I found the laptop!

Mom has been talking about how she made a blog for me. I wasn't sure what that was but it sounded pretty cool since it was about me. She said she wrote about our rides and stuff. Well, I think that is boring and I wanted to tell you about some other stuff. She left the laptop out in my reach so I decided to find this blog thing.

Hello! I look a bit funny here...

So basically...Mom has been riding me everyday since Sunday. It hasn't been easy work either! She is making me work muscles that I didn't even know I have! Oh Mother. When she isn't riding me, she is usually brushing me (I love getting curried in ym scritchy spot!), feeding me cookies, or just snuggling with me....or the other thing. I don't really know why she likes the other one so much. He doesn't do much. I guess he drives but he gets scared. I would rather have Mom loving me than the other thing that I guess I call....my brother...

That's him.

He does have a name...Biscuit...but I would rather call him the other one for now. We aren't really good friends when Mom is around because we both want her attention but when she isn't around we get along...ok.

So a few years ago when Mom first brought me home from the track, Grandma has a pyscho reader person talk to me. She asked me all of these questions that Grandma wanted to know about. I told her a few things...I like the dogs. I think they are part of my family. I see them enough so they might aswell be. I know my mouth is a bit funny (I am missing a ton of teeth on my bottom jaw...) but I don't like when people look in my mouth. You know what't in there and I do to so we can leave it alone. I want to be a Western horse too. I think it would be pretty cool. And they go slow, which I love to do too! When I got here, Elsa told me what would happen is I did this or that. For example, if I walked up to the humans and snuggle with them they will give me cookies! I love cookies!

Mom also said something about a Horse Show? I don't know what she plans to show me because I already have seen everything aroudn the street. Maybe she will show another horse that because I think ti would be rather boring. Well, now that I think about it....Mom said I went to a Schooling Show a couple of weeks ago. I don't like the idea of school that humans have to go to but I liked being able to go toa  new place and show off infront of other horses. Maybe that's what she's talking about!

Uh-oh. Mother is coming so I have to go. She might have cookies!

-Jet

This is what happened today :) Details tomorrow!

A Much Needed Update

Me and my Boy<3

We have just gotten back to our normal riding schedule since the ring is not longer a

death trap since all of the rivets were filled in (thanks Dad!).

Natalie's "sister" Brit and her horse Steve

Friday I went to my friend's, Natalie's, house for a sleepover then I went to her lovely

farm in the morning. She gave me a tour and showed me her ponies and all 27 at the farm.

She then tacked up her horse Bogger/Clinton/Feature Face Dude/ whatever you want to

call him really. She rode then gave me a lesson :) He is an awesome horse once you figure him

out! Then she rode her "sister's" pony Pepsi who needed to burn off some energy. When her

Mom finished the chores she had to do, she came out with a bag of candy... and bunny rockets!

hmm.... bunny rockets... JOUSTING! So natalie and her "sister" galloped towards eachother with

this plastic bunny rockets and shot them at eachother. *priceless* I have videos that I will post too.

Saturday was the Cape Cod Hunter Horse Show with Jacqie (http://www.dumbandbay.blogspot.com/)

and Kate (http://www.huntertobe.blogspot.com/) and their awesome horses! It was a hot day and the first

really big show at 2'6" for both of them. They were nervous but they did really well! No refusals, falls,

bucks, bolts, etc. Only a few awkward jumps but they both handled it really well. They did a Children's

Hunter 2'6" division as well as the MHJ, MHC, SEHA, etc. The both placed 8th in one of their classes

out of almost 20 people on their $50,000+ horses! Quite the accomplishment :) They both did fantabulously!

Sunday was Easter! I woke up to an Easter Basket filled with my favorite goodies in it! -Thanks "Easter

Bunny." I am not a candy fan by any means but chocolate covered pretzels and Little Debbie Cakes were

the perfect treat! Later in the day we had an easter Egg Hunt. There were 47 (?) eggs in all and I found

19 of them. They had money in them! I ended up with $18.50. Not bad at all! We had a nice dinner with

my Grammy aswell.

Monday was the opening day at Plainridge Racecourse so after school we went straigh there to watch

the races! We didn't get back until 7:30 but I still managed to get a nice ride in. After having so much time

off, I was surprised when he offered to bend, and round for me after a few times around. We did a lot of

trotting. Stretchy, collected, circles, changes of directions, etc. He was awesome! It was a great day!

Tuesday we had another ride. We did w/t in both directions extremely well so I asked for a canter

in both directions for about 3 strides and then a downward transition. He picked up both leads after

only having to ask twice! HUGE improvemt from me having to chase him around the ring. After that

I decided that it would be a nice reward to go on a trail ride to the back field...not so much. He freaked

out. He wasn't bad. He was trying to listen but he was very scared and nervous and I could tell.

We went once around the field, he spooked, galloped back to the entrance to the trail back home,

stopped, and turned around to make sure I was still there. We went back home because he was just not

happy and I didn't want to stress him out. But we didn't end on that not. We did more work in the ring

and ended on a good note. He then got a nice linament bath :)

No ride today. It reached the 90's! Too hot fora  horse that has been used to 70's or lower the past

few weeks. Riding tomorrow though :)

-Emily and Jet

Easter!

Happy Easter everyone! I will post about things that have been going on later today. I promise!

Happy Birthday!

Today is Jet's 9th Birthday! Although it was raining and you can't walk into the paddock without loosing a muck boot... I trudged my way through to sing Happy Birthday to my boy and give him a treat that I made for him. He is one spoiled boy! He spent the day under the over hang until about 3:30pm (I had an early release from school due to flooding! I got out at 11:45! Woot!) then the rain finally stopped for a while and I brought them all up to the ring to be able to stretch their legs. He must have rolled 10 times... on each side! When he wasn't rolling, he was bucking, galloping, playing halter tag, etc. Just have a good ol' time! Happy Birthday special boy<3 This is a collage from when I had him years ago. I wanted him show name to be "Jitter Bug Jet." Thank god we never showed then!

I think we were meant for each other

Wednesday-Friday we did just about the same thing.

Our ride was on average 55 minutes each day. We did a lot of walked at first. Stretching, then bending and moving onto the bit. Lately he has been less willing to move into the bit. He decides that it would be much more fun to stretch his head down and to the side, take the bit away from me, and go where ever he wants. That won't last too long because I will not put up with that.

After walking both directions, we did figure eights, circles, and atwo serpenties to get him moving off my leg and into his corners. He likes to be busy and doing things other than walking in circles so we frequnetly add in something to keep his mind busy.

