This is my latest pic of Roxy!
Doing some circles
Head Shot of my gorgeous girl
Me at home and bareback
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Belated Merry Christmas!
Well it has been a hectic few days and I finally got around to submitting two of my QS assignments. I am really looking forward to seeing how they go.
I am not sure about my skills check as I felt really sick on the day and probably didn't have the focus I needed. Roxy still did well so we will wait for the feedback and take it from there.
Everything is very full on at the moment as I am preparing for my first official trail ride with the local trail riding group ATHRA. I am anxious for Roxy to do well but she does so well with other horses that I am sure she will just mosey along and really enjoy it.
Today was absolutely amazing as after watching some QS videos and some Parelli to boot I decided that I was prepared enough to try Roxy out on some proper one rein riding and I did it bareback because it just makes getting the feel so much easier.
I am pleased to say that Roxy passed with more than flying colours. I learnt so many new things about her today. To yield her I need to use one thumb not five fingers, she will back up brilliantly with just a rope across her chest, and best of all we seem to have found some rhythm with some fantastic transitions with the correct leg lead. I was just blown away and both of us ended up just a tad sweaty!
Her work with water was also another step in the right direction with Roxy actually jumping off a bank about 40cm high at a trot into water!!! YAY ROXY!!!
We finished with some circle work on the side of a hill which I am glad she was doing and not me.
It was just the best day so far and I am determined for my horse not to just be ok, but to be exceptional. I want that wow factor where you do things with your horse and people are blown away. She is a great teacher and very patient with me and I love that she looks to me as her leader more now.
I actually also caught her without the feed bucket today too!
Until next time
Love Lorrie
xxx
I am not sure about my skills check as I felt really sick on the day and probably didn't have the focus I needed. Roxy still did well so we will wait for the feedback and take it from there.
Everything is very full on at the moment as I am preparing for my first official trail ride with the local trail riding group ATHRA. I am anxious for Roxy to do well but she does so well with other horses that I am sure she will just mosey along and really enjoy it.
Today was absolutely amazing as after watching some QS videos and some Parelli to boot I decided that I was prepared enough to try Roxy out on some proper one rein riding and I did it bareback because it just makes getting the feel so much easier.
I am pleased to say that Roxy passed with more than flying colours. I learnt so many new things about her today. To yield her I need to use one thumb not five fingers, she will back up brilliantly with just a rope across her chest, and best of all we seem to have found some rhythm with some fantastic transitions with the correct leg lead. I was just blown away and both of us ended up just a tad sweaty!
Her work with water was also another step in the right direction with Roxy actually jumping off a bank about 40cm high at a trot into water!!! YAY ROXY!!!
We finished with some circle work on the side of a hill which I am glad she was doing and not me.
It was just the best day so far and I am determined for my horse not to just be ok, but to be exceptional. I want that wow factor where you do things with your horse and people are blown away. She is a great teacher and very patient with me and I love that she looks to me as her leader more now.
I actually also caught her without the feed bucket today too!
Until next time
Love Lorrie
xxx
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Water Play and Trail Riding Friends!
Well it has been a while, very busy filling out homework cards and getting ready to submit assignments. I have been working really hard on getting my foundation stuff right and we have had some amazing break throughs.
My main concern was that I couldnt get Roxy to do a hind quarter yield (swinging her butt away from me to face me and basically keeping her front feet pretty still). Well after losing much sleep going over and over in my head what I was doing and how I could change it I finally had a light bulb moment and last week we did it! She is now almost ready for an official assignment submission which shows we understand the basic foundations skills that all our other work will build upon.
We also discovered that we had an issue with water. A disagreement over going into a dam ensued last Tuesday and we had quite the argument. I gave up asking her to go in and let her finish on the tiniest of trys so that we ended on a positive note.
Then on the weekend it was on! Down we went and had a go doing it from the ground instead of riding in. I took the advise of my fellow Quantum Savviers and took it little by little. And sure enough after a few great trys we were in the dam, both up to our knees and hocks and I was splashing water all over her. I was so proud of her!!!
SO today we head out on a trail ride with some friends. This is her first group ride and we basically spent half of the ride in the suburbs. She passed a ride on lawn mower, whipper snipper, dogs, kids on bikes, trucks, play parks you name it and she was pretty much perfect....until we came across a small creek crossing that she didnt like the look of. We had a few go's but I decided that that was a lesson that we could work on next time.
My friend suggested that I ditch the saddle and we head up to this dam bareback to give the horses a swim and we could practise the dam stuff.
Excitedly we all rode up and one of the horses being a water baby was straight in there.....Roxy got two front hooves wet while I was riding her! That was a massive acheivement alone....but then I got off and using my QS skills for driving her forward, got her to go in up to her belly by herself where she then stood and just eased her hot leggies! I sat on the bank looking at her proudly while the other horses and riders did the same. We let the horse spend lots of time enjoying the cool water before heading back.
I am just stunned at what a fantastic horse she is .....the only issue that remains is that there is a bit of a debate going about whether or not Roxy is pregnant! Time will tell but I honestly hope not....she is not meant to be? I think she just has a huge grass belly from all the good tucker. I will be keeping an eye on her though? ;-).
So lots to do and hopefully I will have at least 3 assignments done by the end of January??
Bye Bye
Love Lorrie
xx
My main concern was that I couldnt get Roxy to do a hind quarter yield (swinging her butt away from me to face me and basically keeping her front feet pretty still). Well after losing much sleep going over and over in my head what I was doing and how I could change it I finally had a light bulb moment and last week we did it! She is now almost ready for an official assignment submission which shows we understand the basic foundations skills that all our other work will build upon.
We also discovered that we had an issue with water. A disagreement over going into a dam ensued last Tuesday and we had quite the argument. I gave up asking her to go in and let her finish on the tiniest of trys so that we ended on a positive note.
