Today I was hired for a job! I am the new Receptionist at a Pet Grooming Salon. The job is about 20min from my house, but it's on the way to the ranch. I am so excited about it. It's only 15-20hours a week so nothing too crazy. But it will be a little more cash, which means I can pay off my car and student loans quickly!
I was working on a little DIY project today. I made some alterations to my horse's neck sweat, so it will actually stay on her, instead of flipping up like a cone (so funny I'll upload some pictures soon). I will finish that tomorrow, and bring my tripod, so I can take some videos of my riding.
Lately I have been feeling off. I had a group lesson on Saturday, and I just thought it was a mess, and that I'm not a very strong trainer. Which leads me to thinking that I'm not a strong rider. And there is always more to learn, but I'm in a bit of a slump when it comes to training and riding. I wish I had better lesson horses. But I know that I really just need to learn their quirks. Fred doesn't like to go out in the morning and I have to ride him first, Dumaskus needs to use the orthopedic pad, Charlie needs to be turned out first. All of those little things that make a huge difference in the horse.
I told my trainer how I was feeling, that I need more experience before I can take on a group of that size, 5 riders. She assured me that I could do it. She said that she would help me to assign the girl's horses, and that would make a world of a difference. Something else she suggested was to use patterns. Here is the example that she gave during my lesson.
We taught the girls how to walk over ground poles, really lift their body with their thighs, and give their horse their face. Then we took the ground poles and put them next to each other long ways straight down the middle of the arena. and had the girls do serpentine across them. How simple, right? It made a world of a difference.
What patterns/exercises does your trainer have you do?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Only Roxy
All week long I have had an angel. I'm riding out there all alone after my lessons, in peace and solitude and she is fantastic. The one time I have a photographer out there, and my trainer watching, my horse is a not so hot mess. I think her and Dolly are both going into season. However, the portion that my mom did not record, the western pleasure section looked great! She was jogging beautifully, keeping her top line and headset even. I am going to start taking my tripod out to the ranch again so I can show everyone that I actually do have a lovely little mare.
After watching the video, I realized that I continued to drive her over long after she picked up the correct leads. I really need to be watching more to see right when she picks it up and release the pressure. I will get another video up soon, and see if she was just being obstinate because she had an audience today.
On another note, my lesson did good. Her horse just wanted his breakfast, but she stuck with him, and made him listen to her. She is planning on showing next season. Anyone have a good list for show attire? Western pleasure, and english equ for a junior rider. I think that I have lost my list, so I need to put together a new one.
After watching the video, I realized that I continued to drive her over long after she picked up the correct leads. I really need to be watching more to see right when she picks it up and release the pressure. I will get another video up soon, and see if she was just being obstinate because she had an audience today.
On another note, my lesson did good. Her horse just wanted his breakfast, but she stuck with him, and made him listen to her. She is planning on showing next season. Anyone have a good list for show attire? Western pleasure, and english equ for a junior rider. I think that I have lost my list, so I need to put together a new one.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Gardening
I'm thinking of starting a little garden in my backyard. I've always had a green thumb, and I think that anything I care for needs to give something back- so it is only natural to plant food. Now I am not a 'food hippy' or anything. I eat red meat, and have Mc Donalds and Burger King more than I should. But I know planting a garden is good means to supply healthier food, as it hasn't been doused in chemicals. Not only that but it'll give me a little hobby. Something to do. I really need something to do all day long.
I was cleaning. Constantly. I would say it was nearing obsessively. I was doing laundry like 3 times a day, and dishes like 5. I even got a scruffy and scrubbed the years of dust and grease off of the top of the cabinets. OH and I scrubbed all the walls (who in the world does that?). I'm too private about my art to risk my parents waltzing in to see all of my pastels out; they want to see pieces before they are finished, and I'm just not always ready to show them until they are done. The ranch is a half hour journey, and I don't really have the money to spend on gas. So I think a garden might fill in this time void.