We then did a lot of trotting work. I don't like to go a lot one way, then a lot the other way an be done. I go a few times one way, then a few times the other way, etc. etc. It helps him become more supple in both diretions in my opinion. If you keep going and going in one direction, won't your horse become "fixed" to moving his body that way around you aids? If you change directions a lot, it shouldn't even matter which way you are going because he should be listening to everything and anything you are asking. I also find that if I do this, he moves a lot nicer and is more willing to go into a frame for a few steps.

So after a lot of trotting, I decided to try a canter. On Wednesday, it took a lot to get him into it and he became to ansy and waiting for the cue to bolt off. So I got it once and ended it on that. Thursday he was sort of expecting it and went right away for about half way around, then broke. We tried the other way and he just isn't ready. Tracking left is a lot easier for him so we will stick to only cantering that way for now. Friday he picked up the transition from the trot, to the canter as soon as I asked. We went around half way and I gave him a huge pat! We went the other way and just worked on trotting. He does a heck of a lot better at the trot after we canter. I am not sure why but he frames him self up without me asking him too and he is up underneath him self more.

After we worked on the trot, we turned around again and I asked for the canter once more. He went right away and we went twice around! It is a HUGE improvement from about a month ago when I tried to ask him for it and he just couldn't do it no matter how he tried. This to me makes me feel very accomplished. He is now balanced enough, atleast in one direction, to canter more than once around. When we got him back, it was not possible to get him into the canter, even though I only tried once. It let's me know that I am doing something right after all (:

After our cantering (and a bunch of hugs, kisses, and cookies!) we took our daily "after-workout-walk" around the street. It is a nice time to take a deep breath and cool down. Anywho. I am very very pleased with how far we have already come. I can't wait until the summer when we can do some more consistant riding!
Oh, does anyone have any comment about the CAIR system for Wintec saddles? I was looking into a Wintec 500 with CAIR and I am debating on whether to get it or not... or does anyone know where to find a nice saddle for $300 or less? :) I know, I'll keep dreaming.

-Emily and Jet

Rain, Rain, Go Away.

The past two days have been rain rain rain. Uggh. Spring has finally came. Along with it came the rain. I'm not to thrilled if you haven't already figured that out. It was raining enough today that I didn't get to work with Jet :( But....

Monday we did some more lunging. Every horse needs to be able to work without a rider on it's back, but rather on the ground at one point or another in my opinion and while is it drizzling, is the perfect time (I don't want to get my Mom's saddle wet also). We did walking, trotting, cantering etc. I added in some ground poles to help him pace him self and stride himself nice and evenly. At first he jumped the first ground pole and trotted awkwardly over the second but eventually he got the concept that he is supposed to just trot them normally. We went both directions, but a little more to his bad way (going to the right). He had a blast! He would occasionally get sassy and stop at the gate, spin around, and gallop/buck away but then he would listen to me again. He didn't escape this time (:

While I was setting up a small crossrail to use for Biscuit, and letting him roam around, he decided to follow me. -Hmm... I think he had some Natural Horsemenship training or something- I thought. I took his halter off, and walked. He stayed at my shoulder. I changed directions. He stayed at my shoulder. I stopped. So did he. I backed up. He did aswell. I jogged. He trotted at my shoulder. We did this for about 5 minutes. Then I thought...-If I ran next to the jump... would he go over it?- So we tried it. I ran right next to the jump, he stayed at my shoulder and didn't hesitate one bit! I gave him a huge reward, lots of pats and hugs and kisses. We tried again, and I ran faster, and used my voice commands to ask him to canter. His transition was perfect, and off we went! He did it wonderfully! I was so proud of him! He strided himself up to the jump and picked a perfect takeoff spot! Now that weknow he can jump, we will leave that for the summer and work on trotting for now! lol

For the rest of March and April.... our goal is to get the w/t down to the point where he is balanced and moving correctly and smoothly. Can we do it? I think we can :)

-Emily and Jet

The Great Escape

Sorry for the lack of posts...

Jet had Sunday and Monday off after the show since we were working really hard before the few weeks before the show with only short breaks. He definately deserved it!

Tuesday was a small, quick ride. We decided to try western! Haha. That was interesting.... we will not be following through with that discipline, thank you very much. We just tried it for the heck of it since I wasn't planning on doing much anyways. I have decided that western saddles are extremely uncomfortable for my back and they are hard to get out of. LOL!

Wednesday was our "get back to work day" so we basically re-established everything that we were working on. A lot of walking, and bending, and a bit of trotting. He was listening but he wanted to stretch a lot more than usual. So we did a lot of stretchingm, a bit of collecting, more stretching, balancing, etc. etc.

Thursday we did a little bit of ring work then went off into the trails! He was very nervous, well actually. I think he just wanted to go now that I think about it. We walked and trotted all around the trails, into the woods, and across the fields. To get into a field, there was a small tree that fell over and we jumped it. It was like a raised ground pole. Nothing much, but he didn't even think twice about it!

Friday he FINALLY got his feet done. He has thrush in all four which we already knew since the paddocks are soaked...his toes are worn down A LOT so we have to keep an eye on that or he might go lame. Our lovely farrier said that it might be him being lazy and not really picking up his feet. And if anyone knows Jet, that is highly possible. He is a bit over at the knee but with corrective trimmings and keeping them trimmed on a regular basis will take care of that. He is cow-hocked which we already knew aswell but you wouldn't be able to tell that when he trots/canters. He is quite the nice mover WHEN HE MOVES. lol. But all in all, nothing too much to worry about!

Yesterday, Saturday, he went up in the ring for a while with everyone. At about 3 o'clock, he laid down for a nap. I walked out there, said hello, gave him some pats, then laid down next to him and we took a nap together for a few minutes. It was very quiet, and relaxing. He would occasionally look at me like, "Mom, why are you sleeping on me?!" It was cute (: Aftewr that, we had a ride. Did a lot of walking and trotting. I set up some ground poles and he did really well with them. We set up an itty bitty crossrail to help him pick up his feet and he did well with that aswell, after he knew it was ok. We will not be jumping for months to come since he is very unsure of himself and he refused most of them, which I am fine with. He is not defiant or stubborn at all, I think it was more of a, "Mom, for your safety and mine, I will not be going over this litty bitty crossrail because I don't know how to balance myself and pick up my feet. Please ask again when I am ready." which I am perfectly ok wth. We went over it 3 times each way and then we were done.

