Little miss Grace continues to make wonderful progress in her training. Her owner is very pleased, which is good news for me. At this point, I am basically counting down the days til her birthday so I can throw a leg over. We've worked out a sort of routine, and I try to add one new thing a day while making everything we've already learned as boring as possible.
Here's what we've been working on over the last two weeks:
Friday, March 31, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
A Successful Ride at the Assunpink
Given my last escapade at the Assunpink, it is amazing to me that anyone would want to ride with me at all, let alone in that particular park. All the same, I found myself reading an invite from Evelyn in my inbox one morning about two weeks ago.
Evelyn got into endurance in 2014 after she bought Dodie's mare GJR Miss Amadeus, aka Miss Dee. She and her husband, Jeff, live in North Jersey. They are relatively local as far as endurance riders go, but not local enough for us to hang out regularly. I see them at rides regularly, and we've always gotten along.
"We are planning to ride at the Assunpink this weekend. We'd like to do 12-15 miles, and were wondering if you wanted to tag along. We're not normally down in your direction, so I thought I'd ask."
I replied that I don't currently have a sound horse, but that I appreciate the invite. Evelyn countered that they could lend me one of their horses if they hooked up their LQ trailer.
The horse they offered me was GJR Obsidian aka Dart. Dart is a great grandson of The Minstril.
Evelyn got into endurance in 2014 after she bought Dodie's mare GJR Miss Amadeus, aka Miss Dee. She and her husband, Jeff, live in North Jersey. They are relatively local as far as endurance riders go, but not local enough for us to hang out regularly. I see them at rides regularly, and we've always gotten along.
"We are planning to ride at the Assunpink this weekend. We'd like to do 12-15 miles, and were wondering if you wanted to tag along. We're not normally down in your direction, so I thought I'd ask."
I replied that I don't currently have a sound horse, but that I appreciate the invite. Evelyn countered that they could lend me one of their horses if they hooked up their LQ trailer.
The horse they offered me was GJR Obsidian aka Dart. Dart is a great grandson of The Minstril.
 |
| The Minstril. Photo from Arabians Ltd. |
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Bridle-less Wink
I went to my usual Thursday night lesson with Wink this week. His owner texted me on my way there and asked if I would mind getting on Wink first. I am always happy to ride Wink. He's such a good, well-rounded horse. I don't sit on him much these days. We're not doing much in terms of training him further. Mostly, his owner is learning how to ride him better and more effectively. This was a special treat.
When I mounted, I found that Wink was in a particularly cooperative mood. A few laps into our ride, I decided to try something new.
When I mounted, I found that Wink was in a particularly cooperative mood. A few laps into our ride, I decided to try something new.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
InstaPLUS
Two weeks in photos. These are mostly on IG, but some I never posted. I have some big news coming up, but I'm not ready to post about it. If you're on FB, you already know. 😉
 |
| Julio lounging. |
Monday, March 20, 2017
Riding Pedar Finale
Jan came home on the 15th. On the 11th, Sandy and I met up for the final time to ride Pedar and Fina together. Appropriately, it snowed heavily right before our last ride. We managed to coordinate a weekend, which meant we had all the time in the world to go on one last adventure. I actually remembered to charge my helmet cam and Sandy zip tied it to my helmet for extra security. I was bitterly disappointed when it immediately malfunctioned and I couldn't get it to stay on during our ride. The videos would have been epic as we galloped hither and yon across the snow-covered countryside. Oh well. You'll have to use your imaginations. (Not really because I'm a media whore and there are a billion photos in this post. You're welcome. No imagination needed.)
As usual, Sandy and I had a crazy scheme all planned out, and Sandy had emailed me proposed routes to incorporate all our favorite parts of the loop we'd pieced together over the course of three weeks, plus some extra shenanigans that I'll get to in a minute.
I was pleased when Pedar actually let me catch him in the field. I guess he wasn't completely sick of me yet. Plus, it was perfect Fjord weather. In fact, it was bitterly cold and blustery when we first saddled up. Sandy was smart and bundled up with her new riding skirt from Arctic Horse. The first stretch of our ride was cloudy and gray, but we were having too much fun to notice. Plus I'd finally remembered to bring my own flask full of... erm... Russian Iced Tea (?)...
