How to Lunge a Dragon

Yesterday miss Ava decided to act like a little dragon.

On our way to the arena all the other horses came running up which triggered Ava's dragon mode. She would snort, prance, and lift her tail like an Arabian. I didn't get after her much on this, I kind of let her speak her mind and if she got too pushy I would remind her that that is not tolerable. And although she was being a dragon she wasn't really being a dangerous one. She didn't run me over or pull on me, which was great.

Once we got inside the round pen I first let her look around (first time!). After a few minutes I started giving her direction and within ten minutes she was calming down and looking to me for safety and rest.

Today we did the same routine. Only, when walking down the arena Ava didn't go into dragon mode, she would stop often but after we were more than half way there she quit. And in the round pen she first had lots of energy but after giving her guidance she actually started lowering her head and calming down, despite the wind!

For some reason it has been easier to show my body language to her, I feel as though I can understand things better and get what I want with less and less effort. It is quite an amazing thing.

She did much better than I could have hoped. So, afterwards I rewarded her with some grain.

Ava trotting after me for a treat

Two shadowed girls

Nom

We're Settling

The new place is working out better than I had hoped. It is private, quiet, and you can basically do whatever you want without anyone fussing.

Ava has been learning to come when called. It is starting to work very well, especially when she is at the complete opposite end of her huge pasture.

I tried riding her a little today. It went... not so great. She tried bucking and rearing with me on her, and of course her signature of taking every little advantage to do something bad... I'm not sure that riding will work out very well in our future... I know it may sound silly, crazy or whatever but I've been considering retiring Ava from riding and just advance our ground and showmanship skills. The more I ride her the more I feel like we are on different levels and I'm not sure we will ever been the same. It saddens me but all I know is that we are both very good at showmanship, so if we work hard maybe we can start entering higher level showmanship shows. It's an idea. I also wouldn't have to worry about getting hurt anymore too! Eventually I would want another horse that is my level of riding but until I get a massive increase of income I will be working with my little halter pony.

I've also considered teaching her to drive but that is a whole other ordeal.

"Easy There Unsteady Betty!"

It has been hard adapting to being outside all the time instead of going into the nice cozy insulated, heated indoor arena. It's definitely not fun when it is cold and windy.

I started Ava's day with some grain, carrots, and even tried a couple bananas (which she despised!). I then haltered her and headed down the long path to the working arena. On our way down there she was breathing surprisingly hard and would stop frequently. Once we got to the arena I started by walking her around it, threw the rope over her a little and once I thought she was calm enough I let her lunge a bit. She was horrible in the beginning. Tossing her head, rearing, pulling, slight bucks, and excessive speed. I stayed as calm as possible and gave her the benefit of the doubt but when she got a little too forceful with her nonsense I got after her, hard. I don't mind some goofiness but when it becomes too excessive I have no tolerance for it. After that her mood was better, not completely, but better. I made her move her feet a lot, making sure I wasn't being too agressive, almost trying to make a game out of it. After she calmed dramatically I actually got her to calmly canter on the lunge (good girl!!). I then finished with some desensitization.

After getting back to the pasture I began to teach Ava how to come. It definitely worked after she was rewarded with a little bit of grain. She still did great though.

I also found a western Wintec saddle at the tack store and brought it over to the new place to try on Ava. It looked great on her and hopefully we can ride in it soon.

Still missing The Ranch but trying to make the best of what we have at the new place.

Loaded Up and Gone

Ava has improved a lot since I last posted. After speaking with my BO about her condition he thought that she could have possibly picked up the habit moving like that. Horses are an animal of habit so that wouldn't surprise me. So, I've been getting her to move out on the lunge more and she looks back to normal!!

Although now, she has been having thrush in her front feet so I've been treating that with Trio-dine. It actually seems to be helping.

Sunday was our last day down at The Ranch. I truly cannot believe how fast those months went by, things have been so out of place lately, I wish I could have enjoyed it more. But there was a little farewell party and I was able to goodbye to everyone for the last time. It was emotional and it overcame me, crying ended up being inevitable.

The next day we moved. It all went smoothly and the horses were all calm when they unloaded. On top of that the weather was very nice. After we let the girls loose we headed up to the tack room and claimed our spaces. I couldn't help but be sad almost the whole day, The Ranch will always be our "home." I feel as if I'm going to have to start everything over again. We'll just have to see what happens.

The new place definitely isn't the ritz but it has what we need and it will serve us well.

Enjoying the space

Sweet girls

The end of their pasture

Not So Lame Anymore, Maybe Not...

I thought she would have improved more by now...

Today I thought I should try lunging her to see how she was doing. Well, she is definitely still off and quite reluctant to move forward... Not super happy about that. Quite a few days ago now I found where the abscess erupted, it was in two places, out her heel and her bar... My BO was a little concerned, he thought that it may have gone all the way through but may have an infection. So, I'm going to start soaking her foot again to see if it helps, possibly even get some antibiotics. If she isn't better within the week I'll have the vet out. Not super happy, hopefully she'll get better, it is worrying me slightly.

Besides that I've been taking her on walks every time I'm out there and just trying to keep her up on handling. Our bond is getting stronger, I can feel it. Before, I felt like every time we were together it was forced and she was just doing stuff because she had to, but now she is becoming more willing and happier to stay with me. She has trust issues and I need to remember to balance that out.

We have also decided on our place to move and will be signing the boarding papers this weekend. Not sure how soon we'll move but fairly soon. I'm nervous yet excited about the move, multiple people said that we'll like the new place. So that makes me feel a lot better! After we move I will be taking a load of pictures, especially with all this wonderful weather we've been having.

Happy hay face!

Ava soaking her foot right before she tipped the whole thing over...

Few minutes after this shot it started pouring down snow!

My injury while caring for the beast

Pretty girl

Most recent picture, took this today