Friday, September 26, 2008

Trail Riding

Sept 26th

Ok it's Friday.....This is trail riding day.
Went out had decided to ride Beau today. Nope Kash had other ideas. He had bit him again......this time on the rear end. Made him sore.....so no riding today. So I elected Kash to go.

Meet Diane and Lena at Shangalia trailhead. Part of the Greenways. Weather cooler than last Friday. Low 60's....just wonderful outside.

Diane had her new horse....love him. Cute as a bug. If she thinks about selling him I would sure be interested.......but I don't need a new horse. He looks like a mini Kash. Only 5 years old. He did great out on the trail today. Kash was very good. Just doesn't mind where he rides front, middle , or back. He is not crazy about going through water......so need to work on that one. I think that won't be to much of a big deal. We did go up and down a few smaller climbs. Kash was well behaved. After riding .....ate lunch at the picinic table while horses cooled out. Kash is easy to deal with loading and handling out like that. Nice boy. He is a keeper.

Bareback pad riding

Wed. Sept 24th

Ok Kathy was kind of enough to loan me another Parelli Patterns DVD...this one is the Freestyle patterns. So decide to see where we are in it.

Played with Beau today. Touch it game up the ante.....it is now touch it down on the ground.
He caught on pretty good. Had to leave a treat here and there to get the idea but after that he was looking for more carrots.

Then I went and played with the figure 8 pattern and he did good. I really need to work on my drive of the front zones. Beau wants to draw to me so much. ( not complaining)

Now it was time to ride him. Stayed with Halter and lead rope looped around to make a rein. He side pass over to the rail for me to get on. Played friendly game all over his body while on top on him. Ok so off at a walk.....follow the rail .....Level 1 Parelli Patterns. Toss the rein around Drop and pick it up without looking. Bending to a stop, Direct rein , indirect rein turns, Whoa off seat,
and a 9 step back up. Then we did it all at a trot. He stayed nice and relaxed at the trot......not to bad to ride bareback.....boy that sure was cool to find out I could do that. He followed the rail nicely not to many corrections. Felt good moving...nice and even.

Health update. Straches seem to be healing some.....new med. (well horse)
Kash made a good bite mark on Beau's neck.....now I have to treat that too.

Ride Season Starts!!!!

Sept. 19th - 21st

Well Friday the 19th.... Trail ride , Greenway, Landbridge trailhead. Meet Diane and Wayne.
Cool in the morning. Couldn't be more blessed. I decide to take Kash....to check him out before Tia or Randy ride him ( hasn't been out on trail since May) He is a good boy. I think anyone could ride him out on a trail ride. He looks at nothing , doesn't mind to be in the front, middle or back. No problem. I think he is a keeper.

Had the vet out at 2:00 to pull coggins on Shan. Looked at Beau's Hind pasterns ..... Said just to keep very dry. I started him on some herbal stuff from J and J.

Sat . The 20th, Went to Kathy's today and played. Had a good time. Thanks so much Kathy for a fun day with horses.Kathy asked as soon as I got there which horse I had......it was Shanadar, I picked him because he kept nickering to me as if saying"Take me Take me" So I did.Unloaded Shan and the BIG cow bellowed, Shan just decided to eat some grass. Good start. Decided it was time to go mosey around and see what we could find. Just around the front of the trailer.......a group of pigs. Ok So I am thinking ....get ready for a dart here or there from a pig, oh no....Shan just wanted to play the touch it game with the piggies.He tried and tried to get one of those pigs to touch his nose. Went out and let him see the other horses ( which were wondering who is this new horse). Kathy got Renegade and then we decided to go in the round pen and play online together. We wanted to see if we could keep our individual horses attention. I think we did a good job. Both horses were staying focused with us, a few glances at each other....normal horse stuff.Later we saddled up and rode some. Kathy in the round pen and I circled on the outside. All went well. Then I entered the pen . Rode together in the pen together for a little bit. Oh yea Shan did finally find a pig or two that would come to him and they would touch noses. I dropped my carrot stick once that had the plastic bag connected and the pigs started to take it. Just to funny.

