Ha ha Very Funny

Long story short, I got my daughter a new mare for Christmas, a lovely little 6 year old QH, and I have started to ride Matt instead of Dude. Dude has been getting what he always wanted, which was to stand around and look pretty. However, Dude was pressed into service on Saturday with hilarious results.

My 21 year old nephew came over to unload a trailer of hay I had bought and Nephew brought a frined with him, also 21, whom we will call Goober. Goober says he knows how to ride, so I put him on Dude. LOL. Nephew was riding the new mare, Queenie, and I was on Matt. Matty loves to lope, so as soon as we were warmed up and on the woods path, I started an easy lope. Gobber starts squealing like a little girl because Dude is tossing his head and kicking out a little. "Welcome to my world for the last year). Goober talks my nephew into switching horses with him. So, now Newphew is riding Dude. Goober says, "That horse has it in for me!" referring to Dude. Hahahaha. Anyway, Dude goes through his initial little crow hops with newphew and then quits and acts right for the rest of the ride until...

I decided to have one last lope up the fence line in the general direction of home, but not to the cool down part of the trail yet. Dude decides he can "win" this "race" by getting rid of this pesky rider. Dude was running third when he ducked out from under my nephew and bolted past Queenie and then past Matt and me. I had already stopped because I realized the boys were too fa behind while I was loping. Just then, dude ran past. Matt, of course, started prancing, but didn't go until I said "go" with my cues, Matt took off to overtake Dude. The wind through my helmet vents took on a high-pitched whine. Now, Dude had on the old dressage saddle with real old-fashioned heavy irons, which were flying wildly as he galloped past. The reins were still up over his head and I almost had hold of them when Dude saw me out of the corner of his eye and really put it in gear and left Matt and me in the dust (actually, mud). I watched in dismay as Dude disappeared around the corner of the path in the direction of home. I wondered if he would stop behind the house, jump the big ditch to the house or continue all the way around and come down the subdivision road home the way we usually ride. But, I barely had time to wonder all these things for seconds later Dude reappeared galloping toward us just as fast as he had left, irons flying, divets being thrown out behind. I yelled to the boys to look out, as it didn't look like Dude was going to stop anytime soon. Dude ran past me and Matt, past Goober and Queenie and, when he came to where my nephew was standing, he turned on the forehand on a dime and stopped facing his former rider head on, head down, docily, panting happily. LOL.

As no one was hurt, I can laugh, now. I wonder how far Dude got before he realized no one else was coming. Like, at what point did he say to himself, "Where is everybody? I better go back." My nephew thinks Dude slipped and that's why he came off. I didn't even see it happen and I can tell you Dude ducked him and ran.

Retirement

Just to put some closure on this ordeal, I will explain what has led to my decision to give up on Dude's training. Some time in November, we went on a nice trail ride with some friends who have Tennessee Walkers. I replaced the bolts in the divider and put it in again. Dude had busted it out again by the time we got to the B&B where the ride took place. I got us there early so I would have time to deal with his saddling issues. Dude wouldn't take the bit and was excited to go smell mares's butts. So, while I only had the halter around his neck, he took off. I held onto the rope a long time, running beside him. he glanced back, saw me and leaped to get away. I really thought my finger was broken, but a later x-ray showed it wasn't. it still hurts. He stopped running when he got to a mare's butt. I got him saddled, finally. The wrangler at the B&B had been watching me and he wouldn't come tighten my girth after I got mounted because he was scared of Dude. LOL. I waited till we were on the trail and got off and tightened it later. In the morning, we were with a large group and it was kind of boring and frustrating for E who wanted to run on the trail called "Loping Lane." But, we had a nice enough time. Went back to the trailer for lunch and such and then took off with just our 2 friends after lunch. their Walker went lame and they turned back, so it was just my daughter and me after that. Dude was good and we loped on loping lane, loped on a bunch of trails, jumped some sticks, went all over the trails and had a great time. He didn't balk or buck. Dude loves exploring new trails and not being in an arena. It was a beautiful day, sunny and cool. The trails were idyllic and mowed. We ended on an extremely good note.

A few days later, my daughter went to camp, taking Matt for 3 days. The came home the Wednesday night before thanksgiving. On T-giving a.m., Matt collicked and we spent a lovely morning at the university vet school. Thank goodness, Matt turned out to just be impacted and some oiling got him straightened out enough to pick him up the next day. Boy, did he load easy to come home.

So, decision time to be had all around. Matt is too old and fragile (turning 23 come Jan.) to take all the activities that E wants to do with him. My original plan to get Dude ready to trade with my daughter is not going to work. I'll never be able to trust him with her.

The farrier thinks, and I agree, that training would be a waste for Dude as he will be good for Ms. Dee and then come home and go right back to his old ways. I am 47 years old and the wage earner; i.e., too old to risk getting seriously hurt. So, its time to start looking for a new horse for my daughter and for me to ride Matt and to retire Dude. I toyed around with getting him pasture board somewhere and still am looking into that. But, I'd have to go make sure he's trimmed, groomed, wormed, hayed and all so it would be easier to keep him at home.

On the first trip out horse shopping (although, to my credit, not the first horse I looked at) Ms. Dee went with us and we bought the mare. She's a sorrel mare between 14 and 15 hands, skinny and rain-rot infested, but has racing blood top and bottom. She's got TB on her papers and is reg. AQHA. Ms. Dee said she would have bought her if we hadn't. So, we got Queenie for Christmas, I'm riding Matt and Dude is standing around looking pretty. Pulled Dude's shoes when Bill came to trim the new mare's black, iron, huge hooves. Squeeeee. Bill is keeping an eye out for someone who wants a companion horse who will take good care of Dude.

When I mentioned to Bill that the new mare had rain rot and was too skinny, he commented that she is in the right place, now. that made me feel good. The farrier knows who takes good care of their horses, so he will find a good home for dude when the time is right.

Finally Went to Another Show

Yesterday, we took both horses to a show at the same time, for the first time, thanks to the new truck!! We had a little trouble loading including giving up on Dude, but then giving it one more try with the rope trick which succeeeded. Dude reared up and acted like a total ass, but I just looked at him and said, "I'm not scared of you so quit it." And he did! He got in like a little lamb, the bluffer!! The reason I gave it one more try was that Dude didn't run away, but rather, kept hanging around the trailer as if to say, "I want to get in, but I don't know how." We had the divider in for the first time, so both horses were confused by it. It turns out the divider will be no good, as Dude broke it on the way home. )*&%^!!

The trip up was good. I felt pretty secure driving the new rig, but couldn't get about 50 mph (it wasn't the interstate, anyway). It was a beautiful afternoon and E and I both felt happy and free. On the road with our boys; what could be better? The show was at a "new" arena, one our club is having to use because of hurricane damage to the regular arena. It had a nice sand warm-up area which everyone enjoyed. There were cows pastured nearby which cuaght Dude's attention. I swear he's a cow horse of some kind. Dude was exceedingly difficult to saddle. He kept almost mashing me up against the trailer, but he would stop just short of actually smushing me. He dumped off the saddle about 15 times before I could get the girth done. Once I got the girth tight enough for the saddle to stay on, he acutally bucked and kicked! Luckily, I was out of range of the kick (around the back side of the trailer!). As I said to E, I can't beleive I actually got on him and rode after all of that, but with Matt right there, I felt like Dude would behave. He went with Matt to the warm-up area and behaved pretty well. Once, he tried to kick Matt, though when Matt was right behind him. I don't think the magnesium supplement is helping since he's never acted this way with Matt. But, I've never taken him to a show with Matt before, either.

We were late, so, I signed up for only 2 exhibitions, poles and barrels. Riding exhibition was the best choice I have made! I was pretty relaxed and didn't put much pressure on him. I must have been kind of nervous, though because I was halfway through winding between the poles at a trot when I remembered to use my legs to steer! He only paused once and not very badly, he mostly trotted a nice jog that I could sit. He and I both like that, I think.

When we did barrels, it had started to get dark and the lights were on, but he didn't startle at his shadow. He trotted smoothly around all three barrels and when we were heading home, he actually loped the nicest little lope! It was so much fun! Then, I unsaddled him and rubbed him down with the microfiber towel I got (its great). It was too chilly for hosing. He happily stayed tied, munching hay until E and Matt were finished.

