tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72214495740228331152024-03-21T17:25:54.612-07:00Bodhi Tree FarmsGolden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-87819150891070779392019-05-14T19:16:00.004-07:002019-05-15T08:34:31.359-07:00PTSD with horses: a personal journey When I was little I was fearless. I think you are born with a certain amount of flight and I was not as gifted by the common sense fairy as some.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is right... I made some horrible Paint illustrations for this blog!</td></tr>
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As you mature, you learn. Fire is hot, Florida is the lightning capital of the world, Florida has 7 venomous snakes, you are allergic to bees - don't pet them, caves are fun until you have to dig your dad out and you get skewered by an old mining ladder... Important things!<br />
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When you take up horses, you learn new skills. How to read when a horse is going to: stop, buck, rear, bolt, spook, or drop a shoulder at a jump. Most of all, you learn to read emotion and intent. When to push a boundary and when to sit and wait.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More amazing Paint illustrations. You're welcome.</td></tr>
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You reach a stasis. How to be reserved and cautious, and also open and asking.This happened for me in my early 20s. Finally intelligent, experienced, and open enough to realize that working with horses was walking a balance among the emotions of humble/confident/surprise. You hear horses make you humble a lot and they definitely made me humble considering where I started.<br />
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And then, at least or me, life happened. I would get hurt, I would let that hurt fester into a <a href="https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/help-pests/plant-galls">gall</a>, and my body would grow over it like it never happened. A broken bone, a concussion, a scary fall. All water under a flooded bridge. Then more life outside of horses happened --- graduate school pressure, and crazy jobs ( I was both bitten by a lemur and yelled at by an Air Force General in the last 5 years.... for work). Finally, what broke the dam was a #MeTooSTEM experience that left me suddenly jobless and scared.<br />
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After everything, I fell back on my only constant -- horses --- and found that my comfort level had shifted in flight. Suddenly, small things in and out of the saddle created panic. I could not understand why I felt so afraid and so angry all the time -- even at the smallest things. I went out seeking answers through doctors and therapists and found out I had PTSD. Which makes so much sense. At least one source of stress was immediately eradicated. I was not going crazy I was just different now.<br />
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With PTSD, I feel like I operate completely differently compared to how I used to. I used to have a comfort zone that I pushed through into a zone of uncertainty and that was growth. Passed that was my limit --- and probably something I should not be crossing anyway. Now, I feel suffocated by this film of anxiety and fear that I have to break through to get to my comfort zone even with normal tasks. If I manage that, then I can start to push through to growth. Recognizing this definitive difference is a huge milestone for me. For years, I have been comparing pre-PTSD me to post-PTSD me when it is not the same critter at all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing out of this BS </td></tr>
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Life happens to all of us. I think we all have a little PTSD -- whether that be from bad falls, car crashes, or some asshole. I think horsemanship in my 2nd act is all about figuring out how I need to adjust to who I am now. What about you? Are you meeting yourself where you are now? Have you accepted who you are today? it is still a process for me. <br />
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-82170474499034970562019-05-10T17:55:00.002-07:002019-05-11T06:11:49.271-07:00I do ride sometimes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since getting back into things I have been trying to get in 4 or more short groundwork sessions with Grayson and 2 rides on Lacey every week. Lacey and I are back to basically where we were pre arm breaking. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her mouth stays very active even in a halter.</td></tr>
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We are just riding in the fancy bareback pad and rope halter right now because that seems to be what she prefers. I am not planning on showing her so I don't really care what gear we use. </div>
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Enjoy a boring video of me riding with hilarious commentary from my 2 year old and husband.</div>
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We are working on relaxation in all gates but especially canter. She gets a little worked up both within and after canter work. She is a bit or worrier and perfectionist, so she is the type of horse you are constantly working to counteract anticipation... But she loves routine too so it is a balancing act. We are also working on not getting behind the vertical. She really wants to curl up and I am trying to gently encourage her to raise her poll and stretch.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vKo4T9VU9KmxEHe1aMoGfl7YSrjoBNOnM_7wirtRZQ9WfHIM6Il6xh2bJdokz_Hwr8HqKLhj5TTZm43wRdjFGxuEuGQdzCQ2O68hWCQMrLJqGiW6MO0AlJmKu7IE2A1RDUTdlopmply2/s1600/P_20190505_092132_vHDR_On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1559" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vKo4T9VU9KmxEHe1aMoGfl7YSrjoBNOnM_7wirtRZQ9WfHIM6Il6xh2bJdokz_Hwr8HqKLhj5TTZm43wRdjFGxuEuGQdzCQ2O68hWCQMrLJqGiW6MO0AlJmKu7IE2A1RDUTdlopmply2/s400/P_20190505_092132_vHDR_On.jpg" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you have a cookie human?</td></tr>
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I just love this horse. She is the perfect ride for me right now. She is sensitive and particular but also super sane and sensible. I think it's the weird Arab/Clydesdale cross? We have a ton to work on, but she is also a confidence builder for me. The best part about her is the more I relax the more she does. She is a perfect reflection of me for better or worse. I am so lucky that I get to borrow her. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has really cute pseudo-feathers </td></tr>
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My goals in the near future are to develop our canter, add n some ground polls and small jumps to keep things interesting, and to take more hacks in the big pasture. But mostly I will just focus on enjoying a lovely horse that is perfect just the way she is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p7gt_sJmJuHBCkmhnMDgfMrNoL3cTUBmehyphenhyphen4xmrFQYatTjNauLN_RNNY9x1iT7jVRFQCXohrOVQmfTrZncznkhXJ46O50UH_6tZsQO22_vjq6UQ1hELb7pPeNlUtmwwsvYaLU911XKlG/s1600/P_20190430_182019_vHDR_Auto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3p7gt_sJmJuHBCkmhnMDgfMrNoL3cTUBmehyphenhyphen4xmrFQYatTjNauLN_RNNY9x1iT7jVRFQCXohrOVQmfTrZncznkhXJ46O50UH_6tZsQO22_vjq6UQ1hELb7pPeNlUtmwwsvYaLU911XKlG/s400/P_20190430_182019_vHDR_Auto.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a cute dork. She is so shiny!</td></tr>
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Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-39762777147300263702019-05-05T18:05:00.000-07:002019-05-05T18:14:14.628-07:00Reverse Round PenGray has some issues with forward. Number one is he is naturally an energy conserver. He does not do a lot of recreational gallivanting in the pasture despite being a young dude. The exception is chasing. He loves to chase a ball, or a dog, whatever. I have been told it’s an Iberian horse thing. Frolicking with him in the pasture has always been pretty harrowing. Now add lack of confidence in moving freely due too multiple injuries to a weird predatory sloth and that pretty much sums Gray up..<br />
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I have worked on getting him moving in a variety of ways including using pressure and release and using a target and a clicker. He does best out of a round pen and when you help him by walking with him on a big circle though he still feels sucked back and sluggish most of the time. With the target, anything over a walk and he has a tendency to get over-excited and go into chase mode which is not very fun.<br />
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Enter the idea of reverse round pen. It is a reverse because the person stands inside a ring and the horse is on the outside. This technique is great for green horses that might get too excited when you add some speed to your liberty work. Here is <a href="https://connectiontraining.com/around-a-round-pen-for-leading-and-lunging/">more information</a> for anyone interested.<br />
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I made my reverse round pen out of rope and temporary electric fence poles. Mine was small — around 20 feet white. I plan to make it larger once he gets the hang of it. They don’t need to be super sturdy, they are more of a visual reminder than anything else.<br />
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I did 2 sessions with Gray this weekend. First one he was very nervous of the ring itself. I think he assumed it was hot! So our first session doubled as a targeting and approaching scary objects with confidence session. The second session we worked on walking forward and relaxed, changing directions, and a little trot. We started out with his familiar target, but I quickly started to phase out the target for hand signals. The idea is to start near the outside of the circle guiding the horse around and as he starts to understand what is asked you can more be to the center and reduce your signals.<br />
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Here are a couple videos I got from the second session.<br />
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This first one shows us with our target switching directions and walking. Right now I am reinforcing him when he matches my steps and when he is relaxed and stretching.<br />
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In this video you can see I dropped the target and I am using my hand and energy to prompt him.</div>
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This last video I just like how happy and forward he looks and how he is matching my walk.<br />
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-24248621319729490922019-05-02T08:24:00.002-07:002019-05-02T08:34:40.188-07:00Methods to The Madness Part II: Climbing out of the valley of dispair <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUyCnmo0bu0b_7aCaZ2mJC78KEtqlA4Ts5JWLIhrDB1LOJYnjNeZ5_vd7maH7LyBPMGFprcqS73AUWCdQGlilFFeyEIq-geaUXdWtdd8w2tcAG9eFtNUpIYiLvvJO0ccQ2rxoKaEDG1-w/s1600/oak+and+gray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUyCnmo0bu0b_7aCaZ2mJC78KEtqlA4Ts5JWLIhrDB1LOJYnjNeZ5_vd7maH7LyBPMGFprcqS73AUWCdQGlilFFeyEIq-geaUXdWtdd8w2tcAG9eFtNUpIYiLvvJO0ccQ2rxoKaEDG1-w/s400/oak+and+gray.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak and Grayson first meeting</td></tr>
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After Bodhi died I had to do the lonely horse shuffle (when you start down the twisting path of getting animals because your current horses need friends) which meant I had to start from scratch again building relationships with my new horses. I started to seek out resources again on horse training methods and philosophies and was astounded by how much the positive reinforcement horse world had exploded. I had sort of lost touch because I had been busy with graduate school and then new jobs. Also, I had kinda forgotten how hard starting horses was since it had been 8 years since I had first started Bodhi, so I guess I was a bit complacent. Back in 2007 there were a couple of books by <span id="goog_403561742"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Alexandra Kurland<span id="goog_403561743"></span></a> ,<a href="https://on-target-training.com/">Shawna Karrasch</a> and <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/362578172209">Sharon Fole</a>y and a few websites were starting to pop up. When I plugged back in in 2016 there were tons of <a href="https://www.crktrainingblog.com/">blogs</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmpoweredEquestrians/">Facebook groups</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/positively_together/">Instagram influencers</a>, and best of all local trainers and clinics! I was beyond excited and started just binging content.<br />
