Oh, man, I really missed my lesson last week! I wasn't available last Weds. since I was spending time with Harlan before he flew out, and Kim was going to be gone on Thurs, so we planned for Saturday, but I was in the hospital with Christopher... So it was great to ride again today!
2 weeks ago the course was still set from the horse show and we had a really nice time riding the course again (or parts of it anyways). Today, someone had made a mish mosh of the fences - they were at weird angles, and it was hard to put them in a nice hunter course, so we played "jumper" instead and made several tight turns to get where we were going. Simon did great - and somehow always managed to get the correct lead over fences. :) That was nice. The last line of fences was my favorite - it was the perfect cadence, no rushing, and the fences just came to us as part of a stride and it was awesome! I love it when things fall together like that.
I'm about ready to start taking lessons on Rocky here soon. I really want to get him going (finally! after 12 years!) and show him next year. I talked with Kim about different arrangements to make that happen - we'll see what we decide and can afford. :) It sure would be wonderful to finally get to show him - that will is my next goal - to get Rocky to a show next year and at least do a small course of fences in the green division. Wow. That would be SO awesome! Can't wait!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Feed change - Aussie Logic
I changed my horses' feed to a new brand called "Kool and Kalm" by "Aussie Logic" about 2.5 weeks ago. It is an extruded feed, that is a natural source of nutrients, highly digestible, etc., that has been highly recommended. It is also supposed to increase feed efficiency, keep your horses calmer while also providing positive energy for them.
What has been obvious to me so far is that all of my horses' coats are much softer, shinier, and somehow cleaner? But I didn't think until this morning that maybe Rocky's positive energy Sunday is a byproduct - as well as Sweetie's calming over fences last week. The real tell tale will be next time I work with Kiley to see if she is calmer.
The other thing that I have noticed is that my overweight horses have lost a lot of belly, but no muscling. The nutritionist said that for obese horses, they will lose some of the "ballast" or gut fill once they have been on the feed a while. And I have to say that Charlie's and Penny's bellies no longer look pregnant! Now, I had hoped to see more of a difference in Rocky's belly, but maybe each horse is different and that will just take some time. I've also got Charlie and Penny on the low starch version since both of them seem to be a bit cresty in the neck, and Penny for sure is sensitive to laminitis issues.
Anyways, I am really delighted with the feed so far. I'll keep it in the back of my mind as I notice any other changes and report back! :)
What has been obvious to me so far is that all of my horses' coats are much softer, shinier, and somehow cleaner? But I didn't think until this morning that maybe Rocky's positive energy Sunday is a byproduct - as well as Sweetie's calming over fences last week. The real tell tale will be next time I work with Kiley to see if she is calmer.
The other thing that I have noticed is that my overweight horses have lost a lot of belly, but no muscling. The nutritionist said that for obese horses, they will lose some of the "ballast" or gut fill once they have been on the feed a while. And I have to say that Charlie's and Penny's bellies no longer look pregnant! Now, I had hoped to see more of a difference in Rocky's belly, but maybe each horse is different and that will just take some time. I've also got Charlie and Penny on the low starch version since both of them seem to be a bit cresty in the neck, and Penny for sure is sensitive to laminitis issues.
Anyways, I am really delighted with the feed so far. I'll keep it in the back of my mind as I notice any other changes and report back! :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Last week, Lesson 12, Rocky
Last Sunday (the day after the show) I got up early and rode both Rocky (still a little off due to a stone bruise) and Sweetie. Sweetie was great as always, and we trotted over a few fences and she was much more under control - it was easier to post the trot to keep her slow before takeoff. She has been really pulling me to the jumps, so it was nice for her to be more relaxed about it.
On Weds., I had Lesson 12 on Simon! I had two main things I wanted to work on with Simon - 1) using my body instead of my hands to control his speed, and 2) releasing better/not having "chicken wings" (where my elbows stick out when we go over fences. These were both lessons from the show. When we started trotting over fences, I found myself too focused on fixing things, and had to calm down and stop thinking so much. Once I relaxed, we had a group of really nice fences, did about half a course beautifully and quit.
This morning, I rode Rocky. I was hoping his stone bruise had resolved and I was lucky! For the first time in about 2 months, Rocky was completely sound, and energetic! (He had another issue in a back leg about 2 months ago that now looks like an abcess came out at his coronary line on that foot.) Anyways, it was SO fun to ride Rocky today! He had more energy at the trot than he has had in years it seems (I guess he's slowly getting back in shape, and of course, being sound makes a world of difference, too!) I love riding his huge, suspending trot. Oh, my gosh... it is just amazingly wonderful. I then asked him to canter, and although I got a few strides, he wasn't very willing to go into the canter so I dismounted and got my lunge line out and we lunged both directions at the canter until we got 3 nice transitions each way. I worked him pretty hard, but it's important to get it right. I got back on him and walked him out, and decided not to ask for the canter under saddle today again since he needed to cool out.
