Happy hunters returning from their ride!
The pace results were posted late last night and these two placed 6th out of 11 teams! The course was 4.42 miles long, ideal time for the slow division was 1:06:17 and Melissa & Sally did it in 1:00:07. Not too bad for a first timer and a second timer!
This guy never ceases to impress me! Sherman is a beloved part of my lesson string, and he’s coming back into work after nearly 4 months stall rest. I rode him once last week and he was fatigued after just a few minutes of walk work, which is very understandable but if you know him you know how much he loves to go go go. I decided to see how he took to ground driving as a way for him to build back muscle without the weight of a rider. Turns out he’s already a pro! First time in the lines with me and we were able to trot serpentines and figure 8s, go around the rail with me behind him and circle me standing still both directions. I wouldn’t be surprised if this guy has actually pulled a cart in a past life. We both had so much fun, and he was such a good sport about it his leaser/bestie Melissa even gave it a go for her first time ground driving in her lesson this week! I can’t wait for him to be back in full work, and for Cheyenne to get this good! Wouldn’t they make just the cutest pair of Saddlebred driving horses?!
Cheyenne working with a new friend!
I had a few friends over yesterday evening for a ride night/cookout, and it was a perfect opportunity for Cheyenne to try some new things! She handled them all like a champ;
*being groomed, including all 4 feet picked, by a “stranger” (who is a very experienced horse person)
*walking down the aisle as it was being swept (this was the scariest thing of the evening 😂)
*navigating a crowded ring without breaking her focus on me or what I was asking her to do
*walking and trotting over ground poles
*trotting in the driving lines
*wearing a resistance band around her hindquarters
*being ground driven/worked in general by a “stranger”
Our little lady is growing up! You go Shy Girl!
Cheyenne has made an AMAZING amount of progress in just two sessions of introducing ground driving! I wish FB would let me post more than one video at a time so you could see the lead up to this!
It’s been a minute since I’ve had time to sit down and type a Cheyenne update, but we had such a great session this morning I just can’t hold it in!
We have been keeping things pretty simple so far, so that routine things can become just that; routine things. No big deal. Going through the motions. In the last couple days, all of that prep work seems to have really, solidly clicked for her. Last night was the first time since she’s been here that ALL of her horse buddies were taken away at the same time, so she was alone in the paddock and she was calm as a cucumber. I was really just a few yards away in the indoor arena, so I could see and hear her, but she did no calling or pacing or anything but enjoy the hay. At feeding times she’s started doing the adorable “happy foot” that my other saddlebred does!
This morning she was being so incredibly cuddly and inquisitive, following me as closely as she could and asking for all the pets I’d give her while I went about my morning chores. I wasn’t planning on doing a session this morning, but she seemed so eager to interact with me I decided to do a short one. Of course my phone was inside on the charger so I have zero photos or videos, but will include a video from a session last week at the end! She’s the PRETTIEST mover!
Today she stood “pseudo tied” aka her line was ran through a tie ring but I was holding the end of it so if she did pull back she could have some give without getting away completely. Whilst “tied” I was able to brush both sides without her moving a muscle, brush her mane and tail, and pick up all 4 feet by myself. This was the first time I’ve been able to pick up her back feet without a helper holding her. I decided to go ahead and SADDLE her! She stood just as still for the pad and saddle to go on, but did get a little antsy while I fastened the girth. Her being antsy means she poops and searches for comfort food, nothing too crazy. We have been working with a stick
Breakfast time in the paddock!
Cheyenne received her first Amazon package today!!!!! Her very own grooming kit! Thank you so much to whoever sent it!
This is my first time ever doing an unboxing video, and I’m a super awkward person in general, so enjoy Cheyenne’s adorable reaction and pardon my weirdness 😅
I discovered a couple extra items after we stopped recording; rubber bands, a hoof pick, and the fact that the scraper has a shedding blade side in addition to the squeegee side! This is a nice kit that will last her a long time, and the carrying bag has plenty of pockets for her adopter to fill with their own favorite grooming tools!
Cheyenne’s first morning at the farm!
Cheyenne seemed pleased to see me this morning! She doesn’t want to reach out to sniff me still, but she didn’t shy away from scratches and let me get all the way up to her poll and ears! She was also much more chill with me going in to refill her hay bag than she was last night, but is still a little wary of the hose. She watched me intently as I went about my other morning chores, and sniffed a treat in my hand but didn’t take the bait. In a little while, we’re going to go over to the arena to let her stretch her legs and try some ground work!
Embers of Hope Equine Rescue
#embersofhope #palomino #saddlebred
Sleepy ponies are the cutest! #horses #sleep