Matt was so cute in the arena race. On the way back to the gate, I saw him kick it into a higher gear. It was the cutest thing. E said she felt it and couldn't believe he was running that fast. She wasn't really going fast at all, by the standards of the others, but she is still gettign her confidence.

One chick in Junioers (age 14 to ?) fell and smacked her head on the ground in poles, so I reinterated my insistance on E wearing her helmet. Even in the sand arena, you could see that the girl was almost knocked out. She stood up, put her hand to her head and sat down dizzily. Later, she walked out, but may have gotten a concussion.

Loading to come home, Matt was good and Dude was bad. I had to use the rope on Dude, but it was dark as pitch inside the trailer even with the inside light on. Once he got in, he was fine. Mr. Ken came along as I was getting the rope trick ready and said something funny, like "There seems t be some kind of situation here." He helped me by jumping in to free the rope when it caught on the door latch. He's really quick for an old guy.

I was really tired driving home, so we stopped at Mickey D's for supper (9:30 p.m.). The horses slept, although Dude had broken the divider and was hogging most of the trailer. Came home, unloaded, put them in their pen and crashed.

It was a great night and I'm glad we went. I need to keep up riding more frequently before the Amite show and I need to start out earlier since loading is back to being a challenge.

I talked to Ms. Dee about training for Dude. She does training and said she would not only "get after" Dude, but would get after me as well. Hee hee -- we'll see after I have saved up $500.00 for amonth of training. I'd rather she do it than Jeff, since I know she won't be overly harsh with Dude. I don't know Jeff that well, so I'm not saying he would be rough, I guess its just that he's male.

Around the Yard

I've been working hard on cleaning up the yard and pasture, so not much time for riding. The shows are all getting cancelled and moved around because arenas got damaged in the hurricane. The new truck has some kind of electrical problem. I rode Dude around the yard the other day; around cones and all. He flexes well to the right, but not too well to the left. Matt was cross tied so I tried riding Dude out onto the road. He went exactly to the property line both ways. No farther. I didn't make him go more. We'll try to get farther next time.

I started Dude on a magnesium supplement that is supposed to be calming. If this doesn't have any effect, I've just about made up my mind to put Dude in training for his cantering issues. I just can't afford to be the one to call his bluff and see whether he really, really blows when you "get after him." If it sets him back to being a nerotic hellion, he may get to retire. I just don't have the seat to be the one to do it. I really think he's just being stubborn and could be worked through it with the right training. Sigh.

I got the weight-builder supplement for Matt. I had to mix it with apple juice to get him to eat it with his feed.

We Made It (Hurricane Gustav)

Photos: Doh! I put "chocks" behind the trailer wheels, but guess what? Wrong direction. The hurricane winds pushed it about 8 feet into the front of my little truck. Luckily the hitch went sort of under the front bumper, but stopped short of doing any damage to the hitch or visible damage to the little truck. I ran all around on the day before the storm trying to figure out exactly where to put the cars and trailers, guessing the wind would come from the South, but it came from the east. Funny, but I put the chocks on the little trailer going the other way. I must have been a little off my nut that day. The pics of the house show one tree in my yard that uprooted, but caught on another tree instead of falling on the fence. I think it would have missed the house even if it had fallen. It pulled the meter box almost off the house, but, we found out today, the meter is still functional! Tin got bent up on the horses's run-in shed. In the pic of the horses you can see the tree that uprooted and fell on the neighbor's trailer. Luckily, they were okay.

The day of the storm itself was pretty scary. We got 120 mph wind gusts and they got twisty at one point. That's when the trees started coming down. The neighborhood had lots of downed trees The trees missed the house and the horses. We were out of electricity for 7 days. I never did get a generator, although lots of the neighbors had them. The heat wasn't too bad for the first few days as the skies remained overcast. I took advantage of the full dark nights to "shower" outdoors with the hose and use the horse trailer for a towel rack. I spent the evenings sitting on my front porch listening to the radio. It was kind of fun like camping.

After a day of looking around like disaster victims and picking up fallen limbs, we got back to riding. When I let Matt and Dude out of the back for the first time, they ran to the front fence as if to say, "Let's go somewhere!" We rode every other day during our "Hurricane Holiday" as work and school were cancelled. Our regular trail behind the house was filled with new and interesting obstacles (fallen trees), but was passable for a decent distance. We finally reached a huge tree blocking the entire path to E.D. Road. The 4 wheeler riders will probably cut it before long. When Matty took off cantering, Dude did it too and he has the smoothest rocky horse canter. Dude and I worked a lot on his slow jog, which he does nicely. He only cantered the one time, though and he can move out at a trot that keeps up with Matt at a canter! Coming back from the trail, we saw that the power line workers were here with bucket trucks. Dude got almost underneath it before he saw it and startled a little.

One morning I was saddling both horses and decided to put my western saddle on Matt (since Miss Sunshine was snoozing while I was sweating). She woke up in time to come out and watch me ride Matt, practicing my cantering. I worked on sidepassing and shoulder-in with Matt. He's so lovely. When I get on Matt, I feel so secure and comfortable. Matt really likes to GO, too. He wanted to canter a lot, but is very controllable. I had saddled Dude and left him tied to his tree while I worked Matt. Dude stood nicely and waited his turn. I saddled Dude tied to the tree all 4 times. He still moves his feet around and acts afraid, but tolerates it. Bitting was excellent every time! He now stands pretty well after I mount, although he lets me know he is ready to go out the gate and hit the trail! I tried out my new felt pad with my western saddle on Dude (it came in the mail the day before the Hurricane hit). Dude seemed to like it, although it needs to be broken in better. It kicks up in the back. Oh, I'd love to try a rear cinch on Dude (not).

Two shows were canceled because of the Hurricane so the next one is not until September 20. We got a lot of good, muscle building and aerobic work done this past week though, so if we keep it up we'll be in good shape for the next show!

My new truck was hit at the feed store and was very useful for transporting limbs and sticks to the burn pile. My little truck would have gotten stuck back there!

Hurricane Gustav - Ready

The first one of Matt with his head in the bucket shows my cute little yellow house. I used spray paint on Matt and Blue Lotion on Dude. Both were pissed off. LOL. I'm staying here, but if they should bust out for some reason someone can see the numbers and call me on my cell. I expect the power to go out tonight, so see y'all on the flip side!!! Hope everyone is safe and sound.

New Truck and Hurricane Gustav

We got the new truck yesterday! Its a big old 8 cyl, 4X4. with its current hitch, the front 2 wheels of the horse trailer are off the ground. LOL!!!! Gotta flip the ball or even get a different stinger. Anyway, getting ready for the storm. We got shoes Friday, now picking up the yard and all that good stuff so the lawn furniture doesn't fly thru the windows. Hoping we'll get no damage, but 2 or 3 days off from work with little rain so we can ride a bunch. Prayers to all in harms way. If you're in Plaquemines Parish or New Orleans, GET OUT!!! Bye for Now.

We Need Shoes!

The farrier should have come Friday, but he couldn't make it. Monday? No, he had car trouble. Now, he's sick. I can't ride Dude or even longe him -- I saw sky between his shoe and his hoof. Last time his shoes were loose, one twisted and I was afraid the nails would stick him in his frog. I'm so frustrated. I was just getting into a rhythm. Plus, I need him shod (well) before the show on Saturday. I thought it was going to be too wet for the show, but T. S. Fay has dried up and the sun's been out pretty strong all day, today. If this keeps up, we may be able to have the show on Saturday.

I'm looking at trucks! I have a line on a '99 V8 Dodge P/U for $3,500!

Hurricane Fay

Rain, rain and more rain. But we are undamaged. A squirrel feeder blew down. Its really wet and Dude got really nervous.

Almost a Rodeo

Dang Dude is so herd bound!

I left Matt loose, cruising around grazing today while I worked with Dude. Tied him up and bathed off the nasty wet poo. Then, I picked his feet, even the one he usually doesn't like me to do. Saddling was okay -- he stepped back and forth nervously, but didn't pull on the rope. On one swing of the hips he met my elbow in his side (oh, oopsie - not). I just stuck it out. He's the one who ran into it.

Bridling went very well. My clumsiness was the only holdup. Carrots were used throughout. I led him toward the mounting block and stopped to tighten the girth. He stepped on my boot, but missed my actual toe.

