Jumpin' Jolly Roger

A Three Hour Tour....

2012-02-05T19:59:00.000-05:00

This morning when I got up the temperature was like 30*. And since we did some jumping yesterday, I thought, maybe the BRH would appreciate the day off. Well, I walked outside to let Benni out and it was wayyyy warmer than I had thought. I think my phone didn't upload the weather recently. I ran back in the house and threw all the stuff I had pulled out of the fridge to make my lunches for the week, back and grabbed the first pair of jeans I could get my hands on and was out the door. I had said yesterday that we were going to work on dressage, so I dug out the dressage pad and saddle, along with his dressage bridle (loose ring french link) and got started.

It was really nice out, I had on two shirts, standard Indiana attire, and a hoodie. Yesterday I had on two shirts, a hoodie, my Carhart, jeans and thermal breeches. Today, two shirts and a hoodie...well, and jeans of course.
Indiana weather has a mind of it's own. In the winter it is freaking cold and snowy. We are just about an hour east of Lake Mighigan and about an hour and 45 minutes from the Ohio line. I live about fifteen minutes from the Michigan line. Easier said-I live 10 minutes from Notre Dame. In the summer it's hot and humid. Winter starts in Oct and ends in April or May. I hate winter. And my birthday is in the winter...

So, it was nice out and I thought instead of riding in the arena we would head out for a decent hack. Olly loves to go out on hacks, and this was the best day to do it. We started out going our normal way. We trotted down the field where our xc logs are and turned down the first side road. All down this road there are farms with horses. Olly neighs at every farm to see if anyone will answer. None of them usually do, they are just content to be fat and eating their grass. There is, however, one paint that always comes to the fence. He never causes a problem, I think he is just curious.

Curious Paint and Fat Arab

"Let me know if the TB is interesting, I may get up"

Normally, when we get to the end of the road we turn right (this takes us to the camels). Today, we turned left. As much as I dislike being back in Indiana, I have to admit that it is pretty out here in the country. Flat, but pretty. As we were walking I made mental notes of all the cool places to work on endurance. Whenever we found a lane or something we wanted to explore, we went. I kept an eye out for No Trespassing signs. We would retrace back and continue on down the road. My plan was to go around the block. Next side road turn and that should take us back in the direction of the barn. Well, little did I know we would be on the longest hack in Indiana to date.

Indiana goes on for days. You can see for miles.

We kept on doing our trotting sets and cantering sets. No crossroads in sight. Just enjoying the day. I heard and saw a ton of geese, in the fields and in the sky getting ready to set into the fields. Along the side of the road there were hundreds of deer tracks, and a few were of some massive bucks. One of the wooded areas we walked past was full of pines. Turkeys had to be in there. We crossed to the other side of the road and sure enough I heard them. None within sight, but they were loud, just hens clucking no gobbles. That's the next season up, April, I think.

In the near distance I see, what appears to b a crossroad. I was somewhat thankful only because I was freezing and we had gone about 3 miles. The closer we got to the "crossroad" the more it wasn't. It was a drive way. How do I know?

Well, I know because there is no road sign and it clearly has the "Indiana Driveway" identification, a hubcap.

So since this was not our exit, we continued on. I did happen to see a promising stretch to canter. And it had a sign-I'm sure the sign said "Made for cantering sets for Pru and Olly." Once we got closer it said "Wetland Preserve." I was close.

I am not sure if you can see the little tank (pond) in the back ground.

We did breeze the little strip of grassy land just inside the Wetland Preserve. I could tell Olly was feeling the long hack and we hadn't even found our "crossroad" yet. As we slowed, I saw a road sign, just after a bridge. Finally!! An intersecting road that would turn us in the direction of home.

Oh, no...it wasn't a road. It was a sign saying we were crossing into the NEXT COUNTY!!

The Kankakee River

I tried but didn't see ANY roads, other than the one we were on. And by this point it was no longer New Rd it was 300S. I could see cars driving a few fields over and it actually crossed my mind to hoof it cross country to "said" road. The corn fields were acres and acres and the wind was blowing. I was starting to wonder why I made the decision to leave my Carhart in the car. I was fine until the sun ducked behind a cloud, then I really started to contemplate turning around.

The dirt here is so rich, hence all the corn and bean fields.

This picture (above) was the turning point. We had been out for two hours. I knew that it would be a quicker ride home because we weren't exploring as much, plus Olly had turned on his BRH GPS and was double timing it.

Here is a short clip of the BRH's GPS in action. I do not have a helmet cam, this was on my phone.

Once we were headed back it was a bit quicker pace. You can see the first clip of the video he's really working his walk. After a few minutes, I started scanning the surroundings. Even though I am not a fan of being in Indiana, I am thankful for the beautiful day and everything in my life. I did notice that my immediate "family," the ones I love (outside of mom and such) are all male. The irony...Back to the hack.

While scanning, I notice the tower we passed on the way out, it's about a mile or so from the barn.

See the antenna? It's the tiny little red stick FARRRRRRR in the background.

Yeah, that's how far we had to go to ALMOST get home. We kept going at the pace Olly was tracking. I just let the sun warm me as much as I could and every few hundred yards I tucked my hands under his saddle pad near his withers.

I promised Olly one last breeze in the xc log field before we made it to the barn. As we were approaching the field Olly's attention was diverted.

Mom!! They are taking our xc logs!!!!

The trucks and bulldozer were hard at work removing the last of our make-shift xc course.

We made our last SLOW canter set down this field and walked the rest of the way home. Olly was beat, but happy and so was I. Total time? A little over three hours. Normally I would have no issue riding for this long, but it was too chilly for just a few shirts and a hoodie.

2012-02-04T18:24:00.000-05:00

This week has been interesting. The weather can't make up it's mind...cold and snow, then warm and rainy, oh, and back to cold and snow. I am very thankful for the warm breaks, but it makes the cold and snow that much more crappier. I have decided that if I take my riding clothes to work and change there, race to the barn (which is about 25 minutes away) and hustle saddling, I can ride for at least 30 minutes before it gets dark. Thirty minutes doesn't seem like a lot, but when you don't get to ride at all during the week due to no daylight, it's worth all the effort.
Monday I happened to walk outside while at work and noticed it was clear and warm out. How did this happen?? I have no idea. I made up my mind that I was going to ride. I didn't have a change of clothes, but I was going to make it happen.

I rushed out and hopped on for just a few minutes. I totally didn't have the right attire, but at this point I didn't care.

Mom, it's 53* out, can the sleezy come off now??

Peacoat, slacks and muck boots--perfect for riding.

We rode in the arena for about 15 minutes. Tuesday was supposed to be even warmer. Score!
Tuesday I had brought my riding clothes to work. The BRH was going to have to put some effort into it. It was too dark to actually video, I tried. All I got was an Olly and Pru silhouette. Video-not so much. Stills-awesome.

This one is my fav.

Wednesday I fully intended to go out riding, but had lawyer issues and had to pass.
Friday we had us time. No riding just tons of scratching and loving.
Today, Saturday, I made sure the camera was charged and went out did some jumping and a short hack.
A few things I have noticed we have to work on:
-speed. I feel like we are racing to the jumps, but when I watch the video we are just cantering along. I think that I just need to maintain an even collected pace. Feel free to leave feedback blow.
-leads. Simple changes are just that, simple. I haven't really tried flying changes since we have been back at it, but This coming week, tomorrow, we will. There is no reason why we should still be doing simple changes.
-strides. As you will see in the video, we botched on of the tries at the log. Of course, this was my fault, but practice is practice.
What I do know, is that Olly has remembered way more than I expected. I just need to brave the weather and put the miles back on him to get back into shape.

Ever hear some one say "stick it where the sun don't shine?" I'm pretty sure whoever coined that phrase meant Indiana. It's always gloomy here.

Pffffttttttt!!! Who's Out of Shape??!!

2012-01-01T19:48:00.000-05:00

I set out on a mission today. I packed my camera up and my Carhart and headed out. Olly has been showing me that he has remembered a lot more than I had expected. Today, we were going to be working on transitions and simple changes. I wanted to do some exercises with ground rails, but I didn't have any.

Come one Mom, let's get the boots on and get rolling!!

We started out doing light arena work. Walking and trotting in both directions and a few laps cantering, just to warm up. The plan was to be as informational on the video for Maddie, my friend with the OTTB, in VA. After warming up, I started with a working trot. It was time to start working on collection. He was going to have to really work at it, since he hasn't worked those muscles in quite some time. In the videos you will see that he is trying, but can only hold a half way decent form for short periods. It will improve the more we ride. I'm not really worried about it just because it is the lack of muscle. It will develop in time.

Here are two books that are a must have:

The first video is mainly transitions. We did up and down transitions. For the last few rides I have been noticing little things that need fine tuning. I know it's difficult holding his form. While doing some of the trotting I really had to keep my hands still and good contact with the bit. I also had to keep my legs on him to encourage impulsion, I think he just needed the extra help. I also noticed that I was lacking on the outside rein. I know it has been a bit since we were consistently riding, and I know that outside rein is important, but I didn't remember how important it was to him. As I watched the video, I did see how loopy my reins were. Fail. That is why I like doing work and recording, so I can see what I am doing wrong. I set up a few angles to video from.

Note to Maddie:
     Things to watch for-in my riding and also yours:
           * keep your hands still
           * keep contact with the bit-no loopy reins
   * no posting ( that goes for up or down transitions) unless the gait you are going to stay in is a trot
           * keep you heels down and legs still NO BUMPING HER SIDES
           * maintain same tempo
   * remember diagonals
           * don't be afraid to fail. just try again
           * have fun and don't get frustrated

The most difficult for me to accomplish out of the above list are loopy reins and bit contact. With out those you lose your horse. You can see in the video him falter when my reins go to shit. Oh and don't forget the bend. Bend is the curve of your horse's body when turning . I think of it as one minute past 12 noon (like on a clock).

In the last part of the video we do a simple lead change. Right to left. His body enters the diagonal slightly bend to the right, we break to a trot remain straight and then bend to the left for the lead change. Now, in reality, he should be bent to turn, be straight for the entire change then bend to the left to change direction. We are not perfect, but it's a start.

The next video is more on lead changes. The BRH had a few issues with anticipating my next move. Of course, he was right 99% of the time, but that does not make it acceptable for him to do. We had to do a little corrective training, which is on the video. I had to use a lot more leg and even get the lunge whip out to help hold him. He dropped his shoulder, which may have been an outside rein issue. My bad.

After the arena work Olly still seemed to have some energy. I decided a short hack would be a good reward for such a good ride. We went to the nearest downed corn field, where we usually breeze the length. I was scanning and noticed that in the middle of this field there used to be a tree line. Now, all it is is huge logs and stumps....**idea** I bet I could jump that shit. We trotted across the field to check it out. I found a few logs that would be perfect to try out.

Log A

Log B (Let's go Mom!!!!)

Log A is in the video.

She's seen better days...

Roached mane

Mom, please...I'm eating.

Good Memory

2011-12-29T13:49:00.000-05:00

I went out to ride Olly yesterday. It was finally sunny. I dug out his French link D-ring. the plan was to do some transitions and maybe lead changes if he was cooperating. the elevator is good for brakes, but no so good for bending. I also made sure to grab his open front boots and bells.

I have kind of let the BRH just get used to me being on him again over the past few rides. Just some long hacks and a a few breezes in the downed corn fields. He seems to be telling me that he isn't as out of shape as I think. Last weekend we went on a 4.5 mile hack and although he was ready to go home, he could have gone further.
Since he has showed me he wants to work and is willing to put all of his BRH effort into our rides already, we did arena work.
We stared out with just warming up at a walk. A few laps each direction and then did medium size circles at each corner. Olly was less than thrilled with this. I could see and feel how bored he was. I gathered up the reins and said "trot-trot!" He instantly picked up a trot. I know that his muscle tone is almost nothing after being off for almost a year, so I made sure to give him breaks. We trotted around the arena until he would give me his head and hold it for a few strides. It felt so good to feel his hind end reach under and him flex his back. After twice around the arena I started doing the circles at each corner. He had to focus more. He was moving at a fast speed and I was making him use himself more. He did well. We reversed. His right was a bit more sloppy than his left, but that is normal to have to work harder on the right side for him. We focused on the little things. Bending, but not over bending. Clean, round circles and an even steady pace. The only thing he had issues with was holding his collection for more than a half of a lap, which I am totally ok with.
The next step was cantering. Normally, I would have waited, but he was doing so well. I gave him a few turns around the arena to recover from the trotting circles. He wanted to slow his pace and look around, which is ok, but now is time to work. I pushed him into a good swinging walk on a long rein.
After our recover laps, I gathered the reins and asked him for a canter. He felt like he was going to pick it up from a walk, but he dropped to his forhand and broke. I know at certain times that you need to transition from a trot to a canter, but I wanted to see if he would collect enough to go from a walk to a canter. We tried it a few more times. His focus was slipping. He was noticing more things, like the hunter walking in the field and the wind blowing the trees and bushes. I stopped in the middle of the arena and picked up a short lunge whip, it hardly had a tail. I hopped back on and carried it on my left side (to aide the right). Just by having it I could feel his back shorten and his hind end start working more efficently.
Since I have attended the Lucinda Green clinic in 2010, I have carried a crop or a whip. Just by having it does wonders.
I had the whip on my left side, just in front of my knee. I let him do one lap of a free walk, just so he knew that I wasn't using the whip as a punishment. I gathered the reins again, made sure he was slightly bent to the right, left heel and pushed him into his right lead. He held the collection for a few strides and then I felt him starting to fall on his shoulder again. I instantly squeezed and bent him into a circle. We circled a tidge larger than a medium, but it helped him control his speed and push under himself at the same time. We continued around the arena and at the next corner we turned to the diagonal. I had to use a lot of leg almost exaggerating my aids to help him. We prepared for the simple change. I broke him to a trot and asked for the left lead. It took more than two strides for him to pick up a canter, but he did get the correct lead. However, he dropped his shoulder when he turned. No Bueno. We repeated the drill a few more times. I alternated leads and corners just so he wouldn't anticipate. By the time we had completed about 5 more tries, he was knocking out the leads almost perfect. I had given him a few breaks in between, just to make sure he wasn't over working his muscles, or lack of muscles. I was completely satisfied with his effort and output. He gave 100% .

This weekend I will be taking my camera and doing a transition video for my Ft. Eustis horsey friend Maddi. She has a nine year old OTTB named Robelina, that she is wanting to jump with. Robbi has been out to pasture for quite some time and is needing some extra work.

Maddi and her OTTB Robbi

Merry Chirstmas From the BigRedHorse

2011-12-25T20:03:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! Today I went out to see Olly. Normally, I take him an apple or some carrots. Today I took him a candy cane. I walked up to the fence and called "hey BRH!!" He neighed and started towards me. I met him in the middle of the paddock. I put his halter on, took a few pictures and gave him his candy cane, which by the way he refused to eat. "Mom, how am I suppose to get into shape when you're feeding me candy canes??!!"

You can see his excitement...

I was totally not dressed to ride. I just wanted to give him a hug. I had UGGs and legwarmers on, but decided to throw the lead rope over his neck and swing on. There is a small arena where I board him. It's slightly larger than a round pen. I could do like MAYBE two jumps in it, but that would be tight.

I hopped on and walked a few laps both ways. Trot. At first he had a nice easy to sit trot. We went both directions. After a few laps it started getting faster, he wanted to go. good time to work on the sitting trot, I let him go at his pace. I brought him back down to a walk and gathered him up, as much as you can in a halter and lead, and asked for a canter. It took two strides to get there, but after not being ridden for so long, I let it go. We cantered around one lap and I brought him to a walk to reverse.
To the left was even better, but that is expected...he is left handed like his mom. I brought him to a trot for a lap, broke to a walk and picked up the right lead. After two laps I thought simple change in the middle. Now, this arena is small. No, SMALL. As big as his stride is he will only have say three strides to make the change. I was trying it anyway. We were on the right lead, turned diagonally and broke to a trot for the simple change. I sat three strides and cued for the left. Boom. Left lead and we're done. I was thrilled!! I let him canter on for a few strides and let him walk. Next thought? Yup, flying change.
This time, I gathered the, well, reins or lead and asked him to use his back a bit. He understood what I was asking, but the effort was minimal when riding bareback with a halter. I decided to set him up for success and asked for the right lead. He changes to the left easier. One lap around to the right and I turned. I changed his bend and one stride before we needed to change he picked up his left shoulder, changed and continued on his left lead. I was so ecstatic!!! I gave him lots of pats and hugs. He's not as rusty as I thought. I only rode for a like 15-20 minutes and ended on that good note. I hopped off and let him eat some grass. Tomorrow i don't have to work, we will be doing some more arena work and then a good hack. I need to find some small little logs to pop over.

Reunited.

2011-12-04T17:59:00.000-05:00

As you know, the BigRedHorse and I have been separated for almost a year now. I recently moved him to my hometown in Indiana. There was good reason for this. I have relocated. I made it to town late Saturday (26Nov) night and went to visit my BRH the next morning. I was unable to ride him BC it was FREAKING FREEZING outside and rainy.

I did return a few days later to climb aboard the fire breathing dragon. I searched for all the tack that has been packed away and remember all the good times that was associated with it. I knew that this would be a short ride BC of how out of shape he would be, but I didn't care. To feel him under me would for just a few minutes would be all worth it.

I decided it would be wise to use the elevator since it would be his first ride with me in almost a year. I would probably need some brakes.

I took my time brushing and saddling him. It was like I had never left. He was behaved and polite. He enjoyed the rub down. I made a mental note to buzz the mane off ASAP. As I was finishing brushing him I inspected his tail. For those of you who know me and my tail fetishes--you may want to sit down. I knew and prepared myself for a tangled mess, what I didn't prepare myself for is a knotted rats nest.

I almost fell over and had a heart attack. My artwork that I had worked so hard on for years to grow out and bang. The beautiful glossy tail that was a masterpiece was now a bundled, knotted ball of protein. I slowly backed away and tried not to look back. I will be investing in some sort of lubricant (WD40, I was advised) to fix this problem on the next half-way decent warm day.

After I got over the mess we will refer to as "the embarrassment" I put his bridle on and attempted to get on. I say attempted BC the BRH seem to have forgotten that we stand still for mom to get on. No worries....he was quickly reminded.

I was prepared. I fully expected him to be the fire breathing dragon with bucking on the first ride. To my surprise he wasn't. We walked and talked about the past year, filling in the blanks. It felt great to feel his feet move under me, I could feel his muscles work. I could feel his back engage and disengage. I could definitely tell he was out of shape, but Olly seemed to think otherwise. It was almost like he wanted to pick up where we had left off. I could feel the want.

I asked him for a trot. He picked it up with ease, but easily fell out of form. I didn't worry about it, I was just happy to be near him again. We trotted for about a 100 yards before the BRH started to snort and cough. And I realized that my posting was a bit tiring too.We broke to a walk. I let him recover, which was a lot faster than I had expected. I didn't have my GPS with me, but I will be charging it. We have a lot of work to do. After recovering I wanted to see how the canter was. The que's were a bit rusty, but he did get the correct lead. It only took about 5 strides before he was pulling on the bit. I resisted to let him go. We were on a safe sandy drive, but the first ride in almost a year, not the smartest thing. I was however, completely surprised that he didn't buck what-so-ever. I whoa-ed him to a walk and we turned around to head back.

Looking down the lane on the way home he started to get excited. Ears perked and feet barely touching the ground. I kept telling him he would be sore tomorrow if he didn't relax, but he wouldn't listen. I let him do another canter set, recover and then a trot set. He seemed content as did I. It was great to be with him again.
We made it back to the barn. Our ride was only about 20 minutes, but I didn't want to push too much. It was more about being with him, than actually doing anything. I think I spent longer brushing him and talking to him than I did riding him. I missed him more than I even realized.

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T15:08:00.000-05:00

Last Thanksgiving I was forced to deal with THE biggest decision of my life. My marriage, or the lack thereof. It has been one year today that I have been separated from my soon-to-be-ex-husband. I can't even start to explain all that I have gone through. No one reading this has the time. All I can say is that it was not his decision, it was mine and he made that completely understood through his behavior. I have lost just about everything that I love and although this isn't the end, I still have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful first and foremost, that God never left my side, even when it felt like I couldn't carry on.

I am thankful for my boys. They are now in Hawaii (as of 26Aug) with their father, but I talk to them almost everyday and I miss and love them with every ache and beat of my heart.

They are my world.

I am thankful for my BRH. We have been apart almost a year and I can't wait to hug the ever loving crap out of him the next time I see him.

