Videos have been added to March 8 & 10, 2011. This post is a reflection of today's visit to the stables by Cindy.
Sometimes I wish I understood horse herd behavior and communication better. A mare at the stables slipped a foal this morning (due in May) and after the foal's body was removed from her paddock, she neighed and whinnied for several minutes.
I was riding LBR in the sand arena near her paddock. He replied with whinnies and froze in place (with me on his back) facing the mare. The mare and he whinnied back and forth several times.
We skipped the lesson that was starting, lunged to regain focus and then rode in the grass arena at the other end of the property (actually had a great ride).
I really wish I knew what they were communicating. It was very interesting.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March 11, 2011
Gary headed over to ride LBR in the afternoon. He groomed him and tacked him up and they had a nice quiet ride in the sand arena.
Gary was so happy today. In addition to cantering LBR on the rail, he cantered him in circles.
After the ride, Gary groomed LBR and let him graze for a bit before returning him to his paddock.
Gary was so happy today. In addition to cantering LBR on the rail, he cantered him in circles.
After the ride, Gary groomed LBR and let him graze for a bit before returning him to his paddock.
March 10, 2011
LBR had a training ride today. His flat work was excellent.
On the course work, his jumps were beautiful with great form, no rushing in or out of jumps. He struggled a bit with the corners - getting a little stronger than his trainer likes.
She worked with him on that and eventually, he softened up.
After the ride, Gary rinsed LBR and let him graze on the fresh spring grass in the common area while he dried.
On the course work, his jumps were beautiful with great form, no rushing in or out of jumps. He struggled a bit with the corners - getting a little stronger than his trainer likes.
She worked with him on that and eventually, he softened up.
After the ride, Gary rinsed LBR and let him graze on the fresh spring grass in the common area while he dried.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
March 9, 2011
Gary headed over to the stables in the afternoon. He rode LBR in the sand arena and worked mostly on transitions from walk/trot/whoa without reins - using only his seat.
LBR responded nicely.
After the transition work, they went for a short trail ride around the property.
LBR responded nicely.
After the transition work, they went for a short trail ride around the property.
March 8, 2011
LBR had a training ride today. HE'S BACK!!!! Doing flying lead changes, listening and always getting his correct leads.
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 6, 2011
Cindy had a great lesson on LBR today. The stables were quiet when Gary & Cindy arrived - just a small lesson going on in the sand arena.
Gary brought LBR up from his paddock while Cindy put out LBR's supplements for the week and staged the tack and grooming supplies.
LBR was a very mellow horse in the grooming stall. As other horses were brought in to be groomed for the same lesson, he napped.
Cindy mounted LBR in the sand arena while the other lesson was going on and LBR continued his mellow ways. The lesson started off really quiet. After about 15 minutes though, two (2) trailers pulled up next to the arena - one bringing a horse and one taking one. LBR was distracted but never totally lost his focus. He did get a little excited a couple of times.
Once, all the horses on the property started calling when the horse was being taken off property and once when the new horse was unloaded. Cindy was supposed to be turning him on his haunches but told the trainer we were going to watch the horse unload and then turn on the haunches. He did a perfect turn.
There was another "incident" when a jump fell down. LBR just looked at it but another horse "spooked" so LBR spooked 4 feet left in one move. Cindy just laughed.
LBR rocked at his walk/trot/canter ground work and did his cross rail courses perfectly. After the lesson Cindy went on a "trail ride" with another boarder.
Gary & Cindy then de-tacked and groomed LBR before returning him to his paddock for carrots.
Gary brought LBR up from his paddock while Cindy put out LBR's supplements for the week and staged the tack and grooming supplies.
LBR was a very mellow horse in the grooming stall. As other horses were brought in to be groomed for the same lesson, he napped.
Cindy mounted LBR in the sand arena while the other lesson was going on and LBR continued his mellow ways. The lesson started off really quiet. After about 15 minutes though, two (2) trailers pulled up next to the arena - one bringing a horse and one taking one. LBR was distracted but never totally lost his focus. He did get a little excited a couple of times.
Once, all the horses on the property started calling when the horse was being taken off property and once when the new horse was unloaded. Cindy was supposed to be turning him on his haunches but told the trainer we were going to watch the horse unload and then turn on the haunches. He did a perfect turn.
There was another "incident" when a jump fell down. LBR just looked at it but another horse "spooked" so LBR spooked 4 feet left in one move. Cindy just laughed.
LBR rocked at his walk/trot/canter ground work and did his cross rail courses perfectly. After the lesson Cindy went on a "trail ride" with another boarder.
Gary & Cindy then de-tacked and groomed LBR before returning him to his paddock for carrots.
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