tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post8489262313712263096..comments2023-04-15T03:58:45.461-07:00Comments on It's a Really Long Way Down: A very productive evening!verylargecolthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18035418539530230889noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-49056453161096882932008-06-07T23:01:00.000-07:002008-06-07T23:01:00.000-07:00Mary, congratulations!Lisa, here's his pedigreeMary, congratulations!<BR/><BR/>Lisa, here's his <A HREF="http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/big+yellow+caddi" REL="nofollow">pedigree</A>verylargecolthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18035418539530230889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-5063230047815573562008-06-07T20:14:00.000-07:002008-06-07T20:14:00.000-07:00How is your colt bred? Thanks and good luck with h...How is your colt bred? Thanks and good luck with him.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08621314441699639935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-29549116158535816032008-06-07T17:38:00.000-07:002008-06-07T17:38:00.000-07:00The ride with PH went very well. She doesn't real...The ride with PH went very well. She doesn't really trailer load (my bad -- I should have checked this out before trying "for real".) but it's a wide-open step-up stock trailer and she did get on fine after looking at it a bit. (No violence, no blow-ups, no excitement, just a few tugs and she stood there like a doof for two minutes before she got on. I would like her to step up immediately, no hesitation, so that's on our list of to-do's for next week.)<BR/><BR/>We saw Donkeys! A Stud Horse (running the line of his fence and *screaming* at the ladies on the other side)! ATVs! Pickup trucks with people sitting in lawn chairs in the truckbeds. Pickup trucks with flags stuck in the holes in the bed. Horse and Buggy! Strange horses that we did not know! Traffic! Several paved-road bridges! Guard rails! We ponied another horse! (Okay, at the walk only, one known to PH and an expert at being ponied, to boot. The kid who was riding the pony got a headache from the heat and was sent back to camp in one of the aforementioned pickup trucks, which is why the pony had no rider.)<BR/><BR/>PH took everything in stride, didn't put a foot wrong at all. It was a good outing. I feel a lot more confident about the whole ctr training efforts (starting next week) at this point.which_chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10944558109074440312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-21435396806941787032008-06-07T17:08:00.000-07:002008-06-07T17:08:00.000-07:00WE DID IT! I took all 3 horses out to get prettied...<B>WE DID IT!</B> I took all 3 horses out to get prettied up then tacked up the SSP. She wasn't really happy about the cinch, but didn't move a foot for it. I worked on mounting and dismounting because she would fly her head. About 4 times up and down and she was falling asleep. She's sooo much like her momma, I love it! We did some walk/trot around the suppose-to-be dry lot. She's really good about moving, but has a habit of stopping before being asked, so I just gave her a bit of leg and a kiss and she moved on. <BR/><BR/>She's still got that drunken-sailor walk, but she's willing. I asked for a trot and her head came up, but she went right into it. If Daddy wasn't riding the really-loud-horse-eating-grass-stealing-monster, I would of asked for a canter, but she was a bit on edge everytime he went by.<BR/><BR/>Things I have to work on:<BR/>Giving to the leg easier<BR/>Balance<BR/>Softer at the poll<BR/>Turning off the hind (She's great about turning off the fore)<BR/>Straight lines!!! <BR/><BR/>I think tomorrow I'm going to do more trotting work in semi-small circles and get her balancing out a bit more. Lots, and lots of trotting...my ass is cringing just thinking about it!<BR/><BR/>Amazingly enough, for how tiny she is, she's very smooth. She's only 14.2 hands, but she has a great ground-covering gait.<BR/><BR/>YAYAYAAY! I RODE MY BABY GIRL!!!!! Daddy watched from the Lawnmower, beaming with pride that his Spoiled Spotted Princess was taking everything in with little excitment.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00120290486731998118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-15641833604277278482008-06-07T13:24:00.000-07:002008-06-07T13:24:00.000-07:00I'm riding SSP tonight, come hell or high water! N...I'm riding SSP tonight, come hell or high water! No bugs, no wind, no NUFFIN is going to keep me from it! Wish me luck!!!