Baby Greenie Support Group now open: Share Your Pain!

[Hopeful Hunter]

YEAH TO GRAMENTO AND DUFFY!!!!!!

That's FANTASTIC news -- major congrats to you both, and extra special treats for him! How nice to see hard work paying off!

[Merry]

When do I get to star in Duffy's movie? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

"You just keep thinkin', Butch. That's what you're good at." -- The Sundance Kid

[acolvin]

my baby is good most of the time but one day he is good and the next he can't remember how to go forward it drives me CRAZY /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[Duffy]

Gramento thanks ya'll for the many compliments! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Awww, Merry...You know greenies. Now, if Gramento can come close to being as good this coming weekend at The Barracks... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[pkd]

Fleet popped right over a cross rail. She rushed a bit, but didn't bat an eyelash! At this rate, she'll be ready for the schooling shows in no time /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Bumpkin]

I am exhausted, but had a great time at the schooling show.
We went down Saturday, stayed the evening close to the show grounds and got home after 8 P.M. last night.
My Suburban is packed to the ceiling and I have a lesson this evening. Ack I am getting olde!! haha

Well Elliot schooled wonderfully both Saturday and Sunday.
My super trainer was very happy with how well he did, and has improved in the six months he has been with her /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
In his first class, a flat one with Mallory, he got a bit boxed in and blew up. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
Mallory handled it very well, and had to stay in the ring for her Eq class. Trainer on the side told her to talk to him, so Mallory sang to him and both looked more relaxed and they won the class!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

His next class waaaayyyyy later in the day, was a schooling Regular Hunters, which was a max ht of 2'9" /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif
Our trainer rode him beautifully and he won that class also!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
His next and last class was the same class, and he tugged down to the last jump and placed third, his bad, haha /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

We were all so pleased with all our horses and ponies at this show.
It was a lot of fun /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I don't have any photos, but I did video tape just about everyone in our barn. I only missed a couple because I had to recharge my battery.
Silly me, /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif I thought the video camera had plenty of power because it said I had like 20 min left. Duh thats the tape not the battery!!! What an airhead /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

THANK YOU for the jangles, I do believe they helped us!!!


V. .V
.( * ) /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Duffy]

Gramento and Elliott must have been on same wavelength! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

CONGRATS!!!!!!

[Duffy]

acolvin - Aren't they just so frustrating and loveable in that way? LOL /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Of course, my "made" and "aged" old lease horse was exactly the same way!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

pkd - Yeah to Fleet! Mares can be SOOOO brave. When you have a good mare, they are unbelievable! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

We had a mare named Fleet Nancy at the barn where I grew up riding and she was incredible. My first instructor owned her and man, did she take care of her. She (the lady) had polio and could barely walk, yet showed that mare in the WORKING HUNTERS over those solid outside courses, etc! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[RAF]

Duffy, I think I know the only foal out of Fleet Nancy! I have heard lots of stories about that mare and how great she was with her owner. The "foal" is now about 22 years old and well taken care of by a woman who has owned her since she was about 3, named Betty Atkins. Just thought it was cool that you knew that mare! p.s. I'm a trainer of many babies and I love this thread!

[Canter]

Congrats Duffy & Garmento. You must be one proud Mommy - please promise pics for the next time eh? Some of us are freezing our butts off up here waiting to bask in your reflected glory! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Pocket Pony]

You go, guys! You must be so happy and proud!!!

On a baby greenie note...I fell off Mickey on Saturday. Stupid stupid me...when will I learn that I can't drop my leg and crawl up his neck???We were trotting into a gymnastic - a bounce to a one stride to a 2 stride. We had just done some great warm-up exercises over fences so I was pretty lazy. Didn't have enough leg coming in, crawled up his neck over the first jump and he stopped in between the bounce and I just went flying over his shoulder!!!! AAAARRRGGGHHH! That's the first time I've fallen off of him involuntarily (once I did choose to fall...does that count?). My tailbone hurts and my whole body aches.

I did make it through the gymnastic - got back on and we did it a couple times. Then I had to have another lesson yesterday to redeem myself and we did great. But ouch my butt hurts!!!

"It's amazing how there's no time to do it right the first time but always time to do it over again."

[Chef Jade]

I swear she really does. We had a gymnastic, trot 3 poles to a short one to a normal one. All was fine until the jumps got up to about 3'3" and trainer was yelling at me for using an openning rein to keep her straight instead of my legs. So I plant my hands on her neck trot in and she veers left and runs out. Several times. So trainer gets on and jumps through perfectly 3 times all while in 2 point and hands grabbing mane to emphasise how EASY the exercise is! (read: even a frickin' monkey tied to the saddle could get your horse through it!) I get back on - do exactly as trainer had done and she runs out again. I am not a passive rider and rarely get horses stopping. This was purely and attitude thing because she hates me. Eventually she decided to humor me and jumped through without a problem.

Next day I am cantering up to warm-up vertical and she runs out again. This time she only managed this trick twice and we jumped everything else in the ring afterward but not without me totally losing confidence in my horse and in myself.

So now I feel like a total worthless sack of potatoes on a horse. Ugh! I HATE that - especially because I USED to be able to ride. What happened?

On a good note, I got on Dekster for the first time at his new place. He stood like a statue as I got a leg up, and then went on his very first trail ride ever! He was perfect!

All I have to say is Jade better watch out because her replacement is coming up quickly on her heels!

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[LaurieB]

my horse hates me too. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif And here, I'd thought we were best friends.

I was away for a few days last week (all right, I was away riding all sorts of pretty warmbloods, but did she sense the betrayal, or what?) Ever since I got back, Tess has had a severe case of the screaming winter willies.

Today, I could barely get a saddle on her: wind blowing, branches slapping against the roof of the barn, and Tess deciding that every sound contained a cougar about to pounce. We broke a cross-tie she wasn't even tied to. Finally I had to put a chain over her nose just to get her tacked her up. If I'd had a pair of hobbles, I'd have slapped those on, too.

On into the thankfully empty indoor. More wind noises. Okay, I figured, don't try to work. Just trot. For twenty minutes straight, we made like a Standardbred in the Hamiltonian. Around and around and around, at the speed of light. Who knew that head-high, short, choppy strides could cover ground that quickly? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

It took half an hour to reach the point where she was slightly aware that there was a rider on her back who might want to have some input. Grrr. I hate that kind of ride. And she knows better. At least, I like to think she does.

Back in the barn, she started spooking again as I was untacking. Since bridle and saddle were already off, this time I just let her go. Stood in the barn door and waved good-bye (our 40 acres is fenced. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ) Gathered her up half an hour later and threw her back in the pasture. Not my finest hour.

Bumpkin, great news about Elliott's show. Congratulations on doing so well! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[DMK]

Uhh... Laurie? You rode a greenie today???? You are a braver person than I!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Fortunately RV has a week off due to an annoying little tendon bruise (no lameness, but just enough swelling to take some time off), and Robbie was already scheduled to have Sunday/Monday off (he jumped me out of the tack EVERY time Saturday when we schooled through a gymnastic with a 3'6 oxer on the way out /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif ).

After checking the weather reports, I am pretty sure I won't be hopping on RV until Friday, thank you very much!! My new & improved winter motto is no sense choosing a battle you can't win! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Mucho congrats to Duffy and Bumpkin! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

*** Speak yer mind... But ride a fast horse... ***

[Beezer]

You've done the group proud. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

In other news, Sam is now an official member of the family. It's kinda hard to send back a horse whose previous caretaker described as "a bad penny because he keeps turning up!" Plus, how could I not want a horse who, when out on the trails, is the only one on El Ranchito who didn't spook at the sofa in the neighbor's front yard (don't ask /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif ) and didn't do more than walk a little worriedly -- and hurriedly -- when he started being followed by a whole herd of free-range guinea fowl?? (Really, really don't ask /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif )

Mr. Beezer's only complaint? "How come he doesn't jump higher?" Because he doesn't know *how* yet! To which Mr. Beezer opined, "I bet if you put it way up and ran him down to it, he'd figger out how to get over it." /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Merry and I -- to say nothing of Sam -- were not amused. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Perhaps Sam should get his own new "welcome" thread elsewhere. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

***I see trees of green, red roses too. I watch 'em bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself ... what a wonderful world. Yes, what a wonderful world." -- Louie Armstrong.***

[This message was edited by Beezer on Feb. 04, 2002 at 07:13 PM.]

