Winter? What winter?!

So, it was 18.5c today. It was my day off so I was running errands, not riding, but still! It's winter! In Canada! The snow will be here soon enough I'm certain!

I'm sat watching the Royal Winter Fair World Cup Qualifier. Pretty interesting. They just had the retirement ceremony for Special Ed and the tribute to Hickstead, both of which were very moving. I didn't know much about Hickstead, but I was fortunate enough to watch the CN International this year at Spruce Meadows - only on the TV, mind - but seeing him win from last draw, needing a clear round showed me exactly what a star he was, and the way Eric Lamaze gave him all the credit highlighted a superb partnership. I grew up watching horses like Milton, Dollar Girl, Jus de Pomme, It's Otto, Goldfever (to this day I'm in awe of Ludger Beerbaum's lower leg!), Mon Santa in show jumping and Hickstead is obviously up there with all of them. Horses such as Ready Teddy, King William, Murphy Himself, Bounce in eventing, all big hearted, big character champions. I like that a lot in a horse. Reminds me of Frankie's attitude, if not his scope. But he's only 14.3!

In farm news, we now have a stallion, a black, Rocky Mountain stallion named Dee. He's been nicely trained and will cover mares from April 2012.

Bond the wonder horse progressed on to more intense canter work, so intense it nearly made him piaffe, but he did well. He's now taking a break to see if that helps him mellow out.

Stormy the scared is working hard with us, mainly the other girl, not me! She's ridden 5 times a week now and is learning to flex and go steady between the reins, as well as a little bit of lateral work.

Ella's canter is literally going from strength to strength and I've even tried a little trot - as opposed to a gait - with her, which she's managed easily.

Tatoum, the big Canadian, is working hard on her lateral movements, mainly shoulder in and leg yield at trot and canter, but I'm introducing haunches in and half pass.
Tatoum and I, forging the way.

We discovered new trails on adjoining land last week, so we bandaged the horses up, donned the trail saddles, pocketed the marker tape and off we went into the unknown! Boy, was it thrilling! It was wet, muddy, rocky, boggy, hilly, everything you could want. I took Tatoum and we led the way, crashing through undergrowth, splashing through endless mud, leaping over logs and ditches. She's a brill trail horse, sometimes needs a bit of encouragement to cross rushing water, but she's game.

Bond. James Bond.

Bond doing his utmost to show 'look, I am relaxed, honest. Even my ears are forwa...oh, wait.'

Meet Bond. Baby Bond, as he's known, although he's rising 5. Bond could be a movie star. He's very photogenic, always has his cute little ears pricked for the camera or if he thinks you have a treat. If you don't, he's quick to switch to his grumpy face, which is believable, but not becoming of such a pretty boy. He parks himself beautifully in cross ties or when he's stood in the field, and he has a beautiful blonde mane and tail. He's gorgeous.

He is also the first sale for the farm, and he'll be leaving us to go to Quebec City at the end of the year.

Bond arrived here in May, looking rather skeletal and just over 700lb, all bony and dull coated, massively long feet with ridiculously built up shoes that looked, well, homemade and homeshod. He was nervous. He was scared of sudden movements, flapping things, raised voices, just about anything.

We fed him and he got proper hay and grass for the first time in his life. The girl who breaks the babies here took him on as her project and did weeks of groundwork with him, teaching him to load, to tie, to go out on trails, to not be scared of flapping things. She re-backed him and found out what a bundle of nervous energy he really was. She alone rode him for 3 or so months, until, with interest in him from a potential buyer and a new baby on the block to start work, he was passed on to me.

My first ride with him didn't go so well. She watched and explained his many foibles and what and what not to do to really gee him up. It was important not to get into a fight with him. He became claustrophobic if you took up a contact with his mouth and would fling and hop around violently. He would also charge off if he so much as felt your leg on him, and this girl is GOOD. Calm and insistent, gentle and firm.

