Wordless Wednesday

No connection

Following up on my goal of working Rio everyday this week, I tried a bareback session today, just puttin' around the yard to work on some very simple bending and lateral moves. Yeah. Un-huh. He was having none of it. Total mind in outer space kind of day. Edgy, tense, resistant, bracey, ... not good for being on him bareback but I really think it wouldn't have mattered if I had saddled him.

I considered my options:
Step off, and just put him back in his pen? Doesn't really solve anything, and we'd be stopping in a bad place.
Saddle him and continue riding, even though he was clearly not happy? Would probably end up in a marathon session that would have been better if I had a round pen or arena in my yard.
The third option was to get off and go back to kindergarten, give him something really basic to do that he knows how to do so that we can finish in a good place, but make it challenging enough that he actually engages his brain to think things through.
I chose option 3- and let me tell you, sliding off that horse bareback sure is a lot different than stepping off Beamer! It was a loooong way down!!!
I decided to use the sidepass as my training tool. He can do it very well, so to make it more challenging, I got an 8 ft board for him to step over before sidepassing.  But first, I thought I'd longe him a little. Yeah. There was zero slack in that longe line and he was hunting an exit, so I brought him in to 4 feet away from me and just had him move around me a bit until he gave me some slack.
We started off with just stepping over  the board and stopping. Of course, he wanted to give me the whole 9 yards and go right over and keep on going.... no Rio, step over with the fronts only, and stop.

Yes, just like that. Then I used the handle of my whip where I would use my leg , and used the lead rope to keep him from stepping right over, and asked him to sidepass to the right. It took many tries, lots of 1 step sideways and then step right over, before he got it and went the length of the board.  Then we did the other side, and of course he tried all the same evasions.  After this, I did some simple things like backing straight parallel to the board, and asking him to move his hip around his forehand without throwing his shoulders around. Aha! Problems! When it came to moving his hip over- he totally ignored me. Finally I added a cluck- and he moved. This happened both sides.
So, I think the rest of this week, he is going to get a bunch of ground work, until I can get him soft and respectful in hand before he gets ridden again. Shayla is also going to check to see if he needs any body work, and I have him booked in with the equine dentist, but not for a couple of months, next time he comes through this way.
I want my nice, soft, happy Rio back. This version of him can go away any time.

A week later.... not so nice

So giving Rio a week off from arena work wasn't such a good idea. Two steps forward, one step back. At one point in the Jim Anderson clinic, he mentioned that Rio needed consistent work, even if it's only 20 minutes a day 5 days a week. Today, he was bracing against the reins; he's stop when asked, then lower his head until he bumped the bit, and a few times just went right through the stop; his back up fell apart too. Guess he just didn't want to work today. Shayla had me get on him so she could see what he was doing, and he did the same stuff with me as with her. In this photo, a stride before I had asked him to stop and he just stuck his nose out and blew right through it right to the end wall. Of course, it didn't help that I braced against him!

He would be nice and soft and then would just fall apart.

We weren't getting anywhere, so it was time to change things up.

 Shayla came up with the idea to put him in the round pen, bitted up, and let him figure it out on his own. Poor boy, had to work! Awww! It was notable that in the round pen, he didn't crossfire; if he did he would have fallen down. We could see him start to, almost like he would break to a trot behind, then he'd have to pick up the correct lead again or fall over!
It worked. When Shayla got back on him he was quite willing to soften up, stop and back nicely, and stay on the correct lead at the lope. So now, we know that we need to have a plan for him. I won't be able to haul to the arena as much as I'd like to, so he will have to do some of the work at home in the field or down the road.
Hope the weather holds for a bit!

We also hauled Shayla's mare Allie, here she is with both horses, and yes, they are both big horses!

Sunday Stills - F is for friends

Visitin'

Today was a road trip day. Shayla and I went to the Shea Ranch in Montana to see the people who raised Beamer, they have been friends of mine for about 20 years now.
We got the tour of the barn, and then Shayla got to ride a daughter of Custom Chrome for a couple of hours while getting a reining lesson from Meagan Shea.

Most of the action shots of Shayla didn't turn out, I should have used a tripod and manual settings.

Meagan asked me to take some photos of a mare they are selling, a daughter of Smart Shiner. A nice solid mare, and of course I love that smokey black colour. Well, you know me, I love those funky action shots!

 A few posed shots too; pretty mare!

I can't help but think how nicely she would cross on Beamer. :0)

Sure wish I could win the lottery for this one!

Going for a stroll

This evening, Shayla came over to ride Rio- just a nice relaxing stroll out in the pasture, and I hand walked Josie along with her (I need exercise too!)
I checked out how well Josie learned her "tying" lesson, and I looped the rope over the hitching rail. She didn't offer to pull back. Shayla brought out the saddle and showed it to her; she was more interested than nervous with this big contraption.

It was a nice evening for a stroll, and the kids (as I call these two) were happy to get out.