I am thankful for all my friends and family that have been my support system and have witnessed me at my utmost worst--and they are still my friends. Family, you have no choice.....

My sis and I

Lastly, I am thankful for my life. There were days when I really did believe that it was limited.

I don't even have an explanation, I'm just me.

No matter the past, what was said or done and the future, I am truly thankful for all that I have experience and the people that experienced it with me. I have been tested and tried and am still the person I have been, just a little stronger and maybe a little less tolerant. I am thankful for all of it.

Heyyyyyyy BRH!!!!!!!

2011-11-08T20:00:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about this that I have no introduction, I just have to say it! The BRH is in my home town, so all I have to do is go visit and I get to see him. I get to ride him. I'm one more step closer to having him near me. My mom was so gracious as to go see him and take pictures of him. Now, remember that he has been to pasture for almost a year. That's right, it's been almost a year. Scary.

Hey, kid what I need to know is, what do YOU have for ME?

The first thing I thought when I saw the text come in was HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THAT MANE!!!! Then, I said WHO CARE'S!!?? That's my BRH!!!

Rockin' the JollyRoger halter...

I miss him so much and right now he would do me some good. Funny how all the things in my life that mean anything to me are male. Now, that is scary. I have decided to purposely ignore the little "male" tid-bit and move on.
After blinking away the tears, I start to evaluate what his condition is. Not like "bad" condition, like "outta shape" condition. He has lost a years worth of muscle.

Can't wait to get on him and whip that into shape!!!

When I took him to his temporary home he was a fit as he ever was, jumped as high as he ever did and was a sound (mentally, that is) as he ever was. I'm curious to see how he is. He is a TB ya, know. According to my mom, he's doing quite well. She even had a teary-eyed melt down. That's the kind of effect the BRH has on people. You can't help but love him.

Grandma Gracie (my mom) with the BRH. Such a good grandma!!!!

I have so many plans for the BRH, I just have to get him near me. His mane and tail, OMGosh, his tail. You know how anal I am about his tail. I'm actually scared to even look at it. I'm sure he hasn't had a tail bag on it and there were rumors of cockle burrs. I just might scream. Maybe Grandma Gracie can do some grooming for me before I explode.

I wish I were there to be able to love and hug on him, to give him the care that I want. Soon BRH, soon. I promise.

I hope to have some pictures of him soon that I have taken. Ill keep y'all updated.

Playing Jockey

2011-06-12T20:42:00.000-04:00

So, since I don't really have the BigRedHorse to write about, I thought I would write about my horsey experiences while he is away.
I was at work one Saturday and was on Craigslist-go figure-looking for inexpensive places to board the BRH. While scrolling I saw an ad for an exercise rider. I instantly emailed the lady. I had experience riding, but how do you prove that? Well, YouTube and blogspot.com. I attached my blog site and my channel on YouTube. Not in my wildest dreams did I think the BRH would land me a paying position to ride. YES. I GOT PAID TO RIDE. It still shocks me. Anyway, The next morning Leanne emailed me and asked if I could come interview. Hell, yes! I drove to her house and found 7 race horses in her back yard. She has a 3/8mile sand track running through her woods. This is cool. The first horse I rode was the pony horse, appropriately named, Pony. It was the first time I had ridden in a racing saddle. It's like, just sturrips. That's it. I kept thinking that there was a reason that this chick had me come out and a stinking saddle wasn't going to get in the way of me getting this job. She kind of looked at me like I was crazy when I started posting. Well what do you expect from an eventer? She's lucky I wasn't rocking a sitting trot. We picked up a canter and here I am half sitting in the saddle. GET OFF HIS BACK! Ok! Ok! Sheesh. I wasn't getting this job. I watched everything she did. Forget two point. My sturrips were shorter than any cross country rider would have. When I got out of the saddle, my knees were well above the knees rolls, or where the knee rolls should have been. I felt top heavy, forward. Not what the practicing dressage ridier is used to. My mind couldn't help but think of all the bad things that could happen at a damn-near gallop riding so far forward. These horses don't really canter. The gallop slow, but don't canter. Upper body forward, arms low and still, ass in the air and rocked back for balance and for Pete's sake HEELS DOWN. I pushed all my weight, as far as I could, into those heels. After a few laps-and remember I am still on the Pony-I knew I had a new respect for jockeys.
Next, time for a real race horse. I'm not going to lie...I was nervous, but the false confidence that I always exude was there. Leanne grabs my left leg and slings my silly butt up on Red. He was calm and not cooky like the ones you see on tv. She explains to me how as soon as you are on the horse you need to be "tied-on." Ok, the last ting I want is to be "tied-on" to a race horse. To her tied-on is ready to go. Reins, sturrips and ride on. I called out "tied-on!" She unclips his bridle from the lead and says make 3 turns at a progessive pace. Ok. I got this! One turn (lap) at a "canter" and pick up the pace each turn ending in a steady gallop. Well, I soon found out Red makes his first turn slow and steady and then the rest of the turns you can piss off. He has his own plans. I thought to myself, I better not have a horse run away from me. And then a split second later rationalized with, all I have to do is stay on and keep myself in control. See the biggest thing I learned is that these race horses don't give a crap about what you want. They want to go. It's all a mind game. They don't whoa, they don't leg yield and they sure don't rein well. How do you control them then? Well you kinda have to think what you want them to do. And they actually do it. True Story. You will lose if you try to muscle them. Needless to say, I made the three turns, at the correct pace, while staying on and loved it.

The Race Horses:

Red

Red is a 6 year old TB gelding. I would say he is about 15.2-3 and has absolutely no markings what so ever. He is, well, Red. He is well into racing. He knows what he is suppose to do when he is out and doesn't have time for the little stuff. He was the first "racer" she (Leanne) let me ride. He pulls a bit, but is manageable. He makes his first turn at a slow pace and then the mind games start to keep him controlled throughout the rest of the ride. I give him 8 out of 10.

Woody

Woody is a four year old gelding who reminds me of the buzzard on the Saturday morning cartoons. Not a care in the world. I don't think he really gets the racing yet. He is like a 3 year old child, he needs lots of encouragement and a crop. I wondered at first if he would even race, but as I started riding him everyday I realzied that he really needed to trust me. Once we trusted each other (after about a week) he picked up the pace and I think he will do well. Plus, I think he will do better at the longer races, not the sprinting type races.

Curly

And Elissa

Curly is a four year old gelding who is smooth as butter. He is gorgous and despite his smaller size is a power house. The first time I rode him we did three turns-one mile-and after the second turn when we picked up the pace, he started having breathing issues. He was sucking wind and couldn't fix it. Leanne ended up having to tie his tounge to fix the problem.

Herc

We are friends now.

Oh, Herc. Herc is the 16.1-2 four year old stud that threw me the first day I rode him. The stories I have of this horse. He is massive, gorgous and re-freaking-diculous!! He reminds me of a frat boy that is girl crazy. He can focus for short periods of time and needs constant attention to remind him what he is here to do...just like a frat boy. He is always ponied for a few laps first because he is just that silly. After 2-3 laps Leanne says get tied on. I push a bucket up to him and get ready to get on. Now, remember I have never ridden a stud before, but I have riddin young horses. I applied all I knew. I lifted my leg and slide my foot into the iron. I was trying to move fast, but slow. Ya, know how you move with the young horses...I put all my weight into my hand on the pommel and made sure I had the reins and lowered myself into the saddle. Well, I should say I lowered myself onto the pommel where my hand was becasue this dude flipped. He reared, then bucked, then reared (this is where I attempted a lame dismount off the right side). He continued to repeat his pattern while I scuttled my silly self out of the way on my ass. I am just not good a sitting bucking. Rearing I can do, but bucking just sucks. I stand up nd instantly feel that my knee is going to be an issue. How did I know? Well, it didn't work. lol I hobbled to the bucket while Leanne took Herc for a few more turns. I did a little self-talk because I knew as soon as she rounded the corner it was round two and got my mind together. Accept it. You will probably get dumped again. After a few deep breaths, I told my self I'll be damned if this horse dumps me again, today or anyother day. I sang a few lines to a Taylor Swift song and she rounded the corner. "Ready?!" She called out. In my mind I pictured the scene in Ice Age, where Sid the sloth decideds that he is going to take the caveman baby back to his "herd" himself. He then looks up at the huge wall of rock he will have to tackle and mumbles "I'm gonna die...." That's basically how I felt. I was gonna do it, but in my mind I thought I was gonna die lol. So I walk over to this horse that now looks even bigger and step up on the bucket and repeat the same steps I did not 5 minutes ago. He bunny hopped and I instantly kicked the shit outta his ass to move him forward and told him to get up in the most angry voice I could, which was easy because I was kinda pissy. Leanne made a good judgement call by still keeping the pony. We rode three turns and by the time we were done, Herc was calm-er and my knuckles were white from grabbing mane. My knee didn't hurt it just felt like rubber. Like my tendons and ligaments were stretched to the max. The pain would set in this evening.
The next day, I dreaded riding Herc, because I knew that it was going to be a repeat of yesterday. The funny thing is this horse has raced before! And this is his behavior. We did the normal 2-3 turns with the pony horse and I got on. No rearing or bucking. Better than yesterday. We did 2 turns with the pony horse and Leanne said tied on? I said yup! Here we go! We galloped 3 strides and this big ass grabbed the bit, tucked his head and bucked like he was a bull in the PBR. What seemed like 5 minutes of bucking was only about 100 yards. Honestly, I have no idea how I stayed on. I had my left hand on the reins my right hand *trying* to grab the reins to help pull his head up and my feet and legs were so far forward my knees were strainght and across his shoulders. I felt like I was in the rodeo. BUT I stayed on! And that is all that mattered. I won. As soon as I got him stopped I bitched him out (verbally) and got the hell off. I needed to get my adrenaline back to normal levels. As I fixed the saddle-which the cantle was almost to his withers-my hands were shaking. I then started singing again. Saddle fixed-me back on. This is our entire relationship. After a week the bucking stopped. But I still rode defensively.

Sierra

Sierra is a four year old TB mare. She is crazy. This chic will do what ever she wants when ever she wants...at a gallop, with no warning. She spooks at things that are not there and flips out at stuff that is there. She weaves on the track and changes leads at the wrong time. She is spindle-y and choppy. BUT I like her. She is my favorite. The first time I rode her we went one turn and as we were making our second, she decided to jump the ditch and try to turn around-at a gallop. This is something trainers frown upon. I had Leanne get the crop. Next time she would get a spanking. That was the only time that she tried this stunt. I think the crop helped, but the biggest thing is that I switch techniques with each horse. 7 horses, 7 different rides.

Penny

Penny is damn near a pony. She's a twin. She is fast and all business. All you have to do is hold on. She isn't spooky and she knows what to do and how to do it. She is Red's full sister. She has no markings just like him. It is hard for me to ride her being so tall. When we gallop I am almost at her ears, which is kinda good because Penny knows english well. You can ride her just by talking to her. I really think she talks after we leave. And I think I throw off her balance. I have to accomodate her leads with my weight around the turns.

Lucy

Lucy is the one I will be putting my money on for sure. She is more than just business. She is the horse you see on tv. Get on and go. No games. No waiting to get your thoughts together, just go. I didn't get to ride her until three weeks in and I totally understand why. This chic is tough. Background: we don't run the horses all out...but that is all the horses want to do. How do you meet in the middle? Well it's different for each horse, some don't mind working slower (Woody, Curly, Herc) others want to go but will let you rationalize with them (Penny, Red, Sierra). Then there's Lucy. She takes the first turn like a western pleasure rocking horse. Once she see's the begining of the new turn it's piss off. It takes all I have to hold her. I prepare for her speed increase on turn two, at turn one. It's all mental. I sit still and literally think about how she will be steady and collected. It works most of the time. She is a hang on and let her do her job type of gal.

So those are all the horses I have ridden in the past couple months. I have gained alot of muscle and knowledge.

I went to the track Wednesday after work to watch Red race his first race this season. I missed the race by 2 minutes, but when I walked in, I looked up and saw him in the winners circle. That was a great feeling. Next race is Wednesday. I'm hustling from work-in my dress, heels and hat this time ;) to watch Penny, Hurc and Lucy run. Can't.Wait.

Oh, and I wanted to add a picture of a future jockey....

Colton

Long time no blog.....

2011-06-04T13:20:00.000-04:00

Yes!! I am still alive and so is the BRH.
First a life update...don't worry I'll make it quick. I just recently moved out of my friends house and have my own apartment, in a not so prominent neighborhood. But it IS home and I pay for it with my own paycheck. I also have bought my own car, again it's not my 2009 Dodge Ram, but it feels good to have MY own things. I will take it!! I still am waiting on the custody of my boys. One more month. I see them all the time, but it's not the same. I want them ALL the time. I picked up a second job, which most of you know about, riding/training race horses. They run locally here in Williamsburg, Va. The first night I rode, I got thrown by a 4yo stud. He's huge and likes to buck and rear. Classic. I had never ridden a stud before so this was a new experience to me. Can you say defensive riding anyone?? After three weeks of swelling/pain in my knee from the fall I got x-rays...nothing, just sprained. I was advised to not ride--yeah--right. My knee is still sore occasionally, but you know how that goes.

Herc, right before he threw me.

Lucy

Sierra (CB-Crazy Bitch lol)

Sierra is my favorite. She is unpredictable and fast. You always have to be on your guard and ride her like you stole her. Her heart is in the game, I think one day she would be a great show jumper, but for now she races. I am hoping that by the time her racing career is over I will be able to afford her. That is how much I like her.

I love riding the horses. Just one more thing to add to my list of disciplines.
Barrel Racing
Jumping
Eventing
Reining
Polo
Racing
SWEET!

Now to the part y'all want to hear the BRH!!!
He is still in Indiana, I am hoping to make plans soon to get him here. Money is always the issue. He lost his boyfriend about a month ago due to a bad bacterial infection from stepping on a nail. I don't know the details, but the nail ended up penetrating the bone and just got worse from there. Kelsey was devastated and went home to visit. I stayed. She did ride the bucking-yes, that's right, bucking-BRH. He is huge and sassy. We found out that he doesn't necessarily befriend all theses horses he is attached to. He more like bully's them. YES! Can you believe it? The loving, sweet, caring BRH. Chris, Kelsey's mom, has to fend him off with a broom when he is in the stall. I think the BRH needs an ass whoopin'. Here is the BigRedHorse fat and happy.

BigFatHorse

Ben in the background

The ColdFatHorse

2011-02-06T02:19:00.000-05:00

This just in...a BigRedHorse update. The huge Midwest Blizzard seem to have missed the BRH. He is the luckiest horse in the world. My Mom lives just three hours north of where he is being kept and shoveled 18" of snow in one day. The temp were in the negatives. FAIL.

Mom's car. Nice.

Grandma's house

Mom's back porch...sad, just sad.

The same day we were enjoying 69* temps. I'd like to day I wasn't rubbing it in, but I'd kinda be lying. Don't worry the very next day it was a high of 38*, God keeps my cockiness in check....

Don't worry the "messege" is due to a tire sensor. I have it handled.

I miss my BigRedHorse so much. I keep watching and re-watching our videos on YouTube thinking of how much fun it will be to work on our fitness when we reuinte. You know I am gonna be out of shape too.
I went with a friend to her barn last weekend to ride her horse. He is a great all around, dead broke Arab that anyone can ride. I made a few rounds and let the boys ride too. We ended up working with another pony at the barn, which I swear is a Halflingr, but she said he is a Corolla pony. She said he was removed from his herd becasue he was too fiendly and it was causing problems with him and innocent bystanders lol. She has been working with him doing ground work and hadn't been on his back. What time better, than the present? Get on!!! We saddled him up and threw a rope halter on him and started lunging. A few times around each way. He is still rusty. He's four and very immature. After he was calm she hopped on. NOTHING. Good boy!!!!

PenniLynn and I can't remember his name for the life of me.

Who bets money he's a halflinger?? Anyone??

Oh, and FYI she is only 5 foot NOTHING!!!

I lead and she sat. Just walking of course. He did great. My boys were playing on a nearby playground and it didn't even phase him. He has pretty good conformation, not excellent, but good enough for him to do lower level Dressage and maybe even some jumping. I wish I were smaller so I could work with him and show him. He has such a great attitude. Now, mind you, he is a pony, so I expect a bit of attitude surfacing at some point. Saturday, the attitude was surpressed, I suspect mainly to confusion. WTH is this person doing on my back?? Wait until we actually ask him to work. Hehehe. I can't wait.

It was nice to be around horses again. It made me happy to see them, smell them ,and touch them. It's in my blood. BUT nothing will fill the void of my BigRedHorse.
I leave March 28th. I won't be able to see my boy before I leave for six months. I do, however, intend on bringing him wherever I am A.S.A.P. I just want to hug him.

The ColdRedHorse

2010-12-26T10:38:00.000-05:00

You all know of the life fail, well here comes some more. Tuesday morning we got up early to head out to the BigRedHorse's new temporary home. Kelsey's mom has been so gracious to let him hang out with her gang for a few months. It was a nice, long, COLD 12 hour drive. We stopped half way at the Tamarack to get the boys out and walk around. Talk about getting looks. Who sees two huge horses walking around a truck stop parking lot. Ben toughed it out with no blanket and shipping boots. Olly had shipping boots too, only problem, when mom puts the boots on in the dark there is a pretty good chance that one will be put on up-side-down. Whoops. I made the BigRedHorse look retarded. lol. He also had on his winter blanket. We walked and trotted them around to get the blood moving and loaded them back up. Only six more hours to go.
As we drove we watched the temperature drop from 37* (in Va) to 23* (as we crossed the Indiana line). Ugh. I hate winter. We left Va with no snow on the ground and with what we thought were freezing temps. As the sun rose we saw more snow and no sun. Booooo! My boys were loving it. They have been waiting to play in snow (more than a few inches) all winter. The had their winter coats and grandma had boots and gloves waiting for them.
As we pull into Kelsey's my heart got lower and lower in my chest. This is it. This is where he will be staying for MONTHS. My heart was saying ball your eyes out like a little girl, but my mind said, suck it up, you have things to do.I pushed off my feelings for the moment to get the kids handled and all our stuff unloaded.
As Olly stepped off the trailer he was shivering. This didn't look good. Ben was glad to be home. Olly was glad to see new horsey friends. I turned him out and he went straight to the middle of the paddock to roll. Once he laid down he instantly jumped up and shook. This white stuff is Freeeeeezing! He trotted around found the HUGE round bale and took a few bites. I gave him hugs and shifted my attention to my boys and getting them in the car for the rest of the ride.
The BigRedHorse has had new experiences while staying at Kelsey's already. He now knows how to use an automatic water-er, thanks to Ben, and is dealing with a pony that isn't so fond of him. See Fast Track's girlfriend, Karma, is in heat and she chose Olly. The problem, Olly is totally not interested in her. Oh, well. He still has Ben. And there is nothing better than a close friend anytime!
I will be heading back that way to say goodbye to my BigRedHorse on Wednesday. And I would be lying if I didn't say I'm not tearing up now. It will be a rough day, but I will make it through. I will see the BigRedHorse again and that is the only thing that makes me ok with doing all this. I would just die if I had to sell my boy. A few months apart....? I will deal and not complain.

The BigRedHorse at his new home.

Hopefully no more boo-boo's on the face. The fencing and barn here is in MUCH better condition than the Ft. Eustis barn. And by much better I mean not even comparable at how much better.

Olly, Karma and Ben.

Why the Slience?? It's because of a life FAIL.

2010-12-09T21:47:00.000-05:00

This isn't going to be one of my happiest blogs. honestly, it is one of my saddest.
This summer, while I had the best and most accomplishing times with the BigRedHorse, was one of the biggest fails of my life. My marriage seemed to fall apart. Most of you know that I have three wonderful boys that mean the world to me and the BigRedHorse is just a few steps behind. It all finally fell apart in October. After a long 6 week battle of heart and mind it was made clear that parting ways was the only option. The details are still being worked out, but I am ok with the whole situation.

One detail that has been decided is the BigRedHorse. Now, don't go freaking out. I would never sell my boy. I would sell a kidney on the black market before I would even think that. So, the deal. Olly goes to Indiana to a friends 50 acre farm until I get back from basic and AIT. Then he will go to my duty station. This way I dot have to pay expensive board and rely on a number of people taking care of him. One person, who is incredibly trustworthy and she even owns a mobile spa. He will be in heaven. Fat too.

As for the military, I will be a 68W(MEDDAC) and have no clue where I will be stationed. All that info I will post when I get it. I do know that I will be attending Basic training at Ft. Sill in OK and AIT (advanced individual training) at Ft. Sam Houston in Texas. I leave March 28th 2011.

