"Reality always begins with a dream...
Make reality happen!"
Caddy and Khol
May 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Squealing at the Chiropractor and Machine Guns
Yesterday we enjoyed the visit of Bruce, an equine chiropractor. He treated a few of the Distance athletes: Summer, Spirit, and Caddy as well as Willow and Paris. Bruce was very open to all our questions and has a really gentle, calm way with the horses.
And he brought two of his co-workers with him, a Burnese Mountain Dog and a NS Duck Tolling Retriever - my two favourite breeds. We could have kept him there for hours, probably an issue he has to deal with daily!
Willow has conformation that isn't top-notch (neither do I!) so I hoped it might be good for her. She was the funniest patient in the barn - she was vocal and not shy about squealing her annoyance at the downward hip-area adjustments. I was not happy with this at first as I was worried she might be too rude to Bruce, but he was ready for her. She really enjoyed the rest, however, especially the tail stretch which Bruce was kind enough to teach me. I'd seen it done by the others, but I was afraid I'd hurt her doing it myself. Bruce showed me how to match the angle of her tail bone, wrap her tail around my hand, bring up the slack and let her pull into it. Lynn must have done that with her thousands of times as she instantly pulled into that tail stretch for Bruce. I'm looking forward to doing this for her. She was the best at showing her neck flexion.
He also made time for Paris, who was a real star, especially considering this was her first time. She stood well with her best friend, Lynn, throughout Bruce's treatment and really enjoyed meeting the dogs too.
Paris also asked me to relay (in her own words) this unfortunate occurrence she was forced to endure shortly before her appointment with Bruce:
"While I was exploring the indoor, patiently waiting my turn, I was practically attacked by blades of grass hitting the outside wall as the mower went by!! It must be what machine-gun-fire sounds like, I tell you! Gary could be on my "naughty list" for that one, but I do so appreciate everything he does for me, so he's forgiven. Thankfully, a human heard the commotion of my flying Arab hooves and came in. I ran right over to tell her all about it and asked for a nice brushing, please, to help me relax. As usual around here, she complied with my wish and I thoroughly enjoyed that brushing as I composed myself. She told me that I was very brave and was mightily impressed with 1. my quick recovery and, 2. looking to the human for reassurance.
She assured me these are excellent traits in a much-treasured endurance horse so I am very proud of myself!" - Paris
And he brought two of his co-workers with him, a Burnese Mountain Dog and a NS Duck Tolling Retriever - my two favourite breeds. We could have kept him there for hours, probably an issue he has to deal with daily!
Willow has conformation that isn't top-notch (neither do I!) so I hoped it might be good for her. She was the funniest patient in the barn - she was vocal and not shy about squealing her annoyance at the downward hip-area adjustments. I was not happy with this at first as I was worried she might be too rude to Bruce, but he was ready for her. She really enjoyed the rest, however, especially the tail stretch which Bruce was kind enough to teach me. I'd seen it done by the others, but I was afraid I'd hurt her doing it myself. Bruce showed me how to match the angle of her tail bone, wrap her tail around my hand, bring up the slack and let her pull into it. Lynn must have done that with her thousands of times as she instantly pulled into that tail stretch for Bruce. I'm looking forward to doing this for her. She was the best at showing her neck flexion.
He also made time for Paris, who was a real star, especially considering this was her first time. She stood well with her best friend, Lynn, throughout Bruce's treatment and really enjoyed meeting the dogs too.
Paris also asked me to relay (in her own words) this unfortunate occurrence she was forced to endure shortly before her appointment with Bruce:
"While I was exploring the indoor, patiently waiting my turn, I was practically attacked by blades of grass hitting the outside wall as the mower went by!! It must be what machine-gun-fire sounds like, I tell you! Gary could be on my "naughty list" for that one, but I do so appreciate everything he does for me, so he's forgiven. Thankfully, a human heard the commotion of my flying Arab hooves and came in. I ran right over to tell her all about it and asked for a nice brushing, please, to help me relax. As usual around here, she complied with my wish and I thoroughly enjoyed that brushing as I composed myself. She told me that I was very brave and was mightily impressed with 1. my quick recovery and, 2. looking to the human for reassurance.
She assured me these are excellent traits in a much-treasured endurance horse so I am very proud of myself!" - Paris
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
What's been happening since the Mud Run...
Well there has been so much buzz around this Mud Run, now what? I've been enjoying reading everyone's accounts of the weekend, and looking back at all the pics and videos brings back the great memories and feelings of those two incredible days.
This past weekend Tammy and Wind, Lynn and Spirit, Pam and Summer, and Kathleen and Caddy along with Troy, Todd and I, loaded up and headed out for some training with lots of hills. It was supposed to rain, but it held off nicely. Everyone did great, and I'm told that those hills will make for some nice butt muscles! Although I didn't ride, I enjoyed walking some of those hills, and taking some pics and videos for the others to look back at.
Last night I had a great ride in the outdoor arena with Spirit. I have been practicing keeping him nicely out on the rail, (which he knows how to do, but he knows I'm new and likes to challenge me sometimes and make me work a bit for it-he knows I'm not Lynn! :) also I've been thinking about contact and leg pressure, and have been doing some trotting without the reins to work on my balance and core. It was a beautiful evening, and Spirit gave me just enough to think about.
I'm looking forward to continuing to be challenged-little challenges, and some bigger challenges too, that's how I learn best!
