To move forward sometimes you have to look back

If I have to make some sort of New Year's resolution for my blog it would be two fold:

*Blog more frequently/regularly.
*Set quarterly goals for Riley & I to hold us accountable.

I have a lot of inspiration for this thanks to all of you guys and I hope I can really give this blog the attention that it deserves this year (*for the record, fall/winter 2014, spring 2105 was a very rough time for me personally and many things fell by the wayside). I'm feeling energized and inspired so buckle up readers...

With that in mind, I feel as though I should use the only competitive experience we had in 2015 to help set the tone for the goals ahead. 2015 was a tough year for us competitively. We didn't really have a chance to get going with any regularity because of Riley's head-shaking. And, if I'm perfectly honest, things were looking a bit grim for any sort of future for him as a riding horse. Looking back, I believe that several things came into play that triggered his Head Shaking and this year I am planning to be extremely proactive in order to soften it's blow come spring time. Despite all of that, he remained very game to work with once we had the head shaking under control and he was more comfortable. I was able to keep up with my riding (having access to lots of OTTBs is a good thing) and we were able to get some traction in the fall. We figured it would be a good idea to round out the year with a starter trial the first week in November. At this point we had only jumped a couple of times (less than 5 times, including hopping over a few small xc jumps at a neighboring farm). Our flat work was strong enough and the jumping at the baby beginner novice level is not an issue so we just decided to go for it.

Nothing beats a good brain

If you've been reading this blog long enough, you know that I bought Riley because on his 3rd and 4th ride post-track I took him on paper chases. He was foot perfect both times and I was left grinning ear to ear on a horse I knew nothing about. I was sold (and so was he!). Two years later and it's that brain of his that makes me so happy and proud to call him my own...

New farm (not all pictured due to privacy)

We've settled into the new place nicely, and of course just as I was about to put a first ride on Riley he pulled a shoe! He turned out now on wayyyy more acreage and it's really hilly (which is awesome -- he looks great) but that also means a higher chance of pulling shoes AND not being able to find said shoes when they come off. Ah well, it's a trade off.

So he got a new LF tacked on and we saddled up for a first ride at the new place. I know it probably seems like I'm always going on about how my horse has hardly been ridden, but it's true. With his head shaking finally all but gone, we are FINALLY able to think about getting back into a program together. My patience has paid off and I feel better that I didn't push him when his body was telling me no. As usual, he was quiet and happy to be groomed and tacked. I texted two friends to let them know that I was getting on in a few minutes (I was at the farm alone) and that I would send another after my ride. I brought lunging gear up to the ring prior to my ride, just in case he was silly. I try, in all scenarios, to set us up for success. I listen to him. I'm not some egomaniac that will just get on and ride anything in all conditions (especially alone) -- so I try to be thoughtful about the horse I have that day. I posted the photo of the farm above to sort of show the layout of the ring in proximity to the barn. His turnout field is below the barn and goes off to the right. His buddies have dutch doors that face out that way. The driveway (you can't tell in this photo) is VERY steep as you head around the corner and up to the ring. I hopped on, he took a deep breath and off we went. Quietly into the sunshine up the grass to the ring. He did think about spooking at a bunch of kids toy cars (the kind they can drive around in) that are marked by "danger" in my picture, but nothing more than giving them the hairy eyeball, and slowing his walk. I booted him forward and we got down to business.

I forgot that I left my saddle pads at home so we kicked it old school.

He felt really, really great. No head shaking to be seen, no real naughtiness (except for not wanting to GETOFFMYRIGHTLEG) and he was light and forward. I'm sure I looked like a big idiot trotting around with a stupid grin on my face, but guys, it's been so long since I got to enjoy my horse and not see him suffering. We mostly worked on spiraling in and out in both directions, with some transitions for good measure. I was about to start some canter work when I saw something shiny in the grass...

ARE YOU KIDDING ME WITH THIS?!?

He never took a weird step (the grass footing is great) and he didn't feel lame/off at all. Yep, he pulled the OTHER shoe. You see, while the farrier was there he noticed that his LH was looking a little long (it's only been 2 weeks since his last trim) and he has a quarter crack in that hoof that he wanted to keep at bay so he rasped it a little. He left the other hind alone and wouldn't you know it was just long enough, and Riley was tracking up well enough to cleanly rip the shoe off. I hopped off and decided to save the canter work for next time. Congratulations Riley, you win... again.

