My back has been aching for a while. It started way back when I first got Willig and rode him a couple times before his hives got so bad I basically didn't ride him again for two months. And then when I started riding him again, the back pain came back. At the time, Bob said it was because he's such a big mover, and I hold myself pretty rigid, so it was jarring my back.
It actually doesn't hurt so much when I ride him now, but sometimes it does, and sometimes it hurts when I ride Mercury. Willig's little tantrum on Saturday, combined with that first day of holding his leg for 20 minutes bent over the bucket, has made my back hurt pretty bad the last week.
So today I went to the chiropractor. He said that the muscles are like rebar - they're totally inflamed and knotted up, and he can't do anything until they relax some. I have to stop jogging (the jarring), and I'm supposed to take it easy on other activities. He said he wasn't going to ban riding yet, but it will depend on if I can get the muscles to relax. Worst of all, I have to wear this dorky back brace, which granted, feels pretty nice, but makes me look like a little old lady.
I haven't decided if I'm going to ride the rest of this week or just take it off. Since Willig isn't rideable and Mercury does ok with breaks, maybe I should give my back a break and hope I can ride again next week once Willig gets his shoe back on.
And great news! Sam is going to do a partial lease on Mercury. I am so happy. She loves him, he loves her, and I love that I can relax a little about the amount of attention I'm giving him.
Charlie with the long sought after cooler
Spring NWEC 2013 Novice
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Next saddle sizes
I need a 17" dressage. The 17" xc is pretty comfortable, but Bob told me to get jumping a 1/2" bigger, so I guess I need a 17 1/2" xc.
I took my old saddles to be sold at Tack Room Too, and the xc was 18" (whoa!) and the dressage was 17 1/2". That's quite possibly why my new jumping is so comfortable - it's the only one that actually fits me.
I got a 16 1/2" dressage as my new saddle, and when I do my hand behind my butt, it's just a little bit too small.
Both Willig and Mercury were very good today. Maybe I just need to do Willig on even (or odd) days.
I took my old saddles to be sold at Tack Room Too, and the xc was 18" (whoa!) and the dressage was 17 1/2". That's quite possibly why my new jumping is so comfortable - it's the only one that actually fits me.
I got a 16 1/2" dressage as my new saddle, and when I do my hand behind my butt, it's just a little bit too small.
Both Willig and Mercury were very good today. Maybe I just need to do Willig on even (or odd) days.
Willig's lameness was (is) an abscess
That makes two for Mercury this year and one for Willig, while my prior almost 20 years of horse history includes 0.
It was under his shoe, sort of on his toe, and fairly deep. And it was the left leg, which he was pointing with (but also pawing with), and it was not easy to detect.
He was terrible though, the day the vet was out. He had been in the stall almost a week by then, and wanted one thing and one thing only: to be out with his friends. We had to use a stud chain on him, which he respected immediately, which was weird because I've never used a stud chain before. So it was either his old home or Bob that taught him.
That day, his first day soaking, was a bit of an adventure. Mostly, I hung onto his leg with my left arm and the bucket with my right arm, and bent over for 20 minutes, mostly with his foot in the water. It wasn't until the very end (when his other three legs got tired) that he finally set it down in the bucket.
The next day he didn't get soaked because I spent my entire barn time hanging up one of those "pas-i-fiers" (the rolling thing that mounts in the corner) and this treat ball that hangs up high. He loves the treat ball, and sportingly licked the pas-i-fier before going back to the treat ball.
Day three (but really like day 10), I took him out to the grass turn out, and let him eat grass and walk around until the other horses started to go in, at which point he finally started running around. The soaking that day was not easy (like Mercury), but not so bad.
Day 4 - yesterday - bad, bad day. We had divine weather, so I went out around lunch, put him out in the grass turn out again, and then rode Mercury. Then I switched him and Mercury, and about half way back, he realized he was going back into the barn and did not want to go. Honestly, I don't blame him, but the vet said stall rest. So we inched our way back to the barn, he'd walk a few steps, stop and put his head in the air, I'd make him step sideways, he'd walk a few steps. When we got to the barn, I took him into the grassy area and had him walk over the "bridge" a couple times, then let him eat grass again for a few more minutes. My thinking was it was at least a small reward for actually making it to the barn. Because ... the barn staff told me on Day 2 that he had "broken out" of his stall each time they put the hay in. He does stand there with his head at the door (because there are bars so he can't hang it out), but I was like "oh dear" ... I've been thinking some about barn staff - who might mean well - but the effects it can have on a younger, willful, opinionated horse and that horse's owner when she gets out at night.
So anyway - that foot soaking was a disaster. We got in a huge fight - while he was more willing to plant his foot (so he could paw with the other foot) - he was also leaping around, and eventually spilled the bucket. I had his foot only partially wrapped (I don't like for him to put it down half way, because then it just gets gross and dirty under a layer of duct tape), and I got so mad at him that I put him in his stall and left. At the time, I was just pissed, but later, I realized it was an awful lot like a time-out for a kid.
I totally understand why he's acting up - he's not getting enough exercise, he's away from his herd (and is clearly a horse that has problems with that), I'm doing weird things with him, and he doesn't feel bad anymore, so he just wants to go out and run around. But this raises the old beast - is he too much horse for me or will I learn as I go along? The vet said that a 6 year old warmblood is the mental equivalent of a 3 year old quarter horse, and that he'll improve with age and training, but that his personality will always be a bit like this. And this is probably my absolute weakest area - I don't know how to train a baby. I don't know how to train ground manners.
He gets his shoe back on May 5th, but I'm turning him out again starting tomorrow. I'll just clean his foot and reapply his little bootie each night and hope it doesn't create another abscess.
I've noticed, even without riding him the past two weeks and only riding Mercury, my lower back is still killing me. And bending over with that bucket is not helping at all. My supervisor's wife just had to have neck surgery and has fused vertebrae in her lower back (she rides), and my trainer back in college had a fall and landed on a jump and broke her back and had fused vertebrae. I'm wondering if my back is just weak from the time off, and keeps getting sore instead of stronger, or if something could be going "wrong" with the way I ride that's messing up the vertebrae. I know I'm a bit of a hyopchondriac but I'm thinking of visiting the chiropractor just to make sure it's not something serious. Each week I tell myself I'm going to start doing pilates at home to strengthen it, then each week there's too much else to do.