We rode across the street, up and over the mountain, and hooked left to do some of our favorite cantering stretches through the forest. Then we swung back the way we came and headed northeast all the way down the ridge, much further than we've ever been before. The miles started to tick by and Pedar felt fresh and peppy. I think this fitness plan was working!
As usual, Sandy and I had a crazy scheme all planned out, and Sandy had emailed me proposed routes to incorporate all our favorite parts of the loop we'd pieced together over the course of three weeks, plus some extra shenanigans that I'll get to in a minute.
I was pleased when Pedar actually let me catch him in the field. I guess he wasn't completely sick of me yet. Plus, it was perfect Fjord weather. In fact, it was bitterly cold and blustery when we first saddled up. Sandy was smart and bundled up with her new riding skirt from Arctic Horse. The first stretch of our ride was cloudy and gray, but we were having too much fun to notice. Plus I'd finally remembered to bring my own flask full of... erm... Russian Iced Tea (?)...
We rode across the street, up and over the mountain, and hooked left to do some of our favorite cantering stretches through the forest. Then we swung back the way we came and headed northeast all the way down the ridge, much further than we've ever been before. The miles started to tick by and Pedar felt fresh and peppy. I think this fitness plan was working!
 |
| Sandy's skirt, which matches her tack! I was a little jealous (ok, a lot jealous). |
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Grace Photos
Despite the snow, I went to work with Grace in the round pen this week. I wanted to see how the footing would be before we did any serious work. Now that she's got the concept of joining up when I call her in, I couldn't resist the urge to turn her loose in the fresh snow for some pictures. The round pen fence doesn't make the most photogenic background, but the lighting was good and this gave us a nice chance to do some liberty work as a warm up. I also took the time to brush out her luxurious tail before I turned her loose. That ended up being a good de-spooking exercise since the snow was actively sliding off the tin barn roof and making a ton of noise. She handled it really well, and I was very proud. As for her tail *drool* I wish my hair looked as nice as this filly's tail. Thick and silky with red and gold streaks. Pretty.
Without further ado, here are some pictures of my pretty little blonde filly.
Without further ado, here are some pictures of my pretty little blonde filly.
 |
| She's in that awkward growing phase, but I love how cute she is. |
 |
| She has such a nice trot, which is technically a flaw, but makes me want her. |
 |
| Ground covering stride. |
Friday, March 17, 2017
Eye Candy
Happy Friday! Winter finally arrived this week, apparently. We have several inches of thick, heavy snow. Thankfully the blizzard wasn't as bad as predicted (though the wind was intense and I did blanket my horses for a few hours, for the first time this season). Now we have pretty backgrounds everywhere.
When I arrived at Carol's barn to work with Grace yesterday, Kitty (the stallion) was feeling frisky. I saw him tearing around his paddock when we pulled into the driveway, half a mile up the hill. I was hoping he'd still be running and playing when we got down to the barn because I had my camera. I was in luck!
So here are some photos of a gorgeous TWH stallion, who I am secretly hoping to ride this year :)
When I arrived at Carol's barn to work with Grace yesterday, Kitty (the stallion) was feeling frisky. I saw him tearing around his paddock when we pulled into the driveway, half a mile up the hill. I was hoping he'd still be running and playing when we got down to the barn because I had my camera. I was in luck!
So here are some photos of a gorgeous TWH stallion, who I am secretly hoping to ride this year :)
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Riding Pedar: Part 4
Hangover Ride Redux
Sandy and I had two excellent rides this week with Pedar and Fina. The weather was at two extremes and they'll get separate entries. I am going to miss our weekly excursions now that Jan is coming home and will resume riding her own horse. Sandy and I are scheming to find a way to have more adventures on a regular basis, but no spoilers until things actually start rolling...
Our first ride featured sunny skies, warm temperatures, and almost short sleeve weather! As my subtitle implies, I started the ride with a pretty decent hangover. It is tax season and there have been some unpleasant happenings in my personal life as well, so I handle things like a responsible adult by killing my liver. Thankfully, there's nothing better for a hangover than a beautiful ride with good horses and good friends. I'm going to have to start paying Sandy like $400 an hour to be my personal therapist. It took us a little while to get tacked up because Sherry was dog sitting for Jan and the three of us got to chit chatting. Plus, you know, hangover.