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00120290486731998118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-47320953046476243402008-06-07T10:47:00.000-07:002008-06-07T10:47:00.000-07:00Hi Argyle;Young horses are clumsy getting used to ...Hi Argyle;<BR/><BR/>Young horses are clumsy getting used to the new balance of a rider on their back and getting fit in the process. Some often stumble. You have your sea legs back but he's never had any to begin with. Give him a summer of slow work over uneven ground walking hills stepping over things. Sit up, sit back, give him his head and give him time. I ride a basic hunt/military seat too but not so forward on youngsters that a peck will throw you onto his forehand. If you don't have access to the outdoors make do with cavaletti. There's no reason for a horse to pick up his feet in a groomed arena so learning is slow especially if he a daisy cutter to begin with. Of course I have no way of knowing what's really going on with your guy but this is what popped into my head. Assume that he probably will stumble again as he adjusts. <BR/><BR/> SSagebrusheqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05490175290841527388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-46869720425323008242008-06-07T09:44:00.000-07:002008-06-07T09:44:00.000-07:00First time responding here! OK, I am a 41 year ol...First time responding here! OK, I am a 41 year old re-rider. I am a hunter rider. Started riding when I was 5 years old, and stopped when I was 34 years old. (had three kids)I used to be a competive A/O hunter rider on the A circuit, so I was a very experienced and knowledgable rider. Fast forward to today...I bought a yearling two years ago. I have been doing ground work w/him all this time, and he has gone to several breeding shows. Well he turned three this spring. Finally time to ride!! (I have been riding my friends prospect horses for the past two years, so I have my "sea legs" back! Third time I was on my boy, who is extremely lazy and slow, he very unexpectadely reared, then bucked, and I hit the dirt. I was a little sore, but nothing major. So I got back on, and everything was fine for several weeks. He is a very good natured boy, and never tried anything like that again. Then two weeks later, we were cantering, and he stumbled, and went down to his knees. I hit the dirt again! And ate a mouthfull of ring dirt! Luckily I was not seriosly hurt. I got back on, But now I'm totally chicken shit. The tripping thing is always on my mind. Does any one else have a baby that has tripped and fallen w/ it's rider? He hasn't done any stumbling in the last three rides since the incident, but I'm afraid to canter him at all, in fear that he may do it again.Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01501633895573024390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-79467661136919833352008-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:002008-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00Fugs: Some tips on taking arena pictures. I have t...Fugs: Some tips on taking arena pictures. I have to take them all the time for people because I am the only one with a good camera at the barn I work at.<BR/><BR/>1. Put your back to any light source (unless you have a backlight setting on your camera, if you do put the horse in front of the light source)<BR/>2. Use the highest ISO setting your camera has. Most newer (as in 5 years new) digital cameras have that setting. Try and get a camera with an ISO shutter speed of 1/30 second or higher because you will be moving.<BR/>3. Wear light colored clothing (rider)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14523660446608394720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-82966557251566839172008-06-07T03:18:00.000-07:002008-06-07T03:18:00.000-07:00Today I'm going out to ride PH in the local horse ...Today I'm going out to ride PH in the local horse dealer's "start of summer" trail ride. It's an all-walking two and a half hours of not-very-difficult riding (trotting might make you spill your beer*, as would anything but nice quiet blacktop and gravel roads) but there are Drafts and Buggies and Mules, Oh MY! There are gaited horses and hay wagons and lots of exciting things for a young horse to see. <BR/><BR/>Fortunately for me, the weather is supposed to be low nineties -- I'm not proud. Horse doesn't pick a fight because it's so stinking hot, that's a win in my book.<BR/><BR/>I'm wearing shorts. I may regret that decision later but it's six AM and seventy two degrees and sticky. I do not want to put pants on.