MAY 2006

{

May 30, 2006

So nice to have the long weekend!  On Saturday, went out to ride Troy first.  He's so cute!  Decided I was going to canter him for the first time.  I free-longed him in the ring as usual, then hopped up without any problem.  Walked and trotted around for a bit, then did some transitions to make sure he had brakes.  With a little cluck and some encouragement from my leg at the trot, off we went into the canter.  He has the nicest canter!  One of those wonderful canters that you'd be happy to ride to all day long!  He'll be a wonderful hunt horse.  Once I knew cantering was going to be a breeze, I decided to move into the front field.  The ground is a lot more forgiving there.  I opened the gate from his back to leave the ring.  He kind of scooted through it so I schooled it a few times to make sure he'd walk through quietly.  Then, we did the tough gate!  It is the one that is easy to open but swings open on its own.  So, if you don't get it fastened the first time when you are trying to close it, it will swing right open again!  Troy was such a good boy and walked close up to the fence and I managed to hook the chain over the post!  Voila!  Two years old and already opening and shutting gates like a pro!  He's a natural!   I cantered him in the field which was really fun.  Linda was on her way to the hound show so just before she left, I cantered him for her so she could see.  She was thrilled!  Made me feel really good. 

After that, I went to ride with Lori.  We went out on a little trail ride, this time, just nosing around some opportunities in the neighborhood.  We had a long chat with one of the neighbors who told us about a few trails we didn't know about.  We decided we'd check them out on Sunday.  So, on Sunday, we did exactly that.  We had a really amazing ride.  At one point, we saw two little kit foxes scurrying around their den before safely hiding away from us.  Then, one trail took us almost into someone's backyard, so, we detoured through a section of woods and made our own trail.  Suddenly, Lori said, "Omigod!  Jana!"  She was looking down so I thought something horrible happened to Topper's leg.  She said, "A baby deer!"  Topper had just sidestepped a fawn at the last second and the move caused Lori to look down to see what he'd nearly stepped on.  This little fawn was curled up in a little ball, ears flattened so tight, trying so hard to disappear into the leaves and I'm sure just hoping these big creatures would go away and his momma would come back really soon.  We weren't sure if he was even alive, he was so still.  But as we continued to look, you could see his little sides heaving as he probably breathed 80 miles an hour with fear.  We moved on and are sure his momma found him because we'd heard her tip toeing through the woods before we'd stumbled upon little Bambi.  I couldn't get past how cute he was for hours.

Back at the barn, we hosed the boys off and put them to bed in front of their fans.  Justin loves his nice fluffy bed and I'm sure was off his feet napping in no time.

Monday, we'd planned on meeting a group of friends in Middleburg for a trail ride.  This was a ride that Kelly had arranged so we all met at her place.  It was great to see how good her mare, Andromeda looked after recovering from a broken leg.  Kelly did an amazing job bringing that mare back after an injury that most don't recover from.  Lori and I introduced ourselves around then got the boys tacked up.  It was a hot day but the ride moved in and out of the woods enough to give us all time to cool off. 

It was so fun to meet so many different people.  There was a couple that hunted together, someone who brought his polo ponies (they were stellar and Kelly's sister rode one of them who was a saint), everyone had some kind of experience in just about every style of riding including team penning and eventing.  There were German horses, Irish horses, a pinto, two Bashkir Curlies, the polo ponies were Argentinian, our Thoroughbreds -- the list goes on.

We rode out of Kelly's place to Welbourne, where I kept Justin for a month.  It was strange to see the place with all the grass and leaves grown in.  When I'd seen it last, it was with snow everywhere.  But I recognized each field we passed through, because I'd ridden through them with Justin then.  I wondered if Justin recognized anything. 

It was a very nice ride with lots of hills, creeks and ditches to cross and shady paths through woods to cool off in.  The boys were pretty good over all.  Justin had never been out with such a large group.  He only got a little upset if Topper got out ahead of him.  They've become very attached.

