen the trees to weave but didn't realise it was TROT not walk SO decided that the best way to do this was with him just running behind me and choosing whatever trees in front of me to weave around...ie..not in a straight line as there is so much tree debis around that isn't moveable to stay safe that it's just easier to go for the ones that are safe and weave anyway I can around them! ;)
Solly did great and he got plenty of treats at good moments throughout this training session. At the finish of the session I took him through the forest back down the hill to the back gate and Solly knew where he was as he could see the HA arena as we went down.
Our first session in the forest and I think if we repeat this the next few days and then film what we have then I'll be a very happy bunny.
Solly did great and he got plenty of treats at good moments throughout this training session. At the finish of the session I took him through the forest back down the hill to the back gate and Solly knew where he was as he could see the HA arena as we went down.
Our first session in the forest and I think if we repeat this the next few days and then film what we have then I'll be a very happy bunny.
Sunday 22nd April
Manage to grab some early
time out in the field with Solly today as not sure if going to rain
later on. Mark comes with me with cameras and to do some poo picking
too.
Solly is very happy to catch me today and we play S2M right across the field with w/t/bkup transitions, COD with moving his HQ's over and turning his FQ's too ;) He's light and willing and we go straight for the HA arena where I spend the first quarter of an hour grooming him and bonding .
We then practiced a couple of the tasks and then Mark filmed us straight away.....one hickup on the first take and went back and filmed second take and it's ready to edit and send off now...cool ;)
So, Solly got loads of treats for being such a good boy and we walk on over to the round pen for some fun. First off he wanted to stretch so I help him by giving him the cue for this and give him a treat afterwards.
Solly is very happy to catch me today and we play S2M right across the field with w/t/bkup transitions, COD with moving his HQ's over and turning his FQ's too ;) He's light and willing and we go straight for the HA arena where I spend the first quarter of an hour grooming him and bonding .
We then practiced a couple of the tasks and then Mark filmed us straight away.....one hickup on the first take and went back and filmed second take and it's ready to edit and send off now...cool ;)
So, Solly got loads of treats for being such a good boy and we walk on over to the round pen for some fun. First off he wanted to stretch so I help him by giving him the cue for this and give him a treat afterwards.
So, after his stretch we try something new....liberty circling and fig 8's with me standing on the mounting block!! He just did it and it was so much fun to do something old with a new twist to it as we can both get stuck in doing things the same old way if we're not careful...good to think outside the box every now and then ;)
After that we do some fab transition S2M at liberty in the pen with w/t/c and a really good canter it was too, both L&R. He's really getting into doing more faster work now and this will transfer nicely to our ridden work when we get the time to do it more ;)
Another rest with some treats and then onto the 22' feather light rope and go out into the main field and do a bit of leg yields L&R online and then into smooth flowing moving circles with COD's and get into the jumping arena. Here he did around 25 jumps one after the other with t/c transitions and COD's all without a break....he's so clever and did them beautifully. Here are a few picture Mark managed to get whilst we were running around the arena working over the 5 jumps I have ;))
After that we do some fab transition S2M at liberty in the pen with w/t/c and a really good canter it was too, both L&R. He's really getting into doing more faster work now and this will transfer nicely to our ridden work when we get the time to do it more ;)
Another rest with some treats and then onto the 22' feather light rope and go out into the main field and do a bit of leg yields L&R online and then into smooth flowing moving circles with COD's and get into the jumping arena. Here he did around 25 jumps one after the other with t/c transitions and COD's all without a break....he's so clever and did them beautifully. Here are a few picture Mark managed to get whilst we were running around the arena working over the 5 jumps I have ;))
Saturday 21st April
Dear Tara has been in the garden resting her hurt back right heel. I walked / trotted her up the path today and although she seems slightly better in that she can place her heel on the ground when walking she cannot do so in trot and she still looks sore. I think she has a strain and that takes time to heal ;( SO, she is still in the garden, trimming the lawn beautifully and enjoying her treats of apples and carrots with her breakfast. I think she rather likes the comfort of being by the house and the dogs have been keeping her company.
