The thunder was crashing when I woke shortly before 7am, which put paid to barn plans for today. Given my plan for a short day today and tomorrow, today turned into my day off this week. Due to the weather, though, I haven't done very much at all. I imagine next week will be non-stop. The rain didn't stop until well after 1pm and the drizzle has continued on and off for the rest of the afternoon.
I sent and replied to a few emails, checked the forums and facebook, sent off my CV in response to some job ads (painful but necessary!), watched some recorded TV with Lana and warmed up leftover roast for lunch (so good! followed by berry pie and chocolate ice cream even). I've also done a lot of reading and managed to get my mp3 player working again (it decided it had no data loaded when I pulled it out a few days ago): I finally have some music to listen to. The Kiwi music contingent includes Gin, who we saw Gin in concert at the start of the year.
The amount of food I consumed at lunch means dinner will be a light salad with some leftover cooked chicken.
Tomorrow, the weather better cooperate as I have to put a full day in at the barn! I can work horses in the indoor, but the footing is not great and there are often horses turned out in the arena. Another task is putting together dessert for dinner at Dusty & Phyllis' tomorrow. I don't want to do it today as I am not sure whether the ingredients will separate if left to sit (the recipe is a completely made-up combination adapted from several different recipe sources).
I also managed to find a SUPER cheap Lodge cast iron casserole dish (yeah, I know, it will weigh a ton...) for $52 US incl shipping. The same thing in NZ would be over $200. It is PERFECT for my no-knead bread, among a million other things I'll cook.
I know I'll end up with space in my suitcase (my favourite jeans, that mum patched before I left, have yet another rip; my helmet will stay here; various other things I had in my suitcase will be used up or given away) but it may be a tight squeeze to stay at the required weight. Worst case, I'll have really heavy carry-on bags - they weren't ever weighed on my way over (6 and 6.5kg, respectively).
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Yesterday / Early to rise!
First up, yesterday.
The weather was quite cool and overcast. I walked to the barn and groundworked Fon and Sully.
Peggy suggested Python lifts for Sully's slightly-swollen leg. He didn't pay very much attention but his leg is noticeably less swollen today (almost, but not quite, back to normal). I also did belly lifts, caterpillar, heart-girth and other shoulder + neck exercises. He does better with the support of the outside rein. He is still head-high, but halts nicely (easy and square).
Fonteyn was in a super mood. I ended up only doing groundwork in the halter, as I'd done the yield-to-trot a couple of times, then some out/in in trot (which meant *I* was trotting, too, haha!). I also did sliding caterpillar and the slide-in-slide-out exercise Trisha showed me a couple of months ago, to keep the oscillation in the line on the out as well as the in. Fon also needs the support of the outside rein, especially going to the left. In general, though, she is much more settled and "within herself," and is tossing her head much less when my hand is snugged up on the halter during groundwork. Karen watched a little of the work & agreed that Fon and I are in a good place.
Today..
To fit in with Lana's plans, I got up at 7, ate, packed my lunch (sandwich + some grapes - for someone who is used to leftovers, I've been surviving well on sandwiches and salads...) and departed the house on my bike at 7.50am. I was at the barn by 8.10am. I did walk up the first steep hill, and biked up another one that I walked last time. I also biked up the barn drive, which although short, is steep and covered in gravel. It was hard work but more uphill stuff than I managed last time so I'm happy :)
Side note: Lana laughed at me. She's lent me a reflective vest as part of my route is on the highway. It's large enough that I can fit it over my backpack and still do up around my front ;) I thought it was pretty clever of me, as I'm more visible than if the vest was only over my bag, or done up around me.
As it looked like a scorcher of a day, I decided to ride Chico first, so that he didn't get forgotten. I warmed up with groundwork in his bridle - just a little - as he was in a very good mood and responded well. Under saddle I played with leg yielding on circles in walk and trot, a few walk-trot and trot-walk transitions, and softening by doing small arcs to each direction (a bit left, a bit right). I wove figure-8s around the trees at the end of the field, to help him get used to being down there (it's right at the edge of the property, next to a more heavily-wooded place, so can be a bit scary). I also worked on his rhythm in trot.
I'd already decided Fon could have today off, as she's been worked every other day this week. Instead I took Sully's halter out to the field and did about an hour with him. He was much more present today and thus much softer and able to do gentle exercises at a halt. I also did some leading, heart-girth presses, shoulder delineation and caterpillars. Then he put his big chin up on my shoulder for a cuddle so he got some chin rests on both sides ;) before he went back into the paddock.
Lana picked me up after I had done some mucking out and talked with Karen while she was cutting brush which invades the pastures like gorse does down-under. Luckily it's not a spiky plant, but it spreads quickly.
I've just put a lamb roast, sweet potatoes (like our orange kumara - unfortunately, can't get the purple one here) and carrots in the oven. My room (upstairs) smells like rosemary and garlic. Delicious! I'll put the tiny Yukon potatoes in after everything else has cooked for a while.
The weather was quite cool and overcast. I walked to the barn and groundworked Fon and Sully.
Peggy suggested Python lifts for Sully's slightly-swollen leg. He didn't pay very much attention but his leg is noticeably less swollen today (almost, but not quite, back to normal). I also did belly lifts, caterpillar, heart-girth and other shoulder + neck exercises. He does better with the support of the outside rein. He is still head-high, but halts nicely (easy and square).
