With the driving club fun Darby and Christmas Party last weekend, things are done for the year for the most part. The party is usually also a club meeting and new things were discussed, new ideas and so on. It seems like things are on the up and up and hopefully there will be more ADTs to attend as well as some new events.
Kat has been enjoying his time off and with three very well respected votes last year at the CDE to move him up to Prelim next year, I am hoping we can do it. Since he has been my first experience training a driving horse from start to ??? it will be unknown territory. How do you train a horse to do things, when you are barely learning it yourself? This should be fun and it will truly be a learning experience for both of us.
With the past few months flying by and now here we are almost halfway through December, Christmas and New Years almost upon us and everything else that goes along with the crazy busy Holiday Season, my wish for you is a safe and peaceful time, spent with those you love and plenty of joy to go around.
Peace on earth, good will towards men...
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Second drive around
Sunday I put Kat to the cart again and mostly just focused on walking. Because he has gotten a little pudgy, he was more than happy to start out slow and keep it that way. We worked on bending and softening for starters, and when he decided to jog, I let him. I also dropped my right rein for the most part. If I wasn't holding onto it, I couldn't hang onto him.
When going to the left, I had to pick up my right rein here and there, to keep Kat out on the rail or to keep him from cheating his circles, but he did pretty well without it to lean on. Fixing my mistakes is helping fix his habits.
We ended up working on his normal trot, extended trot, collected trot, the three variations of his walk, halts, backing up, large circles, small circles, pivoting the cart on one wheel, serpentines and anything else I could think of. We also sort of worked on the 'long and low' work as described in the prelim dressage tests for the ADT's. What I ended up using as the 'cue' for it was contact in the begining and slowly letting him have more rein as I eased him forward to find that same contact.
Maybe I will come up with a voice command to go along with it later on, but for now this seemed to work. He seemed to understand what I was asking of him or at least it felt that way in the cart. At least when you are riding, you have your legs to help you. You also have a buckle in your reins in a useful spot. If I were to drive 'on the buckle', he could literally stop and graze. There would be no control.
Overall Kat did really well and I am quite pleased with him. Maybe I will just keep his workouts to a minimum, his food a little on the large portion side and his weight a little heavy on the hoof. Then he won't be so inclined to get all wound up and misbehave. Even if he does, he would be too out of shape to sustain it for long... Of course the flip side of all of that would be him getting injured because he is out of shape and that's a road I just don't want to go down. There's got to be a happy medium, right?
When going to the left, I had to pick up my right rein here and there, to keep Kat out on the rail or to keep him from cheating his circles, but he did pretty well without it to lean on. Fixing my mistakes is helping fix his habits.
We ended up working on his normal trot, extended trot, collected trot, the three variations of his walk, halts, backing up, large circles, small circles, pivoting the cart on one wheel, serpentines and anything else I could think of. We also sort of worked on the 'long and low' work as described in the prelim dressage tests for the ADT's. What I ended up using as the 'cue' for it was contact in the begining and slowly letting him have more rein as I eased him forward to find that same contact.
Maybe I will come up with a voice command to go along with it later on, but for now this seemed to work. He seemed to understand what I was asking of him or at least it felt that way in the cart. At least when you are riding, you have your legs to help you. You also have a buckle in your reins in a useful spot. If I were to drive 'on the buckle', he could literally stop and graze. There would be no control.
Overall Kat did really well and I am quite pleased with him. Maybe I will just keep his workouts to a minimum, his food a little on the large portion side and his weight a little heavy on the hoof. Then he won't be so inclined to get all wound up and misbehave. Even if he does, he would be too out of shape to sustain it for long... Of course the flip side of all of that would be him getting injured because he is out of shape and that's a road I just don't want to go down. There's got to be a happy medium, right?
Monday, October 14, 2013
A La Carte
I drove over the weekend and while it has been some time since I did, little man rose to the occasion did not disappoint! He's just an awesome little guy that way. Pulling him out of pasture and putting the harness on him on Saturday, I could just tell he was excited about doing something again. Anything...
In case anyone didn't know- he has been the center of attention for the past two years and then since March, after the CDE, has been back to just hanging out doing nothing. He was turned out and brought in as usual, but we only drove maybe 3 times since then. The last time it wasn't all that good because he was excited and ready for action.
Saturday I put him in long lines before putting him to the cart. I also put him back in the snaffle bit. He has had plenty of time to forget the old ways of doing things and I want to bring him back around on a positive note. I figured a quick ground driving 'refresher course' was in order before putting him to the cart, plus the work in long lines would let him blow off some steam so he wouldn't feel like racing around much.
We started with our bending and softening work and mostly I worked on letting go of the right rein. I have held it so long and so much, he leans on it as a crutch and doesn't seem to bend to the left as well. When we first started, he was soft to the left and the right side was the problem. Well I fixed that all right, but let the left side go. Now I am focusing a little more on the left and letting go of the right. Part of it is my own issue of holding onto him and not letting him do the work as asked.