[Bumpkin]

who has wished Elliot the Best of Luck and for your Congratulations!!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
I really appreciate it.

And Congratulations to you too Beezer on your new horse.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[LaurieB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DMK:
Uhh... Laurie? You rode a greenie _today????_ You are a braver person than I!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What??? You mean you're only supposed to ride on the nice days? Am I the only one who doesn't know this? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Okay, I kind of like this opt-out idea. But then what happens if I get to a show someday and the wind is blowing like a banshee? I figured I'd rather fight this battle at home.

Or maybe not. /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

Hey Beezer!
Congratulations on the new addition to the family! Sam sounds like a wonder-horse in the making. And where are those pictures we asked for? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Beezer]

But now that she has caught all the way up ... CONGRATULATIONS to Elliot for a job well done!

And count me among the members of the "weather-challenged" baby greenie riders clique. Cold, I do. Hot, I do. But rain, wind, sleet, hail ... oh, that I soooooo do NOT do! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

***I see trees of green, red roses too. I watch 'em bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself ... what a wonderful world. Yes, what a wonderful world." -- Louie Armstrong.***

[Peggy]

Congratulations to Bumpkin and Duffy on their show weekends and to Beezer on her purchase of Sam.

This weekend Peggy learned to use the stud chain when leading Star out of the turnout. The wind kept blowing the gate (latch doesn't work0 open, so I used the stud chain to hold it closed. Star decided that he would really prefer to stay out and play and pulled away twice. Then I got smarter and borrowed a lead shank to tie the gate shut and put the chain on the horse. Perfect gentleman. All in all, he's still pretty darn good for not quite three and recently gelded. And, a good thing lately, wind doesn't seem to faze him

[wtywmn4]

Double Congratulations are due

First to Bumpkin and the wonderful Elliot. Seeeeeee, it was worth all the hard work. Cept for the owie.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Then to Beezer!! You done good! Sam sounds wonderful..Love Mr. Beezer, real horseman there. Sounds like a few trainers I have been with in my lifetime.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Guinea fowl, sofas? Could that be a trail course in training???? /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

We passed the careening, down shifting Fed Ex truck saturday. Head comes up, stops, looks at this vehicle coming up the road, and waits. Thank you thank you...wty mutters Driver finally figures out, that the sign does read 10 mph and slows down, smiling and waving...Thank goodness for good minded horses!

[acolvin]

Breezy get to go to his first show this weekend hopefuly we will just do flat but that i ok i and so nerves /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[Bumpkin]

You can do it!!!
And we will jangle the curb chains for you this weekend and expect some news as soon as you can tell us about it.

I know because tonight in my lesson, and I have only had maybe three since my fall in December, we were jumping again!!!

I mean we were jumping where we left off!!!
My trainer is so awesome, she not only knows her clients really well and can figure them out pretty well, she also studies our horses and knows how they tick too.
I always want to just hug her, but I hug Elliot and just get teary eyed and gushy and thankful to my trainer
/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif


V. .V
.( * )

[DMK]

Laurie, I guess I have a test for the Bad Weather Question... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

A. Are we in Serious Show Prep Mode and if so, is there ANY reason this should not be our "Day Off" for the week?

B. Do I need to prove that I can stay on a raving maniac or didn't I do enough of that in my teens and 20's?

C. Is it vital he learns a lesson today (other than the Mom Can Stay On lesson)?

D. Does he need exercise (has he been locked up for days) and if so, is there any reason a lunge line wouldn't suffice?


If the answer is NO to all of the above, well, I guess you know what MY answer is! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Now of course a few weeks ago when we had all the rain, and it was cold, foggy and misty I HAD to ride him, and I couldn't lunge him without tearing up the ring, I made the sacrifice. And I got to demonstrate my riding skills as he imitated Point Given (not the fast part... the airborne antics /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif ). But I am not sure what we accomplished other than a demonstration of how an older ammy can still stay on a 4 year old 17'1 TB who can leap in the air in ways that give you an appreciation what a GP fence might feel like (if one were to go forwards AND sideways over such fences!)

Beezer - we NEED pictures!!!!

acolvin - good luck this weekend!!!

*** Speak yer mind... But ride a fast horse... ***

[LaurieB]

DMK, your post deserves a thoughtful answer. Hopefully I will not run on too long. When I bought my mare she was... hmmm, let's say difficult. Mondo difficult. I-might-die-today difficult.

Not her fault. She came from a farm where she'd been on 24/7 turn-out (her idea of heaven). I promptly changed that--having no choice in the matter--to a schedule that put her out about 10 hours a day. Not enough, in her mind. She'd also, until I bought her, led a rather sheltered existence. Thrown out into the "real world" she found everything worth spooking over: dogs, cats, birds, jumps, trees, mailboxes, mail, cars, flowers, etc. So the very quiet mare that I tried pre-purchase, arrived at my barn and became somewhat of a wild thing. It didn't help that I bought her in November and faced winter weather right off.

So there I was, a 47 year old ammie, with less than two years back in the saddle after nearly thirty years away faced with a very green, very excitable, three year old TB. Let's just say we probably weren't the best match. Ah heck, I was way out of my league. Honestly, the only thing I could think to do was just pray, get on, and ride. Good days, bad days, good weather, bad weather--that first winter was pretty much one long miserable blur of broken bridle parts and crash landings (mine, not hers.)

I didn't pick my days to ride, because if I had, I probably wouldn't have picked any of them. If I let myself "off the hook" one day, how the hell was I going to psych myself back into the saddle the next? Or the one after that? It scared me to think that I might find so many excuses that I never got on at all.

So I didn't make, or take, any excuses. I just rode through the problems and hoped for the best. It was the only way I could see--at the time--to get the job done. That's why I still ride on the "bad days." Force of habit, I guess.

[wtywmn4]

Kudos to you LaurieB. Don't know if I would have been that strong, physically or mentally.

[Bumpkin]

If I didn't have Elliot at age 6 in training with a trainer who understands him, we would be in grave danger today /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
I started back thinking it would be a piece of cake!!! haha WRONG.
I sometimes wonder if starting back is better or worse than starting out new in ones late 40's?
You sound like you have handled a situation that could have been bad very well.


V. .V
.( * )

[Duffy]

Wow, LaurieB...I knew I was a wuss before now, but I feel like even more of one now! I admire your bravery immensely!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[DMK]

Laurie, I am duly impressed!!

And I can say been there, but not done that... not the HUGE obstacle of not riding for years (yes, I have been on the orangutans, but it's been a steady stream of them!)

I can say I was pretty darn happy I started RV's first 90 days in August. I have come to the conclusion that you don't train a lot in Jan/Feb... you just hang on... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

*** Speak yer mind... But ride a fast horse... ***

[LaurieB]

Thanks for the support, guys! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I'm not sure how brave I was, more like desperate, or determined. Perhaps slightly addle-brained. Plus, I should mention that I had--and still have--the help of an excellent trainer. The first year I had Tess, we did five lessons a week. If I was on, and in the ring, I had supervision. (Trail riding was another adventure entirely.) So it's not as if I did it all alone.

The reason, I think, that I wrote such a long reply above is that my experience is probably similar to others on this thread. We are, many of us, older (well not young /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ) women, pushing ourselves to achieve something special. And I really value all the input I get here.

[Bumpkin]

Like I said mine is awesome. She knows Elliot and myself and knows what she can get us to do without taking any chances!!!
To find a trainer who is good with both the horse and client is a treat indeed!!!

Hats off to our wonderful Greenie and Adults reliving their childhood trainers!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[wtywmn4]

Here here is right, for Great trainers

They help us over come things we may back away from. Am also very lucky to have the trainer I do. She knows me, and can push me, especially when I need a good shove. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Plus she is truly awesome with the horses. So, maybe these wonderful people have influenced us more than we know. Starting us, giving us strength when we need it, incouragement, care when we're down, and a good slap on the back when we "dun good". But that could be a whole different thread.

[wadino]

Pkd is your name Paige and do you have two horses. One named Fleet and the other Zoe? If so I know who you are. This is Ryan from Hollyhurst with Stella. Anyway let me know.

-Ryan

My VERY UN-expert opinion.