Yet, he was still a massive freakout waiting to happen. So, if he rushed, he circled until he calmed. Sometimes this was 2 or 3, 6 or 7 circles at the walk. He had the smoothest, yet fastest gait I'd sat on. Again, circles, because to pull on his mouth was to start a genuinely annoyed tantrum. I didn't canter him the first day, but when I did, sheez, he had one of those canters where you feel they're going to bolt every stride, and I wasn't allowed to pull!! Bigger circles this time... not crazy, just narrow.

We had a couple of calmer rides that week, and then it was over to me on my own. I was starting lessons with the reining and general young horse guru, and, as weeks passed, she and I both could see progress. He eased up on his canter. He needed fewer and then not even whole circles. His gait relaxed and collected. Until one Monday, I was schooling and working on nothing new, but I asked him to leg yield. Something he'd been doing for weeks. He'd grown to tolerate gentle leg pressure and understand a firmer contact. But not this time. He reared. Not high, but he reared.

FORtunately, the trainer was there, working on another horse so I called her over to ask what the heck I should do with this ultra-sensitive horse who was being extra sensitive. She told me to put him back on the wall and leg yield at an angle down the wall until he gave a few strides, then leave it. He tossed his pretty head, he jammed his tiny, cute little ears flat back on his head and he was frantically playing with his baby-friendly bit. This is his usual reaction to pressure, but it's still frustrating. Anyway, he gave me the steps and we quit soon after.

The people who've now bought him were coming to meet him two weeks after this so we stopped with the leg yield for that time. Now, we've started again, just on the wall, or a step or two at an unexpected time, but boy, ask once, and then I cut down the quarter line or from B to E and he tries to blast sideways. Then I ask him to straighten and he blasts the other way. His sensitivity annoys the hell out of me at this point, after so many months of patient work. He's improved in so many ways, but his first reaction is always to go 'WAAAAAAAHHH' and shoot off.

But...

I love riding him. He's got so much sass and go and he's so supple and round and gorgeous. We have to cool down at the whoa, because he doesn't do relaxed walk. He'll go on a long rein, sure, but it's always a power walk. It takes him a good few minutes to relax enough to not be stood all tense and waiting for the off. Maybe 10 minutes to get the big ol' 'ahhhh' sigh and cock a foot.

He's excellent on a trail. Even if he's spooked by something, he'll march on past it. You have to have a good seat though, because he's nimble as anything. I asked him to turn around on a trail and he spooked as he was turning and I completely lost his right shoulder. He'd be incredible at anything involving speed and agility, if you could just get him to trust your hands and feet.

If these people hadn't loved him and bought him, I'd have seriously considered it. He's a little powerhouse, and I'd love to try him over a jump or two, once his canter was ready.

Still, there'll be others!

middle of October.

Things are working ok.

I rode Stormy again today, this time on her own in the indoor, and she was good. A little more spooky and reactive than she was with two other horses being ridden in there, but still responsive to me. She has a habit of just stopping dead, for no apparent reason, but that's not the worst thing she can do, so we work through it.

Ella, the 'best' Rocky we have here is doing so well. Her back is quite weak - she's young and long backed - so she sometimes 'pops' her back legs in canter, so she becomes disunited and it's very uncomfortable, probably for her too. So, I don't canter her a lot when I ride her, I work on her tolt and circles, canter departures, but not actually cantering for more than a circle, a full go round the arena and maybe another circle. Until she can do this without breaking, I'm not going to push her, but still work her back in walk and tolt flexion circles and trails when they're passable.

Today I went exploring as it wasn't tooo wet and Ella did the creek crossing and walked past a big pop-up garage that was all white and crinkly. I then worked Chelsea, did some more, slower, spins and also went for a trail.

It's nice to be back in the rhythm.

I'm back!

So, things have changed since I've been away. Bond has been sold, although he's staying here for a little while longer until his new owner's barn is built. He's going well and different people are riding him, so he's getting used to leg on and is starting to work with more of a contact. Everything stresses him out, really, so it's repetition and staying calm on our part that's going to get the break through.