Well, here it is, a week later and I'm finally able to publish this.  Bob and I just got back from New Jersey last night where he and his Syracuse Crew won their Masters race.  I'm very proud of him.  I've been to seven or eight of these (we can't remember) and I've seen him medal every time.  Out of the 11 times he's raced it, he's won gold six.  The other times they were either silver or bronze.  Pretty impressive.  Four of the guys in his boat are former Olympians.  But just about every Masters race has its Olympians in its boat. 

Now, we're about to head to the boat club for a brunch and then back home to meet a carpenter.  I'm hoping to get out to the barn late this afternoon.  We'll see.  :(

May 24, 2006

Managed to get out to ride Justin last night.  Still very happy with how LubriSyn is helping him but days ago, he pulled his shoe a third time and since it's been tacked back on (without the pad this time), he's acting sore again.  I walked him for quite some time and trotted him for awhile, then cantered both directions briefly.  Wanted to see if this was a ouchiness he would work out of.  It wasn't.  So, back to bute and we'll see how he improves.  Kelly invited us to a trail ride with a bunch of friends on Monday so I'd like to have him comfortable enough to do that.  Nothing like riding out in Middleburg.

Rode Troy tonight.  He's just getting better and better.  He was a good boy tacking up.  The only jumpiness he had was when the barn kitties were duke-ing it out and scurrying around.  That always catches him by surprise.  I took him to the upper ring and let him run around.  It's gotten to where he thinks that is just so much fun and as soon as I walk away from him he trots off to do his thing.  After that, I got right on him -- no more desensitizing.  I trotted him for a good while.  Did a lot of serpentines and tested his reaction to different degrees of leg.  He was very good.  He's definitely not in shape because he was sweating like crazy after about 15 minutes or so. 

I ended by having him let me open and close a gate from his back -- something every good hunt horse should know how to do.  Then, I had him let me open the gate to the big front field and we cooled out there.  The clanking of the chain scared him a bit and he did scoot once but settled back just fine.  That's a tough gate to close for a little guy who is doing it his first time.  We actually almost got it on the first go but I just couldn't quite reach the top of the fence post to pass the chain over it and his patience was worn a little thin by that point so that was when he scooted away a bit.  He'll get there.  I've seen more experienced horses not even cooperate as well as he did.  I'll train him to the clanking of that gate and then teach him to side pass and he'll be a pro in no time.

I will probably try cantering him this weekend.  Yay!

May 21, 2006

Tami and Carol Lynn came out to see some of Linda's horses.  They liked two and have asked Linda and Neely to bring them to the farm so they can see them at their place.  Tami is also going to give Neely a lesson, so, Neely is pretty excited about that.

Let's see, as for Saturday and today -- let me see if I can remember all the ground I covered.  Rode Fox on Saturday morning.  Such a pretty day.  He was a total rock star.  So proud of him.  I video taped my ride on him, which was really fun to watch later.  He has finally figured out that he can move forward even if you have contact with his mouth.  I first started him out walking for quite some time on a long rein.  All the while, walking over a stack of poles on a circle and back and forth.  Once he walked quiet over the poles, I picked up the trot and was happy to see he went into a brisk trot with very little fuss with the bit.  He felt long and relaxed.  I continued to jog him over the pole on circles in both directions while also trotting circles in other parts of the ring.  I like to use the whole ring and am never really one to stay on the rail much.

Then, I worked on transitions.  He tends to leeeeean on the bit into the walk.  While trotting, each time I asked for the walk, I asked with my seat and back first, then my hand.  The first few times, I had to be more persistent with my hand but eventually, he moved into the walk softly and quietly.  Early on, when he leaned on the bit, I'd keep my hand but close my leg even more.  It always got him off my hand.  What I especially liked was, each time I asked him to trot again, he stayed on the bit. 

I ended by jumping the X I'd set up, which was about 2' at its center.  I loved how he got straighter to it as time went on and how more often than not, he'd land on the correct lead and canter away quietly, with a nice downward transition.  Such a smart, good boy.  I really, really enjoyed my ride and am having fun riding him. 

