It's a beautiful sunny day out there today, but it is sooooo cold. I can't bring myself to do anything with the horses. Hopefully it will thaw soon.
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
Showing posts with label Anky. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anky. Show all posts
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Then and now
It's a beautiful sunny day out there today, but it is sooooo cold. I can't bring myself to do anything with the horses. Hopefully it will thaw soon.
Friday, 11 March 2011
Anky
Anky died yesterday.
She was a beautiful, sweet horse with tremendous spirit, a constant challenge, but with the capacity to bring great joy.
She's gone now and free from pain but she'll stay in my heart forever.
She was a beautiful, sweet horse with tremendous spirit, a constant challenge, but with the capacity to bring great joy.
She's gone now and free from pain but she'll stay in my heart forever.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Une petite promenade
I had a good session with Remy today. We walked up the lane to the school and had a short in-hand session. He's beginning to be more consistently relaxed through his head and neck now, keeping a nice stretch forward. We had a really nice giravolta on each rein, some nice shoulder-in, both on the circle and down the long side and some rein-back to walk on, followed by a couple of rein-back to trot. He's coming a little softer in the trot on the lunge, starting to get the relaxation we're getting in the walk. He falls on his inside shoulder on the right rein trot and it's difficult to keep his shoulder up and out and so get a relaxed inside bend. Today, I practiced one or two rein-back to trot and then asked him to lift and yield his shoulder in walk and then ask for the trot transition. He seems to find it funny that I'm trotting along beside him, but we got a few nice, balanced steps. I couldn't resist a sit-on at the end of the session so I rode him back down the lane, with a litte diversion up the track to chat with our neighbour.
Anky's still miserable this morning. She was unsettled last night, but ate some hay and a little feed this morning. She's at the bottom of the garden today ( a little change of scenery) and although she's been lying down, she's been eating a little grass too. It's been so nice today they've all had a little snooze in the sunshine.
Anky's still miserable this morning. She was unsettled last night, but ate some hay and a little feed this morning. She's at the bottom of the garden today ( a little change of scenery) and although she's been lying down, she's been eating a little grass too. It's been so nice today they've all had a little snooze in the sunshine.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Obi and Anky and the Vets
It's been a bit of a stressful day. Obi went off to the vet first thing for his tumour removed. The vet said to ring after lunch to see if we could pick him up. As it turned out, she rang us at 11.30 to say we could, if we wanted, pick him up immediately as he 'doesn't settle here'. The reality of it was, he was howling the place down and they'd had enough of him. He came home bright as a button, big relief all round.
The vet came to see Anky. I'd booked him for a full work-up for the beginning of next week, but Anky's been so down with very little improvement over the last few days, I rang him this morning and he came over immediately. A friend came over for support and I couldn't appreciate it more. Not only is she very caring and supportive, she's also very knowledgeable, the perfect person to have around at times like this. A big thank you Andrea!
Anky was sedated and then the vet perfomed a rectal exam, an internal and external ultrasound, checking ovaries, uterus, large and small intestine. He took a blood sample and a peritoneal tap, all to be sent off for analysis.
He discovered fluid around the large intestine and ceacum, and thickening of the wall of the small intestine. Possible indicators of inflammation and/or infection. I really hope that the blood test and tap can lead us to a more definitive answer. He's left me with an anti-inflammatory/painkiller and at least this should make her more comfortable.
The vet came to see Anky. I'd booked him for a full work-up for the beginning of next week, but Anky's been so down with very little improvement over the last few days, I rang him this morning and he came over immediately. A friend came over for support and I couldn't appreciate it more. Not only is she very caring and supportive, she's also very knowledgeable, the perfect person to have around at times like this. A big thank you Andrea!
Anky was sedated and then the vet perfomed a rectal exam, an internal and external ultrasound, checking ovaries, uterus, large and small intestine. He took a blood sample and a peritoneal tap, all to be sent off for analysis.
He discovered fluid around the large intestine and ceacum, and thickening of the wall of the small intestine. Possible indicators of inflammation and/or infection. I really hope that the blood test and tap can lead us to a more definitive answer. He's left me with an anti-inflammatory/painkiller and at least this should make her more comfortable.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Anky's been a bit uncomfortable this last few days. I've gone to get them in and she's been standing in a stretched-out way. She's eating, but she looks miserable. Having said that, they all look a bit miserable, we've shut them out of their favourite field, the grass is a bit sparse and it's raining (not sure that bothers them as much as it does me). So, is she really miserable or am I just thinking that because I worry about her so much? I don't know, but today I felt the need to change her routine a little. I so much want to see her enjoying life and a spark in her eyes. I've done nothing with her because she's too much of a worry for me health-wise, and also I thought I'd just leave her be and concentrate on the youngsters.
