After my great ride on Sunday I rode again yesterday (Monday) and it went even better! For the first time in a couple of months I rode her with a bridle/bit and her steering was much improved from last time and over the halter alone (duh).
I rode her for a little longer this time as well and I took her out of her comfort zone. I was prepared to do some trotting but although it was very warm, for Minnesota in November, it was also quite windy and although Sora behaved wonderfully and with class, she was tossing her head a little and I just didn't want to give her a chance to misbehave since my main focus is still on short successful rides.
Once again I have no pictures but I am getting closer to having some rather boring video posted so don't despair =)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Beautiful Day!
Everything has been fine here. School's been busy like normal, it was rainy for about two weeks straight and Sora has been getting a little fat lol!
Today was BEAUTIFUL and over 50 degrees so I went out for a ride. I'm still working Sora for a really short time and working and improving just a little each time. Today she was wonderful and very quiet so I had a very nice but short ride. I actually took video of the whole thing but now I need to edit it so I can actually upload it and so as not to bore anyone :D
I'll try to get it done and posted tomorrow.
Today was BEAUTIFUL and over 50 degrees so I went out for a ride. I'm still working Sora for a really short time and working and improving just a little each time. Today she was wonderful and very quiet so I had a very nice but short ride. I actually took video of the whole thing but now I need to edit it so I can actually upload it and so as not to bore anyone :D
I'll try to get it done and posted tomorrow.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Great Ride
Finally an update. Today I went for a wonderful but short ride on Sora. Sadly it was nearly my first ride since her personality change because after her thinking about rearing or bucking at the same time I lost my nerve a little. We have been working on other things so that I can reinforce good behavior but no riding. Today however she was back to her beautiful, normal self and she carted me around like an angel even though I was a little nervous. I'm sure our next ride will be even better!
I also spent a few hours sculpting and, at the risk of having more posts recently about model horses than real ones, here is what I came up with!
I also spent a few hours sculpting and, at the risk of having more posts recently about model horses than real ones, here is what I came up with!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
It May Not Be Davinci,.....
I mentioned previously that I do a little sculpting and I posted a few pictures of some of my sculptures but I wanted to show what they look like painted.
The reason I'm doing this now is that I just got one back from the painter that I sent out about a year ago. It was really exciting to get him. These are very bad pictures because the lighting is terrible today but this is what he looks like.
That is a nickel :P
This is the picture the painter took for me.
Finally this is another one that was painted quite a while ago.
I'm mostly proud because of the fact that since I've been casting them I've actually sold a nice number and recently I sold one to a woman in the Czech Republic. It's just so cool to think that something I created is desired by someone so far away!
If you are interested in my work there is more information on the link to Grain of Sand Studios in the bar on the right.
The painter of the first one is Katrina Michaels
The second was painted by Cassie Black
The reason I'm doing this now is that I just got one back from the painter that I sent out about a year ago. It was really exciting to get him. These are very bad pictures because the lighting is terrible today but this is what he looks like.
That is a nickel :P
This is the picture the painter took for me.
Finally this is another one that was painted quite a while ago.I'm mostly proud because of the fact that since I've been casting them I've actually sold a nice number and recently I sold one to a woman in the Czech Republic. It's just so cool to think that something I created is desired by someone so far away!
If you are interested in my work there is more information on the link to Grain of Sand Studios in the bar on the right.
The painter of the first one is Katrina Michaels
The second was painted by Cassie Black
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Happy Traaaaails, To Youuuuu,,......
I've been doing a lot of trail training lately and I've been wanting to write about why.
A couple of weeks ago Sora underwent a MAJOR personality change. As in my sweet horse that always tries her hardest for me and has no real behavior problems, other than being a little forward about demanding treats :D, changed into this naughty, pushy, animal who was interested in running into me, kicking out on the longe etc. I really couldn't believe it! I bought Sora for her personality and ability to learn quickly before anything else and I selected her very carefully as a horse/Arabian I felt I could train and live with and all of a sudden it was like a had a different horse.
With the extreme and disappointing change I posted a question on COTH asking for ideas. A few people hassled me but I expected it and really don't care (I'm a big girl :D) and there were some people who were very helpful and suggested a change in diet. Sora was getting Safechoice as recommended by my vet but, after talking to a few others who also suggested a change, I decided to switch to just hay with a vitamin supplement and I GOT MY HORSE BACK!!!
The real point of this is that when I posted on COTH I put my question on the Dressage forum because she will be at some point and I didn't really know where else to post it but when people started posting training questions I kind of had an epiphany.
I realized that I bought Sora as a FUN training project and I never thought we would go straight into Dressage. I planned on starting her really slowly and then spending a year or two just on trails and bumming around. I knew I had no business buying an unstarted horse and starting right off with Dressage but I also knew that I was capable of turning a horse into a good citizen and not teaching her any habits that would bad for Dressage. Some people were scolding me for not longing her in a bride, which I understand, but I realized that right now I don't want/need a horse that has to be longed in a bridle, nor do I feel capable currently of longing Sora in a bridle without ruining her mouth, balance etc. My plan has always been to get a trainer before I do any real Dressage. That was my plan all the way until this summer when I started to stray from that path lol!
The problem was that I started reading more forums, blogs, books and magazines about Dressage and was falling more and more in love with it. I was starting to feel incapable of training horses because I was comparing myself to those people who have Dressage experiance and are training their horses.
When I came to the above realization I started spending more time on trail, endurance forums and boy do I fit in there better right now lol! I feel like I actually have something to contribute and when I started working with Sora on trails we both started having fun together again. Before she wasn't really capable of getting out on the trails because steering and stopping were still an issue but now she is really good at those things and perfectly capable of trail riding.
It's funny how a little bit of a new perspective can change your outlook :D Afterall, trailriding was my first love :D
A couple of weeks ago Sora underwent a MAJOR personality change. As in my sweet horse that always tries her hardest for me and has no real behavior problems, other than being a little forward about demanding treats :D, changed into this naughty, pushy, animal who was interested in running into me, kicking out on the longe etc. I really couldn't believe it! I bought Sora for her personality and ability to learn quickly before anything else and I selected her very carefully as a horse/Arabian I felt I could train and live with and all of a sudden it was like a had a different horse.
With the extreme and disappointing change I posted a question on COTH asking for ideas. A few people hassled me but I expected it and really don't care (I'm a big girl :D) and there were some people who were very helpful and suggested a change in diet. Sora was getting Safechoice as recommended by my vet but, after talking to a few others who also suggested a change, I decided to switch to just hay with a vitamin supplement and I GOT MY HORSE BACK!!!
