Well our first visitor for Cloud. Joy kind of knew that Cloud is too young for her, but I appreciated her coming to see her anyway. Trina and I went and picked Cloud up and went to Linda Case's to use the arena. Today being the first Fallish weather, the wind blowing and rain spattering. Cloud felt it and was a little bit on the sparky side. But she actually really tried to be a good girl, it was all so exciting though. It felt good to be on her for two reasons. First, it was the first little bit of riding I have really done in over two weeks since my foot got injured, and second, she is a nice ride, so solid and forward, yet balanced!
Please let that young adult/mature teenager know about this horse, she needs to play and do stuff!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Finishing Touches- with lots of Pictures
So sorry to not finish the story of Cloud. Just after she went home to Linda's I left on a week long trip on the Pacific Crest Trail. Almost wishing I could take Cloud with me, however, a little more experience was needed as I didn't fully know how technical the trail would be. That story of that trip is being written and if you are interested e-mail me and I will gladly share!
So Cloud. We spent the week riding with the kids at camp and doing everything all the experienced horses were doing. Cloud never questioned my requests and she was super with all the answers she gave me. On our camping trip she got a bit excited by the crowd of horses that we had, but it was nothing that she didn't figure out or come to understand. She acted like she had been doing this all her life.
Here a a few pictures from the finial Exam...the trail competition at Julie Fisher's place. Cloud completed 31 out of 37 obstacles, the ones we missed were the precision back up's and sideways etc. She did all of the other over and under and arounds without hesitation and with a smile on her face (if we can call ears forward, looking of the next challenge a smile.) Of course if you look close you will see me smiling my face off, gosh, I thought I would get cramps in my cheeks she was so good. I just love this little horse. I can't wait to find the right person who will take her on an find all her hidden talents. She has lots of them!
So Cloud. We spent the week riding with the kids at camp and doing everything all the experienced horses were doing. Cloud never questioned my requests and she was super with all the answers she gave me. On our camping trip she got a bit excited by the crowd of horses that we had, but it was nothing that she didn't figure out or come to understand. She acted like she had been doing this all her life.
Here a a few pictures from the finial Exam...the trail competition at Julie Fisher's place. Cloud completed 31 out of 37 obstacles, the ones we missed were the precision back up's and sideways etc. She did all of the other over and under and arounds without hesitation and with a smile on her face (if we can call ears forward, looking of the next challenge a smile.) Of course if you look close you will see me smiling my face off, gosh, I thought I would get cramps in my cheeks she was so good. I just love this little horse. I can't wait to find the right person who will take her on an find all her hidden talents. She has lots of them!
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| Narrow Bridge |
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| That is a stuffed cow we are taking on a ride |
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| Here are the real cows we had to get a couple away from the herd |
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| Teeter-toter bridge |
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| Tight turn in the box, she gathered up nicely to make it around |
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| The big water! |
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| Up no problem! |
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| Thinking about the down... |
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| Yes, just slide the feet off.. |
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| And out through the water again! No Problem! |
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Final Exam
This final exam was like no other I tell you. It had two parts, an essay and a True or False. I'd say Cloud passed with a B+. Don't want to give the teachers pet extra credit for being cute!
The essay consisted of two days of camping. Naturally we prepared for the test the best we could and tried out everything at home first.
First Essay Q: How do you Highline?
A: You get tied to a rope that is way above your head and stand very nicely for as long as you are tied there. No pawing, no pulling, and watch out for the rope getting around your neck weird.
It is mostly ok, especially if your people tie you near your boyfriend!
Second Essay Q: What is a pack horse?
Oh that is Chaco, He gets to carry all the extra stuff that doesn't fit on us. We have to carry a lot it seems, but Chaco's pack was big, I'm glad I didn't have to do that!
I've got lots more to tell, and I will, just give me a day or two...
The essay consisted of two days of camping. Naturally we prepared for the test the best we could and tried out everything at home first.
First Essay Q: How do you Highline?
A: You get tied to a rope that is way above your head and stand very nicely for as long as you are tied there. No pawing, no pulling, and watch out for the rope getting around your neck weird.
Second Essay Q: What is a pack horse?
Oh that is Chaco, He gets to carry all the extra stuff that doesn't fit on us. We have to carry a lot it seems, but Chaco's pack was big, I'm glad I didn't have to do that!
I've got lots more to tell, and I will, just give me a day or two...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Got to do the Arena Work too!
Arena work is kinda of like workbook homework. Got to do the exercises to be able to do the fun stuff. So that is what Cloud and I have been doing. Cloud hasn't protested too much, I think she would be classified as a nerd in school. You know the kid that likes to do the workbooks and get all the extra credit!
So arena work means that we are getting more particular about how she starts and stops, how she turns, how straight she goes from point to point, how well she follows the rail, how well she follows a circle, can she move one foot at a time, how precise can we be, you get the picture. All of this then building toward put these principles to purpose.
Purpose such as cow work. There are lots of ways to play with cows. And on ranch they probably wouldn't call it playing, but we who don't live on ranches see the opportunity to move cows around as playing. There is a lot of horsemanship that goes into getting a cow to go where you want it too. As ungainly as they might seem, cows can be fast, agile, and smart at getting away. Our favorite 5-star Parelli Instructor, Dave Ellis, says that only 1 out of 10 horses can beat a cow. So you have to be smart and be in the right place at the right time. Easily said...
Anyway, Cloud did wonderful in our 4 sessions or so that we have had in a proper arena. I am using the snaffle with slobber straps (leather pieces that connect the rein to the bit for more hinges, thus more information that the rein is about to be in use) with the hackamore underneath . Double reins if you like. I realized the other day making the reins different colors helps to know which one is which easily. She is taking the bit nicely (still mostly with molasses treat, but occasionally without). However, she is a bit fussy (pun sort of intended.) She is giving vertical flexion nicely with a very soft feel at the halt and back up, I haven't asked for more than that. But when using only the bit she tends to flip her head and say why are you doing that. So with a little more weight on the hackamore and a little less on the bit she is quiet. Time will help her accept it more and I will also perhaps try the cradle bridle once or twice. The cradle bridle combines the feel of the hackamore and the bit with the use of a specialize noseband (not tight, but connected to the movement of the bit) and a connection to the pole. More on that if we get to it.
Highlights: Canter departs, haunch turns, forehand turns, yo-yo (walk trot, stop, backup, trot etc).
She likes her right lead better than her left, so I practiced on that side till I got the left lead and then quit. Cloud has a very nice smooth canter, all her gaits really.
So on to the fun stuff! Cows! My friend Vicki has cows and she was willing to let me move a few around. There were two Steer waiting for the market in the close fields. So we went out and woke them up from their nap under the tree and moved them right up the fence into a smaller field. I then let Cloud follow them and get in rhythm. We then could start actually affecting their movements. Start and stop, turn etc. along the fence. On doing this we discovered a weak spot in the fence and didn't want the cows to go through so we changed the game to another field.
We let the cows rest while we got distracted with our horses making awful faces at each other. We decided that needed to be addressed so we played some games with getting them comfortable standing near one another. Cloud does have some issues around meeting new horses. She gets tense and I think defensive although it can look offensive.
Back to the cows and we moved them to the biggest of the fields. We were on track to move them right back to the napping tree, when we lost them off to the left. On analysis we realized that Vicki had left her jacket on the fence and they turned right before it and didn't want to go by it. Cows are very sensitive that way. That's ok, because it made for more fun getting them back. They actually separated and Cloud and I were able to move each one of them back to the gate which Vicki was guarding. Vicki's dog was not helping really and kept getting in front of my cow, but he just made it all the more a challenge.
So the arena work put to purpose. Cloud was being right with me and the cow, 7 weeks under saddle and she is already a cow pony!
So arena work means that we are getting more particular about how she starts and stops, how she turns, how straight she goes from point to point, how well she follows the rail, how well she follows a circle, can she move one foot at a time, how precise can we be, you get the picture. All of this then building toward put these principles to purpose.
Purpose such as cow work. There are lots of ways to play with cows. And on ranch they probably wouldn't call it playing, but we who don't live on ranches see the opportunity to move cows around as playing. There is a lot of horsemanship that goes into getting a cow to go where you want it too. As ungainly as they might seem, cows can be fast, agile, and smart at getting away. Our favorite 5-star Parelli Instructor, Dave Ellis, says that only 1 out of 10 horses can beat a cow. So you have to be smart and be in the right place at the right time. Easily said...
