I have to check the horses each morning as we have a timetable conflict. We bring them in early for breakfast and by the time I'm ready to work them they're lying down having a kip! They're obviously partying every night!
I went down to the stables this morning to find Remy up and eating hay, so returned complete with tack only to find he had a watery half-closed eye. It doesn't seem to be serious and on checking this evening, seems to be much better, but It was pretty hot with lots of flies this morning, so I didn't think it was fair to work him.
So, on to Bonbon, and I took her up to the school for a lungeing session.
She's a girl with attitude and she showed it today, shaking her head, squealing and at one point legging it back to the gate. I'm pretty easy-going with her ( some might say too easy going) usually, but, unfortunately for her, there were two girls with attitude in the school today ( I'm a big softy really), and after a little téte à téte she settled down to some calm and attentive work. I was pleased with her and she came back to the yard pretty chilled.
I think our kitchen order MAY be ready by the end of the week, I really hope so as I'm getting sick of having builders around the place ( they're great and they're doing a good job, but enough's enough) and I want to go collect it all before next week - it's going to be the final piece in finishing the appartment. My mum and dad arrive in just under 3 weeks and it has to be ready.
Just learned that my cousin has terminal cancer - I worry for my aunty and uncle, it'll hit them hard.
My Life, My Horses and My Attempts to Train the Classical Way
Showing posts with label Bonbon early work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bonbon early work. Show all posts
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Cherry cake!
Not posted much recently; but we've been getting on with working Remy and Bonbon. Today I took Remy for a hack down the track, through the little wood and back home. Only about 25 minutes, but further than we've been before. Remy was fine. A couple of heavy breathing moments, but nothing he couldn't handle. Jim walked with us and I think if we continue like this Remy will gain confidence each time..
We took Bonbon up to the school and she was a little lack-lustre. She's been in season and she's seemed a little tired today. We had a short session on the lunge at walk and trot and then I lay over her back and put my weight in the stirrup. We need to keep up the exercise as she's getting porky!
We've just picked an enormous bowl of cherries so Jim's now baking; making cherry cake. Yummy!
We took Bonbon up to the school and she was a little lack-lustre. She's been in season and she's seemed a little tired today. We had a short session on the lunge at walk and trot and then I lay over her back and put my weight in the stirrup. We need to keep up the exercise as she's getting porky!
We've just picked an enormous bowl of cherries so Jim's now baking; making cherry cake. Yummy!
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Friday, 25 March 2011
Yee haa!
I rode Remy to the school again today and we had a lunge session at walk and trot. The trot is finally startng to come now. He's starting to relax and stretch into it and get a much better rhythm. After the session I rode him back down the lane and then on again up the track, this time past the haylage bales which he had a good look at, but then stood calmly. He walked out really nicely on the way back home and it felt great.
We then took Bonbon to the school for her lunge session.
We tacked her up in the barn, including the saddle, and as soon as we put it on she objected to it. We kept it on and started walking her up the field to the school, but for whatever reason she was having none of it and started yeehawing about and nipping at her side. I unbuckled the girth to see if anything was scratching her and decided to carry it up to the school. She then walked up fine.
Once in the school she was a little lively, but soon settled into a nice walk stride and we worked around the school using long sides and circles on both reins. We then put the saddle back on and she was fine with it so we had another five minutes on each rein before finishing on a good note. Little madam - she's a sweetie really!
We then took Bonbon to the school for her lunge session.
We tacked her up in the barn, including the saddle, and as soon as we put it on she objected to it. We kept it on and started walking her up the field to the school, but for whatever reason she was having none of it and started yeehawing about and nipping at her side. I unbuckled the girth to see if anything was scratching her and decided to carry it up to the school. She then walked up fine.
Once in the school she was a little lively, but soon settled into a nice walk stride and we worked around the school using long sides and circles on both reins. We then put the saddle back on and she was fine with it so we had another five minutes on each rein before finishing on a good note. Little madam - she's a sweetie really!
Monday, 6 September 2010
Starting out
Anky and Remy had a day off yesterday so we took Bonbon up to the school. It's been a while since she's been up there, but she was really calm and attentive.
It was our first real session and we did some basic groundwork, I was very pleased with her. Of course, Jim had to take vid of his little girl.
I took Anky into the school for a lungeing session this morning, we got caught in the showers, but she was very relaxed and we finally got some stretching down and nice bending on the lunge. I asked for canter on both reins and even though it's untidy and inconsistent, it's better than we've had and also improved the trot.
I'm aiming to have a session with Remy this afternoon if the weather holds.
It was our first real session and we did some basic groundwork, I was very pleased with her. Of course, Jim had to take vid of his little girl.