It was under his shoe, sort of on his toe, and fairly deep. And it was the left leg, which he was pointing with (but also pawing with), and it was not easy to detect.
He was terrible though, the day the vet was out. He had been in the stall almost a week by then, and wanted one thing and one thing only: to be out with his friends. We had to use a stud chain on him, which he respected immediately, which was weird because I've never used a stud chain before. So it was either his old home or Bob that taught him.
That day, his first day soaking, was a bit of an adventure. Mostly, I hung onto his leg with my left arm and the bucket with my right arm, and bent over for 20 minutes, mostly with his foot in the water. It wasn't until the very end (when his other three legs got tired) that he finally set it down in the bucket.
The next day he didn't get soaked because I spent my entire barn time hanging up one of those "pas-i-fiers" (the rolling thing that mounts in the corner) and this treat ball that hangs up high. He loves the treat ball, and sportingly licked the pas-i-fier before going back to the treat ball.
Day three (but really like day 10), I took him out to the grass turn out, and let him eat grass and walk around until the other horses started to go in, at which point he finally started running around. The soaking that day was not easy (like Mercury), but not so bad.
Day 4 - yesterday - bad, bad day. We had divine weather, so I went out around lunch, put him out in the grass turn out again, and then rode Mercury. Then I switched him and Mercury, and about half way back, he realized he was going back into the barn and did not want to go. Honestly, I don't blame him, but the vet said stall rest. So we inched our way back to the barn, he'd walk a few steps, stop and put his head in the air, I'd make him step sideways, he'd walk a few steps. When we got to the barn, I took him into the grassy area and had him walk over the "bridge" a couple times, then let him eat grass again for a few more minutes. My thinking was it was at least a small reward for actually making it to the barn. Because ... the barn staff told me on Day 2 that he had "broken out" of his stall each time they put the hay in. He does stand there with his head at the door (because there are bars so he can't hang it out), but I was like "oh dear" ... I've been thinking some about barn staff - who might mean well - but the effects it can have on a younger, willful, opinionated horse and that horse's owner when she gets out at night.
So anyway - that foot soaking was a disaster. We got in a huge fight - while he was more willing to plant his foot (so he could paw with the other foot) - he was also leaping around, and eventually spilled the bucket. I had his foot only partially wrapped (I don't like for him to put it down half way, because then it just gets gross and dirty under a layer of duct tape), and I got so mad at him that I put him in his stall and left. At the time, I was just pissed, but later, I realized it was an awful lot like a time-out for a kid.
I totally understand why he's acting up - he's not getting enough exercise, he's away from his herd (and is clearly a horse that has problems with that), I'm doing weird things with him, and he doesn't feel bad anymore, so he just wants to go out and run around. But this raises the old beast - is he too much horse for me or will I learn as I go along? The vet said that a 6 year old warmblood is the mental equivalent of a 3 year old quarter horse, and that he'll improve with age and training, but that his personality will always be a bit like this. And this is probably my absolute weakest area - I don't know how to train a baby. I don't know how to train ground manners.
He gets his shoe back on May 5th, but I'm turning him out again starting tomorrow. I'll just clean his foot and reapply his little bootie each night and hope it doesn't create another abscess.
I've noticed, even without riding him the past two weeks and only riding Mercury, my lower back is still killing me. And bending over with that bucket is not helping at all. My supervisor's wife just had to have neck surgery and has fused vertebrae in her lower back (she rides), and my trainer back in college had a fall and landed on a jump and broke her back and had fused vertebrae. I'm wondering if my back is just weak from the time off, and keeps getting sore instead of stronger, or if something could be going "wrong" with the way I ride that's messing up the vertebrae. I know I'm a bit of a hyopchondriac but I'm thinking of visiting the chiropractor just to make sure it's not something serious. Each week I tell myself I'm going to start doing pilates at home to strengthen it, then each week there's too much else to do.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Lame Willig; Leased (?) Mercury
Willig went lame over the weekend. When I went out Saturday, he was a little off, but when I went back out Sunday he was a cripple. His right shoulder is knotted up pretty badly, but I can't find any warmth, swelling, or tender spots. And I've poked all around his feet and it doesn't seem to be coming from his feet. The lameness isn't the big problem though; it's the stall rest. Willig HATES being separated from the other horses when they get turned out. Even with all the activity Saturday with lessons all day, he was a total brat - in pain and pissed off makes for a hard to handle Willig. He did, after about an hour, settle down and be a sweet boy.
In the meantime, Mercury is on his way to a partial lease. The girl who is interested in him has had a couple lessons and is more comfortable with him being a good choice. She was out Saturday and asked if she could do anything and I said if she wanted, she could groom Mercury, and she groomed him for like an hour, and then took him out to eat grass. He was so shiny and clean. That's exactly what I was looking for - someone to dote on and love Mercury. So hopefully that will all work out.
But for today - another call to the vet, who is probably wondering if I fell off the face of the earth after my December-February earth shattering vet bills, and then nothing (thankfully) for March.
In the meantime, Mercury is on his way to a partial lease. The girl who is interested in him has had a couple lessons and is more comfortable with him being a good choice. She was out Saturday and asked if she could do anything and I said if she wanted, she could groom Mercury, and she groomed him for like an hour, and then took him out to eat grass. He was so shiny and clean. That's exactly what I was looking for - someone to dote on and love Mercury. So hopefully that will all work out.
But for today - another call to the vet, who is probably wondering if I fell off the face of the earth after my December-February earth shattering vet bills, and then nothing (thankfully) for March.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Willig has a funny quirk
I saw him doing this for the second time tonight (the first time I thought it was an accident). He likes to put hay in his mouth, dunk his mouth (and the hay) in his water bucket, then eat it. He does it with every single bite of hay. It's why his stall is always all wet when I get there at night. It's weird and kind of cute.
