Published... It's a possibility!

So, last weekend I went with a friend from the barn to a local schooling show. I went as her unofficial photographer/groom/whatever-she-needed. It was a great schooling opportunity for G, my friend's horse and we couldn't have asked for better weather.

Anyways, in the process of talking to the show organizer, they inquired about me being the unofficial show photographer for the day. I figured as long as I was there, I could certainly take photos - least until my ride left.

Here's a few shots I took from the day:

The shots of the bay on top are G, followed by an adorable little girl and her grey pony (her older brother also rode the pony in the ground pole class), then the last few are of E.L. That pretty pinto mare (I forget her breeding) in a phenomenal jumper and fairly photogenic in her own right. I love the last photo I took of her.

I was going to post a link to the photos, but then blogger went all funky on me. I'll try to get that figured out. Oh well.

The exciting part is that some of my work may get published in the local (local to the schooling show - so just south of the TC) newspaper. I'm super excited. Hubby of course says something to the effect that now I can finally use my journalism degree. Haha. Anyways, I'm hoping that I make it into the paper. That would be the highlite of my day.

Success!

Yesterday's lesson was amazing. Gus was such a good boy. For the first time in ages, we actually got the right lead canter EVERY.SINGLE.TIME I asked. And there was no rushing into the canter or anything along those lines either. Just a nice, balanced trot to canter transaction. Amazing.

So, the lesson consisted of the same ol', same ol' but fortunately for Gus, it works. So we did the 3 and 4 loop serpentines at the trot, throwing in a 8-10m circle at A/C and again at E/B - depending on what direction we were going.

Then we proceeded to work on the canter. All we did for canter work yesterday was 2 20m circles at each "major" letter, so A/B/C/E. Gus had to maintain a nice, slow, relaxed and ROUND canter. And for the most part, he did.

We ended the lesson with working on haunches in, but more specifically head-to-the-wall, butt-to-the-wall leg yields. Basically, we worked on the baby steps to get the haunches in. Of course we had issues getting the right leg to do what it needed to do, but we did end on a good note. These "haunches in" were really hard for Gus though, so I think I will plan on incorporating them into our workouts in the future... because they really will strengthen this hindend more.

Our game plan for the next few weeks will be working on the serpentines, "haunches in" - progressing towards a more true haunches in, and long canters/hand gallops. I think that kind of conditioning work will help Gus continue to develope his topline.

I'm so proud of my ol' man!

Gringo

I haven't done much with Gringo in the last week, mainly because of the weather (really HOT) and partly because I've been busy. So the last time he was worked was over the 4th of July weekend. I definitely need to get more motivated and start working with Gringo on a more regular basis, then I might actually get somewhere with him. Then again, I'm in no hurry either.

Today, the farrier was out to trim Gringo again. Gringo was at 7 weeks out. I'm thinking I need to talk to L next time he's out about getting Gringo's toes in check. While he's perfectly sound like he is, he's also very long in the toe... which can lead to other issues, like I've learned with Gus.

Here's Gringo's hoof photos from today's trim, viewed from left front, to left rear, right rear to right front:

I also took some new body photos. Mind you, the barn floor is all dirt and VERY uneven. So, while Gringo looks like he's built majorly downhill, he's really only built slightly downhill.





Weight-wise, I would prefer that Gringo loose a few more pounds. But honestly, I'm not entirely sure to go about doing that. Normal circumstances mean cutting grain/hay, upping exercise or putting on a grazing muzzle. Unfortunately, none of those are really good options. I think I'll try upping the exercise as much as I can, but it's hard to do anything with a horse who's not started undersaddle. At least he's outside 24/7 so he can walking around as much as he'd like. 

Gus And His Hoof Troubles

So, unfortunately Gus is starting to have a few issues with his hooves again. Of course that is nothing new. Here's what I was looking at last Wednesday...

By yesterday, the left front was even more broken up. Sad thing is, this is only a 4 week trim. It's unfortunate, but we had such a wet spring and that was followed by HOT, dry weather. Everybody and everything seems to be breaking up. So, I bumped Gus up from a 6 week schedule to a 4 week schedule, least for the next two cycles.