Anyway, Cloud did wonderful in our 4 sessions or so that we have had in a proper arena. I am using the snaffle with slobber straps (leather pieces that connect the rein to the bit for more hinges, thus more information that the rein is about to be in use) with the hackamore underneath . Double reins if you like. I realized the other day making the reins different colors helps to know which one is which easily. She is taking the bit nicely (still mostly with molasses treat, but occasionally without). However, she is a bit fussy (pun sort of intended.) She is giving vertical flexion nicely with a very soft feel at the halt and back up, I haven't asked for more than that. But when using only the bit she tends to flip her head and say why are you doing that. So with a little more weight on the hackamore and a little less on the bit she is quiet. Time will help her accept it more and I will also perhaps try the cradle bridle once or twice. The cradle bridle combines the feel of the hackamore and the bit with the use of a specialize noseband (not tight, but connected to the movement of the bit) and a connection to the pole. More on that if we get to it.
Highlights: Canter departs, haunch turns, forehand turns, yo-yo (walk trot, stop, backup, trot etc).
She likes her right lead better than her left, so I practiced on that side till I got the left lead and then quit. Cloud has a very nice smooth canter, all her gaits really.
So on to the fun stuff! Cows! My friend Vicki has cows and she was willing to let me move a few around. There were two Steer waiting for the market in the close fields. So we went out and woke them up from their nap under the tree and moved them right up the fence into a smaller field. I then let Cloud follow them and get in rhythm. We then could start actually affecting their movements. Start and stop, turn etc. along the fence. On doing this we discovered a weak spot in the fence and didn't want the cows to go through so we changed the game to another field.
We let the cows rest while we got distracted with our horses making awful faces at each other. We decided that needed to be addressed so we played some games with getting them comfortable standing near one another. Cloud does have some issues around meeting new horses. She gets tense and I think defensive although it can look offensive.
Back to the cows and we moved them to the biggest of the fields. We were on track to move them right back to the napping tree, when we lost them off to the left. On analysis we realized that Vicki had left her jacket on the fence and they turned right before it and didn't want to go by it. Cows are very sensitive that way. That's ok, because it made for more fun getting them back. They actually separated and Cloud and I were able to move each one of them back to the gate which Vicki was guarding. Vicki's dog was not helping really and kept getting in front of my cow, but he just made it all the more a challenge.
So the arena work put to purpose. Cloud was being right with me and the cow, 7 weeks under saddle and she is already a cow pony!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Lots More Firsts
So sorry to be so long in writing an update. The days have been full and so...
Here is a list of the firsts that Cloud has accomplished in the last two weeks.
*Wore Breaching (harness for keeping the saddle from moving forward on extreme downhills)
*Ponied another horse (Frenchie, who kept trying to take the lead...)
*Climbed Mt Pisgah (not huge, but pretty much straight up and then straight down)
*Rode in the trailer with another horse
*Stayed in the trailer calmly for 1+ hours
*Had another rider on her, then another (Linda her owner!)
*Ate straight Molasses (well, then she put the bit in her mouth)
*Had a bit in her mouth
*Had reins on that bit
*Got pretty close to a loose cow ( and the cow left!)
*Stood tied without digging a hole
*Carried Saddle bags
*Played follow the rail (and took to it like fish in water)
*Cantered in an arena
*Helped me open and close a gate (ie, from the saddle)
*Left her buddies and rode home alone
*Knew the way home!
*Got home and wanted to keep going!
*Helped to pony a difficult horse!
*must be more, I just can't think of them now that I am making the list
Anyway, you can see by this list she is a super star and here are a few pictures to prove it.
And finally, just so you can see what a great job Linda did bringing Cloud back to fantastic shape after her rescue...And Cloud's Friend Ruby...
I will try not to be away so long next time. Cloud and I will be spending time in some arenas getting more precise!
Here is a list of the firsts that Cloud has accomplished in the last two weeks.
*Wore Breaching (harness for keeping the saddle from moving forward on extreme downhills)
*Ponied another horse (Frenchie, who kept trying to take the lead...)
*Climbed Mt Pisgah (not huge, but pretty much straight up and then straight down)
*Rode in the trailer with another horse
*Stayed in the trailer calmly for 1+ hours
*Had another rider on her, then another (Linda her owner!)
*Ate straight Molasses (well, then she put the bit in her mouth)
*Had a bit in her mouth
*Had reins on that bit
*Got pretty close to a loose cow ( and the cow left!)
*Stood tied without digging a hole
*Carried Saddle bags
*Played follow the rail (and took to it like fish in water)
*Cantered in an arena
*Helped me open and close a gate (ie, from the saddle)
*Left her buddies and rode home alone
*Knew the way home!
*Got home and wanted to keep going!
*Helped to pony a difficult horse!
*must be more, I just can't think of them now that I am making the list
Anyway, you can see by this list she is a super star and here are a few pictures to prove it.
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| On Mt Pisgah with Frenchie in tow. |
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| Linda on Cloud at Snack time |
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| Cloud the Superstar! |
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| Linda n' Cloud, Emily n' Shaea, What were they looking at? Must be dinner... |
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| Linda and Terra (on Toby) Terra was instrumental in me meeting Cloud, I am so lucky! |
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| Not a Pretty picture, she has gotten whiter! |
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| Sweet Ruby |
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| The first ride on Ruby after two years, she is going to be a fine trail horse we think! |
I will try not to be away so long next time. Cloud and I will be spending time in some arenas getting more precise!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Super Cool Canter!
Cloud cantered down the trail today for the first time just like she had done it plenty of times in her life. I asked, she did!
Yesterday I rode her with Karmen and Shaea and she was really squirrelly. Andee came at 330 and she was pretty good touching up her feet, then we fitted her with boots, which she didn't mind at all, and then we had some patience practice, during which she wasn't patient at all. Meaning I left her tied in the shade and although this time she didn't dig a huge hole, she was trying to push the barn down. It is this funny thing she does thinking she can get away I guess. She doesn't pull back, she rubs up against the place she is tied, maybe thinking she will magically untie herself. Really funny thing is...today she was as quiet as a 20 year old. She didn't move at all while she was tied there before or after riding. Did she learn that quick or was she just in a mood yesterday. We will see.
Oh ...14.2 by the not so accurate tape measure. I forgot to use the fancy one the other day when I was at my friends house, hope I will be there again to use it!
Anyway, yesterday she was devilish, today she was angelic. Yesterday she basically argued with my every request, today I hardly had to ask, like she was reading my mind. Yesterday we rode with other horses, today she was alone...hummmm
When I say devilish, she really didn't do anything bad, just had a bunch of head shaking, she had a hard time standing still, she was head high and looking at everything. She did have one moment that she was going straight at along and had a quick turn to the right, could have sent one right off her shoulder if one wasn't ready. I stayed put and she stopped quick and we had some nice turns and back ups to make up for it. She stopped after that and stood and took a deep breath and actually did start paying more attention. Maybe she was liking her new boots so much she just wanted to be playful!
When I say angelic, I mean it. I played with her out front and she didn't even look once toward the herd. She was with me the whole time, paying attention and really soft on everything I asked. I introduced her to the dragging items and she really had no problem with either of them (one is a buoy from a boat on a long line, the other is a big plastic bag (2' x2') stuffed with other plastic bags and tied up with a rope.)
Like the last time I mounted up, had our pre flight checks (lateral flexion, back up, etc) then I said ok where do you want to go? This time she headed for the woods. we climbed down the little hill and followed our new trail that is getting made. She went there yesterday on line, and followed the EXACT way we went today...smart girl. Followed it right out to the street and on we went to the trail.
The dogs were with me and she was actually following them. At one point the trail opens up and you could take a right out into a big field (if we were allowed to ride there, which we aren't.) We saw a deer bounding across the field and into the woods ahead of us, which Cloud watched with interest, and so did the dogs. Woobie headed to the field and Ellie to the woods. Cloud wasn't sure which way to go, so I asked her to wait, and called Woobie back and headed him up the trail, and she followed! She still was a little unsure of this part of the trail, she hadn't been on this loop previously, so she was stopping some and looking back. I just stayed with her and kept my focus up the trail and soon she saw the dogs again and was reassured and on up the hill we went.
On this particular trail there are nice cantering spots. We found them all, and took advantage of them all and she was fantastic. She has a nice canter, like her trot! She didn't even really try to go too fast, which they often do the first time. Even the first ask only took three or four trot steps until she picked up the canter very easily. I wasn't sure she would, but her go button is getting so sensitive and light. And her stop too!
As most youngsters she wanted to fall right down the hills and trot. So to counter that I usually ask them to stop and back up. This I had to do three times, our magic three, and she already had the idea that she had to take her time and get her legs under her. Later in the ride I did need to remind her, but only once...
When I got home I played in the front a bit more, just so she didn't think home was only to get untacked right away. Actually I played with the drag (just the buoy) , she didn't even bat an eye at pulling it around, the rope bumping her legs, Woobie trying to get the buoy and everything. I ended by asking her to pull up to the trailer, just as we started for me to get off. Someone might need that one day...This girls needs a partner who is going to do things and really take advantage of a super cool smart horse.
