Learning

Learning 

 Water puddles on the grass.

  

Day 32:

Arriving later in the afternoon due to preschool (yay!  I have a few hours to clean and shop in the morning without a mini-me undoing my work) several other people were already at the ranch riding or having finished riding.  Being a warm day, we were hosing off their horses after their rides.  This left lots of puddles in the grass.  Last I worked on Opal walking through puddles, she wasn't exactly 100% on board with it, so it was a perfect opportunity to try again.  With a pocket full of carrots and her halter we tackled the puddles.  There was one difference this time, she didn't even stop to look at them, just followed me right along.  'Sure Mom, I'll get my feet wet, no big deal.'  

 Water isn't as scary as I thought it was.

We also tacked up for a ride during a lesson I was giving one of my riders, Angie.  Her Dad was watering down the arena when I entered.  I walked Opal over to the water, made her walk through the spray a few times.  Finally I walked Opal over to the hose and let her explore it.  She was having a very good time with the water.

Water play.

We walked around the arena for a bit before I dismounted and had her stand with me while the lesson finished.  She's getting better about standing with nothing being asked of her.  

Day 33:

With 3 days being ridden last week and Opal being a star, she earned a day of just grazing and having fun with her pasture mates turned out Sunday.  On my way home I noticed smoke on the mountain about 15 miles from the ranch.  Well, that fire had a lot of fuel and quickly took off.  Some 3,000 acres later its nearly contained.  Since we had room for some animals at the ranch and we were out of the fire and smoke's paths, several of us spent the early part of the week making preparations to receive evacuated horses if needed.  It never came to that and the fire is nearly out now.  We didn't have to deal with the smoke much either, except for a little bit yesterday due to the wind.  

Yesterday, September 10, was day 33 of training for Opal.  We didn't accomplish much due to a little situation that happened.  We started out showing Opal my daughter's new clubhouse for out at the barn.  Opal was more than curious, but didn't care too much about what was going on inside it.  She loves kids.

 Hey there kid, what are you doing?

We've all been told to be aware of our surroundings when working with horses.  Keep your eyes up and ears open.  This is one of those times I wasn't thinking about where I was, but where I was going.  

I was going to my tack room to get Opal's halter so we could ride.  I stopped by Opal, who was next to the round pen, and gave her some pats as I was walking by.  I walked away after a few moments petting her over.  I had her on my right, round pen on my right.  Next I heard the sound of thundering hooves and just as I looked behind me to see what was going on, Opal was on top of me being chased away but another horse that was turned out.  I hit the ground and covered my head knowing 1,200 pounds was just behind me.  I saw a flash of Opal's hooves up in the air as she reared up over me and then turned on her haunches to run the opposite way away from me.  Aside from a headache yesterday I walked away unharmed.

Now before anyone gets a chance to jump all over the horses know this: 

1) my bad for putting myself in a situation where there was no room for me to get away. 

2) I'm Opal's security, but in running from this other horse she wasn't watching where I was but watching who was chasing her and heading in my direction, and she threw on the breaks to get away form me and not harm me.  This is something you can not teach a horse, either they will avoid hurting you when things go bad, or they won't....she did.  

3)  I willingly take these risks (and more) working horses, especially young ones, and I will continue to do so.

Now, in the past I've been harmlessly teased about lounging with a helmet, walking around the ranch with one on while not riding, tacking up with it on my head, ect.  Usually its just me leaving it on my head between rides.  I'll tell you now the first thought in my head after I got up was 'the one time I didn't get my helmet out yet'.  My helmet has saved this brain of mine more times than I care to count, so I'll keep on riding with it....and wearing it around the ranch.....and lounging with it. 

Going for it.

Go for it! 

 Opal watching a horse lounging in the arena.