When I let go of the right rein and had him trotting in a circle to the left, he kept ducking in on me. There was pressure on the left rein and nothing else to guide him so he drifted in closer unless I tugged the right rein, moved towards him and used my voice (get out there) to move him back out. He's getting the idea, but it may take him some time to get it etched solid in his brain. Along the way I just have to remember to keep things steady and not let the right side get too stiff and unresponsive again. I have to remind myself NOT to hang on to the left rein all of the time like I did the right one. (I hope this carries over to my riding as well!)
When I was done with the long line work I put Kat to the cart and off we went at a walk. We went thru his paces and he did everything as he should. I didn't push for too much as I don't want him working up a sweat and needing to be rinsed. The weather has turned and I don't want to hose him off and leave him wet and cold. He has also gotten a bit pudgy too, so in all fairness, I let him ease back into it. He did try to canter once or twice, but wasn't getting crazy stupid about it and came right back down in a stride or two. At the end I let him do a few 'victory laps' and he enjoyed it. You could tell he was doing the "Happy Dance" in his head.
In case anyone didn't know- he has been the center of attention for the past two years and then since March, after the CDE, has been back to just hanging out doing nothing. He was turned out and brought in as usual, but we only drove maybe 3 times since then. The last time it wasn't all that good because he was excited and ready for action.
Saturday I put him in long lines before putting him to the cart. I also put him back in the snaffle bit. He has had plenty of time to forget the old ways of doing things and I want to bring him back around on a positive note. I figured a quick ground driving 'refresher course' was in order before putting him to the cart, plus the work in long lines would let him blow off some steam so he wouldn't feel like racing around much.
We started with our bending and softening work and mostly I worked on letting go of the right rein. I have held it so long and so much, he leans on it as a crutch and doesn't seem to bend to the left as well. When we first started, he was soft to the left and the right side was the problem. Well I fixed that all right, but let the left side go. Now I am focusing a little more on the left and letting go of the right. Part of it is my own issue of holding onto him and not letting him do the work as asked.
When I let go of the right rein and had him trotting in a circle to the left, he kept ducking in on me. There was pressure on the left rein and nothing else to guide him so he drifted in closer unless I tugged the right rein, moved towards him and used my voice (get out there) to move him back out. He's getting the idea, but it may take him some time to get it etched solid in his brain. Along the way I just have to remember to keep things steady and not let the right side get too stiff and unresponsive again. I have to remind myself NOT to hang on to the left rein all of the time like I did the right one. (I hope this carries over to my riding as well!)
When I was done with the long line work I put Kat to the cart and off we went at a walk. We went thru his paces and he did everything as he should. I didn't push for too much as I don't want him working up a sweat and needing to be rinsed. The weather has turned and I don't want to hose him off and leave him wet and cold. He has also gotten a bit pudgy too, so in all fairness, I let him ease back into it. He did try to canter once or twice, but wasn't getting crazy stupid about it and came right back down in a stride or two. At the end I let him do a few 'victory laps' and he enjoyed it. You could tell he was doing the "Happy Dance" in his head.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Assessing the damages
Last weekend and the one before, I was able to drive Kat. One day, one drive
and we just took it easy as I don't want to rush him into anything. Mostly I
wanted to see where he was at? Where I am at and what we need to work on, fix
or change altogether.
Being brave or crazy, (not sure which) I changed him back to the snaffle to drive and sort things out. For the most part he was good. The bending to the left still needs work, he gets really reactive and 'racy' if you hold onto him too tight and he did spook at a couple of things I have no idea what they were or why he did, but for the most part he held it all together and did ok.
Part of the bend issue is me. The holding on too tight issue is both of us and a vicious cycle. I was wondering how the time off the cart in the saddle would affect the driving, and how the time driving would have affected my riding. Comparing the two? It’s kinda crazy.
The bend issue goes back to the stupid bicycle handlebars thing. WTH? It has been 2 years at least since I realized I was doing it to him before, it had cropped up when I started driving and I thought I had resolved that before going to the beginner clinic so long ago... For anyone who wasn't around for that, I ask with the left rein for bend to the inside, but tend to hold onto the right rein and not let my pony do what I ask for. There is no winning for him as there is no release. Going to the right- my hands and contact are as soft as can be.
The too tight issue is both of us. I take a hold of him, he thinks it is too much and looks for release. Finding none, he speeds up. I take a stronger hold trying to slow him down and repeat the cycle, things get worse and it all goes downhill from there until I let go of one rein or the other and suddenly everything is calm again.
Our stops used to be instant and sudden. Then there were times they went right out the window. They are still iffy depending on the day, his mood, my mood and how loudly or clearly I say 'whoa'. Sometimes I think he just gets cruising along and blocks me out. Other times I may say it too softly and he just doesn't hear me. Then I say it again a bit more sternly and demanding- BAM! He stops dead.
Another thing we need to work on is our big stretchy circles. After everyone telling me we are ready to move up at the CDE, I read over the movements for the Prelim level dressage tests. One of the things it calls for is the big stretchy circle. I had no idea what that was so I asked a friend in the club. She went into explaining it in an almost lengthy detail, then wrapped it up comparing it to riding hunters- It is when you encourage the horse to stretch their nose out and down in a relaxed trot. Well now, that makes sense and I got it. Now the question is- how do I get it without being able to use my legs or seat because I am sitting in the cart? Hmmmmmm....