Chelsea, the palomino paint who is an accomplished but very lazy reining horse is being worked a mixture of English and Western, in the hope she'll be more attractive to buyers if she does both. She's pretty easygoing and responds to a snaffle and light contact no problem. She does just have the low head set, but I don't really want to change that if she's going to a beginner rider. She's been brilliantly trained so she does everything from very simple aids - I did my first ever spins on her this week - so much fun! like leg yield at all gaits, rein back, flying changes, all the stuff. It's pretty similar to English training but her way of going is much different and she's quite slow anyway, so I'm just asking her to move out a bit more at the trot and to stay relaxed.

There have also been changes in staff so now we have all but two horses in work, there's another girl here working with me and we're sharing the rides. While I was on holiday, she 'started' Stormy under saddle!! which is so awesome, after the crappy times I had on her - she could probably feel me being unsure but still, after three rides from this girl, Stormy needs leg to gait and produces relaxed snuffly sneezes as she's walking around, not snatching at the bit or freaking out. Unreal! She's also working pregnant Gracie, as she's a bit too fat and needs some gentle work outs to make her healthy enough for her baby.

I'm also riding Dee Dee, starting her after her 5 month break on very basic flatwork, Ella, who learns very quickly and will start showing next summer - she's like the poster child for the farm! And Tatoum, with whom I will do dressage with next summer. She's so big and chunky, but she's mega keen to learn and willing to try anything I ask of her. She does shoulder in and leg yield in w/t/c, Her transitions are improving - she's a little, um, forward - and my next aim is to get an extended trot out of her. She's ace.

terrible

I've been a terrible blogger. I have excuses, but it all comes down to me not being inspired to write when I'm finished my day's work.

I spent a weekend in Boston with an old school friend, then I went to Montreal for a weekend, then my boyfriend came to visit and the Canadian family went to HK, leaving me with sole charge of not only the 11 horses but their 5 year old son as well!! I spent the mornings working the horses, the afternoons sightseeing and the evenings amusing the child. Then my Mum came to visit and my boyfriend went home, repeat for another week, then the Canadians came home and my Mum and I got outta there for a holiday, which hasn't been relaxing, but has at least given me a few lie ins and chance to eat some delicious food, although I have had the most nagging and annoying cold for over 3 weeks now.

The last thing I wanted to do was sit and write about how horses were going!

Next Tuesday, I'm back to the day job. Tomorrow I'm going to buy some Sorel boots to continue my preparation for winter. When I was in Vermont I went to Tractor Supply and bought a real nice Carhartt jacket for around the barn, so I'm getting there...

from English to Western

I've always wanted to ride 'Western'. Have a go in the big saddles, have a pretty bridle with their intricate decoration, split reins, bits that look terrifyingly strong.

Having Frankie from just backed, meant he was mine to mold, effectively. I wanted to do everything with him, and even at 11, I knew I wanted him to be easy and uncomplicated to handle. I didn't know about Natural Horsemanship, but I knew I wanted a relationship with my horses.

I had it easy in many ways. His mouth was and still is, beautiful. He has amazing self carriage and paces. His attitude to work with humans is positive, as long as you let him think he's doing what he wants, but he rarely dissents. Once when he was 6 or 7, I was walking him down the lane of the farm we boarded at and he decided to let out a small buck. I smacked him with the crop. He bucked harder. I hit harder. He bucked harder. We did maybe 6 or 7 buck SMACK! BUCK! SMACK! until he huffed and gave in. We had other fights that winter. He was full of his own ideas about how fast to go and whether to listen to me, and I was pretty small! My mum rode him a lot at that point, not asking a lot of him and letting him mature a bit. When I did ride him, I tried to stick to fun stuff, like teaching him to neck rein - very easy - and starting new jumps and obstacles - he wasn't scared of anything.

In a book I have about Welsh Cobs, there is a picture of a jet black cob called Derwen Rosina's Last, wearing western tack and a red and blue blanket. He looks beautiful. From then on, about 10 years ago, my aim has been to one day, even if it's just for dress ups, to have him all kitted out - and me! In the chaps, the spurs, maybe even the Stetson - and to have a photo of that.