<BR/><BR/>*I will not personally have a beer.which_chickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10944558109074440312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-62824968744404631752008-06-06T22:28:00.000-07:002008-06-06T22:28:00.000-07:00I had a great ride tonight too. I think this is #6...I had a great ride tonight too. I think this is #6 (4th off the lead/without a walker), and it started off pretty badly. After tacking the little WB filly, I went to leave the barn yard to the riding ring, and she wouldn't follow. I gave a tug and she flipped her head and back up. So I dropped all the lunging equipment I was holding and we did some ground work. You'll follow me, and be damn happy you're lucky enough to follow me. After a 2 minute refresher, she lead great, 100% responsive. When we lunged, she started pulling again, which is something she hasnt done the last few times. She also go springy and slow as she went around, so we sent some time chasing to get her going forward and no feeling so cocky. By the end she had some really good moves off, and trot-walks, and walk-halts, which she had tested the last 2 sessions. When we long lined, she tested the stopping a bit, but was WAY better about going straight unless told other wise. And when I go on, she was <I>wonderful</I>!! Forward, stearing really well, and we even trotted! First just a few steps, then half a long side to a buddy, and then followed a buddy down the long side. And she was great. Her head came up, its usally pretty level, but she just kept straight and walked when I half halted. I was very proud of her. :)brat_and_a_halfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04263069274808003021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-20233638666915576712008-06-06T19:38:00.000-07:002008-06-06T19:38:00.000-07:00I recently got back into riding and forced myself ...I recently got back into riding and forced myself to stay calm and assertive no matter what else was going on (the horse was good but spooky from lack of use for 1+ years). I had practice staying calm+assertive from recently raising a puppy, and it really did help. I suspect that maybe you have rediscovered your calm-assertiveness. Just like horses don't forget even many years after training/riding, I think riders who were once well-trained/skilled themselves are much the same. At least that's what I tell myself! For what it's worth, the horse I've been working with had a major tendency to buck at first and he hasn't gotten me off even though it's been an embarrassing amount of time since I've been riding regularly. You'll be fine from here on. Your instincts will take over, I swear. Just breath. There is always the VLCs mane :) And, of course, keep those heels down!RuckusButthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14760056031442317243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-81213171556049746332008-06-06T18:09:00.000-07:002008-06-06T18:09:00.000-07:00>>Well, I've only come off twice since I started r...>>Well, I've only come off twice since I started riding again in 2003, and both times, the horse fell hard from a canter, so that was why.<<<BR/><BR/>Well no wonder! You neglected to mention that detail before, now I can relate. Going down with the horse is a whole different kettle of fish than just getting launched. For the most part I don't remember the occasions and have no idea how many times I've gone sailing (a standing joke with my buddies in Utah was 'Sandy's trick riding again') but I can recall in detail every time I've gone down WITH a horse: what horse, where we were, what led up to it, how we landed, the footing, the weather- very scary stuff. That's when you thank your lucky stars, reevaluate, and think real hard about whether this is the particular horse you want to break your neck on.<BR/><BR/> <BR/>>>Can you imagine the stories our horses would tell if they could blog....<<<BR/><BR/>Well, there's Kipling's 'The Maltese Cat'; and Tschiffley wrote an account of his famous ride from the point of view of his two Criollos. I can't recall the name of the latter but it's one of my favorite horse stories. Tschiffley was only an occasional horseman and most of what he knew he learned on the trail from Tierra del Fuego to Washington, but somehow he turned out a good horse's first person account of the ride- maybe because he was writing for children: I've noticed that more than one author let's down his reserve and circumspection when writing for that audience. And of course there's 'Smoky the Cowhorse' by Will James. James is pretty sentimental and anthropomorphic in his depiction but within that he displays a great knowledge of horses and what makes them tick. <BR/><BR/>SSagebrusheqhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05490175290841527388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-1942956334624354362008-06-06T14:17:00.000-07:002008-06-06T14:17:00.000-07:00Good job VLC!! I think this blog has helped you. I...Good job VLC!! I think this blog has helped you. I know for sure that my blog has helped me.<BR/><BR/>I doubt you will revert back. I think it's like riding a bike, you never really forget. Once you get back on, it all comes back to you.