The real point of this is that when I posted on COTH I put my question on the Dressage forum because she will be at some point and I didn't really know where else to post it but when people started posting training questions I kind of had an epiphany.
I realized that I bought Sora as a FUN training project and I never thought we would go straight into Dressage. I planned on starting her really slowly and then spending a year or two just on trails and bumming around. I knew I had no business buying an unstarted horse and starting right off with Dressage but I also knew that I was capable of turning a horse into a good citizen and not teaching her any habits that would bad for Dressage. Some people were scolding me for not longing her in a bride, which I understand, but I realized that right now I don't want/need a horse that has to be longed in a bridle, nor do I feel capable currently of longing Sora in a bridle without ruining her mouth, balance etc. My plan has always been to get a trainer before I do any real Dressage. That was my plan all the way until this summer when I started to stray from that path lol!
The problem was that I started reading more forums, blogs, books and magazines about Dressage and was falling more and more in love with it. I was starting to feel incapable of training horses because I was comparing myself to those people who have Dressage experiance and are training their horses.
When I came to the above realization I started spending more time on trail, endurance forums and boy do I fit in there better right now lol! I feel like I actually have something to contribute and when I started working with Sora on trails we both started having fun together again. Before she wasn't really capable of getting out on the trails because steering and stopping were still an issue but now she is really good at those things and perfectly capable of trail riding.
It's funny how a little bit of a new perspective can change your outlook :D Afterall, trailriding was my first love :D
Monday, October 26, 2009
Trail Training, or Why Sora Should Be a Member of MENSA
Just one more example of Sora's brilliance :D
Yesterday we were doing trail training, I'll explain why we were doing trail training in a later post, and Sora was acting scared of the cars again. I swear we've ridden and walked past the same cars in the same place dozens of times but Sora wants to stop and look every time. This time, however, I had just read a very appropriate post about trail training on COTH where someone had trained their horse to target and then used it on the trail to get the horse to touch things it was scared of.
Because if that I decided to see if Sora remembered her fifteen minute targeting lesson from last year. She certainly did! All I had to do was march up to the car, point to it and say "touch it Sora". It took her a second but then she happily touched it and got a treat. I had her do it a few more times just to make sure it was really solid and then we moved on. On the way back from her walk I was mildly surprised and pleased when she led me straight over to the same car to touch it and get a treat again. That'll be fun when we're riding along a road lol!!
Today I took her out again and as soon as we started down the driveway she marched straight towards the car. I laughed and let her touch it once and gave her one treat figuring that I'd probably not continue with that car since she was no longer scared of it so I lead her forward and without any prodding on my part she led me straight up to a car we had never targeted before!
Of course she got a treat and then we went on our walk. I was ready for her to lead me to both those cars when we got back and I led her right past them. On our way back out into the pasture she tried it again and once again I led her right past but then Sora came up with an idea :D
She came right with me but instead of staying back and trying to touch the cars like I thought she might she marched right up to our ancient tractor (that looks nothing like a car) and slammed her nose into it. She then stood and looked very proud while I fished out a treat and gave it to her laughing. Little bugger sure knows how to work the system :P
And here is what our tractor looks like. Not much like a car, huh.
Yesterday we were doing trail training, I'll explain why we were doing trail training in a later post, and Sora was acting scared of the cars again. I swear we've ridden and walked past the same cars in the same place dozens of times but Sora wants to stop and look every time. This time, however, I had just read a very appropriate post about trail training on COTH where someone had trained their horse to target and then used it on the trail to get the horse to touch things it was scared of.
Because if that I decided to see if Sora remembered her fifteen minute targeting lesson from last year. She certainly did! All I had to do was march up to the car, point to it and say "touch it Sora". It took her a second but then she happily touched it and got a treat. I had her do it a few more times just to make sure it was really solid and then we moved on. On the way back from her walk I was mildly surprised and pleased when she led me straight over to the same car to touch it and get a treat again. That'll be fun when we're riding along a road lol!!
Today I took her out again and as soon as we started down the driveway she marched straight towards the car. I laughed and let her touch it once and gave her one treat figuring that I'd probably not continue with that car since she was no longer scared of it so I lead her forward and without any prodding on my part she led me straight up to a car we had never targeted before!
Of course she got a treat and then we went on our walk. I was ready for her to lead me to both those cars when we got back and I led her right past them. On our way back out into the pasture she tried it again and once again I led her right past but then Sora came up with an idea :D
She came right with me but instead of staying back and trying to touch the cars like I thought she might she marched right up to our ancient tractor (that looks nothing like a car) and slammed her nose into it. She then stood and looked very proud while I fished out a treat and gave it to her laughing. Little bugger sure knows how to work the system :P
And here is what our tractor looks like. Not much like a car, huh.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
We're Still Alive!
Hi guys, I am actually still alive even though the weather and school are trying to change that :D
School has been CRAZY for the last three weeks and will be through the rest of this week. Our teachers to be "nice" spread our midterms through three weeks which was necessary but also means that it feels like we haven't had a break for a really long time. Currently I'm part-way through a 15 page paper that half of my grade in a class depends on, studying for a staffing midterm, writing a bio for myself :P, and working on a group project that is due on Thursday. I did get a few pictures, from online, of the building that I have school at so here, for your viewing pleasure!
^This is actually the room I have two of my classes in. Those chairs are wickedly uncomfortable.
Weather has been crazy as well. Ugh, we had steady rain for two days which turned into heavy snow on the morning of the third day and continued through the night. This is what it looked like partway through the snow that day.
If you look really closely you'll see that two horses are sharing hay in the right side and Sora is by herself in the left side. The two on the right are kind of in love which is cute because they are both in their late teens or early twenties and it's like they finally found true love :D
At any rate with all of this weather stuff going on it's been hard to work with Sora but I've been doing some thinking about our plans for the future. That will be a post for later.
School has been CRAZY for the last three weeks and will be through the rest of this week. Our teachers to be "nice" spread our midterms through three weeks which was necessary but also means that it feels like we haven't had a break for a really long time. Currently I'm part-way through a 15 page paper that half of my grade in a class depends on, studying for a staffing midterm, writing a bio for myself :P, and working on a group project that is due on Thursday. I did get a few pictures, from online, of the building that I have school at so here, for your viewing pleasure!
