Bad Hands....

Another great work out with my Lexie this morning! We are really starting to communicate. I know her nose is out more than it should be. We are working on one thing at a time. I'm using a D ring snaffle because I was too up in her mouth with the wonder bit (bad hands, Amy, bad hands). I'll move her back to the Wonder bit when I work away that instinct to haul back when she bolts.

This girl has a bad bolting issue right now. Her first instinct when something scares her (and I'm not even convinced she's scared) is to launch like a rocket for about 30 feet.

It's hard to break habits in both people and horses. The only way to do it is consistency and time.

Suicide Watch

My son, Marshall, calls me over to the computer and says "Mom, you better go check on your horse."
I walk over. "Why?"
"He's going to commit suicide tonight." He insists.
Spock eyebrow. "Say what?"
"LOOK, he's made a noose." He points at the computer screen that shows the barn cameras.
"...."

Working with Cody to Lower his Head

Alexis - Progress!

I love this girl. Even with the wind wailing, dogs barking, tractors mowing and plastic bags blowing across the neighbors yard, she gave me her full attention today under saddle. Not one spook or bolt this time!!! Here's a minute clip!

First Trail Ride -- Success!

Alexis and I had our first trail ride today with T and Peg in our wooded trails. She did super! She's not ready for the Mobstacle next weekend so I'll be taking Cody but sometime in the next two weeks I'll be taking her out into the big world!
















Cody says.....

"Whatever"

First Ride at Home with Alexis

 Highlights in video (including a spook and bolt at 2:38ish).

Things I’m doing:

• 15 to 20  minutes in the cross ties – grooming – tacking up
•   Round pen Lunging before I ride.
•  Mounting and riding in the round pen

Things I need to work on:

• · Hands 
•  Not pulling back when Lexie spooks, she jumps forward when she spooks. I pull back, she slams on breaks then bolts again. I just need to stay out of her mouth and hold on until I can bring her around rather than getting right in her mouth. 
• I need to relax and keep her attention

I rode my Lexie in the round pen today. It was very windy and gusty. I lunged her first. She's not a bucker, but she's 1000 miles an hour around the round pen for the first 10 minutes. After that she starts to settle and listen to voice commands.

I can't believe how nervous I was about getting on her. I had to work very hard not to tense up. I know she's spooky and reactive. Luckily she's not sensitive on her sides, but she's a leaper / bolter. Since it was windy, she was on high alert. It was so windy in fact, that it blew the ladder that one of my cameras was on. It also kept blowing the tripod sideways.

I mounted without issue, she stands very well for mounting. (I'm still so damned tickled to be able to mount like a normal person with a mounting block without having to climb up on a tailgate)  My intention was to keep her at a walk in the round pen. She is very forward and wants to go go go and I'm not used to a bit. Cody is bitless so I've got to school myself to keep light contact without too much pressure on Lexie. It's hard when she bolts forward a lot.

Since it was windy I wanted to keep it short. It was more for me to get used to the feel of her. She feels so different from Cody. He's big slow and solid beneath you. And she's smaller, lighter, and quick. It's like going from driving a Buick Roadmaster to a Rocket.

Only one mishap. The Rocket launched when the next door neighbors tarp blew up off their trailer. My first reaction was to pull back on the reins. And that's bad! Because then she slams on brakes and bolts again -- VERY hard to sit. Also not good trust building. I did pull back instinctively. And that's exactly what happened. She slammed on brakes, bolted again and this time I managed to bring her in slowly to a stop.

She is going to be a fun ride but I've got a lot to learn. I am already learning so much by recording all of my roundpen and paddocks rides with both her and Cody on video and watching them back. I see where my mistakes are and I see what they are doing. It helps a lot in gait training with Cody. I have included the video highlights of my session with Lexie so you can laugh at my poor form :P I know I did.

Cody Update 1 (Haltering)

Haltering every day to go outside has solved the halter in the stall issue. He knows I won't give up so he stands there and lets me halter him, though he still acts like the halter is a snake I'm trying to wrap around his face (He doesn't move he's just wild eyed). Still cannot catch him in the paddock unless bribery is used. Round pen? No problem. I can work him in the round pen, say "Come here" and he comes right to me. I can catch him at the gate to come inside at feeding time with a halter. Work in progress.

The Herd Reunited

 Alexis was very happy to be back in her home stall last night. She settled right in. And this morning I put her out in the pasture, then Jagger and they had a happy reunion while I got Cody (who begged for me to put his halter on and take him out!!!). When Cody got out there he swaggered up to her all macho and neck arched. And she said. "Excuse YOU!!! Personal Space!!!" And nailed him.
Needless to say, he's following Jagger and Alexis around at a respectful distance.

Amy On Board (of Alexis!)

Look!!! After a year and a half of dreaming about riding my mare. ... I rode her! !! Her gaits are fabulous and she is so light and soft in the bridle. Thank you Johnny Mckeehan and Heather Lehigh Orr McKeehan for working with her!! Also check out my new saddle, ya'll

Sudden Fear of Haltering?

Ok so, you know Cody has this whole "You can't catch me" thing going on all of a sudden. Well, Check out this video of me trying to catch him in the stall. He acts TERRIFIED of me. WHAT the HELL? I've had this horse since he was a baby. I have never beaten him. I have smacked him yes, rarely. I've hardly ever had to YELL at him even. WHAT is going on with my Cody???
I gave him a bath after this and he really acted like an abused horse. Like he expected me to haul off and beat him at any minute.
Usually when I bathe or groom him, he's falling asleep.