Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
November 26- ride #16
This week the weather was very unpredictable, and I mostly fed Sherlock at his paddock. I hgave him some Banamine in a bran mash when the snow arrived, and he did not show any signs of colic. He did bang his knee on something and it's been minorly swollen.
Tuesday Grayson the husband and Luna the dog joined me at the stable. Luna provided much support in the "make the horse go" department for a bit of turnout. Sherlock was showing me a huge trot! Very impressive! Since he didn't look sore I tacked up (it was cold so I tried the rope halter sidepull). During the saddling process Stable Manager M joined his horse in the round pen and worked him with the flag- very loud flappy flag noises and clangs as the horse tested the fence a few times. Sherlock was staring at them quite a while, but once he settled I got on as planned.
Sherlock did really well at steering today, but it was hard for me to tell if he was sore so I asked for a trot and I got a "no way!" He stopped outright and threw his head up twice- told me that if I continued to squeeze him with my legs, we would rear up. So I ceased and desisted that and we walked a bit more, then I asked for the trot again and he trotted for me a few strides, but I stopped him right away as he was certainly lame at the trot.
Still, gaining in the steering department and a nice whoa. Maybe a trail walk next time as his knee heals. Really impressed with his handling of the very spook-worthy stuff going on in the round pen. I need to remember we are building a shared language and it should include ways for either party to say no. I'd prefer the word for "no" not be to rear- and we didn't have to get that extreme today. I love that Sherlock is so sensitive and that he came right back and tried again when I understood his complaint and complied. He also didn't seem to mind being followed by the dog while riding.
I suspect many trainers would think Sherlock shouldn't be telling me what to do. And I say they can get themselves flipped over on, but I'm going to listen to my horse. I'm going to trust that he has a point. I can always be a little more gentle, more patient. He doesn't need strong aids, and he will understand what I'm saying as we continue on.
Grayson took lots of photos for me and hauled tack and played the "feed the horse" mini-game. This game involves the person trying to get the feed into the horse and the horse trying to throw the feed on the ground. Sherlock starts out just pushing the feed around in the pan, then he tries to shovel it out the sides, then he tries to pull the pan out of your hands by grabbing the handle, then he looks around and dribbles the feed all over, then we wants to scratch his face on the outside of the pan and bring his head up under it to knock it away. I think Grayson got a great score on this game. Enjoy the pictures and Happy Thankgiving to all!
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| Flying off out of frame |
I suspect many trainers would think Sherlock shouldn't be telling me what to do. And I say they can get themselves flipped over on, but I'm going to listen to my horse. I'm going to trust that he has a point. I can always be a little more gentle, more patient. He doesn't need strong aids, and he will understand what I'm saying as we continue on.
Grayson took lots of photos for me and hauled tack and played the "feed the horse" mini-game. This game involves the person trying to get the feed into the horse and the horse trying to throw the feed on the ground. Sherlock starts out just pushing the feed around in the pan, then he tries to shovel it out the sides, then he tries to pull the pan out of your hands by grabbing the handle, then he looks around and dribbles the feed all over, then we wants to scratch his face on the outside of the pan and bring his head up under it to knock it away. I think Grayson got a great score on this game. Enjoy the pictures and Happy Thankgiving to all!
Sunday, November 17, 2013
November 17- ride #15
Tuesday and Wednesday Sherlock had a runny nose and I had a ton of work, so we took it easy and just had feeding days. I did go to the used tack store and ended up falling for a new Western bridle with easy-change buckles for the bit.
Thursday the farrier M came, Sherlock was very good except for the left hind, the last one she tried to do. Assigned more yo-yo game, wher the horse has to back up away from you and then come forward. and holding the hinds up longer. Still a great improvement. Feed with BL-Solution to hyelp the sore feet he usually gets the next day.
Friday Sherlock was very stocked up in all four legs. I expect he was a bit footsore from the trim and didn't walk enough over the course of the day and night. Did a few minutes of ground work, mainly lower-impact like sideways rather than yo-yo which causes more pounding. Massaged his legs and put more BL-Solution in the feed.
Saturday Sherlock was looking good, I groomed in the barn and fitted the breastplate (to keep the saddle from slipping back) to the English saddle. Then built the new Western bridle I got with the Myler bit and fitted that with little trouble. Very windy out in the outdoor arena but Sherlock was not spooky. He wanted to stay closer to the gate this time but was also comfortable on the short arena side closest to his own paddock. Walking only this time to help circulation.
