It was 7F degrees this morning so we took our time getting out and about and enjoyed a big breakfast.
We headed over to a newly discovered tack shop to look at their german martingales. Unfortunately, the reins were partially cotton so we decided not to buy it.
We arrived at the stables around 1:30 p.m. and it was a toasty 45F degrees. We were both layered up including long-johns and it was sunny with no wind so it wasn't too bad.
Gary led LBR from his paddock to the grooming stalls and we groomed and then tacked LBR with Cindy's saddle, the copper-roller snaffle and the German martingale. Gary rode LBR first in the sand arena and LBR they did great. The arena had been "dragged" and was fairly level/packed which was nice.
Cindy rode LBR until they both were tired (walk/trot) and LBR did well even with others in the arena.
We ended with grooming and a walk back to the paddock for treats.
Tomorrow is lessons day for Cindy & LBR so we'll be headed over about an hour early so Gary can pre-ride LBR.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
January 8, 2010
It's Friday and we're being dealt a mean cold front. Today it never got above freezing (high of 32F) and we didn't make it over to the stables.
We'll head over mid-morning tomorrow with some warm water for the large trough which should not be frozen yet.
The low last night was only 24F but tonight, "they" are predicting 14.
LBR is nice and furry so he'll be fine in his shelter, but I bet he'll be glad to see us.
Where the heck is global warming????
We'll head over mid-morning tomorrow with some warm water for the large trough which should not be frozen yet.
The low last night was only 24F but tonight, "they" are predicting 14.
LBR is nice and furry so he'll be fine in his shelter, but I bet he'll be glad to see us.
Where the heck is global warming????
Thursday, January 7, 2010
January 7, 2010
A wicked cold front came through last night and the high today was 40 degrees with winds out of the north at 25 mph (expected low tonight...18 degrees).
Gary went over to to visit LBR and give him some treats. LBR was in his shelter and Gary walked into the paddock and gave him some treats there. They then headed to the back of the paddock to check the water (it was full). LBR was mad because Gary didn't give him any treats there and sulked as he drank water and Gary headed back to the shelter.
Gary no sooner got into the shelter (provides wind break) than LBR and his neighbor came running up the paddocks.
LBR got his last few treats in the shelter and he stayed there as Gary left.
We're worried about him staying warm tonight, but he has long fur and good shelter so he should be fine.
Gary went over to to visit LBR and give him some treats. LBR was in his shelter and Gary walked into the paddock and gave him some treats there. They then headed to the back of the paddock to check the water (it was full). LBR was mad because Gary didn't give him any treats there and sulked as he drank water and Gary headed back to the shelter.
Gary no sooner got into the shelter (provides wind break) than LBR and his neighbor came running up the paddocks.
LBR got his last few treats in the shelter and he stayed there as Gary left.
We're worried about him staying warm tonight, but he has long fur and good shelter so he should be fine.
January 6, 2010
Gary headed to the stables in the afternoon to lunge and ride LBR. LBR was good in the grooming stall and they headed to the round-pen. LBR had way too much energy and bucked/kicked at the canter. After about 30 minutes of lunging, he was responsive and doing his walk/trot/whoa's well.
The trainer was wrapping up a ride on another horse and asked if we wanted her to ride LBR. Gary said "sure" (based on the energy level).
They tacked LBR up and she took him to the sand arena for their ride. She walked, trotted, cantered and he was still full of energy. They did cross rails, a lot of circles and rode for nearly an hour. They had an audience of boarders that were laughing at LBR's energy level.
They ended with some walking to cool down. The "audience" noted that the trainer earned her money today. Both she and LBR were wet with sweat.
Gary de-tacked LBR and steam came off under the saddle. He groomed and cooled him off more before taking him back to his paddock and giving him his treats.
The trainer was wrapping up a ride on another horse and asked if we wanted her to ride LBR. Gary said "sure" (based on the energy level).
They tacked LBR up and she took him to the sand arena for their ride. She walked, trotted, cantered and he was still full of energy. They did cross rails, a lot of circles and rode for nearly an hour. They had an audience of boarders that were laughing at LBR's energy level.
They ended with some walking to cool down. The "audience" noted that the trainer earned her money today. Both she and LBR were wet with sweat.