^This is actually the room I have two of my classes in. Those chairs are wickedly uncomfortable.Weather has been crazy as well. Ugh, we had steady rain for two days which turned into heavy snow on the morning of the third day and continued through the night. This is what it looked like partway through the snow that day.
If you look really closely you'll see that two horses are sharing hay in the right side and Sora is by herself in the left side. The two on the right are kind of in love which is cute because they are both in their late teens or early twenties and it's like they finally found true love :DAt any rate with all of this weather stuff going on it's been hard to work with Sora but I've been doing some thinking about our plans for the future. That will be a post for later.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Love
This is just a random short post to say how much I love my girl.
I got home from school and was feeling really stressed and down and she was there for me. I went out to our barn, turned the lights on and pulled her in just to eat hay. I sat next to her while she searched for the best pieces of alfalfa and made me laugh by making funny faces at the cat.
It's amazing how much better that can make me feel.
I got home from school and was feeling really stressed and down and she was there for me. I went out to our barn, turned the lights on and pulled her in just to eat hay. I sat next to her while she searched for the best pieces of alfalfa and made me laugh by making funny faces at the cat.
It's amazing how much better that can make me feel.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
What's in MY bucket :-)
This post was inspired by a recent post of Dressage Pony. It's something I wanted to show for a while but I've been trying to gain the courage lol! So here goes.
One of my favorite things to buy for horses are brushes because there are so many different ones available, they are affordable and they are something that the horse actually enjoys (vs. a girth or something :D) When I first got Sora I started collecting brushes and one of my favorite purchases for her was the pink tote and stickers which turned into >
This really makes me feel like a dork lol! These are the brushes that I curently have. I've picked them up everywhere from our small local tack shop, the state fair, Minnesota horse expo etc.
With Sora's long, fine mane the cowboy magic, brush and rubber bands are essential. The brushes are all a different stiffness with the one with the brown heart being the softest. The yellow one I only use during winter when she has a thick hair coat and she's muddy because it's quite stiff.
Yes, those are Hello Kitty stickers and yes, Sora is a HUGE fan :D
Finally a picture of Sora after the brushes were in use. You'll have to excuse the mouthful of hay and the grumpy expression. It is quite cold here and I feel about the same lol :P
I'm also happy to welcome Andrea from Eventing-A-Gogo! as my first follower. I love her horse and her sport and wish I knew even a quarter of what she does about horses!
One of my favorite things to buy for horses are brushes because there are so many different ones available, they are affordable and they are something that the horse actually enjoys (vs. a girth or something :D) When I first got Sora I started collecting brushes and one of my favorite purchases for her was the pink tote and stickers which turned into >
This really makes me feel like a dork lol! These are the brushes that I curently have. I've picked them up everywhere from our small local tack shop, the state fair, Minnesota horse expo etc.
With Sora's long, fine mane the cowboy magic, brush and rubber bands are essential. The brushes are all a different stiffness with the one with the brown heart being the softest. The yellow one I only use during winter when she has a thick hair coat and she's muddy because it's quite stiff.
Yes, those are Hello Kitty stickers and yes, Sora is a HUGE fan :D
Finally a picture of Sora after the brushes were in use. You'll have to excuse the mouthful of hay and the grumpy expression. It is quite cold here and I feel about the same lol :PI'm also happy to welcome Andrea from Eventing-A-Gogo! as my first follower. I love her horse and her sport and wish I knew even a quarter of what she does about horses!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A Tour and a Ride
I went on a ride today. Looking ahead at the forecast it looks like it will be colder and either snowy or rainy so I took advantage of our relatively nice day and had a really nice ride. I started just for a little in the arena then went out to our ditch pasture for a trail ride. I was trying to think of how to explain the ditch pasture when I realized that with the sad lack of pictures in recent posts I could do a farm tour that would take care of both :-)
So without further ado!
^This is outside the non horse side of the barn. We usually tie up along this fence line for grooming and tacking up. That is the arena straight ahead where we have our mounting block and where I usually start out on Sora.
This is looking along the arena fenceline with my back to the barn. Our house is to the left.
In this pictures the barn is to my left and the house is right behind me. These are our two main dry lots. Our waterer is in the middle of the two lots and they both have access to the run in shed. We have it arranged so that the dry lots are like the center of a wheel and they are surrounded by pastures all of which can be accessed from the dry lots. One of the dry lots is for one horse, smaller portion of shed and only two pastures. The other is for two horses, bigger portion of shed, has access to three pastures and an extra small lot for dividing horses when feeding.
This is the one horse lot which has Sora in it right now. To the left is a gate to the upper pasture and straight ahead is the gait to the middle pasture.
This is the other lot which has Khepri (right in front of me :-) and Jackson. That gate to the right leads into the small lot we use for dividing horses while feeding. The grainery is to my right.
This is the upper pasture that leads from Sora's lot. The barn is over my left shoulder. I didn't get a good picture of the middle pasture but it is off to my right.
This is the first pen that splits off of the two horse dry lot. We call it the ram's pen because when my parents used to raise sheep for whool this is where they kept the rams. We WEREN'T allowed in here as kids :-)
This is standing in the small dividing lot. The grainery is to my right, you can see the house and garage, the well is right ahead and the driveway is to my left. The dry lots are to the right.
This is turned 180*. This is our newest pen which we set up just after we sold off part of the farm. There is a drainage ditch to the right which is why we call this the ditch pasture. the Ram's pen is to the left. Straight ahead is where our new neighbors are building their house.
This is turned to the right about 90*, looking down into the tree lot pasture. This used to be a corn field until my parrents planted it full of trees. We just recently turned it into pasture and it is my favorite. Straight ahead is the drainage ditch. The cat that you can just see has a mouse in her mouth :D
This picture is straight ahead still looking down the tree field pasture. The ditch is to my left, the driveway is to the right, you see a path to the south and your sword is glowing blue :P
This is much further down the pen looking at our prettiest tree across our driveway towards the ditch.
Back to our barn, newly full of hay. It smells incredible!!!!
This is looking into my just organized tack room. That saddle is my new one.
Standing in my tack room. That's my new saddle again :-)
Looking at the other corner of my tack room. Feeding stuff to the left, and a bunch of other storage. Sora's grooming gear is in the cute pink tote.
So without further ado!
^This is outside the non horse side of the barn. We usually tie up along this fence line for grooming and tacking up. That is the arena straight ahead where we have our mounting block and where I usually start out on Sora.
This is looking along the arena fenceline with my back to the barn. Our house is to the left.
