DiMaggio, earlier this month, says "Hey, there is a bug on me. Get it off."
Sometimes I wonder if it's normal to spend all my free time outside and in the stable, but never when I'm actually there. The weather has been so beautiful after
such a long winter, and I am going to make the most of this season.
Ludi and Ehren have been getting most of my training time as they are already old enough, at 6, to start getting really civilized. I can't confirm that they are
actually civilized yet, but we are working on some important basics and are making real progress.
such a long winter, and I am going to make the most of this season.
Ludi and Ehren have been getting most of my training time as they are already old enough, at 6, to start getting really civilized. I can't confirm that they are
actually civilized yet, but we are working on some important basics and are making real progress.
Schooling Ludi April 25
Ludi is such a highly trainable, fascinating creature. He is learning to relax AND go forward with energy at the same time, to stay balanced in turns from my leg
aid, to concentrate on his movement, and to take a steady contact with the bit. I took him for a few dressage lessons with Olympian Gina Smith last week. There is a saying that with green horses, you lose 50% of their training when you bring them out, and I can vouch for that! Ludi was terribly nervous, unsettled, and unlike himself. But Gina really set me up for success, from stabling Ludi next to a trusted children's pony to help keep him calm, to holding a horse during one of my lessons so that Ludi felt more secure, to having her assistant trainer ride with us once to help accustom Ludi to another horse in the ring. Gina's considerate, expert approach is what makes her one of my very favorite coaches.
Ehren was my trail riding buddy this past winter and we covered many miles together in the snow. When the ring thawed and I started developing his basic training, I sensed he had more tension with the ring work. He is
working on all the same things as Ludi right now, but his rhythm and contact with the bit are much less consistent, which is totally normal for the amount of
experience he has. A horse's relaxation, rhythm and suppleness are foundation points for their training, and so I will give him the time he needs to settle.
I took him for a group trail ride with friends on May 18 and he was excited, but felt very happy and game. I am looking forward to bringing him out again later this summer.
aid, to concentrate on his movement, and to take a steady contact with the bit. I took him for a few dressage lessons with Olympian Gina Smith last week. There is a saying that with green horses, you lose 50% of their training when you bring them out, and I can vouch for that! Ludi was terribly nervous, unsettled, and unlike himself. But Gina really set me up for success, from stabling Ludi next to a trusted children's pony to help keep him calm, to holding a horse during one of my lessons so that Ludi felt more secure, to having her assistant trainer ride with us once to help accustom Ludi to another horse in the ring. Gina's considerate, expert approach is what makes her one of my very favorite coaches.
Ehren was my trail riding buddy this past winter and we covered many miles together in the snow. When the ring thawed and I started developing his basic training, I sensed he had more tension with the ring work. He is
working on all the same things as Ludi right now, but his rhythm and contact with the bit are much less consistent, which is totally normal for the amount of
experience he has. A horse's relaxation, rhythm and suppleness are foundation points for their training, and so I will give him the time he needs to settle.
I took him for a group trail ride with friends on May 18 and he was excited, but felt very happy and game. I am looking forward to bringing him out again later this summer.
Schooling Ehren April 25
Andy has been given a prescription for exercise and so we've started with long trail rides to start rebuilding his fitness and he has transitioned to normal horse shoes from therapeutic ones as he heals from Cushings-induced laminitis. I have really missed riding my old friend and think of all the miles we've travelled together in Brockville, Montreal, Ottawa, Lanark, Timmins, and now here in Pembroke. He has always been a game partner.
DiMaggio will be resting this summer, recovering from a joint injury. It is easy for me to feel sad about the small hope for a full recovery, but it is also easy to give my Professor the best care I can, and to feed cookies to his adorable mug when he asks for them.
Belle, my darling old mare, is fulfilling her role as a beautiful feature in our stable. Gentle, polite, quiet, tidy and developing a cute relationship with Ehren, she
does whatever she pleases!
Belle, Andy and DiMaggio were wonderful subjects for us to practice with when we hosted a Grooming Clinic with Pamela Nunn (www.olympicgroom.ca) on May 16. We had a fantastic time perfecting our braiding skills and hearing all about Pam's Olympic and World Equestrian Games experience. Highly recommended!
This weekend I'm heading to the Ottawa Dressage Festival to scribe for 3 days. Being one of the last Pan Am Games qualifiers for Canadian riders, this is a very important show. I can't wait!
DiMaggio will be resting this summer, recovering from a joint injury. It is easy for me to feel sad about the small hope for a full recovery, but it is also easy to give my Professor the best care I can, and to feed cookies to his adorable mug when he asks for them.
Belle, my darling old mare, is fulfilling her role as a beautiful feature in our stable. Gentle, polite, quiet, tidy and developing a cute relationship with Ehren, she
does whatever she pleases!
Belle, Andy and DiMaggio were wonderful subjects for us to practice with when we hosted a Grooming Clinic with Pamela Nunn (www.olympicgroom.ca) on May 16. We had a fantastic time perfecting our braiding skills and hearing all about Pam's Olympic and World Equestrian Games experience. Highly recommended!
This weekend I'm heading to the Ottawa Dressage Festival to scribe for 3 days. Being one of the last Pan Am Games qualifiers for Canadian riders, this is a very important show. I can't wait!
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