Sharin' in the Weekapaug Groove ...

NOTE: To view these videos, click on them and go to youtube as for some reason my blog format cuts them off so you can't see everything that is supposed to be in the screen. **

Here's a video shot today toward the middle of our lesson. I am really starting to enjoy editing videos - although I am a rank novice at it. It may be something in the future I pursue in a career because it's really fun to splice up sections of video, add music, etc. etc. My instructor was trying to video and teach at the same time ... so I cut out the sections where the camera was super wobbly or focused on the ground. I did manage to keep the tiny segment where Hampton spooked. It was super minor, but I think it's so funny when he has baby moments. I make a correction if needed but most of the time I laugh it off and keep going. You'll see he's trotting along and then "Whoa! A standard is there ..." (then something rustles off in the trees) ... "SHIT! ... oh."  He rarely even spooks that much, mostly gives things the hairy eyeball. But anyway, today's lesson was just about as good as you get with a 3 year old. He did everything I asked without any fuss. He remained happy with soft ears and a chewing mouth. He was quick off my leg and respectful of the restraining aids. Yes, you will see he ducks behind the vertical at times. This is primarily because 1) I don't put my leg on at all when I halt yet, as I feel he is still green enough that reins have to mean whoa and legs only mean go. And 2) he will get BTV when he starts to get behind my leg. I'm not too worried about it. It's normal and will get better in time. I watch the video and of course I pick out 1000 things that could be better. But ya know, he's only 3 years old. Yes he was started lightly in the fall, but I've only really been riding him on a schedule since .. I dunno, mid-March?
Unfortunately, we didn't get any canter on video but the transitions were sharp, reliable and smooth (no bucking or otherwise naughty behavior). Leg yielding is still coming along, but I would not say it is confirmed yet. I'll post a video from Feb. 14, 2010, too. This I think was the first ride back on him since giving him the winter off. It's so funny to look back on that. We were still on the lunge line for crying out loud. HA! If you would have told me on that day that in 2 months we'd be walk, trot, canter and leg yielding I would have laughed in your face.

Waiting on the chaos

So the move is almost here. We are set to move into the new house on May 4. Yipeee! I am trying to arrange for the horse to move a little earlier, but we'll see. At this point I am so ready to start this new life at the new place. Especially since for 2 days now at the current place, the horses living outdoors have been without a roundbale. (or any food) It's a huge dry lot so they don't have grass either. Hampton has come in famished - so I have been careful to let him eat his hay, beet bulp and soaked hay cubes before giving him his grain. Normally it wouldn't be an issue but it was evident that his stomach was probably pretty empty. The other horses were circling the gate like hungry sharks the entire time I was riding today. Ugh. Hampton's been getting some extra grazing time, too. Not that 20-30 minutes really makes a difference (ya know, since grazing is an all-day thing) but it makes me feel a little bit better.
He's been progressing nicely in his training. We've been starting some leg yields ... which are not really there yet, but I feel any day now we'll  have that "ah-ha!" moment and the leg yields will be there. Let me tell you his canter has changed DRAMATICALLY. I wish had before and after video because the transformation is amazing. Out first canters were wobbly, almost lateral at times, wonky, unbalanced, rushing. Ugly. Now a days, no more running into the canter. He knows the aids now and the transition is smooth, his canter is slow, more balanced (I would say he is training level balanced at this point). Both leads are this way. It is like night and day. As far as day to day training, I hate to bore you but right now pretty much all we do is transitions. Transitions. Transitions. All the while doing simple changes of bend. Today I fiddled around with half-halting (he picked up that concept like a champ) and ended the session with transitions within the trot. And again, he seemed to really get it. Just need more power but that'll come.
Am I insane?
... and now for a confession. This has to do with the move. Since I don't have a trailer, and it's a PITA to find someone to give the horse a lift. I have decided to RIDE Hampton from the current barn to the new place. I clocked it today - it's about 5 miles. I would need to take backroads, and have a friend who will follow me in my truck with the caution lights on. There is only one major road to cross, and if I cross as north as I can, it shouldn't be too bad. I think Hampton can handle this. He's super out in the open, and alone without other horses. If anything should go wrong, I know I can just hop off him and walk him the rest of the way. Hell, I walk 5 miles at a typical Phish concert. So hell, I think I might give it a shot.