Then on the weekend it was on! Down we went and had a go doing it from the ground instead of riding in. I took the advise of my fellow Quantum Savviers and took it little by little. And sure enough after a few great trys we were in the dam, both up to our knees and hocks and I was splashing water all over her. I was so proud of her!!!
SO today we head out on a trail ride with some friends. This is her first group ride and we basically spent half of the ride in the suburbs. She passed a ride on lawn mower, whipper snipper, dogs, kids on bikes, trucks, play parks you name it and she was pretty much perfect....until we came across a small creek crossing that she didnt like the look of. We had a few go's but I decided that that was a lesson that we could work on next time.
My friend suggested that I ditch the saddle and we head up to this dam bareback to give the horses a swim and we could practise the dam stuff.
Excitedly we all rode up and one of the horses being a water baby was straight in there.....Roxy got two front hooves wet while I was riding her! That was a massive acheivement alone....but then I got off and using my QS skills for driving her forward, got her to go in up to her belly by herself where she then stood and just eased her hot leggies! I sat on the bank looking at her proudly while the other horses and riders did the same. We let the horse spend lots of time enjoying the cool water before heading back.
I am just stunned at what a fantastic horse she is .....the only issue that remains is that there is a bit of a debate going about whether or not Roxy is pregnant! Time will tell but I honestly hope not....she is not meant to be? I think she just has a huge grass belly from all the good tucker. I will be keeping an eye on her though? ;-).
So lots to do and hopefully I will have at least 3 assignments done by the end of January??
Bye Bye
Love Lorrie
xx
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Busy Training and Riding - Time for some Video Feedback
Well what a busy week this has been.
Wow where do I start....????
I have joined Quantum Savvy and have started my homework cards and am on my way to submitting my first assignment. Roxy and I have a few issues with certain things so this weekend I need to video tape what is happening so that the instructors can tell me how to tweak what I am doing.
I have learned a lot this week about Roxy...she is capable of a decent jump thanks to Dad resetting a jump out there so that I could practise without having to keep getting off to fix it!
She is finally walking up to me in the paddock and last Tuesday even neighed the whole way over to me, I still have the bit of food for her so I am not convinced it is me she is pleased to see just yet?
At closer inspection of Roxy's teeth I am certain that she is closer to 4 than 5 as there are still some baby teeth and no incisors...so next birthday she will be 5...which makes her still a bit of a baby!
And on Tuesday we went for our first decent trail ride outside the paddock. All went well until she spooked at the keys around my neck, spooked and refused to go down a track with some erosion gully's in it, spooked at a drill and finally spooked at another horse that spooked at her!
Very eventful but nothing out of control, just getting to know each other and proving that the horse in the paddock is never the horse on the trail. She was doing some lovely jog trots though and that was really nice.
I bumped into two girls Holly and Narelle, who I hope to get to ride with. We all have young horses and just want some easy trails with the odd canter here and there. It will be nice to catch up with them for a ride.
So for now I am concentrating on getting my basic skills test done and I am sure with some more practise and feedback we will.
She is a great horse and I was really chuffed when my Dad met her for the first time and also agreed that she was a beautiful horse. He used to breed and break in horses so it was nice to get his approval!
Ok hopefully soon I will have some more pics and a video for you all to watch,
Until then
Love Lorrie
xxxx
Wow where do I start....????
I have joined Quantum Savvy and have started my homework cards and am on my way to submitting my first assignment. Roxy and I have a few issues with certain things so this weekend I need to video tape what is happening so that the instructors can tell me how to tweak what I am doing.
I have learned a lot this week about Roxy...she is capable of a decent jump thanks to Dad resetting a jump out there so that I could practise without having to keep getting off to fix it!
She is finally walking up to me in the paddock and last Tuesday even neighed the whole way over to me, I still have the bit of food for her so I am not convinced it is me she is pleased to see just yet?
At closer inspection of Roxy's teeth I am certain that she is closer to 4 than 5 as there are still some baby teeth and no incisors...so next birthday she will be 5...which makes her still a bit of a baby!
And on Tuesday we went for our first decent trail ride outside the paddock. All went well until she spooked at the keys around my neck, spooked and refused to go down a track with some erosion gully's in it, spooked at a drill and finally spooked at another horse that spooked at her!
Very eventful but nothing out of control, just getting to know each other and proving that the horse in the paddock is never the horse on the trail. She was doing some lovely jog trots though and that was really nice.
I bumped into two girls Holly and Narelle, who I hope to get to ride with. We all have young horses and just want some easy trails with the odd canter here and there. It will be nice to catch up with them for a ride.
So for now I am concentrating on getting my basic skills test done and I am sure with some more practise and feedback we will.
She is a great horse and I was really chuffed when my Dad met her for the first time and also agreed that she was a beautiful horse. He used to breed and break in horses so it was nice to get his approval!
Ok hopefully soon I will have some more pics and a video for you all to watch,
Until then
Love Lorrie
xxxx
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
This week in Roxy World!
Well the weekend brought lots of rain but I still managed to get out there twice. Once for a feed and the second time I practised some circles and yield work with Roxy. A hangover didn't help at all so I changed to purpose plays and put her in circles over a jump.
Today however I beat the rain and after a great trim from the farrier, we measured her front feet to see just how 'different' they were. Well there is about .5cm difference in width. I don't think she will need two different sized boots but I will take an outline on a piece of cardboard when I visit next and then measure accurately from there.
I rode her a bit in a halter to practise some of the lesson three things I had seen on Quantum Savvy and after about 5 mins I realised there was no point as she was distracted by other horses feed buckets...we bridled up and headed out.
