Well back into riding full on, thank goodness the weather has come right. Grass is growing madly and even George is feeling the effects of a full belly.
Cheeky
We had someone come out and look at Cheeky and everyone who knows how my luck goes, the day before Cheeky was having a play in the paddock and lost her back end, she was a bit sore on her hind leg afterwards. She was a bit hoppy the next day on her downward transitions but otherwise behaved perfectly. Kerry did a fantastic job of showing her off, and the lady seemed very happy with her, shes keen to come back again, so will let her know when she's all a-okay again. She now seems fine trotting and cantering in the paddock so will get Kerry back out next week to have a look/ride and see whether we need to wait till Tommy's been back out. We've had some more interest, so will keep you updated as to what happens. She's also come into season so making a bit of a show for the boys, she just can't help hanging her butt over the fence, however luckily my lot aren't interested at all, so she's started giving up, the slapper.
Rat
Haven't really progressed much as till daylight savings comes along theres just not the time to ride two, so have been working with George. However Ratbag has had some more walk and tiny bit of trot work and a lunging session. This weekend will bring him into the riding paddock and start working at a trot and may start lunging him over some small jumps.
George
Well George is going great guns, he's feeling great and he's really striding out in his trot. We've just started to do some canter work and he's fantastic on his left lead, however we're taking around 3 attempts to get that right lead. Once we do get it, its much more balanced, so its coming slowly. Our new way of riding is really working with George, he much prefers the basic aids, wish I'd come to this a lot earlier as he's not resisting at all. I can now see us doing some lovely dressage tests, and as Kerry says, no reason this horse couldn't be doing some Novice tests, mmm rider! Can't fault this horse at all, so all in all happy horse happy rider. We even did a few tiny jumps yesterday, no taking off afterwards, so will do a bit more tonight, and will start doing some grid work shortly. Will aim to get him back into having regular jumping lessons and once Rat is doing a decent trot and canter will aim for dressage lessons with him.
JimJim
Well Shannon has been working hard at getting JimJim to lower that head, he's quite resistent, but he's getting there. I had a ride on him to see how he goes, he's not too bad at lowering that head carriage but boy is he slow, I doubt I could get him to trot :) Shannons been doing the last couple of days jumping and first day he just looped along, however last night there was certainly a bit more speed. They're having a blast and thats all I can ask, she's loving riding him, and he seems to be enjoying it too especially as he follows her around the paddock waiting for cuddles and scritches.
Will try to get some more photos of the boys this weekend, will aim for some jumping ones as well.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
18 September 2008
Well with the weather we've been having soon we'll be riding again every day. Spring has certainly sprung with the grass all growing madly!
Monday I managed to get a ride on Rat, however my nice walk around was shattered by Kerry yelling at me while mounted on Cheeky telling me to pull finger. So Rat and I had to do some work, we got a nice walk and just worked on a nice low head carriage, he still feels like he's not moving forward but since Roly took some video footage of us trotting around the other day, I have realised due to his longer stride he feels like he's not moving but he's actually tracking up nicely, problem with me riding George and him, being two completely different horses. He's got a naturally low head carriage and really is a much easier ride than George, he's just got that mellow attitude. So will hopefully get him out and about a bit this year, will take him to the next PC Rally and see how it all goes.
Shannon had a hand from Kerry to work on getting JimJim to work in a outline as he has a giraffe neck, so that's her goal for the next week to work on, she'll keep him to a walk while working on getting that nice long and long walk. He's been quite resistant to the whole idea of bringing that head down but when he gets it (and Shannon) its a much nicer picture to behold.
I rode George last night and boy is he striding out, he's really feeling very good, and other than the spook at the dogs playing behind the Ute, he was nice and settled and working in a nice outline, our turns are coming along much better now, as there is not the resistance we had in the past, our new way of riding (Andrew McLean way) really suits George and he's loving it, he's not confused about what I'm wanting, as this is all so much simpler for him. I have high hopes for him at his next dressage outing which might be October as the September day was postponed, so if I can get him registered in time we'll toddle off to that and the November day. We even had our first little canter after coming back into work and it was lovely and slow and soft and on the right lead, which has always been his sticky leg.
Kerry rode Cheeky bareback (show off!) and was working on the bit and doing some leg yielding, pirouettes etc, Cheeky hadn't forgotten anything she'd learnt and you can tell she really enjoys having a thinking rider on board. Really happy with her progress and she's a much happier horse with having something to do. She's going to make a lovely dressage horse and with her shiny coat and bits of chrome could be a stunner in the show ring. I will be disappointed to sell her, but Shannon's just not at the level that I think Cheeky deserves, as you can see just how much potential she has with a good rider on board.
