Happy Halloween Everyone!
I hope you-all are having a fantastic fall. I know I am. The weather has cooled considerably to a much more comfortable level. There have even been several frosts. Fortunately we have not had any of the snow that's been reported. Come to think of it, I'm not really sure I know what snow is. I hear it's white and wet and cold though. I wonder if it's fun to roll in?
I sure like rolling in mud. Of course when I do roll in mud, it takes K longer to groom me and the dried mud from my head and poll end up falling into her eyes while she curries. She's really nice to me about it though as she clearly understands how important a weekly mud treatment is to a horse.
Aside from my mud treatments and K's extra grooming, I've had a fairly light couple of weeks. Due to the loss of light in the evenings, I am only able to see K on weekends. We've been trying to make the most of them, working on lots and lots of trotting to build my stamina. K and I have also been working on my canter. K tells me there are left and right leads. Apparently I'm very good with my right lead but not so good with my left lead. I don't know...More to come on leads later. K has also been asking me to flex my neck side to side and jiggles my reins asking me to relax my head. When I flex properly K rewards me with a sugar cube (yum!) and lots of praise. I think I am supposed to flex regularly, but that's one more thing to think about in addition to moving off K's leg and not tripping. This riding stuff is much harder than racing!
This past Saturday was an interesting day. K and I had a light workout because the ground was very slippery. To make up for that K had me try on some new items. I now have a turnout blanket to protect me from the afore mentioned snow and a blanket liner to wear underneath when it's really cold. I also tried on two bridles. One was a jumper bridle that sort of fit and the other, an old hunt bridle, didn't fit at all. K believes that I will outgrow all of the bridles she has and is trying to find a fit and style that will show off my best features.
The photos from my modeling session are on R's camera. I'll be sure to ask her to post them. Once up, would you my dear readers be so kind and to tell me which bridle style you think shows me to advantage?
K also told me that she's taking me to something called a "horse show" in a couple of weeks. I don't know what a horse show is. Is it like racing? Do I go to show off? I'll have to have K explain this in detail this the next time I see her.
Until next time, I hope you get to enjoy a mud treatment or two and perhaps a few sugar cubes and oat cookies for Halloween!
~Polo
K would like everyone to know that my turnout blanket and blanket liner were purchased from the Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) benefit tack sale. CKRH is a non-profit program that provides equine therapy for children and adults with special needs. K has provided a link to their website should anyone wish more information.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
Beautiful Fall
Hello Everyone!
It's Fall here in the Bluegrass and we've had a stunningly beautiful weekend. Today is Columbus Day. According to K, it is a human holiday that celebrates the "discovery" of America by someone named Christopher Columbus. Apparently this discovery was over 500 years ago but many humans in the U.S. still think it's worth observing. My question is: If this Columbus guy hadn't discovered America, would I be an English Thoroughbred instead? Sometimes I think too hard...
I've had some great rides with K this weekend. She even took today off to spend an extra afternoon with me. We've gone on trail rides and worked on my endurance with lots of trotting and even a couple of gallops. I liked the gallops, they were fun.
You may be wondering why I haven't mentioned my momma R in quite a while. She's doing well. R and Sarah, my paddock mate, have become a team. They've had a busy late summer, competing in a couple of combined test events. They won one division and came in second in another division a few weekends ago. I'm so proud!
There's not much more to report. I spend my days munching hay and napping. Napping is highly recommended! I see K three to four times each week for exercise. Life is good.
I hope you have had a spectacular weekend too.
~Polo
It's Fall here in the Bluegrass and we've had a stunningly beautiful weekend. Today is Columbus Day. According to K, it is a human holiday that celebrates the "discovery" of America by someone named Christopher Columbus. Apparently this discovery was over 500 years ago but many humans in the U.S. still think it's worth observing. My question is: If this Columbus guy hadn't discovered America, would I be an English Thoroughbred instead? Sometimes I think too hard...
I've had some great rides with K this weekend. She even took today off to spend an extra afternoon with me. We've gone on trail rides and worked on my endurance with lots of trotting and even a couple of gallops. I liked the gallops, they were fun.
You may be wondering why I haven't mentioned my momma R in quite a while. She's doing well. R and Sarah, my paddock mate, have become a team. They've had a busy late summer, competing in a couple of combined test events. They won one division and came in second in another division a few weekends ago. I'm so proud!
There's not much more to report. I spend my days munching hay and napping. Napping is highly recommended! I see K three to four times each week for exercise. Life is good.
I hope you have had a spectacular weekend too.
~Polo
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Something new
Hello Everyone!