Good book on horse thinking
I've been reading "Think Like Your Horse" by Michael Peace and Lesley Bayley. I was looking for a book with tips on how to build a young horse's confidence, and came across this one at the library. So far it seems like common sense, which is why I like it - something so simple it seems like you should have known it all along. For example, Willig and I have had two battles about trail riding. The first was to go away from all the other horses across the bridge into the woods. He did it fine from the ground, so I didn't think it would be that big a deal riding him, but it was huge. And I refused to get off and we had this long stubborn battle of the wills that I eventually won. The next week I thought I'd make it easier, and we'd go across the huge pasture where he could still see the "herd". That was easier, until we came to this tiny drainage ditch. Then another huge stubborn battle ensued, which I also won, but it was ridiculous. Finally, they moved the jumps in the outdoor arena last week, and he was totally freaked out about it (not about the show on the grounds, which by the way, he treated as if it were no big thing). I made him go past them on the lunge line over and over.
All of those are the same example, which this book says the horse needs to trust you (the leader) and if you make a big deal out of it, he'll make a big deal out of it. So I went back into the woods on a walk. Easy. We walked back and forth past the scary jump standards. Easy. I just need to be more patient with young, inexperienced Willig. What stops me is when I think he's doing it on purpose - he's big, he doesn't want to do it. That's what I think first, not that he's inexperienced and needs a crutch for now.
My new goal for this year, since it looks like we'll be postponing the truck and trailer purchase, is to work on confidence and trust, so that next summer we can start with him trusting me, being in new scary places, and by the end of the summer, he'll have learned that he can trust me no matter where we are and do whatever I ask because I've never let him down.
What helped me get that was that Mercury was just as scared of those jumps being moved. It was just easier for me to see with Mercury because I've known him longer.
All of those are the same example, which this book says the horse needs to trust you (the leader) and if you make a big deal out of it, he'll make a big deal out of it. So I went back into the woods on a walk. Easy. We walked back and forth past the scary jump standards. Easy. I just need to be more patient with young, inexperienced Willig. What stops me is when I think he's doing it on purpose - he's big, he doesn't want to do it. That's what I think first, not that he's inexperienced and needs a crutch for now.
My new goal for this year, since it looks like we'll be postponing the truck and trailer purchase, is to work on confidence and trust, so that next summer we can start with him trusting me, being in new scary places, and by the end of the summer, he'll have learned that he can trust me no matter where we are and do whatever I ask because I've never let him down.
What helped me get that was that Mercury was just as scared of those jumps being moved. It was just easier for me to see with Mercury because I've known him longer.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Truck & Trailer Hunting
I am looking for a used truck and trailer to haul Willig (and Mercury!) around in. If any of you who read this have recommendations or warnings on years/models to avoid, I would love to hear about it.
What I'm looking for right now is a 1999-2000 F250. Ideally it will have less than 150,000 miles, be a diesel, V8 7.3L engine, 4x4, extended or super cab, and have a tow package (though I think I can get that installed). I'd also like for it to have a short bed, but there's already not many trucks in Washington that meet the former criteria, and I haven't found any that meet all that and have a short bed.
The trailer is 2-3 horse, at least 7' tall, extra long, and less than $3,000 (unless I have to reevaluate). I found a web page that suggested 7'6" for a 17h horse, but I think that's asking too much. I don't care about slant or straight load, but I'd prefer a ramp to a step up. And I'd like it to have a separate tack room (not one that is under the hay manger, but one I can stand up in to change clothes). The trailer appears to be the more difficult of the two, though there aren't trucks all over the place like I thought there'd be (what with gas prices and all).
I've been monitoring TackTrader.com (the best resource for used trailers I've found) and Craig's List, and every time there's a tall trailer listed, it gets snapped up.
One of my friends suggested that I avoid Charmac trailers, and any F-250 older than 1998, so if anyone has similar (or different) advice, I would really appreciate it.
What I'm looking for right now is a 1999-2000 F250. Ideally it will have less than 150,000 miles, be a diesel, V8 7.3L engine, 4x4, extended or super cab, and have a tow package (though I think I can get that installed). I'd also like for it to have a short bed, but there's already not many trucks in Washington that meet the former criteria, and I haven't found any that meet all that and have a short bed.
The trailer is 2-3 horse, at least 7' tall, extra long, and less than $3,000 (unless I have to reevaluate). I found a web page that suggested 7'6" for a 17h horse, but I think that's asking too much. I don't care about slant or straight load, but I'd prefer a ramp to a step up. And I'd like it to have a separate tack room (not one that is under the hay manger, but one I can stand up in to change clothes). The trailer appears to be the more difficult of the two, though there aren't trucks all over the place like I thought there'd be (what with gas prices and all).
I've been monitoring TackTrader.com (the best resource for used trailers I've found) and Craig's List, and every time there's a tall trailer listed, it gets snapped up.
One of my friends suggested that I avoid Charmac trailers, and any F-250 older than 1998, so if anyone has similar (or different) advice, I would really appreciate it.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
No, It's More than Disappointment
I forgot to mention in the last post that Willig has a new set of hives. They're not that big, and there's not that many, but they are kind of interesting, in a historical perspective. One on his neck "burst" - there's a big raw patch of skin, and it was obviously weeping. A few others look like they wept a little too, which is weird since they weren't there Sunday but by Tuesday wept. He has some edema along his belly, which is visible, but not huge, but not that much up on his body. No leg swelling.
My hypotheses: Sunday he stayed in because of the rain, which was a change in routine, and presumably, stressful; new hay came - Saturday I think; Saturday I made him cross the 6" drainage creek; and/or he got the low dose bags of the skin & allergy which is about to run out.
What's discouraging is each of those are pretty mild events, in my mind. I think I am not doing a good job "getting" what a young horse needs to build confidence. I'm going to try to find some books on it - or articles.
The second thing, which is a bit of a rant, is this. Here's what a trainer/instructor sees when they look at me:
Someone with years of experience riding, but still pretty much an "advanced beginner";
an attorney with disposable income dedicated entirely to horses;
no other hobbies, no husband, no kids, and nothing on the horizon that looks like I'll quit riding anytime soon;
Two horses to be boarded, one who needs training, and weekly lessons;
Clinics and shows with a trainer;
Willing to pay for the trainer to show the "fancy" horse;
hard working at lessons - rides 5 times a week, takes lessons regularly, and practices what's learned in the lessons;
doesn't know how to train and needs lots of work, which means lots and lots of time in lessons and training;
on her ex-fiancee's beginning trail horse, placed 1st-3rd in every show entered after 10 years of not competing;
and very willing to learn and improve and set goals, so lessons aren't totally boring and the same thing every single week for years.