This past weekend Tammy and Wind, Lynn and Spirit, Pam and Summer, and Kathleen and Caddy along with Troy, Todd and I, loaded up and headed out for some training with lots of hills. It was supposed to rain, but it held off nicely. Everyone did great, and I'm told that those hills will make for some nice butt muscles! Although I didn't ride, I enjoyed walking some of those hills, and taking some pics and videos for the others to look back at.
Last night I had a great ride in the outdoor arena with Spirit. I have been practicing keeping him nicely out on the rail, (which he knows how to do, but he knows I'm new and likes to challenge me sometimes and make me work a bit for it-he knows I'm not Lynn! :) also I've been thinking about contact and leg pressure, and have been doing some trotting without the reins to work on my balance and core. It was a beautiful evening, and Spirit gave me just enough to think about.
I'm looking forward to continuing to be challenged-little challenges, and some bigger challenges too, that's how I learn best!
Monday, May 28, 2012
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Saturday, May 26, 2012
Mister's Visit
I had Mister up at my house today and he had a lot of fun eating all the long grass and running around the pasture. Mama also gave me a rein extender so when Mister puts his head down to eat grass I don't fly forward.
I even took him up Leland's road a little ways, up to the apple tree. And then we crossed the field so Mister could eat in the shade at the apple tree.
I let him go in the paddock for a little while to cool down and dry off. I even took Mister into the barn and into the stalls and he seemed to like it. He did not want to stay in the stall, though, he wanted to go back home.
We had a lot of fun today and we're going to do it again tomorrow.
I even took him up Leland's road a little ways, up to the apple tree. And then we crossed the field so Mister could eat in the shade at the apple tree.
I let him go in the paddock for a little while to cool down and dry off. I even took Mister into the barn and into the stalls and he seemed to like it. He did not want to stay in the stall, though, he wanted to go back home.
We had a lot of fun today and we're going to do it again tomorrow.
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| The happy pair in Marie's pasture, they'd just spent some time cantering. |
Aziim 4
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| Standing in the cross-ties after he took the bit, "GOOD BOY!" That brow band stayed crooked for a while! |
Today, Tidal Treasures was practically empty. Marie and I went with Lianne to look at a very nice pony, so she missed the group training ride. It did sound very exciting - woods and hills, different from the flat roads we usually ride. But Marie committed to checking out Dobbin for the up-and-coming horsemen here, so she was very happy to oblige. Hopefully, there will be more to say about that later as Dobbin is one awesome pony!
So we went down later and Marie rode Mister while I did a few chores. She put Mister in a stall and stood by while I "caught" Aziim. He came right over and dipped his nose into his halter, so I can hardly call that a "catch"! I had forgotten how his pasture mate, Paris, is so accommodating when she realizes she is staying behind. I just asked her to stay back and she did. What a good girl! and that means she's all by herself, too.
Into the barn we went, closing the doors "just in case". Cleaned his feet and put on his bridle, bit attached. That's quite a feat for me, as he does not really care for the bit so much yet. I left it attached and fed treats and waited for him to take it; which he did - that wonderful grown-up boy. Kept his head down for the over-one-ear part and there it stayed for quite awhile! Bit in, bridle hanging on just one ear. Oh, my! A few more treats, waiting, and lots of "GOOD BOY!!s" later and it was on. Whew!
Some brushing and the little English saddle from upstairs. I don't think he cares much for that saddle. It only stayed on until we got to the outdoor with Marie and Mister. It just felt like he wanted it off. So, off it came. Bareback it is. But only for ten minutes or so - at a walk. He watched Mister and was happy enough but felt a bit like he was "ready to go!" or maybe just a bit nervous, probably because I was likely a bit nervous!
When Aziim & I followed Mister & Marie to the outdoor arena, I often stopped, turned, backed up, and walked very slowly. Aziim did everything I did with hardly any complaint, even though he could see his friend, Mister, getting farther and farther away. He didn't care for the turns away, but he did them without arguing. Not once did he push me. More "GOOD BOY!'s!
I had the bit in because: 1. he and I need the practice and, 2. I couldn't find his side-pull. I am not happy to ride him in a bit much, yet, because when/if he scoots I am not adept at responding softly. I'm sure my hand will "yank up" even though I want to give it and then smoothly circle him until he's fine again. I do NOT want to yank that nice boy. Even when he is afraid of something, he doesn't go far and, almost immediately, goes to investigate. I don't want to wreck THAT by fussing with his face!
We lunged some on the longish lead line. He hasn't done that well for me yet so today I was really pleased to "get it"! We had fun doing that until he was going well both ways, slowed to a walk from trot when asked and we worked on staying put at "whoa" instead of turning in. That went pretty well, I think he's understanding what I'm asking - for today, anyway.
My favourite game was "OH-MY-GOD-IT'S-A-SNAKE!!!". We played this after a break of clearing some tasty greenery from the arena when we went to Scary Corner. The same lunge line we used earlier suddenly looked, to Aziim, so much like a snake that it made me laugh out loud! We played there, doing the same as earlier until that snake was gone and the line reappeared. He heard a million "GOOD BOY!"s.
When Marie wanted to take Mister back "all by herself", we let that be an exercise for Aziim. He watched his buddy leave the arena without him. There he was. All alone. With just that woman. Oh, man!! All that nice boy did was give one head shake to express his displeasure. I backed him up, let him watch Mister go and then back to snacking. More "GOOD BOY!!"s.
His play with me over until next time, off to Paris he went and this day is added to the other fabulous days that I've had with Aziim.
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