Daren's Races
I found some of them on YouTube. I'll update this whenever I am able to find more...
2/13/12 Laurel Park, race 6, maiden special weight, 7th of 7
3/17/12 Laurel Park, race 2, $20,000 maiden claiming,5th of 7
4/6/12 Pimlico, race 3, $12,500 maiden claiming,5th of 8
4/22/12 Pimlico, race 4 $11,500 maiden claiming 4th of 8
5/5/12 Pimlico, race 4, $10,500 maiden claiming, 1st of 7 WINNER!
5/24/12 Delaware Park, race 6, $20,000 claiming, 7th of 9
6/9/12 Colonial Downs, race 10, $7500 claiming, 7th of 12
7/5/12 Penn National, race 8, $5000 claiming, 7th of 9
11/21/12 Laurel Park, race 1, $6500 claiming, 6th of 7
12/8/12 Penn National, race 6, $5000 claiming, 4th of 12
1/11/13 Penn National, race 2, $5000 claiming, 6th of 9
2/14/13 Penn National race 9, $5000 claiming, 7th of 8
3/1/13 Charles Town, race 4, $4500 claiming, 7th of 8
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Friday, June 28, 2013
June 28- Lunging
Such a smart horse. Now if the bucket could just get in line.
Started the day trying on two purple rope halters. The old soft one was a bit small and the new one slightly large, so I went with the new one. Parelli lead line with goofy twist quick-release snap and leather popper end. Gave him a peppermint and his rabies vaccination, then a quick brushing, better on the feet all around today, and fly spray.
Played with the rope a bit rubbing him with it, touching his legs and belly, then asked him to walk forward while I stayed back at his shoulder. It only took a moment for him to get it, practiced around the corral then switched sides. Not as easy going to the right, but he got it and was lunging both directions at the walk very well in just a few minutes. My whip was in the car and I didn't need it, he did great both sides with just the rope end touching him.
Headed out to the arena for introduction to arena stuff. A bit anxious on the far side when he heard the neighbor's music but settled well. First the white barrel, kicking dirt against it while he sniffed it and then standing it up so it rattled. He pushed it back down. That'll teach it.
Next, the metal barrel. He was not even interested. Checked out the table umbrella and walked over the railroad tie without being asked. Then the lawn chairs. No problem until I stood on it. What are humans thinking? My human wants to put this next to my shoulder and then stand on it and scratch my back. On both sides. Actually, that feels pretty good.
More walking and we faced the poles- these are traffic pylons with a small pole inside for attaching balloons to for Mounted Shooting. I tried to set it up on his good eye side but he walked right over it. Luckily they are light and it didn't scare him. Blue barrels are also not interesting. Clearly barrels have been taught a lesson and are no longer a challenge.
Tarp. Why this black tarp is tied to the fence I do not know, almost no horses go over there due to its occasional random flap. Stood on it and then used it for squeeze game, where I drive him between me at the tarp and then turn him back like half-a-circle of lunging and then a reverse. He is super good at this, esp.turning left, bringing me back under his blind spot.
Reinforced full circles both directions down in the corner, and then I tried some names out, doing best with "Fox" which had some first-day reaction too. Then gave him a mint and headed quietly back to the gate. He hurried towards home but did some good whoa/back combos. Giving voice and mild cue then harder hand on the next step. By the time we got to the corral he stopped on voice alone.
I opened the corral gate up wide again, expecting a driving from behind lesson to come, but he walked right in. Interesting. No audience, no drama. He did hurry me some to take the halter off, I need to remember to do head downs tomorrow for both on and off.
The aqua bucket which has been such a shameful embarassment, being full of water instead of something tasty, acquitted itself well today by being full of bran mash. At the very least it did not earn a flinging across the corral today. Brushed him again while he ate, and he came to hold onto my sleeve a minute over the gate when I left. Nice easy day, no battles, learned a lot about each other, and not as brutally hot as yesterday.
Started the day trying on two purple rope halters. The old soft one was a bit small and the new one slightly large, so I went with the new one. Parelli lead line with goofy twist quick-release snap and leather popper end. Gave him a peppermint and his rabies vaccination, then a quick brushing, better on the feet all around today, and fly spray.
Played with the rope a bit rubbing him with it, touching his legs and belly, then asked him to walk forward while I stayed back at his shoulder. It only took a moment for him to get it, practiced around the corral then switched sides. Not as easy going to the right, but he got it and was lunging both directions at the walk very well in just a few minutes. My whip was in the car and I didn't need it, he did great both sides with just the rope end touching him.
