Sister learns to leg yield - sometimes

Spring flowers are coming up everywhere but it still feels a bit chilly today.  We have 6 or 8 kinds of daffodils as well as grape hyacinths, lily-of-the-valley, forsythia and a plum tree in bloom.  A week ago we were under snow.

Sat. morning the girls and I took Pico, Sunny, and Splash to Patty's for the party lesson (me/Splash, Kathy/Call, and Christina/Jetter), lunch, and the girls' lesson.  The wind was howling with 40ish mph gusts so the covered arena was rather musical.  Splash and Jetter handled the noise fairly well as did Call after a pretty energetic lounging session.  After the usual warm-up exercises, we worked on leg yields to weave the cones.  Believe it or not, Splash was moving out fairly well (perhaps all the wind noise bothered him a little).  During canter work, we focused on changing the bend from outside to inside without loosing the canter.   Not to bad and we had fun without falling off.

After lunch, the girls started their lesson in the outdoor arena (Pico is not good with arena/wind noise).  Alaina and Sunny were fairly successful with "slow" but not so much with give to the bit. Ivy and Pico had some lovely movement and transitions but, also, not so much give to the bit.  Hmmmmm.

While the girls were riding, I brushed and saddled Sister, then, lounged her with the German neck stretcher and a stretchy lounge line attached through the bit to the girth. This configuration really helped Sister work on inside bend while lounging and she worked fairly well in both directions.

Sister thinks that her sides are a no-touch zone.  So, Patty has been working on leg yield, leg yield, let yield.  Sister is getting the picture.  And, Patty says she has not followed through with her threats to cow-kick or buck.  So...

Gathering courage in both hands, I decided to try and ride Sister a bit.  I used my dressage saddle and a western snaffle bit.  I was worrying about to much leg (with the dressage saddle rather than a western saddle) and about bit pressure. 

After removing the lounging gear, I mounted uneventfully.  Then moved off at a walk.  We walked around without any problem and then I tried a little trot.  Sister MOVED OUT!  I panicked and stopped.  Patty and I discussed the seat/leg pressure needed when riding a horse that MOVES versus a horse who's mission to STAND STILL.  We tried again, and little by little, I relaxed and Sister responded better.  We joined Ivy and Alaina and did a little arena work.  I leg yeilded into corners and circled when we went to fast.  We finished with a bit of backing.

I didn't FALL OFF.  YAYA!

The St. Jude Trail ride schedule for Sunday afternoon was postponed because trailer parking was to muddy.  But, it was cold and cloudy most of the day and the wind was out of the north.  Late afternoon the sun came out and the girls played in the arena with Pico and Diez.  Poor Pico has a little rain-rot on his front pastern and he broke it open on a little jump - we will keep an eye and medicine on it and try to keep him de-mudded enough to clear it up.

Rumor has it that the YaYa's will ride again at Rita's on Thursday afternoon.  I will try to escape work and join in.  I can hardly wait!

YaYa!  Yeah!

How to Ride During the Late Winter Storm

Well, Oklahoma Weather is at it again.  The girls were off for spring break this past week and we had several horsey activities before winter returned. 

On Monday, I got off a bit early and we loaded Sister, Pico and Splash and went to Patty's.  I lounged Sister and she was so responsive that I ALMOST got the nerve to ride.  But Patty wasn't there to help if I needed it so, since... Retreat is the better part of valor, I saddled Splash and worked him instead.  Ivy rode Pico bareback (she had an ankle injury and didn't want to put on boots) and Alaina took a spin on Jetter.  Alaina loves Jetter since he reminds her of Dezzie-Doo.  We left Sister in Patty's capable hands.

Tuesday, Alaina and I visited Dream Maker to pick up Sunny and get another ride in.  It was a beautiful aftenoon and several other riders were enjoying the day and the DRY outdoor arena.  Splash and I worked a bit and Alaina got a brief lesson from Dawn D before we headed home.  Shannean F was working her baby Dakota and Sandy T was looking fabulous on Sissy.