Yesterday I rode her with Karmen and Shaea and she was really squirrelly. Andee came at 330 and she was pretty good touching up her feet, then we fitted her with boots, which she didn't mind at all, and then we had some patience practice, during which she wasn't patient at all. Meaning I left her tied in the shade and although this time she didn't dig a huge hole, she was trying to push the barn down. It is this funny thing she does thinking she can get away I guess. She doesn't pull back, she rubs up against the place she is tied, maybe thinking she will magically untie herself. Really funny thing is...today she was as quiet as a 20 year old. She didn't move at all while she was tied there before or after riding. Did she learn that quick or was she just in a mood yesterday. We will see.
Oh ...14.2 by the not so accurate tape measure. I forgot to use the fancy one the other day when I was at my friends house, hope I will be there again to use it!
Anyway, yesterday she was devilish, today she was angelic. Yesterday she basically argued with my every request, today I hardly had to ask, like she was reading my mind. Yesterday we rode with other horses, today she was alone...hummmm
When I say devilish, she really didn't do anything bad, just had a bunch of head shaking, she had a hard time standing still, she was head high and looking at everything. She did have one moment that she was going straight at along and had a quick turn to the right, could have sent one right off her shoulder if one wasn't ready. I stayed put and she stopped quick and we had some nice turns and back ups to make up for it. She stopped after that and stood and took a deep breath and actually did start paying more attention. Maybe she was liking her new boots so much she just wanted to be playful!
When I say angelic, I mean it. I played with her out front and she didn't even look once toward the herd. She was with me the whole time, paying attention and really soft on everything I asked. I introduced her to the dragging items and she really had no problem with either of them (one is a buoy from a boat on a long line, the other is a big plastic bag (2' x2') stuffed with other plastic bags and tied up with a rope.)
Like the last time I mounted up, had our pre flight checks (lateral flexion, back up, etc) then I said ok where do you want to go? This time she headed for the woods. we climbed down the little hill and followed our new trail that is getting made. She went there yesterday on line, and followed the EXACT way we went today...smart girl. Followed it right out to the street and on we went to the trail.
The dogs were with me and she was actually following them. At one point the trail opens up and you could take a right out into a big field (if we were allowed to ride there, which we aren't.) We saw a deer bounding across the field and into the woods ahead of us, which Cloud watched with interest, and so did the dogs. Woobie headed to the field and Ellie to the woods. Cloud wasn't sure which way to go, so I asked her to wait, and called Woobie back and headed him up the trail, and she followed! She still was a little unsure of this part of the trail, she hadn't been on this loop previously, so she was stopping some and looking back. I just stayed with her and kept my focus up the trail and soon she saw the dogs again and was reassured and on up the hill we went.
On this particular trail there are nice cantering spots. We found them all, and took advantage of them all and she was fantastic. She has a nice canter, like her trot! She didn't even really try to go too fast, which they often do the first time. Even the first ask only took three or four trot steps until she picked up the canter very easily. I wasn't sure she would, but her go button is getting so sensitive and light. And her stop too!
As most youngsters she wanted to fall right down the hills and trot. So to counter that I usually ask them to stop and back up. This I had to do three times, our magic three, and she already had the idea that she had to take her time and get her legs under her. Later in the ride I did need to remind her, but only once...
When I got home I played in the front a bit more, just so she didn't think home was only to get untacked right away. Actually I played with the drag (just the buoy) , she didn't even bat an eye at pulling it around, the rope bumping her legs, Woobie trying to get the buoy and everything. I ended by asking her to pull up to the trailer, just as we started for me to get off. Someone might need that one day...This girls needs a partner who is going to do things and really take advantage of a super cool smart horse.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Three Rides behind
Well, when I had the idea to Blog, it sounded so modern and fun. Now that I am, I tell you it is quite a responsibility. People are out there waiting for the newest news and I'm over here just having all the fun.
Riding Cloud is fun, I really look forward to working with her and finding out what she will give me next. Our first ride this series was Friday with my friend Alison. She has a 6 yr old Mustang Haflinger, who is still green, but has been under saddle since she was three. Alison and Ruby came to our house to play and we had a great time in the play yard. When I am working with someone else and their horse, I like to have one in hand to show how to do this or that. Cloud doesn't know a lot her self, however, she was a star and everything I attempted to demonstrate, Cloud did perfectly, well nearly so anyway.
So after we played we went up to get tack on and go for a ride up the street. First time on this trail for Ruby and only the second time out the driveway for Cloud, first time on the trail. Cloud did seem a bit more wary this time out, not jumpy, but just a bit more tense than the last. She was letting Ruby take the lead, and then going ahead a bit, then dropping back, etc. She was very tender on the rocks, so I got off to walk on that little bit. She is standing so nicely to mount and she is such a good size getting back on was no problem. Actually I got off 4 or 5 times on this trip, just for the practice for her, and to open gates etc. We had a really nice time. Mostly walking, she would have liked to move a bit, but Ruby and Alison chose to stay walking.
On arriving back to the field we were approaching Alison's trailer, which I had put Cloud in earlier with no trouble, and I felt like she wanted to go in again. I thought I better get off before she walks right in with me, which I did and Cloud then did proceed to walk straight over to the trailer and pop right in, and stayed. Which was fine for Ruby as she appreciated the company. I almost had more trouble getting her to get out! Not really trouble, but I did have to ask several times...
And today she had her first bath! She was not so sure of it at first, but with approach and retreat, she decided it wasn't all that bad and stood very nicely while I sprayed her all over with the hose, no sponges around this barn, its a shower or nothing! I was thinking while she was still in her protest mode, just like a kid to not want a bath, then they get in and have a great time!
Next ride was Monday. I thought I would play with her up in the parking field. I had put out the new cavaletti that I made and a few new toys and just to see how she would be up there by herself. On line she was a bit worried, wondering where were her buddies, but she was also paying attention to me, so I tacked her up, mounted up and said where do you want to go Cloud? Well out the driveway and up the street we went! Very purposefully, but with no tension, no hurry, just a nice walk ears forward, looking for adventure. She passed her first trashcan, with only a sideways glance. I actually had more trouble asking her to come home. She was not headed to the grassy field, because even when we got there, grass was not that interesting, the world was! We had some nice trots and like I said, we got part way home and she wanted to turn around and go back up the hill! So cute and curious!
Tuesday we loaded up and went to Linda Case's in Veneta. I give a lesson there to Paloma, who has a snowflake Appaloosa named Miya. I thought I would bring "my" appy along to compare. Miya is 1 year older, and green, but has lots more time on her. I got there early and took Cloud into her first indoor arena, we think. She was very curious of course, so I let her go to discover, while I put out some obstacles to play with. She wasn't even waiting for me to play with them, she was checking them all out as I put them around, her own version of the touching game.
In a bit Paloma arrived and she went and got Miya. Now I don't know if I have mentioned before Cloud's ability to swish her tail faster than any horse I have ever met. When she is unsure or excited, the tail goes whipping back and forth. And if you happen to be sitting in the saddle, you feel it! So Miya approaches the gate and the tail starts going and it looked like a mirror, as Miya is doing the EXACT SAME THING! I guess it's an appy thing!!! So every time Miya got within 10 feet swishy swish goes to the tail. Talk about expressive. They actually got along just fine, tail swishing and all!
We did a little bit in the arena, I rode Miya for a bit, then we went out for a walk around Linda's place. All was fine until we had to pass the horses with full fly sheets on, neck covered and all and Cloud was not sure they were horses. She didn't really mind that much, but she did stare a bit until she figured it out! We were practicing the yo-yo game- walk, back up, walk, stop, back up, walk etc. She is getting so light at the back up! Looking forward to lots more!
Riding Cloud is fun, I really look forward to working with her and finding out what she will give me next. Our first ride this series was Friday with my friend Alison. She has a 6 yr old Mustang Haflinger, who is still green, but has been under saddle since she was three. Alison and Ruby came to our house to play and we had a great time in the play yard. When I am working with someone else and their horse, I like to have one in hand to show how to do this or that. Cloud doesn't know a lot her self, however, she was a star and everything I attempted to demonstrate, Cloud did perfectly, well nearly so anyway.
So after we played we went up to get tack on and go for a ride up the street. First time on this trail for Ruby and only the second time out the driveway for Cloud, first time on the trail. Cloud did seem a bit more wary this time out, not jumpy, but just a bit more tense than the last. She was letting Ruby take the lead, and then going ahead a bit, then dropping back, etc. She was very tender on the rocks, so I got off to walk on that little bit. She is standing so nicely to mount and she is such a good size getting back on was no problem. Actually I got off 4 or 5 times on this trip, just for the practice for her, and to open gates etc. We had a really nice time. Mostly walking, she would have liked to move a bit, but Ruby and Alison chose to stay walking.
