Those days it just *clicks*

shayla · 10-16-2009, 05:46 PM

Today was one of those days overall. There's always those rough patches, where you kind of mutter under your breath and say "Why couldn't I get into underwater basket weaving? Or breeding starfish?!"

And then your horse (or horses) does something that makes it ALL worthwhile.

Right now I have two; a Paso Fino and an Arabian. The Paso's dealing with an abcess and the Arab is, dealing with 'water' issues as well as a few other things that a trail mount shouldn't have. We're working on it.

Today I let the Paso play before removing his hoof wrappings, which GREATLY improved their removal over yesterday.

I then turned him out, barefooted, to let his hoof dry.

Then took my Arab (Socks, btw) into the arena where we have massive standing lakes. Having worked with him harder 2 weeks ago about going into water, this time it was a simple "blow-snort" before he popped right in.

Decided I'd tack up and ride since it's been a month or two, and the sillies should have been lunged from his feet.

Long story short, we just meshed together today. He refused some in a new area of the property, so, we retreated a bit and I made him work for it; collected trot with lots of serpentines and figure 8's. When we got back to the sticky point from before, he just paused, a gently clucked, and forward he chugged.

The other thing he does is a jackhammer trot. I HATE IT!! I know why, but sometimes, he has this collected trot which makes me realize why Arab owners LOVE their Arabs. Today, he found it. And, I felt it. I FELT what was going on. I was driving him forward, and with just the lightest touch on the reins when he started getting strung out, he'd collect back into frame and keep going. Could tell it was hard on him though, as he was puffing after a few minutes, but it was...magic. I was laughing with childish delight.

I did come off, but even that didn't phase me. Kinda my fault. Pushed a little bit to hard, wind blowing, sounds rustling, weird horses charging up at a fence, he slid sideways with an "OMG!" and I..I toppled off. OOPS!

Laughed, patted him, got back on and finished riding back.

Untacked and turned him out again.

Grabbed my Paso to rebandage, and he was a champ again about having his foot done up. However, we just stood there together for a few minutes, his head resting on the hitching post rail, and my head there. He kept looking at me, and I at him. And I realized just how much he trusts me. Unlike my Arab, my little Paso will follow me anywhere I want to go. He might get freaked, but if I'm calm, he'll quickly settle down and just do what I want. He's kind of amazing that way.

What about you? How've things *clicked* with your horse(s) recently? I LOVE hearing stories like these. They renew my desire to keep at it. And days like today make me eager to get back out there and get on it again.

merleliz · 10-16-2009, 06:07 PM

Those are the days that make it all worthwhile, aren't they...glad to see you have a sense of humor about it!

shayla · 10-16-2009, 06:23 PM

Lunging and all, I kinda 'deserved' that. And, he'd done so well, and, I just found it funny he was "OMG SCARED OF HORSES!" that I had to laugh.

It was just weird to kind of 'get' what people have always said here. And weirder yet to feel and get an almost instant response.

Now watch, next time, I'll get the Jackhammer. *sigh*

AnChap · 10-16-2009, 06:53 PM

I have a LOT of setbacks with my horse, he's my second, it feels like my whole experience with owning these last 2 years has been so up and down, and not tons of victories, but it's been worth the good moments.
This week I cantered on the trail for the first time, that was awesome. Tonight, I did a lot of flexing work all alone and I was proud of myself for that, and my horse was relaxed, sighing, flexed, slow trot--so nice!
Thank goodness for those "click" moments! Good for you!

shayla · 10-16-2009, 09:08 PM

Yeah, those good moments seem to make all the bad ones just kind of fade away.

Congrats on YOUR victories! I'm still to scared to canter without a death grip on the horn (and in an arena), so that is something I aspire to someday.

I'd never owned horses before, never did any training, but, here I am kind of fumbling through it. I mean, I KNOW my riding horse KNOWS what he's doing; I'm the weak link. Thank goodness he's so forgiving.

Hooray to US!

kshnooks · 10-16-2009, 09:23 PM

congrats! Those are just the best days, its really what makes it all worth it. I know in the past I've gotten discouraged and all it takes in one really great ride that leaves me smiling again!

And keep working at collection. You now know how it feels, so just keep striving for it!

AnChap · 10-17-2009, 10:00 AM

Oh Shayla I'm still terrified, and we prob. won't canter again forever, I'm still scared at the trot haha--we'll have to keep up with each other on here and watch for more victories!

shayla · 10-18-2009, 06:08 PM

Agreed AnChap!! We can do it!!

Today I was brave enough to try cantering. Socks still isn't perfect, and I'm not quite "sticking" to the saddle like I should, but we did it, just because, well, I figured if I fell off, the arena's nice and soft!!

After that, we went back to some trot work, lots of bending and flexing and trying, Trying, TRYING to stay collected. Today wasn't as good as yesterday or the day before. Minor setback there, but...we're gonna keep on!!

enigma · 10-21-2009, 04:20 AM

Had 16.1 of goofball try to wrap around me on the ground and crawl into my lap the other day. (petme petme petme NOTICEme....) Does that count?

Horselady44 · 10-23-2009, 10:16 AM

You have your good days and bad....But sounds like your doing a great job with him!!!