I can see why a trainer wouldn't want to keep me by driving 15 miles twice a month for lessons where he gets paid for his travel time, at a barn where at least 3 other riders might be interested in lessons with him. (That's sarcasm, and the very, very mellow version of the rant that is in my head right now.)
My hypotheses: Sunday he stayed in because of the rain, which was a change in routine, and presumably, stressful; new hay came - Saturday I think; Saturday I made him cross the 6" drainage creek; and/or he got the low dose bags of the skin & allergy which is about to run out.
What's discouraging is each of those are pretty mild events, in my mind. I think I am not doing a good job "getting" what a young horse needs to build confidence. I'm going to try to find some books on it - or articles.
The second thing, which is a bit of a rant, is this. Here's what a trainer/instructor sees when they look at me:
Someone with years of experience riding, but still pretty much an "advanced beginner";
an attorney with disposable income dedicated entirely to horses;
no other hobbies, no husband, no kids, and nothing on the horizon that looks like I'll quit riding anytime soon;
Two horses to be boarded, one who needs training, and weekly lessons;
Clinics and shows with a trainer;
Willing to pay for the trainer to show the "fancy" horse;
hard working at lessons - rides 5 times a week, takes lessons regularly, and practices what's learned in the lessons;
doesn't know how to train and needs lots of work, which means lots and lots of time in lessons and training;
on her ex-fiancee's beginning trail horse, placed 1st-3rd in every show entered after 10 years of not competing;
and very willing to learn and improve and set goals, so lessons aren't totally boring and the same thing every single week for years.
I can see why a trainer wouldn't want to keep me by driving 15 miles twice a month for lessons where he gets paid for his travel time, at a barn where at least 3 other riders might be interested in lessons with him. (That's sarcasm, and the very, very mellow version of the rant that is in my head right now.)
Two interesting articles in March 08 Practical Horseman
I should say, two especially interesting articles, since I tend to enjoy the entire magazine and I usually skim it once, then read it thoroughly the second time. And since I am just now doing the skim of March '08, I'm a bit behind.
For those of you who don't subscribe, well, first of all, I think it's totally worth it. But, you can still access a bunch of their articles online: http://www.equisearch.com/practicalhorseman/
The first interesting article was in Cross Country with Jim Wofford, which is my favorite part of the magazine. And the article was about whether you're ready for the next level, not just qualified. And it had a "rate your riding" chart (charts are one of my favorite nerdy things), and at first, I got all upset because I was a solid Level 4.0 on a scale of 1 - 10.
A 4 in dressage: "Introduced to bending and flexion. Can effectively apply aids for simple transitions. Knows basic geometry of lower-level dressage figures."
A 4 in show-jumping: "Jumps safely without stirrups over low fences. Cantering 8-10 fences at an even rhythm is still a challenge. Does not yet recognize distances." (For the record, when I was young, I was much better.)
A 4 in cross-country: "Introduced to simple xc combinations. Beginning to influence the approach on a familiar horse. Comfortable at 350 mpm."
And a whopping 6 in horsemanship: "Drops back one skill level on an unfamiliar horse. Able to develop own feeding chart and conditioning schedule. Knows requirements for worming and teeth floating. Safely administers IM and IV injections."
Then I read the sidebar. Level 9-10 riders compete at 4*; Level 8 at 3*; and "so on down the scale." So a Level 7 is a 2*; Level 6 is a 1*; and Level 5 - where I'll be next year - is the little local shows. Perfect! It's taken me 15 years, but I'm in exactly the right place to really start moving up. Because I'm never going to a 4* and probably never a 3*.
For example, a 7 in horsemanship was 1,000 hours of riding instruction. Now that doesn't seem like so much until you consider 1 lesson per week 50 weeks a year would take you 20 years to meet that requirement. And had I ridden consistently the past 15 years, I'd sure be a lot better than I am now.
Anyway, I thought it was a really interesting and useful way to look at where you are, where you want to go, and where you've been. Where you've been helps me stay focused and positive about the future, instead of depressed over how I'm not ever where I want to be.
The other interesting article was by Jessica Jahiel, and it was about learning style. There's three styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. I've always assumed I was a visual learner because I prefer reading over listening, but I realized with the little quiz, is that I'm pretty solidly a kinesthetic learner. It was a surprise, and then really, really clear. Neat.
Finally, Alice finally emailed back and said Bob is not willing to travel (15 miles) to give me lessons. I'm extremely disappointed, but it's what I expected. I think I can do ok for a couple more months on my own, but then I'm going to need to find a new trainer. There are several trainers at the new barn, but they appear to be mostly for beginners, except for one show jumper guy, and I don't want to go back to that focus right now. I hope that by next spring I'll have sold Mercury, so I can get a truck and a trailer, and then I can travel for lessons, but for now, I'm going to need to start asking around to find a trainer I work well with who is willing to travel. It's just discouraging because I totally respected Bob, and worked really well with him as my instructor. He is hands down the best trainer I have ever had.
For those of you who don't subscribe, well, first of all, I think it's totally worth it. But, you can still access a bunch of their articles online: http://www.equisearch.com/practicalhorseman/
The first interesting article was in Cross Country with Jim Wofford, which is my favorite part of the magazine. And the article was about whether you're ready for the next level, not just qualified. And it had a "rate your riding" chart (charts are one of my favorite nerdy things), and at first, I got all upset because I was a solid Level 4.0 on a scale of 1 - 10.
A 4 in dressage: "Introduced to bending and flexion. Can effectively apply aids for simple transitions. Knows basic geometry of lower-level dressage figures."
A 4 in show-jumping: "Jumps safely without stirrups over low fences. Cantering 8-10 fences at an even rhythm is still a challenge. Does not yet recognize distances." (For the record, when I was young, I was much better.)
A 4 in cross-country: "Introduced to simple xc combinations. Beginning to influence the approach on a familiar horse. Comfortable at 350 mpm."
And a whopping 6 in horsemanship: "Drops back one skill level on an unfamiliar horse. Able to develop own feeding chart and conditioning schedule. Knows requirements for worming and teeth floating. Safely administers IM and IV injections."
