Another Weekend Clinic

Another lesson recap coming up. 

(Yes, you're still on the right page, the one with the horses in the backyard and baby welsh cobs where nothing much of note happens. We haven't seen this much activity here in years;) 

With Buck still in the middle of a bit of a recap of what he knows and the rules still being the rules even when he's worried, I opted to take Reggie. Buck is just keeping it real with baby ponies having baby pony feelings and attention spans. I probably wouldn't even mention it much because it feels pretty normal, except I sort of feel like I have to when I'm here blogging horsey adventures and it's all Reggie did this, I took Reggie there, Reggie was such a good boy, and oh yeah, Buck stayed home and ate shrubberies all day in the yard :). Buck is not being ignored in favor of Reggie, he's also a very good boy that I think just needs a little more time to mature.

Buck is very busy eating and sleeping

Saturday's lesson was a recap of what we know and my homework from last time. Reggie was SUCH a good boy. He's naturally very light and tuned in so it looks like I do a lot more with him that I really do. It's very rewarding feeling to have a horse that's so interested in learning and happy to be doing things. He literally trotted into the trailer loose when I opened the door to put hay bags in and get the trailer ready for him. He was that excited to go somewhere.

practicing moving shoulders

He jumps! ;)

Watching and learning. The standing quietly away from home part is actually more important to me than the 'doing things' part right now

 

Sunday

Sunday was ridiculously hot and muggy and my lesson time was at noon. I wasn't really feeling it, but of course Reggie was unbothered and still all in for an adventure. He was again a good boy. We tackled a tarp and some barrels set up as a little obstacle for him to cross solo and he went from uncertain and trying to figure out a way to do it without actually doing it,  to  'yes of course I can do that!'. Love the brain he's got, he is sensitive and quick thinking but equally he's very sensible and curious and adaptable. He took the lining himself up to the mounting block practice from home and easily adapted it to the big arena and me using the judge's box/gazebo railing and standing 5' above him lol . At worst you get a 'maybe, let me think and try' when he's not sure of something rather than a 'no'. 

The one and only picture I took Sunday. I didn't have the heart to ask anyone to wait around in the heat and take pictures of our lesson. We had a golf tee time immediately after pony time, so we didn't linger afterwards

I got some big compliments this weekend on my baby horse 'training', but if you've been here any length of time you know it's not me, it's just having good minded ponies.  

We finished the weekend playing with some fun stuff like will he lift a leg on cue, how about building blocks to spanish walk in hand or bowing? I was a little skeptical of opening that can of worms with 10 minutes of lesson time left and other places to be, but of course he was like "yes! I could do that!" So that might be my fun little rabbit hole to travel down this summer. I'm learning there is value in playing with things in the moment and just seeing where it leads rather than being more structured.

My homework this summer is literally to just keep having fun with him. He's checking all the boxes for what he should know, so ideas to keep it fun and engaging include setting up some new or interesting obstacles, teaching him some 'tricks', ground driving etc. Basically just keeping his mind busy and learning until his body catches up a bit and riding is more of a thing. 

That's my cue to share pony sitting picture from a few days ago. G led me around and I was very happy

I'm very much enjoying these clinics. It's the perfect laid back, fun atmosphere, for me and the cob boys. This clinician is very good at taking the starting pieces and adapting them to things that will serve us well long term and consistently translate from ground to saddle. 

He's starting to look big compared to me

Another pony sitting pic, unrelated to the weekend but how can I not share them

If you're curious, I can give an example - I've had a few people show me how to use a dressage whip on the ground to tap the top of the hindquarters and have the horse move into you (sometimes for a leg yield towards you, most often to have them bring the hindquarters over to the mounting block). I've always wondered why moving into pressure was OK in that scenario, and I guess I'm not alone because she's very much on the same page and lining up at the mounting block is an extension of sending them straight and forward rather than a 'parallel parking' exercise. Leg yields on the ground mean you need to be adept at being on both sides of your horse so the cues are consistently 'away from pressure'. Tapping the top of the hindquarters is only ever going to be a 'step up and forward with that hind leg' cue, until it's overshadowed by simply lifting your seat bone in the saddle because we're piaffe-ing now. I laughed and the clinician was like "why are you laughing, this is a nice horse, of course you should be training with that in mind!" and I was reminded that self belief and dreaming big isn't a bad thing.

Having inconsistent instruction is often a bit of challenge, but it's fun when it brings us such a variety of people and thoughts. I feel like there's always something I can take home that makes sense to me and that I will use moving forward.

G and I have some fun vacation plans coming up, so the horses will be back to their moderately uneventful schedule through mid August, when we'll pick back up again with clinics and outings.

WW: Free Candy

 

Things. They Are Happening

I've been taking a much needed break from the real world this month and working more minimal hours. Things have slowed a little in general, but I'm also feeling like I can be a little more fussy about the extra contract work I take on. I feel twitchy turning down income (all those new trailer and barn dollars), but the weather is nice, I have a ton of paid vacation from the real job to use, and the horses are waiting!

With that, I feel like I'm going from minimal equine happenings and updates, to doing (and wanting to document) all the things, all at once. So, get ready.

It's been riding prep central the last couple of weeks. The horses have all day turnout in the 'big' field for the season, so doing such things now makes sense - they are warm and full and tired from a long day of running and playing and eating and less likely to be looking for reasons for chaos.