I have been away teaching again, this time in the Borders and was exhausted yesterday when I got home. Managed a wonderfully relaxing 10hr sleep last night and caught up on paper work and emails this morning/afternoon. Mark and I then went down to the horses field early, before their dinner so that I could get my horsey hugs. They all came to greet me and hugs I got, after some scratches and hand grooming some dry mud off them. Solly was very pleased to see me and hung out with me for quite a while, then Mark brought their dinner and I hung out and watched as the sun shadows went over the fields below me ;)
When their dinner was over I groomed Solly a bit (they were all a bit damp from the afternoon showers) but it was a good bonding session. I then asked him to pick up the brushes and each bowl as we went to it, his bowl was by him, Stormy's bowl he brought to me and Holly's bowl I sent him away to it and he brought it to me!!! he got pony nuts for his efforts and a handful of them for remembering the task from winter time ;)
I do hope to get down to the horses tomorrow, fix some knocked down poly posts, put up my jumps again and practice the Adv' OLHA again. If the weather stays nice maybe even ask Mark to film us and see how it goes as at the moment the weather is very unpredictable.
When their dinner was over I groomed Solly a bit (they were all a bit damp from the afternoon showers) but it was a good bonding session. I then asked him to pick up the brushes and each bowl as we went to it, his bowl was by him, Stormy's bowl he brought to me and Holly's bowl I sent him away to it and he brought it to me!!! he got pony nuts for his efforts and a handful of them for remembering the task from winter time ;)
I do hope to get down to the horses tomorrow, fix some knocked down poly posts, put up my jumps again and practice the Adv' OLHA again. If the weather stays nice maybe even ask Mark to film us and see how it goes as at the moment the weather is very unpredictable.
Tuesday 17th April
Goo play session with Solly today, only got down to them later on due to snow this morning/afternoon. I groomed Holly, Tara and Solly (Stormy didn't come down from the water and probably knew dinner time wasn't far off so stayed up the top today.)
But had a lovely time with Solly. We went around the April OLHA course and he did very well, willing, soft, fluid and such a good boy. I gave him treats at the end of the session and then went and checked on Tara's bad foot. I walked her very slowly up to the water,up the hill and she seemed very thirsty so I made the decision to walk her home as I don't think she's getting enough water as the walk is steep and tiring.
It was a very slow walking the mile home but she did it and is now in the garden with two large buckets of water and some grass to eat so she's happy and on flat ground.
I'm away again from tomorrow for three days teaching and I hope Tara rests her leg and that it looks better when I come home ;)
But had a lovely time with Solly. We went around the April OLHA course and he did very well, willing, soft, fluid and such a good boy. I gave him treats at the end of the session and then went and checked on Tara's bad foot. I walked her very slowly up to the water,up the hill and she seemed very thirsty so I made the decision to walk her home as I don't think she's getting enough water as the walk is steep and tiring.
It was a very slow walking the mile home but she did it and is now in the garden with two large buckets of water and some grass to eat so she's happy and on flat ground.
I'm away again from tomorrow for three days teaching and I hope Tara rests her leg and that it looks better when I come home ;)
Monday 16th April
Home after 4 days away teaching in Aberdeenshire and missed my horses a lot so it was good to get back to them this afternoon. I groomed all of them, still TONS of winter coat coming out so it was a hairy business. lol
I then played with Holly, Stormy and Solly and went to ride Tara up the hill but when I started to ride her I noticed her right hip was landing higher than the other one, I got off and realised she wasn't putting her heel down fully so was walking on that foot on her toe (back right foot). I checked it out,cut some frog back and not sure why she's lame but slightly swollen on that leg so am going to keep an eye on it and see what I can figure out tomorrow ;(
Play sessions were very good though and the horses looked likke they were having fun;)
I then played with Holly, Stormy and Solly and went to ride Tara up the hill but when I started to ride her I noticed her right hip was landing higher than the other one, I got off and realised she wasn't putting her heel down fully so was walking on that foot on her toe (back right foot). I checked it out,cut some frog back and not sure why she's lame but slightly swollen on that leg so am going to keep an eye on it and see what I can figure out tomorrow ;(
Play sessions were very good though and the horses looked likke they were having fun;)
Tuesday 10th April
Managed to get a couple of hours with the herd today. Stormy came right over and wanted to know if we were going to do anything today so I invited him into the round pen and gave him a good groom...he's still got TONS of winter coat coming out so I think he appreciated that ;)
Next I went and found Solly who was up the hill having a drink....we came back down the hill together and did some S2M on the way (w/h/bk/t/w/bk etc).