Any questions? Ask away!!!

Jump the barrel say whaaaa?

2010-11-07T08:58:00.000-05:00

Today, We set up the pop-up barrels and went for it. I was quite surprised at how well the BigRedHorse owned that barrel pattern. He only trotted it a few times and was already understanding what his job was. And the awesome part, he LOVES it. "Mom, can I just runnnnnn?" I find myself holding him back in between barrels.
Part of me inside is hoping that this isn't going to make him rush, even more, when doing dressage patterns. Olly rushes all the time, but he is getting pretty rushy. I decided to ride him in his boucher because I didn't think I needed much "whoa." For some reason he just doesn't respond well to that bit. He does much better with a D-ring. I don't want to use the D-ring because that is what I use for jumping and I want to keep the bits seperate. Both are french link. I knotted my reins to remind me where to grab the reins (like a 12 year old hehehe) and started out at a trot. He did AMAZING!!!! Now, I may be retarded, but I see it as...if your horse is properly "trained," meaning legs, seat, voice, collection and is trusting, he should be able to get the point. I trot in, say WHOA and bend him. Outside leg on the girth for for a bit of speed and inside leg just behind the girth to push him around. I grab my knot and keep his head and neck bent to curl him around the barrel. My BigRedHorse owned that first barrel. Lather, rinse, repeat on barrels two and three. At a trot we did awesome.

Time to try it at a canter. Again, he owned the first barrel, but the second and third were way toooooo wide. I think my left handed horse may be right handed. I don't have a video of the reverse because Husband decided to put the camera on "sports" setting and took like 300 pictures in addition to 10 videos. But! I can say that my boy did much better to the left first. We switched first barrels. To the left first. On our way to the third, he got a bit confused on which side he was suppose to approach. He ducked as if he were going to bend it left. I had to give him some guidance, but by the time we got to it the barrel was right on his shoulder. A normal barrel horse would have knocked that shit down or plowed it over, the BigRedHorse on the other hand jumped that MoFo! A barrel is roughly three feet tall. Olly had it in the bag. He jumped that barrel with his front end and swung around with his hind and continued on. That's my jumping barrel horse!! I wish I had THAT on video. By the time out show is here on the 20th, I think Olly will be coordinated enough to run the barrels. I don't anticipate us winning anything, because we are going to be up against some horses that have been doing this all their life (Kelsey and Ben) but I do anticipate a whole bucket full of fun!

Dressage, check. XC, check. Show jumping, check. Barrel racing and roping, ummmmm....check??

2010-10-26T23:51:00.000-04:00

Last week Kelsey asked if I would like to accompany her to a barrel racing show to benefit breast cancer. I was like, totally. She did make sure to add that this would be a child free weekend. I would be attending solo, since this was not a BigRedHorse event.
Well, today after returning from work, I was presented with an offer.

Remember when I said that the BigRedHorse was kept on a cow ranch on Oahu? Well, see, I was told that he was roped off of and he wasn't too shabby at it. I am not sure how much I believe this....

So Kelsey says, Pru...I heard that Olly has had some experience with roping and cows. I knew instantly Husband let the cat outta the bag. Since this event is purely for the benefit of breast cancer, I can't really make an arguement. What is $50 for a class? Hardly an arguement. I was cornered. I have no other option but to say yes. So, November 20th the BigRedHorse will be donning a western saddle (borrowed, of course) and we will be attempting a barrel pattern and break away roping. For a cause...remember?
Thursday I will be heading to the nearest Tractor Supply to by a rope. I will be practicing a little. And YES, I will be sure to take the camera. I know none of you want to miss this. Oh, and a little FYI, the last time I was in a western saddle was when I was 21. And for those of you who don't know, that was quite a few years ago. Get ready all, the BigRedHorse is about to get more awesome.

The "little" RedHorse??

2010-10-20T18:54:00.000-04:00

Lately, it has taken everything I have had to make it out to see the BigRedHorse. Army stuff, work, kids, husband and just plain life has made it a struggle. I do make a point to at least go out and see him, even if I couldn't ride. I think it's important to spend time with my boy on an eye to nostril level. lol. Today was no exception. Tuesday's and Wednesday's I work 0800-1600. That hardly leaves any Olly time, especially since the sun is setting at like 1820. FAIL. As soon as I make it home, it's kids, cleaning and homework. I hop on the computer for a small break and see that FaceBook says I have a new "messege." I click on the little envelope and see a name I can hardly pronounce. At first I think it's spam, but quickly see it has something to do with a horse. Of course, I had to read it then. By the time I was half way finished reading it, the tears were starting to well up. Kelsey happened to be on the phone to witness it. After hanging up I just sat at the computer looking at the picture that was attached at the end of the messege. Now, the tears were flowing. Some how, some way, Olly's previous owner had found me and attached a picture of a LittleRedHorse nursing on his mama. Don't ask me why, but for some reason this picture just melted me. It made me all the more appreciative of my boy. It made me think of how far we have come together and how much trust we have developed with each other.
After composing myself, I packed up the boys and headed to the barn. I walked right out and grabbed my BigRedHorse and gave him the biggest hug. I brought him into his stall and changed the fly sheet for the rain sheet. It is suppose to be chilly tonight, and this here Va weather ain't like Hawaii. I grained him and gave him extra hay to help stay warm. I stood there and looked at him as he looked at me and said thank you to Hiilei (Olly's previous owner) for making the decision to give him up. Because if she didn't have the strength to move on, I would never have my most favoritest horse in the world. So while wiping the tears away, AGAIN, here is the messege and picture that she sent.

Hi Prudence,

I have been following your blog for the last couple of months after the manager from Kawailoa Ranch sent me the link - who would have thought that my old horse would ever have a blog?
While I never thought that I would be getting in touch with you, I can't help myself after reading the story about how you and Olly 'met.' The whole process of losing him broke my heart. Me - "daughter" - tried to do the best I could in the wake of my mother's death, preparing for my father's death, and trying to make ends meet while in school. On the "playground" I'm sure that I seemed quite careless, but being 25, losing both parents, and having a dwindling bank account will do that to you. I felt overwhelmed with helplessness. As you can tell, it still stings, and I ache when I think of holding that little colt when he was just a couple of days old. It always brings a tear-filled night.

Seeing him so well loved helps, and I don't think that very many people are so lucky to see that chronicled on the internet. I'm happy that despite me, he has a wonderful home.

Please don't feel that you have to respond to this - for some reason, after reading that post of yours, I just felt like I had to say my piece. Even before you, he was dearly dearly loved.

I'm attaching one of his baby pictures, since I think you'd like to have one. There are more, but not already scanned.

Take care of you and your big red horse.

Best,
Hi'ilei

The LittleRedHorse.

Now, I have to say, I did respond. And I want Hiilei to know that in no way, shape or form, did I ever think that Olly was not loved by her or her family. I have talked to TON'S of people on the Island that told me many of stories about my BigRedHorse and his Oahu adventures and the story always ended with, he is a great horse, or he is such a good boy. So....I just want to say, who ever sent my blog address to Hiilei, THANK YOU.
If at any time anyone has any picture of the BigRedHorse, please share. After all, he is one of the most awesomest horses on the internet.

Who? ME??! US??!

2010-10-10T15:17:00.000-04:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been hearing that I can give off the impression that I am a powerful, I own everything around me, type attitude. Now, I can't really deny these allegations....but I do want to say that I am a very respectful person. Let me explain.

First, I have no tolerance for bullsh*t. I pay $280 a month (inexpensive for some board) for a crappy, non-safety complying stable. Our arena is never tilled because ODR (outdoor recreation) doesn't seem to think that we need it. We have to mow our own grass and work four hours a month to maintain the stable. On top of all that, we have the lowest/cheapest food possible offered to our horses. I buy my own food and hay to feed Olly in addition to their 10% pellets. Olly even refuses to eat the stable hay after eating the hay I bought.
So, do I walk around the stable like I own it? Hell, yes! I pay monthly, clean and maintain, and make sure my horse is fed properly. I sure do act like I own that place. Now, here is where the line fades. Do I pay and work hard EVERYwhere else? Probably not. Does my attitude carry over to everywhere else...no...maybe...ok, yes.
Today Olly, Ben , Kelsey and I went out riding. We didn't gear up like all the other days. We just wanted to go where ever we wanted...like we owned the whole post.

Over bridges...

Big bridges...

We owned the sidewalks...afterall the BigRedHorse is somewhat of a pedestrian...

The ATM...Kelsey needed some cash.

And the construction sites. The building to the right is a bank.Bhind it is the PX and Commissary.

After our 9 mile ride we went back to the barn and groomed. I love spending time with my BigRedHorse.

His ears were broken in this picture....

Oh, and check out Olly's new halter!! Kelsey found a website that sold Jolly Roger items. How cool is that. Olly has his own Jolly Roger halter!! Can this horse get any cooler? Yeah, he probably will. lol

I got one ear to work...

In the end, I give everyone a fair chance. I try to remain respectful and understanding.

Oh, and an update on my "job" status. I recently got a job at the post veterinary clinic, just until I enlist. (Which, I hear may be Jan or even as late as March.) No worries, I'm still going...it's just a matter of when. In the mean time, I have been doing push-ups, sit-ups and my runs to keep ahead of the game. I should be finding something out from my recruiter here in the next week or two. I will keep you guys updated.

So, I went to the FEI Games....

2010-10-09T18:07:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I attended the most amazing thing I have ever seen. Kelsey and I went to the FEI Games in Lexington!!!! Since I couldn't go to the whole thing, I had to pick one day. Now, to me that was almost like trying to pick your favorite child. You just can't. I ended up going with the Cross Country.
We left Friday night after Kelsey got off work. We drove until midnight and stopped for a few hours in a hotel to get some sleep. We got up at 0530, showered and got back on the road to make it to the games by 0730. The total drive was eight hours. Once we got there it was like we were kids in a candy shop. The only thing that sucked was it was 38* out!!

Can you see Kelsey's breath?

Give me a break!! This was my first experience being around this level of riding. I have to admit, I was a bit overwhelmed. We walked to the ticket line and it all seemed sureal. I'm going to see Hawley Bennet. I'm going to see Karen O'Connor. Mark Todd, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin....I wanted to scream like a little girl. For the sake of my dignitity, I contained myself. Kelsey on the other hand, called her mom, dad and grandmother...at 0730.

We made it!!!

We took a few deep breaths and got back on track: find the water complex. By 0820 we were standing just 100ft from the 6'6" drop of the fourth jump in the water complex.

Look how close!!!!

Eeeeeeeeekkkk!!! Start time 0915, but was soon delayed to 1015. Either way I would have waited all day. We had great "seats." We stood and watched all the big name eventers walk the course. It was so hard to not go up and talk to them. I mean, they were within am arms reach...and we aren't suppose to ask them any questions? Come on!! I behaved. The course was huge! 28 jumps to be completed in roughly 11 minutes. Who says these animals aren't athletes?

At 1015 the first horse galloped onto the grassy track. It was 5 minutes before we saw the first bit of action. It was amazing. I had my camera ready. We sat for six hours without moving, for fear of losing our seats. After Karen ran, we picked up (and shared our seats) and walked the rest of the course. Here are the videos.

Hawley Bennet

Becky Holder

Boyd Martin

Karen O'Connor

Mark Todd

Rebecca Howard

After watching all the amazing horses and riders from this weekend, I felt empowered and set out with the BigRedHorse. Olly has been off all last week due to massive rain. Well, not totally off. I did attempt to ride him while it was raining. Pouring is more like it. we rode in the arena for 15 minutes, just long enough for me to get soaked. I unsaddle and as I am walking out of the barn I slip and fall in a huge mud puddle. FAIL. Although it is better than falling while I was riding, I was still a bit disappointed. Anyway....back to what I was saying. He has just about evey day off last week, so this week he was a fire breathing dragon. Yesterday I rode him and dare not jump. He was pulling through the bit just wanting to go. I took him out ot our grassy track and breezed him down and finished with a good trotting set. He loved every minute of it. Today I decided to take him out first and after he got all the bugs out, jump him in the arena. here are the videos.
Video to be posted when I figure out this STUPID editing software!!!

2010-09-28T12:14:00.000-04:00

Ok before I continue with my awesome weekend, I need help. Friday morning I had the farrier come out for a trim. I was unable to be there because I had to work, so I had Kelsey hold. She knows about feet so I felt comfortable. While he was doing Olly's feet, he mentioned to Kelsey that Olly is heavy on his feet. Meaning, that he really gives them a beating, in addition to the jumping and that he uses his right rear leg/hoof more than the left. He suggested that he has shoes put on to prevent lameness in the future.
INSTANTLY I thought maaaaaan...and he has done so well barefoot. Why would I want to change a good thing.
HERE is where I need your help. What do I do? I, mean, I know that I will have to make my own decision based on what is best for Olly, barefoot or not. But I really don't know alot about it. So far my only decision is to get a second opinion. But for those of you who are out there and are interested...here are a few bits of info that you might want to consider. Earlier this summer (late June early July) Olly and I took a jump and he hit his foot. It was more like a xc jump in the sense it was fixed and didn't fall. I have added the video.

He had one month off, no riding at all and seemed to make a good recovery. Now, he was never "lame" per-say. He just had swelling in the cannon and fet. I would wrap him with cold polos during the day (when he was stalled) and leave him to his stall and small paddock (by himself) at night. The swelling diminished eventually and we went back to just riding. Mostly dressage work and trail riding and we didn't get back to jumping until late August/early Sept. Up until now there has been no sign of lameness and his long distance and jumping have improved. In my personal, non-professional, opinion, I think he has done quite well with out shoes. He has been barefoot since he came from Hawaii(Aug 2009). We have done a ton of training in the past year and I haven't seen any signs of him even almost lame. So, now you have the whole story-let me know your opinions!!!!
BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED BIGREDHORSE....

Where were we? Oh, yes, Day 2 at Frying Pan Park.
On the second day we finally figured out how Olly busted four lead ropes. He would just sit down at the trailer and snap them like dental floss. I guess he is just on his own program. I have had people tell me to tie him to a tree and let him fight it out, then there is don't tie him. The best one which I have seen, yet have not tried, is (courtsey of Kelsey's mom, she is awesome by the way) tie his butt to the trailer with a collar and when he sits scare the crap outta him until he stands back up. This is the method I chose. We fashioned a collar out of one of the broken leads and tied him. Long, irritating story short...he sat once or twice and he didn't try it again. WIN!
We signed Kelsey up for her class and headed back to the trailer to get Olly ready. It was rainy and humid. The grass had dried a bit since we got up. I was nervouse about running on the wet grass, but I thought, well, there will be times when I will have to run in the rain, so let's get this show on the road!

We started out in the arena warming up and did a few of the verticals and oxers in there.

There were a bunch more jumps that we didn't get to on Day 1 that I was dying to jump. Olly wasn't as focused. He had Ben (his new boyfriend) in the arena and he could see him from afar. Not good when you are trying to focus and you end up checking someone out. So we had to move out. Here are the videos of the course. Now just a little FYI, in case I screw up the days. Day 1 I had on black breeches and Day 2 I had on blue. Not to mention Day 1 was sunny and Day 2 was not.

Again, these videos are not edited. so be gentle. I am always open to critques, but be polite.

So we were going to do the "hill jump" but there were like 3-4 ground hog holes with caution tape. FAIL! Moving on!!!

Here is the video of Kelsey's second ride. She owned it. Unfortunately, she was too fast to win one division and too slow to win the other.

Here are some added non-horsey tid-bits from the weekend.
Deer outside our trailer. The boys wished they had a rifle, while Kelsey tried explaining that deer aren't always food. Boys-1 Kelsey-0

Notice what foot is being used....Interesting, huh??

Sweet!!

I love this picture!!!

My little monkies....

What is camping without smores and a retarded mom???

The drive home.

We are kinda awesome.....

2010-09-26T22:04:00.000-04:00

My boys have started school this month and I have stepped up the BigRedHorses fitness. We have been doing alot more endurance riding and a bit less jumping. We have been doing trotting and cantering sets and more galloping, just to make sure we would get our times. I look back at the summer and think that I actually did too much jumping. I don't think I burned him out on it, but I do think he did get a little bored with it.
A few weeks ago Kelsey (my newest BFF) told me that she was going to a show, now Kelsey barrel races and is slowly being converted over to a jumper (by moi). She also included that at this show it has a full cross counrty course. SCORE!!! I'm in!
I have a trial lined up on Oct 10, so I thought I better get crackin'. Since the show was a 3-day-er we would have to load up after work on Friday and head out. Two whole days of xc (cross country) AWESOME!!! The Deal: I take the kids, the dog, and my horse. In addition to Kelsey's horse and rabbit, Jake. I think we were crazy.
We pack up Friday after school/work and head out at 1700. Frying Pan Farm Park was 3hours and 30 minutes away. It was gonna be fun (note sarcasm). We end up getting there late, well after dark. We found a great spot next to a jumping arena and out of the way. We just get settled into bed and sleep and we are woke up by Olly wanking the shit outta the trailer. He snaps the lead rope and takes off. I jump outta bed (still in my undies) and haul out of the trailer to get my horse, because he clearly thinks he is in charge. I tie him with our other lead rope and get back into bed. Morning comes and we are all too excited. FYI there is absolutley NO reason to be up at 0630 on a Saturday morning. Buuuut since the kids were with, there was no going back to bed.
We go register for classes and hit the course. Here are some of the videos. Just to let you know these videos are NOT edited, mainly because I just got a new camera and still haven't converted the QuickTime to the editing software that I have. It sucks, but you get to see all good stuff, no short cuts. lol

Colton was worried about the bank....love my boys!!

This one is my FAV!!!!

After the xc course, kelsey had her run.

Yes, she fell....

Day 2
Will be posted tomorrow!!!

The Link to the video...Told you this weekend was a FAIL!

2010-09-12T22:36:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb68bP5q6gk

For some reason the whole video will not post, and why would it on fail weekend?

Last minute mind change...

2010-09-12T19:40:00.000-04:00

Originally, I had planned to write about how much of a FAIL this weekend was. After prepping for a show I planned on attending and clipping the BigRedHorse incorrectly and leaving him to look like a ra-tard, the show was cancelled due to "sprinkles." Whatever, I'll get over it.

While sulking and surfing YouTube, (watching Stacey's new hill video) I found this Awesome video, as the title states. Now, at first glance it looks like a regular upper level jumper horse and course. BUT-after reading the description the video became almost tear-jerking.

After watching the video, I thought wow...amazing. You hear these stories about horses that came from nothing and were in poor health and now after years of love and dedicated hard work, are these amazing athletes that love their owners.
Hmmmmmm...wonder who do I know that has a horse that came from nothing, was given lots of love, hard work and is now amazing?? Let me think...
The BIGREDHORSE!!! Now, Olly wasn't in poor health, unless you count 15 different scratches on him from his paddock bullies, but he did come from nothing.
Oh? You want to hear the story??

I originally got Olly from Gunstock Ranch in Kahuku on the North Shore on Oahu. Yes, the BigRedHorse was on a cow hearding ranch. Interesting...
Anyway, I get a phone call from Holly (HollyWildWare) telling me there is a gorgeous horse that just came in amd I NEED to come see him. See, I had just given up looking for a horse on the Island. I pack up Husband and the kids and head out to check out this horse. We walk back to this paddock and he is the only horse willing to come to the gate. All I see is this puppy dog that is 1100 pounds. I slap a halter (that was provided by Holly, since his "owner" didn't have one) and walk him up to the round pen. I let him off his lead and made him move out around the pen. I instantly fell in love. He was so floaty and scopey! He moved with out effort. I knew that he would be mine. I didn't know how I was gonna pay the $8000 price tag, but then again, who pays full price for a horse? Not this mama.
I pull him out and put a saddle on him. I couldn't get over how pretty he was. I know he isn't conformationally perfect, but he was the closest I had ever gotten to. He was even better under saddle. He was totally obedient and really felt like he wanted to please. Win and WIN!

As idiotic as this next sentence may sound.....just go with it. Husband talked to the owner and we bought Olly for $4000. No vet check, no off site ride, nothing. I knew that I might get myself in trouble, but for some reason I did it anyway. I groomed him and marvelled at MY new horse and headed home. I knew right away he needed a name. I am not one for re-naming animals after they had been named for years, but Monte had to go. The next day, I went back out to spend some time with my boy. I had run out to buy a halter and the only one I could find was a rope halter (well, one I liked). I put it on him and tied him to the hitching post. Not 5 minutes later, he pulls back, feels the tension, and powers back 15 feet almost up-rooting the hitching post. I think--what did I just do. I just paid $4000 for a horse that is whacked out. Hoping Husband didn't see the fiasco (and he did) I get him and me back together and continue grooming.

