Ring Work. Trails. Jumps.

Between the seemingly never-ending bouts of rain we have had, Jet and I have been up to a lot. We have been doing some ring work to work on getting him straight, balanced, connected throughout my body, and slowly starting to round. He is doing fantastic and I am more and more impressed everyday!

We have also done a BUNCH of trail riding. He has been quite full of himself ever since his massage. He is like a totally different horse! I'm sure the cooler weather has something to do with it aswell. We have gone a few times to the back field, a few times to Hobby Horse, and most recently we went to Mary-Kate's house. I have been practicing picking a point infront of me and keeping him straight to get there. That means keeping his ears, shoulders, and point of hip all aligned and keeping everything in that box. He has been doing really well with it!

We have also been working on his canter. In the fields, he is nailing it! He has a pretty big strides and every ride results in a slightly slower and more balanced canter. In the ring, he certainly tries his hardest but our tiny ring isn't helping him whatsoever. So instead of trying to keep the canter and just stressing the both of us out, I have been working on just getting the transitions (from trot AND walk now!), taking a few strides, then bringing him back down.

We have been playing arund with some jumps here or there. Nothing really set up in the ring, basically whatever I find. We have jumped a 22"-ish branch at Hobby Horse last weekend! We only went over it once, though. After he went over it the first time (without refusing too!) he wouldn't go back over it. Oh well... I also took some of the not-yet chopped logs and set them out and jumped them. It was only 18" or so but it was something new and fun.

We have been doing a lot of groundpoles lately. Raised and on the ground. It just helps him remember where his feet are and that he needs to pick them up lol. It adds some excitement to out boring ring rides.

Today we went to Mary-Kate's house and did tons of stuff! I started him out in a running martingale and did some w/t work. He did absolutely fantastic! Straight, slow, and starting to get a connection in the bit! Then I took the running martingale off, did some more w/t work, then practiced our canter. We were able to go once around in each direction without stopping (huge improvement from the one long side we accomplished last time!) and got transitions from the trot and walk!

After that, Maey-Kate had some jumps set up and I decided to try them. First was just a plain ordinary crossrail. He didn't look twice at it and went right over!

Then we had a 2' hedge. Orginally, I wasn't planning on even attempting it. Eventually Mary-Kate persuaded me to give it a go. What's the worst that could happen? He refuses? Well, the first time he sorta just ducked out. I came at it from a weird angle and he just kept going by it. The second time I aimed him at it I made sure we were straight, he was forward and in between my legs, and that he was paying attention to where we were going. And... he went over it! After that one time, he had no problems with it and we went over it a few mroe times from both directions.

The last jump that was set up was a haybale fence. It was two haybales upright nest to eachother. It has a lime green and blue spray painted piece of plastic on it so I was thinking it might spook him. And boy was I wrong. He went right over it! Didn't even think of refusing!

We walked them on the raods and then on the cranberry bogs. We rode for nearly 2 hours. They were pretty sweaty but I made sure I walked Jet as much as I could. I curried the heck out of huim and threw the cooler on him. He is fine now. He sure surprised me today! I absolutely love my horse! (:

We have a sshow this Sunday at Rehboth Fair grounds (Fall Fest Open Horse Show). I was going to show Jet at my school in 2 in-hand classes and 1 flat class on Saturday but I think it is too much for now. Maybe next year!

I'll let everyone know how I do (:

-Em and Jet

Finally. An Update

The past week or so have been busy. I have had two wonderful, and much needed, lesssons with my Auny on Sunday the 19th and Wednesday the 22nd. So...let's start out with that.

First, we worked on straight! She had me picture Jet as a rectangle with the corners being his ears and hips and everything else had to stay in that box. Everything had to be straight, or we would form some sort of trapezoid. Not too long after we started, he was going very well in each direction! I have to say that he did much better going to the left, his good way.

We then practiced my dressage test (Intro B). First time...was...uhh... disatrous. My Aunt know the way I think and broke it down so it was easy to think about and comprehend. First of all, she said the judges are looking for straightness, transitions, even tempo, and roundness of the circles.

First, we corrected the trot down to center line, the salute, then trotting off. He tends to drift to the right when I ask for the trot so she had me ask him with only my right leg and seat. This helped a BUNCH and he actually moved forward and straight.

Then we focused on the circle. Mine turned out to be an oddly shaped egg. The told me to think about it in fourths. Each fourth starts with a clean slate. This helped me relax and think about what I had to do and not rush it. As we did the circles, as we came to a new fourth, mentally I could comprehend that I was starting at a new point and could regather myself and Jet if I needed to. When we got it right, it was amazing! We did this in both directions. Going to the right however...he did his odd kick out to the side multiple times...more on that later in the post.

The we worked on the change of direction. She reminded me not to go corner to corner. I had to allow myself enough time to finish the first corner, straighten him out on the diagnol then switch the bend and then come behind the corner so when I reached the rail on the diagnol, I had time to organize the corner and actually ride it, and not ride into it.

This lead to our trot to walk transition. When I first practiced the test, I rushed the diagnol, went right into the corner, made a tight turn, and it resulted in an awkward transition. Once I had time to be on the rail and think about it, the transition was 10000% better!

Then the free walk. Jet waddles at the walk. So I have to allow free movement while really supporting with my seat and legs to keep him somewhat unwaddley. This was actually pretty good by the end.

We then had the walk to trot transition. Once again, he tried to buldge to the right. He also didn't want to pick it up at all in his bad direction. I just kept asking and asking and asking with my right leg and eventually we got the transition.

On Wednesday, we added a new concept. I had to connect the corners of his rectangle diagnolly. I had to use my inside leg, my seat, then catch the energy I created with my outside hand. To start this, we worked on big bubbly figure eights with a straight line when I changed direciton. We would go one direction, go stragiht, then switch the bend and push him to the rail that way. He really started to get it and engaged his hind inside leg!