Yesterday, Gus and I had a lovely ride outside. Due to his hooves, I opted to not ride in the outdoor arenas as they are like riding on concrete right now. The indoor would've worked just fine, but it was beautiful outside. So, we worked in the fields. We started off with working on down and round at the walk and trot. When I asked for the canter, we got both leads - correctly - the first go around. I figured we'd try our hand at the hand gallop again... and what a lovely hand gallop we had. Of course is was on the forehand and no where near proper, but since when has Gus had a proper hand gallop?

Tonight is another lesson night, so I'm hoping we can work more on getting him round and forward again. Last week's lesson was primarily working on round and forward. We did the 3 and 4 loop serpentines again at the trot, followed by 20m canter circle figure-8s. We also worked on leg yields, from the quarter line to the rail. Gus was better doing the leg yield off the right leg when I was posting. The left leg yield was fine regardless.

He's still getting bute prior to every ride, as long as I remember. The bute seems to take the edge off and make him a little bit more comfortable. The farrier wanted him bute'd before he works on him in the future, so hopefully Gus will be good for J tomorrow when he gets retrimmed.

Oh, and I asked the BM about how Gus is eating his new grain (Triple Crown Senior). She said he's eating it all up, every meal, including his supps. However, he's not eating his Pergolide unless they break and crumble up the tablets. So... he's obviously been missing a few dosages as she's seen as many as three tablets in and around his feed area. She and the BO break up the tablets, but none of the other workers do. So I'm thinking about crumbling them myself when I make up his grain every week. And speaking of his grain, he's currently on about 1.5lbs twice a day. He's looking great at this current amount, so we'll see how well he holds his weight.

4th of July

I had to take advantage of a day off AND nice weather, so I took the time to work with both boys.

I started off at my in-laws place to work with Gringo. Same ol', same ol' with him. I tacked Gringo up and we went to work in the pasture. We started off just w/t without the side reins. Gringo remembered what we worked on last time, so the whoa was easier to establish this time around. After going around both directions for a couple minutes, I added the side reins. I placed them on the lowest ring on each side and tightened both reins by two holes. I think I may have done too many things at once with that move. While Gringo did move out once the side reins were added, he did so a bit unwillingly. Our only real issue was going to the left, he shook his head (due to the nasty flies everywhere) and freaked a bit when he realised his head was attached to the side reins. After going backwards a couple steps, he stopped (found out the whoa does work) and waited until I came up. So, while we had a moment, it was a learning experience and nothing bad came out of it.

I did attempt to ask for the canter this time around. After the episode I had a few weeks prior, I was a bit leary. We did get a nice canter to the right but I was never able to establish a canter left. So, we left that for another time. I'd rather Gringo have a nice, calm workout then one where he ends up frustrated and freaking out.

Note for next time, bring out a lunge whip. I haven't used one since I was working with Gringo at the vet's place (where I boarded him for a while). So, that'll need to be introduced slowly, but I need a bit more control of those hindquarters and I think I'll be able to get that with the lunge whip.

Gus and I had a really nice ride today. Nothing too amazing, but we did w/t/c/hand gallop outside. I had to take advantage of the weather and decent footing...

So, we started off without lunging today. First time I've just hopped up on him in ages. He started off stiff but worked out of it. We began the ride in the stadium field and trotted over a few of the downed jumps/cavalletti. After that, we proceeded to walk and trot down the field service road. This road runs on the north side of the property and is minimally maintained. So there are pot holes and rocks like you wouldn't believe.

We then ended up on the cross-country course. After walking up and down the new bank jump, we did some canter work. Gus was hesitant to pick up the right lead in the field, but I was able to get the correct lead after making a small circle prior to asking for the canter.

At the end of the ride, we had some nice long canters. I was trying to get a hand gallop on the left lead but Gus was more interested in just cantering along. When we turned back for the barn, I was able to get a very nice, forward right lead canter and then a hand gallop on the right lead. Gus was actually having a little too much fun then.

Our cool out consisted of walking the field service road again and the inner perimeter of the cross-country course.

Both boys got sponged/hosed off after their workouts. Gus got the added benefit of a bath, complete with shampoo and conditioner.

I took some new photos of Gus and his hooves again today, as I noticed that the hoof walls on the fronts were breaking up again. This trim is only 3 weeks old and he's already chipping the hoof walls up. I'm hoping to not have to put shoes on Gus this summer, but if he needs them then they'll be added.

