Minnesota Horse Expo

My coworker, Sally, and I went to the expo today. I was late getting to Sally's because Sparkler knocked down the hot wire and slipped into the next pasture... Last year, Clinton Anderson was the highlight. We weren't disappointed this year, either.

John Lyon showed a great exercise to do with your horse to become light on the bit.

This year they slipped some entertainment into the program with the Olissio Zoppe equestrian acrobats.

The rodeo was very good with the usual events, clown acts and Bruce Vince roping on his pair of paints, a whip act and other acts.

I got the most from Larry Whitesell. Last year I learned about types of gaits and how anatomy affects them. But I knew very little about gaiting exercises until Larry's session.

The orphan

We went to visit Red tonight at Whispering Winds Ranch. First off, I had the priviledge of feeding Gary and Darlene's new orphan buckskin, Sparky. He's their pride and joy.

Their sorrow is that they lost his mother in delivery. She was the mother of Gary's primary buckskin stallion. They are still grieving at her loss. Sparky seems to be doing well, though, needing to be fed every hour. He has "Leo" on one side and "Rugged Lark" on the other so he should be impressive.

The other babies were just as neat. There's one more mare to deliver and I hope it goes well.

Red is still a bit feisty. Gary had him lunging. When he had to do more than a few laps, he'd buck and act up, but Gary would just make him work harder. Then he'd settle and Gary would "whoa" him and bring him to a nice stop. He's hesitant to move the forequarters and midsection, but Gary hopes to have a response to a very light touch eventually.

Bob took the lead rope and tried a few things, then it was my turn. I hate to admit it, but I am still petrified of him. He nibbled my hand when I tried to move him over and all I could remember was the day he bit my arm. I need to work more with Sparkler to build my confidence before I am going to be able to handle Red. Either that or he's going to need 6 more months with Gary!!

She's good today

I worked a bit with Sparkler after golfing (after all, Bob should get to do his thing, too). She displayed none of the pulling and fretting of yesterday. I think she was showing off for the boys at Moore's Academy.

First outing with Sparkler

This is the day I've been eagerly awaiting! The pleasure E-Academy from 1:00 - 4:30.

I started out preparing early in the morning. We were supposed to arrive by 12:30 so I had to keep on schedule. I had my list and was checking things off - twine, halter, lead rope, hay, hay bag (where's my hay bag?), boots, gloves, water bucket and snap, grain, carrots, cooler for Bob's snacks. I should have done some of this yesterday--the timing was a little close. At 11:15 I went to quickly groom Sparkler and by 11:30 we had her loaded and tied. With one slight navigation problem we arrived at Moore's Academy by 12:35 (only 5 minutes late!)

Sparkler was a handful from the start. She was the youngest in the group of 7 horses. Lots of energy. She was as excited as I was. And she made the boys excited, too.

She dragged me through the exercises. So each time she got ahead of me, I had to stop her, back her up and turn her around her front quarters so I could start out ahead of her.

Mary gave me some basic tips to get her under control. When standing, if she takes one step forward, I make her take one back. Two steps forward -- two back. These are the little things no one's told me that are extremely important.

Sparkler pawed the ground and Mary said not to let her get a way with that.

What should I do? The leg is on the other side. I should kick (let me restate that: touch as lightly as needed with my foot) the near leg. So the next time Sparkler pawed, I did. I kicked her harder than I needed because I'm not used to doing this, but it startled her and she stood stock still and never pawed again the rest of the day.

We did hindquarter exercises, leading, leading fast, around obstacles, pine branches and boxes. We followed a tarp. Then went outside where the horses were more excitable.

Sparkler apparently came into heat in the excitement of the day and we had to stay away from the other horses.

We started the day very out of control, began to regain control in the middle of the session, but ended rather out of control. However, she did load into the trailer once again. All in all, a good way to end the start of our traveling.

Trailer loading time

Bob brought our new horse trailer home! I just had to see what Sparkler would do.

Sometimes things do go well and this was one of the few. I had her on and off 3 times. The first time, she just zipped on and off nicely. The second time, she was a bit explosive--doing a tap dance on her tippy toes so we unloaded her quickly. The third time she was so much better. Let's hope this isn't a fluke and on Saturday, she'll load for her first trip.

Saturday, the E-Academy is dong a groundwork training workshop at a stable near Elk Mound. There is a second day trail training workshop. I'm half hopeful that I might take Sparkler on it, but I need to ride her a few times beforehand.

So I tried the new saddle again. There weren't enough holes in the cinch strap so I had to tie it. But I couldn't get her to stand by the mounting block I just bought. She's terrified of it.

Away from the block, I had Bob hold her steady while I tried to mount and she just bolted and hit Bob in his head with her head.

Obviously, we are rushing things.

First visit to see Red

I went to Gary and Darlene's Whispering Winds Ranch to see Red today. I brought my new saddle for Darlene's horse, Zeke, to try. Zeke is a beautiful half Walker as big as and colored like Red. No luck with him, but the saddle fits Red pretty well.