Sherlock's whoa was not very good during this ride, so we practiced it a lot, but steering is coming along. He took a light contact today readily. Small serpentines with more leg than hand, and also did some nice half-passes along the short side. Did look like he wanted to roll once, so after our 20 minutes of walking I dismounted and took off all his tack, but then he just wanted to follow me. Tacked him back up very calmly, and took him back to the barn for his grain, which he flung cheerfully all over the floor and gradually cleaned up.
Sherlock has some trouble with his vision when he goes into the barn from the sunlight, or vice versa. Most horses' eyes adjust slower than human eyes do, but Sherlock gets a little wobbly looking for where to put his feet. Just something I need to keep in mind. I commented about his eyes to the barn manager and He was surprised to hear Sherlock has vision problems.
Sunday I went out to feed and realized I had no photos for this week's blog. So I put the Happy Mouth bit on the new bridle and put it on him for a few photos before I gave him his grain for the day. Such a good guy, miles from the horse who wouldn't take the bit.
Thursday the farrier M came, Sherlock was very good except for the left hind, the last one she tried to do. Assigned more yo-yo game, wher the horse has to back up away from you and then come forward. and holding the hinds up longer. Still a great improvement. Feed with BL-Solution to hyelp the sore feet he usually gets the next day.
Friday Sherlock was very stocked up in all four legs. I expect he was a bit footsore from the trim and didn't walk enough over the course of the day and night. Did a few minutes of ground work, mainly lower-impact like sideways rather than yo-yo which causes more pounding. Massaged his legs and put more BL-Solution in the feed.
Saturday Sherlock was looking good, I groomed in the barn and fitted the breastplate (to keep the saddle from slipping back) to the English saddle. Then built the new Western bridle I got with the Myler bit and fitted that with little trouble. Very windy out in the outdoor arena but Sherlock was not spooky. He wanted to stay closer to the gate this time but was also comfortable on the short arena side closest to his own paddock. Walking only this time to help circulation.
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| Cowboy up |
Sherlock has some trouble with his vision when he goes into the barn from the sunlight, or vice versa. Most horses' eyes adjust slower than human eyes do, but Sherlock gets a little wobbly looking for where to put his feet. Just something I need to keep in mind. I commented about his eyes to the barn manager and He was surprised to hear Sherlock has vision problems.
Sunday I went out to feed and realized I had no photos for this week's blog. So I put the Happy Mouth bit on the new bridle and put it on him for a few photos before I gave him his grain for the day. Such a good guy, miles from the horse who wouldn't take the bit.
Monday, November 11, 2013
November 11-windhorse
Firstly I want to share the pic of the new windhorse at Ziji, where I work. Stunning, huh? they will be available soon. Our friend AY took this photo over the weekend.
Today it is 11 years since Lissa's passing. She was the best horse ever and I suppose there is nothing any future horse could do to replace or overshadow her. Missing her a lot.
That said, I am thankful (to the universe, to Sara the seller and to my adoring husband) to have a wonderful horse now. Dr. Dave said if I can win Sherlock's trust, it will be a worthwhile thing.
This week still working a lot. I dreamed I set up a jump chute for Sherlock, so the next day even though I didn't have time to ride, I gave him his grain and went to the arena to drag a bunch of poles and small standards to one side.
Saturday I worked all day helping at the photoshoot for work. AY took a bunch of super shots and then drove me by the stable before stopping by for dinner. So he got to watch Sherlock eat his grain in the nearly pitch black. Someday I'll get both of them in the same place in decent daylight and then the photos will rock.
Sunday I set up the jump chute and broke half a dozen mints into bits for treats. I led him through over the ground poles both directions, then led through with me outside the chute. Harder, esp. going right. Then took the lead off and drove him through with the lunge whip. No problem, and he came back when he heard the mint wrapper. I put up a low rail at the end, he trotted that and went off to graze the corner of the arena. My plan was to go up to the smallest gate I had, so I put that up, 18 inches maybe. Caught the horse up and drove him through- he jumped the gate like it was 3 feet high! Came back for mints and tried again, much nicer jump this time, calmer. Stopped on that note. A little hand-grazing while I pulled his mane.
I'm sure now he can see well enough to jump at least small fences that he has seen before at easy distances. That bodes well for show hunter classes. No plans are being changed.
Monday, today! I was feeling gloomy and low-energy, trying to fight off some sort of sinus/throat soreness. I worked in the morning on notes and then went out after lunch, as the wind was rising. I was planning on grooming in the barn and doing something indoors, but they were dragging the indoor so I set up my stuff at the round pen. I got Sherlock out- he was excited to see me and trotted with me down the fenceline. I groomed him and cleaned his feet, working a little extra on the hinds, picking them up twice and clunking on them with the handle of the hoof pick and twisting the hoof a little. My farrier M comes Thursday and I want him to be good for her.
