Archive for September, 2009
We Had an Unexpected Lesson and I Don't Know Who Wanted to Get Out of There First
Last night I went to the barn with my husband, which we do when we can. It had been raining the last two days so waiting for it to stop would be a long, long time. It is raining again today. There are two rings at our barn. The new ring is larger and I usually ride in there. Yesterday it was so dark out, the owner and his student were riding in the small arena and he had those lights on.
We tacked up Baylee and and my husband politely asked if the owner would turn on the lights in the other arena. I knew the answer before he said it. It was no she can ride in here.
Baylee hates that ring and so do I. We both remember my accident when some kid charged up so close to Baylee’s rear end that he bucked and I flew off. I was laid up from complications for over a year. I saw the horse but just recently started riding him this past spring. This is the arena where the mounting block is so that’s not a problem, but this is Baylee’s training arena.
Once I was up on him he immediately started towards the other ring’s gate. I had to pull him back and tell him we’re in here tonight. I walked him and tried to stay away from the lesson. Then I trotted him. This is the ring where the roof leaks and water gets in under the flooring so there are several large wet spots I avoid. The other two horses started to canter and of course Baylee started cantering. I thought as long as he isn’t too close, we’ll be fine. Then they rested their horses and Baylee continued to canter and one of the goats jumped out and we almost killed it.
Then Baylee tripped and he wanted to leave. Just at that moment the Boss said trot down to the other end and come back on your left lead. Now we were in trouble because now the owner had made us part of the lesson. He knows I ride at least forty five minutes to an hour or more a day. Saying Baylee was tired wouldn’t work. So we each went up and down on one lead and back on the other. Then we walked the horses and Baylee started towards the block and darn it the owner had his student and myself race down to the other end and come back on the proper leads.
The crowning glory was when all three of us raced. Nothing happened the first time. The second time at the far end Baylee stopped on his front legs and almost dropped me. He wanted to turn left but there was no room so he stooped suddenly and I almost fell. I grabbed that horn and pulled myself up so hard and tuned and said to Baylee it’s OK boy let’s get out of here and he trotted to the block and I got off.
I have decided if there is a lesson in the small arena, and I can’t get into the large arena by going earlier in the day I will not ride. Racing isn’t teaching especially when the teacher is one of the racers. A small slippery ring isn’t a place to race. An instructor belongs on the ground watching what the student is doing right and what he is doing wrong. Now that winter is coming I’m going to talk to him about the issue of the lights. I was and still am angry at my own stupidity, I should have never ridden at all. That is the way he teaches running barrels and poles and I am not competing and he knows that. It’s time for a long sit down with the owner. If he thinks racing is a proper teaching method I strongly disagree. It is his barn and he can teach any way he wants but next time he tries to include me I will say “no thank you” politely.
Stabled Horses Benefits From Just One Hour of Daily Exercise
Stabled horses need some form of exercise for one hour each day to get its beneficial effects. According to a study by a Raf Freire Phd. from Charles Strut University Australia, I read this in The Horse magazine.
The researchers took twenty four thoroughbreds and stock horses and for one hour and had them walk, walking on a treadmill, have a rider walk them, or put them in a paddock. The results they came out with is, horses are social animals and if they don’t get out for one hour a day some develop bad habits. They can also become bored which can lead to human injury.
I found the article disappointing for several reasons. Any horseman or women knows that horses need to get out of their stalls as often as humanly possible. It is well known that a horse that are on stable rest hates it and some develop bad habits like cribbing, box walking, licking the wood panels in their stall, rocking back and forth, shaking their heads up and down constantly.
Anyone worth his salt knows a horse that gets out of the stall is fresh and more dangerous to be around, just because he was cooped up and you would have the same reaction. If he is sound enough reminding him who is boss with some groundwork is a good idea. Just to get the fresh out of him no, to get his head on straight and remember you are the leader and he respects you yes.