On arriving back to the field we were approaching Alison's trailer, which I had put Cloud in earlier with no trouble, and I felt like she wanted to go in again. I thought I better get off before she walks right in with me, which I did and Cloud then did proceed to walk straight over to the trailer and pop right in, and stayed. Which was fine for Ruby as she appreciated the company. I almost had more trouble getting her to get out! Not really trouble, but I did have to ask several times...
And today she had her first bath! She was not so sure of it at first, but with approach and retreat, she decided it wasn't all that bad and stood very nicely while I sprayed her all over with the hose, no sponges around this barn, its a shower or nothing! I was thinking while she was still in her protest mode, just like a kid to not want a bath, then they get in and have a great time!
Next ride was Monday. I thought I would play with her up in the parking field. I had put out the new cavaletti that I made and a few new toys and just to see how she would be up there by herself. On line she was a bit worried, wondering where were her buddies, but she was also paying attention to me, so I tacked her up, mounted up and said where do you want to go Cloud? Well out the driveway and up the street we went! Very purposefully, but with no tension, no hurry, just a nice walk ears forward, looking for adventure. She passed her first trashcan, with only a sideways glance. I actually had more trouble asking her to come home. She was not headed to the grassy field, because even when we got there, grass was not that interesting, the world was! We had some nice trots and like I said, we got part way home and she wanted to turn around and go back up the hill! So cute and curious!
Tuesday we loaded up and went to Linda Case's in Veneta. I give a lesson there to Paloma, who has a snowflake Appaloosa named Miya. I thought I would bring "my" appy along to compare. Miya is 1 year older, and green, but has lots more time on her. I got there early and took Cloud into her first indoor arena, we think. She was very curious of course, so I let her go to discover, while I put out some obstacles to play with. She wasn't even waiting for me to play with them, she was checking them all out as I put them around, her own version of the touching game.
In a bit Paloma arrived and she went and got Miya. Now I don't know if I have mentioned before Cloud's ability to swish her tail faster than any horse I have ever met. When she is unsure or excited, the tail goes whipping back and forth. And if you happen to be sitting in the saddle, you feel it! So Miya approaches the gate and the tail starts going and it looked like a mirror, as Miya is doing the EXACT SAME THING! I guess it's an appy thing!!! So every time Miya got within 10 feet swishy swish goes to the tail. Talk about expressive. They actually got along just fine, tail swishing and all!
We did a little bit in the arena, I rode Miya for a bit, then we went out for a walk around Linda's place. All was fine until we had to pass the horses with full fly sheets on, neck covered and all and Cloud was not sure they were horses. She didn't really mind that much, but she did stare a bit until she figured it out! We were practicing the yo-yo game- walk, back up, walk, stop, back up, walk etc. She is getting so light at the back up! Looking forward to lots more!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Which Outfit Today
Well our last two rides have been great. One English and one Western, she looks good in any outfit!
Cloud definitely is settling in. When I brought Frenchie home the other day, she immediately showed him who came first and Frenchie let her do it, not letting on that he was actually the start of the whole darn herd. He was actually afraid of her. The used to be boss, now being pushed around by a 6 year old, hum, how life does change as you get older. Then Lottie came to nurse her injured leg, and that night Cloud left her spot in front of Tresa's stall. Maybe she thinks that Tresa now has a friend and she can go hang with Chaco, where ever he is at the moment, bug Jill and Karmen, or actually just eat hay with the herd.
Anyway, she is a big girl now, western saddle, back cinch and all. I put the widest western saddle I have on her and it has a big square skirt and she looks fantastic in it. She has plenty of back to hold it and white goes with anything...Didn't even flinch when I threw it up there (all soft and gentle of course), had no problem with the back cinch tickling her, and looked great in a breast collar!
Her go button is really getting good. And whoa is very soft too. She still has lots to say about where we are going, but when we have other horses playing then there are so many choices it's easy to agree on one. Especially when the whole herd is going someplace, then why not go along, as a matter of fact, why not get out front and lead the way!
On Monday, English day, we tacked up at the barn and walked down to the top of the lower field. I mounted up there and we went back and forth on the fenceline for a bit trying to get back to Tresa and safety. But that wasn't working, so why not try a new idea. She started down the hill pretty good, but then it became one or two steps at a time. No problem, I've got all the time it takes. We finally made the bottom of the hill and she saw the round pen and walked right over to it and in. A friendly safe place I guess. Once in, I did close the gate, we had lots of fun walking trotting, stopping, backing, even some very nice turns, soft and cooperative.
I opened the gate from her back, and went on up the hill back to safety of the herd, but we continued a bit of a lesson, walking to a from around them. Really sweet!
On Wednesday, Western Day, we got to play with the other horses in the playyard. It is so hard to concentrate when there is so much activity, but like I said earlier, so much to choose from too. She went through the car wash fine over under through, no problem. Nice circle game and even better back up with more distance.
Ride time was really fun. We were trotting everywhere, looking at everything. Lots of opportunity for Cloud to feel me and me to feel her. This time we all headed out for a walk up the street. We went out the gate that goes through the woods. It was my turn to close the gate, so I dismounted, as this is a tough one, and she stood so nicely, with everyone waiting for us, while I did that. Mounted up, so easy at this height (note to me: measure her so you know for sure how tall she is: I am predicting 14.3, I will let you know) and on up the hill we marched like she had done it a thousand million times! We got out on the street, thinking that Frenchie would lead, but not according to Cloud. Nice forward walk, right up front, let's trot she said, I said no problem and trot off we did! With Boo in tow (another 4 year old who was also out for the first time!) We got up to the grassy field and our two young ones didn't even want to stop there, so all the way to the top we went!.
Cloud did not want to turn around and come home, she was happy to keep on going! But we did and she walked down the hill like a youngster, letting gravity do the work, so we had a lot of stopping to get ourselves organized. She figured out how to hold herself better by the time we got home, as it is pretty much all down hill...NOTHING even gave her pause to look at. I'm sure we will find something one day, but right now, not much gets in her way of going places.
I am looking forward to tomorrow's ride!
Cloud definitely is settling in. When I brought Frenchie home the other day, she immediately showed him who came first and Frenchie let her do it, not letting on that he was actually the start of the whole darn herd. He was actually afraid of her. The used to be boss, now being pushed around by a 6 year old, hum, how life does change as you get older. Then Lottie came to nurse her injured leg, and that night Cloud left her spot in front of Tresa's stall. Maybe she thinks that Tresa now has a friend and she can go hang with Chaco, where ever he is at the moment, bug Jill and Karmen, or actually just eat hay with the herd.
Anyway, she is a big girl now, western saddle, back cinch and all. I put the widest western saddle I have on her and it has a big square skirt and she looks fantastic in it. She has plenty of back to hold it and white goes with anything...Didn't even flinch when I threw it up there (all soft and gentle of course), had no problem with the back cinch tickling her, and looked great in a breast collar!
Her go button is really getting good. And whoa is very soft too. She still has lots to say about where we are going, but when we have other horses playing then there are so many choices it's easy to agree on one. Especially when the whole herd is going someplace, then why not go along, as a matter of fact, why not get out front and lead the way!
On Monday, English day, we tacked up at the barn and walked down to the top of the lower field. I mounted up there and we went back and forth on the fenceline for a bit trying to get back to Tresa and safety. But that wasn't working, so why not try a new idea. She started down the hill pretty good, but then it became one or two steps at a time. No problem, I've got all the time it takes. We finally made the bottom of the hill and she saw the round pen and walked right over to it and in. A friendly safe place I guess. Once in, I did close the gate, we had lots of fun walking trotting, stopping, backing, even some very nice turns, soft and cooperative.
I opened the gate from her back, and went on up the hill back to safety of the herd, but we continued a bit of a lesson, walking to a from around them. Really sweet!
On Wednesday, Western Day, we got to play with the other horses in the playyard. It is so hard to concentrate when there is so much activity, but like I said earlier, so much to choose from too. She went through the car wash fine over under through, no problem. Nice circle game and even better back up with more distance.
Ride time was really fun. We were trotting everywhere, looking at everything. Lots of opportunity for Cloud to feel me and me to feel her. This time we all headed out for a walk up the street. We went out the gate that goes through the woods. It was my turn to close the gate, so I dismounted, as this is a tough one, and she stood so nicely, with everyone waiting for us, while I did that. Mounted up, so easy at this height (note to me: measure her so you know for sure how tall she is: I am predicting 14.3, I will let you know) and on up the hill we marched like she had done it a thousand million times! We got out on the street, thinking that Frenchie would lead, but not according to Cloud. Nice forward walk, right up front, let's trot she said, I said no problem and trot off we did! With Boo in tow (another 4 year old who was also out for the first time!) We got up to the grassy field and our two young ones didn't even want to stop there, so all the way to the top we went!.