It is so good to have Rocky back sound again! We talked this morning after my ride about the possibility of taking Rocky to Kim's for boarding/training for a few months. We'll have to see what we can afford... I really hope to be able to take him to some shows next year, and that's the best way to get started!
After all, his show name is "Visions of Fame!" :)
On Weds., I had Lesson 12 on Simon! I had two main things I wanted to work on with Simon - 1) using my body instead of my hands to control his speed, and 2) releasing better/not having "chicken wings" (where my elbows stick out when we go over fences. These were both lessons from the show. When we started trotting over fences, I found myself too focused on fixing things, and had to calm down and stop thinking so much. Once I relaxed, we had a group of really nice fences, did about half a course beautifully and quit.
This morning, I rode Rocky. I was hoping his stone bruise had resolved and I was lucky! For the first time in about 2 months, Rocky was completely sound, and energetic! (He had another issue in a back leg about 2 months ago that now looks like an abcess came out at his coronary line on that foot.) Anyways, it was SO fun to ride Rocky today! He had more energy at the trot than he has had in years it seems (I guess he's slowly getting back in shape, and of course, being sound makes a world of difference, too!) I love riding his huge, suspending trot. Oh, my gosh... it is just amazingly wonderful. I then asked him to canter, and although I got a few strides, he wasn't very willing to go into the canter so I dismounted and got my lunge line out and we lunged both directions at the canter until we got 3 nice transitions each way. I worked him pretty hard, but it's important to get it right. I got back on him and walked him out, and decided not to ask for the canter under saddle today again since he needed to cool out.
It is so good to have Rocky back sound again! We talked this morning after my ride about the possibility of taking Rocky to Kim's for boarding/training for a few months. We'll have to see what we can afford... I really hope to be able to take him to some shows next year, and that's the best way to get started!
After all, his show name is "Visions of Fame!" :)
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Show Day!
Today was my first show since 1995! I'm so proud that I did it! I got there early and gave Simon a bath and got him looking good, and then it turned out I had 2-3 hours before I would get to ride. Once he was dry, I put him back in his stall, and of COURSE the first thing he does is roll. He laid down twice while I was waiting to take his daily beauty naps. :) But thankfully, the vetrolin shine kept him relatively clean and it was easy to "buff" him up before I rode.
I went shopping yesterday - (who can stay away from a tack shop sale? Oh, okay, so it was my first time to the english tack shop in town!) I bought a new pair of britches (I have two pairs - one with holes in the crotch (no that won't work for a show) and the other the knee pads are starting to fray (again, not quite right for a show). I also got a new show shirt. I am amazed at the changes in the britches over the last 15 years (I have not purchased britches in at least that long). They were thinner, lighterweight, more comfortable, and stylish. Even Kim didn't quite recognize me when she first saw me dressed in my boots & britches and shirt. :) It was fun. She was impressed with how good we looked. I still rode in my schooling helmet - I don't have a velvet one right now, and can't afford the whole wardrobe at one time, but since it was a schooling show, I figured I could get away with it.
After warming up over a few fences, our first course was the warm-up class. I knew that Simon wasn't quite awake yet, but we were also in a hurry to get in the ring. The first 3-4 fences were a little lethargic, but the rest of the course was beautiful! And boy, I was surprised how nervous I still got! I had hoped that after giving birth I wouldn't be so nervous. The "fear" of jumping is definitely diminished, but I still got nervous like I always have. But I think my favorite part of the course was after the first or second line and I heard Christopher's voice yell, "Hi, Momma!" Harlan had just arrived with the kids to watch me ride, and he hadn't had a chance to see me yet. It warmed my heart. I just wanted to stop and wave and say, "Hi, Christopher!" but I was in the middle of the course so we continued :). Thanks to Cliff, Dodie, and Mandy who came to see me ride, too!
Our second course (first course in the Adult Equitation) started off well, and then Simon coughed hard around one of the corners (he has allergies). It really pulls me forward a bit when he does that. He coughed again right before the second to last fence and he was anxious going towards it and we ran out - the first time that Simon has done that with me over the last 11 weeks. I could tell he wasn't right, so I was prepared, but I was also disappointed. We circled and came back around to the fence and finished the course without any further trouble.