Back to the topic of money though! I may have found myself a job. The position is as a receptionist at a pet grooming salon. I think it could be fun! And it's a little over half way to the ranch, so it would be perfect to work before, or after my lessons. The position does not pay well, and it is only about 18 hours a week, so I'd be getting about $600 a month. Add that to the $700 I am making teaching riding lessons. Minus all of my bills, and I'm left with just under $1,000 Not too bad right? And then I could even make bigger payments and pay off my car quicker. Options, options.
Now I do have a question for you. I've been thinking about getting some riding instructor certification. It is hard to judge if that is even something people look at. And if they do take this into mind, what certification should I get? I was looking at <a href="http://www.riding-instructor.com/"ARIA"</a> is that a legitimate program? What do you guys think? Remember, I mainly work in the western world, so where I think this matters more in English would western riders look for this? The break in the cost of insurance might be enough to make it worth it though.
I was cleaning. Constantly. I would say it was nearing obsessively. I was doing laundry like 3 times a day, and dishes like 5. I even got a scruffy and scrubbed the years of dust and grease off of the top of the cabinets. OH and I scrubbed all the walls (who in the world does that?). I'm too private about my art to risk my parents waltzing in to see all of my pastels out; they want to see pieces before they are finished, and I'm just not always ready to show them until they are done. The ranch is a half hour journey, and I don't really have the money to spend on gas. So I think a garden might fill in this time void.
Back to the topic of money though! I may have found myself a job. The position is as a receptionist at a pet grooming salon. I think it could be fun! And it's a little over half way to the ranch, so it would be perfect to work before, or after my lessons. The position does not pay well, and it is only about 18 hours a week, so I'd be getting about $600 a month. Add that to the $700 I am making teaching riding lessons. Minus all of my bills, and I'm left with just under $1,000 Not too bad right? And then I could even make bigger payments and pay off my car quicker. Options, options.
Now I do have a question for you. I've been thinking about getting some riding instructor certification. It is hard to judge if that is even something people look at. And if they do take this into mind, what certification should I get? I was looking at <a href="http://www.riding-instructor.com/"ARIA"</a> is that a legitimate program? What do you guys think? Remember, I mainly work in the western world, so where I think this matters more in English would western riders look for this? The break in the cost of insurance might be enough to make it worth it though.
I thought that I would leave you with a picture of a rather grumpy Roxy
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Little Girls
So I have started what I'm calling my 'Little girls lesson' I have 4 girls, ages 9-15 that are riding together in a group lesson. One of the girls is a gymkhana rider, who I'm trying so desperately to put a foundation back onto. She was riding 100% finished barrel horses, and just hanging on and letting them run the pattern. So this poor child thinks that she can ride, when in reality it's a miracle she isn't falling off. We've been working together for over a month now, and she's starting to become such a good little rider!
So I've decided that at this lesson on Saturday the girls will work on speed barrels. It's a basic gymkhana pattern, that the youngest can demonstrate, and they can all do. Also we want to work on everyone's seat, and getting them sitting properly.
So I'm very excited about this lesson Saturday! I think the girls are going to do spectacularly. Oh and horses, I'm writing this down so I don't forget.
The youngest on Charlie, next on Sparkles, next on Jasmine, and the oldest on Dolly!
Charlie is a lovely, big brown quarter horse. He's all around broke, but mostly western pleasure.
Sparkles is a tall ex reining horse.
Jasmine is a friend of mine's she's hanoverian/quarter horse, and pleasure broke- she used to do gymkhana and a little jumping too though.
Dolly- well Dolly is one of mine that I introduced early.
And I'll ride my trusty steed, Roxy. Hopefully she'll surprise me with more of her pleasant antics this weekend.
So I've decided that at this lesson on Saturday the girls will work on speed barrels. It's a basic gymkhana pattern, that the youngest can demonstrate, and they can all do. Also we want to work on everyone's seat, and getting them sitting properly.
