Trust

Yes you guessed it, another post about the wonderous Prisoner.  I can't help it.  I set up a new course to jump and while I didn't measure, I only left one jump that felt small.  It had a direct 3 stride xrail to vertical, three bending 5 or 6 stride lines, and a stand alone oxer.  I just did a short jump school, I would like to do more with the course as it rode well and I didn't utilize all the options yet.  I'm guessing the two 'larger' jumps were about 2'6".

Cleared for take off

P-man is showing some real exuberance for the fences, I have to make sure I don't make him rushy.  He is totally willing though and also willing to learn.  If I half-halt and he doesn't listen or close my leg and he doesn't listen, the next time around he is 110% listening.  He doesn't seem to hold a grudge if it doesn't go quite right or he doesn't understand, I just reexplain (or do a better job of explaining) and he catches right on.

Total trust

The trust I titled this post about can be seen in the release in the above photo.  While not classic (I'm sorry George Morris), it is a habit that only shows up when I am fear free.  While it has arguably shown up on horses that aren't trustworthy, fear has never shown itself to be logical.  Prisoner is trustworthy.  While he isn't an easy 'kick and hang on' ride, he is a good boy.  Yes I have to use the skills I've spent years honing (and will spend the rest of my life continuing to hone) but he puts in an honest effort.  Someone asked today how I got so lucky with him, my response was hard work picking through a lot of lemons, I could also add that gloriously pushy friends helped clinch the deal.

Oxer like no big deal

Hind end to die for

I need to find the photos of my unorthodox release on other horses, but that will be a bit of a project so stay tuned for a follow up post on that.

I've also enjoyed the return of my position.  I'm not totally sure where it ran off to, I was seriously beginning to doubt I had any skillz.  Then, BAM, it is back.  Maybe my position was beginning to doubt if I would ever have a horse with skillz.  Either way I'm enjoying not feeling like a newb.

All the above shots are video stills (thanks to sprinklerbandit for being late to work so you could video! Don't forget to checkout her contest!) incase you want to see the video here it is:

There are some green spots, but I'm not worried since he is totally green.

Chestnut Mares

Gigi is doing great post foot abscess.  I think the break was actually good for her, she just seems more ready than normal to work each day.  I've been really pleased with the progress she has made this summer in really using her back and also her self carriage.  She is lighter in the bridle than she was 6 months ago, and more consistent through her transitions.

Engaging the hind end

All the uphill

Matching tails

Redheads on fire

Canter halfpass

This mare has the most incredible lateral work

Free walk bliss

Shoulder fore

Love her in Diva's bonnet

As usual thanks to Alyssa for the great pictures!

There is always room for more work.  I would like to get her hind end even more under her, and to get more relaxation through the underside of her neck.  More work stretching down and lots of transitions (always the transitions) will help with this.  Also transitions within the same gait, forward and back while keeping her sling (tummy) muscles engaged and neck low.  She has such a great work ethic, it is really enjoyable to work on each small thing and then watch the whole picture improve.

Rekindling the fire

Hah, that ought to get some fun traffic.  What I'm talking about is my renewed ability to day dream.  Old day dreams that I haven't had in forever.  Diva started me on the right track with her affable personality last fall and all the fun I had with her.  Her 'tude this spring was a bit of a slap in the face (thank goodness she is her pleasant self again).  After last night with the one and only P-diddy I was noticing myself driving down the road looking at one ton hay bales as potential jumps.  Am I nuts?  Most likely yes, but that was a regular dream of mine years back and after a string of crummy horses and bad experiences with owners it disappeared into the mist.  It really caught me off guard feeling that way again, I don't think I have quit smiling since last night.  We hauled over to jump night at S's big arena for Prisoner's first field trip, he was perfect.

Hello color parade

So handsome

Me with a horse head

Cob bridle, pony bonnet

All the loves

Figuring out the poles

Wheeeeee!

Giving leads through the water (we had an epic rainstorm).  Don't know if my grin could get any bigger!

Splish splash

All the dapples

Like a boss

He wants to know when he gets dinner

THANK YOU Alyssa for documenting the magic night!

All the pictures! (and video)

So last Wednesday and Thursday I jumped P-diddy and he was freakin fantastic.  If you follow me on instagram you've gotten a preview.

Thursday video still

Great shot from Wednesday by Alyssa

Wednesday was a fun dressup day...who am I kidding I dress my horse up everyday in all the things!  Can I just say that having Sprinklerbandits collection and my collection we can come up with some pretty great horse outfits!?

Bliss on Prisoner

 You see that giant grin, that incredible canter stride, that sweet color coordinating outfit?  It was a great day!  Then we won two races that evening!

Hello cuteness

Looks like I have an idea.

 I had to laugh at this 'idea' picture.  Poor hubby always groans when I say I have an idea.

Loving that it appears my position has come out of hiding!

Who needs reins?

Think he needs to do some hunters for fun

There is that kissable white nose

We had a big bending line, xrail 5 strides oxer 5 strides xrail.  You could also do 4 strides depending on pace and line.  Sir Cutesalot (name shamelessly stole from a comment on sprinklerbandit's instagram) ate it up.  He has gotten to the point that if there are jumps in the arena he is looking to go over them from the moment I pick up the reins.  He had one wiggly moment on a downhill three stride xrail to red/blue blocks.  We landed over the xrail and he thought a bold gallop was more important than my rather strong half halts.  After he blew through the blocks to the right side of the jump he suddenly realized that maybe his rider did have a clue.  The rest of the ride he was all, was that a half halt? Did you need me to slow down?  The best part was that while he listened better he wasn't backed off, he was still carrying me to the jumps and if we needed more stride I just had to use a little leg.  Thanks to Alyssa for all the great pictures, go check out her great blog, the adventures of her the OTTB mare Bacon are a blast to watch and read about.

