Tomorrow is Halo's parade debut! We're riding in the Texas Independence Day Parade, which promises to have lots of scary things like bands, giant flags, and shooting. I'm hoping there will be pictures - I think some of my friends are coming, but I'm not sure who is bringing cameras.
Let's hope the de-spooking work pays off!
In other news, Halo is doing well in training. We're having an awkward time transitioning from the sidepull to the snaffle, but it's mostly because I haven't been riding enough. I've decided that I must devote at least one weeknight every week to come out and ride. Just riding on the weekends isn't enough (I'm sure you're all saying "duh" right now).
I sold my hunt seat saddle and am now on a quest to find a new one that will accommodate Halo's wide shoulders. Hopefully we can find a good one before show season starts in May.
Pics will be up after the parade!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
De-spooking Clinic
I'm behind on posting, but only because I've been doing so much with my horse! We did a de-spooking clinic last Saturday, and Halo was great. We spent a couple of hours in the morning going through all the obstacles on foot, and then we rode the course (timed) in the afternoon. I didn't really take part in the timing aspect of it - I wanted slow, steady, and accurate to be our goals. She didn't refuse a single obstacle! The only ones we didn't complete were carrying a board around a barrel (she doesn't neck rein, so it was hard to hold onto everything at once), and sidepassing over a board (because I haven't taught her to sidepass under saddle yet). I'm so proud of my girl!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Hoof Update
It has been a long time since I posted pictures of Halo's feet, and it's time to see how they've changed in the past 6-9 months or so. The newer pictures are taken mid-trim cycle. She toes out slightly in front, and tends to flare on the outside part of her front hooves, and it is visible in these pictures.
RF
LF
RH
LH
I think her front heels look more contracted than they used to. Comments? Thoughts?
Front Right
Front Left
Hind feet side view
RF
LF
RH
LH
I think her front heels look more contracted than they used to. Comments? Thoughts?
Front Right
Front Left
Hind feet side view
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wet Feet
Casi got a new iPod nano with video capability for Christmas, and I had her take a few silly videos at the barn to try it out. Here you can witness the epic battle over puddle crossing! She goes well the first time, just getting her feet damp, but insists on taking a flying leap over the deeper part. Silly pony! I'm hoping to get Casi out to take more videos to add another dimension to how I'm tracking my progress.
I rode last Sunday, but it was very gusty out, so it wasn't the best ride. I longed, spent some time working with Halo on steering with the bit, and then got on with the bit in her mouth for the first time. She's still learning how to deal with the bit, but since we were in the round pen there wasn't far for her to go.
I realized that it is absolutely imperative that I start RIDING and not just meandering around on Halo. I was hoping it would stay dry so that this coming weekend I could spend some time in the outdoor arena doing some serious trot work, and maybe even considering loping, but it's supposed to rain again for the next few days. I am so sick of rain! I know we needed it because of the drought, but it sure is screwing up my riding plans.
I rode last Sunday, but it was very gusty out, so it wasn't the best ride. I longed, spent some time working with Halo on steering with the bit, and then got on with the bit in her mouth for the first time. She's still learning how to deal with the bit, but since we were in the round pen there wasn't far for her to go.
I realized that it is absolutely imperative that I start RIDING and not just meandering around on Halo. I was hoping it would stay dry so that this coming weekend I could spend some time in the outdoor arena doing some serious trot work, and maybe even considering loping, but it's supposed to rain again for the next few days. I am so sick of rain! I know we needed it because of the drought, but it sure is screwing up my riding plans.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Disappointment and Progress
Well, my holiday weekend didn't go quite as planned. Sunday was a beautiful day, and I planned to ride out with other people at the barn. I got out there, warmed Halo up, got her tacked up . . . and wimped out.
I was very disappointed in myself. I still rode her up and down the driveway and all around the property, but I couldn't quite bring myself to go back out on the road yet. It was a combination of Halo being a little on the spooky side since I hadn't ridden her in a couple of weeks, and me being nervous that all it would take was one more fall on the cement to do me in.
Still, I felt like crap most of the afternoon, like I failed myself and Halo. Today I feel somewhat better; I know I shouldn't punish myself for listening to my instincts and taking it easy after having an accident. I just don't ever want to be one of those riders who becomes too fearful to do what needs to be done to further the horse's training.
