Fri 12th March 2010
Oh, what a good day today. It was quite mild which was nice. the ground's been so good, I had been really looking forward to getting an opportunity to have a play - and ride - in the top field.
Rich had Ed as he was off today - going to B & Ms pm. Couldn't have had a better Mothers' Day present!
I put out the tarp, two "barrels", single cones dotted about, the ball and the tyre. D was keen to go up to investigate the toys - much more confident now. M came too which helped of course. Did a lot extreme FG with orange bag - D nervous again but fine in the end. Better to get him walking so it's not his sole focus. The retrieving's coming on. About 5 of the throws he gave back to me or rather I was able to take from him and reward before he dropped the bag.
Lots of touch it, driving and some circling. We went towards the tarp and D would have gone up to it but I stopped him short a couple of times and decided to leave it for another session. Good that he just got to see it again as he was goggling a bit.
The circling was the best. The first time, after I'd backed D out, he took off before I asked but I thought "I'll take that" and he went round a couple of laps before I stopped him. After that, he kept wanting to go after the back-up but I was quicker than he was. At last, the tools are starting to feel more part of me than unwieldy objects to be wrestled with! I did a lot of yo-yo until he was waiting nicely for instruction then sent him the other way. He did 4 laps right in trot completely voluntarily. Cool!
Time to get on....I had the stool ready. As with previous mountings in the field, D was very tense. head up, eyes afraid, neck braced. I sat and rubbed but it didn't make a lot of difference so I leaned right forward and looked him in the eye and talked to him, giving him a good rub. I reminded him that I wouldn't ask him to do anything he didn't want to do which did the trick! You can literally see the tension leave his face then is the time to ask him to walk on. I had decided to just do point to point as it keeps the pressure off and the rewards coming!
D did absolutely fabulously. He walked willingly every time. I never once had to whip-whop. A couple of times he felt tense but just waiting or flexing slightly would do the trick. Steering was good. He tends to drift left a little so I must check my seat. I rode "forward" a bit exaggeratedly then stopped in the same fashion for clarity.
Did some flexing and disengaging, very pleasing soft responses. Towards the end, I guess I lost focus a bit as we were near M and I thought we'd have a little chill. D started off towards the gate and it took me a moment to realise he was probably thinking about taking me to the shed! I decided not to wait & see and was able to turn him easily and stop. Did a couple more Touch It's and called it a VERY GOOD day! Felt like we've come a really long way today.
Friday 12 March 2010
Ride No 17 - round the woods
Weds 10th March 2010
Today we rode round the woods. It was a nice day and the ground has dried up really well. I led D down the road. No boots as the planned route was mainly soft going. Got on at the bank at the end on the right near the woods. After getting on I dropped my stick so got off and on again. All good practice!
D was very keen so it was a good opportunity to practice slowing down from my seat. I must admit I did not find D's flat out trot with head in the air very comfortable. I felt like I was riding an Icelandic (not that I've ever ridden one!). More transitions are needed to get him to use his back end a bit more.
Had a great ride 'though. Even went over a little log in trot next to M. Lots of trotting, lovely going. One thing I did notice on this and the previous ride was that D was jumpy when rummaged in my coat and broke into trot. I had wondered in the past if he though I was whip-whopping but I now realise it is RB reaction (as opposed to the LB slowing down when he thinks I rummaging for a treat!) More extreme FG needed. Steering really coming on now and D showing very little, if any, resistance now when I ask him to go forward. Hurrah. Good progress!
Today we rode round the woods. It was a nice day and the ground has dried up really well. I led D down the road. No boots as the planned route was mainly soft going. Got on at the bank at the end on the right near the woods. After getting on I dropped my stick so got off and on again. All good practice!
D was very keen so it was a good opportunity to practice slowing down from my seat. I must admit I did not find D's flat out trot with head in the air very comfortable. I felt like I was riding an Icelandic (not that I've ever ridden one!). More transitions are needed to get him to use his back end a bit more.
