It's been rainy in Austin and we traveled to Arkansas last weekend to see the kids so I haven't seen much of LBR lately.
We headed to the stables this afternoon with hopes that it would be dry enough to ride in the grass arena. LBR was filthy muddy (no surprise) so it took a while to groom. He led perfectly into the wash stall to have his feet/legs washed and then we curried off about 10 pounds of mud.
The grass arena was still pretty muddy so we didn't feel comfortable lounging LBR. We did saddle up (Gary's new saddle) and both rode LBR at the walk for a while. He really seems to enjoy being groomed and ridden - even if it was only to walk and work on whoas & backing.
After riding, we groomed and let LBR eat some grass. We returned him to his paddock, gave him treats and repaired his electric tape fence.
Tomorrow is supposed to be nice - sunny & warm so we plan on heading over for another ride.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
November 27, 2009
LBR is doing great. Gary demo'd a new (used) 19" HDR saddle this week. Unfortunately, he forgot to tighten the girth and when he removed a long blade of grass from LBR's mouth, LBR did a quick sidepass when the blade hit is rump. LBR went left, saddle turned right and Gary ended up on the ground. LBR turned and looked to make sure Gary was okay and then galloped off in the arena. He veered off the rail in the arena to take a jump and then stood at the other end of the arena to wait for us. We tacked him back up (girth tightened) and Gary got back on and they had a nice ride.
The second trial ride the next day in the saddle went smoothly (we're buying it). We had family in and the grandkids (ages 5 - 16) were led around on LBR over the next couple of days.
LBR threw a shoe on Wednesday so we weren't able to ride anymore this week. On Sunday, he "sprung" his other shoe so we removed the loose nails.
The second trial ride the next day in the saddle went smoothly (we're buying it). We had family in and the grandkids (ages 5 - 16) were led around on LBR over the next couple of days.
LBR threw a shoe on Wednesday so we weren't able to ride anymore this week. On Sunday, he "sprung" his other shoe so we removed the loose nails.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
November 19, 2009
Last week we had rain and Cindy had surgery so LBR didn't get ridden much. The trainer rode him on Friday and said he was quite the handful and they had an extra long ride.
On Saturday & Sunday Gary rode and LBR was wonderful. LBR got a break (lunged only) on Monday and on Tuesday, Gary had his best ride ever. Gary rode LBR through mini-patterns and they did great.
Wednesday, we visited a neighbors farm to see a young paint mare she was given. Gary rode another mare there and led the neighbors niece around on her for a while.
Because we spent so much time there, we were cutting short time for LBR's ride. There were two(2) trainers working VERY green horses in the arena so Gary had to negotiate patterns well away from them. It was ironic that LBR was the most trained/calm horse in the arena....we were very proud.
After yesterday's ride, we groomed and it was dinner time....you'ld think LBR was starving as he was very anxious to catch up with the food wagon before it got to his paddock.
I found vidoe of his short-lived racing career and have posted links on the right hand side of the page. I'm not sure if they will work for everyone or how long they will work.
On Saturday & Sunday Gary rode and LBR was wonderful. LBR got a break (lunged only) on Monday and on Tuesday, Gary had his best ride ever. Gary rode LBR through mini-patterns and they did great.
Wednesday, we visited a neighbors farm to see a young paint mare she was given. Gary rode another mare there and led the neighbors niece around on her for a while.
Because we spent so much time there, we were cutting short time for LBR's ride. There were two(2) trainers working VERY green horses in the arena so Gary had to negotiate patterns well away from them. It was ironic that LBR was the most trained/calm horse in the arena....we were very proud.
After yesterday's ride, we groomed and it was dinner time....you'ld think LBR was starving as he was very anxious to catch up with the food wagon before it got to his paddock.
I found vidoe of his short-lived racing career and have posted links on the right hand side of the page. I'm not sure if they will work for everyone or how long they will work.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
November 8, 2009
This week has been a good one. LBR's new shoes and dry weather seem to have done the trick - he's not tender footed.
Gary rode on Tuesday & Wednesday. Gary & Cindy rode on Thursday. Stacie (the trainer) rode on Friday. Gary & Cindy rode on Saturday. Sunday (today), Cindy took a lesson on LBR.