I took Anky into the school for a lungeing session this morning, we got caught in the showers, but she was very relaxed and we finally got some stretching down and nice bending on the lunge. I asked for canter on both reins and even though it's untidy and inconsistent, it's better than we've had and also improved the trot.
I'm aiming to have a session with Remy this afternoon if the weather holds.
Monday, 9 August 2010
Squealy Baby
I don't know what they'd been up to, but both Anky and Remy came in this morning with a swollen eye, nothing serious, just a little weepy, so I left them in the stable and took Bonbon up to the school. She was a little hesitant going up there, but we arrived wth no problems. In the school she was a really good girl. We started off by asking for walk and halt transitions, working on a small circle with me at her shoulder, then moving off around the school. Up the long side, across the short side and down back over the poles. We did this on both reins and she was brilliant. She was better on the right rein, keeping a nice distance with a good walk stride. On the left rein she wanted to come in to me, but after a few minutes she got the hang of it and started to walk out nicely. It was a good session. We'd almost got back to the yard, down the hill appoaching the gate when she started to trot, I was just about to ask for a walk when she squealed, started to canter and legged it towards the small paddock which leads to the main gate to the yard. I knew that I couldn't hold her so let go the rope. I hate doing this, but there was no way I could have held her. She cantered around for a minute or two as I followed her up the field, then went to stand at the gate. She was a bit hot and bothered, but fine, and calmed very quickly. I took her out of the field, back down the yard and through the far gate, back into the field at the same point she'd just run off from. We stood calmly at halt for a couple of minutes and she was very well behaved, so I led her out and back to the stables. I don't know what caused her to do it, but I'm happy with the way she dealt with it when I led her back there. I'm not sure what to make of this squealy behaviour.
It was slightly overcast this afternoon and a bit cooler, and when I checked Anky's eye it was pretty much back to normal so I decided to ride her. I took her up to the school and she was jumpy and distracted, usual behaviour when I take her out of her normal routine. I walked her around, lots of changes of rein, trying to keep her attention and get her to relax. It wasn't easy, and she was concentrating on everything except me, backing off my leg one second, scooting forward the next. I really needed to get her attention and wake her up to my leg, so gave her a couple of sharp nudges to get her to listen and get her going forward. Once I'd got her attention, I slowed it right down and took it step by step, asking for a halt, flexion and then a walk transition, working on small circles asking her to move away from my inside leg and keep the bend, if she started to rush and fall forwards, I lifted her head and as soon as she softened, relaxed my hand and let her stretch into the contact. If she continued to resist I brought her back to halt and started the process again. I don't know if I did the right thing, but at times she felt to be in much better balance, with good response to my leg and soft in the hand. I was pleased with the session, it had started off badly, but I think we achieved some positive results.
It was slightly overcast this afternoon and a bit cooler, and when I checked Anky's eye it was pretty much back to normal so I decided to ride her. I took her up to the school and she was jumpy and distracted, usual behaviour when I take her out of her normal routine. I walked her around, lots of changes of rein, trying to keep her attention and get her to relax. It wasn't easy, and she was concentrating on everything except me, backing off my leg one second, scooting forward the next. I really needed to get her attention and wake her up to my leg, so gave her a couple of sharp nudges to get her to listen and get her going forward. Once I'd got her attention, I slowed it right down and took it step by step, asking for a halt, flexion and then a walk transition, working on small circles asking her to move away from my inside leg and keep the bend, if she started to rush and fall forwards, I lifted her head and as soon as she softened, relaxed my hand and let her stretch into the contact. If she continued to resist I brought her back to halt and started the process again. I don't know if I did the right thing, but at times she felt to be in much better balance, with good response to my leg and soft in the hand. I was pleased with the session, it had started off badly, but I think we achieved some positive results.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Monsters at the lake
It was a lovely morning, hazy sunshine and very few flies. A session in-hand with Remy and Anky and then into the school with Bonbon.
It's been a few weeks since we took her up to the school, but she went up there with no problems. We had a walk around and then started on the beginnings of lunge work, asking for a walk and halt transitions on a small circle. She's very willing.
We had some excitement when she spied a group of fishermen arriving at the small lake just across the field. She thought they were monsters and was really on her toes and snorting, this lasted for about ten minutes and we had some lovely (unasked for) trot work on the circle, but even though she was distracted, she stayed light on the line and didn't over-react. A great session.
Jim had followed me up with the camera so took some pics - he loves her so much, I think we're going to get pic overload during the course of her training.
It's been a few weeks since we took her up to the school, but she went up there with no problems. We had a walk around and then started on the beginnings of lunge work, asking for a walk and halt transitions on a small circle. She's very willing.
We had some excitement when she spied a group of fishermen arriving at the small lake just across the field. She thought they were monsters and was really on her toes and snorting, this lasted for about ten minutes and we had some lovely (unasked for) trot work on the circle, but even though she was distracted, she stayed light on the line and didn't over-react. A great session.