After grabbing lunch, I headed out to Linda's and rode the two year old, Troy.  Did the usual free-longeing, along with desensitizing before I got on.  This time, I walked him around!  This was the first time we've walked him while riding outside of the little indoor.  I even had him step over a little X and a little vertical.  He was adorable and I was so proud of him.

Then, I headed out to Sabrina's.  Didn't get to ride but caught up with Nicole for a bit.  Always good to see her and to see how nice her horse looks.  She really loves Nikko.

Next stop, Booth Feed where I get my boy his yummy special food.  I feed him Purina Ultium.  He really likes it and it makes a big difference in his overall well being.

I headed home after that to let the dogs out then met Tami and Abby for dinner.  We went to my (and as it turns out, their) favorite Mexican place, Picante.  Yummy!!!

This morning, I met a friend from work for breakfast.  Vicki and I don't work together but my boss sit on her company's board.  She supports the CEO there.  So, we have a lot of dealings together because of our jobs.  It was fun to meet and catch up.

I then headed out to Nokesville to meet my friend Dani at a horseshow.  She had two of her students there.  It was so good to see her!  Her students did great.  One of them, Terumi was  Champion in Student Hunter and little Simone was Reserve Champion in Pre-Short Stirrup.  They are a mother and daughter and I think that has to be fun to get to show with your mom or child.   Alley and Sugar were definitely the best turned out pair there.  They were the only ones with polished hooves and braided manes.  ADORABLE!  I took three rolls of film and can't wait to develop them to see what I got.  I love to take pictures.

From there, I went to my barn to have a trail ride on Justin.  Topper and Justin were both such goof balls.  This isn't really any ordinary trail ride.  It's kind of extreme trail riding.  There are little paths that could be classified as goat trails.  Some go straight up.  Some go straight down and some go into the water.  Justin is not fond of stepping off a bank into the water.  He'll walk into it from the shore but not off a bank.  Topper, who we rely on to lead Justin through, decided he was having none of it either.  Eventually, with some whacks on the butt, I got him in.  Poor guy.  I do love taking him out on trails, though, because he just tootles along on the buckle with his adorable little ears up.  He has the prettiest ears!

Back at the barn, I gave Justin a bath.  He was dirty!  And quite frankly, even after I bathed him, he still wasn't very clean!  Those grays.  They are tough to clean.  I brushed out his pretty tail and put up with his love bites, gave him tons of kisses and lots of treats.  He is just looking so good and I'm so  happy.  Oh, and he'll be really happy tomorrow because Dr. Dill is coming to visit he and Toppy!  EVERYone loves Dr. Dill.

Oh no, the day did not stop there.  I headed out to Linda's to ride Troy.  He was so good tacking up that I decided I would just get on him after longeing him.  He did the usual running around out there and when he is done, he stands in this one corner.  I go to him and pat him and kiss his little pink muzzle and tell him what a good boy he is, then I walk away.  He always follows.  I tried to get him to follow me all the way to the mounting block but he did a little detour and lo and behold, decided he was going to step over the little X I introduced to him the day before!  I had the reins hooked over my stirrups so he wasn't able to look down at the jump.  So, he just put his little toe on the jump and stood there for a second.  I just laughed!  Eventually, I got him over to the mounting block and hopped on.  He was SO good.  Jim walked with me a bit and then I started to do turns and so forth.  Then, I asked him to trot.  He was so cute!  He was a little unsure and it took some encouraging but he went and was nice and quiet.  He'd decide that was enough and he'd stop or he'd almost stop which made keeping my balance sketchy, but eventually, he just trotted out like a good boy.  I sat to his trot as well and he does have a very nice trot to sit to.  I did a few laps, changed direction and so forth and ended the ride there.  He got lots of pats and kisses.  He seemed pretty proud of himself and much more confident when I was done with him.