<BR/><BR/>*clap clap clap* Okay, I didn't really clap, but I imagined it.Heat Stroke in FLhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00825353132317885131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-9693516830015809572008-06-06T12:40:00.000-07:002008-06-06T12:40:00.000-07:00Oh, good! I'm so happy to hear that he is loved. :...Oh, good! I'm so happy to hear that he is loved. :)<BR/><BR/>Yeah, besides all of the trotting and making him tired, now I know that I should have taken a hold of his mouth, especially when he did the whole nose-to-chest thing. Instead, I dropped the contact, which, of course, was just what he wanted. <BR/><BR/>Sneaky horse. :)Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12538162584572250005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-89814932627430868462008-06-06T11:58:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:58:00.000-07:00As for the double reined bits - I love them. They...As for the double reined bits - I love them. They seemed complicated to me, but my guy does his best stuff in an Argentine snaffle, so I had to learn when I bought him. Now I use all those reins all the time, even for trail rides! Now I absolutelly LOVE being able to switch from a snaffle, to a curb, or use both for a milder curb/snaffle effect.<BR/><BR/>my horse HATES plain ring snaffle bits. Can't stand the nutcracker action on his jaw. His favrite bit in the whole world is an antique one that I found on E-bay - it has the Billy Allen large copper roller reining bit mouthpiece along with a snaffle ring so that I can use both the rings and the shanks. LOVES it.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-76453108353213204882008-06-06T11:53:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:53:00.000-07:00Mugwump,You got the picture exactly! Ever heard o...Mugwump,<BR/>You got the picture exactly! Ever heard of being "flat out like a lizzard drinking"?? Well, there ya go! You get the frame first, eventhough you feel like you're doing close to mock2 - then once you get the frame you start reining it in. <BR/><BR/>In fact, as you start to slow them, they get shorter and even rounder framed...they have to, to balance themselves now that they're not plinking along on the front end.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-24671215591251237012008-06-06T11:44:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:44:00.000-07:00Char-Thanks! I see no reason why I can't get that ...Char-Thanks! I see no reason why I can't get that drive and leg extension at the faster clip we go at, correct? As long as my horse is pushing into the bit and my hand is a safe place to go, shouldn't I be able to create a level top line, even at 30+ mph down the fence?<BR/>I plan on starting at a walk, with the snaffle, but my goal is flat out in the full bridle....<BR/>but you're giving me a headache with the dual rein stuff...I'm just a romel riding gunzel...mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-90617010281835586712008-06-06T11:30:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:30:00.000-07:00By the way, Mugwump:I prefer to use a pelham bit s...By the way, Mugwump:<BR/><BR/>I prefer to use a pelham bit such as an Argentine snaffle or other bit that has a snaffle rien and a curb rein. That way you can alternate between the two or combine in a split second right when you need to.Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-87268217484839655412008-06-06T11:26:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:26:00.000-07:00OMFG Karen V, I'm so glad I was reading your posts...OMFG Karen V, I'm so glad I was reading your posts at home as you had me laughing histerically in front of my computer.<BR/><BR/>Mugwump, about the relaxing the front and driving from behind:<BR/><BR/>Most of the EP and WP horses pull themselves along with the front end, but if you want them to actually go correctly in pleasure form...<BR/><BR/>Drive, drive, drive. Start out with a smidgen of contact on the reins and drive them forward with your legs. If you're using a snaffle bit, consider the fact that you will have to use twice as much leg to get them into frame as a leverage bit. <BR/><BR/>As you continue to drive them forward at first the walk, when they start to reach for the bit, that's when you know you're on the right track. If they don't reach for contact, use your fingers on the reins to VERY lightly see-saw on the bit to encourage them to reach for it. If you overdue the see-saw you'll loose them and they'll back off the bit.<BR/><BR/>It takes a lot of time in the saddle to get them to start rounding up. Once you do some walking, try doing some trotting with contact. Once they are "on the bit", loosen the reins about an inch. Once they reach find the bit again, loosen the reins again. So on and so forth.