DAY 71: Review
and refine was the goal today. We were going to spend the session in the round
pen. After yesterday’s performance it seemed to be a great time to go back and
kick up the refinement and speed a notch or two. We did the Fundamental round
pen exercises at the trot and lope…lots of loping. Direction changes were
dynamic and Roscoe really worked up a sweat. He is slowly building up muscles
along his top-line and his legs are looking better. He is moving out smoother
too. Another balance/trim or two and good nutrition and we should be well on
the road to having a balanced horse. Flexing was really nice and pretty light
as were the hindquarter yields. We did some Sending inside and out side the
round pen as well as Backing. Yielding the Forequarters is getting there. We
have work to do in this exercise but Roscoe’s confidence and understanding is
improving. The plastic bag, the stick-n-string and the rope were the tool used
in the desensitizing exercises. He was mellow for all of them. We finished the
session with some Leading Beside and relaxing (tied to our Tree of Knowledge)
for an hour. Snack time (supplements) and pasture play time followed. Over the
winter months session like this will happen at least twice a week (weather
permitting) as well as trail walks where we’ll take the exercises to a new
level and get creative with them Review is always a good thing and it is wise
to remember that review days are not a bad thing. It cements the skills in the horse’s
brain, changes up the pace and keeps things interesting.
DAY 73: The
weather has been better but our schedules have been crazy! Training happens as
often as we can make it happen but with the light fading so fast (it was dark
by 5:30pm) getting enough time to get results is hard. We
were able to sneak in some horse training/saddle time this evening. We loaded
up the horses about 3:00pm. Argent is starting t play the “come chase me” game.
He thinks its fun. We don’t. It took two of us about 20 minutes to catch him.
He knew he was in trouble when we both got into the pasture and gave up the
game pretty quick. We have a plan to show him the errors of his ways. Over the
hill we went to the arena in Somerset,
California (which is about 20
minutes from the house). Other folks had the same idea it seems so it was
busier than usual. The footing was not great but not horrible. The other horses
and humans seemed pleasant. We had some questions about the groundwork
exercises we were doing (it always seems to happen) and the ladies who were
asking said questions were very impressed that Roscoe was behaving so well
given his history. Roscoe was being respectful and responsive to my groundwork
cues. He had a nice level of energy in his feet and body. Argent always gets
attention as he is a very striking Kiger mustang! Tonight's session had many
"wins" and it really felt like all the efforts put into Roscoe began
to pay off. The gas pedal, breaks and steering were all MUCH improved! He still
needs to get in better shape (he still fatigues within 45-60 minutes) as he
tires out quickly...but even that is getting better. We are trotting more,
walking less and occasionally loping for a short time or distance. It’s all
about those baby steps. Roscoe’s mind is improving faster than his body at this
point but it was expected. We did our groundwork fairly quickly as the light
was fading. Sadly there was no time to add another exercise to the mix but what
we worked on went very well. Under saddle we began with Follow the Fence and
One Rein Stops at the walk and trot to warm up. Then it was time to work on the
steering wheel! We worked with cones in a zig-zag pattern and really got some
nice turns, leg yields and circles around the cones. Trotting the zig-zag
patterns was a "win" too! Trot-lope transitions were much improved
too. Still a long way to go but we have to honor the improvements! Our hope is
to get at least one more session in at the arena before the Nor-Cal Downunder
Brumbies practice this Sunday. In between it may be round pen and ground work.
Every little bit helps! The November practice is our last one for 2012 and then
we take a break for the holidays. December and January are real challenges up
here in the Sierra Foothills as rain and snow abound! We’re going to have to
suck it up and buy a pass to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds to be able to use
their covered arena. Horses…money goes in the front and out the back! I think I am going to feel today's session tomorrow!
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