tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842022686573666382024-03-14T00:15:43.228-07:00Wild Stallion AceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-82488612785482594062010-08-29T13:21:00.000-07:002010-08-29T13:29:00.561-07:00Wild Horse & Burro ExpoI took Ace down to the RLEC Thursday and Friday prior to our classes on Saturday to get him used to the grounds, as well as to provide exposure. He did excellent both days and attracted a lot of interest. Never once did he call to mares, drop or act studish. He made me so proud! Unfortunately Friday when I was finishing up riding him I asked him to stop, and as is typical he gave it his all and stopped hard. Apparently their was some loose ground in the Main indoor arena because he dropped his hip and stumbled. He was sore for the first time ever, in his stifle. I hosed him down several times Friday and Saturday morning but he still showed some soreness. I then had to make the difficult decision to scratch him from Saturday's classes. I could have pushed him and shown him on Saturday, but in no way was it worth it to me to risk future soundness for a show. <div><br /></div><div>So I ended up showing Hope in two classes.<br /><div><br /></div><div>He was fine Sunday with just a little stiffness, and since then he has been riding and working excellently. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-90522165898849217712010-07-28T20:32:00.000-07:002010-07-28T20:46:57.941-07:00All is wellI hadn't worked Ace in almost two months because a two year old busted up my hip pretty good back in May. So this last week I started working him on the ground and under saddle and he's done really well. I've riding him the last few days and it's amazing how much he remembers. He's still doing simple lead changes and moving off leg freely. We'll be at the Fallon Ranch Hands Rodeo this weekend =]Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-54780642145580311182010-04-27T12:14:00.000-07:002010-04-27T12:25:50.767-07:00Leads progressI rode Ace yesterday, he had a week off since the clinic because of the horrible weather and my trip to CA to pick up Junior. <div><br /></div><div>I worked mainly on getting him more responsive to leg pressure, side passing, disengaging hind quarters and picking up leads. Once I really started pushing him he started picking up the correct lead and even doing simple lead changes on a figure eight. He's one smart cookie. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-11245550828011195272010-04-25T01:26:00.000-07:002010-04-25T01:28:35.203-07:00Ace has a new friend!I purchased an American Miniature Horse as a driving prospect today, and started a blog to follow his progress from first day home to in cart and beyond. If you are interested visit. www.juniorbht.blogspot.com<div><br /></div><div>Thanks!</div><div>Christi</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-12309960529045529232010-04-18T22:52:00.000-07:002010-04-20T00:04:51.110-07:00Wild Horse and Burro Expo's Training ClinicToday we attended the WHBS's Training Clinic held in Carson City, NV at the Silver Saddle Ranch (A BLM owned property.) I met many local mustang owners and just had some fun with our mustangs. Ace and I participated in the Trail, Rail, & Showmanship portions of the clinic and had a blast. We both learned a lot, and picked up a few new techniques. As I always say, NO ONE it too experienced to learn something new or improve their horsemanship. Our biggest challenge of the day was the trail course as he has never done a complete one. We have worked on walk overs and some obsticals here at the BHT, but he is familiar with them. The bridge was the most challenging, it is just like a raised pallet somewhere between 10-15" and about 12 ft long. We don't have one at home so it was a completely new experience. After a few tries he figured out he was supposed to walk over it, and down the entire length. After that it was history, he easily completed it. One thing I love about him is once he tries something it sticks with him. He remembers it and completes it easily. There is no need to repeat something 200 times for him to do it calmly and smoothly. (Although repetition never hurts.) There were a few burros and mares in heat there too, and he handled it perfectly. Many people there were shocked to find out that he was an intact stallion, which is just the way I want it. He has to earn the right to keep those nuts and so far he is doing an excellent job =] <div><br /></div><div>Way to go Ace!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, he is doing excellent in the trailer, this was one of our longer rides about 1.5 hours each way. I didn't feel him move at all. Another bonus is that he stands quietly tied to the trailed and sleeps. All that time at the "Post of Knowledge" is really paying off!