We started the ride out the back of Jan's property, heading up the big hill and moseying down the road by Merrill Creek Reservoir. The horses weren't complaining as we walked and talked and the sun came up.
Sandy and I had two excellent rides this week with Pedar and Fina. The weather was at two extremes and they'll get separate entries. I am going to miss our weekly excursions now that Jan is coming home and will resume riding her own horse. Sandy and I are scheming to find a way to have more adventures on a regular basis, but no spoilers until things actually start rolling...
Our first ride featured sunny skies, warm temperatures, and almost short sleeve weather! As my subtitle implies, I started the ride with a pretty decent hangover. It is tax season and there have been some unpleasant happenings in my personal life as well, so I handle things like a responsible adult by killing my liver. Thankfully, there's nothing better for a hangover than a beautiful ride with good horses and good friends. I'm going to have to start paying Sandy like $400 an hour to be my personal therapist. It took us a little while to get tacked up because Sherry was dog sitting for Jan and the three of us got to chit chatting. Plus, you know, hangover.
We started the ride out the back of Jan's property, heading up the big hill and moseying down the road by Merrill Creek Reservoir. The horses weren't complaining as we walked and talked and the sun came up.
Monday, March 13, 2017
Grace Updates
Baby Grace is coming along so well in her training. The weather is making things a little hit or miss, scheduling-wise, but the filly is adapting well to my sporadic sessions. I've done several since the last time I mentioned her here so I think I'm going to go over what she can do already, with pictures as I have them. Sometimes I drag Mike with me. Other times I don't. I had some photos on my old phone, but I broke it before I managed to post them anywhere.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Instaspam
Catch up time in the form of a massive photo dump again!
 |
| Geocaching with Mike and the dogs at the D&R Greenway. We did more walking than seeking and got a bit off the beaten path, but the dogs had lots of fun and Julio even got to be off leash while we adventured in the creek. |
Friday, March 10, 2017
Blackwater Swamp Stomp 2017
Ride season has officially started! I couldn't be happier. Three and a half months without competition felt like an eternity. I have basically zero ride plans for the 2017 season and my goals are pretty minimal for this year. I accomplished a lot last year, but Mike and I have a lot on our plates right now so endurance riding is sort of on the back burner. As usual, we got invited to Florida. As usual, we couldn't really swing the trip. Between the finances and the critters, it's pretty impossible for us to take off for more than three days. In the case of Florida, that doesn't even really cover travel time. Maybe next year (I say every year).
A few weeks ago, I saw Dodie posting on the FB forums, looking for someone to ride with at Blackwater Swamp Stomp, the brand new ride being held in coastal Virginia. It would be Dodie's first endurance ride with her new mare, Penny, and she was planning to do the 25 mile LD. I messaged her privately and asked if Steel wasn't going. Turns out her regular rider wasn't going to be able to make it. I commented, "I don't know if this helps, but I could ride Steel in the LD with you!" Dodie agreed and I had my entry sent in an hour later. I even mailed a check and signed my waiver ahead of time. I knew this ride had limited slots and I wanted to make sure I didn't mess anything up.
I'm going to backtrack for a minute here. Last season, Dodie made the difficult decision to sell her Wonder Mare, Daizy. Daizy will still be blazing down the endurance trail with her new owner, but this sort of left Dodie in no man's land. As fate would have it, the timing was perfect, and Dodie ended up with Penny, an ASB mare she had known and loved for quite some time. You can read more about Penny's history and re-training at Dodie's ride story, but the short version is that she was a failed show horse, mostly because of her size. Dodie got her in the fall and Penny didn't see her first trail until November. She has taken to trail riding like a fish to water, and Dodie decided to try the flat, sandy ride to get Penny's feet wet in the distance riding world.
This is a picture of Penny in her old life:
A few weeks ago, I saw Dodie posting on the FB forums, looking for someone to ride with at Blackwater Swamp Stomp, the brand new ride being held in coastal Virginia. It would be Dodie's first endurance ride with her new mare, Penny, and she was planning to do the 25 mile LD. I messaged her privately and asked if Steel wasn't going. Turns out her regular rider wasn't going to be able to make it. I commented, "I don't know if this helps, but I could ride Steel in the LD with you!" Dodie agreed and I had my entry sent in an hour later. I even mailed a check and signed my waiver ahead of time. I knew this ride had limited slots and I wanted to make sure I didn't mess anything up.