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Here are some samples of concepts that I have recently been chewing on:<br />
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In general I have been learning more about the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787808001123">negative impacts of punishment</a>, stress, and <a href="https://www.fairhorsemanship.com/articles/what-is-aversive-training/">adversives</a> on the learning and general well-being in horses. I have also been learning a lot of new concepts and considerations (I am just listing some examples here, and I am trying to include resources if you want to read more).<br />
<ul>
<li>How to spot <a href="https://calmingsignalsofhorses.com/en/">calming signals.</a></li>
<li>The official term for that checked out robot horse we all know - <a href="https://thehorse.com/110232/habituation-vs-learned-helplessness-in-horses/">learned helplessness.</a> </li>
<li> <a href="https://www.thewillingequine.com/single-post/2017/01/13/What-and-Why-Fear-Thresholds">Fear thresholds</a> and <a href="https://good-horse.com/behaviour-cognition/trigger-stacking-little-things-add-cause-big-reaction/">trigger stacking</a>. </li>
<li>Positive reinforcement pitfalls to watch out for including frustration and over excitement. These can be exacerbated by "mixing" positive and negative reinforcement.</li>
<li><a href="https://horse-charming.com/2017/04/05/774/">Poisoned cues</a> another pitfall of "mixing."</li>
</ul>
I was really loving learning all these complexities and considerations, but if I am being honest I am feeling a little overwhelmed too. Will I ever be able to be able to know enough to be the effective, ethical, and kind trainer I want to be? Innocence is truly bliss and all of a sudden I was seeing all these signs of stress in my horses that I did not know were there before whether I was training with the clicker or with pressure and release. I was often reminded of this chart of learning --- I am definitely in the valley of despair right now!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg3QwfAOhrrEabkRxRP9QPqWrJVJxA91wv15I4TqVezzGzpvrpYIoeI8O-dezM86IyF_0ewCsf65Y1tuj2bg3NV4RyZhqe3AODaVN7VDxPPKK3XGU6YJ9a3KFKiFdry8r8HLrf9S9HZ_Q/s1600/P_20190430_194503_vHDR_Auto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg3QwfAOhrrEabkRxRP9QPqWrJVJxA91wv15I4TqVezzGzpvrpYIoeI8O-dezM86IyF_0ewCsf65Y1tuj2bg3NV4RyZhqe3AODaVN7VDxPPKK3XGU6YJ9a3KFKiFdry8r8HLrf9S9HZ_Q/s320/P_20190430_194503_vHDR_Auto.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that cute face!</td></tr>
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Which brings me to now. How do I climb the slope of enlightenment and get to the plateau of sustainability (this sounds like a terrible video game)? I still have this baby horse (Mr Grayson) that needs training and now I have more knowledge than ever (for me) but absolutely no idea what my way forward should be. To add further complexity (yay) Gray is a more complicated horse than Bodhi was. He is both more confident and playful than Bodhi but also more sensitive and reactive. He also has the added layer of being very hesitant to move forward, both in part because of his personality and the long list of injuries that he has acquired in his short life that either cause pain and stiffness, or memories or pain and stiffness. <br />
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In order to climb up the slope, I have decided to go back to something simple to regain a sense of stasis again and to give me something solid and actionable to move forward with. SO I bought a membership to the <a href="https://training.trtmethod.com/">Tristan Tucker</a> training modules. Which is very much unlike me, because I normally just glean the info I can from books and free content I find and I don't normally "buy in" to training programs marketed as systems. But right now I have just too much floating around in my head, and I needed something to focus on.<br />
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So I chose TRT because the training philosophy kinda spoke to me for addressing Gray's specific challenges -- mainly a lack of self control/impulse control and awareness and also a lack of ease/relaxation in the body. I also like that he does not spend a lot of time talking about dominance theory (pet peeve) and that he has a dressage background. I know he really is just another pressure and release/negative reinforcement clinician, but I do like the packaging of shaping the horse to have self control over his reactions and body. Gray needs help with controlling his own emotions and feet more than any other horse I have worked with. Also, I feel like I have a firm technical grasp of the applications of negative reinforcement, but I have focused on clicker training for so long I really need help getting better in my application of pressure release, and TRT is as good as any to teach me that I think.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8BbSrIn4vWZeBoW82eFNlzA8vIWWKeAtuCDpYaWUunPLjMpf8rNL-QCF5QphFw6tfjmL-baX62KJTLaY6HmwLT_tggZ6Rtb5gesBWm0hxbY4uJz8G7YgqlNb71c5tD6GKt6Xj3Hm7k3C/s1600/P_20190421_101526_vHDR_Auto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8BbSrIn4vWZeBoW82eFNlzA8vIWWKeAtuCDpYaWUunPLjMpf8rNL-QCF5QphFw6tfjmL-baX62KJTLaY6HmwLT_tggZ6Rtb5gesBWm0hxbY4uJz8G7YgqlNb71c5tD6GKt6Xj3Hm7k3C/s400/P_20190421_101526_vHDR_Auto.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are at least getting better pictures now with TRT #closetalker</td></tr>
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I feel like I also need to add a caveat -- I am definitely not saying that I could not address Gray's problems with 100% positive reinforcement. Actually I know of a ton of amazing clicker trainers that are doing just that with horses that have similar issues.<br />
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I am not sure what has made me choose TRT over clicker this time. It just feels like the right thing to do I guess. Maybe I making this all sound like some sort of logical progression, but I actually feel like this has been a very intuitive journey --- just following what feels right to me. I felt like Bodhi led me to learning about clicker training and postive reinforcement, Oak led me to learning about acceptance vs. tolerance, and Gray is now leading me towards learning about how to help a horse with body awareness and emotional control. I know it is a cliché but, my horses are the real teachers. I am not sure where this journey is taking me, but I am trying really hard to relax and enjoy the process. <br />
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-42789412394756199762019-04-25T11:10:00.000-07:002019-04-27T10:38:27.849-07:00Methods to the Madness Part I: Decoding <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHumqd-zGg8FxdKFp2_KZ48Mjgz5fgB_6kSXphsypt7Z1j_cpzc0hCEFmMXD-2snj17qSvPqd0U4uzSBGvguYxefat-1rTjc2IsqKOoqJoclf1CL0I-l2n2Qz1zCa0atk-4uvZj_wBUKkT/s1600/Velour+1+640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="640" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHumqd-zGg8FxdKFp2_KZ48Mjgz5fgB_6kSXphsypt7Z1j_cpzc0hCEFmMXD-2snj17qSvPqd0U4uzSBGvguYxefat-1rTjc2IsqKOoqJoclf1CL0I-l2n2Qz1zCa0atk-4uvZj_wBUKkT/s320/Velour+1+640.jpg" width="320" /></a>When I started riding at 8 at a hunter jumper barn, my awareness about how horses learn and communicate was non existent. I got the typical gruff kick-to-go education that most kids probably got 30 years ago.<br />
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At 13, I switched to a dressage barn and started to learn about rider bio-mechanics or how our bodies impact our horses movement and balance. This started me off down the road I am still on today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR2gItKXf7GJ5-GKLcDsk3kIuLkSmn5ceRcEArWf_spCySfySsUaH0qMk5TJBD3wGOK4-bEM9oL9TqRJ04xhlApkEiV08HHkpV6P7AMctbh60Z7hDVeHZYvbfPLlbfkm_QOaOOmbMAqRr/s1600/Parelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqR2gItKXf7GJ5-GKLcDsk3kIuLkSmn5ceRcEArWf_spCySfySsUaH0qMk5TJBD3wGOK4-bEM9oL9TqRJ04xhlApkEiV08HHkpV6P7AMctbh60Z7hDVeHZYvbfPLlbfkm_QOaOOmbMAqRr/s1600/Parelli.jpg" /></a>At 15, I started as a working student at a hunter jumper consignment barn that had recently adopted Parelli Natural Horsemanship. This was the first time I learned about applying pressure in a <i>deliberate way</i> to shape behavior. PNH also helped me grasp some of the underlying problems causing "bad behavior" in my first horse, a feisty playful thoroughbred. It was also, in hindsight, where I first started to develop an aversion and distrust for this particular brand of horsemanship. What turned me off was a combination of the language used in PNH ( I felt like it was anthropomorphic and vague, but for other people I know this system really works which is great), and some instances I personally witnessed people being abusive to their horses. I feel like PNH opened my eyes in so many ways --- both in good ways like that we could be so much better to our horses if we considered their biology, and how they learned, and in not so good ways-- that when you try to market the complexities of the horse-human relationship into a nice little monetized package the nuance is lost, and a lot of horses are still misunderstood and mistreated. It was at this point I pretty much vowed never to follow another of these "big name clinicians" again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB3zbeXp_oqAUg5elw4dItmi4I7_LG9oqLnrxnFEshJJhXIY_l9TRT1pFrKWJf1z_ntrTJOmgbdeZqvmkX8DDEDqoBoMZh5fYyZWoPqlYjg3krzEbrdETso4WFQXEOv7gmcMSV8gWOBSY/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPB3zbeXp_oqAUg5elw4dItmi4I7_LG9oqLnrxnFEshJJhXIY_l9TRT1pFrKWJf1z_ntrTJOmgbdeZqvmkX8DDEDqoBoMZh5fYyZWoPqlYjg3krzEbrdETso4WFQXEOv7gmcMSV8gWOBSY/s320/IMG_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking it easy with my old retired guy</td></tr>
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After my mixed experiences with PNH I was even more hungry for knowledge about horse training, and so I stopped going to clinics and taking lessons and started reading. I read books by or about <a href="https://tomdorrance.com/about-tom/">Tom Dorrance</a>, <a href="http://www.rayhunt.com/">Ray Hunt</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Horsemanship">Xenophon</a>, and <a href="http://www.markrashid.com/">Mark Rashid</a>, I enjoyed seeing the similarities across all of these horse philosophers -- the importance of good timing, compassion and patience, but I still felt like I had a hard time applying the theory into practice. I ended up selling my first horse, the young, feisty Thoroughbred, during this time because of my busy life as a full time college student, and also because of all the mixed feelings and changes I was feeling around horsemanship in general.<br />
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After college, I got my first real job and my retired show horse from childhood that I had adopted and cared for had passed away (the gray in the pictures), so I was left horseless. I was ready to try anew and to put some theory into practice. Enter Bodhi and un-started 2 year old Haflinger.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto-6RpGd-pQkXIl9nXBADpWFD-WWTLw91nXp4QWCOiWMQ4GjUDOJ-q7yUOBBhnkuHNgPWaT0eF93tP0WRqzAiGfBLqYYyJsYjuMcvbTQuoJRP9lNebVQQEo2DivJ6IKStzt6SnPMuFGMN/s1600/bodhisoccer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhto-6RpGd-pQkXIl9nXBADpWFD-WWTLw91nXp4QWCOiWMQ4GjUDOJ-q7yUOBBhnkuHNgPWaT0eF93tP0WRqzAiGfBLqYYyJsYjuMcvbTQuoJRP9lNebVQQEo2DivJ6IKStzt6SnPMuFGMN/s320/bodhisoccer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of his first shaped behaviors: soccer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvPu-uZGd2LsXW-tyqplBLN6pLE9797zEeWkoeiMqcbHWC2B0jO2Vqn9WU3RFqDT_HIcLXI7soo1NMbqdaZkc8_XMrNH47cmI7UzO0oxxeakpmEnoTVLI6NjoW9EUL0w4lmlG0LKCkeRp/s1600/firstride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvPu-uZGd2LsXW-tyqplBLN6pLE9797zEeWkoeiMqcbHWC2B0jO2Vqn9WU3RFqDT_HIcLXI7soo1NMbqdaZkc8_XMrNH47cmI7UzO0oxxeakpmEnoTVLI6NjoW9EUL0w4lmlG0LKCkeRp/s320/firstride.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first ride.</td></tr>
