Thursday, October 30, 2008

Busy Week Already!

Saturday Mindy & I went to NH for the Eastern Mountain Ranch Horse show. We contemplated taking her horse Misty. Foundation bred to do just about anything - & I so badly wanted to get on and get out there! What fun it is to be just you and your horse out there enjoying the momentin your chosen sport. I believe EMRH is the direction they will go, and I know they will enjoy this new endeavor this winter. Sunday we had hoped we would be able to try Misty out on cows - as the last time I had her on cows was about 2 yrs ago. She is fun to ride & she is naturally cowy. Monday we went to the Hollis Equestrian Park with Angel and Misty. First time Angel has been off the farm for 2 months. We had a time getting him on & exposing him to tying to the trailer at the park. Misty of course very well natured and the ol' standby -
Tuesday we took Misty to the indoor with Baby - first time baby was rode since her accident and as you have already read in previous post I was very relieved to have her back.
Wednesday night I had an appointment to have Angel ridden by Jaimie at an indoor in Scarborough. I took Misty to keep Angel calm. Glad I did as he was wound. I doubt he has ever been worked in an indoor. The sound refraction is probably wierd to him. Jaimie lounged him and he was so nervous he was shaking. I brought misty in after I tacked her up and he calmed right down. He was high headed and wanting to keep an eye on where Misty was the whole time. Bucked a few times, but not trying to get his rider off, just slightly defiant. I tried to capture it with my Cybershot but the low light and distance was not working no matter what setting! The video is all I have that showed up clear.


She confirmed all I have been saying about him in the last few weeks. WOW - I cant believe he is right off the track! He is soft in the bridle, he moves off your leg, he stops when you plant your seat, he doesnt try to run away with you, he gives to you without much pressure. WOW - I cant believe he is right off the track! She had the same problem with his left lead that I had. She gave me things to work on and when it warms up enough outside I will work him later today and any other day its not raining.


I also worked on Misty's canter. Trying to slow her down, requesting self carriage and cadence. Its hard to sit there and wait for her to come back to you, I put her nose to the ground when she is cantering, making it hard for her to run and then I gradually take up her head set and work her up into the bridle. She needs a couple weeks of that and she will get it, then Mindy can finish her. Speed is usually an intimidating factor when you dont feel you have a good seat. Going for the face is not an option after all the time I have put into this mare to work off seat and leg. The canter is the last piece of the puzzle and then they will have the whole picture -they have worked hard for it this year. Keeping in mind that it has ONLY been a year... They have come a long way and I am proud of them! I have a long way to go myself, but we just need to keep the dream in our sights, ride every day and it will be here before you know it!
... THE ROLEX that is ;)


Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Just Pick Up Where We Left Off.....

September 24th was a hard day for me. Just the day before I had gotten layed off and then the next day I was faced with a $500 vet bill to sew my darling Baby back together. I have been very fortunate to not have experienced emergency calls - so my reaction to finding her in the pasture with a 6" hole in her shoulder was quite trying to say the least. She wouldnt walk or move and the other horses were milling around her for protection. It wasnt as bad as I had thought - but looks worse when blood contrasts a white patterned coat! It left me wondering about the "what if's" - How will it heal? Will hair cover over? Will it get infected? How long before she is back to riding? Will she still have that amazing extension?


Well now that it is about the size of a quarter and healing nicely except for one muscular bump on the shoulder point - I can say I am quite pleased that she is the same old Baby again! With that month off she is actually better - which is interesting! I fought with myself this morning whether to ride her and I am thankful for the kick in the ass Mindy! I needed it! We rode at the indoor today as it is another dreary rainy raw fall day.... and I think Baby was thankful to get out and do something. She got out the kinks and then rode nicely with perfect headset and good forward motion from behind. We cantered just a little - and I now am relieved to have ridden her. Luckily she is an Eventer and not one of those fluffy Halter Horses (although she does have 4 national points in halter :) but she has been there done that and moved on!

Below are two videos of her before the incident being ridden by the lovely Jaime Benard - I have done well to start Baby - but with Jaime's direction I will be able to bring her amazing abilities into fruition. I cannot wait to compare videos of her in the coming weeks. I know I get motivated when watching from whence we came! I will share then when I get to them.


REIGNITING THE PASSION FOR EVENTING

 My blog name has changed over the years, but my goal always remained the same, to be in eventing! I had goals, but never knowing how to att...