The Start of Something New

It all started on Instagram. I was searching for new horse people to follow when I found this one girl. She trained her horses in liberty and it was amazing with what she could do with them. So, after researching I decided to try a little with Ava and just start having some fun. With all of the crazy weather going on lately and being sick off and on I don't really feel up to riding yet. Which makes practicing liberty perfect. Ava has a lot of fun (most of the time) and it is sweet to see her connection to me when we play together.

Poco

Coming when called

Donkey mare face

In other news Beju is doing really well and I absolutely love love love having him. I'm so happy that we will get to spend 15+ years together. And I'm crossing my fingers that in the near future I'll be getting another!

2013 Review

The year 2013 was not one of my favorite years... Each month didn't really have anything too significant but let's see what I can make up!

2013 Review

January
Although the snow and coldness may have been keeping us from trail riding around The Ranch we actually made a lot of progress in our training through this month. I was also training my aunt's horse, Poco at the time.

February

This month changed a lot of things for me because I put my beloved ferret Wolfie to sleep. He had battled Insulinoma (pancreatic cancer) for two years and was on a strict schedule- three times a day everyday he was given medication. That kept my life on a tight leash but I loved him and didn't care otherwise. After he was put to rest I kind of fell apart and besides family Ava was the only thing that kept me together. We worked and worked and eventually cantered bareback for the very first time.

March
Although I was still grieving about Wolfie my school was hard to focus on but I got through it nonetheless. This was also the time I found out that I had to leave The Ranch and find a new place to board. My old barn manager didn't want to run the place anymore so he was going to shut it down. I was so disappointed, The Ranch was the only place I could call home in the horse-world.

April
Ava got an abscess this month and boy was that scary! When I first got the news I thought I would have to eventually put her down but those were just my crazy hormones talking. She didn't get better for a few weeks but thanks to my old barn manager we got her taken care of.

May
This was the month we left The Ranch and moved over to Sunset Ranch. In the beginning we had a hard time transitioning to the new place but it eventually became a good place to be. The horses have over an acre of their own pasture, lots of hay, and tons of open space to ride around on. At the end of May I took on lifeguard training which I didn't think would take over my summer.

June
This was the beginning of my lifeguarding job. Although the training was a blast the people I had to work with were not very responsible or friendly, they were all in the same friend group it seemed and didn't want me to be apart of it... So obviously I won't be doing lifeguarding again! I have to admit though, I loved the job and wish I could almost get a career in it I couldn't stand the people, not mature enough for that kind of job. Besides work I only headed down to the barn to say hi and give a treat.

July
Lifeguarding still took over my life and only rode a few times. On top of that school was starting soon and finally work was coming to an end. All I was thinking was, "BARN TIME!" School was and is still less stressful than lifeguarding would ever be.

August
This month was a little scary. Our whole valley was in the midst of a gigantic wildfire and we even had to evacuate the house for a night as well. I ended up not doing much with Ava either because the smoke was insanely bad- to the point where you were wearing masks. After that, school started.

September
Life kicked in and I only got in one ride. It was an amazing ride though. Otherwise I was in school and still dealing with the fires.

October
This is when I started deciding for Ava to be a trail horse/long distance horse. I could tell that she loved be out of the arena and exploring. On top of that my blog got nominated for the Sunshine Award, thank you so much! And on top of that Ava and I got second place in an online horse show for Showmanship. Things picked up after this month.

November
Although not much riding was gotten in due to school and unsuccessful planning I got some amazing news. I was accepted into the college I applied for! I will be going there next fall and of course will be taking Ava and Poco with me. This was also when I decided that I have to buy a trailer by spring.

December
This was a busy yet fun filled month. I got multiple rides in and started getting Ava back into shape, made some good money off of babysitting, and had a great holiday. I also decided to definitely start training for long distance riding, I think it will definitely suit us.

Aside from that this basically concludes my year... Not too exciting eh? But anyways I am already sure that 2014 is going to be different, very different in a good way and I can't wait to see what journey it holds for us. Happy New Year everyone!!

Field Riding Fiends!

Yesterday Cappie and I went out on a field ride. It was beautiful, hot weather and Ava and I enjoyed every bit of it. Cappie was good company too and his horse and Ava got along great. Here are some pictures from the ride.

Ava and The Ranch

Me and The Ranch

Ava and Poco eating dinner

Cappie failing at picture taking, haha!

Deworming Day and a Little More

It is that time of year again. After working Babe I argued with her on how she has to have the dewormer. She wouldn't have any of it until finally she stopped the head bobbing for a few milliseconds and I squirt it in. Poco on the other hand was a pure angel! I would show it to her, let her smell it and she was chill, even when it was pressed into her mouth!