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10-16-2009, 05:46 PM
shayla Coming two Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,875	Those days it just clicks Today was one of those days overall. There's always those rough patches, where you kind of mutter under your breath and say "Why couldn't I get into underwater basket weaving? Or breeding starfish?!" And then your horse (or horses) does something that makes it ALL worthwhile. Right now I have two; a Paso Fino and an Arabian. The Paso's dealing with an abcess and the Arab is, dealing with 'water' issues as well as a few other things that a trail mount shouldn't have. We're working on it. Today I let the Paso play before removing his hoof wrappings, which GREATLY improved their removal over yesterday. I then turned him out, barefooted, to let his hoof dry. Then took my Arab (Socks, btw) into the arena where we have massive standing lakes. Having worked with him harder 2 weeks ago about going into water, this time it was a simple "blow-snort" before he popped right in. Decided I'd tack up and ride since it's been a month or two, and the sillies should have been lunged from his feet. Long story short, we just meshed together today. He refused some in a new area of the property, so, we retreated a bit and I made him work for it; collected trot with lots of serpentines and figure 8's. When we got back to the sticky point from before, he just paused, a gently clucked, and forward he chugged. The other thing he does is a jackhammer trot. I HATE IT!! I know why, but sometimes, he has this collected trot which makes me realize why Arab owners LOVE their Arabs. Today, he found it. And, I felt it. I FELT what was going on. I was driving him forward, and with just the lightest touch on the reins when he started getting strung out, he'd collect back into frame and keep going. Could tell it was hard on him though, as he was puffing after a few minutes, but it was...magic. I was laughing with childish delight. I did come off, but even that didn't phase me. Kinda my fault. Pushed a little bit to hard, wind blowing, sounds rustling, weird horses charging up at a fence, he slid sideways with an "OMG!" and I..I toppled off. OOPS! Laughed, patted him, got back on and finished riding back. Untacked and turned him out again. Grabbed my Paso to rebandage, and he was a champ again about having his foot done up. However, we just stood there together for a few minutes, his head resting on the hitching post rail, and my head there. He kept looking at me, and I at him. And I realized just how much he trusts me. Unlike my Arab, my little Paso will follow me anywhere I want to go. He might get freaked, but if I'm calm, he'll quickly settle down and just do what I want. He's kind of amazing that way. What about you? How've things clicked with your horse(s) recently? I LOVE hearing stories like these. They renew my desire to keep at it. And days like today make me eager to get back out there and get on it again. __________________ "Oftentime, the notion of "Following one's heart" is used as an excuse to avoid doing what is best because it's to hard or to complicated." ~David Hopkins

10-16-2009, 06:07 PM
merleliz Seasoned Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fairburn, Georgia Posts: 4,779	Those are the days that make it all worthwhile, aren't they...glad to see you have a sense of humor about it! __________________ Vote for Dusty Trails Horse Rescue! Please vote for DTHR daily at: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

10-16-2009, 06:23 PM
shayla Coming two Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,875	Lunging and all, I kinda 'deserved' that. And, he'd done so well, and, I just found it funny he was "OMG SCARED OF HORSES!" that I had to laugh. It was just weird to kind of 'get' what people have always said here. And weirder yet to feel and get an almost instant response. Now watch, next time, I'll get the Jackhammer. sigh __________________ "Oftentime, the notion of "Following one's heart" is used as an excuse to avoid doing what is best because it's to hard or to complicated." ~David Hopkins

10-16-2009, 06:53 PM
AnChap Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 596	I have a LOT of setbacks with my horse, he's my second, it feels like my whole experience with owning these last 2 years has been so up and down, and not tons of victories, but it's been worth the good moments. This week I cantered on the trail for the first time, that was awesome. Tonight, I did a lot of flexing work all alone and I was proud of myself for that, and my horse was relaxed, sighing, flexed, slow trot--so nice! Thank goodness for those "click" moments! Good for you!

10-16-2009, 09:08 PM
shayla Coming two Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,875	Yeah, those good moments seem to make all the bad ones just kind of fade away. Congrats on YOUR victories! I'm still to scared to canter without a death grip on the horn (and in an arena), so that is something I aspire to someday. I'd never owned horses before, never did any training, but, here I am kind of fumbling through it. I mean, I KNOW my riding horse KNOWS what he's doing; I'm the weak link. Thank goodness he's so forgiving. Hooray to US! __________________ "Oftentime, the notion of "Following one's heart" is used as an excuse to avoid doing what is best because it's to hard or to complicated." ~David Hopkins

10-16-2009, 09:23 PM
kshnooks Started Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,458	congrats! Those are just the best days, its really what makes it all worth it. I know in the past I've gotten discouraged and all it takes in one really great ride that leaves me smiling again! And keep working at collection. You now know how it feels, so just keep striving for it!

10-17-2009, 10:00 AM
AnChap Yearling Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: West Virginia Posts: 596	Oh Shayla I'm still terrified, and we prob. won't canter again forever, I'm still scared at the trot haha--we'll have to keep up with each other on here and watch for more victories!

10-18-2009, 06:08 PM
shayla Coming two Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 1,875	Agreed AnChap!! We can do it!! Today I was brave enough to try cantering. Socks still isn't perfect, and I'm not quite "sticking" to the saddle like I should, but we did it, just because, well, I figured if I fell off, the arena's nice and soft!! After that, we went back to some trot work, lots of bending and flexing and trying, Trying, TRYING to stay collected. Today wasn't as good as yesterday or the day before. Minor setback there, but...we're gonna keep on!! __________________ "Oftentime, the notion of "Following one's heart" is used as an excuse to avoid doing what is best because it's to hard or to complicated." ~David Hopkins

10-21-2009, 04:20 AM
enigma Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,449	Had 16.1 of goofball try to wrap around me on the ground and crawl into my lap the other day. (petme petme petme NOTICEme....) Does that count? __________________ There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man. ~ Winston Churchill

10-23-2009, 10:16 AM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,550	You have your good days and bad....But sounds like your doing a great job with him!!! __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!