Saturday, April 30, 2011

April 29, 2011

LBR had a training ride (if you want to call it that) today.

Gary lunged LBR in his halter in the round pen and LBR did great. They saddled up for the ride and LBR acted like a TB (turd butt) again.

The trainer dismounted, checked his bit, checked the saddle fit, checked his hooves....nothing found.

After a brief ride, she gave up. They examined LBR's back and couldn't find any soreness. However, when she pinched his withers lightly, he tossed his head and acted like he was sore.

Gary gave him a wither/shoulder message for a bit before returning him to his paddock for treats.

April 28, 2011

Gary and Cindy headed over to the stables around 5:30 p.m. The barn was quite busy with several people tacking up for lessons.

LBR had a sprung shoe so they groomed him and let him graze for a while. The resident farrier arrived aroun 6:30 p.m. and rest LBR's shoe.

Gary tacked up LBR and Cindy mounted him in the sand arena and headed down to the grass arena for a ride.

LBR was a true TB (turd butt/thoroughbred) tonight. He was distracted and Cindy could not get his focus under saddle. Gary rode for a bit, but had the same experience.

Gary then lunged LBR and he continued his TB ways. Gary adjusted his bridle and LBR still acted up. Cindy took off LBR's saddle and Gary eventually got LBR to lunge half-way decent.

After the lunging, they groomed LBR and Gary returned him to his paddock.

April 27, 2011

Gary finished up the barn repairs that he has been working on. Because it has been hot, he was tired and didn't visit/ride LBR today.

April 26, 2011

LBR had a training ride. His flat work was great but he was a little rushy over the jumps. The trainer worked him trotting cross rails to get him settled and then finished with a nice course at the canter.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

April 25, 2011

It's Monday...LBR's day off.

April 24, 2011

Gary and Cindy went to watch some friends show at a nearby stables. They stayed there until around 1:30 p.m. and headed over to ride LBR.

It was hot, dusty and extremely windy again today. Gary tacked up LBR and they had a good ride.

After the ride, he rinsed LBR and returned him to his paddock.

April 23, 2011

Cindy had a lesson on LBR this morning. It was extremely windy - gusts to 30 mph and considering that, LBR was a good boy.

They had great flat work, but LBR was a little distracted by the wobbling standards and blowing flowers during the course work. He never refused, but did make stink eyes at a couple of the jumps.

After the ride, Cindy groomed LBR and she and Gary returned him to his paddock.

Friday, April 22, 2011

April 22, 2011

We were supposed to be heading off to a show this weekend. However, several horses have come up lame and others have had large vet bills so the original plan of having 10 horses going to the show, there were only 2 left on the list (LBR was still good to go).

The trainer cancelled the trip.

LBR wasn't ridden today as Gary was working on the barn. There were wind gusts again to 30 mph and another foal born overnight so Cindy decided to give LBR the day off.

Cindy was REALLY disappointed about the show - oh well, there's another one 3 weeks and LBR's flying lead changes should be perfect by then:-)

April 21, 2011

LBR had a training ride today. He and most of the horses at the stables were frazzled by the early morning arrival (a filly was born around 4:00 a.m.).

The flat work of the ride was good, but between the distractions and winds gusting to 30 mph, LBR had trouble focusing.

After the ride, Gary rinsed LBR off and let him graze for a bit before returning him to his paddock.

April 20, 2011

LBR had the day off today. Gary is working a side job roofing the barn and was too tired to ride after a long day of working in the 95F degree heat.

April 19, 2011

LBR had a training ride today. He had one of his silly days (only had four like this ever). He was forward and not listening so the trainer decided to lunge him.

He did his squeel and buck lunge for a while but after a bit settled down.

She then worked on flat work with flying lead changes and LBR was well behaved. They ended the ride with a trail ride around the property.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

April 18, 2011

It's Monday - LBR's day off.

Monday, April 18, 2011

April 17, 2011

Gary and Cindy headed to the stables at 8:30 for Cindy's 9:30 lesson.

Things were quiet when the arrived - the trainer was riding a horse that had a few months of under saddle training while Gary brough LBR up from his paddock and Cindy staged the grooming supplies and tack.

After trying to get LBR to drop more "fur", Gary tacked LBR up. Cindy mounted LBR while the trainer helped the departing horse on and off the step up trailer many times.

LBR took it all in stride while Cindy and he warmed up in the arena.

The lesson was FABULOUS today. LBR remained focus despite yelling and screaming happened in the lesson....poor friend pulled her back while warming up.

Today was a HUGE breakthrough. Cindy was instructed to canter over a cross rail on course, but LBR broke down to the trot. At the end of the course on a similar line, Cindy cantered LBR over the "rolly-polly".

YAY Cindy and LBR!!!1

No pictures, but a lot of witnesses!!!1

Saturday, April 16, 2011

April 16, 2011

Gary headed over to the stables around 9:00 a.m. to work on the roof of the hay barn. Cindy had a nice "me" morning at home. She did the mundane things that we all put off when someone is around to distract us.

She headed over to the stables around noon and stopped and bought lunch (Subway) for she and Gary.

Gary took a break from the 25' ladder and they enjoyed lunch together.

