Itās pretty amazing what mindset and determination can do!
Did you see the last post about Savannah being so nervous and excited to jump at her first show?
She was nervous and excited because when doing our Dream the Ride goals the past two years her main goal was jumping. But to counter that she still got nervous and a week ago we had to convince her to start cantering her jumps again.
Well this was her first time jumping (and cantering) at a show. Iād say I couldnāt be more proud.
What got her here was goals, and choosing that fear wasnāt going to stop her. So she decided to make it happen and did just that.
Savannah says she is ready to try some jumping at the show Friday.
šøWhat is your next ānewā class you will be entering?
She is nervous and excited all in one. Which means we cannot predict how it will go. But we can be certain that we will be one step closer to completing a goal no matter how it goes. As even if you donāt āwinā you are guaranteed to learn where you and your horse are at and what you will need to work on.
A couple weekends ago the first day of a 3 day all around show had barrels. It was funny to watch people we didnāt know make comments. Someone in passing had a giggle about the gaming horse going into pleasure. Before they saw her go in a class of course. We convinced people our pleasure pony was a gamer. Then our western pleasure horse a Hunter. And that she had done Hunter hack a million times in her life.
This video is from today as they are really coming together and rocked a 26 in poles.
Even though I pull my hair out trying do it all, haul around 5 different saddles to one show. This is why we love POAās.
Chasing the versatility. ā¤ļø
Training is all about breaking things down to small skills that lead to other skills.
A pre requisite for cantering under saddle for my system is to canter consistently in the lunge line in about a 20 meter circle, with balance, and for a longer time without breaking.
This teams home work from last lesson was cantering on the lunge line 3 minutes straight each way. Today he was cantering slowly, with lots of front end lift and fairly easily.
So we add on!! To cantering under saddle. He was amazing!!
See the thing is, when you do the steps one at a time the first time usually does go smoothly.
MILESTONE!! Check
Every horse that comes to K Ranch leaves a piece of them behind.
Milo leaves some big pieces!! The first horse Alyssa got to help with from un touched to broke under saddle. First horse she ground drove. Not to mention all the students who come here that have watched him grow and interacted with him.
I hope a piece of us goes with him too. Be a good boy, and make your new riders and partners happy. Milo moved on to his next life journey today ā¤ļø
Congrats to his new owners!!
What āfirstsā or big things have happened in your horse life lately?
Cadence ride her new boy, Fabio, off the lunge line for the first time in Monday. ā¤ļø
The current routine on this guy (starting them in a routine that always evolves and transforms creates confidence in the handler and horse!)
š¦ Groom and saddle and bridle.
š¦ Lunge (working in cantering on the lunge line to gain strength and balance and the canter cue)
š¦ Ride ON the lunge line, focusing on teaching cues to go, give to the bit with steering, stopping, backing.
š¦ And just yesterday! We added riding off the lunge line. (We have taken off leading around the arena before grooming as he is now relaxed and comfortable coming into the barn).
š·I want to see your FFA and 4H projects! š·
Horses, goats, pigs, sewing, sheep......
ANYTHING
Letās fill up our buckets on spring animals and what we are looking forward to.
This horse is just killing it!!
I just canāt seem to get my act together to finish my full video collection.... itās coming itās coming
But he is looking for a family! He will be the best pony!! If you want a kids horse prospect this is your guy. Showing and working is where this horse belongs. All around pony deluxe with some experience.
Another pole set up for you to try!!
Big figure 8ās over a rectangle. One diagonal is extended stride, one diagonal is more collected. So much packaged into a simple set up.
6 feet on the small and 12 to 15 on the long.
What do you think? YES or NO?
The first training session with Cadence and Fabio went off fabulous.
šAnyone else starting a horse right now? š¦
So this is how I explain to new up and coming trainers how to start....
Make a routine! Get comfortable with that routine and then add something new in and take something away. Like a ladder slowly getting higher and higher.
For a new team confidence in each other is more than half the battle. So you need to create comfort and confidence. And a routine can provide just that. Then confidence and mastery dictate where you go from there and how fast.
Yesterday we led around the arena - groomed - lunged (for communication and not to run the bucks out) - showmanship - grooming
We will stick with this routine and add one thing at a time.
Things waiting in the wings to add : lunging with. Saddle, lunging with a bridle, putting weight in the saddle, teaching the canter cue in the lunge line, and playing with things like the mounting block and more.
Providing horse owners with the help and tools they need to train and care for their equine partners