Headed out to the arena for introduction to arena stuff. A bit anxious on the far side when he heard the neighbor's music but settled well. First the white barrel, kicking dirt against it while he sniffed it and then standing it up so it rattled. He pushed it back down. That'll teach it.
Next, the metal barrel. He was not even interested. Checked out the table umbrella and walked over the railroad tie without being asked. Then the lawn chairs. No problem until I stood on it. What are humans thinking? My human wants to put this next to my shoulder and then stand on it and scratch my back. On both sides. Actually, that feels pretty good.
More walking and we faced the poles- these are traffic pylons with a small pole inside for attaching balloons to for Mounted Shooting. I tried to set it up on his good eye side but he walked right over it. Luckily they are light and it didn't scare him. Blue barrels are also not interesting. Clearly barrels have been taught a lesson and are no longer a challenge.
Tarp. Why this black tarp is tied to the fence I do not know, almost no horses go over there due to its occasional random flap. Stood on it and then used it for squeeze game, where I drive him between me at the tarp and then turn him back like half-a-circle of lunging and then a reverse. He is super good at this, esp.turning left, bringing me back under his blind spot.
Reinforced full circles both directions down in the corner, and then I tried some names out, doing best with "Fox" which had some first-day reaction too. Then gave him a mint and headed quietly back to the gate. He hurried towards home but did some good whoa/back combos. Giving voice and mild cue then harder hand on the next step. By the time we got to the corral he stopped on voice alone.
I opened the corral gate up wide again, expecting a driving from behind lesson to come, but he walked right in. Interesting. No audience, no drama. He did hurry me some to take the halter off, I need to remember to do head downs tomorrow for both on and off.
The aqua bucket which has been such a shameful embarassment, being full of water instead of something tasty, acquitted itself well today by being full of bran mash. At the very least it did not earn a flinging across the corral today. Brushed him again while he ate, and he came to hold onto my sleeve a minute over the gate when I left. Nice easy day, no battles, learned a lot about each other, and not as brutally hot as yesterday.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
June 27- Lesson One
Groundwork lesson today with Jo. Daren was super about fly spray and still a bit argumentative over the right hind. Can't wait to get those hind shoes off.
Tried some leading with a person on each side, he handled that and improved with leading on the wrong side. Walked up the road on the far side of the arena and had some trouble, worked on whoa and back. If I can show patience he shows willingness to try again. His whoa is not really good, but a lot of Buck Brannaman videos have got me turning him and untracking the hind end to get him stopped. Tomorrow I take the rope halters and see which one fits for more control.
Settled really nicely and faced a tarp-covered box very calmly. Then we headed for the arena. He again didn't like the round pen gate, so I opened the side again. Let him roll and charge around, he got some good bucks out and galloped a few minutes. Decided to get him stopped before he was too sweated up, so I stepped in to catch him as Jo pulled a peppermint from her pocket. He heard the wrapper and came cheerfully up to gobble down the candy.
Walked him cool a bit, working from both sides, stepping back into lunging position sometimes. Cooled well, came out the round pen gate no problem, then didn't want to go back in his corral. I think he likes the attention when he stops- must be sure to coach more on the gates with no audience. I think he needs more experience with being driven from behind rather than pulling from the front. But a rope halter also gives pulling a different feel.
Dressage whip tomorrow for pre-lunging. Packing list: Peppermint candies, dressage whip, rope halter and popper-end lead rope.
Tried some leading with a person on each side, he handled that and improved with leading on the wrong side. Walked up the road on the far side of the arena and had some trouble, worked on whoa and back. If I can show patience he shows willingness to try again. His whoa is not really good, but a lot of Buck Brannaman videos have got me turning him and untracking the hind end to get him stopped. Tomorrow I take the rope halters and see which one fits for more control.
Settled really nicely and faced a tarp-covered box very calmly. Then we headed for the arena. He again didn't like the round pen gate, so I opened the side again. Let him roll and charge around, he got some good bucks out and galloped a few minutes. Decided to get him stopped before he was too sweated up, so I stepped in to catch him as Jo pulled a peppermint from her pocket. He heard the wrapper and came cheerfully up to gobble down the candy.
Walked him cool a bit, working from both sides, stepping back into lunging position sometimes. Cooled well, came out the round pen gate no problem, then didn't want to go back in his corral. I think he likes the attention when he stops- must be sure to coach more on the gates with no audience. I think he needs more experience with being driven from behind rather than pulling from the front. But a rope halter also gives pulling a different feel.
Dressage whip tomorrow for pre-lunging. Packing list: Peppermint candies, dressage whip, rope halter and popper-end lead rope.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
June 26- Testing
Yesterday and today Daren has been finding out where I stand on things that are important to him. Does the person really NEED my hoof held up? Is she standing where I expect her to be? Is there food in that rotten bucket this time? Are bits required?