On Sunday after the lesson, my wonderful Aunt (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) had her massuse give Jet a massage. He had a ton of tight spots. Especially his right shoulder, lower back, hind end, ect. He was also VERY sore on his right front in the back of his tendon on his lower leg. Everytime she would feel it, he would pull away and pin his ears. Not good... Thankfully...I have been checking everyday and there is no heat, swelling, and the pain has gone down!! He no longer flinches when it is pinch tested, We are thinking maybe he stepped funny on a rock or twisted something in the mud or maybe since he had thrush he was over compensating in his leg. Whatever it was, hopefully it is gone now. Also, his back was very tight and out of whack. After she moved things around and worked her magic, I heard  his back brack about 7 times! She hopedully popped everything into to place and it has definitely showed in the way he is moving! He doesn't waddle as much anymore! And he is able to move off of my leg so much easier! YAY!

I have been working with him on the things I learned and he has made huge progress! I can't wait for my next lesson to show my Aunt how we have improved!

Unfortunately, we did not get accpeted into the Flatlands dressage Show. We are thinking it is either because of parking limitations (they can only fit a few trailers) or that my entry never got there...hmmm...

Anyways, it has been raining and will keep raining for a while so no riding for a few days :( We are VERY busy in October too. I'll keep you updated!

THANK YOU Blogger for finally letting me log on (:

-Emily and Jet

Just letting everyone know that I am alive! I have lots to share but I keep getting an error when I try to log in...any help?

I love my horse.

I haven't been doing too much lately. With school back in session, my rides have no been as frequent or long. I have been doing some ring work and trail work. He seems to do better on the trails though. I have been wokring on getting his trot slow and collected. Once I can get him to do this, I can ask him to extend his stride at the trot into a nice working trot.

I have been doing the usual ring work. Bending, counterbending, going straight, using his hind end, circles, serpentines blah blah. The list could go on. Yesterday I decided to try him western. I have always thought he would be a good western horse and pictured us doing western in the future. We had a western saddle, but it didn't fit him. We tried Mary-Kate's saddle, still didn't fit him. Luckily, our friends "S" and "S" came to our rescue and tracked down a trail saddle for us. Thanks again guys!

I worked on really getting him collected and using his hind end to get a jog. Surprisingly, after only a few times around posting, I was able to sit and get him underneath himself. For a few times around in each direction, we actually had a nice jog going! It felt like we were trotting in place and his trot felt really smooth and comfy. He was able to do it alot easier in his good way and could get it his bad way but he drifted off the rail a lot more. After I rode him for a bit, I asked my Dad if he wanted to get on. He grabbed a helmet and hopped right on! Here are some pics:

Dad practicing his steering

Walking around

Turning around a barrel

Look like a western horse!

Look at Jet's face!

Look at dad's face!

It's love (:

 

Today Dad went on his first trail ride on Jet. I was at school when it happened so no pics :( Him and Mom went for a trail ride at Hobby Horse all by themselves. Dad brushed Jet all on his own, then Mom helped him tack up and get on. From what I was told, Dad did great and so did Jet! They had to figure out how eachother worked at first but after Dad got steering down again, they were golden. I heard that Jet took great care of Dad, even though the only walked, and they had a great time! Dad's butt was sore for a few hours after the ride since he isn't used to sitting in a saddle for 40 minutes. Dad wants to get shoes on Jet because he saw how ouchy he was on the rocks. So hopefully he will get shoes on! After they got home, Dad ran to the store and got Jet a big 5lb bag of carrots. Jet was veryyyy happy to get the carrots and will happily give my Dad a ride anytime he wants one. I love my horse.

-Emily and Jet

Trail Time

Since the Clover Valley show, I have done a lot of trail riding. Reason being, I am starting school again this Wednesday and I will not be able to go out on the trails as much so I figured I could do trails now and then ring work until the dressage show.

The day after Clover Valley, I went for a bareback trail ride. It started out bad. He was hyped up and was ready to explode. I worked him through it and got an amazing trot. Neck round, body coiled on underneath himself, engaging his hind end, straight, and slow. Couldn't have asked for any better! I tried to get a canter, couldn't get it, so worked some more at the trot. On our way home, we went through a field and I asked him again for the canter and got six strides of the most amazing canter I have ever ridden on any horse. Same as the trot, he was round throughout his body, pushing with his hind end, and there was so much lift and suspension with his front end! It was AMAZING! It was so slow and comfy! I'm not sure how long it will be until I get that canter again but boy it was nice!

Mom and I went to Hobby Horse for a few trail rides. We did lots of trotting with walking breaks. In the fields we knew well, we cantered. His canter on the trails gets fast and strung out easily because I usually let him open up. Not anymore though. I need to break that habit.

We did lots of hill work, circles, turns, etc. Yesterday I went to a part of the trails where I knew there would be some small fallen over logs and we jumped those. He was super and jumped everything I pointed him at! we went back to the derby field and did some dressage work and I got a gorgeous trot out of him for an entire long side of the field. We then went up to the indoor and I popped him over a very large cross rail twice. I though he was going to refuse but he surprised me and went right over it! the first time he plopped over it so I was more forward to it the second time and we cantered out. I called it a day, untacked, then took him for a swim. There was a photographer there and he got some pics of us that I will try to find.

This week we are going to look at a jog cart for Jet so we can drive him. It is from someone we know and is very reasonably priced! Fingers crossed!

-Em and Jet

Clover Valley Jumper Show

On Monday night, my family, friends, Jet and I went to the Clover Valley Jumper Show to compete in our first jumper show ever! I have never done jumpers, and niether has Jet, so I was excited to try something new.

To be on the safe side, I choose to only to the groundpole division. I wanted our first really jumping show to be a good experience and I didn't want to push him too much. We had two classes, and two jump offs. All of our rounds went clear! Yay!

He was pretty funny to watch. He is definitely still learning where his feet go and how he should get over a fence. The show committee really took time and effort to set the groundpoles course. Instead of just laying out a pole on the ground, they took the time to make each jump a new challenge. Some jumps were set with two or three poles stacked on each other or in a pyramid, some were on crazy angles, some had planks instead of poles. some had flower boxes, some were set up as small crossrails (laying the poles on the legs of the standards) and one had a brick wall as wings on either side of the jump. I'm really glad they did that because it presented tons of new things to Jet.