I'm going to backtrack for a minute here. Last season, Dodie made the difficult decision to sell her Wonder Mare, Daizy. Daizy will still be blazing down the endurance trail with her new owner, but this sort of left Dodie in no man's land. As fate would have it, the timing was perfect, and Dodie ended up with Penny, an ASB mare she had known and loved for quite some time. You can read more about Penny's history and re-training at Dodie's ride story, but the short version is that she was a failed show horse, mostly because of her size. Dodie got her in the fall and Penny didn't see her first trail until November. She has taken to trail riding like a fish to water, and Dodie decided to try the flat, sandy ride to get Penny's feet wet in the distance riding world.
This is a picture of Penny in her old life:
Monday, March 6, 2017
Product Review: Two Horse Tack Buckle-Nose Halter
When Jacke from Two Horse Tack emailed me to ask if I'd be interested in trying and honestly reviewing their buckle-nose halter, I thought, "Sure! I can always use more tack!"
I already have a breast collar from THT, and I love the quality of their beta biothane and hardware. My breast collar has several hundred miles on it already and still looks brand new. Plus, it fits every horse I ride without excess straps hanging all over the place (like my hackamore from a different company).
I picked white for my halter because I thought it would look sharp on Booger, and I figured she would be my most likely model.
Little did I know this halter would actually change my life as far as young horses are concerned! I was a bad product-reviewer and didn't read the halter page on the website, and missed that there was a real reason for putting the buckle on the nose. I was excited to try this new concept because I hate badly fitted halters and I hate struggling with chin buckles to adjust fit. I am not very patient when it comes to gear. I am an endurance rider and I want snaps and easy-to-use buckles on everything. If it's not user friendly, I break it or throw it away.
The halter arrived in no time (I'm pretty sure it was in my mail box before I'd even replied to Jacke's email re:shipping.) As I expected, the quality was wonderful. I was thrilled to see lots of holes punched in both the crown piece and the noseband. (You can also get a breakaway strap and turn this halter into a turnout halter if you wanted to. I don't turn out in halters so I won't be taking advantage of that, but it's nice to have options!) The beta biothane was supple and soft, but thick enough to give the halter some substance (I hate a thin, flimsy biothane halter). The buckles were shiny and sturdy and the snap on the throat latch was turned the correct way (away from the horse).
On Friday, I went out to work with Grace. On my way out the door, I had a light bulb. I could bring the new halter with me and use it on her, get some pictures, and get my review started. Plus, omg, I could slip the halter off from under her bridle. Grace is still new to bridling and I've been leaving her halter on underneath, which looks messy and kind of annoys me. Those of you who are better consumers than I am already read the halter webpage and know that's precisely what it was designed for. *facepalm*
So I went out to the paddock and fetched Grace. She is a little ear shy and my first several sessions with her involved working on putting a halter on her without fussing. The buckle-nose halter adjusted really easily and I had it loose, loose, loose. I slipped it on my baby project horse and she didn't even notice it grazing her ears. Then, because I had double buckles on the crown piece and a buckle on the nose band, I was able to adjust it to fit her head perfectly, even though she's got an awkwardly-sized baby horse head. (I am pretty sure this halter will fit literally every horse I train, but they do come in different sizes, just in case.)
I have to say, I thought the halter looked pretty sharp too! (And they come in pretty much every color you can imagine so pick your flavor!)
After I snapped some photos, I put Grace in the cross ties and got her tacked up. I slipped her bridle on easily over the halter, as usual. Then I simply undid the buckles on the noseband and crown piece (didn't even have to walk around the horse! Ten points for laziness!) The halter slipped right off and I had a young horse that was bridled without ever being loose. I didn't have to pass a lead rope or reins over her head (and ears!) I didn't have to worry about whether she was contained. Everything went smoothly and quietly and gave the horse a good experience. I am seriously never using any other type of flat halter on a young horse again.
This would also be great for trail riding and horse shows. You can bridle your horse without ever untying them, then simply remove the halter. It's a great safety feature and would definitely prevent loose horses.
Grace and I had a lovely session that I'll blog more about later. She looked much better with just the bridle on her face.