The following day I had Olly trailered to Wheeler where I would be boarding him. Now, for the fun stuff...
The "owner" told me that he had just gotten Olly from a firend that was over on the Windward side of the Island. He was kept at Maunawili Farms for years. The word on the playground was that Ollys mom bought him locally had him broke and put him to pasture, due to her health. "Mom" ended up dying (so sad) and was taken care of by the daughter. "Daughter" ended up leaving for school in New York and couldn't afford to keep or even visit him. The deal? Areared board fees for the horse. Now, since the BO (barn owner) didn't need another horse, he gave Olly to a firend. That's right GAVE! So this guy made out like a fat rat! Any way!!! Olly's partents were both on the Island. His dad was a really prominent TB stallion, which died and I wasn't able to get my hads on any pics, and his mom is living at Kawaialoa Ranch. She is part TB and draft, from what I hear. So, the BigReedHorse is like 1/4 draft. You would never know by looking at him....buttttt...I still have my doubts. So, I buy Olly (then, Monte) from this cow-poke and am totally ok with it. I would pay that much again. I love my boy and wouldn't trade him for the world. Oh and it took me a week to come up with a name for him. It was my BFF Kristen who thought of Jolly Roger. Her daughter was obsessed with the Backyardigans and their pirate episode. I liked the name, but couldn't figure out what I would call him daily. I didn't like Roger and soooo didn't like Jolly. Olly it is!!! Thanks Kristen!!!
So, we have Olly (Jolly Roger). The BEST BigRedHorse EVER!!!
So back to the video in the begining....
My original point was that one day Olly and I might be where she is.

Hurricane...who??

2010-09-09T15:42:00.000-04:00

So, all last week my friend Kelsey and I prepared the barn for Hurricane Earl. Word on the playground was that the barn floods massively since we are right across the road from the James River. Nice. So I spent most of the week tying doors shut, making sure boards were secure and storing jumps. On top of that I took all my tack home, just in case it did flood above the tack stall level. Thursday afternoon we decided to pull the horses (Olly and Ben) out and trailer them to higher ground. It took three hours to get Ben in the trailer and by that time the barn reserving the stalls for us was tired of waiting. Crappy. So, we found the highest ground out of the three paddocks and stuck them in there. Where were the other horses that are at the Ft. Eiustis barn, you ask? Well let me tell you. They decided, against my judgement, that it would be better to lock the horses in their stalls and close the barn. Yes, you read right. All the other horses were in the barn...during a hurricane...with possible flooding. I did advise (my non-professional advice) that this was the most idiotic idea yet to enter my life. Fortunately, the hurricane was the lamest hurricane I have been in and we got less rain than a thunderstorm. WIN!! All the hard work for nothing. BUT, I would rather have it that way than the other. Next time...I will do the same thing. I will pack it all up like a Cat 5 is knocking down our door and hopefully it will yield the same result.

Getting ready to leave...or so he thought.

In the paddock the morning of Hurricane Earl.

Ben

Kelsey braving non-hurricane force winds!

It was windy though...

The James River (across from the stables).

Over the past week alot has changed. Olly and I have been doing more training for the upcoming horse trials. My boys went back to school so there is plenty of time for the BigRedHorse. Monday we did a 5 mile hack with trotting and cantering sets. Tuesday I gave him the day off (to rest and tend to DOMS) and I had to stay at the school for diabetes training. Wednesday we did another 5 mile hack and fit in a few galloping sets in addition to the trotting and cantering. He seemed to recover quite well, which makes me feel better because that means I have done a great job with keeping him in shape.
Today I set up a small hunter course(all jumps at 2'6") of eight jumps. He tackled that course like a champ! He got almost all our leads. It was great.

On a side note, here is a short video of what Olly and I do on our off time :)

Then and Now

2010-08-30T21:32:00.000-04:00

I know it has been a while since I have blogged, but I have good reason. Life/summer has been totally busy. I have made a ton of new friends, helped manage a barn and spend a great summer with my boys. School is getting ready to start and it' timeto beef up the BigRedHorse's training schedule. Kelsey and I sat on the computer one day and found all the local BN events. We hve picked one event for each month. Sept, Oct, and Nov. I can't wait. Starting Wednesday Setp. 8th, the BigRedHorse will be doing much, much more in order to prepare. We have already been working on our dressage, which desperately needs more work. I want to get in these three events in the next few months because....wait for it....I'm enlisting. I will be leaving for the Army in November or January. Olly will be cared for and periodically ridden by Kelsey. After this winter his "training" will be put on hold for 6 months. I am already missing him and kinda excited about getting him back in shape...funny how the mind works.

So, back to the fun stuff...

I decided to upload a video of Olly's first show. Now remember, that I hadn't ridden in say 7 years. I did take a few lessons, but nothing to get my muscles back in shape. My riding was shitty and Olly was just a wuss!

Ignore the wonderful comments from Husband.
Here are two of the latest videos of Olly and I. This is 17 months later.

Now, you tell me who has an awesome BigRedHorse??!!

Intrepid Riders Fraction

2010-08-30T08:47:00.000-04:00

~INTREPID RIDERS FACTION ~We strive to go where others only dare to go with our horse loves...healing,being respectful of the horse, riding, playing, camping, jumping, swimming and traveling down the trails of life. . . . with the horse in Heart ~ Overcoming many obstacles and sometimes weather, to ride!

So, the other day I get a messege from Stacey over at The Jumping Percheron saying she sent me an award. here is what she wrote:
I'm going to pass this award on to Pru and Olly at Jumpin' Jolly Roger. Everything in the description of this award applies to Pru! I remember when we would ride in Hawaii and Olly wouldn't want to go over a single small raised ground rail and now check them out! Pru always knew Olly had a ton of potential that just needed to be unlocked and she was ready to give him the time and patience he needed for that. She is another friend that brought her horse from Hawaii to Virginia. I miss them both! She is also one of my few riding friends that will ride anywhere, anytime, jump anything, and isn't afraid to go all out. One day, we're gonna own a barn together!!!!!!!!! And you guys are all invited to trailer in a ride at it!

I want to add that Stacey has been a huge influence to me. Although I am older than she, I look up to her for advice and guidance on just about everything. I miss her dearly and we WILL have a barn one day!!
This Award is dedicated to those Horse lovers and riders that inspire others to go deeper in ability, knowledge and understanding of the Equine(s) they have been entrusted to.The good of the horse is the ultimate goal apart from pressures to achieve ribbons and fit into lesson schedules.

~Some of These riders are fearless, when it comes to weather conditions and the forecasting of them...being with their horses, fills these folks' soul and takes the cares out of daily routines.

~They are unconditionally loving to the horse and may have rescued it from known ailment or living condition.

~Others have researched and purchased/ acquired their horse, to find a difficulty in temperament or a physical burden within the animal. Yet, Being dedicated , they have persevered to proudly be in partnership with their horse, lovingly striving for deeper awareness's between them.

~Some horse lovers may have been riding for years and suddenly, had an accident that takes them away from the great joy and freedom they have, being aboard such a magnificent animal. ~They have allowed the healing horse to rise in their hearts once again, and beckon them back!

~Fear is not my normal response to things ... just a desire to achieve higher understanding of what may lay ahead of me with my mare, that truly is a gift to my heart and soul. I always seek out knowledgeable and caring individuals to assist me, in any quest I may look into.

I am taking with me the good I have gleaned from caring individuals that have shown great single minded LOVE to the horse, and am leaving the dust of the bad behind me, not allowing it to fetter my supreme desire to be all I can be : as a rider to my mare and also - to allow- her to be the Equine athlete she truly is!

There are not many rules with this award...JUST :

1)that you give it to only one person

2)link back to this post, so they may have an understanding to it's true nature.

3) You may use any or all of the written descriptions, with the award picture.

The person I am passing this down to is:

Kristen at Sweet Horse's Breath

When I read the description of this award, I instantly thought of her. She has gone through the most terrible times with her OTTB Laz. She has overcome the financial and emotional burden of owning her own horse. She has remained by his side through thick and thin. She has watched her boy endure pain from founder, when he could barely walk and at one point had an appointment scheduled for euthanisia, but she knew in her heart that Laz was a tough boy. She cancelled the appointment and held her head high. In her mind she knew that she may never ride Laz again, but it was worth it to just hear his whinney and be near him. Because of her courage, faith and maybe a little craziness, Laz is is making an awesome recovery and they have stared light riding. I read everyone of her blog posts. I am proud of her and Laz's success. Follow her their recovery. She is one amazing girl.

Ummmmm....Cross Country???

2010-07-29T09:43:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning the weather was sooooo nice I had to head out to the barn. I packed up the boys with thier lunches, and their bikes and we were out the door. I had tons planned. First I was gonna ride Diesel. It had been a week since I graced myself with his fatness. Then, it was bath time for the BigRedHorse. After that it was home to make dinner and then back out ot the barn for some more Olly time.
I walked down to the fatty stall where Diesel stays. he is a good boy...just a little green.
for some reason the last two times I have ridden the painted trouble he has been totally not o.k. with being saddled. He has been using his big ass to push me around. I, mean, he really has learned to swing that thing. So, big tricolor ass vs. me and a barrel racing crop...who do you think won?

It took me 10 minutes just to get the saddle on, but me of course!
He wasn't too fond of the cantering, you can see in the video where he bucks a few times. I tried like hell to get him to take his right lead, but after 15 minutes of him sweating his tricolor butt off, i gave in. My legs were tired from all the "aids."
I did give him some love and hosed him off for his efforts and put him back in his stall. on the way back out I grabbed Olly and the hose for a bath.
Olly always likes getting a bath. He loves the water and nothing beats a great rubber mitted massage, who cares if there is shampoo on it?? I enjoyed the alone time with my boy and after he was spotless, I threw on his fly sheet until I came back that night for our ride.
I was getting ready to leave the house to head back to the barn and I text Tif about our riding plans. We had decided that we were going to take all the jumps and put them in our nicely mowed mini field. I barely got out of the truck and I turned to see If kicking one of the barrels my way. I hopped back in thr truck and Pulled into the arena next to her. Let's load'er up. We pack in EVERY SINGLE JUMP. My truck was loaded down. I should have taken a pic. We planned carefully (lol) where we were going to put our jumps, let's just say neither one of us are going to be course designers in the near future.
Time to saddle.
Now, lately, I haven't been tying Olly to the hitching post because he always freaks out when he feels the halter get tight. I decided to just wrap the lead around the post. It had been working. So, when he pulls back it slips and he calms. No big deal.....unless...

This is what happenes EVERY TIME I tie him....

...the rope gets tangled and he freaks out to the point of maxing the halter. After a few minutes, I convinced him to give some slack and I untied the rope halter.
So next was to finish saddling and get the fly spray on. Now, I normally spary him BEFORE I saddle just to make life easier, but he was being good and the flies weren't that bad. I readched down to make sure the his boots were on and he decided to swing his him leg to swat a fly and clipped me in the leg. OUCH!!! I instantly made him aware that you just can kick around when I am that close. He needs to pay attention to where his feet are.

Now

Later

Time to ride. We started out warming up and checking out all the jumps. I could tell already he was going to have a problem with his leads. He has been pretty good with his leads up until recently. Tif said it may be because of his weight gain. It might be throwing his balance off. So, that's what I am going with. It makes sense in other ways too. I have been having to hold him more for his spots and really working to get him on to the correct leads. Even when I break to do a simple he misses. Back to the basics. Just when I thought we were gonna be able to move on. Oh, well. I would rather have to back up and work on it than him stay under weight. I did get the video of the xc course.

Here is Tif. She had an awesome ride with her boy.

And we also got Kelsey, the barrel racer, to ride...she will come around one day!

Ridin' Solo

2010-07-28T19:47:00.000-04:00

And I don't mean Solo, I mean solo. lol Yesterday I went to the barn early. I have been getting sass from Husband for spending so much time with the BigRedHorse. I mean look at my boy...who wouldn't want to spend that much time with him?? Oh, well...he (meaning Husband) will live.
It was suppose to be our re-match on our grassy track, but once I got to the barn Kelsey text me and informed me she had a terrible headache and was gonna medicate and hit the hay. Tif was there shortly after. I think Tif would show up if she were missing an arm and had to use a tournique until she was finished riding, and then head to the hospital. While Tif mucked I set up a few jumps. The weather was wayyyyy cooler than the past few had been. I fabircated 4 bounces and a one stride in a line. I also had a 2'6" ramped oxer with a 2'6" spread, my mini coop and a skinny barrel with pylons next to it.

Bounces and a one stride

Ramped oxer

The barrel skinny

Just as we get saddled and into the arena Tif's phone rings. Of course she used her hands-free...lmfao...and was really excited about something. Come to find out that Tif will put her riding on hold to go get her new 2010 truck. Totally understandable!!

She asked if I would like to ride along. Now, I am all for fun time and new cars and friends, but I did want to ride and I had a time limit. I was gonna make it home by 1900 to get brownie points with Husband. I stayed behind. So, I was ridin' solo. Had I remembered my camera and took video, that would have been perfect song to put with it! Dang it!!

Olly seemed kinda mopey and was not feeling losing his friend. We started out warming up in both directions. Then we took our little log jump and I made a GOOD effort to make him take his right lead. The BigRedHorse isn't that great on his right. He landed perfectly. Now, I don't know if this is just me or what, but I find it easier to get him to land correctly than to land and change. I circled around and took the skinny barrel. He was starting to wake up. We did a cool off lap and went for the log again. This time, left lead. In order to make the turn to the left it would be a roll back and for those of you who watched the roll-back video, you may be cringing right now. lol I prepared him to land correctly because it was so close to the arena railing I wouldn't have time (at this stage of our training) to change. He landed it and turned awesomely. We canter a few strides and at the last second I made a sharp turn to theleft (almost 90*) and took themini coop. I saw what was gonna happen and I tried to fix it but Olly wasn't focusing quickly enough. **back to Lucinda** was what I was thinking. MAKE SURE YOUR HORSE SEE'S THE JUMP. Welllll I could tell he had no idea that mini coop was about to jump out in front of him. I picked his head up, started the turn as far back as I could , without throwing off his balance, and gave him a half-halt. The ADD having BigRedHorse still didn't see it, which I was prepared for. He bunny hopped the corner of it and if I could see his face from where I saw sitting, I'm sure it would have had an "oh, shit!" look on it. I gave him a cool off lap and we did the exact thing again. This time though I made the turn into the mini coop a little late, just so I would have the -focus on mom and not on what you THINK we are doing. He approached the coop better and not so surprised, but it wasn't perfect. Cool off lap, and again. The third time was great, although he knew what exactly what we were doing. Next, lesson we are gonna practice on "seeing" the jump.
On to the bounces. We ran through them once and decided to remove the fourth bounce. I had wanted to set them at 9 feet apart, but Tif said that they were closer to 10. The last bounce to the one stride was a bit too long and the crappy standard was way unstable, so I just removed it. We did the line a few times and were finished. He was getting better at his leads, which was a relief.

2010-07-24T23:29:00.000-04:00

Earlier in the week I promised Husband that I would take the weekend off from riding and spend some time with the family. See our weekday schedule goes something like this...
Monday thru Friday Husband gets up at 0500 to got to PT. I get up with the kids around 08-0900. The kids and I spend time doing fun and active projects. We go to the barn and play "Army guys," or go to the pool, or just do some crafts. Husband gets home at 1700. We have a family dinner and I go off to ride until 2000. When I get back home I put the kids in bed, since Husband is tired and ready to hit the hay himself, and after everyone is asleep I go for a run. So, see there leaves hardly any family time for the family as a whole. This weekend is family time. Now that we have that outta the way....
I still had to go to the barn and muck. Since the river is right across the road, Husband dropped me off and he took the kids. I ran inside the barn and grabbed the mucking "tools." While walking-briskly-I saw my boy in the paddock...he was way out there but I called to him anyway. He whinnied and went back to eating. I got the job done in just a few minutes. I also had to do a friends stall, but he is waaaaay cleaner than Olly. So on my way out I look up and there is Olly standing right at the fence. I couldn't just walk by. So I went to give him a hug. When I get closer he is panting like he had been running. Now, I know he was out in the paddock, but he is pretty fit and I wouldn't expect him to be winded that much. I do, however, think the heat played a huge role.

I snapped this pic at the local Walgreens today...

I grabbed the hose and started soaking. He was in heaven! I was on one side of the fence and I was on the other. I will let the pictures explain...

That hit the spot!!

Ooooo down the neck.....

Hold on...I have to itch...

Utopia....

See the lip...lol

My mom is better than your mom....

Playin' in the puddle...

He was feeling much better.

Another wonderful ride with friends!

2010-07-24T16:24:00.000-04:00

As some of you may know, last night was our little comeptition. Kelsey, Tif and I all decided that our horses were faster than each others. We shall let the Garmin decide.
Thursday we all decided to be at the barn at 1600 to ride. Once 1400 rolled around it was still like 97* and to just walk outside made you break in to a soaking death sweat. Of course the texts started flying. We re-scheduled for 1830, when the sun was on it's way down and you could walk outside and only sweat yourself HALF to death.
We started our ride trotting some hills, the horses seemed less competitive than the other day...it may have been the heat. When it came time to make the turn to our grassy "track" we all looked at each other and made the call to take advantage of the MP's being extra busy with a concert that was going on. See, in the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) it says we cannot ride in "common" areas. It specifically states the barracks, commissary and the PX. So we stayed a few...feet...from them lol. It also helps when your barn BFF knows all the MP's....
Anyway, so we make a left turn instead of a right. Let the fun begin!
First stop the baseball diamond...

Sorry Tif about the bra faux-pau

Then, we walk by some companies and you would have thought no one has seen a horse before. The boys were pretty good, no spooking, and they seemed pretty calm and relaxed. Of course, it helps when your rider is having a blast. Next stop was Church's Chicken....

Anyone hungry?

We came across all sorts of things. Caution tape, which Ben was not to thrilled with, sidewalks, huge signs, people yelling and honking horns, but in the end our boys were awesome. Nothing spooked them!
They did take an extra look at a squirrel that had a less than satisfactory tail, or bush as Kelsey put it. We continued on, making sure we did own the whole road, but not wanting to walk on the sidewalk. Soleil actually liked the sidewalk, so much though he kept pushing Olly back onto the grass if he happend to veer over. I guess even horsey BF's get possessive about somethings.
We went as far as the PX, not into the parking lot, but close. We didn't want to push our luck. The main road through Eustis is a divided highway looking road, even though the speed limit is 25mph. We crossed into the HUGE median of grass there. It was actually pretty good for cantering. The traffic is slow and cutrious and the horses were calm. This is where the picture taking took place.

The PX...thank you Kelsey for modeling the PX...

Tif chillin'

Yes, I'm the pirate, Tif's the prude, and Kelsey, well she's just Kelsey...

The most hilarious picture I have ever seen! Tif talking on her "hands-free" device. LMFAO!!!

After we played around, we started getting an audiance from the people that were waiting for a cab and decided it was time to head back. We were losing daylight. We booked it back to the grassy "track" along side the golf course to do our sprints. Since it was dusk, we thought it may not be best to push the boys to their fullest.

The results:
Kelsey and Ben (11yo appendix gelding, barrel racer) top speed 37mph.
Olly and I top speed 32mph
Tif and Soleil (4yo TB gelding, BN eventer) top speed 21mph, now at Tif's defense...Soleil decided to duck towards a telephone pole and that affected their top speed lol.
Group decision-give the horses two days rest and try again on Monday, while it is still daylight.
We made it back to the barn at 2100. The horses were sweaty but cooled enough. We hosed them, gave them some love and turned them out for the night. Another amazing ride with awesome friends. I can't wait to do it again on Monday!

We Did What??!!

2010-07-20T11:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday morning I get a text from Kelsey saying she was gonna be at the barn at 1700. Minutes later I get a text from Tif saying she was puking her guts out, but would still be at the barn to ride around 1730. LOL!
It never ceases to amaze me at how awesome my friends are. I can tell you I have never made friends, in my life, that are quite like the ones I have found in the military. I have only known these two girls for about a month and I feel like we have been friends for years. It almost sucks to have them as friends because I know one day we will be seperated and will only have long-distance relationships with them. For now, I am taking advantage of all the wonderful time I can get. I will truely miss you girls when the time comes.

