Wow, what a weekend!

So I'm sitting here typing this, feeling incredibly tired and drained... sore as hell in my right leg BUT ON CLOUD NINE! What a weekend!

I was already having an awesome week, and the last few days just topped it off. I feel like my confidence in the space of a week has sky rocketed... and I know that something is going to fuck it all over again... but for now, I'm really enjoying it, and all the new experiences! So here's some photos and the current news!

I didn't get any photos of Evo, so I guess I should talk about him first! He was a really good boy. Had Saturday off, but I worked him yesterday, doing loads of tempo changes in the walk and figure of eights, serpentines etc... I also did something new with him, which he was a bit hesitant with at first... I dropped all contact and just guided him with my legs. I know I'm hand orientated... I know that's probably my biggest problem, I use my hands to balance and I shouldn't. So we plodded around with me doing things like putting my arms out or up, putting them on my head etc... he flipped at first, and didn't understand but then got the idea... and at one stage I even closed my eyes and just focused on his walk. It was an incredible feeling. I then felt ready to go into the trot... I don't know what's up but I guess since I've focused a lot on the walk, I suck at his trot again... but I was determined to continue trying and he is always so awesome and puts up with me. I was trying to loosen off my contact and find my balance towards the end, and I got it a few times. I think I might have a lunging session on him one of these days... just so someone can focus on keeping him going while I focus solely on getting the trot right! I'm not complaining... I'm in no hurry to go anywhere with him... and know its harder for me to find any balance on him cos of being heavy... and I know we'll get there so that's all that matters!

Right, onto Honey! Fifth ride today and introduced changing the rein in different ways... on a diagonal (making sure she didn't have no sharp corners to make), and down the length of the riding pen... at first she was like "What the!? Whyy are we turning here?" But she's just a lovely mare to ride. I don't feel nervous at all on her now... I just really enjoy plodding on her... She felt at one stage, cos I had her moving forward quite actively in the walk, that she was going to try a trot... I decided very calmly that I would allow it to happen if it did, and not shut her down immediately, but bring her back to a walk calmly. She didn't though... I really don't wanna flip out on her back. I just want to keep things as relaxed as they are now haha. She even spooked today (star fish) when I stopped her and went to hop off, the stirrup leather made a funny noise. Or I'm assuming it was the saddle. I usually would pull back if that happened, and feel my heart race... but nah, not today I just said standddd and she did. No fusses ;)

And now for Bailey. WOW much?! The difference I've seen in my pony has shocked me in this last week. She actually is working! Millie and I came up with a training plan for her based on something Rahn taught me "a good walk leads to a good trot" and so forth... well that's more than true! She went from being the one calling the shots, rearing, not listening etc on Millie's first ride on Tuesday, to working in a lovely frame, walking at different speeds with a relaxed manner, and then rewarded with the trot - in which she was forward yet controllable! The biggest point was that it was the first time I saw Bai lick and chew - what a happy horse! She's really working as a team with Millie and I'm so damn proud!

And finally a quick word about Frankie... rode him twice this weekend/today and boy is he lovely! He's strong... incredibly strong, and fast... but I really like him... he paces but does trot and when he does he just plows on through... I'm already working on steadying it up... but he's so unfit and been out of work for ages that it will take some time. He did a wee 'bolt' on me on Sunday... just sped off and took a bit to bring back to a steady trot, but he's not dangerously out of control or anything. I'm really glad to be riding him because I get the chance to get in some major trotting. I don't have a horse that I can just go for a trot on - I can't balance enough on Evo... and Honey's not there yet - and I don't ride Bailey that much. So he's really gonna help me... and in return I hope to help him!

So that's it really... having a break for myself tomorrow... going out to see Soph and April... and then on Wednesday it'll be back in the saddle and riding probably three horses, haha!
Over and out,
Chelle x

A Productive Week!

Well it's only been about a week since I last wrote in this and I feel like I have just as much to say as last time! Haha it's been an incredibly productive this week! Not only was it the final week of lectures for this semester, I had an essay to write, and worked all the horses regularly, PHEW!
So I best get on with this... breaking it down by each horse again.

Bailey.
I had my awesome friend who used to ride Bailey get back in contact with me... and we organised for a ride on Tuesday. I lunged Bailey the day beforehand and she had been quite fresh but relatively good... could have been a lot worse! Millie came out and rode her and she was a little naughty... once again, she could've been a lot worse, and she always likes to test the rider on the first ride anyway... Millie handled her like a pro, and was keen to come out again the next day... which went so well, in my opinion anyway! Bailey was very forward but she wasn't incredibly naughty and I think if Millie just relaxed a little more, and just gone with the trotting, they would have really had fun! I lunged Bai today and she was super relaxed... it was really lovely... she had a big trot, but very consistent... and listening to all my aids... I was so proud of my pony! I'm hoping its gonna be like that this weekend!


