Ranae is off on her annual girls' vacation. They are in Alaska this year.
It's still fairly warm here (mid 90's or so) and Jessie and I went out on Saturday evening. She moved out very well. I had taken a crop and if she stopped short, which she will sometimes do when we ride alone, I popped her lightly on the butt and re-cued her.
We trotted most of the way out to our usual area and found a good piece of ground to work on loping, moving off of my leg when we are moving, and being softer. I'm not sure I've really "got it" when it comes to the softer part, but she did seem more responsive as I progressed through our drills.
On the way back we found a pair of binoculars that were on the ground where we cross a little irrigation ditch. They were in good shape. Jessie was great while I got off and retrieved them.
Sunday we went out earlier in the day and at the housing track that has not been developed, we found a cinder block wall to practice rollbacks on. Again I had the crop and used it to try and make her turns "snappier". The footing near the base of the wall wasn't the best, but again I think she improved a little on this exercise.
As far as the loping goes, she has a really smooth, slow right lead. She is more reluctant to take that lead however and I often suspect she may have some soreness in a hind leg somewhere. She takes the left lead much easier and will often speed up. The left is much choppier and less comfortable to ride. She changes easily enough when I ask her to, so if there is some soreness in the hind end, I don't think it's much to worry about now.
After the ride, when she is at our wash station, she is required to stand still and not try to eat grass. She has been very good at this for quite some time. Sunday she reached down and got a weed and the punishment is three LFR stage 2 turns. On the second one her feet slipped out from under her on the grass and she landed smack on her side. There was quite the look of surprise on her face. She got up, we did our three turns and she stood quietly for the rest of the bath. She showed no signs of wear this morning.
There is an ACTHA ride here on Saturday and I'm waffling over whether to do it or not. I'd really like to expose Jessie to more horses. I think it is one of the biggest challenges we face to keep her attention on me in the midst of the other horses. I just don't think I can fit it in to the schedule. Last weekend flew by and I only got half the things on my list done....
I've begun journaling our training efforts for a 2012 Clinic on another blog. It's likely to be rather dry most of the times (I say that like THIS blog is so lively), but it's public if you are interested:
Expedition Stephenville
10 comments:
I hope Ranae has a good time. I think you should do the ACTHA ride. Will you please put me on your e-mail list for your other blog?
She must be having a good time. The only thing I've heard from her is that she arrived ;>)
Times is really crunching on my. I know it sounds like a lame excuse, but the ride seems to more like an event and they are planning to have a weekend long party. There are things I must get done.
I'll put you on the mailing list for the other blog. You are a glutton for punishment...
we are still trying to master the 2 we have to not eat grass while standing still!
we just ordered the Clinton Andersons Fundamental DVD set...I think I am nervous to start it all but very excited also! I just hope we can do these horese good..they really do deserve good owners :)
do you mind if I add your blog to mine? mine is http://blessingsandblossoms.blogspot.com/ thanks!
hubby and I are hoping to get a little camera and record some of our adventures also!
I'd be honored if you added our blog to yours.
The camera helps more than you know. It's a little painful to watch sometimes, but Ranae and I have an open door policy when it comes to "video criticism" and I think we have both improved from it.
Good luck with the Fundamentals. It's incredible how much your horses will improve as you go through the Method. Start at the beginnig and do 'em order and you'll do great!
Look for me on the NWC as username jharrer (I check in about twice a week or so)
Thanks! I will add it in just a bit :) we discussed tonight of getting a little camera! I am excited for that too...I told my husband your user name on NWC, I think he signed up under the name "oldsparky"
I think the Fundamentals DVD's will hopefully come this weekend or Monday! we are excited for those to come...hope Cadet and Speedy are too!
oops! bugging you two again...Jim and I were talking about purchasing a camera and we were wondering what type do you use?
ps...we really enjoying watching your H O R S E game videos...looks like a lot of fun!
I use an old sony hsc-5. It's actually a still camera that does video. There's a small hand held I've heard good things about made by Kodak. I think it's the Zi8. I'm not sure about the letters but it did have an eight in it. It does HD and I saw some video that looked pretty good. Let me know if you get it.
Thanks for the info on the camera!
We are so excited becuase the Fundamentals dvd's and our Handy sticks came today!!! we didn't expect them till at least Monday, so we are pretty excited!
I got you added on my blog too so now I will see when you and your wife update :)
Thanks!
Great! You've got the weekend to dive into things. Have fun!
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