[Justice]

She just want to make sure that you remember she is a legend in her own right. I've been mostly lurking on the boards at odd hours as I have been working my a** off here in the wilds of Michigan. Sounds like everyone's green beans are cooking up nicely. . .except poor Mr. Tigger. It does sound like Beezer has found a match in Sam, and hopefully we all have years of Sam/Ham stories to look forward to!

Chanda - I was so sorry to hear about Chase /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

At least it happened in the winter and I must say. . .you look simply mahvelous on that big grey horse!

Our barn is packing up for Ocala and so it will be pretty quiet for the next month or so - but at least I can live vicariously through my barnmates.

My mission (and I've been given no choice but to accept it) is to have my horse fit by the time they get back. I said, don't worry, he'll be fat and fit. . .it was gently pointed out that he is already fat /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[wanderlust]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Sounds like everyone's green beans are cooking up nicely. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not so for mine... finally decided to cut my losses and sell him. 60 hour workweeks don't allow for enough time or patience to properly bring along a high-maintenance and stubborn ottb. One of the trainers in the area took him on trial, called me after 2 days and said "He's certainly fancy and athletic... but he has a bit of an attitude problem." He then offered to buy him for a paltry sum of money. I hedged at first, but I now feel it is really the best possible situation for the horse.

My hope is that the trainer will take the time to bring him along and cure the attitude before reselling him. If anyone other than a good professional bought him at this point, I worry that they would be, at best, frustrated... and at worse, end up hurt. And then who knows what would happen to the horse.

We are supposed to close the deal this weekend... thoughts?

[Pocket Pony]

master_tally - what a bummer for you. I'm sorry that you have to sell him, but I think you are doing the right thing. Hopefully with some more consistency in his schedule and life he'll get rid of that attitude problem. I'm sure it has been hard on both of you with you working so much. Probably smart of you to take the offer, even though it isn't what you hoped for.

Who is the trainer?

"It's amazing how there's no time to do it right the first time but always time to do it over again."

[wanderlust]

Thanks for the support. It was not an easy decision to make. But short of turning him out to live his life in one of the many pastures around here (until I meet my sugar-daddy and can quit my job and ride full time... and I'm not holding my breath on this one), it seemed the best option.

If you send me an email, I can give you names and details... that, and I'd love to get your scoop on some of the trainers around here, since I'm still a bit of a newbie to the area. Don't want it to become public discussion, though... the peninsula is a *very* small horse world.

<jamartin99@msn.com>

[Pocket Pony]

m_t I just sent you an email.

"It's amazing how there's no time to do it right the first time but always time to do it over again."

[Merry]

Well, my green bean (complete with HAM) got cantered around my arena with me in a two-point 21 times today before I could get him to concentrate on me and not the new ski boat parked next door! /infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

I swear, that Barbie Cow.... the 1/2 Hanoverian that has no work ethic, stands barely 16 hands yet is blessed with about a 14-foot stride, is looking mighty appealing. Now, if only I could get her permanently out of her western saddle... /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

I am simply getting too tired and too old to deal with The Hambone. Yet when he's good, he's so fine! And what an athlete to jump! Augh! I'm so conflicted! /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

"You just keep thinkin', Butch. That's what you're good at." -- The Sundance Kid

[LuckyMe]

master tally... sounds like you've made a wise choice. its hard to keep up with *any* horse let alone a greenie when you're busy with "real life." and let's face it folks, sadly enough there is life outside of horses whether we like it or not /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

I don't always have as much time for my filly as I should, and I've often contemplated selling her on... (if the right home came along I'd probably do it...) but until then we'll keep on plugging away, with me constantly hoping that next week or next month I'll have a bit more time to devote to her!


Needless to say, I didn't end up riding today tho I had planned to. the little darling was high as a kite-- she had a week off due to a minor muscle pull and this week I've not been able to do more than longe her twice as we had a major ice/wind storm up here in the Northeast. Hoping to get a ride in tomorrow...sigh....

Hope all those in warmer temperatures are enjoying their nice weather! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Bumpkin]

you make me chuckle /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

You know, I know, Beezer knows that you love the Hambone for being the Hambone.
Yet again, I see I have to give you a whallop, and remind you that anything less exasperating than the Hambone is not going to hold your interest for very long /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[wtywmn4]

And Merry..... you have named Barbie Cow such for a reason. Remember??? You love the Hambone. He makes you crazy, yet is phenominal when he jumps. Any chance he can go out for 30 or so days?? Give you a weee vacation? /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[Merry]

I am truly considering sending him out in March. The Cow Beast is going, so you see I have no problem with her leaving, LOL! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif But Hammie... Well, he has so many quirks and the little ways I've learned to ride him to make him do his job properly... I just have this fear of getting back a hotter, more confrontational horse that falls in traveling to the right and gets quick off the ground to his jumps. Then I'd have to, oh, I don't know, shoot myself or start doing jumpers on him. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

"You just keep thinkin', Butch. That's what you're good at." -- The Sundance Kid

[Bumpkin]

One, too bad you are not up here, you could send him to my trainer.
She did wonders with Elliot.

Two, flat work is the key, but I know you know all that far better than moi.
So find a good trainer on the flat. Perhaps some dressage would help him.
You know he can jump, so he really doesn't need to go out for that.

Again JMHO /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[wtywmn4]

Merry, can relate completely. Any chance you can have someone come sit on him, sorta like a pre-send out introduction? Would give you an idea if its a doable option....

And master_tally with 60 hour weeks, you need to be comfortable. Thats a very tough decision to make. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Sorry it ended up this way, but doing right by the horse is the way to go. Even if it does cost $$$'s.

[pkd]

Ryan -

Yes, you know me! I am Page (no i) who used to board Fleet and Zoe at Betsy's. I'm at Mountainview Horse Farm now, a reining farm. Zoe needed more turnout. I love the new barn, but I do miss all the great people at Hollyhurst. Say hi to everyone there for me!

Not only is Fleet jumping now, but Zoe is doing flying lead changes. She's late behind sometimes, but coming along.

I'm jealous of everyone who has started showing their babies! I'm working on the truck and trailer so I can get out there, too. I just got a call from the dealer saying they were getting a trade-in that would be perfect for me!

[Cinnybren]

Work has kept me from visiting the BB much lately, sounds like everyone's greenies are doing well. I sure enjoying reading about everyone's experiences. (Would still like to know about the sofa and the guinea fowl herd.... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif )

Murphy is actually doing better. YAY!! I now have a fabulous set of hind-leg xrays for reference, good to have I suppose. I was pleased that there are no abnormalities, however frustrated to not have an answer.... Enter (I cringe at mentioning this) an animal communicator. I figured, it wasn't a lot of $$ and what if she found something. It was SPOOKY! She did a "body scan" on him and went right through some of the issues the vet had found, and the main problem is... his pelvis is twisted. His right hip is higher than his left. She also mentioned that Murphy was happy that I made it so he could play with another horse in our barn...she actually knew the horse's name. (A while back, I set it up so Murphy had a turn-out buddy) That was just spooky!

But the end-result, we are getting the chiro out post-haste! Could this fix the Murph-man? I sure hope so, it would be lovely to have my guy back to his happy self!

[wadino]

Page,

That is great that Zoe and Fleet are doing so well. I think Libby misses Zoe though. Now she goes out all by her lonesome. LOL

Hopefully I'll see you guys at the Halcyon Series this summer? If I go I'll probably just do the Mini-Medal and the Mini-Maclay so I can qualify for the Finals. Stella can be my Eq horse. HAHA Email me sometime at RGB320@aol.com.

-Ryan

My VERY UN-expert opinion.

[Duffy]

First - I wore my RUST breeches today at The Barracks! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Gramento was great! I missed his o/f classes in his first division, but he got 4th's in both classes. The other horses with our barn were fabulous too! I got 4th in the hack as well. The second division was chock full of all the conformation, green, a/o, working, etc. horses (can you say Wallstreet Week with Olin? /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ), and he had a rub in one class and a swap in the other, so no ribbons over fences. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif We were 5th in the hack out of nice horses with pros on them. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Then, we went outside for some pictures. Poor Gramento had been telling me that he was tired in the hack - i.e. lots of leg to bring his head to normal position...Well, when outside, with fields of horses in view, etc., up came the head (a la giraffe), pound went the heart - ready to EXPLODE!!!