We got there at a good time but due to my trying to remember my course, signing up, then getting ready, we only had a 10 minute warm up before our first course. We did alot of walking, then some trotting, and a short canter in each direction. He picked up the canter right away!! Yay!

Our first course was a disaster. I didn't trust him enough to go over the poles because he tried to bulge out on the second fence. So I was tense and stiff, and so was he. He took a few of them pretty hilariously though. He took the brick wall fence from 6 feet away and 3 feet high! I got left behind on that one for sure..Most of the time he just trotted over them but once we got faster he took it from farther away.

Our first jump off was out best course. We cantered most of it and I trusted him enough to the fences to give him a release and ride it like a real jumper course. We placed 4th out of 12 in our first class.

Out second course was interesting. This course we had to take the brick wall fence from the other side and he took it huge again. I wasn't expecting it and lost my stirrup. I could hear everyone gasping when it happened lol Between looking at my next fence and keeping him straight, I was laughing the entire time! I fortunately picked up my stirrup before the next fence and finished the course well.

Our last jump off, he was tired. He wouldn't pick up the canter so we trotted most of it. He picked it up after the first fence, but was on the wrong lead so I brought him down, and asked again, picked it up on the right lead, but he tripped and lost his confidence in the canter. I let his trot the rest of the course and because I did, we placed 6th out of 12 riders.

I decided to ride the courses as hunter courses, although they ended up being more like a jumper course. I wanted to keep it controlled and slow, get good spots and distances(the distances didn't work out too well some of the time lol), make sure if we cantered he was on the right lead, and help him the entire way. We ended up going faster than I planned but he was having a blast and enjoyed himself and as long as I was in control asking him to do it and he was being good, I allowed him to go a little fast. He never kicked out to the side and his ears were up over every fence! It was a great experience for both of us and I'm very glad I went.

Here are a few pics that I think are either good, hilarious, or explaining what I said above:

Bulging at the second fence, first course

Brick wall wings. I got so let behind!

Trotting to fence 6, first course

Fence 6, look at his ears when he goes over them!

Not knowing what to do with his feet, jumping with he front, trotting with the back

Cantering in our first jump off

Angled zebra plank fence

Our last fence for every course but the final jump off

LOVE THIS PICTURE<3

Second course, losing my stirrup over the brick wall winged fence

Cantering out of fence 5

Fence 6

Pretty boy!

Curling over on him because I had the worst stomach ache :(

(:

Cantering in our last course, Jump off 2

All done!

-Em and Jet

Ride 8/28/10 and Decision

Not much has been going on. The weather has been GREAT! Today was cool with not too much humidity. Perfect! We brought the horses up to the ring to dry their feet and walk around. I brought Jet up first and free-lunged him for a bit. He was a wild man! Bucking, galloping, hopping, popping, rearing, ect. After he got his bouncies out, I got his focus back on me and we had a nice session. He moved around my body position and I got a nice walk, trot, and canter out of him.

In the early afternoon, I went over to my friend's house and hooked their pony into my harness for Biscuit. We think that their pony may have been driven in the past but we weren't sure. He responded really well! He got nervous and unsure at times but overall it was a productive day. I then watched their friend get on their young horse and go for their first ride off of the lunge line! It was awesome! I took tons of videos! I'm going to make them into a movie for them once I find Mom's cord to her camera that she lost. Grr!

We came back home after, fed the horses, I did the stall, and blah blah. A few hours later I brought him up to the ring. I gave him a nice long grooming session, then ground drove him. We didn't ground drive too long. Just long enough to get his muscles stretched out without him getting tired. Mom then got behind him and tried it out herself. They did great at the walk but I don't think I've ever seen Mom move as fast as she did when she tried to trot him! LOL! After that, I got back behind him and fixed him. Not that he was broken, but I wanted to get a nice slow trot out of him after Mom was running like a maniac with him!

After that, I tacked him up in his riding gear. We did lots of walking, moving off my leg, circles, ground poles, and our basic warm up. We then did the same thing at the trot. I practiced what I did in my lesson with my Aunt a week ago. I admit it was MUCH harder to do it in our smaller ring but we did it successfully in both directions, moving off my leg both ways. We had some great moments, mostly really good ones, and no bad ones! He was on the bit and his trot felt different to me. It felt more balanced and like I didn't have to use as much energy to hold him up as I normally do so we are moving in the right direction! During our trot work, I threw in a few short canters (we got once around in each direction once and halfway in both directions several times) to let him stretch and to practice refocusing him after I ask for it. He is getting much better at that! He used to get all amped up to the point where I could barely get him to walk after we cantered. Now, we posting trot, sitting trot, canter, sitting trot, posting trot, then walk. Usually once we get back to the spot where I asked him to canter he gets fast but nothing like it used to be. So proud of him!

I have decided to do both the Jumper show and the Dressage Test. Hopefully I will get some babysitting and work at the farm done between now and the Dressage show. I have enough money to pay for it now but I don't want to be left with $50. Oh well. They both will benefit us in different ways and I'll be happy to do them!

-Emily and Jet

What to do... What to do...

Finally got to ride again yesterday! Before I hopped on, I ground drove Jet. He absolutely loveed it and it seemed to help him stretch out his muscles. This might become a regular thing actually! And this is why...

I ground drove him both directions at the walk and trot, and Mary-Kate did aswell. After, I rode him and he was the best he has ever been! I have no idea what it was! Maybe the time off? Maybe stretching him out by ground driving before? Maybe it was cooler out and at night? Who knows.. all I know is that I had a fantastic ride! He has ever felt better! Straight, slow, long and low! He was constantly on the bit and roudn throughout his BODY and not just his neck! He was stretching up underneath himself and engaging his hind end. Never ever has it come together so well. EVER! He was so straight and the quality of his trot was better than it has been. I was impressed for sure!

Mary-Kate hopped on him after me and he was the same for her as he was for me. I haven't had the pleasure to watch my horse be ridden by too many people. When he was going as well as he was for me, I was interested to see how he would do for Mary-Kate. He looked so great! He definitly tested her at the beginning to see what he could get away with but she knows how to ride and put him in his place. She figured him out pretty quickly. Loose contact, let him find where he is supposed to be, guide him if needed, then once he is going well and asks for the contact, pick it up little by little and push him forward to keep it with your legs and seat. She has been doing this type of work with her Standardbred so they worked together really well.

