Catherine wasn't too happy this past Sunday about my decision to take Zoe back for my own use. She really enjoys my pony (Well, she is rather fabulous!) and didn't think the other horses being offered would measure up.
After considering her choices (Monte or Dawn for Sunday's lesson, possibly Sally for future use if neither of those suited), she decided to give Monte a try. I talked her through some of his quirks (spooky, fast, headstrong) and warned her to be aware of any pain he might experience in his withers. Her host-mom was very nervous when I told Catherine that he would try to seriously buck her off if she ignored his pain-signals. I was nervous because I know that Monte performs best with a very light hand - and I wasn't sure Catherine would give him that. I didn't know what his reaction would be to her more aggressive riding style....
I watched just a bit of their lesson with Patti Jo, holding my breath the whole time. As I expected, Monte was not very happy with the stronger hands and signals, and let his displeasure be known by giving little crow-hops, bolting and shaking his head. But Catherine was able to get him back, make him tuck his chin and perform as he should. It didn't look like a fun ride to me (way too much work!) but she seemed to enjoy it. Go figure!
I don't know if she'll continue to use Monte. She was surprised that he knew as much as he does; I think from hearing other conversations about Monte, she had assumed he was a very naughty, untrained animal, which is so not true! He's just not the easiest horse to ride. I told Catherine that if she gave it time and developed a relationship with him, Monte would give her everything he had. He really is a special little horse who wants to work hard for the one he connects with.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Lovin' my birthday present
My mother-in-law generously sent me some money for my birthday this year - which I promptly spent on some tack!
I purchased a new black leather bridle and a French-link bit for Zoe, and I love them! The black looks wonderful against her white/gray fur and it is much more supple than the cheaper-quality one I had been using. I also got a new dressage saddle pad (white with gold trim, of course!) and a couple of other little items. There was also a new saddle pad for Monte - a nice, thick one that will hopefully ease some of his wither woes.
Zoe and I have been struggling the past week or so. She now believes that whenever a saddle is placed on her back and she enters the big arena it is time to run, run, run. E and I spent an hour on Tuesday just trying to get her to lower her pretty little nose, round up her back and give us her nice trot. I could barely keep her to a walk and E had difficulty getting her to perform a controlled trot; neither of us let her go into anything resembling a canter.
It wasn't a fun ride.
But we will work through this and get her back to where she was.
E rode Monte as well and declared that he is healthy - and lazy. She thoroughly enjoyed her pony.
I purchased a new black leather bridle and a French-link bit for Zoe, and I love them! The black looks wonderful against her white/gray fur and it is much more supple than the cheaper-quality one I had been using. I also got a new dressage saddle pad (white with gold trim, of course!) and a couple of other little items. There was also a new saddle pad for Monte - a nice, thick one that will hopefully ease some of his wither woes.
Zoe and I have been struggling the past week or so. She now believes that whenever a saddle is placed on her back and she enters the big arena it is time to run, run, run. E and I spent an hour on Tuesday just trying to get her to lower her pretty little nose, round up her back and give us her nice trot. I could barely keep her to a walk and E had difficulty getting her to perform a controlled trot; neither of us let her go into anything resembling a canter.
It wasn't a fun ride.
But we will work through this and get her back to where she was.
E rode Monte as well and declared that he is healthy - and lazy. She thoroughly enjoyed her pony.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Transitions
I managed to get three rides on Zoe this week - that may be a record for me!
After riding her on Monday, I decided it is imperative that I ride her frequently if I want to be sure she maintains her responsiveness and softness to my cues. With another person using her (who rides very differently than I do) Zoe is picking up what I consider bad habits. I found her to be rushing and less sensitive to my directions - both things I DO NOT want!
So during yesterday's ride I began the (somewhat boring) exercise of working on transitions. Zoe was choosing to not immediately transition up or down to either the trot or walk when I would ask. After a bit of work (maybe 30 minutes), we were working more in sync again and she was doing as asked most of the time. She still was rushing and jumping into her bouncy trot...but that's a problem for another day!