Cindy then brought up LBR from his paddock and groomed/tacked him. They rode for a bit in the dusty dry dirt arena. They worked on focus and flex. After a while they headed up to the grass arena for more flat work and some ground pole work.

After about 45 minutes of arena work, they took a LBR guided trail ride. Cindy let him go on the buckle whereever he wanted to go. LBR's choice for the day was in and out every paddock (horses are now stalled during the day).

After the ride, Cindy groomed LBR and returned him to his paddock. He got treats of carrots, alfalfa cubes and ice cubes(his new favorite).

A new horse at the stables got loose and Cindy & Gary helped another boarder get him into a paddock. He's another OTTB and so handsome - though LBR wasn't impressed when he came by his paddock.

April 15, 2011

Gary is doing a side job to repair the roof on the hay barn at the stables. Cindy is at the end of a VERY LONG WEEK.

No ride for LBR.

Friday, April 15, 2011

April 14, 2011

LBR had a training ride today.

Gary headed over early for the 9:00 a.m. ride. LBR was fabulous. He is doing flying lead changes on course now. I struggled once switching only in the front, but the trainer was able to get the back legs switched on the straight away.

So proud of our guy!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

April 13, 2011

Cindy's birthday today...Gary rode LBR and did his first flying lead change. SO PROUD OF MY GUYS...HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.

Only problem, I was at work when all this happened:-(

April 12, 2011

LBR had a great training ride today. Gary headed over to groom expecting a muddy LBR but the rain didn't reach the stables. The trainer had a great ride. LBR had a visit from the farrier and had his front shoes reset as well as having his hind feet trimmed. No issues for our OTTB:-)

April 11, 2011

LBR's day off:-)

Monday, April 11, 2011

April 10, 2011



This will be all pictures, but couldn't be more proud of him....and Gary too.


What a great day. We headed to a nearby stable with LBR, a loaner horse and great friends. This will be all pictures, but couldn't be more proud of him....and Gary too.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

April 9, 2011

Cindy had a lesson on LBR today. It's a good thing that he's so fit....less than 24 hours between lessons.

Cindy's brother who is a professional photographer and brother-in-law came out to watch the lesson and take pictures - there should be some good pics added later.



The lesson started out with flat work at the trot. The trainer added some strengthening parts - trotting at the half-seat, trotting ground poles in the half-seat, and no cheating/using LBR's neck for balance. Cindy's legs were burning.

They cantered before starting the course work. LBR got flustered when he missed his right lead on the first try so Cindy decided to skip it.

LBR was excellent in the course work. He never speed up or rushed away from any cross-rail or fence. He cantered nicely away from the green brush box every time today.

Based on how good LBR and Cindy were doing, the instructor added in the "rolly-polly" to their final course. They took it perfectly.

After the ride, Cindy de-tacked and groomed LBR. Everyone walked back to LBR's paddock and gave him carrots.

April 8, 2011

Gary had his second lesson today on LBR. It was originally scheduled at 6:00 p.m., but the trainer had to reschedule for 3:00 p.m. BOO! - Cindy was at work and didn't get to watch.

They did an abreviated amount of w/t/c flat work as the other student in the class just wants to "jump". It's no big deal because on non-lesson rides, Gary does a lot of flat work.

The did trot-in/canter away courses. LBR was very well behaved. Their final course included the outside line of a cross rail and barrels - all at the canter...WOOT!

After the ride, LBR was sweaty so Gary rinsed him off and then let him graze why he dried.

April 7, 2011

LBR had a training ride today.

It went very well with both simple and flying lead changes. After the training ride, the trainer took LBR on a short trail ride.

Gary groomed him and let him graze for a bit in the common area before returning him to his paddock.

April 6, 2011

Gary headed over in the afternoon to ride LBR.

They had a great ride with w/t/c flat work and then work over courses. AFter the ride, Gary rinsed LBR as he was sweaty. LBR still has not let go of his long winter hairs...it's thinning out, but he has crazy 2" long straglers.

They did some leading work thru ruts and culverts and LBR finally relaxed and stood in them.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April 5, 2011

LBR had a GREAT training ride. The trainer rode in Cindy's favorite bit...a copper roller D-Ring on LBR today and he responded well.


Tuesday, April 5, 2011

April 4, 2011

It's Monday....LBR's day off:-)

April 3, 2011

Cindy had another FABULOUS lesson on LBR. Videos of his perfect canter will be posted and this days entry will be updated soon.


He also got a chiropractic adjustment. He didn't need much work, the doctor adjusted his poll/axis and a rib on his left side.

April 2, 2011

Short post...Gary & Cindy headed over to the stables in the afternoon and both rode LBR.

Cindy did a short bit of flat work and LBR was very good. Gary rode next and YAY, YAY, YAY...he learned how to switch his diagonal while posting.

After the rides, they rinsed LBR off and let him graze in the common area until he was dry.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

April 1, 2011

No April Fool's joke - Gary took his first lesson today.

March 31, 2011

LBR had a training ride today.

The trainer switched back to his normal bit/snaffle and he responded well. They did flat work and course work without any issues.

LBR missed one flying lead change - switched in front but not in back, but his changes are much smoother now and he doesn't get excited or anticipate them.

After the ride, Gary let LBR graze in th ecommon area before returning him to his paddock.