We did have a small argument over the right hind foot, we both wanted to choose when it was clean enough to put back on the ground. I think we have determined that decision is up to me, we'll find out more tomorrow.
He expects me to be on the left side. I've been pushing this boundary by doing haunches and shoulder stepovers from both sides. I can now spin him to the right by walking a circle that direction- he really wants me to be in that blind spot and will turn pretty quick to keep me there.
As for the disappointing aqua bucket, it had a stack of bits and a bottle of molasses in it. He flung it across the corral! He's having a lot of fun picking up his feed tub as well, there was magic mixture all over the front of the corral. Less on his coat today, due to fly spray application improvements.
And then the bits. I had 2 rubber covered roller bits, both of which were too small. And a roller Myler D-ring and a fancier egg butt. I didn't get to the eggbutt as the Myler looked like a nice fit, though I want to look up their site again and see the fitting notes. I put on his new blue halter-bridle and switched through the first 3 bits. He stuck his nose right up and backed away, but I just stayed patient and kept asking, and every bit it took less time arguing. I stopped with the Myler since it looked like a good fit. Might try the eggbutt tomorrow.
Then we walked the grounds again, adding the road on the far side of the arena to the tour, and found a handy puddle to cross. Still stopping to look a bit, esp. at the buffalo lying down. I'm using these times to introduce "stand". And we worked a little on the "head down" command which was so often useful with Sirah. Took off the bit and bridle very politely.
I feel like he may be Joker. G feels this is a negative name, maybe especially in Colorado due to the Batman movie shooting. I think it's a bit common but as good name for a playful fellow who needs a stall ball or a cone to play with. I might try harder with the name Kona tomorrow and see how it sticks.
Called the brand inspector in the RIGHT county this time...
Tomorrow's plan is to have a groundwork lesson with Jo, work on sidedness and introduction to the arena and all the scary things within. Ground poles, barrels, pole bending poles, etc.
We did have a small argument over the right hind foot, we both wanted to choose when it was clean enough to put back on the ground. I think we have determined that decision is up to me, we'll find out more tomorrow.
He expects me to be on the left side. I've been pushing this boundary by doing haunches and shoulder stepovers from both sides. I can now spin him to the right by walking a circle that direction- he really wants me to be in that blind spot and will turn pretty quick to keep me there.
As for the disappointing aqua bucket, it had a stack of bits and a bottle of molasses in it. He flung it across the corral! He's having a lot of fun picking up his feed tub as well, there was magic mixture all over the front of the corral. Less on his coat today, due to fly spray application improvements.
Then we walked the grounds again, adding the road on the far side of the arena to the tour, and found a handy puddle to cross. Still stopping to look a bit, esp. at the buffalo lying down. I'm using these times to introduce "stand". And we worked a little on the "head down" command which was so often useful with Sirah. Took off the bit and bridle very politely.
I feel like he may be Joker. G feels this is a negative name, maybe especially in Colorado due to the Batman movie shooting. I think it's a bit common but as good name for a playful fellow who needs a stall ball or a cone to play with. I might try harder with the name Kona tomorrow and see how it sticks.
Called the brand inspector in the RIGHT county this time...
Tomorrow's plan is to have a groundwork lesson with Jo, work on sidedness and introduction to the arena and all the scary things within. Ground poles, barrels, pole bending poles, etc.
Monday, June 24, 2013
June 24- Neighbors
June 24- Neighbors
We moved Daren last night to a new private paddock. C was thinking of putting him in with Pistol, but a meeting over the fence ended with Daren getting bitten. So put him between Tink and Ruby, and the grulla Paint stallion Cimarron. Looks like a good setup. Ruby is on stall rest after a bad leg injury and Tink takes up the rest of her paddock as a companion.
Fly-sprayed him with little reaction, by the time he was distracted away from pulling nibbles of Tink's hay through the fence I was almost done and he handled the last few just fine. Should be much happier, he was starting to get a few hives and they were certainly bothering him while he was eating as he had grain mush all over his legs.
Then after some tack shopping I haltered him up and took him for a stroll around the place. He was great- I have to get used to keeping my right hand up, as he will run his head into me as he looks around. I expect that will decrease as he gets used to everything. No worries at all with barking dogs or the buffalo, but a little anxious about a narrower path between a car and the fence. Stopped flat for a moment but then came along well. I took him down another narrow path just to push his limits a bit and he did great. Put him up and he went cheerfully back to poaching Tink's hay one strand at a time. Paid C for the rest of the month, she said he's really settled in nicely after a tough first day and she's proud of him. I sure am too.
