Ultima BF
🐝-boppin’ around on a bay mare, not on brand for me at all. Ultima BF is such a cool lady. It’s so nice to be able to ride horses born and raised here that our clients have purchased as their personal horses.
Life has felt, woof, heavy for whatever reason. Just a lot going on even though it wasn’t all bad or even that big of a deal.
The equine profession normally contributes to my heaviness, but this time I can’t wait to get to work. It’s consistent, it’s beautiful, the clients and horses are great. It doesn’t feel heavy.
I began this walk in the early morning, the stunning light peaking through the trees, the morning dew creating such a stunning smell. I took a deep breath and just reminded myself that there is SO much light in my life.
Using R+ has become an absolute staple in approaching tasks that seem like a given. We sometimes forget to put the basics back on horses until they become a problem.
Courage is a very emotive horse and often times you can watch his expressions change as he processes new things. Helping with some backing and moving away from the block issues, I introduced a dressage whip at the hip for moving himself over and allowed that to be our focus. This with a reward for the movement and for standing still while I fiddled at the block or got on and off, really helped put him in a different head space for a simple task of being relaxed to mount.
Thankful to clients who are always open to allowing their horses to speak and listen to things that help their horses improve!
“But I want to do more with them” a common thing I’ve heard throughout my career with young horses. That moment when the babies seem to start understanding things and trying their hearts of for you. The hard thing is, as they’re riders we have to make sure we are setting them up for success to move to that next level.
Things I like to do with young horses to make sure their bodies and minds feel prepared to go further:
-hill work.
-trail rides.
-pole exercises with changes in rhythm, balance, and call for self carriage with impulsion.
-collection and extension work, with stretchy trot after to make sure the horse can carry balance even in a more relaxed state.
-ground work to check where tension and frustrations are through their bodies.
-gymnastics.
If I find sufficient holes in these sections of work, it’s time to break it down and fix the problem before allowing them to increase the difficulty of their programs.
Haven’t been posting lately but life has been busy and entirely to happy to take a break from it. The weather in Half Moon Bay has been perfection this week, with clear views to the ocean from the backs of the horses. My body is adjusting and my heart is full!
Ferriana USF of Untethered Spirits Farm rocking it around her first ever 1.0m class! This is a big stage for this mare and she’s been fantastic. Couldn’t be happier with her round with just a few seconds added on the clock.
This weeks thunderstorms have made for a sloppy mess on the farm but a stunning view from the front range mountains.
I call this the “act like an idiot mounting block edition.”
Rocco’s first time at the mounting block was less than exciting. He had one minor spooking moment the first time I snapped my fingers. The thought process being I wanted him to go forward, similar to a clucking sound. Rocco is usually a very stoic boy, but has sensitivities towards actions or sounds near his hind end that could mean “forward” pressure.
I love to do silly thinks on the block as horses process me being taller then them, crossing their meridian, or even just the process of having pressure on their back the first time. Sometimes this means noises, hopping around, or even windmilling my arms. Anything to help them process that first leg swing over!
Getting so close to hopping on this boy for the first time! 💛
Let’s talk about the ultimate Friday topic. #failfriday
While we all know this trend is funny and fun, I’m using it to highlight how we all have moments of mistake or “failures.” Ferriana is one powerhouse of a horse and we are focusing on her rhythm, form, relaxation, and her approach into harder jump questions. I myself am focusing on some specifics, like body position at this height after a few years on green horses only and overall feel of my horse. With both of us having some weaknesses or lack of strength, it’s no wonder we have moments like this.
It’s important to remember that horseback riding is always an ever changing and learning opportunity. I am a firm believer that every student, trainer, equine professional should have more experienced people in their corner to help them along their journey. I am very lucky to be riding a horse who matches me on her willingness to try and be better.
So next time you’re feeling a little yucky about your “failures” just remember, we all have them and we are always learning! Also, make sure your camera crew never stops recording so you have captures like this to laugh about. 😉
Check out our Facebook story to see how we improved and made the line work!
Positive reinforcement and why it works. I’m a pressure and release type on trainer with a focus on the release and relaxation of each movement.
Here you can see Rosie, a young two year old, learning about target training. In the process of sending her away and recalling her back, I am allowing her freedom and space to express herself without being in my personal bubble. The reward at the end is a positive “cluck” like a clicker and a treat. Through this she learns the target means the food reward, not my hand or body. Rosie is a very personable horse so this came quite easy to her. Where as backing up hasn’t.
For a movement that may seem difficult, you want to reward the slightest move in the right direction. We start with the gesture for back and as soon as one foot follows, cluck and reward. Simple as that!
Ferriana making light work of todays training exercise.
Gymnastics are a great way to get your horse to help self balance and regulate step. While Ferriana doesn’t stand much over 16hands, her step is very big and she can easily leave out strides. Today we helped her learn to sit back, wait, and push off the ground in a way that felt natural and relaxed. Such a fun girl she is!
Untethered Spirits Farm sure knows how to breed nice horses!
Following yesterdays post, let’s talk mental and physical rehabilitation.
Theo is a 7 year old OTTB that began showing negative signs under saddle in the forms of bucking, cow kicking, dead planting, and ear pinning. These responses started presenting with adding leg before fences and then developed to adding leg entirely. Eventually Theo began voicing these responses more frequently and harder, often times refusing to move at all and bucking in place.
He eventually began to displays these reactions on the ground, even responding to the sound of clucking thinking it meant for him to move forward. Todays post is a two parter. For today I’m asking you, if this was your horse what do you think they would be telling you and what steps would you take following this behavior?
Thank you to Theo’s owner for allowing me to share his story about his time with LBM Equestrian.
