2007-2010 May 12th

May 12, 2007

Phoenix and I had a rough ride today - there was a lot of activity out at the farm and he was already getting keyed up while I was grooming him - I should have lunged him first.  I took him down the driveway, through the field, and tried to go through the ditch onto Settlement Road, and he started kicking out, bucking and doing corkscrews when we got to the top.  I took him back and forth about 6 times before he settled down enough to walk through, but I still had to do continuous one-rein stops all the way to the driveway.  We went down the road, turned around and then he was fine on a loose rein again.  I then tried to ride him in the new ring, but he was shying at everything and still kicking up.  I did more flexion, then got off and lunged him until he settled.

May 12, 2009

Brilliant night - sun was shining, it's warmed up since Sunday and the horses were still outside, so we could muck stalls much quicker.  We groomed them in their pasture, then I impulsively jumped on Phee bareback, with just his halter and lead.  He was fantastic - responding to leg cues and backing exclusively off of my seat and legs.  I discovered I could turn him to the right by putting the lead high on his neck and pressing my leg on his left shoulder.  I then bridled Onyx and rode him bareback in the pasture.  He was great, too!  After a couple of one-rein stops, he started waiting for cues, backed on leg pressure alone, and did some pretty decent circles around Dave and Phee!  We let them graze for a bit after, then stalled them for the night and treats.

May 12, 2010

A clear night, but the pastures are still water-logged from yesterday, so we put the boys in the roundpen for supper then took them for a grazing walk for about an hour.  We went to the back of the property, then followed the fenceline to the road, then back into the trees by the driveway.  Had to do some sending exercise and desensitizing with Phee through the spruce.