Sunday Evening's Groundwork!!

This evening I worked with Daisy a bit ;) I joined up with her again (I love how that works and Daisy just loves being with me..a few times when I am cleaning up manure she is right behind me and I don't know it and I have hit her with the manure fork a few times..she looks at me like what are you doing? :D I am like hehe you were behind me and I didn't know it :D). Anyway she just loves being with me as I said so I put her halter on and got her to move her hindquarter around both ways and then got her to follow me. Since she was doing so well I didn't do it for too long. Then I took her over to the fence and got on her. I just rode around the corral with the leadrope and halter..she did pretty well with that...I also got her to stand still nicely for me while I was on her. That had me really happy. She is a pretty awesome horse ;)

Friday's Ride!

The top picture is my favorite new picture of Daisy and the second one is a picture of a chicken on Daisy :D I got to spend pretty much time taking pictures and just loving on Daisy yesterday due to the snow (yes it snowed practically all day yesterday and the sam today..we aren't getting much snow but I can't believe we keep getting more snow on top of the 9 or so inches we had on Wednesday). I did ride a little yesterday but not for to long. I just walked Daisy around the barn on the driveway and had one canter in the tracks that the neighbor made with his skid loader. It was fun just spending time with her. Hope you all have a wonderful fun filled weekend!!

Thursday's Groundwork and Ride!!

Tonight I spent some time just loving on Daisy. First I groomed her and played with her. I was jumping beside her and she didn't like it so I kept doing it till she lowered her head..it was kinda funny ;) Then I brought a bucket in the corral turned it upside down and called Daisy over. She came and I got her to come up to the bucket..It took some persuasion but she came. Then when I was ready to get on the bucket she swung her but away from the bucket..I got off and asked her to move it back over. She did and I got on the bucket again and just stood there. She stayed still so I layed my body over top of her back and she stayed still again ;) So then I got on her and still she stayed ;) I was so impressed. Each time she tried to move forward I would go into my stopping position and she stopped. Then I asked her to go forward and I rode her around and tried to get her used to me asking her to turn with my body..that will need work but hey we have all year (unless something happens of course) ;) Then I got her to stop completely by stilling my hips and pulling my stomache in and making a fist with both hands (it was really cool..that is my stopping aide). So I got off and praised her. She is really coming along ;)

Playing in the Snow!

Today I got to let Daisy free and let her run. To clarify I asked my neighbor if I may use her meadow (pictured in the bottom picture so you can see a bit how the size is) to lunge Daisy and let her run and go free, do some join up, and other groundwork. First I got inside the meadow..took Daisy's halter and leadrope off and cracked my lunge whip to let her know she can go and run till her heart's content ;) Off she ran and I took lots of pictures..she kept looking toward home :D Anyway once she had run for a while and started pawing for grass I was like time to work :D I put her halter on again and her lunge line and lunged her. She did pretty good but we mainly worked on changing directions..I lunged her till she got her playfullness out of her and she started to listen to me. Then I took her halter and the lunge line off and let her go..I got her attention and held out my hand and she came right to me..I was really impressed. Then I walked away and she walked by me..I jogged and she trotted. I was so happy..I let her go again and she ate grass for a while while I got all the things I had brought down together. Then I called her and said time to go and home we came. It to me was very productive and a lot of fun!! Hope to do it again soon!!

We got a decent amount of snow and the snow is coming down really well. Last time my sister measured we had six inches. I am happy :D Hope you have a wonderful and safe evening!

Daisy!!

Well I told you all about my trip to the Horse World Expo and some of you may have checked out this link:  http://www.youtube.com/user/CarolineRider#p/a/u/1/WCWFbBmQuHY (definitely worth looking at..watch the whole way to the end..awesome!!). I did this with Daisy and she came pretty much right away..it was awesome. I want to see if I can use my neighbors smaller meadow to work with Daisy on lunging and other groundwork when the ground isn't muddy..we shall see!! I didn't do anything with Daisy today as I had to work but I have tomorrow and Thursday off so maybe I can get something in with her..we shall see!!