I've had a lot of name suggestions. Something heroic for a tall dark and handsome fellow. G likes Kona, which is both Hawaiian and nautical, the name for a leeward wind. And I finally found the right spelling of the boat name Mom's friend sailed, Kaneali'i Kai means prince/king of the sea. Maybe Kaneali'i Kona, king of the wind?
Gray and I went out in the evening to say hello, I started calling him Kona and was getting a bit of response- he wants to be noticed. He was very sweet with Gray and pulled on my shirt. His next tub of magic mixture was still soaking so I gave him a little hay while he was waiting. But I put the hay into the feeder on the left side of the corral while he was finagling bits of Tink's hay on the right side. And he couldn't see it. I had to lead him over with handful. When we drove out we stopped at the back of the corral and he came back to stare at us- leaving already? See you tomorrow.
We moved Daren last night to a new private paddock. C was thinking of putting him in with Pistol, but a meeting over the fence ended with Daren getting bitten. So put him between Tink and Ruby, and the grulla Paint stallion Cimarron. Looks like a good setup. Ruby is on stall rest after a bad leg injury and Tink takes up the rest of her paddock as a companion.
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| Good fences make good neighbors |
Then after some tack shopping I haltered him up and took him for a stroll around the place. He was great- I have to get used to keeping my right hand up, as he will run his head into me as he looks around. I expect that will decrease as he gets used to everything. No worries at all with barking dogs or the buffalo, but a little anxious about a narrower path between a car and the fence. Stopped flat for a moment but then came along well. I took him down another narrow path just to push his limits a bit and he did great. Put him up and he went cheerfully back to poaching Tink's hay one strand at a time. Paid C for the rest of the month, she said he's really settled in nicely after a tough first day and she's proud of him. I sure am too.
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| Medicine the bison |
I've had a lot of name suggestions. Something heroic for a tall dark and handsome fellow. G likes Kona, which is both Hawaiian and nautical, the name for a leeward wind. And I finally found the right spelling of the boat name Mom's friend sailed, Kaneali'i Kai means prince/king of the sea. Maybe Kaneali'i Kona, king of the wind?
Gray and I went out in the evening to say hello, I started calling him Kona and was getting a bit of response- he wants to be noticed. He was very sweet with Gray and pulled on my shirt. His next tub of magic mixture was still soaking so I gave him a little hay while he was waiting. But I put the hay into the feeder on the left side of the corral while he was finagling bits of Tink's hay on the right side. And he couldn't see it. I had to lead him over with handful. When we drove out we stopped at the back of the corral and he came back to stare at us- leaving already? See you tomorrow.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
June 23- Good morning
June 23- Good morning
Daren recognized my voice this morning, or perhaps the aqua bucket, which again disappointed by being full of water. He tried a carrot slice but didn't think much of it. He had drunk a lot of water but not eaten much of a big tub of the "magic mixture" of beet pulp, oats and minerals.
He was quiet and calm, watching horses being ridden on all sides of him. He was interested in watching the trot poles. I couldn't find my good bath sponge but I rinsed him all over with a wet cloth, which he really loved, esp. face and neck. I went a little too hard in the flank on the blind side and he stomped and then shied away. I told him I wasn't mad but went back more gently and he really relaxed. Cleaned his feet, he has toe grabs on the back so those REALLY need to come off before he can go out in a large paddock. I hope to move him to the small paddock with a calm companion tomorrow. But he may need to have the back shoes off before he can be with anyone, if you got kicked with this it would really cut.
We worked on the pre-basics of lunging- walking with me on each side. Very unhappy with me walking on the good side, he really likes having the handler "guarding" the blindside. But he did some very nice yields of both haunches and shoulder, stepping over well both directions. I really wanted to do gate work and walk the outer arena, but there were lots of riders so I just let him loose. I went over with my curry and brush and got one side really clean, and he lasted most the of the other side before he wanted a break. Talked with R some about Jack and lunging the one-eyed horse.
I got a fresh bucket of water and topped the magic mixture up and gave it a good stir, and he came and ate more of it. More people wanted to let their horses run so I backed out. Their horse Byron was pretty wild today but Daren was careful of the fences and never even really got galloping today. Still he got some strong trotting in and met a more dominant horse very calmly with no backing down but no fighting either. After they were done I gave him a little hay and he was keen for that and didn't get upset when I left.
Daren recognized my voice this morning, or perhaps the aqua bucket, which again disappointed by being full of water. He tried a carrot slice but didn't think much of it. He had drunk a lot of water but not eaten much of a big tub of the "magic mixture" of beet pulp, oats and minerals.