In this pictures the barn is to my left and the house is right behind me. These are our two main dry lots. Our waterer is in the middle of the two lots and they both have access to the run in shed. We have it arranged so that the dry lots are like the center of a wheel and they are surrounded by pastures all of which can be accessed from the dry lots. One of the dry lots is for one horse, smaller portion of shed and only two pastures. The other is for two horses, bigger portion of shed, has access to three pastures and an extra small lot for dividing horses when feeding.
This is the one horse lot which has Sora in it right now. To the left is a gate to the upper pasture and straight ahead is the gait to the middle pasture.
This is the other lot which has Khepri (right in front of me :-) and Jackson. That gate to the right leads into the small lot we use for dividing horses while feeding. The grainery is to my right.
This is the upper pasture that leads from Sora's lot. The barn is over my left shoulder. I didn't get a good picture of the middle pasture but it is off to my right.
This is the first pen that splits off of the two horse dry lot. We call it the ram's pen because when my parents used to raise sheep for whool this is where they kept the rams. We WEREN'T allowed in here as kids :-)
This is standing in the small dividing lot. The grainery is to my right, you can see the house and garage, the well is right ahead and the driveway is to my left. The dry lots are to the right.
This is turned 180*. This is our newest pen which we set up just after we sold off part of the farm. There is a drainage ditch to the right which is why we call this the ditch pasture. the Ram's pen is to the left. Straight ahead is where our new neighbors are building their house.
This is turned to the right about 90*, looking down into the tree lot pasture. This used to be a corn field until my parrents planted it full of trees. We just recently turned it into pasture and it is my favorite. Straight ahead is the drainage ditch. The cat that you can just see has a mouse in her mouth :D
This picture is straight ahead still looking down the tree field pasture. The ditch is to my left, the driveway is to the right, you see a path to the south and your sword is glowing blue :P
This is much further down the pen looking at our prettiest tree across our driveway towards the ditch.
Back to our barn, newly full of hay. It smells incredible!!!!
This is looking into my just organized tack room. That saddle is my new one.
Standing in my tack room. That's my new saddle again :-)
Looking at the other corner of my tack room. Feeding stuff to the left, and a bunch of other storage. Sora's grooming gear is in the cute pink tote.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
More Shtuff
Brrrrr! This morning when I woke up we had snow and the temp was 28*. Poor Sora was shivering because I never thought it would sneak up on us that fast and hadn't put her sheet on her the night before. It was quickly remedied and I tried to make up for it with a few treats and a grooming in our nice warm barn while she ate hay and grain and stopped shivering.
Just a few minutes ago I got back in from rasping all of her hooves. She was really good especially since I had let them get a little long :P I also remembered that I didn't really report much on her last trimming and so I'll add some of that now.
Erika was out a few weeks ago and trimmed Sora's hooves. I had also asked her to help me try on some hoof boots because I was worried that Sora had hurt herself on all of the gravel and had subsequently abcessed. First, Sora was wonderful about all of her hooves (I think even Erika was really impressed *grinz*). Second, she didn't think that it was the gravel that had caused the abcess and after asking me a few questions, and trying on about five pairs of boots :D, said that she didn't think Sora would ever really need hoof boots since she has such great feet!!! I was really happy because if she doesn't need them I certainly don't want to have to deal with them. Finally, and most exciting, when I asked when she wanted to have me set up an appointment again she said, "well, if you keep doing what you are you won't really need me out again. Just call me if you get behind and she needs a trim or if you have a question. You can also just email me pictures of her hooves if you have any questions and I can email you back suggestions. This way, maybe by the time you move you'll be doing it completely by you self and you won't need to worry about finding another bare foot trimmer."
I was STUNNED, and soooo excited. I have been honestly concerned about trying to find another good barefoot trimmer that will trim her hooves as nicely as Erika so now that is one more weight off my mind.
I'm also excited because I put in an order with State Line Tack for a bunch of stuff and it shipped yesterday. I ordered a chest sleazy thing, because last year Sora was getting fairly bad rubs, a pair of bell boots, they actually had a pair of white ones in small *shocked*, a cooler, because they had one in her size that was $9.99! and I couldn't resist, a bit, because the copper one I have made her drool like she had rabbies and it's NEVER going back in her mouth and her happy mouth is all chewed up after only about three uses *rolls eyes*, and finally my favorite! a pair of boots!!!, because I've been riding in tennis shoes :X. With economy shipping it should get here sometime late next week or the week after. I feel like I've been on some kind of buying spree but that entire order was really cheap (because its from SLT :P) and I've really needed some of it for a while. Don't tell the college loan people lol!
Just a few minutes ago I got back in from rasping all of her hooves. She was really good especially since I had let them get a little long :P I also remembered that I didn't really report much on her last trimming and so I'll add some of that now.
Erika was out a few weeks ago and trimmed Sora's hooves. I had also asked her to help me try on some hoof boots because I was worried that Sora had hurt herself on all of the gravel and had subsequently abcessed. First, Sora was wonderful about all of her hooves (I think even Erika was really impressed *grinz*). Second, she didn't think that it was the gravel that had caused the abcess and after asking me a few questions, and trying on about five pairs of boots :D, said that she didn't think Sora would ever really need hoof boots since she has such great feet!!! I was really happy because if she doesn't need them I certainly don't want to have to deal with them. Finally, and most exciting, when I asked when she wanted to have me set up an appointment again she said, "well, if you keep doing what you are you won't really need me out again. Just call me if you get behind and she needs a trim or if you have a question. You can also just email me pictures of her hooves if you have any questions and I can email you back suggestions. This way, maybe by the time you move you'll be doing it completely by you self and you won't need to worry about finding another bare foot trimmer."
I was STUNNED, and soooo excited. I have been honestly concerned about trying to find another good barefoot trimmer that will trim her hooves as nicely as Erika so now that is one more weight off my mind.
I'm also excited because I put in an order with State Line Tack for a bunch of stuff and it shipped yesterday. I ordered a chest sleazy thing, because last year Sora was getting fairly bad rubs, a pair of bell boots, they actually had a pair of white ones in small *shocked*, a cooler, because they had one in her size that was $9.99! and I couldn't resist, a bit, because the copper one I have made her drool like she had rabbies and it's NEVER going back in her mouth and her happy mouth is all chewed up after only about three uses *rolls eyes*, and finally my favorite! a pair of boots!!!, because I've been riding in tennis shoes :X. With economy shipping it should get here sometime late next week or the week after. I feel like I've been on some kind of buying spree but that entire order was really cheap (because its from SLT :P) and I've really needed some of it for a while. Don't tell the college loan people lol!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Feeling Better :-)
Well, first, it's the weekend!
