Ride 7/10/10

On Saturday, Mom and I went for a ride. We tacked up quickly to try to beat the rain. We got on and headed out into the jumping field when we heard thunder. Uggh. So we worked in the jumping field for a while. We did circles, serpetines, etc. He was doing REALLY well! The thunder stopped so we continued onto the trails. We only went in the fields and not out into the woods incase it did start to thunder again (so that way we could just canter back). We did lots of trotting! Elsa was sweaty and Jet was jsut a little warm. We went back to the first field and Mom called it quits. She stood in the middle on Elsa while I cantered around. His canter was AMAZING! We picked it up on a turn but did most of it down the long side of the field. He was sooo good! He was even in a frame! I am not sure how or why but I just let him be where he was most comfortable (I was just happy he was cantering lol!). We went a little bit in each direction before I walked him a bit and gave him lots and lots of praise. Then it happened. The skys opened up on us and the rain came. Oh joy..."Mom, let's go back now." "No! It is fun to ride in the rain!" So we stayed out in the rain and got SOAKED! We did a little bit more cantering then finally went back to the barn, soaking wet. Mom took Elsa in the barn to wash her off. I wanted to see if I could still have Jet focus on me if Elsa left him so I continued to ride. We did a lot of walking, then a little trotting, and then I asked for a canter. Going the the left, he would NOT pick it up. So going the right, his good direction, I told him that if he did a few strides, he would be all done and he would get cookies! He must have understood me because after I said that (we had a few failed attempts before) he picked it up! Was the transition pretty? No. Did we keep it for long? No. But was I proud? You betcha!

Lesson tomorrow! Can't wait to finally get one on him :D

-Emily and Jet

Amazing Day

Today we had an amazing ride! Yesterday too!

Let's start with yesterday...we did A LOT of walking work. I got him to the point where he was collected, round, and moving off my leg for a few strides at a time. I was really proud that we got that since we were doing a lot of trail and hill work and very little work on this recently. We moved up to the trot and I got the same results for a few strides at a time. I had set up a cross rail before and I had promised myself and Jet that if I wanted to jump it, I would have my Mom watch at all times and if she said that something was wrong, I would stop. I called her out and had her watch a few minutes of flat work and then I asked if I could jump. She said, "Sure, I don't see why not!" We popped over it three times in each direction then went on a walk around the street.

Today was even better! We did a lot of walking and circle work again. I think this really helps him get into the grove of things. We wrok for a few minutes then have a break of loose rein stretching, then more work, etc. so he has a breather inbetween. We got going really well today at the trot especially after we....cantered! We went around about twce in each direction and he wanted to go more! He was just so unbalanced that I needed to bring him back. He got all hyped up after the cantering so I had to really bring him back down. He enjoyed it and was a good boy but man...he was really unbalanced. My ring is tiny so he has a hard time in there... I will just stick with bigger rings and trails for cantering right now until he can balance himself. And.... we jumped once each direction over the crossrail. We actually trotted over it like a cavaletti but I wanted him to wait and not rush towards it then throw himself over it. I was very pleased (: We went for another walk around the street then I hosed him off. GREAT day!

Hopefulyl riding with my aunt tomorrow. I'm going to give her a call tomorrow morning and ask if she can help me. *fingers crossed*

I'll post tomorrow after my ride!

-Emily and Jet

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Be safe and have fun!

I will post later about my amazing ride earlier today!

After Pics!

Front Hooves Before

They are different shapes and sizes =/

Front Hooves, side view, before. He has no heel and too much toe!

Back Hooves, side view, before

Back Hooves, front view, before. You can see how he is toed out...

Trimmed!

Jet is getting his feet done today! FINALLY! We will also Thrushbust him today and then again tomorrow. The farrier is coming in an hour so I am going to lunge him a bit now because I don't want to work him with his new feet. He needs some time to adjust since he is overdue and will get alot taken off. We will see how he is feeling tomorrow. I am also going to ask the farrier and see what she thinks about his kicking. It is officially July 1st and I completed my goal of not jumping him for the rest of June. I am probably going to lunge him over some cross rails Sunday and see how he does. IF he is ok, I will try a few with him. I have decided that we are going to stay at cross rails. I have also promised myself and him that I will only jump once or twice a week with my Mom's supervision at all times. If she feelsm, or if I do, that he is in any pain, I will stop immediately.