Monday's Bareback Ride!!

I got to ride again finally. It has been really cold here and last week I didn't feel so good either but I feel back to normal again which is SO NICE!! I groomed Daisy and she stood completely still in the same place without me haltering her or tying her. I was impressed. She loves to spend time with me :D Then I put her western headstall on with the hackamore which the cool thing is she stuck her nose right into it. Then I brought her over to the bucket so I could get on and she walks front but then the second time I bring her over she stands nice and still and I get on..then I go over to the gate and open it while on her..the first time I did that ;) So we went down the strip and I can't remember the last time we went down that way. Some of you may remember that I was having trouble with her shying when her right side is toward the road. She did really good and only spooked a few times..I was really impressed. We went out in the field and cantered good..I would have done it more but I had my snowboots on and they aren't very nice for running bareback (they are a bit big for me :D). Anyway that was my ride and I was very happy to ride!!

Horse World Expo and Sunshine!

Yesterday I went to the Horse World Expo in Md! http://horseworldexpo.com/MDmain.shtml  (here is a link). I learned a LOT and got some new ideas and I even got the book that my friend Andrea and I will be sharing by Lynn Palm on Collection : http://www.shoplynnpalm.com/product245.html and I really believe I can learn a lot from it!! I don't have my pictures yet but I will hopefully be able to get them within the next two weeks. First we looked around and checked out all the exhibitors..that was interesting. I saw a bitless bridle I was interested it..We meaning Sharon, Andrea and I are going to see if our harness shop can make something up for cheaper (same style) and see if we like it..I can't wait!! ;) Our first demo was on gait correction which to me was really interesting. Then we saw a demo on proper biting which was also interesting and also a demo on how to teach a hose to drive. Then afte that was a demo by Caroline Rider and I LOVED LOVED her demo..here is a link to a youtube video that shows somewhat what she did..awesome if you ask me!! http://www.youtube.com/user/CarolineRider#p/a/u/1/WCWFbBmQuHY  (this is somewhat what she did at the expo)..I really enjoyed this..Then we saw another demo on to make your every day horse a dimond then after that we saw Ryan Rose with his team do Parreli..Really cool..I enjoyed that as well. The last thing we saw for the day was a parade of breeds and also a special demonstration for thearaputic riding ;) We saw a freisan (sp) do some really awesome dressage movements..he was in a double bridle and it was awesome watching him do the extended trot and other cool stuff..that was my second favorite part of the day..that and Caroline Rider ;)
Today then I got to ride a horse named Sunshine at Sharon's..Sunshine is a 6 year old Palomino mare who Sharon doesn't think was ridden before she came to her..Sunshine we think was abused at one point too because she is really skittish and not to quick to trust..she just has that way about her. She did awesome for me today..I enjoyed riding her as well. Brian (the guy that comes regularly and rides her usually) said she did really good today and I agree because I saw how she did for him about a month ago and she was really skittish then ;) Anyway that was my weekend so far..I really enjoyed myself :D

Tuesday's Update!!

Well I actually am not feeling better..wish I were though! :D I went to the doctor today and I have a some kind of virus (I felt better yesterday then got sick again today) and the not so nice thing is it could last 7 to 10 days. The dr gave me some medicine to take so I will be taking that. Hopefully better soon though! I got to love on Daisy and I gave her some carrots, apples and a peppermint mix today..she loved it..then I groomed her and let her play in the snow till bed time ;)

Monday Morning's Ride!!

