Wednesday Sept 28

What a gorgeous day! I got to the ranch just as Fancy and her owner Steve were going on a ride on the trail-with Russ and they were both riding gaited horses.  We went on a longer than usual trail ride- about an hour and a half.

We went a new way- for Honey any ways. Lots of varied terrain- rocky down hills, narrow trails. I did dismount in a technical area and the footing was shaky rocks that were scary for a green horse. She was just fine to follow me and did so willingly and calmly. I mounted up and off we went.

I focused on getting her to walk out- no problem now that she is comfortable with shoes and she was following that gaited horse. She offered to trot out several times and was obedient to my saying "No we don't trot anytime you please"

She was a trooper and can't wait to do it again!

Saturday's adventure 9/24

I had the morning lesson, with 2 others in the class-men- after the class we went on the trail! She was so good, and went right through the water and when we trotted up the trail she even broke into a canter! SO TERRIFIC!  i thinks she is becoming aware of how she is a little more comfortable.
You must read the page on the sidebar about her feet.

We had a nice ride- She had Sunday and Monday off. Tuesday the 27- we rode around the arena- more circles! and leg yields. Progress is going along!

Its Official

Ok - Its official. Wendy said she has been getting several inquiries about Honey. After all she is now a "riding" horse.
I couldn't do it- let her go that is.
My friend Sheri Lacey (breeder,trainer) told me-"Yes its hard- when you work a horse and its good. You have an emotional attachment, and its hard to let go."
I couldn't do it and told her "Yes" today. I'll keep her.

Saturday th 17th- Rode with the POLICE

Did that title catch you?? Ha ha - went to the Saturday class- for our usual public exposure. There were 2 people (men) in the class. They were policemen getting ready to do a mounted patrol class next week. Russ was helping them (us) and one man was a very new rider and his experienced friend was a bit worried how he was going to do. Thanks goodness he was riding an experienced mellow horse! We did the usual- more trotting than usual which was great cuz Russ and I played leap frog, so Honey learned how to pass and be passed at the trot. When her feet get better we'll bump that up to a canter.

NOT our ball-but that IS the ball!

BUT the best was learning about that BALL! Yes its about 6ft in diameter. So Chou (the policeman) showed how their horses need to PUSH on the ball with their chests. Similar to what they would do in crowd control.
So we all practiced Kicking the 3ft ball and pushing with the chest the big ball!  Yes Honey was able to watch the other horses push and SHE did too!!!
She's such a trooper!!

Thursday Sept 15 - DOGS RULE

Lots done today, glad I had my camera! I got to the ranch and Russ asked if I would like to join he and Honey's pasture mate Fancy on a trail ride! OF COURSE- I did worry because the last time I went out she was ouchy because I did not boot her. So I went to put on my 1's and they did not fit! She of course has grown since the last trim- I borrowed Cris's boots with gaiters, also a size one- and they fit nicely.

We went out and had a very nice ride. We went through water and trotted some too, the boots held up well and she was not ouchy at all.  Nice.





We returned back to the ranch and rinsed off and hung out. Four of us ladies were standing around and Karen picked up the camera and snapped some pics of Honey being her personable self, Nuzzling me

 You'll have to excuse the look! I always cover from the sun And I just had taken my helmet off! Yuck!
Get a haircut lady!











And best of all Honey had all four of us, Cris, Holly, Karen and myself - totally going "Awwwww" She was all over Charlotte!

That's right- this was the horse that did not like people OR dogs- kicked at them and chased them .

Wednesday September 14

It was a nice day, sprinkled last night. There was thunder and lightening in the mountains and the clouds shed a few drops over us.
Honey was wormed today by me, no big deal. I guess I can consider her a "broke" (tame) horse.  All those stories of a few months ago- seem like some dream. Or maybe people were talking of some other horse- ?
She's so sweet and friendly. I rode with Cris and her 4 year old Wendy, in the arena- we just played around.

All tacked ready to go

Wendy-AKA Mini-me

Afterwards they hung out and munched grass together while they dried in the sun. They look alike - somewhat, I call Wendy mini-me she's so petite.

Wendy in the foreground-Honey behind

Monday's NEW experience THE HOT WALKER

Still has been very HOT- went to the movies Sunday- so horses had a day off. Monday (the 5th)  was a play day- so we did free lunge etc. Cris and her family (5 horses came back from a trail ride and after they were done hosing their horses down they decided to put them on the hot walker.

Honey and I decided to watch. First Cris put 2 horse on -then a third- so we watched and all was well. It was like watching the merry go round.

Honey and I decided to play. I looped her rope through the tie and walked with her. She was a little confused by the empty swinging ties, but happily walked around with the others! COOL
Yeay- NOT every horse can say they have been on a hot walker!

Bit intro and more

Its been very hot. I have also been very amiss about pictures. I do not have a camera phone, so I must rely on carrying the camera with me.On Friday the 26 we rode in the arena- always perfecting the bend, circles etc.
On Saturday the 27 I put reins on the bit for the first time and did more arena work. While I do put reins on the bit I still have the reins attached to her halter which has a side pull arrangement. I did some lunging too.Loomis also came out and gave her the 2nd Strangles IN- so she's all covered in that Department

Yes- you can see her little friend in the pic too :)

All of our work sessions start the SAME- so just know- when I say "I work her" it goes this way.

1. Groom, brush feet (love) etc.Sometimes I light rasp any flares I see on the feet.
2. Tack Up
3. Lunge
4. Ride (circles-leg-side pass)
5. Groom, Bucket treats! ( I do not hand feed !! it breeds nipper, biters and crowding my space!) 

Don't get me wrong-on a rare occasion-I may hand feed-but not as a general rule. Petting works well.

Sunday the 28th I decided to use the full cheek snaffle, instead of the D ring I was using. It will help in her turns etc. I use lots of leg and since she knows all that we work on  giving to the bit.  Giving to the pressure-SLOW SLOW work. The side pull helps at a trot if she get confused about the bit- she is doing well cuz she's been trained off the leg in the halter !  So we practice giving and RELEASING!!
That will be the every day thing we do in all our workouts from now on.  Give and release on the bit. 100 times over.

Monday-more of the same, Tuesday, rode in the arena- and did a short solo trail ride. Saw a fire engine by the school!! She looked long and hard but did nothing. Then we saw a group of Turkeys- didn't even look.  She had the day off wed, Thursday cuz I went to the bay area, Friday was a play day- we groomed and just Turned out and played in the arena loose - I chase her and she free lunges -I laugh and she hangs with me.

On Saturday Sept 3 we did another class with Russ and 4 other horses- Its always good to be in the arena with other horses. We get to practice patience standing in the group while they work and obedience-leaving the group to go perform our maneuver.  There was ground work involved, all in a group setting. She even jumped over the Barrels! I fully didn't think she would do it- Wrong- she's a champ!