Her trot/jog is developing well and I am getting longer stints of 'smoothness', it helps that the saddle is starting to mold to my butt and that can only be a bonus. We are trying a fair bit of cantering now too and the more we do it the better it gets. I took her through some narrow pockets of trees that were quite low hanging and even passed a snake at one stage..she wasn't fazed. I am really keen to get out of the paddocks but after her trim it was best to keep her to the grassed areas.
I even let her run at a gallop today and she is no speedster but she gave it a good shot. She managed to whinny at a canter so she wasn't completely out of breath!
She continues to improve and her lovely calm personality shines though each time I see her. She loves a good rub behind the ears and is very accepting of a lot of new things I throw her way. I even threw the training rope over her head while seated in the saddle to change it to the other side and she wasn't bothered at all.
I hope to try and save some more dollars this weekend to buy her some boots for her front feet. I want the pricey ones, I just think they will have more life in them.
So hopefully I can sneak a visit in somewhere before the weekend.
Bye Bye
Lorrie
xxx
Today however I beat the rain and after a great trim from the farrier, we measured her front feet to see just how 'different' they were. Well there is about .5cm difference in width. I don't think she will need two different sized boots but I will take an outline on a piece of cardboard when I visit next and then measure accurately from there.
I rode her a bit in a halter to practise some of the lesson three things I had seen on Quantum Savvy and after about 5 mins I realised there was no point as she was distracted by other horses feed buckets...we bridled up and headed out.
Her trot/jog is developing well and I am getting longer stints of 'smoothness', it helps that the saddle is starting to mold to my butt and that can only be a bonus. We are trying a fair bit of cantering now too and the more we do it the better it gets. I took her through some narrow pockets of trees that were quite low hanging and even passed a snake at one stage..she wasn't fazed. I am really keen to get out of the paddocks but after her trim it was best to keep her to the grassed areas.
I even let her run at a gallop today and she is no speedster but she gave it a good shot. She managed to whinny at a canter so she wasn't completely out of breath!
She continues to improve and her lovely calm personality shines though each time I see her. She loves a good rub behind the ears and is very accepting of a lot of new things I throw her way. I even threw the training rope over her head while seated in the saddle to change it to the other side and she wasn't bothered at all.
I hope to try and save some more dollars this weekend to buy her some boots for her front feet. I want the pricey ones, I just think they will have more life in them.
So hopefully I can sneak a visit in somewhere before the weekend.
Bye Bye
Lorrie
xxx
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
We jumped!
Yesterday I had to take my sister to the airport so I wasnt prepared to ride as I really didnt know how much time I would have.
I made it out to Roxy with a fair bit of time on my hands but only a bridle.... no saddle. I caught her easily (still with a bucket of food though) and took her back for some nice relaxed no yield/contact yield work. After this I got chatting with another lady who was out feeding her horse.
We discussed Roxy's possible breed and then I said to her that I was off to take Roxy bushwalking...she looked at me and said 'why dont you just ride?'. I explained that I didnt have a saddle and she said that if she can ride her fiesty beast with a halter from the top of the hill bare back then surely I can do the same.
I figured why not and took Roxy into the paddock where I found a hill to jump on board.
My first issue is that I am discovering that Roxy has a stubborn streak and will dig her feet in and at times WILL NOT MOVE with any gentle coaxing what so ever.
I was stuck at the gate and Roxy wasnt moving an inch. The horse and owner that I had been talking to were making their way back to the gate and it just so happened that the other horse was one of Roxy's main men. After standing there watching me for awhile I told the lady to let her horse through as I think Roxy might be waiting for him.
She let him go and he trotted off. Roxy still didnt want to move and if I turned her head she would just stand and sniff my feet, first the right then the left. Well I thought at least she is getting some flexion exercises in!
Finally I decided to resort to a good slap of the reins accross her shoulders...well that woke her up and a few more slaps and we were on our way.
We did a lap of her paddock and saw a fox which oddly enough just sat and watched us. Then we went to the bigger paddock and did some trotting and some cantering. Roxy was a bit pooped but I think she is getting slightly fitter. She always lets out this big sigh of relief when something is over.
We headed back to the yards and I noticed the jump was set up, about 20-30cm. I thought why the hell not and walked her over it a few times. She is a bit clumsy with her feet so I decided to do it at a trot and we got a couple of nice little jumps...then I raised the height about 10 cm or so. Well we had a crack but Roxy knocked them all off! But at least she tried and she didnt freak out when they all came tumbling down.
She had her ears pricked forward during the ride and the jumps and I think she really enjoyed mixing it up a bit.
I actually enjoyed riding bareback and I think I will do it everytime I ride around the paddock and save the saddle for trail riding.
Fingers crossed for some good weather this weekend!
Love Lorrie
xx
I made it out to Roxy with a fair bit of time on my hands but only a bridle.... no saddle. I caught her easily (still with a bucket of food though) and took her back for some nice relaxed no yield/contact yield work. After this I got chatting with another lady who was out feeding her horse.
We discussed Roxy's possible breed and then I said to her that I was off to take Roxy bushwalking...she looked at me and said 'why dont you just ride?'. I explained that I didnt have a saddle and she said that if she can ride her fiesty beast with a halter from the top of the hill bare back then surely I can do the same.
I figured why not and took Roxy into the paddock where I found a hill to jump on board.
My first issue is that I am discovering that Roxy has a stubborn streak and will dig her feet in and at times WILL NOT MOVE with any gentle coaxing what so ever.
I was stuck at the gate and Roxy wasnt moving an inch. The horse and owner that I had been talking to were making their way back to the gate and it just so happened that the other horse was one of Roxy's main men. After standing there watching me for awhile I told the lady to let her horse through as I think Roxy might be waiting for him.