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I was boarding Bodhi at a small private farm with no other riders. It was just Bodhi and three retired pasture puffs, so I had to do it on my own. I went back to the literature and found 2 books that I really based Bodhi's entire early education on: John Lyon's <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Practical-Horsemanship-Perfect-Library/dp/187962060X">Perfectly Practical Advice on Horsemanship</a> series and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Dog-Teaching-Training/dp/1860542387/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QFLEE7JF4DXY&keywords=don%27t+shoot+the+dog+by+karen+pryor&qid=1556212562&s=books&sprefix=Don%27t+Shoot+the+%2Cstripbooks%2C134&sr=1-1">Don't Shoot the Dog</a> by Karen Pryor. The books by John Lyon's are surprisingly filled with applied behavioral theory that immediately made sense to my scientifically trained brain. Don't Shoot the Dog is the perfect primer to learning theory that perfectly complimented the negative reinforcement-heavy Lyons' Horsemanship books. Learning about the difference between reinforcers and punishers was a serious game changer and led me to learn about using positive reinforcement in horse training--- which blew my mind wide open at the time. I fully admit that it had never occurred to me that there were two types of reinforcers (negative and positive) and that we normally only use one in horse training (negative). It was huge shift in my conciousness to learn about the power of R+ and how to mark and shape behavior. It was like all of a sudden I noticed one hand had been tied behind my back and I finally got it free. Bodhi also transformed before my eyes. He went from a slightly stubborn, naughty pony to an engaged student and partner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTExpb7JYgWVGg-ZIttcsyTrWWXZz18iixGEWeedIEuaDDYMG3CQhTfirY1RXANWDmJ7TwyzAqnze21Xd0cgCUfoF5kX3JnqYYKmst5C4sqBWzJUBGfF1xfYQJKZDY6ASTNtNGemToTcJR/s1600/bodhi+on+a+step.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTExpb7JYgWVGg-ZIttcsyTrWWXZz18iixGEWeedIEuaDDYMG3CQhTfirY1RXANWDmJ7TwyzAqnze21Xd0cgCUfoF5kX3JnqYYKmst5C4sqBWzJUBGfF1xfYQJKZDY6ASTNtNGemToTcJR/s320/bodhi+on+a+step.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Bodhi and I went on to have a wonderful 8 years together (which you can learn about in my first blog <a href="https://goldentheponygirl.blogspot.com/">here</a>). A large part of his training and development was using positive reinforcement but I still used pressure and release (negative reinforcement) too. Bodhi and I continued our education with this foundation of understanding that I would always reinforce the behaviors that I wanted with positive reinforcement (pats, cookies) or negative reinforcement (remove the pressure I was using and let him rest), and we got to learn so much by going to dressage, reining, extreme cowboy and obstacle clinics, and learning from trainers across the reinforcement spectrum. I also felt like I had this secrete weapon of behavioral shaping with a marker (clicker) up my sleeve that gave us an edge. I would always just smile knowingly when clinicians would scratch their heads at how quickly Bodhi picked up on things. <br />
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Also, I felt like once I had a basic understanding of behavioral theory I was able to finally decode the flowery language that left me confused with some of the big names. It still annoys me, but now I can at least understand what all these used-car-salesman clinicians are trying to say! ;) I felt like I was just building my tool box with all these great tips and tricks and I have the confidence to just leave the stuff that I find too anthropomorphic or forceful in the sawdust.<br />
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That brings us up to the tragic death of Bodhi, and the new cast of characters you all know now.... and what I am learning now -- and what I will write about next so stay tuned :) <br />
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-42729613109171251852019-04-14T17:41:00.000-07:002019-04-14T17:41:01.974-07:00Just keep swimmingI feel like I am slowly crawling back to where I was in January which of course is a long way away from where I was pre baby. Probably best not to think of it that way. It seems so overwhelming when I look at how far I have to go to get back to what I think of as normal, so I prefer to just take what's in front of me.<br />
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Just keep swimming...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't it glorious?</td></tr>
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My wonderful husband made me a hopefully me-proof mounting block. If I flip this puppy then i probably should not be riding.<br />
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I was able to try it out today with my first ride since breaking my arm today. Lacey was wonderful. She was ready to work, soft and relaxed. Considering it took us months to get to that point in the first place, I am over the moon she carried that over to our first ride since January. I am so lucky to have her.<br />
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I have also started Gray's training again. I think I am going to try out the Tristan Tucker training modules. I plan to do another post to outline why I decided to try these out (because I have been agonizing over it) but for now have any of you heard of or tried the TRT Method, and if so what do you think?<br />
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I visited Oak last weekend and he is doing really well. Going on trail rides and starting to be used for lessons already. Sadie the mustang is getting more comfortable and is becoming easier to catch and handle. The fly mask was quite the adventure!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-33799129263406784192019-03-27T10:41:00.000-07:002019-03-27T10:43:16.691-07:00Ch Ch Ch Changes!I couldn't help myself with the Bowie reference, but we have made a couple of changes around the farm lately...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking on a lunge</td></tr>
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First is my cast is off! Yay! I am working hard on my PT and they said I may be back in the saddle in 6-8 weeks. Way too long, but at least I can see the end of the tunnel!<br />
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Second is Oak going to stay with my trainer for the time being. She really likes him (she calls him her hobbit pony), and he seems to get along really well at her place. His gnat allergies are not as bad and we think he may feel less stressed by NOT being the top dog in the herd. He prefers middle management. She thinks that she will be able to use him in her lesson program with a little more work. It is a win/win because I can focus on training Gray, but I don't have to sell Oak, and Oak is getting miles and an amazing education with my instructor.<br />
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Third is we took on a third horse in Oak's place so we are now back up to three out here. We agreed to help our trainer out and take one of her pasture puffs on as a free boarder so she could have room to take Oak indefinitely. Sadie is a mustang mare in her 20s that my trainer rescued a couple of years ago. She is shy but sweet and we are having fun getting to know her.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray approves of his new friend</td></tr>
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-17250360365223604492019-02-27T10:53:00.002-08:002019-02-27T16:53:39.597-08:00Finding my balanceThanks to everyone who commented on my last post... I know it was very doom and gloom. I never handle getting injured well and then to lose my buddy of 16 years at the same time... it has been really rough.<br />
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And yes before I say anything else I have learned my lesson and will be asking my husband to build me a more sturdy mounting block. It seems as though I can't rely on my cat-like resources anymore... 😜<br />
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Being so down and out has also made me really re-evaluate where I am going in life. What do I want and what is fair for my family? It was great to hear the validation that balancing work/horses/motherhood as a mom of young children is hard because I find it extremely difficult. It was also really nice to hear from you all that keeping my horse hobby as a mom is not selfish. I have a lot of support from my partner to have me-time with the horses, but I feel a lot of external pressure to give up the"extravagant lifestyle" of horse ownership. I do worry that horses are expensive, and that if we didn't have them we could travel more, or do other activities as a family. But on the other hand, I think growing up on a farm, and seeing your mom work hard at a sport she is passionate about is valuable too. I still feel like I am struggling to decide what the right choice is, but it is nice to hear from others that have done this and made it out the other side just fine.<br />
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One possibility I am considering is a compromise -- re-home one of the horses. Which still causes a pit in my stomach. I have been training other people's as well as my own horses for over 15 years -- but always as a side-job and now a hobby. I consider myself a pretty accomplished <i>ammy</i> trainer. Emphasis on the ammy. However, I have only ever had one personal project horse at a time even at my best. Now I find myself with TWO projects, and also a full time job, a toddler, and a serious mom bod. I have never been more out of shape and lacking in confidence than I am in this moment. So.... Maybe this is not the best time to challenge myself with not one, but two untrained horses? I know I could train both of these horses on my own 5-10 years ago.... but now? Maybe not right now. My ego really hates admitting that.<br />
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So that is where I am at now... I am not ready to give up horses completely, but maybe I need to go back to just one project horse. It could be a way to compromise and scale back on my horse spending while still not completely giving up. I would only consider it if I found a better home for one of them than what they have here with me, so no one is going up online or anything. I am just starting to consider the possibility that there may be a better arrangement out there for them than what I am currently offering. I take a lot of my pride (ego) in my care and training, so I think it takes a lot for me to even consider that there could be something better for them out there, but I am letting myself humor that possibility now...<br />
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Oak is doing really well at the trainer's barn. She is having someone else pony him while she just sits on him, and that seems to be a really important step for him accepting a rider.... and definitely a training technique I could not accomplish on my own. She really loves him. She calls him her little hobbit horse. Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-79704863530519420872019-02-20T06:20:00.004-08:002019-02-20T06:21:52.081-08:00Sidelined and saying goodbye<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>***warning --- extremely mopey, depressed post ahead-- proceed with caution***</b></div>
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I have been too depressed to post. Also I hate typing with one hand, but I guess it is time for an update.<br />