Jim had followed me up with the camera so took some pics - he loves her so much, I think we're going to get pic overload during the course of her training.
Monday, 21 June 2010
Proud
It was a beautiful morning, sunny but not too warm, hardly any wind, and the horses were perky in the stable instead of the sleepy heads we've had of late.
Instead of hacking out I took Anky into the school and from start to finish she was relaxed. We worked at walk, concentrating on changing the bend, keeping the neck relaxed, asking for a flexion and softness in the hand. She was pretty good on the right rein with a genuine bend, softness in the outside rein and good flexion to the inside. I have to be prepared for her falling out through her shoulder, but today she was fairly straight.
She's more resistant to the left and I have to concentrate on keeping her neck fairly straight, a little feel on the outside rein to soften and keep her nose from tipping to the inside and then ask for the flexion with the inside rein. She was getting it today and it felt good when it came.
I then took Remy into the school and had a lovely in-hand session. We had walk, trot and canter on the lunge, although the canter was in response to something he'd heard down the field, but he was a good boy and we continued with some lovely walk work, soft and stretching over his neck with a lovely, easy stride.
I couldn't leave Bonbon out so took her for a walk up the field. She was so good I took her across the track and into the school. There was a lot of heavy breathing and eyes on stalks as she investigated first the sand (which she's never seen before), then the poles and jump wings stacked in opposite corners of the school. She tentatively stretched her neck as far as she could to look at them before touching them and discovering they were perfectly safe. We investigated all of the school and she was brilliant. I couldn't be more proud. Jim says she's a bit spesh - and she is!!
Instead of hacking out I took Anky into the school and from start to finish she was relaxed. We worked at walk, concentrating on changing the bend, keeping the neck relaxed, asking for a flexion and softness in the hand. She was pretty good on the right rein with a genuine bend, softness in the outside rein and good flexion to the inside. I have to be prepared for her falling out through her shoulder, but today she was fairly straight.
She's more resistant to the left and I have to concentrate on keeping her neck fairly straight, a little feel on the outside rein to soften and keep her nose from tipping to the inside and then ask for the flexion with the inside rein. She was getting it today and it felt good when it came.
I then took Remy into the school and had a lovely in-hand session. We had walk, trot and canter on the lunge, although the canter was in response to something he'd heard down the field, but he was a good boy and we continued with some lovely walk work, soft and stretching over his neck with a lovely, easy stride.
I couldn't leave Bonbon out so took her for a walk up the field. She was so good I took her across the track and into the school. There was a lot of heavy breathing and eyes on stalks as she investigated first the sand (which she's never seen before), then the poles and jump wings stacked in opposite corners of the school. She tentatively stretched her neck as far as she could to look at them before touching them and discovering they were perfectly safe. We investigated all of the school and she was brilliant. I couldn't be more proud. Jim says she's a bit spesh - and she is!!
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Looking Left and Right
I had another good morning with the horses. Firstly I took Anky out for another hack. Because she's quite a nervous horse, she has a tendency to want look around her when we're out on a hack, she'll look left for a few moments and then look right. As she looked to the left, I raised the left hand slightly to ask for a flexion and softening and then as she looked right, I raised the right hand. Sometimes she did soften, sometimes she didn't. As she started to relax we got more softening and a more genuine flexion and she started to straighten up and relax over her neck and was much softer overall in the hand. I then started to ask for a little flexion first one side, then the other and we had some really nice moments as she released and stretched even further out to the hand. It was a really enjoyable hack and I'd say, one of our successes. She was a little worried as usual, but she was willing.
I had a short in-hand session with Remy and he was attentive with some good walk/halt transitions and the beginnings of a nice giravolta.
Last, but certainly not least, another walk with Bonbon, this time up the field towards the school. She is a little star.
I had a short in-hand session with Remy and he was attentive with some good walk/halt transitions and the beginnings of a nice giravolta.
Last, but certainly not least, another walk with Bonbon, this time up the field towards the school. She is a little star.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
My baby's growing up
Bonbon is 3 years old at the end of this month and I'm going to start some groundwork with her. This morning I took her for a walk around the garden, asking for walk and halt transitions. She's very well mannered and responds from a very light request. I asked her to back up which she does very easily, staying nice and relaxed. She was a very good girl even with Remy neighing to her from the stables. Jim took some pics with his new camera.
I had a lovely afternoon out with Bev at a demo which had been organised by one of our local horse groups.
The demo was given by a 'horse whisperer' which I think has become a very overused term and in my view encompasses some questionable methods. I was pleasantly surprised though and found him to be quiet and calm with a very relaxed way of handling the horses.