Being brave or crazy, (not sure which) I changed him back to the snaffle to drive and sort things out. For the most part he was good. The bending to the left still needs work, he gets really reactive and 'racy' if you hold onto him too tight and he did spook at a couple of things I have no idea what they were or why he did, but for the most part he held it all together and did ok.
Part of the bend issue is me. The holding on too tight issue is both of us and a vicious cycle. I was wondering how the time off the cart in the saddle would affect the driving, and how the time driving would have affected my riding. Comparing the two? It’s kinda crazy.
The bend issue goes back to the stupid bicycle handlebars thing. WTH? It has been 2 years at least since I realized I was doing it to him before, it had cropped up when I started driving and I thought I had resolved that before going to the beginner clinic so long ago... For anyone who wasn't around for that, I ask with the left rein for bend to the inside, but tend to hold onto the right rein and not let my pony do what I ask for. There is no winning for him as there is no release. Going to the right- my hands and contact are as soft as can be.
The too tight issue is both of us. I take a hold of him, he thinks it is too much and looks for release. Finding none, he speeds up. I take a stronger hold trying to slow him down and repeat the cycle, things get worse and it all goes downhill from there until I let go of one rein or the other and suddenly everything is calm again.
Our stops used to be instant and sudden. Then there were times they went right out the window. They are still iffy depending on the day, his mood, my mood and how loudly or clearly I say 'whoa'. Sometimes I think he just gets cruising along and blocks me out. Other times I may say it too softly and he just doesn't hear me. Then I say it again a bit more sternly and demanding- BAM! He stops dead.
Another thing we need to work on is our big stretchy circles. After everyone telling me we are ready to move up at the CDE, I read over the movements for the Prelim level dressage tests. One of the things it calls for is the big stretchy circle. I had no idea what that was so I asked a friend in the club. She went into explaining it in an almost lengthy detail, then wrapped it up comparing it to riding hunters- It is when you encourage the horse to stretch their nose out and down in a relaxed trot. Well now, that makes sense and I got it. Now the question is- how do I get it without being able to use my legs or seat because I am sitting in the cart? Hmmmmmm....
Friday, June 7, 2013
Slow Comeback
I checked the dates on the calendar for the next upcoming events. The first
part of August is the Darby up in Paulden at the house of the Atonnas. If any
of you recall- this was our first outing 2 years ago now. Hard to believe it
has been that long already and we have been driving, been to 2 CDE's and
various other events, but time does fly when you're having fun.
I'm not sure at this point if we will make it or not and although it is 2 months away and there's plenty of time to plan for it, get Kat ready and back to work and all, I'm sure it will be here before we know it. So much to do.
Kat has been turned out the last week and with all of this down time has gotten a bit chubby. I will be bringing him back into shape the end of the month, start lunging him and working him in long lines, getting him brought back slowly. He's on a diet which may change to Bermuda blend pellets to help him shed some weight since it's far easier to regulate than hay.
It will be interesting to see if the time off helped him reclaim his brain and we can do a quick refresher and move on to different work or if we need to scrap everything and start all over at square one. I'm pretty sure he remembers a lot, I just hope it is all the good stuff and not so much the bad!
I'm not sure at this point if we will make it or not and although it is 2 months away and there's plenty of time to plan for it, get Kat ready and back to work and all, I'm sure it will be here before we know it. So much to do.
Kat has been turned out the last week and with all of this down time has gotten a bit chubby. I will be bringing him back into shape the end of the month, start lunging him and working him in long lines, getting him brought back slowly. He's on a diet which may change to Bermuda blend pellets to help him shed some weight since it's far easier to regulate than hay.
It will be interesting to see if the time off helped him reclaim his brain and we can do a quick refresher and move on to different work or if we need to scrap everything and start all over at square one. I'm pretty sure he remembers a lot, I just hope it is all the good stuff and not so much the bad!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Photo shoot
A couple of weeks ago I pulled Kat out and lunged him. He still needs to be in shape for when we start working again, but for now he is getting turned out and/or lunged. When we start back at it, I will be ground driving him for a while to get him back into shape but also to fix some things, teach him some new stuff and get it right before putting him back between the shafts. For now though I give you a few parting shots of him and how he is doing.
Cruising along
Stop? You want me to stop???
Yes I cut his butt off. That's what you get using one hand to work the cell phone camera and the other to work your horse. I love his shoulder in this one though
My new fave photo of Little Man
Friday, April 26, 2013
Down time
While Kat is enjoying his time off, I have been riding my WB mare and getting her going under saddle. She was ridden as a 3y/o at a clinic and been a broodie for the most part since. Bringing a 13y/o mare along is fun, has it's challenges and also the same rewards of any age horse really.
I am posting about it on my other blog- The Well Groomed Horse Join us in the journey from broodie to show horse as I prepare her to finally go in the ring under saddle...
I am posting about it on my other blog- The Well Groomed Horse Join us in the journey from broodie to show horse as I prepare her to finally go in the ring under saddle...
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