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About three weeks ago I had a great ride on Lacey, I had a ponying session with Oak and then I thought "lets see if I can get further with the mounting block after a ponying session."<br />
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He was stiff and weird, so I kept pushing him a little just by staying still holding my leg around his barrel waiting for him to relax. Instead he moved sideways. The mounting block begin to tip but I called his bluff by not bailing and saying "whoa". He paused... and then shifted away more (the bastard).... which should have just meant I landed on the ground next to him like I have done a million times. I have even flipped the mounting block once or twice and landed on my feet mostly. But nope not this time. This time when the mounting block flips, I land in a heap on top of it and hit my wrist just right and... snap! There goes my stupid radius.<br />
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I laid crumpled in the arena just bawling for several minutes. The wrist hurt of course, but it wasn't that. It was a release of all these emotions of frustration and anxiety that had been building up each session with him. It was the crushing weight of feeling like a failure again and again. And it was the instant realization that all my forward progress with the other two horses and the running will have to come screeching to a halt.<br />
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I eventually managed to make it the house and gather up the husband and kid to take me to emergency room. Just as I had predicted I had a broken wrist and I am in a cast for 6-8 weeks.<br />
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I am not taking the setback well. I am really low on resiliency right now, and I am being a sulky baby. I admit it, but it was so difficult for me to crawl out of post-partum depression/fog, and I have lost so much confidence in my abilities and physicality since having a baby. I was just starting to feel like I could regain who I was before the baby and before the devastating loss of my partner Bodhi. Part of me feels like this is the last blow though, and that I should give up on horses and focus on being a mom. I feel selfish that I spend all this money on a hobby that I am floundering so terribly at. I feel like I am not doing these 2 misfit horses any good by not getting them properly trained. I used to be a decent horse trainer, but now I have all this physical emotional baggage that I can't seem to overcome. I feel like I am just wasting everyone's time and I should just call it. I keep trying to relive the glory days of Bodhi and these horses are not him and I am not the "golden the pony girl" anymore.<br />
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Oak is at my trainer's farm for a month. I made the excuse that I wanted her to keep him going while I heal, but I secretly wonder if I have just given up.<br />
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This picture pretty much sums it all up. I miss my horse, I miss my dog, and I miss my pre-baby body. None of these things will ever be the same, so maybe I should find peace in not chasing them?<br />
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To make it all even worse I had to say goodbye to Stella -the dog in the picture. She had been my sidekick since I was 18. Losing her 2 weeks ago has really solidified the realization that this part of my life is now behind me. Maybe I will find peace if I just let go of horses completely? It is a thought.<br />
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If you have made it this far through all of this mopey garbage here are some pictures of my two best friends in the whole entire world. I was really lucky that they picked me to hang out with for the time that they had. They are resting now side by side. RIP good friends.<br />
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-70248073925985324602019-01-18T07:21:00.000-08:002019-02-28T05:10:37.315-08:00Oak update: consulting the tarot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been going back to read the posts I wrote about Oak from 2016 and 2017. I was able to restart him under saddle in less than a year. I felt pretty darn good about that. But obviously I missed some stuff because he never really got rid of his tenseness. Now after a hiatus it feels like we are back to day one again, but this time it feels like we are not moving forward at all.<br />
<br />
Because of his explosive reactions to people just climbing on him bareback we decided to bring it back to just getting him to accept human touch. We have approached this by trying to desensitize him to our touch, pressure, movement and weight all over his body.<br />
<br />
We quickly learned that just draping ourselves on his back or hugging his neck was too much pressure. He mostly freezes --- stops breathing, tenses all his muscles, and his eyes get either hard or wide.... If you let that build he will explode. It's really hard to predict when he will pop when which pretty common of horses that go into an introverted state. He is especially distrusts feet. He gives them this weird look when he can see my leg/foot over him. Its like a mix of I want run from it and attack it. Its not a nice look.<br />
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The plan for the last three months has been to have my trainer work with him once a week and me as many times as I can, on accepting and relaxing. This entails standing on the mounting block and draping various body parts over him until we see some sort of release of tension (blinking, licking and chewing, breathing normally). Then we take a break, release him, give him scratches and praise him. Then repeat....<br />
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We have progressed I guess. He give us a lot more indications that he is processing at least (licking and chewing and yawning) but instead of becoming more relaxed he stays static, so I am wondering if he has actually learned we release for these behaviors, so he does them but not out of any real relaxation. Can a horse even do that? I am not sure. Either way it feels like we are stalled at putting our full weight on him sitting down. Anytime we do that he tenses, sucks back, and starts looking for an exit strategy. It is not something I feel comfortable sitting on. In all honesty I often start shaking from the stress and tension of his stress and tension. It does not help that I am doing some extreme hip openers while I wait from a sign from him that I can release. I have been calling it extreme yoga. More like high stakes yoga. Relax or get flung through the air on a terrified hobbit pony.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also do weird stuff to him like drape polo wraps around him to change things up... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So that's where we are at. I can sit on him bareback but I feel like I may die and he tries to leave after 30 seconds. Yay?<br />
<br />
He has been my primary focus since October and I am starting to feel a
bit stagnant. What I am trying to practice is its the journey over the
destination but its hard when the journey is just slapping against this
giant barrier.<br />
<br />
Ok now for the tarot part...this is where it gets a bit woo. My significant other went to a poker night and I was left by myself, so I decided to pull out my horse themed tarot deck (there was wine involved). I am a woman of science I swear!<br />
<br />
I try to keep an open mind, but I'm also aware of the fact that a deck of cards probably does not have the ability to predict the future. I have always liked tarot cards though because of the art, and when a friend gave me this beautiful set of horse specific cards how could I say no? I decided to do a reading for each horse for funsies. <br />
<br />
<b>The process:</b> I am totally oversimplifying but you draw 5 cards. card 1 is your central issue, card 2 is the most conscious and obvious thing about the situation (can also mean your default). Card 3 what's on the horizon, card 4 refers to a subconscious factor or overall mood, and card 5 is what's happening at the deeper unconscious level.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Here is Oak's "reading" </b></div>
<b><br /></b>
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<b>Card 1</b>: <i>Fear aggression, competition and moving beyond survival</i>. I could see that our central issue could be moving beyond survival mode. So point one goes to magic cards.<br />
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<b>Card 2</b>: <i>Physical collection, balance and agility</i>. The description mentions <i>honoring the horse's efforts and not asking the horse for too much physical effort wise</i>. I am not really sure how to interpret this one as the most obvious thing about our situation. I am not really asking him to physically exert himself right now. Maybe it means he is reacting to us throwing off his balance? Not sure...<br />
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<b>Card 3</b>: <i>Knowledge that defies logic, exploring what society suppresses and treasure in hidden darkness</i>. So this is what's on my horizon? Oh geeze. Another quote: "<i>learning to ride the energy of what can't be explained involves courage, creativity, and well-honed instincts</i>." So I can't explain Oak (true story) and I need to develop more courage, creativity, and well-honed instincts to ride him? I would agree with that. Not sure how to go about all that honing of my instincts though....<br />
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<b>Card 4</b>: I pulled the vigilance card for my "subconscious factor or overall mood." It stands for <i>anxiety associated with change and fear or vulnerability</i>. I think Oak is very vigilant so this card is fitting.<br />
<br />
<b>Card 5:</b> For my final card I got the lightening horse which represents <i>a flash of inspiration, a glimpse of the next level, and manifested possibility</i>. This is what is supposedly happening at a deeper conscious level. So it is saying he/we are getting glimpses of the next level, so it just <i>looks</i> like we are going nowhere? Got it.<br />
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-80666499962321754832019-01-14T06:55:00.000-08:002019-01-14T06:56:44.903-08:00My "saddle" solution<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI3wu4onlVSE-BzPdM-V9pjbAU39SSKRNOcJ1LgeyfSukyMLwgd7uUCFC_Sk7SQKL0yyZMYaYVnMStdEYWkikEUW7Hc2n_HmMLiuxy_vpe_ObwC17BOUZhGTALVO_EDrABe33j7trM3Rp/s1600/P_20190113_153404_vHDR_On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaI3wu4onlVSE-BzPdM-V9pjbAU39SSKRNOcJ1LgeyfSukyMLwgd7uUCFC_Sk7SQKL0yyZMYaYVnMStdEYWkikEUW7Hc2n_HmMLiuxy_vpe_ObwC17BOUZhGTALVO_EDrABe33j7trM3Rp/s400/P_20190113_153404_vHDR_On.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpmBsS1YVnYqvRMcajCTJQsbU2bOvvOUq1RDJpDfObZcCuCtRG23i8bYUtuEXe-v2TTH2mKfTPGRY9cso39F21iLhSr3Ac8OsVT40Eq8k5XtX4XQbloCRKgFzKGFwNkrCVPgMvLUF2WlS/s1600/P_20190113_153141_vHDR_On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpmBsS1YVnYqvRMcajCTJQsbU2bOvvOUq1RDJpDfObZcCuCtRG23i8bYUtuEXe-v2TTH2mKfTPGRY9cso39F21iLhSr3Ac8OsVT40Eq8k5XtX4XQbloCRKgFzKGFwNkrCVPgMvLUF2WlS/s320/P_20190113_153141_vHDR_On.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br />
Saddle fitting feels like an endless battle. Also, unlike
most things, the more I learn the more hopeless and confused I feel. I was
happy in my world of gullet sizes and re-flocking to get a reasonably well
fitting saddle. The more I learn though the more I realize that those are just
partial solutions for overall saddle fit. My trainer said something to me a
couple of weeks ago that really just spoke to the voice in the back of my mind that
I have been trying to ignore since I started my saddle fitting journey. Horses are
not factory created so nothing is going to truly conform to their backs that
comes from mass production. Which is really bumming me out. I am definitely on
an ammy on a budget, I have three horses currently, and now I feel like I need
to buy a custom saddle for each of them. Even one custom saddle is more than I
payed for both of my horses combined! Ughh…. Not to mention my lease horse Lacey.