</div><div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone else is having a blast with their ponies! Happy Trails!</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. I want to organize a few people to go with me to Lahontan, a lake in Fallon, NV soon so if you would like to go email me!</div><div><br /></div><div>ChristiChristofferson@gmail.com </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-53544110654541250892010-04-17T18:41:00.000-07:002010-04-19T23:52:21.711-07:00Trip to Bartley Ranch & First Trail RideToday I took Ace to Bartley Ranch here in Reno, NV. We had been here once before but only stayed in the arena. The trails around the ranch are rather advanced for such a green horse, as they include three full sized bridges complete with rails and running water underneath, steep challenging terrain that tends to be strewn with rocks, brush, and other natural obsticals, curbs, bikers, dogs, joggers and more. The first part of our journey was over the first bridge. He walked up to it willingly and sniffed it before walking cautiously across. You can imagine my suprise since he had never been on anything like it before. We went over it a few times just to reinforce that it was safe before continueing on. Along the first part of the trail there is old farm equipment about every 2oft that is enclosed in a small fence. Many of the pieces are very large and scary looking, but he did really well. He stopped and looked at them, looked at them some more. He seemed to be trying to be figuring out if it was a threat or not. I just had to laugh quietly to my self. Most young horses in my experience tend to react not thing when confronted with new scary objects. But he acted like an old broke horse. He just sighed and walked past, although he still watched. After a few he decided he wanted to sniff one, so I encouraged him. It didn't take long before he was satisfied and moved on. I love riding mustangs for the simple fact of how trail smart they are. We got into a couple of sticky situations where on a domestic horse I would have probably gotten off and lead them through some tricky parts of the trail. But he just shifted his weight to his hind quarters and stepped gingerly over the slick shale like rocks. It's so nice riding a horse that pays attention to where his feet are. It was one of the most enjoyable trails rides I have ever had. He is so fun to ride, and he really thinks about his job. I could tell he was ecstatic to go on a 'field trip.' Good boy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-18623812387250080122010-04-10T23:32:00.000-07:002010-04-19T23:41:39.832-07:001st Show!On April 10, 2010 I took Ace to his first show in Lemmon Valley, NV. At Diamonds in the Rough he did excellent. When he first arrived he whinnied a few times but settled down after a few minutes and munched on some hay. He stood perfectly to be groomed and saddled like the good boy that he is. He warmed up nicely and soon figured out that the horses passing him in the warm up arena and all around him were not there to hurt him. He was really cautious at first to stay away from the other horses, but after a few minutes he relaxed and started really getting soft and supple. When waiting for our classes he stood quietly and patiently until we were ready to go in. In our first class Western Equitation we got a 2nd out of 10, Western Pleasure 4th out of 12, W/T Poles 3rd out of 10, and W/T Single Stake 3rd out of 10. Overall, he did amazing for his first show. He handled the commotion great along with all the new sights and smells. I wasn't even expecting to place at all since he's only had 30 days on him. The winter weather and arena conditions made it really hard to make much head way, but against all odds he was progressed wonderfully. I am so proud of him. It just goes to show what consistency, concentrated training, wet saddle blankets, and long rides can do for a young horse, even a young stallion. There were several mares in heat that I noticed there, and he did not whinny, grunt, call, drop or do anything towards them. One girl was even showing for him just 5 ft in front of him, and he behaved just like the gentleman I expect him to be. He has really gotten past his shyness of other horses and stands quietly next to them without being so on guard anymore. What a good boy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-43228539481582610542010-04-08T07:26:00.001-07:002010-04-08T07:33:54.815-07:00Clipping Done, Bathes Done Ready!