Growing up

Hampton got a minor "spa" treatment on Sunday. And by that I mean I clipped his gross, hairy fetlock hair off, and also touched up his mane. Yes, I use clippers to "pull" his mane. Frankly, I hate hate hate pulling manes. I would rather clean a sheath than pull manes. So yes, I cheat and use clippers. Over the years I have gotten pretty darn good at it. It's still easy to braid, and is even with a "natural" look - not like someone took scissors to it. I also sometimes use thinning shears, but Hampton's mane isn't out of control thick or anything so the clippers have done the job for now. I know it seems like a simple job, but last year this horse would fly to the back of his stall, snort and bug his eyes out of head if I even turned the clippers on at all. I could not even approach him with them whatsoever. I have worked with him some on the clipper issue, but I wouldn't say I have put a whole lot of effort into it. However, on Sunday, he stood there practically ASLEEP while I crawled around his legs, clippers a'buzzin and then did his mane and cleaned up some goat hairs under his chin. I haven't attempted a bridle path yet or anything, but I was pretty darn impressed with his maturity. He also is a lot better about baths - as long as I back his butt up against a wall so he cannot run backwards. I do what I can. Tuesday will be a riding day, with a lesson and farrier appointment on Wednesday. He'll likely have Thursday and Friday off because of my work schedule. Maybe even Saturday too if I decide to truck it down to Rolex. On Sunday he was a good boy to ride - up until I was kicked out of the arena because a beginner was going to have a lesson there and "she can't ride with anyone else." Ugh. My horse and I are perfectly capable of avoiding a beginner doing nothing but walking around in a halter and leadrope, thanks. So our work was cut short but we did get in a very short trail ride. Such is life ... and that will change when we move to the new barn and people are capable of sharing an arena. Oh no I'm not irritated at all. (Says the sarcastic dressage queen in me)

The 2-year plan

In two years my current truck will finally be paid off. I have a Chevy Colorado and it has been my most favorite vehicle I have ever owned (it's car #3 for me). But let's face it, it can't pull a standard 2 horse trailer. But that's fine because as I have been researching trailers, I have pretty much decided that when that time comes - it will be a Benderup. Ok yes they sort of look like Chinese take out boxes, but other than that - I think they are genius. And my Colorado can pull one. In two years, I should be able to afford payments on a trailer. Hampton will be 5 (LOL! STILL just a baby!) and I will be wanting to attend some USDF shows with him at that point. I have been hitching rides from people and paying out the ass for hauling fees ever since I became a horse owner. I really would like that to stop. I would really like to be able to haul my horse for area clinics, one day shows, even multi-day rated shows and not have to beg, plead and drain my bank account to do so. Horse showing is expensive enough as it is. Anyway, so that is my goal in two years - my very own trailer! Eventually I will get a larger truck (just because I will feel safer), but the Colorado will do until I get the trailer paid off. (Hopefully). There aren't any hills in Indiana, and I won't be traveling anywhere with trecherous conditions on my own. What else do I like about the Benderups? The model I have been eyeing is the Royal 2 horse - big enough to fit 2 horses who are up to 17.2 hands. I am sort of banking on Hampton topping out at 17 hands, which would give him plenty of clearance.

• It's easy hitching, unhitching, basic handling. I'm pretty much a small woman, although crafty, but I do know my limits.
• Minimal noise, sway, heat-build up means a comfy ride for the horse
• I like a fiberglass roof - which offers a little "give" just in case the horse bumps his head.
• The tongue weight for the Royal is 150lbs ... my Colorado can handle 400lbs of tongue weight. Score.
• I love the open and airy interior of the Royal. It has a small, but cute tackroom which I am perfectly fine with because the majority of my hauling will be to small shows or events. So I won't need to pack a ton of crap (LOL ... ok who am I kidding). The bed of my truck will have to carry what the tackroom can't.
• They seem to really hold their value in the U.S. On the down side, a used one is really hard to find. People seem to keep them, and when they do sell used - they are almost as much as they are new.

So there it is. I need to seriously pay down some credit cards and medical bills the next two years, so that I am in good financial shape to purchase a trailer. Moving into the new house will help me do that.

As far as Hampton, he is doing extraordinary. Had his teeth checked yesterday and they were still in good shape. I just wanted to make sure he is comfy, seeing as how he is being asked to accept a lot more contact recently, and he's still "rangey" thin. The answer is clearly more calories since he is up to date on worming, teeth, etc. Poor guy just needs more food! Training is going well. I've been keeping him on a 3-4 day a week schedule. Two days of work (one of those a lesson), one day of light work and then a trail ride. And if I feel a fourth day is needed, it's a lunge session. I feel like for a 3 year old, that's a good schedule. He is happy and greets me everyday in the field. He just needs to gain 75 pounds and we'll be in good shape. Darn growing youngsters with lots of Thoroughbred blood!

Normally I wear two shoes at the barn

Wednesday

Our lesson went fantastic. I am so glad I have decided to invest in quality instruction instead of blowing that money on a bunch of horse shows for a while. We'll still do little local shows to get exposure, but no USDF or "serious" shows until probably next year or even 2012. Anyway, my instructor said that in just one week's time we have made significant progress. This of course made me feel good. We worked more on forward forward forward as Hampton's way of being naughty is too coil up, suck back and then trick me by getting "stuck" in the corner. He's all like "If I pretend like I don't remember how to steer, she'll let me stop here. muwahaha!"  My instinct is "Oh crap we are going to crash into the fence!" and therefore I try to turn him way too much with the inside rein - when really I need to use outside leg and just let him turn himself. Horses don't like to hurt themselves, so I kept telling myself we are not going to crash, kick him on through the sticky corners and let him do the turning. This worked in the trot, but canter is still sticky. I'm just a little too half-hearted yet to really get after him. Not sure if I'm scared he will be bad or what? Anyway, something to work on. Did a couple of decent canter transitions - both leads. No bucking, but some wiggling going on still. We also worked on teaching Hampton the beginnings of a half-halt. Lots of halt, trot, halt, trot. Some halts had to be pretty hard, and then decreasing as he got the message. Still need to work on that to sharpen it up some. Going to switch his bit for sure, as there might be some palette interference going on. His happy mouth is just a single-jointed bit, and he'll be switching to a french link or Dr. Bristol to help with that. So basically, still just working through the normal green-bean garbage that has to be sorted out but will pay off big time in the long run. He's been so fun to ride, getting more fit and really starting to figure out the aids. I'm so proud of him. And just for fun, we trotted over a crossrail (see above). He stepped over it like a champ and didn't even hit it with his feet. What a champ.
Thursday

