Felix got 4 days off this week because I just didn't want to go out in the rain/snow/wind. Today was at least sunny, though still windy so I made the trek out.
We started off with a nice warm up on the longe line just because it was still windy enough to sound like we had low-flying jets coming over constantly. His longing has been something we've been trying to improve over the winter. He's usually a get on and ride kinda guy, so this is something that was overlooked in his early training - but it's actually going very nicely. I was able to move to every corner of the arena without him getting confused and turning around, which is real progress.
Then I got on, where he went nice and round W/T and had some very good moments in canter. It looks like I'll just be riding my dressage tests in sitting trot to get the best out of him. We even tried a little bit of shoulder in that I'm afraid may have looked a lot more like neck-in from the ground, but there were some good steps in there.
I think Felix will just have to always go in an AP saddle for all phases. The dressage saddle I bought last year just makes everything about our rides go completely downhill - so unless I find one of the elusive 18" short flap saddles that will work for him and I, I'll just stick to the one I've got.
We're also shedding out like crazy finally. I was a bit worried when every other horse in the barn was blowing their coat and Felix was just sitting there like a big fuzzy teddy bear, but now he's shedding everywhere. The official shed hair trashbag at the barn is about 1/4 everyone else's coat, and 3/4 Felix right now.
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Friday, 29 March 2013
Spring :)
Finally.
Melting is well underway, luckily with no rain so far, and Felix is shedding enough hair to make a small goat every day.
We've had a couple of not-so-nice rides thanks to spring fever and a noisy arena, but it's seemed to calm down.
Yesterday I got off my own lazy rear and pulled out the poles, even the scary ones for a "course" which we went over W/T/C very nicely. I was pleased, since last year was so hairy with this type of thing. Dressage work is also coming along nicely, with more work going into canter transitions. We've started doing more simple changes, and I can get the occasional nice fly on one rein but not the other.
I need to get back into lessons soon I guess.
Anyhow, here's come cute pictures I got the other day when I caught the little prince napping in the sun.
Melting is well underway, luckily with no rain so far, and Felix is shedding enough hair to make a small goat every day.
We've had a couple of not-so-nice rides thanks to spring fever and a noisy arena, but it's seemed to calm down.
Yesterday I got off my own lazy rear and pulled out the poles, even the scary ones for a "course" which we went over W/T/C very nicely. I was pleased, since last year was so hairy with this type of thing. Dressage work is also coming along nicely, with more work going into canter transitions. We've started doing more simple changes, and I can get the occasional nice fly on one rein but not the other.
I need to get back into lessons soon I guess.
Anyhow, here's come cute pictures I got the other day when I caught the little prince napping in the sun.
Saturday, 2 March 2013
I miss arena mirrors
Not bad ride today - the barrier was out, and I was FROZEN before I got on board, but all in all not bad. Felix was not too terribly reactive to the thumps and bumps in the arena today - it's gotten colder again, and the shrinking was making noises that resembled someone throwing snowballs at the exterior of the arena.
We've been having some very nice soft and round moments, but I realized today I really miss being able to see what my own riding looks. it's been several years since I've been in an arena with Mirrors, and of course now that I want them, we don't have any. This is especially important since I've been out of work so skipping all my lessons to pinch pennies.
That's all the musings for today!
We've been having some very nice soft and round moments, but I realized today I really miss being able to see what my own riding looks. it's been several years since I've been in an arena with Mirrors, and of course now that I want them, we don't have any. This is especially important since I've been out of work so skipping all my lessons to pinch pennies.
That's all the musings for today!
Monday, 25 February 2013
Outdoors in winter
For those of you who are in a warmer climate - I'm jealous. I've been back home since the end of January, and have been averaging about 2 rides per week ever since. Between the road conditions, the weather, the cold, and the snow crashing off the arena roof - it's been uninspiring.
This past week though, our barn owner had a track plowed in one of the spare paddocks, which has been a nice change. The track was supposed to be an oval, but the person driving the plow managed to make it tear-drop shaped, which makes for interestingly placed transitions and bending questions - but all in all not so bad. The footing is great with about 2" of loose snow over god knows how much packed snow/ice layers.
So, being outside and letting Felix just go on a generally loose rein in case he does loose his footing has been nice, and given me a chance to play with things a little bit, mostly focusing on me - but we also did out first walk-canter transitions this week which were, I have to say pretty brilliant on his part - as well as canter transitions on straight lines and such.
Hopefully I'll have some more pictures at some point soon - I've been spending most of my barn time alone lately unfortunately.
This past week though, our barn owner had a track plowed in one of the spare paddocks, which has been a nice change. The track was supposed to be an oval, but the person driving the plow managed to make it tear-drop shaped, which makes for interestingly placed transitions and bending questions - but all in all not so bad. The footing is great with about 2" of loose snow over god knows how much packed snow/ice layers.
So, being outside and letting Felix just go on a generally loose rein in case he does loose his footing has been nice, and given me a chance to play with things a little bit, mostly focusing on me - but we also did out first walk-canter transitions this week which were, I have to say pretty brilliant on his part - as well as canter transitions on straight lines and such.
Hopefully I'll have some more pictures at some point soon - I've been spending most of my barn time alone lately unfortunately.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Merry (horseless) Christmas
Hi everyone!
It's been a while since I've posted - lots of personal life stress, and trying to get established with a new job haven't left much space for blogging, and I've been off riding since the 2nd week in December, since I'm spending the month in FL working to try to keep board and car insurance paid for another few months till the new job stars paying off in the new year.
Up in Canada, the yucky season has started, and Felix's energy level has skyrocketed again. Keeping him just a little over blanketed to keep his back warm helps a good deal - but it's an attest to my comfort with him. This is the 2nd winter we've been through together, so I know what to expect more now. As per usual, longing is a dismal failure, so it's pretty well just get on and roll with whatever he wants to throw at the rider.