I don’t really want to buy a custom saddle for a horse I don’t even own. </div>
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I have been riding my Haflingers in <a href="https://www.duettsaddles.com/">Duetts</a> for the past 5
years or so, which I like, but the dressage saddle I bought and got fitted to
Oak does not fit Lacey, my current riding horse, or Grayson. After what I have
learned about saddle fitting it probably does not fit Oak either but I am
afraid to look. My solution? A <a href="https://www.dp-saddlery.com/product-page/christ-fur-saddle-premium-plus">Christ Fur “Saddle”</a>. My trainer had one and let
me try it and it felt wonderful. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCdrZeQkBWZtKaJKW-mvtkk2FiMr0hGW8wWzrUyLtLcfO8RQCVr2JywNL-kJV81ue4i7V6PBuA7HUrqpE-7PGeqYQLXB7130XjqV-EgA7SCNKMP4a3udTHVttdMqIwxJH_3edBP34mMPX/s1600/P_20190113_153414_vHDR_On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1489" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCdrZeQkBWZtKaJKW-mvtkk2FiMr0hGW8wWzrUyLtLcfO8RQCVr2JywNL-kJV81ue4i7V6PBuA7HUrqpE-7PGeqYQLXB7130XjqV-EgA7SCNKMP4a3udTHVttdMqIwxJH_3edBP34mMPX/s320/P_20190113_153414_vHDR_On.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_ECwKepVjv8p_cAXmPFXCIeyGjLGkexpcbwl0fmqsoOUNI7TJWzEt1ucFvLMvjDvCaFKFZwa3tlnUPPD73ambpIEcB99rJzBRMbaukMY1VJ0dJCK6UuaPlNpa-NMsVX7GEVYWonD0cXk/s1600/P_20190113_154700_vHDR_On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="782" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_ECwKepVjv8p_cAXmPFXCIeyGjLGkexpcbwl0fmqsoOUNI7TJWzEt1ucFvLMvjDvCaFKFZwa3tlnUPPD73ambpIEcB99rJzBRMbaukMY1VJ0dJCK6UuaPlNpa-NMsVX7GEVYWonD0cXk/s320/P_20190113_154700_vHDR_On.jpg" width="259" /></a>They are not cheap and I was worried about spending so much
on a fancy bareback pad, but I think they are substantial enough to be sufficient
for the riding I am doing now (which is the dressage version of just piddling
around). They have removable foam inserts along the spine and fleece rolls to
secure your leg in place. They have a place to attach stirrups and lots of
extra padding. I have ridden in mine twice and it feels amazing. I can’t feel
Lacey’s backbone at all, which is great because she is very bony. With the
stirrups I feel the same security I do in a regular saddle. And it is soooo
comfy. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Hopefully it will work until I decide what I really want in
my next saddle. I think that will really depend on which of my two boys becomes
my main riding horse. I ordered mine from <a href="https://horsedreamimporters.com/category/bareback-pads">Horse Dream Importers</a> and they have
been really responsive in answering my questions and sent along a free bottle
of special detergent to wash my new pad.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-4230464438358559672019-01-10T09:51:00.002-08:002019-01-10T09:51:38.773-08:00I am finally back in the saddle!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I have been gone for a while…. In my defense I have some
pretty good reasons. Number one is that I made a human! Number two is taking
care of baby humans turns out to be very time consuming! For the first 6 months
I hardly did any riding or training. But a year and half in and I feel like I
am finally finding time for my horses consistently enough to start documenting
our progress again. I really love reading about all of the other horse blogger
journeys and I miss this community! So, I pledge to be a better blogger for
2019.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>A few brief updates:</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk-eLGYYXr1FVvSHGSxwj2QL5X-6RD3q9lTRQsirgdvCYRGtgLLUo0lHzPptYV9I_F3sEyXKNTfBGp_BWX9VWJOURoO3_yfTeHvl3rd7MjW9dEKMXjBuJerI6dp6kB4uuEObO_8kaPdxe/s1600/P_20181216_100554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="901" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk-eLGYYXr1FVvSHGSxwj2QL5X-6RD3q9lTRQsirgdvCYRGtgLLUo0lHzPptYV9I_F3sEyXKNTfBGp_BWX9VWJOURoO3_yfTeHvl3rd7MjW9dEKMXjBuJerI6dp6kB4uuEObO_8kaPdxe/s320/P_20181216_100554.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My wonderful trainer during pony hugging therapy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Oak –</b> I stopped riding Oak at about 40 rides. My balance was
too compromised by my ginormous belly to feel safe anymore. After giving birth
and healing I tried to pick back up on where I left off. He went right back to
where we were fairly quickly but after my 5<sup>th</sup> ride or so I began to
realize that his tension under saddle was not getting any better the more I
rode, so there had to be something we were missing. I talked to a trainer
friend and she came out to assess him and see what was going on in that cute
little hobbit pony head of his. After he exploded up and backwards with her for
just lying across his back bareback we decided he was still having trust issues
(humans can be dense sometimes). So I went back to the beginning AGAIN. This
horse has to hold the record for most restarts at this point. I decided to step
back from Oak, take more riding lessons and maybe find a lease to get back in
shape with. If I was going to be restarting this horse again I needed to regain
some confidence. I found a lovely lease that I have had about a year now (I
introduce her below) and I am slowly feeling like myself again. I also found a
wonderful trainer (Whole Horse Equitation) that has been working with Oak and
I. It has been a really slow process this time where we are working through all
of his layers of distrust and fear. Oak is like an onion or an ogre… He
deserves his very own update post so I will stop there.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmav1z9bJt196ZgOU7-QsmnePMm3X5deEi4s9iJvzj_T0MJAbRUsRAK09zZEzHXYrS-rjTP5smxchQukjjqJ5FtCOu0coYGoLTcAKv-CTfjF61MDUff-NRSwfyPWQTnfa-_c-RK406cI7R/s1600/P_20181118_153554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmav1z9bJt196ZgOU7-QsmnePMm3X5deEi4s9iJvzj_T0MJAbRUsRAK09zZEzHXYrS-rjTP5smxchQukjjqJ5FtCOu0coYGoLTcAKv-CTfjF61MDUff-NRSwfyPWQTnfa-_c-RK406cI7R/s320/P_20181118_153554.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Grayson – </b>He has been sound! Yay!! I talked a little
bit about his injury before, but he tore his deep digital flexor tendon 2 years
ago, but it took us a long time to diagnose it unfortunately. When we finally
figured out what was wrong we put him on long-term stall rest with some
corrective shoeing. I was pretty sure he would never be sound again. After a
year of rest and then a long rehab of walking and limited turn out my Gray son
is sound! Yes! We have A LOT of catching up to do training wise. He is 4 and
turning 5 in June, but I have not done much with him between his multiple
injuries and my pregnancy. We are both finally on the same page and hopefully
moving forward. We are working on wearing a saddle, moving forward on the line,
and tolerating human silliness. I am finally allowing myself to be excited
about his future again. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrgNXXyu7aO4du0qtnKabdJecvw4zBOMewWjq-uOwI3a4Uaeet-utrDJlOUHvJd5Ju85vHT23fAZulcVQ7HU2B8C_LqOM_0Q3oVRkNNimI9oBbh4WOkz2jrIqtyQHXIwtPcymBlb3NSAY/s1600/P_20181227_083759_vHDR_On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSrgNXXyu7aO4du0qtnKabdJecvw4zBOMewWjq-uOwI3a4Uaeet-utrDJlOUHvJd5Ju85vHT23fAZulcVQ7HU2B8C_LqOM_0Q3oVRkNNimI9oBbh4WOkz2jrIqtyQHXIwtPcymBlb3NSAY/s320/P_20181227_083759_vHDR_On.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have done a lot of work just finding his forward</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Lacey</b> – Lacey is my wonderful lease horse. She is a 15ish
Arab/Clydesdale mare. She is the perfect horse for me right now because she is
very sensitive and can be reactive but she is also sensible. She has been
helping me get back in to shape and get some confidence back and I have been
helping her learn to relax. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful Lacey!</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok that is enough for now, but I am going to work on
introducing myself to the world of horse blogging and I hope to be a better
blogger now!</div>
Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-91472040971843655252017-05-15T05:58:00.001-07:002017-05-15T05:58:38.544-07:00Grayson ComparisonI am alive! I have been a really bad blogger. I think I just got overwhelmed with what to write about. Life started moving too fast. I hope to catch up soon.<br />
<br />
In the meantime I thought it would be fun to share two pictures of Grayson I took a year apart. Grayson was probably born around June 2015 making him almost three right now. He is also supposedly an Appendix Quarter Horse/Lusitano cross though he is really just a mystery rescue horse. At least that is how I view him.<br />
<br />
I would love to know what you all think of how he is maturing, his confirmation, and what he looks like (breeds wise). Don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings -- I didn't breed him ;) He has a wonderful personality, which is what counts right? He really is one of the sweetest, most people-oriented horses I have met.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXz7Fdbc_MTY4zrTdU_ZMzesJOCYoyXsLgms01bytew7mJ_-TjJf4Ep7PuqfH4mFIz02kHoSTcQ5P6ryPGUiohBJSMJcLH8bZJqxWcAoszndO7invQtv2gFFRRNRCAtkZ9uXnqrZQiuIB/s1600/may+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXz7Fdbc_MTY4zrTdU_ZMzesJOCYoyXsLgms01bytew7mJ_-TjJf4Ep7PuqfH4mFIz02kHoSTcQ5P6ryPGUiohBJSMJcLH8bZJqxWcAoszndO7invQtv2gFFRRNRCAtkZ9uXnqrZQiuIB/s640/may+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grayson May 2016 (Almost 2)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TTgoUUfCb2wlnPSb_wdBzq7AAVqpaWrOq5SRXu-9T25JMyVXPzmE4HUpqLB4rLbid41w0zfoglkRjKRuWu2jT15n_ZWw0EgBm7egbpIHbRIHJSgOYVm-yf-bzzAzIhXqsI_TrvpMXLQu/s1600/may+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TTgoUUfCb2wlnPSb_wdBzq7AAVqpaWrOq5SRXu-9T25JMyVXPzmE4HUpqLB4rLbid41w0zfoglkRjKRuWu2jT15n_ZWw0EgBm7egbpIHbRIHJSgOYVm-yf-bzzAzIhXqsI_TrvpMXLQu/s640/may+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grayson May 2017 (Almost 3)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To me, he is looking more like a Lusitano/quarter horse and less like a TB. He was pretty gangly for a while and I was starting to wonder if he would ever fill out.<br />
<br />
Here is another shot of him. As you can see I have been very busy the last few months ;) Look at his pretty dapples!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKiIxIfEzF1eKhYR3eCyoJTfBsiS9JlWeNE7fLW_aw9jqSK_Eg52qz_fRNhD-M4Sbf3ieTe-DCszgs0Zyt3oiOP9h31Ej6Lbabibkawx7ojBrbLL79_4tr6O5TrgfRCeMTPN4u485X3A3/s1600/grayson+and+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNKiIxIfEzF1eKhYR3eCyoJTfBsiS9JlWeNE7fLW_aw9jqSK_Eg52qz_fRNhD-M4Sbf3ieTe-DCszgs0Zyt3oiOP9h31Ej6Lbabibkawx7ojBrbLL79_4tr6O5TrgfRCeMTPN4u485X3A3/s640/grayson+and+baby.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grayson saying hi to his little sister!</td></tr>
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<br />Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-82005212187899668032016-09-07T09:44:00.002-07:002016-09-07T09:49:31.022-07:00Training wheels are coming off! Even though we had the hurricane (which meant no power for two days) the weather was beautiful by the time I had my lesson. AS always, we started with ground work. We worked on getting a decent working walk out of him, and she also taught me how to half halt using the lunge line. We also talked about getting insight into how he is using his back by the way the saddle is moving. She also advised me to not to move into riding until I see signs of focus and relaxation from him. He is such a stoic guy I sometimes have a hard time reading him which in turn makes me nervous. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXFdP-SNlSgKd7ffhwfw6UQru6vwIqYnXG6gsl2OPIku2NAuR1I5nB36gq8kztvBjbt92NOWzKyCCz5TeUgxc6j0yPG-DoR2MfXhbzAs1YIzX9naGum1Zn0MygEba-4T4tmQDbsHsQwPm/s1600/walking+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXFdP-SNlSgKd7ffhwfw6UQru6vwIqYnXG6gsl2OPIku2NAuR1I5nB36gq8kztvBjbt92NOWzKyCCz5TeUgxc6j0yPG-DoR2MfXhbzAs1YIzX9naGum1Zn0MygEba-4T4tmQDbsHsQwPm/s400/walking+around.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ride six!</td></tr>
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The time I spent desensitizing him to my feet and legs must have paid off because he was very calm and happy as I mounted up. We spent a good amount of time on the lunge pushing for more and more trot. He was very sluggish, and kept stopping every time I said "good" thinking that must meant he was done! Definitely more whoa then go right now.<br />
<br />
We concluded the lesson by taking him off the lunge and having him walk, trot, and halt with my aids alone. He did great! He really listens to my seat, and was still very hard to get to go forward. She had me try to trot him into the middle of the pen and change directions but we just kept loosing momentum. After realizing our hour lesson had gone an hour over we called it a day.<br />
<br />