Gary de-tacked LBR and steam came off under the saddle. He groomed and cooled him off more before taking him back to his paddock and giving him his treats.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
January 5, 2010
Gary headed over this morning early to groom, lunge & ride LBR. It hasn't rained in a week now so LBR was not muddy...WOO HOO, thank you for small pleasures.
Gary groomed and then lunged LBR for about 20 minutes. LBR has a lot of energy and enjoyed cantering in the round pen.
Gary then rode LBR (in Cindy's saddle) in the dirt arena. The footing is still a little "off" but LBR slowly adjusted to it. LBR was very responsive, soft on the bit with a nice headset (using German martingale).
His energy level dictated a bit of canter in the arena and he responded nicely. His "whoa's" and transition down went well.
Gary had the farrier look at his feet and he suggested re-shoeing next week. The farrier will check for uneven hoof growth which could explain the "paddling" with the left foot (as does steel shoes -vs- aluminum).
Gary de-tacked LBR , groomed him and led him back to the paddock for treats.
Gary groomed and then lunged LBR for about 20 minutes. LBR has a lot of energy and enjoyed cantering in the round pen.
Gary then rode LBR (in Cindy's saddle) in the dirt arena. The footing is still a little "off" but LBR slowly adjusted to it. LBR was very responsive, soft on the bit with a nice headset (using German martingale).
His energy level dictated a bit of canter in the arena and he responded nicely. His "whoa's" and transition down went well.
Gary had the farrier look at his feet and he suggested re-shoeing next week. The farrier will check for uneven hoof growth which could explain the "paddling" with the left foot (as does steel shoes -vs- aluminum).
Gary de-tacked LBR , groomed him and led him back to the paddock for treats.
Monday, January 4, 2010
January 4, 2010
Cindy is back at work and didn't get to ride today.
Gary headed over around noon. LBR led nicely from the paddock to the grooming stalls for a friend as Gary was grooming another horse. Gary groomed & saddled up for a ride.
LBR was energetic, but very responsive. After a short ride, they changed to Katie's saddle so that she could ride
Katie started with a nice/responsive ride and decided to try the canter....oops, LBR has a lot of energy. They worked back at the trot for a while and ended on a good note.
Tomorrow, LBR will have his shoes checked and Gary plans on lunging some of the energy out before riding.
Gary headed over around noon. LBR led nicely from the paddock to the grooming stalls for a friend as Gary was grooming another horse. Gary groomed & saddled up for a ride.
LBR was energetic, but very responsive. After a short ride, they changed to Katie's saddle so that she could ride
Katie started with a nice/responsive ride and decided to try the canter....oops, LBR has a lot of energy. They worked back at the trot for a while and ended on a good note.
Tomorrow, LBR will have his shoes checked and Gary plans on lunging some of the energy out before riding.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3, 2010
Due to LBR's over abundance of energy yesterday, Cindy chose not to take a lesson. We headed over to the stables around 1:00 p.m. as the lessons were wrapping up at that time.
We groomed and saddled LBR (no big deal - no rain/rolling) and headed to the grass arena. Gary rode for a while and LBR was energetic, but very responsive - dropping his head nicely.
We are using the copper-roller snaffle and the German martingale to assist with the head position.
Katie (a friend/boarder at the stables) was wrapping up her work with her new gelding (starting under saddle) and we asked her if she wanted to ride LBR...she did. Her last ride on him he was not as responsive. Today both Gary & Katie had him going very well and though he had a TON of energy, he responded perfectly.
Cindy thinks he's finally back to feeling well (good weight, good hooves, etc...) as LBR seems like he could trot/ride for hours.
This isn't the best picture, but gives an idea of how well he's doing.
We groomed and saddled LBR (no big deal - no rain/rolling) and headed to the grass arena. Gary rode for a while and LBR was energetic, but very responsive - dropping his head nicely.
We are using the copper-roller snaffle and the German martingale to assist with the head position.
Katie (a friend/boarder at the stables) was wrapping up her work with her new gelding (starting under saddle) and we asked her if she wanted to ride LBR...she did. Her last ride on him he was not as responsive. Today both Gary & Katie had him going very well and though he had a TON of energy, he responded perfectly.
Cindy thinks he's finally back to feeling well (good weight, good hooves, etc...) as LBR seems like he could trot/ride for hours.
This isn't the best picture, but gives an idea of how well he's doing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)