Saturday, January 5, 2013

Friday ... Saturday ...

Friday I hacked Henry. My goal was transitions... his goal was to look and spook at everything he could... aye! So is life and we had to work through it.

It took like a good 20-30 min to get his attention and then when I got about 10-15 of work we called it a day.

I worked on up and downward transitions, keeping in a frame at all times, halt, backup, halting in a frame, walking with a purpose... you get the picture :)






I also pulled about half of Henry's mane... just in case you all are wondering, his mane is THICK and takes forever!

don't mind the crazy eyes lol


Saturday we had a lesson. We rode down in the big lower arena.. haven't been down there in forever so I wasn't sure how he was going to be. He was great till two horses started running a muck in a paddock next to the arena- tail over his back and head in the air, it wasn't one of our finer moments but we worked through it... our trainer commented on how Carlos (L riding) and Henry were matching with their tails, heads and dancing- fancy horses?! HAHA.. I guess best that it was us and not someone less secure in the saddle ha!

We went through the paces on the flat along with some shoulder in... there were like 6 of us in the lesson so it was nice to be outside with more room.

We moved onto jumping an X as a group back and forth back and forth. Then L, C and I added in a little wall/squeeze. Henry and I trotted it the first time and he did pretty well... then we cantered it a couple times and he felt really solid under me. It was my first squeeze- he has been jumped over it a few time but not much, maybe like 5 times over the last year soooo yay Henry!

Cooled him out, groomed, cleaned my tack, grained and put him away.

L and I headed to the tack store as my blanket was ready and she needed to get a few things... she got some super cute polo shirts and now I am on the hunt for some! :)



Tomorrow Henry will get turned out as long as it's not raining :)

Ive been watching the GM Horsemastership Training Sessions... I LOVE how the says that on the walk breaks/at the end of a ride that you need to let the horse walk on the buckle (with impulsion) and then take them out of the arena letting them free walk on the buckle- they need to see everything. Also really enjoy how he explains the basics and says that it's always good to remind us of those things.

18 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good lesson, in spite of the "Arab tails" - Mex does that sometimes too.

    I'm also jealous that you get to ride outside at this time of year! A perk of living in California, I suppose, haha.

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    1. yeah they were fancy arabs lol

      We rode outside just in time cause it rained yesterday afternoon ha! It took so long for the arena to dry and now it's wet again... argh

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  2. I second that notion, tack stores are way better than malls (although perhaps more dangerous spending wise). It is so wonderful that your weather allows for hacking and outdoor riding - so much nicer than being stuck in an indoor.

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    1. totally! I could spend so much at a tack store if i was allowed! Though i could spend a lot at a mall too haha!

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  3. ha, Henry and Carlos channeling their inner Arabs, lol. Glad you and Henry did well over the squeeze, Henry tries to be a good boy for you :)

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  4. I can spend hours in a tack store and be super happy about it, but drag me to a mall and I'll be complaining within the hour. I have been watching the clinic too, and love how there is more emphasis on getting to know your specific horse, then getting ahead. Glad to hear that you had a successful lesson, even though it was a little exciting at first.

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    1. yeah i love GM.. he seriously has sooooo much knowledge!

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  5. Your first paragraph made me laugh. That was my boy to a T on Thursday. Such is life is right!

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  6. Glad you had a great lesson.
    Silly Henry and his spooking on the hack.
    I also completely agree about being able to spend hours in a tack store :)

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  7. Ditto on the malls...

    Sounds like you had a great lesson. :)

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  8. Your Friday ride was just like my ride today :) I've been watching the GM clinic too and have just been loving it. Hope Henry doesn't get too soggy!

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  9. good days and bad days...tack store over a mall any day!

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