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!

Flexy Pony

Lots of hugs and kisses for my girl today. She tried so hard and you could tell she was concentrating, boy, I was even concentrating!

We warmed up quickly in the round pen and then tacked up. I've been using my old Stubben for Ava lately and love it but sadly it is too small for Babe and too big for me so I think I may sell it to make some cash for my new saddle. Anyways, on with our day! I started Ava at a walk and began asking for some vertical flexion, she was doing okay when all of a sudden she KEPT the posture! Not for a half a second but for many many seconds! I was so proud of her. We then moved on to the trot and worked on some more flexion, looking good but still needs work. We also worked on sidepassing, leg yields, and arena patterns. I then asked for the canter, she didn't do too bad, cantering needs the most work. Towards the end of the ride I was trotting her and then asked for the canter while asking for her head down and poll broken, she did it! That was one of the best transitions into cantering she has ever done. Of course, I am so proud! After that I ended it, although wanting to do that same thing over and over again I didn't want to push her, at least not yet. We cooled off, untacked, then went on a walk towards the outdoor arena, it was so warm, it must have been close to 40 degrees! I may have said before under stress and frustration that I didn't love Ava anymore but the truth is that I could never stop loving her, she is apart of me. If I stopped loving her it would be as if I stopped loving myself.

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!

The Still Life of Ava's Training

Here are two stills from the riding session I video taped of Ava and I. She doesn't stay in this position, but we are working on that. After I took these stills I noticed that in the first one she looks like a western horse and in the second she looks more like an English horse. I am still deciding whether to do western dressage or classical. I may be weighing towards classical a little more just because that is what my gut is telling me but western dressage is new and would be a great way to get my name out there if I wanted to become a WD trainer or whatnot, ya know!

Western looking pony

And an English looking pony

Which looks best?!

Hot but Connected!

I started Ava with some dressage training the other day. It is literally going to be perfect for us! Dressage gives Ava something to focus on, strengthens her muscles, works her mentally, teaches her to respond well and calmly to my aids. I didn't wear spurs for the first time in a while and couldn't believe how well she did. I didn't even notice that I wasn't wearing spurs until now! It also makes me concentrate so much more, I couldn't believe how focused I was, I usually can't focus very well, haha! We started working on leg yields and then worked more on breaking at the poll, she can do it but won't stay that way. I also video taped one of our sessions and couldn't believe that she was actually becoming connected, it was lovely, no hollow backed pony!

I need to work on transitions a lot. I end up working in one gait for too long and basically just wear her out and get her too overheated, which I don't want. She has a lot of potential and in my gut it just feels like the right thing for us.

Not only did I discover classical dressage for us but I just found western dressage! How amazing is that?! It is still very new to the horse world but this intrigues me and we may end up doing this. The downfalls to doing WD is finding a western saddle that fits Ava for a decent price (less than $1000) and finding shows locally will be near to impossible. As for classical dressage I already have a saddle that would be perfect for Ava (less than $800 and english saddles fit her conformation better) and shows would be a million times easier to find around her. I will be thinking about it but for now we will just be working on the basics. This is so exciting! You can check out what WD is below, it is a simple test that someone is performing.

Here is miss girl in her new cooler, it finally came! I love it, I thought it would be more of a light blue but this looks just fine, I am happy with it. I have been wanting a cooler for quite some time and now it has come!