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDU16KFzKyIdTjiJX64x3mXpCYcjC9EKsBdjCEqAqC_cVkITLLhD6pGaeAlG9UwuNm07s03aByBnMnM_csb-Qdr0GbYfJTZ6cvANO9cqGo8_t1WPnYav2jW8nhbre4uRsZRXykwp163aI/s1600/Photo0067.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDU16KFzKyIdTjiJX64x3mXpCYcjC9EKsBdjCEqAqC_cVkITLLhD6pGaeAlG9UwuNm07s03aByBnMnM_csb-Qdr0GbYfJTZ6cvANO9cqGo8_t1WPnYav2jW8nhbre4uRsZRXykwp163aI/s320/Photo0067.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457774654841816738" /></a><br /><div>Two days until the show, and even though it is a playday show we are going to give it our all. It took me four(!) hours to clip the feathers on his feet. I knew that the had a lot of hair, but jeeze I did not realize exactly how much! After clipping I bathed, braided and blanketed him. He looks like a giant cookie monster. He did good being blanketed and having the sleezy put on, but he was not thrilled about it. I will be sure to take a lot of pictures of him at the show =]</div><div><br /></div><div>Wish us luck!</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-61302224519475677242010-04-05T09:48:00.001-07:002010-04-05T09:53:05.613-07:00Introduction to the SnaffleThe last few days I have been bitting Ace up in a snaffle, letting him wear it and get used to it. I have been bending him on the ground and he had stopped chewing on it and was very relaxed. Up until this point I have been riding him in a hackamore but it's time to change into a bit. He is really soft in the hackamore and responding well so we are moving to the next step. <div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I rode him in it, but the wind was so bad and my eyes were getting pitted with dirt we didn't get a whole lot accomplished. He was bending laterally when asked well and performing all of our exersices good in the bit. After awhile though he started chewing the bit so we need more work on giving on the ground. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-14034043038204661252010-04-03T13:18:00.000-07:002010-04-04T17:13:07.700-07:00It's Official First Show is...This weekend! April 10 is the Diamonds in the Rough horse show and I will be taking Ace. Wish us luck! Since he is not consistent with his leads yet, I am doing the walk/jog classes so we have a chance to place high. I don't want to pit him against horses that have been doing this for years in the three gaited until we are consistently picking up the correct lead. Hopefully by the April 24 show we will be in three gaited. <div><br /></div><div>I have been introducing the snaffle to him, and have been riding him with it on just to get him used to it so he doesn't become a chewer or really mouthy. Its been really windy, rain and snow here but we suffer through it. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-37286795765173294512010-03-27T17:35:00.000-07:002010-03-27T17:42:23.098-07:00March 27, 2010 Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL32Zo4WQAr34ZHBMDSQuhXTXbs06jhwv_ldRfOL2bNveE68TpeKycVjEGXR_76XYs6ceRnu5crc2JroUwi_tgV1A2mjhwi1nULlvUbvyLUEhqABZTT004NwYXZKyoFXcaNCU-rc-w2dj/s1600/AceMarch2010+018.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijL32Zo4WQAr34ZHBMDSQuhXTXbs06jhwv_ldRfOL2bNveE68TpeKycVjEGXR_76XYs6ceRnu5crc2JroUwi_tgV1A2mjhwi1nULlvUbvyLUEhqABZTT004NwYXZKyoFXcaNCU-rc-w2dj/s320/AceMarch2010+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453478591978996098" /></a><br />Today I worked Ace again, I have been consistently working him 6 days a week, and he has made huge improvements. Thanks to the passenger exercise and follow the fence, he is really freeing up his feet and moving out. He's not at all chargey, just enjoying moving out. He is much more confident now, and is really stretching out and relaxing. He is really happy to go to work and seems to be enjoying it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-36909739769006891332010-03-24T09:16:00.000-07:002010-03-24T09:25:30.256-07:0028 Rides...Ace is doing very well both under saddle and on the ground. I finally got him floated so I will start introducing the snaffle this weekend/next week. <div><br /></div><div>He is developing good impulsion, and is starting to get really soft. He is flexing really light on the ground and is catching up in the saddle. Here and there he will lean on the hackamore so I bump him off. He is getting the hang of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have been doing a lot of despooking work with him, since he is doing so well with the sensitizing work. I have been focusing on doing the scary stuff with him until he has such a bored look on his face that he is telling me we can move onto something else. </div><div><br /></div><div>He is very respectful in hand, and is still very good around mares. He knows that he has a job to do, and acting studish will only land a whole lot more work. He's such a gentleman =]</div><div><br /></div><div>We are perfecting out one rein stop and disengagement of the hindquarters, he has gotten really good at it and responds off very light leg pressure. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll get someone out to take some video and pictures of us =]</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-58545458140076719932010-03-18T16:20:00.000-07:002010-03-18T16:24:30.497-07:00March 18, 2010Ace has had 26 rides now and is doing exceptionally well. I am getting him floated tomorrow, so I can finally use a snaffle on him. He has very long wolf teeth, as well as very sharp molars, so up to now I have been riding him in a hackamore. <div><br /></div><div>I have also been trailering him to flag team tryout practices with the Saddle Tramps, he loves going for rides. He still has excellent manners on the ground and has not gotten marey at all. He is a gem =] </div><div><br /></div><div>Next week I also plan to get him adjusted by the chiropractor =] Yes, he is a spoiled boy lol. </div><div><br /></div><div>Come on spring!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-41654014100119552712010-02-22T12:35:00.001-08:002010-02-22T12:39:52.534-08:00Jinxed it...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsWjFaoPRmxMyiGp6BnfpHxoTYiyoxTL-wBZ9adbiYU_ecqR31sUWz60IlllaT53j0iVG1n-n-uKiCLsBpECQkfCugGgi8RXc407D1KmePyXqjdWs4xTkpSPk72D2WgxgDUqUqcODrWEE/s1600-h/Trust+Feb+22+021.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsWjFaoPRmxMyiGp6BnfpHxoTYiyoxTL-wBZ9adbiYU_ecqR31sUWz60IlllaT53j0iVG1n-n-uKiCLsBpECQkfCugGgi8RXc407D1KmePyXqjdWs4xTkpSPk72D2WgxgDUqUqcODrWEE/s320/Trust+Feb+22+021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441170103149796354" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div>I guess I spoke to soon, as we got over two feet of snow yesterday. I'm really disappointed to say the least, and I hope it melts quickly. I will post new pics when we can start working again. Ace is enjoying his warm barn. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-82134114252964539452010-02-20T20:27:00.001-08:002010-02-20T20:45:39.073-08:00Back in the saddle again, I'm back!Since the snow, ice and slush finally dried up enough to really work the horses the last few weeks we have been back to work. I have been doing a lot of ground work with Ace, reviewing everything we learned since now it is safe to do some serious work. He is doing excellent, he retained everything I taught him before the weather got bad. He had his first ride since the weather turned bad, now his 21st. He did really good, and was very calm about it all, he walked trotted and cantered perfectly. I have been taking him to the saddle tramps practices the last three weekends and he has done awesome. The saddle tramps is a pre-tryout practice session group for the Reno Rodeo Flag Team. He did really good with all the flags around him, only spooking a few times. Cannot wait for this show season!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-13220453139000729912009-12-22T20:32:00.000-08:002009-12-22T20:53:13.536-08:00Ugh... Rough Winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB7ckmQ39bu13pgTDctZ1dDCz4K1KpSnVE0S3l4wU1QftSJ3DZc5rVQ0eydhKqmU5LHEq_AaoUBDKQdR_JMXsEFGPeZIp3GidRF9nPU76QvAIdLDirVVWSfuXwp69jl-3Y2t4NVPaNVV0/s1600-h/AceDec09_21.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB7ckmQ39bu13pgTDctZ1dDCz4K1KpSnVE0S3l4wU1QftSJ3DZc5rVQ0eydhKqmU5LHEq_AaoUBDKQdR_JMXsEFGPeZIp3GidRF9nPU76QvAIdLDirVVWSfuXwp69jl-3Y2t4NVPaNVV0/s320/AceDec09_21.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418289934020231922" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry for the long break in postings, not much has been going on as we have had over two feet of snow making riding and most training impossible. Unfortunately the snow has been taking forever to melt, and what little that does melt freezes at night. So then we end up with a complete sheet of ice every morning that is very unsafe to work on. Hope that everyone is having a wonderful Christmas and happy new year! Hopefully ours will be more productive soon =]<div><br /></div><div>And YES those are icicles!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB31X15SdRwYAMgE90sLz5-QgTpYmryxh7kC53hLMIcQoDdAXeXBQv267nZV8Mcs-ix6-0s5wmO08Hjg0t270lK8JzsRqDjZFo-CSspLgIajl8YvjsR9NBvhiuHj-BpyI0pCK0KN627icQ/s320/AceDec09_03.