Lesson Recap

So despite some minor setbacks, I was able to have my second lesson with our new trainer, Heather, last Saturday. And Jen was able to come see Granite's (relatively) new digs. It was so windy and very cold, but I'm glad us three gals and Granite were able to grin and bear it and have a productive session.

Granite started off pretty cold and grumpy. Maybe hoping that if he was stiff and rotten enough, we would give up. No dice buddy. He was warmed up and supple after a few exercises. We did some turns on the forehand at a walk and some leg yielding to quarterline and then back to the rail. I experienced some frustration as trying to get Granite to move forward and not drop his shoulder. Heather and Jen both reassured me that there was some good motion in some leg yields and gave me some tips on keeping him from popping that shoulder.

We moved on to some trot work and really emphasizing the inner rein to outer leg connection. It's amazing that just thinking about that connection can help me to make it. Sometimes I'm looking to dramatically change what I do, but my body almost responds when I just think about it... We did lots of bending exercises and I think everyone there could agree that Granite's lateral work had improved since our last session! SCORE! This is why I only take one lesson a month, I need time to make the progress. As lots of fully-employed adult ammies with no lights and an indoor can attest, consistent work and progress are often slow to come by.

We moved on to working on our canter transition. Granite and I have a heck of a time getting our left lead canter so we did lots of bending circles to a leg yield to the rail, slide the outside leg back/ ask exercises. They worked.... but not as well as I would have hoped. Practice I guess.

Next, Heather set up a stack of poles and had be get in half seat and try to get out of Granite's way as we went back and forth over the poles at a trot and canter. Then we moved up to an actual cross rail with a ground pole before and after. The trot was sad. We lacked energy and impulsion, plowed over the jump and stopped. NOT PRETTY. The canter was better... but not by much. Granite and I were tired, so here's to hoping that we have something better to offer next time. I have some photos of this...um, experience, but you'll understand why I have chosen to burn  keep them off the interwebs. I'd like to maintain some shred of dignity for my horse and mostly myself.

We did get ONE shot worth sharing:

Sunday it was wayyy too cold for me to ride, so G got the day off. I visited him Sunday and Monday I visited by because my TMJ decided to totally lock up my jaw, I was on some fun meds and decided not to take a chance on riding. Tuesday, I promised TK that I would save the date for my human valentine:

That was a good choice. Dozen Red Roses to the Office and a fabulous 

home cooked meal with not-so-cheap red wine :)

But last night I finally got to get Granite under tack again. 3 horses had made their way into our grass arena and I didn't want to waste the daylight getting them out. So, we rode around them, which was a good experience for the kid. Focusing was difficult for him and he was really more strong than usual. But we got a decent 30 minute work session in before we ran out of light. I spent some time working on his mane (braiding in a futile attempt to keep it all on the right side) and trimming up his tail. 

It is foretasted to rain today, but so far its just overcast and windy. I'm hoping to get a ride in today and tomorrow and Saturday (after our farrier appointment).

In a final tidbit of news, my parents are coming to visit this weekend. It's their first trip to our "newish" city and to our apartment and to this barn. I hope they tolerate being dragged out on Saturday to watch me ride. They have met Granite a handful of times, but they have never seen me ride him. They've been to visit once since he has been under saddle but he was injured. So, if things go as planned, I'd like for them to see the big guy do work :) And perhaps I can convince someone to take lots of photos to share with you later.

Cheers & Happy Friday-Eve! Boy do I ever need a weekend <3

Pretty (dirty) Boy

 Look how bright is was when I got to the barn AFTER work!
And in one month its going to be brighterrrr! I have spring fever and it's only February!

I rode bareback on Wednesday and concentrated on lots of collecting and lateral work at the walk and trot.
Tonight I tacked up and we did some walk to canters (yes that happened... like 3 times), we cantered over a cross rail and we did some stretchy trot.

I also got the chance to take some "confirmation" shots of the big guy. D kindly pointed out that he is orange and not grey, but we don't have hot water, so G doesn't get a bath until it is really spring time!

What do I see? I see that he needs more of a top line, lots more rear-end and he almost looks long backed in the shot... thoughts? He has gained his weight back though. I'm pretty happy with it right now.

This saddle you see? That's the one my lovely boyfriend got for me for Christmas. Your boyfriend got you an ancient, cheap, old-school saddle you ask? Well, it's my sentimental saddle! I've had this thing since middle school and have sold it TWICE, bought it back once, and then my TK bought it back for me again for Christmas. It doesn't fit me or Granite all that well (as I re-discovered tonight), but one day it'll just be decoration in my house. For now, it's nice to have a back-up/extra saddle. 