He was quiet and calm, watching horses being ridden on all sides of him. He was interested in watching the trot poles. I couldn't find my good bath sponge but I rinsed him all over with a wet cloth, which he really loved, esp. face and neck. I went a little too hard in the flank on the blind side and he stomped and then shied away. I told him I wasn't mad but went back more gently and he really relaxed. Cleaned his feet, he has toe grabs on the back so those REALLY need to come off before he can go out in a large paddock. I hope to move him to the small paddock with a calm companion tomorrow. But he may need to have the back shoes off before he can be with anyone, if you got kicked with this it would really cut.
We worked on the pre-basics of lunging- walking with me on each side. Very unhappy with me walking on the good side, he really likes having the handler "guarding" the blindside. But he did some very nice yields of both haunches and shoulder, stepping over well both directions. I really wanted to do gate work and walk the outer arena, but there were lots of riders so I just let him loose. I went over with my curry and brush and got one side really clean, and he lasted most the of the other side before he wanted a break. Talked with R some about Jack and lunging the one-eyed horse.
I got a fresh bucket of water and topped the magic mixture up and gave it a good stir, and he came and ate more of it. More people wanted to let their horses run so I backed out. Their horse Byron was pretty wild today but Daren was careful of the fences and never even really got galloping today. Still he got some strong trotting in and met a more dominant horse very calmly with no backing down but no fighting either. After they were done I gave him a little hay and he was keen for that and didn't get upset when I left.
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| Watching the other horses run |
Saturday, June 22, 2013
June 22- Arrival
June 22- Arrival
Daren arrived today! Very tired from the afternoon but so happy.
Daren was super good getting off the trailer- they couldn't find his lead rope so I used the one I bought earlier in the week out of sheer anxiousness. Good preparation!
He looked like he'd been sweated up and had dried but he stood calmly while I signed papers. I wanted to hose him off but decided to let him stretch first. I took him to the round pen, but as he followed me in, he bumped into the latch side of the gate. Then he didn't want anything to do with the gate. I did a bit of asking him to move away from gentle tapping pressure, but he didn't want to go forward if he couldn't see me ahead of him. He'd come right up to the gate and then get scared. It didn't help that a horsefly decided to attack us both.
Soon I was tired and I felt like my heart rate was too high for a calm hour working on the gate, which I had already messed up. So I closed the gate and opened the wall panel up, and he followed me right in. A little surprised when he realized where he was! I let him go and watched him walk the circle, a couple bumps but really handled the fence nicely. He got into trotting the edge. I went to get my water bottle and some water and bran for him and he blew up, bucking and rearing. I waited and got some pics as he calmed down a bit. I have video but it's not keen to load. Maybe tomorrow.
Then I returned with a bucket of water and a pan of barely-wet bran mash. Daren was excited about the bucket until he realized it was only water. He still had some but would often circle back and look in the bucket expecting something better. He tried the bran mash but also not real impressed. Some horses were calling and he got running again but then needed to roll. He didn't roll all the way over but did cover both sides pretty good.
One-Eyed Jack and his person arrived and met everyone very kindly,
then Jack also had some turnout time. Jack lost his eye in a freak
accident and has the empty socket look. Daren really was great with the
other horses and will likely go in a paddock with one quiet horse
tomorrow. He was fussy when I let the other horses and their people out
of the arena, so I hung out a few more minutes until Jack came back in
for lunging. I did get brush on him a bit and he had a nice clean spot
on his neck where everyone was petting him.
Tomorrow my plan is to do some groundwork, walk more of a tour, and work on a nice safe gate. I've already accidentally told him I will run him into stuff, and I need to fix that right away. So I need to get that trust back and let him know how I like to do gates for everyone's safety. A good first day with minimal problems if I can get the gate thing sorted.
Daren arrived today! Very tired from the afternoon but so happy.
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I'm the tall dark and handsome one in the middle. |
He looked like he'd been sweated up and had dried but he stood calmly while I signed papers. I wanted to hose him off but decided to let him stretch first. I took him to the round pen, but as he followed me in, he bumped into the latch side of the gate. Then he didn't want anything to do with the gate. I did a bit of asking him to move away from gentle tapping pressure, but he didn't want to go forward if he couldn't see me ahead of him. He'd come right up to the gate and then get scared. It didn't help that a horsefly decided to attack us both.
Soon I was tired and I felt like my heart rate was too high for a calm hour working on the gate, which I had already messed up. So I closed the gate and opened the wall panel up, and he followed me right in. A little surprised when he realized where he was! I let him go and watched him walk the circle, a couple bumps but really handled the fence nicely. He got into trotting the edge. I went to get my water bottle and some water and bran for him and he blew up, bucking and rearing. I waited and got some pics as he calmed down a bit. I have video but it's not keen to load. Maybe tomorrow.