<BR/><BR/>Keep in mind that you will have to be willing to let them go in a VERY forward (read fast) trot until they understand what you are trying to get them to do, then once you can feel them round up, have contact on the bit and they are driving from behind, you can start asking them to slow down using half-halts, again, using A LOT of leg.<BR/><BR/>Hope this helps! <BR/>(actually, I hope I explained it properly and you can actually understand what I'm trying to say...)Charhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901638136431043360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-31474636937379521152008-06-06T11:23:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:23:00.000-07:00I am glad to hear you aren't to beat up.Pffffftttt...I am glad to hear you aren't to beat up.<BR/><BR/>Pffffftttttt.......sorry I keep laughing, it is just the visual.<BR/><BR/>I am sure my horses could tell you all some really good ones too, I am glad they can't type. Here I thought they were nickering for breakfast too, apparently not ;)hope4morehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16406204960272774108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-26006080782084277312008-06-06T11:09:00.000-07:002008-06-06T11:09:00.000-07:00LOL!! i crack myself up! I tell ya, the things I'...LOL!! i crack myself up! I tell ya, the things I've lived through!<BR/><BR/>H4M - No "real " problem. Minor stiffness in the butt, but when I fell, I landed more on my left hip, than square on my pelvis. I do have a beauty of a bruise behind my left knee though. The chair was resin, ladder back with arm rests. (It only has one arm rest now but that's beside the point) Mike was all bummed because once again, he missed making the $10,000 video on America's Funniest Home Videos.<BR/><BR/>FAM is probably STILL laughing about it and sharing with the rest of the mob! And here I thought they were nickering for their breakfast....Karen Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03905570178257490375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-88993369271225975952008-06-06T10:56:00.000-07:002008-06-06T10:56:00.000-07:00karen v-you crack me up...karen v-<BR/>you crack me up...mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-7739798249801518472008-06-06T10:54:00.001-07:002008-06-06T10:54:00.001-07:00Have you seen Buck or Ray "shake down" a horse? It...Have you seen Buck or Ray "shake down" a horse? It's pretty benign, despite sounding like a strong-arm tactic. I'll see if I can find an article that describes it. It may take a while as I have to get out the door here for a couple of hours.<BR/>Thanks Liz! Yes I have,I shake them down after a deep slide stop as a reward,and to relax them... but I need something that will bring the back up....?<BR/>I'm thinking WP because they basically do a deep, slow motion drive for each gait, (the ones I think look good anyway). Maybe English Equitation, I'm talking AQHA, you know, the sweepy, fake English riding :)I want my horses to drive from the rear more, to go forward into the contact with the bit.I feel like my drive gets stuck in the neck. Am I making sense or am I insane?mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-88708031227838080242008-06-06T10:54:00.000-07:002008-06-06T10:54:00.000-07:00Hey KarenV this is your Minnesota buddy, ROTF-LMAO...Hey KarenV this is your Minnesota buddy, ROTF-LMAO with tears streaming down my face. You are hilarious! I am glad you are okay and hope it didn't cause any flare up's with your injury. Big kudos for staying on while running for home bareback, totally impressive. Now picture me trying that....um I would have been in a big heep on the arena floor.hope4morehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16406204960272774108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8476030038561997950.post-62282801549995821562008-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:002008-06-06T10:30:00.000-07:00I can only imagine what FAM would say about me!! ...I can only imagine what FAM would say about me!! <BR/><BR/>I forgot one little part of the story, which probably Stupid #0.5 - I told my husband what i was going to do.<BR/><BR/>When I got the horse put away and the broken chair out of the arena and the pieces picked up, I went into the house. I'd dusted off my sweats (yeah..sweats. It was supposed to be a nice quiet ride), so there was no "real" evidence. My husband was sitting at the computer in the office, responding to an e-mail. Over his shoulder, he said, "So....are you going to ride another one or are you ready to take your sign back?" He'd watched the whole thing from the front window.<BR/><BR/>Sign = Stupid sign. (Bill Engval) ya know??? Here's your sign, guy? I hadn't realized I'd left my sign in the house....Karen Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03905570178257490375noreply@blogger.com