Cloud did not want to turn around and come home, she was happy to keep on going! But we did and she walked down the hill like a youngster, letting gravity do the work, so we had a lot of stopping to get ourselves organized. She figured out how to hold herself better by the time we got home, as it is pretty much all down hill...NOTHING even gave her pause to look at. I'm sure we will find something one day, but right now, not much gets in her way of going places.
I am looking forward to tomorrow's ride!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
More Riding
Sorry I don't have more pictures right now, got to get a photographer on the job!
Cloud continues to amaze and delight me. She has her pissy moments, but as soon as she realizes that it doesn't work on me, she turns and looks at me with the most intense energy.
I started out Friday in the front and so realized I needed the round pen to get her attention. Yet while we were out there I opened the trailer for her to check it out. We hadn't even looked at it in the two weeks she has been here. Well she popped right in without hesitation, sniffed about, turned to look at me and I said come on out, back in she went again and I let it go at that. She is ready to go someplace and see some new sights!
It was in the evening so Tresa was already in her stall. Cloud gave me a bunch of attitude on the way down the hill to the round pen, and I came to figure it was leaving Tresa behind. I had to come back up to get her bareback pad and she did the same thing again even though we had had a very nice join up just before. So she jumped about and I got her to move even more, especially up hill, toward where she wished she could go, and easy on her downhill. By the time we got to the round pen, she was walking very nicely beside me.
I stepped up on the stump and barely had to lift my hand and she sidled right over to pick me up. Definitely TDS! Today it took very little to ask her to go. A little more to stop, but then again it was only the first day of stopping! She was very soft and willing really. I even tried to get some trot, which showed it self in a faster walk, so I accepted that for the time being. Back up seems to be naturally flowing from the back up work on the ground. She was go good, I dismounted and went out and got back on and she took me up the hill to the barn. I did then ask her to leave the space in front of Tresa's stall and got some talk back then, but she did and we got all the way over to the water trough.
In the play yard before the riding, she found some new obstacles to check out. I had put water in the sand box, which she looked at, but then walked right through! The larger water tank jump stopped her up a little. She just didn't know what she was supposed to do. Finally she put a foot on it, so I left on that nice try. But she was up on the tire and over the small logs and squeezing through the car wash just great.
Linda came by on Saturday a bit after we had some join up time in the round pen. We had other people playing with their horses and even a new horse in the field, which really was so interesting, that I had a hard time being MORE interesting. But we got there and so I rewarded that with going out and playing with the obstacles. Today on only the second send, she jumped that water tank, oh that is what you wanted me to do... Is third Day Syndrome going to become Second Day?
I decided today was the day to put on a saddle. I decided to start in the English saddle. A little trouble with finding the right length girth for her pot belly, but we managed. Today going back down the hill I had a partner walking down and not even a peep of the talk back of yesterday. Saddle was not even phasing her, stirrups loose even no problem. On I went and she was great. Moving off my energy almost, some turns even, but that big orange horse over there, that was a problem for her. One she didn't know and hadn't been able to establish an order with. So we tried to ignore him, but that was hard. Seemed like we needed to get out of that pen and really do some walking. So I had Trina come over, who was riding Chaco, Cloud's man, and we went walking. Now some of you know this, but Chaco can WALK! Which meant that we got a bit of a trot to keep up! Very nice. We went a couple of times around the round pen on the outside and Cloud on her own, turned away from that Shiny Black Butt and walked up the hill. Chaco came up to find us and we walked back down, all around the play yard, a couple of times and back to the round pen.
I then had to work a bit on line to get her mind back with me from all the excitement. I didn't want to leave her on the "what's out there" note, but "what do you want me to do next" look, which took a few minutes but we got it. And a stand still. With all the excitement she was finding it hard to stand still. We would move, I would ask, she would say not yet. Then when she acted like she was there, she would start the creep toward me. One step forward, two back missy Cloud. I was going to untack her there, but there were too many other folks still riding to let her go there, So she carried it back up the hill and that was the end of that day.
Very fun ride.
Cloud continues to amaze and delight me. She has her pissy moments, but as soon as she realizes that it doesn't work on me, she turns and looks at me with the most intense energy.
I started out Friday in the front and so realized I needed the round pen to get her attention. Yet while we were out there I opened the trailer for her to check it out. We hadn't even looked at it in the two weeks she has been here. Well she popped right in without hesitation, sniffed about, turned to look at me and I said come on out, back in she went again and I let it go at that. She is ready to go someplace and see some new sights!
It was in the evening so Tresa was already in her stall. Cloud gave me a bunch of attitude on the way down the hill to the round pen, and I came to figure it was leaving Tresa behind. I had to come back up to get her bareback pad and she did the same thing again even though we had had a very nice join up just before. So she jumped about and I got her to move even more, especially up hill, toward where she wished she could go, and easy on her downhill. By the time we got to the round pen, she was walking very nicely beside me.
I stepped up on the stump and barely had to lift my hand and she sidled right over to pick me up. Definitely TDS! Today it took very little to ask her to go. A little more to stop, but then again it was only the first day of stopping! She was very soft and willing really. I even tried to get some trot, which showed it self in a faster walk, so I accepted that for the time being. Back up seems to be naturally flowing from the back up work on the ground. She was go good, I dismounted and went out and got back on and she took me up the hill to the barn. I did then ask her to leave the space in front of Tresa's stall and got some talk back then, but she did and we got all the way over to the water trough.
In the play yard before the riding, she found some new obstacles to check out. I had put water in the sand box, which she looked at, but then walked right through! The larger water tank jump stopped her up a little. She just didn't know what she was supposed to do. Finally she put a foot on it, so I left on that nice try. But she was up on the tire and over the small logs and squeezing through the car wash just great.
Linda came by on Saturday a bit after we had some join up time in the round pen. We had other people playing with their horses and even a new horse in the field, which really was so interesting, that I had a hard time being MORE interesting. But we got there and so I rewarded that with going out and playing with the obstacles. Today on only the second send, she jumped that water tank, oh that is what you wanted me to do... Is third Day Syndrome going to become Second Day?
I decided today was the day to put on a saddle. I decided to start in the English saddle. A little trouble with finding the right length girth for her pot belly, but we managed. Today going back down the hill I had a partner walking down and not even a peep of the talk back of yesterday. Saddle was not even phasing her, stirrups loose even no problem. On I went and she was great. Moving off my energy almost, some turns even, but that big orange horse over there, that was a problem for her. One she didn't know and hadn't been able to establish an order with. So we tried to ignore him, but that was hard. Seemed like we needed to get out of that pen and really do some walking. So I had Trina come over, who was riding Chaco, Cloud's man, and we went walking. Now some of you know this, but Chaco can WALK! Which meant that we got a bit of a trot to keep up! Very nice. We went a couple of times around the round pen on the outside and Cloud on her own, turned away from that Shiny Black Butt and walked up the hill. Chaco came up to find us and we walked back down, all around the play yard, a couple of times and back to the round pen.
I then had to work a bit on line to get her mind back with me from all the excitement. I didn't want to leave her on the "what's out there" note, but "what do you want me to do next" look, which took a few minutes but we got it. And a stand still. With all the excitement she was finding it hard to stand still. We would move, I would ask, she would say not yet. Then when she acted like she was there, she would start the creep toward me. One step forward, two back missy Cloud. I was going to untack her there, but there were too many other folks still riding to let her go there, So she carried it back up the hill and that was the end of that day.
Very fun ride.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Firsts
Cloud has had her first solo ride and her first Trail ride. Now don't get excited, those were separate things and no I didn't ride her on the trail ride.
Let me explain.
Cloud got Sunday and Monday off. So Tuesday we started off just as we have been to follow through on our seven days of a pattern. Her join up was just as quick as day 3, all of her other games were just as wonderful, and she seemed really happy to be in the round pen and playing with me. I introduced the basics of the on-line circling game today. The join up has that element of circling the round pen, the difference is that the circling game teaches them responsibility through maintaining the job once asked. So I send her out and myself go neutral vs push in the join up. As most do, she stopped often to ask what she was supposed to be doing. I just resent her and right now I only am looking for perhaps one lap. That was accomplished in only several tries, very quick!
With somewhat of that game established, I thought I would try her with a flank rope. This is when you put the rope around her barrel and back through itself to form a loop around her. It lays around her barrel just behind where the saddle would sit, perhaps where the back cinch on a western saddle would be. The idea is to 1) desensitize them in this zone and 2) to use the flank rope as your go and wow button, as in your leg. This can be quite a rodeo, however, Cloud didn't hardly bat an eye and was going forward and stopping with it like she has worn one for years. Both sides tested, both passed. I will keep this lesson going to a bit to get it even more sensitive, but I was really please with her acceptance.
