First Ride on Jellybean

     Some of you may recall that Jellybean is very lethargic after a rabies vaccination from the last time she had shots. As a result, I decided it might be a good time to get on Jellybean. We walked her out of the stall, and over the round pen. I walk/trot/canter warmed Jellybean up, just enough to make her realize she was lazy at heart, and feeling poorly to boot. Then Robert led her around the round pen with the halter and lead before I climbed over on her back. She didn't do anything, not even a tail swish! Now this could be due to fortuitous timing, or she just likes me too much to throw me in the dirt (unlikely). In any case, this is just a small step towards the bigger goal of having a broke horse. 

My Goals for the next six months, not neccessarily in this order:

• Accept bridle
• Ground driving with bridle
• Lunging with side reins
• Accept rider
• Drive under saddle
• Accept leg pressure

As the fall comes back, (which will be sooner rather than later) I want to set up a weekly ride with her, where we work on the basics of giving to pressure and accepting more advanced cues.

All of this is great, but I was REALLY REALLY excited to sit on the back of my pony yesterday :)

Looking Good with the Saddle

 Doesn't she look great in her saddle?

    

Busy Week (And the last week of classes)

     Busy week! The girls have been getting excited about moving into their new home. Soon, they will be moving into a paddock with a shed instead of living in their stalls and getting turned out. Hopefully this will make them happier by being outside all the time, and me happier by saving money on hay :)
     Earlier this week I worked with Jellybean on ground driving while under saddle.

Stopping

Fixing the reins

Turn turn turn!

Turn

Pay Attention...

Hey! Over here

Ok...

I thought I could drive her at the trot, but I am not quick enough. This video is for your entertainment, as I am almost getting drug around the arena :)

     The other event occurring this week was Peanut Butter's birthday!! She turned 14 on the 24th of April. Robert made her a hat so she could feel like she was celebrating; I think she loved it!

Training

     Today was an exciting day for the girls. They were both exercised and got to spend some time at the riding arena. Jellybean was first up, we went to the round pen to stretch out. Friday or Saturday, Jellybean knocked the side of her front leg hard against the metal bar in her stall. I noticed Sunday she had a large knot on the front of her leg. It looks like she has a shin splint, which is a cosmetic injury. Maggie suggested it would heal over time. The internet tells me that I can also add DMSO and wrap her leg to improve circulation and accelerate healing.
     So fast forward to today, I wanted to check to see if she was sore on her leg. She wasn't off at all, we had a short leg stretching and saddled up. Jellybean then got to hang out by the arena for an hour or so. Tomorrow I will start the DMSO/wrapping, and she will get to stay in her stall for awhile. So sad. Hopefully the swelling will go down so she isn't disfigured. Silly horse banging her leg.
     Peanut Butter had a good ride as well, were are working to build muscle and canter for longer periods of time. We have been practicing simple changes, and today I asked her if she would do some flying changes. She got the lead changing from right to left, but wasn't as strong to pick up the left to right. More cantering will help her be stronger. She also has a chambon and lots of round-penning in her future. 

More Saddle Training, and some patience!

     Jellybean has been excellent this week, especially patient with Ginger as she gets settled into the farm! Thursday night she got some attention of her own! I brought her into the round pen and saddled her up, then lunged her. She did try a very half-hearted buck/jump, but other than that she was resigned to her lot in life! She is such a cutie, and seems excited about doing something.

Bleh. Saddle work isn't fun!

   
  After our round pen work, we walked over to the arena and hung out for awhile. Jellybean was a perfect lady!

Is this my good side?

This one is better, obviously

Bored. Can we do something else now?

Guest Post: Jellybean

I came across this blog one day, apparently my owner, Amanda, keeps it as a record of my "training." I want to let you know, its not all fun and games like she keeps telling you. For example, this saddle thing. Why would I ever want to wear a saddle? Its hard and bounces around on my back. I have enough trouble getting away from all the meanies in that field she puts me in. If she tries to put that saddle on my back and put me in the field I might not be able to run away from Benny!! I have enough scratches where other horses bite me  :(.

I don't like the field. Other horses are trouble. I had it good living with my mommy. I just got to eat and wander around. Now I have to be careful that I don't eat hay near someone else or they will chase me off! I do like coming in for dinner though. Sometimes I try to get Amanda's attention earlier by neighing at her. Then I get to be in my own little house and eat dinner. Sometimes Amanda tries to take my food, but mostly she just brushes me. I guess I am ok with that. 

I like having Amanda as my person, but its weird how she keeps playing with other horses. I watch her lead Knots and Benny past my field. She puts saddles on them and rides them around! I hope she doesn't try to do that with me... 

-Jellybean

Saddling Up!

     Today was a beautiful day for some Jellybean time! I grabbed her from the pasture and groomed her for awhile, even combing out her tail. She was very good about being patient, no pawing and limited tail swishing. After she was shiny and pretty, I checked her height and weight for an update. She is officially 15hh and about 680lbs. Not too shabby! She has gained back her lost weight and will hopefully keep piling on more. 

I'm bored. Where did you go??

     While we were waiting for the round pen, we trotted in hand through the big arena. Since there was a cavaletti out, we walked and trotted over the ground pole. Jellybean was a little bit bossy at the trot in hand, but she wasn't very serious about pushing me around. She trotted over the pole like a champ, just taking everything in stride. 

     Back to the round pen, Robert lunged her around to focus her mind for a few minutes, then I saddled her up. She wasn't interested in much, other than the grass she was trying to eat. She didn't even mind when I cinched her up. When she was secure, Robert lunged her around until she was calming going at all gaits in both directions. She is so smart, this only took about 10-15 minutes :)

This video shows her first few rounds with the saddle.

Look how calm I am!

Jellybean is an awesome horse!

     Next time, we will review the long lining, then add the saddle to the mix!

Saddlin' Up

     Jellybean tried on some new clothes today! I put a saddle and bridle on Jellybean and worked her in the round pen for a bit. She didn't have a big problem with the saddle, she was just a little bit confused about why there was a bunch of smelly leather on her back. 

     She let me put the blanket on her back with no problem and then let me put the saddle up! She wasn't very interested in me at all, she keep wandering around the pen while I tried to cinch up the saddle. Eventually I got it cinched up, and she followed me around the pen for awhile. 

     When I started to move her out, she walked and trotted calmly around. When we changed directions, she was a little less interested and even popped up a little. She jumped straight up and tried to get rid of the saddle, but of course the saddle was attached :)

     Since this lesson was a success, we will try to build on this next time. We will remind Jellybean about the long lining exercise, then the saddling. Eventually we will combine the two and then add a person! Once Jellybean gets her wolf teeth pulled, we will start bridling.

     SO EXCITING! Pictures next time!