I took her for a walk up the lane, let her eat some grass on the verge and then into the school. I wanted to see her moving - she was ok, but a bit crabby behind - tightness, discomfort - I don't know. She's lost weight this winter and looks a bit poor, that's a worry too. I may do a little light lungeing with her several times a week to see if I can loosen her up a little - or I may not - I may change my mind by tomorrow.
Took Remy for a walk too, it seemed to be the day for it. He was looky but fine. Ten minutes in the school in-hand and then back down the lane home. Our neighbour stopped in his truck to chat to us for a few minutes and Rem was pretty relaxed about it all.
Anky's got to me today, I take it to heart, can't help it, I just want her to be happy.
I took her for a walk up the lane, let her eat some grass on the verge and then into the school. I wanted to see her moving - she was ok, but a bit crabby behind - tightness, discomfort - I don't know. She's lost weight this winter and looks a bit poor, that's a worry too. I may do a little light lungeing with her several times a week to see if I can loosen her up a little - or I may not - I may change my mind by tomorrow.
Took Remy for a walk too, it seemed to be the day for it. He was looky but fine. Ten minutes in the school in-hand and then back down the lane home. Our neighbour stopped in his truck to chat to us for a few minutes and Rem was pretty relaxed about it all.
Anky's got to me today, I take it to heart, can't help it, I just want her to be happy.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
A busy morning
It was sunny and bright today and I started with flexion sessions for Remy and Bonbon. After this I took Corky for a short (35min) hack and then a short in-hand session with Anky. Remy and Bonbon were very happy to oblige with some nice flexions and stretching down. Corky, after some encouragement (she really thought that she'd retired) walked out nicely with a long relaxed neck, and Anky tutted her way through our in-hand session but relaxed, and after moving her shoulders and quarters independently, gave me some nice giravolta and shoulder in.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Respite
I've just checked my work log, and apart from one or two sessions inside, I've done nothing with the horses for 5 or 6 days. A few different reasons, but the weather's been a major factor, it's been pretty horrible, especially the last 3 or 4 days.
This morning, it was such a relief to wake up to the sound of silence instead of the incessant tapping of rain on the skylight. In addition to it being fine it was also pretty calm as the horrible blustery wind had disappeared in the night.
I took Remy up to the school for a mixed lunge/in-hand session. I've been thinking a lot about his lack of relaxation on the lunge and wanted to change tack (no pun intended) a little. I started by isolating the aids, so first asking him to move his shoulders and then to move his quarters. He knows this, so it's not a problem. Then asking him to move both together in a giravolta. Then an exercise of giravolta into shoulder- in and back to giravolta. Then giravolta, halt into reinback. He was very relaxed and I was really pleased with him. I then asked for giravolta followed by walk onto the circle with an active walk and trying to get softness and stretch over the neck. After a few tries at this I repeated the exercise, but after a couple of strides of walk, I asked for a trot transition. We repeated this a few times and the trot transition became much cleaner and he started to really relax into the trot and stretch and lower his neck. A really good session.
It's been 10 days since I've done anything with Anky. She's starting to put on a bit of weight and has been generally much more relaxed and easy in herself over the last few weeks. I'm sure the Equishure is helping her.
I took her up to the school and did the same exercises with her that I'd done with Remy. She was brilliant on the lunge, the transitions were good and her trot was the most relaxed I've seen from her,more active behind, loose over her back and stretching down over her neck.
I finished off a good morning with a short bridle session with Bonbon.
Now that I've got my winter head on, I find that I'm wanting to practice more (sax) so I'm off to do that now. I may even play the piano too :-)
This morning, it was such a relief to wake up to the sound of silence instead of the incessant tapping of rain on the skylight. In addition to it being fine it was also pretty calm as the horrible blustery wind had disappeared in the night.
I took Remy up to the school for a mixed lunge/in-hand session. I've been thinking a lot about his lack of relaxation on the lunge and wanted to change tack (no pun intended) a little. I started by isolating the aids, so first asking him to move his shoulders and then to move his quarters. He knows this, so it's not a problem. Then asking him to move both together in a giravolta. Then an exercise of giravolta into shoulder- in and back to giravolta. Then giravolta, halt into reinback. He was very relaxed and I was really pleased with him. I then asked for giravolta followed by walk onto the circle with an active walk and trying to get softness and stretch over the neck. After a few tries at this I repeated the exercise, but after a couple of strides of walk, I asked for a trot transition. We repeated this a few times and the trot transition became much cleaner and he started to really relax into the trot and stretch and lower his neck. A really good session.