Day 29:

With Opal having such a great day previously, and since my whole family invaded my house for the weekend, I thought it would be a good time for them to meet her and for them to meet her.  Meeting 6 new people at once, two of them being kids younger than my daughter would be good for her.  Plus my Mom and sister Stephanie had a hand in me choosing her, so they should at least get to see her once in a while.  We aren't exactly a block away from each other up here.  Opal haltered with ease and had no issue standing, being touched and loved on by others, especially when she got carrots.  I lounged her for a bit so they could see her move out.  Everyone seemed to really like her, and I think she liked them.  Easy day for her :)

Day 30:

With my family having packed everything up and headed for their home, I could spend the afternoon with my girls.  I pulled out my bungee rope I use at the hitching post by my tack room.  Opal has been held by me while tacking up and has been doing pretty good at standing mostly still.  It's more cross-tie length, but gives plenty of slack for mew ones learning to stand.  Opal was more than happy to stand and graze while I brushed her down and tacked her up.  She didn't mind at all, and I wasn't tip-toeing around putting the saddle on.  I tacked her up like I would a horse who has done it a million times.  She never batted an eye.  She's still not thrilled about having the bridle put on with my arm between her ears, so I still am having to approach that from the front, but it will come in time.  

 Standing at the pole.

Next I lounged her.   I wanted to see how easily she would lope for me.  (ok, yes, yes I know.  In most of my videos I use the 'english' terms for the gaits walk, trot, canter vs. the 'western' walk, jog, lope.  I've been riding my whole life.  Western until I was 11, English dressage 12-14, hunter/jumpers 14-present.  Some habits are hard to kick)  With a little encouragement she picked up both her leads for a few strides.  It proves a bit of a challenge to lounge her, encourage her forward, and video at the same time....maybe I need a helmet cam?  lol

 A bit of a lope. 

I then needed to teach a lesson with Angie and her horse Tesoro.  I walked Opal over to the arena so she could see what all the fuss was about.  She stood there and watched Tesoro go around and around.  During the lesson she stayed right with me as I walked around coaching Angie.  Both horses did well.

 Sometimes training means standing there and not doing much of anything.

After the lesson I took Opal out for a new group shot of my girls, and to remind her of what weight on her back felt like. 

My girls.

Opal had been doing so well, I decided to just go for it and jump in the saddle.  What's the worse that can happen.....I get tossed?  I tell my riders if that's your biggest concern, we need to rethink riding.  It comes with the territory, it's never fun, it always hurts - especially as you get older :X  - but you always learn from it.  Some of my best learned lessons come from hitting the ground, and the reason I know when to bail now is because of all those falls.  

I walked Opal over to the mounting block and got right on.  I have not yet put my foot in the stirrup and stepped up yet, but I will soon.  I did, however, have to lean over and twist my stirrups to get my foot in them.  They aren't the original to this saddle and are a bit big, but they work for now.  Opal simply turned her head to see what I was doing and nudged my shoe.  I gave her a squeeze and asked her to walk....nothing...gave her a few taps with my heel and asked her to walk....nothing...she turned to nudge my foot and looked at me saying "I don't get it, what do you want?"  Third time I gave a little more of a kick and told her to walk and she took 3 steps.  I gave her a pat and phrased her.  By the end of our ride we rode one whole lap around the arena.  She wasn't 100% clear about what to do with the bit, or why I was squeezing her at first, but we made one lap.  She did want to stop at the gate to go out with her pasture mates who were grazing, but I made her go past it before getting off of her and turning her out to play.  Second time on her back, first time without being lead by someone else, and she had zero tension in her body as we walked around.  I'm amazed by this girl.  

Mario (the Father of Angie who I give lessons to) was able to snag this video and a few pictures of our ride.  Of course the wind kicked up as I was riding....it has been doing this to me for months now, it has become a running joke at the barn.  If its windy out, I'm most likely on my way there at that exact moment.   I apologize for the wind tunnel sound effects, you might want to turn the volume down before playing it ;)

 First solo ride.

Day 31:

Another sunny day, perfect for horsing around.  Opal stood wonderful at the tie pole to be tacked up.  Even when the three two year olds who were turned out came snooping around to investigate.  They thought they were going to push her around, I quickly told them otherwise.  No one messes with this Alpha Mare ;)  Plus if I had not stepped in, Opal would have done something about it, and I didn't really want a big fight at the tie pole.   

 Standing like a champ.