Catherine rides Zoe at least 2 times a week - and rides her hard! Cathy has even moved her into a new pasture, with lush grass to fatten her up a bit. I think the exercise is good for my horse, but the practice of running Zoe full-out without maintaining softness or control is showing up in undesirable ways.
Stephanie, the chiropractor, is coming out on Monday to do an adjustment on Monte. Assuming, he's back to full, pain-free, health after that, I think I will ask Catherine to transition over to him. He needs the exercise, plus I think he would be a great challenge for her.
I wonder how she'll feel about moving on from Zoe.....
After riding her on Monday, I decided it is imperative that I ride her frequently if I want to be sure she maintains her responsiveness and softness to my cues. With another person using her (who rides very differently than I do) Zoe is picking up what I consider bad habits. I found her to be rushing and less sensitive to my directions - both things I DO NOT want!
So during yesterday's ride I began the (somewhat boring) exercise of working on transitions. Zoe was choosing to not immediately transition up or down to either the trot or walk when I would ask. After a bit of work (maybe 30 minutes), we were working more in sync again and she was doing as asked most of the time. She still was rushing and jumping into her bouncy trot...but that's a problem for another day!
Catherine rides Zoe at least 2 times a week - and rides her hard! Cathy has even moved her into a new pasture, with lush grass to fatten her up a bit. I think the exercise is good for my horse, but the practice of running Zoe full-out without maintaining softness or control is showing up in undesirable ways.
Stephanie, the chiropractor, is coming out on Monday to do an adjustment on Monte. Assuming, he's back to full, pain-free, health after that, I think I will ask Catherine to transition over to him. He needs the exercise, plus I think he would be a great challenge for her.
I wonder how she'll feel about moving on from Zoe.....
Monday, September 26, 2011
Green snot
Yesterday was E's last official 4-H ride. She decided a while back that she didn't want to continue in the club once she started high school - a reasonable choice given the number of extracurricular activities and amount of just plain school work she has. Last night the club hosted its yearly potluck/awards ride night. E wanted to take Zoe since Monte is still plagued with a sore back (we have a call in to the chiropractor).
As she was loading up her tack, E heard Zoe coughing in the trailer. Being a little concerned we all peered in the windows and saw what appeared to be coughs caused by choking. E had hung a hay bag up in the trailer to give Zoe something to munch on while we drove out to the ride...and it seemed that Ms. Zoe gobbled down her treat too fast, causing her to choke on some.
We quickly unloaded the horse and watched anxiously as she coughed so much that green yuck came out of her nose. E ran to ask a visiting vet/instructor who happened to be in the arena just what the heck we should do. She was told to get Zoe's head down if possible and try to get her to drink some water to help with any obstruction in her throat.
Zoe was distressed and a bit panicky at this point - and still coughing green slime out her nose. I found a syringe and forced her to drink some water (about 180 cc's worth). About then her coughing subsided and she seemed to be okay. We put her into her stall to keep her from eating anything for a while....and then loaded up Monte and headed off to the ride night. All of this took about 30 to 40 minutes.
Upon return from the 4-H ride, we checked on Zoe and decided that she was just fine. I might have a new gray hair or two, but the horse is going to be okay. :)
Zoe has been used quite a bit lately by our foreign exchange student friend, Catherine. Catherine is a very good rider and has been schooling Zoe in jumping. I have noticed a change in Zoe, however. Her responses to my cues aren't as quick or as easy as they used to be; she just seems less reactive/responsive than before. I knew that this would probably happen to some extent, but it does make me a little sad. In hopes of stopping this change in Zoe, I have decided to ask Catherine to use a gentler bit while riding her(a french link); since Catherine is tighter with the reins than I am, perhaps this will help me regain some of that soft feeling that's been lost.