Today, Sunday, we did free lunging instead of riding. I wanted to see how he moved from a ground perspective. I think it will help me when I am training him. So... we did w/t/c in each direction, he was respecting my space and my body language. He had a preference to stand in the corner with the gate. He ended up pushing it open and bolting away. Off he went! He jumped off the rock wall, and trotted to the road, got there, stopped, turned around, and looked to see if I was coming to retrieve him. It was quite hilarious! I got a bucket with some grain in it (thank you mom) and I went to go get him. He walked right up to me like he always does and I gave him a small handful of grain. He did this on Friday aswell when he was in the ring. I was bringing the horses down and he was the last to come to the gate, therefore the last to go down. He was not happy about that. Once he saw that he was going to be alone, he galloped to the gate, and as I was taking Elsa out he ran into the gate and forced his way through. I kept a hold of Elsa, thank gosh. If I hadn't, they would have been long gone. He trotted off the rock wall, and went to the same exact spot as he did today, and looked back. He actually started munching on a tree both days aswell. He is such a funny horse!
Anyways... after I caught him today, I brought him abck to the ring, walked him around a bit, double locked the gate, and got back to work. There was a crossrail set up for Elsa and Biscuit when they were worked and he decided to go investigate. He went up to it, started licking it, then hopped over. Then he trotted away from it, ran around the ring, and went over it again! He looks great over them aswell and apparantly he likes it! I just think that he doesn't feel comfortable, or balanced enough, to do it with me on him. atleast now I know that he likes it, and he can do it, we just need to work there (: Hopefully by August or September, we can try jumping cross rails if we are ready.

I will post more later, and more frequent posts are coming!

-Emily and Jet

Back from the show!

Sorry I did not post yesterday...or this past week at all. We were training all week! I was extremely tired from the show, and I had to get up early to help out at a college show this morning.

Our week was pretty busy. We went to HHF everyday except on Thursday... that was his day off. Each day was an improvement from the previous day! We did mostly walk trot with an occasional canter in the field which is one of his new favorite things to do! Our rides were pretty long and we got in the indoor everyday which was nice. Friday was our day to get everything perfect. We got there while there was a clinic still going on. We were told it would be done by 7pm...it didn't end until after 8. So we were ready to go, with nowhere to go. But at the end of the clinic, we snuck in and got to ride with the instructor. She gave us some kind words on how beautiful our horses were and she asked us if we would like to join in on the exercises they were doing. Ofcourse we said yes!! First thing that Jet and I worked on was figure-8's at the trot which was very helpful to get him bending, moving off my leg, and since he was stuck behind a horse that was going 2 mph, we got to get his stride shorter!

After figure eights, we worked on the cadence of the trot on the rail. We got a good rhythem going at the end, but it took a lot to get him going steady, consistent, and slow! I was thinking, "Is this the same Jet that I had years ago that I couldn't get to trot at all because he was so lazy?!" I bet when the warmer weather comes he will be his old lazy bum again! We then stood in the corner of the ring while the other riders cantered and jumped a few times. They left the ring after that and we got to practice by ourselves for a few minutes before my friends came in for their lesson. Thankfully, they knew that we were getting our last minute practice in and offered to give up some of their lesson time to let us use the rail for a bit. I love my friends (: I then cooled him out in the middle of the ring so my friends could have their lesson...that went until 10pm!! Jet got a good brushing to get him nice and shiny for the next day's show, and we headed back to the hosue.

Yesterday was in interesting day. The weather was fine when we got there but the rain slowly started to come down more and more. By my class, you could hear the ain pouncing on the metal roof. Lovely. He has only been in an indoor a few times and I thought the sound would freak him out. But it didn't! Just about everything else did though. In warmup, we worked on bending into our corners and slowing down to a reasonable speed. Our warm up was pretty good. He was listening pretty well. There were horses going in every direction and several instructors yelling at their kids. This wasn't a hectic show by any means. There were only eight or so horses in the ring, if that when I warmed up but it is a small ring so it was pretty cramped.

He was perfect going the the left, he was bending, flexing, stretching, balancing, and everything all at once! What a good boy! I was letting him walk a bit before going the other way and what do you know. Julie (my friend) showed up and Abby was apparantly very excited to see her. They ran right by the indoor door, screaming, yelling, and jumping around. They were not thinking at all that there were several horses in the ring, and a few of them haven't even been there before. We went right by the door at that very second. He spooked. Ugggh. Everytime we went past that door after that was a disaster. He thought the door was going a horse eatting monster... I swear. It wasn't like him really. I think he was just nervous.

So after that, we warmed up the other way. Let's just say that the first direction is his MUCH better direction (: He kept falling in on the corners and everytime I asked him to move over with my leg and seat, he decided to go a billion times faster instead. I can't really blame him since it was so hectic... but I would have liked him to pay a little more attention to me. Oh well, that just gives us something to work on!!

Even though he went by two open doors (one into the main barn from the indoor and one into the smaller barn from the indoor) he was freaked out by them. Going by the door to the larger barn, a person decided to almost run into us with a flower box. Just what I need, another door to worry about. But oh no, the door where everyone was standing was the door of death. So we worked on a circle that made it so we went past every door and we worked through it :)

Then we waited... and waited... and waited a bit more for our classes. Mary-Kate's classes were right before us so we watched her go. There were only two people in her class. I told you it was a small show! Katie kept bellowing to Jet which meant that she was NOT listening to Mary-Kate at all. I could only see them for a few seconds as they went by the door since I was in the barn because it was raining lol. But, I could tell that Katie was being a pill from how many times she called for Jet... it was non-stop. The other person in the ring was on a dead-broke lesson pony. Mary-Kate won Equitation, got second in pleasure, and I think they got second in discipline rail (?).

Next was our classes! We got in the ring and must have gone aorund the ring atleast times before the other horses came in because of rider changes. There were only three horses in my division. That same dead-broke lesson pony, and another dead-broke lesson pony that kicked. Anytime I was within 7 or so lengths of that pony, I cut the ring. She WILL kick and already had that day at a couple of horses... so I pretty much screwed my class to avoid that pony who was ofcourse, the slowest pony alive... but oh well. It is for fun, not the ribbons! Anyways... I placed second in my Equitation class even though I felt really confident about that class. Everything went well, but he was pretty fast... which is what I think cost us the class. The other two ponies already had several previous riders on them for jumping and they were slow lesson ponies anyways... so they were slow.

Therefore... in our pleasure class, we placed third which I knew would happen. But once we get that trot slower.... watch out pleasure ring... here we come! I gave him a little bit more rein and he decided to take it and toss his head repeatedly. when I tried to pick the contact back up more, he just fought me for the bit. So I worked with him through my seat and legs and even though he went faster, he was going how I wanted him to which is what will matter down the road.