Fonteyn was in a super mood. I ended up only doing groundwork in the halter, as I'd done the yield-to-trot a couple of times, then some out/in in trot (which meant *I* was trotting, too, haha!). I also did sliding caterpillar and the slide-in-slide-out exercise Trisha showed me a couple of months ago, to keep the oscillation in the line on the out as well as the in. Fon also needs the support of the outside rein, especially going to the left. In general, though, she is much more settled and "within herself," and is tossing her head much less when my hand is snugged up on the halter during groundwork. Karen watched a little of the work & agreed that Fon and I are in a good place.
Today..
To fit in with Lana's plans, I got up at 7, ate, packed my lunch (sandwich + some grapes - for someone who is used to leftovers, I've been surviving well on sandwiches and salads...) and departed the house on my bike at 7.50am. I was at the barn by 8.10am. I did walk up the first steep hill, and biked up another one that I walked last time. I also biked up the barn drive, which although short, is steep and covered in gravel. It was hard work but more uphill stuff than I managed last time so I'm happy :)
Side note: Lana laughed at me. She's lent me a reflective vest as part of my route is on the highway. It's large enough that I can fit it over my backpack and still do up around my front ;) I thought it was pretty clever of me, as I'm more visible than if the vest was only over my bag, or done up around me.
As it looked like a scorcher of a day, I decided to ride Chico first, so that he didn't get forgotten. I warmed up with groundwork in his bridle - just a little - as he was in a very good mood and responded well. Under saddle I played with leg yielding on circles in walk and trot, a few walk-trot and trot-walk transitions, and softening by doing small arcs to each direction (a bit left, a bit right). I wove figure-8s around the trees at the end of the field, to help him get used to being down there (it's right at the edge of the property, next to a more heavily-wooded place, so can be a bit scary). I also worked on his rhythm in trot.
I'd already decided Fon could have today off, as she's been worked every other day this week. Instead I took Sully's halter out to the field and did about an hour with him. He was much more present today and thus much softer and able to do gentle exercises at a halt. I also did some leading, heart-girth presses, shoulder delineation and caterpillars. Then he put his big chin up on my shoulder for a cuddle so he got some chin rests on both sides ;) before he went back into the paddock.
Lana picked me up after I had done some mucking out and talked with Karen while she was cutting brush which invades the pastures like gorse does down-under. Luckily it's not a spiky plant, but it spreads quickly.
I've just put a lamb roast, sweet potatoes (like our orange kumara - unfortunately, can't get the purple one here) and carrots in the oven. My room (upstairs) smells like rosemary and garlic. Delicious! I'll put the tiny Yukon potatoes in after everything else has cooked for a while.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Short day, and, some things to remember.
I walked to the barn today. I was out the door just before 8am and into the tack room at quarter to 9, having turned on the arena sprinkler on my way up the drive.
Today Karen came down to watch what Fon and I were doing. Fon was lovely and soft. The lateral work really helps her release her shoulders, which means she *can* be free and bring lightness in her movement. She did some lovely walk-trot transitions in-hand. Her rhythm in the trot is improving too - on the right rein, especially. She was not as free in her neck today but I will take the better rhythm if that's what I'm getting today! Better rhythm = less rushing = less tendency to drop onto the forehand = better able to release the base of her neck.
After Fon, I took Sully for some in-hand work in the short paddock. He was a little stiff and head-high so we worked on left-right transitions, and also some stuff with his neck and head.
Then I got to work mucking out the short paddock. Meanwhile, Lana took Chico out with Jenny and Gruella. They went to the local school and on the trail, all up an hour's ride. Chico behaved well.
After collecting two cart-loads of manure (on top of walking to the barn), I was tired. Lana turned Chico out. I quickly made up feeds and gave Sully hay while she finished up with Chico, so I could hitch a ride home with her.
Reminders for me: soft hand on the halter, especially for Fon who throws her head when she's stuck and out of balance. Sully needs repetition of all the softening exercises, with focus on head/poll, neck, shoulders, and heart-girth. Also, soften my back (breathe into my back) to help stay in neutral. Quality, not quantity, counts.
This afternoon Lana and I planned me cooking dinner for them one night. I also volunteered to make dessert for Saturday when we'll go back to Dusty and Phyllis's. I *think* Dusty is cooking prime rib: yummmmmy! The one catch is dessert needs to be dairy free, so I've done a little searching and think I've sorted out a combo of recipes that will suit what I want to make. We stopped by the supermarket for all the supplies this evening, after Lana and Ron took Selena (their 11 month old Standard Poodle) to obedience class (I'd been dropped off prior, to water the garden/plants at Peggy and Susan's house and walked the 20 mins to the supermarket).
Today Karen came down to watch what Fon and I were doing. Fon was lovely and soft. The lateral work really helps her release her shoulders, which means she *can* be free and bring lightness in her movement. She did some lovely walk-trot transitions in-hand. Her rhythm in the trot is improving too - on the right rein, especially. She was not as free in her neck today but I will take the better rhythm if that's what I'm getting today! Better rhythm = less rushing = less tendency to drop onto the forehand = better able to release the base of her neck.
After Fon, I took Sully for some in-hand work in the short paddock. He was a little stiff and head-high so we worked on left-right transitions, and also some stuff with his neck and head.
Then I got to work mucking out the short paddock. Meanwhile, Lana took Chico out with Jenny and Gruella. They went to the local school and on the trail, all up an hour's ride. Chico behaved well.
After collecting two cart-loads of manure (on top of walking to the barn), I was tired. Lana turned Chico out. I quickly made up feeds and gave Sully hay while she finished up with Chico, so I could hitch a ride home with her.