In the round pen I gave him a good grooming too and he too have TONS of hair still coming out, I was almost covered in white hairs by this time! lol. Then we did some liberty bonding work, starting with S2M circles w/t/c/cod/c/t and shoulder draw at trot. Looking good and he was stretching down and blowing out quickly today.
Next I took him at liberty to the HA arena and I put his halter on and a feather light 22' line and we went and practiced all the parts of this again in order. We eventually sussed out how to do the weave with the jump towards too, I have to be far out in front of him (leading) for him to catch the move away from me for the last cone BUT it worked and over the time we were in the arena we did it 3 times well. I had treats for every time he did good stuff today so he was eager to please and a happy bunny ;)
So, not to over practice the OLHA we then went out of the arena and did moving circles through the next arena, across the top of the dressage arena, all this time staying in trot, doing some canter, COD's L&R and then into the jumping arena where I have 6 jumps set up and he did circles with multiple jumps beautifully....clever boy. He got a lot of rewards for all that and then I took him back to the herd and let him off, stayed with him for some scratches and hugs and then walked off. He had a good workout today ;)
Next I went and found Solly who was up the hill having a drink....we came back down the hill together and did some S2M on the way (w/h/bk/t/w/bk etc).
In the round pen I gave him a good grooming too and he too have TONS of hair still coming out, I was almost covered in white hairs by this time! lol. Then we did some liberty bonding work, starting with S2M circles w/t/c/cod/c/t and shoulder draw at trot. Looking good and he was stretching down and blowing out quickly today.
Next I took him at liberty to the HA arena and I put his halter on and a feather light 22' line and we went and practiced all the parts of this again in order. We eventually sussed out how to do the weave with the jump towards too, I have to be far out in front of him (leading) for him to catch the move away from me for the last cone BUT it worked and over the time we were in the arena we did it 3 times well. I had treats for every time he did good stuff today so he was eager to please and a happy bunny ;)
So, not to over practice the OLHA we then went out of the arena and did moving circles through the next arena, across the top of the dressage arena, all this time staying in trot, doing some canter, COD's L&R and then into the jumping arena where I have 6 jumps set up and he did circles with multiple jumps beautifully....clever boy. He got a lot of rewards for all that and then I took him back to the herd and let him off, stayed with him for some scratches and hugs and then walked off. He had a good workout today ;)
Sunday 8th April
A bit chillier than yesterday but a good day for a hack out to the village and back ;) Mark and I went down and it was the girls time for big grooming, playing and saddling up. We played around in the HA arena and saddling up went well, we were ready to ride pretty quickly today. The boys were outside watching everything. lol
We took the girls up out of the field through the forest that's behind their field and straight onto the track to the village. Mounted and off we went. We did quite a bit of walk to start and then some nice energetic trotting and back to walk. Also managed to find two field gates open so we were lucky to go around those fields to add to the hack out, nicer than walking on stoney tracks ;) Tara was also up for a nice wee canter which was nice. We went up into the village hill a bit and back down so that the horses got some extra fitness walking on the tarmac road...great for their barefoot hooves and then headed for the shop. We got carrots and apples for the girls which they loved and then mounted back up and rode home. I had a very nice canter through a field on the way home, Tara's energy was up (always is going home! lol) and it was a beautiful canter.
the two white boys can be seen in their field behind him to the left ;)
could have a wee canter ;)
Really enjoyable ride, not bad weather, horses well behaved and not that sweaty on way home either. Tara's new shimming under her saddle seems to be working well and I felt very comfortable, think she did too. The boys had obviously been running around or worrying a bit as they were both pretty sweaty when we returned but luckily it's mild enough that they'll dry off okay today...silly boys ;)
Saturday 7th April
Well we had a sudden snow blizzard at the beginning of April so we've just been waiting for the residue to go and get back to playing/riding. I've also had a few days away teaching but today was a good day with the horses.