I've had a fairly light couple of weeks. K and I had our first communication challenge last week so we've had a few days off to relax and regroup. It has also been raining again here in Kentucky which has further hampered our training.
K came out to see me tonight and I'm sure she had plans for us to actually work. Lucky for me we ended up having an easy night because K had forgotten my bridle, which she had taken home to clean. I confess, I was thinking that I was going to get another day off. K however thought of something for us to do. The next thing I knew, I was wearing my halter with the lead attached to both sides and K was sliding onto my back without any saddle!
This felt a little funny because I have never had weight in direct contact with my spine. It didn't hurt at all however and we had a nice, leisurely walk around my pasture. After our walk K pampered me with a lovely curry and brushing. I even got to snack on a couple of sugar cubes and cookies!
All in all, not bad for the one sunny day of the week.
Cheers!
I've had a fairly light couple of weeks. K and I had our first communication challenge last week so we've had a few days off to relax and regroup. It has also been raining again here in Kentucky which has further hampered our training.
K came out to see me tonight and I'm sure she had plans for us to actually work. Lucky for me we ended up having an easy night because K had forgotten my bridle, which she had taken home to clean. I confess, I was thinking that I was going to get another day off. K however thought of something for us to do. The next thing I knew, I was wearing my halter with the lead attached to both sides and K was sliding onto my back without any saddle!
This felt a little funny because I have never had weight in direct contact with my spine. It didn't hurt at all however and we had a nice, leisurely walk around my pasture. After our walk K pampered me with a lovely curry and brushing. I even got to snack on a couple of sugar cubes and cookies!
All in all, not bad for the one sunny day of the week.
Cheers!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
And the crowd went wild!
Hi Everyone!
I am having a fabulous Tuesday! I had a great training session with K and Aunt B!
Today I worked on moving from walk to trot with just the direction of K's leg. K has very short legs, so I have to "listen" well. I'm learning to relax at the trot and stretch my neck and my back as I go. After we worked on lots of trotting and transitions I learned a little more about dressage. I worked on bending through my corners, and something K calls leg yield. Basically, she asked me to walk sideways and forwards at the same time. I did it, but I don't "get" it just yet. Can someone clue me in?
My favorite part of the lesson was jumping! Aunt B had K trot me through a line of ground poles, then she put the last one into a little cross rail and K gave me a big squeeze over the top of the cross rail and I had to canter away. My final effort for the night was to actually jump a small vertical and canter away. Everyone cheered! I was so excited and so happy! This jumping stuff is really pretty fun. I hope I get to do more.
We finished up with some strange stretching. I think I'm supposed to relax my head and jaw. Hopefully K or Aunt B will explain it to me. In the meantime, I got some extra grooming, a good dinner and lots of pets and snuggles.
I hope your Tuesday has been just as wonderful! Happy jumping!
-Polo
I am having a fabulous Tuesday! I had a great training session with K and Aunt B!
Today I worked on moving from walk to trot with just the direction of K's leg. K has very short legs, so I have to "listen" well. I'm learning to relax at the trot and stretch my neck and my back as I go. After we worked on lots of trotting and transitions I learned a little more about dressage. I worked on bending through my corners, and something K calls leg yield. Basically, she asked me to walk sideways and forwards at the same time. I did it, but I don't "get" it just yet. Can someone clue me in?
My favorite part of the lesson was jumping! Aunt B had K trot me through a line of ground poles, then she put the last one into a little cross rail and K gave me a big squeeze over the top of the cross rail and I had to canter away. My final effort for the night was to actually jump a small vertical and canter away. Everyone cheered! I was so excited and so happy! This jumping stuff is really pretty fun. I hope I get to do more.
We finished up with some strange stretching. I think I'm supposed to relax my head and jaw. Hopefully K or Aunt B will explain it to me. In the meantime, I got some extra grooming, a good dinner and lots of pets and snuggles.
I hope your Tuesday has been just as wonderful! Happy jumping!
-Polo
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Twinkle Toes?
Hello Everyone!
It's a beautiful day in the bluegrass. A new round bale of hay came for Sarah and me so we are all set with forage for another few weeks.
I had another workout with K. We worked on my trot and then she asked me to canter. I cantered once in each direction and then came back to a trot then walk. I haven't cantered in a long time! K says I have a nice canter. I hope so, because I want to do my best.
Then, I got to do the jump-thing again! You know, this jumping takes a lot of concentration. I have to move forward and pick up my feet. That's really hard! K and Aunt B set up the same exercise as yesterday, where I trotted into a line over a pole on the ground and out over a small "X" or cross-rail. I admit, I took down the cross rail a few times. But K said she was proud of me because I kept going forward. I suspect she and Aunt B will come up with some exercises to help me.