It was fantastic to see and I was so proud! Here is a crappy pic off of my phone of Mary-Kate and Jet. He was bending around a corner and was a little to the inside still but he was round liek this the whole time!

Today we went to Hobby Horse and rode in the ring. Jet was one sided and only wanted to bend one way at the trot. I think his left side it stiff and he is having trouble bending right because his left side is tight. We will do more suppling and stretching before for sure. We did a few short canters each direction, popped over a crossrail maybe 5 or 6 times, trotted over some ground poles, took him for a walk in the field, then cantered him in the big field. We had lots of walking breaks and he never got extremely hot. We cantered down the long side twice and I got a nice canter out of him! Not a gallop! After I let him loose and we went! I just wanted a fast trot but he broke into the canter. Once I kicked him a little harder than I should have and he let me know he was not happy by kicking out. I'm still worried that something is wrong. It isn't a happy-go-lucky buck like my Aunt guessed. His ears are pinned when we canter. He isn't happy. Something is wrong. Hopefully we will get the chiropractor out here soon.

That being said, we may skip Clover Valley for the groundpole jumpers this Monday and instead go to Flatlands Equestrian Center to do an Intro Test in September. Maybe both? Not sure yet...I will find out tomorrow!


-Emily and Jet

Apology for my Absence

Hello! Sorry I have been well...absent from the blog. A little catching up..

Haskins:
Jet was AMAZING! Straight, slow, and no head in the air! The class was HUGE (10 people and there are usually 6 or 7) and it was in the "scary ring". Last time we showed in this ring was in May and we had a tantrum every time we came near this corner. This time, he was PERFECT! I was able to get deep into all of the corners and then go straight down the rail.

The judge was very fair in the first two classes. I agreed with the placings and felt that everyone got what they deserved. We placed 4th in Equitation! (Surprising since I usually never place high since he is usually a dink). The people that placed above me were the ones that usually do plus a horse that was in the first show but not any others. They really deserved to be placed above me.

In pleasure we placed 5th! He was trotting and then dead stopped and pooped right in front of the judge...Oh Jet.. He was being so good too! That class was crazy.. three of the horses were cantering like crazy, one wouldn't trot, and then you had those that were perfect, and then Jet who was excellent besides his pooping. I was surprised when we got called for 5th!

In trail, he was amazing! Trotted over one pole, went through the backup with a bit of fuss but we did it, no problem with the bridge, didn't blink an eye at the mail box, and then there was the pin wheel. We had to trot around four poles in a pinwheel shape. Jet tried very hard for me and I was proud of him. We completely missed the third pole the first time but he was trying and that was all that counts! No sure how we placed...

Discipline rail was crazy. You would have thought that the judge would have remember the pleasure class and would go easy on us but no. One of the commands was, "Put you reins in your left hand, put your right hand behind your back, and trot." Are you crazy?! 10 GREEN horses, half of them cantered in the last class and you want us to do this? talk about dangerous! But Jet was PERFECT! We placed 5th in the class but both I and people on the rail agreed that I should have been placed in the top three but it's not about the ribbons. I was proud of him and we had a great day!

I gave Jet a few days off, then did a light ride on Tuesday I think. Thursday Natalie came over and we rode Jet. I worked on straight and just got him warmed up and then Natalie popped on him. They did really well! Jet definitely tested her at the beginning and tried to see what he could get away with. She started to teach him how to turn on the haunches and he responded really well! that is definitely something I will continue to work on! We then set up some ground poles and Natalie took him oer them at both the trot and the canter! Jet was really good. It took him a bit to figure out the striding but he got it! We took him for a walk around the street and ended it on that.

Saturday I took him for a lesson at my Aunt's house. We worked a lot at the trot and I was surprised with what he accomplished. She had us take a corner wide, then move him over with my outside leg, then take a corner short, and move him to the rail with my inside leg. It made him much more responsive to my leg when I asked him to move straight. She said that he thinks he knows what he is supposed to do, so he thinks ahead and does it. This makes him unresponsive to my aids because he think he is doing what I will ask. Doing things like this will supple him and make him listen to my aids more. After the lesson, he wasn't even hot so we went for a canter around her field. He was very good! He kicked out to the side once and it was because he wanted to go see Elsa who was walking away from him. Besides that, he was very good. I got two or three really nice canter strides out of him but I admit that the rest of it was basically a hand gallop. With time he will get better.

Yesterday and today has been non-stop rain. Uggh. We were going to do the Clover Valley Jumper show today but thankfully it got post-poned to next Monday. We are going to do ground pole jumpers! Ha ha. I just want to take him to new places and teach him that not every time we go out we will be doing the same thing. We will go nice and slow the first round then pick up the speed if I think he can handle it is we make it to the jump-off. There are only two classes so it won't be too much. I will post more often now!

I am adding new pictures to the picture page so check them out!!!

-Em and Jet

What is this? Listening?

Today was a...surprising day! Jet was actually...listening! What a change!

We started off on a loose rein just walking around. I then picked up the contact and made a circle spiral and we did it in and out in each direction. I moved on to the rail and had him go straight, bend around my inside leg on the corners, then straight again. I then asked him to move off the rail with my outside leg and he responded well to that aswell. We did some circles in the corners, figure eights, etc. to help him stretch all of his muscles.

We then worked at the trot and I focused on STRAIGHT and wait. Once I got him straight, I would half halt, gather him up, then ask him to step larger. If his beat changed, I would bring him back and pick him up again. Eventually we were going the same pace, with a bigger stride, going STRAIGHT all the way around the ring! Going his good direction he even got on the bit! He really surprised me for sure!

After going in each direction several times and being satisfied, I worked on turning on the forehand. We have played around with this before but only a step at a time. Today I asked him to go half way around each direction and he did so well! Doing this exercise is helping me figure out how he responds when I ask him to move his hind end. I am finally figuring out where he likes to be asked and where he responds the most, etc. Hopefully this will help for the show on Sunday!