It's ok, Rio, you won't have to lope circles today! Just a leisurely putt around the pasture!
I stopped halfway as Shayla rode on, partly to get Josie used to being alone while her buddy rode off, and we found some nice green grass for her, but she kept a close eye on him in the distance, She didn't call much, but she did watch where he went.

On the way back, Shayla ponied Josie. The little filly is ponying well now. I tried for a photo but with the rapidly fading light it wasn't very good, but here it is anyway.

Wordless Wednesday

Working with Josie

The focus has been so much on Rio lately, that I haven't given Josie much time. So today, when the sun popped out this afternoon I figured it was the perfect time to bring her out all by her li'l self and work with her.

She has never had to stand tied, and although I can lead her no problem, and we have ponied her, so that she knows a fair bit about giving to pressure, standing tied is a whole 'nother deal.
My goal today: First lesson in standing tied (without actually tying her); pick up and clean all 4 feet in a new environment, and start her circling around me on the lead as a prelude to learning about longeing.
It only took a few minutes to get her going around me both ways on the lead line so we headed over to the hitching rail.
I figured she'd have an opinion about the hitching rail. It took a moment or two though, at first she just stood there....

Then thought about leaving.....

and thought a little harder about leaving.....

I let the slack run as she goes backwards.

Once she had settled, I rewarded her with some grazing, so nice to see the grass in January!

I noticed a branch that had fallen from the tree so I thought this would be a good opportunity to do some sacking out.

 I picked it up, showed it to her, and led her around as I carried it and waved it around, also I dragged it behind me as I led her. It didn't bother her a lot, in fact she was soon stepping on it as we went.

I was able to pet her all over with it, and let it lay on her back as I got her to walk around me.
I'm pretty happy with the mind on this filly; she learns fast, doesn't get into fits about things, and she sure is easy on the eyes!

A blog I like

For those of you who have never visited White Horse Pilgrim blog, you might enjoy a visit there. He is a wonderful writer, and I think you would enjoy the scenes he photographs from the back of his good mare, Brena.

Riding with Jim

The clinic with Jim Anderson was just what we needed to get a good training plan going for Rio. We pinpointed what needs to be worked on, and have a training plan to work with. He needs to build his confidence with consistent training, especially at the lope. We have a training exercise to help with the crossfiring, and he is doing well with his spins and sidepass, considering that he hasn't been ridden all that much, especially consistently.

I'll start with some video from the first day.

In this video, when Jim is saying "to me" he is asking them to cut across the circle when Rio drops out of lead; then to go back to the big circle once he corrected. This exercise was quite effective in helping to build consistency and confidence.

They worked on the same thing the second day, and Rio showed improvement. I did video it but the focus was off so I didn't put it on You Tube.  Rio would push to the outside of the imaginary perfect circle, and every time he did he would change the lead behind, which in turn gets him worried, and it all falls apart. So the thing we need to do is keep him in the circle, and just before he gets to the spot where he falls out, to cut into the circle, keep him correct and send him out again. It's a lot of work, but it is working to keep him from falling out of lead. 

There was also some work on sidepassing and the turnaround. For the small amount of riding Rio has, he's doing well on these.

This is from the first day:

And another one from today:



I have also entered this duo in a one day clinic on Rio's third birthday, April 10th.

Lotsa work, huh Rio? 

Weekend stuff

Well, clinic day is here, in about an hour we will haul over to the arena for lessons with Jim Anderson. Yesterday, instead of more arena time, Rio got a trail ride; I rode him and Shayla rode her palomino mare Allie for a nice relaxing putt around the neighbourhood. Love that horse- whenever he saw something he wasn't sure about he would just hesitate, look, and then carry on. Sorry, no photos! But I did finally  get a moon shot! Used my telephoto lens and tripod, I think I can get crisper focus next time, but this will do for a first shot! Not up to Ed's quality, but I'm trying!

I think that bright spot on the lower right is interesting, it looks like the stem spot on an orange.

Penny goes to her new home today, her wounds are nearly healed, about the size of a dime on her back and the tear below it is almost gone too, she sure healed quickly, only a week or so.

I'm calling this the Winter that Wasn't ...yet.... I swear the grass is growing! I took this shot of Shayla's saddle a couple of days ago.

Tess is getting very large, less than two weeks to puppies! She is really playing the pathetic card lately too even more than usual.
I'll do a clinic post at the end of the weekend, till then, I'll be busy!

More Rio

This photo should give you an idea of just how tall Rio is. He was pretty sure that was a horse-eatin' mounting block at first, but he got over it.
Here is some of the stuff they worked on yesterday. Interestingly enough, although it isn't in the video, when he loped a little later, when he was relaxed and loping was his idea he didn't crossfire. Then when he started getting worried and charging into the lope, he crossfired every time. So I guess we need to ride the mind on this boy.