Our next class was discipline rail. It is basically command bujt you don't get called into the middle of the ring if you mess up. If it was command, we would have won. We got third in this class aswell even though I thought this was our best class and that we deserved to win it... He was perfect in this class. I stopped focusing about how I looked and started working with him right away, then worrying about myself later. I should have done this to begin with! He was rounded, bending, and everything. He was just a little fast. One horse walked from the halt, and the other couldn't get into the trot. Our halt was perfect, our transitions were perfectly time... I honestly don't know why we got placed last in that class. I felt really proud about it even though we got last though. It really showed how much we have been working together.

Our last class was trail. I thought this was going to be a comedy. And it was. The course was extremely simple. 1. Trot over 4 poles 2. Trot through an L, back through it, and walk back through it to get out 3. Move a helmet from one standard to another 4. Halt and stand for 5 seconds. Before the class, I thought, "Oh gosh...I don't think he knows how to back up..." So we tried backing up and it wasn't pretty at all. I was most worried about the back up. One or two horses went before us, then we got in. We did our opening circle and headed for the poles. The poles were on the rail and since horses have been w/t/c on the same path all day long, it was worn down to the point where the poles were more like raised cavalities. Anyone who knows Jet known that he is clumsy. We get to the first one and he shied away from it. I wanted to bolt by it but I used my outside leg and wouldn't let him past it. Instead, we circled and tried it again. He sorta hopped over the first one, walked the second one, and awkwardly trotted the last two. I honestly think that he had no idea how to get all four feet over each one! lol. Something to work on!! After we trotted the last two poles, we trotted through the L. We halted. Then I asked him to back up. WOW WOW WOW! He definately surprised me!! Out of all the horses that did trail, he was the best in backing up! He was quick, straight, and turned when I asked him to! It was perfect. Not kidding, perfect. We didn't step outside of the L once or even move a pole! I love him (: I wasn't worried about the helmet at all. We got to it moved it, and walked to the end. We halted, stood for 5 seconds. Then exited the ring. We ended up with second! If we did the poles better, we would have won, but oh well. I am so proud of him! He got today off and wll get tomorrow off, then we will get back to work but not as ferociously as we were a few days ago.

Today was hectic hectic hectic chaos. I will post about that tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Emily and Jet-the best horse in the world- (:

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

WARNING!

Before watching any of the videos from today, TURN THE VOLUME DOWN! My sister decided to scream while taping us. Just a warning! Turn it wayyyyy down at first and then go up a little bit once you know how loud it is. :)

Katie cantering in the field!

Jumping the little log! Jet went first, then Katie! After we did this, we cooled them out for like 30 minutes xD We just walked them around everywhere and anywhere we could. I had such an amazing day with Mary-Kate and Katie! ANDDD... we are keeping the trailer until Thursday so we are going to go to the barn everyday and ride =D YAY!

Standardbred race! Both of them were galloping! Jet was so smooth and was listening! He LOVES the trails! He was actually on the bit at the canter after we raced. Katie had a wonderful 3-beated, rocking horse canter going on. And they say pacers can't canter... those people obviously haven't seen Katie!

Just a log in the field that we decided to pop over. Katie went first and Jet was second. I was just expecting him to walk over it but he actually jumped it! I was surprised and didn't give him a release =/ I know... but it sure was fun!

Cantering! After we did ring work today, we went on a trail ride. In the first field, after we raced, we cantered a bit. Jet is first, Katie is following. They were awesome!

Battle of the gaits. Trotter vs. pacer. Jet, the trotter, and Katie, the pacer. You can see her neon orange polo wraps LOL! I love racing friends. This is the first time I have ever gotten to do it! Man, was it fun!!!

Trotting Jet! You can see how he is stretching now vs. sticking his nose up and out like he was last time we went. Also a trot to walk transition

Ohh boy! We jumped! They were tiny crossrails and we only did it a few times just to desensitize him to them for later on down the road. Last week he thought that the colored poles would come up and eat him, I swear... but he was so much better this week! We also trotted over a "flower box" and introduced him to a rockwall but didn't go over it since it would be higher than a crossrail. I wasn't going to push jumping and I only wanted to go over a few times. He was such a good boy! The first jump he went straight to it, but I dropped my contact so he didn't jump it. I didn't know if he would go to sniff it, or something, so I decided to drop my contact. Why? I don't know. I know that it's not what I should have done but it's what I did. Over the second jump I kept my contact and he jumped it! He tapped it with his back foot since I got left behind. I didn't know he was actually going to jump! I wasn't expecting that pleasant surprise. After he did that, he was thinking, "Ok, I'm done. Time to walk." He got a huge praise for going over them and lots of treats ;)

He was actually listening! This video was just one to see how his trot to walk transition was  but I ended up really impressed with the trotting part of it. It really shows how much work we have accomplished this past week. Stretching has really paid off! I was able to get him into a nice frame for a few steps at a time! I know, the videos all are crappy quality but that's what you get from a video from a phone. Tomorrow we ARE bringing and actual camera and so is Mary-Kate so we will get some better video of us in the ring, as well as on the trails! Check back tomorrow for better quality videos!

Best. Video. Ever. I laughed so hard when this happened. I just wanted to walk him over the crossrail to show him that it would not eat him or jump out at him, etc. like he thought it would.  His front end went over it completely fine, he just dragged his last foot over and it knocked both poles on the crossrail down at the same time! He always finds a way to make me laugh ;)

Katie Jumping last weekend over a 2 ft vertical =) What a good girlll!

Katieee! Pfft. and they say pacers can't canter or jump. Look at this girl!

Katie! Mary-Kate's horse :) Shhe is doing an amazing job with her! Taken today

If Only Everyday Were As Good As Today

What a day. What an awesome day! I will post later, too tired right now. I am getting pictures and videos right now and they will be ujp in a few minutes!

Stretch! Collection? Trails.

In the past few days, we have accomplished a lot. We are working on him balancing himself vs. me holding him up because from there, I can get him collected. How can you collect a horse that can't balance on its own? If you find out, let me know.

So I gave him Monday off after everything that went on during Sunday. Tuesday... we worked on a very loose rein so he could stretch his head and back. He was listening to my seat and legs since my reins were loose which was quite an improvement from Sunday already. We did the usual, circles, serpentines, figure eights, walking faster, slower, etc. I started to teach him to actually stop and stand when I ask him to and not move until I tell him to. He knows how to, but he is very impatient. We did lots of trotting work on a loose reins and the last few laps were on a tighter rein asking for a little collection.

Wednesday was snowing... ugh. It's March. Let spring come soon! We had another great ride. I started on a loose rein and let him balance himself. I only directed him where to go if my leg and seat aids were not strong enough. We did a bit more trotting work than on Tuesday and added in some circles at the trot and a change of direction. My ring is TINY. Like... 80' by 75'. Yeah, that tiny. So it is like you are already circling the entire time you are in there. Everything is harder in a smaller ring which means that if we can conquer something in our ring, it will be that much easier in a larger ring. After I was satisfied with the way he was going, I took him for a walk around the neighborhood. We went up and down hills on the road and went trotitng up a steep hill in my neighbor's yard.

