Ambivalence

E is a busy girl. She has lots of school activities and projects as well as being a part of two horse groups and having a weekend job. Next year will probably be even busier since she plans to add debate team and more music/choral stuff to the schedule. She's even talking about trying out for a team sport at the high school.

And some days, she just really doesn't want to go out to the barn. I get that.

But she also has a pony who really needs to be kept busy. He's not the sort you can leave in a pasture for several weeks and then expect to have a good ride. Ideally, he should be ridden at a minimum of three times a week; we usually manage two. And both of those are usually for a club meeting/lesson, not because she wants to go out and practice some skill or even just ride around for the fun of it.

So here's the rub: given the horse she has, along with the big investment we've made in the sport of horseback riding in general, I really think she should willingly, happily and eagerly be wanting to interact with Monte several times a week. I don't want to have to drag her there like I did yesterday. In the end I think she had a very good time out at the barn, but I don't think it's right that I have to initially force her in that direction.

Consequently, I have a bit of a "deadline" in my head these days. If E doesn't get over this ambivalence she has about horses by the end of summer, I think we will seriously consider selling Monte. I can't justify the expense of keeping a horse "just in case" she might want to ride. She has to show some commitment and step up to the responsibility of owning this animal.

(If we did sell Monte, I would be happy to share Zoe with her for those times she might want to ride, btw. I don't want to deprive her fully of the joy of riding. It's just that since we don't own our own property and have to pay monthly board, keeping a horse for those occasional riding moments is too darn expensive!)

Off topic, but when I rode Zoe yesterday she had a major spook moment, dropping and bolting to the side for a few steps before I could stop her. Funny thing is, I didn't really get all that scared. I had a bit of an adrenaline rush, but no lingering fear or racing heart. I stayed on and kept walking her around the round pen, trying to get her to approach the gremlin-spot (not very successfully, I might add). Overall, it was a great ride for me as I saw that I can manage her spooks.

Road trip for Zoe

The horses had all their shots on Monday, so when we pulled Monte out for 4-H last night I wasn't too terribly surprised that he wasn't feeling so hot. When E took him into the round pen prior to loading him in the trailer, he was practically dragging his head on the ground. Kinda scary actually - I'm so used to his high energy! There are several horses that have had varying degrees of adverse reactions to the shots, however, so I understood why he was feeling the way he was.

Zoe, on the other hand, did not have any noticeable reaction to the shots, so E and I made a quick decision to take her to 4-H instead. E had to pull her out of her stall and away from her dinner and Zoe made her displeasure over this disruption apparent by kicking out at E. Not a great way to begin an adventure! But the horse settled down in the round pen (E wanted to make sure Zoe had a brain before making the final commitment to riding her!) and loaded into the trailer fairly well. Of course, a manger of hay in there helped considerably. :)

Neither of us had high expectations for this ride night. Zoe has led an easy life these last few months, with little being asked of her. We were also taking her to a new arena, with new horses and people. All of these factors combined did not build a solid foundation for the promise of a smooth ride. But Zoe surprised us! She only had one incident of spooking (the traffic cone in the arena was going to eat her and caused her to back up several feet, snorting the whole way) and really gave E a nice ride. Being that she is so out of shape, E did have to finish up a lot sooner than she would of on Monte, but that ended up being okay too since our trailer buddy was riding a young horse who also pooped out after an hour of work.

I'm so glad that Zoe proved to be adaptable enough for E to use in a pinch!

Finally spring?

This weekend totally feels like spring - 30s at night, 40s to 50s during the day. And sunshine! That's the best part, having sun shining on your shoulders until well after 5:00 p.m..

I didn't plan on riding today but when I got out to the barn this morning it was just too nice to not pull Zoe out and at least groom her. And if I'm going to groom her, well I might as well as lunge her...and if I'm going to lunge her I might as well saddle her up and get on!

Really, she was just so cooperative and sweet that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to hop on for a short ride. I think the high strung, spooky horse I've been experiencing the past month or so must have been the result of her cycling into heat combined with a bit of windy, variable weather. Today she calmly waited for me to put on her halter, was attentive while we walked, and even lowered her head for me during bridling. What a good pony!

E also took a short turn on her and managed to make Zoe sweat a bit. Zoe is in much better shape, though, and was able to maintain a canter for a longer period of time. She's not quite as flabby when she runs past now. :)

Zoe did give a little buck when E cantered in the left lead. Nothing major - I'm sure even I could have sat it. E says you can totally feel Zoe rounding her back just before she tries to buck, so you have plenty of warning. We think she might be a little bit sore and was complaining about the cantering. Just a guess though.....

Lots of Pony Club happenings these days. I'm coordinating our region's Quiz rally, which will be taking place next weekend. Looking forward to the event - and to its conclusion! :) I also joined Horsemasters, the adult version of Pony Club. I'm totally looking forward to riding on a regular basis with other adults. We'll start taking Sunday lessons along with the kiddos in a couple of weeks.