I'll try to finish the roll of traditional film when my daughter shows on Sunday and will hopefully post our probably extremely unflattering pictures, but proof that I have sat on him and worn rust, next week! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

[Bumpkin]

Sounds like you two are on your way to the shows for 2002!!
/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[Duffy]

Thanks, Bumpkin!!! And YES, I hugged BOTH of my trainers today!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[VTrider]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bumpkin:

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


No, but I'd like too /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[LaurieB]

BNH, I used an animal communicator last spring. I didn't have an specific issues I wanted to explore, but tried it more as a lark. It was eerie how accurate some of the things she said were.

Tess asked why I'd recently switched from big apples to little apples (change of supermaket /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif ) and complained about her turn-out (my barn had just moved and we were getting the new paddock situation straightened out.) I asked her who, if she had a choice, would she like to be turned out with and she described "a big bright bay mare with a star." There weren't any mares that fit that description in the barn, but the next day when I told my trainer about the conversation she pointed out that Tess had described her mother (whom she lived with until the age of three.) All in all, I found the whole experience very interesting.

Duffy, I want to see pix of those rust breeches, girl! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I'm glad to hear that your show went so well.

[wadino]

I am posting this here, because I remember people saying about how they take their horses on trail rides, even though they spook at things.

Well it was pretty warm today (54) and Stella was pretty warm, even though she is clipped and it was nice and sunny out, so I figured I'd walk around outside of the ring since she needs a change of scenery.

Well we turn towards the barn and the wind starts blowing. She is like woah let's run home. So i shorted my reins. Then the baby is sticking her head out of her field and eating the grass on the other side. Stella didn't know what THAT was.

Then we get near another barn and there are a ton of birds chirping. Stella spooks at that.

She wasn't too bad, but there is why I normally don't do it. In the summer she loves them!

-Ryan

My VERY UN-expert opinion.

[LuckyMe]

A little plea for help here guys....

What do you do when your horse spooks? How in the world do you convince a horse, especially a baby, that its not going to get eaten by the scary thing in the corner?

And I'm not talking little spooks, I'm talking bolting sideways to the other end of the arena kind of spooks that come absolutely out of nowhere.

My filly is dead quiet on the ground, and for the most part she is under saddle. But man can she spook, and the most difficult part about it is that I can't predict them-- they come out of nowhere. One minute she's plodding around as quiet as can be and the next she's spinning and bolting/running sideways/etc. I've always found the best way to cure spooking is to ignore it, nto react at all, and just carry on with your work as if the spook never happened. but when she goes flying as violently as she does, we have to totally re-group.

I've had her since she was weaned and trust me, she has had plenty of time to become desensitized to just about everything under the sun. Its the things that ARENT there that she THINKS are there which are the worst!

Any suggestions? She's been thoroughly examined by the vet, eyesight and everything.....

[acolvin]

what if you tried pytting her in the arean for a week and make her get used to it that might work. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Janet]

My sister has a horse who used to be very- dangerously- spooky. My sister is a VERY assertive rider. Once the horse figured out that my sister was "in charge" and that she (my sister) would take care of protecting both of them, she (the horse) stopped spooking.

But I can't give yu any exercises to achieve that.

[wtywmn4]

Yeah Duffy! You go girl with those rust breeches.

And good for Gramento, Olin's string are some very nice horses. Getting in the hunt with him around is wonderful /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

And yeah Ryan for taking Stella for a trail ride. Its great for their minds, even if they do spook. Its always so amazing to me to watch horses who are turned out, versus ones who aren't at shows. You can really tell the difference.

[mwalshe]

yaaay I can join!!!! I am riding a 4yo stud colt now who is just greenbroke (although eerily well behaved).

I had forgotten how much fun babies are. EVERYTHING you do even slightly well is progress. I spend 90% of the time petting him and telling him he's good. My trainer commented on how I was grinning like a fool the whole time.

fun fun!!

As for the spooky thing I found one thing that really worked was to have some kind of "super-forward" aid that you teach your horse. It can be a cluck, or tap on the shoulder or whatever but it basically means "GO, I don't care how fast but go now the way I am pointing you". Then you just have to let them scoot when they spook, but as long as it's forward it's OK. I discovered this after I made the mistake of always stopping a really spooky baby when he took off. He then developed the charming habit of stopping dead and occasionally spinning or getting nappy. Once he realised that he could speed up past stuff that scared him he was much better, he got a bit strong but I preferred that, I just gradually brought him back. He got over the spooks too eventually. It just took miles. Anyway, it might work....

[DMK]

OK... it's a small thing, really... But it was a big day in the sub-greenie world yesterday...

Yes, RV cantered his first fence! Both directions, never missed a beat, perfect distance every time, let me ride up to it, didn't stand off, didn't land in a heap, caught both leads, and stayed balanced on the turns. Can we say mom is a happy camper? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Really, I can't think of any horse I have worked with that I waited this long to do the deed (started him in August). But he just seems like he wants to be a very fancy horse, and I want so very much to make sure I don't screw that up.

I don't know if I will succeed at that goal /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif but we managed to make yesterday a world class experience.

LuckyMe, I second the "forward" for a spooker. Nothing is worse than letting them stare at it no matter how bad it is.

If they really spook hard and bolt, I like to take the inside rein and put them into a circle, catching them in mid spook. It's not as effective if you do this well after they have bolted, what you want to do is channel movement into YOUR direction and keep going forward! And since you are not making that horse go back to where he was, at least make sure you settle for going someplace else you want, and not a total flee response like the horse would pick.

Next, when you have identified the spooky place, keep circling, and come back at it, but don't make the mistake of trying to put the horse right back where he spooked. Find the limit of his comfort zone and push the envelope a little bit. For instance if the bottom end of the ring is spooky for whatever reason, you are not going to succeed at trotting along the rail by that spot next time out. Don't try. Instead, come past that spot maybe 10 feet away, if all is well, come closer on the next circle, keep coming in until you find the place where the comfort ends and the evasion begins - keep circling until you can ride through it, then push it a little more. If the horse spooks wildly, back off a little (but don't go back to the comfort zone). Keep riding past the spot, always asking the horse to go a little closer.

Don't make huge circles, and don't try to force the horse to look at what scares him. Instead, work on getting an inside bend, putting the haunches in or out as you wish. Work on collection and extension, trot, canter, go both directions, in short, make it W-O-R-K!!! As the horse gets more comfortable where before he was scared, offer him a chance to go past it slower, on a loose rein and with no bend and give him a verbal offering of reward (good boy, etc.). If he opts to go past it and not spook tell him what a grand boy he is and give lots of big pats. If he spooks a little, just gently try a little inside rein/haunches out to remind him that W-O-R-K is still an option. If he totally gives up the ghost, and reverts to his initial behavior, quickly engage him in that circle and make him W-O-R-K, but be sure you give him all the opportunities to succees before you tell him he failed.

What you are trying to teach the horse is that you are not going to add to his fear by punishing him when he spooks (pointless) but all the same, he isn't in charge, you are. Since you can't make him go where he is scared to go, and you really don't want him to learn that, you sort of sneak the scary stuff up on him /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif You also give his mind something else to dwell on, and all the while, he is learning that the bogeyman are not hurting him, mom really wouldn't do such a thing to him (trust), and damn, aren't these circles a drag? Wouldn't it be nice to just walk along like a real horse? Wonder how I could get mom to let me do that? Then mom offers it to him... but there is a catch... It's the place where the bogeymen are (choices are a bitch, aren't they?)

It make take a while, but I love this method because the horse learns no matter what, he has to go forward where mom wants. But he also learns that wherever that is, it isn't scary...


"You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty. "
- Sacha Guitry (1885-1957) *

[LaurieB]

DMK, congratulations on your success with RV! Now, is this the bay boy you were trying to give away on another thread last week? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Maybe you'd like to reconsider? /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Duffy]

Yeah, RV!!!! Let me know when he's ready for me! Oooops - won't be able to afford him by the time that happens! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

The only problem with Gramento going so beautifully o/f for my trainer is that everyone is asking, why aren't I showing him o/f yet. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif Hopefully, I will be soon. But believe me, it's not quite as easy as it looks! My trainer can hold him straight over the jump. I'm more concerned with just staying with him and releasing him. Then it takes me a couple (conservatively /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ) strides after the jump to get him back to a 12' stride and straight (if we've gone crooked). Hmmmm...I guess that's one way of making the strides fit, but not ideal, methinks! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

The other thing he sometimes does, is to stick his face out after the jump, setting his jaw - kind of like a defensive mechanism for when he's been pulled up in the past? Any ideas for that? Unfortunately, he must learn to shorten right away, (even with me /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ), because his stride is way too long to let him continue after the jump in what he would consider his normal stride length.