Monday was a little bit better. I didn't plan to ride out, because I didn't know if anyone would even be at the barn. As it turned out, there were a lot of people at the barn - the barn owner was having a kids' camp. The little girls always love Halo, and spoil her to death with treats and petting. Of course they always want to ride her, too, and I get to explain that she's just a baby and not actually trained yet.
Now that's a begging face!
I did ride her on Monday, but once again just around the barn. But since I wasn't hung up on my own inadequacies, we focused on actually doing something productive while wandering over the property. We practiced walking, stopping, backing up, and turning. Halo is getting very good about turning, and I think trail riding has helped that quite a bit. She does occasionally run through one of my legs, but she's starting to understand that pressure from one leg means she needs to move away from the pressure.
The main problem I had yesterday was that she is very responsive to nose pressure from side to side, but not so much straight back. (I'm still riding in a sidepull). She can flex clear around to either of my feet when asked, and she bends well through her turns. However, when I ask her to stop or back up, she tosses her head and is cranky about pressure directly on her nose. What is strange to me about that is that she yields well to nose pressure from the ground, either in the halter or sidepull, so that's not the problem. It has to be something I am doing. So that's something to think about for the next week or so.
I did have one funny moment with her - I was asking her to back up, and she was tossing her head and fussing, and I was beginning to get a little bit perplexed as to why she wouldn't listen. So I decided to start over and use Mugwump's technique of first giving the subtle cue (the one you want the horse to respond to), then escalating to a stronger cue, and then making her do it. Of course when I calmed down and gave the subtle cue, she backed up immediately. Ha! It was a good lesson to me that I don't have to expect her to be oblivious to cues. I should ALWAYS start with the subtle cue, and work from there, especially when something isn't going right.
The only other thing I have to report is that it appears Miss Halo may no longer be pony sized. She's going through another awkward growth phase and looking leggier and less round than a couple of months ago. I taped her at 14.2, maybe a little over that. I can't believe it! She's grown over SIX inches since July 2008.
I was very disappointed in myself. I still rode her up and down the driveway and all around the property, but I couldn't quite bring myself to go back out on the road yet. It was a combination of Halo being a little on the spooky side since I hadn't ridden her in a couple of weeks, and me being nervous that all it would take was one more fall on the cement to do me in.
Still, I felt like crap most of the afternoon, like I failed myself and Halo. Today I feel somewhat better; I know I shouldn't punish myself for listening to my instincts and taking it easy after having an accident. I just don't ever want to be one of those riders who becomes too fearful to do what needs to be done to further the horse's training.
Monday was a little bit better. I didn't plan to ride out, because I didn't know if anyone would even be at the barn. As it turned out, there were a lot of people at the barn - the barn owner was having a kids' camp. The little girls always love Halo, and spoil her to death with treats and petting. Of course they always want to ride her, too, and I get to explain that she's just a baby and not actually trained yet.
Now that's a begging face!
I did ride her on Monday, but once again just around the barn. But since I wasn't hung up on my own inadequacies, we focused on actually doing something productive while wandering over the property. We practiced walking, stopping, backing up, and turning. Halo is getting very good about turning, and I think trail riding has helped that quite a bit. She does occasionally run through one of my legs, but she's starting to understand that pressure from one leg means she needs to move away from the pressure.
The main problem I had yesterday was that she is very responsive to nose pressure from side to side, but not so much straight back. (I'm still riding in a sidepull). She can flex clear around to either of my feet when asked, and she bends well through her turns. However, when I ask her to stop or back up, she tosses her head and is cranky about pressure directly on her nose. What is strange to me about that is that she yields well to nose pressure from the ground, either in the halter or sidepull, so that's not the problem. It has to be something I am doing. So that's something to think about for the next week or so.
I did have one funny moment with her - I was asking her to back up, and she was tossing her head and fussing, and I was beginning to get a little bit perplexed as to why she wouldn't listen. So I decided to start over and use Mugwump's technique of first giving the subtle cue (the one you want the horse to respond to), then escalating to a stronger cue, and then making her do it. Of course when I calmed down and gave the subtle cue, she backed up immediately. Ha! It was a good lesson to me that I don't have to expect her to be oblivious to cues. I should ALWAYS start with the subtle cue, and work from there, especially when something isn't going right.
The only other thing I have to report is that it appears Miss Halo may no longer be pony sized. She's going through another awkward growth phase and looking leggier and less round than a couple of months ago. I taped her at 14.2, maybe a little over that. I can't believe it! She's grown over SIX inches since July 2008.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Pictures From a Ride
These pictures are from our third trail ride sometime in mid-December (pre-accident).
