October Photos

 We've got some Halloween weekend adventures coming up! (This is me trying to turn our temporary move to another barn - in an attempt to avoid the worst of the local fireworks parties - into a fun adventure rather than dwelling on how stressful last year at home felt. I think I need sedatives more than the ponies.)  

Anyway, I'm thinking it's time to clear the camera roll, since I'll probably document some of those adventures, then it's on to November and my early autumn pictures and lightly fuzzy ponies are going to start looking out of place here :)

See you in November!

Lean on Me

 We attended a clinic this past weekend. There were highs and lows, pros and cons, lessons learned.

You know what though? The weekend was a win no matter what, because I took Buck - the horse who really needs to get out more and gain confidence, but also has had some serious reservations about trailering that we've been working through. 

I did not take enough photos, so we're using some from last week as filler

He hopped in the trailer both days with little to no fuss, even better than I had expected (and far better than I allowed time for).  He was worried about it, but he still got in. So my weekend was already hugely improved over last time when Reggie had to sub in last minute after trailer loading failure. We were winning from the start!

The less than great was that poor Buck has been an angel at home lately, but struggled out in the big world. I was ready and expected that when his big world experience has been very limited due to the aforementioned trailering situation. 

The wild child came to party

The pushy tendencies I notice (and correct) at home became the go to all over again and magnified themselves hugely. Day 1 I spent a lot of time reminding him my space is my own and that he can in fact exist without being there too. We did a lot of basic groundwork exercises. Some of it I was pleasantly surprised carried over decently from home, some of it was a struggle. I think we're discovering he's a bit of a claustrophobic guy in general and does much better given space, both mentally and physically. The catch on that day though was that he was insecure so wanting to be in my lap, but then also he's worried I'm mad and gets defensive if he feels like if I'M crowding HIM. Can't have it both ways, buddy. 

We finished with some obstacles because I know he finds those interesting and fun, and of course I always want it to feel more like fun than work for my horses.

PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME HERE?!

Day 2 I feel like he came out even more amped up. I tacked him up anyway in case a ride was in my future, but mostly because having a bit/bridle was going to be easier for me on the ground with a potentially pushy boy. The nice thing was that he remembered the day before and did that thing where he magically put together all the answers overnight. Everything in general was a lot softer and quieter and more like the horse I'm used to and actually like to handle :) We progressed to some modified ground driving, but I did not hop on - the steering and the brakes were not as reliable as they are at home and of course we want to keep everything calm and feeling successful for everyone! He's still a very baby-ish 3 year old, after all.

View of the arena from his little pen, it's not like he was actually alone

But the stress was real, he was sure we were all abandoning him forever from 50' away. He coped well for a young, high energy guy, but he is not a naturally independent soul.

I'm left with a ton of homework, which is excellent. While it's hard in the moment, it is nice when the horses bring their worst selves to a clinic or lesson, exactly the place where I can get support and insight working through things.

It was an incredibly busy week, but there was a nice ferry sunset interlude from my work commute home Wednesday night. Sometimes I work or read a book (it's a 50 minute trip), sometimes the scenery is distracting. There were even whales, but I didn't have the nice camera.

The silver lining feeling with the two cob boys is their  'worst selves' aren't really all that bad, and well within my capability to handle. One of the other good things about being in my own little bubble is that it's also absent of perfectly behaved three year olds to compare with and feel like I'm not doing well enough, We just take what we have on the day :D

We love Reggie, but he is not anyone's role model.

The key homework: 

- continuing a few exercises on the ground and in the saddle to remind him pushing through his shoulders isn't the answer when he's unsure, especially the right shoulder.

- getting him out more consistently so it's not such a big deal for him.

- he gets a bit sticky and defensive if he feels claustrophobic, so keep being very mindful of my body language and positioning.

-Keeping it quiet, calm, and slow. He's of the type where he'd like to rush and would easily zone out and push/run through things. We don't want him learning that. So lots more walk and tiny bits of trot in our future, getting everything very correct there (that whole shoulder and bend thing) before we add more.

I'm loving the clinic/lesson on the calendar every couple of months, it feels like the perfect check in schedule for young horses I want to keep progressing at a nice, non demanding pace. There's always measurable progress and new things to keep working at for next time.

Grateful

Just a recap of a random train of thoughts I had yesterday, but it feels appropriate for (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend. 

Still quite a bit of grazing and field time, the rain has been kind to us so far this fall.

I've been spending time online shopping 3 horse trailers, comparing pros and cons, prices, all that. One of those things that's not a priority at all, but having researched options I feel a bit more confident about keeping half an eye out for the right opportunity. G and I were talking upgrades and things we like/don't like about my current 2h trailer while I was hooking it up to move it closer the barn to unload the hay delivery I picked up last week.

At one point, I just had to stop and say "but I LOVE this trailer. It still hardly seems real I have one after wanting one for so long. This is the dream. It seems so ridiculous to want more."

I've had my own trailer for 5 years now, and it still feels a bit weird to not have to coordinate a ride to things

"So I can move all 3(!) horses, that I get to keep AT HOME out to ride and visit with my friends." 

Kid/young adult me had a hard time and probably wouldn't have believed my current happy existence was a possibility. I know I am always grateful for where life has taken me, but something about yesterday really made me just pause the to do list for a bit and feel a little overwhelmed with it all.

Because of course I'm keeping both of these guys, and a Sophie pony (and Bridget too, but ponies leased out to friends don't count, right?)