Reminders for me: soft hand on the halter, especially for Fon who throws her head when she's stuck and out of balance. Sully needs repetition of all the softening exercises, with focus on head/poll, neck, shoulders, and heart-girth. Also, soften my back (breathe into my back) to help stay in neutral. Quality, not quantity, counts.
This afternoon Lana and I planned me cooking dinner for them one night. I also volunteered to make dessert for Saturday when we'll go back to Dusty and Phyllis's. I *think* Dusty is cooking prime rib: yummmmmy! The one catch is dessert needs to be dairy free, so I've done a little searching and think I've sorted out a combo of recipes that will suit what I want to make. We stopped by the supermarket for all the supplies this evening, after Lana and Ron took Selena (their 11 month old Standard Poodle) to obedience class (I'd been dropped off prior, to water the garden/plants at Peggy and Susan's house and walked the 20 mins to the supermarket).
Monday, July 16, 2012
Into the swing of things
I'm pretty much working on what I learned last week, while Peggy is away. Karen is around for a couple of hours each day, so I can ask her if I need any help.
My daily tasks look something like this:
Get to barn
Give rems
Turn horses out into long grass
Groom and work Sully and Fonteyn
Groom, work and ride Chico
Give rems
Muck out
Move horses to short grass
Write summary in diary
Check feeds are mixed
Go home
All in all, 4.5-5 hours, if I don't dawdle!
My focus during groundwork and riding is a clear out, to a clear in, to a clear forwards (aka, push from HQs). I also want to sharpen up my application of the leg yielding exercise (either down the wall or in the open), which turns into EITHER a rein back then walk/trot, OR a trot.
The backing gets them to "sit" which develops impulsion.
The upwards transition is possible when they have let their inside shoulder go and activated both hind legs in turn.
Both are like butter, if *I* get it right!
Today:
Sully got some "manners, please!" groundwork on the way down to the field. He was being particularly insistent that he goes straight out into the field thankyouverymuch, so he had to deal with me until he softened!!
Fonteyn was really quite lovely, aside from some head tossing. I am better at remembering to talk to her and use voice commands. She got some groundwork including yielding both directions, then some time out on the lunge, then some more groundwork to finish.
Chico was super soft to work and ride today, so he was done in an hour. Under saddle, I played with leg yielding on a circle (spiralling in and out) as well as down the wall, and changes of rein while maintaining his head in a good place and bringing his hind legs along for good measure ;)
Tomorrow, Lana is going to ride with Jenny, so I will need to fit my work with Chico in around her. I may end up at the barn early (possibly walking, as the bike is in the tack shed - oops!). I prefer early starts so I can finish all my chores done before it gets excessively hot. If I walk, I'll be there at least an hour before Lana (plus, she will groom and tack Chico) so should be able to work both the other horses, do feeds and some mucking out before finishing up with an easy half hour of work with Chico.
My daily tasks look something like this:
Get to barn
Give rems
Turn horses out into long grass
Groom and work Sully and Fonteyn
Groom, work and ride Chico
Give rems
Muck out
Move horses to short grass
Write summary in diary
Check feeds are mixed
Go home
All in all, 4.5-5 hours, if I don't dawdle!
My focus during groundwork and riding is a clear out, to a clear in, to a clear forwards (aka, push from HQs). I also want to sharpen up my application of the leg yielding exercise (either down the wall or in the open), which turns into EITHER a rein back then walk/trot, OR a trot.
The backing gets them to "sit" which develops impulsion.
The upwards transition is possible when they have let their inside shoulder go and activated both hind legs in turn.
Both are like butter, if *I* get it right!
Today:
Sully got some "manners, please!" groundwork on the way down to the field. He was being particularly insistent that he goes straight out into the field thankyouverymuch, so he had to deal with me until he softened!!
Fonteyn was really quite lovely, aside from some head tossing. I am better at remembering to talk to her and use voice commands. She got some groundwork including yielding both directions, then some time out on the lunge, then some more groundwork to finish.
Chico was super soft to work and ride today, so he was done in an hour. Under saddle, I played with leg yielding on a circle (spiralling in and out) as well as down the wall, and changes of rein while maintaining his head in a good place and bringing his hind legs along for good measure ;)
Tomorrow, Lana is going to ride with Jenny, so I will need to fit my work with Chico in around her. I may end up at the barn early (possibly walking, as the bike is in the tack shed - oops!). I prefer early starts so I can finish all my chores done before it gets excessively hot. If I walk, I'll be there at least an hour before Lana (plus, she will groom and tack Chico) so should be able to work both the other horses, do feeds and some mucking out before finishing up with an easy half hour of work with Chico.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Quiet weekend
I've had a lovely, quiet weekend, which has been fabulous after all my travel and the non-stop week just been.
Yesterday, we were invited to Lana and Ron's friends' (Dusty and Phyllis) place for dinner.
Side note: It is possible that I will stay with them for a couple of weeks in August, depending on what Susan and Peggy have planned for me. I am definitely leaving Lana's on 26/27 July (the weekend I will be in Oregon) as they have relatives coming, but I can come back around 19 Aug and stay until I leave the US. We will see what works out.
On to dinner... Dusty is an excellent cook and had done "bones", specially for Lana... RIBS! And, my gosh, they were amazing. Meat falling off the bone with a tangy sauce (I'm guessing home-made/a concoction, as opposed to out-of-the-bottle). Accompanied by salad out of the garden (deeeeelicious) and followed by three types of dessert. Lana had brought a Key Lime pie along, plus triple chocolate ice cream, as well as strawberries, also out of Phyllis' extensive garden. I think I made up for my week on sandwiches and salad!!!