This morning I rode before I headed to work. I groomed Daisy first then tacked her up in the English saddle and bridle. I got her to stand nicely and got on. She walked off but I got her stopped. Then I rode around the barn first but then I headed out the field. I cantered Daisy a bit and the cool thing is I experienced the elasticness of my elbows that I read about yesterday (Jane Savoie's article in the Horse Illustrated not sure what Issue but her article on collection). Anyway that was cool. I cantered her twice the length of the field then came back and started working on Daisy understanding the aids to stop. First I still my hips and pull my stomache in then close both my hands into fists around the reins. At first Daisy walked right thru my aides but then the one time she stopped and I released everything right away..and as soon as I did she walked forward and back on the aids went..she stopped and started a few times like that but the nice thing was she stopped when I asked for it. Then I asked her to go forward and we walked a ways and I asked her to stop and stop immediately she did so I released everything and I got off and praised her. IT WAS SO NEAT. I am enjoying training her..she is fun :D Hope you have a geat day and off to work I go ;)

Sunday's Groundwork!!

Tonight I worked with Daisy a little bit on groundwork. First I got her to back up without me even touching her..she is very sensitive. Then I got her to move her hindquarters which she did a ton better than the first time around ;) that is pretty much all I did but then I loved on her a bit!! I am so happy with my girl ;) Hope you are having a great weekend so far!

Thursday Evening's Groundwork Session!

Even though I didn't feel well I wanted to work with Daisy a little bit from the ground last night. I was coming out later than usual and she wasn't to impressed about that :D I put her halter on and led her around first. After I led her around for a bit I asked her to move her haunches around and she did..I had to ask for it a few times and I had to tap a few times but she did it. Then I moved to the right side and I didn't have to barely ask for it and she moved. I was impressed. We worked on the left side for a little while longer till she moved without barely being asked ;) I praised her quite a bit after she did a good job! After I worked with her moving her haunches around then I unclipped the lead rope and she followed me around. It was running thru my mind while she was following me around that it would be awesome if I could impress on her that she has to stand still when I am getting on her even if the saddle isn't on her (she stand perfect without moving off at all with the either saddle on but bareback I usually (it depends) have to work with her a bit before she stands still). So that is what I did. I ran the lead rope thru her halter to make kinda of a bridle and then hooked both ends of the lead rope (the clip end and the other end) together to make reins. Then I turned my bucket upside down and and brought her over. I asked her to whoa right beside the bucket. At first she just wanted to move around and be a nut about it :D I finally got her to stand nicely beside the bucket. The next step was to get her stand nicely beside the bucket WHILE I am walking around her, away from her and on the bucket. I told her WHOA and then I walked around her..she did great with that. Then I got on the bucket and said WHOA again when she shifted but she stood still. Then I pressed my hands on her back and such and she still stood still. So I hopped on and she didn't move. That was pefect. So I rode her around to try to figure some things out I had watched on video (I didn't do anything I was just seeing if I could see what the guy meant and I plan to work on this stuff once I ride again in the saddle). Daisy was doing really good so I stopped her and got off. Then I brought her up to the bucket again and wanted her to stand still because she didn't know what I was going to do as far if I was going to just make her stand there or if I was going to get on her. Well with a little work she stood still and I got on the bucket. I just pressed my hands on her back, praised her for standing still and then I got off the bucket ;) I praised her and hugged her then took the halter and leadrope off of her and let her go. It was pretty awesome. Then I gave her hay said good night and headed to bed :D If I feel better toward the end of the day I will maybe ride her! Hope you have a great day!

Farm Show and Lightning!

He knows when you're happy, He knows when you're comfortable, He knows when you're confident, And he always knows when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown
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Another one of our HC memebers is grieveing the lost of her dear horse Lightning..Please keep Joyce in your thoughts and prayers!! Give your horse an extra carrot, apple or hug today!! I know the loss of the three horses Tiranog, Petite Fleur and now Lightning has made me realize how short and sweet the time with our equines is!! Makes me treasure each time I spend with Daisy! ♥
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Today I was hanging out at the farm show which is an annual show that has farm animals..it is kinda hard to explain but anyway. They had team penning today and it was really cool watching it. I saw a horse that reminded me of Daisy ;) Daisy is doing really well. Don't think I will ride tonight because I am not feeling well but hopefully tomorrow! Hope you all have a wonderful evening!!
REMEMBERING Lightning #167966 who was put down January 12 2010 due to the tumor that was eating at his face..bone and all!