On to the fun stuff!!
So, like I said the plan was barn @ 1700-1730. The day dragged on. I basically cleaned my house top to bottom, just to occupy my bordom. Fun stuff, right? I took a break around 1400 to go outside and survey the weather. It has been ungodly hot and I was curious. I had been in the air conditioning all day. It wasn't as hot as the day before, but when I looked up I saw this...

My "house" is the one with the bike in front of it...thanks boys!

...heading straight for my house. Now, my house is like 4 miles from the barn. Chances of that sucker hitting us both was pretty good. Just as I am wondering if I should re-evaluate my plan, Kelsey texts me. Of course, she is concerned about the hurricane-esk storm barreling down on us. I told her "Not. To.Worry!" This stuff always blows over and we still have 3 hours before we are even due to be at the barn! Piece of PIE! Amazingly, she trusted me...LOL! After 20 minutes of wind, lightening, and Jesus bowling thunder(that is what I tell my kids), it was over. We hardly even got any rain. The sky cleared up and the plans were never changed...until.
1700 rolls around. I have my breeches, boots, ipod, camera and phone all ready to go. I walk out to the truck and whatta-ya-know the sky is just the same as earlier. I didn't care...this too shall pass. Half way to the barn I start getting texts from Tif and Kelsey. "O.K. weather-girl!! What now?" I was firm believer in the storm blowing over. I think since I have been at this barn we have had like 4-5 storms just blow right over the barn and never interfere with the riding schedule. My luck was about to run out...
I convinced Kelsey that it would be cool. Tif...no convincing needed. I mean, she was already coming out hopped up on anti-nausea meds...like a thunderstorm was stopping her. I turn down the road the barn is on...next to the river. The RIVER had white caps...the RIVER!

Yes, that is the RIVER!

I could feel the wind on the truck and the temperature on my odometer had dropped like 10 degrees. Once I got to the barn I took this pic....

My friend text me reminding me not to die...thanks, I almost forgot! LOL

I decided to sit in the truck and wait it out. Both Kelsey and Tif were on their way. I did, for just a moment open my door to feel the storm...

Windy much??

The heavens opened up and it was one of the biggest storms I have witnessed this year. It didn't last long, but she was a good one. After about 45 minutes we went to get the horses.

It was looking better.

It was still raining, but the sky was no longer black and the winds had died down. For the first time this summer, I thought "man I should have brought my hoddie." It was actually a bit chilly. One day it's 104* and the next I need a jacket...I feel like I am back in Indiana.

He was like, "seriously, mom??"

Luckily, I have my Wintec and you know what that means, synethtic. That makes cleaning easier from the rain. I took off all my electronics, lol, and saddled up. We were gonna trot some hills...

This was BEFORE the ride...LOL!

I couldn't part with my camera I tucked it way down into my leather tall boots and we were off! We didn't even make it out of the drive and we were already soaked. We were a sight for sore eyes. Clinging shirts, pathetic looking horses, make-up running, with the wind blowing. I am sure EVERY car that passed was thinking W.T.H.??? I am telling you it was the funnest ride I have ever been on! We started out on the hills...and as I'm sure everyone could forsee this (because we actually didn't) wet hills+trotting=retarded riders. What were we thinking? Obviously when we attempted it, we changed our minds for saftey reasons. We just trotted along the road...or did we?
Kelsey took the lead with her HUGE QH Ben (Ben is a barrel racer). He casually trotted alongside the road...minding his own business. Soleil was next. Tif with her rope halter again...just trotting away, then there's Olly. OMG!! They are gonna leave me, they are trotting ahead of ME!! I must buck, canter in place, throw in a piaffe, and then drop my head and evade the bit to get closer. At one point I had to actually stop him and re-group. Don't get me worng, I love the fact that he has this energy...I just wish he would have used it more constructively. The entire ride was like this. And I could have eliminated all the riff-raff...but he needed to learn that he isn't always first and a small part of me was having fun riding my fire-breathing-dragon ;). We get to this long stretch of beautiful grass and Kelsey warns us she is going to "breeze" down. She picks up a canter and is just in her own world, enjoying her horse. Olly was second in line. He of course was happier that he wasn't last, but still having issues not being first. He did get to canter, legitimately, and was getting to use his energy. Soleil was last. Tif was just cantering along and after about a tenth of a mile Soleil decided he is going to use his TB breeding to just haul ass. Remember he is in a rope halter. I am not kidding you, by the time I realized what happened that horse was a quater mile down the road. He kicked into high gear and was OUT! I totally wish I would had had my Garmin. I yell to Kelsey to stop cantering just as Tif races by. I can see her hanging on and trying everything in her power to slow him before we hit the next cross road. Olly starts freaking out because it's his boyfriend leaving him and I'M freaking out trying to think of what I can do to help. In the end...Soleil comes back to his senses, probably thinking "Oh, shit! My mom is gonna beat my ass!!" and slows to a walk. Now...I HAVE to say this because everyone was thinking it...TIF WEAR YOUR HELMET!!! you never know what is gonna happen. Now, I know I am a bit of a hypocrit, because I didn't wear mine on the swim...but I did have mine on for the crazy rainy day ride.
Once we figured out that we were all alive we walked back to the barn.
We had only been out for like 45 minutes so I went into the arena and set up a jump. Olly, obviously, had some excess energy. 3ft it is. Kelsey, the barrel racer, asked "...ummm...are you ginna jump that?" Yup!! Tif was in on it too, so I handed her the camera. Could the day have gotten any better? Firends, riding and jumping 3ft? I didn't think so...
He popped over the fence and threw me out of the saddle...I had to do it again. After doing it correctly, Tif says, 3'3"...hmmmmm....should I? I didn't even have to think about it. He had cleared that 3ft like it was nothin'. I got off and raised the cups. NOW, this is the first time EVER jumping this high. For me AND Olly. He owned that jump. The second time through he popped over and threw me completely outta the saddle. Kelsey and Tif enjoyed that one. After successfully completing the 3'3", they peer pressured me into 3'6". Don't get me wrong...I soooo wanted to do it, but I didn't want to do something that would mentally hinder our good jumping streak. I circled a few times and Olly seemed like he could jump the moon so I went for it. O.M.G. It ws the best feeling ever! He sailed right over. I had to quit there. I so couldn't ruin that moment. The day HAD gotten better. Amazing! Lucky for all of you Tif had the camera...

OMG! I can't tell you how cool that felt.

Tif and Kelsey...my cheerleaders and awesome-est friends!

Tonight, Diesel will be going out for a ride. Olly deserves the day off.

Back at it!

2010-07-19T13:13:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Tif text me and asked if we wanted to do some bounces. I was nervous because of Olly leg. Yes, I am still paranoid about it. He never acted like he was in pain and I gave him a month off, so I decided to give it a try. We weren't going to be at it long considering it was so freaking hot out.

Can you believe that?? And it was like 1730??!

By the time I got to the barn Tif had already gotten the jumps set up. I am starting to think she is an over-achiever...
We both sat down at the picnic table just talking, but it seemed more like avoiding saddling our poor horses. Just sitting there made us sweat, what would it be like riding and what would the horses feel like? After a few minutes we peeled ourselves off the seats and got the boys ready. Olly had already been turned out so I had to walk out and get him. Of course, he was at the farthest end of the paddock, in the largest paddock. When I called him, he just looked up as if to say, "what? I think you are calling me, but I am just going to stand here like you didn't." Luckily I had brought a carrot that was left over from dinner. When I got out to where he was (what seemed like 5 miles later) he was already soaked from sweat. He had only been out for like 30 minutes...I was questioning even riding. The worst thing about the large paddock is that there is NO shade. Now, Olly is on night turn out because he gets too hot and sweats profusely. While he is in his stall during the day, he does sweat a bit, but nothing like standing outside.

My poor boy!

While he was tied and being saddled he seemed to feel like he was cooling off. The sweat started to dry and he became perkier. I think it is just too hot to put horses out in the sun like that. Olly doesn't do well. I have to keep a close eye on his sweating/evaporating, or lack thereof.
I skipped the boots and only used over-reaches (bell boots) because of the heat. I don't need those tendons to bake...
In the arena we walk and walk and walk. I was aware of all the humidity. The jumps were low and we were gonna take it slow. I warmed him up with one lap each direction, both trot and canter. With breaks inbetween each set to completely monitor his breathing. I wish I would have brought my Garmin to monitor his heartrate (I have it charging for tonight). We went over two single jumps before tackling the line. Before you watch the video I just want everyone to know that I have like 13 minutes of actual ride time on the videos. We were out in the arena for 90 minutes. That is how many breaks we took to cool the horses to ensure no over-heating. Oh, and one more thing...Tif was cracking me up! She seemed to be attracted to the camera. Situational awareness, Tif, situational awareness! Without further adue....

On the way home I looked down and noticed the temp...remember by now it was 2000 (8pm)...

I should have checked what the temp was after the sun set.

Tonight we are going to do some trotting sets on the hills. Garmin will be charged and the weather is much cooler than yesterday.SCORE! I am sure Olly will be much happier.

Non-BigRedHorse blog...

2010-07-17T23:01:00.000-04:00

Today I got up early to head out and do work day at the "full-service" barn of mine. Yes, that was sarcasm. Well, I got to the barn at 0750. Ten minutes early. Tif, was there EARLY! Go girl! We should all take a lesson from her. We got started right away. We quickly figured out that ODR are dumbasses and didn't measure the posts when the cemented them into the ground. We had to measure and cut EVERY SINGLE BOARD before screwing them in. Are you freaking kidding me??!! Genius' I tell ya! So...Tif and I made sure that we were the "motivators" and kept the drive going. We also had some awesome friends that came to help us out...granted they were LATE...but I am totally thankful that they came. We can always use some muscle.
After we placed all the boards, it was time to run the hotwire. Where's the hot wire? Someone forgot to buy it! Ahhhhhh!! Are you kidding me?! I had to untangle this hot mess....

So after I untangled it, Jonathan decided to step in and help me run it. How gracious of him...after I did all the hard work. The guys ran ahead and nailed in all the plastic insulators while I ran the wire. Then came the gates...since Jonathan was afraid of heights (ahahahaha) I the GIRL who was afraid of heights had to climb up and do the job. Jared was nice enough to do the last one.

Jared

Jonathan watching from below...Thank you guys for helping!!! :)

After the work day Kelsy and Kim were going to the tattoo shop. I'm in!!! We went home and showered and got goin'!
A few hours later....

My awesomeness taking place...

Finished product.

Did Someone Say Swimmin'??!!

2010-07-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Tif and I decided that we were gonna pass on the breeches and go for shorts and bare feet and head down to the swimmin' hole next to the training areas.
I got to the barn early to muck and then took a short rest on the picnic table while I waited on Tif. It was sooooo hot. Perfect for swimming.
I had been debating on what bridle to use...Tif chose a rope halter with reins. As much as I wanted to choose that too, I just couldn't. The BigRedHorse tends to not see certain things and then freak out. Yesterday he didn't see a, ahem, dumpster...and jumped 5ft to the left. I stayed on and it wasn't THAT big of a deal, but I was glad I had some control. Normally, in an arena, I would have no problem riding him with a halter...I just don't think we are ready for halter-road-swimming yet. I decided to use my pffffft bridle. That would be the bridle I use when we are doing absolutely nothing.

I haven't ridden Olly bareback for a long time. I do enjoy it, but totally forgot how freaking tall his withers are...I think I need to get some beet pulp to fatten him up a bit. Sheesh! His back was killer on my butt!
The way to the river was about a mile. We mosey-ed down onto the beach and I could feel that Olly wanted in. I set out my camera and headed for the water. Just a little FYI..this video is long and kinda boring...lol.

He was cool until he stepped in a hole and then he decided he was going to be a bit more cautious when walking in the water.
It was totally fun being in shorts, no shoes, and shhhhh no helmet. I know, I know!! And Saturday was Helmet awareness day...Shame on me!!!

Toes!!

On he way back to the barn, some random guy decided to, yes, get dressed at the trunk of his car on the side of the road. Yes, you read right...as if that isn't weird enough, he starts talking to Tif as we walk by. Olly wasn't feeling it...he spooked a bit. But this guy was cracking me up. We just started trotting and tried to get the heck outta there. As if freaky clothes guy wasn't bad enough, the biting flies mysteriously appeared and the horses were totally miserable. On top of all that, across the road there was the kid screaming, yes screaming "look mom, right there, right there they are!!!" Over and over again...I mean if his mom DIDN'T know that there were horses walking, trotting by now from the flies, by...she was an idiot. SHUT THAT KID UP!!! Screaming kid+horses=not cool. Finally we made it back to the barn. We cooled out the horses and turned them out.

My butt...lol

My butt..lol

After turning him out I happened to catch him on video about to get eaten by a bird...it was so funny. My poor BigRedHorse!!!

Finally Back Home!

2010-07-16T00:34:00.000-04:00

We got back home late last night. I was hoping to get in early enough to go see my BigRedHorse, but it just wasn't happening. First thing this morning I have a few meetings to attend and then it was off to the barn to give my boy some sugar cubes and hugs.
As I walked through the barn door to his little paddock, I call out "hey boy!" He perked up his ears and trotted into his stall whinnying all the way. I love it!!!! I slid the stall door open and there was his huge red head waiting for a hug. I wrapped my arms around him and let him rest on my shoulders. After a few minutes of me NOT letting go he picked up his head, as if to say, "o.k. mom that's enough." I dug in the tack box for some sugar cubes. He LOVES them, and why wouldn't he? I rubbed on him a bit and then it was back to life until his evening.

To make a long story short, I am trying to plan a poker run hosted by the Ft. Eustis Stables. It isn't going well. Losts of resistance. I guess free money just isn't the ODR guy's thing...So, even though this poker run may not be hosted, Tif and I decided to still go out and scout trails. I guess "no" isn't in our vocabulary. I made it back out to the barn around 1800 and went back to Olly's paddock. He was just finishing dinner. I pulled him out and did a full scan of his body. TONS of nicks and scratches! Everytime I walked around him I found a new one. I found out from Tif that Olly and another horse just stand at the back of his paddock and nibble on each other all day. I may just have to run hot wire around his paddock to keep him from looking like a chew toy. I made sure I checked out hisleg. Pretty much it was back to normal. There was a teeny tiny bit of puffiness low in his fet, but nothing I was gonna worry about. We were just walking and trotting today anyway.

How handsome is he??!!

After getting saddled I fired up the GPS and we headed out. We were on a mission for 4-5 miles of trails for the poker run. We ducked in one of the training areas that looked promising. To our surprise they were using the area and we had to turn back. See if the gates to the training areas are closed then we are cool to ride. Today-gates closed...once we got back there, there were tons of trucks and guys just having a blast...and the biting flys were ungodly! So instead we went down the road to the beach and let the boys splash around. Tomorrow I think we are gonna skip the breeches and go for shorts and go for a swim!
On the way back Olly just so happened to notice a huge dumpster, portable toilet and a kite flying. All these things were there on the way, but I guess just weren't that interesting when traveling south...just north.
We made it back to the barn all in one piece. It was such a great ride. I have missed my boy!!!
After turning out the boys into the paddock, I noticed the quarentine stall doors were left open. Ugh...don't you get it people?? I had to close the doors. I walked to the stall and saw this...

A box turtle!

Ahaha! Tif!

I had to take him home to the boys. I put him in the truck on the center counsole thing and he freaking took off!! After a moderate scream, I compiled my thoughts and decided to hold him the whole way home.

Who has an Awesome BigRedHorse??? I DO!!!

2010-07-07T18:59:00.000-04:00

I know I am suppose to be on vacation, but I am so proud of my boy, I can't wait until I get home.

I got online this afternoon to check on the FaceBook happenings and saw that one of my friends that I went to the Lucinda Green clinic posted a link on her page from Horse Talk Magazine. She recently wrote an artcle and submitted it. I knew that she took pictures of everyone that attened the clinic, but by no means did I think that we would ever be in the article. There were so many other horses that were way more advanced than Olly and I. I just kinda shoved it out of my mind. I did, however, get the copies of all the awesome pics she took.
So, back to the magazine...I go to the link to check it out and son-of-a-monkey!!! On page 20 there is a picture of Olly and I coming out of the water jump! I cannot explain how cool it is. I mean I know that I have an awesome horse....but now the whole state of Va knows too. Not only did we get a picture, but we got a whole paragraph about us. My boy is a STAR!! Next thing you know he will be on TV (lol)!!! I have attached the link so EVERYONE can read....And I know you will!

I still love the BigRedHorse!

2010-06-30T10:49:00.000-04:00

I got a new project that I started yesterday. This is the tri-color that I have been eyeballing in the paddock. His conformation is far from perfect, and he is a spit fire...but I can't help but be drawn to him. I love the way he looks and he loves attention. I guess I am a sucker for guys that love my attention...my hubby (lol), Olly and now Diesel. What can I say??! So, a little background on tricolor (Diesel). He is a 5-6 yo QH gelding. His dad is Active Army and has NO time to ride. Diesel is just sitting in the paddock doing what ever the hell he wants. He has made friends with Olly...
I love his color, and like I said before his conformation is kinda crappy, but he is totally sound. He is normally (if 2-3 rides is considered normally) ridden in a western saddle with a "snaffle," what ever that means...My interpretation? My english saddle and a french link D-ring. He did pretty good. Diesel and I have a long way to go, but I have high hopes for him. Here is the video!

I also am going to try to tidy up the barn and make it a place to be able to hold shows and make some money. Hopefully.

Olly is doing much better. I still haven't brought myself to ride him though. He isn't showing any signs of being lame, but his has some teeny-tiny swelling still. Since i will be leaving for Indiana tomorrow morning, I have decided to let him have his time off and we will resume work when I get back. Two weeks off, in addition to the two weeks he has already had, should be plenty of time.

I think I see some progress....

2010-06-23T23:20:00.000-04:00

Since I am really tired from spending some quality time with the BigRedHorse, this one is gonna be short. And for those of you who say I never keep things short...you are probably right.
I went to cold hose this morning and when I took off the wraps, Olly's leg was almost normal! Now there just seems to be slight inflammation in his fets! Woooohooo!

Sweet!!!!

Nice!

I cut back the time to only 10 minutes and skipped the bute.
This evening when I went out his leg seemed to hold out all day. Now that IS an improvement! I skipped the cold hosing put some DMSO on and wrapped. Then I turned him out in the little paddock for about an hour.

That was before I wrapped him.

While we let Olly graze, Tif and Soleil had a fun time jumping the course my boys and I made. I would video her and she would let my boys ride her paint. Fair enough. lol

Travis had the first go...

Then Colton, he even brought his chaps...lol

The Brad...he doesn't usually ride. lol

While we were paying attention to the paint, Olly seemed offended. He started lunging himself in the "welcome" paddock. WTF!? I clipped a quick video with Tif's camera, I will upoad tomorrow when I get it.
Overall, Olly is getting better. I may even get in a ride before we go on leave. We are heading back to Indiana to visit family for 2 weeks on the 1st. Olly will have plenty of time to rest and relax while I am gone. I fully anticipate him to be ready to ride then.

Even Better Today! Yeah!!!!

2010-06-22T23:14:00.000-04:00

This morning I pull up at the barn and notice that this white pigeon has been hanging around. One of the ladies at the barn seems to think it is a dove and keeps leaving water for it...out of the cat bowl. Interesting.

The "dove"

I continued back to Olly's stall. I unwrapped his legs and took a peek. Nice. The swelling had decreased. Now, only if it would last throughout the day.

Not too shabby!

The view from the inside...

I cold hosed again for 15 minutes. I have been doing this three times daily. The kids are loving going to the barn all the time. They get to take their bikes and play "Army guys." When I took him back to his stall I gave him a sprinkle of bute on his sugar cubes. I doubted he would eat it, but it was worth a shot.
By the time lunch rolled around I was anxious to see what his leg would look like. Yesterday, it was like a freaking balloon. To my surprise, it wasn't too bad! There was still some inflammation, but you could totally see definition! WIN!!!

Again, what is with the standing on the hurt leg??

Again, cold hosed for 15 mins and then I headed to make the rest of my jumps. I got everything out and ready to go and the first hole I drilled barely made it through. Why? Because I forgot to plug my drill in last night and the battery was dead. SUPER! So I packed everything up, including my boys, and went home to finished up some things there.

I planned on making the after dinner/evening cold hose a family affair, but quickly found out that Husband was on extra duty. Some one has to do it. So as soon as dinner was finished I piled everyone back in the truck to do the last hosing of the day. I am sure that all the soldiers in the training area next to the stables were thinking, "what in the hell is she doing here all thie time?" I had driven by 6 times total today.
Olly's leg was still a bit filled when I got there but it didn't look any worse than lunch. Another WIN! I recruited one of the boys to help hose while I scrubbed the fly spray residue off his back. I have had to come out and spray him twice daily since it is too hot for his fly sheet. Poor boy. Travis did a great job, then again how hard is it to hold a hose?