Wordless Wednesday

Penny update

Penny is improving rapidly, at her vet check today she has gained 5 ounces, got her first vaccine and basically a clean bill of health. The wounds are disappearing rapidly, now just to get her to a normal weight and grow back the hair that was shaved off.

We have friends who want to adopt her; they lost their dog last summer, and are finally ready to accept another pet into their lives. She will have a good home with them; there are 3 cats and 3 dogs here, so she will thrive better where she can get more attention... and cuddles... and spoiling... all those things kitties need!

Carry on....

Penny continues to improve, and will be getting her kitten shots and another vet check tomorrow.

Tess is getting large, less than 3 weeks to whelping time. I'm so excited for pups! I think my request for a smaller litter is not going to happen though. 

This weekend, Rio goes in the Jim Anderson clinic, and Shayla will be riding him. I've been hauling them to the arena and he is coming along nicely. We have pinpointed an issue we'd like to get some help from Jim with, crossfiring at the lope. He starts out correctly and then changes behind. I think it might just be him not connecting all his body because he grew so quickly in the last year from this: (Jan. 30 last year)

to this:

He grew a full hand in height, maybe more, and he is still learning how to handle all that body.  He doesn't have a lot of rides on him, maybe 90? at the most, so he still needs to develop the muscle he needs to carry that 15.3hh body around.

This video was taken today, please ignore the background voice, someone else was getting a lesson. This was just asking him to stay nicely in frame at the trot.

The introduction

I'm finding out about the personality of Pretty Penny- she is very outgoing and affectionate. She likes to cuddle on my lap, and she likes to explore; which trait is likely how she ended up here and stayed alive over the last few weeks.
Last night, I introduced her to Thumper.

He's a gentle giant- except when it comes to mice and birds! He was quite intrigued with little miss Penny, and I'm pretty sure that both he and Foose, our black cat, have visited with her outside. And before anyone asks, yes I am quite sure that neither of our boy cays (neutered) did this to her. I've seen them interact with the feral cats around here and there is no attacking or fighting, they just check them out and then go on their way. 

I likes him. Can we keep him?

Then this morning she was introduced to the dogs, which went quite well too, no hissing or tenseness, except perhaps on the part of the dogs who weren't quite sure whether she was going to rake them with her claws!

But Tess soon was at ease. Looks like she is going to fit in just fine... but I still have to introduce her to Pearl, my ever-so-shy Siamese cross; the house is her domain. Later today. 

Pretty Penny

We had seen her around for the last few weeks, maybe just before Christmas. A tiny thing, elusive, just a glimpse here and there.
We were concerned for her safety, but there really was nothing we could do.
After all, we thought she was feral.
Then a few days ago, Ted said he thought she was living under our house.
Yesterday, she came slowly up the stairs to our deck, only to run away as Ted approached.
Today, she came all the way up to the top step and pressed her head into the opening on the gate, unfazed by Merle's presence. This time, she didn't retreat far.
 She was hungry, and hurting. Starving, in fact.
Ted called me out to see her, and I brought a dish of cat food. She went for it and I picked her up, and knew right away that she was in dire need when I felt her backbone and the matted hair above a wound on her back.
I brought her in and had a good look at her.

I clipped the matted hair and found a very nasty, abscessed wound.

It was plain that we needed to take her to the vet, so we loaded her up and headed for Bonner's Ferry, Idaho. (How about that 70's lino in my bathroom? ) I wrapped her in a towel, and put her in a cat carrier- she was quiet for the whole trip.
I thought maybe the resident barn owls, or the red-tailed hawks had done this to her, but one look at her and the vet said that she had been attacked by a tomcat; we have several feral tomcats in this area, and they had been hanging out at the big haystacks 50 yards from our home. One day about a week ago I had heard some yowling, so that is probably when it happened.
 Anyway, once the vet was done and had given her a long lasting antibiotic shot, we brought her home. As you can see by the following photo, they shaved her wounds, which were quite extensive. The pus is gone and all cleaned out now all I have to do is keep the wound open and draining, and give her as much kitten chow as she desires.

 I really don't think she is feral, because she doesn't mind being handled- which likely means someone dropped her off here.

For a couple of reasons, I named her Pretty Penny. We do have someone who is willing to adopt her once she is healthy, but I don't know... I kinda like her and she seems to really like me. She climbs up on me to cuddle. Awwww! We shall see.

Mr. Predictable

I can always count on Beamer to perform. He would have made a good movie horse, because he is so easy to pattern. Take, for example the 3 things I can always get photos of that most people rarely get a chance to . Like the rear...

He's airborne!

Then the leaps with all 4 feet off the ground; this one is a front view:

And next- the yawn- or horse laugh, as some like to think of it. Someone on Facebook said I was lucky to get a yawn shot. Not hard at all, he yawns regularly and predictably!

Several yawns in a row, actually!

Yes, Beamer, the camera was turned on. Yes, I got the photos you posed for. 

Yes, I'm quite sure. Now go eat your hay!!!