Ruthie wanted a chance to ride Pico before the Lily Pond show so she and Jean came out Friday morning.  I worked Splash and walked around on Pico, Alaina rode Sunny and Diez, Ivy worked Pico and had a quick ride on Splash, and Ruthie rode Pico and played around on Diez.  Very fun. 

Then the Lily Pond dressage and FFA shows were cancelled.

THEN, while we were working the Ranch Rodeo Consessions Friday evening, the weather turned.  Rain pounded all night and turned to snow on Saterday morning.  We tried to change the plans from Sat. party lesson into a lunch date, but the snow came down so hard, the roads deteriorated mid-day.  I had an adventure after a run to Walmart, when on my way home, I watched a little SUV go into the ditch near the RR tracks on King Rd.  Cars aread of me couldn't make the hill and backed out, more cars turned around in the church parking lot but I wasn't sure going the long way would help me out (the walk home would be a lot longer if needed).  Then, just when I thought I would give the hill a try, a big truck with mega tires, came over the hill and immediately hit the ditch.  I guess he was trying to get out of the ditch, but he plowed along flinging mud and snow util he almost hit the SUV.  Once he stopped, I tried the hill.  Didn't make it the first time but stayed out of the ditch.  It took me 3 more tries to get up the hill and then I crept home.  Very dumb to go out, but who knew.  The roads were so warm that the slush that caused me so much trouble was gone in a couple of hours.  Kale was visiting and got snowed in with his boring family (last time he visited at Xmas, he got snowed in too). 

But it is STILL snowing and blowing hard.  Maybe a Honda is not a 4-wheel drive vehicle?

So, here is what we all need to maintain our own riding fitness.  The Riding Simulator  This won't help our horses learn anything new but would look good in our living room.  YaYa

New Friends

TC reports that life is cushy at the Urban spread - way more grass in the pasture than at our place and Moe is nice too.  Ivy pestered me all week to visit TC - we finally made a trip Sunday afternoon and managed to time our visit for the 2 hour break in the Urban's Sunday plans of church and soccer.  Ivy and I arrived just as Lisele was ready to ride Moe so we saddled TC and the girls did a turn or two around the pond.  Lisele's cousin from San Antonio took a little lead line ride as well.  TC got his West Nile vacine while we were there too.  The only problem was when the cow pushed Ava's stroller over and narrowly missed stepping on the baby.  BAD COW!

After traveling to Kansas again last week for the dreaded EPA inspection, I made it home Thursday evening with a very sore throat.  So bad that I visited the doc on Friday and he diagnosed strep and a possible absess.  Antibiotics to the rescue but I was still under the weather for the party lesson and let Ivy and Kathy B ride without me.  Alaina rode Diez bareback and I took a brief spin on Splash near the end of the lesson.  Ivy and Pico look VERY good 25 percent of the time.  They are making progress.  Splash behaved pretty well and took correct leads both directions - and since we only rode about 10 minutes, he didn't get much of a chance to misbehave.

Alaina had a lesson on Sunny with Dawn D on Friday afternoon and they are really looking good too.  I plan to pick Sunny up from Dawn's on Tuesday afternoon so Alaina will have to maintain Sunny's progress at the Wild O Ranch.  After a week and antibiotics, Sister is better so I will take her to Patty's tomorrow afternoon for a little of Patty's magic medicine.   The girls are on Spring Break so should have a little time to work their horses while they are off.  We plan on the party lesson at Patty's on Sat. to get ready for the Lily Pond dressage show on Sunday.  Luckily, we sprang forward this weekend, so afternoon riding season is coming soon.  Yaya!

