Riding Brittany Ann

I'm starting riding lessons with Dawna on her mare, Brittany. She is a very sweet Walking Horse. I'm hoping to learn a balanced riding seat with a dressage saddle. Dawna can ride her around the arena with little to no reins, just by shifting her weight and turning her head and torso. With me, I'm a little clumbsy and she doesn't want to mind as well, but I think I'm starting to get the feel of it.

BREAKTHROUGH WITH RED

I got home from work a littler earlier than usual since it was a 70 degree day and headed out to the barn with a couple hours to spend. Every time I think about working with Red I tell myself, "Don't do it. You're gonna get hurt." But he needed some grooming and I could tell he wanted to be played with, so I haltered him and got started.

Little boy wants attention

I held my breath when it was time for the feet. First and second -- a breeze. But with the right front, he resisted, then snapped the foot down hard. I remembered what Dawna told me about Monty acting this way. She said "He acts like a little boy who just wants attention, so don't give him any." So, I turned my back on Red and folded my arms with a big frown on my face. He nosed toward me and I took a step away. He followed and I kept moving until his rope wouldn't allow him to go further. After about a minute of this I squared Red back up and gave him a look, then petted him. No problem with the remaining feet.

I'm the boss! Right.

After a little practice backing up, lunging on the rope and moving the hindquarters I thought, job well done, and took him back into the pen. I stood a while with him, petting and rubbing. I thought since things were going so well, I'd just try lowering his head and out of the blue he kneed me in the stomach with his front leg. For the first time, I had a whip in my hand and enough sense to smack his knee immediately. He turned his rear to me and I smacked his butt. Then he ran out of the shed.

A humbler Red

Now, I'm livid. He's gotten away with this behavior so many times, but this time was different. I glared at him with folded arms and as much body language as I could muster to show him how mad I was. When he started to move toward me, I shook the whip at him. Then turned my back on him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something amazing. Red lowered his head to the ground and stood there. Then took a step toward me. Then another step. I kept an eye on him but kept my back to him and he ever so slowly came to me. I'm a pushover, but I didn't make it easy for him. In the end we petted and hugged and a bit later, he got a treat.

Sparkler is a pill

I had enough time left to get Sparkler saddled up and out to the arena with just the halter. Then Red snuck under the tape that separates the two pastures. He couldn't get in our arena, though. I don't know if she was just spooky from Red being so close or if she just was that way, but she would not stop or turn. She did hold still for mount and dismount, though. All in all, not a bad day.

Horse toxins

What a great fall day. I took Sparkler out in the yard walking, flexing and backing. Leaves from the Black Walnut trees are everywhere and she tried to eat them. Since they are toxic to horses I won't do that again until the leaves are gone.

I thought it was a good idea to find out about outher horse toxins and found these sites:

• Trees for Horse Pastures
• Poisonous Plants

It turns out that Milkweed, Horsetail, Brachen Fern and Chokecherry leaves and bark are bad news for horses.

Monday T.E.A.

The Equestrian Academy (TEA) met again after the summer break. We talked about purpose of the group, events we'd like to have, where to meet, etc. There are lots of good ideas for pot lucks, barn walks and educational topics.

Reining in vain

Yesterday was the Alzheimer's fund-raising walk. I help coordinate the registration table, but managed to get home by noon. I headed right for the pasture where I collected and hauled all the burdock I could find since it's getting out of hand. After that, I was bushed. A cold has worn me out.

But I grabbed Sparkler anyway and saddled her up. We started with a John Lyons exercise. She flexes and responds well to the rein on her near side. On her far side, she resists and tightens up. She was so mellow I lunged her a bit and got on. She just had to rub noses with Red on the other side of the fence and I knew she'd hit the electric wire. When she did I braced myself, but she just jumped a bit, then backed off. I'm not making any progress with her response to the reins. I'm not sure what I should do...

Liz Graves clinic - Part 2

Liz Graves clinic - Part 2

I audited the second part of Liz's clinic today. Individuals had an opportunity to have Liz evaluate their horses. She checked saddle fit, bit and riding technique. It was very interesting just to watch.

Liz Graves clinic - Part 1

Dawna and Mary arranged a Liz Graves clinic at Joy's stable. Day 1 was about conformation and saddle fit. Liz demonstrated how you look at key structures of a horse to determine their characteristics.