Tomorrow is going to be hectic. So much going on and not just horse-related. I may not get aroudn to posting tomorrow but I'll definately post after the show!

-Emily and Jet

Update

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! I have been up in Maine for the past few days so there was nothing really to update about. Anyways, now that I'm back...

I rode Jet yesterday at Mary-Kate's house. We did a lot of walking and trotting with a short canter in each direction. We then popped over a small crossrail a few times. He was really good! We had to stretch out a bit before I could really ask him to do anything. I was SO surprised at how straight he was going!! It was amazing! I didn't ask him for too much since he had been off for a while but I worked on going straight, then moving off my leg, circles, ect. He field is a small small hill so the slight incline helped him move underneath himself.

Our canter wasn't pretty at all and I am going to lay off of it for a while. I am going to try to have a massouse out here and take a loook at him. I think something, somewhere is btohering him. He only kicked once, but his ears were pinned the entire time. He was willing and kept going when I asked but he only did it because I am mommy.  It isn't typical of his tempermant for him to do things like kicking out so that is why it is bothering me. Hopefully we can schedule something with our friend who is a massouse and see what she thinks.

I am also questioning a few other things. Maybe the saddle isn't fitting quite right since he has been getting more muscled. I am going to try free lunging him and seeing if he still kicks out at the canter. Maybe his old suspensory injury is bothering him? Who knows... Hopefully it is an easy fix and nothing too serious.

I got a job! I am working for a woman in town at her barn to help with barn chores and maintenence. Today we picked paddocks and painted part of her ring fence. It wasn't too exciting but I got to work with Mary-Kate which was fun! She really helped me out and showed me the ropes. Hopefully if I work regularly for her, I will make about $450 a month. I would put $50 a month away for vet bills, farrier, emergency, etc. just so if money got tight or something came up, there would be money right there. I will also pay for all of my show fees, get a new show helmet, and put the rest into savings. The woman talked about us working for her next year so the job looks promising!

No ride today. It was to hot, then it rained. I will definately ride tomorrow, ride at my Aunt's house on Saturday, then go to the Haskins show on Sunday. More updates to come!

-Emily and Jet

Rehoboth Fair 2010

I had an awesome time at the fair yesterday! Mary-Kate ended up not going because Katie refused to get on the trailer for 3 hours. So I went all by myself but Mary-Kate came to watch. Jacqie and Kate brought Hunter and Bella and did the wtc division and games. Go to www.huntertobe.blogspot.com to see how they did!

Jet was a super star! The judge, however, was not a great one. Everyone complained about her, not just me. I wasn't in it for the ribbons but placing people that were on the wrong diagnol and breaking above people that were on the right diagnol and not breaking just because they were in proper show attire was unfair. The only required attired were boots with a heel and a helmet. Who knows... I got there at about 8:55am since Katie wouldn't load. I was afraid I would miss my first class but like always, the fair was running late and I had a 30 minute wait until it started.

Our first class was In-Hand. There were 14 people in the class and we ended up placing 3rd!! The flat classes were...horrible honestly. Jet was perfect but the geniuses running the fair combined Jr. walk trot with Jr. leadline so we only trotted around the ring halfway in each direction! Jet's walk isn't the best so we never really had our chance to shine. I was upset that they did that but what are you going to do..Jet has NEVER been as good in the show ring as he was yesterday!No nose in the air, slow, and straight! YAY! He wasn't too pleased with one side of the ring what was particularly deep so we stayed off the rail on that side. I was thrilled with him and his overall behavior at the show. It keeps getting better each time! Our of 9, we ended up placing 5th in Equitation (even my family, friends, and bystanders couldn't figure out this one...Jackets places above polos. I'm not upset about it, I just want to know what I did wrong), didn't place in Pleasure, 4th in Crossrails(FIRST CROSSRAIL CLASS EVER!), and 3rd in horsemenship! He was awesome in the crossrail! It was a simple one time around the ring with four jumps on the rail. In our warm up I got left behind on almost every jump because he jumped them huge so when I went to go into my class, I was expecting the jump and instead he trotted over the first three. So I looked like an idiot for getting into a jumping position. And the last jump he actually jumped and cantered away and I got left behind. Not bad for our first over fences class ever! I was SO proud of him! No refusuals or even looking at the jumps! (I have both the warm up and class on video)

The games were so much fun! We did Mint Julip, Barrel Race, Izzy Dizzy race, and Boots and Saddle race. There were about 15-20 people in Mint Julip. We had to walk and trot on the rail like a normal class. Whoever had the most water at the end of the class won. He was so much better than I expected him to be! When we practiced this, he was flying around the ring sideways everytime he got a drop of water on him. At the show he was slow and listening to my one-handed odd steering! I went into a half seat after my Mom suggested it after we trotted around once at the trot. All of the water I lost was during that trotting time. Once I got into the halfseat at the trot going the second direction, we didn't spill a drop! We placed 3rd! (I have a short video of this class)

There were atleast 20 people in the barrel race. This included real barrelers, jumpers with speed, and some good competition! I was in it for the fun and not to win so I was excited to see everyone racing around the barrels. To get his legs warmed up and his rear in gear, we galloped around a field. After that we went into the class. When I asked him to go, he gave me a super fast trot instead! So we trotted the first barrel and to the second barrel. He picked up the canter and made a wide turn around the second, broke from the canter, trotted to the third, and galloped home. If we would have trotted the whole thing until the final turn, we would have won. Our time was around 22 seconds. (I have a video too!) It was funny because his trot was faster than almost all of the other horses' gallops! We placed 3RD!! I was so surprised!

