Day 1 (6/15)
Off the trailer, straight into the round pen! We had another colt we started at the same time, so we got both of them into the pen and Derek went in on his horse and used a flag to move them around. What's the point of that?
- to evaluate the horses' movement and get a feel for them. How well do they move away from pressure? etc.
-To get them thinking. Start asking for inside turns, get both eyes looking at you, start directing the hindquarters
After they were both effectively 'hooked on' and responding quietly to Derek's cues, which took then ten minutes, we went in and caught our horses.
I began asking her to yield her hindquarters, to back, to follow her nose. Then we brought our saddles out. I kept her nose pointed in to me, and rubbed her over with the saddle pad, then slipped it on. I got my saddle. I have swung that saddle a thousand times but I'm still working on being graceful about it. Derek said it should be just like putting your hat on- smooth and efficient. I sort of managed it. Again, I kept her nose tucked in towards me. I cinched her up slowly and smoothly, and left the round pen. Derek came back in with the flag, and just let them get a feel for the saddle. Just like before they were saddled, he moved them out, slowed them down, got a few inside turns. Then moved them out into the arena, and let them really move out. She only gave one small buck when she really got to moving in the arena. We went and caught them again, unsaddled them, and that was the first day.
Day 2:
My klutz day. I felt like I had five thumbs, three left feet,and a non functioning brain. I got in my own way, but we had a good day anyway. I saddled her up. We moved both colts around again. Caught them. Moved their stirrups, directed those hindquarters. Stepped up, stepped down. Both sides. Lots of rubbing and petting. And then, I was on. We didn't touch their heads at all. On day two, we were passengers. Derek came in with the flag. Got them walking. Trotting. Changing direction. A few strides at a lope in both directions. Lots of rubbing the whole time. Got off. She was great. Smooth gaits, and a quiet feel.
Day 3:
Big day for these guys! We saddled up, moved them around just a little bit, and got on. Same as yesterday, just moved them through their gaits. Then we started doing some front end- hind end work. This introduces leg pressure and directing those feet. I picked up my inside rein (lead rope, we are still in rope halters) and applied inside leg, until she yielded her hindquarters. Then applied outside leg, and she moved her front end- a turn on the haunches. Derek was there, with the flag, to encourage her to move her feet. Then we got off, loosened our cinches, and grabbed our bridles. I spent a few minutes just tipping her nose to me, and asking her to open her mouth. After I prepared her for the bridle, the actual bridling was easy. I just let her carry the bit for a few minutes- then asked her, again, to move those hindquarters, from the ground. Then we tightened our cinches, and got on again. We worked on getting them to move forward off of leg pressure. Applied leg, then raiseed hands, slapped legs-whatever, until her feet moved forward. Immediate release. Again. We did some front end-hind end work again, with the bridles on. I got her flexing her head in both directions- introducing that one rein stop. Shen she started feeling soft, we left the round pen! Another boy who is here rode the other colt, and Derek was on his horse. We went up the driveway a little ways, then rode into the arena. Worked more on getting her to move off my legs. Walk on. Then trot on. Then I brought her head around until her feet stopped. I got a couple steps back. Saddles came off- this was a fun, rewarding day. She was soft, willing, quiet, and caught on quickly.
Day 4:
Another great day with a lot of progress! Saddles on. Moved them around just for a minute. Bridles on- my preparations really paid off. She tipped her nose, and accepted the bit quietly, like she'd been ridden 100 times. I got on, and flexed her head around to each side. She felt good- no bracing at all. She walked right off my leg. She took a few steps back. So out we went! Another ride up the driveway. Derek was ahead of us by about twenty yards, and the other colt was behind us, about the same distance. She didn't care. I did a lot of walk-trot-stop transitions- worked on getting her moving off my leg, even with the distractions around the ranch. I kept her straight, but other than that, just left her head alone. Then when I asked her to stop, or slow down I really exaggerated my seat, picked up on one rein if I had too, but she was really 'with' me. We rode back to the yard, and Sage and another little girl were running around on the slip and side. She didn't react at all- she is so quiet and mellow. We stopped and watched a while, and while we stood there, I just asked her to back a few steps, then yield her hindquarters.
I love the immediate progress I am seeing with her! I'm seeing the same progress in the other colt. It's so fascination to watch how fast these little guys can learn, and become really 'feely.'
Day 5:
I just love this little mare. We saddled up, and I got right on today. Flex to both sides. Walk-trot-lope in the round pen. Left the round pen. We trotted up the driveway, turned onto a field, passed some hay bales. A little path which was the old driveway served as a perfect place for her first lope outside of the round pen. We trotted out a little bit more on our way back, then walked calmly into the yard. Only her fourth ride and she quietly walked, trotted, loped and stayed soft. That speaks for itself, I think. She isn't lazy at all- she moved right off of my legs, but she also isn't a crazy forward stereotypical Morab. She didn't rush, but she waited for me, and she was ready to move as soon as I asked. An excellent first week! I learned so much. I really enjoy putting those first few rides on a young horse, and will continue to post her progress as we go along.
No comments:
Post a Comment