Slightly grey and threatening to rain but only some slight dampness so we go out and first off Mark trims Stormy's feet while I groom him and then I spent some time setting up the March OLHA course . Then I played on the 22' feather light with Stormy. He did so well even the higher jump, really enjoying getting back into playing with him.
Slightly grey and threatening to rain but only some slight dampness so we go out and first off Mark trims Stormy's feet while I groom him and then I spent some time setting up the March OLHA course . Then I played on the 22' feather light with Stormy. He did so well even the higher jump, really enjoying getting back into playing with him.
Next Solly wanted to come into the HA arena, he waited patiently whilst I played with Stormy and when I opened the gate he came calmly in ;) I groomed him first and a LOT of hair was flying around. Think he really appreciated that groom. We played around with the OLHA obstacles which were:
1) Trotting over 3 raised poles (he did this very well even though we've not practised this for ages).
2) trotting fig 8 around two barrels, me standing still. He did fab on this and I hardly moved at all.
3) Squeeze at trot through the curtain and come back. No problem with that either.
4) Back up to 'wall'. Well all I have this month for a wall is a barrel with two large cones either side of it with a plank of wood resting from top of barrel to ground in front of cones. Now Solly used to be very very sceptical of putting his rump or back legs near anything but we've spent quite some time over the years getting it better and today he did very well, I took it slowly, just one step at a time and hey presto, backed right up to the 'wall' ;)
5&6) Back feet in one hulahoop, front feet in another hulahoop, me walk off for 10 seconds and then back. The hula hoops just kept moving about as Solly wasn't picking his feet up properly. Hulahoops are something he'd rather not do and makes a fuss until he realises they're not going away! lol. I'll work on this until it's better ;)
7&8) 4 cone weave with a jump towards between middle cones. Well this is going to be hard as I do NOT like having to manoeuvre Solly away from me after an energetic jump to get the last weave cone SO I'm going to have to think outside the box again for this task...may try to make the weave into a nice, slow, serpentine!!! That way the curves are softer and larger and we'll have time to compose ourselves for the last turn away to the last cone.
9) Trot over pole front feet and back up off. He missed the timing the first time but got it spot on the second tiime, I stopped with a little jump after the pole and he stopped immediately and backed up with just a thought/energy suggestion.
10) Trot through narrow zigzag pattern. He did well but I need to sort out where to put this better as I seem to have too many obstacles down one end of the arena so I'm sure it will flow better once I've sorted out the course.
Afer this fun session I trimmed his feet and then saddled him up and took him out into the round pen for some liberty saddling/cinching work. We played around with circles where he did upward and downward transitions very nicely. Lovely changes of direction in walk and trot and then we did some fab canter work with S2M and him on the rail of the round pen. He did 2 laps in canter to the left and we stopped for a rest and then did 2 laps canter to the right and a long rest. Now I know he can canter the roundpen (it's large enough to help it be easier) we'll test it more and more with the ridden work now ;)
I had to quickly go and get the rope clip on reins and I 'parked' Solly in the centre of the round pen and he waited there for me...what a good boy ;)2) trotting fig 8 around two barrels, me standing still. He did fab on this and I hardly moved at all.
3) Squeeze at trot through the curtain and come back. No problem with that either.
