We headed to the stables around 9:00 a.m. Due to LBR's problems yesterday, Cindy took a lesson on one of the trainers horses.
He's a 10 year old 16.0 Thoroughbred named "Brother". This is video of part of the lesson:
After the lesson, Gary brought LBR up from his paddock. Gary groomed and saddled LBR for a ride. He decided to ride LBR in the grass arena. LBR started off with the same mouth/evasion issues as yesterday. Gary moved him forward and out of the arena to the grass common area (which is furthest away from all barn activities).
Gary patiently encouraged LBR to move forward and quit evading the bit. After about 20 minutes, LBR was moving forward better and not tossing his head as much so the returned to the grass arena.
Gary worked LBR mostly at the walk over poles and around obstacles. Once LBR did a "pattern" perfectly and with no head-tossing (2 times around), Gary dismounted and they ended on a good note.
After the ride, Gary led him back to the stables for grooming and then back to LBR's paddock for treats from Gary & Cindy.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
February 27, 2010
Gary & Cindy headed to the stables around noon (it's Saturday). Gary led LBR up from his paddock while Cindy got the tack and grooming equipment set up.
They both groomed a bit and Gary tacked up LBR. Gary did not want to lunge LBR first so they headed to the sand arena to start the ride.
LBR did something he's never done. Aftter Gary got on using the mounting block, LBR immediately walked out of the arena and would not be ridden back into it. Gary dismounted and Cindy held him for a few minutes. Gary then started his ride in the sand arena.
It started off well with a few laps around at the walk and then a couple at the trot. LBR then started acting "odd". He was avoiding the bit and refusing to walk forward. Gary changed the bit from an edge to a standard snaffle but LBR continued to act up.
Gary decided to take him down to the grass arena but the problems continued. We decided to call it quits for the day.
It seemed like LBR's mouth was sore so we gave him a break and just let him graze after detacking. LBR was returned to his paddock and given treats which he totally loved today.
They both groomed a bit and Gary tacked up LBR. Gary did not want to lunge LBR first so they headed to the sand arena to start the ride.
LBR did something he's never done. Aftter Gary got on using the mounting block, LBR immediately walked out of the arena and would not be ridden back into it. Gary dismounted and Cindy held him for a few minutes. Gary then started his ride in the sand arena.
It started off well with a few laps around at the walk and then a couple at the trot. LBR then started acting "odd". He was avoiding the bit and refusing to walk forward. Gary changed the bit from an edge to a standard snaffle but LBR continued to act up.
Gary decided to take him down to the grass arena but the problems continued. We decided to call it quits for the day.
It seemed like LBR's mouth was sore so we gave him a break and just let him graze after detacking. LBR was returned to his paddock and given treats which he totally loved today.
February 26, 2010
Gary waited for it to warm up and headed over to the stables around noon. Unfortunately, about that time a cold front came through with chilly winds blowing at +20mph.
Gary brought LBR up from his paddock and groomed him before tacking up. Gary decided to lunge LBR and ride him in the round pen due to the high winds.
LBR was responsive and did well lunging and riding. They worked a lot on flexing and stopping without any/much rein.
After the ride, Gary groomed LBR and took him back to his paddock for treats.
Gary brought LBR up from his paddock and groomed him before tacking up. Gary decided to lunge LBR and ride him in the round pen due to the high winds.
LBR was responsive and did well lunging and riding. They worked a lot on flexing and stopping without any/much rein.
After the ride, Gary groomed LBR and took him back to his paddock for treats.
Friday, February 26, 2010
February 25, 2010
Gary headed to the stables in the afternoon. LBR greeted him at the gate. They headed to the stables for rinsing of the legs and grooming. LBR was very mellow.
They started with a short ride in the sand arena with our edge bit. Gary decided to switch to a milder bit and lunge in the grass arena with side reins. That went well so Gary rode him in the grass arena for MANY laps at the trot until LBR started to flex properly.
Once they had mastered this and relaxed, Gary took LBR for a trail ride. They headed down towards the trailer area and LBR was relaxed. They made the turn down the main entrance and LBR still did well.