We did the Adult Eq. under saddle, and had a few coughs there as well. There were 3 riders in our division, and I got 2 3rd places. :) That's okay. The other two riders are regulars on the show circuit and have very nice horses, so I was neither surprised nor disappointed. I was proud that I completed my first division in 13 years!
Next was the Open Hunters, also at 2'6". Our first course, our only major flub was not getting the correct lead over the first fence. But Simon gave me half a flying change, and eventually the back half as well. He got a little forward a few times and I could feel us "fight" a little bit as I was trying to pull him back. Kim mentioned to just let him go and try not to fight with him over his speed (I normally am bettter about that in our lessons) and use my body instead of my hands. The next course was nearly perfect - I let Simon do his thing and stayed out of his mouth, and we got great spots to the fences and he was calm until to the last fence he started to get anxious (the same fence he ran out on) and lifted his head and got faster and we had a close spot to that one, last fence. But the rest was so beautiful. We placed 5th out of 7 in the first course, and 4th out of 7 in the second course. Not bad! I was pleased that I wasn't last. :)
Under saddle in the Open Hunters, Simon was great! He didn't cough at all (bonus!) and did all of our transitions perfectly. He's so funny - when we're in a lesson, he could not be more lethargic at the trot. But he knew that it was a show, and was just waiting for me to ask him to move up into the trot. I could feel his body being more tense than usual at the walk just waiting and anticipating the request to trot and canter. He even did beautiful transitions from the walk to canter - and we placed 3rd out of 7! The two horses that beat us were the same two that did so in the Adult division - and I was so pleased with him for being so good.
What a day! I am so exhausted I can barely move! But it feels so good to have accomplished that! A few months ago I would not have ever considered showing. I still remember my first lesson where I was worried about jumping at all and whether I would remember how to do it! :)
Yay! What a great day!
I went shopping yesterday - (who can stay away from a tack shop sale? Oh, okay, so it was my first time to the english tack shop in town!) I bought a new pair of britches (I have two pairs - one with holes in the crotch (no that won't work for a show) and the other the knee pads are starting to fray (again, not quite right for a show). I also got a new show shirt. I am amazed at the changes in the britches over the last 15 years (I have not purchased britches in at least that long). They were thinner, lighterweight, more comfortable, and stylish. Even Kim didn't quite recognize me when she first saw me dressed in my boots & britches and shirt. :) It was fun. She was impressed with how good we looked. I still rode in my schooling helmet - I don't have a velvet one right now, and can't afford the whole wardrobe at one time, but since it was a schooling show, I figured I could get away with it.
After warming up over a few fences, our first course was the warm-up class. I knew that Simon wasn't quite awake yet, but we were also in a hurry to get in the ring. The first 3-4 fences were a little lethargic, but the rest of the course was beautiful! And boy, I was surprised how nervous I still got! I had hoped that after giving birth I wouldn't be so nervous. The "fear" of jumping is definitely diminished, but I still got nervous like I always have. But I think my favorite part of the course was after the first or second line and I heard Christopher's voice yell, "Hi, Momma!" Harlan had just arrived with the kids to watch me ride, and he hadn't had a chance to see me yet. It warmed my heart. I just wanted to stop and wave and say, "Hi, Christopher!" but I was in the middle of the course so we continued :). Thanks to Cliff, Dodie, and Mandy who came to see me ride, too!
Our second course (first course in the Adult Equitation) started off well, and then Simon coughed hard around one of the corners (he has allergies). It really pulls me forward a bit when he does that. He coughed again right before the second to last fence and he was anxious going towards it and we ran out - the first time that Simon has done that with me over the last 11 weeks. I could tell he wasn't right, so I was prepared, but I was also disappointed. We circled and came back around to the fence and finished the course without any further trouble.
We did the Adult Eq. under saddle, and had a few coughs there as well. There were 3 riders in our division, and I got 2 3rd places. :) That's okay. The other two riders are regulars on the show circuit and have very nice horses, so I was neither surprised nor disappointed. I was proud that I completed my first division in 13 years!