4) Back up to 'wall'. Well all I have this month for a wall is a barrel with two large cones either side of it with a plank of wood resting from top of barrel to ground in front of cones. Now Solly used to be very very sceptical of putting his rump or back legs near anything but we've spent quite some time over the years getting it better and today he did very well, I took it slowly, just one step at a time and hey presto, backed right up to the 'wall' ;)
5&6) Back feet in one hulahoop, front feet in another hulahoop, me walk off for 10 seconds and then back. The hula hoops just kept moving about as Solly wasn't picking his feet up properly. Hulahoops are something he'd rather not do and makes a fuss until he realises they're not going away! lol. I'll work on this until it's better ;)
7&8) 4 cone weave with a jump towards between middle cones. Well this is going to be hard as I do NOT like having to manoeuvre Solly away from me after an energetic jump to get the last weave cone SO I'm going to have to think outside the box again for this task...may try to make the weave into a nice, slow, serpentine!!! That way the curves are softer and larger and we'll have time to compose ourselves for the last turn away to the last cone.
9) Trot over pole front feet and back up off. He missed the timing the first time but got it spot on the second tiime, I stopped with a little jump after the pole and he stopped immediately and backed up with just a thought/energy suggestion.
10) Trot through narrow zigzag pattern. He did well but I need to sort out where to put this better as I seem to have too many obstacles down one end of the arena so I'm sure it will flow better once I've sorted out the course.
Afer this fun session I trimmed his feet and then saddled him up and took him out into the round pen for some liberty saddling/cinching work. We played around with circles where he did upward and downward transitions very nicely. Lovely changes of direction in walk and trot and then we did some fab canter work with S2M and him on the rail of the round pen. He did 2 laps in canter to the left and we stopped for a rest and then did 2 laps canter to the right and a long rest. Now I know he can canter the roundpen (it's large enough to help it be easier) we'll test it more and more with the ridden work now ;)
When back I mounted and checked our DHQ, FQ move and LF...all nicely in place so onto some RtR at walk with some freestyle small full circles back to the rail and small half circles to change the rein. All going well, walk a little lazy but that always gets better the more we do...just warming up ;)
So, I have put the 4 cones in the middle to make a 'box' and everytime we stop it's in the 'box'. We call this the question box, it's where the horse hopefully learns to ask a question of what next and we can give them an answer of 'stop, change gait, change pattern or change direction at this point'. We start with just some circles L&R with stops after each circle. Then we put two circles together to make fig 8's, putting in some back up when stopping at the 'box' for fun. First we did it at walk and then in trot.
After a short break we then go onto working the clover leaf pattern in walk for two laps and then we go into a nice bouncy trot and Solly gets the pattern well after 4 laps....to the left. We then change and do it to the right, two laps walk and then two laps trot again. He's not a bad learner today and remembers this pattern well.
We have a nice long break and then I work on RtR again but with a lively trot into canter. We ,manage to do almost a lap in canter to the left and about 3/4 of a lap going left and we did this twice and then rested in the 'box' again. I'm pleased with his canter today, it was smoother and both he and I were more relaxed and enjoying the canter.
Nice forward trot
Nice relaxed canter, left
Lovely rhythmic canter today and I felt better connected
And relaxed canter to the right ;)
We took a nice long rest after that and I hope to be able to continue our journey into relaxed canter more and more this year. Working in the round pen certainly helps us both to just do it and not have to worry about corners of a regular arena....we just need to continue cantering relaxed and balanced and then we'll be able to take it into the dressage arena and get long sides, corners and circles in canter too.
I then took Sol out of the roundpen and did some ridden work going back to the car. Sol was a bit stubborn about going away from the car, he must have thought we'd finished for the day as normally I would dismount and walk him back to the car for a groom and treat BUT today was different and he really needs a warning if things are going to change so I just sat there on him until he came over to my idea to do a bit more work and then he was fine ;)
We did some nice leg yielding to the L&R and shoulder-in L&R, fig 8's around some obstacles and really took him out of the pens for a bit...not too far but far enough to allow Solly to settle into not worrying about not being in a pen whilst riding. It felt good and he really enjoyed his treats and groom when we did get back to the car ;)) Very good day today and hopefully a good one tomorrow too.