Second, I got home early enough to work with Sora. I lunged her and she was doing well. Her saddle has been sliding forward just a little so I put her fake "wool" saddle pad under it and magically there was no more slipping :-)
Third, because she was doing so well I rode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was really good. I think this weekend it's time for me to get a little more serious about forward movement. I think I'm going to take a crop with me and when she doesn't move after I start with a small squeeze and escalate a little I'll just touch her behind the saddle. This has proven to be a very affective method for getting her to move forward so I think it's time to use it again. There will be updates. Maybe I'll even get my sister to take pictures.
Second, I got home early enough to work with Sora. I lunged her and she was doing well. Her saddle has been sliding forward just a little so I put her fake "wool" saddle pad under it and magically there was no more slipping :-)
Third, because she was doing so well I rode!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was really good. I think this weekend it's time for me to get a little more serious about forward movement. I think I'm going to take a crop with me and when she doesn't move after I start with a small squeeze and escalate a little I'll just touch her behind the saddle. This has proven to be a very affective method for getting her to move forward so I think it's time to use it again. There will be updates. Maybe I'll even get my sister to take pictures.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Feeling Down :-(
I'm already having problems with the riding schedule I wrote about in the previous post.
We had about five days of constant rain and cold wind. It literally went from about 70*-45* overnight, add rain and you've got a wonderful recipe for mud and rainrot. I've been keeping Sora dry in the "best blanket ever" which is one I bought for about $25 dollars on sale from State Line Tack. It has kept her ABSOLUTELY dry. I really can't believe it but I'm really happy with my purchase :-)
At any rate it has been impossible to ride and then yesterday (Wednesday) on my day off it was beautiful. In the sixties, sunny, just a little windy. I couldn't believe it and after doing some much needed barn chores I scooped my saddle up from my bedroom, brought it out to the barn and got Sora.
Since it was warm and sunny she was sleepy and loving in the pen and I was really thinking we'd have a great ride. She was nuts! I don't know what was going on, she's not in heat, but she was really nervous, whinnying, jumping all over. I knew I didn't want to get right on her so I took her out to lunge her and all hell broke loose.
When I first taught her to lunge if I asked her to canter so would FREAK out and start galloping around in a circle, breathing hard with a wild look in her eyes. Usually I would do what I could to stop her, get her calmed down and then end our lunging session. She just looked so terrified that I hated to continue pushing her and hurt her or have her slip. One time she even went so nuts that she fell :X (in a deep snow bank) This summer I started calming her down and then continuing and it worked but as soon as it got hot she stopped doing it completely. I thought that was the end of it but apparently not.
Now, I'm not proud of myself but on Wednesday I lost my patience a little. It was obvious to me that she is no longer terrified of me or the lunge so instead of trying to bring her in and let her stand and calm down I just kept insisting on a trot. I wasn't beating her or anything, as if I could ever do that to her, but I would jerk hard once on the line while giving her a voice command. Sora would just keep galloping, I would jerk again a little hard this time, Sora would keep galloping, I would pull really hard a third time and Sora would slam on the breaks and look at me like "hey mom you don't have to pull!" (insert winy voice here). I would push her back up to a trot and the galloping and heavy breathing would continue. Rinse and repeat :X.
We did this about five times going to the left before she finally was trotting nicely. After having her trot around me (mom I'm so tired when do I get to stop?) about five times. I turned her and had her go to the right. Same scenario except she was already tired.
I really don't believe in spending much time on the lunge and I was frustrated after. I just don't know any other way to deal with it and since kindness has gotten me nowhere with this problem I think it's time to try a little stricter approach.
I wasn't frustrated until she started galloping so I really don't think she was picking up on me and I was happy and relaxed when I took her out so I don't think she was getting that from me either. I hope dearly that I won't have the same situation on my hands again next time I take her out. On Wednesday I didn't end up riding because although she probably would have been great (she was MUCH calmer when we finished :D) I just hated to put any more stress on her body and I REALLY wanted to ride. I know it's not all about riding it's just that I feel like I'm doing continuous ground work and she really needs some good hours under saddle. Yesterday she fell apart again when I went to put the saddle on from the right side. She never used to have a problem with it and I've been doing equal desensitization on both sides since she started being nervous about it a few weeks ago.
Gaaaa, I am really happy that I'm training her myself but sometimes I want to pull my hair out!!! (By the way, she wasn't even sweaty after our work out on Wednesday. I wish I had that kind of stamina :D)
We had about five days of constant rain and cold wind. It literally went from about 70*-45* overnight, add rain and you've got a wonderful recipe for mud and rainrot. I've been keeping Sora dry in the "best blanket ever" which is one I bought for about $25 dollars on sale from State Line Tack. It has kept her ABSOLUTELY dry. I really can't believe it but I'm really happy with my purchase :-)
At any rate it has been impossible to ride and then yesterday (Wednesday) on my day off it was beautiful. In the sixties, sunny, just a little windy. I couldn't believe it and after doing some much needed barn chores I scooped my saddle up from my bedroom, brought it out to the barn and got Sora.
Since it was warm and sunny she was sleepy and loving in the pen and I was really thinking we'd have a great ride. She was nuts! I don't know what was going on, she's not in heat, but she was really nervous, whinnying, jumping all over. I knew I didn't want to get right on her so I took her out to lunge her and all hell broke loose.
When I first taught her to lunge if I asked her to canter so would FREAK out and start galloping around in a circle, breathing hard with a wild look in her eyes. Usually I would do what I could to stop her, get her calmed down and then end our lunging session. She just looked so terrified that I hated to continue pushing her and hurt her or have her slip. One time she even went so nuts that she fell :X (in a deep snow bank) This summer I started calming her down and then continuing and it worked but as soon as it got hot she stopped doing it completely. I thought that was the end of it but apparently not.
Now, I'm not proud of myself but on Wednesday I lost my patience a little. It was obvious to me that she is no longer terrified of me or the lunge so instead of trying to bring her in and let her stand and calm down I just kept insisting on a trot. I wasn't beating her or anything, as if I could ever do that to her, but I would jerk hard once on the line while giving her a voice command. Sora would just keep galloping, I would jerk again a little hard this time, Sora would keep galloping, I would pull really hard a third time and Sora would slam on the breaks and look at me like "hey mom you don't have to pull!" (insert winy voice here). I would push her back up to a trot and the galloping and heavy breathing would continue. Rinse and repeat :X.
