Well I am back in the saddle! I didn't realize just how much I missed riding until I was riding Claire yesterday.
Here is what I did:
I saddled Claire yesterday and I could tell she was perfectly happy about riding again. She moved over to me when I hoisted the saddle on and she acted really happy to be riding again-- that is until it got a little hotter and maybe she got tired?
I walked her mostly, but did trot some. It was really neat because when we started trotting she immediately put her head down and tucked her nose in. I clicked after she held it for awhile and it was neat to see her remember it from almost a month ago. There is no doubt in my mind it was the clicker training that taught her to lower her head when trotting. I rode her for about 15 minutes, and after that we worked on turning on the forehand (moving the hauches around) and a little on sidepassing. She did a little step on sidepassing, but I am really premature on this because I have not done counterbending enough (walking her forward and sideward at the same time.) She was fair on moving the hauches over and seems more stiff on one side.
Here is what she did for the first time. She just stood there and wouldn't move! I think she was trying to tell me she was tired? or wanted to join the other horses grazing in the back? After several tries I knew I needed a popper. I got off and took off my breast collar and used one of the leather straps for an aid. I got back on and asked her to go forward, she refused, and then I popped her on her butt. That woke her up and she started to move. I was beginning to feel a little guilty but I wasn't about to end our training session on that note. I wanted her to move off of pressure willingly and without having to get popped. She did and we worked through it. It is really the first time she has shown resistance in wanting to move forward.
I should add that the horseshoer came a few days earlier and put shoes on her front feet in an effort to stop the crack on her right foot from getting any worse. I rode her another 10 minutes and we quit on a really good note.
After I put her up, she charged like a wild comanche to the back to get to the other horses, and that told me it was not pain she was avoiding, but was showing me a little attitude.
So later that day I worked with Annie on the lunge line. She loved it, getting 'clicked' for taking the canter departure. I didn't keep her in in it very long, just long enough for her to get the idea of what a canter departure is. Anyways, after that I decided to work with Claire. I lunged her in both directions and she showed me the resistance again when she would stop and back away from me and the lunge whip.
I popped her on her but, (after I could get behind her) and she didn't really give me any more resistance after that. I used my 'clicker' to signal and reward for taking the correct lead. She took the right lead 4 times out of about 7 times. I didn't lunge her in the canter very long, but I think several sessions of clicking for the correct lead will hopefully teach her which lead to take in a circle.
I should add that after I finished with Annie and put her up, she raced up and down in the back pasture because she wanted to be in the arena still training and getting treats. Pretty funny.
Annie is not lazy at all, like Claire, and will be a different ballgame when I get her undersaddle.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A Long Journey for Answers
I have not been on for awhile giving Claire time to rest and me time to find out exactly what is wrong with Claire.
I have consulted 6 vets with the xrays: two online vets, two in person, one via email, one over the phone. This is what I found out.
My orginal vet (the one who took the xrays) said don't worry about it, the rough areas will round out in time. (Dr. Thoni)
The Texas ATm vet said nothing is unusual. (Dr. Honnas)
The Vet in person looking at the xrays said nothing is unusual. (Dr. Cannon)
The online vets both said something looks amiss-- time will tell. (Dr. O, and Dr Dan)
The vet over the phone said nothing looks unusual and time will heal whatever rough spots there are. (Dr. Hicks_)
So I have to conclude that it is the large crack in her hoof that is growing upward every day on her right foot that might be causing the lead refusal, or maybe it is just a training issue. In any case, I am putting her on two supplements for her hoof, and not riding her till the hoof gets better. I am picking up a pair of hoof testers to check for soreness. I will begin riding her in two weeks, but only at a walk, providing the crack is better. I will not begin trotting again till October or November.
I miss riding her, but I have to take every precaution. I have decided to hone my skills on Spencer since I can not ride Poco till January.
I hope to start training up again with Annie and Claire in two weeks.
I have consulted 6 vets with the xrays: two online vets, two in person, one via email, one over the phone. This is what I found out.