First, she found a region on the horse (often, where a bone is located) and placed a bright orange target sticker there. Then she connected the dots to create lines that show the angle or length of bone. The angles can help determine the reach and lift of a horse's stride and other significant attributes.

We found the quarter horses had a steeper rise on their shoulders and the Tennessee Walkers had a more laid back angle.

I had to laugh when I left to see half a dozen horses in the pasture looking like constellations.

Here are a couple links to some very good information about horse conformation. You should be able to use that page to identify the points of your horse. Then read this page about how to analyze your horse. Try some of the links toward the bottom of the second page for photos that illustrate key points. These articles are about gaited horses, but could apply to any horse.

Sweet, sweet, hay

Art came by today and turned and baled the hay. It's really cool the way the baler sucks up the piles, spins it around and spits a big round bale out its backside. With the threat of rain on the way, Bob and I spent the evening pulling the bales in and tucking them away for winter. We shouldn't need to buy any additional hay this year with the great crop we got.

I grew up a country girl, but never experienced farm life. I love the work, I love the smell of our new hay, I love the full moon glowing above the corn crib as Bob and I sit on the front porch eating our fudgesickles. This IS the good life.

Again? Yup.

I'd been unable to stop thinking about yesterday's ride. So after work, I fed the horses right away and went back to the barn after dinner. I saddled Sparkler up and then it was out for some practice leading. Both sides are getting better. Out to the driveway, down to the road, past the flag pole and out to the arena. After some groundwork with the bridle it was in the saddle. Just a few turns. Lots of whoas and backing up and nothing but a walk. It feels great to ride.

Labor Day ride

A far cry from last Labor Day!

Last Labor Day I got kicked. This one was different. Sparkler and I went for a ride! Saddle on--Longe just a little until she seems willing and attentive--Bridle on (no problem!)--Work on flexing the head to the side from the ground--Good on the left, no luck on the right.

She chomped on the bit quite a lot, but stood still for mounting. After lots of coaxing, she yields to the left and we can go in a small circle. On the right, though, she won't turn her head, but at least she'll go in the general direction. Whoa is getting better. A little bit of a jump and run when I barely squeezed her sides, but nothing terrible.

Cutting Hay

Art cut our 4 acres of hay today. It rained just a bit in the late afternoon after my ride, but it should be fine. The hay crop was a bit thin last fall, so Bob threw out some seed in April and had it fertilized after the first cutting. We should have a good crop!

Family outing

Grandpa's birthday was today. Sam's is on Thursday, so we celebrated both today at OCB and came back to the farm afterwards. I took Sparkler out to meet the folks and get her accustomed to a crowd. She was very good. I've noticed lately that when she does spook at things, it's just an in-place thing, kind of a shiver.

Blimp go home

I groomed and saddled Sparkler this morning, then walked her down to the road and around the drive. We went around the flag stick where we practice chipping golf balls. No problem. I had a tarp in the makeship arena in back and after a few tries I had her walking on it. As I went back to the barn to get her bridle, I saw her kicking wildly. At first I thought, Oh, oh, she's trying to get her saddle off. Then I saw Red in the next pasture doing the same thing. In the same direction.

It was a Met Life blimp passing overhead that they were both kicking at. And they did chase it away. Once it left I tried to mount. At first Sparkler wouldn't stand still. Finally, when she settled I got on. She would not respond to the reins at all. Finally, with Bob calling to her from the ground, I got her to move around. I had better luck with backing.

Fall Loomis horse auction

This summer we went to a horse auction at Loomis' and could not believe the low prices. Out of curiosity, we went again. Bob would like to have a third horse - one he can just get on - gaited or not. The first one that caught his eye was a 16 hand buckskin Spanish mustang. He was VERY pretty and Bob wanted him. He also wanted the 15 hand paint mare (great attitude) with badly cared for hooves and the 14 hand mare by the same owner. When he started talking about getting auction numbers, that's when I said time to go. I'm just not sure about an auction horse, and with Red still around, I'm not ready to make a quick decision. Believe me, I know how hard it is reverse it.

Riding whip

We stopped at Stockmans after the auction to find something for Grandpa's birthday. I picked up a short riding whip to keep in my back pocket so I can have 2 hands free and something to protect myself with when I need it.