On a happy note, I went for a ride Tuesday night in the ring. We did walk, trot, and even some canter! Once I asked for the canter the first time, he was eager to go. So I let him! He made it halfway around each direction two times. the first time I held him up and the second time I gave him his head. I was waiting for him to buck since his head was low, but he didn't! Not once! I was so proud (:

Yesterday I went for a ride with Mom and HHF. We worked on slow trots. I collected him on the trails a few strides at a time. He LOVES the trails. He really does. He wanted to go but listened to me. When he got to the field befre the bridge, we came across my not-so-good friend. The coyote(we were attacked while camping there by coyotes). So we just walked around it and it just stood there watching. We went over the bridge and cantered! It was the best canter he has ever done!! I was so extremely proud! It was not a "I can't hold myself up so I am going to go really fast," but it was a nice, slow, collected canter. Even my Mom was in shock! When we went to go do it again, he was a bit more eager to go so when I asked him for it, he bucked. It wasn't one of his kick-outs, it was a "YAY LET'S GO!" buck. This canter wasn't nearly as nice but it was controllable and we were slow enough to stay behind or next to Elsa. Since we cantered twice in one direction, we had to canter atleast once in the other direction. So we went across the bridge, made sure the coyote left, then cantered the other way. The transition took longer than I hoped so by the time we reached the end of the straightaway, we only got 5 or so strides in. We walked back to the first field patting our ponies. We got to the hill and I asked Mom if I could canter up it. She went to the top and I trotted around. He picked up the canter as soon as I asked and it was as perfect as the first one! What a nice way to end the ride! I was sooo happy!

I'll post before and after pics of his hooves later!

-Emily and Jet

The Three Musketeers

Yesterday Mom, Mary-kate, and I went down to HHF for a trail ride together. It was broiling outside so we went early in the am.

We tacked up quicjly and off we went! We did a LOT of walking with some trotting on the wider paths. about half way through the trails Elsa was t-i-r-e-d! After that, she didn't trot anymore. Kaite and Jet were ready to go! In the last field, we decided to take one sode and canter while Mom went on the other. I was infront and Mary-Kate was behind me. Jet was ready to go and as soon as I asked he shot off! It took a few strides to get the canter but he got it. No kicking at all! I really focused on sitting, supporting, and lifting him up and I think he was glad I did.

After the trail ride, we decided to go swimming. Elsa was happy to be the first one in and Jet was right behind her. Katie actually went in this time too! Elsa was splashing away and getting herself and Mom soaked! It was hilarious! She wanted to roll but obviously, Mom didn't let her. Elsa was hesitant to get out of the water since she liked it so much! Mom went to go hose Elsa off and Mary-Kate and I stayed back. Jet was having a fit but I tried to work him through it. Mary-kate got Katie all the way across the river! Once I saw that it wasn't too deep, I went all the way across as well. Jet is a funny horse. When I asked him to go in the water, he refused to do it. He was side-stepping, backing up, and even "reared" (lifted his front legs a few inches off the ground) but when I let him have a loose rein he decided to go in himself! Gotta love him!

Anyways...I don't feel well AT ALL but I am going to try to force myself to hop on Jet today. The meds have kicked in so I'm feeling a bit better, thank gosh!

-Emily and Jet

School's out!

Finally got out of school today! WOO! But, I am going to miss it believe it or not. I really liked it this yar. Next year is going to be a blast too!

Anyways...not alot of riding in the past week since I had finals. I did lunge him over some ground poles to help build up his hind end and I plan to do that atleast twice a week. He is also getting his feet done soon as well as having the vet come out to get his coggins and lyme titer done. We will see if the vet can figure out why he is bucking at the canter and see what kind of future I have with him. If I am limited to just walk trot...I guess that will be fine. I'll get into driving, bareback, horsemanship, western, something....as long as he is comfortable and instead maybe work off rides on a horse that has the ability to canter and jump. Time will tell...

I did bring him to HHF last weekend. We went swimming! No pics, but we had a blast! He got up to about mid-chest. I was bareback. I had no problem staying on and he was having so much fun so overall it went great! I was proud of him for just going in when I asked. I was surprised really. Before we went swimming, Mary-kate and I went for a trail ride. We did a lot of trotting and a little canter. He did kick out twice but not as badly as he usually does. About 30 minutes before we went, it was terencial downpooring so it was wet. We were very cautious and walked through the slippery parts. One HUGE puddle we trotted through which was fun. We also got to a part where there were four or five smaller puddles on a straight away. they were maybe three feet or so in diameter. We trottet down that side and Jet jumped the puddles! Silly boy! Katie was actually really good in the water too! We were proud (:

I plan on riding tomorrow either before or after my brother's birthday party. It is almost his tenth birthday!
-Emily and jet

An my high school major is...