Next class was Izzy DIzzy. You had to gallop down to the opposite side of the ring, dismount(there was someone there to hold your horse), then you had to put your head on a baseball bat and spin around 5 times, then run back to the start. There was about 15-20 people in this. We watched most of the people go(it was HILARIOUS! Jacqie fell down, Kate ran in the wrong direction, and a few other people were pretty funny too!). I got him ready to go, then galloped down there, had some trouble getting off (overshot the person), eventually got off, then either had my head on the bat or the bat on the bucket(it was a short bat so it had to be on a bucket instead of the ground) but never both. I stood up, figured out where I was, then ran back as fast as I could. We won this class! (I have a video of it too)

The last class was the Boots and Saddle race. Everyone doing it(about 8 people) put their boots in a pile at one side of the ring. We then had to mount up in our socks and ride to the other side of the ring and wait for the go. Every person in the race had their own individual horse holder to hold their horse. We had to race (at the same time) to the pile of boots, dismount, find your own boots in the pile, put them on, then run back. My friend Ashlee and I challenged eachother so it was on! I was smart enough to pick a spot across from the pile of shoes so I wouldn't have to run over once I got off. They said go ann we galloped down there! I got off (was smart enough to use my paddock boots and not my tall boots for this) found them pretty easily, then put them halfway on before I saw other people just about to start running, then decided to run with them halfway on and we won! It was a fun time!

Overall it was a great show! I had a blast in the games, not to thrilled about the regular classes but it was a great experience for Jet. He has never done this many classes before and I was very proud of him! Pictures and videos up soon!

So in conclusion:
Rehoboth Fair Horse Show Results:
Open Horse or Pony In-Hand- 3rd out of 14
Jr. Walk-Trot Equitation- 5th out of 9
Jr. Walk-Trot Pleasure- Did not place
Jr. Walk-Trot Crossrails- 4th out of 7
Jr. Walk Trot Horsemanship- 3rd out of 9
Mint Julip Class- 3rd out of 15-20
Coverleaf Race- 3rd out of over 20
Izzy Dizzy Race- 1st out of about 15
Boots and Saddle Race- 1st out of 8


Yay!


-Em and Jet

Groundpoles, Hills, and Improvement

Yesterday while Mary-Kate was over, I set up some ground poles in the ring to work Jet over. We did our walking warm up and went into the trot. At first, he was super confused on how to get over them. He would jump them, try to avoid them, almost step on them, but by the fourth time around, he got it. He started trotting over them PERFECTLY! We did this in each direction for a while. He started asking for connection on the bit, and he was moving straighter than he normally was. I was thrilled with the ride so far and decided to ask for the canter. We trotted the first ground pole, picked up the canter over it, then cantered the second pole (it was set up as a bounce). He got the hang of this and thought it would be more fun to pick up the canter before the first one and just canter the poles so we did that a few times in each direction as well! I noticed that when we did this, it helped with his canter transitions and the quality of his canter aswell. It was a more distinct three beat. I think that he was more balanced and listening to my seat so I could help him more which resulted in a nicer canter. We then practiced for the Mint Julip Class which we will be in at the fair on Friday. This is when you hold a glass of water and go around at the walk and trot and the person who has the most water at the end of the class wins. It was... interesting. Once a bit of water fell on him, he thought the cup was the cup of doom and was trying to run away from it. I eventually ran out fo water but I kept the cup in my hand and practiced riding with it empty. He calmed down after a while so I called it quits. After our cup of water expedition, we went for a walk around the street. my street is a horse-shoe with hills on both sides of the U. So we went up and down the hills at a walk a few times to help develop his hind end. I hosed him off and let him have a bit of grass once he was cooled out for being such a good boy!
Today I wanted to accomplish a few things.
-Straight
-Getting underneath himself
-Me controlling the pace of the trot
- and Practice barrels for the barrel race this Friday

Let me tell you, he BLEW ME AWAY today. I don't think he has ever been so straight or round before. It was really really nice to ride but I felt like we weren't forward enough. I had him coiled, slow, and round, but I needed to take that and lengthen his stride more. I think he wa s abit behind my leg. Something to work on tomorrow.. Anyways, He was getting into the corners, listening to my leg and seat, and asking for connection to the bit again! We did alot of walking and trotting then practiced the barrels. I did it three times at the walk at first(sitting trot home). I think the more I do it, even at a walk, the more he will remember the pattern and he will know what to expect. We then did it at a slow sitting trot(posting trot home), then at a posting trot (canter home). after a few times, he knew that once I turned him into the fence then turned him around, it meant go time! his ears perked up and he was off! I gets excited when he has fun! We trotted the first one, cantered around the second one, trotted to the third, then galloped home. I did this once more then called it a day. We went for another walk around the street then I hopped on him bareback to help me feel how he moves. He was really good and did a longer trot than the last time we trotted bareback. He was such a good boy! I cooled him down, practiced a bit for in-hand, then let him eat some grass. Gotta love my boy! So, goals:
-Straight *Accomplished
-Getting underneath himself  *Somewhat accomplished
-Me controlling the pace of the trot  *We got the slow down, now need the forward (not fast, forward)
- and Practice barrels for the barrel race this Friday *Accomplished

Tomorrow I am not sure what we are going to do. I'll post after though!

-Em and Jet

Pics from Ride, Shots, Ride

Jet got his shots yesterday as well as the strangles vaccine and coggins. We had the vet do the shots in his bum instead of his neck to see if he has the same reaction. I woke up today and there was only a small bump (like a mosquito bite size) on his bum where they gave the shots! The vet suggested going for "a light hack" today so he doesn't get stiff and sore. It was a nice and cool day so Mom and I trucked the horses down to Hobby Horse for a trail ride. We went around in the ring a bit to get a feeling of how stiff the horses were. Elsa was very stiff in the neck, but Jet was just fine! I did maybe 3 or 4 laps of trot in each direction to see how he felt. The rest of the day was basically walking. We went all around the fields just letting the horses have a nice walk. We did a short trot here and there but nothing to work up a sweat. All in all, he was very good and I think it was nice to get him out and about just relaxing.

Before the vet came yesterday, I lunged Jet since I didn't think I would have enough time to ride and because we haven't lunged in a while. I had to remind him that I was directing him where to go, he wasn't jsut going to gallop around. We did lots of walk and trot and a fair amount of canter too! I set up two ground poles so that he could trot in, pick up a cnater over the first one, then have a bounce to the second one. He handled it very well! I moved them closer at the end so he could trot over them so that he knew groundpoles didn't mean jump. It took him a few times to get the striding but he got it at the end and I was pleased!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day so we will go for a ride. Still not going to go full out but we are going to do more than today.