Kathy had this to say about the day....thanks a bunch Kathy!!
Hey everybody - today's play day was lots of fun. Terri brought Shan over and she played with him a while in the play pen. She had him going through the car wash, backing/weaving through cones, touch this/that, over the cavaletti, push the ball, all kinds of stuff. He was awsome!!! I got Renegade from the pasture and we played a little outside the play pen while Terri and Shan were inside. We even had both the boys inside the pen playing at the same time. Terri took Shan to her trailer to saddle him up and I saddled Renegade in the pen. Mounted up and warmed up at the walk. Terri rode Shan around outside the pen and he was great - even the piggies didn't upset him!!! She was walking, trotting, doing cs riding, LOOKING GOOD TERRI :!: :!: Terri had me riding point to point to get Renegade and I focused and help us get our go/whoa button better. I was pretty uncoordinated at first but got better and then Renegade got better/understood what I was asking. Ummmmmmm.....At one point we ended up at the same point of the pen, Terri and Shan outside and Renegade and I inside. The boys touched noses and started squealing and Renegade stamped his foot. I had to get us away from there quick. I had thoughts of bailing but felt I confident enough that I felt I could stay mounted. Then Renegade started to get a little attitude and bit my toe and ankle - not hard but nipping at them. And of course his antenna was up/out. I put his feet to work doing lots of hq yields and changes of direction. It went up/in!! Kept this up (no pun intended :shock: :lol: ) for a while until he quit and his attitude changed/he relaxed then he got to rest by his favorite blue barrel. Then Terri brought Shan inside the play pen and was riding him around while Renegade rested bringing Shan closer and closer. On one circle Shan was a little too close for Renegades comfort and his head went up and he was a little worried. Guess he pushed on Renegade's bubble just a little too much. Terri made the next two trips a little less close and Renegade was happy/relaxed again. At this point I decided it was a good time to get off. Renegade had accepted my leadership and was comfortable/relaxed so I was a good time to stop!!!All together it was a VERY interesting and productive play day. We (Renegade and I) were challenged and learned alot. Renegade even loaded in Terri's trailer!!! I'm on cloud nine and can't wait until October 4th :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: :!: Can't wait to see what Terri posts about our day today.

Sunday 21st
Beau's day. Went to get him out to play......he appears not to interested. So I decide to spend some undemanding time, mosey around and before I know it he is playing stick to me. Worked on our back (yo yo ) He is staying straighter and not turning his head away. Did a few touch it here and there. Then played with the figure 8 patterns. He did well. Went to turn loose and go sit on fence. He came up to me like get on........so I thougth do I dare......... why sure.....he asked.. so I did.... All went great. I rode him bareback with a halter. This horse is not use to bareback and we walked and trotted some . He was very left brian and calm. Time to stop and dream of the possibilities to come.

The Latest

Sept 11th - 19th

Just been playing with all three of the horses. (poor Ladybug she is left out)
Shan ...the man
Kash ...the dash
Beau ...Boo Boo
Kathy loaned me the Parelli Patterns online. I have been watching that and started using with the horses. Will be interested to see how it plays out with Kash since everything is new to him and compare his response to Shan's and Beau's reaction. I will try to keep updated on that.

1st I paly the touch it game. Shan has it down, Beau does well , Kash is "WHat?"

Have Started level 1 on all horses. Just walking with a 12 ft rope. Shan knows it pretty well, Beau is wanting to play touch it with the cones and Kash is getting it.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Update to this week

Sept. 11th, 2009

Well to update what has been going on.
Tuesday...chiro vet came out. She felt all signs pointed to a stifle issue. So I had him treated with Chiro and Accp. Will give 3 days off . Starting next week he will begin taking some herbs to help with discomfort and swelling. After that he will be put on a herb to help keep the joints more supple. Not the greatest news but it is what I have to deal with. So I plan on making the most out of it. I will start him back slowly and build him up . I also need to be careful with backing too much and tight circles. I should work some with walking up hills and going over low cavalletties to help strengthen the stifle.

Wed.... Played with Kash. Decided to work on introducing the 7 games to him. We played with games 1-5 today. He is different to deal with. So "what ?" most of the time and then "I'm out of here" explosion. It was fun watching him trying to figure it all out. I think he will be fine. Also got on with halter and started inducing lateral flexion. Pretty stiff boy.
Also played with Shan. Some online to warm up. Then put bareback pad on and decide to test me riding. Boy I sure need help here. Shan did great...testing his sidepassing , backing with sl feet wiggle , turn on hunches and turn on forehand.


Thurs.... Just had time to bath Beau's hind feet due to the scratches on the backside of his pasterns. Groom Kash just to get the dry sweat off. Some undemanding time.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Relaxing evening

Monday, Sept. 8th.

I get home after work. I am tired. All horses come up to visit. Starting to feel better. (warm fuzzy feeling inside). No real play time. Just undemanding time with Beau, grooming and rubbing all over. He doesn't appear to be having any reaction with the double dose of wormer. He doesn't seem to be as itchy but still has a few crude stuff on legs. Mosquitos have been terrible since Faye came thru. His areas on his neck and shoulders look better but then again I think all the horses are starting to put in new hair. I have to decide if I will follow up in 2 weeks with another double dose. Hum decisions?
Also started all the horses tonight on ground flax seed.