Then I read the sidebar. Level 9-10 riders compete at 4*; Level 8 at 3*; and "so on down the scale." So a Level 7 is a 2*; Level 6 is a 1*; and Level 5 - where I'll be next year - is the little local shows. Perfect! It's taken me 15 years, but I'm in exactly the right place to really start moving up. Because I'm never going to a 4* and probably never a 3*.
For example, a 7 in horsemanship was 1,000 hours of riding instruction. Now that doesn't seem like so much until you consider 1 lesson per week 50 weeks a year would take you 20 years to meet that requirement. And had I ridden consistently the past 15 years, I'd sure be a lot better than I am now.
Anyway, I thought it was a really interesting and useful way to look at where you are, where you want to go, and where you've been. Where you've been helps me stay focused and positive about the future, instead of depressed over how I'm not ever where I want to be.
The other interesting article was by Jessica Jahiel, and it was about learning style. There's three styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. I've always assumed I was a visual learner because I prefer reading over listening, but I realized with the little quiz, is that I'm pretty solidly a kinesthetic learner. It was a surprise, and then really, really clear. Neat.
Finally, Alice finally emailed back and said Bob is not willing to travel (15 miles) to give me lessons. I'm extremely disappointed, but it's what I expected. I think I can do ok for a couple more months on my own, but then I'm going to need to find a new trainer. There are several trainers at the new barn, but they appear to be mostly for beginners, except for one show jumper guy, and I don't want to go back to that focus right now. I hope that by next spring I'll have sold Mercury, so I can get a truck and a trailer, and then I can travel for lessons, but for now, I'm going to need to start asking around to find a trainer I work well with who is willing to travel. It's just discouraging because I totally respected Bob, and worked really well with him as my instructor. He is hands down the best trainer I have ever had.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Date placeholder
Next week Willig will finally run out of his Platinum "skin & allergy". That will be the second (hundredth?) test of his hives.
He was really great on Tuesday. We cantered more than I've ever cantered on him before, and I was riding him outside while the horses went in for the evening, and he was almost - not quite, but almost - blase about it.
I can't find my other bit, so I ordered two more (with some biotin), and they finally arrived today, so now I can start switching bridles and not have to use Willig's bridle on Mercury.
He was really great on Tuesday. We cantered more than I've ever cantered on him before, and I was riding him outside while the horses went in for the evening, and he was almost - not quite, but almost - blase about it.
I can't find my other bit, so I ordered two more (with some biotin), and they finally arrived today, so now I can start switching bridles and not have to use Willig's bridle on Mercury.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Thanks for the comments!
Thanks for the feedback. I agree that Willig is quite possibly too much horse for me, and I have been suspecting that since he arrived. I had a very sinking feeling each time I saw Bob struggle with him because if Bob struggles, that means he's way out of my league.
I just want to make sure I rule the other options out though, and one I haven't mentioned explicitly is because of his hives, he has basically only been lunged for three months. I'm wondering if that is part of the "attitude" about being ridden and new things. His seller told me that he was a clever horse who got bored easily, and I'm wondering if he got "spoiled" by the lunging while we were trying to figure out the hives - like how horses get pasture sour.
I'm thinking he'll get another month or two to see how things are going, and if he's still beyond my skills, then it'll be time for him to find a home where he can be more properly utilized. If it is just an "adjustment", I don't want to give up on him too soon because he's such a joy to ride when we're working.
It's just frustrating to be in the position where I don't have the experience to be able to tell if it's "too much horse" or if he just needs some patience. It seems reasonable that a 6 year old who hasn't been shown or turned out would be overwhelmed by an active barn with daily turn out.
When he arrived, I couldn't even trot on him. I actually couldn't even make him trot on the lunge line. So we've made a LOT of progress when I step back and look at it, and I actually had some similar issues with Mercury (who is now a reliable, if slow, angel), and that makes me think it might just be a patience/trust thing.
Any other suggestions or experience you've had, though - I would love to hear it! One person posted very early on that he sounded like too much horse for what I needed right now, so if anyone has had a similar experience and found that it wasn't just "patience" that was needed, I would really like to know about your experience.
I'm so glad someone other than my mom, dad, and sister read this blog!
I just want to make sure I rule the other options out though, and one I haven't mentioned explicitly is because of his hives, he has basically only been lunged for three months. I'm wondering if that is part of the "attitude" about being ridden and new things. His seller told me that he was a clever horse who got bored easily, and I'm wondering if he got "spoiled" by the lunging while we were trying to figure out the hives - like how horses get pasture sour.
I'm thinking he'll get another month or two to see how things are going, and if he's still beyond my skills, then it'll be time for him to find a home where he can be more properly utilized. If it is just an "adjustment", I don't want to give up on him too soon because he's such a joy to ride when we're working.
It's just frustrating to be in the position where I don't have the experience to be able to tell if it's "too much horse" or if he just needs some patience. It seems reasonable that a 6 year old who hasn't been shown or turned out would be overwhelmed by an active barn with daily turn out.
When he arrived, I couldn't even trot on him. I actually couldn't even make him trot on the lunge line. So we've made a LOT of progress when I step back and look at it, and I actually had some similar issues with Mercury (who is now a reliable, if slow, angel), and that makes me think it might just be a patience/trust thing.
Any other suggestions or experience you've had, though - I would love to hear it! One person posted very early on that he sounded like too much horse for what I needed right now, so if anyone has had a similar experience and found that it wasn't just "patience" that was needed, I would really like to know about your experience.
I'm so glad someone other than my mom, dad, and sister read this blog!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Willig : Stampy :: Mercury : Odin
I don't want to sell Mercury because I would never, ever get rid of Odin (my beloved dog on my other blog). And I wouldn't hesitate for even one second if someone drove up and knocked on my door and said they wanted Stampy.
And Willig is apparently trying to follow in Stampy's footsteps.
Today, after a bout with the stomach flu, I went out to lunge Willig since he got two days off. And both arenas were being used for lessons, and Willig is a bit too much horse to be lunged in the same arena as another horse (esp. with a total beginner who is still working on steering), so I decided to give him another learning opportunity, and take him out into the big pasture on the way to the trails. (There's actually two big pastures, but this one was more like being on a cross country course.)