I know Mini (my daughter's pony) isn't green, but I consider you guys my friends and supporters, so please think positive thoughts for their Childrens' Pony deput on Sunday!!! (In other words, pray that Mom keeps her cool and survives! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif )

Thanks for listening! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[DMK]

Uh, Laurie... I'd like to plead the 5th on that one if you don't mind... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Duffy, isn't it just so annoying How trainers can make it look so darn easy? I seem to recall damn near taking the right standard down in Robbie's earlier Greenie Drift days.... Needless to say it was not an obviously a problem for the trainer!

I did have a moment with Raven though... In his youth, Raven could get strong... Downright powerful, and I remember the trainer coming out of the ring once thoroughly (and justifiably) disgusted as Raven drug him all the way home, and jumped off him and said "It's a good thing I was on him, a girl couldn't hold him!"

Since I am not known for holding my tongue on any occassions, much less ones where my gender, abilities AND my horse are being denigrated /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I snapped back "Well this girl has NO problem holding him!"

Of course the part I neglected to mention is that when I was holding him, it was totally obvious that I had a deathgrip on his face... Whereas the trainer didn't really give away what a struggle it was /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif


"You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty. "
- Sacha Guitry (1885-1957) *

[LuckyMe]

Thanks so much for the thoughtful replies....

I rode yesterday and today, and put DMK's suggestions into practice. By the end of our session today, she was going quietly along the rail, no spooking, no "giraffe neck." I suppose it will just take time and trust on both our parts.

She really is a good girl, just has quite the nasty spook in her, which is why I'm getting more and more reluctant to give up the western saddle we started her in!

All in all, I think patience is the key here... she has only been under saddle two months. I guess you could say she's of the "neon green" variety...! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[wanderlust]

I couldn't do it... sell him, that is.

So I still own (and will probably never be able to sell) the crazy greenie. Went over to the trainer's, wrote him a nice check for the work he had put into him, loaded him, well, tried to load him... thirty five minutes, 2 longe lines and 5 people later, he was finally on the trailer and off we went.

Tally is now living in a 200 acre pasture with 9 other horses at CTETA (one of the big combined training venues out here)... and I really feel like this was the right thing to do. It looks like my cousin, who rides quarter horses and is absolutely fearless, is going to work him a couple of days during the week for me, complete with western saddle. It should work out nicely- she's free during the days and looking for something new to ride and spoil, he needs to get worked every day, and I have a hard time getting out during most weekdays.

Luckyme- my boy has a nasty spook, too... and I am going straight to the western saddle. DMK is right on the money with how to work through it.

Again, thank you for all of your support!

[wtywmn4]

Good news, bad news? master_talley? That was a tough call. Maybe this will all work out. Theres plenty of room at CTETA. And lots of open space to ride in. Plus being out in a huge pasture will literally make him better to be around.

Like another poster said, DMK is right on the money. Nothing works better than going forward! A good pat and move forward, leg on, letting them know, you can do this. They do come around. Maybe slow, but they do figure it out.

[Robby Johnson]

at the altar of the green horse.

As you may've read in off-course, I now have one. She will be 3 in April.

Just to address spookiness ...

I like to teach young green horses, first off, how to do some rudimentary form of leg-yielding/lateral work. No, it doesn't have to be "this will get an 8 in the dressage test" perfect, but I find it helps them understand that their body ends work in conjunction with each other, but it's also very handy for a horse that is shying/spooking at everything.

Reason why?

A horse who is spooky isn't looking to you, his rider, as his herd leader who protects him. When you are riding, your horse needs to be focusing on you, not worried about what might eat him in the corner. To get his attention, do some sort of exercise that engages his brain. Once he learns that you are going to ask him to work, he'll definitely forget about what might be out there lurking in the shadows. To accomplish this, I usually will do a little leg yield in the direction the spook occurred, trying very hard to stay within the rhythm of the gait I'm working in.

I found with my last young green horse, who had a lot of look in him, that the best thing was not to make too big of an issue in correcting it. Because it just instills more need to flee in the animal, who is reacting solely on flight instinct.

I do think the worst thing you can do is reward the horse after it spooks. This is almost always the rider's way of saying, "sheesh, I'm so glad to still be up here." If you have to pat something, pat yourself!!!

If you do your groundwork with your horse, and reinforce his behavior positively (when he's standing quietly on the cross ties, reward him with a "good boy" and scritch just for standing there, even if it's something he does naturally or has done for years), he'll have a better clue of what you expect of him.

Good luck! Wish it to me too!

Robby

[LaurieB]

Good luck, Robby, and welcome! I saw the pictures of Kate on Off Course. You and she are going to have so much fun together! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[DMK]

Hmmm... wonder if Merry can change the name of this thread. I think Kermit was on to something /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

LuckyMe - so glad it worked out for you! And needless to say, I had a chance to use my own advice that very night /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif We spent the first 5 minutes of our ride discussing how the truck parked by the scary side of the ring wasn't a monster... Then had a great ride, so life was good!

Robby, I am sure we will be seeing more of you over here in our exclusive little club now that you have the right to post here /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif (Us owners of greenies have to be snobby and exclusive about this, it makes up for all the times we have to deal with the other traumas of greendom). Those pics of Kate were great (along with the description).

Tally - you know, that sounds like a good plan. And I can so relate to the working 60 hours and trying to bring a greenie along philosophy. Poor Raven was subjected to that one, and he definitely suffered for it. Fortunately Robbie and RV came along at points in my life when I had at least enough time to ride 5 days a week (OK, so occassionally sleeping was optional, but you get my drift).

As for western saddles, I still have mine in the garage, but I have graduated from a prix de nations (first clue this wasn't enough saddle was when my trainer refused to ride Raven in it at 3'0, and he has been to a few world cups, so it wasn't like he didn't have a seat /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif ), to an Equilibrium (this was better, but I noticed I sort of "accidently" left the trainer's saddle - a butet - on Robbie after his class, so I could ride in it, as opposed to mine...) Then we finally figured out that Robbie became incredibly back sore whenever the Tad Coffin wool flocked Equilibrium on him, but when we only used the Butet he was fine (so much for the butet = back sore theory). Well that is all the excuse I needed to sell the prix and Equilibrium, and go into debt /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif And my little (hah!) butt hasn't moved since... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif


"You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty. "
- Sacha Guitry (1885-1957) *

[wtywmn4]

Sorry Robby I didn't word my answer very well. I do not reward a horse for spooking, I want their attention on me, and some of them respond to leg pressure with an assuring pat to move forward. Guess my english language courses failed miserably, ah well /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Being part Italian, you know we can't speak well without use of our hands! And welcome, you and the lovely Kate will have ohhhhh so much fun here.

[Beezer]

Hmm. I wonder why. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Let's just say ... Merry owes Beezer. Big time. Hammie wound up with a gold star, but a more miserable morning Beezer has a seldom endured.

"Breezy," the weathermen all said. BREEZY MY BUTT!! Cold, miserable, hurricane-force winds, and SHE still wants to go to the horse show. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

Oh, and did I mention the flat tire on her truck? The one we had to use my Auto Club card to get fixed? And how miserably windy it was??

I swear, if that horse hadn't redeemed himself after his first round and -- gasp, yes! -- actually looked like he is finally figuring out what his job is and buckling down to do it ... well, he'd had a long WINDY hike home.

***I see trees of green, red roses too. I watch 'em bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself ... what a wonderful world. Yes, what a wonderful world." -- Louie Armstrong.***

[Bumpkin]

...tell us more!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[Cinnybren]

Yes, Beezer, we want to hear about Hammie's show!

Or Merry!??

Robby, welcome to you and the lovely Kate.

[Seven]

(...or is that assimilation....)

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

but to be completely honest, the thread got too unweildy for me after the initial 10 pages or so. However, realizing that my resistance (to green horses /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif) is futile, I must seek the wisdom of the group.