She let him go and he trotted off. Roxy still didnt want to move and if I turned her head she would just stand and sniff my feet, first the right then the left. Well I thought at least she is getting some flexion exercises in!
Finally I decided to resort to a good slap of the reins accross her shoulders...well that woke her up and a few more slaps and we were on our way.
We did a lap of her paddock and saw a fox which oddly enough just sat and watched us. Then we went to the bigger paddock and did some trotting and some cantering. Roxy was a bit pooped but I think she is getting slightly fitter. She always lets out this big sigh of relief when something is over.
We headed back to the yards and I noticed the jump was set up, about 20-30cm. I thought why the hell not and walked her over it a few times. She is a bit clumsy with her feet so I decided to do it at a trot and we got a couple of nice little jumps...then I raised the height about 10 cm or so. Well we had a crack but Roxy knocked them all off! But at least she tried and she didnt freak out when they all came tumbling down.
She had her ears pricked forward during the ride and the jumps and I think she really enjoyed mixing it up a bit.
I actually enjoyed riding bareback and I think I will do it everytime I ride around the paddock and save the saddle for trail riding.
Fingers crossed for some good weather this weekend!
Love Lorrie
xx
Sunday, November 16, 2008
My sister and niece meet Roxy!
We headed out on Thursday so that my sister Corinne and her niece Madaleine could meet Roxy. My Mum came along too as she hadn't seen her since the day I bought her.
We brought Roxy in and saddled her up. I took her for a few laps of the yard and then out to the paddock just to make sure she was settled enough for the otheres to have a ride.
She was a tad disappointed I think when she realised that she would be giving pony rides and not heading to the hills with me.
My sister, her daughter and my daughter Jade all took Roxy for a ride and she was her usual patient self. We gave her a nice feed and brush and she was done for the day.
I decided to head out again Saturday afternoon and initially I was going by myself but Madaleine was so keen I couldn't say no to her.
I went out there with a plan to walk Roxy the two kilometers or so to the large working arena that is next to the trails where people ride.
We headed down the road and Roxy was little bit nervous. We then came to a narrow bridge and it was here that she dug her hooves in and refused to move. I thought riding her through it might be easier. She started to get very annoyed and like everything seems to be with her, patience was the key. At one point she even pawed the ground with frustration. Then she decided to just stand there and sniff my right foot.
I realised that there was no way she was going to let me ride her over the bridge so I hopped off again and started to walk and sure enough she followed. It was like she understood that we would be here all afternoon until she went across and she was saying to me "OK I will go but you are going first!"
We continued to the arena and when we got there we just rode some big 'S' turns. I then decided to do some really large circles at a canter. She did really well but again I noticed she hates going around to the right and I have to push her a little more to keep going.
My dear Roxy is still a tad unfit so after this she was a bit pooped. I put my niece back on her and lead her all the way home. No fussing, no stalling just a nice stroll back. She wasn't even bothered by the motorbikes anymore. Just very accepting and probably a little tired.
We gave her a nice big feed and walked with her to the water where she took a long drink.
It is time to get Roxy fit because if we start trail riding with the local group next year she really needs to be a bit more prepared. I also want to start my QS level 1 as soon as possible. Just need a few more dollars!
Looking forward to seeing her again on Tuesday but it probably wont be for a ride just a brush and feed. I am also a little concerned about the seedy toe in her front hoof so dont want to push it too much.
Update later
Love Lorrie
xxx
We brought Roxy in and saddled her up. I took her for a few laps of the yard and then out to the paddock just to make sure she was settled enough for the otheres to have a ride.
She was a tad disappointed I think when she realised that she would be giving pony rides and not heading to the hills with me.
My sister, her daughter and my daughter Jade all took Roxy for a ride and she was her usual patient self. We gave her a nice feed and brush and she was done for the day.
I decided to head out again Saturday afternoon and initially I was going by myself but Madaleine was so keen I couldn't say no to her.
I went out there with a plan to walk Roxy the two kilometers or so to the large working arena that is next to the trails where people ride.
We headed down the road and Roxy was little bit nervous. We then came to a narrow bridge and it was here that she dug her hooves in and refused to move. I thought riding her through it might be easier. She started to get very annoyed and like everything seems to be with her, patience was the key. At one point she even pawed the ground with frustration. Then she decided to just stand there and sniff my right foot.
I realised that there was no way she was going to let me ride her over the bridge so I hopped off again and started to walk and sure enough she followed. It was like she understood that we would be here all afternoon until she went across and she was saying to me "OK I will go but you are going first!"
We continued to the arena and when we got there we just rode some big 'S' turns. I then decided to do some really large circles at a canter. She did really well but again I noticed she hates going around to the right and I have to push her a little more to keep going.
My dear Roxy is still a tad unfit so after this she was a bit pooped. I put my niece back on her and lead her all the way home. No fussing, no stalling just a nice stroll back. She wasn't even bothered by the motorbikes anymore. Just very accepting and probably a little tired.
We gave her a nice big feed and walked with her to the water where she took a long drink.
It is time to get Roxy fit because if we start trail riding with the local group next year she really needs to be a bit more prepared. I also want to start my QS level 1 as soon as possible. Just need a few more dollars!
Looking forward to seeing her again on Tuesday but it probably wont be for a ride just a brush and feed. I am also a little concerned about the seedy toe in her front hoof so dont want to push it too much.
Update later
Love Lorrie
xxx
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
A little more progress!
I went out yesterday morning just to feed Roxy as I had a shopping day planned to find an outfit for Dannys, (my husbands), staff Christmas party.
I took my few handfuls of food in a bucket and after initially offering a small bit to one of her boys whose name is 'Chocky', she came straight over and wanted some too. I put down the bucket and placed the halter and lead around her neck. Success......no wandering after her today.