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418289460217699090" /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-7098363115870152892009-10-31T19:57:00.001-07:002009-11-01T08:37:45.876-08:00Update 10/31/09 *15th Ride*When we got home from quad riding today, I decided to saddle up Ace again for his 15th ride. While everyone else was unloading the quads, I saddled, booted and groomed Ace. He did really well, his ears would flicker, listening to the quads and me, but I saddled and got on easily. <div><br /></div><div>I worked on side passing and two tracking, so far he is side passing well to both directions and two tracking to the left well but is still somewhat sticky to the right. Tomorrow I will work some more on body suppling and evening up his sides. He is getting really comfortable at the lope now, and is moving out well and keeping his head level. </div><div><br /></div><div>His transitions are getting very smooth, at first every time I asked him to change from a lope to a trot, he would just stop. Same thing happened when we would slow from a trot to a walk, he would shut down and stop. I started focusing on just dropping down a gear and he is doing great. As for our transitions up, he is very smooth, keeps his head level, and does not get chargey. </div><div><br /></div><div>After I was done, I unsaddled him and threw him in the trailer with Hope, our four month old foal. I just wanted him to get used to having other horses in the trailer with him. They both did really good.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I had hope out I tied her to a post and hopped on Ace bareback. (This is his second ride bareback) I made sure he was listening to me and walked over to Hope. I untied her from his back and started ponying her. (I ponied Trust, one of my mares, off him recently as well.) She was hopping all over, but he never acted up. He even drug her a little when she decided she was done walking lol. Three times she reared up and "mounted" him from behind, I thought for sure he would shoot forward and spook, but he never even lifted his head LOL. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I was done ponying, I open the arena gate and walked them in. From his back I undid her halter and turned her loose. She took off running, and he just waited for his next instructions from me. I walked him over to where Trust was locked in eating some extra alfalfa, and opened the smaller gates and hooked him open from his back. This was the first time I had opened the smaller gates from on top of him. These gates are a little more difficult because I have to have very good control of his whole body to position him perfectly to be able to reach the latches. He did excellent and lined up with the gate easily. </div><div><br /></div><div>He constantly surprises me with how well he handles new and potentially scary experiences. I am so happy with him =]</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-73771118651932142382009-10-27T16:46:00.000-07:002009-10-27T16:55:52.983-07:00Update 10/26/09Today I rode ace again, and he is doing extraordinary. Today we rode around worked on some body suppling and control. He is picking up the side pass and two track well, and he is already doing very well pivoting on the hind and forequarters. For the first time, I had Ace pony a calm older mare around, he did very well. At first he nickered a little bit, but after I fingered the reins he stopped. He never dropped, just walked around and lead her all over. He was really calm about her walking next to him, bumping him and nosing around him. He really is a gentleman. Getting more and more exited for next show season.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-38581925538899497152009-10-25T16:44:00.001-07:002009-10-31T19:59:14.189-07:00Update 10/25/2009 *12th Ride*<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdp-2Pjn5gS5gPiTwDZ569TyoNPwLK4Y-gY6hWeMxGmDjLFxuqMNNFWxVQmkW7tJEU8PX5pIbyVZg6xJ0iJ5v_sS03msfb249YXTfgKjzINzBje_CRtzjRmh1SjNBh4Aby9b2tpKV5qOU/s1600-h/Ace3rdRide003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdp-2Pjn5gS5gPiTwDZ569TyoNPwLK4Y-gY6hWeMxGmDjLFxuqMNNFWxVQmkW7tJEU8PX5pIbyVZg6xJ0iJ5v_sS03msfb249YXTfgKjzINzBje_CRtzjRmh1SjNBh4Aby9b2tpKV5qOU/s200/Ace3rdRide003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396692236724135794" /></a><br />Sorry for the long stretch between posts, I got a little carried away lol and forgot to update! <div><br /></div><div>Today, I rode ace for the 12th time, he is doing fantastic. The last three days, I trailered Ace all around town, he has done great. </div><div><br /></div><div>Friday I just trailered him around, letting him get used to being in there. I brought him home after about 45 minutes, unloaded him and rode for about an hour. He did excellent, and unloaded slowly and carefully. His ride went really well, he is starting to get in better shape. <div><br /></div><div>Saturday I hooked up the trailer again and hauled him to Wal-mart since we needed to do some shopping. I waited out with him for about thirty minutes while they shopped. Then we hauled him to the Bridle Path Arena where I unloaded him, saddled and rode him for about two hours. About 15 minutes into our ride, 7 riders showed up and rode with us. To date, Ace had never been around other horses and riders, let alone strange ones. He did very well, he never dropped and only whinnied twice when they first showed up. Getting him back to concentrating at first was a struggle, but soon he gave up and focused on what I wanted him to do. He is loading and unloading great with out any problems. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, Sunday, I took him to the arena again (I trailered him there and back) his ride went great, I am so proud of him and how calm he is being. Next show season will be awesome if he acts half as calm as he did this weekend. We will be pulling lots of blue ribbons. =] </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-22853923403250956142009-10-08T20:59:00.000-07:002009-10-08T23:17:35.533-07:00Update Ace's Third Ride<a href="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide080.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 396px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 366px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide080.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div>Well today Ace had his third ride, and he did AWESOME! AGAIN! I am in the process of uploading videos and pictures, they will be up shortly. He is doing great moving his hindquarters and forequarters over, and is walking forward MUCH more freely. Today I even asked for a trot, and after several smacks on the butt; he trotted happily. We rode quite a bit around walking and trotting, and then I took him into the big arena for the first time; so far he had only been ridden in the round pen. He did great, he did not try and trot or run with out permission, but he walked even better since he actually had somewhere to go instead of just around in circles. To view the videos, here is the link <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/barehorsetraining">http://www.youtube.com/user/barehorsetraining</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide016.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 394px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide016.jpg" /></a><a href="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide061.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 395px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide061.jpg" /></a><a href="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide090.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 397px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 367px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Third%20Time%20Under%20Saddle/Ace3rdRide090.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-63120115584332282962009-10-08T12:29:00.000-07:002009-10-08T12:49:15.288-07:0010-07-09 Update BIG NEWS!Though I had been working on saddling ace for the last month or so, he was still terrified of the saddle. Per Clinton Anderson's advice from his training segments on RFD-TV with Cider, he recommended that if a horse is scared of the saddle, leave them in a safe pen with it on for several hours until they realize it is not going to eat them. So for three days in a row, I saddled him after he finished eating in the round pen, removed the stirrups (horses can break their jaw if they reach back and try to play with the stirrups and get their lower jaw hooked. Even if you are leaving your horse tied for even a short amount of time with the saddle on, remove or tie up the stirrups so they cannot reach them.) and turned him out with supervision. At first he was very scared, but after about an hour he calmed down and relaxed. I removed the saddle after 4-5 hours so his back could breathe and he could have some relief. (I NEVER recommend leaving the saddle on unattended, or on overnight. That's just cruel, they need to be able to lay down, relax and just be a horse.) I repeated this for three days, and worked on other ground control exercises when the saddle wasn't on. Tuesday, Oct 5th I tied him up and saddled him. He is still somewhat nervous when that saddle goes on and comes off, but he started really relaxing right after he was cinched up. I sacked him out really good with several different objects and he was still nice and calm so I started climbing on him, sitting on him, and generally just getting him used to me being above him. He was fine with it, so I reviewed the cues I taught him for saddle work and climbed aboard. He was AWESOME. All I did the first day was ask him to move his shoulders and hips over, and started him backing. He was super calm so after riding him for about 10 minutes I hopped off and ending it on a good note. NO BUCKING!!!