Monday, August 23, 2010
Andy is a Little Shit
Andy bucked for the first time under saddle yesterday! Hahaha, naughty pony. Although, in his defense, I think it was because he was mad at me for making too sharp of a turn going too fast. I usually try very hard to collect and balance him around the end of the arena, but I was being lazy and mom was slugging around directly in my way on LB, so I had to divide the end from a 20 meter circle into a 10 meter circle, and as we straightened up he totally bucked. Of course, it was a tiny buck, and I much prefer bucks to rearing and bolting, so I just laughed and called him an asshole. Silly Pony.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Hunt Seat
I had a lesson today, and it was a blast! I'm starting out with a new trainer, at a new barn, on a school horse for a while. Eventually, when I get a trailer and a clue what I am doing, I will haul Andy in for lessons. Drew and the Bug will definitely be staying at their current barn, because I love it there.
Today was my evaluation lesson, and from here on out I will learning hunt seat, leading up to jumping eventually! I have always wanted to jump, and figured that now was as good of a time as any. So today we worked on hunt seat equitation, and fixing the little things that I do wrong, like collapsing my ankles instead of squeezing with my calves, pushing my feet forward when I post, and riding with my hands in the right position for jumping (not in my crotch!). I really liked the new trainer, who gave me good advice on what I was doing wrong and how to fix it, as well as keeping my self esteem up by telling me good things I was doing, like looking ahead and giving clear, consistent commands while still being gentle.
I rode this cute little Morgan named Celia. New Trainer warned me that she rushes down the length of the arena in the trot, and told me I could pull her back to the walk if I needed to/got nervous. Bwahaha, I ride Prince Toyota of the Unintended Acceleration almost every day- it takes a heck of a lot of rushing to intimidate me. A few quick, gentle checks was all I needed to convince Ms. Morgan that I have regulated the speed of crazier horses than her, much to the surprise of New Trainer. Point 1, Megan.
So, by the end of the lesson I have a few things that I think I can correct easily, with just some time in the saddle with Andy. I also was declared a good enough rider to ride New Trainer's Thoroughbred jumper in the next lesson. Heck yes! So maybe I will focus on hunt seat now for a while, instead of dressage. Or maybe do both? Oh lordy! But seriously, no more polo, cause polo is lame.
Today was my evaluation lesson, and from here on out I will learning hunt seat, leading up to jumping eventually! I have always wanted to jump, and figured that now was as good of a time as any. So today we worked on hunt seat equitation, and fixing the little things that I do wrong, like collapsing my ankles instead of squeezing with my calves, pushing my feet forward when I post, and riding with my hands in the right position for jumping (not in my crotch!). I really liked the new trainer, who gave me good advice on what I was doing wrong and how to fix it, as well as keeping my self esteem up by telling me good things I was doing, like looking ahead and giving clear, consistent commands while still being gentle.
I rode this cute little Morgan named Celia. New Trainer warned me that she rushes down the length of the arena in the trot, and told me I could pull her back to the walk if I needed to/got nervous. Bwahaha, I ride Prince Toyota of the Unintended Acceleration almost every day- it takes a heck of a lot of rushing to intimidate me. A few quick, gentle checks was all I needed to convince Ms. Morgan that I have regulated the speed of crazier horses than her, much to the surprise of New Trainer. Point 1, Megan.
So, by the end of the lesson I have a few things that I think I can correct easily, with just some time in the saddle with Andy. I also was declared a good enough rider to ride New Trainer's Thoroughbred jumper in the next lesson. Heck yes! So maybe I will focus on hunt seat now for a while, instead of dressage. Or maybe do both? Oh lordy! But seriously, no more polo, cause polo is lame.
Friday, August 13, 2010
SOLD!
Offer accepted- Love Bug will now be a permanent member of my family! Love Bug is the first horse I ever had a real connection with, and truly loved, so it makes me incredibly happy to have her with from now on.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
I'm mentioned Love Bug a few times. This is because my family is leasing her for the summer. So my mom pays for her board and rides her, while I teach her basic horsemanship and manage Love Bug's care. I also ride Love Bug occasionally, for conditioning and schooling purposes, especially when she is being bratty with my mom.