Thursday was still icky weather. We did even more trotting. I let him stretch at first like I always do but that day I asked for some collection here and there. He was awesome! It wasn't much but it was enough that I could feel the difference. After we walked like this, I pushed him into the trot using my seat. Sitting the trot bareback is one of my favorite things but I like posting in the saddle. But... I forced myself into a sitting trot so I could feel how he was moving. He is different than any other horse I have ridden. He is definately smooth but it feels different. I will try to describe it later. After he was working extreemly well in the ring, we went back out for a walk. He loves going for walks!! Even if we were working for hours and hours, I am sure he would still be up for a walk to a new and interesting place. He cracks me up sometimes. He acts like he is about to drop dead but as soon as the gate opens to go out he magically is all better and not tired. Silly horse!

Today was an AMAZING ride, best one of the week. I worked with him inhand first. This is my space... not yours. I have a bubble, please stay out of it. I know you love me and all but I do not appreciate a half ton animal plowing me over. Thank you. Sheesh! Once that was all settled, I hopped on him and we practiced our halt and back up. He stood for about 30 seconds each time I asked. Never took a step when I didn't tell him too. What a good boy! Abby has been riding Elsa and I have ridden with her several times this week. She was finishing up her ride when I got up to the ring so we walked together while Jet stretched and Elsa was taking a break. After about 15 minutes of walking, we trotted together. Jet stayed on the rail, was bending, moving off my leg, listening to my seat, and he is frequently arching his neck now instead of just stretching down! He looks and feels really good when he does this. After Elsa trotted for some time, Abby dismounted and walked her out, then left to go brush her. He looked around for her for a few minutes but settled down just fine. I decided to go for a walk again. This time I wanted to go to the "back field." It is across the street, through the neighbor's back yard, through the woods, and into a field, that leads to another field with paths that go into the woods. Confused yet? I am. hehe. Anyways, I let them know where I was going and made sure I had my phone. Just incase. You never know! So I walked through the neighbor's backyard and into the woods to be greeted by about 10 slanted trees. Not massive trees, little ones that I can grasp in my hand. But man...they are annoying when they hit you in the face!! We finally made it out of the tree-ridden trail and into the field. He looked around a bit. When we had him a few years ago, we would go back there atleast once a week. He was fine so I decided to trot around to the next field. He was great! He was listening to what I was asking him to do and where I was asking him to go. I say asking for a reason... I am not telling him to do this. If I was telling him to, he would HAVE to listen all the time and I would be a dictator. Well guess what. Tyrancy always fails... we work together as a team. He asks me for things, and I ask him for things. We make a good team in my opinion =) So we got to a massive puddle. I asked him to go through it and he went right through!! What a good boy! We got to the second field and trotted around some more. We went down a few paths. They all lead back into the field so we would go in one, then to the next one. I let him walk for  about 5 minutes to take a break from trotting and to get him paying attention. He spooked once or twice because Patch (the dog) decided that it would be fun to run around Jet in the trails. Oh joy... he would freeze, then bolt about 10 feet in 0.0000001 second and then he would be like, "Oh my godness, I'm so sorry I did that Mom!" After he settled back down, we reached the straightaway path. I picked up a trot... got into a half seat sorta thing, and asked for a canter. Oh boy, his canter is smooth as butter! He ran into it but I didn't mind at all. He kept it for about 10 strides and then I asked him to walk. We turned around and did the same thing going the other way down the path. After this, we walked to cool out a bit. We walked back to the first field and he decided that since we were heading home, he didn't have to listen. Wrong. So we worked some more right infront of the opening to the woods. Once he was listening, we went back home. He was a little sweaty so I walked him out undersaddle, then I got off, took his tack off, walked him around in the ring, then went and got Biscuit and walked both of them together around the neighborhood.

What a nice day =) It was warm, the sun was shining. Ahhh... this is how it should be! Tomorrow AND Sunday we are going to truck down to Hobby Horse Farm again. Saturday for just the indoor and maybe on Sunday we will go for a trail ride too. I will post after I get home from HHF both days =) Maybe with some video and better pictures! Yay!

Talk soon!

-Em and the ponies.

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

Overdue

Sorry for the lack of posts! I am a bad blog owner, I know.

To catch everyone up...

Ride from last Tuesday:
I decided to use a running martigale. Why? I am not sure. I saw it hanging on the wall and thought, "Eh.... What the heck. Let's try it!" Proved to be a very useful tool! He responded very well to it. At first he had to figure things out and see how it worked but once he got the hang of it, he was amazing! The ground was a big pile of mush for the previous few days so we only walked up and down the roads for hillwork. So now we actually got some ring work in. I did a lot of bending work with him, getting him to respond to not only my hands but also my seat and legs. He was amazing! I got a glimpse of what is to come... hopefully. We did lots of trotting aswell. I let him go on a loose rein at first, trying to let him balance himself rather than having him brace against my inside rein for support. He moved where I asked him too and we were really connected in all areas. He didn't stick his nose up and out at all really. At the end of the ride, I took the reins out of the running martingale and worked without it. I let him walk around on a loose rein for a few laps then ask him to collect a bit. I am not asking a lot of him right now. Just figuring out what he knows, what we need to work on, getting him back in shape, etc. He did really well! Even at the trot. He was consistant, didn't break, and for a *few* strides... he was perfect. After those few strides, I rewarded and praised him and let him be done. It was a great ride!

Wedsday and Thursday...it rained and snowed a bit... uggh. No riding. Friday I slept over my friends house right after school so didn't ride again... Yesterday I hopped on at about 9pm. Did a lot of walking and about 3 laps of trotting in each direction since he had a galloping spree with Elsa and Biscuit in the ring earlier and worked himself into a sweat. So I couldn't do much but I was satisfied with what we accomplished. I worked on circles, serpentines, figure eights, just things to keep him mind busy while listening to my seat, legs, and hands, well my entire body actually, to ask him where to go. Sometimes he resisted my aids but he gave in and worked with me. It was a short ride, but a good one.