And, just as I expected, he freaked out. Fortunately, we weren't unlucky and when he tried to kick me in the head (more than once), he wasn't close enough, and when he jumped over the lunge rein and got it tangled around his leg he didn't break it, and when he pulled really hard, he didn't get loose. And so he cantered and trotted around and around and around, and got mad and switched directions and kept going and going. It was almost an hour before he walked. And once he walked, I let him quit and we went inside.
- After we made three trips back and forth over the bridge because he wouldn't quit jumping the very last step -
And then he stood in the cross ties and pawed for another half hour, so I just put him in his stall instead of back outside so the staff wouldn't have to deal with him tonight. If I'm lucky, he'll be sore tomorrow so that will make him easier for me to ride (of course, after I lunge him).
I really, really don't know if it's a) his age, b) his inexperience, c) his lack of trust in me, or d) a messed up personality. But the clock is ticking. He's got two checkpoints, and if he doesn't pass both of them with some progress from this constant "learning experience in a new situation" that we've been doing for an entire month, then he's up for sale.
And Willig is apparently trying to follow in Stampy's footsteps.
Today, after a bout with the stomach flu, I went out to lunge Willig since he got two days off. And both arenas were being used for lessons, and Willig is a bit too much horse to be lunged in the same arena as another horse (esp. with a total beginner who is still working on steering), so I decided to give him another learning opportunity, and take him out into the big pasture on the way to the trails. (There's actually two big pastures, but this one was more like being on a cross country course.)
And, just as I expected, he freaked out. Fortunately, we weren't unlucky and when he tried to kick me in the head (more than once), he wasn't close enough, and when he jumped over the lunge rein and got it tangled around his leg he didn't break it, and when he pulled really hard, he didn't get loose. And so he cantered and trotted around and around and around, and got mad and switched directions and kept going and going. It was almost an hour before he walked. And once he walked, I let him quit and we went inside.
- After we made three trips back and forth over the bridge because he wouldn't quit jumping the very last step -
And then he stood in the cross ties and pawed for another half hour, so I just put him in his stall instead of back outside so the staff wouldn't have to deal with him tonight. If I'm lucky, he'll be sore tomorrow so that will make him easier for me to ride (of course, after I lunge him).
I really, really don't know if it's a) his age, b) his inexperience, c) his lack of trust in me, or d) a messed up personality. But the clock is ticking. He's got two checkpoints, and if he doesn't pass both of them with some progress from this constant "learning experience in a new situation" that we've been doing for an entire month, then he's up for sale.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Mercury is Available for a Partial Lease in Olympia
16.1 hand Thoroughbred; 1994 Bay Gelding
Mercury is a sweet horse who doesn’t refuse, is easy to handle, well-behaved, good-natured, trailers, and bathes.
Suitable for a beginner with some experience
Must provide your own saddle and take two lessons per month
Partial lease includes 3 days/week of riding for $175/month; farrier, vet, and other care provided by owner
He must remain boarded where he is now. There's a link on the side to the barn for more information. They have great facilities - trails, an outdoor arena, and an indoor covered arena.
Please post a comment if you're interested or would like more information and I'll email you directly.
Mercury is a sweet horse who doesn’t refuse, is easy to handle, well-behaved, good-natured, trailers, and bathes.
Suitable for a beginner with some experience
Must provide your own saddle and take two lessons per month
Partial lease includes 3 days/week of riding for $175/month; farrier, vet, and other care provided by owner
He must remain boarded where he is now. There's a link on the side to the barn for more information. They have great facilities - trails, an outdoor arena, and an indoor covered arena.
Please post a comment if you're interested or would like more information and I'll email you directly.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Solo Lesson ... in Patience
Ask anyone who knows me, and I will probably top their list of least patient people. I will certainly be in the top 5. And yet, most of the things I do seem to require all I've got in patience (quite possibly because it takes so little to use up my patience stores).
So tonight was another "opportunity" (aka challenge, aka patience exhausting) with Willig. With the light changing, and a couple days without rain, I've been able to ride outside in the evenings after work. Today I took Willig out to lunge him (he was fine), then ride him (he was fine as we started), but as the horses went in for dinner, he got increasingly agitated. So I lunged him again (less fine, but got tired) and then rode him at the walk for what felt like an hour but was probably only half an hour, talking to him and trying to help him realize the other horses can go places, and he's still ok.
It's great for us to get the opportunity to work on this before the first show, but it's frustrating that he has so many things he needs to work on. It feels like we don't ever get to work on actual riding, just on him being calm and listening. There's always something making him agitated.
I don't know if it's because a) he's young (still 6), b) had a sheltered life, c) his personality, or d) a little bit of all of the above. After living in a stall his whole life, turn out is a pretty big deal, and I think he's doing really well. It's just hard with Mr. Sedate Mercury who was the last horse in, presumably because he's such a sweet angel he doesn't cause problems.
So tonight was another "opportunity" (aka challenge, aka patience exhausting) with Willig. With the light changing, and a couple days without rain, I've been able to ride outside in the evenings after work. Today I took Willig out to lunge him (he was fine), then ride him (he was fine as we started), but as the horses went in for dinner, he got increasingly agitated. So I lunged him again (less fine, but got tired) and then rode him at the walk for what felt like an hour but was probably only half an hour, talking to him and trying to help him realize the other horses can go places, and he's still ok.
It's great for us to get the opportunity to work on this before the first show, but it's frustrating that he has so many things he needs to work on. It feels like we don't ever get to work on actual riding, just on him being calm and listening. There's always something making him agitated.
I don't know if it's because a) he's young (still 6), b) had a sheltered life, c) his personality, or d) a little bit of all of the above. After living in a stall his whole life, turn out is a pretty big deal, and I think he's doing really well. It's just hard with Mr. Sedate Mercury who was the last horse in, presumably because he's such a sweet angel he doesn't cause problems.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Rough, rougher, roughest
Mercury has been a little sensitive on his feet, but he's been getting turned out, and I rode him yesterday for the first time in two months. He was an angel. I didn't even lunge him first. I took him on a walking only trail ride, and he got a little nervous (especially because there were two horses cantering around), but he was totally sweet. He is such a good, reliable horse.