Today it was rainy and cloudy so we worked inside. I totally forgot but they were having a cutting lesson today but my BO was nice and let me join in. So, we worked on our cutting techniques. Ava benefits from this but she does get a little antsy towards the end.

We also decided where we are going to move to. It isn't 100% but unless something better comes along then it will be. We decided to move back to RS. After much conversing it sounds like it would be the best decision (at least for the time being.) They have what we need, they are hosting lots of shows which would be great for us to participate in, and one of the boarders at The Ranch will be moving there as well. So, although it won't be perfect it will do just fine.

Flag Fun and a Sunny Day

Thursday was a pretty good ride. My BO let me work the flag all on my own and although it was kind of difficult working the remote and controlling a green horse it ended up being fun. Ava even started to watch it! I know that Ava could be good at cutting, she could be good at almost anything! But I think I mainly just want her to be a trail horse and my friend. Ever since Wolfie passed relationships have become much more important to me. That includes Ava, I don't want to remember myself working her to death, I want to remember what a great bond we had and all the trail riding adventures we went on. That is also why I have been starting on Parelli (we are almost finished with Level 1!), they are known for creating a bond with your horse.

Anyways, the ride ended up being okay. The only thing was that the saddle pinched the inside of my calves so bad that I am now left with huge bruise marks. The way I can solve this is to wear different pants, my jeans kept riding up and revealed my skin which made it pinch me... That was annoying and on top of that there was a slight rub mark on Ava's back (I'm thinking the saddle may be a bit wide, so I'll add another pad to see if it helps).

The next day was much more chill. I took Ava to the outdoor arena (I had to walk all the way around because there were some cows blocking the way, such a long walk!) and started working on The Seven Games. She is basically a master at all of them but we still need to practice the figure-8 and a few other things as well. She did good and then after we were finished I walked her around the equipment barn and then down the driveway. On our way back I had her stand on the bridge, she was getting snorty because of some people doing yard work but in the end I got her to stop at a good point. It was gorgeous yesterday, I was basically sweating with my jacket on, I loved it!

Poco attack!

Picture, after it snowed again

That cute horsey in the middle is my girls pasture mate, Sugar.

Sitting, Reading, Waiting

With no mood for riding at the moment I grabbed my book Horses Never Lie by Mark Rashid and headed down to the barn. I hadn't started reading it yet because I have a current obsession with Beautiful Creatures but today I decided to begin. The weather was decent, slightly chilly with a breeze but sitting in the loafing shed soaking up sun definitely made it better. I ignored the horses, I'm also working on my Undemanding Time with them. They were all frisky because there were some new cows in the back pasture that were supposedly trying to spook them. I opened my book and was hooked the moment I read the first sentence. Rashid did a great job writing this, I love how non-fiction can be written in a story kind of way, it is my favorite. I am not sure how long I read for but it must have been at least thirty minutes (for Undemanding Time the minimum requirement is 30mins) and the only reason I left is because someone was going to drag the pastures. It was a very nice time and definitely lifted my spirits for the time being.

As I was leaving I was still ignoring the girls but then Ava started to move in weird direction and ended up following right up next to me. Even Poco came over for a hello. I gave both of them some strokes and scratches then told them goodbye. For all the people who don't believe that natural horsemanship really works then well, your loss... I definitely believe in this "fluffy bunny foo foo bullsh**" as I've heard it said before, it, without a doubt, works. I am a believer! I don't care what no one says, horses never lie!

Sittin' on a Fence Post

The Ranch was insanely busy today, probably one of the busiest I've seen. So I didn't even bother going in. There were a couple people I was not fond of in there, those know-it-all's that don't really know anything type of people... I didn't even want a chance to cross paths so I went out to the girls pasture, sat on the fence post, and enjoyed some peaceful time with them; along with snapping a couple photos.

The horses in the next pasture over were quite intrigued
with me sitting up there.

Ava and Poco standing next to each other <3

I plan on going out tomorrow, hopefully it won't be quite so hectic and will be able to ride. I am not really liking how little room there is, it is almost becoming an inconvenience. I mean my BO is making his horse training and lessons a priority over his boarders... Which shouldn't be the case. It is becoming quite agitating and I think I'm going to try and keep an eye out for another place. I mean I absolutely love the facility (I plan to own it one day, haha!) here but the people are starting to wear on me, some of them anyways... I don't want to go on a rant but I just don't understand some of these horse people sometimes, I just don't get it...