Anyway, I opened the big gate to the back and started to go through. I met all kinds of resistance, grunting, head tossing and, finally, some bucking! I took him back in the front yard and made him do little circles for awhile. Then, I started into the back again. I took mugwump's advice and stopped before we got to the balking point. I just sat there for awhile and then made him go one step forward, stop and rest some more. He tried some more balking and backing, but I kept his head up and made him circle and he finally got tired of that and we went forward the way I had wanted to go all along. the whole time in the back he was awful, jigging, balking, backing, but I made him do what I wanted for awhile, holding his head way up so he couldn't buck. Haha. After he settled down some I made him slowly walk to the front. then, in the front yard I made him jog and trot in all different circle configurations for about 30 minutes. Little bugger. He was at target heart rate for at least 20 minutes there, butthead. Then, we walked it out, me smoking and making him not cut corners and keeping him guessing which way we would turn next.

I couldn't figure out what the devil was wrong with him in the back at first, but then I realized it was because of leaving Matty. Jeebus, he is herd bound. It makes it really miserable. We're going to have to work on that. At least he knows he can't get away with cutting up with me. He's learning that, anyway. The bucks weren't very hard and I didn't come anywhere near to falling or anything. I was just praying my girth was tight enough and it was. The best things were I didn't panic and I didn't hurry. I just took it one step at a time until I got him going how I wanted. We worked at a really good jog, as well, that I could sit quite comfortably.

Whew, another productive day under our belts.

Triumph in Saddling!!!!!

Today I saddled Dude tied to the tree in his rope halter. He moved toward me a little, but, we did a "dance" where I messed with him, going toward his girth and then stepping away several times and laughing like it was a game. He finally stood still and let me grab the girth from underneath. He moved around a little more for tightening, but not too badly. I just took my time and let him adjust to each step. Matt stood by, faithfully ... sleeping. Bridling was easy. He likes his new bridle (and carrots keep coming for these "new" accomplishments). We had a good ride, but Dude wouldn't pick up a canter following Matt. He, rather, beat me up with a blazing, bone jarring trot from hell. We had a good day, though.

New Bridle, Tied and Rode

I looked and looked for new bridles on eBay and finally just got a good headstall at the feed store today. The best one was latigo colored with brass buckles, but has ties so silver can be added later. Turns out I have 4 big "silver" tie on conchos that I got with my bead making stuff that are too big for necklaces and are going to be perfect on the new bridle for shows, yet removable for every day and cleaning.

When I got home and started fitting the new bridle, Dude was a butt, so I tied him to the tree with his rope halter. Then, I went out repeatedly for fittings and bridled him while he was tied! This is a major step forward! He stepped toward me once at first, but I pushed his butt over and he didn't try it again. Matt was in the pen where he had run to escape when I came out with the bridle. Dude ended up staying tied and getting bitted about 6 times! Then, I shortened my stirrups on the Western saddle and let Dude loose for saddling. I didn't want to push him too much in one day, but I foresee a day when I can saddle him tied. Thank goodness he respects the rope halter. Who knew? (Well, Jeff H., the local trainer, told me to get a rope halter at the last show, so he knew ... LOL). We had a nice little ride around the yard, doing steering, at walk and trot. then, I got my daughter to come home from her friend's and go with me on Matt around the block. I worked on a nice sitting jog on Dude. The weather really cooperated -- there's a thunder storm coming, so it really cooled off, but held off long enough. On the way home we passed my daughter's friend's house and she got off and I ponied Matt home! That's the first time I've tried that and it worked perfectly. Matt cooperated and did exactly what Dude did. I love my old, broke horses!

"Lather, Rinse, Repeat"

Wow, Dude is getting as sway backed as Matty! I hope his topline improves with this latest round of conditioning. Anyway...
Tied Dude to the tree with the rope halter again last night. I watched him through the window. No drama, but slow, determined escape attempts. He slowly pulled on the rope in each direction, testing the pressure. He fooled with the knot and flipped the rope around with his nose. He never got away, though, or even reached the grass. Plus, Matty was roaming around loose, eating grass. After about 1/2 hour, I went out and started picking his hooves. On the back right he stepped toward me again! That is so totally unacceptable! I pushed him over by poking him in the hip several times until he knew I meant business. Then, he offered up the foot the next time I reached for it.

I let him loose. I bridled and saddled (about per usual) and rode around some, doing walk, trot, halt and back, transitions. He was "bad" once, backing up out of the front gate corridor. So, I made him go in a tight circle and then go back in there. He startled a little at his shadow as it got dark, but continued on bravely. Dude will go almost completely off leg cues at the walk. I'm a little less coordinated in cuing him at the trot. I cued him to do some impressive spins. His power steering is excellent in this Western bridle and bit! I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but Dude "has" to do 4 full body snorts the first time you trot him every single time. It really makes his back go up, so I think its a good stretch for him. I'm enjoying getting him ready for the show not this Saturday, but the next.

Training Day

We practiced staying tied to a tree, today. Poor tree got some bark bitten off, but not too violently, more out of boredom. He also tried to untie it repeatedly and to rub it off his head. Ha ha on you Dude, rope halter. He didn't try to violently pull, but he got the slack out of the rope and reached the grass once. I went and tied him back up. I had Matt cross tied nearby for comfort. After about 10 minutes, when he was being "good", I let him loose.

Today, we fought about the bit, some. I put the (Western) bridle on 3 times and took it off twice before I left it on to start saddling. After the first time, he ran off and acted like a wild thing, but he came back to me (for carrots -- I cheated a little). It got a little easier to get the bit in each time. Saddling was about the same as usual, except I put it on and took it off an extra time before I left it on. I was feeling patient despite the sweltering heat -- it was overcast and humid today, so not burning hot.

I had set up my 2 cones and the trash can in places in the yard to do a varying pattern around. No problem about mounting. I tied Matt to the trailer so he would be nearby. I walked different patterns and then made Dude trot, which he did not want to do. He really resented me making him work those tight turns. It was all at a sitting trot, because I needed to regain some coordination at using my legs. I had the long Western reins on so I mostly used my legs and seat for the "patterns." Dude shook his head and lurched to the side a couple of times. I popped his neck with my hand, fussed at him and made him keep working. I made him do things he didn't want to do. His halts were excellent - he stopped on a dime on "ho" because he is so fat and lazy (like his rider). I made him back up, too as he is so good at it. He tried to balk at one spot and I popped him with my hand and made him go forward. I jerked the reins a little hard (for me, not mouth damaging hard)when he wouldn't turn. I.e., we're working on respect and getting some. I'm shooting for being able to tie, tack and steer at the upcoming show.

When I untied Matt from the trailer he went nuts and acted like a total jackass! I wouldn't let go of the lead rope, though. He flopped out like a trout and then longed himself around me countless times before I could finally pull him in and get him to whoa. I don't know what was going on with him, but I put a loop on his nose and played lead line around with him making him whoa and back up for awhile before I let him go. The "boys" were really trying me today, but I made them behave and work. I'm tired. Bed soon!

No Bit Problem today and I Cantered!

Every day is a new day with my boy, Dude. I walked out and put the bridle on him on the first try. I was as surprised as anybody. As I watched Westerns on TV yesterday I was sad because they lope all over the place with no problems. As I lay in bed last night I thought of my plan, so today I implemented it. I put my Western saddle on today. When we got into the power line right of way, my daughter took off cantering on Matt, so I just let Dude be on a long rein and followed. Dude cantered, too, right lead, a little head toss, but no buck. Ha!

We had a balking incident in the middle of Brown Road, of course. Scared the piss out of me. Bad, Dudey. The rest of the ride was good, lots of walk/trot transitions. I got off to potty and tighten the saddle in the woods. No problems. "Our" cows were all in their pasture when we passed, but Dude was giving them the stink eye just in case. No problems going past the neighbor horses, or not much of a balk on that, anyway. I noticed it takes me awhile to get where I'm supposed to be sitting in the Western saddle. I need to take my stirrups up a notch, too. It was a beautiful day and we got back at 11:45 a.m., so we beat the heat to a certain extent. Off to shower and nap, then clean house.

Bit Problems

Pics 1 and 2 = Dude today in the western bit. Pic 3 is from week before last and is just too cute because Dude wants to come inside the back door. "I can has inside please?"