In contrast, Willig's hives came back, he was jumping up and down in the cross ties, he got moved to the closest turn-out (which means, I think, that staff is still having trouble leading him), and then, just to keep me on my toes, he was totally calm and good when I lunged him and then rode him.
The hives are along his side and lower neck - not under his belly, but on the lower half of his belly/side. They look just like they did before. There are more than a few, but not so many that they're touching.
I bought him yet more herbs, because apparently two horses and two dogs and three cats are going to drive me broke this year. This time I got him the "relaxation" blend. He just doesn't seem like a high strung horse to me (ignoring the jumping up and down in the cross ties) - a thoroughbred (ignoring the paragraph about Mercury at the top) is a high strung horse; not a warmblood.
I really - after relaxation herbs - I have no more ideas.
In contrast, Willig's hives came back, he was jumping up and down in the cross ties, he got moved to the closest turn-out (which means, I think, that staff is still having trouble leading him), and then, just to keep me on my toes, he was totally calm and good when I lunged him and then rode him.
The hives are along his side and lower neck - not under his belly, but on the lower half of his belly/side. They look just like they did before. There are more than a few, but not so many that they're touching.
I bought him yet more herbs, because apparently two horses and two dogs and three cats are going to drive me broke this year. This time I got him the "relaxation" blend. He just doesn't seem like a high strung horse to me (ignoring the jumping up and down in the cross ties) - a thoroughbred (ignoring the paragraph about Mercury at the top) is a high strung horse; not a warmblood.
I really - after relaxation herbs - I have no more ideas.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Sally Swift's Centered Riding - two tips
I watched the first DVD on Centered Riding (I loved the book years ago when I first read it), and it had two pertinent tips for me right now.
First, Sally explains the human skeleton, and shows how when you roll onto to the front of your pelvis (by rounding your lower back - sticking your stomach out in front of you and rounding your shoulders), how you "scrape" the horse instead of letting your hips absorb the motion. It was really excellent to watch the skeleton to see what your body is doing.
Second, keeping your hands steady at the trot. Because in the trot you move up and down while the horse stays still, that is when your hands move up and down with you. What she suggested is that a person stand on the ground and you hold their finger with your reins. Then you rise and feel the difference between pulling their finger up with you or leaving your hands steady on the finger. When you leave them steady, the motion is in your elbow. But it is an up and down motion, not a chicken wing motion. It's the same idea as looping a finger around the front of the saddle (like the saddle pad straps), so that you can hold them down and feel how they feel still.
Mercury got his feet done today (finally!) and I learned a lot about shoeing and abscesses from the farrier. He is going to be turned out again starting this week, so he'll be a happy horse, and then next week I'll start riding him again. I'm thinking about leasing him instead of selling him once I've got him working again.
Willig was terrible yesterday, but really good on Saturday. I feel like we're making some progress, but it's a long road ahead and it's kind of scary to face it without a trainer.
First, Sally explains the human skeleton, and shows how when you roll onto to the front of your pelvis (by rounding your lower back - sticking your stomach out in front of you and rounding your shoulders), how you "scrape" the horse instead of letting your hips absorb the motion. It was really excellent to watch the skeleton to see what your body is doing.
Second, keeping your hands steady at the trot. Because in the trot you move up and down while the horse stays still, that is when your hands move up and down with you. What she suggested is that a person stand on the ground and you hold their finger with your reins. Then you rise and feel the difference between pulling their finger up with you or leaving your hands steady on the finger. When you leave them steady, the motion is in your elbow. But it is an up and down motion, not a chicken wing motion. It's the same idea as looping a finger around the front of the saddle (like the saddle pad straps), so that you can hold them down and feel how they feel still.
Mercury got his feet done today (finally!) and I learned a lot about shoeing and abscesses from the farrier. He is going to be turned out again starting this week, so he'll be a happy horse, and then next week I'll start riding him again. I'm thinking about leasing him instead of selling him once I've got him working again.
Willig was terrible yesterday, but really good on Saturday. I feel like we're making some progress, but it's a long road ahead and it's kind of scary to face it without a trainer.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Supping on Supplements
Because of Odin's heart condition (see my other blog), I got curious about the massive amounts of money I am outlaying to the vets and the herb/supplement companies. Although the total adds up (for all pets) to a whopping $225/month, only $30 of that is Mercury, $125 is Willig, and $70 is Odin with his heart stuff. I didn't count cats because I don't feed theirs consistently. I'm hoping to cut Willig back (way back), but it will depend on if the hives come back.
Speaking of, not a hive on his body. He is clean as a whistle. Well - hive-wise. He is doing really well with turnout and all the "new" stuff there is to look at - traffic, lots of other horses, a house, a kubota ... but he has discovered the pleasure of rolling and then me cleaning it off.
He's doing really well on the lunge line, and I rode him yesterday and today (briefly, because I have NO leg muscles after two months of not riding at all, and basically 6 months of riding minimally). He's putting his head up like a giraffe a lot, and he really spends a lot of time looking to the outside (at stuff - not just balancing to the outside), but I'm pleased considering I only had a few lessons on him, and Bob didn't really get to spend much time riding him because of the hives. I really like his personality, but it will remain to be seen if he is too much horse for me on my own. I don't want to ruin him, but I'd really like to keep him.
Mercury is a sweetheart. Holy horse. He has been on stall rest his entire first week at the new barn, and the other boarders are marveling at how calm he is. I can plop a foot in a bucket and then wander off and do stuff (thank goodness - after two weeks of soaking each foot 15 min/day, I am SO tired of soaking feet), and he just stands there. The left front hoof (the one that had the shoe the longest) had a soft spot mid-week that I poked with the hoof pick and more pus and blood came out. Two days later, I squeezed more out with just my thumb, so I think that one needs another week of soaking. The right front foot (the one that hasn't had a shoe for about 8 weeks now and that had the monster abscess) seems to be almost completely healed. There is just one tiny sensitive spot. I have heard from two people that this winter has been really bad for abscesses.
I hope this week we can put shoes back on (and trim poor Merc's feet), and then this weekend he can start getting turned out. Then his next shoeing we'll put pads on and keep them on so this doesn't happen again.