As some may recall, I ride a 5 y/o OTTB (Seven) after work. Very often, these rides are well after normal, sane folks are in bed, which invariably leaves me with no option but working in the indoor ring. Not very exciting stuff, but it WAS working out fine for all concerned until work (ick) interfered at the same time we moved the horses to the new barn (with its 35 minute drive time) and Seven ended up with an unscheduled and unsupervised extended holiday.

Because he had some time off, everything is 'new' again. So, we have to work past the demons in the jump rail pile, the scary barn cats, and the spooky door... *sigh* But that's not really an issue.

What is the problem is the length of time it takes him to settle and finally WORK each evening. Whenever I ride, he needs a certain amount to time to settle and 'get the bucks out'. I usually ride through this but my riding time is limited and our actual working time becomes fairly short. (E.g., it used to take 5 to 10 minutes of goofiness....now we are approaching 30 to 35 minutes of scooting, snorting, bucking, spinning, etc.) I know that eventually he'll come around but it's taking a lot of time and we're not making much progress. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif It doesn't help that I'm frequently more tired from the drive and my patience is dwindling (though I've managed to keep my composure while we're working together...or rather while I'm working and he's acting like an idiot /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif). It also doesn't help that I've noticed Seven has started not to find these sessions any more fun than I do. Our partnership is suffering as a result. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

One solution (and something that worked when he first came off the track) is that he will settle into work much more quickly if I lunge first. I used this in the beginning not only to settle him but also because he had so much to learn so the lunge time was not really nutty time, it was 75% work and 25% goofiness. I'm worried that that ratio might reverse now because he simply does not have as much to learn and I'll end up with a fitter, disobedient horse who thinks that lunging is merely the time to act like a maniac.

So, I'm not sure what to do....should I make him 'work' on the lunge (which then means that the lunging session becomes my whole ride time because I still have to make him settle before he can work)....or should I just give in, let him work some energy off on a short lunging session so that we can get the most progress out of our riding time?

Thanks for letting me vent...sorry for the lengthy post....yet another drawback to riding late at night with no one else awake. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[LaurieB]

We want details! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Serendipity, the first winter I had my TB mare, I always lunged her before getting on. This was not a work and learning lunge, it was simply a get-your-bucks-out-now kind of thing. I didn't lunge her long enough to make her fitter, usually five minutes or so in each direction did the trick. When she was ready to settle a bit and pay attention to me, I brought her right in and got on. (I tacked up first, then tied up my stirrups and put a halter over her bridle.) It seemed to really help her concentration level a lot.

By the way, I recently reread an old article in Practical Horseman by Geoff Teall where he advocated use of what he called the "break all the rules lunge". Pretty much what I've described above. And since I spent a good deal of time last week watching him ride, I'm here to tell you, that man knows what he's doing (even if I often don't). /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Good luck!

[Beezer]

I, too, am a late-night rider: I'm frequently pulling out my saddle at 8 p.m. or later. Being ridden under the lights at night -- oh my! -- was one of the tests Sam had to pass before he could take up permanent residence.

I'm a big believer in the pre-ride lunge or turn-out. As in, just buck and squeal and get it all out of your system before I set foot in that stirrup. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif It just makes my life (and I'd like to think my horses' lives) easier. If the silliness (including seeing monsters in darkish corners) gets out of the way before I get on, we make much faster progress on real business. It just makes everyone happier all the way around than if I'm always dealing with the silly spooks.

Now, as for those asking for details of Hammie's 2002 debut: I think Merry would like to put her on spin on it. I know Hammie did. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif
One thing that boy has to learn, though, is that objects on the ground are not going to magically morph into Hammie-eating dragons if he goes past them to jump the jump. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

***I see trees of green, red roses too. I watch 'em bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself ... what a wonderful world. Yes, what a wonderful world." -- Louie Armstrong.***

[Seven]

Although it irks me that Seven is outside ALL D@MN DAY, and stands around like a statue, saving all the bucking, spinning, squealing, and snorting for me, I'll go back to the pre-ride lunge for 5 minutes each way and see if that helps. I really do appreciate the input, because I was starting to worry that he might dump me off one of these nights and I would end up laying on the cold indoor floor until someone found my sorry carcass the next morning (no doubt wondering why I left all the lights on! /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif)

My only concern is that he can really tear around like an idiot when given the chance...any recommendations on how to keep him from injuring his body? He wears boots all around already...but ??? I wish we had a round pen...I'd rather see him burn off the energy in there then on the end of the line.

Beezer! My virtual barn buddy! I will think of you when I ride now, since given my late hours, even WITH the time difference we are practically riding at the same time!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

Beezer, kick miss Merry into gear. We want details... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Serendipity how long must he lunge before being ridable? Any chance you can cut it in half, so you get some riding time? Also, sometimes feed can have those engines reving..Less protein maybe? Or anyone like a friend/buddy able to help you out just a little? Maybe give him a quick lunge during the day or put him in the round pen for you.

[Duffy]

Gee, Beezer. Thanks for the teaser!!! Ahem! Merry?!?!?! Get with the program here and give us all the juicy details!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Serendipity - I second, third, etc. the suggestions of some play/romp/free time on the lunge - not enough to get him fitter, but enough that you aren't in fear of your life and limb, especially when riding alone.

Drum roll.....Here is an extremely UNFLATTERING picture of me and Gramento outside at The Barracks...You know - the one where he's doing the giraffe imitation. I can't believe how skinny he looks. I swear, he does lose weight at the shows - but not THAT much! He was only there one night! Note to self - need to get that jacket taken in... But, at least there is proof that I sat on my horse in rust breeches! Other note to self: get new boots - these are definitely too short...maybe when my investment account makes money again? /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Seven]

Good Question, wtywmn4! (AND, as an added bonus, having to look up your name in the thread so I could spell it correctly, FINALLY clued me in as to what it probably means!! *feeling smart* A big day for Serendipity, all things considered. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif)

Anyway, I don't know how long it will take lunging time to 'get the bucks out' since I haven't really used lunging in that way with this horse. Seven's the kind of TB that will run himself into the ground rather then slow down (which is incidently how he was injured on the track and why I have him now). So, based on the input here, I'm going to try with 5-7 minutes in each direction and see how things go. (Worked late tonight, so no experimenting yet.)

Truly, when Seven was in consistent work last summer/fall, we didn't really have too many problems because the routine helped him settle. Now, I just have to get over the hump of the new place, the time off, etc. until hopefully we can get back into a routine where he's more settled.

Thanks again for the input, I'll try some lunging tomorrow (and tell my doubting inner voice to shut up when it taunts me that I'm making a nutty horse fitter /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif).

Duffy!! >> you and Gramento look magnificent!! What a handsome boy!! He looks a bit like Rex (especially with the skinny look)! How did the show go? Do you have other pictures from that show?

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Bumpkin]

I know, DUH!!! LOL
Elliot was a wee bit perturbed last night pre our lesson.
When I got on I was so tempted to get off and do a lunge, but it was lesson time and the ring had several horses going around. Elliot is not quite as bad as PPP with other horses around him, but I sometimes wonder....eeeek!!

So my most awesome Trainer told me to stay on and put Elliot to WORK. She had me push him on, sitting the trot if I felt safer, and start moving his head first out then in as we circled at the end of the arena /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Of course she is so awesome and Elliot settled right down and thought about working instead of what everyone else was doing.
It also helps limber up a horse like him who tends to be stiff and stiff jawed at times.

We then worked at the canter doing a sitting canter and pushing and pushing on for three strides, then going into two point and coasting for three strides. Half the arena then the full arena.
This was quite a work out but lots of fun.
I really love these lessons.

We ended up the lesson trotting over a X rail then staying in canter over a small vertical at the end of the ring with a very loose rein and completeing the canter around the bend.
This really helped keep Elliot in the correct lead and helped me loosen up and let him take some initiative.
Now I could get some of these theories wrong in my translation here, haha I am 50 now....
But all in all this was a good lesson with some new tricks to try.
I like it when he is a bit naughty for me in a lesson because without my trainer there telling me what works for Elliot, I woudl prob just get off.
And then of course I am defeated... not good.

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[DMK]

Serendipity - another thing to consider is that you may be one of those unlucky owners of "not a winter horse"...

Not that any horse is stellar in the winter. After training my first greenie in winter (used to live in Ft. Lauderdale), I am starting to understand why people used to toss 'em out for the winter. It had NOTHING to do with giving the HORSE a mental and physical break, thank you very much!! I've come to the conclusion that training in winter is a whole lot about not losing ground.