I GOT INTO LARGE ANIMALS! Woo!

I have lots to update on! I WILL post later!

-Emily

Back Field Adventure

So yesterday I rode Jet through a neighbors yard, down through the trails, and into a few fields that have side trails and loop around back into the field. We walked the first field once so I could see where the holes/rocks were and then we picked up a trot. We trotted around the field once then moved to the second field. We trotted down one of the side paths and as we came back into the field, I saw a person. I said, "Hello!" Then I said it again a little louder. No answer. They had a heltmet for ATV riding on but no ATV. They saw me, then started running into the woods. I got freaked out and turned around and booked it back towards my house! (This is someone else's house that they let us ride in by the way) We galloped through a field, over a small stick that Jet jumped (I'm so glad he now watches where he is going!!) through another field, then back into the trail home. Not one buck, not one kick out to the side, not one bad or odd step. His ears were perked the entire time and he wanted to go go go! We walked back home then did a little work in the ring. He was perfect. Gotta love him (:

-Emily and Jet

Time off

The past week has been rain, rain, rain rain, and a little more RAIN. So I haven't ridden since Last Friday...but he has been lunged 3 times during the week and I have been working with him on bowing and he is getting very good at it!

Some of my State Line Tack order came in yesterday! I got a leather bracelet with a gold plaque that has Jet & Biscuit engraved on it. I also got fly spray. The other part should be here soon and that would be wormer, a hunter green crochet ear net, a blue ear net with tansels, and two packages of treats. Thank for the gift card Mimi and Grandpa!

Updates after our ride today!
-Emily and Jet Star

An Interesting Week

Sunday I went to HHF with Mom and we had a great time! w/t/c and a few jumps on Jet then a few on Elsa.

Monday I went by myself with Jet. We did w/t/c and jumping but he was a little freaked out being alone so we only did a few and called it a day. He was bucky and not happy alone. We ended on a good note (a perfect line!)

Tuesday was a much needed day off...it also thundered and lightninged....

Wednesday...Jacqie needed to take pics for her photography class so I brought Jet over again...alone. BAD mistake. He was not happy at all and I knew it from the second we got out there. I tried to work him through it and he got to the point where he was content and listening. Then we started jumping. I never should have jumped and I regret it. He was not comfortable and did not want to jump and I could feel it but pushed him anyways..I'm such a bad horse owner...We did a lot of jumping...had a lot of refusals and bucks, but a few perfect jumps. I decided that we just aren;t ready to start jumping about crossrails yet and I am going to go back to flat work for the rest of June. after June I will ONLY do crossrails until next year. Well, unless we go on a hunter pace and there is a little log...that's not technically a crossrail but nothing over 18".. I don't want to push him more than he is comfartable. If it turns out he doesn't like jumping, then we will try other things until he finds what he likes. I personally think he would love hunter paces...but only time will tell. Anyways, Wednesday was not a productive day at all and I was disappointed in myself for not listening to what my horse was telling me. Lesson learned.

Thursay I brought him up to the ring to brush him. We started out on the lawn but he decided it was fun to move away from me and make brushing difficult so we went in the ring instead. I finished brushing him and then when I went to go get the fly spray, he ran away. So it turned into a lunging lesson. He let out several HUGE bucks and he was happily galloping along whish was nice to see since I though I overworked him the day before. Obvioudly he was full of energy and not stiff at all. I finally caught him and took him for a cool down walk around the street.

Today Mom and I went to HHF again. Just to go on a trail ride. We had a blast! Lots of trotting on the trails and a canter around a field. Then Abby hopped on Elsa and I walked with her. We moved down to the jumping field where the footing was better to actually work a bit on flat work. He was really good w/t but he bucked twice when cantering... I am not sure if it is because he is being a pill or if there is something wrong. When the vet comes out I am going to ask her about it. Hopefuly he was just full of himself and giving me a hard time! It was a great day, he was a fabulous boy and we had an amazing time!

Possibly going to HHF again tomorrow?

-Emily and Jet

Redesigned!