So I put on the bareback pad and stepped up on the mounting log, and with very little ask, she stepped right up to pick me up! So now starts the lesson of what go and whoa mean from the rider up there. Our first ride really was with a helper and that is nice, but I don't always have the luxury of a helper. So to teach her what we mean I started with our goal of energy up, followed by gentle squeeze, if that doesn't work, a bit of a smooch, and then add some energy with the end of our rope on myself. It took most of that for the first step, we got one! Yeah, we got two! and soon three and we actually finished the day with full lap of the round pen with barely a squeeze!!! Lots of scratches and hugs, and she didn't even break a sweat!
I thought I would end this day with some hang out time eating grass on the lawn. Well, that was my idea, but not Cloud's. There was too much to see out in the big world for grass eating. So I just followed her where she wanted to go, which was down the driveway, out to the street (at which point I suggested we head back), all around the front field, back to the barn and in and out of the stalls, back to the front field, you get the picture, she was looking at it ALL! Very curious, not really in a rush, but walking without hesitation! I finally ended in the barn with a bit of treat for her. 10 minutes later, she was having quite the nap in front of Tresa's stall!
So on to Wednesday and her first Trail ride. I ponied her off of Shaea. They were much better together today than our first day. Shaea still had her opinion of the situation, however, she was much better with someplace to go. That was up the street, with the dogs, to the woods (Shaea thought she was going to her grassy eating place, sorry honey...) I played Cloud's basic games with her before we started. Although we didn't start with our join up game today. We played some touch it, which she loves to do with her feet, so it was a little challenge for her to slow down and try touching it with her nose (that is what ever I was asking her to touch.) She was excited as we were up in the front field, new spot and all, but all it all she was listening and responding. Repeated the circling game and this only being day 2, TDS hadn't kicked in yet, and it took a few tries, but she did remember and we got a very calm lap and finished with that.
Cloud was very good on the rope right from the start. As soon as we got onto the road and headed up a set of bicyclers came down the road, I wasn't sure what she would do so we stopped to watch them and all was just fine. As a matter of fact it was all just fine, there wasn't a moment that she hesitated. Well except when she got kind of caught on a blackberry vine across her face! Shaea went wide, but Cloud tried to duck under and it caught on her rope and stuck. She just stopped and we came back to the rescue. We went up and down and around. We stopped to see if they wanted a drink out of a good sized puddle and they both lapped it a bit, then...Cloud proceed to empty the puddle with huge pawing and playing mud flying everywhere! I didn't stop her, although I was prepared to prevent her from dropping and rolling in it, not a great thing to teach her...
This trail has some good size hills, perhaps more hill than she has ever done and she was getting a bit tired on our walk home. She had to trot to keep up with Shaea's homeward bound walk, which I did ask her to slow down, but still Cloud had to keep up the pace. And speaking of which, it almost looked like she was doing a running walk at certain points, we will have to investigate that! A gaited Appaloosa! Funny thing was that we met the same bicyclers on the way down! They were working much harder than us!
A great first trail for her, she is such a natural! She will get tomorrow off, more play on Friday!
Let me explain.
Cloud got Sunday and Monday off. So Tuesday we started off just as we have been to follow through on our seven days of a pattern. Her join up was just as quick as day 3, all of her other games were just as wonderful, and she seemed really happy to be in the round pen and playing with me. I introduced the basics of the on-line circling game today. The join up has that element of circling the round pen, the difference is that the circling game teaches them responsibility through maintaining the job once asked. So I send her out and myself go neutral vs push in the join up. As most do, she stopped often to ask what she was supposed to be doing. I just resent her and right now I only am looking for perhaps one lap. That was accomplished in only several tries, very quick!
With somewhat of that game established, I thought I would try her with a flank rope. This is when you put the rope around her barrel and back through itself to form a loop around her. It lays around her barrel just behind where the saddle would sit, perhaps where the back cinch on a western saddle would be. The idea is to 1) desensitize them in this zone and 2) to use the flank rope as your go and wow button, as in your leg. This can be quite a rodeo, however, Cloud didn't hardly bat an eye and was going forward and stopping with it like she has worn one for years. Both sides tested, both passed. I will keep this lesson going to a bit to get it even more sensitive, but I was really please with her acceptance.
So I put on the bareback pad and stepped up on the mounting log, and with very little ask, she stepped right up to pick me up! So now starts the lesson of what go and whoa mean from the rider up there. Our first ride really was with a helper and that is nice, but I don't always have the luxury of a helper. So to teach her what we mean I started with our goal of energy up, followed by gentle squeeze, if that doesn't work, a bit of a smooch, and then add some energy with the end of our rope on myself. It took most of that for the first step, we got one! Yeah, we got two! and soon three and we actually finished the day with full lap of the round pen with barely a squeeze!!! Lots of scratches and hugs, and she didn't even break a sweat!
I thought I would end this day with some hang out time eating grass on the lawn. Well, that was my idea, but not Cloud's. There was too much to see out in the big world for grass eating. So I just followed her where she wanted to go, which was down the driveway, out to the street (at which point I suggested we head back), all around the front field, back to the barn and in and out of the stalls, back to the front field, you get the picture, she was looking at it ALL! Very curious, not really in a rush, but walking without hesitation! I finally ended in the barn with a bit of treat for her. 10 minutes later, she was having quite the nap in front of Tresa's stall!
So on to Wednesday and her first Trail ride. I ponied her off of Shaea. They were much better together today than our first day. Shaea still had her opinion of the situation, however, she was much better with someplace to go. That was up the street, with the dogs, to the woods (Shaea thought she was going to her grassy eating place, sorry honey...) I played Cloud's basic games with her before we started. Although we didn't start with our join up game today. We played some touch it, which she loves to do with her feet, so it was a little challenge for her to slow down and try touching it with her nose (that is what ever I was asking her to touch.) She was excited as we were up in the front field, new spot and all, but all it all she was listening and responding. Repeated the circling game and this only being day 2, TDS hadn't kicked in yet, and it took a few tries, but she did remember and we got a very calm lap and finished with that.
Cloud was very good on the rope right from the start. As soon as we got onto the road and headed up a set of bicyclers came down the road, I wasn't sure what she would do so we stopped to watch them and all was just fine. As a matter of fact it was all just fine, there wasn't a moment that she hesitated. Well except when she got kind of caught on a blackberry vine across her face! Shaea went wide, but Cloud tried to duck under and it caught on her rope and stuck. She just stopped and we came back to the rescue. We went up and down and around. We stopped to see if they wanted a drink out of a good sized puddle and they both lapped it a bit, then...Cloud proceed to empty the puddle with huge pawing and playing mud flying everywhere! I didn't stop her, although I was prepared to prevent her from dropping and rolling in it, not a great thing to teach her...
This trail has some good size hills, perhaps more hill than she has ever done and she was getting a bit tired on our walk home. She had to trot to keep up with Shaea's homeward bound walk, which I did ask her to slow down, but still Cloud had to keep up the pace. And speaking of which, it almost looked like she was doing a running walk at certain points, we will have to investigate that! A gaited Appaloosa! Funny thing was that we met the same bicyclers on the way down! They were working much harder than us!
A great first trail for her, she is such a natural! She will get tomorrow off, more play on Friday!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Third Day Syndrome
Have you ever heard of the Third Day Syndrome (TDS)? Well, I just made it up because Cloud just taught it to me! It appears that by the third day of a particular lesson Cloud gets it.
Let me explain. You read about the First Sweat earlier. Well Second Sweat happened the next day, and it was actually even sweatier. She was having a really bad attitude when she did face me, so I sent her even harder away, not stronger really just made her go faster. Fair amount of cantering. When she finally did decide that next to me might be a better place, she was ready for scratches as she was quite sweaty across her chest, although not so much behind the ears, which means she was NOT right brained about the exercise. However, it was the third day on hide your hinny and move back, which was really good! And she didn't even think about moving her feet when I asked her for Lateral Flexion. I thought about the TDS then, but only as a passing idea. We then headed to the play yard and she proceeded to climb over through around everything I asked of her. Well, she didn't quite make it up on the stump with both feet, but it was the first time. I couldn't help myself and just had to lay across her back at one point, she was unfazed!!!
So Today, the real test of the TDS, being the third day of our Join up exercise. Linda being present I thought she surely would take her time and I would have a lot of explaining to do. Not but 5 minutes, maybe less, into the game and she joined right up, no sweat for her today! Had to do it again, but still again that time was quick and to the point. WOW! is all I have to say. So what else can I show Linda? She is disengaging her hind end perfectly, mostly moving her front end away, although that is still a bit heavy, backing, moving etc. Get the ball out, loves it. So why not get on today? First we need to try to move over to us. It took a few minutes, but she made the step and right to me too. Try it one more time and we got it again! She was cool as a cucumber in summer. Walked around, moved her front feet a bit, stopped, what more could a person ask for the first time on. We all wondered whether maybe she has had this before?? Any way on went Linda too. To almost quote her: "I waited two years for this!"