Luckily, we had already put in a solid 30 minutes of quality trot work, so it wasn't a total wash. I texted my farrier the picture above and said that Riley misses him already. He'll get that tacked back on today. *Lest you worry, his feet and hoof walls look great -- I think it's just a coincidence that he lost two shoes back to back!

But other than our wardrobe malfunction, I couldn't be happier about our first ride at the new place. There was no screaming (apparently Riley screamed and screamed when his buddy was taken away for work the other day -- he was happy to work -- and that makes me very happy in return.

Because this is the best view in the entire world.

It got me thinking about where he and I have been and what we've done together (not much)... but days like that make me so grateful that I have a horse with a good brain. He is not an easy ride, or uncomplicated by any means... but he shows up for work and I can trust him. I know when I swing my leg over what kind of horse I'll have for the day.

It has not always been easy with him, for a myriad of reasons. He used to be god awful for the farrier and now he and I joke about that.

You've come a long way baby.

This is a horse who once, while being shod, freaked out so much in the cross ties that he peed, spooked, slipped in the pee while the farrier was holding his hoof and nearly fell over crushing him. Yesterday, the farrier already had him out standing quietly, and I literally held him for two minutes while he fit the shoe. Riley happily snoozed away.

Wild OTTB getting shod.

I deal with a lot of professionals these days, both horse dealers and sellers and I am constantly dumbfounded by people they have to interact with who do not appreciate the quality of a horse's mind. They think they know what they want in a horse and somehow get wooed by color, or movement, or height or pedigree overlooking the brain!

Epic three-day weekend

Side note: I got to see this at a Drive-In theater Thursday evening. BEST.

Riley is back in full work and I couldn't be happier. Our ring is finished! Woo hoo!!

He got a training ride Tuesday and was a superstar. Emily wrote about him on her blog, you can read it here. I'm actually quite surprised as to how straight and forward he feels in the new ring. One of the best things about it is that the owner choose to put the perimeter fence about 10 feet away from the edge which actually forces the horses to go straight and carry themselves, or at least you will know just how crooked they are as they cannot "lean" on the rail. His right lead canter is coming along wonderfully. Emily really worked on that Tuesday and when I rode him Friday he picked it up rather easily. He's still quite counter bent in that direction, but he's learning to move off the side leg and right now I am more concerned with the transition, getting the right lead and maintaining impulsion rather than forcing him to bend. With time and strength that will come too. We are working on some baby lateral work at the walk and he's starting to get it.

Is there such a thing as the terrible 5's????

Riley being adorable/trying to eat the banana bread in my lap

Saturday was the Cheshire Pony Club Spring Paper Chase. It's always a lovely ride, and last year it was the 2nd paper chase I took Riley (and only my 3rd ride on him ever) where I was convinced I simply HAD to have him. He was brave, solid, and best of all completely rateable. Blame it on the lack of fitness last year, or the fact that he's in a medium workload load and feeling full of himself but I had a completely different horse on my hands this time around! The best part about this paper chase is that it is literally around the corner from our barn. I drove over in my car with bridles and goodies and Emily rode Prima over and ponied Riley who was mostly tacked up. When I was signing us in Emily was almost to the trailer parking area, which I am sure looked odd to everyone else who was there with a trailer. Ah well. We got our pinneys and start times and settled in at the car. We brought chairs and beers and hung out in the sun to relax. It was a gorgeous day, though I didn't plan ahead and forgot to wear sunscreen so now I already have a sweet farmers tan. Nice. Riley was calm and happy to just graze while we stood around, but Prima is in heat and wouldn't leave him alone. I'm sort of convinced that Riley is asexual because he was not keen to her advances.

Whispering sweet nothings to Riley.