Today, we went to the barn after breakfast to turn the horses out. It is possible that the barn staff wouldn't have done it seeing it was raining (I'd call it drizzle). Plus, Sully is better with as much time moving as possible after his shoes came off.
Lana got me to drive home from the barn... EEEEK. I've resisted so far because I wanted time to get my head around the change of sides. But, no time like a quiet Sunday, just before noon, to go for a short drive. Her car is automatic which makes things easier, but all the lights and wipers are on the same stick (on the left, opposite to my Toyota), as the gear stick is on the right (it's a stick shift). We arrived home in one piece, though I realised as I was pulling into their garage that I hadn't checked my mirrors the whole trip... oops!
Lunch was hamburgers. Om nom.
After lunch, I decided to do some more weeding in Lana's garden, to take advantage of the fact the weeds pull out really easily after rain. I've done two hours of weeding all up. I suspect there's an hour or two to go - I need to check with her about the rest of what she wanted done. Later this afternoon, I may also end up helping her cook the crabs Ron caught yesterday, but he hasn't killed them yet. Or, for that matter, decided which way he wants to cook them (they have a steamer, sort of like an oven, or he could put them in a pot on the stove. Either way, he can only do one or two crabs at a time). He's gone out to collect the crab pots they left out yesterday, so he may well return with up to 10 more crabs tonight.
Yesterday, we were invited to Lana and Ron's friends' (Dusty and Phyllis) place for dinner.
Side note: It is possible that I will stay with them for a couple of weeks in August, depending on what Susan and Peggy have planned for me. I am definitely leaving Lana's on 26/27 July (the weekend I will be in Oregon) as they have relatives coming, but I can come back around 19 Aug and stay until I leave the US. We will see what works out.
On to dinner... Dusty is an excellent cook and had done "bones", specially for Lana... RIBS! And, my gosh, they were amazing. Meat falling off the bone with a tangy sauce (I'm guessing home-made/a concoction, as opposed to out-of-the-bottle). Accompanied by salad out of the garden (deeeeelicious) and followed by three types of dessert. Lana had brought a Key Lime pie along, plus triple chocolate ice cream, as well as strawberries, also out of Phyllis' extensive garden. I think I made up for my week on sandwiches and salad!!!
Today, we went to the barn after breakfast to turn the horses out. It is possible that the barn staff wouldn't have done it seeing it was raining (I'd call it drizzle). Plus, Sully is better with as much time moving as possible after his shoes came off.
Lana got me to drive home from the barn... EEEEK. I've resisted so far because I wanted time to get my head around the change of sides. But, no time like a quiet Sunday, just before noon, to go for a short drive. Her car is automatic which makes things easier, but all the lights and wipers are on the same stick (on the left, opposite to my Toyota), as the gear stick is on the right (it's a stick shift). We arrived home in one piece, though I realised as I was pulling into their garage that I hadn't checked my mirrors the whole trip... oops!
Lunch was hamburgers. Om nom.
After lunch, I decided to do some more weeding in Lana's garden, to take advantage of the fact the weeds pull out really easily after rain. I've done two hours of weeding all up. I suspect there's an hour or two to go - I need to check with her about the rest of what she wanted done. Later this afternoon, I may also end up helping her cook the crabs Ron caught yesterday, but he hasn't killed them yet. Or, for that matter, decided which way he wants to cook them (they have a steamer, sort of like an oven, or he could put them in a pot on the stove. Either way, he can only do one or two crabs at a time). He's gone out to collect the crab pots they left out yesterday, so he may well return with up to 10 more crabs tonight.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Crazy weather
I seem to be experiencing all sorts of weird and crazy weather!
Yesterday, electrical/thunder storms as a huge front passed over Seattle. It was over in an hour or so, we had some sunshine for a while, then the storm started up again in the evening. All in all, very little rain.
Today started out lovely and fine, if a little cool. Lana dropped me at the barn on her way to the gym and grocery store. I gave rems and sorted out Sully's feet (took off his shoes and gave him a light trim - he has only just arrived from the East coast and wasn't going to last until their farrier is due at the start of August).
I turned the horses out and called Lana to say the thunder had started up again and I'd do some mucking out until she arrived. By the time she got there, it had started spitting and the thunder/lightning was really crashing overhead, with less than a second between lighting and thunder clap.
We decided to bring the horses in as they're not used to being out in that sort of weather, mainly because that sort of weather is so unusual here.
As we walked out, the skies opened and it started to rain. Big, fat raindrops. The horses were, of course, in the farthest corner of the paddock, under a tree. Sully was the only one who stood quietly to be caught. As the other three were haltered, the rain increased in intensity and hail started. I'd guess the hailstones were about the size of a fingernail, but I was not really looking at the size... The horses weren't at all happy about the claps of thunder overhead. We were soaked through by the time we got them into their stalls: it's about 200 m, at most, from the end of the paddock.
After feeding hay and ensuring they were settled, we went home for a shower, did a load of washing and changed into dry clothes. I had lunch and Lana just took me back to the barn so we could turn the horses back out. The weather now is absolutely glorious. Aside from the puddles, you wouldn't know it had rained this morning.
Some photos from my second drive to the barn.
Heading down the really steep part of Lana and Ron's drive. The drive goes to the (very busy) main road, and the road to the barn is directly opposite (you can see it going straight through the middle of this picture.
There are glimpses of the mountains beyond. A little too much cloud today to see anything.