Raining her today so won't be riding tonight, so crossing fingers for tomorrow, as am really enjoying our rides and the lovely evenings we've been having, other than having to race home to feed old hungry guts, its been lovely and relaxing. Only fly in the ointment is having to go to work every day :)
Monday I managed to get a ride on Rat, however my nice walk around was shattered by Kerry yelling at me while mounted on Cheeky telling me to pull finger. So Rat and I had to do some work, we got a nice walk and just worked on a nice low head carriage, he still feels like he's not moving forward but since Roly took some video footage of us trotting around the other day, I have realised due to his longer stride he feels like he's not moving but he's actually tracking up nicely, problem with me riding George and him, being two completely different horses. He's got a naturally low head carriage and really is a much easier ride than George, he's just got that mellow attitude. So will hopefully get him out and about a bit this year, will take him to the next PC Rally and see how it all goes.
Shannon had a hand from Kerry to work on getting JimJim to work in a outline as he has a giraffe neck, so that's her goal for the next week to work on, she'll keep him to a walk while working on getting that nice long and long walk. He's been quite resistant to the whole idea of bringing that head down but when he gets it (and Shannon) its a much nicer picture to behold.
I rode George last night and boy is he striding out, he's really feeling very good, and other than the spook at the dogs playing behind the Ute, he was nice and settled and working in a nice outline, our turns are coming along much better now, as there is not the resistance we had in the past, our new way of riding (Andrew McLean way) really suits George and he's loving it, he's not confused about what I'm wanting, as this is all so much simpler for him. I have high hopes for him at his next dressage outing which might be October as the September day was postponed, so if I can get him registered in time we'll toddle off to that and the November day. We even had our first little canter after coming back into work and it was lovely and slow and soft and on the right lead, which has always been his sticky leg.
Kerry rode Cheeky bareback (show off!) and was working on the bit and doing some leg yielding, pirouettes etc, Cheeky hadn't forgotten anything she'd learnt and you can tell she really enjoys having a thinking rider on board. Really happy with her progress and she's a much happier horse with having something to do. She's going to make a lovely dressage horse and with her shiny coat and bits of chrome could be a stunner in the show ring. I will be disappointed to sell her, but Shannon's just not at the level that I think Cheeky deserves, as you can see just how much potential she has with a good rider on board.
Raining her today so won't be riding tonight, so crossing fingers for tomorrow, as am really enjoying our rides and the lovely evenings we've been having, other than having to race home to feed old hungry guts, its been lovely and relaxing. Only fly in the ointment is having to go to work every day :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
14th September 08
Well where to start, the weather has been fantastic!!!! Shannon and I both rode on Saturday, however due to Skye being spayed we couldnt' stay long as we had to take over babysitting duties. I rode Georgie and he was actually a wee pearl again, wanting to work nice and long and low and not rushing off, Tommy's visit has done the trick and I have one happy horse.
Shannon asked for a lesson as some one other than her mother has mentioned to her about her leg position - why won't they listen to their mothers@!! Anyway, even though I was prepared to be yelled at like normal we actually had a really good lesson, Shannon was giggling most of the way round as I had to keep telling her to look up, thats her biggest fault at the moment, she looks down to see what's happening, she rolls her shoulders, leg lifts up as she's no longer putting weight through to her heels, so once we got her to stop looking down and sit tall the picture was much pleasanter! JimJim as per usual just cruised around the paddock but once Shannon got her position right, he started to lower that head and come into any outline. I actually got a thank you for helping her, I know! Poor old Rat got a brush and away we went, we were already an hour late getting home.
ELLESMERE PC - SUNDAY
We loaded up both the boys for PC (Yes I finally got to take my own horse), it was a sunny day and most of the way to PC we discussed how good Roly is, I know sickening isn't it. We got to PC and got into our groups, in mine was Dy with Max, Julie with Eric and I think her name was Alisha and her wee grey pony, yes we were all adults bar Alisha, as her pony required some understanding. Well Georgie was a wee dream, wasn't as soft as I would like, but wasn't worried about being in a strange venue, not interested in what other horses were doing, he really stretched out, and worked nicely on the bit, he showed the result of all our hard work in the paddock, just pity he doesn't always put it together in the arena! He still had plenty of go in him after the 2 hour work out, but was more than enough at the moment.
JimJim spent from what I saw some time on games, but as JimJim is such a good boy, I really don't have to watch Shannon like a hawke, he doesn't mind if she's completely in larlar land, he'll just carry on the same track till he's told otherwise :)
We, well Shannon had to flag the jumping as we'd promised Roly we'd be home by 3pm to relieve him of his babysitting duties. We finally timed our trip from Halswell to Ellesmere and with the float on doing 70km its 1/2 hour, however the wind had picked up and was buffeting the float, so slow poke here was only comfortable driving at 60km.
The boys will get a well deserved rest today and back into work tomorrow.
Shannon asked for a lesson as some one other than her mother has mentioned to her about her leg position - why won't they listen to their mothers@!! Anyway, even though I was prepared to be yelled at like normal we actually had a really good lesson, Shannon was giggling most of the way round as I had to keep telling her to look up, thats her biggest fault at the moment, she looks down to see what's happening, she rolls her shoulders, leg lifts up as she's no longer putting weight through to her heels, so once we got her to stop looking down and sit tall the picture was much pleasanter! JimJim as per usual just cruised around the paddock but once Shannon got her position right, he started to lower that head and come into any outline. I actually got a thank you for helping her, I know! Poor old Rat got a brush and away we went, we were already an hour late getting home.