I have now ridden Oak two more times since Friday, both ending off the lunge cruising around the round pen (we are at 8 rides total for folks keeping up at home). He has moments of tension, but overall he seems like a happy camper. He is not very forward at this point (which I think is a good thing) and his steering is not so good. He really does feel very green. Not sure he really ever had consistent or proper training. My guess is it has been all pony rides and the "cowboying" up until this point. Hoping that giving him an actual foundation will give him the confidence he lacks. So far, it seems to be working!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vlOnXmt_StJ7UNII5S8KU_FkJY7kpPVOWAzmn3d1f0K4qSfSr58iPLGVhFsF3Q2c7mTHxXtEB0_B-8femr78TPcNqKT9xU1VSVamTaVR9iyGjXMiCWELJpypm85KvXxaYfSnbhXl59Ot/s1600/first+trot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vlOnXmt_StJ7UNII5S8KU_FkJY7kpPVOWAzmn3d1f0K4qSfSr58iPLGVhFsF3Q2c7mTHxXtEB0_B-8femr78TPcNqKT9xU1VSVamTaVR9iyGjXMiCWELJpypm85KvXxaYfSnbhXl59Ot/s400/first+trot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first trot with no training wheels!</td></tr>
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I have asked my instructor if she would switch to lessons once a week, because I feel like we evolve so much each ride at this point, I could use more on the ground feedback. My partner has been awesome as a stand-in when she is not around, but he can't give me that crucial feedback as well as she can. Oak is also is a little wary of him, which is counter productive.<br />
<br />
<b><br />Gray's Corner</b><br />
I put him in the roundpen and worked on walk, trot transitions for a few minutes. It has been months since I asked anything of him on the line. He pulled some faces, but was otherwise a good boy. I then introduced a saddle to him for the first time. We started with a review of a saddle pad which he could care less about. I then slowly introduced a saddle (Wintec with no stirrups) by letting him investigate (no you can't eat it) rubbing it on his shoulders, neck and back, and finally placing it on his back. I ended the session by taking it on and off on both sides. He did not bat an eye.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmknHfnFqDNfZKgxApoBAc4jOiSBXLRP4N96r3mEmc3rt2IeRyYQL63jqhFZlTzv1N9FKtrdpufe3wdNIIeGugS0ee_V3jjFji-BQLy_oWG0qvmV4cYl1YO9pnr3EqNHRo2qKIl5HLMMH/s1600/wearing+a+saddle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmknHfnFqDNfZKgxApoBAc4jOiSBXLRP4N96r3mEmc3rt2IeRyYQL63jqhFZlTzv1N9FKtrdpufe3wdNIIeGugS0ee_V3jjFji-BQLy_oWG0qvmV4cYl1YO9pnr3EqNHRo2qKIl5HLMMH/s400/wearing+a+saddle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey mom! You forgot the pad! </td></tr>
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I can tell by his reactions to the small amount of lunging I have done that he will be resistant to anything he deems "work" but on the flip side he is so naturally confident that introducing new things is a breeze. The three take-aways I have are:<br />
<br />
1. Establish rules and boundaries and be consistent. <br />
2. Don't drill him or bore him. Try to make things fun!<br />
3. Remember to st<span id="goog_1566822867"></span><span id="goog_1566822868"></span>ill take things slow his confidence makes it easy to skip steps, but I will regret that later!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-45991715009396290432016-09-01T09:57:00.003-07:002016-09-01T14:27:07.309-07:00One step forward two hops back<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9PVrJowzFX6pjo4O-mhxVvJ64EXSIb7hsJJDxgceEg1r_VOkwuUHxKOJ18b-_wNW0WKNKKNH0lwt80AVmN79UTJzJTSP9JCnoOpEuAfIjf_mvS4IjXTJ8zwWesReeMjxN7HpcAw3ITF_/s1600/ride+four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9PVrJowzFX6pjo4O-mhxVvJ64EXSIb7hsJJDxgceEg1r_VOkwuUHxKOJ18b-_wNW0WKNKKNH0lwt80AVmN79UTJzJTSP9JCnoOpEuAfIjf_mvS4IjXTJ8zwWesReeMjxN7HpcAw3ITF_/s400/ride+four.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before ride four. Looks happy to me.</td></tr>
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Ride four kicked butt. He felt calm and forward and I got a few steps of trot both ways. We moved away from Chris pretty quickly as well. Ride five we had some regression. He was nervous and tense. I got off a few times when he felt like he might explode, and took him back to the mounting block to work on mounting. We eventually got some calm leaded steps from him and called it quits. Not sure why he was so nervous. Maybe it was us, or it was the weather (windy and overcast), or the fact that Chris had parked the truck in a new place... who knows! I know we will have a lot of days like both of these in the next few months. A few shuffled steps forward followed by some scared scuttles back. Both rides he spent a lot of time giving my outside foot the hairy eyeball again. So weird. In some ways he acts like he has never been ridden, and in others he seems like he just has a lot of baggage. I mean the foot thing sounds like something a horse that was never backed would do doesn't it?<br />
<br />
Weather (and maybe nerves) has kept me from riding at all this week. On Monday I had a crappy day at work, and I just did not have the mental or emotional bandwidth to ride, so I hung out with him on the tailgate of the truck with a pocket full of treats and a beer (for me). We worked on getting used to my feet doing weird stuff. It was fun to just hang out with him.<br />
<br />
Yesterday it was looking like it was about to rain when I got home so I brought him into the roundpen sans saddle and we worked through all of his gaits going both ways. His canter is coming around, but it is still not pretty, and definitely is far from relaxed. After groundwork, Chris came in and held him why I swung my leg all over his back. We clicked for relaxation. He was pretty tense at first when my foot would pop into that other eye but did not seem to care if I rested it on his butt. So odd. Either way I am hoping that breaking his insecurities down to "you can be okay with my legs and feet hanging around you" will help his tension under saddle. <br />
<br />
I have a lesson scheduled for tomorrow, but I don't have high hopes for it, due to the tropical storm heading our way. Yay Florida!<br />
<br />
<b>Gray's Corner</b><br />
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He still has some lasting marks from the rub he got from the fly mask, and he is still sensitive there. I decided to halter him anyways yesterday so I could at least give him a proper grooming. He stood like a gentleman and was great for his feet (unlike some golden nut-jobs I know ;) ). I tried on some brushing boots I had picked up at a tack sale for him, and he did not disappoint with a little bit of adorable high stepping. Sorry no video. Gray watches us when I am working with Oak, and he is always following me around. I think he is telling me he is ready for a job!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-53851120892999446872016-08-25T08:17:00.000-07:002016-08-25T08:17:46.257-07:00Rides two and threeI had guests all weekend, so I did not get a chance to practice what I had worked on with our coach until Monday. This time, my wonderful partner Chris was my assistant on the ground. Oak was definitely more nervous and tense the second time around. Maybe it was because Chris was not as comfortable as our coach? Maybe having Chris help instead of the trainer made me a little more nervous? Not sure. I practiced getting off and on (the saddle still worries me with its slipping!) and he seemed okay. Then I had Chris walk him off and Oak was very hesitant to move forward. He also started doing the weird kicking/stomping thing he does when he is really nervous, so I hopped off and we had a "re-do." He was much calmer when I hopped on a second time, and was better about walking with Chris. We just walked him around both directions and called it a day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Oak after our third ride</td></tr>
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Wednesday was our third ride. Chris has done some clicker training, so I suggested he practice walking Oak without me on him first and reward Oak for good transitions and for being calm and forward. Next, I had him mark and reward him for staying calm while I practiced mounting and dismounting. Oak seemed calmer. Then, I had Chris reward Oak as he had before only this time I was on his back. Only one tiny kick this time. He was much more forward and relaxed. I think using clicker training helped us all focus on the positive and relax and listen to each other. Chris said it helped him focus on what Oak was doing ride then that he could reward, which helped him stay calm. I felt like we had more of a plan, so I know my breathing was better, and Oak am sure liked figuring out what the heck we wanted from him!<br />
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I ended the session by moving Oak away from Chris with some rein and applying a little leg to cue forward myself. He did really well with it. The only new strangeness I noted for our third ride was that Oak was giving my outside foot a lot of side-eye. Before I dismounted I wiggled my feet around in the stirrups to address that a little. Definitely made him tense up. I waited until I got a little release (blinking), and I rewarded him with a pat and dismount. Overall really proud of him!<br />
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Oak is also cantering both directions now in the roundpen. He still has balance issues, and we are slowly building up strength, but he canters a little more each session. He moves off really well -- no bucking or kicking out which is great! <br />
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Gray got a rub from the flymask so I am waiting on that to heal up before I put a halter on him to work with him. It is always something with that horse! I have been playing with him at liberty in the paddock for a few minutes everyday, but I hope to really get some serious work done soon!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-71729849220065765832016-08-18T16:46:00.000-07:002016-08-18T16:49:33.122-07:00Oak's first ridePut Oak's first ride on him today. We started by practicing mounting. I just got on and off a hundred times until he started to settle in. Then my wonderful trainer led us around a bit. We ended with adding a little leg and rein aids from me and her backing into more of a lunging position. We even got a few strides of trot before we called it quits.<br />
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He did amazing! There were moments of tension and anxiety of course, but over all he did wonderful. We ended when he finally started to breath, and snort showing us he was relaxing. My wonderful husband captured some photos.<br />
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First we started by playing around with getting up and down. So I got pretty silly...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dangling dangling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">going up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look what I can do!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am touching you with my foot!</td></tr>
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Then I swung up and settled in...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can see his tension here</td></tr>
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Then we went on a pony ride...</div>
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and of course lots of rubs and treats</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good boy Oak</td></tr>
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Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-42025406261354576132016-08-16T10:22:00.000-07:002016-08-17T08:06:37.805-07:00FKA Jerry: The dirt on Oak's pastA few weeks ago I pulled out Oak's Coggins in order to see when I needed to pull a new one. This is when I notice for the first time that the name listed as owner was different from the person I bought him from (most observant horse buyer in the world award goes to me) and that his name is "Jerry." Not out of the ordinary for a horse to have a different name or an unknown person on the Coggins, but it made me want to investigate further into Oak's history. So investigate I did!<br />
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I contact the person I bought him from and asked her about it. She told me the name and location on the Coggins were not from who she bought him from, and that she tried tracking it down, but got nowhere. Also, she changed his name to Oakley because she assumed "Jerry" was not his real name. Who would name a horse Jerry?<br />
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So I did some internet sleuthing and managed to track the name and address on the Coggins to a real-estate mogul (not kidding) in Florida. He also owns an Andalusian and Thoroughbred breeding farm about 45 minutes away from me.<br />
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So of course I send an email to the contact listed on the farm's website with pictures and a plea for more information on Jerry. I get an immediate response. Three responses in fact. Two from the real-estate mogul and his wife saying "Oh Jerry! We love Jerry! Yes he came from us! Our barn manager will contact you", and one email from the barn manager asking if she could call me. I say sure and quickly get a phone call. <br />
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<b>So here is Oak's (Formerly Known As Jerry) Story as we know it now:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoruugVYnwzCc68iluLPHH353YcBTLotrMtk51LmxwpnCPlsUspqk5aMoxUmKBE6oQmgiFkhHDbHhs9tJv7P-g9qK9fXIobRO2DZ04Wj_0jH87dyEBR2SbRjAekgzJnLFIGjZhuI2sAWL/s1600/oak+at+blueberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikoruugVYnwzCc68iluLPHH353YcBTLotrMtk51LmxwpnCPlsUspqk5aMoxUmKBE6oQmgiFkhHDbHhs9tJv7P-g9qK9fXIobRO2DZ04Wj_0jH87dyEBR2SbRjAekgzJnLFIGjZhuI2sAWL/s400/oak+at+blueberry.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry June 2015. Still a cutie (Picture from the Barn Manager)</td></tr>