As you can see, the page has been redone and minor adjustments will continue to be made. I will be adding links, more pages, photo albums, etc.. so check back soon!
Sunday and Monday I went to HHF again. I went with Elsa and Mom on Sunday for a nice trail ride then a bit of jumping afterwards. We galloped on the trails aswell as trotting, tons of fun! Monday I went by myself. I worked more in the indoor, then went to the jumping field to go over a few jumps. He was silly at first but settled down a bit. It was his first time being there alone so he was very nervous. He also thought there was something in the woods which we agreed there was. He was getting a bit obnoxious after he saw something in the woods, not out of control but just more playful than he ever has been. He bucked! More than once! He was tellign me that he was DONE! So we did a bending line and ended on a really good note. His jumping skills improved 1000% this weekend! He only had 2 or 3 awkward jumps yesterday. I was so proud! I also did a course of 5 jumps yesterday with him. I think he liked it. His ears were up and he was enjoying himself. When we go to the jumps, he is much comfortable cantering to it. It helps him pick a spot (well, help me help him pick the spot) so he wouldn;t take it long and awkward.

Overall, it was a great weekend! He also got a bath, ate lots of grass, was spoiled and now has a well deserved day off today (:

-Emily and Jet

Ride at HHF with Mary-Kate

We jumped today! He was awkward to a few of them, refused a few, but the future is looking bright :) (these were our good moments, we have MANY more bad ones, LOL!)

And so did Mary-Kate and Katie! (Their first time over a jump with an obstacle like this underneath and their first 2'3" jump!)

And then like we always do, we went on a trail ride!

The pretty boy!

Videos Posted from show!

Please go to the bottom of the last post. I edited it to include links of the videos! It's not on a different post just so later down the road I only have to go to one to see all videos and pictures from this show (: Thanks!

Updates...No riding today (WAY too hot) but I did brush him, take him out for grass, and worked on his bowing. Now if I hold a treat and tap the back of his knee he lifts his leg, moves it forward, keeps it bent and lowers his head! Not a full bow, but he is learning what the word and aid for it is!

Hobby Horse Farm Show- 5/23. I cried.

Today was an amazing day. An AMAZING day. The show started an hour late but we got there when we planned to if the day was going to run like it was supposed to. We brough Jet and Mary-kate and her horse Katie (both Standardbreds!!). We thought she was going to just do the trail so we wanted to get tehre before it closed at noon. Flat classes ended up not starting until about 12:30 so Mary-Kate ended up showing in Green Horse with me :) Ofcourse...it was one of the LAST classes of the day. Oh joy. So we had 2+ hours to wait. We brought the horses down to the jumping field to watch the last few jumping classes, let them calm down, brush them, and let them eat some grass. We watched a few of our friends jump in classes and warm-ups (check out their blogs at http://www.dumbandbay.blogspot.com/ and http://www.huntertobe.blogspot.com/ ) They did really well! Congrats guys! Then we tacked up and warmed up during the lunch break. We still had 90min+ to our classes so we put them back on the trailer to munch on hay. Our extremelyyyy kind instructor let us put the horses in stalls that weren't being used so they weren't on the trailer for a long time. After a while, we went back in a brushed them and tacked up and wamred up for about 3 minutes before our class. He was a complete dofus. He was bolting, not listening, and even reared... I thought we were doomed. But then our class was called...and we entered the ring... and something clicked. He was AMAZING. Perfect. Listening 100%, on the bit more than he has ever been before...he felt great! We ended up with 2nd in Pleasure, 2nd in Equitations, 1ST IN DISCIPLINE RAIL! Yes. FIRST! When I hearrd that we won, I started crying, I was so happy! This was the first blue ribbon I have won with my boy...<3 Green Horse Champions (:

Mary-Kate did AMAZING with Katie aswell! She got 4th in Equitation, 2nd in discipline rail, and 1st in Pleasure! She tied for Reserve but since she placed lower in Eq, the other girl got reserve =/ Oh well, they were still amazing!

-Emily and Jet

EDITED to announce that the videos are now online!Green Horse Pleasure

Green Horse Pleasure Placing

Green Horse Equitation

Green Horse Equitation Placing

Green Horse Discipline Rail

Green Horse Discipline Rail Placing

Horse Show tomorrow!

Jet and I will be competing in the Green Horse division at the Hobby Horse Farm horse show tomorrow. Wish us luck! Update to come after the show...