Orban's to Urban's

The weather was lovely this weekend and we had several horsey adventures.  On Friday, Kathy B and I fought our way through construction traffic at every turn to get to Stillwater to retrieve Sister.  Sister has been hanging with Krystal and is making progress toward becoming a saddle horse.  After we arrived at the barn, Krystal ran Sister through her paces and then I tried a quick ride.  Krystal can canter and roll back and is even making progress in backing.  I just walked and trotted and, although the arena was rough, was pretty pleased.  Next stop for Sister is Patty's for some more work where I can ride regularly.  Unfortunately, Sister picked up a cough so we started her on some Tucaprine to clear that up before she goes to Inola.

Saturday, Ivy, Alaina and I took TC to south Owasso to try out the Urban ranch for TC and visa versa.  John and Charessa have 2 non-horsey boys and 3 girls.  The oldest girl is 9 - Lisle has a paint horse called Moe (Mow).  Hope (7?) loves TC and wants to ride-ride-ride.  The youngest, Ava, is 6 with downs syndrome and may enjoy TC in future.  You may remember that TC has a partial paralysis of the left larynx and can no longer do canter work or much trot (depending on allergies).  As of yesterday, TC and Mow were getting along great.  Ivy is heartbroken about TC living somewhere else but she knows that the Urban's will be good to him.  And she is planning many trips to the Urban ranch to visit.

Horse Haiku

Roan horse kind'a goosey

TC was Ivy's first love

Beautiful blaze face.

Laurie Hedlund presented Dressage 101 at the Horse of Course on Sunday afternoon.  Yummy snacks and very interesting review of rules (recent changes) for recognized shows.  Although I do not plan to show more than schooling shows, learning about the rules is helpful for a show volunteer.  Interesting tidbits:  the allowable whip length has been increased, all riders may wear safety helmets at all levels with out penalty, and if unintentionally dismounted during a test, you may continue to ride if you remount immediately and if your horse has not left the arena.

Inspired, I went home and worked Splash a little in our - finally dry - arena.  YaYa!

Show Season Starts!

YaYa's celbrated Jan/Feb birthdays with a dinner gathering at Olive Garden Tuesday evening.  Alas, I was working late and could not partake.  I trust that my YaYa sisters had a toast for me and I look forward to our next outing.  Perhaps (a girl can dream) it will be a riding outing?  Ya think?

This past weekend the Rogers County 4-H Horse Club hosted the annual Will Rogers Classic horse show - it's part of the Rogers County Spring Livestock Show.  Two days of halter, english, western and speed events to give everyone the opportity to breath more dust than is good for you.  We moved the horses into the barn on Friday evening and then bathed (socks and manes and tails only since it was very cold) and banded in preparations of Sat./Sunday's classes.

Kathy B and I rode the English classes together and both of our mounts were fairly well behaved.  We alternated placing over each other and determined that we were the over all winners since the women who placed over us were either professional trainers or had been showing horses since they were 3 (or both).  I ended up with the reserve English award because Kathy and Call didn't do showmanship. 

Call was really very good and Kathy was rightly proud of her.  Even Splash was on his best behavior - because I LOUNGED him both mornings for attitude adjustment.  Sat., he was a little more consistant in the Hunter Under Saddle Class but Sunday, we either were rushing or trying to drop gait.  Our Hunt Seat Eq classes were decent.  The pattern on Sat. required counter canter and Splash got it.  Sunday's pattern required left lead from a standstill to start the pattern, followed by a trot sequence and then right lead canter and he got them too.  I did have to use VERY strong leg including some English spurs.

The girls had very successful show days too.  Alaina and Sunny focused on Western only and placed 2nd and 3rd in Trail.  Although she didn't win any of her classes, all of her rides were obedient and smooth.  The competion in 9-11 Western is very stiff.  Ivy and Pico had good rides as well; they did English, Western, and Speed events doing barrels/poles/stakes in a lovely dressage canter.  Ivy managed to win 9-11 English Reserve High Point and recieved a lovely monogrammed garment bag.  Also, Splash and Ivy won reserve halter high point and received a trophy to prove it.

The show ran very late this evening, but, overall, a way fun show.... Now, when will I get a chance to re-organize the trailer and take bands out of manes?