Wow, what a fight we had getting the bit on this morning. The show is cancelled due to arena conditions (too wet), so, I decided we better start getting us in shape for the next round of shows with some jogging around. Dude's topline is sad looking from standing around getting fat for weeks. I just wanted to tak up and do about 30 minutes of jogging around. It took about an hour to get tacked up! I couldn't get the English bridle on because of the noseband. Dude kept nodding and nodding and avoiding the bit. He really pissed me off, but good. So I came in, cooled off and got the western one I had put together with Ella's old show bit. It was easier to put on with the curb chain undone. The only thing I can say is persistance and patience pays off, eventually, with Dude. He did better saddling than usual. I turn around and ignore him when he's moving around, then reward him with carrots when he stands still. He's learning he has to stand still for the carrot. Mounting was no problem. My daughter finally got up and wandered outside. She said she'd go if she could ride bareback which was fine. We went around the subdivision block twice, alternately jogging and walking. I couldn't beleive they didn't balk when we passed the house and kept going.

Nothing feels better than after a ride when the horses are washed and I've showered and had something to eat. I'm off to nap and be glad I don't have to go to the show. Its too bad because I had everything packed up last night including having the drinks iced down and ice chest loaded! I had to unload everything this morning before it got hot.

Loving Matty

Every morning and every night, unless given an occasional respite by my daughter, I take Matt (age 22) out of the pen so he can eat undisturbed. In September last year he came, with Dude, to live at our house. My daughter would love and hug on him and go on about he sweet he is and I would think she was deluded. At first he seemed cold and stand-offish and he still has his grumpy old man moments, but I tell you that lately, I've begun to love Matty. He used to be kind of checked out and tuned out -- after being a lesson horse for 10 or 12 years, people meant "work." But, a few months ago, I started to just be easier with him. Instead of trying to make him do things, I kind of give him a minute to think about it. Now, he goes to his pen when he's finished eating, except sometimes, like last night, he decides to mess with me and play chase. Not fast, just enough to make me laugh and come after him. And now, he stops and puts his head on my shoulder to "hug" me goodnight before he goes back into the pen. It makes my heart melt. He's learning to be a pet. He knows he's loved.

Dude was all sweet last night, too. I wanted to pick his hooves and he wanted to act like he's never had his back hooves touched before in his life. But, he would stand and let me pet him and love on him and try to talk him into giving me his back hooves for the longest time. I had to get firm with him because he stepped towards me when I went for his right rear. I repeatedly made him step over the other way at the hip and at the shoulder until he got my point. Never did get that hoof. Tomorrow will be another day when he will stand like a gentleman and I will wonder where the scaredy boy went. What a nutter.

It is So Hot

Its hot and wet. And not in a good way. We get a T-storm about every afternoon, so it is staying very wet by the gate. The path to the run-in is sunken and water stands in it. All the sand I put there has gone to mysterious depths. Its pea gravel next, I promise. I am watching carefully for thrush. Here's a link to a page with healthy hooves. Dude's and Matt's frogs look like #4 on that page; kinda black and peely, but not smelly or gooey.

http://www.thehorseshoof.com/gallery_healthy.html

I want to clean out the run-in and start again with pea gravel - at least a yard of it. I'll have to do a little bit every day to avoid heat stroke.

There's a "show" Saturday. We're only going to the timed events, but I'm determined to take Dude and run him in some "exhibitions" (untimed, schooling runs). Can't wait to see if he bucks... again. My trick to beat the heat is to get up real early, load the truck up and bathe the horses. Then, I stay inside until time to load the horses at about 3:00 p.m.

Good Things About Dude

Sometimes I get frustrated with the "issues" I'm working through with Dude, so I wanted to put down my gratitude list of reasons he's a great horse that is worth the frustration.

The first time I rode him on a trail ride we had to cross the overpass over the interstate highway. Dude had done that hundreds of times in his life as a trail horse at Big Tree. I was scared. Dude was unfazed.

When we came to first very deep water that Katharine and my daughter trundled through, Dude stopped, pawed the water and then JUMPED it, landing ever so gently, sideways to land on the narrow trail on the opposite side. I was hanging on and wailing! He kept me in place just fine making that jump. All that day, I hung onto his thick mane and just passengered through the woods.

In our neighborhood where we ride there are lots of loose dogs. Most dogs run up, barking, to Dude's back legs. He ignores them. One day a gnarly looking big dog ran up to Dude's FACE and began barking and snapping at his face. Dude looked at the dog disdainfully and stepped past him, continuing up the road.

On Brown Road cars pass us doing 45, don't move over much and there's very little shoulder. Dude could care less.

When we topped a rise on the creek trail and I saw a snake crossing the path, and I yelled, "Snake!" Dude hesitated a moment and then trotted past, snorting at the place into which the snake had disappeared.

When the wild turkey flew up right next to him on the path Dude was quite startled, but he didn't shake or jump. He just stopped and then balked on going forward as there were more turkeys on the trail ahead... or something...we never figured out the problem that day. Maybe there was a bobcat hunting the turkeys.

Face-to-face with a cow with horns, Dude moved forward at my urging.

He doesn't like to pass strange highway equipment that is stopped standing still and he doesn't care for discarded furniture on the sides of the road, but he'll pass them. He snorts at them, just in case they come to life.

Once, when a strange dog came into the yard, Dude moved in between the dog and my child and me in a protective stance.

When I put a 6 year old on Dude and led him around, he put his head down low and placed his feet ever so gently.

When I had a broken foot in a cast, Dude carried me ever so gently, not even bumping up and down at the trot.

These are the reasons I love Dude, plus his stupid, goofy, trickster personality. And he still thinks he's a super stud when he sees "the ladies." Sheesh.

What We Did While You Were at Church

So there's this big, mowed, wide servitude under the giant power lines that is just irresistible to ride on. Awhile back when my boyfriend and I tried to ride thru there a kid with a BB gun told us we weren't allowed. I know the kid's father ("Tractor Guy") and told him so. No dice and Tractor Guy wasn't home. Because I know Tractor Guy, I also know they are big time church goers so...

Today we got away early to ride and its Sunday so we rode down the power line by their trailer. There were big shade trees down one side. It was sweet. The "trail" dead ended in a big swampy hole as wide as the whole servitude and then some. We also investigated where they're clearing for the new junior high school. Dude trundled along happily as did Matt. I've been reading Mugwump's Chronicles and thinking about Dude and his "new" bit. He nodded some and tried to avoid getting the bit put in his mouth (this is only the second time because we were on vacation last week). I got it on him after I fussed at (talked mean to) him about it. As for saddling, I cut way back on the carrots and tried an approach and retreat with it. If he would stand still I would turn my back and leave him alone for awhile. If he moved around I'd stay with him, with my hand on the saddle till he stopped. It didn't take very long and I didn't have to hold onto the reins while I was trying to also get him saddled. I picked all four hooves, too. He didn't try to pull away his left hind like he usually does, so he got a carrot piece for that. I stretched his front legs after I tightened the girth. My attitude today was I didn't really want to ride and it was hot and getting hotter, so that may have helped. I only walked and trotted him. While my daughter was stopped drinking Gatorade I made Dude work trotting circles around her. When he did well I let him stop and eat grass. The first time I really got in his mouth he jerked and turned a white eye on me, so decided to ease him back into his bit work a little more slowly. I worked him on the buckle most of the ride, just picking up a rein when he he diverted or I wanted to turn. He neck reins just as well and goes off my leg. I'm starting to trust him more and maybe he just needs to be ridden on a loose rein more in order to relax and not be such a freak. He did not toss his head or fuss with the bridle. Its so much better than the hackamore already. When we were trotting side-by-side with my daughter I rode him with contact. He was pulling on the bit some, but not too badly.

Dude is just the cutest thing ever when you get ready to take his tack off. He's an angel, then. Baths with soap and I cleaned his sheath. He picked up his back foot, so I kicked his leg (not hard). He quit.

My next goal is I'm going to teach him to tie without pulling back. I'm going to get 2 nylon rope halters and put them both on and tie him to a tree until he learns. Its a big hole in his training that needs to be fixed. ETA: My friend, Susan, got me thinking this is a little too much of a cowboy method for me to resort to. Instead, I'm going to try tying him and sitting with him for longer and longer intervals. He seems to get into trouble when he's tied and left alone. I've been tying him up to bathe him and he hasn't pulled when I'm right there with him. I don't want to give him another reason to freak out and a set back in his progress. I'm going to continue to work on saddling. I'm also going to start lunging him again to get him in shape to canter properly. I'm going to keep working on trotting and getting him off his very heavy forehand. If he's not cantering without bucking in October (the 1 year with me mark), I'm going to send him to a trainer to put 30 days of cantering him every day on him. My goal will be I want him to canter on each lead consistently, at a ratable speed with no bucking and cutting up. I'm off to start saving $$ for the trainer. LOL.


