Training Progress this Summer

I was pretty proud of Dickie even before we moved. We were stuck due to arena constraints but he was where I wanted him to be. Progress since the new barn has been icing on the cake.

The first week we stuck to short lunge sessions and walking up the road (did I mention the road is dirt and goes for miles!) Our first lunge session was pretty spectacular. He was looking for any excuse to be insane. The acted like he had never seen a dog before and bolted and bucked every time he went past the dog (who was lying quietly outside the arena). Then he decided the wild turkey momma and her three babies were a good reason to spin and turn the other way. His favorite evasion is to sit and spin on the lunge. At this point I can see it coming a mile away so I caught in mid spin. Every so often he likes to show how bad ass he is by rearing. When I stopped the spin he looked at me with that appy stink eye and went straight up keeping my eye the whole time. He said "I swear I will flip over if you don't let me spin the other way!!! I will do it I am not kidding." So I said fine rear like a dumb ass and flip, they have chiropractors for that. He got straight up I swear I saw it click in his brain "Fuck, she's really not going to let me have my way. Bitch is going to let me die rather than let me win" Quick like a cat he threw himself to the side (he was past 90 degrees at this point) got all four feet under him and trotted on like nothing ever happened. He's such an appy sometimes. The people watching wanted to make sure that I never ride him alone, lol. After that session he decided that mom is a worthy leader and I am happy to say there hasn't been more airs above the ground.

I have been out every day I haven't worked this month. And every day we have had some arena time. It has made a huge difference. He stands in the cross ties like a normal horse. He still likes to wiggle and throw things within his reach but he doesn't make me want to pull my hair out these days. He will trot figure eights and diagonals with a long rein. He hops right up into the trot and will hold the trot until I ask for a walk. He's even getting the concept of giving a bigger walk or bigger trot. On our last right we even had both arena doors open without exiting the building. He does think the wild turkeys are a bit scary but I reminded him that the turkeys live in his field and he doesn't seem to mind them then.

I am sooo excited about where we are in in training. He is so smart and now that I can do more with him my rides are less terrifying. He tends to make things exciting when his mind wanders. Now that he actually knows a few basic commands I can keep his pea brain busy. Can't wait to ride him again!!!

Yet another move....

My first ride on Dickie was back in Jan. Then I didn't do much other than just sit on him and try to help him understand the concept of not losing his mind with mom on his back instead of at his head. Three months ago I decided it was time to actually teach him go and ho. We had a great first real ride but it quickly became apparent we were going nowhere fast at the old barn. It had wonderful turnout, an amazing round pen, and a big gorgeous zero dust arena. However, I hadn't factored in how hard it would be to coexist with the hunter crew that moved in around the same time I did. They decided the round pen was too deep so they took out some sand. This resulted in an uneven round pen filled with large gravel pieces from the drainage layers. They kept jumps out five days a week and started leaving them on both rails. There were usually canter poles on the quarter line and there wasn't even a 20 meter circle. Some weeks they even left a few jumps up when the arena was supposed to be clear. It was impossible to do flat work on the broke horses I was riding let alone on a squirrely unbroke horse with the propensity to get a tad light on the front end.

I know how to work a greenie through tantrums but it was dangerous for me with all those jumps. One day I rode him and he wasn't even very bad. I needed to be able to get him moving but with all the jumps every time I did anything we almost hit one. At one point he went to rear a few feet from a jump and I was scared. It was the only day I have been white knuckle scared on this horse. I resorted to riding in the round pen but the footing was shitty and you can only ride a youngster in the round pen for so long. So with sadness I found another barn. I was sad because he had three acres and buddies. It was the perfect set up for him. So many times barns say they "daily turnout" but that ends up being only for a few hours. Either that or horses don't get turned out in the rain but it RAINS ALL THE TIME HERE!!

I found a quiet little barn not terrible far from Bre. It is a bit of a drive but so far it has been worth it. I have been able to work him every day I make it out. He has turnout and loves all the young geldings. There aren't a bunch of little out of a control kids under foot and the only obstacles in the arena are cavalettis I put there. I really miss my barn friends at the old barn but this place has been a great fit from day one. Super happy!!