Still inflammed, but better.

After the hosing was over I broke out the scissors. That's right...I cut his tail. Time to mke it look professional. I did have the clippers with me, but they don't work as well after hosing your horse. I could have thought that one through better.

It is still perfect, even cut.

Travis, sporting the new do. lol

Since the grooming didn't take that long, I wrapped his hinds for the night and let him eat some grass on the way to his stall. I added a few sprinkles of bute again to his sugar cubes and called it a night. Now all I had to do was finish my jumps. I brought the plug in drill this time...no wussy battery stuff. I was just finishing the last few holes on the first standard and Tif walks up and says "I hope that is a 1/2 inch bit." I was like I am sure it is. It's pretty big. Well, again with the thinking through...it wasn't. Today was just not my day. I will have to get a bigger bit for tomorrow and I swear to you those jumps WILL be finished.

He looks so content.

Today's Evaluation

2010-06-21T20:35:00.000-04:00

This morning as soon as the kids got up I headed to the barn to see how Olly's leg was. He had eaten all his dinner and was acting like nothing had ever happened. I pulled him out of his stall and walked him to the hitching post. When I took the wrap off, his leg appeared much better. There was a bit of definition in the tendons and I was getting a tinge of relief. I cold hosed him for 10 minutes and hand walked him for about five, just to see if there was any difference in the way he was walking. He seemed completely normal...with swelling.

A bit better, right?

Going for a small walk.

Pfffft on those jumps!!

My poor boy!!

And back to the barn.

My children insisted on this shot. That is Rudolf and Cody Maverick hitching a ride. Notice the excitement on my face...?

I made my way back home and after doing some laundry and getting the children lunch, I packed them back up and went to cold hose. Again.

15 minutes of comfort.

Ugh!

This time his fet was really inflammed. More so than last night. Dog-gone-it! I cold hosed this time for 15 minutes and no hand walking. Again Olly seemed like it was just another day.
While I was there, I wanted to make myself useful, so I went to the scrap barn and dug out some wood that EVERYONE insisted was rotted. Really? Since when does wolmanized wood rot? Well, they weren't going to be using it, and it was just stacked in an empty quarentine stall, so I made three new jumps. I made sure that I grabbed my tape measure and drill...with bits before I left the house. Well, not my drill and bits, Husband's drill and bits...lol. I ended up having to use the table saw. Ugh! I don't like using saws. Why? Well...as much as I would like to say I don't know how (so I can get out of it), I can. I have used circular saws, table saws, and even jig saws. I just have this weird fear. I always invision myself getting hurt. And not like, the board jumped and hit me in the face, like gore-y, my kids have to call 9-1-1 because I can't. I know, totally irrational. Today, for the sake of jump making, I sucked it up and used the table saw to cut the feet to the standards. I only finished one jump. I had Husband bring his circular saw and finish cutting the feet to the other two after work. He loves me so!
While Husband was herding my kids this evening, I made another round of cold hosing and added some bute. His fet was still inflammed. It didn't get worse...which was good, but I was hoping for some sort of improvement.

I only wrapped his hinds tonight. I have heard that when you wrap you are suppose to wrap all fours, but I think he will be fine. I am hoping that in the morning we will see some sort of improvement.

I know y'all like the blue ;)

On the way back to the barn to administer some bute, I caught him resting....on his LEFT HIND!! AHHHHH!!!!

What happened now??!!

2010-06-20T22:23:00.000-04:00

Yesterday after the work day at the barn Husband tells me that he would like to take a nice outing on the boat. Of course, I was thinking of going to the barn and making more awesome jumps with all the wood I found in the end quarentine stall. I quickly gave in and text Tif and told her she was on her own. The next morning, since it was Father's Day, I got up early and made pancakes and coffee for Husband. I skipped the morning check in with the BigRedHorse. It wasn't until this afternoon I HAD to go out and check on my boy. I had left his tail out so I could trim it and he so totally needed fly spray.

Friday before our ride. Look at all that awesomeness...

I showed up at the barn in a swim-suit and flip-flops. I think Olly sighed a sigh of relief, considering the temperature. I first sprayed him down and then went to tackle the tail. After that, the two things he hates the most, I decided to put some RainMaker on his feet. Just to keep them going in the dry dirt he was being turned out in. I always start with the right front and work my way around clockwise. I got to his Right Hind and he kinda put up a fight. Ummmmm...Olly...Why are you not wanting to stand? I made it quick and crossed over to the Left Hind. WTF!! Now I know why you didn't want ot stand! My poor boy!

See the ANTI-definition?

The good leg

Ignore the stance...he was stomping at flies...

What did I do? PANIC!! The check list started forming in my mind.
Tenderness?
Heat?
Asymmetrical?
Yes, yes, and yes. Crap! At first thought I put linement on it, and turned him out. Dumb move. I actually am a bit embarrassed to even admit it on here, but I try to own ALL of my mistakes. I went back to the barn a few hours later and decided to actually do the right things.
No turn out.
Cold Hose.
Standing wraps.
Bute....if needed.
Well, the standing wraps turned into polo's because I can't find my pillows. I SWEAR I took them to the barn....I might not be happy if I can't find them at home.

When I got to the barn I double timed it to the gelding turn-out paddock. To my surprise and mental anguish, he was out trotting with Soleil. Great. I grabbed him and took him to complete the "correct" check list. He was patient and enjoyed all the pampering. I put on his fly sheet and mask to try to make him the most comfortable as possible. I didn't want him stomping all night on a sore leg at flies. After a few sugar cubes he was off to bed in his stall.

All tucked in!

I think we will hold off on the turn-outs for a few days and just go with hand walks. At least, until the swelling goes down.

I started replaying what might have caused this on the drive home. I know I didn't see anything yesterday, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I also can't rule out it happening sometime while I wasn't there either. I hate not knowing. BUT, I did come up with a good idea....

Non-Fox Fox Hunting!!

2010-06-19T20:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday evening we set out to go on another long hack. I normally like to do arena work, but it has been so boring and hot. We have found so many new things to do while out on the trail we are both starting to enjoy just going where ever the wind takes us.
I made sure I had my Garmin and we went for the longest hack that we have done in months. I think it took us 2 hours to mosey 6.68 miles. We w-t-c, went up and down and over some jumps. We stood on things and walked over things that we have never encountered before. Olly is getting used to the whole I guess cuz mom said do it, I have to do it. He is really being a great sport. I think weare ready for a horse trial. Now, I am not saying we are gonna win the thing, or even place. I just think we could complete one. My goal for this year is to complete on horse trial.

Here is a video of Olly and I doing our on-the-side-of-the-road-jumping. Otherwise known as Non-Fox-Fox-Hunting as Megan puts it.

I forgot to turn down the background noise...grrrrr!

Cross Country

2010-06-18T14:44:00.000-04:00

Now, I know what you are thinking when I say xc...this was our own fandangled xc course. After working in the area all week and failing the flying changes, I decided that a good long hack was in order. Olly loves to just hack out and see new things. I made sure I grabbed my crop as we left because we were gonna jump everything we could. And we did! There are sooooo many neat things this post has that just remids me of a xc course. Now, mind you it isn't in a wonderfully manacured grass field...it is usually along side the road with grass-ish footing, but it is great practice for us. I am in the process now of compling thoughts and ideas with Tif to build a make-shift xc course somewhere on the stable grounds. I have to work fast. I just found out that my NEW friend will be leaving in September. Why me!!?? I will be back to riding alone again. Until that time comes, I will be taking advantage the riding companion.
There is alot of space on or near the stable grounds that would totally hold some good sturdy jumps.

This open field would be great. It is a bit small, but it would work.

We just have to find, and I do mean find, the materials to make them with.

I took along my Garmin today to see how far some of these trails are.

Olly has approved the Garmin...

...and the pitch fork...

...and the sugar cubes.

There are plenty of training areas that we are allowed to ride in, that is as long as no one is training. I guess, really, the only places that we are not allowed to ride are the common areas, such as the PX, Commissary and housing. WIN!
Last time we went into one of the training areas We got eaten by flys, I called them deer flys, but come to find out they are biting flys...big shocker there. They weren't so bad this time, but dang, it was rough. We just increased our slow walk to a good impulsive walk and it helped. As we peek through the trees on the other side of our "trail" I see this wall that is built over a couldron. First jump of the night sited!

It was MAYBE a 2ft drop

It took a few times with the crop to "convince" Olly to go down it, but he made it. I did have Tif video it, but some how my POS camera didn't work. I did, however, get her going up and down it. So, just act like her paint is a BigRedHorse...lol.

We cantered along the golf course and checked out a few logs that might be jump worthy...and then we came to my split rail fence. You know I had to jump that. Olly went right over. He never minded the cars or the distraction of the other horse. He is getting so confident with jumping. We continued on along Taylor Rd (or street??). They have along side of the road these huge burm looking things. It is nothing but up-down-up-down hills. Awesome for building horsey-muscles. Can't wait to do some trotting sets along there. As we were starting to round the corner to head back to the barn, a soldier walks out from a training site. He was trying to take a picture of us with out getting caught. Tif looks at me and with a creeped out whisper says "...uhhhh that guy just took a pic of us." Knowing he was caught he yells..." You guys just made my day. I ahve been out here since Monday and we are doing NOTHING! I took a picutre, is that ok?" What are we suppose to say "no? Give me your phone so I can delete it?" He ended up being a (from what I can tell in 5 minutes) a decent soldier who was just bored out of his goard. We moved on to the last leg of the trip, along side the river. There we found a few more jumps to tackle, before calling it a night. This split rail was a bit smaller, but looked way scarier. Good...the scarier the better. Again, no video of me, but I did get Tif. I promise that here soon I will get Olly and I jumping all these things.

We had almost made it home and another person stopped us. She insisted that we bring the horses over so she could pet them, which instantly irritated me...buuuuut I was nice and we walked over. She told us that her horses were lucky because she was an equine massage therapist. What? My horse isn't lucky? Please woman. Now, I know...this is someone I should have on my side, but I found her just plain irritating and she didn't seem as knowledgeable as you would want and EMT to be. Either way, she was on vay-cay and I would never have to see her again. As we turned to leave I saw another fence. This was the highest, I think...and we cleared it. I am thinking nothing was over 2'9". I will be taking my tape measure out tonight to check them all ;) I just gotta know. I didn't get a pic of these jumps, I was too busy having fun. I will try to remember to get a pic of them here soon.

Yesterday, while dinking around the barn, I decided I would take some pictures and give y'all a tour. Here they are:

Empty Stalls

More empty stalls and the walk way to the back barn

Tack Room

My two (shhhh) tack 'stalls'

One of the run-out paddocks

The 'back' barn. Olly is on the end ;)

Olly's stall

The rest of the barn...isn't it so tidy...lol

That is a Marine chopper, they fly over ALL the time.

Roll-Back Fail(s)

2010-06-17T09:11:00.000-04:00

Tuesday I went out ot the barn and set up a bunch of new jumps. I brought my crappy coop and the log jump I had also. See when I first came to check out the barn here on Ft Eustis, they had a ton of jumps. To my surprise the girl that owned them took them when she left. Totally not complaining, because I would do the same. So I have set my jumps up. I already have Husband on it to make some more.

All ready to go, for our Fail. lol

So my new jumps consisted or a triple rail (bar)

and this rainbow-multi-colored-picket-fence-thing. It was higher than I would normally start out, but I decided that I could get him over it.

I didn't measure the height, but I am guessing 2'9"

These two jumps were going to be a part of my roll-back plan. Olly has been doing great with his leads. We practiced on the flat and with just two jumps and even a full course. Time to move on. I mean, how hard is it? Come off a jump and roll-back and take the next jump, right? Ohhhhhh was it not so easy. I set up the jumps so he would take his left lead and land on his left lead. His left is his better one. While I was out there I just couldn't figure out what was happening. I mean, we did the "line" like 10 times (it was really hot so we took a lot of breaks) and he only got his lead like 3. 30% is not the success rate I was hoping for. I did promise him that I would make sure I sit back for the change if he actually would get the change. lol I sat back, but he didn't hold up his end of the deal. After the second time of not getting the lead, I got off and checked to see if he might be sore and did some changes on the flat. First, simple ones, then some flying ones. He seemed to get it. The only thing I can think that was interfering was that he needed more time to think coming off the jump. Triple rail, three strides, change leads (if needed, and EVERY TIME he needed to), turn, and prepare for another funky jump in 4 strides. Now, I know that a roll back is hardly three strides, turn and then 4 strides, but I tried to space it out for timing's sake. He eventually got what I was asking for. And I rewarded him greatly. It was hot and yucky out. And he was totally giving a good effort. Once he did get the leads, we jumped the second fence...which I blew. I promised to stay off his shoulders and sit back, and I was totally ahead. You can't miss it on the video. Had I sat back and stayed out of his way he could have taken the jump more gracefully. Ooops! So-what did we learn? Leads and strides are way important and we need to practice!! Be on the look out for some boring flat videos.

Here is the video.

Another HOT Day in Va

2010-06-13T23:36:00.000-04:00

This morning started out with me getting up early to make it to the barn to help with turn-outs. This would be Olly's first turn-out with the rest of the horses and some were worried that he may have issues. Whatever! The BigRedHorse...issues?? Ha! Of course he walked into the paddock and that was it, he was friends with everyone.

Making friends

I headed back home, Husband NEEDED to get some boat stuff done, and then we HAD to take it out to "test" it. I think he just wanted to go speeding around the river again. This time I did wear sunscreen ;)

Benni and I catching the wind.

After dinner I met up with Tif to go for a ride. I got to the barn about 1730. I headed straight to Olly's stall, and what did I find? My BigRedHorse drenched in sweat. I paniced alittle! WTF?? He was a bit lethargic, which really worried me. I instantly checked his gums, heart rate and I should have check his temp, but the thermometer was all the way in the tack room, so I just felt him (which is so accurate lol). I shoved his halter on and grabbed the hose. I cold hosed him for at leat 10 minutes, until he was perkier.
Normally, I tend to instantly panic. My first thoughts in my head were OMG! He made it through that stinking quarentine barn and now he gets heat stroke! I start thinking of all the things I should be doing to treat it. Problem is...no heat stroke. lol Just a really hot horse that will be put in his stall with fans during the day and have turn-out at night...from now on.

PANIC!!

Bug bites, even after all the bug spray. I could just SPIT!

Yup, look at that perfection...

It was so freaking hot this evening I just passed on the riding. I grabbed all the bath stuff. I thought he would enjoy a nice cooling massage. Just as we were about to finish up with the bath, the sky turns grey. SUPER! AGAIN!?

I love my truck!

I watched the sky and quickly noticed that this storm was blowing away from the barn, how I don't know. And I didn't care, I just loved the thought of the temperature dropping 10*. I waited it out. No rain! Woooohooo! I went to the arena and set up some jumps. Olly probably wan't as happy as I was, but he would live.
I set the jumps up in a circle. Time to maintain some balance and collection for longer than just one or two jumps. We started out with some new looking jumps. Olly picked all the new ones out. Smart boy. He had to touch them and then he was ok.

The lattice with my standards.

How show worthy is that?? LOL

We did the circle to the left first, since that is his "good" way and then cirlced to the right. As always he was great. I rode with Tif and her Appendix paint Solei. He is 4. After we did the circle a few times we had a little fun(as if we weren't already). Who can jump the highest...my guess? ME and OLLY! DUH! Well, Tif and Solei-2'9" Olly and I-3ft.

Don't I look cute?? Too hot for breeches today!

Free at Last, Free at Last!!!

2010-06-12T22:30:00.000-04:00

Today was such a happy day. Olly is free!

I got up this morning and couldn't wait to go see my boy. Today was the last day for him to be in quarentine. As I pulled myself out of bed, I hear husband say "time to take the boat out." I never really complain about going out on the boat. I really don't care for the boat and I don't see what is so great about it, but it is Husband's Olly, if you will. I would never tolerate him telling me I couldn't go see my BigRedHorse, so who am I to tell him no boat? I really try to be fair. So, this morning we pack up and head out to get the boat. We found a boat launch near the new house and decided to give it a try. I would ride in the evening. It was cooler then anyway.

Travis

Husband...with his lovely Croc's...lol!!

Bennington LOVE's the boat too. He likes the wind in his fur!

Sunburn...check!

I asked him to go get dressed for the boat...this is what he put on. Oh, and note the self-given tattoo. Nice.

He was telling a fish story...ccan you tell?

I chose to not wear sunscreen today. Why? I am not sure, maybe because I am just that retarded. I have found that my skin isn't as sensitive since being in Hawaii, and that being no excuse to not wear sunscreen, i still went with out. Well, I have to admit I have learned my lesson. After being on the boat and then going riding in sunny 90* weather, I have found that my skin just is normal and I got burnt.

Notice all the red skin? Even my ear got burnt.

I headed out to the barn around 1400 and I had alot to do. I made sure I took a whole bottle of water and my ipod. As soon as I pulled in I walked as fast as I could to the "Q" barn to get Olly OUT! They have a small paddock which was perfect. It lets him talk to the other horses without being turned out with them. Perfect for new comers. He was totally excited to be able to walk up to the barn and see all thenew stuff. As soon as I put him in the paddock he went straight to the side attached to the turn out paddock. Lucky for you guys, I got it on video ;)

While he was having fun meeting new friends and eating grass, I mucked his "Q" stall and prepared his new stall and filled the water trough. I cannot tell you how hot it was. And sad to say that while I was mucking the "Q" stall I became even more angry at ODR. It was so hot in that stinking stall. No animal should have to be in there. My fist task at this barn will be getting that barn fixed. It wouldn't take much to get the parts to make it somewhat decent barn. With all the extra duty soldiers...labor could be free. Just an idea....

As I was taking a load of shavings to Olly's new stall Tif showed up. Yeah!!! Someone to ride with!! I finished up with Olly's stall and grabbed him out of the mini-paddock. Since Tif was at the hitching post and Olly hasn't met her horse yet, I took him to the grooming stall. Bad idea. It was like a sweat box, by the time I was done saddling him up he was dripping sweat. I have to say that I think that was the fastest I have ever saddled a horse. I was trying to hurry.

He was more sweaty BEFORE his ride than after!

We walked around the arena a bit. Seriously...this is the arena? I mean it has potiental, but why does no one take care of it. I can just see it now. I am gonna be a pain in this barn's ass.

The arena...*tear* And yes, those are my wonderfully painted jumps!

We decided that we were gonna go let the horses play in the river. It would be a nice reward to letthem cool off.

Olly and his new friend Solei

After walking around in the water we hit up some of the training areas. I have been schooled in where it is acceptable to ride, pretty much anywhere but the commissary and PX. That leaves alot of exploring for Olly and I. w00t!!! So if anyone from Ft. Eustis is reading this....if you see a crazy girl riding a BigRedHorse on post...it's me!
Like I said we headed to one of the training areas. If the gates are closed, we can ride. Now, I know that doesn't make sense, but here it does. No one training means ok for horses. lol No sooner than we get around the yellow gate and all the deer flies (or that is what I call them) start swarming us, and I mean US...not the horses so much but the riders!! It was terrible. I think I have to take a bath in Benedryl! We hardly made it far and turned around to head back. As we exited the woods, I look up at the sky.

We double timed it back to the barn to make it before the storm hit.
I rushed to get Olly to his new stall. I didn't want to have to deal with him meeting all the new horseys and a storm. He is such a good boy, it didn't even matter. He acted like he had been there all along.

Olly's new home!

Another Friend!!!

The sky on the way home...it was a short storm.

Swimming Anyone??

2010-06-11T22:47:00.000-04:00

This morning after dropping my boys off to school, I headed to the barn to ride. I was going to pass on the dressage saddle and go with the close contact saddle and really do some riding. I know on post they allow for the horses to ride down the road, I just wasn't sure where. Sooooo....explore time. I love just going out and finding new places to check out. I dug out all the tack and drove down to the "Q" barn. Olly was thrilled to see me. After giving him a HUGE kiss I got started getting him tacked up. I have decided that I am changing his "color" to red. I never thought red looked good on red horses, but suddenly I have had a change of heart. It doesn't matter what color the BigRedHorse wears, though, he will look good in anything. Just like his mama....lol.

Sassy red!!

We started out going the opposite direction we went the other day. We walked down the road along the river and made a turn to the left and around the huge turn-out paddock.