Granite was a pretty good boy. He makes the end to any work day so much nicer! Let's hope all goes as planned for the weekend and I get to see Jen and ride with Heather! Fingers Crossed!

Longer Days, More Rides

That's the gist of it! The days are getting longer and when I'm not tied up late at work, I get to ride! The week before last, I logged 5 rides and 5 trips to the gym! Last week I was bogged down at the office but still logged 3 rides and a whopping 1 trip to the gym.

Since our first lesson with Heather last month, we've been trying to work on exercises to increase Granite's hind quarter strength. Heather told me to try to ride him from his butt (channel my lower level dressage days). She also has us trotting, one walk stride, trotting to try to help him not dive into his downward transitions. We've been working laterally into corners when we ride the diagonal to change direction. She also pointed out my weakness in my left hand that is causing weakness throughout my horse's left side (major fail on my part). So, I've been doing extra reps at the gym on my left arm and consciously exaggerating my left hand to keep it UP when I'm riding. I've also been working disproportionately to the left during my rides to help Granite gain the strength that I've screwed him out of.

But, it's been a month since our last lesson and, if you refer to our 2012 goals tab, you'll remember that we are to take at least 1 lesson a month. So, I had one scheduled for last Saturday, but as luck would have it, it rained. Never fear, it was still a horse-centric weekend. Our vet office hosted their annual "Winter Horse Health Seminar." My barn owner and I went and we got to hear two veterinary professors (from V Tech) speak. The first was about diagnosing lameness and regenerative therapy and the second was about tick borne diseases and herpes. Both really interesting topics, the second was pretty scary since many are diseases against which our horses cannot be vaccinated nor shielded. But, it is nice to get my brain working again as it pertains to equines!

My lovely bff came to see my Saturday evening and we had wine and laughs Saturday night then breakfast and visit to the barn on Sunday morning. It was raining again, but she got to visit Granite and we measured the beast, he came in at about 16.25-16.3ish. He was covered in mud, but so sweet.

I worked late tonight (14 hour day) and I work late tomorrow, but mother nature willing, I will get to ride from Wednesday until next weekend. AND, next Saturday is my rescheduled lesson! Best thing, Jen may be able to come watch! So excited!

Another fun tidbit, Granite's very first baby trainer (before he was under tack) messaged me today to ask about the boy. How sweet?! I told her (touch wood) that Granite is coming along nicely, has been staying healthy, and I am really enjoying him. I am so very lucky. I love my job, my boyfriend is always amazing, my new apartment and new city are treating me well, my bff is close by, and the critters are (currently) healthy and happy. So blessed.

Lastly, two of my lovely blog sisters have given my (sadly neglected) blog an award! I feel honored <3
Nicku at The Polka Dot Periodical 
and
Shelley at Diary of a Hunter Princess
Thank you ladies!


Here goes:
Official Rules of the Liebster Blog Award:

1. Copy and paste the award on this blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who gave you the award.
3. Pick your 5 favorite blogs with less than 200 followers, and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award. 
4. Hope that the 5 blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to 5 more blogs.

Five of my favorite blogs are as follows:
Karen at Contact
So jealous of how much HER baby warmblood cross rocks
Alanna at Pony Express
Her baby "Pants" is precious!
JJ at The Joy of Horses
Shes got a little more actual baby than horses going on right now, but we love her & her morgans.
Dom at A Collection of Madcap Escapades
Her photography is amazing, her dog is precious, her horse is fearless and her bf is a doll.
Kate at Adventures of Lucy
Watching her green mare progress is fabulous!

Week Night Ride!

Yes my friends, its Thursday night and I worked a full day and still managed to ride after work (without the help of lights or an indoor). So it was only a 20 minute ride, but it was a ride! Best of all, the big guy was so good. I think I was just so happy to end my work day on this sweet boy's back that he knew it had to be a good ride.

In other news, I shocked the sh** out of myself when I hit the cow fence on the back side of the pasture trying to pet a REALLY CUTE donkey that lives with the cows to the back of our barn's property. I wonder if my barn owner would charge me the same amount for board if I got a donkey?? Jussst kidding....

Despite Outward Appearances

He is not homeless...

Versatile Ponies, the Best Kind!