Today we had out ride Jess trailer him and Katie, Mary-Kate's horse, to Hobby Horse Farm to get some work done in the indoor. He hasn't been to a new place just to ride in... who knows how long... We got there and he was looking around but never did anything wrong. He was a bit hyper, checking things out but he listened to me most of the time when I asked him to stop. Occasionally he would take another step or two when I asked and then spin his butt around so he was facing me. When he did that, I walked a few steps then asked for him to stop again. He listened the second time. We also worked on my personal bubble that he frequently penetrates. I wasn't going to deal with being repeatedly run into. So after a few elbows in his shoulder to tell him to move over, he was fine. We brought them into the barn and on the crossties to tack them up. I already brushed (and clipped =D) him at him so I jsut picked him feet, did a quick soft brush, then tacked him up. He stood really well once he figured out he was on crossties. He had to test to make sure he was restrained at first, which was interesting but once he figured it out, all he wanted to do was chew on the crossties.

After they were both tacked up, we took them into the indoor and walked them around so they could check everything out before we got on. He was not paying attention to me at all. I don't think he has ever been in an indoor so this was a new experience for him. He took it well but was nervous about everything. I had to have my Dad hold him as I tightened the girth, stretched his legs, pulled down the stirrups, and got on, which was perfectly fine but I would have liked him to stand still for my Dad... which he only did for a sporadic few seconds at a time. I got on and I don't think he has ever walked so fast. His earrs were perked and he was checking everything out. Jumps, windows, doors, flower boxes, rock walls, poo on the ground, everything! Katie was doing the same but atleast she was paying attention to her mommy. -cough cough- Hmm.. my little booger pretended like I wasn't even there. He wasn't listening at all. His head was up, nose was sticking out... he looked like a giraffe with neck problems...uggh. Anytime I asked fort something with my legs or seat, he would trot. I eventually got him paying attention to me. I was doing circles, changing directions, asking for halts, slower, faster, and everything else I could think of. We picked up a trot. He did a little better in the trot but still... head up, nose out, and we forgot where our feet were a few times. He never spooked at anything which was nice. We trotted for a while in both directions and I cooled him out at a walk while Mary-Kate cantered and jumped Katie. I decided to try a canter, just to see if maybe a bigger ring would help... Nope.. just his race horse super fast trot. Which was fine. I wasn't planning on trotting anyways but I had to give it a shot. There was an itty bitty, 2" cross rail set up from a previous lesson. I wanted to try it once at a slow trot to see if he would pick up his feet. More as a cavalety than a jump. But no. "Mom. This thing could eat my if I go over it." We trotted, stopped infront of it, but then proceeded to walk over it and knock it over. It was great for a few laughs and I didn't expect him to even go over it so it was a pleasant surprise that he went over it at all. I don't plan on really jumping (I love how I mean "really jumping" as tiny crossrails xD) until the fall, if that. Flat work, flat work, flat work for this year.

Anyways.... after we cooled them out after Katie jumped and Jet "jumped." Then we went outside to take pictures in the lovely landscape the barn has. We got some pictures but both the horses were still hot and sweaty so we decided to go on a trail ride. The barn has miles and miles of trails and I know my way around them fairly well. We went around the first field and trotted up a big hill just so we could look around and see everything. It was gorgeous from that spot. You could see the barn, the pastures, the jumping ring (in the summer) and miles of trails depending on which way you looked. We went back down the hill and proceed on the trails. We decided only to go to the second field and then turn around and go back since we didn't know how they would take to the bridge that leads to the fourth field. We went back a different way than we came but ended up in the same place... the big hill. We trotted back up it and were just awed by the surroundings... well, not really at the time but looking back I know atleast I was lol.

On out way back to the barn, I decided to show Mary-Kate the pond where we are going to catch a turtle in the future. We walked around it one and saw geese. "I want to go herd the geese!!" "Ok Mary-Kate, go herd the geese!" And she did but they eventually split up and flew away only to meet again at a pond on the other side of the fence. Smart geese! Katie was getting into the whole herding thing. It was pretty funny. I was laughing and Jet was pretty amused as well!

We walked back to barn and saw Meri, Lynn, Taylor, and Jess heading back out onto the trails. Hmmm.. we know that they are going to go farther into the trails... Why not go back out? The horses were still warm so we went back out with the big group. We went a different, longer way that was mostly woods versus the field path I chose for when Mary-Kate and I went out alone. Jess lead the way on Cocoa, then Mary-Kate and I on Katie and Jet were a ways behind her, and then WAYYYY back behind us, Meri was on Jimmy, Lynn was on Eeyore, and Taylor was on Abbey. They were sooo slow. So we frequently stopped and waited for them to catch up, only to have them fall behind during the next minute or so. Katie and Jet became best friends. We came across several puddles. Katie's worst nightmare. Jet is fine with water and went right through. Worried that her new best friend might leave her, Katie hesitated at first but then went right acorss each puddle. We were very proud of her =) Then when we got to the third field, we had to cross a bridge... the bridge was the whole reason we didn't come to the third field in the first place. Cocoa went first and had a hissy fit. Saw it, thought, "HECK NO!" and backed up, spun around and tried to amke a gettaway. I decided to ask Jet to go over it first then. He went right over it!! I was so so proud of him! Even some of the lesson horses will hesitate to go over the bridge sometimes. I gave him a huge pat and waited for everyone else to cross the bridge.

We finally got back to the barn and untacked. I picked his feet, took off his boots, and put a sheet on him. He needed some linatment so Meri kindly let me use hers. He got a good spray of it and I rubbed it in so he hopefully isn't realyl sore tomorrow. I was on him for a good 2 hours! I put him in a stall to let him get a drink of water. After a few minutes, he peed and took a few sips of water. I took him out and walked him around the arena a few times then brought him outside to walk around aswell. Jess came around with the trailer and we loaded them on. The poor things were on there for a good 30 mintues before we left since Meri had to wait for a lesson kid to be picked up by her mom. (Meri went home with Jess) We got back to our house and I unloaded him. It it a big step up trailer and he almost fell coming out of it... silly uncoordinated horse. But he went on and off fine overall. Katie was bellowing for him as they drove away and Elsa was bellowing for him aswell. He went back into the paddock, said hello to his friends, and munhced on hay.

What a great day =) He is definately going to get tomorrow and Tuesday off. He will be soreeee. But I am going to take him out of the paddock and hand walk him so he doesn't get stiff. Next weekend we are going to the barn on both Saturday and Sunday and the show is the following Saturday. Can't wait!!

-Emily and Jet

Shadow Picture. Was just trying out some new things =)

Picture from today after our ride. I couldn't get a pic without him moving towards me so I gave up and just took a shadow picture :P

 Small nick on the pommel. Only cosmetic. Could even be covered up with leather treatment!

I will get better pictures tomnorrow. I promise! $350 OBO

Saddle For Sale. Anyone interested?

\

Paradise... on Horseback

Today was  afabulous day! Had an awesome ride! Will post more later.