What I was really pleased with though, was after I had taken her back to the yards to groom and when she had finished eating, I practised her yields. Well I am very chuffed to say that Roxy yielded her left hindquarter (her favourite) without touch. This is a fantastic step forward.
It is nice just to sneak yields in while you are just grooming and feeding. Makes it less of a chore than going through the process in the round yard.
I have my sister coming to stay with her kids tomorrow when hopefully I will pop out for some play, a feed and some grooming, basically a bit of horsey love. I am sure that my niece Madaleine and Jade will want a little ride too. And I am hoping that I can get a nice big ride in Saturday morning before the rush of a very big pre chrissy weekend! I want to walk Roxy down to the sporting complex where there are some bush tracks and a dressage arena!
Wish me luck!
xx
I took my few handfuls of food in a bucket and after initially offering a small bit to one of her boys whose name is 'Chocky', she came straight over and wanted some too. I put down the bucket and placed the halter and lead around her neck. Success......no wandering after her today.
What I was really pleased with though, was after I had taken her back to the yards to groom and when she had finished eating, I practised her yields. Well I am very chuffed to say that Roxy yielded her left hindquarter (her favourite) without touch. This is a fantastic step forward.
It is nice just to sneak yields in while you are just grooming and feeding. Makes it less of a chore than going through the process in the round yard.
I have my sister coming to stay with her kids tomorrow when hopefully I will pop out for some play, a feed and some grooming, basically a bit of horsey love. I am sure that my niece Madaleine and Jade will want a little ride too. And I am hoping that I can get a nice big ride in Saturday morning before the rush of a very big pre chrissy weekend! I want to walk Roxy down to the sporting complex where there are some bush tracks and a dressage arena!
Wish me luck!
xx
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Just a little ride for Jadey!
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Just out to say hello and have a little walk around...no pressure Roxy!
Jade had her first ride in a saddle and stayed on even when Roxy jumped forward a bit when I gave her a little tap on the butt get her going. Jade kept riding and loved it! Yes Jade does have her face painted like a cat..
Roxy and I went for a quick trot around the paddock and we just brushed her and hung out while she did some lawn mowing.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
More Improvement!
Well today Roxy surrounded by her 'boys' tried to avoid me again. I quickly resorted to the feed bucket, which definately works but I would rather not go into a paddock of horses with a feed bucket. I am really asking for trouble.
I had my mother in law out with me this morning collecting poop for her veggie garden, you have to love the dedication of an Italian woman to get the veg just right!
We started with some play and circles again and after twenty minutes we saddled up.
We headed up the hill and Roxy was more interested in heading back towards the right. I worked on comfort v's discomfort to get her in a straight line and after a while she got the idea. When she looks to move the other way I apply light pressure to bring her back around with both my hands on the reins and my calf. As soon as she yields to this I drop all pressure to show her the reward for her acceptance is me backing off.
Up to the top through the scrub and back down again we waved goodbye to my mother in law as we headed into the next paddock. Roxy relaxed into a nice jog trot and remained forward moving for a lap.
After we came back to her home paddock she was relaxed enough to mix it up again so I started out at a trot and and then practised neck reining her around to change direction so that we were doing some random figure eights. She accepted all of this with interest and it was nice to see her enjoy it.
The best part was the nice controlled 4-5 strides of canter back to the yard! YIPPEEEE!!!
Yay Roxy on another great effort...now just stop using your boys to avoid me?
Love Lorrie
xxx
I had my mother in law out with me this morning collecting poop for her veggie garden, you have to love the dedication of an Italian woman to get the veg just right!
We started with some play and circles again and after twenty minutes we saddled up.
We headed up the hill and Roxy was more interested in heading back towards the right. I worked on comfort v's discomfort to get her in a straight line and after a while she got the idea. When she looks to move the other way I apply light pressure to bring her back around with both my hands on the reins and my calf. As soon as she yields to this I drop all pressure to show her the reward for her acceptance is me backing off.
Up to the top through the scrub and back down again we waved goodbye to my mother in law as we headed into the next paddock. Roxy relaxed into a nice jog trot and remained forward moving for a lap.
After we came back to her home paddock she was relaxed enough to mix it up again so I started out at a trot and and then practised neck reining her around to change direction so that we were doing some random figure eights. She accepted all of this with interest and it was nice to see her enjoy it.
The best part was the nice controlled 4-5 strides of canter back to the yard! YIPPEEEE!!!
Yay Roxy on another great effort...now just stop using your boys to avoid me?
Love Lorrie
xxx
Friday, November 7, 2008
I made it!!
Well I got out there and after Roxy avoided me in the paddock and was being protected by one of her boyfriends, I finally caught her with the old food in the bucket trick.
We had a wonderful session with Roxy showing some really nice movement and we even did a few circles over a jumping pole which she is a bit lazy with, but accepted it and tried. Gotta always praise a try!
After her feed I also walked Jade a few paces on her bareback in the feeding stall. Jade was a bit scared at first but once I showed her how to relax she did few steps and loved it.
Going to try for an early session tomorrow....fingers crossed!
XXX
We had a wonderful session with Roxy showing some really nice movement and we even did a few circles over a jumping pole which she is a bit lazy with, but accepted it and tried. Gotta always praise a try!
After her feed I also walked Jade a few paces on her bareback in the feeding stall. Jade was a bit scared at first but once I showed her how to relax she did few steps and loved it.
Going to try for an early session tomorrow....fingers crossed!
XXX
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Waiting...waiting.....
Well it is 12:37 pm and I am killing time on the net waiting for my husband to come home so I can take off and see Roxy. In the meantime I am reading up on Quantum Savvy the natural horsemanship program that I am interested in starting.
Using a few videos from the internet site and some reading I have been practising a few other games with her, which I tried out last weekend, and I have some stuff to try today.