After awhile it seemed she was getting through to him, but he was still more interested in ALL THE GRASS. We got on and headed out around 12:30 and they were both happy to trot down to the first patch of woods. I'm not that keen on this particular route because it starts very jump-heavy when you've barely even trotted for 5 minutes, but Prima was more than game to hop over things (of course being completely adorable about everything). Last year I bravely took Riley over the first large coop with a massive puddle on the other side which no other horses would go anywhere near. This year I waited a little while before popping him over a solid 2 foot log where he over jumped it by several feet and landed with a hump in his back, completely unseating me (I guess he remembered how to jump from last Wednesday)! I had a terrible Oh Shit! moment where I was sure I was going to fall off, run into Emily and/or hit a tree, but I got him back. Whew! What the heck! I decided that rather than take any chances in falling off over fences we'd skip most of the for the day so he's have a positive first outing for the year. He was totally fine going around everything while Emily popped over jumps. He got in some serious looooong trots and canters (many uphill) and gave them plenty of walk breaks as it was the hottest day of the year so far. They were both terrific leading or following through streams, up and down banks etc. Hunter paces are such great learning experiences especially for babies. We got to a really nice flat section along a fence line and decided to let them go for a little gallop. Emily had me ride ahead so I could set the pace and I tucked a few fingers under my neck strap so I could give him soft contact while I was out of the saddle. he felt amazing. Ripping along with the wind in my hair and the sun on my face, and then... I felt him curl his neck and round his back... I know what's coming next... I stood up in my stirrups and pulled my shoulders back to ask him to slow up and he bolted! Poor Emily was about 4 lengths behind me when she saw what was starting to happen and she was yelling out all sorts of instructions (I couldn't hear her). All I knew if that we were on 100s of acres with so end in sight. When he didn't listen to the subtle cues, I sat deep, and one rein-stopped him, which was more of a crazy circle, but it worked. It didn't help that I had spurs on (which I usually need) and I kept jabbing him while I was trying to turn/stop him. I realize it wasn't pretty but it got the job done. That's when I realized I didn't really have brakes. Whoops. While he loves the Happy Mouth Mullen for flat work, I'm going to need a little something extra in wide open spaces, specifically, something that I can pop his head up and get him to listen. Emily and I were both is complete shock that he ran off with me! She even offered to swap horses for the rest of the ride, but I really wanted to use the adventure as a learning tool for us both so I stuck with him. Plus, I'm pretty sure he was showing off for his new lady-friend. We mostly trotted for the rest of the ride, which was great to get his brain back, do some solid contact work, and make him work HARD. We tried a few more little bits of cantering but he lost his marbles and thought that curling his head and cantering sideways would be a better option and rather than lose control of him again in a wide open space, I just made him trot, and trot and TROT. Emily said I handled the situated well, and that while she was worried, once she saw my reaction she knew we'd be okay. I think she was more concerned that I would be emotionally frazzled by him running off and while it was a little terrifying for a minute or two, I need to be able to handle whatever comes along. The ride was 7.5 miles long with lots of hills and both ponies were tired and sweaty at the end. They are certainly in better shape that a lot of the horses we saw (and ours are clipped) but it's always nice to see how they do on their first outing of the year. He got a well deserved Vetroline bath and time to relax in a breezy stall while he dried off.

Tired pony... look at that lip!

Sunday I thought a nice quiet hack would be good for Riley to stretch his legs and give me a chance to try another bit on him. I put him in a full cheek snaffle which definitely helps with steering, but he doesn't seem to like to hold the contact in, he sort of bobs his head as though it's fussy in his mouth... I think he likes the stability of the straight bar of the Mullen and he's also gone well in a Nathe. Me and two other ladies headed out for a nice road hack (short, under 3-4 miles) mostly walking at some trotting since it was one of the horse's 2nd ride post-track.

Riley led for most of the way! Good boy! We have miles and miles of land around us like this and most of the grass perimeters we have permission to ride on too!

He was a little stiff and definitely slightly foot sore from our paper chase, so I opted to trot on grass as much as possible. He did trot pretty well on the smooth asphalt, but he'll be getting shoes at the end of the month so we don't end up with bruises. All three babies were terrific save for a moment when a huge hawk was sitting on a fence line and decided to fly away as we went past! Lots of trotting on the way back up a nice gradual hill on the grass you can see on the right of the photo above, such a good work out for him!