ETA: On the way back to the house, I dropped my stirrups for awhile (folded them up and over) and I felt the neatest thing. I felt Dude shift me a little to where he wanted me sitting. I still think this bucking thing has something to do with shifting me and my not riding properly. I will keep trying. Mugwumps and Joycemocha got me thinking about reading Dude, too. He really communicated to me about the bit, while still acknowledging my authority. I still need to listen to him more. I want to learn it all now. It takes time!!

Storeybook Farm Show

We're back from the Storeybook Farm show. First pic is from Walk/Trot Eq. Second is my daughter and my mother with the 2 seconds and 4 third place ribbons!, 3rd pic is Matty running out on a jump and 4th is right after he made the jump. I can't ever get a pic of her going over -- my camera is old and weird. That's the judge in the p/u truck with the crazy umbrella. Matt was good and did not freak out at the umbrella or at anything else on the show grounds. But he ran out on a bunch of the jumps. Little bastard. They still got a second in one of the jumping rounds. LOL. Yesterday he didn't run out at all. More shows are what he needs. It got really hot so we were glad we were finished and back home by noon. I want to look into getting E back in lessons. Her leg position got better as the day went along.

Oh, and I need to be awarded a ribbon for trailer backing!!! I backed out of an angled parking space, into a road with a big ditch on the other side pulled back into the driveway and turned all the way around while avoiding cars and a tied up TB. Fun!!!

Matt gets ready for a Little Show

This is my daughter and Matt practicing for tomorrow's schooling show. How do you like our homemade jump? It is 16 inches!! My daughter hasn't ridden much in about 8 weeks because she broke her arm (rollerskting, not riding!). She's just getting her confidence back so she'll probably just enter trotting the X's tomorrow. Don't they say you should enter the class a step lower than you've been practicing? That will help rebuild her confidence. I can't wait to see this new barn and meet some English riding people. I love my local western club friends, but they just don't get it why we like to jump. One time and they'd be hooked on it, I'm sure.

Dude wears a snaffle and we chase a cow!!!

Its Sunday, so I got up early to beat the heat. I went out and put the English bridle with a Dee ring snaffle on Dude. He nodded a little and tried to avoid, but he was easier to bridle than Matt usually is!! I tied the reins in his mane because I expected him to snort and run around, but he did nothing except chew it a little and wait for another carrot.

I tried pulling on it and steering and halting from the ground with it -- no adverse reaction!! Wow! I took his picture in it to prove my bravery and his goodness. ETA: For those of you just joining us, this is a major feat since Dude has not been ridden in a bit in YEARS. I was told he had his tongue cut at some point by someone trying to put a headset on him. I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds really bad. He came to me in a mechanical hackamore and I've always ridden him in it until this day!!! I looked at the tongue and it looked okay, so I tried the bit. success!

We went for a trail ride that turned out longer than we thought. The horses were a little balky, but we got them going okay. Dude trotted fine and steered fine in the bit. We went past the neighbor horses - no problems today.

We were passing a little field that has newly gotten cows in it. Dude was looking, but not too freaked out. My daughter, old sharp eye, noticed one of the cows was OUT! on the other side, near the busy road! I had my cell so we called around till we figured out whose cow it was - our hay man, Tommy! Small world.

We were worried the cow would get out on the road, so we rode around to the side where she was. Dude had no problem going toward her. She let out a long and doleful, loud moo! We mostly stood watching her. Finally, Tommy arrived and asked if we could walk her down the fence to the gate. This entailed riding through about 3 people's back yards.

At the last we could either go through a carport, I kid you not, or around the front of the trailer. The cow went through the carport! I turned Dude and tried to hurry him around the front of the trailer and he started bucking, but I wasn't going to go through the carport!

I can't believe no one came out and yelled at us! Meanwhile, Tommy had a bucket of feed and the cow went in the pen no problem. We sure had fun on our roundup!! We didn't know we were in for a roundup when we left home! I was riding in my English saddle and we did quite a bit of reining in the new bit with no problem. Fun was had by all.

All are bathed, including me and I'm off to take a big nap.

Matt is a Cadillac!

Yesterday, I was bound and determined to ride after work. Got home a tad early - before 6, so I saddled them up. Dude was especially good for saddling! I used my English saddle. He stood very still for the blanket and the wither pad and the saddle itself and only walked a little for the girthing. He stood still for a carrot a lot during tightening the girth. He likes for me to stretch his front legs after I tighten it. He's not whirling around like he used to so, Yay! However, it might have been because he is LAME. When I went to lead him in I noticed he was walking funny, very delicately. Then, when I got on him he just didn't feel right. When we went out on the street, he would not get on the pavement. Usually he prefers the pavement to the rocky grass on the side, but he could not stand the pavement. I dismounted and took hm back and picked and checked all his feet. No signs of trouble. I think he's sore from the trim he got Tuesday. I had let his shoes get too loose and one had fallen off and the ends of his hooves had been very ratty. So, I think Bill had to trim him pretty short to get the ratty ends off. They've never been lame after shoeing before, but since it seemed generalised, and not limited to any one foot, I think it was from the trim. My daughter didn't really want to ride anyway and had been going with me under protest, so I took my saddle off Dude and put it on Matt. Matt went willingly out onto the road and we were headed off when Dude went nuts and tried to tear down the front gate, so I had to go back. I rode Matt around the yard. Matt, I must say, is AWESOME. He turns on a dime and slow trots/jogs so smooth you can hardly post. I worked on getting him to flex at the poll and he responded pretty well. I asked for a shoulder in and he really tried to do it, but he tripped. Poor old fellow is rusty! I practiced closing my eyes and guessing whether I was on the correct diagonal (I was!!) I plan to work him a little every day for awhile to get him back in shape. He needs an extended trot, too. And I need canter practice! He hasn't been ridden much since my daughter broke her arm. I wish he was mine since he's just relaxing to ride. Its nice to have a Cadillac in the garage. My daughter doesn't want to practice for the show. I told her she's going to cry when she doesn't get a ribbon because she hasn't taught her horse to WTC on cue. she says she can do that already. Okay, don't cry to me when you don't get a ribbon. But, for Matt's sake, and because I like riding him, I am going to work on getting him in shape. I sneaked Matty bunches of baby carrots. He loffs me now. I wore my tall English boots. They are stiff, stiff since I haven't used them in years. I can't wait to get Matty into shape and start jumping little X's and things on him. I'm still going to work with dude, but I need the practice on Matt and he needs to be lightly worked on a more regular basis. Tonight, since I'm giving Dude a few more days off his sore feet, I plan to try to put a snaffle bit on him and let him run around and fuss about it in his mouth if he thinks he needs to. He's pretty accepting of anything I want to do to him these days around his head, so I'm going to give it a try. Wish me luck! ETA: I'm using this, from our own Improperusername, it is really good - has audio - be sure to listen! http://horsetrainingschool.com/tutorials/

Wild Horse Eating Turkeys = Balky, balky trail ride

Thanks to Marie for reading the entire saga. I've written a LOT! LOL.

We didn't get our lazy butts up early enough to ride on the 4th or the 5th. Its getting really, really hot these days - up in the 90's with terrible humidity and p.m. lightening storms.

I did sit out with the boys while the neighbors shot fireworks on the 4th. After a little startling, they were more worried about stealing each other's hay portions and why was mommy keeping on coming to the fence and talking baby talk (?!?). They went to a corner where they can see my neighbor who sits out on his porch and watches TV out there and watched TV with him as they usually do. Sigh.

Sunday morning I finally got up early enough to beat the heat somewhat. We got started on the trail by about 9:00. It took forever because I wore shorts and stuff to groom and saddle both horses and then went in to take off my completely sweat soaked clothes and put on jeans.

Saddling We worked on standing still for saddling. I fussed just a little at the beginning -- mean voice, "Whoa, stand!" He looked surprised and obeyed for about 3 seconds. After I got it loosely fastened, I walked around with my hand under the girth for awhile till he realized he wasn't going to get a carrot till he stopped. He's almost back to just doing the box step dance instead of circling. Gee, that only took 8 months. I used my English saddle and I was glad to be back in it. I feel like it puts me in a better position than the Western one I have. I have the cheating angled irons that help me keep my heels down. Love those.