Too tired to eat dinner standing up

Reggie has become a pro at all things saddle/surcingle/tack. I have not used a bit yet, because... I actually don't know why. No reason not to, but also no reason to add it either. He's soft and round and easy, and if you pushed me I would add it, it just seems like more gear on his face when for now ground driving and longeing is easily a halter or cavesson activity.

The mounting block situation is really good, it's already been the best purchase. I actually could use an extra step - I'm still about to dislocate a hip stepping up on to a round cob. And yes, that has finally happened, with no dramatics. I've just been sitting and hanging out bareback the last couple of evenings, sometimes practicing some flexions or a few steps here or there before I slide off. He's happy to participate and is a pro at lining himself up with the block. Who knew he'd be such a sucker for wither scratches? :)

I thought I too so many 'riding' ear pictures, but there's exactly one :D

I think I'll have to bring the saddle into the conversation soon - for the initial stuff I prefer to be able slide on and off easily and move around everywhere but I'm no pro and a saddle will be required for anything beyond a slow trot on a baby. Initial impressions are that he's sensitive and forward but very sensible too, just like on the ground. Plus exactly the best shape and height, which is great - that's the intangible piece you don't know until you've sat on them. I'm super excited <3

It's a very curious situation

Buck is coming along as well. He's just a little behind Reggie because he tends to ask more questions, and get in his head a little more. He can get worried and lose confidence easily. So it's smaller chunks at an even steadier pace for him. He's a funny guy though - once he's confident he's CONFIDENT, so you might feel a little stuck in one place for a bit, then he's good with it and catches up to Reggie in a big progress leap. 

does not want to be left out of the action

The thing he was unsure about and everything associated with it are suddenly solidly installed forevermore :) Currently, we're working on him consistently aligning at the block and not getting too wiggly/impatient/distracted by his friends while I lean on him and scratch him. There's still the trailer situation too. Progress is being made, but it's the 10 steps back sort where I'm happy all over again that he eventually put all four feet in there and then calmly backed out. 

growing his food baby

So much grass to eat

Home Schooling

 G is so funny. Miracles did not occur as a result of the clinic, and we're doing remedial trailer loading 101 with Buck. G's idea to 'solve' the issue is that Buck just gets 'homeschooled' and doesn't travel to clinics or outings. He hates the trailer so why make him go in there? It's probably a blessing we didn't have actual children :D 

That adorable little face can do no wrong

This past week, Buck has let it be known he is a smart, independent Welsh Cob and had a think on the weekend prior's events and has decided he wasn't a fan. Parts of this week with Buck were honestly terrible, boundaries were being pushed and my resolve was definitely being tested. He's not 'mean' and isn't going to scare anyone, but he's presently very willing to just say no and that's a bit of a safety issue in itself.

Low quality pictures this week, scraping my phone for media

This is the demoralizing place I kind of knew was coming because I haven't done enough with him, and he is of a personality type where I sort of figured we might visit this stage eventually. Watching him interact with other the other horses right now, he's testing everything with them too and the testosterone seems like it's overly present.

The trailering and outings are temporarily on hold. If we can't do it calmly and safely, there's no point and we need to step back. I had a built in excuse anyway because it's hay season and I needed the trailer this Saturday and Sunday for hay pickup. Add in work, some social events, a round of golf, a trip to a local island, and a heap of yard work, and who has time for ponies? I was dreaming if I thought a pony trailer outing was happening this weekend, training issues or not.

Island hopping

But, this is me. I of course still have time for ponies, and homeschooling is an option. I spent time this week reestablishing whoa and go and traveling in the direction I point...ie, all the pieces that make trailer loading successful.  They had all become questionable participation activities for a day or two there. 

Lest you think Buck's enjoying a win, no he's really not. He's rooming with Sophie now and she wants none of his current King of The World, I Do What I Do persona and is actively shaping him back into a good citizen. Working smarter, not harder over here. I have slightly Evil Farm Overlord status because I stand back and watch the consequences of his actions come back to him with great satisfaction :D

Shawshank activities potentially relating to his current cellmate

In the meantime, I have been doing a lot of things with Reggie. I'm feeling VERY grateful for that variety in my life. I bet you never thought we'd see the day where it's Reggie with the angel halo, but here we are. Like Buck, Reggie is also a legend in his own mind, but he's so desperate to be a part of things I don't think it would occur to him to decline any invitations. He's mentally a lot more mature this spring and is itching to learn all the things . He's starting to finally grow into himself too, and is looking more and more like the pony I hoped for when I bought his little one week old self.

I've splurged and bought a three step mounting block. It was very spendy for what's essentially a simple plastic shape, but hopefully worth it for years to come. I could have built something out of left over building materials (and I have some strategically placed boulders pre-existing around the ring for mounting) but something lighter and entirely portable felt like a better option with 2 young horses.  Reggie and I are at the point where light rides could be in our near future, and I think Buck won't be far behind.

I still find this the most enjoyable part of horses - everything is new and each day brings different adventures and challenges. They're such different personalities too, they really couldn't be more opposite. I like them both equally well, but honestly I wouldn't mind if the universe wanted to send me an easier day or two with Mr Bakari next week!