Anyway, my old hunter Raven was so very NOT a fun horse in winter. Even in South Florida (it just didn't last as long down there). Even as a mature, thoroughly trained horse, he was never a lot of fun in the winter. There may have been some way to change it, but it didn't involve lunging or work. And it wasn't just freshness, it was like he was worried about life.

There was a thread on this topic not to long ago(probably on horse care) - may be worth checking out people's suggestions. I know we tried that Winter Companion supplement on a horse at the barn that seems to suffer from the same issues. Can't say it was a miracle cure, but it seemed to help a little...

Still waiting for Merry's version of the story... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif


"You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty. "
- Sacha Guitry (1885-1957) *

[Bumpkin]

I think Merry is going to come forth at the top of a new page, JMHO hahahaha /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Also Duffy your photo was absolutely gorgeous dahling!!!

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[Beezer]

I think Merry is gonna try using the old, "I've been busy!" excuse. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Duffy, your boy is indeed gorgeous. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif And in other topics, I'd second the idea that there is such a thing as an "I don't do winters" horses. My cousin's horse, bless his soul, becomes a fire-breathing, snorting, impossible ditz-brain in winter; doesn't matter how much he's lunged/turned-out/ridden, he's a pain in the patootie. This is the same horse who will do long-stirrup/green rider classes all day long in the spring, summer and fall, but we've learned (the hard way) not to even bother in winter. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

***I see trees of green, red roses too. I watch 'em bloom for me and for you. And I think to myself ... what a wonderful world. Yes, what a wonderful world." -- Louie Armstrong.***

[JustaLurker]

Duffy, you and Gramento look wonderful. He certainly is a handsome horse, even if you feel he's a bit on the thin side - I'd call it winter fit. As soon as it warms up, I'd bet he'll start packing on the weight.

Then I love the rust breeches. They look so great that I can't understand the silly juniors who almost have a coronary at even a mention of them. It's their loss!

Merry, we're all waiting for your side of the story! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Cheers, Maggi

[Janet]

One solution, which works for SOME horses is to use lights to artificailly extend the day.

From 96 to 2000, Music couldn't canter from October to May. I put her under lights in August 2000, and she hasn't had a problem since.

She got 2 2nds and a 4th at Hazelwild in the Schooling Jumpers on Saturday, something that would have been impossible in February two years ago.

I don't know that this would work for a horse that gets hyper in the winter, but it is worth a try for one that gets grumpy in winter.

[JustaLurker]

Okay, I have a reasonably fast computer and a DSL line so I should be getting to the last page of the Baby Greenie thread pretty fast, but it does seem to take quite a while for Infopop to skim through the pages to get to that last one.

Now, I wouldn't mind seeing multiple topics, but I'd like to see some sort of hint that they pertain to the Baby Green topic. Like, Baby Green - Starting Over Fences; Baby Green - Winter Exuberance; Baby Green - Showing Issues; Baby Green - Monsters in the Ring, etc. I think losing track of all the good stuff is the really main reason the posts stay on the one topic.

Can anyone else think of ways to soothe Erin's nerves but keep the topic together - other than just continuing on through page 67 on the way to page 100 and even higher?

[Peggy]

Merry and Beezer -

You guys went to a horse show in that wind on Saturday?!?!?! And drove a horse trailer to get there? I got a call from the barn (in Riverside) that AM and was told to stay home (where, ironically, there was no wind whatsoever).

[Seven]

That certainly is an interesting possibility. He's quite clearly lost his mind on some occasions, so that makes sense with DMK's 'worried about life' statement.

This also is his first winter of work in the NE US. From what I understand about his history, he spent his racing winters in Florida, so he's never had to work through a northern winter. I got him last summer.

Hopefully, we'll still be at the same barn next winter and I can see if there are any changes to his personality.

I already feed Accel and have considered Winter Companion as a year 'round thing since these horses never see fresh grass except when traveling (dirt paddocks at the barn) but the everything in the Winter Companion was already in Accel (although not quite as much) so for the extra cost, I stopped considering it. For those who feed it, do you also feed Accel?

I also thought about your posts, Janet, from the Lyme disease threads and the whole light issue. Because I get to the barn around 9-9:30 pm and keep the lights on until close to midnight, I'm sort of already doing that, just not as a true, structured program. I think it might be helping me some too, as I'm mildly afflicted with seasonal affective disorder.

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[This message was edited by Serendipity on Feb. 12, 2002 at 05:47 PM.]

[Seven]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JustaLurker:
Okay, I have a reasonably fast computer and a DSL line so I should be getting to the last page of the Baby Greenie thread pretty fast, but it does seem to take quite a while for Infopop to skim through the pages to get to that last one.

Now, I wouldn't mind seeing multiple topics, but I'd like to see some sort of hint that they pertain to the Baby Green topic. Like, Baby Green - Starting Over Fences; Baby Green - Winter Exuberance; Baby Green - Showing Issues; Baby Green - Monsters in the Ring, etc. I think losing track of all the good stuff is the really _main_ reason the posts stay on the one topic.

Can anyone else think of ways to soothe Erin's nerves but keep the topic together - other than just continuing on through page 67 on the way to page 100 and even higher?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Although I've only recently succumbed to the lure of the Support Group, I definitely think that there should be an 'identifier' in each heading. Since I'm most interested in reading any thread that deals with green horses, I'd rather know right off the bat that that's what they are about. It could be Baby Green...or even just BGSG.

I have high speed connections (cable) both at work and home and this thread is a bit slower then all the rest, ESPECIALLY when I ask it to jump from page to page (I was trying to get a little history yesterday /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif).

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[wtywmn4]

Duffy you and Gramento are AWESOME and those rust breeches are to die for. Personally, can't fathom why they went out of vogue. But hey, what do I know. Have a pair hidden deep in the darkest part of my closet. They're being kept for posterity, and the possibility that they will come back!

Serendipity, you do have your work cut out for you. Having no grass is something Calif. people deal with continually. We have a feed called All in One. An alfalfa meal, with molasses and several other hays ground up in it. Great for weight, less with energy boosters. This being feed in buckets, per horse, has helped with the lack of green plus seems to help the ones who are more tense.

[Merry]

Let's see, which version of "Horse Show Hell" do you want to hear?

Saturday, the day I felt like I was riding in a remake of "Lawrence of Arabia", complete with howling winds, flapping garments and dust clouds, or Sunday, when I was judging endless hordes of kids who really had no business cantering 2'6"? /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

I guess I'll stick to Saturday and the Adventures of Hambolarama...
1. I asked Beezer before I hitched up the trailer, "Do ya' think it's too windy to go to the show?" /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif
2. When we arrived, I noticed that some of my friends were huddled in the cab of their truck. They said (through the rolled-up window), "We're watching you, Cindy, to see if you're going to ride." Swell.
3. Beezer and I were going to leave when all of a sudden Beezer says, "What's that hissing sound?" Oh, that would be my truck's tire, going flat due to the huge BOLT IMBEDDED IN ITS TREAD. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
4. So Hammie comes out while Beezer calls AAA. I decide to compete in the baby green division. As I start on course, I realize my horse is DFL (dead freakin' lame) in the hind end! HUH? He trots out of it, so I go on course and he's doing okay until he spies a pile of jump poles outside the ring right next to the last line. Let's just say I stopped out. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif
5. I instruct Beezer to leave the tow truck driver and come stand on top of the pile of jump poles for my next round. Yes, she does her impression of a log roller, but Hammie comes around the turn, sees Beezer and goes, "Oh. It's Beezer." And he has a beautiful round.
6. There were people schooling for Indio, so I was thrilled that under the conditions, I got a 4th and a 2nd. I probably would've won the second round, but alas, all I saw coming into the final line was a long moving up spot. It would've worked, but Hammie doesn't "do" coming back in a line yet. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

And yes, I'm still picking grit out of my eyeballs.

"You just keep thinkin', Butch. That's what you're good at." -- The Sundance Kid

[Duffy]

Methinks that was a much abbreviated version, Merry!!! Congrats to you and Hammie!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif My trainer has that "coming back in the line" down pretty well with Gramento, but I don't yet! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

I am so impressed by many posters' bravery! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Oh, not that anyone has asked, but my daughter's Childrens' Pony debut went GREAT! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Both she and Mini were stars. I was so proud of both of them - goosebump and tears welling up kind of feelings. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Here is a picture of them before the jogs. (This was her first time jogging and she got to do it twice!) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[wtywmn4]

Duffy, what an adorable picture! Thats when you know it's worth all the sacrfices /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Very cute!

