Groundwork – Page 17 – Virtual Brush Box

What is going on inside that pretty head of yours?

Horse Work: AM heat therapy, “extended” walk in company/PM short liberty session. Evaluation: On our group walk, Greg led Mathilda, I led Rodney. At her time of life, Mathilda doesn’t do anything without a steady stream of carrots. Rodney spent most of the walk mooching his share. I don’t think he noticed how far weContinue reading “What is going on inside that pretty head of yours?”

Head Games

Work: early PM – heat therapy, long-for us-walk to the top of the hill/late PM – 2 grooming sessions in an attempt to deferalize. Evaluation: Dawdled up the hill with his head down & yawned twice halfway up. Since he used to pull me up the hill, I’m counting this as a solid win. RodneyContinue reading “Head Games”

Ropework

Horse Work: AM heat therapy, walk. PM nothing. Sufficient daylight but activities of daily living left me with insufficient patience to deal with him a second time today. Evaluation: Relaxed but still seeking reassurance. Rider Work: mare walk, bike. We are experimenting with using a neck rope instead of a halter. I keep the ropeContinue reading “Ropework”

Back in the [figurative] Saddle

Work: AM heat therapy, easy walk/PM groom, ran out of daylight for exercises. Evaluation*: During the walk, he stayed relaxed despite being annoyed at the dog. Almost like a horse that one might someday want to ride. Almost. Someday. By the end of the grooming, he began to remember that he enjoys being fussed over.Continue reading “Back in the [figurative] Saddle”

Cowboy Inspiration

Work: day off. Again. I spent the day at my state’s Horse Fair, a winter festival of lectures, demonstrations, and association booths. I learned: 1) There is a whole parallel western world of which I know nothing. 2) Western riding is looking more and more like dressage: balanced seat, legs underneath the body, legs inContinue reading “Cowboy Inspiration”

Thank you, Duke*

[*The wellington story] Work: AM heat therapy/very short walk, albeit with bouncy dog. Walked over schooling logs as a sop to me. PM groom/ground ex [turning box, plank]. It’s shaping up to be an easy week, so why push it? Although on the way out of the ring, I asked him for an in-hand jumpContinue reading “Thank you, Duke*”

Equine Tics

Work: AM heat therapy/walk – top of the hill. He realized he was farther from the barn than usual but held it together. PM long groom/no exercises – yesterday’s trip down memory lane put me in a mood, so I fussed on him until I got over myself. Plus, he met me at the fenceContinue reading “Equine Tics”