Evo.
This week Evo's been up and down in the scale. On one hand I've changed his training. I've decided I spent way too much time focusing on getting his trot, and focusing on myself, that I've neglected his suppleness and training in basic 'thinking' work. So I've taken to just riding mainly in the walk, with a couple of trots at the end. We're both really enjoying it! I'm using my paddock as if it were an oversized dressage arena and riding a lot of serpentines, figure of eights, varying sized circles, playing with the tempo of his walk, halting etc. I've found at the end of our sessions he's been a lot more attentive and feels like he's using his back better! Which I'm all for! He did have one bad day and I couldn't get him to focus AT ALL! Every time I put my leg on he'd leap as if he'd been stung. Some days there's not a lot I can do, especially when he's in moods like that. He's also been a shit to catch lately... last two days he's been enjoying trotting circles around me until he's ready to be caught. Big shit, lol.


Honey.
With Honey I feel like I could write a novel... but I'll try to keep it to a minimum. Since Friday last week, I've been working with her daily (with the exception of Sunday) and up until Wednesday, all I was doing was sitting up on her back for longer periods of time and doing some desensitising while I was up there. However, Rahn came out on Wednesday and had me and Honey on the lunge, teaching her to stop and go. Although as a cart horse she was taught to go and stop and steer, its different with a person on ya back I'm sure! But she was really cute about it all, she really enjoys her work! So then Rahn took us off the lunge and made me walk her around by myself... I can't say that I was relaxed at all.. I was worried that if Honey did something, I'd make the situation unpleasant with pulling back or something and then she'll probably freak out more... but she's a wee doll really... some rough areas here and there but nothing major.
Yesterday I rode her by myself... I rode her defensively, as everything that could go wrong, did... it was really windy, really cold, the horses around us were going nuts, and water was running in the trough beside us. We were both incredibly alert but apart from a couple of head tosses she didn't do anything.
And today, well apart from not wanting to go forward at first (which confused me cos I thought she was enjoying her work, and is a very forward wee girl) we had an awesome ride... her halts are near perfect and she's really walking forward quite nicely :) Her changing of rein is more smooth now too, before she was really hesitant about going a different way haha! I think with time she's just gonna be my favourite horse to ride... although Evo is beautiful and lovely... I'm hoping that Honey just remains as uncomplicated as she is... I mean just getting up on her and going for a plod is fun for me... even if my nerves sometimes get in the way.

Well I have to end this now, my brother is hounding me to go watch Ironman with him.
More from tomorrow, with a bunch of pictures too!
Over and out,
Chelle x

It's Been Too Long!

As the title suggests, it has indeed be far too long since I last posted a blog.
I have now moved house, written a few more essays for university, met and ridden some new horses, and of course, been working on Evo and Honey with their training!
Spring has also arrived, bringing along with it as Rahn likes to call it "Spring Fever" and boy, do my horses have that or what?!


With Evo, I've been doing lots of trotting and with every ride I feel like I'm getting stronger in my position. He's been a rather super cool dude... with a couple of days in question, but he's allowed them now and then! He's proved just how much of an adaptable horse he is... we've been having some really bad winds here in Christchurch, and there are some days where I just can't avoid riding and have to get in a quick session or else I've just wasted more time... and each time I do ride him in the wind, he actually settles down in it... I've found he's been a bit of a prick for others in the wind... but for "Mummy" and the exception of Simone, he's been really good. It just makes me even more proud of him... not many horses can handle the wind, it messes with their brains... but he settles into his work, starts accepting the bit and trots around happily, as if the gale force isn't bothering either of us haha. To some, it is cruel to subject him to this... and I do try to be as accommodating as I can be... but I'm not going to baby him... and if he doesn't seem to be affected by it, I should count myself lucky, not guilty for it!