It's been 10 days since I've done anything with Anky. She's starting to put on a bit of weight and has been generally much more relaxed and easy in herself over the last few weeks. I'm sure the Equishure is helping her.
I took her up to the school and did the same exercises with her that I'd done with Remy. She was brilliant on the lunge, the transitions were good and her trot was the most relaxed I've seen from her,more active behind, loose over her back and stretching down over her neck.
I finished off a good morning with a short bridle session with Bonbon.
Now that I've got my winter head on, I find that I'm wanting to practice more (sax) so I'm off to do that now. I may even play the piano too :-)
Saturday, 30 October 2010
After a week of doing nothing with the horses, we returned to work today in the school.
I took Anky up there first for a short lunge session followed by a little in-hand work. She was pretty relaxed with the lungeing but tense in the in-hand. I'm finding that she relaxes really well when we're inside, but once we get outside in the school she's distracted very easily and the first thing she does then is tense and raise her head. We'll work on it.
The wind had got up a little by the time I took Remy in the school. He was a little distracted by the wind and the toot tooting of a distant chasse horn, but he's such a patient and willing boy and tried to focus. We started with a short lunge session and he was pretty responsive in the transitions. By walking around with him, I find he stays much softer and doesn't hang on the rein, I can try to bend him a little inside, help him relax and encourage a sharper transition. Today the trot was more relaxed and active than it's been and the transitions were better. We then had a short session in-hand including asking him to move individual legs from a light touch of the whip. He's getting better at this, giving me a quicker reaction.
So, after a week off, it all felt a little rusty, but glad to be back doing something.
I took Anky up there first for a short lunge session followed by a little in-hand work. She was pretty relaxed with the lungeing but tense in the in-hand. I'm finding that she relaxes really well when we're inside, but once we get outside in the school she's distracted very easily and the first thing she does then is tense and raise her head. We'll work on it.
The wind had got up a little by the time I took Remy in the school. He was a little distracted by the wind and the toot tooting of a distant chasse horn, but he's such a patient and willing boy and tried to focus. We started with a short lunge session and he was pretty responsive in the transitions. By walking around with him, I find he stays much softer and doesn't hang on the rein, I can try to bend him a little inside, help him relax and encourage a sharper transition. Today the trot was more relaxed and active than it's been and the transitions were better. We then had a short session in-hand including asking him to move individual legs from a light touch of the whip. He's getting better at this, giving me a quicker reaction.
So, after a week off, it all felt a little rusty, but glad to be back doing something.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Anky and Remy in-hand
Short sessions in-hand yesterday with Anky and Remy, working on release and relaxation of the jaw, and, in Remy's case concentrating on focus and attention. I was trying to keep him soft in the hand with slight inside flexion, without too much bend in the neck or twist at the poll. The in-hand work is relatively new to me and in order to work my way through it's complexities, I'm now trying to break it down and isolate the aids ( with some good advice from a friend , thanks Trudi ). Once I'd got his attention, I worked for a few minutes asking him to move his shoulder from a slight touch and he was very responsive . I've started to ask him to move individual legs by a slight touch of the whip and after a very long and lazy response on friday, he was much better yesterday.
It was raining this morning so worked inside with both Anky and Remy, working on the same as yesterday. We put them out and opened up the gate to the winter field, it was great to see them cantering down and kicking their heels up, led by an exuberant Anky.
It was fine by the time we brought them in so I had a quick in-hand session on the yard with Remy. He was calm and attentive and I managed to get nice flexion to the inside with good contact on the outside rein preventing excess bend in his neck or twisting at the poll. I also worked on asking him to walk on, with me remaining perfectly still ( I have a tendency to get slightly ahead of him) and he responded well, also the halts were very soft, straight and positive.
It was raining this morning so worked inside with both Anky and Remy, working on the same as yesterday. We put them out and opened up the gate to the winter field, it was great to see them cantering down and kicking their heels up, led by an exuberant Anky.
It was fine by the time we brought them in so I had a quick in-hand session on the yard with Remy. He was calm and attentive and I managed to get nice flexion to the inside with good contact on the outside rein preventing excess bend in his neck or twisting at the poll. I also worked on asking him to walk on, with me remaining perfectly still ( I have a tendency to get slightly ahead of him) and he responded well, also the halts were very soft, straight and positive.
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Warm but blustery weather....
The horses have had a couple of days off so back to work today.