We did this about five times going to the left before she finally was trotting nicely. After having her trot around me (mom I'm so tired when do I get to stop?) about five times. I turned her and had her go to the right. Same scenario except she was already tired.
I really don't believe in spending much time on the lunge and I was frustrated after. I just don't know any other way to deal with it and since kindness has gotten me nowhere with this problem I think it's time to try a little stricter approach.
I wasn't frustrated until she started galloping so I really don't think she was picking up on me and I was happy and relaxed when I took her out so I don't think she was getting that from me either. I hope dearly that I won't have the same situation on my hands again next time I take her out. On Wednesday I didn't end up riding because although she probably would have been great (she was MUCH calmer when we finished :D) I just hated to put any more stress on her body and I REALLY wanted to ride. I know it's not all about riding it's just that I feel like I'm doing continuous ground work and she really needs some good hours under saddle. Yesterday she fell apart again when I went to put the saddle on from the right side. She never used to have a problem with it and I've been doing equal desensitization on both sides since she started being nervous about it a few weeks ago.
Gaaaa, I am really happy that I'm training her myself but sometimes I want to pull my hair out!!! (By the way, she wasn't even sweaty after our work out on Wednesday. I wish I had that kind of stamina :D)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Finally
I finally got a chance to ride in my new saddle today. It's WONDERFUL! It fits her perfectly and sits right where a saddle is supposed to (imagine that :D) and it puts my leg in a good place for the first time ever. My Wintec placed me in a chair seat while also pushing me forward onto my crotch not a good thing lol. This one feels really weird to me because for the first time I have a dressage leg :-) She also moved sooooo much better at the trot and when I longed her to start out she didn't hump her back.
I think that from now until it gets too cold to comfortably ride I'm going to try to ride Sora about three days a week but I'm going to try to ride for shorter periods of time and spend plenty of time hand grazing etc. I'm going to especially concentrate on getting her a little more in front of my leg. I'm planning on riding this coming weekend on both Saturday and Sunday and will see if I can get someone to take pictures then. It might be hard because my sister will be gone and although my dad takes GREAT pictures his horse pictures leave a little to be desired :-)
I think that from now until it gets too cold to comfortably ride I'm going to try to ride Sora about three days a week but I'm going to try to ride for shorter periods of time and spend plenty of time hand grazing etc. I'm going to especially concentrate on getting her a little more in front of my leg. I'm planning on riding this coming weekend on both Saturday and Sunday and will see if I can get someone to take pictures then. It might be hard because my sister will be gone and although my dad takes GREAT pictures his horse pictures leave a little to be desired :-)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Happy Day :-)
I woke up this morning (at 6:30) to the most wonderful smelling bedroom I could ever imagine. I stopped and breathed deeply of saddle smell and then proceeded to get myself ready for school. It was a wonderful way to start my day. I think even my midterm tonight will go perfectly!
Monday, September 28, 2009
I found one, I found one
A saddle! :~)
It's a Thornhill Vienna II with a wide tree and a 17" seat and it's sitting in my bedroom right now looking at me as I type this. I think I'm in love! I already tried it on Sora which I thought was going to be a project as it is CRAZY windy here and all of the horses are keyed up but she just let me put it right on her back. It fits like a glove!
I still need to see what it's like girthed up and with me in it but I'm not too keen in getting on her today so that will have to wait. I'm hoping that I'll have a chance to try it out on Wednesday since tomorrow I'll be at school ALL DAY. I'll try to remember to take pictures and I'll let you know if it's as comfy as it looks *jumps up and down like a child*
It's a Thornhill Vienna II with a wide tree and a 17" seat and it's sitting in my bedroom right now looking at me as I type this. I think I'm in love! I already tried it on Sora which I thought was going to be a project as it is CRAZY windy here and all of the horses are keyed up but she just let me put it right on her back. It fits like a glove!
I still need to see what it's like girthed up and with me in it but I'm not too keen in getting on her today so that will have to wait. I'm hoping that I'll have a chance to try it out on Wednesday since tomorrow I'll be at school ALL DAY. I'll try to remember to take pictures and I'll let you know if it's as comfy as it looks *jumps up and down like a child*
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Weekend Fun
This weekend is looking really productive so far! We are getting our first load of hay either today or Wednesday next week and I've been out cleaning up the barn already. I'm happy that we'll be all ready for winter but the first load of hay always signals colder weather and less riding and this year it's coming depressingly early.
I'm hoping to ride but may have to go bareback which could be interesting since I haven't ridden Sora bareback yet :~)
In saddle news, I'm really excited because I may have found a saddle. I'll keep you posted.
I'm hoping to ride but may have to go bareback which could be interesting since I haven't ridden Sora bareback yet :~)
In saddle news, I'm really excited because I may have found a saddle. I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Pulling Hair Out
So right now everything is really nuts. As a side note I didn't get to go on a trail ride because of certain boyfriend issues but we are hoping to be able to get out this weekend. *fingers crossed*
First, Sora has been uncomfortable with her saddle so I've been madly searching for a new one that is actually in my budget that will be enough better to make it worth it. It couldn't have come at a worse time. Both because I am crazy busy and because some of the best trail riding is happing right now and I'm just not that fond of the idea of riding a green three year old Arabian on an hour long trail ride bareback, call me crazy :~)
Secondly recruiting is so intense. It really sucks right now because we are all really worried about actually getting a paid, fully time internship while the process for getting one is really confusing and hard to deal with. All of the students have to apply for jobs on the recruiting website along with applying on company websites for some of the jobs. Some of the applications take more than an hour and we're trying to churn out 10-15 every week. One job application had two different timed tests! including a reasoning test where you had to match shapes to make a pattern (MUCH harder than it sounds) and an ethics, leadership, teamwork test, owih! Add to that the fact that out of eight or so jobs so far that have selected candidates, I've been denied an interview from all eight :*(
Thirdly grad school. I already have a midterm next week for a half semester class, I have written two 5+ page papers and have two projects due next week. Some of them don't take me that long to do but at this point anything like that is a major project just because of how busy I am. I have four classes instead of most peoples three and one of those has a lab. I have four text books with so much reading that I really don't know if I'll ever get it done. Unlike college most grad professers seem to think that people can read half a text book over a weekend. Multiply that by four and that is my current life. Add to that the fact that I comute two hours each way and I feel like I'll never have free time again.