Finally, I'm home.  I updated Sabrina's website with her sales horses.  I'm washing our sheets, just so I can pretend to do housework.  Played with the dogs so I can make up for my guilt for leaving them alone all day.  And now, I think I will go wash all this horse dirt off of me, get something to eat and head to bed early!  Bob comes home late Mon.  Yay!

May 19, 2006

Kept an eye on the sky all day, hoping the weather would hold out and it did.  It was chilly enough for me to wear a turtleneck and a pullover.  As I was headed out, Lori called me and said Justin had pulled a shoe.  Grrr!  He's never pulled shoes so often and I know it is because of the pads.  I asked Mark again to take the pads off so hopefully, he'll do so and not just reset the shoe.  The pads just have to come out because I can't deal with any more downtime with Justin. 

Thankfully, I have other horses to ride so I went to see Fox tonight.  He was an absolute STAR!  He had some moments where we had to have a little conversation, such as when he wants to site see or hunt for the boogie man.  Very annoying because he ends up gazing off into nearby fields looking for heavens knows what, head all up in the air, and you're just a passenger.  So, after trying to ignore it for awhile, I decided that every time he started stargazing, we'd ride a small circle away from what he wanted to look at.  Since he wanted to look the other way, this meant getting into a bit of an argument.  Eventually, he realized it was easier to pay attention to me.  And amazingly, after that episode, he was tracking up very forward and hacked out long and low.  I loved it!  All the while, he was nice and flexed and on the bit.  We even had several nice changes of direction where he maintained the flexion and bend from one direction to the other. 

I trotted him for some time on a circle over a stack of poles.  It was funny how many times it took him to figure out that he didn't need to JUMP over it or canter over it.  He got better at it.  But I did like that he respected the obstacle enough to make an effort over it.  Gotta love the American Thoroughbred.  In the end, I trotted him over a big X and was surprised that not only did he land on the correct lead but he also cantered away quietly and rhythmically. 

I finished the ride at the canter, going from a forward, long canter, settling into a more controlled canter, then doing a collected canter in the corners.  I was surprised how well he did the collected canter and loved the impulsion he maintained, versus getting hollow in his back.  It was a great ride and a few people who know the horse commented on it.  Very nice to hear!

Michelle and I officially introduced ourselves.  We've seen each other out there and have spoken in the past but have never gotten each other's names.  We started to talk about options for trainers in the area.  She does the jumpers.  I told her about Tami and about how much I enjoyed her lessons.  She was very interested in her, as she'd considered the possibility of training with her before but didn't know enough about her.  So, long story short, she's going to catch up with Tami.

Neely is actually coming out to have a lesson with Tami on Monday.  Tami and Carol Lynn had come out to look at a few of Linda's horses.  They want to see one of them on their property and asked if she would bring him.  So, she's doing so and Tami is giving her a lesson on her (Neely's) horse.  Neely's pretty excited.  Tami invited me to join a lesson out there that same evening.  And now, given that Justin might still be shoeless by then, I might join the lesson.

Ran in to Jeff Blue (MFH for Middleburg) at Harris Teeter on my way home.  Told him I was riding out at Linda's.  Linda's husband, Jim, is on the board for Middleburg.  So, it was fun to catch up with Jeff, since I've hunted with Middleburg several times, and to tell him that I'd most likely be hunting with Middleburg again this year, but on one of Linda's horses.  She and Jim and Neely are very much into the hunt.  I really enjoy it.  It would be neat to have a horse to ride in hunter paces this year.  I'd done a few with Afshin in the past but we always have to take it easy because his horses are never fit enough.  Would be fun to have a horse this year that could be competitive!

Going to try to get out to see Fox early tomorrow.  Want to try to pull his mane a little and braid it over. 

May 17, 2006

Managed to make it to the barn tonight to see Justin.  He's just prettier and prettier every time I see him.  So nice to see him filling out.  He wanted extra special face rubbin's tonight.  He loves his little tiny face curry and wanted me to rub and rub all over his face and under his chin.  I bought a little face brush for him too and he liked that as well. 