I had a lovely afternoon out with Bev at a demo which had been organised by one of our local horse groups.
The demo was given by a 'horse whisperer' which I think has become a very overused term and in my view encompasses some questionable methods. I was pleasantly surprised though and found him to be quiet and calm with a very relaxed way of handling the horses.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Can't get out of bed??
I overslept this morning and raised my lazy bones at 10 am!
After the obligatory cup of tea I went to the stables, groomed Remy and took him out for a short in-hand session. If I do nothing else I've decided that I must do this most days. We could hear shots from the chasse, not too close and Remy remained calm. We worked on walk halt transitions again and then I started moving him around the area at his shoulder. His halts were quite good and he remained focussed. His rein backs were very good today so I was pleased with him.
I went over to Trudis' yesterday and after a lovely chatty lunch we played with her boys Moo and Chapiro. I tried some in-hand work with Moo and I have to say he's a very tolerant chap. The benefits of In-hand for both horse and handler are obvious, It's quite a new thing for me but I can see how much it has helped Moo with his flexibility and carriage. I'm looking forward to doing more with Remy and Anky.
After my session with Remy I groomed Anky and did some stretches and flexions with her. Bonbon was poking her nose over the wall and wanted some attention and as I can never resist her we did some stretches too, one side and then the other, through the front legs etc. I also asked her to lower her head by using the headcollar, bringing her nose to the ground and stretching over her neck. She's a smart cookie, no problems with that. Of course the click treating helps. She can be a little bit impatient and insistent when treating so I've been extra vigilant not to let her get away with it and she's getting much better and becoming much more polite.lol Didn't get to ride, though I wanted to. The noise from the chasse in the distance helped to make my mind up on that one.
We've been invited to "Aller Diner " with a french couple tonight, long story short, we went to look at a sofa they had for sale, got chatting, they want to learn more english and we want to learn more french so 'voila', they invited us to go dine with them. We'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to it - I think!
After the obligatory cup of tea I went to the stables, groomed Remy and took him out for a short in-hand session. If I do nothing else I've decided that I must do this most days. We could hear shots from the chasse, not too close and Remy remained calm. We worked on walk halt transitions again and then I started moving him around the area at his shoulder. His halts were quite good and he remained focussed. His rein backs were very good today so I was pleased with him.
I went over to Trudis' yesterday and after a lovely chatty lunch we played with her boys Moo and Chapiro. I tried some in-hand work with Moo and I have to say he's a very tolerant chap. The benefits of In-hand for both horse and handler are obvious, It's quite a new thing for me but I can see how much it has helped Moo with his flexibility and carriage. I'm looking forward to doing more with Remy and Anky.
After my session with Remy I groomed Anky and did some stretches and flexions with her. Bonbon was poking her nose over the wall and wanted some attention and as I can never resist her we did some stretches too, one side and then the other, through the front legs etc. I also asked her to lower her head by using the headcollar, bringing her nose to the ground and stretching over her neck. She's a smart cookie, no problems with that. Of course the click treating helps. She can be a little bit impatient and insistent when treating so I've been extra vigilant not to let her get away with it and she's getting much better and becoming much more polite.lol Didn't get to ride, though I wanted to. The noise from the chasse in the distance helped to make my mind up on that one.
We've been invited to "Aller Diner " with a french couple tonight, long story short, we went to look at a sofa they had for sale, got chatting, they want to learn more english and we want to learn more french so 'voila', they invited us to go dine with them. We'll see how it goes. I'm looking forward to it - I think!
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Beautiful Day, Great for Hacking
It's been a beautiful day today and this morning after spending some time in the stable grooming and massaging Anky, we rode out. Just a short ride as it's a couple of weeks since we last rode. The treeless saddle(here)that I've just bought still felt quite wide, but after a few minutes I settled into it and I have to say it's growing on me. Anky felt fine and at one point going through the wood she became very alert, but stayed forward and she felt pretty good. The dentist confirmed that her teeth are fine and she is starting to feel very soft in her mouth and she's much more relaxed through her body.
Before putting them all in the field I spent some time in the stable with Bonbon, just a few minutes of the same work as yesterday plus a little backing up from the voice. She's our little girl and we love her, but I also really like her personality and her willingness to participate.
A good morning, followed by an enjoyable afternoon playing sax and piano and chatting with a friend over a bottle of wine.
Remy and Bonbon in the field this morning.
Before putting them all in the field I spent some time in the stable with Bonbon, just a few minutes of the same work as yesterday plus a little backing up from the voice. She's our little girl and we love her, but I also really like her personality and her willingness to participate.
A good morning, followed by an enjoyable afternoon playing sax and piano and chatting with a friend over a bottle of wine.
Remy and Bonbon in the field this morning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)