He was a bit fussy but the wind was really going. Wanted treats after treatfest at jump chute yesterday. Weight-taped 945#
We did some round pen work/free longe. Sherlock did walk/trot/canter/reverse/whoa, with a few times stopping him from reversing on his own. Good calm canter both ways, then he got excited by the wind and did a good strong canter both ways and a nice big trot. Perfecty sound but for one misstep at the big trot, and recovered right away. Caught his breath twice, tried to remove the drawstring from my hoodie, and did nice turns on forehand and willing turns on the haunches. Gave him his grain with psyllium and CoolCalories in it, and a stop for hand-grazing afterwards while I massaged his hip and back. Didn't notice tension in hip muscle today, and couldn't see it standing out, so maybe that area is settling down.
I am astonished he can't see me when he longes. I do use my voice commands and whip noises and I speed up my feet to speed his up. People don't believe me when I say he can't see. I wouldn't either. He just clearly wants to learn, wants to please, so badly. And he does great. Really great.
Packing List:
sidepull rope halter for freezing days I don't want to use a bit (although the barn is heated so maybe it won't be as bad as ice-cold bits from outdoor tack areas)
scissor snaps for rein changes
vacuum grooming attachments
check to pay farrier
light bulb for tack room
Today it is 11 years since Lissa's passing. She was the best horse ever and I suppose there is nothing any future horse could do to replace or overshadow her. Missing her a lot.
That said, I am thankful (to the universe, to Sara the seller and to my adoring husband) to have a wonderful horse now. Dr. Dave said if I can win Sherlock's trust, it will be a worthwhile thing.
This week still working a lot. I dreamed I set up a jump chute for Sherlock, so the next day even though I didn't have time to ride, I gave him his grain and went to the arena to drag a bunch of poles and small standards to one side.
Saturday I worked all day helping at the photoshoot for work. AY took a bunch of super shots and then drove me by the stable before stopping by for dinner. So he got to watch Sherlock eat his grain in the nearly pitch black. Someday I'll get both of them in the same place in decent daylight and then the photos will rock.
Sunday I set up the jump chute and broke half a dozen mints into bits for treats. I led him through over the ground poles both directions, then led through with me outside the chute. Harder, esp. going right. Then took the lead off and drove him through with the lunge whip. No problem, and he came back when he heard the mint wrapper. I put up a low rail at the end, he trotted that and went off to graze the corner of the arena. My plan was to go up to the smallest gate I had, so I put that up, 18 inches maybe. Caught the horse up and drove him through- he jumped the gate like it was 3 feet high! Came back for mints and tried again, much nicer jump this time, calmer. Stopped on that note. A little hand-grazing while I pulled his mane.
I'm sure now he can see well enough to jump at least small fences that he has seen before at easy distances. That bodes well for show hunter classes. No plans are being changed.
 |
| Ragamuffin Sherlock with hay in his hair |
Monday, today! I was feeling gloomy and low-energy, trying to fight off some sort of sinus/throat soreness. I worked in the morning on notes and then went out after lunch, as the wind was rising. I was planning on grooming in the barn and doing something indoors, but they were dragging the indoor so I set up my stuff at the round pen. I got Sherlock out- he was excited to see me and trotted with me down the fenceline. I groomed him and cleaned his feet, working a little extra on the hinds, picking them up twice and clunking on them with the handle of the hoof pick and twisting the hoof a little. My farrier M comes Thursday and I want him to be good for her.
He was a bit fussy but the wind was really going. Wanted treats after treatfest at jump chute yesterday. Weight-taped 945#
We did some round pen work/free longe. Sherlock did walk/trot/canter/reverse/whoa, with a few times stopping him from reversing on his own. Good calm canter both ways, then he got excited by the wind and did a good strong canter both ways and a nice big trot. Perfecty sound but for one misstep at the big trot, and recovered right away. Caught his breath twice, tried to remove the drawstring from my hoodie, and did nice turns on forehand and willing turns on the haunches. Gave him his grain with psyllium and CoolCalories in it, and a stop for hand-grazing afterwards while I massaged his hip and back. Didn't notice tension in hip muscle today, and couldn't see it standing out, so maybe that area is settling down.
I am astonished he can't see me when he longes. I do use my voice commands and whip noises and I speed up my feet to speed his up. People don't believe me when I say he can't see. I wouldn't either. He just clearly wants to learn, wants to please, so badly. And he does great. Really great.