Well everybody's shoes are loose and hooves are crapped out as its now time for new ones, so we clanked down the road and finally got on the trail. Dude was a little balky and tried to turn back to make the subdivision block, but crossed the ditch and went on the trail without any fuss. We headed for the woods path that goes along the creek and has a lot of shade. We trotted some, but mostly walked and stopped to drink gatoraide a lot. Usually we charge down the woods path and jump all the little ditches, but we walked sedately yesterday. At one point Dude just stopped. I thought he had fallen asleep or something, so I urged him on. I asked Ella if she thought he remembered seeing the s-n-a-k-e (Yes, I have to spell words that I don't want Dude to understand) on this path. Even when we saw it that time he trotted past where it had crossed the path and just snorted.

All of a sudden this wild turkey with a huge wingspan took off at the edge of the woods and away from us. Dude stopped, but didn't startle. Apparently Matt startled to the side as my daughter complained he hurt her leg (groin muscle, probably). Then, both horses got balky and stubborn. My daughter saw more turkeys in the path ahead. We couldn't even get the horses to walk over one of the ditches that we usually jump! I tried fussing and yelling and slapping and rein snapping to no avail. I finally got off and led them across the little ditch.

As soon as I got back on Dude started backing up again and then got into a kicking match with a fallen tree limb that he backed over. Stoopid. He also backed into Matt and my daughter and she screamed and cried. I fussed at Dude, "See what you did? You made the baby cry!!!" He and Matt were lined up in the heading home direction so he didn't care.

Much as I wanted to make them keep going I had to deal with the baby crying and the horses might be right that there might be a good reason not to continue down the path. I heard a gun or a fireworks go off at one point during the balking ordeal -- sounded far away, but who knows? Maybe somebody was lurking and shooting the turkeys out of season.

When we headed out of the woods, we had to hold them back. There was much balking again at the next turn away from home. Great, now they know the paths, but E got Matt to go so Dude followed.

The sides of the paths are all grown up with very tall grass now and Dude didn't want to go into the lane to the pond pasture, but he let Matt go first as bait. LOL.

When we finally had the horses going forward and not balking, my daughter started to balk, complaining of being hot and tired so it was a good time to turn for home.

Matt is so funny, he strides out and pulls ahead when we walk toward home every time. I have to jog Dude to catch up now and then. Dude jumped the ditch onto the road and only fussed a little on the landing - no buck. That was my only jump of the day. They walked sedately through the subdivision to the house, for which I'm grateful. At least they haven't lost that much of their training. They cool themselves out nicely.

I gave both boys good, good baths with shampoo. Dude had scratches from his fight with the tree limb. Stoopid. He needs bell boots on his rear feet so he can kick sticks better!!

Nobody got eaten so I guess it was a success. I just hate letting them get away with any balking. I know that will just make it harder the next time!!

Escape Attempt or The Grass is Always Greener!, Part ???

Turns out the jerk wad who put up my fence, when he got to the end of a roll of wire ("hog wire") just wound the strands together instead of ending and beginning at a new post. What a jerk - a $1500 jerk. Then, I let the grass grow up on the outside of the fence. So, Dude was reaching over the fence to eat it and as he got lower and lower he just pushed on the fence and it snapped apart at the weak point. Of course Dude did not get a scratch on him, but I had to stay home from work yesterday to weed eat the entire length of the fence and then patch the section that he broke. I ran a new stretch from pole to pole (now there's an idea). Its a good thing my old geldings respect a fence and would rather try to escape at the gate. BTW, Dude is too smart. I thought I could leave the front gate untied for a minute while I went to retrieve something and he went straight to it and started pushing on it. He drives me nuts being so smart. He never actually escaped and the fence is fixed now so I call it a win. Yes, I really love him. He's such a "bad boy." He's the son I never had. He had to come over and snorfle the roll of wire and investigate all that I was doing. I gotta find my clicker and try that. Why is there never enough time in a day?

Trailering and Challenging

I have noticed a behavior in Dude which may related to his other issues. I call it the "big blustery challenge" (BBC). He loads pretty well for going somewhere, but doesn't want to load to come back home (I swear I drive carefully!), but the weather has been hot so I don't blame him too much. So, twice now he has REFUSED, head way up, trying to shake nose rope off, pulling back, backing up. At the chiro, I had a stud chain on him. When he pulled back, I jumped out of the back of the trailer (to keep ahold of the rope) his eyes got big, but he kept backing up so I snapped the crap out of his nose with it. He gave up all bluff and bluster and got into the trailer.

Sunday, at the park, I had the lead rope looped on his nose (because he'd been refusing to get in for several tries) and he started his head up crap again. I jumped out of the trailer and yanked hell out of the rope and he stopped his crap and got in. So, I've got to remember that he's always, always going to challenge me to see if he can get away with acting like a neurotic, crazy jerk. I may actually try fussing at him to make him stand still to be saddled since he hasn't really improved through gentle persuasion methods. I'm getting tired of saddling being such a damn chore. The weather is too hot and I'm too old and fat.

ETA: I'm still trying to discern when he's being a stubborn jerk drama queen (SJDQ) as opposed to when something is really hurting or frightening him. I am getting better at guessing right and acting accordingly.

Turns Out its My Fault As Usual

Sunday morning I finally got down to the sand arena with Dude. It was a wet, sloppy mess down there -- 5 inches of damp sand over slippery mud underneath. He kept his footing pretty well, considering. Saddling, we had our usual merry go round. He dumped the saddle a couple of times, but I finally got him. I used the mounting block to get on and he walked off a little.

Once I got going toward the arena gate he hopped a couple or three times. I'm not sure what that was about -- he may have been trying to shift me into a more comfortable position. My saddle was pretty far back because somebody won't stand still to get it on right.

I rode him around at a walk and trot for awhile and then got off and adjusted the saddle. He did not move at all for taking the saddle off and putting it back on. He stood for me to mount from the ground and get my stirrups.

I asked for canter on the right lead and he bucked about 5 times. My daughter was watching me and she said I was "kicking him" and that's why he bucked. I tried the left lead and tried to keep my legs off. No buck and he started out pretty fast, but petered out when we got to the big puddles down at the far end of the arena. He did not do the quick cut to the left. I cantered him several times in both directions and my daughter would yell at me when I was "kicking him." So, I need to work on my lower leg because it seems to be bouncing all over the place including against his sides.

Later, when she rode Matt, my daughter showed me what I was doing (banging) and what I should be doing instead (following, steady leg). Damn, she's got a great seat -- athletic little bugger. I take credit in that I "bred" to her father partially because of his athletic ability. I got the improvement in the filly. LOL.

Mostly, I had trouble getting Dude to pick up the canter at all, but I wasn't cuing him with leg after the first time. I was just letting the reins way out, using my seat and and the corners of the arena and giving the kissing sound. My biggest improvement is staying out of his face. He didn't toss his head at all. I trust him more not to run off (he can't run far in the arena). OTOH, he can really move out to a fast trot when he wants to. LOL. The moral to the story is: Have somebody watch you ride, especially if you are a spazz, like I am.

My plan is to put some more trotting miles on him and canter a little on trails for awhile to work on my riding and my legs. I'm going to use my English saddle and maybe try cantering in 2 point some to try to get stronger and not bang my damn legs. I don't really like that western saddle as much, but we're required to use it for the timed events in our club.

The next show we are shooting for is English. It has little cross rails and an 18" jump - trot in, canter out. My daughter says she doesn't want to jump, anymore, which is too bad. I think she'll change her mind when I start working on it again, but I told her we'll probably both just do the flat classes.

Now, I need to find a narrow gullet English saddle for Matt. He's really doing well in that narrow western.

And I need to get the big truck by then so we can take both horses at once.

ETA: When I was working Dude in the arena, my daughter offered to get on him and show me what I was doing wrong. She hasn't offered to ride Dude in a long time. Thus, I had forgotten my big idea that we would switch horses eventually, anyway. I figured that when she got her confidence on Matt and wanted something hotter that I'd have her switch to Dude since he's younger and more forward. Since she seems to want to go western she'd be better with Dude since has the headset for WP, too. I figured as I slowed down and my daughter sped up, she'd get the hotter horse and I could have old Matty who has the smoothest trot and canter ever.

