June 13, 2020

Shine

Shine is visually more balanced after doing some bending practice for a few days (see * below for details on the bending). It’s a good way to wake up the muscles, get the blood flowing, and the brain engaged. Shine has always liked groundwork, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. I think, especially with Shine, that having a groundwork day once or twice per month is really going to help him stay nimble.

 * We do the bending in their stalls, so they don’t get going too fast. We use the western split reins looped through the cinch to remind the horse to keep his head toward the center. The inside rein is much shorter than the outside rein, causing the horse to get a pull on the inside if they don’t keep the bend in their body. We suggest starting out with only a slight pull and working up to him keeping his head more toward the center.

Soot

Soot is getting much better at leading. We usually don’t go too far before we work him, but from his stall to the close round pen has been working well. Been working on walk/trot transitions and trot/canter transitions. The trot/canter transitions still need more work. We have been using the nylon halter for Soot, but we recently switched back to the original rope halter. We do have more control with the rope halter, and we get a better response rate from him too. We have also figured out how to allow him to pull the tire evenly by using 2 calf ropes (one of each side). That way the tire follows along behind him rather than to the inside.

April 17, 2020

It is always good to switch up your horse’s training schedule throughout the year. If you do the same thing all the time, the horse and human will get bored and the results won’t come as quickly.

In the rainy season, we need to change our training schedule a little so can still enjoy the horses while keeping everyone safe. Our horses live outside, so they are more used to all the elements than we are. We don’t get snow here in Southern California, but we do get some rain and lots of sun! When it’s raining a lot like it has the last few weeks, we still check on our horses every day, but rather than riding or working them hard when it’s muddy, we shift to doing more groundwork and even give them a day or two off. These animals are much bigger and stronger than we are, so it is always better to take a day or two off rather than do something you’re not sure about and then to later wish you hadn’t.  

Sometimes it is also a great de-stresser to just go and brush or pet your equine friend. Worries from the rest of the day, just float away.

October 10, 2016

Shine has really improved even in the first week I have owned him. He still tugs a little when leading, but he almost immediately yields forward and is getting better all the time. He accepts many things that others horses older than him, don’t accept. Definitely a good boy! :-) He has a wonderful disposition and is gentle to all who step forward to pet him. I introduced him to the western saddle pad today and he accepted it like it was no big deal. This is truly a wonderful horse and I am excited to see him develop. He has great bloodlines and it is already showing. Next we'll work on crossing a small creek that runs through the property.

May 1, 2015

A lot has been happening since I last wrote. I have introduced more groundwork into Charmer’s training and he is picking it up quickly. I have been working on different hand cues and body movements and he now follows when I change direction and speed. Pretty cool! He has a “calm” spot with his head beside my body. When he stays there he’s in a good spot. When he gets too far behind I create an incentive so he comes back up into his “calm” spot. He understands the cue to go out away from me to jog along the fence line and also the cue to come join me again. It’s been fun teaching him from the ground. He is also really starting to listen when I am on his back. I think it might tie-in to the groundwork we’ve been doing together. He knows he can trust me and we always have fun! Lots more training to come!