Sunday, November 27, 2011

And So It Begins...

And so it begins... that long winter- where all you do is try to fix things that are just slightly off....it is that process that makes us lose our hair, get premature wrinkles, and does not let our competition season ulcers heal.  It is that little bit more of a tilt in your pelvis, bringing your left shoulder back half an inch, putting your right hand down a inch, keeping your outside rein in your lateral work, or keeping your outside leg just slightly behind your inside-- instead of looking like a human gumby. It is putting a bit more step in your horse's stride, pushing their inside legs further underneath them, asking for more use in their backs, making their hocks bend, jumping a bit straighter, keeping a better rhythm, or keeping them a bit steadier in your hand. It is figuring out who might like a different bit, a different noseband, a different back pad...or, to my horror, no back pad, who needs a bit more attention, who really wants me to go take a hike, and who might like a different schedule than the rest of the horses...most likely Tess. Or in my case, you do all of these things with all seven of your horses on a daily basis. 

Baby Irish at her first Training- she's my little pogo stick!

Despite all my complaining, I am quite excited about this winter.  It will be the first winter I can take the time to really focus on what my horses need and want; I can process and apply all my knowledge from working with Jimmy, Linda and Sharon.  I will also be able to take some trips to Sharon's for some valuable, much needed advice.  Also, I am lucky enough to have been riding with Bonnie Mosser the past few months and this winter will surely bring out more of her helpful comments that the horses seem to love.  Bonnie has been such an asset to have since moving back home- it is a bit of a no man's event land around here, so having her so close has been wonderful.  We had a clinic with Bonnie at my farm last week, it was a great opportunity to ride a bunch with her and watch her teach as well.  All my horses were great. 

Ramble at VA H.T.

Poor little Ramble had an 8am flat lesson and 2pm Jump lesson so he was exhausted at the end of the day, but as they say "no pain, no gain" (and let me tell you, the next day I was having some pain!)- he had a great flat lesson and a very helpful jump lesson.  It helps me to see what I am doing wrong or need to change, so Bonnie got on him and popped him around, after that we seemed to click a bit better- he is very different ride than all my other horses, so we are both still learning!  Tess had a mini flat lesson then a mini jump-it was her first proper jump back.  There is a video up on the youtube channel!  She was a bit opinionated on the flat, as any successful women should be (she has read far too many quotes), but it carried over to her jumping as happy and forward.  She had a good time jumping for real, she seemed a bit appreciative after the lesson- and that happens rarely unless treats are involved!!!!  Little Aly had his first lesson, and Hillary had her first 3 year old stallion rodeo.  It was a great experience for him to have new horses on the farm and lots of commotion, he settled in after a bit and had a very productive lesson- he did 3 bounces in a row to a one stride! Big kid stuff.  Wits End has a video up of his lesson on their youtube channel, check it out if you want to see a very fun, natural jumper- that horse is going places.   Baby Nic also had his first lesson- it was good experience for him as well- he is so territorial it good for him to have to share- as my friend Tim says, carings sharing....and I don't care!  That is Nic to a T.  He was actually very well behaved for a baby race horse- he even jumped and landed on both leads, what a champ!

Ramble the XC Machine!
Irish is just coming back from her little vaca so she escaped the lessons, but she is happy to be back, she was getting a bit grumpy!  Doby is having fun and getting quite the little red head attitude!  Everyone else is doing well and starting to get busy and down to the winter work- time to share my premature wrinkles and hair loss!
Almost everyone is off to TTC for a dressage show/hunter show/xc schooling next weekend- the babies will be attending to see how fast they can make me a lawn dart.  It will be good for everyone to get out and see what they are in for as big kids!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and was able to get some rest!
 Hillary

Here are the links!

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