In the last photo above, you can just barely see what's left of the nasty hoof crack that originated back in October 2010. I think with just another couple months, it should hopefully be fully grown out. I'm still debating about keeping Gus on a hoof supplement. I'm sure it doesn't hurt him at all to be on it but does he need it?

These next photos are some new body condition photos. Kinda hard to take photos in the barn and with my cell phone, but I think they do justice.

That last photo shows Gus's topline or rather, lack thereof. It's a work in progress, but I'm hoping that if I can keep him sound we'll have a nice, strong topline back before we know it. Least one can hope.

Re-training Gringo

So, it was decided by my MIL that I should start to work with Gringo and get him going under saddle, finally. Seeing as the vet okay'd the work since the x-rays showed no serious changes, I've slowly started working with him again to see what he remembers.

Well, the first attempt about a month ago was a disaster. Gringo was really good w/t on the lunge but the moment I asked for a canter, he kinda lost it. I was able to get him back and I thought all was well, until we switched directions. Cantering on the right lead he again lost it and thought "Yipee". Out pops the left shoulder and there he goes... literally.

After watching him run around, like the lunatic he is, I finally was able to catch him again. I didn't attempt to ask for the canter again, but I did end the session on a good note by having a nice w/t and WHOA on the lunge line. Called it quits for the day after that.

So this past Wednesday, I decided to work with Gringo again. Better try to make it more consistent, otherwise I won't be getting anywhere. I started off the same way as before, but unlike the first time, this time Gringo was fully tacked. Bridle, surcingle and side reins. We worked on the same things. Walk/Trot/WHOA. The WHOA being especially important. The biggest thing I've learned with Gringo is that he loves positive attention, so as soon as he does something that I like, I praise him. Same goes for if he doesn't something wrong.

I didn't push for the canter, so I only got it a couple times each direction. But he did listen a lot better this time and I think being fully tacked up helped tremendously. Eventually, I'll be adding a saddle up there, but I've got time. I'm in no hurry to get him going under saddle. If it happens, it happens. I won't be upset if it doesn't. And I WON'T be the first person on his back.

So here's to small, baby steps in the progress of Gringo's training. He is listening to me and is understanding what WHOA means. Hopefully one day, all I'll need to say is "whoa" and he stops on a dime. That's my goal for him.

Chiropractors, the Equine kind.

So yesterday Gus saw Dr. K again, his equine Chiropractor. She's amazing and has loads of patience. It also helps that she's also a dressage rider, so she understands the needs of a dressage horse more then someone who isn't familiar with that discipline.

Gus was out in a lot of the same places as before, but Dr. K said she was able to get better adjustments this time. I'm hoping that Gus shows marked improvement like he did back at the end of May when he saw Dr. K for the first time.

This time, she found him out in the low back/SI region again. He was locked tight in the left side and that in turn caused all the vertebrae in the lower back on the right side to tilt. This could very well be part of the reason why he is reluctant to pick up the right lead canter, specifically on the lunge/at liberty. Other points of soreness included the right hip/pelvis area - just above the right stifle, the left side of the base of his neck - near/on the withers, and the left side of his skull/right side of poll - if that makes any sense.

Anyways, I did ask about the excessive yawning. She mentioned that it could be due to him being out in the poll/TMJ/etc or it could be also due to something else, I forget the name. But regardless, she related it to the same reason why Apolo Ohno yawns before any of his races... to get more oxygen back into his body/muscles/etc. So, who knows why Gus decided to take up yawning... the world may never know.

On this past Wednesday, Gus and I had a really nice lesson. We started Gus off, as usual, on the lunge. Nothing new there, just tried a couple different settings with the side reins as Gus decided to be counter-bent, even with the inside reins shorter then the outside. B, my trainer/BO, noticed that Gus seemed more short-strided on the left then on the right, which is the opposite that he normally is.

Undersaddle, Gus ended up being short-strided to the right, which is typical for him. Going to the left, everything was normal. All we did undersaddle on Wednesday was work being round, forward off my leg and "joggy" trot. We did 3 and 4 loop trot serpentines along with canter figure-8s. With the figure-8s, we added an extra circle at X, typically 10-12m in size - still at the canter. We opted to not push Gus with a smaller canter circle to the right, so we stuck with just the 20m circle that direction.

Needless to say, it ended up being a good training session. Gus had some nice moments and only towards the end of the lesson did he start showing some bad steps behind. I definitely think the chiro + squared off hind toes makes a world of difference for him.