Once we were done, I simply walked her back to the barn, easily put the halter back under the bridle, then removed the bridle. It was the least clumsy/awkward untacking ever (I am not very coordinated).
So the buckle-nose halter from Two Horse Tack gets Two Thumbs Up from me! Easy to use, high quality, brilliant design (why didn't I think of that?), and no maintenance required. This is definitely going in my horse-starting toolbox.
I already have a breast collar from THT, and I love the quality of their beta biothane and hardware. My breast collar has several hundred miles on it already and still looks brand new. Plus, it fits every horse I ride without excess straps hanging all over the place (like my hackamore from a different company).
I picked white for my halter because I thought it would look sharp on Booger, and I figured she would be my most likely model.
Little did I know this halter would actually change my life as far as young horses are concerned! I was a bad product-reviewer and didn't read the halter page on the website, and missed that there was a real reason for putting the buckle on the nose. I was excited to try this new concept because I hate badly fitted halters and I hate struggling with chin buckles to adjust fit. I am not very patient when it comes to gear. I am an endurance rider and I want snaps and easy-to-use buckles on everything. If it's not user friendly, I break it or throw it away.
The halter arrived in no time (I'm pretty sure it was in my mail box before I'd even replied to Jacke's email re:shipping.) As I expected, the quality was wonderful. I was thrilled to see lots of holes punched in both the crown piece and the noseband. (You can also get a breakaway strap and turn this halter into a turnout halter if you wanted to. I don't turn out in halters so I won't be taking advantage of that, but it's nice to have options!) The beta biothane was supple and soft, but thick enough to give the halter some substance (I hate a thin, flimsy biothane halter). The buckles were shiny and sturdy and the snap on the throat latch was turned the correct way (away from the horse).
On Friday, I went out to work with Grace. On my way out the door, I had a light bulb. I could bring the new halter with me and use it on her, get some pictures, and get my review started. Plus, omg, I could slip the halter off from under her bridle. Grace is still new to bridling and I've been leaving her halter on underneath, which looks messy and kind of annoys me. Those of you who are better consumers than I am already read the halter webpage and know that's precisely what it was designed for. *facepalm*
So I went out to the paddock and fetched Grace. She is a little ear shy and my first several sessions with her involved working on putting a halter on her without fussing. The buckle-nose halter adjusted really easily and I had it loose, loose, loose. I slipped it on my baby project horse and she didn't even notice it grazing her ears. Then, because I had double buckles on the crown piece and a buckle on the nose band, I was able to adjust it to fit her head perfectly, even though she's got an awkwardly-sized baby horse head. (I am pretty sure this halter will fit literally every horse I train, but they do come in different sizes, just in case.)
I have to say, I thought the halter looked pretty sharp too! (And they come in pretty much every color you can imagine so pick your flavor!)
After I snapped some photos, I put Grace in the cross ties and got her tacked up. I slipped her bridle on easily over the halter, as usual. Then I simply undid the buckles on the noseband and crown piece (didn't even have to walk around the horse! Ten points for laziness!) The halter slipped right off and I had a young horse that was bridled without ever being loose. I didn't have to pass a lead rope or reins over her head (and ears!) I didn't have to worry about whether she was contained. Everything went smoothly and quietly and gave the horse a good experience. I am seriously never using any other type of flat halter on a young horse again.
This would also be great for trail riding and horse shows. You can bridle your horse without ever untying them, then simply remove the halter. It's a great safety feature and would definitely prevent loose horses.
Grace and I had a lovely session that I'll blog more about later. She looked much better with just the bridle on her face.
Once we were done, I simply walked her back to the barn, easily put the halter back under the bridle, then removed the bridle. It was the least clumsy/awkward untacking ever (I am not very coordinated).
So the buckle-nose halter from Two Horse Tack gets Two Thumbs Up from me! Easy to use, high quality, brilliant design (why didn't I think of that?), and no maintenance required. This is definitely going in my horse-starting toolbox.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Riding Pedar: Part 3
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Introducing the Walkers
I am really far behind on this subject! It sort of sat on the back burner while I grappled with how to blog about Jupiter's situation. Speaking of Jupiter... I had Mike take a video of me trailer loading him during one of our sessions. No drugs or brooms necessary. It's too bad he's so wild and dangerous. Also, you can see what I mean about this not being the best trailer to use for teaching a horse to load.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)