ETA2: This is a good thread on a horse with similar canter issues. http://fhotd64476.yuku.com/topic/4132?page=2

Dude has Improved after Chiro

I didn't get a chance to work with Dude on Saturday. We were dodging thunderstorms to get ready for the show. Lightening struck a tree in the horse pen!! Thank GOD the horses were in the front yard b/c I was trying to keep Matt clean after his bath. There were exploded pieces of tree everywhere. I've never been so close to such a thing! At the show, I have to mention that Matt has settled into the local show grounds with marked improvement. He was so quiet and docile I was afraid he was sick or something until I realized he was just calm. LOL. No ribbons, but fun was had!! I finally got around to riding Dude yesterday and was anxious to see whether he showed improvement. For saddling, he was wary as expected. I got him girthed on the first try and he stood pretty still for tightening. He continued to demand his carrot at intervals which I will phase out eventually. The best improvement was mounting. Usually, he starts walking as soon as you mount, but yesterday, he turned a little circle and stopped. I had to get off to open a gate and when I remounted he stood perfectly still. He has never done that before!! We walked and trotted around the back pasture, but I was too chicken to canter back there as the ground is brick hard. He seemed to me to be discovering that he was in less pain, although he kind of "bent" and tried to stop like he does at the canter sometimes. He probably needs to work on his flexibility. We went out on the road and made the block. He was moving more and more freely at the walk and trotted nice and straight. I didn't want to trot him too much on the pavement as its hard on the legs, I'm sure. My plan is to work him and myself into shape by riding more often. Hopefully, on Wednesday, I can take him to the sand arena and try the canter. I don't want to get dumped on the hard ground and I'm chicken to try the canter on the trail because if he IS feeling much better he might take off! I have a big phobia about being bolted with that comes from the horrible roan mare I had as a kid. I have made a point of unsaddling him in an open area that is unobstructed so if he does run, hopefully it will be to the open area and not under anything!!

Dude Went to the Chiro today!!

I'm excited and encouraged by the chiropractor's assessment and treatment! Dr. B. is a vet and chiropractor. It turns out he also does acupuncture!

Dr. B. had me move Dude out and watched him move. I told Dr. B about Dude's cinchiness and Dr. B showed me exactly where his ribs were locked up and causing a muscle spasm on the off side. Dr. B worked on his opposite shoulder and leg and then showed me how the spasms stopped! This may be the answer to the saddling/girthing problems!! Dr. B adjusted Dude's whole spine and worked a lot on his pelvic and croup area. He found an injury, probably from a kick, on the back of Dude's hip. I had noticed a strange bulge there and wondered what it was - tell the truth, I thought it was cellulite. Then, Dr. B went and prepared the acupuncture treatment. Meanwhile, Dude had gotten a very relaxed look in his eye -- I think he had gotten some relief already! For the acupuncture, Dr. B used injections of Vita. B12 ; the site of the injection acts like an acupuncture needle while the injection is being absorbed. Dr. B told me to give Dude today and tomorrow off and then he'll probably be able to move much better for a few weeks -- maybe from now on - but may need to be readjusted next time Dr. B comes to town at the end of July. If Dude is anything like I am, he'll need periodic adjustments! I love my chiropractor.

For those with anatomy knowledge, here's what the report said: Chiropractic: Both carpus posterior, right 1st rib posterior, sacral apex right, pelvis decrease motion left - adjusted. Acupuncture: pelvic trigger point bilaterally, GB 27 point on right. Injury to R biceps - appears to be kick that cut muscle/fascia.

This Vet/Chiro flies in from Colorado! I'm just thrilled that I got to get him to see Dude and so soon after I had decided the behavior problems must be a pain issue. I regret that I didn't get this done sooner, but I never could find any listings for an Equine Chiro around here. Now and again I would think about calling the vet school or the race track and ask about it, but I ended up finding one through a member of this board - so yay for FHOTD!!! I mean, every damn article you read about training says to rule out pain as an issue first, but I would think, that Dude has been doing this for as long as anyone (Katherine, Mar) can remember. I feel like a bad horse mom!! But now I feel great for getting this done!! I also suspect that it will be awhile before he gets out of the habits he acquired from having the pain. I don't expect an overnight change, but I look forward to improvement!! I was afraid the Vet would say there was nothing wrong. I'm sorry Dude has had to suffer for so long, but I'm glad he's not "crazy" and "bad!"

Equine Chiropractor Appointment!

found an Equine chiropractor who is also a vet. We've got an appointment for tomorrow at 1:00 so I will be be to find out if there is some kind of pain issue causing these problems with Dude at the canter! Wish me luck. This guy was recommended by an English riding instructor acquaintance of mine!

Cantering and Bucking Woes

4H, Thanks so much for all of your thoughts!! (She had a well-thought out comment t the previous post)

To explain about Miss Dee, she's in her 70's and she is Texas ranch bred. She's done it all including TB racing (she's tiny). I know the best riders aren't necessarily the best teachers. I know nothing about formal western riding and Miss Dee is the only game in town (except Russ Mixon - evil yelling man), so I started my daughter going to Miss Dee. Previously, my daughter has only had hunt seat lessons her whole riding life. My daughter got interested in speed classes and then so did I since it is way more relaxed and fun than the rail classes at our local club show.

However, on the way home from Miss Dee's on Wednesday, my daughter and I decided we're going to buy our own poles and barrels since we're really just paying Miss Dee the money to use her arena and equipment for an hour.

Miss Dee wasn't telling me to make him canter, I took that upon myself. I just wanted to try to make Dude canter because I wanted to "get back in the saddle" after Saturday's highjinnx at the show.

Miss Dee saw his head tossing (She said to bump him in the mouth when he shakes his head) and bucking (She said "You're just going to have to get after him").

What do I do to prevent/stop the bucking?

Okay, here's the scenario: Sometimes he takes off just fine, no buck, no problem and behaves fine, especially on his left lead canter. Sometimes on the right lead canter, throws his head down and shakes it and bucks a couple of times and then goes fine. Sometimes he gives one or two bucks and then he's fine. Sometimes he departs fine and canters a good ways, acting like all is well and then does the quick cut to the left. Sometimes, after he bucks a couple of times he starts running really fast and scares me. When I pull him in he stops completely. When we were practicing, he quit the bucking after he did one or two in each direction and proceeded to evade the bit (hackamore) and sometimes refuse to steer. He can canter indefinitely with his nose on my boot although it slows him down, some.


At the show he just kept on bucking and not just for a couple of strides. If I pull his head up hard, he just stops and there's no forward momentum at all OR like the other night, he begins to buck harder while moving out or moving sideways.

The only time I had trouble staying on was in the warmup - and then I started holding the horn (which gives me only 1 hand to control with = problem).

What could a good rider do that I can't do? A good rider would have enough coordination and skill to keep him moving forward while making him slow down. A good rider would let him run fast for awhile and not be afraid. A good rider would be ready and be able to prevent the bucking and the quick cut to the side. I felt like Charlie Brown when Lucy pulls the ball away -- I took it personally when he did the quick cut on me at the show. He hadn't done it in practice. I guess I could practice cantering on Matty, regulating speed at the canter.


As to the speed work, believe me, I'm not entering it to try to go fast. Its a very laid back local show. I'd be happy with a well-behaved pattern maintaining a canter. I was getting that about 50% of the time practicing alone, so I thought I'd go down there and give it a try at the actual show since they have poles and barrels and other people to hang out with. They do have exhibition rounds which I guess I should have entered, but I kind of wanted to put the pressure on myself to make him canter to see what he would do. I was feeling much braver before the show than I am now. I'm also going to call the University Vet School and see if they know of any Horse Chiropractors to get Dude checked because he really behaves so well at the walk and the trot. I never have any real trouble steering him or regulating speed at walk and trot. So maybe the canter is causing him pain. Its worth checking on.

Dude has a Lesson at Ride a Horse Arena

I just love that name for a barn. LOL. Anyway, I took Dude out to Miss Dee's and took a lesson.

