Continuity

When I used to board my horses I wasn't all about the riding. I groomed and fussed and did some work with them. But it's fair to say that I spent 90% of my time in the saddle. I believed that it was the riding that led to progress.

However,  the experience of a yearling and having horses at home has taught me that this philosophy was false.  It is everything that we do with horses, no matter how small that is the training. Riding is part of this but the other thing I've learned is that riding is a mix of physical and mental. 

A few days ago my farrier came to trim the horses. We had pulled Carmen's shoes the last time and I was pleased with how she had done barefoot and I was hoping that he was too. We did Irish first and he was his normal well behaved self. Carmen was agitated in her stall- the result of not being in steady work I thought. I let Irish go outside and went to get Carmen. She was good for getting her halter on but tried to barge past me. I made her go back and do it again, politely. The temptation is to to not correct because the farrier is there and he's waiting. But I know that when she's like that I have to be sure that she is under control with everything, no matter how small. I promised Paul that if she was a problem I would bring Irish back in. I stood there and held her. I won't lie and say she was perfect but she was pretty well behaved. A few time she tried to grab her foot back but when corrected she lowered her head and stood there quietly. Her feet were done quickly and looked fine so no shoes required.  

When we were done I led her to go outside and she tried to go bolting by. Nope. I don't think so. Back in we went and I stood in the door until she no longer wanted to go by me. I then led her out and took her halter off. She was very polite. 

Yesterday, I brought Carmen in to the barn with the idea of a nice groom. The activity was the groom. The point was to have her stand patiently in the cross ties while I worked on her. When I first brought her in she was very restless in the cross ties- pawing, moving around etc. In the past I would have picked up on her agitation and gotten agitated myself. Instead I stuck with the plan. When she moved away I put her back. Quietly, but firmly. I did it repeatedly and did not let myself get frustrated. I realized that she was trying to keep her eye on Irish (who, by the way, didn't care and was meandering about in the paddock quite happily). So I went into Irish's stall and closed the sliding door so she could no longer look outside.

She was not impressed. But as I kept working she settled. After a thorough groom I brushed her mane until it was like silk. I then played with braiding it. By then she was settled and calm. 

not too bad for our first time. Belle is just thankful that she doesn't have hair that can braided.

Then I went to work on her tail. It was a bit of a mess and required a lot of conditioner to get the knots and mud out. I then trimmed it so it would stay out of the mud. 

When I was done she was quiet, calm and relaxed. Even without exercise. There is always something to learn.

How that translated into under saddle work I will save for the next post. 

This and That

So I have not been able to ride since New Year's day and that sucks.

I know that it's just been a week but I really miss having regular saddle time.  But until the weather breaks (or I win the lottery and build an indoor) I have to suck it up. I am thinking of taking some lessons over the winter to keep my skills semi-intact.  I am trying to not count the days until spring.

Random adorable photo:

here's a photo of Carmen as a yearling. She always had presence

I've cut Carmen's feed in half. Since she's not getting worked regularly she does not need the extra energy or calories.  She is not impressed. She finishes her feed and then looks at me to say 'is that it? the mice get more from the grain that Irish drops'

I shrug and try to avoid eye contact.

In the meantime I am sending in my money for various memberships so that we can show this year.  I am also planning on a couple trips off the property and maybe work on hacking out.

I have been spending time in the barn tidying and trying to organize stuff. Poor Carmen- there is always a plastic bag somewhere. She's becoming less freaked out by them but not too impressed. She will get over it. She is very willing to approach a flapping bag when it contains carrots so I trust that we will get to the other side.

I dewormed both her and Irish today. Initially it was a bit of a battle to get her to take the wormer but each time it get easier and easier. Today I simply slipped on her halter in the paddock and gave it to her. There was no fuss.

I will be spending the winter working on all the other things to make her a solid citizen and keep our relationship going.

But I still miss riding.

First Dance of 2016

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance ~Japanese Proverb

I finally began to feel better on New Years Eve. Which was good because Ed and I had plans and I was NOT going to change them. Our friends Cynthia and Andrew came down for a visit and we went out to dinner. It was a very nice 5 course dinner (with one exception but the restaurant made it right in the end so that was good). After we even managed to stay up past midnight to welcome 2016.

The first day of 2016 dawned clear and cool. But not freezing. Cynthia made her famous home made biscuits (okay they might not be famous but they should be so it's almost the same thing). There's nothing like fresh baked biscuits and homemade jam to start the day.

We then put on our riding clothes and headed out to the barn. The horses, of course were at the top of the hill and watched me walk all the way up to them.
Me: you could have walked down to meet me
Irish: I figured you needed to warm up

I love riding in the snow. It's not always possible here because our weather often turns it to ice and it's not safe. But today was a good day. Carmen was cute lunging in the snow. It was about 3 inches deep and she was really lifting herself trotting through it, snorting and looking at it. She wasn't so sure that she actually wanted to walk. But when she seemed settled I took her over to the mounting block and got on. She now is perfectly behaved at the mounting block and will not move until I tell her to. This time she moved off with some enthusiasm and decided that we needed to follow Irish.