Speaking of, not a hive on his body. He is clean as a whistle. Well - hive-wise. He is doing really well with turnout and all the "new" stuff there is to look at - traffic, lots of other horses, a house, a kubota ... but he has discovered the pleasure of rolling and then me cleaning it off.
He's doing really well on the lunge line, and I rode him yesterday and today (briefly, because I have NO leg muscles after two months of not riding at all, and basically 6 months of riding minimally). He's putting his head up like a giraffe a lot, and he really spends a lot of time looking to the outside (at stuff - not just balancing to the outside), but I'm pleased considering I only had a few lessons on him, and Bob didn't really get to spend much time riding him because of the hives. I really like his personality, but it will remain to be seen if he is too much horse for me on my own. I don't want to ruin him, but I'd really like to keep him.
Mercury is a sweetheart. Holy horse. He has been on stall rest his entire first week at the new barn, and the other boarders are marveling at how calm he is. I can plop a foot in a bucket and then wander off and do stuff (thank goodness - after two weeks of soaking each foot 15 min/day, I am SO tired of soaking feet), and he just stands there. The left front hoof (the one that had the shoe the longest) had a soft spot mid-week that I poked with the hoof pick and more pus and blood came out. Two days later, I squeezed more out with just my thumb, so I think that one needs another week of soaking. The right front foot (the one that hasn't had a shoe for about 8 weeks now and that had the monster abscess) seems to be almost completely healed. There is just one tiny sensitive spot. I have heard from two people that this winter has been really bad for abscesses.
I hope this week we can put shoes back on (and trim poor Merc's feet), and then this weekend he can start getting turned out. Then his next shoeing we'll put pads on and keep them on so this doesn't happen again.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Willig and Mercury moved to a new barn
It has been a very stressful two weeks. In addition to Odin being diagnosed with DCM (a heart condition, on the other blog), two openings came available at the barn I put the boys on a waitlist for, in case Willig's hives didn't clear up. I decided to move them, which was a really hard decision to make.
We also got the blood work back from Willig's allergy and blood tests. His liver, kidney, and thyroid results were normal. And his allergies - he was tested for about 100 of the most common - were not enlightening. He was allergic to about 5 things - three pollens, none of which are out right now; a grass which doesn't grow here; and that pyrethionine stuff that is in some fly sprays, which isn't being used on him right now. And those were "positive" results, but not "highly positive." It is fantastic news that he doesn't need allergy shots and doesn't have severe problems, but leaves the question of his hives a mystery.
He is looking great though! Last Wed or Thurs - 2-3 days before he moved - he cleared up almost totally. There were just a few scattered, very small hives.
A few more came back on Saturday morning, before he moved.
He is getting used to the new barn, but he's stressed out by it. There's more horses, more going on, and he goes in and out during the day. There's also more traffic nearby. I lunged him each day he's been there - he's been walking around, and he's getting much better. He's really antsy in the cross-ties, but I think it's just because there's so much to look at. Someone was jumping on Sunday, so I turned one jump into a little lunging jump, and he did FABULOUS! He also liked having something extra to think about - he was able to focus and not look around so much.
I'm going to work with the new farrier to get his feet back in shape. I didn't notice until this week, but the farrier we were using cut his feet too short and small. I think that's why he hasn't been able to move out in the front.
Poor Mercury had abscesses in both front feet that burst last week. He got really, suddenly lame on the left front, and the next day Dr. Mike came out and started that abscess draining. Then the next day, the farrier (two weeks late) was out, and his hoof that has been without a shoe for six weeks had a HUGE abscess. It was a ton of blood and pus. So he is sans shoes on both front feet, now three weeks overdue to have his feet done, and I am soaking every day in betadine and epsom salts. They are still soft, so it is at least another week before he gets shoes back on.
I've put him back on biotin, and once his feet are totally healed, he'll get pads on the front at least to keep this from happening again.
Next weekend I'll take pictures of them in their new home. It's a very professionally run barn, and I'm looking forward to being able to ride them both again. I won't be able to show this year, but if I can sell or lease Mercury, I hope that next spring I can buy a truck and trailer and show next season.
We also got the blood work back from Willig's allergy and blood tests. His liver, kidney, and thyroid results were normal. And his allergies - he was tested for about 100 of the most common - were not enlightening. He was allergic to about 5 things - three pollens, none of which are out right now; a grass which doesn't grow here; and that pyrethionine stuff that is in some fly sprays, which isn't being used on him right now. And those were "positive" results, but not "highly positive." It is fantastic news that he doesn't need allergy shots and doesn't have severe problems, but leaves the question of his hives a mystery.
He is looking great though! Last Wed or Thurs - 2-3 days before he moved - he cleared up almost totally. There were just a few scattered, very small hives.
A few more came back on Saturday morning, before he moved.
He is getting used to the new barn, but he's stressed out by it. There's more horses, more going on, and he goes in and out during the day. There's also more traffic nearby. I lunged him each day he's been there - he's been walking around, and he's getting much better. He's really antsy in the cross-ties, but I think it's just because there's so much to look at. Someone was jumping on Sunday, so I turned one jump into a little lunging jump, and he did FABULOUS! He also liked having something extra to think about - he was able to focus and not look around so much.
I'm going to work with the new farrier to get his feet back in shape. I didn't notice until this week, but the farrier we were using cut his feet too short and small. I think that's why he hasn't been able to move out in the front.
Poor Mercury had abscesses in both front feet that burst last week. He got really, suddenly lame on the left front, and the next day Dr. Mike came out and started that abscess draining. Then the next day, the farrier (two weeks late) was out, and his hoof that has been without a shoe for six weeks had a HUGE abscess. It was a ton of blood and pus. So he is sans shoes on both front feet, now three weeks overdue to have his feet done, and I am soaking every day in betadine and epsom salts. They are still soft, so it is at least another week before he gets shoes back on.
I've put him back on biotin, and once his feet are totally healed, he'll get pads on the front at least to keep this from happening again.
Next weekend I'll take pictures of them in their new home. It's a very professionally run barn, and I'm looking forward to being able to ride them both again. I won't be able to show this year, but if I can sell or lease Mercury, I hope that next spring I can buy a truck and trailer and show next season.
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