Sunday was paddock ridin' day!!! I did a little bit of work with her in the roundyard and then saddled her up ready for a bash around the paddock. I use that term lightly as it was more like a gentle first time work out at the gym after a long, long absence for both of us.
We headed up the hill first at a nice jog trot (something she is getting quite good at). When we got to the top Roxy was sucking it in a little bit so we just saundered accross the top of the paddock. As we turned to come down hill she picked up a bit of speed but to my surprise when I touched her reins lightly and said walk on...she did! She then got a bit startled by something and jumped forward but that was it.
We continued some up and down work in some steep gullies and then on the way back I decided to canter...this is where things got a little out of control. I lost my train of thought and Roxy was ready to keep going. After dropping my seat down deep in the saddle and taking the pressure off my legs, a nice big 'WHOA' brought her to a stop.
I then decided to try her out opening a gate while I stayed mounted...she passed with flying colours, even when the gate bumped her on the butt.
On Tuesday it was a mad dash out to get some ground work in before heading off to the Melbourne Cup luncheon with mum. We started with some pressure/yielding work and then did some walking and trotting circles. I then decided to try circles with no lead. I didnt expect much just thought I would give it a go and what do you know...off she goes! She did a few circles each way and then we removed the halter and lead and I tried a new bridle on her then sent her to do some circles. Again not a problem...with one exception...Roxy doesnt like circling to the right! She WILL do it but as soon as she is finished instead of turning to face me she quickly shuffles and faces the other direction. Really quite the funny girl.
I took her back to the yard for a bit of tucker and a nice brush and massage and then we walked down to the paddock. She was super relaxed and I stood by her side and just talked and rubbed behind her ears and jaw...well the darlin' started to doze off and even after I removed the halter she stayed for a few more cuddles! Just the most lovely moment.
So hopefully I can get out there today and do some saddle work and play.
I looked into the local trail riding group and I will need to wait a bit longer before I join as I need to save for the membership and also Roxy will need some boots! Yep boots for a horse, it is a great new option instead of shoeing which is fantastic. I need to find $275 for a pair so hopefully I get some money over christmas.
Hey I saved $50 on groceries today maybe I can pocket that??
Cheers
Love Lorrie
xxx
Using a few videos from the internet site and some reading I have been practising a few other games with her, which I tried out last weekend, and I have some stuff to try today.
Sunday was paddock ridin' day!!! I did a little bit of work with her in the roundyard and then saddled her up ready for a bash around the paddock. I use that term lightly as it was more like a gentle first time work out at the gym after a long, long absence for both of us.
We headed up the hill first at a nice jog trot (something she is getting quite good at). When we got to the top Roxy was sucking it in a little bit so we just saundered accross the top of the paddock. As we turned to come down hill she picked up a bit of speed but to my surprise when I touched her reins lightly and said walk on...she did! She then got a bit startled by something and jumped forward but that was it.
We continued some up and down work in some steep gullies and then on the way back I decided to canter...this is where things got a little out of control. I lost my train of thought and Roxy was ready to keep going. After dropping my seat down deep in the saddle and taking the pressure off my legs, a nice big 'WHOA' brought her to a stop.
I then decided to try her out opening a gate while I stayed mounted...she passed with flying colours, even when the gate bumped her on the butt.
On Tuesday it was a mad dash out to get some ground work in before heading off to the Melbourne Cup luncheon with mum. We started with some pressure/yielding work and then did some walking and trotting circles. I then decided to try circles with no lead. I didnt expect much just thought I would give it a go and what do you know...off she goes! She did a few circles each way and then we removed the halter and lead and I tried a new bridle on her then sent her to do some circles. Again not a problem...with one exception...Roxy doesnt like circling to the right! She WILL do it but as soon as she is finished instead of turning to face me she quickly shuffles and faces the other direction. Really quite the funny girl.
I took her back to the yard for a bit of tucker and a nice brush and massage and then we walked down to the paddock. She was super relaxed and I stood by her side and just talked and rubbed behind her ears and jaw...well the darlin' started to doze off and even after I removed the halter she stayed for a few more cuddles! Just the most lovely moment.
So hopefully I can get out there today and do some saddle work and play.
I looked into the local trail riding group and I will need to wait a bit longer before I join as I need to save for the membership and also Roxy will need some boots! Yep boots for a horse, it is a great new option instead of shoeing which is fantastic. I need to find $275 for a pair so hopefully I get some money over christmas.
Hey I saved $50 on groceries today maybe I can pocket that??
Cheers
Love Lorrie
xxx
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
What is with the Rain!!
Well as luck would have it Saturday it rained, spotted rain, threatened to rain...very annoying!
A good friend of mine came to visit in the afternoon and we threw chance into the face of the damned rain and went out with all the tack to risk it and at the very least say hello.
We arrived to find a paddock full of skittish horses, I suspect, from the mass worming session that morning. Roxy was wormed just before she arrived so she had a leave pass this time. Horses were chasing my friend and my daughter and being very rude and cheeky indeed. Even Roxy bolted from my grasp and I was worried that I might have my first tonne of trouble catching her. But that wasnt the case. She was however a bit rattled as well so Jade wasnt getting a ride that day.
After getting her stubborn little self back to the yards, I started by getting my saddle and checking its fit, as well as the stirrups, bridle etc.
I was wonderful to ride her in full tack and we did some exercises in the round yard before takin on some free riding outside. She continued to improve and showed that she is willing to learn and even with a bit of spookiness could be trusted. We did have one moment when I wanted her to walk through a small gate opening with me on her back. She didnt like that idea for the first 4-5 attempts and at one stage backed up, with me just letting her go til she stopped, about 30 metres. She then resigned herself to the fact that I would just patiently wait for her to get it together and proceeded to just calmly walk through.
