Velvet – You Can’t Scream Outloud

December 18, 2000Posted inVelvet
Lately, I've been feeling really confident, riding Velvet.  During the last two group lessons, I did not touch the reins.  I steered her with my body and legs.  I also carry two carrot sticks.  These are 3' long extensions of my arms.  They are fiberglass and lightweight.  If Velvet doesn't pay attention to my eyes, belly button, legs, then the carrot sticks are used.  Carrot stick comes to the right side of the head means turn right and vice versa with left.  Crossed carrot sticks in front of the horses…

Velvet – reluctant pony horse

December 14, 2000Posted inVelvet
Pony Horse takes savvy The ponied horse's head is to be right at your knee. We are playing like a foal is running beside his momma...that's where the foal stays. Another thing ponying is good for...if you have the SAVVY (which I don't) is for cross mares. Velvet had started snaking her head and occasionally kicking out at other horses that she hates. At one point, she even attacked a few horses when we were just standing around. So, as part of her reeducation into politeness...Jenny started ponying her. When…

JR’s Journal – Clinic Journey

August 24, 2000Posted inJR
At official yearling status…exactly one year of age, JR attended his first clinic at Pine Dell. It was his first time to ride in a trailer by himself, to be in a barn, and to be in an indoor arena. He was just a LITTLE upset when we arrived at Pine Dell. I heard a lot of yearling whinny during the first part of the day…most of it right in my ear. BUT, he did just great! He had the least problems of any horse in the clinic. Of course…

JR’s Journal – Trailer Loading 101

March 13, 2000Posted inJR
  The goal is to send JR into the trailer and back him out.  JR’s is a normal claustrophobic horse whose goal is to do anything to avoid getting in an enclosed hole.   I opened all the windows so it is as light as it can be inside. JR is small enough right now, that I could put a rope on his rear end and pull him in using the halter rope and the rear rope.  Think about how much fun this would be for me when he attains…

JR’s Journal – First Upcoming Clinic!

February 24, 2000Posted inJR
It’s now February 2000. I haven’t had any training sessions with JR since his arrival. I have been delegated as the feed girl. I am also the rub-him-in-places-that-he-likes girl. He has just started to try to work his way up in the five horse herd. Lately JR has decided that this is a six horse herd and he is number five. The feed girl has been determined to be number six in rank. Lately, he has been touching or lightly bumping me when I am in the midst of traipsing…

Velvet Does Dressage!

January 13, 2000Posted inVelvet
Only at the Natural Gait, a horse person's paradise, where a staunch Western rider and Missouri Fox Trotter (for goodness sake) come to embrace the mystical world of Dressage!  The words, "natural methods" in the description of a dressage clinic given by internationally regarded dressage instructor, judge and Olympic level performance competitor, Ellie Stine-Masek, made Velvet and I feel that we might be able to fit into this ancient training system originated when men made war using horses.   Here's how Velvet and her rider’s weekend went:  We found ourself…