I took Remy in the school, it was blustery and he was spooky. I put him on the lunge and he calmed a little so we had a short in-hand session working on rein-back, halt/walk transitions, giravolta and circles, all the time trying to keep him focussed and attentive. He was very good so I sat on and we did the same exercises ridden. He kept his focus, waited patiently at halt, listening and waiting for me to ask. The rein-backs were better as was the following walk on as he relaxed and flexed a little at the poll. After a couple of repetitions I took him onto a circle and we did some figure of eights with a nice change of bend. To finish we returned to the rein-back/walk on exercise and added the turn on the forehand, repeat in the new direction. There were a lot of distractions today and I was really pleased with his behaviour. I rode him back down the lane and had a little (our first!!) trot towards home.
I then rode Anky up to the school and I felt like we'd taken a few steps backwards as by now the wind had really got up and she was quite distracted.
She started off by not wanting to release to the flexions at halt, but after a few minutes she started to relax and stretch down and I moved her around on small circles trying to keep the softness and bend. We had some nice steps,but she was still worried about other things and it was far from consistent.
I then tried the reinback-exercise against the fence which seemed to get her attention and I was really pleasantly surprised at how softly and fluidly she moved into the rein-back from a light request. The whole exercise was improved, the walk forward after the rein-back and the turn on forehand to change the direction. Still lots to work on, but definitely going in the right direction. We finished with figure of eights on a long rein, keeping a nice softness through the change of bend. Great.
I took Remy in the school, it was blustery and he was spooky. I put him on the lunge and he calmed a little so we had a short in-hand session working on rein-back, halt/walk transitions, giravolta and circles, all the time trying to keep him focussed and attentive. He was very good so I sat on and we did the same exercises ridden. He kept his focus, waited patiently at halt, listening and waiting for me to ask. The rein-backs were better as was the following walk on as he relaxed and flexed a little at the poll. After a couple of repetitions I took him onto a circle and we did some figure of eights with a nice change of bend. To finish we returned to the rein-back/walk on exercise and added the turn on the forehand, repeat in the new direction. There were a lot of distractions today and I was really pleased with his behaviour. I rode him back down the lane and had a little (our first!!) trot towards home.
I then rode Anky up to the school and I felt like we'd taken a few steps backwards as by now the wind had really got up and she was quite distracted.
She started off by not wanting to release to the flexions at halt, but after a few minutes she started to relax and stretch down and I moved her around on small circles trying to keep the softness and bend. We had some nice steps,but she was still worried about other things and it was far from consistent.
I then tried the reinback-exercise against the fence which seemed to get her attention and I was really pleasantly surprised at how softly and fluidly she moved into the rein-back from a light request. The whole exercise was improved, the walk forward after the rein-back and the turn on forehand to change the direction. Still lots to work on, but definitely going in the right direction. We finished with figure of eights on a long rein, keeping a nice softness through the change of bend. Great.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Pas cet après-midi et pas même un "désolé"
It was my french lesson this morning so I didn't get to ride until this afternoon, and by then the chill had gone and it was pleasantly warm.
I took Remy into the school and started with lungeing, a short session, moving him about the school and finishing with work on the circle, lots of transitions, trying to get him to relax and stretch down. He did quite well on the left rein, not so good on the right where he has a habit of hanging on the rein and falling out through his shoulder. I varied the size of the circle and he did start to relax a little.
Before riding I did a little in-hand, working on the exercise that I did yesterday with Anky - Halt, rein-back, walk forward, turn on the forehand then repeat. He managed this well, so I then tried it onboard and I was really pleased at how well he responded and how well he listened.
I then rode Anky in the school, the same work as yesterday and finished with some trot transitions. She was very responsive in the walk with fluid changes of bend and the rein-back was a little better than yesterday.
Today, I prepared her for the trot transition on the circle, asking for flexion to the inside, allowing her to lengthen her neck a little and making sure that she was soft to my inside leg before asking for the transition. It worked really well on the right rein and she moved off nicely and stayed soft in the hand. On the left rein, although she gave me the flexion to the inside and was soft to my inside leg, when I asked for the transition she resisted on the outside rein and hollowed. I was really pleased with the session though, and overall an improvement on yesterday :-)
We ordered the tiles yesterday for our horse shelter and they actually had them in stock. They promised to deliver this afternoon so Jim's been hanging around waiting for them. At 5.45 they'd still not been, nor did they come. Now that's a surprise!!!
I took Remy into the school and started with lungeing, a short session, moving him about the school and finishing with work on the circle, lots of transitions, trying to get him to relax and stretch down. He did quite well on the left rein, not so good on the right where he has a habit of hanging on the rein and falling out through his shoulder. I varied the size of the circle and he did start to relax a little.
