Roscoe's Fall/Winter (Day 75-100)

DAY 75: This entry is basically a recap of the last 2012 practice for the Nor-Cal Downunder Brumbies. Roscoe participated in the day up until he tripped several times (after being used as the class model for the mini class on hoof trims). Not wanting to push him until he got more comfortable, he got to sit out oart of the day and reap all the petting a treats for folks observing the day. Sunday morning, it was rainy and chilly…frankly we were expecting a small turnout… but by 9:30am we had quite a sizeable group of folks gearing up for what would be a great practice! We started with 11 horses and riders and before we were finished with introductions all around for the benefit of the new people (3 horse/rider teams!) we had 15 horse/rider teams!  And that isn't counting the observers - 6 total, if memory serves.  This may have been the best attended practice so far!  It was a little challenging at first since we couldn't spread out like we normally do because we were sharing the arena with a pony club (in the early part of the day) and a pole bending/barrel race group near the end of the day, but they were finished before we had gone through our groundwork so it worked out ok.

After some warm up exercises from the Fundamental series, Randy M. led us in some groundwork exercises such as Lunging for Respect 1 & 2, the Backing methods, Yielding the Forequarters (just to name a few)and gave us some tips to "turn up the heat" to get the "yes sir" responses from our horses that CA likes to see.  He also shared some tips to try at home in the round pen: adding a 4th level of speed and getting the "shot-out-of-a-cannon" response. The refinements and focuses on what makes an A grade were instructional and inspirational! Then most folks saddled up for some riding.  Randy led the group in some quick cruising lesson then shared some suppling exercises with the group - yield hind quarters under saddle and the transition to yield forequarters, side tracking, beginning collection (getting the nose to drop).  Lots of trotting and cantering for most of the group.  As mentioned, during the riding portion of the day, we shared the arena with some ladies working on pole bending and barrels which was a good de-sensitizing exercise for the horses not used to a busy arena.  A rain shower part way through the day added some more interesting noises for the horses to get used to under the cover of the arena .  Most of the group headed from the arena outside to ride “Clinton-style”  some of the trails around the park.  Everyone came back with big smiles and sweaty horses! We grabbed some much needed lunch and enjoyed some fine fellowship! We even got a mini class on hoof trims and nutrition and a trailer loading demonstration, before we all hit the road for home (thank you Sally and Tara)!

It was great to meet the new folks - Lisa, Kathy, Janice - and we look forward to seeing them again soon.  And we welcome our youngest member, Kaia (did I spell that right?) who is Tara's daughter from way up in Quincy.

What an awesome way to spend a rainy day! What an AWESOME way to wrap up our 2012 practice season! Thanks for everyone who came to play and especially to those who drove several hours to share in the experience! This is really what the Nor-Cal Downunder Brumbies is all about!

DAYS 80-100: Between work, the “Holiday Season” demands, school and the weather it has been a juggling act. Every dry day we get out and work with the horses. We try are hardest to get groundwork and saddle time in each session. The arena in Somerset has been our go-to spot but we have had opportunities to travel to other places as well. For Roscoe the big focus was to refine the skills he knows and to introduce new exercises into the mix. His gas pedal is really coming along nice. A simple squeeze with the legs and seat and he walks on with a nice energy. Another squeeze with a little cluck and we’re trotting on. His stamina and awareness are greatly improved from the first ride that it really blows the mind!. His lope is smoothing out too! We’ve been working on developing his balance through elevation of the shoulders and basic collection. Lots of riding of circles and serpentine patterns in our regiment to be sure. We visited our friend and Brumbie member Gale at Cedar Springs Livery and Stable recently and spent a wonderful morning working on ground skills and skills under saddle. Gale’s horse Janie was being quite the sassy girl so we switched horses. She worked Roscoe and was able to focus on her body language, position, intent and energy. Roscoe was a willing and forgiving partner for Gale. Together they got the human more aware of the non-verbal communication needed to get the message across to the horse. Janie and Michael spent about 30-45 minutes fixing the attitude and getting Janie to respect space, give two eyes and move with control. There was a great deal of Lunging for Respect 1 and 2, Backing, Hindquarter Yields and Flexing. Gale said the next day Janie was a “new horse.” which was very encouraging. We were working outside in a small dressage arena with the borders marked in log and hot tape on three sides. While warming up under saddle the “open” side of the arena got Roscoe curious and he felt the need to inspect the tractor and mounting logs before we resumed course. The slight incline of the arena encourage faster movement downhill and some basic collection up hill. We did the Cruising Lesson, Follow the Fence, Diagonal and other fun exercises. In short he was feeling soft and willing with an increase in stamina and energy that was good to experience.

            We have done some “leadership walks” along the irrigation trail behind the house and really put the ground skills to the test. Log, rocks, hills, and other obstacles present themselves and we get as creative as we can with them. Roscoe and Argent like the mental stimulation. These walks really build that trust and respect. We also set up a mini challenge course at the arena which helped to change up our routine a bit. Cones, logs and other visual elements wee laid out and the horses had to move through the course at various gaits. Roscoe seems to adapt well to the demands placed on him. As we have progressed in his training we notice that the importance of the rider’s equitation becomes more important to Roscoe’s performance and willingness to work. We do lots of riding on a loose rein which he appreciates. When the rein is used (mostly direct and indirect) in conjunction with the leg and seat cues he responds smoothly. We’ve worked on introducing neck reining and he is starting to get the concept. His backing is greatly improved too! Under saddle the human just needs to sit deep, lean back and bump the reins and Roscoe backs up. To increase his speed on the backing we simply cluck or tap his shoulders with our toes. The improvements made during this season have been solid and at times emotional. Roscoe really tries to give 100% even when he is tired. You can’t ask for more than that really. We’ve got some activities planned later in December and will be traveling to some new places. It should be an adventure for all of us!