Finally, and worst in my current opinion, I haven't been able to spend ANY time with Sora. I had her feet trimmed yesterday (that will be a post for a different day) and she was so starved for attention. It really hurt (and kind of made me happy at the same time) to see how happy and desperate she was to see me. I'm hoping that this weekend I'll be able to take a long enough break to go for a trail ride and at least get her out for a little. It would certainly make me feel less stressed.
So I guess to leave off, if you don't hear from me for awhile, it's probably becaused I've been burried alive under a mountain of homework and job applications.
First, Sora has been uncomfortable with her saddle so I've been madly searching for a new one that is actually in my budget that will be enough better to make it worth it. It couldn't have come at a worse time. Both because I am crazy busy and because some of the best trail riding is happing right now and I'm just not that fond of the idea of riding a green three year old Arabian on an hour long trail ride bareback, call me crazy :~)
Secondly recruiting is so intense. It really sucks right now because we are all really worried about actually getting a paid, fully time internship while the process for getting one is really confusing and hard to deal with. All of the students have to apply for jobs on the recruiting website along with applying on company websites for some of the jobs. Some of the applications take more than an hour and we're trying to churn out 10-15 every week. One job application had two different timed tests! including a reasoning test where you had to match shapes to make a pattern (MUCH harder than it sounds) and an ethics, leadership, teamwork test, owih! Add to that the fact that out of eight or so jobs so far that have selected candidates, I've been denied an interview from all eight :*(
Thirdly grad school. I already have a midterm next week for a half semester class, I have written two 5+ page papers and have two projects due next week. Some of them don't take me that long to do but at this point anything like that is a major project just because of how busy I am. I have four classes instead of most peoples three and one of those has a lab. I have four text books with so much reading that I really don't know if I'll ever get it done. Unlike college most grad professers seem to think that people can read half a text book over a weekend. Multiply that by four and that is my current life. Add to that the fact that I comute two hours each way and I feel like I'll never have free time again.
Finally, and worst in my current opinion, I haven't been able to spend ANY time with Sora. I had her feet trimmed yesterday (that will be a post for a different day) and she was so starved for attention. It really hurt (and kind of made me happy at the same time) to see how happy and desperate she was to see me. I'm hoping that this weekend I'll be able to take a long enough break to go for a trail ride and at least get her out for a little. It would certainly make me feel less stressed.
So I guess to leave off, if you don't hear from me for awhile, it's probably becaused I've been burried alive under a mountain of homework and job applications.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Can't Wait For Tomorrow!
I am so excited right now! My barefoot trimmer, who I've trying to get to come ride with me, called and is coming out tomorrow for a trail ride and to trim Sora (in that order of course :~) She is bringing her own horses and her boyfriend for the ride so it should be interesting.
We are going to ride into Old Frontenac and hopefully do some riding around on the little town roads and maybe even down to the beach. I'm a little nervous about how Sora will do because she hasn't been out on a trail ride for quite some time. She really needs the miles and since we'll just be going at a walk I'm sure it'll be fine but you just never know with horses and since she doesn't know the other two it will be interesting how they do around each-other. I'm counting on the fact that if she's really worried I can take one of our other horses but I REALLY REALLY want to be able to take her.
Wish me luck! I'll write about it as soon as I can :~) Maybe we'll even get pictures!
We are going to ride into Old Frontenac and hopefully do some riding around on the little town roads and maybe even down to the beach. I'm a little nervous about how Sora will do because she hasn't been out on a trail ride for quite some time. She really needs the miles and since we'll just be going at a walk I'm sure it'll be fine but you just never know with horses and since she doesn't know the other two it will be interesting how they do around each-other. I'm counting on the fact that if she's really worried I can take one of our other horses but I REALLY REALLY want to be able to take her.
Wish me luck! I'll write about it as soon as I can :~) Maybe we'll even get pictures!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Who Knew?
This? Is Sora?
So today I searched "Little Sora Story" on Google just to see what came up and this is what I found. I had no idea lol! I know that this is a really popular game but it's not one I've ever played and in case anyone was wondering, this is not who/what I named Sora after.
I have always been fascinated with names and naming. When I was younger I carefully picked out names for my stuffed animals and model horses based on what was important to me at the time and what I thought was pretty or matched whatever I was naming best. As I grew older I started to collect names I liked. I found those names everywhere, often from different languages or words in our language that aren't often used. Most recently I have been picking names mostly from baby naming sites looking at what they mean, most often looking at different languages. As an example, the name Khepri is Egyptian for "morning sun" and was chosen by me and Hanna because we wanted something really pretty and very different so that people would stop and ask about her. Plus it just fits her so much better than Clue lol!
Finding Sora's barn name was no different for me except that I put even more effort into it. I really wanted her name to mean something to me since I had been waiting for her my whole life. I also wanted it to at least sort of pertain to her registered name. I also wanted something weird and something that would make people ask about her name. Because I really wanted it to mean something to me I picked a made up language from one of my favorite book series Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time". Because he had just died, leaving his last book unfinished, it sort of meant even more.
I found the word sora on this site which is a dictionary of words from the "Old Tongue". I considered several different names on the list such as (sei'taer = "straight eyes" /or/ "level eyes" (one who has gained honor) and n'dore = dancers) but just imagine a show anouncer trying to pronounce them or trying to get people to spell them correctly! Ouch :P
If you looked at the list you probably found sora=life. This means so much to me in so many different ways. First, Sora is my life right now. Everything about my decisions for the last couple of years have led up to this including changing my career path from music (something that I had spent my entire life on) to HR (which is something that I can make enough money in to support a horse while still being passionate about it and engaged). Also, life is just such a wonderful term to me. from loving just about all living things to just really loving life in general. I also found that in Japanese sora=sky, not a bad meaning either :~)
It also aligns with my goal of having a name that is similar to her registered name, TF Lilly's Shoshana. Sora/Shoshana, not so different really. By the way, Lilly's Shoshana, loosely translated means Lilly's Lilly, or Lilly's Rose which is really cute because Sora's mom's name is Lilly Langtree so she is really Lilly's Lilly :D
So there you go! Now you know way more about Sora's name than you probably ever wanted to.