This is the corner right before the barn. You can see the edge of the barn's paddocks, a little to the left of the middle of the road. The entrance to the trails is on the right, a little beyond the sign.
And, for something a little different, the huge elk (left) and caribou (right) mounted on the wall above the living room at the house. Ron has a collection of taxidermied animals, that he shot. There are African animals on display in the rental house they own (next door), and these two in the house (the lines in front of the caribou are wires for lights above the dining table).
Yesterday, electrical/thunder storms as a huge front passed over Seattle. It was over in an hour or so, we had some sunshine for a while, then the storm started up again in the evening. All in all, very little rain.
Today started out lovely and fine, if a little cool. Lana dropped me at the barn on her way to the gym and grocery store. I gave rems and sorted out Sully's feet (took off his shoes and gave him a light trim - he has only just arrived from the East coast and wasn't going to last until their farrier is due at the start of August).
I turned the horses out and called Lana to say the thunder had started up again and I'd do some mucking out until she arrived. By the time she got there, it had started spitting and the thunder/lightning was really crashing overhead, with less than a second between lighting and thunder clap.
We decided to bring the horses in as they're not used to being out in that sort of weather, mainly because that sort of weather is so unusual here.
As we walked out, the skies opened and it started to rain. Big, fat raindrops. The horses were, of course, in the farthest corner of the paddock, under a tree. Sully was the only one who stood quietly to be caught. As the other three were haltered, the rain increased in intensity and hail started. I'd guess the hailstones were about the size of a fingernail, but I was not really looking at the size... The horses weren't at all happy about the claps of thunder overhead. We were soaked through by the time we got them into their stalls: it's about 200 m, at most, from the end of the paddock.
After feeding hay and ensuring they were settled, we went home for a shower, did a load of washing and changed into dry clothes. I had lunch and Lana just took me back to the barn so we could turn the horses back out. The weather now is absolutely glorious. Aside from the puddles, you wouldn't know it had rained this morning.
Some photos from my second drive to the barn.
Heading down the really steep part of Lana and Ron's drive. The drive goes to the (very busy) main road, and the road to the barn is directly opposite (you can see it going straight through the middle of this picture.
There are glimpses of the mountains beyond. A little too much cloud today to see anything.
This is the corner right before the barn. You can see the edge of the barn's paddocks, a little to the left of the middle of the road. The entrance to the trails is on the right, a little beyond the sign.
And, for something a little different, the huge elk (left) and caribou (right) mounted on the wall above the living room at the house. Ron has a collection of taxidermied animals, that he shot. There are African animals on display in the rental house they own (next door), and these two in the house (the lines in front of the caribou are wires for lights above the dining table).
Friday, July 13, 2012
First few rides
I ran out of time (and energy!) to write anything yesterday... it was a LONG day at the barn. Today was also long but not so bad, so here I am...
Yesterday!
Peggy collected me around 10am and took me to the barn. She had a few errands to run so I got stuck in...
I did REMS (homeopathic remedies, that need to be given twice a day, 4 hours apart), groomed Sully and Fonteyn, before groundwork with Fon when Peggy was back.
I was able to play with her canter transitions (she needs a lot of slowing, especially on the right lead).
Peggy showed me groundwork to get her "leg yielding" in-hand.
Finally, it was time for Chico! I haven't had a chance to work with Chico yet. He's nearly 20, Andalusian x Arab, a real chunky monkey! He had to do some similar yielding work on a circle in the halter, cavesson and bridle. He tends to curl, overbend, drift, dive down with his head... you get the picture! When he's working correctly, he knows a LOT and works nicely, but he comes out of the paddock like a 2 by 4!
It is super important to get him working correctly from his hindquarter BEFORE you get on and ride, else you've got an inflexible plank who goes wherever he can. He felt so different to any horse I'd ridden. It was a bit of a struggle, to be honest, and by that stage I was getting a little fried!
Peggy had me do similar things under saddle as I'd done on the ground; multiple variations on the out/in theme. He needs frequent support from the outside leg, lots of rotations (especially to the outside when he's stuck) and plenty of wobbling and COME ON!s to get his engine going. It was hard work for me.
At 5.30, after I finished the second lot of rems and turned the horses out, Peggy dropped me home... I was absolutely shattered! I ate a sandwich and had a shower then nearly crashed into bed, but Ron was going to the supermarket so I went along to get more stuff for breakfast, snacks and lunches. All up, $60 of groceries which should see me through most of the next two weeks - not too bad!
Today!
This morning I got up super early as I knew I had to bike to the barn. I was out the door at 7.50am and went the longer way today (2.9 miles) as it's flat until one big hill to go up about half way; the rest is downhill. The slightly shorter route has a hill right at the barn end, then it's mostly downhill all the way home. The topography seems to work in my favour, somehow! Unless you count 2.5-2.9 miles of any type of exercise as a form of torture, as I do, in which case nothing really works in your favour at all :P
I am getting into the swing of the barn routine. The horses were fed late so I pulled them out for rems then put them back in their stalls to finish breakfast and got Chico ready. Peggy arrived after I'd done 45 mins of groundwork. Chico was a completely different horse: soft and responsive with very few plank-like moments.
I hopped on and had the same under saddle. He was soft, didn't fall out very often and even gave me some beautiful transitions and really lovely trot. The ride was a real pleasure! We came in as the sky looked like it was about to open (had started spitting). Unfortunately Lana arrived, planning to ride Chico directly after me, but went home when it really started raining.