So I'm very excited about this lesson Saturday! I think the girls are going to do spectacularly. Oh and horses, I'm writing this down so I don't forget.
The youngest on Charlie, next on Sparkles, next on Jasmine, and the oldest on Dolly!
Charlie is a lovely, big brown quarter horse. He's all around broke, but mostly western pleasure.
Sparkles is a tall ex reining horse.
Jasmine is a friend of mine's she's hanoverian/quarter horse, and pleasure broke- she used to do gymkhana and a little jumping too though.
Dolly- well Dolly is one of mine that I introduced early.
And I'll ride my trusty steed, Roxy. Hopefully she'll surprise me with more of her pleasant antics this weekend.
New Year New Quest
Like many, I have some goals for 2012. It's only Feb, so I still have 11 months to make these goals a reality.
1) Become financial independent
2011 was an interesting year for me. I spent a semester away at college, but I hated it. I didn't have my own vehicle, so I couldn't bring my horse up to school with me, and I was miserable. So I decided to come back home. Now I find myself a little stuck. I'm living at home, trying to find a job in this AWFUL economy, and I'm too young to be taken seriously in what I really want to do. So to me, becoming financial independent means getting a job, moving out, paying off my student and car loans, and paying my own bills (phone, horse, ect).
2) Work with Horses
I absolutely love my horse, and my love for my own horse spans to everything else horsey related. I love teaching lessons, training horses, caring for horses, just being around them. Now I do get a little burnt out from lessons once in a while, but that's generally when I'm working with students who have no goal. We aren't working towards anything, and that drives me crazy! I don't care if the goal is 'getting comfortable at the canter' but when I work with a rider, they need a goal. Speaking of goals, I'll get back to my point. I want to be working with horses, whether that means managing some property, or just expanding on my lesson program.
3) Be Healthy
Healthy has many meanings for me. Emotional health means doing what I love to do, and surrounding myself with people who make me happy. Physical health means eating right, and exercising. I have taken on mucking some stalls, and I'm actually excited to shovel horse poops in the blazing hot sun. It only takes about an hour out of my day, I get a little bonding time with some of the horses, and some exercise! Eating right might involve the planting of a garden... I've been dying to do so, but I don't know how long I'll be living here (hopefully not too much longer!) so I have not done so yet.
What are your goals for 2012?
1) Become financial independent
2011 was an interesting year for me. I spent a semester away at college, but I hated it. I didn't have my own vehicle, so I couldn't bring my horse up to school with me, and I was miserable. So I decided to come back home. Now I find myself a little stuck. I'm living at home, trying to find a job in this AWFUL economy, and I'm too young to be taken seriously in what I really want to do. So to me, becoming financial independent means getting a job, moving out, paying off my student and car loans, and paying my own bills (phone, horse, ect).
2) Work with Horses
I absolutely love my horse, and my love for my own horse spans to everything else horsey related. I love teaching lessons, training horses, caring for horses, just being around them. Now I do get a little burnt out from lessons once in a while, but that's generally when I'm working with students who have no goal. We aren't working towards anything, and that drives me crazy! I don't care if the goal is 'getting comfortable at the canter' but when I work with a rider, they need a goal. Speaking of goals, I'll get back to my point. I want to be working with horses, whether that means managing some property, or just expanding on my lesson program.
3) Be Healthy
Healthy has many meanings for me. Emotional health means doing what I love to do, and surrounding myself with people who make me happy. Physical health means eating right, and exercising. I have taken on mucking some stalls, and I'm actually excited to shovel horse poops in the blazing hot sun. It only takes about an hour out of my day, I get a little bonding time with some of the horses, and some exercise! Eating right might involve the planting of a garden... I've been dying to do so, but I don't know how long I'll be living here (hopefully not too much longer!) so I have not done so yet.
What are your goals for 2012?
Dressage?
I have always known that my Roxy is a lovely, talented, amazing, and spectacular mare- too much? But lately she has become even more spectacular. I've been saying for a few weeks now, that I never want enough appaloosa, they are just not as easily trainable as a quarter horse. Sure enough, as I'm feeling a little melancholic about my mare she reminds me how much I enjoy her.