ELLESMERE PC - SUNDAY
We loaded up both the boys for PC (Yes I finally got to take my own horse), it was a sunny day and most of the way to PC we discussed how good Roly is, I know sickening isn't it. We got to PC and got into our groups, in mine was Dy with Max, Julie with Eric and I think her name was Alisha and her wee grey pony, yes we were all adults bar Alisha, as her pony required some understanding. Well Georgie was a wee dream, wasn't as soft as I would like, but wasn't worried about being in a strange venue, not interested in what other horses were doing, he really stretched out, and worked nicely on the bit, he showed the result of all our hard work in the paddock, just pity he doesn't always put it together in the arena! He still had plenty of go in him after the 2 hour work out, but was more than enough at the moment.
JimJim spent from what I saw some time on games, but as JimJim is such a good boy, I really don't have to watch Shannon like a hawke, he doesn't mind if she's completely in larlar land, he'll just carry on the same track till he's told otherwise :)
We, well Shannon had to flag the jumping as we'd promised Roly we'd be home by 3pm to relieve him of his babysitting duties. We finally timed our trip from Halswell to Ellesmere and with the float on doing 70km its 1/2 hour, however the wind had picked up and was buffeting the float, so slow poke here was only comfortable driving at 60km.
The boys will get a well deserved rest today and back into work tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
6 September 2008
Well Shannon was finally able to get on to JimJim a few times during the week, after having a few months off due to weather and ground conditions the attitude hadn't changed any, he's still slow :)
Shannon went to Ricc/Fen PC on Saturday to be a guinea pig for an instructors training course. JimJim behaved perfectly. Not sure either of them enjoyed the day greatly, however I know she enjoyed the company. Due to the Sunday being Father's day we didn't do day two.
I had the Monday through to Wednesday off, so rode George and even Rat on Monday, it was cold but fine, and the ground wasn't too bad. George was George, and after a few arguments re whether his feet had to actually stay still when halting, we settled in well and we actually achieved something. Ratbag was, as always, relaxed and happy to just wander around at a walk, we even did a little trot, it wasnt' pretty but he stayed relaxed and didn't rush off. Pretty pleased as he's had close enough to 3 months off now.
On Tuesday I went for a ride with Tracy and Dude at Belfast PC through the forest. I'm a bit of a nervous driver when it comes to my babies on board, and wasn't helped as we had to stop on the way there for a train, at which time the float started swinging and I thought half my horse was going to be out the back door, luckily he settled down and we continued on. George was a wee dream when out, he really enjoyed doing something different, and didn't take long for his ears to get a little sweaty. I think we were out for around 2-2.5 hours on the boys, and George was definately relieved to have made it back to the float. Even though it was cold when out of the shelter of the trees, it was a great way to spend a drizzly day.
Ground is still a little slippery due to a bit more overnight drizzle, when will it stop. Dressage day has been cancelled on Sunday due to the strangles outbreak. So my boys will be under no pressure to come back into work in a hurry, we'll take our time.
Cheeky has an interested purchaser, so Kerry can start riding her again next week, and towards the end of the week we're hoping to have the lady out to see her. Hopefully it will be the right home for her and we'll find a match. I will be sad to see her go, but she needs someone who has time for her as with already having two I just can't do another one.
Shannon went to Ricc/Fen PC on Saturday to be a guinea pig for an instructors training course. JimJim behaved perfectly. Not sure either of them enjoyed the day greatly, however I know she enjoyed the company. Due to the Sunday being Father's day we didn't do day two.
I had the Monday through to Wednesday off, so rode George and even Rat on Monday, it was cold but fine, and the ground wasn't too bad. George was George, and after a few arguments re whether his feet had to actually stay still when halting, we settled in well and we actually achieved something. Ratbag was, as always, relaxed and happy to just wander around at a walk, we even did a little trot, it wasnt' pretty but he stayed relaxed and didn't rush off. Pretty pleased as he's had close enough to 3 months off now.
On Tuesday I went for a ride with Tracy and Dude at Belfast PC through the forest. I'm a bit of a nervous driver when it comes to my babies on board, and wasn't helped as we had to stop on the way there for a train, at which time the float started swinging and I thought half my horse was going to be out the back door, luckily he settled down and we continued on. George was a wee dream when out, he really enjoyed doing something different, and didn't take long for his ears to get a little sweaty. I think we were out for around 2-2.5 hours on the boys, and George was definately relieved to have made it back to the float. Even though it was cold when out of the shelter of the trees, it was a great way to spend a drizzly day.
Ground is still a little slippery due to a bit more overnight drizzle, when will it stop. Dressage day has been cancelled on Sunday due to the strangles outbreak. So my boys will be under no pressure to come back into work in a hurry, we'll take our time.
Cheeky has an interested purchaser, so Kerry can start riding her again next week, and towards the end of the week we're hoping to have the lady out to see her. Hopefully it will be the right home for her and we'll find a match. I will be sad to see her go, but she needs someone who has time for her as with already having two I just can't do another one.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)