Sunday, February 26, 2012

Day 18

18 Feb 2012
Lots of focus on suppleness and straightness today.  Spiralling in and out on a circle, falling through and then having him pick up his shoulder (an exercise that I've found very beneficial... you push them out through the shoulder and then pick the shoulder up.  I think it explains what you want to the horse in a way they can clearly understand) and being responsive to my aids.  I didn't want to push it too much, so we didn't do a ton.

Day 17

17 Feb 2012
After Arty's big night out, he had today to relax.  I contemplated goiing out to brush him after my shift at the clinic was over, but didn't end up having the time.

Day 16

16 February 2012
Arty hasn't been in an arena for at least 6 years, and probably hasn't been in one before that.  So today I trailered him over to my barn to get him used to the indoor & for a ride on decent footing.  When we arrived I took him straight into the indoor and free lunged him.  He was pretty chill about everything, and so we headed into the barn.
(Video Coming Soon)
I had to ride my mare as well, so I decided that I'd do her first so that I could give Arty my full and undivided attention when I rode him.  I left him with his hay and some water in the spare stall in the interim, and he settled in nicely.
My mare was fantastic, and we ran through everything I'd set out to do in 15 minutes, so I called it quits early since she was being so fantastic.  However, I guess that wasn't enough work for her because as I was putting up her stirrups she bolted.  After 10 minutes of watching her gallop & buck I left her in the indoor with a set of eyes to make sure she didn't hurt herself, and I went to tack up Arty.  Some probably criticize this decision, but I didn't want to reward this attention seeking (because that's exactly what this was) behaviour, so by ignoring it completely  and not acknowledging it she can't get her desired results.  By entrusting someone else to keep an eye on her I knew she wasn't going to be hurt, so I still feel I made the appropriate decision.  She meandered into the barn not long after I brought the pony out, and was fantastic after that.
Back to the pony.  So I simultaneously untacked my mare and tacked up the pony, while watching them make weird faces at each other.
(Photo Coming Soon)
Once in the ring, Arty was a little spooky but good over all.  The new setting and scariness of the indoor exacerbated all of his issues, and in a way it kind of felt like we were back to square one again.  With some work though, we still managed to have a productive ride.
(Video Coming Soon)

Day 15

15th February 2012
Today I got on the pony, and we had a lovely ride.  His right lead canter seems to be improving, and the straightness is phenomenally better.  In addition his bend is more consistent, and while he tends to over compensate in his neck and not bend quite as well through his body, we're still getting bend through the body... just more in the neck than the body.
After having such a good ride, I did something silly.  Actually, it was more than just silly.  It was foolish, somewhat pointless, a little dumb, and completely & totally exciting.  What did I do?  I entered Arty and I in a dressage show.  Why, you may ask?  Because I miss showing him.  Because I want to test his progress.  Because... I felt like it.  There really isn't a rational explanation, but the entry forms are off and we're officially signed up for w/t A and B.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Day 14

14 February 2012
The poor pony was once again booted to the back of the priority line today.  I was riding another horse at his barn for the mare's owner, and didn't have time to ride da pony after I was done.  Instead I put a lunge line on him and just spent 5 minutes walking and trotting him on the lunge to see how he was going.

Day 13

13 February 2012
I got to the barn quite late.  Not wanting to disrupt those who live around the barn, I had to make it quick.  After switching Arty's bit from a D-ring rubber snaffle (single joint) to a happy mouth double jointed loose ring snaffle. He seemed to go a lot better in it, and we had quite a nice ride.  He was a lot better with his bending & straightness.  So much so that I began mulling over the idea of taking him to a little dressage show on the 19th.  While he's by no means ready, it'd be fun and is the only local one this month...

Day 12

12 February 2012
The pony had the day off today.  He wasn't supposed to, but some family dropped by and before I knew it, it was 9pm.  Oops, no riding now!