It was cold, raining and gross and the horse needed a day off anyway. However, when I brought him in he spooked at something right as we were walking in the barn door. He SLAMMED into my right shoulder, almost knocking me down and even my shoe went flying. I managed to somehow hang on to the lead rope as he went cantering off and reeled him back in. So there I was, yelling colorful language while backing him up - one shoe on, one off - while students at the barn watch in horror. Ooops. I mean, normally I just ignore spooks and go on as if nothing had happened. But almost mowing down your human is unacceptable. My shoulder is quite sore, as is my wrist. It was probably somewhat my fault as I was just a little bit in front of him (not by as his shoulder as you are supposed to lead), so I didn't stay mad at him for long. Plus, I think he was a legit spook. Something really frightened him, he wasn't been an ass. But still, he should be more afraid of me. I'm going to chalk that one up to a "3 year old on a cold windy day" moment. But yes kiddos, make sure to lead your horse properly! This is one reason why. Duh.

I don't need to run around in circles, run around in circles

So both Monday and today we spent time on suppling, more discussions about NOT bulging in on my inside leg and canter transitions. I'm debating whether or not to put a different bit in Hampton's both for two reasons. 1) He doesn't foam really at all with the Happy Mouth bit. And 2) I feel like I'm really having to get in his face sometimes with suppling and really sometimes steering. I certainly don't want him to back off the bit and brace, but there have been a few moments where I really had to pull on his mouth. (of course  this is accompanied by some pony club kicks as well). T-Bone was VERY backed off the bit, so this is sort of new to me. Not sure if it's just a phase or what.

As far as the video, this is the lunging setup I have been using for the past few days. I only hook up one side rein (on the outside) and use a driving line on the inside for suppling and flexion. So far it has really helped Hampton find his balance. I think I'll go ahead and hook up the inside side rein next time and see what that does. He is more than accepting of them and doesn't freak out, so I think it's time to start regular work in them. I am VERY sorry about the wobbly video. I am a great multi-tasker but lunging and video-ing was a challenge even for me. So, hopefully no one gets motion sick. I feel he could be a bit more forward in this video, but it was hard to keep the camera pointed at him, plus use the whip, plus make sure my body language was ok. Probably not the best thing to do. But hey, I'm classy like that sometimes.
We have another lesson tomorrow. I hope we have made a little progress since last time. Hampton doesn't appear to be too pressured (well, after last week when his program changed all of a sudden). He still seems happy and after tomorrow's lesson I think we will just trail ride one more day and then a few days off.
**Edited to add, you may have to go to youtube to see the video. For some reason it's cutting off his head on my screen*

Prescription: Wet saddle blankets

One of my favorite instructors came out to teach me on Hampton today. It was exactly what we both needed. I felt it was the right time to start lessons since the horse has the basics down (whoa, go, steer) and we have been trotting around on light contact, nose out, mostly straight lines. Horse has been happy doing so. Oh but now the program has changed. It's time to start riding him like a big boy (she said Hampton was a "tall drink of water" - referring to his height. heh heh). So she had me start to flex and bend him around my leg and ask him to be round and soft. We are to start a more intensive lunging program in side reins. I had starting him in side reins, but noticed that his walk got lateral when I used them so I quit. My instructor said that this is most likely due to the fact that he is not flexible yet, and it should correct itself over time. With the increased pressure, Hampton started to get somewhat naughty. He wanted to balk a little in his favorite corner, as well as lean on my inside leg. This got him numerous corrections. One canter transition request was answered with a HUGE buck. Yeah for me for not even losing my stirrup. (however, I did yelp "oh shit!") Next time I WILL be wearing my full seat breaches however! BAD pony! However, overall he was good for suddenly having his world rocked. I am sure he thought I had taken a crazy pill. At the end of the session, I asked him to leg yield right at the walk and over he went! yahoo!! both of us were exhausted and sweaty. My homework is more wet saddle blankets - and to start asking more of him. She said he was physically capable and that this teenage attitude was quite normal. She also said that he shows a lot of promise - especially in the trot, which will be easy to develop cadence out of. His canter will take some development for a nice, uphill transition but  that will come. I really don't know if people realize how much it takes to ride a young horse up through these stages - especially those who never ride anything but trained and upper level horses.
Tomorrow will be an easy lunge session for the poneh, and Friday he gets his shots. So he will get the weekend off - unless I feel like taking a trail ride or something on Saturday. Monday it's back to work. I am pooped. Not worried about sleeping well tonight. Good grief.