Packing List:
sidepull rope halter for freezing days I don't want to use a bit (although the barn is heated so maybe it won't be as bad as ice-cold bits from outdoor tack areas)
scissor snaps for rein changes
vacuum grooming attachments
check to pay farrier
light bulb for tack room
Friday, November 8, 2013
November 7-winter is coming
Welcome to Autumn! We are getting colder weather at night and Sherlock is growing his winter coat. He looks like he's going to be quite a bit darker in winter, but the really long guard hairs are a lighter color. He looks pretty funny right now as his coat is very uneven, even looking lumpy or hivey sometimes. The time to train with the horse grooming vacuum is nigh. I met another horse owner at the stable, though she is about to be out of town for a while. She owns Aussie the TN Walker, who many people have told me is a Gypsy Vanner...
It's been a quiet week as I've been working really hard. It is holiday new item season at Ziji, so lots of data entry, pricing research, and the next few days a photo shoot. One preview is that we will have a gorgeous new Windhorse statue in white ceramic. I hope we will have this stunning beastie online next week.
And another hint of things to come- I've been transcribing a brand new Pema Chodron talk for Sounds True. Buddhists and Pema fans rejoice, this one I have really been enjoying. I think it will be called "The Reality of our Existence". If you haven't heard Pema, follow the link I just sent you and click on most any product to hear a sample, if you'd like.
I've been a bit gloomy and low energy this week and realized it's Lissa's death anniversary time. It will be 11 years ago on Monday 11-11. I still miss her a great deal. Sherlock reminds me of her in several ways. He is a very kind and friendly horse who is interested in people. He's sensitive and needs someone he can trust. He has a scar on his face. Really, are all my horses going to match me in facial scars? Sherlock's scar is right over his eye just like Lissa's was.
Anyway, I am really happy with my good horse and if the weather will hold out I'll be riding this weekend! Video of Sherlock strolling casually in outdoor arena. Video of trotting in arena, check out our mountain vie!
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| Summer color |
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| Winter color |
It's been a quiet week as I've been working really hard. It is holiday new item season at Ziji, so lots of data entry, pricing research, and the next few days a photo shoot. One preview is that we will have a gorgeous new Windhorse statue in white ceramic. I hope we will have this stunning beastie online next week.
And another hint of things to come- I've been transcribing a brand new Pema Chodron talk for Sounds True. Buddhists and Pema fans rejoice, this one I have really been enjoying. I think it will be called "The Reality of our Existence". If you haven't heard Pema, follow the link I just sent you and click on most any product to hear a sample, if you'd like.
I've been a bit gloomy and low energy this week and realized it's Lissa's death anniversary time. It will be 11 years ago on Monday 11-11. I still miss her a great deal. Sherlock reminds me of her in several ways. He is a very kind and friendly horse who is interested in people. He's sensitive and needs someone he can trust. He has a scar on his face. Really, are all my horses going to match me in facial scars? Sherlock's scar is right over his eye just like Lissa's was.
Anyway, I am really happy with my good horse and if the weather will hold out I'll be riding this weekend! Video of Sherlock strolling casually in outdoor arena. Video of trotting in arena, check out our mountain vie!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
November 3- Ride #14
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| The Usual Suspects- Blaze, Max, Sherlock, Tooie and Annie |
Saturday I groomed him in front of the barn, there were farriers everywhere taking up all the crossties. He was a little nervous at first but really super about his feet. Free-longed in the outdoor arena, he was on a long orbit trotting a sort of figure 8 with me at near the center. He likes he increased room but doesn't want to lose his connection. A little lazy, great whoa.
Had a great time watching the many Smarties at the Breeder's Cup. Lazed all afternoon in front of the TV.
Sunday I again groomed Sherlock in front of barn, farriers were taking up the whole barn. Again pacing a bit but super for his feet. Thrush cleared up nicely. Western saddle and headed off to the outdoor again. A bit spooky in the wind, so I turned him loose for a bit of free longe cantering, then re-saddled. He did great today, first examined the jumps at one end of the arena, esp. interested in the coops today. Expanded out from the gate area very quick today, did some trotting on the short end and then the long end. Then tried trotting the long end with continuing the trot past the gate. Sherlock got a bit confused and we discussed if we were even going to walk away from the gate at all. I stayed patient but held my pressure and we walked on. Practiced some whoa at the far end and got down for many pets. It is hard for him to bypass his safe areas, but I'll need to keep working on expanding those zones so he can venture further in the world.
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| Sherlock strolling in tne arena. |
I hope the angelic foot-lifting trend will last for my own farrier who comes in 2 weeks.
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