Then I returned with a bucket of water and a pan of barely-wet bran mash. Daren was excited about the bucket until he realized it was only water. He still had some but would often circle back and look in the bucket expecting something better. He tried the bran mash but also not real impressed. Some horses were calling and he got running again but then needed to roll. He didn't roll all the way over but did cover both sides pretty good.
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| Mudball the Magnificent |
He started to settle and walk, and I set up a chair outside the pen next to the food and water. I left him a little longer this time and he wasn't so anxious. CC brought a tub full of water with the skiploader. He drank a lot, and I put the rest of my bucket of water in the bran mash, which he ate. Looks like he likes his bran mash soupy, like Lissa did. I was glad he started to eat, and he created a few small manures. He started to come around more for a pat and a drink of water, and to rest longer.
Daren was keen to talk to a Paint filly that was walking by with her
people, and they did stop in and ask if she could run in the arena,
which surrounds the round pen. I said if he gets fussy I'll catch him.
They let Tink go and she galloped off, which set him to running but he
respected the fence and soon came to get some attention from people.
Tink returned and they met over the fence with no drama.
Tomorrow my plan is to do some groundwork, walk more of a tour, and work on a nice safe gate. I've already accidentally told him I will run him into stuff, and I need to fix that right away. So I need to get that trust back and let him know how I like to do gates for everyone's safety. A good first day with minimal problems if I can get the gate thing sorted.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
June 18- about training
June 18- about training
News from the shipper is that they will pick Daren up tomorrow. I hope S will take pics so I have something to hold on to as I worry ceaselessly until he arrives. Time to buy vaccinations so I'm ready to give them as soon as he relaxes a bit in the new place.
In the meantime, more of what the new guy has to expect. Here are the two videos my trainer Jo did this spring for Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. Both were filmed at the DC Ranch.
Back in the Saddle, for fearful riders, and Balance, Center and Connect for more advanced riders.
I really enjoyed reading Beyond the Track, and I am now reading Right from the Start, both about training and re-training. Now I have a clue about how racehorses train in their everyday lives.
Sometimes it seems that collecting and using all this information at once when faced with the horse himself will be really difficult. But trust and respect are closely related, and as I show my horse that I can be trusted, the rest will begin to fall together. Then more techniques and exercises will help us understand each other better and find our path to our purpose.
I hope to jump at some small shows, do hunter paces with my friends (from my old barn PVF and hopefully some new friends too?), some Mounted Archery, and eventually join the Arapahoe Hunt. If jumping is hard or uninteresting for him, I also love trail riding, and have trainers on site for barrel racing and Mounted Shooting.
News from the shipper is that they will pick Daren up tomorrow. I hope S will take pics so I have something to hold on to as I worry ceaselessly until he arrives. Time to buy vaccinations so I'm ready to give them as soon as he relaxes a bit in the new place.
In the meantime, more of what the new guy has to expect. Here are the two videos my trainer Jo did this spring for Rocky Mountain Horse Expo. Both were filmed at the DC Ranch.
Back in the Saddle, for fearful riders, and Balance, Center and Connect for more advanced riders.
I really enjoyed reading Beyond the Track, and I am now reading Right from the Start, both about training and re-training. Now I have a clue about how racehorses train in their everyday lives.
Sometimes it seems that collecting and using all this information at once when faced with the horse himself will be really difficult. But trust and respect are closely related, and as I show my horse that I can be trusted, the rest will begin to fall together. Then more techniques and exercises will help us understand each other better and find our path to our purpose.
I hope to jump at some small shows, do hunter paces with my friends (from my old barn PVF and hopefully some new friends too?), some Mounted Archery, and eventually join the Arapahoe Hunt. If jumping is hard or uninteresting for him, I also love trail riding, and have trainers on site for barrel racing and Mounted Shooting.
Friday, June 14, 2013
June 14 - Delays for Daren
June 14 -Delays for Daren
The storms back East and fires in Colorado Springs have delayed horse transport. Instead of getting picked up today, Daren is still waiting. The van leaves Colorado on Tuesday, so I expect that's about a week behind. I am waiting as patiently as kids in line at the ice cream shop.
In the meantime I'm working on finding his win photo from Pimlico, and I have found the video of his win on YouTube! Sorry I can't embed it here.
Weather is beautiful here and cooling down a little. Thankfully the ranch is out of mountain wildfire range and plains fires are rare. Looking for a bit more freelance/part-time work so new horse expenses like vaccinations will be easier. We have skunk rabies in north Boulder and in Berthoud, so horses must have rabies vax immediately.
