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.
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| 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!
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| 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!
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| Sherlock and Tooie |
Thursday, January 23, 2014
OTTB videos
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
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
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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