Groundwork – Page 9 – Virtual Brush Box

Rodney Free Jumps

While I was off fiddling with plastic bricks [Horses at BrickFair, Life on a LEGO Tile], my outstanding barn help set up a jumping chute. He then tied his phone to a standard with a bungee cord. What can I say, I pick clever. The 8-second video has four views of two jumping efforts: 2’3″,Continue reading “Rodney Free Jumps”

So What Am I Going To Do?

Yesterday, I said I wanted to do it my way [So What Am I Waiting For?]. For better or worse, this is my way. RODNEY A snapshot of Rodney long-lining would be a perfect picture of a second (?) level dressage frame. The head is exactly where it needs to be. The nose is tuckedContinue reading “So What Am I Going To Do?”

Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

Between preparing for Nationals, attending Nationals [Show Report], and recovering from Nationals, the home team got an unearned but hefty vacation. They’ve had sporadic work when my Top Hand had time, or when I wasn’t face first in my pillow from two-a-day lessons. But no noses to grindstones. No longer! Back to work! Time toContinue reading “Meanwhile Back at the Ranch”

Plans & New Equipment: Schooling Bridles

Rodney As soon as Rodney feels a rider aboard, he tucks his head into a dressage frame and marches off. If this were the beginning of a diligent work ethic, awesome. Unfortunately, it is the first hoofstep into a ever-tightening spiral of tension that ends with Rodney shutting down and going to his happy place.Continue reading “Plans & New Equipment: Schooling Bridles”

Rodney’s Week: Dry Pool

You have seen the video of the horse rolling in the kiddie pool? Rodney has little fear of weird stuff [Noodling] and he plays in his water trough if we are slack with the refreshing showers. I really thought he’d love a pool of his own. He tolerated walking through but had reservations [Pool, OutContinue reading “Rodney’s Week: Dry Pool”

Rodney’s Week: Jumping & After

Rodney has issues with jumping. Day 1 Rodney was a star. Our round pen is a 20m circle made from simple jump standards and plastic tape. Rodney motors around happily. He’ll even throw the occasional fuss without challenging the tape. If he freaks out and runs thru the tape, oh well. We do not toContinue reading “Rodney’s Week: Jumping & After”

Rodney’s Week: Pool, Pen, & TENS

Minus Saddle Time, or not We have offered to return the saddle that the saddle fitter left on loan [Finding One That Fits]. If I’m just going to sit on him, a bareback pad works fine and carries less baggage. No reason to drag out the whole suit of armor until he can 1) trotContinue reading “Rodney’s Week: Pool, Pen, & TENS”