My orginal vet (the one who took the xrays) said don't worry about it, the rough areas will round out in time. (Dr. Thoni)
The Texas ATm vet said nothing is unusual. (Dr. Honnas)
The Vet in person looking at the xrays said nothing is unusual. (Dr. Cannon)
The online vets both said something looks amiss-- time will tell. (Dr. O, and Dr Dan)
The vet over the phone said nothing looks unusual and time will heal whatever rough spots there are. (Dr. Hicks_)
So I have to conclude that it is the large crack in her hoof that is growing upward every day on her right foot that might be causing the lead refusal, or maybe it is just a training issue. In any case, I am putting her on two supplements for her hoof, and not riding her till the hoof gets better. I am picking up a pair of hoof testers to check for soreness. I will begin riding her in two weeks, but only at a walk, providing the crack is better. I will not begin trotting again till October or November.
I miss riding her, but I have to take every precaution. I have decided to hone my skills on Spencer since I can not ride Poco till January.
I hope to start training up again with Annie and Claire in two weeks.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Claire's right knee
Here are the x-rays of Claire's right knee. I am off her for 6 months. Can anybody see anything? She has pointy bone spurs behind knee? I don't see anything, but of course I am not a vet.
Time Off from Riding to Heal
I have decided to cut back almost completely on riding Claire. Here is what I found out from a vet on Horseadvice.com
Welcome Jennifer, Without seeing the radiographs and examining the horse I cannot comment on what your veterinarian is talking about. In general bone spurs, called osteophytes, will remodel a bit in time but the gist of what the second veterinarian said is accurate: they don't "smooth out" and then this indicates things are alright. Osteophytes occur do to stress in the joint so are fairly common and though they don't always correlate with clinical problems they are associated with osteoarthritis. I like the idea of the bute test for lameness causing the lead problem but wonder if the early onset of an osteophyte may indicate a bit too much work too early.
So, I have decided to work with Claire 3 days a week-- 2 days on groundwork and one day just walking around the arena and around the house. It will be just a walk, mainly she won't forget the saddle. We will work on a 3 step walk, stop, and then softening of the face into bridle with impulsion from the legs, and then a release. I read about this exercise from a John Lyon's trainer and I like it because it teaches the horse to drop his nose, and supple for all transitions.
So, I guess I will keep the blog, but it will be mostly short and mostly boring. Same o' same o'.
I did post Claire's video on a horse forum to get opinions on her movement and what she would be suited for. Surprisingly I got back many responses in favor of reining and HUS.
Interesting.
I do think HUS would be a good thing for Claire. In any case, it will be just walking until January or February.
Oh well, maybe I can teach to do so much on the ground before I continue to do the sidepassing under saddle.
Have a great weekend!
Welcome Jennifer, Without seeing the radiographs and examining the horse I cannot comment on what your veterinarian is talking about. In general bone spurs, called osteophytes, will remodel a bit in time but the gist of what the second veterinarian said is accurate: they don't "smooth out" and then this indicates things are alright. Osteophytes occur do to stress in the joint so are fairly common and though they don't always correlate with clinical problems they are associated with osteoarthritis. I like the idea of the bute test for lameness causing the lead problem but wonder if the early onset of an osteophyte may indicate a bit too much work too early.
So, I have decided to work with Claire 3 days a week-- 2 days on groundwork and one day just walking around the arena and around the house. It will be just a walk, mainly she won't forget the saddle. We will work on a 3 step walk, stop, and then softening of the face into bridle with impulsion from the legs, and then a release. I read about this exercise from a John Lyon's trainer and I like it because it teaches the horse to drop his nose, and supple for all transitions.
So, I guess I will keep the blog, but it will be mostly short and mostly boring. Same o' same o'.
I did post Claire's video on a horse forum to get opinions on her movement and what she would be suited for. Surprisingly I got back many responses in favor of reining and HUS.
Interesting.
I do think HUS would be a good thing for Claire. In any case, it will be just walking until January or February.
Oh well, maybe I can teach to do so much on the ground before I continue to do the sidepassing under saddle.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Do I need a trainer?