As of yesterday, Roxy has decided to be the most obedient horse I know. I usually ride while I teach my lessons. This means me clucking at, and cuing horses that I'm not riding. Somehow my mare is able to isolate when I'm giving her a cue, and when I'm giving another horse a cue. I've been working on teaching my students pivoting lately. They are learning how pressure applied differently moves a different portion of your horse, and that it is possible to isolate parts of your horse with just basic pressure. When I teach my students something, I like to demonstrate on Roxy. So Roxy has had the same lesson for about a week. If you know anything about appaloosas, you know how intelligent they are, and how easily they get bored. Roxy has been such a trooper, showing everyone what to do, completing the same task day after day without so much as a head toss.
When I rode her yesterday, really rode her not just demonstrated a thing or two for someone else, I was ecstatic to see how well she's coming along. Roxy has also given into flying lead changes. She is collecting beautiful, starting to work on a looser rein. She is giving me a beautiful western pleasure jog on a loose neck rein, setting her head herself. The 8 year old has did a SPIN a few days ago. A spin! We've been working on spinning since before August! Granted I did leave and go to college for a semester, so during that time she wasn't being trained as diligently.
But why is the title of this post dressage? I have a question for all of you dressage riders. I think that this is a dressage movement, but I'm not sure. Roxy will canter sideways. Not just trekking (I think that's what it's called?), but full on cantering sideways. Imagine a side pass, of course with a little forward movement, but at the canter.
Does anyone know if this is a dressage move? Is my dun mare getting too fancy for her own bridges?
As of yesterday, Roxy has decided to be the most obedient horse I know. I usually ride while I teach my lessons. This means me clucking at, and cuing horses that I'm not riding. Somehow my mare is able to isolate when I'm giving her a cue, and when I'm giving another horse a cue. I've been working on teaching my students pivoting lately. They are learning how pressure applied differently moves a different portion of your horse, and that it is possible to isolate parts of your horse with just basic pressure. When I teach my students something, I like to demonstrate on Roxy. So Roxy has had the same lesson for about a week. If you know anything about appaloosas, you know how intelligent they are, and how easily they get bored. Roxy has been such a trooper, showing everyone what to do, completing the same task day after day without so much as a head toss.
When I rode her yesterday, really rode her not just demonstrated a thing or two for someone else, I was ecstatic to see how well she's coming along. Roxy has also given into flying lead changes. She is collecting beautiful, starting to work on a looser rein. She is giving me a beautiful western pleasure jog on a loose neck rein, setting her head herself. The 8 year old has did a SPIN a few days ago. A spin! We've been working on spinning since before August! Granted I did leave and go to college for a semester, so during that time she wasn't being trained as diligently.
But why is the title of this post dressage? I have a question for all of you dressage riders. I think that this is a dressage movement, but I'm not sure. Roxy will canter sideways. Not just trekking (I think that's what it's called?), but full on cantering sideways. Imagine a side pass, of course with a little forward movement, but at the canter.
Does anyone know if this is a dressage move? Is my dun mare getting too fancy for her own bridges?
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Doing What Roxy Does Best
Roxy is a gymkhana horse. She loves to run, to turn, to run, did I mention running? This mare is agile and sleek. She's well muscled, and toned. When we were showing 4h the 6 year old was beating seasoned horses, and almost always coming in first or second. This is her sport. Not to say the mare isn't capable of refined work too. I'll get some videos of that sometime. The videos below are at local 4h shows, the first 2 are 2 years old, the last one is 3 or 4 years old.
Key Hole- Running into a marked space without touching any of the chalk. We got a no time because we hit the white line.
Golf Ball- Running down to a cone, and (trying) to place a golf ball inside. We got a 12.85sec!
Speed Barrels- Running, and turning around 3 barrels down and back. Took us 12.27sec!
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