While Opal lounged well in the egg butt snaffle, she just didn't seem thrilled with it while riding.  Granted, she doesn't know much about whats going on, but something kept me thinking it wasn't the right bit right now.  I swapped out the egg butt snaffle for a copper full cheek snaffle with a curb chain.  She fussed with this bit in her mouth much less than the other.  I lounged her for a few minutes before walking over to the arena to ride.  I settled into the saddle again and began to walk around.  We made several half laps both directions today, and she seemed to respond better with this bit.  She even backed at one point.  She was still a bit resistant at times, and I'm not sure if it was because I was asking her to go away form her friends who were grazing outside the arena or the bit, or both.  Next ride I'll turn them out after I work her.  Once again she was calm about having me on her back and had to problem strolling around the arena.

 My riding shots from today.

Marialaina, who owns Kickin' Back Ranch where my horses are boarded at, came out to watch her ride.  She took a couple videos while she was at it.  

We have lots of work ahead of us, but I'm encouraged by the progress she is making.  My daughter loves spending time out at the barn as well.  I don't think there is an animal there she doesn't love, but I think Raider, the donkey, might just be her favorite.  He's a wonderful boy and loves the kids.

 

Back to work.

Back to work. 

 

Lake Powell Family time!

 

Tigger is my daughters favorite, but watching "Uncle" Jon dance is a close second.

 Princess Tea time with Papa's and a Zebra ride for my niece.

Day 28:

Hi there!  I'm so glad to finally be home.  I love vacations with my family, weddings, birthdays, Disneyland trips and all, but 22 days away from my mares is a long time.  I missed them.  Both mares greeted me at the fence.  Once they were turned out by our pasture mate Sarah (owner of Gypsy and Satin) they worked their way around the ranch grazing.  Ehawee stayed with me long enough to get a few carrots and some loves then decided the grass was greener and off she went.  On a good note with her, her hoof is looking amazing and we might be able to start working again with her, YAY!

Happy mares grazing on grass.

Opal was more interested in staying RIGHT WITH ME, or near me to keep an eye on where I was.  Even while working with her a bit today, she had to be right next to me.  She even was turning her hind to other horses who came near me as if saying "No, this is my Mom, and its my turn, go away." 

 Mom, whatcha doin?  Mom, Mom, MOM!  Hi!

She was much more willing to do things today.  Leading was a piece of cake back to her pasture, she walked through puddles with only stopping to give the water a sniff, she even let me hose her off!  *GASP*  We watched her friend Amigo (owned by Greg) getting hosed off before I started hosing her off.  She didn't care for her back being hosed off and didn't really stand well for that, but hey, its an improvement, so I'll take it.  

See Opal, Amigo likes it.

 

 How many days does it take for Opal's mane to get dreads in it?  4 - 22 days.  How long does it take to get 2 dreads out of her mane?  5 minutes with cowboy magic.

 No more tangles!

 

Opal was not shy on loves today.  Lots of kisses, nuzzles and following me around at will.  Ehawee was just content grazing, she knows I always come home.  Best part about Opal letting me hose her off, she turned into a mud ball!  Not that you can really tell, the sand is the same color as her coat :)

 

Some work, Some fun.

Some work, Some fun.

 Enjoying some time out on the ranch.

Day 26:

I groomed Opal and got her into the surcingle.  I wanted to lounge her with side reins so she could get use to some pressure on the bit.  I walked into the round pen, or tried to.  Opal wasn't really wanting to work in there.  I ended up having to back her right up to it before turning her around to walk in.  Hey, there's more than one way to get things accomplished.  I hooked up the side reins on the longest setting.  I sent her out at a walk for a few laps, then asked her to trot out.  At first she mouthed with the bit a lot but a few moments later she had a nice slobber around her mouth going, meaning she was working with the bit not resisting it.  Her herd mates were out grazing, so Opal kept wanting to stop and visit at the gate, but with a little encouragement she kept going.

 Working with side reins and standing at the tie pole.

Day 27:

Opal has been making some amazing progress, and since she's getting a break for a short while, I decided to play in the arena with her today.  We worked on carrot stretches, stretching her back and neck, and following me around the arena as I went over or through obstacles.  I will pick up with her progress shortly.  Until then, she gets a much deserved break.  