I also believe the kind of exercise you do, does make a difference as to how the horse responds. Horses are social animals and like to go out in groups that is no new startling result of research. Ask any rancher or any person who has more than one horse that socializing is good for horses. The end result will be a happier horse that is easier to handle.
At the end of the article it says the horse will load in a trailer better if you use less commands. That goes along with training and experience. The more experience a horse has loading and unloading a trailer the better he will be at it.
No horse likes to be nagged at especially when he is already doing what you asked of him. This wasn’t in the article, as most of my comments weren’t. Comm0n sense and good groundwork and training is what every horse needs. Yes your horse will benefit more if he is exercised three days in a row, rather than every other day. He can be turned out everyday if you are willing to pay for it and there is enough room for it.
Riding every day is ideal but here in the cold weather sometimes you can’t get out of your driveway, and weather advisories tell people to stay off the roads. Relax you horse won’t be a skinny shrieveled mess when the weather breaks. The best thing to do is stop worrying and enjoy your time together knowing you are giving him the best care you can.
Baylee Forgot to Stand Still on Dismount so He Got a Reminder Lesson on the Spot
The other day I was riding Baylee and doing some poles that were set up on the inside arena. We haven’t done that in a while so it was a nice change for both of us. I have a new lighter weight saddle and a new bridle with long reins, despite that he did the pattern quite well.
I practiced some other things with him and he wanted to go outside. He goes to a certain gate and tries to open it himself. He can’t do it without a little help from me, because the gate swings back to fast.
Outside we ran in the lower arena and then ran up the hill and ran in the upper arena. We cantered along the grass and then came down to the path that leads back to the barn. I went to dismount him and I turned his head to the left and as soon as I got my right leg out, he began to move. I said whoa and he didn’t stop. My husband was there and he grabbed the horse and pulled me off. I couldn’t believe he did that. There is grass nearby, but he was backing away from it.
I told my husband to take everything off him. I went and got his training rope and my stick. As soon as I put him in the rope halter he knew he had made a mistake. I brought him down to the smaller arena and we went over a few things we hadn’t done in too long of time. I did longing for respect and moving the hindquarters away and then I had him stand still while I threw the rope over him. Next I took the stick and tossed that over him on both sides.
I did an exercise I created myself. I took the lead rope and he must stay with his head by my arm, without pushing in too close. I give a verbal command which way to turn and he does it. He can do this offline when I practice enough with him.
The point of this lesson was to stand still. I put Baylee at the spot he was at when we started and told him to “stand”. He didn’t move an inch even though I know he wanted to follow me. After at least fifteen minutes I said “Baylee come” and he wasn’t sure what to do so he stood there. I went and took the rope and pulled him to me. Then I backed him into the original spot and said “stand” and I walked away and he started to move so I yelled “no”. He backed up and didn’t move .
I was getting awfully tired and I’m sure he was so I said “Baylee come” and he walked right up to me. I petted him and said good boy and put him on a different spot and said “stand”. I walked farther away and looked back, he was still there. I said “Baylee come” and he came right to me.
At that point I let him loose and asked my husband to cool him down.
I have been taking Baylee’s good behavior for granted and the funny thing was, I was thinking of training him that day first. I changed my mind when I looked at the beautiful weather. I have not had a problem dismounting Baylee since that lesson.
I will make it a point to do groundwork more often because it is good for both of us. No horse is ever too well trained or bullet proof. It was my mistake, I didn’t do groundwork often enough and I won’t let that happen again. The least I can do is practice what I preach.
The Process of How to Start a Horse to Jump
How would one go about teaching a horse to jump? In the wild a horse will jump over any obstacle that is in his way, especially if he is being chased. So if a horse can jump naturally why doesn’t every horse jump without fear and have to be taught. The horse can jump if he has to which is very different than saying the horse will jump because he wants to. Remember he is not in the wild and most likely not jumping over anything in the pasture. The same could be said why train him he’s had a saddle on before when the person you bought him from rode him. Simply put it’s new to him and therefore he has to be show again what he is expected to do and what each cue means.