Before riding I did a little in-hand, working on the exercise that I did yesterday with Anky - Halt, rein-back, walk forward, turn on the forehand then repeat. He managed this well, so I then tried it onboard and I was really pleased at how well he responded and how well he listened.
I then rode Anky in the school, the same work as yesterday and finished with some trot transitions. She was very responsive in the walk with fluid changes of bend and the rein-back was a little better than yesterday.
Today, I prepared her for the trot transition on the circle, asking for flexion to the inside, allowing her to lengthen her neck a little and making sure that she was soft to my inside leg before asking for the transition. It worked really well on the right rein and she moved off nicely and stayed soft in the hand. On the left rein, although she gave me the flexion to the inside and was soft to my inside leg, when I asked for the transition she resisted on the outside rein and hollowed. I was really pleased with the session though, and overall an improvement on yesterday :-)
We ordered the tiles yesterday for our horse shelter and they actually had them in stock. They promised to deliver this afternoon so Jim's been hanging around waiting for them. At 5.45 they'd still not been, nor did they come. Now that's a surprise!!!
Monday, 27 September 2010
Chilly
I started off a decidedly chilly day in the school with Remy. A fifteen minute lungeing session, with Remy starting to relax and stretch down, followed by a short in-hand session including rein-back and shoulder-in on the circle. To finish, I sat on for a few minutes and we practiced halt/walk transitions and halt/ rein-back transitions. All in all a good session.
I then rode Anky in the school, continuing the work in walk trying to obtain more consistent softness and relaxation. There was improvement again today, she was as relaxed as I've seen her. I started an exercise that Trudi showed me yesterday, Halt to rein-back, walk forward, turn on the forehand then repeat.
Anky struggles with the rein-back and wants to hollow, but today we had some good steps which improved the walk forward.
It was a really enjoyable session.
I started Anky on the Equishure yesterday and I'm hoping it will help her. She's not been too bad recently, but she is still a little gassy and bloated.
I then rode Anky in the school, continuing the work in walk trying to obtain more consistent softness and relaxation. There was improvement again today, she was as relaxed as I've seen her. I started an exercise that Trudi showed me yesterday, Halt to rein-back, walk forward, turn on the forehand then repeat.
Anky struggles with the rein-back and wants to hollow, but today we had some good steps which improved the walk forward.
It was a really enjoyable session.
I started Anky on the Equishure yesterday and I'm hoping it will help her. She's not been too bad recently, but she is still a little gassy and bloated.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Smiles
I took Anky in the school and continued from where I left off yesterday. It was a session that makes it all worthwhile. We worked at walk and I had real communication with the mouth, real relaxation, flexion and flipping of the crest. It's just a few steps at a time, but it's amazing how important those few steps can be, and how good it can make you feel.
A short session with Remy in the barn, concentrating on focus and attention with some nice flexions.
A short bit session with Bonbon, asking for a release and baby flexions.
A good day.
A short session with Remy in the barn, concentrating on focus and attention with some nice flexions.
A short bit session with Bonbon, asking for a release and baby flexions.
A good day.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
On the lunge
I went over to a friend's this morning for my lesson on the lunge. She'd been kind enough to offer her lovely cob, Homer for the job. He's a very sweet, genuine chap and, unfortunately for me, very wide!!
Most of the lesson was without stirrups, first at walk and then trot and then moved on to rising trot. The lesson lasted for about 30 minutes and I really enjoyed it, but it did show up how rusty I am, and especially my dodgy right leg. I really need to get in more riding hours.
I took Anky up to the school this afternoon and we had a great session. I worked mainly at walk with a short trot session. Today, the softness finally clicked with good longitudinal stretch, genuine lateral flexion, and, more to the point, it finally clicked with me how to achieve it. I'm looking forward to the next session, hopefully today wasn't a one-off. :-)
Most of the lesson was without stirrups, first at walk and then trot and then moved on to rising trot. The lesson lasted for about 30 minutes and I really enjoyed it, but it did show up how rusty I am, and especially my dodgy right leg. I really need to get in more riding hours.
I took Anky up to the school this afternoon and we had a great session. I worked mainly at walk with a short trot session. Today, the softness finally clicked with good longitudinal stretch, genuine lateral flexion, and, more to the point, it finally clicked with me how to achieve it. I'm looking forward to the next session, hopefully today wasn't a one-off. :-)
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Spooks (not the spy kind)
It's been nearly a week since I last rode, so today I took Anky into the school and we worked on relaxation and bending. Slowly, slowly she's starting to release and give. We finished with a short trot on both reins and we got some stretch down for a few strides, inconsistent but coming better.