Today was a little discouraging for me and I can't put my finger on it. I guess it is because I had more of a problem today rating Claire's speed and she seemed to get faster the more I trotted her. We did start the morning off at the beginning of a rainstorm and then had to wait it out in the barn. Maybe the wind and intermittent sprinkling while we were riding had something to do with it. I thought today for the first time in a long time that I might need a trainer to finish her out, but it is so hard to get someone that I could trust.
Here is what I did:
1. Lunged her (after the rainstorm). She resisted by backing up fast at times, but I really kept my cool and made her move off from me. She really didn't want to canter at all, but I 'clicked' for picking up the correct lead. To the right she got it two or three times. I only 'clicked' when she picked up the right lead (correct) and when she picked up the left lead going to the right, I just said, 'no' and broke her down to a trot. I am pretty sure it hurts her to go to the right, but I have decided to just spend a few minutes every morning 'clicking' for only the right lead on the lunge line. I will not canter her very far, -- only a few strides. I don't think this will hurt her, and maybe it will get her through working that small bone chip out.
2. Trotted her alot. I worked on transitions and circling when she gets too fast. She wasn't greatly consistent with her headset today and so I have decided to spend at least 3 days back in the biting rig, with it tightened more. I probably won't even ride her on those mornings, but I feel I really need to get her responding more to the bit.
I really wish I had a trainer that would come over and tell me what I was doing wrong. I feel my love for Claire 'overshadows' my judgment and I wonder if she might be getting some 'lazy' habits. I really need an objective opinion. I know one thing for sure--- she is not any where near ready to show. I know that when I take her to a big arena her head will pop up and she will be very nervous. I think the rainstorm proved that to me. I plan on taking her to the Athens show and just riding in the practice pleasure. I know it will probably be a harrowing experience, but I have to get over sometime.
Oh well, not every day can go great . . . . . . .
Here is what I did:
1. Lunged her (after the rainstorm). She resisted by backing up fast at times, but I really kept my cool and made her move off from me. She really didn't want to canter at all, but I 'clicked' for picking up the correct lead. To the right she got it two or three times. I only 'clicked' when she picked up the right lead (correct) and when she picked up the left lead going to the right, I just said, 'no' and broke her down to a trot. I am pretty sure it hurts her to go to the right, but I have decided to just spend a few minutes every morning 'clicking' for only the right lead on the lunge line. I will not canter her very far, -- only a few strides. I don't think this will hurt her, and maybe it will get her through working that small bone chip out.
2. Trotted her alot. I worked on transitions and circling when she gets too fast. She wasn't greatly consistent with her headset today and so I have decided to spend at least 3 days back in the biting rig, with it tightened more. I probably won't even ride her on those mornings, but I feel I really need to get her responding more to the bit.
I really wish I had a trainer that would come over and tell me what I was doing wrong. I feel my love for Claire 'overshadows' my judgment and I wonder if she might be getting some 'lazy' habits. I really need an objective opinion. I know one thing for sure--- she is not any where near ready to show. I know that when I take her to a big arena her head will pop up and she will be very nervous. I think the rainstorm proved that to me. I plan on taking her to the Athens show and just riding in the practice pleasure. I know it will probably be a harrowing experience, but I have to get over sometime.
Oh well, not every day can go great . . . . . . .
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
A Tribute to Spencer
Okay, so now I have a new addiction-- in addition to riding horses---movie making! I just spent all day making a movie of clips of Spencer and Hillary.
It can be found on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmHGKP0Xu8s
I did not ride Claire today. I have decided to ride her no more than 3-4 times a week. She really wanted to go with me today. When I was leading Annie out to the arena, she got between Annie and I and backed into Annie and was ready to kick her to keep Annie from going with me.
Here is what I did on Annie:
1. I tried to work her in the round pen, but she and I got very frustrated. It got to the point where she was not listening to me at all, and was running like a wild comanche around the pen and not even stopping when I said, "whoa!" Finally I got the lunge line and went back to basics just working on 'whoa!'
2. I was successfully in reteaching her what 'whoa' meant, but not without alot of jerking her the lead line when she would not stop when I said 'whoa.' Yeah, I kinda regret now not working with her more. I think she just got very worried when I started moving her around in the round pen at a canter. She is definitely more high spirited than Claire.