As she was loading up her tack, E heard Zoe coughing in the trailer. Being a little concerned we all peered in the windows and saw what appeared to be coughs caused by choking. E had hung a hay bag up in the trailer to give Zoe something to munch on while we drove out to the ride...and it seemed that Ms. Zoe gobbled down her treat too fast, causing her to choke on some.
We quickly unloaded the horse and watched anxiously as she coughed so much that green yuck came out of her nose. E ran to ask a visiting vet/instructor who happened to be in the arena just what the heck we should do. She was told to get Zoe's head down if possible and try to get her to drink some water to help with any obstruction in her throat.
Zoe was distressed and a bit panicky at this point - and still coughing green slime out her nose. I found a syringe and forced her to drink some water (about 180 cc's worth). About then her coughing subsided and she seemed to be okay. We put her into her stall to keep her from eating anything for a while....and then loaded up Monte and headed off to the ride night. All of this took about 30 to 40 minutes.
Upon return from the 4-H ride, we checked on Zoe and decided that she was just fine. I might have a new gray hair or two, but the horse is going to be okay. :)
Zoe has been used quite a bit lately by our foreign exchange student friend, Catherine. Catherine is a very good rider and has been schooling Zoe in jumping. I have noticed a change in Zoe, however. Her responses to my cues aren't as quick or as easy as they used to be; she just seems less reactive/responsive than before. I knew that this would probably happen to some extent, but it does make me a little sad. In hopes of stopping this change in Zoe, I have decided to ask Catherine to use a gentler bit while riding her(a french link); since Catherine is tighter with the reins than I am, perhaps this will help me regain some of that soft feeling that's been lost.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Going down the trail....
Saturday was my first time riding Zoe outside of our arena. I decided it was time to just suck it up, get over the fear and head on down the trail on my pony...and she was fabulous!
E has taken her to the reservoir one other time (and I believe she has been there with her previous owner) and discovered that Zoe, while not the most courageous horse, did okay. Her biggest quirk is that she insists on being behind another horse. As soon as she is in front, she just stops. No spooking or jigging....just. stops. and. waits. Once another horse (Monte in this case) is in front she's more than willing to move forward. Funny girl.
We did have a little spooking incident before I got on her. Don't know what caused it, but she ended up stepping on my left foot, bruising my big toe. It isn't a serious injury and didn't even delay our ride more than the few moments it took to take off my boot to make sure I wasn't bleeding. (I wasn't.)
It's been a busy month of competing at the fair and starting school. E and Monte weren't able to compete in the Western disciplines at fair this year; we discovered that his saddle is causing him pain (sitting too low in front, pinching his withers/shoulders a little...and he's a sensitive guy!). This would explain some of the bad behavior he's exhibited the last few times E's used the western tack. It all hurt the poor boy!
Zoe is being used by a third rider recently - an exchange student from France who is living with a Pony Club friend. She's quite taken with my pony and announced yesterday after their lesson together that if she were to live here, she would buy Zoe! I smiled and said, "Ah, but she's not for sale." :) It makes me happy that someone else loves my pony too, though.
E has taken her to the reservoir one other time (and I believe she has been there with her previous owner) and discovered that Zoe, while not the most courageous horse, did okay. Her biggest quirk is that she insists on being behind another horse. As soon as she is in front, she just stops. No spooking or jigging....just. stops. and. waits. Once another horse (Monte in this case) is in front she's more than willing to move forward. Funny girl.
We did have a little spooking incident before I got on her. Don't know what caused it, but she ended up stepping on my left foot, bruising my big toe. It isn't a serious injury and didn't even delay our ride more than the few moments it took to take off my boot to make sure I wasn't bleeding. (I wasn't.)
It's been a busy month of competing at the fair and starting school. E and Monte weren't able to compete in the Western disciplines at fair this year; we discovered that his saddle is causing him pain (sitting too low in front, pinching his withers/shoulders a little...and he's a sensitive guy!). This would explain some of the bad behavior he's exhibited the last few times E's used the western tack. It all hurt the poor boy!