It had been three (3) weeks since LBR had been ridden seriously (other than at the walk) and although he was a little green ornery in the beginning of the week, he progressed nicely.
The lesson on Sunday was nearly perfect. We arrived an hour early to lunge and pre-ride in the grass arena. LBR was spunky (kicking up his heels) while being lunged....he definitely feels much better. Cindy pre-rode in the grass arena and although LBR was chewing the bit a lot, he calmed down nicely.
During the lesson, LBR & Cindy did very well. They did the walk, sitting trot, posting trot and even cantered (although they did it separately from the group). During the canter, a stablemate was led into the arena with his blanket on and LBR thought it was a monster. Cindy continued the canter like it was nothing and LBR regrouped nicely.
LBR & Cindy did their patterns well - he squares up to fences naturally....what a nice trait.
After the lesson, Cindy cooled him down by walking around the pastures and LBR was exhausted/mellow.
We groomed, went into the wash stall, treated and returned him to his paddock. He still had his alfalfa left to enjoy and a small amount of his feed. LBR got a carrot and a cookie and was in horsey-heaven. Tired, happy and eating alfalfa.
Gary rode on Tuesday & Wednesday. Gary & Cindy rode on Thursday. Stacie (the trainer) rode on Friday. Gary & Cindy rode on Saturday. Sunday (today), Cindy took a lesson on LBR.
It had been three (3) weeks since LBR had been ridden seriously (other than at the walk) and although he was a little green ornery in the beginning of the week, he progressed nicely.
The lesson on Sunday was nearly perfect. We arrived an hour early to lunge and pre-ride in the grass arena. LBR was spunky (kicking up his heels) while being lunged....he definitely feels much better. Cindy pre-rode in the grass arena and although LBR was chewing the bit a lot, he calmed down nicely.
During the lesson, LBR & Cindy did very well. They did the walk, sitting trot, posting trot and even cantered (although they did it separately from the group). During the canter, a stablemate was led into the arena with his blanket on and LBR thought it was a monster. Cindy continued the canter like it was nothing and LBR regrouped nicely.
LBR & Cindy did their patterns well - he squares up to fences naturally....what a nice trait.
After the lesson, Cindy cooled him down by walking around the pastures and LBR was exhausted/mellow.
We groomed, went into the wash stall, treated and returned him to his paddock. He still had his alfalfa left to enjoy and a small amount of his feed. LBR got a carrot and a cookie and was in horsey-heaven. Tired, happy and eating alfalfa.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
October 31, 2009
We are having the best weather imaginable in Central Texas. The sky is crystal blue and no humidity. It was cool this morning so Cindy headed over to see LBR in the afternoon. She expected to find a muddy horse and wasn't disappointed. The stables are still muddy from the week's rain (we've had 8 inches of rain in October - with only 25 inches for the year).
Because LBR got shoes this week to help with the tender feet, Cindy's plan was to clean and groom. She went down to LBR's paddock and LBR acknowledged she was at the gate but left the round bale of hay and started walking away. Cindy's heart sank because this is what he did last week when his feet were hurting so badly. Cindy took a minute to fix a strand of the electric tape (turned away from LBR) and then looked back to see that he was just relieving himself behind the hay. As she finished fixing the fence and as soon as he finished his bio break, he came cantering up to the gate. It was a great relief to know he wasn't lame.
Cindy haltered him and led him to the stables. She curried off as much of the mud as possible and decided to head for the wash stall (instead of washing outside).
LBR led nicely out of the grooming stall but "froze" at the wash stall entrance. Knowing that Gary has been training him to go in, Cindy immediately put the lead rope over LBR's nose, snapped it once and he went straight into the wash rack without Cindy leading in front of him.
After a quick rinse, no shampoo as the paddock is still muddy, Cindy took LBR out to graze for a bit. Unfortunately, the grass is slim and LBR got quite bored. Cindy took LBR back to the grooming stall to let him dry and finish grooming. LBR's new shoes are very handsome.