Given the weather, I took Fonteyn, Karen took Bracken and Jenny took Gruella to the indoor arena. The thunder and lightning started with a vengeance, which completely unsettled Fonteyn. To boot, it started hailing...
Peggy repeated the lesson she'd started with me the day before, about 'leg yielding' in-hand. We were able to really chunk it down and got some lovely work out of all three horses, despite their worries.
By the time we finished, the sun was back out. I quickly tacked Chico up and went out with Jenny and Greulla on the trails that loop around the ranch. It is a really neat way to practice the stuff we do in the arena, while having a little more fun. The trails twist and bend, perfect for practising rotation and froggy legs ;)
It took about half an hour to go down the longest trail and back.
Lana arrived just after we untacked so Chico got three rides, albeit short ones. Lana was really pleased with how Chico felt after I'd worked him.
I finished the barn chores and started my on-going job of mucking out the paddocks. Lana and Chico came in just as I thought "this is me for the day;" I put some hay out and the horses went from the paddock with longer grass to the paddock with shorter grass. Home, shower, dinner (as the weather packed in again - electrical storms are not at all common in this area), a couple of hands of 'Skip Bo' (a card game) with Lana, and now it is definitely time for bed!
Yesterday!
Peggy collected me around 10am and took me to the barn. She had a few errands to run so I got stuck in...
I did REMS (homeopathic remedies, that need to be given twice a day, 4 hours apart), groomed Sully and Fonteyn, before groundwork with Fon when Peggy was back.
I was able to play with her canter transitions (she needs a lot of slowing, especially on the right lead).
Peggy showed me groundwork to get her "leg yielding" in-hand.
Finally, it was time for Chico! I haven't had a chance to work with Chico yet. He's nearly 20, Andalusian x Arab, a real chunky monkey! He had to do some similar yielding work on a circle in the halter, cavesson and bridle. He tends to curl, overbend, drift, dive down with his head... you get the picture! When he's working correctly, he knows a LOT and works nicely, but he comes out of the paddock like a 2 by 4!
It is super important to get him working correctly from his hindquarter BEFORE you get on and ride, else you've got an inflexible plank who goes wherever he can. He felt so different to any horse I'd ridden. It was a bit of a struggle, to be honest, and by that stage I was getting a little fried!
Peggy had me do similar things under saddle as I'd done on the ground; multiple variations on the out/in theme. He needs frequent support from the outside leg, lots of rotations (especially to the outside when he's stuck) and plenty of wobbling and COME ON!s to get his engine going. It was hard work for me.
At 5.30, after I finished the second lot of rems and turned the horses out, Peggy dropped me home... I was absolutely shattered! I ate a sandwich and had a shower then nearly crashed into bed, but Ron was going to the supermarket so I went along to get more stuff for breakfast, snacks and lunches. All up, $60 of groceries which should see me through most of the next two weeks - not too bad!
Today!
This morning I got up super early as I knew I had to bike to the barn. I was out the door at 7.50am and went the longer way today (2.9 miles) as it's flat until one big hill to go up about half way; the rest is downhill. The slightly shorter route has a hill right at the barn end, then it's mostly downhill all the way home. The topography seems to work in my favour, somehow! Unless you count 2.5-2.9 miles of any type of exercise as a form of torture, as I do, in which case nothing really works in your favour at all :P
I am getting into the swing of the barn routine. The horses were fed late so I pulled them out for rems then put them back in their stalls to finish breakfast and got Chico ready. Peggy arrived after I'd done 45 mins of groundwork. Chico was a completely different horse: soft and responsive with very few plank-like moments.
I hopped on and had the same under saddle. He was soft, didn't fall out very often and even gave me some beautiful transitions and really lovely trot. The ride was a real pleasure! We came in as the sky looked like it was about to open (had started spitting). Unfortunately Lana arrived, planning to ride Chico directly after me, but went home when it really started raining.
Given the weather, I took Fonteyn, Karen took Bracken and Jenny took Gruella to the indoor arena. The thunder and lightning started with a vengeance, which completely unsettled Fonteyn. To boot, it started hailing...
Peggy repeated the lesson she'd started with me the day before, about 'leg yielding' in-hand. We were able to really chunk it down and got some lovely work out of all three horses, despite their worries.
By the time we finished, the sun was back out. I quickly tacked Chico up and went out with Jenny and Greulla on the trails that loop around the ranch. It is a really neat way to practice the stuff we do in the arena, while having a little more fun. The trails twist and bend, perfect for practising rotation and froggy legs ;)
It took about half an hour to go down the longest trail and back.
Lana arrived just after we untacked so Chico got three rides, albeit short ones. Lana was really pleased with how Chico felt after I'd worked him.
I finished the barn chores and started my on-going job of mucking out the paddocks. Lana and Chico came in just as I thought "this is me for the day;" I put some hay out and the horses went from the paddock with longer grass to the paddock with shorter grass. Home, shower, dinner (as the weather packed in again - electrical storms are not at all common in this area), a couple of hands of 'Skip Bo' (a card game) with Lana, and now it is definitely time for bed!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Photos!
It's about time I introduced you to the barn. Meet the Connected part of Ryan Ranch.
This is the barn:
Here's the view over to the other barn, which also houses the small indoor arena, and the feed area.
This is the current field for this group of horses. We are going to spray minerals this weekend and this field will be rested.
L-R, the grey is Chico, who belongs to Lana, who I am staying with. The dark bay mare is Fonteyn, Peggy's horse. The not-quite-black gelding is Bracken, who belongs to Karen, a CR instructor (and Feldy person!!! yay!!)