Good lesson with Reggae. Just walk/trot since his feet are getting worked on, but turning better with more balance and able to relax my back better. Shoulders stiff but at least they are holding position better.
Time for chores before work, updates as they come.
The storms back East and fires in Colorado Springs have delayed horse transport. Instead of getting picked up today, Daren is still waiting. The van leaves Colorado on Tuesday, so I expect that's about a week behind. I am waiting as patiently as kids in line at the ice cream shop.
In the meantime I'm working on finding his win photo from Pimlico, and I have found the video of his win on YouTube! Sorry I can't embed it here.
Weather is beautiful here and cooling down a little. Thankfully the ranch is out of mountain wildfire range and plains fires are rare. Looking for a bit more freelance/part-time work so new horse expenses like vaccinations will be easier. We have skunk rabies in north Boulder and in Berthoud, so horses must have rabies vax immediately.
Good lesson with Reggae. Just walk/trot since his feet are getting worked on, but turning better with more balance and able to relax my back better. Shoulders stiff but at least they are holding position better.
Time for chores before work, updates as they come.
Monday, June 10, 2013
June 10- potato, tomato, eggplant
June 10- potato, tomato, eggplant
Went to a party on Saturday and had my first face-to-face "are you crazy to buy a half-blind horse" conversation. I sort of asked for it since this is a family friend who's a vet, and I couldn't wait to show her Daren's photo. I'm actually glad I didn't get to talk to her until it was almost time to go home. I was a bit depressed afterwards.
I have no intention of backing out. This horse is the best match, both personality-wise and conformation. If he goes entirely blind we will back down to trail riding. I did read "Beyond the Track" this weekend, and I'm only missing side reins to do everything they suggest. It's a sobering reminder of how much work it is to start a horse to saddle. But I've done it before, this is just a little different. The relationship-building is the same.
However, articles like this one give me nightmares. It Was a Very Bad Day by David Lohman, a trainer chosen to be part of the Retired Racehorse Training Project for 2013. At least as a professional trainer he has tons of people looking for another horse for him, and a string of horses to keep him busy. If I lose Daren I'm back to square one again.
In my Morgan Deck reading on Thursday I got "potato, tomato, eggplant", which are all healthy foods that are just a step away from being poison. That's the way this horse search feels- that good-looking options have turned into rejection and loss. I hope this strange-looking possibility proves to be the soul sustenance I've been looking for.
Watched all of Daren's races on Equibase. Lots of blinker changes and it looks like he wore a D-ring bit. He only raced for 2 different trainers so he's moved around less than many racehorses. But he sold as a yearling and then raced for someone different, so breeder, yearling, 2yo, 3yo, S, S's friend who shod him, and now me. So I'm his 7th owner.
Went to a party on Saturday and had my first face-to-face "are you crazy to buy a half-blind horse" conversation. I sort of asked for it since this is a family friend who's a vet, and I couldn't wait to show her Daren's photo. I'm actually glad I didn't get to talk to her until it was almost time to go home. I was a bit depressed afterwards.
I have no intention of backing out. This horse is the best match, both personality-wise and conformation. If he goes entirely blind we will back down to trail riding. I did read "Beyond the Track" this weekend, and I'm only missing side reins to do everything they suggest. It's a sobering reminder of how much work it is to start a horse to saddle. But I've done it before, this is just a little different. The relationship-building is the same.
However, articles like this one give me nightmares. It Was a Very Bad Day by David Lohman, a trainer chosen to be part of the Retired Racehorse Training Project for 2013. At least as a professional trainer he has tons of people looking for another horse for him, and a string of horses to keep him busy. If I lose Daren I'm back to square one again.
In my Morgan Deck reading on Thursday I got "potato, tomato, eggplant", which are all healthy foods that are just a step away from being poison. That's the way this horse search feels- that good-looking options have turned into rejection and loss. I hope this strange-looking possibility proves to be the soul sustenance I've been looking for.
Watched all of Daren's races on Equibase. Lots of blinker changes and it looks like he wore a D-ring bit. He only raced for 2 different trainers so he's moved around less than many racehorses. But he sold as a yearling and then raced for someone different, so breeder, yearling, 2yo, 3yo, S, S's friend who shod him, and now me. So I'm his 7th owner.
Friday, June 7, 2013
June 8- moving Daren
June 8- moving Daren
Great news! I have a Bill of Sale for Daren and am getting his shipping papers together! I hope he can get picked up at in WV on June 14th.
I am super happy! Just having a great day. Now down to Kinko's to fax the form for shipping, maybe stop in at the cheese shop on the way back.