Merry so did your "friends" come out and play? Or were you the only brave heart to be out in all that? Sounds like the Hambola actually did do very well. Most horses have fits with the Santa Ana's....Certainly wouldn't want to try mine in it..
/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[Hopeful Hunter]

Duffy -- you look WONDERFULE!
Merry -- You got guts, girl, and Ribbons to prove it! With all that, sounds like you did VERY well.

My greenie seems to be ripening, but not evenly. We had one completely perfect jump over the weekend -- set up a 2'8" vertical (horiz. block on vert. block with poles, odd size, but hey) and after clipping it with his hind once he just floated over. NO change in pace, lovely arc, just wonderful. Probably helped that I was REALLy trying hard, too (funny how the RIDER influences things with a greenie).

But then we came right back with a ride that, well...we did get some nice lead changes. Would have been even nicer if I hadn't been asking for a trot figure 8. Oh well...he's green. We'll see what he does tomorrow in my trainer's lesson...

[wtywmn4]

Uh Oh!

Erin's on the hunt, we may get zapped people /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[Bumpkin]

Duffy your daughter and Pony are so cute.

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[Seven]

wtywmn4 >> I've posted a fair bit about their diets in Horse Care but I'm pretty careful about it and I try to make up the 'lack of natural resources' as best I can. I don't think we have a product here like your 'All in One' but these TBs get a mostly roughage based diet (alfalfa/timothy hay & alfalfa cubes) with the remaining calories coming from oil and a higher fat extruded feed. Using this diet, I think we've eliminated most of the feed-related issues that could interfere with training, as the horses are considerably more relaxed then last year. I would love to move them to a barn with grass turnouts (that are actually maintianed) but my work schedule really prevents me from making the trip to these 'better' barns (plus, it's especially hard for me to find any place willing to accomadate my unusual schedule - most close up at 9pm, which is right about when I get home from work).

Anyway! Last night I tried to lunge first without demanding too much obedience on the lunge....and it was a success! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif Scary at times, but still successful. It was scary at first because it took Seven approximately 0.067 trips around the lungeline circle to understand that TODAY, mom was not going to require him to listen (much), even though she was on the ground! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif (How did he figure that one out so quickly???) I started lunging in the 'scary' end of the arena, since I figured if he could run around down there he might remember when I was riding that it wasn't so bad to be there. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I kept my mouth shut while he showed off his powerful race horse stride. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif (ya know, the one where they don't really gallop but merely plant both hind feet and shove off in several, rapidly-accelerating, successive strides??) The reality was, however, that he must have remembered his former lessons pretty well because he understood the limits of the line and didn't challenge them. We had a lot of bucking, a bit of rearing and only two episodes of spinning and changing direction without prior consent (quickly corrected). /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

THEN, (and this is the best part) when I thought he might be able to hear me through all the 'woo-hooing' going on in his head, I asked for some transitions and he gave me two of the BEST trot-canter-trot transitions he's ever done on the lunge!!! No rushing, running, collapsing, or cross cantering! Even the downward transition was balanced!! I was so excited by that I almost ended the evening right there! But my goal was to ride so I decided to jump on and see what I had.

Well, he stood quietly at the mounting block /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif, stood quietly while I adjusted reins/stirrups /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif, then picked up a lovely swinging RELAXED TROT down to the 'scary' end of the ring!!! I kept the session short because he was being so good, but the work I got out of him last night was almost approaching consistent!

I forgot my watch so I don't know how long I lunged for (it certainly didn't seem that long, but time around horses has a way of being deceptive)! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Unfortunately, all did not stay good and wonderful, because during the last time I asked him to bend left, I felt the inside shoulder start to drop and heard a familiar, dread "cha-chink, cha-chink". So his goofiness loosened a shoe! /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif I hopped off to check it out and it was very loose and shifting. I tried to get it off with my hands without causing any more damage -- no luck. So, I started to lead him back to the barn and, of course during a little dance sideways in the dark I catch a glimpse of that expensive new winter shoe spin off into the darkness. /infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif Even after searching in the dark, I couldn't fnd the d@mn shoe, so it'll probably be at least a few days until I can ride again.

Oh well, I can still ride the high of the good ride while I wait for a farrier! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[This message was edited by Serendipity on Feb. 13, 2002 at 07:22 AM.]

[BustersMom]

Friday I am going to take off work and go get my former delinquent from his "whisperer." He has been there for 3 months and my daughter and I have been going down on weekends. Knock on wood but all seems to be fine. Daughter's confidence is building so with any luck (which I clearly deserve) we will be good to go this season.

As a confidence builder for my daughter, I am planning to show Tux first. Lord knows it has been 30 years since I was in the show ring seriously. As a confidence builder for me, I bought myself a new pair of breeches---RUST. I am so excited but my daughter is appalled and has questioned whether she wants to be seen with me. Guess I have been out of it so long that I wore rust 30 years ago so with me it never went out of style.

Duffy, you and I will be fashion plates with our rust breeches and navy coats. You, however, will be in a far more advanced division. I will be making my debut in mid April. Watch this space.

Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group

[Bumpkin]

That is the beauty of being out of it so long, we have come back to what we are use to being the "Latest Fashion" haha
/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[wtywmn4]

Yeah Serendipity Sounds like he is willing, and at least trying. Sorry haven't been to the horse care forum /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif But sounds like you have the feed issues under control. That is a very hard time of the day, yikes like night, to have your horse pay any attention.


BustersMom, have a good show! Curbs they are a jangling for you....... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Bumpkin]

My lesson tonight was our worst!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
I felt like Elliot was taking off with me through this gymnastic, when we would do a simple trot in 5 canter stride line.... well he jumped big and loved giving a good kicky thing.
I rub his side with my heel and that really sets him off!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
We had a couple good fences but this was the first time I felt I was not in control.

It was refreshing to see most of the horses and ponies in other lessons were about as bad. LOL

Guess it is because there is a bit of a cold snap going on. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[Seven]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by wtywmn4:
_Yeah Serendipity_ Sorry haven't been to the horse care forum /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the support!! And...in re-reading my post, I hope it didn't sound snarky!! I certainly didn't mean it that way...I was trying to convey that I won't re-post all the boring diet questions I had over here, as concession to those who were kind enough to read and respond to them the first time! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

=^+^=

/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif I just haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Bumpkin]

We started out on this gymnastic poles little jump, then more poles.
After doing that we then started a line that was the trotting X five canter strides and a vertical. All low but he was jumping huge, and my legs would not stay still and his sides can be very sensitive. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

I feel like I have gone backwards and I am glad I viewed the lesson before and after mine, and saw my Perfectly Awesome Elliot was on the same wavelength as most of the horses last night. /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

"Have You Hugged Your Trainer Today?"

[Duffy]

Uggg...Sorry about your perky pony, Bumpkin! Don't these talented and sensitive guys realize that when they are over-exuberant with their ammy owners that they jump us out of the tack and thus tickle their sides?? Geesh!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Chef Jade]

Bumpkin, as Merry, Beezer, Peggy, and everyone else in So. Cal. can attest to, last weekend we had hurricaine forse winds that threw every horse into a tizzy. There are a pile of jumps outside the gate to our arena that suddenly came alive and it took me 5 five minutes to get a horse to LEAVE the ring! My trainer said that ours were the only horses you could turn out in the ring with the gate wide open and they wouldn't leave!

[Erin]

ok guys... time's up.

the thread is too big, and is taking too long to load.

start new topics. ID them with BGSG, or however you want. but this needs to not be a BB within a BB... rather, like everything else, topics that are actually ABOUT a certain topic. (dealing with spooks, steering, progress/regress, showing, whatever.)

no whining... i don't have time for it today. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

--
*** DISCLAIMER: Please pardon me if this message seems overly abrupt, or there are blatant typos or a lack of capitalization. My left hand is broken and in a cast, and typing is not my favorite activity at the moment! /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif ***

[Janet]

at
BGSG II (http://chronofhorse.infopop.net/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=691099205&f=602099205&m=9783072824)