Here are pics from the ride with M-k and Abby:

He usually follows me to the mounting block but he stopped and I was trying to call him over. I failed!

Trotting

I love my horse!

Double Bareback!

Jet, 7/27/10

I got artistic! Katie is in the background

Jet with his friend

-Em and Jet

Long Ride

Yesterday Mary-Kate, Abby, and I rode at my house. We did a lot of ring work first. Probably a good hour or so. But most of the time it was just one person on the rail at a time and two people video taping/taking pictures so it really wasn't that much work. Abby and I went over the cross rail a few times and Mary-Kate did both of the jumps I set up. They all were really good! Elsa and Katie refused or almsot refused the crossrail a few times but Jet didn't. What a good boy! We ware done for jumping until probably next Wednesday when we will pop over a new crossrail (I took the other one down) to practice for the Rehoboth Fair (8 days left!!) Then Mary-Kate hopped on Jet and I hopped on Katie. M-k did a little bit of trotting and popped over the cross rail once. I did w/t/c with Katie and did both jumps. We then switched back and headed out for the trails!

We got back there, walked around for a while, then Mary-Kate and I decided to canter down the straightaway. Jet cantered down it nicely a few times, and then we galloped down it! He was FLYING! Then M-k and I had a race and I won even though I lost my stirrups! (: Josh, my little brother, walked out with us to take videos (my Mom did aswell) so he got blisters on his feet. He decided that he wanted to ride Jet back with me (he feels safest on Jet) so Mom offered to carry the saddle back if I let Josh ride bareback with me. Ofcourse that was fine so we untacked Jet and hopped on bareback. He was an angel with both of us on there! I love my horse!

We got back, hosed them off, I sponged Jet with linament, and then we turned Katie and Jet out together in the ring. We don't know when the last time Katie was turned out with other horses (she has goat friends at home) so we weren't sure how things were going to work out. Amazingly, they got along PERFECTLY! A few mare squeels at first but then they were basically attatched at the hip! It was adorable! I'll put pictures up later.

I'm planning on just hopping on Jet bareback today and walking him around to stretch out his muscles so he doesn't get stiff and sore. I'll post later!

-Em and Jet

Awesome Ride Today!

Trotting
Trotting some more!
Trotting Out Bad Direction
Jumping a Crossrail- Bad direction
He gets excited and sticks his nose in the air! A habit we will have to stop. You can also see our sometimes sideways-ness in this video
Jumping- Good direction
He cross-cantered after the first two times but after that he picked up the lead completely! We will have to work on balnce to the jump and his take off so the cross-cantering doesn't continue
Cantering the Crossrail!
His first time doing it in almost two months! And he has only done it a few times before anyways. I need to keep him out more but I was still proud that he cantered it (:

He was a very good boy all in all. TEN DAYS until the Rehoboth Fair!!

Tomorrow I am riding with Mary-kate and my sister in the early AM to beat the heat! We will tkaes pics and videos!

-Em and Jet

Haskins results

It was an interesting day at Haskins yesterday. It was HOT! I was sweating while I was tacking up! We got there early and I took him out for some grass, walked him all around, then let him look around while I brushed him. I tacked him up for a quick warmup in the outdoor arena (which was incredibly disguisting with mud since it has been raining on and off all week). He was really good in the warm up. I was thinking calm and he was calm! The first time we walked around he was a little spooky but I just worked through it. After a few laps of walking, I picked up the trot. He was being a superstar! Moving around several horses no problem, going through puddles, and going slow! I went each direction for a little bit. Then I felt that we had accomplished what I wanted for warm up so we went back to the trailer.

Our first class (equitation) was called and we went into the ring. Four horses entered and I felt that was a good number since the indoor is small. Then someone said, "We have another one coming!" and three more entered. It was a little crowded but not too bad. We had enough room for our own spot at the walk. He was great at the walk, not spooking, going straight, listening...but as soon as the trot was called...forget about it. "Straight? Waht do you mean Mom?" His nose was up in the air, his trot was a little fast (but not bad for him) so we had to move around a lot of horses. Then he broke....then he broke again...and again...and again...and then once more. Yep. He broke FIVE times in that class. I didn't have a crop, and I don't own spurs. The worst part was that he would go nice a fast so I would only have my leg on him to try to get him to stay straight inbetween them and then BAM! He would stop. Right infront of the judge every single time. Oh boy. There were 6 in that class so we placed 6th. (One person left in the middle of the class because she felt sick). The judge came up to me when we were exiting the ring and told me that if he hadn't broke, we would have placed high, but I worked through it well.

Then we went over to get our trail done. It was a simple course but I didn't study it long enough. We weaved around 3 cones, then had to circle around the last one, trot over 4 ground poles, back through the modified-L, the halt on the raised platform for 5 seconds. That is what I remembered. What I didn't remember is how to get to each of them. grr! We went around the cones just fine (Honestly, I was surprised about that) then we made a bigger circle than other people were doing but he didn't break from the trot with is what I was most proud about. Out past experiences with the poles and trotting was always bolt off to the side, then when we went back for a second try, he would trot the first, walk the second, trot the third, and hop over the fourth. This time it was a bit different. He didn't refuse them at all (YAY!) but he jumped the first two xD Gotta love him. Then he didn't know where his feet were and I didn't want him to hurt himself (he has stepped on poles several times and almost hit himself with thatm) so I pulled him out of the last two since he was already towards one side of them. Then we walked over to the back-through, I lined him up and asked him to back. It was a fight for a while to get him to take one step. So once he tooka  step, I rewarded him. Then He got the idea and listened. We did the rest of the back through easily (only took one step out of it I think, but it was my fault.) Then he was standing there and I couldn't remember what I was supposed to do next. I knew it was the raised platform, but I had no idea how to get there. So I walked back through the back-through then walked on the platform sideways, tried to halt him on it (ofcourse he couldn't, it was too skinny) so I took him off, and went the right way and he had no problem. He went on no problem and got all four feet on and halted for the 5 seconds. I hadn't seen any other horse do it so far so I was proud (: I walked out and looked at the course again and saw that I was supposed to keep backing out of the back through the just  walk over the platform. Woops. Oh well. I was still proud and the judge told me I did a great job! We placed 5th out of 7.