To my, and Olly's suprise none of the other horses came running. I thought that was a standard? When a strange horse walks by a huge paddock, all the other horses haul ass across to meet them. Well, the Ft Eustis horses are lazy, I guess. We continued on around a curve that had hardly a shoulder. It was tall grass and what would probably be a swamp if it weren't so hot. I could just hear Husband's voice in my head saying how dangerous it is, so we crossed to the other side of the road which was wooded. I started hearing a crackling sound in the woods. I shrugged it off to squirrels. Those things are everywhere here, and kept walking. Olly didn't dismiss as easily. He kept one ear on the woods while trying to focus on what I was telling him. Another 50 yards down I heard another loud noise in the woods. Ok, that WASN"T a squirrel. Olly froze, Pony Vision in HD. Then I saw it, three guys doing some sort of LandNav. They were in ACU's and totally not paying attention to the BigRedHorse. The burst out of the woods to the road side. I could feel Olly's heart beat through my boots. As soon as he saw they were men I could feel him relax. Then the guys looked up. Here stands a huge horse freaking out and a girl on top of him saying "good boy!" I think they were a bit taken back. lol I briefly explained that he was having trouble seeing them in the woods with their ACU's and he just wanted to check them out. They went their own way as did we.

He actually walked on a loose rein today!!!

We followed the road around another corner where we stumbled upon a HumV getting a tire change and a golf course. The grass was perfect for a nice canter. Nooooo, not ON the golf course, on the shoulder of the road across opposite the golf course. We cantered (it was tough to keep a consistant non-galloping canter) about a 1/2 mile before the grass started tapering down for the railroad crossing. I was a bit nervous about the railroad tracks. There aren't any train tracks in Hawaii. I wasn't sure he would go over...or walk over. I pictured in my head walking up to the tracks and Olly leaping over them in the road, but he must have taken his big boy pill today and walked right over like he had done it a million times. The next intersection was a major through road. It had a good amount of traffic and about 75 soldiers PT'ing. It did have a nice grassy shoulder to ride on as well. I am starting to see a trend with this side of the road thing. It is great for riding. By this point of the ride I had already seen about 3 MP's drive by, so I figured this was a horsey apporved riding area.
As we made the turn down the busy road, I see a split rail fence....I immediately eye-balled it. Olly saw it too. I looked down at him and asked, "should we do it boy?" It didn't look any higher than 2'9" so I asked for a trot. I looked both ways and we jumped it. I wanted to go back and do it again, just because it was something different than a regular vertical, but it was on the shoulder of the road and there were cars driving by. I wasn't going to push my luck.

I snapped a pic of the split rail fence on the way home. I have no idea its purpose.

Just as I started paying attention again, I looked up and this soldier running was like "that was awesome!! What a cool horse!" I just waved and said "I know, thanks." I mean I really do know he is awesome. I gave Olly a pat and we trotted off. We were still about a mile from the barn. We trotted up and down the mounds they had for drainage and who knows what other reason and slowly made our way back to the river. Olly was sweating and he looked like he could use a dip in the river. We crossed a small rock wall (small enough ot walk over) and went in. I would have totally let him swim, but I had the saddle on and my boots, so we just waded. I think next time we go out I will go bareback and actually let him swim.

Pony Vision again...

Yuck!! Salt Water!!!

He really seems to love the water. We played in the water for a few minutes and then went back to the barn for some hand grazing and clover. Only one more day of quarentine for the BigRedHorse and then he is free!! Saturday night I will be putting him in his permanant stall and Sunday morning he will be able to meet his new friends!! He will be so happy!
I did bring my GPS today, but after 484ft it died. I guess I forgot to charge it. When I got home I made sure it hooked it up so it will be ready for tomorrow.
Oh! And my hose was still attached to the pump, where I left it yesterday and the day before that... ;)

Getting Settled

2010-06-10T20:37:00.000-04:00

Last Tuesday I had Olly trailered to his new home, Ft Eustis Stables. I have mixed feelings about boarding my BigRedHorse. Everyday I would look out my window (bedroom, living room, den and kitchen windows show the horse paddock) and see my boy just hanging out and being happy. I love walking out my back door every morning and seeing my boy and hear him whinny to me, that he loves me. It is breaking my heart not to see him as soon as I wake up. On the other hand, I think he will be happier to be a part of a herd. He has always been a clingy type horse. He can make a friends faster than any species I have seen. He has already been whinnying to a tri-color gelding across the way. He is still in the quatentine stall, and tri-color is free. This paint is quite the frisky boy and is always stirring up trouble...I hope this isn't a warning...you know like when your kid says this is my new friend, he met in detention. Not the best place to meet new friends.

So, I get Olly to the barn and notice that one of the barn doors is unhinged. Broken. So the second stall it is, but it only has one door. Where is the ventilation? No run? I was starting to get pissy. They must have a quarentine turn-out. To my surprise, Olly will have to be stalled in a 12x20 stall for 10 days. Who is the freaking nut that came up with this idea? My fire-breathing-dragon will be in a stall for 10 days. Sheesh! So I call up ODR (Outdoor Rec)and asked who is responsible for the vet bill when my horse gets heat stroke? It was 96* with 90% humidity. He was sweating more being in that crappy stall than he did the 45 minute trailer ride there. So the "manager" of ODR, the most NON horsey person I have ever met. starts reciting the SOP to me. Ummmm. I know what the standard is, I signed the papers. What I didn't see as "standard" was old rotted wood, no run, let alone a turn-out, and poor ventalation. So the "manager" offered so kindly to fix the first stalls hinge and add another door. We still have to deal with the rotted wood and not turn-out, but it was slightly better.

Crappy Quarenting Barn

My poor boy sweatinghis ass off

I met one person at the barn who seems to have knowledge. There is always one at each barn. In Hawaii, it was Stacey, here it is Tiffany. AND!!! She has a BN eventing paint! WIN!!! She is my new friend. lol This weekend I will be setting out with my Garmin and HR monitor and see how much work my BigRedHorse needs after his time off.

Of course, Olly just goes with the flow. He doesn't like being in the stall, he is now starting to refuse going back in. I have to enter first and give some enouraging words. I don't blame him at all. I wouldn't want to go in either. I DO make sure I go and let him out in the round pen (shhhhhh...don't tell ODR) and let him hand graze for at least 15 minutes. I think that helps him more mentally than phsyically.

Ohhh Clover Heaven!!

So Tuesday I notice that the weather turned a bit cooler. Time to ride! I decided to go with the dressage saddle, since it is the most comfortable saddle ever (Crosby). I soon found out that I should have chosen the close contact (Wintec). Oh, and the elevator bit would have helped too, instead of the loose ring. I needed the extra stopping power. I knew what our ride was gonna be....3 weeks not being ridden, stalled for 5 days (so far), a new place with tons of smells, and HUGE military equipment driving everywhere. I needed more than my helmet. I needed elbow, wrist, knee and shin pads too. And maybe a parking brake. He was alert and totally listened and hardly spooked at anything, suprisingly. If he questioned anything, he just stopped and kinda side-stepped. I would make him sniff it and touch it and we moved on. The huge trucks we no problem at all. He is used to having 18-wheelers drive by. I think the drivers were more afraid of spooking Olly, than Olly actually spooking. (it's nice to be able to say that now!) We started out walking down towards the river and past the "home" of all the big trucks. We walked and trotted, which quickly turned into a canter. I waited to see how many srides it took for his canter turned into a full gallop. I never gave him a loose rein. Any guesses?? 2!!! That's right, 2 strides. Basically those were his, I am digging-to-get-going strides. All I had to do was talk to him and he slowed down. What a good boy! At the intersection there is a huge staging area, where all the soldiers set up their stuff...great! My horse is being Speed Racer and now we have an audiance. Just as we turned around and started to head back, my phone rang. It was the school nurse. An audiance, speed racer AND a phone call. This was gonna be entertaining....We only walked, and I use that word loosley, a few feet before I just had to get off or I was gonna eat dirt. As soon as my feet hit the ground he was lunging himself around me in 6 foot circles...at a trot. I am sure everyone thought, "What in the hell is worng with that horse??" Oh, but the fun doesn't stop there, I had to get back on. Ever hear of the flying dismount? Well, I did a flying mount. As soon as my weight pushed in the one sturrip, he took off trotting. I brought him back to a halt...sternly and made him stand for a whole 2 seconds I am sure it felt like eternity to him. Then, I let him go. I wish I would have had my GPS on. I would have loved to see how fast he was going. I could feel the power and happiness evaporating off of him. It took just seconds to make it back where we had started. We continued on down in the opposite direction and crossed the road to go down to the river.

I let him get his feet wet and cool off and then we headed back to the barn.
Once we got back I unsaddled him and decided since the humidity was lower I would hose Olly off and let him graze. I walked over to get the hose and WTF??!! It was gone! A little FYI...that was MY hose I brought from home. The hose that the barn provides has about 3 holes in it, one hole being bigger than the hole at the end. I was FUMING! I stompped all the was to the NON-quarentine barn and started my search. All the way in the back barn someone hooked it up to water all the horses. OK....there are so many issues with this situation that piss me off...
1 What happened to "if you use it put it back?"
2 That is the quatentine hose..my horse has been watered with it. It can now contaminated all the other horses, but my horse isn't allowed in the arena, round pen, or any common area. Whatever.
3 No one even asked to use it. How rude.
4 No one even said sorry.
After writing a nasty note on the marker board about me having to bring in my own hose, no one even was like, "oh, sorry." WTF man?? I dragged that bitch all the way back to Olly and hosed him off.
I gave hims some fresh water, from MY hose and some sugar cubes and headed home.

Jumping without the jumping....

2010-05-16T16:14:00.000-04:00

Today when I went out to get Olly he seemed a bit disconnected. Not like he wasn't feeling well, but just a bit sad almost. I gave him a little extra attention, just to show that I understand. He seemed appreciative. I saddled him up and hopped on. Then it hit me. Three days ago I sold Kiki. No wonder he wasn't feeling like himself. His girlfriend was gone. Poor boy.
Kiki has gone to a great home. This woman has 11 kids, that's right 11!! She also took goaty-goat and baby goat. They will all be together. She seemed like a knowledgeable woman who will take care of them, I hope...
So, back to today...I was feeling sorry for my poor boy. It was a bit warm out so I didn't want to do anything too strenuous. I was asked not too long ago by Megan, if I have a hard time seeing my strides. I answered with a "kinda." I mean I can tell if I am going to chip or take along spot, but I have a hard time adjusting far enough out. So, I guess that would be a "no" then. I decided to give it a whirl today. I set up two ground poles 48 feet apart. How many strides can my BigRedHorse get in 48 feet? Well, my initial guess was four. Since one stride is ~12feet and he didn't really need the six feet on either side for take off and landing, I thought my guess was pretty accurate. HA! First time through I think we got SIX!!! Ummmm....Olly is 16.1h and has an average TB back. He should have no problem getting four strides. I tell you what, it was easier for him to get seven strides and almost impossible to even get five. As a matter of fact, we couldn't even get five. We came close though, we got five and a half....lol! I wasn't too worried on the number of strides in that length, I was more concerned on being able to control his stride length. I did get some control over it, and that was good enough for today. I did at the end of our ride sneak in a three foot jump. He missed it once in the last jumping video on the full course and it made me think that he may not be ready for it yet. So I decided to try it when he was a bit tired. He cleared it, no problem. I think we are going to start schooling 2'6" and 2'9" more often. When we are doing more tricky combinations I will drop the jumps back down to 2 foot and 2'3".

Here is the VIDEO.

If only my leg were where is was suppose to be....DANG IT!

I like big butts...I cannot lie....

After our ride as we passed the neighbors house, something caught Olly's eye. A tarp on the ground. It was white and not normally there. He HAD to keep his eye on it while walking, which ended up with us in a whole other problem. Looking at the tarp and not seeing the mail box coming right for your nostril does propose a problem. Let's just say I am getting good at grabbing mane and staying calm. I didn't go off, and he got himself to gether quickly and we moved on.

He did own his fear and walk up to it to sniff it!

It alsmot ate him...

Back at the house I hosed him off, no soap, and attempted to braid his mane and tail. I thought I might be able to get away with using the little braid binders that I use for banding. NOPE! Gotta go get some yarn tomorrow. I did condition his mane and tail so he can look oh-so-handsome at the show in a week. I pampered him for a few hours while he ate grass and then put him back in the paddock. No sooner than I took his halter off he was in the dirt rolling.

Awwww...maaaaan!

SHAKE!!!!!

No big deal, no show today. But next week, I better not see any rolling!!

Dressage Video

2010-05-11T23:07:00.002-04:00

Dressage Video!
I guess it just took a while to process....

Dressage moments/Full course/Big Move

2010-05-11T23:06:00.000-04:00

So there is alot going on in my life right now. First things first we are moving....AGAIN. I am not proud to say that we are moving and it is not the military's fault this time. When we chose to live at this house with 9 acres a 3 stall barn and 3000sq feet, I agreed to get a job. Two months after moving into the house I started back to school for nursing. I decided that I did not want to work, go to school, take care of my family, take care of my mini farm, and about 100 other things all at the same time. After thinking long and har Husband and I have decided to move on post to save money until I get out of school. It will eliminate me having to get a job. We have to sell Kiki...which it seems that I am the only one really struggling with that, and the baby goats, which we were going to sell anyway, and Yogurt (the cow) will be in the freezer. I get to keep my two dogs and of course the BigRedHorse.

Baby goaty-goat

Yogurt...he is much bigger now.

On to the important stuff!!!!
So the other day I was reading Solo's Blog and learned a ton of new info about collection. I won't explain it all, but feel free to check out her page. I read it like three times to make sure I understood what to do and headed out to give it all a try. We did ok, but not good enough. I know it is my fault. I watched the video and it seem to be having a problem with my hands bobbing. I hink that I keep hitting him in the mouth and that is making him not want to reach for the bit. The video is a bit rough. I didn't upload the entire thing, just a few tid-bits. Ok so my video didn't really upload correctly. I will getit working here soon and post it.
In the video, I see TONS of things that are wrong. I won't go through and name them because I will probably miss half. So feel free to give any pointers you can. And don't worry about my feelings...I can take it.
On to a better note...The next day I let Olly rest the dressage thing got me down, so what do I do the next time I ride? Do I practice the dressage to get better? NOPE! I go set up a full course! I set up a full course and went out to get'er done. The first jump we tackled was a 3ft vertical, everything else was around the 2'3" to 2'6" range. He did really well, HERE IS THE VIDEO. We owned that course.
I know this may be embarrassing, but I love this book. It is simple but has TON of great ideas....

Dont judge....lol

Practical Horseman ain't got nothin' on me!

2010-05-02T19:57:00.000-04:00

So the other day when i was thinking up jump patterns, I set up two jumps that were about 15ft apart making an angle. The VIDEO I took was posted last week-ish. Olly did great, after a few tries he owned the turns. It helped him understand that you never knowwhat jump I will be pointing him to and that he will always have to be collected somewhat to make those turns. He owned it...not as much to the right. He must be a lefty like me ;). Anyway, I got my Practical Horseman a few days ago and I saw the "Tackle Tricky Lines" article. AWESOME! It was almost exactly the same thing I did last week. All I had to do was add one more jump. I have been wanting to try it out. Today would be a perfect day.
My friends from Savannah, Ga are in town. We were stationed with them in Hawaii a few months back. Perfect time to show off the BigRedHorse's mad skills.
I started out by setting up the jumps like they suggested in the magazine. After a few warm up jumps we gave'er a try. Nothing is too difficult for my BigRedHorse!!! He did pretty good, while trotting in. Then we decided to canter in. Not-so-much. We missed the second jump, guess that is where the whole collection comes in, huh? Back at the trot we did awesome! Next time we are gonna own it at a canter. It was so hot out that we decided to call it quits after only 4-5 tries. It was 1100 and it was already 90*. I am not complaining, I love summer. I hate winter. Here is the VIDEO from today.
On the way home MJ (my Savannah GF) hopped on and rode Olly home.

MJ and Olly

What a great rider!!!

Most of my non-horsey friends seem fearful hopping up on this 16.1h TB that just jumped 2-3ft like it was nothing. Not her. She hopped right on and rode him like it was nothing. I love it when people aren't scared of my horse. Sometimes just being fearful lets the horse know that they are in control. Olly is a great boy, but he will take advantage of anything he can. MJ would be a great equestrian. She wasn't fearful and actually had good form. A few lessons and she would be on her way. It was a short ride, but we accomplished alot. Good Boy!!!

Funky to Fearless

2010-04-29T00:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday Olly and I went for a 5 mile hack to the boat launch. It was a bit chilly out, but I can't resist riding my BigRedHorse.I decided to put my dressage saddle on and loose-ring french link since we wouldn't be jumping and my dressage saddle is insanely comfortable. Olly was suprisingly calm. I think he knows the difference between bits.

My spankin' stick, just in case

Aren't the clouds pretty?

On the way back from our ride, we rode in an empty corn field that has wind blown rye growing in it. He somehow worked his lip to grab a few bits...those things are like thumbs! As we cross the road to our Lane, he starts hacking and coughing. FREAK OUT!!! I jumped out of the saddle in the middle of the road and walked him across, while he was still hacking! First thought--my horse is choking! I ripped off his bridle and stood there. What the heck do you do with a choking horse?? The Heimlik?? The only thing I could do is stand there while tears streamed down my cheecks. I can't even explain how helpless I felt. After a few more hacks and nothing coming out (horses can't regergatate), he perked up and stood there looking at me like, "what's the hold up, mom?" I gave him a big hug and walked he rest of the way home (about 1/2 mi) on foot with his bridle in my hand and just the reins around his neck.

FYI--absolutely NO EATING with a bit!!! I tell you, this horse is like one of my children. I think I cry more with him, than I do with my REAL kids! At least with my kids I can ask what's wrong.

Today our ride was smoother. I left the jumps where they were and made up patterns, no measuring strides or angles. We would have to adjust on the fly. I could feel that he was wanting to go. The power was in my hands. Sometimes it is like he wouldn't stop even if he had barbed wire in his mouth. Instead of pulling, I decided to just talk to him and see how it goes, it half worked. I wasn't so worried about the speed as I was the collection. It is hard for him to be collected going 50mph over a 2'6" vertical. Then he starts chipping and taking long spots and knocking down rails. We did a few circles to regain composure. I think he can tell when he has the elevator on we aren't doing calm collected circles. He knows we are jumping and he likes it. He likes the speed that he can get away with. Once he started focusing on whatever I put him to, we went back at the funky-strided course that has been sitting in the "arena" for awhile. He nailed the first few jumps and as we continued to the next few he started gaining speed. I let me flatten out a bit because the next jump was a mock water jump. A tarp with ground poles. Then we had a good turn to the left and up comes the mini coop. He did a good job focusing on me, he had no clue what jump was coming next. I think he realized that he had to get his crap together and that was why I was changing my seat and legs. He collected himself and nailed that jump too. He was listening and focusing! YEAH!! We did the course twice with a walk lap in between and then went out to our little 1/4mi trail (the one with the snake filled creek). He is usually cautious down the hill coming up to the creek, the one side is washed away and I think it just looks scary. Today....I made him trot it and take the creek without thinking first. By the time he was on it he was moving too fast down the hill to stop. He HAD to go over. And he did. It wasn't graceful by any means...but he didn't stutter and did what I asked. Good Boy! I pushed him to continue up the 3 or 4 hills at a hand gallop. At first he was feeling me out. Is she serious? I can just...run? Then I felt the power. I wish I would have had my GPS on, I would have like to see how fast we were going. At the end of the trail there is a HUGE hill.

Ok, so the pic doesn't make it look huge...but it is!

He slowed to a trot and went down. What happened to my insecure BigRedHorse? I now have this fearless and bold BigRedHorse. No complaints here! At the bottom of the hill we walked for a minute to recover and send some texts (lol) and then walked back up. At the top he was asking to run again. Okey-dokey! I let him go. He did slow to a nice canter to take the creek (which is no longer snake filled) and continued to canter up the no longer scary hill. Back at the lane I decided to call it a day. He had conqured alot today.
I am going to try to find time to go to a local show here in the next month or two and then it is on to the horse trials in the area.
Oh and one more thing...These are a pair of breeches that I got from a lady on e-Bay. They are the best! The full seat is deer skin and I even got a star embroidered on the butt...they are now apart of my sassy collection ;)

Don't mind my busted-up fingers!