So today I searched "Little Sora Story" on Google just to see what came up and this is what I found. I had no idea lol! I know that this is a really popular game but it's not one I've ever played and in case anyone was wondering, this is not who/what I named Sora after. I have always been fascinated with names and naming. When I was younger I carefully picked out names for my stuffed animals and model horses based on what was important to me at the time and what I thought was pretty or matched whatever I was naming best. As I grew older I started to collect names I liked. I found those names everywhere, often from different languages or words in our language that aren't often used. Most recently I have been picking names mostly from baby naming sites looking at what they mean, most often looking at different languages. As an example, the name Khepri is Egyptian for "morning sun" and was chosen by me and Hanna because we wanted something really pretty and very different so that people would stop and ask about her. Plus it just fits her so much better than Clue lol!
Finding Sora's barn name was no different for me except that I put even more effort into it. I really wanted her name to mean something to me since I had been waiting for her my whole life. I also wanted it to at least sort of pertain to her registered name. I also wanted something weird and something that would make people ask about her name. Because I really wanted it to mean something to me I picked a made up language from one of my favorite book series Robert Jordan's "The Wheel of Time". Because he had just died, leaving his last book unfinished, it sort of meant even more.
I found the word sora on this site which is a dictionary of words from the "Old Tongue". I considered several different names on the list such as (sei'taer = "straight eyes" /or/ "level eyes" (one who has gained honor) and n'dore = dancers) but just imagine a show anouncer trying to pronounce them or trying to get people to spell them correctly! Ouch :PIf you looked at the list you probably found sora=life. This means so much to me in so many different ways. First, Sora is my life right now. Everything about my decisions for the last couple of years have led up to this including changing my career path from music (something that I had spent my entire life on) to HR (which is something that I can make enough money in to support a horse while still being passionate about it and engaged). Also, life is just such a wonderful term to me. from loving just about all living things to just really loving life in general. I also found that in Japanese sora=sky, not a bad meaning either :~)
It also aligns with my goal of having a name that is similar to her registered name, TF Lilly's Shoshana. Sora/Shoshana, not so different really. By the way, Lilly's Shoshana, loosely translated means Lilly's Lilly, or Lilly's Rose which is really cute because Sora's mom's name is Lilly Langtree so she is really Lilly's Lilly :D
So there you go! Now you know way more about Sora's name than you probably ever wanted to.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
What I've Been Up To: Part II
School this past week was stressful. Because it was the first week teachers seem to feel the need to tell us everything that's coming up for the entire semester so the first few classes are a test in managing stress as you try to figure out how you will accomplish everything. I did survive the first week and I am really excited about all of my classes. This semester I have classes in Stats, Staffing, Sustainability in HR and Compensation and Benefits. I also started to get ready for recruiting which officially starts on Monday.
I was also excited to finally order and receive more clay for my most recent sculpting project, "Khepri".
She's been on hold for the past few months since I lost my sculpting kit so now with the new clay I just need some more sculpting tools and I'll be able to finish her. I also sold another copy of "Paris" to a wonderful woman in the Czech Republic.
This past week made Sora mad at me :C She missed me and was very clingy when I was able to spend time with her on Friday evening. I made a point of spending some quality time with her and then yesterday when my friend was out I finally rode her again for the first time since about a week before she was lame with her abscess. It was the first time Emy saw me ride her and I think she was impressed over all, she is a western pleasure rider that doesn't really get Dressage and has never trained a horse so is not used to a green horse. Sora was very good and really didn't offer any resistance even though I rode her with a bit for only about the third or fourth time. It was wonderful to be on her again and I can't wait until our ride later today.
A few more pictures I found when sorting through the hundreds that Hanna took.
^Just lookee at that back leg :P *drool*
I was also excited to finally order and receive more clay for my most recent sculpting project, "Khepri".
She's been on hold for the past few months since I lost my sculpting kit so now with the new clay I just need some more sculpting tools and I'll be able to finish her. I also sold another copy of "Paris" to a wonderful woman in the Czech Republic.
This past week made Sora mad at me :C She missed me and was very clingy when I was able to spend time with her on Friday evening. I made a point of spending some quality time with her and then yesterday when my friend was out I finally rode her again for the first time since about a week before she was lame with her abscess. It was the first time Emy saw me ride her and I think she was impressed over all, she is a western pleasure rider that doesn't really get Dressage and has never trained a horse so is not used to a green horse. Sora was very good and really didn't offer any resistance even though I rode her with a bit for only about the third or fourth time. It was wonderful to be on her again and I can't wait until our ride later today.
A few more pictures I found when sorting through the hundreds that Hanna took.
^Just lookee at that back leg :P *drool*
Monday, September 7, 2009
What I've Been Up To
For me the summer is now officially over. I had orientation for school last week Monday-Wednesday and tomorrow school starts for real. This semester along with the stress of just going to grad school I'm going to be doing intense recruiting for a paid summer internship. This is something that often turns into a full time job so it is essential not only to get one but to get a good one. The competition is intense as is the schedule. I'm excited about it but also a little scared and already missing my summer.
On the Sora front everything is good. I haven't gotten on her again since her abscess partly because with the cooler weather she's been a little more hyper and partly because, for some reason, her saddle seems to be bothering her even though to my eyes it really looks like it fits perfectly. I have been working more on ground work which is what I really wanted to work on for the rest of the fall. Her longing is getting much better and I'm continuing to work on keeping her out of my space.
However, the real reason for this post was to share these wonderful pictures that my sister took. She is obviously much better than me at getting pictures and she gave me a few hours of her time to take dozens and dozens of pictures :~)
As a side note I would like to add that I know her saddle pad is pretty screwed up and her saddle is sitting too far forward. I had it girthed too loose and by the time I noticed we were well into the pictures.
^That's my little sport horse :D It continually amazes me how lucky I got with my first Dressage prospect purchase <3
Sharing a quiet moment.^
This one is my desktop background right now.^
On the Sora front everything is good. I haven't gotten on her again since her abscess partly because with the cooler weather she's been a little more hyper and partly because, for some reason, her saddle seems to be bothering her even though to my eyes it really looks like it fits perfectly. I have been working more on ground work which is what I really wanted to work on for the rest of the fall. Her longing is getting much better and I'm continuing to work on keeping her out of my space.
However, the real reason for this post was to share these wonderful pictures that my sister took. She is obviously much better than me at getting pictures and she gave me a few hours of her time to take dozens and dozens of pictures :~)
As a side note I would like to add that I know her saddle pad is pretty screwed up and her saddle is sitting too far forward. I had it girthed too loose and by the time I noticed we were well into the pictures.
^That's my little sport horse :D It continually amazes me how lucky I got with my first Dressage prospect purchase <3
Sharing a quiet moment.^
This one is my desktop background right now.^
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