I freaking love this deal. Love Bug is a doll, and Andy loves her as well. I get to ride with my mom, and I also get to ride Love Bug whenever I feel like it. Shockingly enough, after riding just Andy for 7 months, I prefer riding him to Love Bug. I just like his big trot, and his rocking horse canter. He's a very good dressage prospect, and very responsive to slight cues. I can ride him completely from my seat, and I can work with him on variations in each gait (ZOMG extended trot). Love Bug...well, she's a pokey, fat little pony with a short-legged trot/canter that's heavy on the forehand. She's sweet, but Andy has my heart completely. But riding her helps convince me how far my riding's come in the past three years. 2 1/2 years ago I tried cantering her without stirrups. I lasted about 3 strides, then ate dirt. Now I can canter her not only without stirrups, but bareback as well. And I can sit her trot now, which makes me feel less like a failure for not being so good at it with Andy (but now I can sit her trot, I am doing better with his!).
Love Bug is 22, and I can tell she is slowing down. She seems to have less energy under saddle than I remember. I do not, under any circumstances, want her going back to the polo team. Now that I have my claws into her (well, have her at my barn), I don't want to let go. I am 110% sure that she will be happier and better cared for with me. Not that the team mistreats their horses, but playing competitive polo and getting whipped and spurred by multiple fucksticks is no way for a 22 year old mare to spend her time. Plus the club doesn't have the money to spoil their horses like my family and I do. They didn't even shell out $10 for a West Nile Innovator Vaccine. Wtf, polo club, wtf. She'll get a 5-way, her feet done every 3 months, and her teeth floated once a year. We will get her every vaccine the vet recommends, yearly check-ups. bi-annual teeth floats, trims AND shoes every 8 weeks, treats, love, very light riding, and lots of playtime in the pasture with boyfriend Andy.
I have several plans. The one I am going with now is this: I have a wellness exam for her with my vet next Monday (And I am going to have her get a damn West Nile vaccine then too! Silly polo team! It's a core vaccine. I'll even throw in Strangles for good measure). I am going to have a talk with him about whether or not she should be playing intercollegiate polo. And I will take whatever he says to the polo club, along with an offer to buy her. And if they decline, that's where it gets fun :-). My options might include faking a career ending injury for her, or a high-maintenance medical condition that they won't want to pay for, or maybe just going AWOL and not answering my phone, because they don't actually know where she is. HA! Okay, I actually won't steal LB, but the thought has crossed my mind. I will go to bat for my animals, and Love Bug is as good as mine.
I freaking love this deal. Love Bug is a doll, and Andy loves her as well. I get to ride with my mom, and I also get to ride Love Bug whenever I feel like it. Shockingly enough, after riding just Andy for 7 months, I prefer riding him to Love Bug. I just like his big trot, and his rocking horse canter. He's a very good dressage prospect, and very responsive to slight cues. I can ride him completely from my seat, and I can work with him on variations in each gait (ZOMG extended trot). Love Bug...well, she's a pokey, fat little pony with a short-legged trot/canter that's heavy on the forehand. She's sweet, but Andy has my heart completely. But riding her helps convince me how far my riding's come in the past three years. 2 1/2 years ago I tried cantering her without stirrups. I lasted about 3 strides, then ate dirt. Now I can canter her not only without stirrups, but bareback as well. And I can sit her trot now, which makes me feel less like a failure for not being so good at it with Andy (but now I can sit her trot, I am doing better with his!).
Love Bug is 22, and I can tell she is slowing down. She seems to have less energy under saddle than I remember. I do not, under any circumstances, want her going back to the polo team. Now that I have my claws into her (well, have her at my barn), I don't want to let go. I am 110% sure that she will be happier and better cared for with me. Not that the team mistreats their horses, but playing competitive polo and getting whipped and spurred by multiple fucksticks is no way for a 22 year old mare to spend her time. Plus the club doesn't have the money to spoil their horses like my family and I do. They didn't even shell out $10 for a West Nile Innovator Vaccine. Wtf, polo club, wtf. She'll get a 5-way, her feet done every 3 months, and her teeth floated once a year. We will get her every vaccine the vet recommends, yearly check-ups. bi-annual teeth floats, trims AND shoes every 8 weeks, treats, love, very light riding, and lots of playtime in the pasture with boyfriend Andy.