<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, after I got home from college, I sacked him out good again and went ahead and saddled him up. This time I asked him walk forward after we reviewed moving hips and shoulders over. Surprisingly he walked right off. Many horses get their feet stuck at first, and are scared to step forward, but he walked right off. We walked all over and worked on the pivots, he acted like a 30 year old plug, not a 3 yo stallion lol. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will post pics today, and hopefully video I haven't gotten any yet. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-59092894679966451352009-10-05T10:52:00.000-07:002009-10-05T11:19:17.123-07:00Update 10/05/09<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Ace019.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 395px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Ace019.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Ace is doing excellent, yesterday we had some major breakthroughs. Since lately he had not been trying as hard as I would like him to, and for the most part he was practicing evasion, I decided to sack him out tied up. He has been tied extensively, so I figured why not. He had yet to seriously pull back so I started out slowly. I warmed him up in the round pen and worked on some of our exercises. I rubbed him down with my hand all over, and then brushed him and picked out his feet. I started sacking him out with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">horseman's</span> flag with a sack attached to it. ( We've done this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span> with out him tied) He was fine, no reaction. Then I started grabbing various items fly mask, towels, feed sacks, and sacked him out with each item until he was comfortable with them, progressing from the least scary to the most scary. Then I did the same with the pad, saddle, and eventually a blanket. (Which he has never had a blanket on ever) A very successful day indeed. He did pull back a few times (I wanted him to so I could test how well he is giving to pressure, and so he doesn't panic when he gets spooked enough sometime to pull back.) he came right forward and gave like he was supposed to. Here are some pics. <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Ace022.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 387px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Ace022.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 386px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i902.photobucket.com/albums/ac221/barehorsetraining/Ace/Ace041.jpg" /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>(Note* Obviously since Ace has not been shown, he did not win this blanket. It's one I won a few years ago. AND since he's only three lol he'd have been way to young to ride back then lol.)</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-18844478551053844892009-09-21T09:48:00.000-07:002009-10-08T12:57:34.134-07:00Update 9/21/09Well, I have started working Ace under saddle again, and after feeling his knees they seem to have closed. I wanted to wait till after the summer to start riding him, which meant sadly that we missed the WHBS, next year I guess. <div><br /></div><div>We spent three days with him just wearing the saddle for a few hours because he was so freaked out. Good news though, these past three times he did not BUCK EVEN ONCE! He is alittle spooky when I tighten the cinch, so we need a a bunch more sacking out on the ground. He is not nearly as explosive as he was so thats a plus. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will post pics the next time I saddle him, but I will not be on him for a while yet. He is still someone nervous about the saddle being up there. I know that he is stallion material, but sometimes I wonder whether or not I should keep him intact. With his extra hormones its just that much more of a challenge for everything. He really resists big change (like wearing a saddle) and stuff like that seems to really stress him out. I've noticed that he's gotten really lazy lately, so we are working on getting his feet unstuck. He needs more flexing and more work in general. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ugh. And for the bad news. Right before I was going to take off my crappy saddle, and put my riding saddle on him. He spooked (which rarely EVER happens) and lept onto my right foot. The SAME one my mare broke a month or two back. It had just healed, and I am back in a retarded boot. I don't know if he broke it or not, but its worse this time since I have been having numbness in my pinkie toe and the one next to it. UGH. Guess I probably SHOULD go get x-rays. FRUSTRATING. I mean I finally am getting close to being able to ride him, and I mess up my foot. Again. Gah. Talk about pist.</div><div><br /></div><div>So even though I was limping pretty bad; okay horrible. I still saddled him with my saddle, which had a back cinch, sacked him out on the ground, from a fence (it was fun getting up there) lunged him, and worked him over obstacles with it on. Then when we were done I unsaddled him, gave him a bath and turned him out. Thats what you call dedicated lol (or stupid whichever =]) </div><div><br /></div><div>SO, hopefully tomorrow I will be able to saddle him again, depends on whether or not I decide to get x-rays. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: MY FOOT IS NOT BROKEN, JUST HAS SOME SERIOUS SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE. I AM WALKING OKAY BUT WILL HAVE TO WEAR THE BOOT FOR AT LEAST A WEEK.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-88682655956068550162009-08-31T10:33:00.000-07:002009-08-31T11:18:05.696-07:00August 31, 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQBUH_rHQ2DcEzSEXn9YTtkek9HGfdPUr_V-rrFuthhGbQbXH744B1Wxk4kR6aevgCciCNAbrh4nMCcSy22OD7t0433_AVEPwqVlQyM_RwHnLdaPo2YSQ8Il_QNuh3DLrl9X53mU6Faeb/s1600-h/AceAug6th_51.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQBUH_rHQ2DcEzSEXn9YTtkek9HGfdPUr_V-rrFuthhGbQbXH744B1Wxk4kR6aevgCciCNAbrh4nMCcSy22OD7t0433_AVEPwqVlQyM_RwHnLdaPo2YSQ8Il_QNuh3DLrl9X53mU6Faeb/s200/AceAug6th_51.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376182910404538418" /></a> Ace is doing well with his 5 ground excersises. He is starting to pick up the side pass fairly well. His is really light in the halter and bosal. And is doing really well in the trailer. Soon we will start taking him for short rides. <div><br /></div><div>He did pretty good with the farrier, except the farrier decided to hop the fence instead of going around, which really freaked him out. He is fine with me on the fence, but still strongly dislikes other people doing it. He may associate it with the blm chutes, when everything tramitic happened there were people above him. We got his front feet done, but the farrier didn't want to try his back feet, so he'll be back soon. The funny thing is, I rasp down his feet with no halter on, and he is perfectly fine. Hmmmn. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ace was accidentily bred to Trust when she came into her foal heat, (he bred her through the fence while we were gone) so Ace may have is first progeny on the way. We have not decieded if we want to keep Trust to see how the foal turns out. She was bred on July 2, 2009. So she will be "due" (LOL, those of you who have bred mares know why I laugh) around June 2, 2009.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1384202268657366638.post-58495117078802497512009-08-26T09:27:00.000-07:002009-08-26T11:39:48.640-07:00Sorry.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrfeZD12Ey8qjevM6VhlSajLKALe6-9dLLHRtbW1uTIZ8LWxTrOnavdfP3IH-oZse1n8fUZJtxpfbOP1bmbF_Msi4DCWQU-JsOwIAvfWcHlaULYrF1OlmOTQ_znZ32qgidR5eukx-mMsj/s1600-h/Acestickinghiscuteheadout.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 184px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrfeZD12Ey8qjevM6VhlSajLKALe6-9dLLHRtbW1uTIZ8LWxTrOnavdfP3IH-oZse1n8fUZJtxpfbOP1bmbF_Msi4DCWQU-JsOwIAvfWcHlaULYrF1OlmOTQ_znZ32qgidR5eukx-mMsj/s200/Acestickinghiscuteheadout.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374336453618389730" /></a><br />Sorry for the long space in between postings, I broke my foot shortly after finals were finished (not his fault, bitchy mares fault actually =]), and was limited on the work that could be accomplished with Ace. So far, he loads and unloads from the trailer, bathes, clips, and has been saddled several times. He had his first trim a few weeks ago and did really well. He is going to have another trim tommorrow. Ace has become super friendly, he is always the first one to the fence to greet me, and just wants to be loved on. He is very well behaved around the mares, and doesn't drop or get excited. He absolutley loves our new foal, Trust's baby. He is very affectionate. I have sat on him bareback around 40 times. Next we are working on getting control of his feet, and teaching him to yield. Then we will be working on laying down (a huge trust builder), the spanish walk, and finally riding. I focus very strongly on my horses foundation, which is why we accomplish all this first.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0