Western disciplines in the UK are few and far between. The reiners have their imported Quarter Horses and it's based mainly in the south of the country, way away from where we lived. And it wasn't the sport, it was to do it with Frankie.

One day, my Mum brought home a tiny, weird looking western saddle that I in no way fitted in, and a bosal with soft rope reins. I've ridden Frankie in many bits. Happy mouth snaffles, sweet iron bits, belgian gags, pelhams, a double bridle, whatever the fad is for the latest show bit, a hackamore and probably more. All he needs in the school is a snaffle, but cross country and for galloping, I prefer a gag for extra woah factor. But, I tried this bosal on him. And because he neck reins and listens to seat and legs, he was fine. Walk, trot, canter, circles, pirouettes. No problem, because a bit is not everything. look mum, no mouth!
Frankie's 'perfection' taught me so much about riding different horses and the expectations one can have for a relationship with a horse. I say he's bombproof, because I trust him any situation. Big trucks, cars, wild animals (well, sheep and cows), loud noises, I know him and I know his reactions and that's fine with me. To anyone else, him jumping into the middle of the road because a rabbit rustled the hedge is crazy. And it is. He's not scared of rabbits. He's not scared of trucks or other big vehicles either. But if he's in a prancy mood and there's a JCB coming towards him, sometimes, just sometimes, he'll snort extra loud and dance around by the side of the road so that the kindly farmer will stop his engine and say 'you got a young'un there love?' and I smile through my teeth and say 'No, he's an idiotic 18, I'm afraid'. And I'm sure he finds it hilarious, if horses can take any amusement from embarrassing their humans.

Then a tractor will pass and he'll not bat an eyelid. Git!

He is a joker and I love him for it. But him doing that with anyone else? I agree, that's pretty dangerous.

Where I'm going with this rambling of mine, is that now, in Canada, riding the Rockies, I always choose a western saddle. First of all, it fits them better, second of all, I harbour my secret cowgirl fantasies, and third of all, they're damn comfortable. I also take lessons with a top reining rider and trainer, who has opened my eyes to completely different methods of riding, training and introducing skills to young horses. All in all, I'm very lucky, and I'm scoping out all the tackstores for the perfect bridle, girth, blanket and other accessories for Frankie. I bought a saddle off of ebay for £80. It was a good start, I feel.

Breakthru!

Spelling in honour of Queen, my favourite band as it would have been Freddie Mercury's 65th birthday today.

So, the last couple of times I've longed Stormy, she's been much more relaxed and hasn't had a scaredy tantrum since I sat on her last Tuesday. I've been asking her for tolt, and even for a little canter on a very big circle, as I doubt she's done it much before.

Today, she was a dream. I loose-schooled her at walk and trot - she chose to trot, not gait - and a little at canter, but she is very unbalanced, then I brought her onto the longe, and when I asked, she would 'whoa' almost instantly, when I said 'steaadyy tro-ot' she relaxed from rushing. She kept an ear on me all the time but her demeanour was happy and she didn't once balk at the rope or me or anything. Good girl!!

Lilly had her first day of work with Annick, who is going to back her, soon, I would think. She was very happy with the way I have started her, which I was pleased with of course! And Lilly did me proud by staying calm and behaving exactly as well as she does when I've worked her. If anything, she's a bit lazy, wanting to quit at the trot and very prompt halts!

The deal with this is Annick takes over Lilly to get her backed and ridden away, and I start working with Bond, the sole gelding at the farm, who Annick has been working with since May. He was 713lb when he arrived and he's 893lb today, at 14.2hh. A very happy story. He is still a little crazy, he likes to rush in all gaits and I was the first person other than Annick to ride him in his new life. We did lots of circles and transitions and I'll be riding him with her for the week, before taking him on myself.

Finally, Mae is finished her 3 weeks + off tomorrow, her bute taper finishes today and she was sound last Thursday when I loose schooled her to check. She's been off work and hasn't gaited for probably over 6 weeks now, so I'm going to walk her for 20 mins, 4 times a week, on the hard driveway, so she's not slogging through sand. I'll do this for two weeks and see how she goes before trying any circles or gaiting.