This week I've been working my temp job at Sounds True as well as just two afternoons at Ziji.
Sunday 2/23 My first ride with the new super Valentine's Day present sheepskin pad was a bit stiff. Sherlock seemed a bit confused and while we got some very nice stretchy marching walk, he didn't want to trot off leg pressure. I got down and did a bit of free lunge just to be sure he was sound, and he trotted fine. So I picked up the lunge whip and got back on. With a little show that I had the whip he trotted for me under saddle, albeit a little nervously. Mostly just a refresher day- weight 985# and I STILL could not get all the mud off.
Tuesday went straight to stable from work, 55 degrees and sunny, keen to give Sherlock a bath- by the time I got there the wind had picked up and the temps were dropping fast. Snowed overnight. Bad Colorado, bad.
Wednesday 2/26 Groomed with ShowSheen and decreased the mud coating greatly. Can't wait for some warm weather and bath time! Jo came out to visit and I asked her to watch me ride. She thought Sherlock looked a bit uneven, not lame but short-strided. I carried my dressage whip this time and got some good trot transitions, working backwards into voice command. Even better when we started working on back up into trot. Great reminders about feel and finding the release, esp. when backing up. Sherlock steered well when not trying to spiral in to beg Jo for mints. She had a doggy bag in her pocket and he could hear it crinkling.
Good ride!
I set up with Jo to take some more lessons when she has time this spring around her clinics.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
February 18- Snow + Sun= Ice, then Mud
So this week Ezio cut my hand. Cats are so strong and fast that when something goes wrong it goes wrong quicker than you can really move. Horses are much the same. Anyway, Ezio was headed out the window to the cat run (for the first time in weeks due to snow and cold), something spooked him and he flew backwards in the window, landing on my right hand, then the scanner. The scanner luckily was closed and its looks are not much marred. The right hand did not fare so well- with 4 slashes in the space between forefinger and thumb and one puncture on the thumb.
It's a very non-handy place to be cut. Even though the cuts were not that bad (thankfully all claws had been trimmed a few days before) opening the front door or a jar of any kind was right out. Sewing also a no-go. I put on gloves to drive and to walk the dog. So leading a horse who hadn't been out in weeks over the ice was not an attractive prospect.
So I fed and groomed and Thursday I took my bow, arrows and target out and set up by the fence. Caught Sherlock and had him stand behind me while I did a practice set. Sherlock was a bit uncertain at the first arrow, but by the time I'd shot my 8 he was bored. Great sign. I also saw Tooie startle him by appearing on the left side. I think Sherlock is getting some vision back- at least he sees some motion.
Sunday I took the archery stuff out again. Due to feed placement I put the target in the shelter, where I had control over who was around. Didn't catch him this time. I shot 8 and then Sherlock came and watched the second 8. I shot a little harder to make more sound and he watched with his good eye.
Tuesday I went after work (first day back at ST for temp stuff!) and took shelock out through the mud to the outdoor arena for a run. He trotted and cantered a bit, played in the puddles pawing and nosing around. Groomed but I didn't get everything-sore wrist for me and he gets really tired of the scraper. Faced pile-of-snow monster by the goat pens and flapping-blanket monster in the aisle between the stalls and the barn, had feed in the barn and went back to the paddock like a champ.
It's a very non-handy place to be cut. Even though the cuts were not that bad (thankfully all claws had been trimmed a few days before) opening the front door or a jar of any kind was right out. Sewing also a no-go. I put on gloves to drive and to walk the dog. So leading a horse who hadn't been out in weeks over the ice was not an attractive prospect.
So I fed and groomed and Thursday I took my bow, arrows and target out and set up by the fence. Caught Sherlock and had him stand behind me while I did a practice set. Sherlock was a bit uncertain at the first arrow, but by the time I'd shot my 8 he was bored. Great sign. I also saw Tooie startle him by appearing on the left side. I think Sherlock is getting some vision back- at least he sees some motion.
Sunday I took the archery stuff out again. Due to feed placement I put the target in the shelter, where I had control over who was around. Didn't catch him this time. I shot 8 and then Sherlock came and watched the second 8. I shot a little harder to make more sound and he watched with his good eye.
 |
| Sherlock examines the target for clues. |
Tuesday I went after work (first day back at ST for temp stuff!) and took shelock out through the mud to the outdoor arena for a run. He trotted and cantered a bit, played in the puddles pawing and nosing around. Groomed but I didn't get everything-sore wrist for me and he gets really tired of the scraper. Faced pile-of-snow monster by the goat pens and flapping-blanket monster in the aisle between the stalls and the barn, had feed in the barn and went back to the paddock like a champ.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
February 9- Ride #20 bareback
Big snowstorm and cold snap right after my last entries!
I did get Sherlock out Saturday Jan 25th and tried my OLD Western saddle on him- too wide and it set too heavy on his withers so after just a minute riding in it in the round pen I took it off and got back on bareback. Sherlock was a bit confused at first but steered great on weight and light leg and his whoa was super good. I think since it was new to him he was really paying close attention.
Nothing else happening. Very icy from paddock to barn so just grooming and feeding in the paddock. Saturday Feb 8th I was planning to get him out and at least lunge in the indoor arena or do ground work. But I cut my right hand in the morning so not the best day to deal with a very fresh horse!
Ezio the kitten was going out into the cat run for the first time in 2 weeks due to the cold. I moved to adjust the window and he came flying back in and landed on my right hand, cutting me before I could get away. He has been really sorry all weekend, very snuggly and visible all day instead of off sleeping under a blanket. No sutures, just big Band-aids, but I'm cut right in the webby area between thumb and fingers. I can't open jars or the front doorknob.
Wish me well, hopefully I'll find some riding time this week before I start my temp work at the True on the 18th!
I did get Sherlock out Saturday Jan 25th and tried my OLD Western saddle on him- too wide and it set too heavy on his withers so after just a minute riding in it in the round pen I took it off and got back on bareback. Sherlock was a bit confused at first but steered great on weight and light leg and his whoa was super good. I think since it was new to him he was really paying close attention.
Nothing else happening. Very icy from paddock to barn so just grooming and feeding in the paddock. Saturday Feb 8th I was planning to get him out and at least lunge in the indoor arena or do ground work. But I cut my right hand in the morning so not the best day to deal with a very fresh horse!
 |
| Cold enough to share the heated bed- Ezio & Dante |
Ezio the kitten was going out into the cat run for the first time in 2 weeks due to the cold. I moved to adjust the window and he came flying back in and landed on my right hand, cutting me before I could get away. He has been really sorry all weekend, very snuggly and visible all day instead of off sleeping under a blanket. No sutures, just big Band-aids, but I'm cut right in the webby area between thumb and fingers. I can't open jars or the front doorknob.
Wish me well, hopefully I'll find some riding time this week before I start my temp work at the True on the 18th!
 |
| Sherlock and Tooie |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)