|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:11 pm
Hey, this is my journal where I will be posting updates of progress between me and my horse Riley.
Comments are welcome!
I love opinions, advice, suggestions etc. etc.
Background Info:
Riley is my Quarter Horse gelding, foaled May 14th, 2000 in Wolf Island Ontario, Canada. His registered name is Ready or Not Riley, he's a sorrel - a beautiful colour and he stands at 15hh. He is green boke, goes English and Western. Riley has done halter classes at showes, Team penning, The Lope for Hope and much more.
Pedigree for Ready or Not Riley
He is use to NH methods, and NH is what I will only use with him. I'm not against other methods, I'll hear what people have to say, however this is what works for Riley and I.
My Boy Riley
Progess so far - What we've over-come
There have been a few problems so far along the line with me and Riley.
1. Pushy and hard to handle
2. Dominant to the right side
3. Stubborn with feet
4. Nipping
Now I have a quite, respectable horse who has manners. He picks up his feet the cue "Up." in the pattern, left front, left hind, right front, right hind.
Goals:
1. LOTS of groundwork
2. NH Games
3. Lots of saddle work - lots of patterns with lots of constant changing direction
4. Trails - work on going down hills
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:44 am
January 14, 2007 - Updates
Things with Riley are starting to get better. He's very dominant on this right side, this makes riding right now very difficult. He will jerk the right rein out of your hand and take you off in another direction.
This was never a problem for me until I broke my arm (Up in the elbow) Of course it had to be the elbow, where you get most strength to take the rein and push them into it. I can take, btu I can't hold out long enough for him to give to me. I try, I really do... it hurts me but I don't like knowing I'm teaching him bad habits.
However, I taked to the barn owners and their going to teach me to lunge him with side reins. After about 5 minutes of that he seems to quit taking the right rein, this will make riding a lot easier on me. Best to start from the ground and work my way up to the saddle right?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:12 pm
Feb/March Sessions:
We focused on voice commands while working on the lunge. Nothing complicated, just simple "walk" "trot" "canter" "whoa" and... when I invited Riley into me "Riley, here boy."
This has helped me out a ton when I go to catch him. Its not simple to teach him to come to the gate all the time because he's a horse who's kept inside. He likes being out for only a certain amount of time a day. If he's not out long enough, he doesn't care, he's going to want to be a horse. If it's been long enough, he'll come.
During our riding, I've been asking him to cross over his hind end at the walk, and so smaller circles at the walk and trot to give to each rein. After a while we were able to move to larger circles, gradually working up.
We were able to make it around the arena a few times before going back to the large circle thing and constantly changing direction and engaging his hind end. When he's behind my leg, he gets away from me and takes off, when he gets ahead of my thinking he takes off. When I don't use enough inside leg, he floats to the outside and tries to take off.
Even this doesn't work for long... however it will improve. He's only a green broke horse, so I cna't expect much.
We were able to get outside into the roundpen too this month. We both loved that experience. I hadn't been in an accutal roundpen in a loooong time, however a lot was accomplished and it made our friendship stronger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:16 pm
April 1st Session:
I've been keeping a log out at the barn, so I'm able to go back when I miss keeping a log on here for a bit.
Riley's been doing great. I had to bring out the rope halter I used when horse-sitting and some training because the clip on his bright orange halter broke.
I'm putting in a lot of riding time now, adding more and more to each session. However, if I feel things are very good, I won't push them. I'll stop.
Um... for our riding? I'm doing serpentines, transitions, backing up etc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2007 4:48 pm
April 8 2007 Update - Session + News
News:
May 14th - Riley will be 7 years old!
I finally got Riley's papers. I put his pedigree online here, he has some good lines in him, and trace back far enough - a lot of TB (Wich could explain his attitude xD)
Pedigree - Ready or not Riley
Session:
I let him loose around the indoor arena because he wouldn't walk in a straight line. Well, after an hour and a half galloping around that arena, and yes, galloping. He finally came into me, ready to be sensible. He was huffing a bit but he was pretty good. Not sweaty, not warm...
Anyway, so I saddled up and rode. We did lots of walk and trot, lots of crossing hind legs over, lots of serpentines. Keeping him thinking because he doesn't know what way I want him to go.
I unsaddled him and put a cooler on him since he was a bit warm and put him in his stall. I came back 5 minutes later, he had pulled it off and there was no steam coming off his back now. I tossed him some hay and brought the other horses in.
^.^ He's a good boy n' I love him. I braided his forelock and boy does he look cute!!!!!!!!! I was in the tack shop today with my boyfriend and I wanted to get him either a bright pink or light purple halter - but my boyfriend wouldn't allow it. -rolls eyes- guys sticking up for the guys... lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:27 am
April 9, 2007:
Today I got my OEF membership (Ontario Equestrain Federation Membership) and included up to $4,000 mortality insurance for Riley. I also filled out a transfer report to send to the AQHA and had the BO (barn owenr & His old owners) fill out the section needed.
Tomorrow when things are open I need to get a $50 money order from the bank and send it off. To get a copy back of Riley's papers with MY name on it.
I'm extrenly happy, I'm going ot be doing some programs with the OEF and be a certified rider and eventually when I'm 18, certified coach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