I took Remy in the school and after a short in-hand session I got on. I was on for all of 30 seconds. I don't know what he spooked at, but he suddenly shot forwards and spun round, unbalanced me, which, I think frightened him more and he set off!
Where was my neck strap? I'd forgotten to put it on!
All I could think was, 'he's heading for the fence', which he was, and, 'I don't want to pull on his mouth', which, I don't know if I did or not!
Of course, before I could blink we were at the fence and I was wondering if he was going to try and jump it! He didn't, he just turned sharply and by this time my self self preservation/kamikaze/call it what you will instincts set in and I was looking for a way to get off.
I know, I wish I could overcome them, and , with Anky,who I know very well, I do, but with an unknown quantity, my instinct is to get my feet back on the ground as quickly as possible. I don't know quite how I got off him, it all happened too fast, but it involved the fence, several splinters and a grazed leg. Both the fence and I are a little worse for wear, but Remy seems ok. He trotted around the school as I hit the ground, and then came to me when I called him.
I got straight back on and he was fine so we continued with moving him around the school with walk/halt transitions and lots of changes of direction, then a couple of reinbacks and shoulder-in on the circle on both reins to finish.
Jim was up at the school, so he walked with me and I rode him back down the lane home.
So, our first spook. I'm glad it's over with and I'm really pleased at the way he calmed down so quickly after it. I'm sure that I could have dealt with it better, and I hope that I deal with the next one a little better!
Next time I ride I will remember to put on the neckstrap and we'll work a little, using it for walk and halt transitions.
I took Remy in the school and after a short in-hand session I got on. I was on for all of 30 seconds. I don't know what he spooked at, but he suddenly shot forwards and spun round, unbalanced me, which, I think frightened him more and he set off!
Where was my neck strap? I'd forgotten to put it on!
All I could think was, 'he's heading for the fence', which he was, and, 'I don't want to pull on his mouth', which, I don't know if I did or not!
Of course, before I could blink we were at the fence and I was wondering if he was going to try and jump it! He didn't, he just turned sharply and by this time my self self preservation/kamikaze/call it what you will instincts set in and I was looking for a way to get off.
I know, I wish I could overcome them, and , with Anky,who I know very well, I do, but with an unknown quantity, my instinct is to get my feet back on the ground as quickly as possible. I don't know quite how I got off him, it all happened too fast, but it involved the fence, several splinters and a grazed leg. Both the fence and I are a little worse for wear, but Remy seems ok. He trotted around the school as I hit the ground, and then came to me when I called him.
I got straight back on and he was fine so we continued with moving him around the school with walk/halt transitions and lots of changes of direction, then a couple of reinbacks and shoulder-in on the circle on both reins to finish.
Jim was up at the school, so he walked with me and I rode him back down the lane home.
So, our first spook. I'm glad it's over with and I'm really pleased at the way he calmed down so quickly after it. I'm sure that I could have dealt with it better, and I hope that I deal with the next one a little better!
Next time I ride I will remember to put on the neckstrap and we'll work a little, using it for walk and halt transitions.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
A busy day
First thing at the hospital in Limoges for Jim to have his check-up. A bit of a waste of time as they should have arranged a dopler on the carotid artery to check that it was still open and working properly. They hadn't done this so what we got was a very brusque french doctor who gave him a quick once-over vascular wise and pronounced him 'pas de probleme'. We asked if they could do the dopler today and of course the answer was;
'c'est nécessaire d'arranger un rendez-vous et vous devez revenir un autre jour'!!
We were home just after lunch so brought the horses in as they were standing under the trees looking miserable. It was very hot, but I decided to take Remy into the school as he'd had a day off yesterday. We had a short session in-hand, moving him around the school, small circles, rein-back,working on the shoulder-in on the circle and also starting some steps along the side of the school. I then rode him for about 30 minutes, first of all asking for flexions at halt, moving on to shoulder-in on the circle, which he seemed to manage fairly easily, presumably because he knows it from the ground. We worked for a short time on a rectangle in the top third of the school. Asking for walk on along the side of the school towards the corner, trying to keep him straight into the corner, not letting him anticipate and fall in before asking for the turn.
He moves off from my leg, but in usual Remy style it's not as sharp as I'd like. I finished by working on a large circle, I wanted a more forward walk and re-inforced my leg aid with a little tap of the whip and he popped into trot. Not the reaction I wanted, but welcome nevertheless and it did improve the walk afterwards.