He's also a little more spooky in the winter, between the arena noises (thank you snow crashing off the roof at the exact wrong time!), and the imaginary boogeymen in the corners.
Before I left, we were doing more jumping inside - and surprise surprise, he's been pretty much 100% fine again. We're still doing small stuff, and he's still a little iffy with the scary stuff like planks, but it's getting better and my confidence is returning.
He's with Sandy now for the month, and I'm hoping she'll do some jumping with him while I'm away. She's only riding 2x a week, and being as she's a fair bit taller then I am she'd have trouble jumping anything too big with him, but little scary things and grids should be A-OK.
Anyhow, I'll be back in January, hopefully with a little less stress on my plate and back to posrting more interesting things! Till then, have a great holiday no matter what you celebrate, and give your ponies a holiday treat for me!
It's been a while since I've posted - lots of personal life stress, and trying to get established with a new job haven't left much space for blogging, and I've been off riding since the 2nd week in December, since I'm spending the month in FL working to try to keep board and car insurance paid for another few months till the new job stars paying off in the new year.
Up in Canada, the yucky season has started, and Felix's energy level has skyrocketed again. Keeping him just a little over blanketed to keep his back warm helps a good deal - but it's an attest to my comfort with him. This is the 2nd winter we've been through together, so I know what to expect more now. As per usual, longing is a dismal failure, so it's pretty well just get on and roll with whatever he wants to throw at the rider.
He's also a little more spooky in the winter, between the arena noises (thank you snow crashing off the roof at the exact wrong time!), and the imaginary boogeymen in the corners.
Before I left, we were doing more jumping inside - and surprise surprise, he's been pretty much 100% fine again. We're still doing small stuff, and he's still a little iffy with the scary stuff like planks, but it's getting better and my confidence is returning.
He's with Sandy now for the month, and I'm hoping she'll do some jumping with him while I'm away. She's only riding 2x a week, and being as she's a fair bit taller then I am she'd have trouble jumping anything too big with him, but little scary things and grids should be A-OK.
Anyhow, I'll be back in January, hopefully with a little less stress on my plate and back to posrting more interesting things! Till then, have a great holiday no matter what you celebrate, and give your ponies a holiday treat for me!
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Demoted...
Felix and I had a lesson last friday. In a lot of ways it was great, and in others heartbreaking for me.
His dressage couldn't be better. So long as I get my inside leg on enough, everything else just arrives. It's perfect. Also, we seem to be over the spooking nearly 100% now, which is good.
As for jumping - that's another story. I know it's me - because he's capable. I just am too nervous and choke up on the reins, which creates the overjumping problem I'm trying to avoid at best - but more often just causes him to slam on the brakes. So, we've been demoted to poles and 6" high crossrails untill I'm comfortable with that and then we'll move on. At some point I'm going to have to have a jumping lesson on one of the more trained jumpers in the barn, but for now it's endless small stuff - of every type. I'm going to make up some 6" high "flower boxes" and stuff over the winter - and we'll see how that goes. I have to admit I'm a bit frustrated and upset with myself for backsliding so much - but all I can do right now is carry on and fix it.
His dressage couldn't be better. So long as I get my inside leg on enough, everything else just arrives. It's perfect. Also, we seem to be over the spooking nearly 100% now, which is good.
As for jumping - that's another story. I know it's me - because he's capable. I just am too nervous and choke up on the reins, which creates the overjumping problem I'm trying to avoid at best - but more often just causes him to slam on the brakes. So, we've been demoted to poles and 6" high crossrails untill I'm comfortable with that and then we'll move on. At some point I'm going to have to have a jumping lesson on one of the more trained jumpers in the barn, but for now it's endless small stuff - of every type. I'm going to make up some 6" high "flower boxes" and stuff over the winter - and we'll see how that goes. I have to admit I'm a bit frustrated and upset with myself for backsliding so much - but all I can do right now is carry on and fix it.
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Maybe I have my good horse back?
I've been on and off traveling for work, so Felix has been in a holding pattern with 2 rides a week from my coach when I'm not around, and fairly light work when I am home. Showing is probably not in the cards for the rest of this year, though now that I have started off on a new career it should be on track for the 2013 season.
He's slowly getting over his spooking issues that started this spring. He still does a little bit in the indoor arena, mostly near the doors weather open or closed. It's just a step or two towards the center of the ring, and a little bit if disconnect with the rider. These "spooks" I have been just ignoring and pushing through, with focus on keeping him engaged the next time around. The bad ones are the occasional small rear and attempt to change direction - these ones earn a spanking, as even if he is honestly scared it's hardly an appropriate reaction.
He will be getting his teeth done in a few weeks - we had to swap him over to a boucher in the meantime, which has completely fixed the headflipping that pointed to the tooth issue in the first place.
We've not jumped anything bigger then a small X or logs on the ground since June, because my legs are like limp noodles.
He's slowly getting over his spooking issues that started this spring. He still does a little bit in the indoor arena, mostly near the doors weather open or closed. It's just a step or two towards the center of the ring, and a little bit if disconnect with the rider. These "spooks" I have been just ignoring and pushing through, with focus on keeping him engaged the next time around. The bad ones are the occasional small rear and attempt to change direction - these ones earn a spanking, as even if he is honestly scared it's hardly an appropriate reaction.
He will be getting his teeth done in a few weeks - we had to swap him over to a boucher in the meantime, which has completely fixed the headflipping that pointed to the tooth issue in the first place.
We've not jumped anything bigger then a small X or logs on the ground since June, because my legs are like limp noodles.
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