Finally! Spring. Look at the grass! ps. Riley thinks standing still is the dumbest.

After our short hack he got hosed off and turned out where he proceeded to canter off up the big hill in his field... faker, he wasn't tired at all. Then I remembered that I had him in the jump chute Wednesday and I flatted/jumped him the same day, paper chase Saturday and hack Sunday. Maybe he was a little tired:)

This week he's going to get a training ride from Emily where he can test his rate-ability and brakes out in the open, I might do something with him Wednesday if I have time (I have a dentist appt and I have to feed that night) and Friday he goes for his first XC with me clinging to his back like a monkey. Fingers crossed I remember to keep my heels down and shoulders back this time.

A pretty terrific weekend, even if my 5 year old is truly showing off his baby side these days!

Also, perfection. I love that you can see his blaze faintly.

Ps. Any bit suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I think my next step might be a double jointed bit of some sort.

horse-shaped kites

I don't usually use stock images since I take one million photos at the farm all the time but, this is basically what yesterday was like for me:

Seriously.

My new schedule at the barn has me feeding and bringing the barn horses in on Wednesday evenings (thank you daylight savings time). An easy task usually as 7 of the 11 horses live outside. All I have to do is bring the mares in and one gelding (which can be a slight challenge sorting him from the other boys). But there was a crazy weather system coming through our area promising a 45 degree drop in temps over night and wind gusts over 50 mph (they were already gusting at 45 mph when I arrived and it was raining sideways). We all agreed it would be best to bring in the other 4 geldings in Riley's field so that they were protected from the elements. Normally, we'd just stick a medium rug on all of them and let them hang out in their shed, but it was wayyyy too hot at 6pm to do that. Certainly none of us were going to head out in the middle of the night to do a blanket change, so inside it was.

Except... the boys have become quite feral living outside. We've bell trained them to come to the gate for dinner and stupidly, I decided I would feed them inside and bring them up to the barn in pairs. I really should have fed them as usual because they lost their minds when I tried to catch them (because I wasn't feeding them). They were all completely wild, the wind was howling which got them even more worked up and things were escalating quickly. I decided to take the biggest trouble-maker out of the field first, thank goodness he let me catch him because he had been bucking, galloping and squealing like mad just prior. He's also the biggest of all of them and I figured if I could get him up to the barn (it's about a 100 yards to the barn) the rest would be easy. Ha! He was a fire-breathing dragon and was spooking at everything. I know him well enough to not tolerate his shenanigans, so we had a discussion about manners. Then I went back for trouble-maker #2. He was actually worse than the first and literally dragged me up to the barn. He has a way of completely tuning you out, to the point that it seems as though he has no idea there's someone on the end of the lead rope (which makes him more dangerous in a way). He spooked all over the damn place while I held on and dug my elbow into his shoulder so he at least knew I was there. Next up was Riley and he was also a hot mess. Every time a gust of wind came along he'd break into a trot, neck craning around to see where the danger was coming from. With him, I just gave him more slack on the lead as he is very respectful of my space and I didn't want him to feel confined. Lots of pats and talking. When we got to the top of the driveway, he saw the cows (again) and did the biggest spook I've EVER seen him do (it was hilarious). Then he spooked at the mounting block, which had been moved to a new spot (horses???) and I finally got him in to the barn. Last of all is Emily's new gelding and despite one rather large spook when we first started up the hill, the more I talked to him and patted his neck, the more he relaxed, he too, spooked at the mounting block, but I finally got everyone in, safe and sound.

To be clear, hot horses on the ground don't worry me, I know these guys really well, but it was a perfect storm for something bad to happen yesterday. I am rarely fearful handling a single horse and we can generally bring them up in pairs, but it wasn't worth the risk at all. For the first time in a really long time I was actually worried one might get away from me.

I am a true believer in the theory that it's better to be safe than sorry and even though I didn't want to make a million trips up and down to their field, I knew that bringing them in (selectively -- as some handle being alone better than others) one at a time was the best course of action. I was at the barn alone and safety always comes before anything else. I feel bad for my friend who has to turn them out today in 19 degrees (with the same wind)!! Hold on tight!

How do you guys handle situations like this? Do you take risks, or err on the side of safety?