We took him back to the trailer after ever class, untacked him, sponged him off, gave him some water, then cooled him out by walking him around. We put him on the trailer when there were long periods between classes to let him chill there and he was happy to relax.

Pleasure was crowded! 8 people! I had a crop this time and I was determined not to let him break. So what does he do? He breaks. Right infront of the judge again. So I tapped him with the crop and for the rest of the class, he was pretty speedy. But, he broke again! I was not a happy camper. It wasn't because we didn't place, it was because he completely ignored all of my aids. Seat, legs, hands, everything! We forgot how to turn, go straight, and keep going. So after that class, I took him to an empty ring and let him know that I was the boss, not him. I did a lot fo transitions to get his focus. Trot, walk, halt, trot, etc. He broke and I gave him a tap behind my leg this time and he bolted. He was on the virge of cantering. I worked through it, and kept working on the transitions. He bolted a few more times from the halt to trot but we eventually got to the point where he would halt, then pick up the trot without bolting or racing into it. By the end of our five or so minute fight, he was going on the bit for a few steps at a time. We brought him back to the trailer (which was right next to this ring) and did the cool down.

Discipline rail was next. There was an unexpected lunch break the class before ours so I was already tacked up and up by the ring. It was empty so I went in there to work him a bit and make sure that he would not break in there either. I only trotted a bit, then worked on the transitions, then brought him back to the trailer for water. By then, there was only 10 minutes left in the lunch break so I just walked him around. We finally went in for our class and he was perfect! I think all the sudden and frequent transitions kept him focused on me. We didn't break at all in this class! YAY! There were seven people in this class so it was a bit crowded. His transitions were perfect. He never took a bad step or moved form the halt when he wasn't supposed to, or get ansy, or anything. I pretended that we were the only ones in the ring and nobody was watching. It was just me and him. And it paid off! We WON that class! I was so proud!! He got spoiled with treats, got another sponge down, and off we went back home.

So...goals.
-Get there early and let him calm down. Don't rush anything

                     Achieved. Got there around 8:10 and kept it slow and steady.

-In the classes, don't worry about getting him round. That will come with more experience.
                     Definately achieved. I was more focused on keeping him going! lol
-Get him straight in the classes
                    Not achieved. That will come with time.
-Keep my hands UP!
                    Hmm...not really sure. Again, I was more focused on him than me.
-Go through the trail course without any problems
                    Besides me forgetting the course, then him jumping the ground pole, then me pulling him out, achieved!
-Place third or higher in one class
                   Achieved! We won the discipline rail class!

Haskins Show tomorrow!

We didn't thinkl we would be able to go to this show since his coggins reached the year mark at the end of May. However, I contacted the show commitee and they said that since it isn't too outdated, I can still show! So we did some balancing and flexing work today. The ride was maybe 30 min long. It was short, nice, and he was perfect! Which means tomorrow probably won't be good since after he is perfect, he usually bombs for a day or two. Tomorrow I have some goals I want to accomplish:
-Get there early and let him calm down. Don't rush anything
-In the classes, don't worry about getting him round. That will come with more experience.
-Get him straight in the classes
-Keep my hands UP!
-Go through the trail course without any problems
-Place third or higher in one class

I may think of some more and I'll add them to the list tomorrow when I tell you how we did.

The man is all braided and tomorrow I will hose off his legs since he is heel high in mud right now. I'll probably have to redo some of his braids tomorrow morning since he always rubs a few out. 6:00am wake up call!

Wish us luck!

-Em and Jet

100th post! Updates..

This is officially my 100th post! yay!

Yesterday I rode at home and worked on what I did during my lesson on Monday. It is hard to remember to keep my left hand up when nobody is there reminding me. Overall, good ride. He listened, had more wait than go but he tried. I was proud of him and ended it on a good note.

"Jet! Put your ears up!!"

Today I went to Mary-Kate's house to ride (her blog is http://www.doyleskatiet.blogspot.com/!). When we were tacking up, Jet saw the horse-eatting chickens. He didn't spook but he made sure he knew where they were at all times. After we tacked up, we started off in the ring. We did a lot of walking and some trotting. Enough to get them all warmed up and ready to go. I really worked on keeping him straight, keeping his chin centered and keeping an even, slow pace.

Going straight!

Going round for a little bit

Then we  went out to her field (right next to the ring) to do some more trotting, a bit of cantering, and jumping! We set up one crossrail, a half crossrail, and she already set up a haybale jump. I did the crossrail twice in each direction and then the half crossrail three times. He was such a good boy! His ears were up the entire time and he was having fun! I didn't want to over do it so I was happy with the little we did. I got him to trot in and canter out instead of his usually trot over then stop! Yay!

Ears up, knees tucked! He was loving it!

Again, I was so proud!

Katie and Mary-Kate over the crossrail!

My awesome photgraphy skills! Over the haybale!

We then went for a ride around the cranberry bogs. We got toa  straightaway of grass and decided that Mary-Kate and Katie would gallop down first, stop halfway, then I would catch up with them on Jet. as soon as they took off, Jet got all upset and wanted to go. So we went but we had a nice slow canter going behind them! Katie then got scared that Jet was right behind her and took off! I have never seen her gallop so fast! I was waiting for them to slow down to slow Jet down and Mary-Kate was waiting for me to slow down so Katie could slow down. Neither of us knew this because I jsut thought they were galloping so I followed. We ended up going all the way down the straightaway, down a gravel path, then Marykate turned Katie into the tree and we both stopped. We walked them out and went back to her house. We set up some cones as "barrels" and practiced the pattern for the barrel race at Rehoboth Fair. I walked the course once or twice then trotted them and cantered home a few times. He is getting it more and more each time we do it. I really have to balance him around the turns and really slow him down before them to pick him up. It will get better with time. Exacly two weeks until the Rehoboth Fair! I can't wait!

-Em and Jet