Gardenour Horsemanship

08/12/2023

A day for the OG’s. Big red at it again.

05/04/2023

The one who started it all, Mr. Apollo himself. He was our first horse and him and I learned everything I know together. He has the most stubborn personality out of any horses I have ever trained but he has taught me patience in the processand I wouldn’t have it any other way. This post it for you big man. He’s turned 16 this year and still has plenty of spice left in him.

04/25/2023

A little work with Gunnar outside the round pen.

04/21/2023

Some good belly scratches at feed time.

04/17/2023

Yesterday’s training session with Gunnar. After his second session working on the lope he got pretty lovey while I was letting him air up while talking with his mom.

04/07/2023

Got the very first lope out of her tonight. I’d say she’s pretty relaxed for the cooldown.

04/04/2023

Another day another ride. She’s getting more and more consistent and confident by the day.

03/30/2023

Divas second ride is in the books. Tonight we worked on the trot, she’s not quite sure about the lope yet but that’s ok we can work on that tomorrow.

03/29/2023

Divas first ride. She was a little spicy but nothing terrible. She did a great job moving forward and carrying weight, She will be lopeing in no time.

03/27/2023

Diva is starting to get really confident in herself with the groundwork that has been done. Very soon she will be ready to work with the saddle on and have her first ride. I’m excited to see how her first rides will be I’m really looking forward to them.

03/24/2023

It seems to be that time of year.

03/24/2023

A couple of new exercises for miss diva tonight. She still has a bit of a confidence issue on that blind side but she’s getting better every time.

03/18/2023

The start of backing up. I always ask very gently first by tapping the air, then the lead rope, and then increasing pressure with rhythm until she takes a step back. Even the slightest try needs to be rewarded by taking away the pressure completely.

03/17/2023

Here I am looking for diva to yield her hindquarters 360 around her front feet. I start off as gentle as possible but as firm as necessary. She is pretty light on those hind feet and it doesn’t take much pressure to get her to move.

03/16/2023

This is one of the most important/boring groundwork exercise. Desensitization to your tools ensures that your horse in not afraid of you or your tools. It’s a balancing act between sensitizing and desensitization exercises to get a well balanced horse.

03/12/2023

03/12/2023

This is diva, this is her first night of roundpenning. She’s just about 8 years old and I will be putting her first rides on her. She’s also blind in her right eye so that will present some challenges to my normal approach. On that blind side I have been using audio cues along with light touch for things that require her to move off of pressure. She is going to be a blast to train.