She is a bit cheeky and aloof and has a nature that is second to none. She is relaxed and happy to let me do anything to her when grooming.
I will return later to talk about our paddock ride on the Sunday and my work with her on Tuesday. I am very excited by the progress that was made!
Cheers Love Lorrie
xxx
A good friend of mine came to visit in the afternoon and we threw chance into the face of the damned rain and went out with all the tack to risk it and at the very least say hello.
We arrived to find a paddock full of skittish horses, I suspect, from the mass worming session that morning. Roxy was wormed just before she arrived so she had a leave pass this time. Horses were chasing my friend and my daughter and being very rude and cheeky indeed. Even Roxy bolted from my grasp and I was worried that I might have my first tonne of trouble catching her. But that wasnt the case. She was however a bit rattled as well so Jade wasnt getting a ride that day.
After getting her stubborn little self back to the yards, I started by getting my saddle and checking its fit, as well as the stirrups, bridle etc.
I was wonderful to ride her in full tack and we did some exercises in the round yard before takin on some free riding outside. She continued to improve and showed that she is willing to learn and even with a bit of spookiness could be trusted. We did have one moment when I wanted her to walk through a small gate opening with me on her back. She didnt like that idea for the first 4-5 attempts and at one stage backed up, with me just letting her go til she stopped, about 30 metres. She then resigned herself to the fact that I would just patiently wait for her to get it together and proceeded to just calmly walk through.
She is a bit cheeky and aloof and has a nature that is second to none. She is relaxed and happy to let me do anything to her when grooming.
I will return later to talk about our paddock ride on the Sunday and my work with her on Tuesday. I am very excited by the progress that was made!
Cheers Love Lorrie
xxx
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Out for Another Brush and Feed
Well today was just a quick visit with both the kids. I was excited to finally show them Roxy. My daughter was her usual apprehensive self and was a little scared to touch or play with her. My son, with me holding him was straight in for a pat. Which confirms my belief that he will be the child with the thing for all things animal!
Roxy was looking really good and is easy to catch. When I brought her in I noticed she has a bit of a sore on her right hind hoof, but hopefully she has just bumped it and it will heal up.
While feeding and grooming her, alot of other horsey people turned up to do the same with their horses. It always amazes me the different kinds of people that have horses. One young girl owns four of the horses in Roxy's paddock...FOUR...now at $60 per month for adjistment and the discussion we had regarding her showing at least one of those horses PLUS the fact that she rides three times a week..has me a little gob smacked. I can never understand where people get the time and money for more than one or maybe two horses. Regardless she had some great info on where to ride and said there is miles of places to go...lets hope her miles is the same as my version, because I have an inkling that I used to ride alot further than your average trail rider?
So Jade had a sit on Roxy and was quite nervous, Roxy was wondering what the little thing on her back was too, but as I have come to expect she took it in her stride.
So I have decided that I will get up at the crack of dawn and head out to see if I can sneak in a ride on Saturday morning..I am praying that the saddle will fit nicely on her. Am thinking now that I should have looked into it a bit more, oh well time will tell.
Love Lorrie
xxxx
Roxy was looking really good and is easy to catch. When I brought her in I noticed she has a bit of a sore on her right hind hoof, but hopefully she has just bumped it and it will heal up.
While feeding and grooming her, alot of other horsey people turned up to do the same with their horses. It always amazes me the different kinds of people that have horses. One young girl owns four of the horses in Roxy's paddock...FOUR...now at $60 per month for adjistment and the discussion we had regarding her showing at least one of those horses PLUS the fact that she rides three times a week..has me a little gob smacked. I can never understand where people get the time and money for more than one or maybe two horses. Regardless she had some great info on where to ride and said there is miles of places to go...lets hope her miles is the same as my version, because I have an inkling that I used to ride alot further than your average trail rider?
So Jade had a sit on Roxy and was quite nervous, Roxy was wondering what the little thing on her back was too, but as I have come to expect she took it in her stride.
So I have decided that I will get up at the crack of dawn and head out to see if I can sneak in a ride on Saturday morning..I am praying that the saddle will fit nicely on her. Am thinking now that I should have looked into it a bit more, oh well time will tell.
Love Lorrie
xxxx
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Roxy's Before Pics
This is Roxy's for sale picture in her winter coat.
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And this was Roxy on the day she was delivered. I am looking forward to seeing how she changes from riding and good tucker.
Well Here I Go Again
So I have finally done it.....
I have spent my whole life with horses. When I was two my Dad used to take me trail riding on a huge mare called Calinda and I was hooked.
My first horse Mystery was a 12hh Welsh Mountain pony who was just gorgeous and dare I say it a little bit sexy! I then set my sights on our stud stallion Kamahl. Once stud duties were finished I claimed him as my own and rode his lazy little self for many years, he was the slowest horse in town but had personality in spades. He was also Mystery's boyfriend and they loved each other very much. He was very distraught when many years later she was put to sleep as she had cancer.
I soon outgrew the cheeky grey man and decided that it was time for a 'big' horse, Kamahl became a much loved companion horse to any horse that was with us at the time and lived a long happy life. He ended his days with a friend of my mums who kept him like a pet. I wished he had been with me but at the time it wasnt possible.
When I was 12 I met Iraki Pasha. He was a 14.2hh purebred Arabian gelding who was everything a little girl ever dreamed of. He was flashy and showy and even with his wooly winter coat I knew he was beautiful. I bought him on the spot for $500 unaware of the what this horse would come to mean to me.