First of all: Quads: "Yer doin it wrong." I was criss-crossing between the poles instead of 2 right turns and 2 left turns, so that, in and of itself, was worth the lesson. Perhaps Dude had been aggravated with me because I was making him do it wrong? He seemed to kind of recognize the work when I started doing it right. The best part is he got to see-n-sniff poles and barrels and get more accustomed to them. He wouldn't pick up a canter for anything, though. Just plain wouldn't do it and threw his head down and bucked when I made him. I didn't have time to really school him while also trying to learn the patterns, so he got away with it. Miss Dee's husband, Mr. Tutti (I kid you not) said Dude has my number. He's right. Dude keeps trying me and keeps getting away with it. I'm getting pretty discouraged about my ability to correct him. I'm going to give it one more try down at the sand arena on Saturday, though. If I fall there the sand is really deep and I'll wear my helmet. Maybe he knows when its a show he's not going to get schooled and corrected? I don't know. My back up plan is to send him to a trainer, Miss Dee's grandson, who seems nice and gentle with his horses at shows and stuff. It wouldn't take much, from a good rider, to correct Dude. Its just I'm not that rider, yet. I better start saving my money up for the trainer!

First Show!!!

Dude and I made it to the show. We got there in time for me to ride around and introduce him to everyone and tell about E's broken arm.

In the Warmup: Dude picked up his left lead canter fine and loped with everyone going in circles. Right lead, not so good. He hopped and pulled me over almost onto the watering hose that we were not supposed to get on. He also pulled over almost onto another horse, but stopped in time. I almost came off at one point. I mean I was seriously coming out of the saddle. If I hadn't grabbed the thing that holds up the horn I'd have been gone. All I could think was I couldn't fall in front of everyone!! I stayed in the warmup, though and didn't quit.


Round 1: Quad poles: Oh, my god, was my heart pounding in my throat as we headed in. If you could die of being nervous, I would have died. Of course he picked up on that, although I don't think I was shaking, much. Beth had to walk us in on her little Paint. Everyone was pulling for me. So nice! Dude picked up the right lead canter fine and headed for the pole, rounded it okay and was rounding the second pole when I relaxed, thinking okay, he's going to do this! Wrong-o, after he rounded the second pole, he started pulling sideways. I made it back between the cones, barely, got him straight and thought okay, straight canter, no problem. He thought no problem, too and began to haul ass. Oo! As we approached the 3rd pole I first thought, "uh-oh, he's not going to turn," which rapidly turned into "uh-oh, he's not going to STOP!" He finally stopped almost at the fence - he freaking KNEW where the gate was and he was heading for it. Bastard. I was all discombobulated and let him quit. If I had to do it over again I would have made him finish, but I was so nervous and embarrassed I just wanted OUT of there!


Round 2: Stake race: Okay, we practiced this so no problem, right? I can't remember much about this one except we did canter, we did make it around the first pole and back through the cones and then he ran for the gate again. Bastard. This time I made him go back, though. Embarrassingly enough, the announcer told me, over the loud speaker that if I had turned him the other way I would have gotten a time. I smiled, but I was mortified!


Round 3: Pole Bending. Its a straight run down to the end of the arena before you turn back and start weaving poles. Here we go, not too fast canter, doing fine and HE DOES THE QUICK CUT TO THE LEFT trick on me right before the last pole. If only he had done it after the last pole! I didn't come off and I got him straight again. Rounded the last pole and trotted back through them, turned and trotted back again. Dude was snorting at the poles the whole time, but I tried to ignore it. We cantered home, but I don't remember it. I got a time, but I didn't hear what it was. I was disappointed because I thought we had that quick cut to the left trick behind us. I was preoccupied thinking about it for the rest of that run. But we did complete a pattern, so Yay.


Round 4: Novice Barrels. It was starting to get dark by then. Since I planned it as a practice run for senior barrels, I just planned to trot. Some man was standing by the fence kissing at my horse. I didn't like that. I didn't want to run. Just as we rounded the first barrel there was also the first big shadow of himself that Dude could see Dude snorted, hesitated and backed up a little, but went around the barrel. I tried to shush the kissing sound man by getting my hand up to make the SHHH signal. We got around the second and third barrels, I think I cantered to the third barrel, I'm not sure. I remember thinking, "You're going to have to canter home, you can't trot that, its too easy." So, I kissed for the canter and Dude started bucking to the left. I tried to pull up. I should have pushed him forward, but I didn't want to come unglued. I felt so exposed out in the middle with everyone watching! We got a time, 70 something seconds. LOL. My daughter's little friend said, "You're doing awful! That was more than a minute!" Which made me laugh! I told her I was just trying to let the other novices win, since I'm a grown-up. I GOT A RIBBON FOR 5TH (out of 6 people!).


The horse flies were bad so I took Dude back to the trailer to find the fly spray. It was pitch dark in the parking lot by then with all kinds of funky shadows. I didn't notice it, but all of a sudden, Dude started getting freaky. When I jumped off to go get fly spray, he started circling and snorting and showing the whites of his eyes. He had not been bothered by the tractor doing the dragging before, but this time he just about panicked when he heard it running in the darkness. He had his head up and looked like he wanted to jump into my arms. He restrained himself from running over me, but he scared me. I petted him and gave him some carrots and fly sprayed him. He was happier hiding between the trailers. I tried leading him back to the arena. We got there, but when another horse was acting up about going into the arena, Dude started panicking again. Earlier, he hadn't reacted to these kinds of things. So, I don't know if it was an act or he was really freaking out, but I surely didn't feel like taking a chance on riding him when he was like that. If he had suddenly started doing that in daylight, I would have called his bluff, but I think he really was afraid of the dark.


Thank goodness there is a light inside the new trailer. I got him in with feed and he was happily munching when I went to tell the judges I was a scratch for the rest of the event. Besides, I had thought the ones with a mostly straight run, like straight away barrels and the arena race, would be a piece of cake, but after the quick cut to the left and the bucking, I didn't want to do it.

My feelings today are mixed. I'm aggravated and disappointed that Dude doesn't behave any better than he did almost a year ago. I wonder if more work will ever change him. Then, I think, it was a new situation for him, so he tried all his tricks to see if they would work. He's like a child in that if it's a new situation, he will check to see if the same old rules apply or not. I want a horse I can trust. I'm too old for his tricks. But, I'll keep trying and see what happens. I will definitely have to take him to Ms. Dee's for a lesson or 2 and see how he does. I'm wearing my damn helmet for that, though!

Working at the Sand Arena

Yesterday, I trailered Dude down to the sand arena again. The footing was deep, but not wet. We trotted a few times around and I thought, "Better go ahead and canter and get it over with. Started on a right lead this time, which is his bad side (I forgot). I got the full head shaking, head down, half-hearted buck that I've always gotten, but it didn't even phase me. I just rode it forward. Then I turned him on the rail at a trot and picked up the left lead going the other way. He did a little happy bucking on that one, too. Nothing major and it didn't scare me! We cantered a good bit in both directions. He and I sometimes "argue" about how much rein is too much rein. When I let him out, he wants to go too fast, in my opinion. Anyway, I got my cones (only have 2) and put them in the middle of the arena. I practiced stake race (a big figure , trying to change leads and such. He forgot to be a butt when starting on his right lead, but had trouble with a flying change from left lead to right lead. I tried to help, but we countercantered sideways a good ways with his nose practically smelling my boot. Some passes he had good steering and some passes he had none at all. I'm sure a great deal of it is me not having (regained) enough coordination yet to cue properly. I have to say this boy loves to canter. The slightest tip forward by me and I see his ear go up on that side. If I don't want it, he slows right back down. We also played WTC class, my daughter and her friend sat in the judge's box and called out changes. We're going to have to slow down that huge canter if we ever want to go in a western class. I like riding in the sand arena because he picks up his feet and collects much better. He knows he's there to work and he knows how. He needs work bending to the right. I may take him to Miss Dee's this week to a class although I can't afford it. I better do it now while we're both injury free and there are no life impediments in the way. Dude really enjoyed his hosing off afterwards. My daughter was on camera duty but forgot to take any pics until the hosing.

Will post those and will have to get pics at the show!!

Epiphany

I just had a big realization that I wanted to put in the blog: One of the reasons I have gotten bucking and head shaking and too fast cantering is based on my cuing too much/too hard! Now that I'm more confident and less spastic, I am getting a much better and less emotional response from Dude because I am cuing with more finesse and subtlety!! I'm so glad now I didn't crop him for bucking! It wasn't his fault!! He was just "ouching" in reaction to my kicking the crap out of him when I didn't need to give him any more than a slight indication of what I wanted!! Poor Dude continues to find his human to be slow on the uptake!!