I have several plans. The one I am going with now is this: I have a wellness exam for her with my vet next Monday (And I am going to have her get a damn West Nile vaccine then too! Silly polo team! It's a core vaccine. I'll even throw in Strangles for good measure). I am going to have a talk with him about whether or not she should be playing intercollegiate polo. And I will take whatever he says to the polo club, along with an offer to buy her. And if they decline, that's where it gets fun :-). My options might include faking a career ending injury for her, or a high-maintenance medical condition that they won't want to pay for, or maybe just going AWOL and not answering my phone, because they don't actually know where she is. HA! Okay, I actually won't steal LB, but the thought has crossed my mind. I will go to bat for my animals, and Love Bug is as good as mine.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Comparisons
These pictures were taken a week after I moved barns, out of the shit heap that didn't feed enough to keep weight on crapaloosas, much less Andy, despite me paying $400 for hay.
These pictures were taken today, a little less than two months after I switched barns.
What an improvement! Of course, he's still got some weight to gain, but he looks so much better. Thank God I moved when I did!
These pictures were taken today, a little less than two months after I switched barns.
What an improvement! Of course, he's still got some weight to gain, but he looks so much better. Thank God I moved when I did!
Mares
I much prefer geldings. I know this is a horrible generalization, and each horse is an individual, but it's my general feelings. Love Bug is great, but she sometimes has an attitude. We had a come-to-Jesus moment a week ago, when she found out that I can be the bigger bitch. Geldings are simple. Andy and I don't have battles of will. The barn staff actually think he is better behaved, because he actually listens to his handler. My barn owner told me he's probably the best-behaved horse in the barn, and she doesn't even like geldings (crazy lady! although the other gelding there is proud cut, so he's a bit of a jerk). Love Bug, however, embarrassed me by acting like a spaz and kicking the farrier in the shin. Oh Love Bug. She acts like a mare, and then comes up to me and cuddles into my shoulder, and I forgive her for everything. How can you not love a cuddly pocket pony?
I had such a good ride with Andy tonight. He was doing his floaty, almost extended trot that I love. I actually prefer riding him than Love Bug, which is surprising, because Love Bug use to be my end all favorite horse of all time. But Andy is so responsive, and his gaits are so lovely. He's got this big canter that is so much fun when it's collected, and I feel like I could ride that big, floaty trot all day. Love Bug is so heavy on the forehand, and much slower to respond to cues. On the plus side, her trot is much easier to sit, and I can canter her back back, which I am currently unwilling to do on Andy, as I like my ass on my horse, not in the dirt. She also has a better whoa. So they are both awesome horses. My ultimate goal is to keep Love Bug forever. She's 22, and I don't want her to go back to the polo team. They take care of their horses well, but I can just do it better. It's a money thing, and she deserves to be done with polo, and not be ridden by dozens of people.
I had such a good ride with Andy tonight. He was doing his floaty, almost extended trot that I love. I actually prefer riding him than Love Bug, which is surprising, because Love Bug use to be my end all favorite horse of all time. But Andy is so responsive, and his gaits are so lovely. He's got this big canter that is so much fun when it's collected, and I feel like I could ride that big, floaty trot all day. Love Bug is so heavy on the forehand, and much slower to respond to cues. On the plus side, her trot is much easier to sit, and I can canter her back back, which I am currently unwilling to do on Andy, as I like my ass on my horse, not in the dirt. She also has a better whoa. So they are both awesome horses. My ultimate goal is to keep Love Bug forever. She's 22, and I don't want her to go back to the polo team. They take care of their horses well, but I can just do it better. It's a money thing, and she deserves to be done with polo, and not be ridden by dozens of people.
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