Did some stretches before I got on.  I think he thinks I'm trying to teach him a trick because he's started putting his head down and pawing after I'm done doing the stretches.  It's very cute. 

Just did a quick hack to determine how sound he is.  He felt 99.9% sound.  He had just the tiniest bit of a hitch in his step and it didn't feel like it was behind.  So, he clearly must've pulled something when he yanked that shoe and he's almost healed from it.  I pulled my shoulder once and it took over three months to heal.  So, I do think horses can do the same.  I think we as owners expect our horses to never be sore and if they are to heal from it quickly.  That certainly is not always the case.  So, I kept the hack light.

Neatest thing was, I really didn't have to do any prep like I normally do, to make sure he isn't going to buck and squeal.  There really was none of that.  He had a little 'play' in his canter but seemed to settle quickly into the gait and after a few laps, I finished the ride.

Headed out to see Linda with Tami tomorrow.  Then, I'll be able to go see Justin again on Friday.  I'll visit Fox and all the rest of the crew on Sat and Sun and hope to also visit Sabrina.

Busy, busy!

May 16, 2006

So, of course I spent a ton of time updating my news last night, only to have the whole thing crash and get lost.  Oh well.

Have been working with Troy in Middleburg.  He's coming along.  He's so cute.  Last night, I worked him in the upper ring and got on him by myself and rode him in a little circle around a barrel.  I spent a good long while working on desensitizing first.  Linda and Jim had guests so they couldn't be outside with me but peeked out from time to time.  They were very excited that I rode him.

Tami is going to come out on Thursday to look at a few of the horses.  I'd told her about Rum, who is really gorgeous and my favorite.  If I can get Troy going, I'll be able to focus more on Rum and he'd be the one I'd take to shows. 

Sam called and said she had pictures of Fluffy's new baby.  So exciting!  The baby is adorable!  I should have pictures soon.

Leah called and said she's been riding a horse at school.  She just bought a saddle recently.  Bought it on eBay.  I'd seen pictures when she was deciding which to bid on and from what I saw, she got a really nice saddle for a very good deal.

Alyssa went to her first A show.  She had a great time and did so well, someone asked her to hack their pony.  She ended up second on that pony.  Already getting catch rides!

Bob and I went to New York for Mother's Day.  We got back on Sunday around 3:00 so I headed out to the barn although it was raining.  I pulled Justin's mane -- he looks so purty!  I'm going out to the barn to ride him tomorrow night. 

Looking forward to the weekend.  Hoping to ride at all four barns!  Bob has reserves so I'll get to spend several guiltless hours out there.

May 7, 2006

I'm just so bad -- just too busy to update lately.  But got great news from Sam.  Fluffy mare had her baby!  They had a foal cam on her for a few days but now it is set up for another mare who is also getting ready to foal.

Been riding a bunch.  Three different barns, actually.  I'm riding a really sweet horse named Fox -- he's really coming along nicely.  Justin's been on LubriSyn for a week now and I officially swear by the stuff.  Of course, he pulled a shoe last week and a few days before that and now he's sore on his left front.  I'm hoping he just pulled something when he pulled the shoe and it just needs some time off.  He'll get Bute for the next few days and we'll see how things go.

I'm riding O'Doul, Major, Rum and Troy at another barn in Middleburg.  Tonight, I worked with Troy when I was done with Fox and Justin.  Troy is only two and his owner, Linda, really wants to get him going for her husband who wants him to be his replacement hunt horse.  His other hunt horse is being retired.  Troy is only two.  So, tonight, I just worked him in the indoor, free longeing, and then I did some whacky desensitizing stuff.  It was pretty funny but it was good for Troy. 

Haven't had to get a chance to get out to Sabrina's but really need to because I need a lesson and I want to do some shows this summer.  Linda said I can take any one of hers but both O'Doul and Major are most likely about to sell and Rum is also for sale.  So, we'll see...

So, needless to say, I've been really busy. 

More at some point....