Zoe is being used by a third rider recently - an exchange student from France who is living with a Pony Club friend. She's quite taken with my pony and announced yesterday after their lesson together that if she were to live here, she would buy Zoe! I smiled and said, "Ah, but she's not for sale." :) It makes me happy that someone else loves my pony too, though.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
To sell or not to sell....
Yes, that is the question. I have begun to tell people that our lovely pony is available, and even emailed one family about him (crying the whole time I typed the message!). I also have a flyer extolling his virtues ready to go - and then E put a small kink in the process.
She rode Monte last Wednesday for the first time since June 12. And promptly fell back in love with her pony. During the trip back home from the barn she suggested that she should keep Monte and just give up jumping. Work with the horse she has (and loves) and limit their activities to things they can do together safely and successfully.
How can I argue with that logic?
She rode Monte last Wednesday for the first time since June 12. And promptly fell back in love with her pony. During the trip back home from the barn she suggested that she should keep Monte and just give up jumping. Work with the horse she has (and loves) and limit their activities to things they can do together safely and successfully.
How can I argue with that logic?
Monday, July 18, 2011
Lookin' for shade
Well, I thought we had the sunburn thing under control but then I started to feel sorry for Monte, wearing that hot fly sheet in the blazing sun. He was roasting under it! So a few days ago, I tried letting him spend a day with tons of sunblock and no sheet...big mistake. The poor pony got another nasty burn in the same location on his neck.
Beginning yesterday, he will now have to spend the days in the barn and his nights in the pasture. And he was NOT HAPPY about that arrangement at all! We actually had to move him into an interior stall with a solid door because he was attempting to jump over the chain blocking him in his normal run. I'm really hoping that he adjusts to this new routine quickly because I hate to see him so unhappy.
Other big Monte news: E and I have decided that it is time to find a new home for Monte. She is just too tall to ride him over jumps safely; he struggles to stay balanced as they go over the standards since there is just so much of her poised over his neck. I now find that I am just as sad as E about letting him go - in fact, I've been delaying posting him for sale online for over a week now, and I'm sure it's because I don't want him to leave our little family.
Now that the decision to sell Monte has been made, E has transitioned over to using Zoe almost exclusively. Luckily, Zoe is a great horse and it's no hardship to have to use her instead of E's fabulous pony! :)
The only hard part for E (and Zoe) is that Zoe has never jumped, so E will have to help her learn this new skill. So far, E is finding it difficult to be patient with Zoe, who is a very careful horse and hence very hesitant to charge over these poles we keep placing in front of her! But in the end, I think that carefulness will make her an awesome jumper - and she already has the dressage part down pat.....
Beginning yesterday, he will now have to spend the days in the barn and his nights in the pasture. And he was NOT HAPPY about that arrangement at all! We actually had to move him into an interior stall with a solid door because he was attempting to jump over the chain blocking him in his normal run. I'm really hoping that he adjusts to this new routine quickly because I hate to see him so unhappy.
Other big Monte news: E and I have decided that it is time to find a new home for Monte. She is just too tall to ride him over jumps safely; he struggles to stay balanced as they go over the standards since there is just so much of her poised over his neck. I now find that I am just as sad as E about letting him go - in fact, I've been delaying posting him for sale online for over a week now, and I'm sure it's because I don't want him to leave our little family.
Now that the decision to sell Monte has been made, E has transitioned over to using Zoe almost exclusively. Luckily, Zoe is a great horse and it's no hardship to have to use her instead of E's fabulous pony! :)
The only hard part for E (and Zoe) is that Zoe has never jumped, so E will have to help her learn this new skill. So far, E is finding it difficult to be patient with Zoe, who is a very careful horse and hence very hesitant to charge over these poles we keep placing in front of her! But in the end, I think that carefulness will make her an awesome jumper - and she already has the dressage part down pat.....
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