So later this day, as I was riding Shaea, I thought I would take Cloud for a little ponying around the field. I like to pony them on their first trail ride so they can check it out. Shaea was kinda of a pill, but Cloud did great. I like to teach them to pony right up beside me so they get the idea that they shouldn't lag behind. Between the confusing messages that she was getting as I was asking her to step up with us and then Shaea would say get back, somewhere Cloud chose to listen to me, perhaps she saw that I was taking care of the negative reaction that Shaea was having. Anyway we went up and down and had a trot and all was good so I let Cloud go and went back down to ride some more. Who stayed with the us the WHOLE time I was playing with Shaea? You got it, Cloud. When I walked she walked, when I cantered she kept up! Even to the point of running on the outside of the round pen while I was playing with Shaea at liberty on the inside. I guess she was really joined up this day! VERY FUN!
Let me explain. You read about the First Sweat earlier. Well Second Sweat happened the next day, and it was actually even sweatier. She was having a really bad attitude when she did face me, so I sent her even harder away, not stronger really just made her go faster. Fair amount of cantering. When she finally did decide that next to me might be a better place, she was ready for scratches as she was quite sweaty across her chest, although not so much behind the ears, which means she was NOT right brained about the exercise. However, it was the third day on hide your hinny and move back, which was really good! And she didn't even think about moving her feet when I asked her for Lateral Flexion. I thought about the TDS then, but only as a passing idea. We then headed to the play yard and she proceeded to climb over through around everything I asked of her. Well, she didn't quite make it up on the stump with both feet, but it was the first time. I couldn't help myself and just had to lay across her back at one point, she was unfazed!!!
So Today, the real test of the TDS, being the third day of our Join up exercise. Linda being present I thought she surely would take her time and I would have a lot of explaining to do. Not but 5 minutes, maybe less, into the game and she joined right up, no sweat for her today! Had to do it again, but still again that time was quick and to the point. WOW! is all I have to say. So what else can I show Linda? She is disengaging her hind end perfectly, mostly moving her front end away, although that is still a bit heavy, backing, moving etc. Get the ball out, loves it. So why not get on today? First we need to try to move over to us. It took a few minutes, but she made the step and right to me too. Try it one more time and we got it again! She was cool as a cucumber in summer. Walked around, moved her front feet a bit, stopped, what more could a person ask for the first time on. We all wondered whether maybe she has had this before?? Any way on went Linda too. To almost quote her: "I waited two years for this!"
So later this day, as I was riding Shaea, I thought I would take Cloud for a little ponying around the field. I like to pony them on their first trail ride so they can check it out. Shaea was kinda of a pill, but Cloud did great. I like to teach them to pony right up beside me so they get the idea that they shouldn't lag behind. Between the confusing messages that she was getting as I was asking her to step up with us and then Shaea would say get back, somewhere Cloud chose to listen to me, perhaps she saw that I was taking care of the negative reaction that Shaea was having. Anyway we went up and down and had a trot and all was good so I let Cloud go and went back down to ride some more. Who stayed with the us the WHOLE time I was playing with Shaea? You got it, Cloud. When I walked she walked, when I cantered she kept up! Even to the point of running on the outside of the round pen while I was playing with Shaea at liberty on the inside. I guess she was really joined up this day! VERY FUN!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Pictures
Well Google is working now and letting me upload pictures. Look back at First Sweat, I put a couple in there. And here is one of the herd! Look quick and Cloud has a leaf blanket!
First Sweat
Wednesday Evening
Cloud is relegated to the upper pasture on hay for now while I get the fence hot. She has no worries about just pushing under, and the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence. Cloud embodies that maxim perfectly. Big field of green grass, and she goes under to get what is on the other side. So, I don't want her getting hurt, so she is off the fields until I get it fixed, which is in process. Won't hurt her to NOT have grass for a little while...
So, when we started our play session ALL she wanted of course was the grass. How to make myself more interesting or at least to get her respect. So I took Chaco's lead and decided that it was time for a little Join Up game, a la Monty Roberts. Not that she isn't joined up and very friendly, but, she has her own ideas thinks she is the dominate one. She is following Chaco and Tresa around like they are Mom and Dad!
So in the round pen we go and she is not happy as the others are 20 yards away in the next field. So I said well time to go, and she went easily enough. She kept that one ear on me and the other on the herd for quite some time, until she finally started to drop her head, lick and chew, all the signs. So I turned away, which let her stop, however, she was not ready to come to me. It took a good 20 minutes until she started to see what she needed to do in order to stop. 1) Trot with her head down 2) Turn to me and 3) Come on over and follow me.
That accomplished, I brought in the bareback pad for her to investigate, which naturally she stepped on and moved about with her feet. No problem with it flying about and landing on her, all over, head, neck, rump etc. So on with the cinch, not even a twitch! Gently of course, I tighten several times over the course of 5 minutes or so. On the last tightening when I sent her off, she did show a little rolling "buck" hard to even call it that, but a hippity hop, then done, all was ok.
So we slowed down and repeated our lesson from the day before. Move the hind end, move the front end, don't walk over me, lateral flexion...She was really giving softly to the flexion and disengaging beautifully in just a few minutes! When she has these pieces down without a question, then it is time to get on!
I have pictures to post, however, the upload does not seem to be responding! I'll try again later!
Cloud is relegated to the upper pasture on hay for now while I get the fence hot. She has no worries about just pushing under, and the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence. Cloud embodies that maxim perfectly. Big field of green grass, and she goes under to get what is on the other side. So, I don't want her getting hurt, so she is off the fields until I get it fixed, which is in process. Won't hurt her to NOT have grass for a little while...
So, when we started our play session ALL she wanted of course was the grass. How to make myself more interesting or at least to get her respect. So I took Chaco's lead and decided that it was time for a little Join Up game, a la Monty Roberts. Not that she isn't joined up and very friendly, but, she has her own ideas thinks she is the dominate one. She is following Chaco and Tresa around like they are Mom and Dad!
So in the round pen we go and she is not happy as the others are 20 yards away in the next field. So I said well time to go, and she went easily enough. She kept that one ear on me and the other on the herd for quite some time, until she finally started to drop her head, lick and chew, all the signs. So I turned away, which let her stop, however, she was not ready to come to me. It took a good 20 minutes until she started to see what she needed to do in order to stop. 1) Trot with her head down 2) Turn to me and 3) Come on over and follow me.
That accomplished, I brought in the bareback pad for her to investigate, which naturally she stepped on and moved about with her feet. No problem with it flying about and landing on her, all over, head, neck, rump etc. So on with the cinch, not even a twitch! Gently of course, I tighten several times over the course of 5 minutes or so. On the last tightening when I sent her off, she did show a little rolling "buck" hard to even call it that, but a hippity hop, then done, all was ok.
So we slowed down and repeated our lesson from the day before. Move the hind end, move the front end, don't walk over me, lateral flexion...She was really giving softly to the flexion and disengaging beautifully in just a few minutes! When she has these pieces down without a question, then it is time to get on!
I have pictures to post, however, the upload does not seem to be responding! I'll try again later!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Step One
The first steps a baby takes are so exciting. Small, but the start of big things to come! So Cloud and I had our first steps together. Getting to know one another, seeing what each other has to say so to speak...
Just to back up to last night for a moment. I thought I would take Cloud for a walk and a munch out front. Well that meant passing through the "alley" once again. She walked right out with me and then realized where we were and thought that maybe that wasn't a great idea, however, there was that really tall grass right there by the pool. She helped herself to that tasty treat and then wanted to go back and check on Tresa, she was eating her dinner after all. I was pretty much just making suggestions, but letting Cloud make the decisions. She decided the barn was a good place. So I played simple "can you lower your head and back up" games. I soon discovered that she is very sensitive AND she likes to be asked very lightly. A stronger push got less results! Soon she was nibbling my shoe laces and backing with a touch of my hand.
Forward now to this morning, after the Chaco acceptance event. She and I went down to the play yard to see what fun we could have. We discovered 1) Cloud likes to check things out with her feet and her teeth; 2) Cloud does like to be in your space; 3) Cloud is very curious about everything, but cautious too; and 4) Emily needs to be very clear about her personal bubble. We went over bridges, over logs, through the barrels, and even through the car wash on only her second attempt! That is cool. We trotted about and stood around and ate grass when she was good and didn't eat grass when she wasn't paying attention. She even almost stood on the pedestal (one foot and it wasn't just pawing it!) Oh yes, and we will have to put that pawing foot to work somehow. It seems she likes to think with her feet, or maybe express with her feet, maybe some of both.
I climbed on the steel barrel at one point and asked Cloud to come along side, wow there was that back again, ready and waiting. So I checked my wild side and just hugged her and, well, sort of layed across her on my way toward putting my feet on the ground. She just looked at me...
