Links to videos about OTTBs- mostly spirit-lifters.
Homemade video featuring horses on OTTB Connect on FB, includes Sherlock (Daren).
Roger's Story- Grey OTTB learns to jump
Quigly's Story- Older OTTB mare rescued
Couragous Comet - OTTB jumping at Rolex
Wonderful Will- OTTB jumping at Rolex
Titanium- OTTB jumping at Rolex
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
January 21- Ride 19, 20
Last week I spent catching up at work, with only short visiting time for Sherlock.Saturday the 18th Gray, Luna and I headed out there. Woke Sherlock up, he has a favorite nap spot now but got right up when called. Turned out first and he had a nice run, unfortunately didn't see a small jump standard that was in shadow and ran right over top of it. Not hurt- I moved those standards into full sunlight and he didn't have a problem with them later.
Tried the sheepskin pad again with the Happy Mouth D-ring bit. He was fiddling with it quite a lot but willing to go forward, walked and trotted well but not much contact. Fussy for turns on forehand, doesn't like the combination of cues. Sidepassed along fenceline well, whoa not great, back was ok. I felt like my leg was very loose and pics show saddle a bit crooked. Had grain and a nice roll. Gray took pictures!
So, I guess I'm going to be using the Myler D-ring for the moment, and the rope halter sidepull. Sherlock being very good, moving forward well, almost decided to canter but my leg felt too weak, got to get more secure first.
Good horse, good weather!
Monday, January 13, 2014
January 13- Ride17,18 "What others think"
Returning to riding at last, after a very cold and snowy week,
Tuesday the 8th, I met up with E for a "trail ride" around the property. Sherlock was a bit of a baby, just nervous his first time riding out, in the snow. Especially when Annie and the others threw a fit when we rode past. He started backing up and taking advantage of circling to get closer to the paddock, but he didn't panic and started forward again when E's horse walked on. He wouldn't go up the snowy hill behind hay barn to the pond, we went back to the outdoor arena and worked walk/trot for a few minutes, then came back but he had a fit there again. This time I dismounted and led him up and down the hill, then continued a while on foot on the road, met up with E at the pond and re-mounted from the fishing boat, and finished up well. A bit messy but I felt it was a success, he eventually did everything I'd asked and didn't rear up or slip in the snow.
In the evening E texted me an offer to ride Sherlock for me and "make him" behave. I know it was meant well and she is a very experienced trainer but I declined, feeling very depressed about the possibility of having her as my next trainer. Woke up in the dead of night mad about it. Thought about the techniques that worked best for Sherlock in his most problematic time so far- trailer loading. Joe Andrews loaded him calmly and with no bribes or threats. I want that relationship-first type of training.
Thursday the 10th I rode in the indoor before the farrier arrived. Tried out my oldest sheepskin as an English saddle pad- hard to put on straight but he rode quite well in it. Walk/trot wearing the sidepull halter, turned a barrel, carried the lunge whip in both hands as a prelude to archery training. Calm and well-behaved. Great ride.
He was quite good for the farrier, he did flail a bit with his hind feet but every time with a little correction on the halter he relaxed and released without having to put his foot down. Lots of pets and a mint at the end. Farrier M very pleased- she said he's really improving and clearly our relationship is getting really special. I was very pleased and hummed all the way home.
So this week seems to be about handling what other people think. I know we as human social animals are made to socialze and care what each other think. I wish I didn't care so much- but I have also not given in to advice that I thought was wrong for me and Sherlock. People thought I was failing with Lissa when I trained her but I refused to let anyone help and I got the best horse out of it. I will remember Sherlock is just a 5 year-old half-blind racehorse newly off the track, be forgiving, take my time, and love Sherlock for himself and what we can enjoy together rather than what other people think he should do.
I plan to call J to see if she might still have lessons spaces this spring.
Tuesday the 8th, I met up with E for a "trail ride" around the property. Sherlock was a bit of a baby, just nervous his first time riding out, in the snow. Especially when Annie and the others threw a fit when we rode past. He started backing up and taking advantage of circling to get closer to the paddock, but he didn't panic and started forward again when E's horse walked on. He wouldn't go up the snowy hill behind hay barn to the pond, we went back to the outdoor arena and worked walk/trot for a few minutes, then came back but he had a fit there again. This time I dismounted and led him up and down the hill, then continued a while on foot on the road, met up with E at the pond and re-mounted from the fishing boat, and finished up well. A bit messy but I felt it was a success, he eventually did everything I'd asked and didn't rear up or slip in the snow.
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| Shaggy Sherlock |
In the evening E texted me an offer to ride Sherlock for me and "make him" behave. I know it was meant well and she is a very experienced trainer but I declined, feeling very depressed about the possibility of having her as my next trainer. Woke up in the dead of night mad about it. Thought about the techniques that worked best for Sherlock in his most problematic time so far- trailer loading. Joe Andrews loaded him calmly and with no bribes or threats. I want that relationship-first type of training.
Thursday the 10th I rode in the indoor before the farrier arrived. Tried out my oldest sheepskin as an English saddle pad- hard to put on straight but he rode quite well in it. Walk/trot wearing the sidepull halter, turned a barrel, carried the lunge whip in both hands as a prelude to archery training. Calm and well-behaved. Great ride.
He was quite good for the farrier, he did flail a bit with his hind feet but every time with a little correction on the halter he relaxed and released without having to put his foot down. Lots of pets and a mint at the end. Farrier M very pleased- she said he's really improving and clearly our relationship is getting really special. I was very pleased and hummed all the way home.
So this week seems to be about handling what other people think. I know we as human social animals are made to socialze and care what each other think. I wish I didn't care so much- but I have also not given in to advice that I thought was wrong for me and Sherlock. People thought I was failing with Lissa when I trained her but I refused to let anyone help and I got the best horse out of it. I will remember Sherlock is just a 5 year-old half-blind racehorse newly off the track, be forgiving, take my time, and love Sherlock for himself and what we can enjoy together rather than what other people think he should do.
I plan to call J to see if she might still have lessons spaces this spring.
Friday, January 3, 2014
January 3- Happy New Year
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| Sherlock checks out Flat Stanley |
What a year it has been. From retiring Sirah through the stresses of the horse search to finding Sherlock and getting started riding him.
Just returned from a week's travels to reconnect with my horse. I seem to think he's going to forget everything while I'm gone but he was glad to see me and the feed bucket the first day back, and yesterday he was great for grooming and very light work.
He had diaper scald- must have had a bad day while we were gone- but accepted cleaning and lotion without any fuss. Such a good boy. Bitten up a bit, and he looks afraid of Taco. But he's in good weight, and his coat is heavy and warm.
Sherlock checked out my Flat Stanley, who is traveling the country as part of my friend S's daughter's geography class. And then we did some light free longe, just walk and trot to test his soundness. He looked very well but his hocks were a bit loud at first, worked out of it quickly. Thought it might be his right hock and stifle twisting just a bit as he walked. Chiropractor time again soon.
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