Pasha and I went on to form a bond through thick and thin and he taught me more than I ever thought I knew about horses and our relationships with them. He was flighty and scared and impossible to read which lead to many scary events for the both of us. I spent hours with him and without knowing, was training him in natural horsemanship just by using common sense and a do unto others approach. We did bush riding, one day eventing, show jumping, pony club and sporting and Pasha always stood out in a crowd. Although never a top show horse by any means he was perfect in my eyes.
I had him until I was 30 at which time I discovered that he had congenital heart failure, this was probably the reason I spent so many years trying to keep the weight on him and never really getting anywhere. It was hard for me to accept that my horse who showed no signs of slowing down, was only like this out of his desire to please me.
Shortly before the birth of my first daughter I prayed that Pasha would last long enough for me to get through the pregnancy and for my daughter to see him. When my daughter was 8 weeks old I had to come to terms with the fact that my dear Pasha didnt deserve to suffer anymore. I had him put to sleep and it was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever done.
I have never been back to the paddock where he passed or the tree where he is buried, I cant do it.
Five years later the horse bug got hold of me and I started looking at the classifieds...well any horse person knows that looking more often than not leads to buying and last week I bought a beautiful mare who I called Roxy. I was told that she might be a Quarter Horse x Australian Stock Horse but I can see Thoroughbred in her so I am unsure. Regardless she is part of a life long dream to train up a young horse into a polite and well rounded riding horse and I am excited that I found her.
She is very quiet and although only ridden a hand ful of times since being broken she is placid and calm (almost too calm :-)) and I have started a little bit of Parelli on her as well as trusting my instincts and just forming a bond with her.
She is SO different to Pasha and that I think is a good thing. I am already noticing what a firecracker my Pasha was and how hard I worked to get his trust and friendship. Roxy has the same kind eyes and I am excited about her prospects.
We had our first session yesterday and I rode her in the roundyard bareback (thanks to a girth that didnt fit) and she very quickly picked up the beginnings of neck reining and leg aids.
I have started this blog to share my experiences and to have an outlet for my passion which some people in my real life might not understand. Only horse people know the bond and the effect that these wonderful animals can have on our lives. They make lasting impression sthat shape who we are and what we become. My horses have been my escape and my sanctuary and when I am with them I forget about anything in the past or present that is bothering me.
So for horses that were, and horses that will be I hope to tell a new story of a growing relationship between me and my new horse Roxy!
Lorrie
xx
I have spent my whole life with horses. When I was two my Dad used to take me trail riding on a huge mare called Calinda and I was hooked.
My first horse Mystery was a 12hh Welsh Mountain pony who was just gorgeous and dare I say it a little bit sexy! I then set my sights on our stud stallion Kamahl. Once stud duties were finished I claimed him as my own and rode his lazy little self for many years, he was the slowest horse in town but had personality in spades. He was also Mystery's boyfriend and they loved each other very much. He was very distraught when many years later she was put to sleep as she had cancer.
I soon outgrew the cheeky grey man and decided that it was time for a 'big' horse, Kamahl became a much loved companion horse to any horse that was with us at the time and lived a long happy life. He ended his days with a friend of my mums who kept him like a pet. I wished he had been with me but at the time it wasnt possible.
When I was 12 I met Iraki Pasha. He was a 14.2hh purebred Arabian gelding who was everything a little girl ever dreamed of. He was flashy and showy and even with his wooly winter coat I knew he was beautiful. I bought him on the spot for $500 unaware of the what this horse would come to mean to me.
Pasha and I went on to form a bond through thick and thin and he taught me more than I ever thought I knew about horses and our relationships with them. He was flighty and scared and impossible to read which lead to many scary events for the both of us. I spent hours with him and without knowing, was training him in natural horsemanship just by using common sense and a do unto others approach. We did bush riding, one day eventing, show jumping, pony club and sporting and Pasha always stood out in a crowd. Although never a top show horse by any means he was perfect in my eyes.
I had him until I was 30 at which time I discovered that he had congenital heart failure, this was probably the reason I spent so many years trying to keep the weight on him and never really getting anywhere. It was hard for me to accept that my horse who showed no signs of slowing down, was only like this out of his desire to please me.
Shortly before the birth of my first daughter I prayed that Pasha would last long enough for me to get through the pregnancy and for my daughter to see him. When my daughter was 8 weeks old I had to come to terms with the fact that my dear Pasha didnt deserve to suffer anymore. I had him put to sleep and it was one of the most heartbreaking things I have ever done.
I have never been back to the paddock where he passed or the tree where he is buried, I cant do it.
Five years later the horse bug got hold of me and I started looking at the classifieds...well any horse person knows that looking more often than not leads to buying and last week I bought a beautiful mare who I called Roxy. I was told that she might be a Quarter Horse x Australian Stock Horse but I can see Thoroughbred in her so I am unsure. Regardless she is part of a life long dream to train up a young horse into a polite and well rounded riding horse and I am excited that I found her.
She is very quiet and although only ridden a hand ful of times since being broken she is placid and calm (almost too calm :-)) and I have started a little bit of Parelli on her as well as trusting my instincts and just forming a bond with her.
She is SO different to Pasha and that I think is a good thing. I am already noticing what a firecracker my Pasha was and how hard I worked to get his trust and friendship. Roxy has the same kind eyes and I am excited about her prospects.
We had our first session yesterday and I rode her in the roundyard bareback (thanks to a girth that didnt fit) and she very quickly picked up the beginnings of neck reining and leg aids.
I have started this blog to share my experiences and to have an outlet for my passion which some people in my real life might not understand. Only horse people know the bond and the effect that these wonderful animals can have on our lives. They make lasting impression sthat shape who we are and what we become. My horses have been my escape and my sanctuary and when I am with them I forget about anything in the past or present that is bothering me.
So for horses that were, and horses that will be I hope to tell a new story of a growing relationship between me and my new horse Roxy!
Lorrie
xx
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