Here's Sully in his small section of paddock (just to the left of where I stood to take the photo directly above).
He is Peggy's newest horse. He only arrived last week and is still being integrated into their "herd" (3 existing horses).
All the horses will be moved into the large paddock at the end of this week. This particular place is one of a very few where the horses can be turnout. It is more common for horses to be stalled full time, or have say an hour or two in a larger area (not necessarily a paddock, as we know it) for "turnout". Peggy's horses get approximately 8 hours out during the day.
Here's a better photo of Sully... Quite a handsome boy.
On to today's activities... Peggy collected me early so we could be there in time for the farrier to re-shoe Sully. Unfortunately a scheduling mix-up meant he didn't have time (he thought he was merely tightening one shoe that was loose). Peggy left me to work Sully and Fonteyn. After that, I mixed Sully's feeds for the coming week and biked home (about 20 minutes, mostly downhill except two steep sections that I had to walk).
This afternoon, I got to do a Feldenkrais "Awareness Through Movement" session with Karen. She hosts it most weeks at the house next door to Lana's place. It was a lot different from an ATM with Anna, that's for sure! But I got up feeling like I had froggy legs, so all is good ;)
My focus for the day (and, going forward) was the process of finding rhythm with the horses.
With Sully, I did a lot of quiet, gentle groundwork at a standstill, including lots of work on his shoulders to help him loosen his neck. He needs to learn the voice commands to help him steady within a gait (he tends to rush and get mincey). Lots and lots and lots of out/in transitions to get his hocks under him. I felt the shoulder, elbow and neck groundwork really helped him to release when we started moving.
With Fonteyn, I repeated some of the same groundwork exercises, with extra attention on her left shoulder (she drops in severely if she is not moving through from behind; it is worse travelling to the left). I played around with some pseudo-Ttouches all around her shoulder.
This is the barn:
Here's the view over to the other barn, which also houses the small indoor arena, and the feed area.
This is the current field for this group of horses. We are going to spray minerals this weekend and this field will be rested.
L-R, the grey is Chico, who belongs to Lana, who I am staying with. The dark bay mare is Fonteyn, Peggy's horse. The not-quite-black gelding is Bracken, who belongs to Karen, a CR instructor (and Feldy person!!! yay!!)
Here's Sully in his small section of paddock (just to the left of where I stood to take the photo directly above).
He is Peggy's newest horse. He only arrived last week and is still being integrated into their "herd" (3 existing horses).
All the horses will be moved into the large paddock at the end of this week. This particular place is one of a very few where the horses can be turnout. It is more common for horses to be stalled full time, or have say an hour or two in a larger area (not necessarily a paddock, as we know it) for "turnout". Peggy's horses get approximately 8 hours out during the day.
Here's a better photo of Sully... Quite a handsome boy.
On to today's activities... Peggy collected me early so we could be there in time for the farrier to re-shoe Sully. Unfortunately a scheduling mix-up meant he didn't have time (he thought he was merely tightening one shoe that was loose). Peggy left me to work Sully and Fonteyn. After that, I mixed Sully's feeds for the coming week and biked home (about 20 minutes, mostly downhill except two steep sections that I had to walk).
This afternoon, I got to do a Feldenkrais "Awareness Through Movement" session with Karen. She hosts it most weeks at the house next door to Lana's place. It was a lot different from an ATM with Anna, that's for sure! But I got up feeling like I had froggy legs, so all is good ;)
My focus for the day (and, going forward) was the process of finding rhythm with the horses.
With Sully, I did a lot of quiet, gentle groundwork at a standstill, including lots of work on his shoulders to help him loosen his neck. He needs to learn the voice commands to help him steady within a gait (he tends to rush and get mincey). Lots and lots and lots of out/in transitions to get his hocks under him. I felt the shoulder, elbow and neck groundwork really helped him to release when we started moving.
With Fonteyn, I repeated some of the same groundwork exercises, with extra attention on her left shoulder (she drops in severely if she is not moving through from behind; it is worse travelling to the left). I played around with some pseudo-Ttouches all around her shoulder.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
First day with Peggy
Peggy got back from Montana late last night and today was the first chance she had to work with me.
I walked to the barn (approx 45 mins) then hung out with Karen (who was grooming Bracken) while waiting for Peggy to arrive. They called to say they were stuck in traffic so I went to get Fonteyn; we got back to the tie-up area at the same time.
Peggy showed me some particular things she likes done while grooming as I got Fon ready. During groundwork we focused on really, really getting her head and neck released (both standing and one-foot-at-a-time). She really drops her shoulder in and barges through you when you put her out on 1 line: to counteract that, I need to get her to move off from her hindquarters rather than lead with her head with hindquarters trailing.
Fon is quite in tune with the CR work so it's very easy to play with her. I need to work on fast/slow trot with good rythym, getting her to bend and lift, and release of her neck during trot and walk/trot transitions. Fon was a very willing teacher of shoulder lifts.
Quick bite to eat and on to Sully! He's got nice movement and is coming along well. With him, out/in/on needs to be happening the whole time. He needs lots of work on his rythym, especially in trot, and learning the voice command "slow" to help him with that. He tends to bug out and get mincey in his movement. To help him, on the 'in', lift the line & eke it out as I am stepping backwards, then comb for the 'on'. Also, quick (one step) out/in/out/in. He needs tons and tons of stationery work on his right side and both of his shoulders.
Tomorrow, early start as the farrier is due at 9am and Sully's feet need to be photographed before the farrier arrives.