Tried Some New Things

MUD MUD MUD! Uggh. I hate the mud. Atleast it isn't ice! Anyways... since it is so muddy outside, I haven't had a lot of riding time lately. Yesterday was interesting though.

I went outside to feed lunch hay and decided to brush them all. I curried them all, then hard brush, then soft brush, then hoof pick, for all 3 horses. They are shedding!! YAY! Spring.... please come quickly. I decided to take Biscuit for a walk. Then I thought, what the heck! Why not ground drive him? So I took his harness and put just the saddle part on, threw on his bridle and off we went! We worked in the ring first then went on the road.  We walked up and down it once, then trotted it. There are hills on both sides of the road so it was a work out for us! But I think I was more tired at the end of it. I went back to the house and drove him around the backyard, here, there, everywhere! When we were done, I put him back in the paddock and burshed him again and picked his feet.

Hmm.... what to do with Elsa? It is too mushy to ride in the ring... hop on and walk around the street? Nah... let's try something new! Dad used to have harness race horses so I took the saddle part from that, put fleece on it and plopped it on Elsa. I jingled it around, let her sniff it, moved it around her... she could have cared less. She doesn't have a driving bridle so I just used her riding one. I hooked up the long reins and led her by hand up the the ring. Abby was outside with me. I asked her to walk at Elsa's head the first few times around. At first she had to figure out what I was asking her but after about 2 times around, she got the hang of it! I asked Abby to now just stand still so I could see if she would be ok without her by her head. She was amazing! I was very impressed! I asked her for a trot on the dry side of the ring. I said the word and tapped her with the long reins on her rump. As soon as I asked, she went! She was a very good girl so I decided to take her around the street. I went once both directions at a walk, then decided to ask for a little trot. At first she was a little strong, but then she settled down. She actually has really nice movement and she looked like a carriage horse! Abby wanted to try so I let her take the reins and I walked at her head, just in case. Elsa was great for Abby! Abby wanted to try a trot so I told her how to do it. Abby asked her for it and she went! She was, again, a little strong at first, but settled down. We put her back in the paddock, Abby brushed her, and I decided to try Jet.

Jet was a harness racer. He knows how to drive. He has 27 races, and hundreds of days of training. He was the best out of the three of them. I took him up to the ring and at first all he wanted to do was stick his nose out. Mom yelled, "Play with your reins like you would as if you were riding and see if you can get him to round his back a bit!" Hmmm. Never thought of that. Why not give it a try? So I played with the reins and he lowered his head! I got him bending and doing figure eights! He was a great boy. I then decided to go around the road. We went around once each direction at the walk. Abby finished brushing Elsa and said, "Can I walk Elsa with you?" "Sure!" Elsa came for a walk with us. Both of them were quiet throughout the walk but Biscuit.... oh little BP(Biscuit Pony).... he was neighing up a storm! His little mind was thinking, "OH MY GOODNESS! THEY ARE LEAVING ME FOREVER AND NEVER COMING BACK! AND I DON'T HAVE ANYMORE HAY!" We had to cut our walk a little short because of that... but as soon as Elsa was back, Biscuit was satisfied. I turned Jet around and went back down the road. I asked for a trot. It was an amazing trot! We went half way one way and athe entire time the way back! I tried to keep it short because his feet are a little sensitive with all of the moisture in the ground... and he is overdue to get trimmed, but we have an appointment made!

We got back to the yard and Abby took Elsa out again. She brought her up to the ring and I brought Jet up there aswell. I took the harness off and then thought... I should hop on him bareback! So Mom went and grabbed my helmet and gave me a leg up. We were off! We went around the road again, and did a tiny trot up one of the hills. We got back to the ring and did some actual work. I actually prefer riding bareback than to riding in a saddle. It makes me feel secure and I can feel the horse so much easier and I love that. We worked on bending and bringing out nose down and we actually did really well! At the end of our ride, I gave him a really thorough brushing and BAM! I was covered in Jet hair from head to toe. He is shedding!

Today wasn't as exciting. He was turned out in the ring with everyone. They rolled. A lot. Then they took a nap right next to each other. It was really cute =) I brushed them, then they rolled again. It was getting dark so it was time to take them down. Abby and Jon (my older brother) offered to help bring them down. I was brushing Jet again at the moment so I told them to just take Elsa and Biscuit down. I then lunged Jet to get some of his bouncies out. He had a lot of them! It ring is still mushy so I tried to keep him in the drier half. My grandparents came down for my sister's birthday (which is tomorrow) so that was nice aswell. I will post more tomorrow. This post is getting awfully long.

Type more later =)
Emily and her ponies!

Sorry!

Sorry! I haven't been posting lately. But anywaysss... let's catch everyone up =)

Past week or so: Rode a few times. Haven't done anything exciting really. Jet has been turned out with Elsa and Biscuit just about everyday. He has been lunged a few times on the days we didn't ride. We have more snow! UGGH. I just want the snow to go away!

Yesterday I went to Hobby Horse Farm, awesome farm just a few minutes down the rode from me, to watch my friend Mary-Kate (Hey Mary-Kate!) ride. She did an awesome job riding Eeyore! She then rode a horses that is free, Mickey?, and she did well on her aswell. She thinks she is a bad rider but she is actually really good! I would have some competition if I competed against her! So after Mary-Kate rode... I rode Poker. 17 hh tank with a lot on power. Poker is still green and requires extreme muscles. If you don't keep him forward and uphill, he will drag you everywhere. I have been working on my hunt seat Eq, and now I had to go back to dressage. My body was telling me hunt seat so I did horribly and it definately wasn't my best ride. I ended up getting Poker going really nicely w/t/c, and eh... ok at jumping. We did a course from crossrails to about 2'6"-3'ish. His jump is awkward though, not really what I am used to. He approaches the jump, takes a big stride, then sits back on his haunches and sits there for a second before launching over the jump. So I would go into my 2-point before I needed to since I was used to other horses. Then my leg swong everywhere... ok. Nevermind. I don't need to rant about my bad Eq. x] After I rode Poker, I switched horses with Julie who was riding Freedon. Poker absolutely LOVES Julie. I'm not exactly sure why but they definately clicked and he was an angel for her. Freedom was really good for me and I love riding him. He is very comfy and easy to ride if you know him. He has mental blocks sometimes. We swear we can hear the elevator music playing in his head. After I rode at HHF, I went back home to ride Jet.

HHF has an indoor, I do not. The ground was rock hard,a  bit icy, and it was uneven. So we just walked. We worked on connecting our front end and back end, and rounding through his back, and coming up underneath himself. Did we accomplish much? No, but it was a cold and windy night so I was ok with it. He was quiet the whole time and everytime I asked for something he would give it to me the best he could so I was extremely proud of him for that. We worked on stopping and standing, something he is not fond of. I would halt him, stop for 2 seconds, then walk on, stop him again, halt for 4 seconds, etc. until we could stand there for a good 30 seconds or so. With the wind and everything else going on, he was really focused on what I was asking him.