In other news Ava and I are entering a show! And not just any show, we are entering an online show! We won't even have to leave The Ranch! I found this site called Horseshow.com and it hosts online horse shows. At first I was like "yeah right, this is too good to be true, there must be a catch..." But it is totally legit, testimonials, they sponsor other live shows, it is wonderful! Anyways, we are going to enter the Spring Youth Festival, most likely do the showmanship and either the hunt seat equitation along with english pleasure or do western equitation along with western pleasure. Maybe do them all! It also says that you don't need show apparel but I am totally dressing up for this, I mean why not? I'm super excited and also if you get first you can win a $100 gift certificate to Dover Saddlery! We are going to be practicing a lot, this is going to be fun!

Poco's Training Log #5

Poco had a wonderful session today. I started her in the round pen for a short warm up then went and lunged her in the arena. She is becoming so light that I am almost not pulling on her anymore. I worked on the Lunging for Respect st.1 and st.2, sometimes making her canter after the turn. This pretty much solved all of our pulling problems at the canter which I predicted. After she was a little sweaty I tied her up and then put all her tack on. This was the first time she has had a back cinch and western saddle on in quite some time, she didn't buck, charge, nothin'. I lunged her in the arena (someone was in the round pen) and worked on flapping the stirrups, sending, and Lunging for Respect. She did well in the arena especially since three other working horses were in there, we did our best to keep stay in our own spot. The round pen was finally empty so we went on in. I did some mounting tests then got on. We flexed from side to side, did a few one-rein stops, turning, whoa's, backing, trotting, and cantering (yes cantering!). She is definitely coming along, all she needs is time. After she was finished I groomed her, picked her feet (she's better but still needs a little work) and then took her on a mini walk.


She did a great job!

Poco's Training Log #4

Poco showed quite a bit of improvement today! Especially for not being worked for three days. I didn't have much time so I told myself just to do simple things that she already knew but we actually did a few new things with ease!

I brought her into the barn (there was no one there, zero!) and lunged her on the lunge line. The first time I tried lunging her on the line she was all over the place, pulling immensely, and was nervous at every move I made towards her. Today, she was almost a different horse, not completely but well on her way there. I had her start out walking while throwing the whip over her back to help her become more desensitized to it then did a lot of trotting along with our oh so helpful lunging for respect. We tried a little bit of cantering but she still needs work on softening up while doing it. I think transitions will work well for that as well as more flexing on that side. I took some video of her lunging but my stupid phone won't send it to my computer, hopefully I can get it up soon. At the end I did a lot of whip desensitization, some flexing, and then was done. She definitely has improvement, all the trainers said she was basically impossible. I'd like to see what they say a few months from now!

Poco's Training Log #3

Yesterday I rode Poco and Ava!!

I started Poco in the arena because my BO was in the roundpen working a horse. I had Poco lunge around me then worked up to Lunging for Respect st.1 and st.2. She did very well and barely pulled. After the roundpen cleared up I tacked her up (while she stood there cows were brought in and she kind of bumped into me and I did my best to keep her from doing that) and took her in there. I started with some sending, something was making her nervous on the other side of the pen so I sent her until she wouldn't mind it anymore. Then I tied her reins loosely to her saddle and lunged her, and lunged her and lunged her. After she was super sweaty (she always gets like this no matter what!) I grabbed my helmet, did a few more flexes (which she is getting very good at) and then hopped on. I also realized afterwards that that was Poco's first ride back in months! The things we worked on was the one-rein stop, a couple rollbacks, and moving forward. I thought she did very good for her first time back.

Our one step forward: she wasn't pulling on my nearly as much as she was in the beginning.

Poco's Training Log #2 & Ava Begins Collection!

Today Poco had improvement!

We started in the roundpen just to warm up. Then we worked on groundwork; we started with lots of backing, Poco tends to throw her head in the air when I ask her to back so I worked on getting her to lower her head and accept the pressure. Then we did disengaging the hind, yielding the front, and just basic ground stuff. Then I started her on Lunging for Respect st.1 and st.2 (this is from Clinton Anderson's program, and if things go well I will be using a lot of his techniques, they are working well for her). She did well with all of that while in the round pen. Then I took her to the arena and did some more Lunging for Respect in there and it went very well, she thought about pulling only a couple times but ended up saving my hands, very happy!

After we were all done I groomed her and picked out her feet (she pulled away one of her feet but I made her behave). Then I showed her a scary bag to help start building confidence and then took her back to her pasture.

That is pretty much all I did with her, still a step forward though!

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As for miss Ava she did great! I lunged her only for a bit to get her wiggles all shook off (although, she didn't have any!) and then I tacked her up to ride. We had to do most of our riding in the round pen because a cutting lesson was going on in the arena at the time. We still got a lot of things done though, I started to get her to began collecting! I don't know why I haven't really focused on it before but I guess the time was now! After the lesson was over I took Ava into the arena and worked more on the collecting. Then I had her canter some small circles, neck-rein at the canter, and desensitizing to this red can filled saddle bag. Ava did very well, she is coming along nicely. I do need to advance her along more though, she is starting to become too good at what she is doing, haha! So, I'll be looking for some new stuff for us to do. We need to start on carrying a flag if I decide to rodeo queen this year!