Our real work was asking for a light feel establishing lateral flexion, as well as moving her front and back ends. We also were coming to the clear communication that she was NOT to walk over or into me. I think we are going to have fun together! Watching her run about this morning with the herd I noticed she has a very nice way of moving. Looks like it will be fun to ride!
Just to back up to last night for a moment. I thought I would take Cloud for a walk and a munch out front. Well that meant passing through the "alley" once again. She walked right out with me and then realized where we were and thought that maybe that wasn't a great idea, however, there was that really tall grass right there by the pool. She helped herself to that tasty treat and then wanted to go back and check on Tresa, she was eating her dinner after all. I was pretty much just making suggestions, but letting Cloud make the decisions. She decided the barn was a good place. So I played simple "can you lower your head and back up" games. I soon discovered that she is very sensitive AND she likes to be asked very lightly. A stronger push got less results! Soon she was nibbling my shoe laces and backing with a touch of my hand.
Forward now to this morning, after the Chaco acceptance event. She and I went down to the play yard to see what fun we could have. We discovered 1) Cloud likes to check things out with her feet and her teeth; 2) Cloud does like to be in your space; 3) Cloud is very curious about everything, but cautious too; and 4) Emily needs to be very clear about her personal bubble. We went over bridges, over logs, through the barrels, and even through the car wash on only her second attempt! That is cool. We trotted about and stood around and ate grass when she was good and didn't eat grass when she wasn't paying attention. She even almost stood on the pedestal (one foot and it wasn't just pawing it!) Oh yes, and we will have to put that pawing foot to work somehow. It seems she likes to think with her feet, or maybe express with her feet, maybe some of both.
I climbed on the steel barrel at one point and asked Cloud to come along side, wow there was that back again, ready and waiting. So I checked my wild side and just hugged her and, well, sort of layed across her on my way toward putting my feet on the ground. She just looked at me...
Our real work was asking for a light feel establishing lateral flexion, as well as moving her front and back ends. We also were coming to the clear communication that she was NOT to walk over or into me. I think we are going to have fun together! Watching her run about this morning with the herd I noticed she has a very nice way of moving. Looks like it will be fun to ride!
Chaco has Chosen
This just in: Chaco has chosen Cloud for his herd! Last night I kept Cloud in the stall again, just for her safety really. She has taken Tresa on as her buddy, I think she likes the older settled type. So Chaco...he was hanging around her stall yesterday too, but being very pushy over the door. However, this morning, Cloud had her head out, Chaco nearby and all was well. So I thought I would try putting Cloud out in the big field with the herd. The others had already gone down the hill when I let Tresa and Cloud out. They both went trotting down to the field, but stayed at the top of the hill.
Not long after, I thought I would go check on everyone and just then Cloud and Tresa were making their way down the hill. Chaco saw them and came over to collect up Tresa (who is his favorite right now) and that started a bit of running. Seemed like most were chasing Cloud, but Felix and Tresa were actually running with her. Round they went a couple of times, Jill having to run to stay out of the way, and then Tresa had enough and ran up to the top, soon followed by Cloud. Tail high, snorting and prancing, "ha ha, I got away from them" she seemed to say.
Fast forward a couple of hours and there is Chaco with Cloud and Tresa in tow and at the other end of the field Larz with his boys. Hummmmm...
Not long after, I thought I would go check on everyone and just then Cloud and Tresa were making their way down the hill. Chaco saw them and came over to collect up Tresa (who is his favorite right now) and that started a bit of running. Seemed like most were chasing Cloud, but Felix and Tresa were actually running with her. Round they went a couple of times, Jill having to run to stay out of the way, and then Tresa had enough and ran up to the top, soon followed by Cloud. Tail high, snorting and prancing, "ha ha, I got away from them" she seemed to say.
Fast forward a couple of hours and there is Chaco with Cloud and Tresa in tow and at the other end of the field Larz with his boys. Hummmmm...
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Arrival Day
Saturday June 4
With the name Cloud I had created an image of her that was...smaller. She is a chunk of a girl, but a sturdy, going to get business done kind of chunk. She could stand to loose a little bit of it, and I think she will being here with active friends and school to go to and all. Linda's description of her horsenality is right on though. She is curious and friendly, forward and bright, cautious but intrigued by new things. I think she might like school!
Our first encounter was standing to have her feet done, which was complicated by the fact that a new horse had just arrived home. Everyone wanted to find out who she was and Cloud was not sure she shouldn't be in on the action. As soon as she figured out her job was to get her nails trim and pretty though, she stood very politely. Her second big job of the day was to get in the trailer, which she hadn't been in for two years. As Linda said, her last time was to leave a horrible place, and this time, well, she was leaving a bit of paradise. However, all that said, she was fantastic. Lots of snorting and sniffing, but forward thinking and figuring out what was up. After only a few minutes her front feet were testing the box, in out several time, then well why not try the whole body. We went in and out fully then 5or6 times and she was able to stay in when I asked. So we closed the door and that was that.
When we got home, she waited very patiently in the trailer while I visited the house. Not much whinnying, even though the other horses were asking who was home in the trailer. She answered a couple of times, but not frantically. We started toward the noisy friends and got part way there, when she saw the alley she had to pass through. Pool on one side, big tarp covered thing on the other, gate in front. Maybe we will stop right here. She then thought she should just retreat and go back the way we came. So off down the driveway we walked no hesitation, finding out what was this way that might be better than that squeeze she was going to have to negotiate. I suggested after a bit that we go back and try again and she was ok with that. She got a bit further down the alley and had to work out the scene, but this time she was willing to keep going as those horses looked like she should meet them.
Felix was first to make contact and there was a bit of a squeal and jump, such a big noise for a little guy. Her too though. I put her in the stall for a minute while I shooed the big horses down below. Then I let her out with Felix and Tressa. Well Felix thought she was great, she wasn't so enamored with him however, and finally gave him a couple of hooves to the ribs to get him to back off, she needed to figure this out on her own. Cloud kept herself moving, but with purpose of checking things out. I put out some hay and that was tasty! We went in the garden for a little grassy munch, but not until the others went first...
She is spending her first night in the stall next to Tressa. I thought it would be better for her to let everyone else come to her and say hi, then tomorrow she can go out with Shaea and Felix and Tressa. Let the boys have their own fun tomorrow. Last check she was very calm and nibbling. Loves her scratches!
With the name Cloud I had created an image of her that was...smaller. She is a chunk of a girl, but a sturdy, going to get business done kind of chunk. She could stand to loose a little bit of it, and I think she will being here with active friends and school to go to and all. Linda's description of her horsenality is right on though. She is curious and friendly, forward and bright, cautious but intrigued by new things. I think she might like school!
Our first encounter was standing to have her feet done, which was complicated by the fact that a new horse had just arrived home. Everyone wanted to find out who she was and Cloud was not sure she shouldn't be in on the action. As soon as she figured out her job was to get her nails trim and pretty though, she stood very politely. Her second big job of the day was to get in the trailer, which she hadn't been in for two years. As Linda said, her last time was to leave a horrible place, and this time, well, she was leaving a bit of paradise. However, all that said, she was fantastic. Lots of snorting and sniffing, but forward thinking and figuring out what was up. After only a few minutes her front feet were testing the box, in out several time, then well why not try the whole body. We went in and out fully then 5or6 times and she was able to stay in when I asked. So we closed the door and that was that.
When we got home, she waited very patiently in the trailer while I visited the house. Not much whinnying, even though the other horses were asking who was home in the trailer. She answered a couple of times, but not frantically. We started toward the noisy friends and got part way there, when she saw the alley she had to pass through. Pool on one side, big tarp covered thing on the other, gate in front. Maybe we will stop right here. She then thought she should just retreat and go back the way we came. So off down the driveway we walked no hesitation, finding out what was this way that might be better than that squeeze she was going to have to negotiate. I suggested after a bit that we go back and try again and she was ok with that. She got a bit further down the alley and had to work out the scene, but this time she was willing to keep going as those horses looked like she should meet them.
Felix was first to make contact and there was a bit of a squeal and jump, such a big noise for a little guy. Her too though. I put her in the stall for a minute while I shooed the big horses down below. Then I let her out with Felix and Tressa. Well Felix thought she was great, she wasn't so enamored with him however, and finally gave him a couple of hooves to the ribs to get him to back off, she needed to figure this out on her own. Cloud kept herself moving, but with purpose of checking things out. I put out some hay and that was tasty! We went in the garden for a little grassy munch, but not until the others went first...
She is spending her first night in the stall next to Tressa. I thought it would be better for her to let everyone else come to her and say hi, then tomorrow she can go out with Shaea and Felix and Tressa. Let the boys have their own fun tomorrow. Last check she was very calm and nibbling. Loves her scratches!
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