Had a great ride 'though. Even went over a little log in trot next to M. Lots of trotting, lovely going. One thing I did notice on this and the previous ride was that D was jumpy when rummaged in my coat and broke into trot. I had wondered in the past if he though I was whip-whopping but I now realise it is RB reaction (as opposed to the LB slowing down when he thinks I rummaging for a treat!) More extreme FG needed. Steering really coming on now and D showing very little, if any, resistance now when I ask him to go forward. Hurrah. Good progress!
New Foot, New Horse! Ride no 16
Mon 8th March 2010
Today, having prepared in advance (only just!), I put the Old Macs on D. They are Ollie's size 4s (D should really be in a 3) with side inserts and home-made, mouse-mat pads. The mouse mats are fab, 6mm thick, really good for the purpose. Bought about 20 - from Ebay of course!
In order for me to test the boots, we did a road ride and, at first, things looked so unpromising, I wondered if I'd just wasted my money. D walked up the road with his ears back and a pained expression. He was dawdling in that "my feet are sore" way.
We turned right as that was the way M wanted to go and, when we turned off the road onto the stony track to the river crossing, I got on at a bank. I was so clumsy that I threw myself at D, thwacked him in the side and pushed him off balance. He was not perturbed 'though and off we went. The boots' grip seemed better with a bit of purchase going downhill but D felt a bit uncertain.
At the river, the horses baulked as there was a large tree stump in front of the bridge. I approached & retreated and D relaxed. M led the way. Once we got over the other side and were on the uphill stretch, D seemed to suddenly realise how good his feet felt - and he was off! Every time we trotted he was out in front & eager which I really enjoyed. He was like a different pony! I didn't mind asking him to a bit more either which was nice. S led me on the road going back.
Really good ride, the boots didn't rub either. Fab!
Today, having prepared in advance (only just!), I put the Old Macs on D. They are Ollie's size 4s (D should really be in a 3) with side inserts and home-made, mouse-mat pads. The mouse mats are fab, 6mm thick, really good for the purpose. Bought about 20 - from Ebay of course!
In order for me to test the boots, we did a road ride and, at first, things looked so unpromising, I wondered if I'd just wasted my money. D walked up the road with his ears back and a pained expression. He was dawdling in that "my feet are sore" way.
We turned right as that was the way M wanted to go and, when we turned off the road onto the stony track to the river crossing, I got on at a bank. I was so clumsy that I threw myself at D, thwacked him in the side and pushed him off balance. He was not perturbed 'though and off we went. The boots' grip seemed better with a bit of purchase going downhill but D felt a bit uncertain.
At the river, the horses baulked as there was a large tree stump in front of the bridge. I approached & retreated and D relaxed. M led the way. Once we got over the other side and were on the uphill stretch, D seemed to suddenly realise how good his feet felt - and he was off! Every time we trotted he was out in front & eager which I really enjoyed. He was like a different pony! I didn't mind asking him to a bit more either which was nice. S led me on the road going back.
Really good ride, the boots didn't rub either. Fab!
Friday 5 March 2010
Ride No 15 - round and about, bit footy
Thurs 4th March 2010
I didn't ride on Mon as S and I went to watch Bruce Logan on the first morning of his colt starting demo. Very interesting. S took Duncs out Tues which was good. I fed Weds and was going to play but my heavy conscience made me go home and do some housework! It was a lovely day too. Sigh!
Anyway, to this day. I had the boots with me but decided to see how Duncs was without them. We set off onto the main road but D was ears back and dawdling so that was instant feedback. We turned off the main road into a nice soft path that leads to a field which meets the Ashurst Wood bridle path. Duncs perked up a bit. I got on standing on the gate then off again. D stopped due to something caught in his tail and this pause caused the gap between S & I to widen which is not a good scenario when mounting. D was very good but i did get off and on a bit again.
We went down the A/W bridleway and a horse came cavorting around and D did his stallion impression. Got some fabulous sideways! I'm starting to see that although D kinks his tail up and cavorts, he doesn't take off - but he does spin round. When I have my saddle, I will aim to sit these out but I feel too wobbly at the moment. I did a "flying dismount" which caused D to "shudder" as he was tense when I got off. Ideally I should disengage first but I can't seem to remember this, so quick is my dismount reflex! Hey Ho, the more flying dismounts I do, the more Duncs will become desensitised to them so I won't beat myself up about that. Must try to remember next time 'tho.