It was great! The lesson that is! 

Heather, our new trainer, doesn't take herself too seriously, which I totally love. She loves the Redskins (like has a tattoo with the Redskins' "R"). So that right there made me like her. She inspected Granite pretty good, noting his neatly kept mane, his cow-hocks, and correcting his saddle placement a little to adjust for his massive shoulders. She noted his impending growth spurt (he suddenly dropped weight and both she and my farrier identified the same signs of a growth spurt coming on). 

We did a brief re-cap of my experience and Granite's.  I haven't shown since 2004. From 2000-2004 I basically showed Quarter Horse Circuit/Stuff. Previously I rode youth hunters and low level dressage. G had a little over a month of ground training and then about 45 days of professional training when he turned 3. Its been just me (with some guidance from Jen) for the last two years. We would love to grow up to be Hunters but are totally open to changing our plans to suit horse and rider.

She was impressed with G. She's worked with some of his "Graf Genius" line and enjoys them although she says they have reputations for their tempers. I think this is where I thank Granite's Appendix father for giving him the most laid-back personality ever. 

Heather gave us some exercises to do (lots of them are very similar to things Jen had us doing-- so that makes me believe in Heather's philosophy). She got on him, and OMG he looked AMAZING! She thinks he can certainly be a A/O Hunter! I always doubt he and I until someone like Jen or Heather tells me otherwise. All in All, I am looking forward to working with her and she seems excited to work with us! Right now, I'll only do one lesson a month (I'm only riding on weekends, so I need time to improve between lessons anyway). 

As if a great lesson weren't enough to make it a great weekend. I spent the night at Eva's Saturday night and Sunday we went riding at her barn. We went on Reno's first trail and he was SO FREAKIN GOOD. I got to ride the gelding she has had since we first met when we were 11 years old and she has just recently reclaimed from her family. I haven't ridden him since the late 90s I think and It was so much fun!

Vez and Ren getting ready for the trail 

(I had to ride Vez sans sturrips, but at least we found a spare saddle)

After that, I headed back to my (new) town and went to ride my pony. My tall boots fit again (did I mention that in July they refused to zip-- I was training for that 1/2 marathon and the muscle had gotten too big!) and didn't hurt me much at all (apparently when i stop running my calves slim back down despite my weight gain), so I wore them to ride! My barn owner and I went on a trail for about an hour! G crossed a creek. We had done this once before but he was quivering and I had to lead him across. I didn't have to lead him across this time, good thing too, since I was in my tall boots! And there was a current in the creek to boot. He spooked a couple times through the trail, but always conquered it. Such a good man! I LOVED that G went from being well behaved and trying his heart out in his lesson to listening and trusting me on a legit trail ride (over logs, under limbs, by old broken down barns, across streams). 

This weekend was really a success! Hopefully more progress to be made during this long weekend (during which I hope to get 3 whole rides in).

It's like the first day of middle school

I have butterflies about tomorrow! Tomorrow is really the first time that someone outside of the family (read: a stranger) has ever coached/evaluated Granite under saddle. I'd say its like the first day of kindergarten jitters, but I think it's worse. It's like Granite is going to middle school after being home schooled all of his life. Not only will this woman tell me what she thinks about my horse, but she can also tell me that all the work I have done with him hurt him and didn't help him.

Also, I have so many questions. We haven't had any pre-lesson chat. Does she like her students to ride in breeches or jeans? Should I carry a crop or use my spurs, or nothing? If a crop, does she like a bat or a dressage whip like Jen preferred us to use. Should I use the flash bridle I've been riding in, or switch out to a plain noseband? Bah. I know I am overthinking it, but I want to make a good impression. I don't want her to think that I've never had any formal instruction, but I also want her to know that I am open to guidance (assuming I like her and agree with her philosophy).

Anyhoo, I guess all I can do is go out there and be honest about Granite and myself and hope that she will end up making a good addition to our team! Plus, I think the pre-show jitters are part of what I used to love about competing. This is sort of the same, just cheaper, so I'll take it!

I went to visit the boy tonight after work. It was just getting dark but the moon was high and almost full and they sky was clear, so I ran a brush over the filthy thing and picked his hooves then threw my helmet and his bridle on and hurried out to the arena for a little bareback ride. It was nice. It hurt my back like no tomorrow. But he was cooperative and we even cantered some (have you seen his canter? phew. I may be sore tomorrow). It was a nice way to unwind at the end of the week.