Gonay…my Superman doing tarp desensitization w me.
First placing it on him no rope. Second having him choose to walk with it on toward food. Third leading him w a rope wearing it.
Here was the 3pm canter transition up the hill with Lisa Wheeler leading. Uffie was a bit surprised to see me videoing but Lisa got the transition.
There is a nice round pen at the training farm. I had to try it out. Gonay still remembers what his cues are to stop. Although now being ridden under saddle, this trainer just want him to keep going forward and not stop to give him a chance to bring his front or back up.
Where are the boys on this sunny afternoon ? Oh I see Tenor in the round pen. And Uffie as well as Odinn is here. Is it a party? No…they are all here to watch Spoi as he sleeps. It is what a herd does. Wish you were here.
Spoi enjoying a good neck scratch by Erin after her riding lesson.
What are the boys doing in this Seattle heatwave? They are all hanging out in the covered round pen together.
For me, I just talk about horses during lessons. My husband like to go off topic. Lately it is about Top Gun Maverick. Tegan agrees. Yes she said it.
Lisa Wheeler did not think the cone obstacle was big enough for a good circle. Did I have any pool noodles? No. Plan B. Human Obstacle by Lisa.
Lisa Wheeler made this great video of her time with the guys and other students over the past couple years. Hey I am even this one. Makes me laugh and smile remembering these moments.
Well it’s a half hour before riders start showing up for lessons and the guys are all napping. That is why I don’t schedule tack up before 1:45.
Hmmm…which horse is supposed to be watching while the others are sleeping? Probably Uffie the black one. He is the lowest in the herd and gets to sleep last but is too sleepy himself.
Getting to know you…..
Visiting Junior Competition Rider Abby Cruser working with Goonay.
Dashing through the snow.
Spoi went first and Uffie followed. Tenor, Odinn, and Goonay just watched.
Here is Eva taking Goonay through one of those pedestrians entrances with only inches to spare on each side. He gets practice each day with this kind of squeeze game as I don’t up his pen gate completely to come out but this is being led by a beginner.
Eva helped us walk Goonay in the park with Rocko and my husband leading in front. Looks at everything around him with curiosity and confidence.
I walked behind him so he gets used to someone back there on the trail. He was unsure at 1st but soon learned it was fine as he trusts me.
Remember when I first met him, he would not let get even 20 ft in front of him and not eat if I was anywhere in his presence.
Tenor and Spoi love their new treats. They both can’t stop licking their lips.
Odinn- “Yeah…it is a little crowded in here. But I am fine.”
There was a sudden hail storm. Odinn went quickly to his open stall but looking a little miffed when inside. I went to take a look why?
It always surprises me how Icelandics will tolerate less than the typical personal space needed by a horse to get out of the sun or rain and be together.
I have seen as many as 3 of my Icelandics in a 10x12 space and 1 guy outside the stall or in the hallway by the same stall.
What would Uffie do for a baby carrot? Follow and run after you around for a full lap on the mini oval track at liberty...of course. Shhh…he would do it even without a carrot actually. He’s a border collie in disguise ready to play whatever game you will play with him.
Odinn the chestnut was drinking 1st. Tenor would not wait and had to have the whole trough for himself. He does not always make Spoi move cuz Spoi is harder to move. Odinn is very willing aka Mr. Nice Guy who accepts Tenor as herd leader.
Look who stepped into the lineup and is following Odinn in the lap around the track as Tenor catches up?!!
Look who was 1st at the gate to go to the front pasture and waited for my instructions before coming thru?!!
Eva and the new untrained horse
We have a new untrained horse here. When he 1st arrived, we could not even touch him nonetheless catch him. Not even halter-broke. With some training now to learn to trust and respect humans, he finally thinks we are not here to eat him. Here he is with Eva, one of our riding students learning how to work with him.
My husband and I do lessons on Icelandic Horses. This is the younger kids group riding in the covered round pen instead of being hand led on the oval track. There is some background music playing to relax horses and riders while we stay out of the sun.
I prefer this to a full size arena as riders are never more than 20-25 ft away, in a circular pattern around me not long straight lines, doing lunging at liberty exercises they know, and they will all stop if I need them to.
You can see my lunging stick to direct the horses from the middle. My husband is instructing but is not on the inside. The guys cascade the lineup instead being nose to tail but he makes it work.
This is Eva, Andy’s mom on Spoi learning to hold the dressage whip while maintaining her grip on the reins and looking forward.
This is the Tues Advanced Class of adults getting the guys ready to ride. Notice there are no cross-ties, hitching posts, etc. to hold them. The horses are trained but riders must develop rapport w them coming to ride often enough.
Horsemanship starts from the minute you handle your horse. Not just when you sit in the saddle.
Here is Andy, the son of an adult student, Eva. Love it when other family members come to ride with us.
1st time on Odinn who is patient with a 1st time rider. Andy has his “And Whoa” down already.
Here is Jade on Odinn and Julia on Uffie taking a warmup lap around the track before we hit the trails next door.
We are opening up a new class for 3 monthly students each on Tues and Fri starting at 3:15. Beginner to advanced beginners. Pre-teens to Adults. Contact us for details.