I like Gary's method of using a whip with a plastic bag on the end.

He's been using it for lungeing to guide his direction. This way there's no smacking or touching Red with a rope or whip. Gary can point with the lead rope in both directions and Red moves out as nice as can be. In general, he has a much improved attitude.

I gave a try leading him and wouldn't you know, he pushed into my shoulder, as usual. Gary suggested using the whip/bag when he crowded me, so i wagged it at his face -- wrong. I should start with the bag the furthest from Red on the other side of me and bring it slowly toward him to make him keep his distance. So I started shaking it far from him and when that didn't work, pointed it at Red's shoulder -- wrong. This just scared him away. Gary says just bring it on the ground near my foot closest to Red. Voila - perfect distance and great leading.

This much progress in 2 days. What will the rest of the month bring?

E-Group -- Conditioning

Tonight was Monday E-Group at Connell's. Dawna gave a great presentation about conditioning of horses, starting with an understanding of the skeletal and muscular structure. Question is--who needs more conditioning; me or my horses?

I don't miss Red

I'm giving Sparkler extra attention, since she's all alone. She whinnies when I come to see her, which is unusual. It is SO nice to walk into the pen without Red there. I can move all around her and hug her and feel safe.

Still looking at trailers. There are a few Web sites that are helpful:

• Horse Trailer World (National listing)


• Denny's Trailer Sales (Wykoff, MN)


• Goodrich Trailer Sales (Eau Claire, WI)


• Loomis Tack and Trailer (Mondovi, WI)

I really like the Kiefer Eagle XLA. It's real solid, but a little more than we want to spend. The Featherlite are nice and so are the SilverLite. We can't seem to find any used trailers. They are either really old or the price of a newer one is more than that of a new low-end trailer.

Easter Sunday ride

It's Easter and we have the family coming this afternoon, but this is the only day Gary can come to get Red for training. He arrived around 9:30 and after 1 1/2 hours of trying to load Red in a cold drizzle with no success, Darlene suggested loading Sparkler first.

I was wondering how that would save any time since she's only been loaded once before, but we had nothing to lose.

I led her to the trailer, stepped in and she followed 1-2-3-4 like a seasoned traveler. In another 10 minutes Red was in, too.

We rode out to Gary's and got to see his 24 horses and beautiful, hilly new farm. Then Darlene and I brought Sparkler back home. Gary showed Bob around the place and came back after us.

Red's going for a sleepover

Gary says he can take Sparkler now, earlier than we expected. Since we don't have a trailer yet, we've arranged to have Gary pick him up this Sunday.

I had just a few minutes to get the saddle on Sparkler's back. It seems to fit but I won't know for sure until I have more time.

It's here - My new saddle!

I ordered a saddle from National Bridle Shop the end of March. I hadn't even heard of them until a catalog turned up in my mailbox. It's the Tennesean Cordura nylon endurance saddle with the tree that's supposed to work for Walker's. My Abetta semi-quarter-tree saddle pinches Sparkler shoulder. This one's black, lightweight and inexpensive. It was back ordered, but came late in the day today while I was in the barn.

By the time I knew it had arrived it was dark. I have a hair appointment tomorrow so I can't try it out then. Maybe Thursday.

Lunging at the E-Academy

Spring is getting near. It's been a long winter. Maybe that's why I've been waiting impatiently for this E-group event held at Elaine and Don's stable.

Our neighbor Vicki is feeling like me, eager to do something with our horses, I think. She and her daughter, Alexis, joined this activity, too.

Dawna and Mary arranged for 2 horses to be our guinea pigs as we attempted to lunge them. We used different types of lead lines and whips, used a longeing strap with a bridle, learned how to tie up the reins to get them out of the way. We also tried side reins to help keep the horse straight.

Laura's horse, Princess, was calmer and easier to work with. Elaine's horse presented more of a challenge. It was fun and helpful even though I still feel so clumbsy.

New truck, new trainer!

Something's happened to my husband. Ever since I began talking about the Equestrian Group and the planned activities, Bob has been warming up to the idea of traveling with the horses. Now of course, we'd need a new truck.. So he's been looking these last few weeks and brought one home today. It's a newer used Ford F-250 turbo diesel. The hunt for a horse trailer is on.

AND, Gary came out to evaluate Red. At first, Red was very agressive. Flashing the whites of his eyes, kicking out, being pushy--typical Red behavior. Then as Gary pushed him more and more and returned the agression with some slapping with the tail of the lead rope (nothing mean, just progressively more force until Red moved), Red calmed down and became more docile. I asked Gary, with some training, if we might be able to ride Red this summer. To our amazement, Gary jumped up on Red's bare back (it took 2 tries) and had Red moving backward and forward and around. This in the small space our our loafing shed -- with a cement floor. I was convinced this was the right trainer for Red.

Gary has just moved into his new farm and is still getting organized. As soon as he's squared away, perhaps another month, he'll call us and arrange to pick up Red for a month. Yippee!!