Reminders for me: sunblock! Back my hips up to find neutral (as opposed to doing anything with my shoulders); eke on the line while stepping backwards; use rotation as I step around (forward and backwards) when 'lunging' (helps me stay in the middle of the circle, giving the horse something 'solid' at the centre, and helps them regulate their circle as it's not constantly changing); oscillation when the horse is stuck; when they are stuck or jammed, go back to out/in, and/or oscillation (from rotation) of my body.
I walked to the barn (approx 45 mins) then hung out with Karen (who was grooming Bracken) while waiting for Peggy to arrive. They called to say they were stuck in traffic so I went to get Fonteyn; we got back to the tie-up area at the same time.
Peggy showed me some particular things she likes done while grooming as I got Fon ready. During groundwork we focused on really, really getting her head and neck released (both standing and one-foot-at-a-time). She really drops her shoulder in and barges through you when you put her out on 1 line: to counteract that, I need to get her to move off from her hindquarters rather than lead with her head with hindquarters trailing.
Fon is quite in tune with the CR work so it's very easy to play with her. I need to work on fast/slow trot with good rythym, getting her to bend and lift, and release of her neck during trot and walk/trot transitions. Fon was a very willing teacher of shoulder lifts.
Quick bite to eat and on to Sully! He's got nice movement and is coming along well. With him, out/in/on needs to be happening the whole time. He needs lots of work on his rythym, especially in trot, and learning the voice command "slow" to help him with that. He tends to bug out and get mincey in his movement. To help him, on the 'in', lift the line & eke it out as I am stepping backwards, then comb for the 'on'. Also, quick (one step) out/in/out/in. He needs tons and tons of stationery work on his right side and both of his shoulders.
Tomorrow, early start as the farrier is due at 9am and Sully's feet need to be photographed before the farrier arrives.
Reminders for me: sunblock! Back my hips up to find neutral (as opposed to doing anything with my shoulders); eke on the line while stepping backwards; use rotation as I step around (forward and backwards) when 'lunging' (helps me stay in the middle of the circle, giving the horse something 'solid' at the centre, and helps them regulate their circle as it's not constantly changing); oscillation when the horse is stuck; when they are stuck or jammed, go back to out/in, and/or oscillation (from rotation) of my body.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Definitely jetlagged!
I woke up at 7am (alarm), went back to sleep as I thought I had until 1 to get to the barn ... woke again at 8.00 and 8.35, when I thought I better get up!! Lana told me that Karen had decided to work the horses in the morning so I should get ready to go, and we went to the barn around 10am.
Karen showed me around and I helped her turn their four horses out into the large field with longer grass. They are still integrating Peggy's new horse, Sully, who has only been here a week or so. They seem to be doing well with the change.
We brought Fonteyn in, groomed her and put a TTeam wrap on (body wrap + leg wraps). Karen got me to do a little groundwork to familiarise myself with her, before showing me a couple of things and handing her back. Karen also put Fonteyn out on a lunge line attached to a serreta (sp?). Fon tends to travel with her nose pointing to the left, in both directions. She's quick, sensitive/reactive, and although very soft, tends to hurry through what you're asking and also does more than what you've asked for. My challenge is to make her think more, slow her down, break down what I'm asking, and also remember the various ways to ask for the same thing (that is, three + ways I can do every thing).
Fonteyn went back out and Sully came in. He is a 'rehab' in progress & coming along well so far. He got a basic figure-8 wrap then out for some groundwork. He tends to drift out and not engage his hindquarters; he appears lame on the inside front leg when he's not balanced.
The challenge is to ask for lots of in/out/on transitions. You have to do them quick quickly with him (I found the one-step in/out "dance" Peggy showed us last December was very effective).
Susan arrived as I was finishing up with Sully. We moved them back to the field with shorter grass, fed hay and went to the Verizon store to connect the mobile. On that note, if you want to get hold of me, email me for the number!
Peggy arrives home from Montana late tonight. I expect tomorrow will be a full on day.
Oh, good news - I am definitely going to Oregon at the start of August - woohoo!
Karen showed me around and I helped her turn their four horses out into the large field with longer grass. They are still integrating Peggy's new horse, Sully, who has only been here a week or so. They seem to be doing well with the change.
We brought Fonteyn in, groomed her and put a TTeam wrap on (body wrap + leg wraps). Karen got me to do a little groundwork to familiarise myself with her, before showing me a couple of things and handing her back. Karen also put Fonteyn out on a lunge line attached to a serreta (sp?). Fon tends to travel with her nose pointing to the left, in both directions. She's quick, sensitive/reactive, and although very soft, tends to hurry through what you're asking and also does more than what you've asked for. My challenge is to make her think more, slow her down, break down what I'm asking, and also remember the various ways to ask for the same thing (that is, three + ways I can do every thing).
Fonteyn went back out and Sully came in. He is a 'rehab' in progress & coming along well so far. He got a basic figure-8 wrap then out for some groundwork. He tends to drift out and not engage his hindquarters; he appears lame on the inside front leg when he's not balanced.
The challenge is to ask for lots of in/out/on transitions. You have to do them quick quickly with him (I found the one-step in/out "dance" Peggy showed us last December was very effective).
Susan arrived as I was finishing up with Sully. We moved them back to the field with shorter grass, fed hay and went to the Verizon store to connect the mobile. On that note, if you want to get hold of me, email me for the number!
Peggy arrives home from Montana late tonight. I expect tomorrow will be a full on day.
Oh, good news - I am definitely going to Oregon at the start of August - woohoo!
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