Honey... wow, where to start?! If I wasn't writing a catch up blog, I would go into more detail over my beautiful ginger pony. Today she gained the title of "Super Ginger", and that's exactly what she is. We've been working together getting ready to be backed and started... and although I've not been able to be consistent and train her daily, she does get the saddle on at least 2-3 times a week. I did make the mistake of missing a step in my training, and although I was like "ugh you idiot" for a couple of seconds, I valued the lesson I learnt! I mean, backing and starting Evo was like a blur to me... sure I soaked in all the knowledge I could like a sponge, but I was so stunned and "deer in headlights" about it all, that I was sure to miss things here and there. So this time is so much more relaxed, half because I am more confident and I do know what is expected etc, but mainly because Honey is pretty much relaxed too. Anywho, today was the big day. My exceptionally talented best friend Rahn (yes, I do mean this Rahn, so let that head swell, haha!) came out to help me with this procedure. Rahn is experienced with backing and starting horses, and has a really easy approach to it all, allowing for it to suit the horse and her. Honey had a bit of an issue with the bucket, but she had that problem with me too. We got passed the "fetlock biting bucket" and soon were swiftly going through the steps to mounting, till finally Honey is being led around at a walk with a rider on her back! I was so freaking proud of my girl! She was really cute, and got all proud of herself and found this really cool stride to her walk... and looked like she was nodding her head going "yeahhh I'm so awesome!" Lol. Then, and I knew since we'd had so much success, that Rahn was going to tell me to get up... I admit I was nervous... who isn't?! This is my baby pony, who although didn't put a foot wrong, didn't have any real knowledge of being a riding pony! But I sucked it in and got involved straight away, putting in a big effort and overcoming my nerves. I actually was up pretty quickly, and after lowering my heart rate, went for walkies on my own pony! The feeling was exhilarating! I slowly relaxed and found my balance, and enjoyed myself. Rahn quoted on my bebo that I said while I was babbling away with excitement on her back - "You're such a good girl Honey..you're just what Mummy's needed, a short strong smooth super ginger pony." And she's exactly that... to think not even 8months ago, I was too afraid to trot on Evo for long because I had no faith in myself... and even before that, I was struggling to overcome nerves that would sometimes leave me with panic attacks for no reason! And here I am, sitting and walking upon my pony who I've not owned long, who I've looked incredibly forward to backing and starting, not to mention rode her without stirrups for the whole time (if you don't know me, I am reliant on stirrups as I have balance issues and a bad knee) ! I was so proud of my Honey Bee, but also myself... who knew I'd come this far. Oh yes, the babbling has began again and all the thoughts are just poring out of me... but I guess the point I'm meaning is that I amaze myself. I used to think I was a rubbish rider... Evo soon took care of that, as you can't be a horrible rider to be on his back! He's trained me so much, and now I get the pleasure of using what I've learnt, on Honey! I'm so incredibly excited!!!


As for my gorgeous lil minx of a pony, Bailey, well the lucky toad has been enjoying life as a paddock ornament. I have unfortunately got her up for lease/sale to the right home, because of this fact. I'm not stupid, me and Bai will NEVER make an awesome team like me and Evo, or what me and Honey WILL make... and I've had so much fun with her, it's time for her to have some fun with a nice new person, who is lighter, smaller, and more determined... that and doesn't have two other horses to train and work, one who is an incredibly attention seeker, and also two more SBs to ride and start training too! I'll always love Bai... she was my first pony.. and if I had all the money out, and my own land, I'd put her into foal, and let her have her dream of being purely a paddock mate/broodie. But alas, the world has yet to be that kind, and although she will only go to the RIGHT home, she does have a "For Sale" sign above her head.


I've mentioned a couple of other SBs to muck about with, and this is true. I have a mate at my paddocks who is needing to gain her confidence back on top of a horse, and since I have more experience, I've offered to help her with getting her horses fit and ready to help her along her journey. The first is a bay gelding named Frankie. He's approx 15.2hh and a sweetheart on the ground... his history tells us that he's a bolter, and although I usually shy away from bolters (lol Bailey's done it to me enough thanks), he's been otherwise a gentleman to me! He is sore, and had a chiro visit, but I do believe with exercise he will brighten up a bit, and show me his naughty side! But for now, he's been really awesome, and I'm hoping that with some nice, consistent work, and enough exercises to occupy him, the bolting thing won't be an issue. He does pace, and I am working on correcting this... because when he does trot, it's rather lovely :)
The second SB is a lovely mare whom I've known for quite some time now, who my friend has recently taken on. Her name is Ocean, and she was one of Rahn's horses! Ocean is a beautiful big girl, who I've always been fond of. She's had a sketchy past, and therefore does have areas where she will look out for herself out of fear. But on a whole she's a lovely mare, that Rahn believes I can do a good job at backing and starting myself, of course with her advice and help if I ever need it! I'm in no hurry to get started, as my main priority is Honey's training and Evo's of course... but it's exciting to know I'm going to be extending my horse knowledge some more by learning how to work with her, as well as help her into a lovely riding mount!


So I think I've said far more than what is needed. I am excited, and anticipating more training with these lovely horses, and spending some special time with my wee minx of a pony!
Signing off,

Chelle.