Because LBR got shoes this week to help with the tender feet, Cindy's plan was to clean and groom. She went down to LBR's paddock and LBR acknowledged she was at the gate but left the round bale of hay and started walking away. Cindy's heart sank because this is what he did last week when his feet were hurting so badly. Cindy took a minute to fix a strand of the electric tape (turned away from LBR) and then looked back to see that he was just relieving himself behind the hay. As she finished fixing the fence and as soon as he finished his bio break, he came cantering up to the gate. It was a great relief to know he wasn't lame.
Cindy haltered him and led him to the stables. She curried off as much of the mud as possible and decided to head for the wash stall (instead of washing outside).
LBR led nicely out of the grooming stall but "froze" at the wash stall entrance. Knowing that Gary has been training him to go in, Cindy immediately put the lead rope over LBR's nose, snapped it once and he went straight into the wash rack without Cindy leading in front of him.
After a quick rinse, no shampoo as the paddock is still muddy, Cindy took LBR out to graze for a bit. Unfortunately, the grass is slim and LBR got quite bored. Cindy took LBR back to the grooming stall to let him dry and finish grooming. LBR's new shoes are very handsome.
Afterwards, Cindy led LBR back to the paddock. He is feeling much better and was quite frisky - it is so nice to have his personality back.
Cindy treated LBR with carrots and said bye. Tomorrow is supposed to be another perfect weather day so though LBR can't be ridden yet, Cindy will be heading over to do other horsey stuff.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
October 29, 2009
LBR is having an easy week. Although he underwent a total training effort without any issues this summer, his feet don't seem to like the muddy/wet weather we're having.
He was tender-footed on after a walk only ride on Saturday so we decided to put front shoes on Tuesday. Gary was not able to be there when he got his new shoes, but the trainer said he did great. Cindy visited him in the evening and he loved his carrots and missed his paddock mate Bentley who escaped when LBR was being haltered (the mud is really bad - it's hard to walk through the paddock).
We're going to give LBR a week off of riding and just groom and work on basic ground manners. It's a bit frustrating, but he's five years old, we will have him for 20+ years more and this is only a week.
He was tender-footed on after a walk only ride on Saturday so we decided to put front shoes on Tuesday. Gary was not able to be there when he got his new shoes, but the trainer said he did great. Cindy visited him in the evening and he loved his carrots and missed his paddock mate Bentley who escaped when LBR was being haltered (the mud is really bad - it's hard to walk through the paddock).
We're going to give LBR a week off of riding and just groom and work on basic ground manners. It's a bit frustrating, but he's five years old, we will have him for 20+ years more and this is only a week.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
October 24, 2009
LBR's stone bruise recovered nicely this week. The farrier was out and took a look at LBR and agreed that was the most likely cause. LBR was fine by Wednesday so Gary took him out for a walk-ride in the grass arena.
We had a lot of rain on Thursday, so Gary visited him on Friday. It was too wet to ride so Gary just washed/groomed him (yes - LBR is still the mud-rolling champ).
Cindy headed to the stables alone on Saturday afternoon. When she arrived, there were four (4) horses let out to groom in the common area....GRRRR!.
LBR greeted her at the paddock gate. Cindy groomed and tacked LBR. He was pretty excited by the four horses galloping throughout the property but calmed down nicely for his pre-ride lunging.
Due to the commotion going on and the still less-than-perfect footing in the main arena, Cindy decided to work LBR at the walk with focus on flexing exercises and reinless whoa's.
Cindy rode for about 30 minutes and then groomed LBR before returning him to his paddock and treating him with carrots.
We had a lot of rain on Thursday, so Gary visited him on Friday. It was too wet to ride so Gary just washed/groomed him (yes - LBR is still the mud-rolling champ).
Cindy headed to the stables alone on Saturday afternoon. When she arrived, there were four (4) horses let out to groom in the common area....GRRRR!.
LBR greeted her at the paddock gate. Cindy groomed and tacked LBR. He was pretty excited by the four horses galloping throughout the property but calmed down nicely for his pre-ride lunging.
Due to the commotion going on and the still less-than-perfect footing in the main arena, Cindy decided to work LBR at the walk with focus on flexing exercises and reinless whoa's.
Cindy rode for about 30 minutes and then groomed LBR before returning him to his paddock and treating him with carrots.
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