Halo has filled out a lot over the winter, and I can't wait to see what she looks like under all the winter fuzz. She's standing a little funny in this picture, but you can see what a nice strong hip she's developed.
Here we are out on the trail, or in the middle of a field, rather. This is the thrilled poneh expression you get when you take a filly away from her food.
Nom nom nom
Sadly my head didn't quite make it into this shot...
Halo and Salty are watching some falconers out in one of the hayfields. Salty and his owner are wonderful to ride with, as Salty is a quiet older horse who is very seasoned on the trails. He is not bothered at all by Halo's occasional goofy antics.
My view from Halo's back as she watches the falcon.
Halo has filled out a lot over the winter, and I can't wait to see what she looks like under all the winter fuzz. She's standing a little funny in this picture, but you can see what a nice strong hip she's developed.
Here we are out on the trail, or in the middle of a field, rather. This is the thrilled poneh expression you get when you take a filly away from her food.
Nom nom nom
Sadly my head didn't quite make it into this shot...
Halo and Salty are watching some falconers out in one of the hayfields. Salty and his owner are wonderful to ride with, as Salty is a quiet older horse who is very seasoned on the trails. He is not bothered at all by Halo's occasional goofy antics.
My view from Halo's back as she watches the falcon.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Planning for 2010
Now, I have to admit that I'm a bit of an organizatrix (term borrowed from a fabulous friend of mine), but planning for Halo's 2010 year has me tearing out my hair. I feel pulled in way too many directions, and only one or two are going to be financially feasible.
Any long-time blog readers still lurking might remember that my original plan was to show Halo in Halter and Showmanship last summer so that she would have some show exposure before I attempted any riding classes. Well, that didn't work out due to wedding conflicts and vet bills.
Now it's 2010 and time to think about whether she might be ready to ride in a walk/trot class this summer on the local open AQHA circuit we have here. I need the following show items before I can consider showing:
Halter/Showmanship
Western W/T
English W/T
The first horse show opportunity is on January 23rd in a couple of weeks. I don't think there's any way I can put together enough stuff to show her anything but Hunter in Hand...and she looks so fuzzy right now I would be too embarrassed. I may consider seeing if the barn owner can trailer me over there just to walk her around the showgrounds, though. I'm just not sure she'll have the time free since this is short notice.
The other shows usually begin in June, so I have more time to think about those. I'm just not sure what to do, or what is best for my pony. I'm focusing on paying off some credit card bills this year, so I don't want to compromise my finances just to have some fun. But, at the same time, I do have a little bit of disposable income I can put toward showing.
The other option is to give up all hope of showing and stick to trail riding and maybe doing some team penning. I know nothing about it, but the team penning nights our barn goes to sound casual and like a good place to learn. But again...I probably need a western saddle.
What to do?!
Any long-time blog readers still lurking might remember that my original plan was to show Halo in Halter and Showmanship last summer so that she would have some show exposure before I attempted any riding classes. Well, that didn't work out due to wedding conflicts and vet bills.
Now it's 2010 and time to think about whether she might be ready to ride in a walk/trot class this summer on the local open AQHA circuit we have here. I need the following show items before I can consider showing:
Halter/Showmanship
- Dark oil show lead with chain
- Showmanship jacket
- Showmanship pants or nice show jeans
- Cowboy boots
- Cowboy hat
Western W/T
- Rail shirt
- Show pants or jeans
- Chaps (maybe not for an open show?? not sure)
- Cowboy boots
- Cowboy hat
- Western saddle
- Western bridle
English W/T
- Show helmet
- Show shirt
- Jacket
- Breeches
The first horse show opportunity is on January 23rd in a couple of weeks. I don't think there's any way I can put together enough stuff to show her anything but Hunter in Hand...and she looks so fuzzy right now I would be too embarrassed. I may consider seeing if the barn owner can trailer me over there just to walk her around the showgrounds, though. I'm just not sure she'll have the time free since this is short notice.
The other shows usually begin in June, so I have more time to think about those. I'm just not sure what to do, or what is best for my pony. I'm focusing on paying off some credit card bills this year, so I don't want to compromise my finances just to have some fun. But, at the same time, I do have a little bit of disposable income I can put toward showing.
The other option is to give up all hope of showing and stick to trail riding and maybe doing some team penning. I know nothing about it, but the team penning nights our barn goes to sound casual and like a good place to learn. But again...I probably need a western saddle.
What to do?!
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