Saturday flatting

I got to the ranch almost on time, 11:15. Duke was tied near the gate so no having to dance through the tall, prickly weeds. I brought him over to the hitching rack in the shade so I could eat my breakfast and get my brain in check for out time together. There was a lot going on, some visitors and some people to pick up cattle. He never moved but was watching the cattle loading with interest. I groomed and put the surcingle on him. The arena was occupied by momma and baby. The kids showed up and helped (did it all) clean the round pen. I have not used the round pen lately, but after last weeks shenanigans it seemed like a great idea. We lunged but he was very lazy/ distracted and I did not do as much as we could have, as I was having to chase his every step.

It took a while to tack him up since I had to make so many trips to the jeep. When we were finally ready a couple of the visitors took turns sitting in the new saddle. Everyone really liked it! N said it was very comfortable as well. I got on at the mounting block. Duke has been giving me a touch of crap about standing still at any mounting block. We worked on it a little but on the third try he held still and we moved on. I walked, stretched ourselves and trotted in the round pen. By then the kids were tacked and ready to go ride in the arena. I opted to go with them.

We got some decent work in. There were a few almost collisions, and a lot of traffic jams, so being the biggest horse in the pack we erred on the side of caution. We worked on leg yielding which N said looked good, as well as framing up. I have let him have the reins after framing so he came stretch himself which he does a lot. Now he is asking all the time and I think he is trying to take advantage so I will have to keep an eye on it. We finished a little before I wanted to but due to the traffic I was not sure I would be able to get in what I wanted and ended on a good note. N wanted me to canter him some but my blood sugar was running a little high and I was so thirsty, all I wanted was to drink some water.

My take aways for this ride was :

• N said I had much more contact with the bit. I felt it. He was not leaning or pulling but there is definitely a big horse head up there.
• We had little to no impultion. I don't know if it was me worring about running over small children on ponies or if I am not asking enough.
• This is the second ride were I felt I did not have his attention. He seemed to want to look at anything and therefore stick his nose in the air, hollow and get strung out. I think there are many possible reasons:

1. He is building muscle and that is hard
2. He is lazy and so am I and building muscle is hard
3. He is getting in shape and feeling good
4. I am nervous he will 'look' and act up and I can't handle it so I anticipate

All in all we had a good ride. Duke got a good hosing off, linamint, fly spray and granola bars. I was telling one of the kids how much I like his mane roached. Later N came over and said how much she liked it too! So for now we are going to keep it short! It looks so nice on him.

 

 

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First real ride in the Kieffer

We headed out about 12:30, a little later then I had hoped but I got preoccupied sewing my saddle cover.

 

Almost done! Just need to attach/ finish the elastic!

I am super happy with how it came out! It is a little lumpy and bumpy but totally awesome! Love how much of the saddle it covers and protects.

We got to the ranch and Andrew spotted Mr right off. I decided to man up and go get him myself ( Andrew was wearing slippahs) and I have been slacking on my basic horse care since Andrew has been doing it all. I walked through a couple hundred yards of head high weeds to get my horse. I was almost in tears as I could not see my horse, therefore my direction, and I appear to be allergic to ALL THE THINGS. I caught my beast and almost hopped on him from a fallen tree but the tree was surrounded by evil weeds and I had so many stickers in my legs and butt and I did not feel like getting on without a helmet.

We made it to the hitching post and I decided I would survive ( not have a temper tantrum) only to realize I forgot my bridle. I found his regular bridle and an extra set of reins as we have been going in a Tom Thumb. We groomed up and carried on to the arena.

Before we got there I knew I had my job cut out for me. Andrew was carrying the saddle and went to place it on Duke. Duke threw a wild eye and proceeded to side pass like nobodies business you would swear he had never seen a saddle before. I stopped him and Andrew put the saddle on his back and he proceeded to rest a hoof and fall asleep.

Once in the arena I began to lunge him. And lunge we did. Most upward transitions resulted in bucking, flinging his body around and general shenanigans. At one point I had to let go of the line, with him bitted up, as I did not want to drag behind him and scare him. He stopped well but he was quite full of himself. I got him through all transions in both directions then bit him up loosely. He was still a bit full of himself but I tried to send him to work.

When it seemed like his brain had regain functioning, we saddled him up. I was nervous at first and I did hop off and walk a lap around with Duke to calm myself. I got back on (sans whip and spurs; the whip I forgot and the spurs I passed on ). He rode well but I never got his full attention. He did work well, but he did not give me the extra try he usually does.

We trot three times around posting in each direction, we worked on leg yielding as well. He is doing very well and anticipating it, as well as transitions. His haunches still trail behind us a lot but I hope with consistency and strength they will come along. I think he is getting stronger and coming along very well.

As far as the saddle goes I think it is amazing! It is a lot wider twist then I am used to but I was thrilled with our sitting trot. I was worried about the posting trot but it was fine! I feel like I am sitting in a true straight line from head to heel. It is really different compared to what I am used to feeling. We did not canter, I was a touch unnerved with his explosiveness on the lunge and the new saddle.

We finished up with trotting through the cavilettis raised at halfway with the fourth at full height. We went through a few times then called it quits when we went without hitting.

Really proud of myself for riding through my insecurities and Duke for trying.

 

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New saddle

The saddle showed up on Tuesday!! So exciting!!! It was 10 days early too!! We took it out Wednesday morning to try it on Duke.

N called in the morning and said she had to go to town and there were horses in every pen including the arena. I really wanted to try the saddle out so we opted to ride at the bottom of the driveway. Our second time out of the arena and first time by ourselves.

The saddle seemed to fit him really well. It is almost tight behind his shoulder but when walking and trotting I could easily get my hand in there.

 

I am super excited to see what N thinks of it on Saturday. I also told her I would help her make a video of one of her ponies. Hopefully that goes well.

Yea for all the nice things!! And look how nice my horse is carrying himself!!!

 

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