AWESOME VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rKEQQiq7G4&sns=fb

Wednesday's Ride!!

Today I got to ride again. Since there was snow on the ground and the road conditions weren't the best I didn't have to go to work so I won't be going in tomorrow either (I usually sleep at my aunt and uncles Wednesday nights because I work there). Anyway I put the western hackamore on today and rode bareback instead of english. I worked on Daisy's collection today again and she did really good!! Sorry for the misunderstanding yesterday..I was working on her collection first and then after that I worked on my 2 pt position not at the same time. Anyway she did really good and as you can see in the main photo she is holding her head correctly or at least better than that last picture!! After I cantered her and my sister got some nice photos (check out the collages at the bottom of her page) I worked with her some more on collection and I trotted her some. She did really well today and I haven't had much time to spend some good long quality time with her and so today was awesome for that since I didn't have to work!! I hope to do it again tomorrow but we shall see! Hope you have a wonderful day!

REMEMBERING Lightning #167966 (on Horsechannel) who was put down today due to the tumor that was eating at his face..bone and all. Please keep Joyce in your thoughts and prayers!!

Riding in the Snow with Daisy!

Tonight I rode Daisy. It was snowing but I was determined I was going to ride regardless. I saddled her up and hopped on. Before we even did anything I started seeing if I could get her to bring her head in more toward her chest as she holds her head out quite far (guess that is called collection). Anyway I worked on that but if anyone has any suggestions or exercises to work that will help me and such please let me know!! I was working somewhat on the 2 point position for me but it wasn't going so well because Daisy wasn't behaving very good. I did get her to trot nice for me though and I cantered her a bit as a reward for doing really well with pulling her nose in toward her chest. I was using the english snaffle bit and she decided to run off with me and I got her to stop and then we ran again but this time she had to listen to me :D She did and I was happy about that. But my question is what do I do or what can I do to help her learn to respect the bit (I have ridden her in the western hackamore ever since I have her and I don't believe she has ever had a bit in her mouth before now)? I know she can and will accept the bit with work. One of the things I had worked on while working on collection was getting her to stop as soon as I asked for it and she really was getting that. I don't know if I said this before or not but she is exactly the kind of horse I wanted because she wasn't taught much besides being broke to ride and being a good riding horse..other than that she doesn't know anything. Daisy is really awesome but there is a lot of things I want to work on. I want everyone's advice and then I will probably compile it all together and use what works for me. I know that really worked for Navajo and I ;) Thanks!!

Farrier Visit and Free Lunging!!

This morning before we went to the farm show the farrier came. I had called him last week and told him that I have another horse and I don't know how she will do for him since this is only the second time she would have her feet trimmed and shoed. Well he got here at 10 till 9 am. We kept her in the corral there because I knew she likes to act like she has to go down on her knees and with her right back hoof she likes to try to kick you. I have been working on it but so far it is a slow progress. She is a fast learner otherwise but her feet she sure is picky with and I am thinking the only thing that is truely going to work is time. Anyway he started with her front hooves and she did ok at first but she kept wanting to hop around and acted like she wants to kneel. We pretty much fought with her the whole time with her front hooves and it made it harder on the farrier and I. For the back hooves the farrier got the stud chain out to help her realize the moving around isn't the smart thing to do. That helped a lot...She stood still then and the back to hooves took a lot less time than the front hooves. My farrier said he thinks the reason she acts the way she does is because for one she isn't used to it and now that she is actually getting her hooves done for the second time she is already almost 7 so it will take her a bit more time to get used to it. I have a very high regard for farriers because they get to deal with horses like Daisy. I told him that I don't feel it is the farriers job to train the horse it is our the owners job and I know that I tried my level best to get Daisy ready for him but I figured she still is going to give us somewhat of a fight and she didn't disappoint me although I wish she would have in that area :D
Anyway then we went to the farm show and we were there till like 4 pm or so then went out to eat and came home.
Once we were home here I went out to Daisy and groomed her and loved on her. Then I decided to free lunge her. I set up the corral to do that and then started lunging her. She did really well and we worked on her changing directions and she did really well. She turned with her facing me each time but once (but I got her to correct it) which had me happy. Then I asked her to slow down and stop then I turned away and she immediately came to me and touched my back. I then walked around and away from her and she followed me...it was so awesome. Then as I took all the stuff down that i had put up to get the corral ready for free lunging she followed me then too. She is such a sweet and awesome horse when she doesn't get it in her head to have an attitude :) I love her a lot!! She is my sweetheart..Hope you have a wonderful evening!!