Gary wanted to have today be a "good" experience so he turned LBR back towards the stables. LBR was suddenly aware of the concrete blocks that he had passed going the other way. After some encouragement, LBR calmed down and the returned to the stables.
Gary groomed him, returned him to his paddock and gave LBR his treats.
They started with a short ride in the sand arena with our edge bit. Gary decided to switch to a milder bit and lunge in the grass arena with side reins. That went well so Gary rode him in the grass arena for MANY laps at the trot until LBR started to flex properly.
Once they had mastered this and relaxed, Gary took LBR for a trail ride. They headed down towards the trailer area and LBR was relaxed. They made the turn down the main entrance and LBR still did well.
Gary wanted to have today be a "good" experience so he turned LBR back towards the stables. LBR was suddenly aware of the concrete blocks that he had passed going the other way. After some encouragement, LBR calmed down and the returned to the stables.
Gary groomed him, returned him to his paddock and gave LBR his treats.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
February 24, 2010
Gary had appointments today and Cindy was working. This combined with the dampness left over from yesterday's snow meant no riding today.
Gary & Cindy headed over to the stables around sunset and visited LBR in his paddock with treats.
The sand arena should be rideable tomorrow...woo hoo.
Gary & Cindy headed over to the stables around sunset and visited LBR in his paddock with treats.
The sand arena should be rideable tomorrow...woo hoo.
February 23, 2010
The forecast for today in Central TX was cold and 2" of snow. It started as light rain mixed with sleet around 7:00 a.m. Gary headed over to visit LBR around 8:00 a.m. and it had turned over to all sleet.
The farrier was coming to the stables and it was time for LBR to get a trim and have his shoes (front only) reset.
When Gary got to his paddock, LBR absolutely refused to lead out of the shelter. The longer he refused, the harder the sleet began to fall. Finally, enticed with treats and carrots Gary was able to lead him to the stables.
Gary rinsed off LBR's feet (it's still a bit muddy in his paddock) and groomed him before the farrier arrived. LBR stood well for the farrier with only one "slip" off of the hoof stand.
After the trim, Gary put LBR's cooler blanket (Irish knit) on him because he was a bit damp and it was cold. LBR stood perfectly for the blanket going on.
Gary led LBR back to his paddock with the blanket on and fed him treats in his shelter. Gary then took the blanket off.
The pictures are LBR in his paddock when he was wearing his cooler sheet and our backyard at the house when the snow was falling.
Monday, February 22, 2010
February 22, 2010
Cindy headed back to work (it's Monday) and Gary headed over to the stables.
LBR was buried in his hay and Gary had to walk back into the paddock to get him.
LBR had not rolled so grooming was easy. Due to LBR leaning on the bit yesterday during his lesson, Gary decided to lunge LBR in the round pen with side reins.
LBR was a bit forward, but Gary used the command "head down" and LBR gave to the pressure nicely. Gary lunged LBR at the walk/trot/canter and he did well.
Afterwards, Gary decided to ride LBR in the round pen with a halter/lead rope and do some "natural horse training". LBR responded very well. They worked at the walk and on flexing (Gary tossing the lead rope in front of him to work different sides) and did great. They also did "whoa's" and backing well.
Afterwards, Gary groomed took LBR back to his paddock for treats and more yummy hay.
LBR was buried in his hay and Gary had to walk back into the paddock to get him.
LBR had not rolled so grooming was easy. Due to LBR leaning on the bit yesterday during his lesson, Gary decided to lunge LBR in the round pen with side reins.
LBR was a bit forward, but Gary used the command "head down" and LBR gave to the pressure nicely. Gary lunged LBR at the walk/trot/canter and he did well.
Afterwards, Gary decided to ride LBR in the round pen with a halter/lead rope and do some "natural horse training". LBR responded very well. They worked at the walk and on flexing (Gary tossing the lead rope in front of him to work different sides) and did great. They also did "whoa's" and backing well.
Afterwards, Gary groomed took LBR back to his paddock for treats and more yummy hay.
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