I rode Anky at 6.30, it was a beautiful evening, pleasantly warm with very few flies. It was lovely in the school and I enjoyed the session. Anky's attitude has definitely changed, she's giving me more, both in attention and relaxation. The contact is better, still hit and miss, but much more consistent than it has been. She's trusting it much more, giving me genuine bend, and at times I'm getting a really nice, soft fullness in the rein. I'm not sure how to describe it, but that's how it feels to me. We finished with a short session of trot work on both reins. The trot is very unbalanced ( 3 legged stool comes to mind), but she's not throwing her head and is starting to think about stretching and lowering her head and neck. We then get a few balanced strides and the trot becomes more rhythmic and more manageable. I hope that I'm finally getting into her head and managing to reassure her that she's nothing to fear from this riding lark. I really do hope so!!
'c'est nécessaire d'arranger un rendez-vous et vous devez revenir un autre jour'!!
We were home just after lunch so brought the horses in as they were standing under the trees looking miserable. It was very hot, but I decided to take Remy into the school as he'd had a day off yesterday. We had a short session in-hand, moving him around the school, small circles, rein-back,working on the shoulder-in on the circle and also starting some steps along the side of the school. I then rode him for about 30 minutes, first of all asking for flexions at halt, moving on to shoulder-in on the circle, which he seemed to manage fairly easily, presumably because he knows it from the ground. We worked for a short time on a rectangle in the top third of the school. Asking for walk on along the side of the school towards the corner, trying to keep him straight into the corner, not letting him anticipate and fall in before asking for the turn.
He moves off from my leg, but in usual Remy style it's not as sharp as I'd like. I finished by working on a large circle, I wanted a more forward walk and re-inforced my leg aid with a little tap of the whip and he popped into trot. Not the reaction I wanted, but welcome nevertheless and it did improve the walk afterwards.
I rode Anky at 6.30, it was a beautiful evening, pleasantly warm with very few flies. It was lovely in the school and I enjoyed the session. Anky's attitude has definitely changed, she's giving me more, both in attention and relaxation. The contact is better, still hit and miss, but much more consistent than it has been. She's trusting it much more, giving me genuine bend, and at times I'm getting a really nice, soft fullness in the rein. I'm not sure how to describe it, but that's how it feels to me. We finished with a short session of trot work on both reins. The trot is very unbalanced ( 3 legged stool comes to mind), but she's not throwing her head and is starting to think about stretching and lowering her head and neck. We then get a few balanced strides and the trot becomes more rhythmic and more manageable. I hope that I'm finally getting into her head and managing to reassure her that she's nothing to fear from this riding lark. I really do hope so!!
Monday, 13 September 2010
Subclinical Acidosis
Subclinical acidosis is thought to result from overconsumption of either high-starch concentrates (not applicable to Anky) or an intolerance to pasture grasses rich in fructans (highly likely applicable to Anky). All the info's in the link, but basically it boils down to a lowering of ph in the hindgut which then becomes overwhelmed with acid and causes serious damage to the intestinal mucosa.
The intestinal lining becomes inflamed and irritated, causing the horse discomfort. The irritation may be severe enough to induce behavior characteristic of colic. Long-term exposure of the intestinal lining to a low-pH environment may negatively affect the absorptive capacities of these structures affecting the ability to absorb nutrients.
Because of the precarious nature of the hindgut of a horse afflicted with subclinical acidosis, it is less able to handle metabolic crises that healthy horses may be able to fend off. Hence, horses with subclinical acidosis are more susceptible to colic and laminitis.
Symptoms include;
I don't know why, but when I found the article it immediately seemed to me that this might be the missing piece in the jigsaw. If this is Anky's problem then we can treat it. On verra -we'll see.
The intestinal lining becomes inflamed and irritated, causing the horse discomfort. The irritation may be severe enough to induce behavior characteristic of colic. Long-term exposure of the intestinal lining to a low-pH environment may negatively affect the absorptive capacities of these structures affecting the ability to absorb nutrients.
Because of the precarious nature of the hindgut of a horse afflicted with subclinical acidosis, it is less able to handle metabolic crises that healthy horses may be able to fend off. Hence, horses with subclinical acidosis are more susceptible to colic and laminitis.
Symptoms include;
- Decreased feed intake or complete inappetence in severe cases
- Mild to moderate colic signs of unexplained origin
- Poor feed conversion efficiency and subsequent weight loss
- Bloating
- Loose droppings and behavioural issues
I don't know why, but when I found the article it immediately seemed to me that this might be the missing piece in the jigsaw. If this is Anky's problem then we can treat it. On verra -we'll see.