And Poco!

Poco's Training Log #1

I know that Ava was supposed to be doing the posting but I decided that she could do it some other time. She was a little agitated but understood, hopefully. Anyways, I wanted to tell you about Poco and I's work session yesterday.

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I am starting a training log for Poco and hopefully I can keep up with it. This post is a little late but I'll see how much I can remember.

So I started by roundpenning her until she was not so fresh anymore. She did good roundpenning and responds quickly to my ques although she does get a little too quick at times, so we'll need to work on that. I have also noticed that she is not very desensitized to me while I lunge her (she has always been this way); so I also worked on that. After she was relaxing I put on her halter and did some groundwork. We worked on backing, disengaging the hindquarters, yielding the forequarters, flexing (she is not very good at this but is getting better). She is a very responsive horse but also a very alert horse, not always the best combo but I could use it to my advantage.

We then made our way to the arena. I started lunging her on the line and it began fine but then she started leaning. Whenever I would ask for a faster gait she would do this, again, she needs to be desensitized to me more before I should've done this. I did my best to keep her from pulling but at times she would pull me with her. This is my main goal for her, not to pull! We worked on that for a while. I stopped at the best point I could and then went over to a wall and started to work on sending. This ended up being perfect for her. Poco started by walking quickly or even slightly jogging between me and the wall but she soon started to just simply walk by. Then I would move in closer and closer; at times she wouldn't want to pass through but she ended up doing and did great. She ended doing a very good job and just one step closer. I ended our session with desensitizing to a whip, it went well. Then I groomed her off, put her back, and told her she did a job well done.

I didn't work Ava on this day, I surprisingly worked Poco for longer than I had expected to.

All tired and sweaty

Look at that head! She almost never keep her head like this!

Ava stalking Poco

A nice roll

On the Mend

For the past week as some of you may know that I've been sick. Today I am feeling so much better, throat doesn't ache, nose is clearing, and I don't have the sudden urge to take naps anymore! Although my cold is getting better my stomach on the other hand is so unpredictable. It started hurting a few days after I got sick but it truly began on Christmas Day but went away after a few days then came back. Ugh, there is always something I need to worry about. I am wondering if I have some kind of food intolerance for something, I'm trying to weed it out but so far it is taking a lot of time...

Anyways, besides that I finally went down to see Ava yesterday! Gosh I missed her so much, being stuck in the house for a week is no fun for me, I make a horrible couch potato...

Today the farrier came down and did Ava and Poco's feet. I lunged Poco for about an hour beforehand and surprisingly by the end she was literally dripping with sweat. I didn't even work her that hard! Poco stood for the farrier fine but jumped away when snow fell off the arena roof and making a loud noise; I don't blame her though, it can make a really scary noise. Ava stood like champ especially for just being pulled out of the pasture. Afterwards I put Poco out then came back lunged Ava and rode as well. Ava did fine but was kind of all over the place and was also a little ansy too, a storm is coming, so the weather says. Overall she did fine though and it was great to get back in the saddle. The saddle I was trying ended up not working out, I found that it actually rubs her in quite a few places, so, that is definitely not going to work. I'm pretty disappointed but my BO said I could use one of his western saddles and could also try an Australian saddle he has in the back. So, we'll do that and see what happens. It is so nice to be back doing my horsey stuff, it makes me all happy inside!

Third Saddle Tryout & Frosty Ponies

Alright so yesterday I picked up a western saddle to tryout. It is a Billy Royal with a 15" seat. I rode in it today and actually liked it a lot. It seemed to be fairly comfortable for Ava as well because she would lower her head and soften her neck and poll much more than usual. I know that it is a little small for her but it didn't seem to bother her at all. Ava yet again did very well on her ride. You can almost completely neck rein her. Also, her gaits are getting a lot better and she responds to my 'asks' quite well. After the ride I checked to see if the saddle left anything bad. It seemed to have left some kind of slight rub all along her left side but that may have been caused by me taking off the saddle and fluffing her hair up. I am also thinking that the saddle pad I have might not be terribly comfortable on her either; it is kind of a scratchy wool type. I'm going to try one of my BO's and see if it makes a difference. I would be so excited if this saddle worked.

The lighting gives it no justice! It is a really gorgeous saddle in the right light.

Besides saddle fitting and riding the weather frosted everything the other night and left everything with white crystals. It was beautiful, I took a picture of the pasture fence below to show y'all.

Frosted pasture fence

Sleepy snow ponies

Winter at the barn