G and I saw Sting at Red Rocks- wonderful night, awesome music and a grand assault on the leg muscles. Today slept in a bit and had a very good lesson with Reggae. He is still getting used to having no shoes but rode well. Having some very nice light stop-backs when paying attention.
G apparently watched too much Bewitched as a child and is traumatized by the name Darren, so we will be coming up with a different barn name. My mother is great at finding names that sound same as the old one to the dog's ear but fit better with the person's sensibilities. Years at a vet clinic will give you this training! She suggests Baron. G is leaning towards Odin. I like Balerion, the Black Dread- just kidding. A suggests a dragon name might be best, though perhaps not Balerion.
Great news! I have a Bill of Sale for Daren and am getting his shipping papers together! I hope he can get picked up at in WV on June 14th.
I am super happy! Just having a great day. Now down to Kinko's to fax the form for shipping, maybe stop in at the cheese shop on the way back.
G and I saw Sting at Red Rocks- wonderful night, awesome music and a grand assault on the leg muscles. Today slept in a bit and had a very good lesson with Reggae. He is still getting used to having no shoes but rode well. Having some very nice light stop-backs when paying attention.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June 4- Daren
June 4- Daren
I'm so nervous I don't want to go to work. I have talked to Daren's owner and we have a verbal agreement for Daren to come home to Colorado. I've been reading his race record and it's full of suggestions that he was having vision troubles- slow breaks, stopping when boxed in or bumped. 20/20 hindsight, anyone? Still, such willingness to work impresses me a lot.
I have a good bid on shipping from Nationwide, who has a good reputation locally, they are based in Colorado Springs. Now I am waiting for the paperwork, then I can book the shipping. Their pickup date is June 14th.
I have bought a new grooming box and a few brushes to replace what went home with Sirah. I had just a face brush, hoof pick and a metal shedding blade left. You would not believe how many 4-1/2" bits I own now, I'd forgotten how hard it was to find something she'd take. I sent Sirah's Western bridle and Myler bit with her and I still have 5 bits for her. And two 5" bits that fit Lissa. I hope one of Lissa's will fit Daren, it's a very good expensive Aurigan eggbutt snaffle. I forgot to ask her what bit he wears- next time.
Now I need an OTTB saddle pad and a t-shirt and a bumper sticker... And Daren's win photo from Pimlico... And some ice cream to celebrate!
And I need to re-read A Year at the Races by Jane Smiley- one of her horses lost sight in one eye and was retired. I just read it on our trip to NC last month but it feels like ages ago now. It's probably not even back in the bookcase yet.
I'm so nervous I don't want to go to work. I have talked to Daren's owner and we have a verbal agreement for Daren to come home to Colorado. I've been reading his race record and it's full of suggestions that he was having vision troubles- slow breaks, stopping when boxed in or bumped. 20/20 hindsight, anyone? Still, such willingness to work impresses me a lot.
I have a good bid on shipping from Nationwide, who has a good reputation locally, they are based in Colorado Springs. Now I am waiting for the paperwork, then I can book the shipping. Their pickup date is June 14th.
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| Daren |
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| Double C Ranch, Darcy teaching |
Now I need an OTTB saddle pad and a t-shirt and a bumper sticker... And Daren's win photo from Pimlico... And some ice cream to celebrate!
And I need to re-read A Year at the Races by Jane Smiley- one of her horses lost sight in one eye and was retired. I just read it on our trip to NC last month but it feels like ages ago now. It's probably not even back in the bookcase yet.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
June 1- Daren
June 1- Daren
This is Daren, a 4yo gelding who is blind in one eye. I am pricing shipping from Mountaineer Racetrack in WV to Colorado. His owner seems very careful and really wants a good home for him. I think Jo's style of training and my experience may be a really good fit.
Daren at Mountaineer
Oh, so hopeful! There is something about a plain dark bay, the minimalism, that feels good to me right now. This horse did win one race in 13 starts. Was not raced between August and November last year, so may have had eye surgery then. Beautifully-bred to jump, son of Smarty Jones, one of my favorite racehorses of recent years. Cool recent blog about Smarty Jones.
Smarty Jones at stud.
This is Daren, a 4yo gelding who is blind in one eye. I am pricing shipping from Mountaineer Racetrack in WV to Colorado. His owner seems very careful and really wants a good home for him. I think Jo's style of training and my experience may be a really good fit.
Oh, so hopeful! There is something about a plain dark bay, the minimalism, that feels good to me right now. This horse did win one race in 13 starts. Was not raced between August and November last year, so may have had eye surgery then. Beautifully-bred to jump, son of Smarty Jones, one of my favorite racehorses of recent years. Cool recent blog about Smarty Jones.
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