I walked to the bottom of the path. After we turned round, I got back on and s led me for my confidence. D fine although not tested as the horse didn't come back. We then went down the road, I went in front a fair bit. really pleased with how d's coming on and how his steering has improved. A digger outside Pippas caused him to stop. He tried to turn round twice but this was because I pushed him before he was calm and, to his credit, he didn't get all the way round, just 90 degree before he stopped and refaced. I kept re-asking then stopping him before he wanted to stop which builds his confidence. We didn't get all the way up to it as another digger came along and we had to go but D walked past calmly.
Approaching the digger, I tried leaning forward looking Duncs in the eye and giving him a rub. I could really see the recognition and trust on his face. Very touching as it really reminded me how well we know each other (when he can see me!) now. Perhaps I need to do this a bit more.
We went into the woods on the right (me leading) and did the tiny loop then came back. I was going to try to get D to touch the digger on the way back but i didn't push it. He made a really good effort but I could see he was still scared. He would have done it no sweat with me on the ground and I could have got off but luckily Terri's advice about not forcing things on him came to me and I let it go and he walked past nicely.
All in all, we rode for about an hour and 15 mins which as good. I really like the feeling of clocking up the mileage (plus we've got to have 20 hours riding under our belts for Terri's workshop in June!) We're nearly there!
I didn't ride on Mon as S and I went to watch Bruce Logan on the first morning of his colt starting demo. Very interesting. S took Duncs out Tues which was good. I fed Weds and was going to play but my heavy conscience made me go home and do some housework! It was a lovely day too. Sigh!
Anyway, to this day. I had the boots with me but decided to see how Duncs was without them. We set off onto the main road but D was ears back and dawdling so that was instant feedback. We turned off the main road into a nice soft path that leads to a field which meets the Ashurst Wood bridle path. Duncs perked up a bit. I got on standing on the gate then off again. D stopped due to something caught in his tail and this pause caused the gap between S & I to widen which is not a good scenario when mounting. D was very good but i did get off and on a bit again.
We went down the A/W bridleway and a horse came cavorting around and D did his stallion impression. Got some fabulous sideways! I'm starting to see that although D kinks his tail up and cavorts, he doesn't take off - but he does spin round. When I have my saddle, I will aim to sit these out but I feel too wobbly at the moment. I did a "flying dismount" which caused D to "shudder" as he was tense when I got off. Ideally I should disengage first but I can't seem to remember this, so quick is my dismount reflex! Hey Ho, the more flying dismounts I do, the more Duncs will become desensitised to them so I won't beat myself up about that. Must try to remember next time 'tho.
I walked to the bottom of the path. After we turned round, I got back on and s led me for my confidence. D fine although not tested as the horse didn't come back. We then went down the road, I went in front a fair bit. really pleased with how d's coming on and how his steering has improved. A digger outside Pippas caused him to stop. He tried to turn round twice but this was because I pushed him before he was calm and, to his credit, he didn't get all the way round, just 90 degree before he stopped and refaced. I kept re-asking then stopping him before he wanted to stop which builds his confidence. We didn't get all the way up to it as another digger came along and we had to go but D walked past calmly.
Approaching the digger, I tried leaning forward looking Duncs in the eye and giving him a rub. I could really see the recognition and trust on his face. Very touching as it really reminded me how well we know each other (when he can see me!) now. Perhaps I need to do this a bit more.
We went into the woods on the right (me leading) and did the tiny loop then came back. I was going to try to get D to touch the digger on the way back but i didn't push it. He made a really good effort but I could see he was still scared. He would have done it no sweat with me on the ground and I could have got off but luckily Terri's advice about not forcing things on him came to me and I let it go and he walked past nicely.
All in all, we rode for about an hour and 15 mins which as good. I really like the feeling of clocking up the mileage (plus we've got to have 20 hours riding under our belts for Terri's workshop in June!) We're nearly there!
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