Working through the distractions.
Todays session with Remy was all about working through the distractions. He started off in his usual calm manner and then spied Joe (our farm cat) coming up the field. He's seen him plenty of times, but not in this setting and it set him off. Within seconds he was at the fence snorting. I went over to stand with him until Joe disappeared into the hedge and then we continued with our lungeing session. He was completely distracted and kept looking down the field so I moved him around the school until he started to calm a little. Joe then appeared out of the hedge and jumped onto the school fence, which set him off again snorting and cantering around. This time I brought him to a halt and we stood quietly for a few minutes asking him to relax his jaw and a lowering of his head and neck. This seemed to bring him back down to earth and we continued with some in-hand work of rein back, shoulder-in on the circle with a few strides down the long side.
I then took Anky to the school and we had a short lungeing session which helped to relax her and then a short in-hand session. I'm really beginning to see improvement in-hand, she's much more mobile with more movement through her shoulder and less tension in her head and neck. I finished by riding her for about 10 minutes, working on small circles and shoulder-in on the circle. We finished on a long rein and she stretched and lowered her neck so I moved her around in this position changing the rein through the circle. There's a long way to go with the ridden work, but she's definitely progressing.
I then took Anky to the school and we had a short lungeing session which helped to relax her and then a short in-hand session. I'm really beginning to see improvement in-hand, she's much more mobile with more movement through her shoulder and less tension in her head and neck. I finished by riding her for about 10 minutes, working on small circles and shoulder-in on the circle. We finished on a long rein and she stretched and lowered her neck so I moved her around in this position changing the rein through the circle. There's a long way to go with the ridden work, but she's definitely progressing.
Friday, 3 September 2010
Learning to listen...
I rode Anky in the school for the first time in a while, but before riding we had a short in-hand session to re-inforce the relaxation of the jaw and to encourage lowering and stretching her head and neck. She was pretty relaxed and I noticed immediately the difference in feel from the contact. I worked on small circles, trying to keep softness through the bend and encourage her to stretch out to my hand. It was inconsistent, but when she got it right there wasl no resistance in the movement and not once in the whole session did she throw her head up against the hand. Now that I've ridden her, I feel sure that the recent work from the ground is really helping. I'm hopeful that she's going to continue to improve and her issues with the contact and relaxation will slowly get less and less.
I had a nice in-hand session with Remy, he was calm and attentive and he's learning to listen (I think that can be said about both of us) and to wait.
I had a nice in-hand session with Remy, he was calm and attentive and he's learning to listen (I think that can be said about both of us) and to wait.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
It's quite disconcerting.....
After a short in-hand session, I sat on Remy today. A short session, working on small circles asking for walk and halt transitions and I was pretty pleased with his responses. We had one unasked for reinback, so as he was stepping back I allowed myself to be moved back with him and reinforced the movement by saying 'back'. He turns very easily on the left circle, not so much on the right, so I must pay more attention to this and make sure that I work him equally and that he has the same flexibility on both reins.
I enjoyed today because he's a darling, but it's a long time since I've backed a horse and I have to admit to feeling a little hesitant as to where to go from here. I'm feeling the weight of responsibility for his education and it's quite disconcerting!!!
Another short in-hand session with Anky, continuing the relaxation work and trying to keep the mobility in her jaw. She's getting progressively more relaxed in her mouth, we've a long way to go, but definitely getting better. She's got a swelling on the front of her hock after spooking up a bank with me out on a ride. I'm a little worried about it, although it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all. I thought it may be a bog spavin, but the swelling doesn't seem to affect or move around the rest of her hock joint and is isolated to the bottom edge just above the cannon bone. I've not ridden her for a few days not wanting to exacerbate it, but we were making progress with the relaxation and I'm missing it!
I enjoyed today because he's a darling, but it's a long time since I've backed a horse and I have to admit to feeling a little hesitant as to where to go from here. I'm feeling the weight of responsibility for his education and it's quite disconcerting!!!
Another short in-hand session with Anky, continuing the relaxation work and trying to keep the mobility in her jaw. She's getting progressively more relaxed in her mouth, we've a long way to go, but definitely getting better. She's got a swelling on the front of her hock after spooking up a bank with me out on a ride. I'm a little worried about it, although it doesn't seem to be bothering her at all. I thought it may be a bog spavin, but the swelling doesn't seem to affect or move around the rest of her hock joint and is isolated to the bottom edge just above the cannon bone. I've not ridden her for a few days not wanting to exacerbate it, but we were making progress with the relaxation and I'm missing it!
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