Daisy Laying Down!!!

Daisy and I are doing great!! I had an espeically special evening last night with her. She was laying down when I went out to her before I went to bed and I had whistled to her and so she knew I was coming. Anyway I went in to her and sat by her and loved on her a bit and talked to her. I sat on her then and stayed on her for a bit then got off again. The last time she had gotten up right away but this time she stayed put and I petted her and hugged her and just loved on her..it was so special. Then after I walked away to get her water she got up and followed me..I love her. We have a very special bond and I am thinking she is my horse of a lifetime..Navajo was too (I don't know if you can have two or not :D)!! Have a wonderful Day!!

Tuesday's Ride!!

Tonight I got to ride. My mom and sister were walking their dogs so I figured I would tack Daisy up in the english saddle and head out for a ride. We rode out the field and had a blast cantering and galloping but then I came back here to the farm and worked with Daisy on trotting and I worked on my keeping my heels and posture in place. We both did really well. I was especially proud of Daisy! The more I ride her the better she seems to get and I am so glad. I didn't lunge her today but it was actually decently nice so I didn't feel the need and she didn't act up or anything so I was pleased about that! Hope you are having a wonderful week so far!

Monday's Groundwork!!

Tonight I worked with Daisy..she did so awesome!! I worked on groundwork because the farrier is coming next Monday and I want her to do really well for him. Anyway I mainly worked on leading to get her to walk beside me without me having to put any pressure on the lead rope at all. We did it first at a walk and at first she wanted to just walk in front of me and not listen but once we had been doing it a bit she really got the hang of it. I also worked on stopping too and every time she did really good with anything I stopped her and praised her! She walked nicely beside me so I figured hey why not try it at a trot. I did and I got her to the point that I didn't even have too direct her with the lead rope just hold it and I could get her to trot like that beside me even on turns. I was so happy. I mean for the first time doing this it was great. She is a really quick learner though. Anyway then I stopped her and got her to back up..I just got her to back a little but she did well. Then I got her to move her hindquarters and again she did it without being touched..both ways. I was so hapy with her and overall it went awesome!! I am so proud of her!

New Year's Day!!

Happy New Year Everyone!! Well to start off I haven't really done much riding lately although I did work with Daisy a bit on Thursday..just a little bit of groundwork..it wasn't long at all. (I am going to mix my horse stuff and youth stuff all together :D) Well Friday night my friend Lori Musser and I went up to Lebanon Valley gym to hang out with Myerstown youth group. We were there till 11 then headed back to the one girl's house..There we brought the new year in together (awesome). Then after that we headed over to a girl from our youth group (Lebanon Valley) house and spent the night (well morning) there. I didn't go to bed till 2:30 am and some stayed up later than that. This morning then we met the guys for breakfast which was awesome. After that a few of us girls headed over to Walmart and did some shopping. After that Lori and I headed back to her house and from there I went home.

Once I was home I did a few things and then rode Daisy bareback. I headed out the field lane a few times and also worked with her on trotting (and my posting). She did quite well and she didn't act up when I got on her either. She stood perfectly still and walked like a pro. I was so proud of her. A definite improvement. Once I rode her then I did some other horse work then came in and got ready to go to the vball game which was tonight with the youth. That was a lot of fun as well. I just got home and I don't know if I will do anything with the youth tomorrow night or not..we shall see! Hope you had a wonderful New Year's Day!