Let’s say he was a race horse fresh off the track. All he knows really is to get out of the gate and run as fast as he can. That is what he has been trained to do. Now you must open his world and show him that he can do more.
Start with ground work and let him learn to respect you which for many thoroughbreds is a very difficult concept. They are expected to win so they are treated like kings and queens. Now he is just a horse and has to respect humans especially his owner.
Thoroughbreds are pretty smart and catch on to new things quickly, before long you will be riding him. Make sure the saddle and bridle and bit all fit correctly. Now would be a good time to get started with an instructor. He or she will notice the small things that make a huge difference in how well the horse listens and jumps. He may have you ride a more experienced horse until you know what you are doing. That way a new rider isn’t trying to teach something new to a green horse. After several lessons on the more experienced horse you will probably be allowed to go back to your own horse and continue to learn together.
With your horse the instructor will set up trot poles on the ground four feet apart. This isn’t for you, this is so your horse can find his balance and not hit too many poles crossing over them at a trot. Depending on how many poles the horse’s feet hit, that’s ok, he’s learning how and when to lift his feet. You will repeat this until he goes over the poles without hitting them at all. Next you will practice going over the poles in a two point. If the horse is balancing well and doesn’t hit the poles your teacher will set up a little crossbar jump. Now there will be a pole removed to make the jump and a space the horse hasn’t seen yet. Most instructors will take another pole and put it in front of the jump so the horse and rider can figure when to lift up and go into a two point. You will post until you can see the jump out of the corner of your eye, turn your head so the horse knows what is coming. As you get closer to the jump put your hands higher on the horses neck, get into a good two point and look up at something that is straight ahead. Stay up in the two point until the hind feet clear the jump and then sit and do it all over again.
You’ll be surprised at how quickly you both progress. If you horse goes over the poles and he’s licking and chewing you’ll know he’s having as much fun as you are.
Leg Wraps How to do Them
Wrapping a horse’s leg is something that every horse owner will have to do from time to time. The whole point of wrapping a horse’s leg is to protect or prevent an injury. The first concern should be to to clean the injured leg and get the horse as comfortable as possible. Put the quilt wrap in place, making sure it is smooth and at least 1 inch thick. Start at the inside corner close to the fetlock, at the back of the heel. Do not begin or end over a joint. Wrap from back to front, starting the wrap to the inside of the leg, continuing to wrap smoothly and wrinkle free until you come to the end of the quilted wrap. Take the adhesive vet bandaging and start that wrap in the same spot as the quilt. This vet wrap should be at least two inches thick to a void the tourniquet effect cutting off circulation which potentially could damage tendons. Continue wrapping until you reach the end of the vet wrap or until the quilt wrap is covered by two layers of the vet wrap. Cut it if there is some left and stick the loose end on the top of the wrap. It is very sticky and should stay in place especially with the limited amount of movement your horse will be allowed to do What I have described here is how to wrap a left front or back leg. You start at the fetlock and you wrap from the bottom to the top, from the back to the front counterclockwise.
If the same injury happened on the opposite side of the horse everything would be done in the opposite direction. You would be starting the quilt at the bottom in the corner by the fetlock the quilt should be at least one inch thick. The wrapping would go in the opposite direction and would be followed by the adhesive bandaging veterinary wrap that is at least two inches thick. This time you will start in the back and go clockwise tightening it but not too tight. Again you want to avoid the tourniquet effect which could cut off blood flow possibly causing damage to the tendons.
The confusion over leg wrapping comes from the fact that on the left leg injury front or back of the horse wrap from back to front. If the injury is on the right leg of the horse, the bandage starts from the back to the front but the wrap goes clockwise. It is confusing and if you have never done any leg wrapping you should get some polo wraps and practice on your horse. Practice makes perfect and you never know when you’ll need that skill.