RAIN - again

Well guess what?  It is raining - - and cold.  What a surprise.  The ground was starting to recover from the past onslaught of water/snow/etc. but a new system brought more rain last night and most of the day.  Full creeks, soggy pastures and flooded arenas are back.  But the weekend was not a total lost cause.

Friday afternoon Alaina rode with Dawn D and both she and Sunny are looking good when in the small arena under Dawn's watchful eye.  Hopefully, the show next weekend will not result in to much backsliding- but we all know that Rome was not built in a day.  Then, Sat. afternoon, Ivy got a lesson on Pico and Alaina joined in riding Jetter.  Ivy and Pico are making progress although Ivy's lesson on Thursday evening was really good.  Then Kathy B and I had the 3:00pm slot with a 4:00pm deadline so K and R could get in to Tulsa in time to see Reba. 

Splash was so hateful right off the bat that I had to dismount and longe him for 15 min.  He bucked and carried on as if he resented the end of his winter retirement.  Back in the saddle, we had adequate trot and canter work although it took a lot of effort on my part.  Our horsemanship was really bad.  Canter departs were either non-existant or wrong lead, headstrong and difficult stops, and worst of all sloppy geometry (we were back to fighting over who was driving).  Yuck!  Call and Kathy were LOTS better.  So, I made plans to return Sun PM and work some more. 

After our rides, Pico and Splash got some pre-show trimming including shaving off all the white on all 4 of Pico's stockinged legs as well as bridle paths, ears, and whiskers.  Rain was coming in but the temps weren't bad. 

Sunday, Alaina and I went to Owasso and Alaina rode Sunny and worked a little showmanship.  Then we trimmed his white foot, ears, etc. although I had to resort to twitching to get that pesky left ear done.  While we were at Dream  Maker, Heather gifted the girls with some hand-me-down show cloths!  The girls spent Sunday evening trying on outfits and both girls lucked out since there were western and english items in their size with some bigger items for future use.  WOW!  THANK YOU HEATHER! 

Then, home to pick up Diez, Splash, and Ivy to head to Inola to work the boys down there.  Alaina just wanted to play with Diez - she cantered 'no-hands' down the south side doing a 'dances with wolves' imitation.  Splash was MUCH better than yesterday, but still needs lots of work.

Some Very Sad News is that Bob Heidlage (senior) died on Tuesday and his funeral was Sat.  Bob was a pillar of Rogers County and Oklahoma 4-H horse activities and he will be very sorely missed.  Bob announced all the local, district and state horse shows when Jaime and Diez started their horse show careers.  When Jaime didn't ride well enough to get transitions in the very early days, Diez would take verbal cues from announcer Bob.  I feel very lucky that all four of my kids got encouragement and equine and character guidance from such a wonderful man.  Horse shows will never be the same.

Love....

Valentine's Day is cold and was even white first thing this morning. I took Diez out of her stall for a hand-walk around the spread and realized just how cold it was with the wind blowing. We both got to stretch our legs and then went to huddle in the house/stall.  No riding for me this weekend but Alaina got to ride Sunny with Dawn D on Sat. morning.  Dawn has been working with Sunny for a few weeks and Alaina is learning how to ask for level topline and to try to slow his speed.  Both are making progress.  Kristina F and her entire family spent their Sat. providing a fund raiser clinic for the 4-H horse club.  Julie H with Abby and Alaina and I helped all day at Kristina's clinic, the WOR and Sherry's barn, ending at the Rocking C at 5:30 pm.  So, Abby and Alaina got a quick ride on Ritzie and Pico before we headed back to Claremore. I spent last week in Houston and will be in Kansas Monday and Tuesday but plan to be back in time for ride night Tuesday night.  Since Sunny is at Dawn's and Pico at Patty's, the girls will have to ride Diez and Splash.  I might take TC just to get him out.  Next weekend, we will ride the party lesson, so get it on your calendar.  YaYa.