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<b> </b>The real-estate mogul's wife loves Haflingers and they want to invest in horses, so they start off buying three Haflingers from a Florida auction (cause why not!) and buy some property to put them on. Jerry and his best friend George (Seinfeld fans?) are sold to them as broke to drive and ride. The barn manager thinks Jerry (Oak) was about three when they first got him. The Haflingers mostly lived as pasture pets being occasionally used for pony rides for the kids. In the next few years the family begins to invest in racehorses and Andalusians, and has exercise riders on staff now and they sometimes work the Haflingers (and by the barn manger's recollection treat them too roughly), but for the most part the ponies just hang out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKbvJTL0RzPPVaaVYbF04HDzxkfT5Xc86xgucAodzUcvwZapnlIpzlfwGyxfMYQHKVvSTc20OBEzTh1v6OJXGfGi2d2c_QoyiFrIljYzFiyHMLye7BdYEOXyIvL3paNySepCTzOMjocIu/s1600/jerry+and+george.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKbvJTL0RzPPVaaVYbF04HDzxkfT5Xc86xgucAodzUcvwZapnlIpzlfwGyxfMYQHKVvSTc20OBEzTh1v6OJXGfGi2d2c_QoyiFrIljYzFiyHMLye7BdYEOXyIvL3paNySepCTzOMjocIu/s400/jerry+and+george.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry and George 2015. I wish I could reunite them Black Beauty style</td></tr>
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In July 2015 the family decides they don't need the Haflingers anymore so they sell both Jerry and George. Jerry goes to someone named Sally (named changed to protect the not so innocent) who wants to use him as a trail horse. Barn Manager warns Sally that Jerry has not been worked consistently and therefore is pretty green, but Sally buys him anyways. Sally lives close by and the barn manager makes her promise to let them know if she ever needs to re-home Jerry. They always have a home for Jerry.<br />
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This is where the speculation enters the story.<br />
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<b>Timeline</b><br />
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<li>July 2015 Sold to Sally in Central FL</li>
<li>August-October 2015 ??? </li>
<li>November 2015 Bought by last owner from somewhere in Georgia sold by someone named "Taylor"</li>
<li>February 2016 comes to live with me</li>
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The barn manager swears that Jerry did not have any of his three large scars on his body when he lived with her, nor was he nervous or reactive. She describes him as laid back, friendly, and very green. I know she could be lying, but after talking with her I believe her. I also see that horse slowly coming out again in him. The person I bought him from got him from someone she described as a horse dealer/meat buyer in Georgia in November 2015.<br />
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So somehow between July 2015 and February 2016 (when I got him) he went to at least four people -- one (Taylor) a horse trader/meat buyer. In less than six months a horse can go from living the life of luxury to ending up scarred (emotionally and physically) and discarded in some slaughter pen. It can happen that fast people. Hug your ponies tight tonight, and (I know this goes without saying) be careful who you sell your horses to<br />
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And no, I don't think I will call him Jerry. ;) Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-24642218622959998362016-08-05T07:22:00.000-07:002016-08-05T07:22:57.374-07:00Pushing ThresholdsI had the dressage trainer out to the farm for our second lesson yesterday. I showed her what we have been working on; walking and trotting under saddle on the lunge, getting used to the whip rubbing on him and being friendly, and stretches.<br />
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During our review she reminded me that I have to be consistent with my cues. She likes to use clucks for trot and kisses for canter. Speaking of canter that is where she went next. I have asked him to increase his speed and energy at the trot but I have not tried canter yet. She suggested we get canter out of him first before we think about climbing on top and I could not agree more.<br />
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The first direction we tried I got as loud as I possibly could driving him from behind and could not get a single stride of canter. Instead I got him snorting at me, so we stopped. That was obviously over his threshold of pressure and he was not ready to canter yet. We gave him a rest and tried the other side. He immediately picked up the canter going to the left, so that told us he is having some sort of issue physically picking up his right lead. I was relieved I got canter so easily on at least one side. Canter is not an easy gate for draft breeds. Bodhi took forever to be able to canter on the lunge line. We will work towards getting that right side now, and getting a more sustained and balanced canter on the left. I am glad we pushed him a little though, because he demonstrated he could handle the challenge and stayed calm, and responsive through our session ( minus the snorting I got to the right that I read is "I get it, but I can't right now").<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL2tm_SMI6ldYYyBNkbKmBsuY6T8QVtiDGNsb4QScQ7zbYbSlrZKIdU_ebDqpjsUEkihgzJA175WgwCoVlQgnfFG_jVZHMDbSl1uwX4cav-Rz16pcLLS73stqh0DCScIZaMy7TGQGy5BX/s1600/boing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCL2tm_SMI6ldYYyBNkbKmBsuY6T8QVtiDGNsb4QScQ7zbYbSlrZKIdU_ebDqpjsUEkihgzJA175WgwCoVlQgnfFG_jVZHMDbSl1uwX4cav-Rz16pcLLS73stqh0DCScIZaMy7TGQGy5BX/s400/boing.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">boingy boingy boingy</td></tr>
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Now that we were both a bit more tired and relaxed she came over and held him and fed treats while I practiced jumping around, standing on the mounting block and pulling and climbing on the saddle. He was tense at first but definitely started to shift his focus away from the silly things I was doing, and became more interested in enjoying his treats. The saddle was slipping really badly, which limited what I could do but we ended on the high note of me hanging over the saddle. Now I need to figure out how to keep that saddle from slipping! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just hanging out, no big deal</td></tr>
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Oak has had one heck of a week! I am really proud of him. I have to take
the next week off for work, so hopefully we won't backslide too much.
Grayson has also been my little shadow lately anytime I am around the
barn, reminding me I have two horses and he would really like to play
too!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-50229662802289847462016-08-03T15:18:00.001-07:002016-08-03T15:18:54.282-07:00A lesson that clicked<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoY0C630aqd-p5FZI_dQhaqqUKmvYT977rlzmMeJeCUs0F0bMwMbja5WL_575Ey-yn_4x1cKRdCmicwPytawkothRtIrs9yBMZql7PCY53blcF1rYKq1h6XijTuwzc-Ffc4rdWHm6f9yU/s1600/188e10a7-f550-40c0-a6ce-214179aa1d82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoY0C630aqd-p5FZI_dQhaqqUKmvYT977rlzmMeJeCUs0F0bMwMbja5WL_575Ey-yn_4x1cKRdCmicwPytawkothRtIrs9yBMZql7PCY53blcF1rYKq1h6XijTuwzc-Ffc4rdWHm6f9yU/s400/188e10a7-f550-40c0-a6ce-214179aa1d82.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-lesson selfie.</td></tr>
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Oak and I (along with our new friends Jess and OneZ!!), had a lesson at our friend Kathy's farm on Tuesday morning with Karen Jones from <a href="http://www.bodyandsoulhorsemanship.com/home.html">Body and Soul Horsemanship</a>. Karen has a background in dressage, bio-mechanics, and natural horsemanship. though she has most recently been focusing on <a href="http://straightnesstraining.com/">Straightness Training</a> and positive reinforcement (clicker training). She decided to pursue clicker training when she adopted a very troubled Lipizzaner/Andalusian named Rhett. Rhett's story has been really inspiring to me because he shares similar triggers (saddles, mounting blocks) and insecurities (everything involving people) with Oak, but Karen has really been able to make huge progress with him. I was also really geek-ed out with be able to talk to someone about positive reinforcement training with horses. If anyone has followed me over from my <a href="http://goldentheponygirl.blogspot.com/">first blog</a>, you already know that I started experimenting with clicker training with my last horse Bodhi, and I have continued to dabble with Oak and Gray.<br />
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The two horses that participated were OneZ and Oak. Both horses have had past abuse/neglect that have left them with a sometimes negative view of people. We started the day off by reviewing the basic concepts of why use a marker (the click), how you pair your marker with the reward, and how to shape a horse's behavior using a marker (so when to click). We started this basic lesson by teaching OneZ (completely new to clicker) how to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgtLIIr2WUI">touch a target.</a> Teaching a simple behavior, like touching a target, is a great way to introduce clicker training to your horse -and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4kvEJUWGs">charge</a>" your marker. During Karen's introduction, I noticed several bad habits that I had developed in my treat delivery. During Oak's first session we addressed those habits. We also talked about how she has helped Rhett through some of his fears of human touch with the clicker, so Oak and I have a plan to incorporate more positive reinforcement in our massages, stretches, and grooming sessions. She found that just desensitization was not getting very far with Rhett and I have similarly hit that wall with Oak, so I am really happy to have a new tool (well old tool) to use to help him relax. Same story with the saddle and mounting block. My take home was that positive reinforcement is a great tool to use on a horse like Oak. I just need to increase my rate of reinforcement and keep at it!<br />
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With OneZ we worked on many of the behaviors he has learned through natural horsemanship (backing, moving his hips, and shoulders, side-passing), but instead of increasing pressure when he did not respond Jess just paused and asked again looking for a chance to reward him and build on his initial try. Karen explained that with clicker training there is no "make." We give the horse a chance to earn a reward, and if he does not respond, then he loses the opportunity. So Jess started off by using her old cue for back and then clicked the tiniest response. Once OneZ was in on the game she was able to slowly ask for more steps (or head down, or faster) by rewarding what she liked with a click and a treat instead of an increase in pressure. OneZ has been getting frustrated sometimes with some of these basic tasks, and Jess guessed it may be a reaction to the pressure (because of his history of inappropriate handling). OneZ took to clicker training wonderfully and seemed to enjoy himself (though we learned he is not a fan of cheerios).<br />
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I think we all had a positive experience and Jess and I plan to have play dates to work together in between the next time Karen can travel down to us for a lesson. I was super proud of how Oak handled being off the farm. He is such a wonderful guy. Gray came along as a spectator only this time, but it will be his turn next!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-58369331588615835542016-07-28T17:22:00.003-07:002016-07-28T17:22:46.021-07:00Love That Booty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post it is a week late, but better late then never. After my not so good lesson on Tuesday of the staycation, I scheduled another riding lesson for Thursday with a dressage instructor who was willing to come out assess Oak, and was okay with giving us a ground work lesson.<div>
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She started off the lesson evaluating his back and hind end for soreness. She found a tender area in the middle of his back on the left side that corresponded with a sensitive and tight area on the croup. She said that made sense because he was over compensating for his weak left side. It also explains why he can be resistant to picking that right back leg up. Next, she showed my some stretches that can help with those areas. I was nervous to the back leg stretches but he was actually really good.</div>
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Then I showed her my three saddles (the Duett, Wintec, and western). She was not happy with the fit on either english saddle, but thought the western saddle fit him well. After we tacked up she had me focus only on his hind end when lunging really driving him into the halter. She also wanted me to rub him with the whip on his hind end. We ended the lesson by her demonstrating some croup massages. </div>
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What she is trying to do is set me up with a comprehensive program that will address Oak's physical and emotional issues with his hind end. Getting him more comfortable physically is the first step, followed by getting him to use his hind end instead of dragging it behind him, and then finally spending time desensitizing his hind end because he is oh so very nervous about me being back there. She basically told me to love the booty.</div>
