Cross Country

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)

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

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!!!

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??

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

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.