3. I tied her up for about 30 minutes while I took some video of Hillary. Afterwards I worked at despooking her with the big blue exercise ball. I bounced it all around her and against her. She wasn't concerned in the least. I then took my lunge whip and slapped the ground hard on both sides her. That caused her at first to want to move out, but she finally calmed down.
4. I really got the most frustrated on trying to get her to move out of my space and move to the right when I was standing at her left shoulder. I really got to frustrated with her because I ended up having to tap her harder on the neck with the lunge stick than I wanted to, to get her to move off her shoulder. Finally she took a step.
I learned a hard lesson today. I tend to be more impatient with Annie than Claire. I will change this. I spent along time afterwards just combing and brushing Annie. I am determined to start over with her and establish a good working relationship. I think Annie just doesn't want to leave me and is very insecure traveling out on her own and having to work. I will make this work!
It can be found on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmHGKP0Xu8s
I did not ride Claire today. I have decided to ride her no more than 3-4 times a week. She really wanted to go with me today. When I was leading Annie out to the arena, she got between Annie and I and backed into Annie and was ready to kick her to keep Annie from going with me.
Here is what I did on Annie:
1. I tried to work her in the round pen, but she and I got very frustrated. It got to the point where she was not listening to me at all, and was running like a wild comanche around the pen and not even stopping when I said, "whoa!" Finally I got the lunge line and went back to basics just working on 'whoa!'
2. I was successfully in reteaching her what 'whoa' meant, but not without alot of jerking her the lead line when she would not stop when I said 'whoa.' Yeah, I kinda regret now not working with her more. I think she just got very worried when I started moving her around in the round pen at a canter. She is definitely more high spirited than Claire.
3. I tied her up for about 30 minutes while I took some video of Hillary. Afterwards I worked at despooking her with the big blue exercise ball. I bounced it all around her and against her. She wasn't concerned in the least. I then took my lunge whip and slapped the ground hard on both sides her. That caused her at first to want to move out, but she finally calmed down.
4. I really got the most frustrated on trying to get her to move out of my space and move to the right when I was standing at her left shoulder. I really got to frustrated with her because I ended up having to tap her harder on the neck with the lunge stick than I wanted to, to get her to move off her shoulder. Finally she took a step.
I learned a hard lesson today. I tend to be more impatient with Annie than Claire. I will change this. I spent along time afterwards just combing and brushing Annie. I am determined to start over with her and establish a good working relationship. I think Annie just doesn't want to leave me and is very insecure traveling out on her own and having to work. I will make this work!
Monday, August 4, 2008
30 Day Video of Claire!!
I have been on vacation for a few days, but I am back and ready to start riding again! I FINALLY figured out how to post this video and here is the link to Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0sUsN6Rx4I
Please tell me what you think of Claire's movement!!
I did ride today. Here is what I did:
1. Introduced the trot to walk transition.
2. Worked on speed and head carriage-- much better than what is in the video.
3. Made her take all the trot poles-- Much better!
4. A little on sidepassing-- she is still not getting it.
5. Backing-- But I need to work more on remembering to say "whoa."
She on the whole did much better after having a few days off. I think I might start riding her every other day and start working more with Annie. I can't ride Annie till January, but I do need to start ground driving her. And of course there is always Spencer. The vet said to lay off Poco for 6 months because she has a tendon injury. I will start riding Annie and Poco in January.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0sUsN6Rx4I
Please tell me what you think of Claire's movement!!
I did ride today. Here is what I did:
1. Introduced the trot to walk transition.
2. Worked on speed and head carriage-- much better than what is in the video.
3. Made her take all the trot poles-- Much better!
4. A little on sidepassing-- she is still not getting it.
5. Backing-- But I need to work more on remembering to say "whoa."
She on the whole did much better after having a few days off. I think I might start riding her every other day and start working more with Annie. I can't ride Annie till January, but I do need to start ground driving her. And of course there is always Spencer. The vet said to lay off Poco for 6 months because she has a tendon injury. I will start riding Annie and Poco in January.
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