Got Cash out and washed and groomed. He seems to enjoy it. I hope I can figure out a way to get the time to play with him. He would be my first Left Brain horse to play with. How interesting!!!

Tomorrow the Chiro is coming for Beau. Will update.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Trying to catch up.

Sept. 6th and 7th,



Well yesterday was our Ocala Parelli Players get together playday. No horses. Met at Beth's house. At first it was only Beth , Kathy and I. So we made decisions on shirts for the Jacksonville tour stop. Then we started watching some DVD's. 1st of Rugged Lark and then the new Parelli Patterns. I sure do think I need to get this one. Looks wonderful. Just what I will need to reach futher than I can even imagine. Sandy and Danny showed up part way thru the DVD watching. Chatted some and then kinda of got off subject as to how to set up playdays. Others of the group couldn't come because of work and needing to get things done around their places. I left a little early because Jessie was wanting me to come by and help with saddle fit on her new mare Missy. Good ole Shyla was there.......same face when she sees you. haha. Hung out there chatting and deciding on some ride time. She needs to get busy getting here horses ready to go. I had to crack the whip.



Kathy was kind to loan me a couple of books , One on natural hoof trimming and the other Pasture Paradise. It is very interesting and I am going to see what I can apply here and watch how the horses adapt to it.



Came home and my horses looked fine....was a little worried since I double dosed them just the other day.



Sunday: Had church this morning.....then came home and let horses out after picking feet and medicating Beau's . Strung hay out over property...I think the horses were on a hide n seek game looking for the bits of hay. Them seem to be pretty interested in the game.



Had a little play time with Beau....late evening . 22 foot line out in far pasture. worked on keeping some distance out away from me. Squeeze game over a log. Did well. Then went to circling and he went RB. Disengagement to shut down anytime he started up. Finally came back to LB. Rinsed and released .....it was almost dark. I need to get a plan and be more organized in what I will be working on ....day to day.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Back in the Saddle again

Well, today I went out to play alittle with Beau. So spent some time online. Going out on property playing put your nose here and there , while working on the driving game from zone 3 trying to get him out about 12 ft from me. ( he loves to hang close) That went pretty well. Then decided to saddle up....haven't ridden since very beginning of June. Took him to the ring, did a safety check, Lateral flexion, disengagement, and indirect rein control...clear good to go. SO begin with Pushing Passenger lesson.....I will mirror him. Went great.....no problems. Then I decided to take over and direct the ride. Now I have had my reins tied up to the saddle..using no reins..decided to get carrot stick....asked to go off in trot.....I turned my focus, eyes, shoulders, belly button , legs and then a little help of the carrot stick, we made the turn . Continued with this and after about 3 times he was turning with no reinforcement of the CS. It was great trotting around and looking here and then he would go. So Cool. The most surprising thing about it was I have not worked on this before.....so after being laid off at least 3 months.....he has advanced!!! Maybe I should lay him off more? 2nd thought no , it was too much fun. It's time to move forward and complete this level 2 stuff. YES YES YES!!

Also played some with sidepasses with fence. Goes to the right much better than the Left.
Then sidepass up to fence so I could get off. Played move yourself over so I can get on and off. (sidepass to me) Did well. I am so pumped. Getting excited about what could be. ....HUM

Also Today.....
Double dosed Beau....Equimax
Double dosed Cash....Equimax
Wormed Shan and Ladybug reg. with Equimax.
Will watch and see what occurs ......mostly with Beau. NTW link ....need to update .
Recheck in 2 weeks

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

A Start To Reach My Goals

Well I did figure out how to start a blog. Yahoo for me.



My goals that I will be working on are set to be completed by the end of the year, 2008



Goal 1....To tape level 1

Have to find a way to tape myself.

Poss..use my old recorder or get help from Kathy or J

Find out how to transferr recordings to DVD..maybe radioshack?



Goal 2....Start back playing with my horses to complete level 2

Beau:
Online...... completing circling game at a canter.

Liberty..... need to spend some time with, haven't done much with it.

Freestyle ..... review

Finesse..... look up



Shan:
Just play what he is capable to do. Watch for soreness and willness by him.

He seems to love to be played with......want to keep him comfortable. Have to

Remember he is getting older.

Main goal for him.......advance online stuff. Move on ...challenge him and me.



Goal 3....Get assesed for level 2.

Either.......by video or

by instructor in person.......which one?


Goal 4....Remember to keep the relationship first!!!!!

Have fun and enjoy the journey.

It's the journey that brings the joy, not the end destination.