Dickie's Bro Update

Pony Up Rescue For Equines brought Dickie's brother home shortly after I last posted. He was unhandled and wouldn't even let them put a halter in. It has taken weeks but now he has a halter on and will let people touch him. He even nickers when he sees people come out. Ironically he is a stud and is calmer than the Dickster Trickster!! 

He is probably three (doesn't look younger and Dickie's mom was poppa's first). They have the same dad. Pony Up tried to name him King but started calling him Pinky due to the color of his nether regions. If you want to see his progress check them out on Facebook

Eye Candy

Dickie showing he can trot under saddle

Ho de dum. I'm a mellow boy 

My cute little student. Learns how to post four weeks ago, putting a horse in dressage frame already. 

Loving the little girl enjoying the sunny summer. 

Long time no blog

This summer has been crazy (in good ways) so I haven't found time to blog. And when I did get on blogger all I wanted to do was catch up on you guys. I don't kneel where exactly to start. At this point I am not riding as much because the little red mare I was on is getting ridden a ton (other lessons horses are sick or lame) and the little grulla mare is getting a workout too. My friends daughter has been riding the little red Arab and there's a good chance she will buy her. It has been a blast teaching her. I forgot how much I like teaching. It almost makes me wish I had a few more students but I don't have my own barn and I surely don't have the time to travel to someone's house.


Dickie is coming along nicely. It's been hot (for this region) and he isn't in the mood to be exciting when it's been hot for a few days. I trotted him in the big arena for the first time. It's super distracting there with the open walls and attached paddocks so the previous attempts were les than successful laden with leaps and bucks. He is a funny guy. He does really well when you push him to something new then totally walk away from the new thing. He might throw a tantrum but when you come back to it all of he sudden he knows how.

One thing I noticed is my crap ass riding isn't helping him. It's been so long since I have ridden a horse that doesn't know leg means go so I keep getting all naggy w my legs. I also need to drop my stirrups a hole or two so I can be more affective. Until now I have been in defensive mode so I anted the security of a short stirrup. I am hoping to ride him outside a bit because inside is boring both of us. However he hasn't quiet proved his safety yet. I might try it next week.

I will keep you posted. I would post pics but blogger won't let me from my iPhone. Does anyone know how?

Dickie's Brother is in Kill Pen and needs help

Dickies brother showed up in a kill pen in enumclaw Washington last week. I saw his picture and thought "boy that could be his twin". I later found out it is his brother. He has he same sweet face. The scheduled date for him to ship to slaughter is tomorrow. The rescue that saved Dickie from the same fate is raising bail money to take him on. He's a gorgeous horse but is a cryp stud so he will be a more expensive rehab than usual. If you can even spare a few dollar to donate to his rescue this guy will greatful. Pony Up would be the best place for him because they will ensure he gets the surgery he needs and the training to be a good equine citizen.

Take a look at the link above. He's a hunk. The PayPal to donate is rosemary@ponyuprescue.com The rescue is certified tax deductible. If they raise more than bail it will go to gelding surgery.

Recap of Since We Last Met

I think the last time I posted I had just broken my toe. I had a wonderful vacation. I didn't go anywhere but I was able to catch up on school work and ride a ton. I have been riding the cutest little arab mare who is up for sale. She has been used in lessons but prefers having just one rider. I wanted to have something to ride to get into shape for Dickie. Riding and showing Lady will help her get a better home and it has been a blast for me.

The stable also acquired a little Fjord cross named Belle. She is going to be used as the beginner pony for kids and adults. She is as stout as draft and could carry a larger adult. She is also not much bigger than a pony and smooth as silk so she will be a perfect confidence booster for kids and adults alike. Belle is calm and very good natured but as green as they come. A friend at the barn is riding Belle too and in no time she will be ready for lessons. She has the perfect mind for a lesson horse.

My toe just got feeling better about a week ago. I didn't want to ride Dickie when I wasn't feeling 100%. I have to move fast with with that guy and didn't think it was a good idea to start out with a handicap. He has been back in work and I got on him for the first time in a month yesterday.