Maybe dancing lessons?
-Polo
It's a beautiful day in the bluegrass. A new round bale of hay came for Sarah and me so we are all set with forage for another few weeks.
I had another workout with K. We worked on my trot and then she asked me to canter. I cantered once in each direction and then came back to a trot then walk. I haven't cantered in a long time! K says I have a nice canter. I hope so, because I want to do my best.
Then, I got to do the jump-thing again! You know, this jumping takes a lot of concentration. I have to move forward and pick up my feet. That's really hard! K and Aunt B set up the same exercise as yesterday, where I trotted into a line over a pole on the ground and out over a small "X" or cross-rail. I admit, I took down the cross rail a few times. But K said she was proud of me because I kept going forward. I suspect she and Aunt B will come up with some exercises to help me.
Maybe dancing lessons?
-Polo
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Catching Up
Hello!
I haven't had much excitement to share. The past several weeks have been light for me as K has been working with Sweepit in preparation for horse trials. I am very pleased to report that they had an excellent showing at the Georgetown Mini Trial, finishing in fourth place.
I went back to work today after a week off due to rain. I trotted a lot! I think K must be introducing distance conditioning. Anyway, aside from the trotting, K and R set up something called a dressage arena within one of the paddocks. I had to learn to trot inside an enclosed area and bend my body around corners. Let me tell you, those corners seemed tight!
Then, after my introduction to dressage, I got to trot through a line of those jump things! Aunt B set the first pole on the ground and made the second one a very small x. I admit, the first time through was a little strange, but I got it! The trick is to pick up my feet! I know I can do this!
Until tomorrow, happy jumping!
-Polo
I haven't had much excitement to share. The past several weeks have been light for me as K has been working with Sweepit in preparation for horse trials. I am very pleased to report that they had an excellent showing at the Georgetown Mini Trial, finishing in fourth place.
I went back to work today after a week off due to rain. I trotted a lot! I think K must be introducing distance conditioning. Anyway, aside from the trotting, K and R set up something called a dressage arena within one of the paddocks. I had to learn to trot inside an enclosed area and bend my body around corners. Let me tell you, those corners seemed tight!
Then, after my introduction to dressage, I got to trot through a line of those jump things! Aunt B set the first pole on the ground and made the second one a very small x. I admit, the first time through was a little strange, but I got it! The trick is to pick up my feet! I know I can do this!
Until tomorrow, happy jumping!
-Polo
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Panic! Oh, wait, oops....
I almost lost K this evening! I didn't mean to, but Buttons and Sarah spooked at something on our trail ride, so I spun and ran. I was trying to get K away from the danger. Really, I was! I guess I moved a little too fast because K was unseated and sort of hung of my side for a bit before righting herself while I tried to run us away. I stopped when she said whoa. Okay, okay, she did have to say whoa more than once, but I was scared.
I will have you know that I walked back to the offending spot calmly upon request and stood like a pro while K dismounted to check on Aunt T, who did come off of Buttons. Once we made sure that Aunt T wasn't hurt seriously K hand walked Sarah and I back to the farm while R rode buttons home to get Aunt B and the car.
I never realized just how short K is until tonight as she led us back. She's only 15HH, that's five feet tall in human speak. Some of the weeds we cross through are taller than she is! If she wasn't holding my reins, I might have lost her for real! No wonder my belly get's tickled.
Fortunately we all made it back home safely, got our showers and dinner and we should be able to sleep well.
While that adventure put the cap on the evening, I did do some work before all that happened. K asked me to walk and trot and I even walked a jumper pattern over cavelletti.
I also promised a photo of my new boots in this morning's post. I'm actually going to try to go one better and post video, kindly shot by Aunt B.
Stay tight in your tack!
Polo
I will have you know that I walked back to the offending spot calmly upon request and stood like a pro while K dismounted to check on Aunt T, who did come off of Buttons. Once we made sure that Aunt T wasn't hurt seriously K hand walked Sarah and I back to the farm while R rode buttons home to get Aunt B and the car.
I never realized just how short K is until tonight as she led us back. She's only 15HH, that's five feet tall in human speak. Some of the weeds we cross through are taller than she is! If she wasn't holding my reins, I might have lost her for real! No wonder my belly get's tickled.
Fortunately we all made it back home safely, got our showers and dinner and we should be able to sleep well.
While that adventure put the cap on the evening, I did do some work before all that happened. K asked me to walk and trot and I even walked a jumper pattern over cavelletti.
I also promised a photo of my new boots in this morning's post. I'm actually going to try to go one better and post video, kindly shot by Aunt B.
Stay tight in your tack!
Polo
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