A Dressage Kind of Day

2010-04-23T19:05:00.000-04:00

I have been talking to alot of my horsey friends lately and the same thing is being said. If you wanna do good in your xc and show jumping rounds, your dressage better be good. Now, I know this. But jumping is SO much more fun than dressage. Sorry, dressage fans. I like the thought of dressage, how it makes you and your horse balanced and collected and focused and much, much more...I want to do dressage, but the work and patience that is involved, it's tremendous. Anyone who knows me knows that my patience isn't my strong point. I have to constantly re-focus myself and move on. Not to mention Olly. He is well put together and would do great at dressage, if he would focus. Sounds like we are made for each other. Lately we have been jumping or hacking out on trails.
Today, I grabbed my dressage saddle and the french link loose ring and headed out. Olly saw me and ran straight to his stall (it has been three days since we have ridden). I snatched my dressage whip just in case and we were down the road. The wind was gusty today so things were popping up in the Pony Vision like crazy. First thing visible to the BigRedHorse...

See the little silver pie tins??

Our neighbor planted a good size garden and decided that pie tins would keep the birds out of the planted seeds, well it also keeps out BigRedHorses. You would have thought that those things were bull dozers aimed right at him. He never bolted, which is his usual choice of freak-out, but he did freeze and snort at them. I gave him a minute to get over it. When I asked him to walk by the garden he had to make sure he was looking at the tins until he was FOR SURE they weren't going to eat him. That meant side passing like a trail pro! Now why can't the lateral sids be that great when I need them to be?
In our "arena" we started out but walking on the bit nd building impulsion. Olly is either hyped and ready to go or calm and mopey. I was certain that he was going to be all TB on me after the pie tin incident. To my surprise he was very slow and needed the dressage whip to be carried instead of it just hanging out in my half-chaps. I SOOOO wanted to carry the whip in my right hand. BUT Olly has issues going to the right. I think he is left handed like me. When circling to the left he is bent and fluid and collected (for our level BN). Going to the right he is more off balance and choppy. It takes like 10-15 minutes just to get him settled. He eventually gets it, but the transition is horrible. So I carried the whip on the left to assist the right. The only problem: my ring finger is pretty much useless. As you know I fell at the clinic last Tuesday. Although it is better and I can get my rings on and off, it hurts like hell and any kind of *twinkle-twinkle* on the reins kills me. My first knuckle (near my nail bed) is still inflammed and looks like I have massive arthritis, which I porbably will after the whole thing is healed. Rationalization: Why would I stop riding for one finger? I mean, I rode while I was pregnant...like a finger will stop me.
I started the whole session going to the left, since that is the better direction. Shorten the stride on the short end of the "arena" and legthen the stride on the long end. After two tries he flowed beautifully. I felt like I was on an upper level horse. lol!!! He was even tempo-ed and he kept his collection for the most part. When I felt him slipping all I had to do was sit deep, squeeze and twinkle the inside rein (against all pain) and he brought himself back in. It is hard for him to hold his collection for very long. I think he could do it for a whole test, but we may have to practice a bit more. I constantly have to remind him where to be and that is ok. We reversed direction and tried it all to the right. Since we weren't doing many circles and were just going on the large, he was able to make the bends in the corners of that "arena" just fine. Then came the circles. Circles are suppose to help with the collection and bend, and to the left it did. To the right....awkward, unbalanced and tossing his head. Now we aren't doing like any volte 6 and 10 meter circles....we are doing like 20 and 30 meter circles. The first thing that went through my mind was maybe he is off to the right because he has a foot or leg issue...but after a few minutes of re-focusing he fell in and did so much better. It still wasn't as great as to the left, but it was do-able. We focused on speed and tempo, impulsion and bend. In the end I thought he did great. We even did some canter-trot transitions. He is better at trot-canter than he is canter-trot. Out of all the days NOT to take my camera!!! He cantered so perfectly and was in control. One more reason to chalk up to my riding. Funny how if you fix alot of the rider's problems the horse becomes "fixed" too. I feel guilty that for the past year I have been making my horse not improve like he should.
I let him walk on a loose rein all the way home...even past the pie tins, which was a brave move on my part. He did keep his eye on them but never spooked. As we round the corner to the drive I look up and see this...

What is wrong with this picture??

So many things are wrong with this picture, but the most important is the Chincoteague lawn ornament... WHICH, I did not leave there when I left.

Focus!!

2010-04-18T22:22:00.000-04:00

So Lucinda commented on Olly's focusing. If I can keep myself focused, he will be better off. Today we set out to try all the new techniques we learned on Tues and Wed. Olly was wired. I also had a dressage whip with me. Lucinda suggested that I carry one. I think if I just hold it, it does its job. Here is the video of todays riding. My finger still is a bit ouch-y so I will let the video do the talking until I can get to typing better, you wouldn't believe how long it took me to type the Lucinda blog lol!!!

Lucinda Green Clinic

2010-04-15T20:22:00.000-04:00

I got up Tues. morning at 0530. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive to Win Green, where the clinic was being held. I rode at 1000. By the time I got going and was ready to load Olly it was 0600. I got his shipping boots on and headed up to the trailer. See our drive is so steep I can't load him and drive out. I have to park at the lane and then load. We walked up the drive, it was already getting light out. As we got closer to the trailer I could feel him bulk. I thought it may be because it was still a bit dark out. To my surprise he completely REFUSED to get in the trailer! WTF??!! I mean he wouldn't even approach the trailer. A few weeks ago we went to a local show and he walked right in...I was totally taken off guard. After a 1/2 an hour of trying I was so frustrated I was crying and begging. What a great horseman, right? lol Husband heard (our windows are open from the nice weather) and came out to help. As soon as he walked up Olly jumped right in. What an ass! He knew I couldn't make him get in the trailer. Once he was in it he kicked a few times, just to let me know that he didn't approve of the tag team and then was fine. Mama will always win....one way or another.
I typed the address into the GPS and came to realize that it didn't have the proper portion of the state downloaded to find the place. Great! Luckily, mama plans ahead, I printed out mapquest directions too. I almost felt insecure. I use the GPS for EVERYTHING, now that I didn't have it I felt like something was missing and worried that I would even find the place. It is funny how we depend on all this technology that we didn't have years ago and now we can't seem to live without it. I sucked it up and headed out. I have driven way further to places and not even had my mapquest. Own it mama!!
Driving in Va is a bit different than any place I have driven a trailer before. I mean, the hills are insane. The speed limit is 60mph and the turns are almost 90* angles and then the hills! Sheesh! No wonder the BigRedHorse didn't want to get into the trailer....As we were driving, I could hear the engine pulling the 1100# BigRedHorse up and down the hills and I could almost see the needle on the gas gauge drop.
We saw the craziest road names, Canoe House Rd, Muddy Gut Ln, and even a town called Wilderness! Where do you live? On Muddy Gut Ln in the Wilderness. I tell ya, it is good entertainment out here.
I am happy to say I did not get lost and made it there with ample time.

A little privacy pleeeeease!

Walking around ther was like being at the Rolex for me. I have never been on a xc (cross country) course. I think I looked like a ra-tard with this huge smile across my face.
I went and got Olly ready. I figured after not riding him for almost a week(my mom was visiting) he would need the stupid worked out of him. Amazingly he was alert, but not crazy. I think he was more interested in checking out all the new things than freaking out.

Those are my sassy pants

We warmed up over a few LOW jumps and then Lucinda took over. She started out by asking us about our horse. She really liked Olly. After riding for an hour she said that he needed to focus more. He needed the Eye of the Tiger. Hey, we could have our own theme song!! I found out two main reasons that Olly and I have been having all of this trouble going over jumps and they were both ME! I am sure it is no big suprise to hear. I am actually relieved.First I ride too far forward, which I knew.

Tipping forward and Olly refusing

I have actually fallen off from that before. I try to sit back, but the way I was taught was to ride in 2 point when jumping. although this may be goo advice in a hunter class, for xc it is a no-no. And it seems to be a no-no for Olly. He did "refuse" a few times while we were out there. I backed him a few strides and tried again and he always went over. He never ran out, which is great. The second issue was that I had a hard time keeping him focused. If I lost concentration at anytime, he fell apart. He was incapable of carrying himself for any period of time.

Doesn't he look totally focused?? LMAO

Which, again, was not a total surprise. The awesome part is that she taught me exactly how to fix these problems. By yelling at me to sit back on every stride, I finally got the picture lol and by tuning my mind on Olly and not on jumping ahead of my BigRedHorse, things started to come together.
We practiced with low jumps (about 2ft) and began weaving and zig-zagging in and out of skinny's.

Jacket-schmacket!

Owning the log, still too forward!

Star-my fav!!!

I was suprised to hear Lucinda comment on gymnastic lines. She said that by running your horse through the grids you are predetermining the distance and the horse doesn't have to think about where to put his feet. TRUE. By incorperating odd distances your horse learns to adjust himself. In turn he becomes more attuned to you and where you want him to go. It makes him sharper. Soooooo all along, once again, I have been doing the not-so-right thing for us. Good to know. I think under some circumstances grids are good to do, but how can you disagree with Lucinda Green?? I will continue to do some grids, but the will be no where near what I have been doing. In two hours Olly had become more attentive in what I was asking and not wandering as much...as long as I kept him focusing.

Eryn on the right, me and Jessica on the left. Nic was on a grey not in the pic.

On of the most helpful terms she used that made my mind click, and sometimes that is hard with my blonde mind, was the "tube." Let me explain. your horse is a tube. You should have no air between your calves. I have alot, olly is a bit sensitive. you should squeeze the "tube" when apporaching the jump to encourage forward motion. At one point she told me to squeeze his eyeballs out! lol. By keeping contact with the "tube" you are keeping your horse aimed whee you are wanting to go. Like their eyes are attached to your knees. Guide them with your legs. Now, some of you may be like DUH! But this was explained to me so much better. I mean I use my legs ALL the time, but not in this way. How do you teach the new way of riding with your legs? Without rein contact.
The last exercise of the first day we were asked to ride with a loose rein. I mean she wanted our hands to be wide and sloppy. I am thinking: Ummmmmm? Huh?? OK, Lucinda. I mean you do not question her, she is the best, right? I did. Ummmm, Miss Lucinda? Ummmmm....Why? Her answer was simple...

YES that is Lucinda Green standing next to ME!!!!

If you don't have reins to support your seat, it will have to support itself. Fair enough. Ragdoll style it is. i widened my hands and let the reins 3/4 of the way to the buckle. She said, 'now jump this, this, this, this, this and this.' I have never been one to say no when it comes to new things while riding. I would try a 5ft jump if anyone said yeah, sure, you can do it. I was second in line. Here goes...
I was as sloppy and floppy as I could be...after the fifth jump I had let my reins slack so much that I had absolutely NO contact with his mouth and when he zigged, I zagged. Off I went. Now one would think that it would be totally embarrassing to fall off in front of Lucinda Green. I actually wasn't. I mean, if I hadn't fallen off then I would have probably done it at home and not known how to fix it. She did laugh at me and said, I told you to have a loose rein, not throw your horse away. Fair enough. i look up and Olly was standing 15 feet to my right looking at me like "sorry mom...again." I got up brushed myself off and got back on. I didn't get hurt really other than my finger was a bit sore. After everyone went, she asked if anyone would like to try again. Ummmmm YEAH! I would like to do it right at least. the second time around I had just the right amount of contact with his mouth and we cleared the 6 fence round awesomely. Again, it was my fault. I was begining to see a trend....
After untacking I ran back to see the other classes. there was a novice class and a beginnner novice class before the Prelim. I figured i would watch the novice class and take Olly to the stable (which was 9 miles down the road) during the other beginner novice class and make it back beofre the prelim class began. I learned alot from the novice class. The biggest thing I learned was that no matter the level, everyone was making mistakes. I thought that the higher the level the less mistakes. All the levels used the same jumps we did, but they were just a tidge higher. Same patterns, mostly. The prelim group did way more.
It was all about your position on the horse and focus, just at different difficulties. The more I watched the more I knew that Olly and I could do this...we would do this.
Time to go. I went back to the trailer and attempted to get Olly in the trailer. Great, a replay from this morning. It took 45 minutes to get him in the trailer AND I had help. I was two steps from having a nervouse breakdown. WTF?!? You can get on a freaking airplane and fly 2500 miles and then caravan for another 2300ish miles and you won't get in for a 9 mile ride? Give me a break!!! Anyway...I got him to his horsey hotel. Paradocs Farms was his stall for the night. Nice stable with an awesome indoor. And Joan the BO/Vet was amazing! I wish I lived closer. I have a feeling I could have learned buckets from her. This amazing barn and beautiful house and I pull up in my crappy rusted(but safe) trailer and felt totally welcomed. Not once did I feel like I was being judged, as I have felt at some hunter shows. This is what Olly and I were meant to do.
I ran back to watch the prelim class. this one horse rode by Jennifer, was a intermediate, I think. He hardly stood still and chewed his bit like it was crack! Gorous horse.

Jennifer

I only stayed for 1/2 the class seeing it was like 48* and all I had on was a teeny t-shirt and hoodie. I think I may have gotten frostbite. lol. I headed out to my hotel. That is right guys, I stayed the night in a hotel...by myself..no kids...no screaming...no yelling...no cleaning...no messes...I almost felt lost. I did however, tried to enjoy it and I did get alot of homework done.
The next morning I woke up before the alarm. Figures and it just so happened to be at the time the kids get up for school. Once a mom always a mom. Oh and when I woke up I couldn't get my rings off. Guess my finger was a bit more injured than I had originally thought. It hurt and looked like hell.
Olly loaded better. I think he just knows that I am one person and there is no way that I can do it myself. I mean 140# vs 1100#. You make the call. Once he sees the help coming he pops up into the trailer like awwww shit, here they come.
Day II was all xc course, no arena jumping. WIN!!! We used the loose rein technique all day. Olly was in the zone. He was great. We did drops and logs and coops and telephone poles and water jumps and ditches and even walls and a trakehner!! Who is awesome? We are!!! He refuse twice the whole two hours and they were all because of him. See Lucinda said that since I have been riding so forward so long he expects me to be there on his shoulders when he jumps. He automatically stops. Although it is originally my fault, he should have kept going. My job now is to keep doing it right so he can too. We both have bad habits that we will break, together. After doing some drops and turns it was time to head to the water. For those of yo who follow my blog you will remember that we did practice a bank in my backyard. WIN! And we also went cantering through some water not too long ago. Good job Pru and Olly! He entered the water like a champ, UNTIL...he went to pop out and hit his foot. His fetlock boot slipped down to his hoof. He came outta that water kicking and a bucking. After that he didn't want to go back into the water. Lucinda envoked the crop. Once I had it he plopped right in. In the video I had already gone in and gave the crop back, which he kne and decided not to go in again. I ended up getting him in ith out the crop, but Lucinda suggested my using a crop at all times because he is a "naughty bastard." After the water we headed out to the ditches. We practiced some barrels and a few different sizes of ditches. Starting with a tiny bank then a wider shallow ditch that he could walk through. Almost like a narrow sunken road. Then the last ditch we jumped was about 2 1/2 feet deep and 4 ft wide. Olly did really well and didn't refuse any. We practiced ditches before, just along the road, but a ditch is scary no matter where it is. Lastly, Lucinda asked if anyone wanted to take on the trakehner. My eyes lit up. Pshhhhh ME!!! I looked at her and asked "you think he will do it?" She responded with "if you don't screw him up...." Fair enough...we trotted it, he bulked and then popped over. WIN x50!!!!!

Ditch

Sweet, huh??!! Hell yeah it's SWEET!!!!

Wall!

Who has an awesome BigRedHorse??? I dont have to answer that, because y'all already know. I circled around and she called out..."....ditch, trakehner, and wall." On it! I followed Jessica down the line. Here is the Video

After the last line Lucinda came around and gave us her last thoughts. She said that Olly has alot of potiental (which I knew) and that she thinks he is capable of training level and higher, if I can get my butt in gear. She said that right now I am holding him back. She also said she will be back next year and hopes to see our improvements.
I met alot of awesome people and hope to keep in touch with them. I have made it a goal to attend a eventing show. It doesn't have to be recognized, we just need to go. I have learned so much from these two days. I look forward to the future videos and all the critiques you guys will give on how much MY riding has changed.
Oh, and the last note...I went to the doctor after returning home and they took like 5 radiographs and my finger is not broken, just "severly bruised" as the doctor put it. As of today I still can't get my wedding rings off and it is still bruised pretty good.

If this is the only injury from falling I am lucky :)

This a picture I dedicate to Andrea. I think her fashion sense has rubbed off....I was sitting in the drs office.

LUCINDA GREEN!!!

2010-04-12T22:38:00.001-04:00

Lucinda Green tomorrow!!!! Hopefully lots of pics to follow!!!

Learner Becomes the Teacher

2010-04-08T14:13:00.000-04:00

So this week I have been totally busy. My mom, step-dad, sis and bro came to visit us in Va. Perfect opportunity to teach my sister how to ride, or start to teach her how to ride. She(Mollee) is 12 years old and has only ridden Olly once. Luckily I have a trusty Chincoteague she can ride. She even brought her own chaps! I was so excited that she actually wanted to ride. She isn't much of a outdoor person. Dirt and Mo don't mix.

We started out with the basics, heels down, sit up straight and so on. She seemed to get it easily. We played follow the leader and set up some ground poles to walk over. We even did some trotting. At first I walked Olly over the ground poles.

We walked slow since they were only like 2 ft apart. lol. Perfect Kiki stride though. She did quite well.

On to learning diagonals and 2pt.

Since her balance isn't up to a consistant riders, we decided to sit the trot a bit. Again, not bad. To the ground poles!!! The first few times she went right over perfectly straight, but then Kiki started noticing that this kid isn't so on it. That is when the "pony" came out. Little innocent Kiki became the naughty Chincoteague. Dodging and trying to turn to the house.

I know Mo was getting irritated, but I thought it was great. Nothin' like keeping ya on your toes when your pony decided to do her own thing.
Olly on the other hand was bored beyond all compare. He walked with his head hung low and just tried to keep the slow pony pace. I did have him trot and canter to keep him thinking and I had him go over the coop a couple times. He seemed satisfied and so did I. It was an easy day for him.

On our walk back to the house we evaluated our session. Overall I think Mo did great! I think she had fun, although after looking at the pics she looked entirely too pissy to be happy, but I was reassured by her that she did indeed have fun. I really wish that she or I lived closer. I think that she would make a great little equesterian.

Lead Changes

2010-04-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

So after the show I , obviously, watched the videos of my jumping classes. As I said in the last post, I had no idea that I was on the wrong lead. Sad, I know, but it's the truth. Olly and I set out Tues to do some lead change practicing. I decided to use the french link D-ring, just because that is what I used in the show. I knew that speed was gonna be an issue after having a few days off, but I wanted to try it.
We started warming up and I could feel the power just pushing him along. He was waiting for a chance to go. I have mixed feelings on how I should handle his horse-y ADD. Do I let him run and get it all out or do I make him focus? Both maybe? I don't know. So here is what I did. After we warmed up we went over a few low, not even 2ft, jumps. He rushed and at every lead change he took the cue as "go faster." I set up a 2'9" ramped oxer.

I knew that would slow him down. Now, I know that this is no excuse, but the lower the jumps the faster he seems to think he can go. They are like mini speed-bumps to him. I notice that he starts to think about them around 2'6". I have a video for you guys. Notice that at first he starts out more speedy and then realizes he needs to slow it down a bit. I do half-halt him and get him to collect(mildly) but at some point it would be considered pulling on him. So I usually keep him in somewhat of a form and then let him figure it out on his own. You will notice that he does slow down by the end. After the oxer I set two jumps (low 2ft and 2'6") and work on landing on the correct lead, if we don't land correctly then we change...but you knew that. Also a huge problem that I have noticed is that he will change in the front and not in the back and I am left with this cross-firing twisted canter. NOT fun!! Again...collection. I tried to keep him a bit more together to help out.

Oxer and Lead Video

As the session moves along, he does give me a nice canter. I know he is capable of it, it is just a matter of getting him to do it. And the lead changes did happen. Now to work on the neatness of those changes, because they were pretty sloppy.

Last thing: I wore my boots at the show. They were just boader line too tall. I have been keeping up with using them every time I ride and it is paying off. I rode in this video with them all buttoned up and they wre comfy!! Yeah!! Thanks mama!!!

More Show Pictures

2010-03-30T09:33:00.000-04:00

Here are some more show pictures that were sent ot me. I am just that proud of my BigRedHorse.

He is such a handsome boy!!

this is my fav....

A bit ahead, but still cool.

And I wanted to let everyone know that when I returned home after leaving my house unattended with 4 males it was CLEAN!!! What a great husband!!!