Next was the Open Hunters, also at 2'6". Our first course, our only major flub was not getting the correct lead over the first fence. But Simon gave me half a flying change, and eventually the back half as well. He got a little forward a few times and I could feel us "fight" a little bit as I was trying to pull him back. Kim mentioned to just let him go and try not to fight with him over his speed (I normally am bettter about that in our lessons) and use my body instead of my hands. The next course was nearly perfect - I let Simon do his thing and stayed out of his mouth, and we got great spots to the fences and he was calm until to the last fence he started to get anxious (the same fence he ran out on) and lifted his head and got faster and we had a close spot to that one, last fence. But the rest was so beautiful. We placed 5th out of 7 in the first course, and 4th out of 7 in the second course. Not bad! I was pleased that I wasn't last. :)
Under saddle in the Open Hunters, Simon was great! He didn't cough at all (bonus!) and did all of our transitions perfectly. He's so funny - when we're in a lesson, he could not be more lethargic at the trot. But he knew that it was a show, and was just waiting for me to ask him to move up into the trot. I could feel his body being more tense than usual at the walk just waiting and anticipating the request to trot and canter. He even did beautiful transitions from the walk to canter - and we placed 3rd out of 7! The two horses that beat us were the same two that did so in the Adult division - and I was so pleased with him for being so good.
What a day! I am so exhausted I can barely move! But it feels so good to have accomplished that! A few months ago I would not have ever considered showing. I still remember my first lesson where I was worried about jumping at all and whether I would remember how to do it! :)
Yay! What a great day!
Lesson 11 - pre-show prep
Thursday was Lesson 11 - the show was today (more on that later!) Simon was good, takes a bit to wake up as always. Oh, and we have a new system for mounting up. I leave the girth as loose as possible to mount up, then we walk for a while, and then I tighten the girth about 2-3 holes for the rest of the ride so the saddle doesn't slip. Worked perfectly.
The courses for the show were set up, so I got to jump both courses one time. Simon was great - we got close to a few fences. I have to remember that I really need a good night's sleep before a lesson - getting up at 4am makes me ride a little less thoughtfully I think. :) But Simon was very well behaved and got me over all the fences no problem. It was fun to practice a whole course set up at 2'6"!
After the lesson, Kim helped me clip his ears, muzzle & fetlocks to have him show-ready. He is such a great horse and has given me so much confidence as I'm getting back into the saddle.
The courses for the show were set up, so I got to jump both courses one time. Simon was great - we got close to a few fences. I have to remember that I really need a good night's sleep before a lesson - getting up at 4am makes me ride a little less thoughtfully I think. :) But Simon was very well behaved and got me over all the fences no problem. It was fun to practice a whole course set up at 2'6"!
After the lesson, Kim helped me clip his ears, muzzle & fetlocks to have him show-ready. He is such a great horse and has given me so much confidence as I'm getting back into the saddle.
Jumping on Sweetie again!
Wow - it's been a week since last Sat. when I rode Rocky & Sweetie - they both were great - I worked on cantering even farther around the ring with Rocky, and rode Sweetie for the pleasure of it. I set up two crossrails in the rings (thanks to Dad for the poles!) and she made me giggle - the first time I pointed her towards a fence, she perked her ears and galloped towards it with force - 1, 2, 3 strides and over it! She was a little over excited. I don't know if it's because she is a little out of shape, or she just loves jumping, but it was awesome! I hadn't jumped Sweetie since 2000 - maybe a crossrail or two in Oregon. I can't believe it has been that long!
I only had time for one horse on Monday morning (Labor Day) and so I chose to ride Sweetie - I am just having too much fun with her not to. And we did the crossrails again, and she picked up her knees so big and was very energetic about them again! She is so fun and sensitive to all of my cues - jumping into the canter from the walk each time. I also worked on trotting the fences - holding her to the base of the fence so she didn't go too crazy, but she still jumped them and then even crowhopped around the corner after it. Silly girl. But it was fun!
Weds. night, Harlan came home early and offered to let me ride! So I did - I won't turn down a chance like that! I only had about 20-30 minutes, so I rode Sweetie again. It was dusk - almost dark, and I knew something would probably happen when I got Sweetie out of her stall. She saw me with a halter and quickly turned the other way in her stall and put her but towards me! I though to myself, "Oh, no you don't!" I knew that she didn't really want to be ridden, but I couldn't let her get away with it either. So I tacked her up and went into the ring. She spooked once early on in the ride from the dogs, and later at the canter, she jumped about 6' sideways shying from one of the dogs, and I only jumped about 3'... and... plomp! Down on the sand I went. Nice, soft, soft, sand thank you! It wasn't that bad, and I got right back on and continued. We still jumped a few fences and Sweetie was more responsive to me about waiting to the base of the jump instead of galloping to and over it. But there was still one time where she took the bit in her mouth and said, "I'm going to jump it from Here, Mom!"
Yes, I am having way too much fun - this is the stuff I dream about. Thank you to everyone who is making it possible (my wonderful Husband, Harlan, and the munchkinos!)
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