 Grazing with herd-mates.

Slow, Positive Experiences

Slow, Positive Experiences

Standing at the tie pole.

Day 24:

Opal let me put the saddle on her without someone holding her lead line.  She's still getting use to the cinch, she backs up to look at the latigo each time I tighten it, which is slowly, but with her moving it takes me several minutes to saddle her fully. Minor detail. 

 Opal saying hello to the camera.

I had one of my willing volunteers, Greg, lend a hand. He held Opal while I laid over her back with the saddle on. It's a bit difficult to take pictures while doing this though.   This time when she would want to step away from the block, I stayed leaning over the saddle and let go just a few steps later. I jiggled the straps, stroked and patted her all over, as well as put as much of my weight on her back.   

We did this for both sides. While you typically mount from the left side of the horse, I try to school my horses for both sides. She did exceptionally well.  Only problem I had was its hard to take pictures while you are leaning over her back.

I have 3 more scheduled training days with her before I take a short break from the world and lose myself in my other paradise, we will see how she does those days but my current plan isn't to sit on her until I get back.   We have plenty of other things to work on like standing at a tie pole, work on lounging, introducing reins to the bit, and working on walking over the drip hose.  Hey, it's black, hisses and "spit" at her eye today out of the blue, I would be upset to :)

 Day 25:

Opal stood better for her saddling, but still not 100% holding still.  Again, minor detail that will come in time.  She holds still when I put it on, its just when I cinch her up she turns her head and backs up to look at what I'm doing.  We practiced tacking up at the tie pole to help her learn to stand still.  Opal will stop when there is resistance, which is great, she also moves forward when you release the pressure, another plus.  We do this dance quite a bit.

Tie pole practice.

Once again I had an extra body willing to help.  Greg held Opal at the mounting block for me.  My goal was just practice putting my leg over her back with the saddle on.  It has been my experience when saddle training horses that they react to one of two main things.  1) They react to the weight on their back/something on their back or 2) They react to something crossing over their back.  I took my time easing my leg across her back and slowly moving more and more of myself onto the saddle.  On occasion she would lean away from the mounting block, but I was able to stay with her.  

One such occasion I was about 3/4 of the way on her when she stepped away.  My leg got hooked on the back of the saddle as she stepped forward and away from the block.  Greg had his hands full trying to get Opal to halt and trying to support my shoulders to help me out of this jam.  Opal eventually halted, and I finally got the leverage to get my leg over the saddle and I hit the dirt.  Opal turned to look at me, puzzled as to why I was on the ground.  It was an easy slow 'fall' if you can even call it that.  I wanted to give her another shot, make sure she wasn't insecure about me hitting the ground.  She stood wonderfully, no tension, no hesitation.  

 Hard to take pictures when you're in the saddle.

I decided to go for it and slipped quietly into the saddle.  She stood.  Greg praised her and gave her some carrots and I stroked her neck.  Greg moved the mounting block back over and I slipped off her quietly.  I tried it again and once again she was calm.  She would take a step or two forward as she was looking for more carrots form Greg.  I asked Greg to walk her forward a few steps, she never hesitated.  I dismounted her with no mounting block this time and she was cool as a cucumber.  

Greg walking Opal while I ride her.

After her wonderful session I turned her out to graze.  A hour went by and it was time to go home.  I took a flake of hay and she started to follow me, until the other horses in the pastures next to her started acting up because they wanted her hay.  I got to her gate to let her in and she started backing up.  I grabbed her fly mask to finish leading her into the pasture, which I have done several time before. 

Math time:  What do you get with 2 mares and 1 gelding try to ambush 1 mare going into her home?  Answer:  an owner/rider/trainer with a bruised arm.  Opal went to bite at the gelding, but the way I was holding her and leading her put my arm right into the path of her mouth.  Opal and I had to come to an understanding....biting people is never ok....even its its directed at another horse, you don't bite when people are near, period. 

Eh, I've had much worse.

Well, if I got ambushed at my door, I wouldn't want to go home either.  I ended up having to halter her and backing her up across the ranch and into her pasture.   Silver lining:  she backed up calmly and with little resistance.  In the end we still ended the day on a good note.