We are still have problems when I ask for him to not stick his nose out. He fights me for it. If you give him the reins, he takes them. You can ride on the buckle and have no loop in the reins. Good and bad. We still have to work on him not stretching out, but into a correct frame but that will take time and I don't want to rush it. It is those little things that you work on that eventually all come together. We will get there =)

Later in the week we are going to truck Jet down to HHF to use the indoor and get some good work in. We will also be taking Mary-Kate's Standardbred Katie! We will definately take pictures and videos to post later!

I will keep you updated and post more often! I promise!

-Em and Jet

AWESOME ride!

I had two great rides! Yesterday we did mostly walking with a bit of trotting here or there and he was excellent! We really have to work on him rounding his neck, or atleast not sticking his nose out and playing with the bit! He is getting much better each day and now he can actually go rounded for a few steps at a time! We have to find where our feet are going again, but we are doing lots of circles, serpentines, change or directions, and more to keep his mind and body busy. It works a LOT more than just staying on the rail!

Today I got him, sat around until about 3:45om, then went out to groom Jet. I started grooming him, got all of his tack ready, and my sister came out and said, "I wanna ride with you but only when Mom comes home!" -looks at half tacked horse and sighs- "Alright, let's go lunge her because she hasn't been ridden in months..." "YAY!" So I lunged Elsa. She didn't bounce surprisingly. We brought her back down and while she was brushing Elsa, Josh(my younger brother) and I brushed Biscuit. I was amazed and so happy when Josh said that he wanted to ride Biscuit. All the horses were getting worked and brushed today! Josh is usually scared of horses but lately he has been helping me with EVERYTHING! Brushing, feeding, water, cleaning, getting tack, whatever I needed, he would be there to help. I should pay him one of these days lol. But anyways, Mom finally got home and we tacked Jet and Elsa up. (Josh was going to ride after us since he is a very beginner rider and didn't want to be on Biscuit with 2 other horses in the ring).

I was the first to get on and I let him stretch out for a lap or so in each direction. Then we got to work! We did circles, this that, and everything in between! He was a very good boy considering Elsa saved her bouncies for Abby when she was riding. He passed her nicely, was passed by her nicely, everything went amazing! We both decided to trot. Elsa was a lunatic and thought that she was the racing Standardbred going 30+ mph. Abby wasn't prepared for it and got a little nervous. She tensed up, telling Elsa to go faster. BAD CHOICE WITH ELSA. You have to stay calm on her. Your calm, she's calm. Your tense, she's tense. She is very good at reading people. But Abby kept on working with her and got her going nicely at the end. We trotting more that usual since the ground was unfrozen. We did lots of trotting and Jet did really well! He kept his head in a reasonable position and was listening to me. You and I are probably thinking two different things. He isn't the perfect made horse. He is green, and still in training so ofcourse he isn't completely balanced and ofcourse he makes mistakes but that's how we learn. He never once was out of control, he was quite the opposite. He was lazyyyyy. But that's ok, I prefer lazy over wild!

After Abby and I rode, josh rode Biscuit. He rode in a saddle without stirrups (his personal style of riding. He hates stirrups and would prefer bareback compared to using them). Biscuit hasn't been ridden constantly.... in years. Possibly ever. Nobody really know show muchhe is trained. We know he drives, but riding? Not so sure. But whenever Josh feels like riding, Biscuit is always his pick and Biscuit takes very good care of him. Before Josh got on, I had to get his bouncies out. Since he drives, he doesn't really understand lunging or if he does, he acts confused. So I brought him up to the ring all tacked up, put some grain in my hand and ran! He galloped after me, bucking and playing. We do alot of inhand work and he always stays at my shoulder. As soon as I stopped, so did he. So then Josh got on. He wanted to play Simon Says so we played Simon Says. We learned that Biscuit loves to do half-passes and knows how to do them. I also voice-command trained him and so when Josh surprisingly said, "Can we trot?" I said "Yep! ready? Biscuit.... trot!"and off we went. I wanted Biscuit to go slow so I did a brisk walk while Biscuit jogged. Overall, Josh had a blast and he was laughing and smiling the entire time! Biscuit loved being ridden and absolutely adores Josh!

I will post more later? Depends on if I have school tomorrow or not =)

-Emily and horsies

Everyone playing up in the ring!

I will post tomorrow! Today was a relaxing day. I went bowling and that really got me tired. And I am already sick so that doesn't help =/ So, no riding today.

Shadow Picture From After I Lunged Him

I decided to lunge Jet today instead of riding him. I am still feeling really sick and just didn't have the energy to ride.

I brought him up, after getting him ready, and let him dniff around the ring for a bit. I gave him a few minutes to himself, thinking he was going to roll, but he didn't! Then I walked in with the luunge line and whip. He decided that free lunging would be more fun and I was perfectly fine with that as long as he listened to me. I started by using my voice commands and positioning myself infront of him, behind him, etc. to see if he knew how to watch my body language. He was very iffy and confused at first but as time went on he got the hang of it. I asked him to trot and BAM! He was off like a shot gun! He needed to get his bouncies out apparantly (which I thought he would need to) and he was bucking and galloping and having a good old time!

After he settled down, I got back to work. I had him trotting for a little bit, then walking, halting, then a small canter (maybe once around, if that) to see if he knew the voice commands for everything. He knows everything fairly well! I was very proud of him! After going for a while in each direction I walked him out even though he was only a wee bit warm. I worked on his ground manner. This is my space, not yours. Thank you very much... We worked on halting square, staying at my shoulder, etc.

I am going to work on this everyday so hopefully I can take him to shows this year even if it is just an In-Hand class. I really want to get him off the property and into new places to get him used to it again. Since he was a race horse, he was everywhere and anywhere in the busiest times of day. He raced right next to a highway for goodness sakes! Hopefully going to new places will be a walk in the park. Hopefully...

Tomorrow I am planning to ride him as soon as I get home from school. I don't plan on doing much, but just slowly getting him back into the swing of things and getting him back into the lifestyle of a working horse vs. a very happy pasture pal that he was before. He is still very happy and is spoiled by everyone! He is just in work too! hehe. I think he enjoys having a job though... I really do. I hope to find what he wants to do this year and follow that path. I don't want to make him into anything he is not, can't be, or just doesn't want to be. Only time will tell what path we travel down together. Can't wait to find out!

Sincerely, Em and Jet!