The next day I cruised around the course again and he was spot on.  Most distances were great, but there were also a couple too close and a bit long and he didn't bat an eye.  He reads the question and then executes it.  We even got a video!

Taking flight

We are all alright

Quirks

First of I want to say thank you for the outpouring of support on my last post.  I am continually amazed by the awesomeness of the blogging community.

I thought I would do a lighthearted post about my horses funny quirks.

Diva
- When she started eating beet pulp in addition to her grain I had to give them in separate tubs, she would eat both, but not if they were touching.
- The seams inside of blankets rub her.  I'm talking the seams for gussets (which are supposed to prevent rubs) give her totally bald spots.
- Clippers are evil.  She is seriously the least spooky most awesome on the ground kind of a horse.  Gun shots nearby don't even get an ear twitch, but clippers?  OMG the scariest and most evil thing ever, even when sedated.

Feet looking great!

- When she decides she needs her foot back from the farrier there is no way he can continue to hold onto it, we've tried.  But if he sets it down she will pick it right back up like an angel.

Note the two bowls for grain

Prisoner
- Would only pee in his stall, not the pasture.  If he had to pee while turned out he would commence with running pelmel until he was seriously hot and sweaty.  Thank goodness we seem to have gotten over that.
- Must have deep shavings in stall, even though the covered run is 6 inches deep in a sand/shavings combo.  Why?  Because he will only lay down in the stall and before it was bedded deeper he got rubs on not only three spots on each of his hocks, but also fetlocks and both knees.
- Needs a fleecy girth due to scurff from his well conditioned and cleaned daily leather girth.
- Also needs regular scrubbings with shampoo for scurff elsewhere around his body.
- Long white hairs on his sheath (WTF) (No I did not take a picture).
- Tries to get every strap on his bridle in his mouth while putting it on.
- Ears are too small for even a cob bonnet.

Note the smaller outline where his ears are (horse size bonnet)

I want that grass too!

Mojito
- If you spend enough time with him he starts sticking his tongue out, so cute!
- The most sensitive legs you have ever seen, like I can barely brush them, let alone boot them.

Way to make Bridger's conformation shots awkward Mojito

He is best at snuggles

One month

Not sure how we got to the one month mark with Prisoner already, but we did.  I am in love.  It has been years since I have clicked with a horse like this.  I had truly forgotten what it was like to ride a horse with so much talent and aptitude.  I had forgotten how much joy could be garnered flying over a fence, feeling like a Pegasus.  I had forgotten the feeling of anticipation for the journey ahead, the feeling of total bliss while cruising around a course.  Every horse can't inspire this, but this one can.

Be still my heart

Hubby says he got me the horse because he wanted me to be happy.  I don't think he even knows how happy I am.  There are no words.

The flip side of this for which there are also no words is Mojito.  He was supposed to be the special one, we were supposed to go places and conquer the world, he was supposed to be the answer to my dreams.  I've been alluding to him for a while now, but I just haven't been able to type the words.  You have probably noticed how sporadic his riding was over the last year and a half, and even more so before that.  Before I was short on time, for the last year and a half I have been trying to get him going.  He used to be the easiest horse, so willing and amiable.  It hasn't been that way for a long time, first I blamed his teeth, but when they got worked on there was minimal improvement.  Then I blamed his back, again it got worked on, again minimal improvement.  I kept making excuses, but he is only 7, has nearly no miles, he lives turned out.  He looks like an old man.  He used to be a phenomenal mover, truly one of the best I had ever seen.  Now, he takes the shuffling stride of an old quarter horse.  When hubby got home this spring he watched him in the field for 30 seconds and then asked how long my horse had been lame.  Yes, I've had him looked at by the vet, and race trainers (if anyone can see something or think of something it is them).  No, they are baffled.  It is something degenerative, possibly neurological.  Could I spend thousands of dollars on diagnosis?  Yes, but I'm not going to.  I don't have the money to throw around to find out what I already know, he can't be ridden.  Bute did nothing, time off has done nothing, x-rays were clean.  Stall rest wouldn't help, as it is an issue of weakness.  He gets worse right in front of my eyes.  I believe it was so subtle for a long time that it wasn't really noticeable as a lameness, but instead appeared to be training (or teeth or back) issues.  He no longer plays with his friends and mostly just stands around.  He is going to need put down.  I've been pussyfooting around it for about two months, but he has only gotten worse.  I kept doubting myself, but even that is gone, everyone I know that sees him is on the same page.  I convince myself that I will be ok with it, but then driving down the road at the most random of times I start crying.  It sneaks up on me.

So yes, I am happier than I have ever been, but also completely heart broken.  Thank you Prisoner for gluing me back together.  And to Mojito, when the time finally comes, may Heaven's green fields be ever green and crisscrossed by the marks of your frolicking hooves.

Like a Boss

So believe it or not I haven't jumped Prisoner in about a week, I can't wait to go over some (thinking Wednesday).  His flat work is really improving.  He seems to understand what I am asking of him, and what the general expectations are for each ride.

Expectation #1: Look cute!

This one month off the track walk/trot/cantered around the pasture like no big deal.  It was so much fun!
 

Then he had Sunday off, and today we dressaged.  I use the term loosely, but we even had some legit sitting canter.

BAM!

To the right he feels great, to the left he is willing to bend, but not actually give.  What he is doing is popping his outside shoulder, so if I actually do a little counter bend here and there he stays on top of himself better and starts to give and stretch down.

Also, check out who is finally back to work after fighting with a hoof abscess for over a month!

YAY Gigi!

 Last week we won two races in one night!  It was a good time, check out all the smiles.

Me, Sprinklerbandit, and Alyssa.  Photo credit: CLS Photography