First Outing Of 2012

Last night, Annie hauled Spots to a nearby arena for a group riding lesson. It was his first time there and his first time out since the Jim Brigg's Clinic. Annie acquired an adorable 2 horse straight load with a tack room earlier in the day and Spots has never used a straight load, so their training began with getting him in. He wasn't too bad, about 20 minutes or so.

I didn't get to go watch, so no pictures, but she reported that at the arena he acted like it was probably the first time he'd been anywhere and she mostly lunged him in the middle of the arena all evening. She said he was full of it, bucking and putting on a show on the line. He was quite distracted by the other horses and how fast they were going. We expected that. He'll be calm and his normal self there in no time. They plan to attend regularly I think. It's very close to my place and low-key so she can work with him however she needs.

Another day, another ride!

Annie worked everyone at my house yesterday. She lunged and Spots, lunged, worked and sat on Britches, then took Marigold and Toby for a ride around the block.

Annie lunged Spots for about 10 minutes on side-reins and he was ready to ride. She rode him in the arena and worked on connected inside leg to outside rein and did lots of circles. They focused on listening. She said he did really well and definitely worked his brain!

Britches she worked on the ground a long time, including lunging and long-lining with help from Michelle, then sat on him and went around the round-pen for about 15 minutes at the end of the session. He is being naughty about being caught out of his paddock, but they'll get that sharp again. Today, it is freezing, so it's a good thing she got out yesterday! I can't wait for consistent, warmer weather!

Unseasonably Warm

Spots got worked yesterday, Annie said he was a bouncy helium balloon, but after long lunge session on side-reins he found his brain and they ended on a good note. She got on and rode him in the round-pen and he was fine at the end. Hopefully her "real-job" hours will allow her to get over to work him more often. It will help as the days get longer also. I can't wait to get him back to "ridable" status!

Back In The Saddle

Annie had a good session with Spots and rode him a little at the end. She reported he was bouncy on the ground, but happy to have her attention and was eager to have her aboard again. She said he clearly wanted to go explore the fields and get back to work doing interesting things again.

In addition to work Spots, Annie is going to continue the training on Britches, a small Appy gelding staying at my house and owned by a family member. He had 30 days with a pro trainer so he very green. Both are planned to attend the Chief Joe next summer so they need to be very trail-savvy. Annie will have plenty of training to do!

I'm looking forward to seeing Spots in the show ring this spring/summer and then wow them on the Ride!

Back to work!

Spots had 4 ribs out, his hip out, and his poll out so he had a bad headache. He is all fixed up now and Annie will ride him today for the first time since he put himself out of whack, which was about 6 weeks ago. He has NOT enjoyed his "break", he much prefers being fussed over every day.

Yey For The Accupressurist!

Spots got his back worked on today. He was biting Annie's foot when she tried to put any right leg on him which is definitely not normal. So he's been waiting about 2 months to have his people-mommy find money to get him seen. Today was the day! Stephanie said he had FOUR ribs out, his hip out, and a headache. So he's all fixed up now and Annie will return him to work tomorrow! We will be back in the show-ring and attending trail rides as soon as things start in the Spring, so they have some work to do! I'm very excited to see how it goes!

Where Did We Go?

We will soon return to regular posting. Spots has been on rest with a rib out and the accupressurist is scheduled to come fix that Monday. Other than that, we are behind on posts because my mother-in-law died in a crazy horse-related accident which really threw the whole family for a loop. She was leading her little gelding and he apparently spooked at a dog and pulled back, the reins she was leading him from broke and she fell backwards and hit her head on a rock and was gone, just like that.

Spots will return under-saddle next month and will be on trail-rides and in the show-ring in the spring and summer, ending the summer with his debut on the Chief Joe with his rider, Annie, aboard. Should be lots of fun and tons of great pictures.

I am now working full-time, so I won't be able to photograph every session, but I will try to get picture updates as much as I can. Stick with us, we'll have a great Appy journey in 2012.