Getting jiggy with it...

E and her 4-H club went out to a local trail last Monday to change things up a bit. I had planned to join them, but another member needed a ride so I gave up the trailer space to her horse - the ride really was for the kids, not me. :)

Monte was a wild-eyed pony from the moment E backed him out of the trailer to pretty much the end of the ride. She had to deal with his constant jigging and trotting the entire ride....although he did finally give her a calm walk once the trailer was back in sight.

I asked her how it went, thinking she must have hated the ride, and was surprised to hear her say that she actually had fun. The child (seems strange to call my 6' daughter a child now!) has come to love the energy her pony has. She likes having to actually ride and work as opposed to just sitting on her horse, and enjoys the challenge Monte poses. In her own words: "I like that I can ride a horse that most people can't."

Horse camp in June is an eventing rally - which is a form of terror for Monte. Go out in the woods, by myself???!!! He's not the bravest of creatures. There are several other riders at our barn who regularly trailer to various locations - and they have offered to take E and Monte along. He needs the practice and exposure.

By the time E decides to sell him, Monte is going to be a wonderful, all-around horse...

Spring Tune Up

I was told when I purchased Zoe that at one time she had actually competed in dressage events along the West coast. For the last few years, however, she has been packing beginners like myself around, never being asked to use those skills learned oh-so-long-ago.

I decided a little while back that I'd like to make sure Zoe doesn't completely devolve to my level. It would just be a big shame, really. So I'm supporting a local teenager, paying her ride and exercise Zoe this spring. Teenagers always need a little cash (so do adults!) and my horse really does need to remember that she does indeed know how to look beautiful under saddle.

G had her first ride on Zoe yesterday. The arenas - even the round pen - are terribly wet again, so she was limited to a few grassy areas at the barn. Zoe wasn't too sure about this new person on her back, but she was relatively well behaved. The challenge for G is to learn Zoe's cues; G has learned her considerable skills from Western trainers predominantly. I don't think Zoe is drastically different, but there are still some differences. Like asking for a canter - and unfortunately, I'm not much help in telling G how to get the response she seeks from my horse.

In the end, though, I think this will be a good experience for both rider and horse. :)

Slow ride

I've been sick for the past week (flu bug) and am still feeling bone-weary most days. Decided I needed some horse-hugs on Sunday though.

Zoe must have sensed my low energy. She was (surprisingly) cooperative and sweet while I groomed her and again when I lunged her. And when I finally started riding, she calmly walked, never spooking.

As I finished up, I asked E if she wanted to take a quick ride since Zoe was all saddled up and ready to go. What's funny, though, is that once E and Zoe went out into the arena, my calm little pony was seen no more. I guess she figured E wasn't sick and didn't need the coddling that I had required. :)

The Present Truck Arrived!

And it brought my new saddle! WoooHooo! We were in the midst of preparations for the monthly neighborhood soup night we host at our house when it arrived but I didn't care - I immediately ripped off all the wrappings to see my new treasure. I was so excited.

I was on cloud 9 all day after riding my pony!
Note the tag still hanging from the girth. :)

I tried it out yesterday and I love it. I bought a Wintec Isabell dressage saddle with the CAIR system. It was so comfy and soft, I think I could ride all day. Before purchasing this saddle I agonized over what type to get. I've really only ever ridden Western and like the safe, surrounded feeling I get when sitting in those saddles. I was afraid that I would feel like I was precariously perched on top of my horse in any type of English saddle, but I discovered that this dressage saddle (all dressage saddles?) gave me a sense of security similar to the Western saddles.

Zoe was a bit of a pill when I pulled her out of the field. She kicked out at me so closely that her back hooves tangled in the lead rope I was twirling and pulled it out of my hands. Rather scary - so I made her REALLY work before letting her rest. Bucking and general silliness are allowed in the warm-up pen before I get on - seriously threatening me is not!

She was also terrified of a shavings bag that blew past her during grooming. So I gathered up the plastic bag and set it at her feet to help desensitize her (couldn't touch her with it, she was so terrified). Another boarder, A, placed some carrots on the bag for Zoe. It was funny to watch the battle between fear and desire for carrots. Desire for carrots won out. But just barely!

Happily, Zoe totally settled down once I got in the saddle. She really does garner courage from her rider - which means I need to become confident and skilled in my riding before tackling a trail or open area with this horse.

Riding past the scary, cougar-hiding woodpiles...and staying calm. :)

I asked E to help me figure out how to post. I just can't seem to figure out which leg is moving on my horse to get the correct rhythm going, though. E also points out that I also haven't learned to get an even, steady trot yet. So perhaps I need to accomplish that feat first. :)

Hoping I can squeeze in a short ride this morning before Pony Club.