Following that little interlude, I was attempting to go back to my usual live in the moment, pragmatic self. I had to back up the trailer and was not quite getting the driveway angle right. It's not a big deal at all to have a tire or two on the grass, but I was feeling a little stubborn about getting it exactly right. G came down to check on me, and was essentially "it's super tight to make that turn because the riding ring takes up most of your space, and the trailer being so small actually makes it harder to back up, but you've nearly got it blah blah blah"

It's a micro horse farm and that driveway up beside the barn is narrow. Nothing is fancy, but I am also not a fancy or 'stuff' type person

And I got a little teary. And the poor guy was like "NO, wait, I'll go away! You were doing amazing without me!" LOL, it wasn't even that, it was just I'm so appreciative to have a truck and trailer (and a riding ring to maneuver through), but most importantly, a supportive partner who makes time to encourage me in everything - even my subpar trailer backing skills. I could be the first person in history to shed a couple of happy tears while backing up a trailer with their partner 'helping', but here we are :D

Obsessed

OK, so I know I said last time I'd be all organized and fair and each pony would have their own update post. I'm failing at that task, partly because I didn't take 'nice' photos, and mostly my phone camera roll tells the truth - I'm apparently just a little bit obsessed with Buck at the moment. Reggie and Sophie obviously do get lots of time and attention, but you wouldn't know it from my photos - it seems     I use my camera clicks on Buck right now.

Such a flattering pic of Reggie

The long ago plan was to sell Buck once he was riding age, since I didn't want or feel like I had space or time for three equines. That's obviously another a failed plan, helped in part by the fact these two get along so happily. They still peacefully share an oversized stall and paddock and there is no obvious 'boss', they share everything.

Another not great Reggie photo

G saving me by having multiple Sophie pics on his phone this week. He spoils her and lets her into the yard around the house to eat grass all the time

Obsessed. He's so cute.

Summer was full on this year, so their field still has a ton of grazing either they or I need to mow soon, before the winter rain and mud comes.

The days are getting shorter, luckily both boys aren't bothered by little training sessions when it's getting dark

He's learned how to park and it's so cute. He gets really excited for when I cue that he can come say hi again

Friendliest horses ever, they'd both follow me around all day and their 'help' is abundant any time there is work to be done

 I did sit on Reggie once or twice since last time, just for a quick walk around. He's a cob so he looks fairly stout and sturdy, but the reality is he is still quite physically immature, so I'm definitely going to leave it at that now and we'll get back to things next spring. He's at about the same place as Buck training wise and he's been such a good boy this summer, I couldn't ask for anything more.

Buck's been getting short sessions pretty consistently and he's also been great. There are of course ups and downs and good days and not so good days, but again, for a 3 year old gelding, I don't think I could hope for any more. I'm lucky, and both boys are a credit to their breeder - they have such good brains and reliably come out interested and engaged and ready to offer their best, even with the dirtbike track neighbour (or wildlife/bears!) distractions and recent wild weather. There's a lot to be said (at least for a rider like me) when you can hop on the three year old that barely steers, with all kinds of potential distractions going on in the background, and feel confident about it going well.

I do have a clinic spot booked in a couple of weeks, and I'm a bit torn about what I want to do with it. I'm motivated to support the local group, and it's the annual fun weekend at a friend's place, but I will have to think on who I want to take and what I might want to do. Reggie went last year. The obvious choice this year is Buck, but a weekend away camping might be an unfair ask for him. 

Where it's at - Buck

I've not been the best blog updater. Same old story: work, life, busy. And also, horses! I have had quite a bit of horse time the past bit and we're at the super fun part where there are a lot of firsts. I need to document it all for posterity!

In the interest of being somewhat organized in my brain and photo dumping, a post for each pony seems reasonable? This week, we'll start with Mr Bakari ("Buck" to his friends)

He's spent some time being chased by Sophie

He's also spent a lot of time eating and growing

He's even spent some time under saddle. With accessories to help us make the corners, but no human helpers on the ground required anymore :D

Weebly wobbly

He's about 14.3 now, he looks bigger to me in the riding pictures though

He is proving to be a very reliable and willing to please guy. Might be time to get the Pivo back in action rather than poor G. Actual conversation: "are you done yet? It's getting dark!" Me: "If you take some pictures first!" Him: picks up phone and snaps 10 consecutive pictures as quickly as he can ;)

Tarp and zero drama. This is still big news after the first two years of his life being 'instant diarrhea' scared of 1. bright blue items 2. blankets and tarps

walking over jumps and poles, also no big deal. I'm going to be mean and get a couple more poles and paint them bright blue

My current set up to encourage turning in a timely and consistent fashion, we really need the help.

Arena harrowing for riding is a lot more fun than just harrowing for maintenance. The footing is needing a little more sand, so I'll be back with my shovel and landscape rake for an upper body boot camp this fall :)

Days getting a little shorter, lots of sunset or nearly dark adventures

Trying on saddles, it's time he has his own. No big purchases planned (fingers crossed hard!), because I've been hoarding cob shaped saddles for a while now.

 

glamor shot

It's no secret I absolutely love this guy. I struggle a little to describe him honestly without coming across a little mean. He takes a lot of time and work. He's not unwilling, nor is he slow in any way. I think he just REALLY worries about getting it right and so either gets overwhelmed and uncertainly tosses out a million solutions (not ideal) or we take time and go slow. I keep things very simple and easy so he stays calm and confident and retains things for next time. The riding around at a walk with some form of steering and whoa has taken quite a few sessions where (spoiler alert) Reggie easily translated from the ground work and was soft and easy on the first ride. I appreciate Reggie more than I can say, but there is something I like about having to be a little more methodical and really taking the time to break everything down into little pieces. I do think I thrive a little more with that sort of horse, where the more impulsive and confident ones sometimes leave me a little uncertain about whether my input is going to be respected if things ever go sideways. Buck is so generous and tries so hard. I enjoy working with him so much that the extra time is time very well spent <3