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I have been working with him on the exercises for a week and we have made slow improvements. I am looking forward to our next lesson. She is everything I want in an instructor, knowledgeable, experienced, open minded, positive, and encouraging. </div>
Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-26484595113393068672016-07-19T13:20:00.003-07:002016-07-19T13:22:24.958-07:00A few good bucksObviously the water jug fun had stirred up some memories for Oak because the next day we did not make it far before he started bucking again. This time reacting to the stirrups looped over the saddle horn. He was pulling away from me when we did it, so I went back to asking for just small circles at the walk before calling it a day. Frustrating because we had been doing so well, but I was obviously pushing things too fast for him. New rule: introduce new stimuli in the roundpen, so we don't reinforce bolting and bucking when things get overwhelming.<br />
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The next few days have been spent back in the roundpen. I increased my reinforcement and started him back on stuff he knows well. We then introduced the stirrups falling, and being hooked on the saddle horn and the walk and trot. No more bucking. Yay.</div>
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Today I took him back in the pasture for some lunging. I could tell he was nervous by his over reactions to the stick, but I rewarded him a bunch for his tries, and we were able to have some nice circles at the trot in several places around the pasture.</div>
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I also had a riding lesson today at a 3-day eventing barn I have never been to before. I had a riding bio-mechanics lunge-line lesson on a big, sweet OTTB. I loved the lesson material. It was a great work out with a lot of new and challenging exercises for my tool bag. I hope to practice the exercises on a barrel or something to increase my strength, balance, and coordination since I don't have a horse to practice on.</div>
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I don't think I will be going back to ride with that instructor again though. She was the kind of person that baits you into making mistakes and then berates you for them. She constantly uses rhetorical questions and sarcasm.... Nobody got time for that. I don't really learn well when I am being belittled and ridiculed (who does), so I was pretty shut down throughout the lesson. I even put my half chaps on inside out! I was shaking at several points, and just kept doing stupid things, because I was so stressed out. I just get so nervous when people start off being so aggressive. I guess I am too sensitive, but I have been in a lot of high-pressure job situations, and had a lot of people yell at me throughout my life, so I don't think I am ever going to get any better. When I was a kid I would just push through all of those feelings and try to get the most out of it anyways, but now I just don't see the point. I could tell by the way she talked to her staff and other students (and her dogs) that it was normal behavior for her. Not only do I feel she is not the right trainer for me, I think she would be a disaster with Oak. I am pretty sure he would either shut down, explode, or both.</div>
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I have a lesson planned with a another trainer on Thursday -- this one is willing to come out to my house! I am pretty excited and hoping that it goes well.</div>
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Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-87777712265531581342016-07-18T17:28:00.002-07:002016-07-18T17:31:01.533-07:00Grayson's One Year Adopt-iversary About one year ago I had been browsing the sales adds on Craigslist and Facebook, and looking into all the local rescues for a buddy for Bodhi for when we moved to our new place. I wanted something that was not expensive because we were in the process of buying our farm, and something that would make a good friend (so nothing super dominant or freakishly spooky). Besides that I did not really know what I wanted. At the time I thought Bodhi only had mild arthritis which meant we were probably not going anywhere competitively, but that he could still be a great trail horse, ground work/clicker training buddy, and all-around great horse for friends and guests to ride, so I was thinking I could get a new project. I looked at a few horses, but none of them really made excited.<br />
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Then I saw an add that went a little bit like this:<br />
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<i>"Lusitano/Appendix cross colt. About a year old, was feral and we have had him for two months. Have been working on halter breaking, and ground manners. Family emergency forces sale." </i></blockquote>
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The add was accompanied by these pictures:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSbPGUOnQCcZJOvGesipbCTrQxuE8kbV7t5Cv58efpPEgV6ZS7Y1sPLq8tdB3qWLddQTo9ZTo19pzwFHmDp0Pyq-09Av-EFh8DAwLInVp73l-HyNUZe3SmuCNbcbOGcO8FpzsBfaYNeRF/s1600/gray_add_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSbPGUOnQCcZJOvGesipbCTrQxuE8kbV7t5Cv58efpPEgV6ZS7Y1sPLq8tdB3qWLddQTo9ZTo19pzwFHmDp0Pyq-09Av-EFh8DAwLInVp73l-HyNUZe3SmuCNbcbOGcO8FpzsBfaYNeRF/s400/gray_add_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant ears, so many cuts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So derpy</td></tr>
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Based on the add (and price) this little guy seemed like he was not in a good situation, and I had always wanted an Iberian horse! I sent the add and photos to my good friend/horse trainer/partner in crime and we decided to go take a look (with a horse trailer of course).</div>
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When we got there and watched him move while the person tried to catch him we actually started to believe the 1/2 Lusitano part! Holy cow! When she pulled him out it was clear he knew nothing, but that he had a good personality (if a little depressed and sullen). It was hard to even tell what color he was because he was so bleached and he was covered head to toe in cuts and scrapes, but his sire was evidently grey, and his dam was buckskin. </div>
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I think I was sold when I saw that trot, but the little guy was just so sad and sweet looking! We traded the woman a synthetic western saddle and a small amount of cash for the ribby, beat-up yearling. He loaded in about 15 minutes which was pretty impressive considering he was hardly halter broken.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adoption day and now with the husband.</td></tr>
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Gray is now an obnoxious, playful, and curious two year old. He has made great progress in his ground manners, and a little progress towards his career as a riding horse. We have mostly been letting him be a baby. I have no idea what our future will be, and if I am even up to training this big-moving, spirited goofball, but I feel really lucky that he came into my life anyways. Love you Gray Baby.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adoption day and now with me</td></tr>
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Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-72077566346826056922016-07-14T16:14:00.005-07:002016-07-14T16:21:38.650-07:00End of This Challenge <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband doing the tacking... So spoiled</td></tr>
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Today marked the tenth day, and the conclusion, of our ten day saddle challenge. We did miss two days so it was not exactly consecutive but I did my best. It started off with Oak trotting up from across the pasture when he saw me walking over with the saddle. That felt really good.<br />
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My husband came out and took some more photos for me, and he actually tacked him up today. He put the saddle on from the off side, with the lead rope hanging over his neck, and Oak stood still and stayed calm throughout.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am just going to tie these to you OK?</td></tr>
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I decided to end with a bang and brought out the milk jugs. He did not have much of a reaction to them last time so I introduced them to him briefly before looping them on the saddle horn and asking for him to trot around me. About the second time around Oak exploded in a series of bronc bucks which sent the jugs flying off of him. A much bigger reaction than I expected! I calmed him down and got the jugs back on there -- this time tying them in place. For better or worse they were up there.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right before the bucking. Unfortunately no bucking photos.</td></tr>
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Once we started back to lunging we did not see Oak the bronc come out again but he was very tense and snorty. I am sure he had a ton of Adrenalin coursing though his system, but he stayed with me and kept trying which is the important part. We ended with a little bit of targeting. Not our best day, but not a disaster either.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling a bit better about the whole thing.</td></tr>
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I feel bad that I had not done more prep with Oak to help him understand the jugs did not require acrobatics, but I think it is also good sometime to push your horse over his threshold in training and see what his natural reactions to things are. I learned some valuable things about Oak today.<br />
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1. He can buck hard! 2. He really is okay until he is not, and then he explodes. I need to make sure I do my homework with him every time and 3. He can come back from a big scare relatively well -- but he stays on high alert the rest of the session.<br />
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I will be giving us both a day off tomorrow, but I will be back at it on Saturday! Maybe another 10 day challenge is in order? What do you think it should be? Should it be desensitization with movement, objects, and sound on the saddle? Maybe I'll do five days at a time. That seems more sustainable. I don't work him hard everyday. In fact most days he does not work at all I just put the saddle on and off and he gets a treat. Making myself work on something consistently for ten days straight really did bring noticeable improvements. I think switching to tacking at liberty also contributed to the change. He is the kind of horse that really needs a choice if he is going to feel comfortable.<br />
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Meanwhile Grayson is slowly on the mend. He is on paddock rest and is getting pretty bored. I feel bad for the poor kid. No work for him except cleaning and medicating his wound several times a day. Joy!Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7221449574022833115.post-82609249935257124252016-07-11T16:43:00.002-07:002016-07-11T16:43:55.603-07:00Grayson vs Pine Tree Today we completed day eight of our ten day challenge. We actually missed a day on Friday due to Grayson deciding to skewer himself on a tree limb. I will spare you the actual photos but it reminded me of this toy I had when I was a kid.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grayson has dino damage</td></tr>
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Grayson is okay, and according to the vet will heal up just fine. He will probably have an ugly scar from it though. Oh Grayson-- and he has already jumped out of his paddock once since being put on "stall rest" because of turkeys. Sigh. Turkeys. Definitely worth jumping a five foot fence with a gian laceration on your side....<br />
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Why did I decide an Iberian horse was a good idea? He is so sweet, but definitely hotter and less likely to use his brain on a regular basis than the haflingers.<br />
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The injury has him out of any kind of training for the rest of the month. Except for sit still while I slather medication in your hole training of course. He will be very medically broke by the end of this.<br />
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Back to Oak -- He has been great. I have been continuing to tack him up at liberty and I try to do something new everyday. Sunday I played with him at liberty in the pasture with his saddle on. Today it was tie a rope to the stirrups and swing them around while I lunged him day. I could tell he was not happy (who would be with a stirrup flying around) but he either just kept trotting or he would stop and look at me. Big improvement from the initial reaction I got a while ago when I did it in the english saddle. Tomorrow I am thinking of bringing the jugs out again.<br />
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Any other things you guys could think of to sack him out with associated with the saddle?Golden the Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15230832980797448174noreply@blogger.com2