Nope I said. She began to fuss a bit about this and I could feel her tensing and I could feel myself getting light in the seat as my thighs tensed up. What are you doing? I said to myself. This is not what she needs.  With that I loosened my legs, put my butt in the saddle and engaged my core. Ah. There she was- she came back to me immediately. And so I rode. I realized that that I had to make sure that her attention was on me 100% of the time. As soon as I felt/saw her get distracted I brought her back to me by asking for a bend, a turn, a transition.

As always, our first few trots were balky. Carrying me while navigating the snow was just.too.hard. But I kept asking and we finally figured it out. The trot felt very different as she was really using her hind end. Irish was full of himself as well. I looked over and he was having a ball. He was really using his hind end as well. As a result he was not quite as 'fast' as usual but he was far more correct. Cynthia took off her sweater and it fell on the ground. Of course Missy noticed right away and thought that it might be evil. But I insisted that her attention needed to be with me and not on the thing. I was pleased to see that she listened.

Then Andrew came up to watch the entertainment. Of course she saw him coming right away but I kept us working while I chatted with him and she settled back. Irish meanwhile was all OHMYGOD, WHAT IS THAT? There's life in the old guy yet.

It's pretty bad when Carmen and I are the calm ones.

We finished up with our floaty trot that is like riding the edge of a wave- you're not sure if it's going to crash or carry you further. I love it. And I'm starting to figure it out a bit. Carmen was quite pleased with herself and very happy to have my attention back. I'm realizing that she needs my attention. with my illness and Christmas she was not happy being neglected. So even though she was challenging me at first, she liked that we were working.

I was so disappointed that I couldn't ride on Christmas day. But having this ride on New Years Day made all that disappointment go away.

After we put the horses away, we came to the house where the guys had made brunch. After a ride out in the fresh air bacon is a welcome treat. We even made Mimosas to go with it. It felt very decadent.

At supper time when I brought the horses in I puttered happily in the barn listening to them munch their supper. Before I headed in to the house I leaned over Carmen's door watching her happily chewing on her hay. She left her hay and came over to the barn. We stood there together for a few minutes. She blew gently on my cheek and then returned to her hay.

I headed into the house and Ed and I left go see Star Wars. I have to say I enjoyed it (I was a bit apprehensive after the travesty of I, II, III). There were some things that were disappointing -like the villain looking like the lovechild of Gollum and Voldemort (however no spoilers!) You know you are geeks when you and your husband are discussing it passionately on the way home.

It was nice to start the year with such a lovely day.

first portrait of 2016

2015- Year in Review

I'm still battling this virus and becoming very bored with the lack of energy. Carmen is making it known that she is not appreciating my lack of attention either. However, there's nothing to be done but rest, drink lots of fluids and binge watch TV.

It does give me time to think about my year. It has been a big one as far as personal stuff goes.

January
That was a tough month and as I struggled to come to terms with my loss and decide what to do next. To be honest it's a bit of blur. However, I learned to enjoy being in the barn again and Lexie was a sweet horse to help ground me.

She was the perfect horse for Irish at the time he needed her. I think she enjoyed the extra attention as well.

February
Winter hit with a vengeance. Atlantic Canada was pounded by storm after storm. Roofs collapsed, fences disappeared and my barn was literally encased in ice.

Later in the month I got on a plane to try out three potential horses. 

In the end I found Charlante and, while it seemed surreal, I bought her. 

March

I worked on a plan to bring Charlante home. It turned out to be quite complicated and I was sure I was going to have a nervous breakdown. However, she finally arrived. 

Gotcha Day

April

The snow finally melted and life could return to normal. In conversations with Ed we decided on 'Carmen' as a barn name for Charlante. It suits her and it makes Ed happy so it's all good. I rode her for the first time since she was mine. It became apparent that I was going to have to up my game if I wanted a relationship with her. 

May

This was a big month for us. We had some lessons from a trainer from Spain- Johanna Beattie Batista. It was perfect timing as she helped me to understand what Carmen needed from me. It was the start of shift in our relationship

I also got her saddle fitted so we could start under saddle work. I also realized that I was going to need regular instruction if I wanted to ride this mare properly. 

I also submitted my first article for a local horse magazine. I was asked to submit some of my humorous stories. That was a real leap- from blogger to writer. It was an interesting process and I found that it help me really hone on my editing skills. 

June

I began the search for an instructor and a way to have regular lessons. 

I tried one avenue but the door was slammed on that one. As I searched I kept persisting with Carmen trying to figure out what she needed and what I needed. At the time I was getting frustrated but looking back I realize it really helped me to develop ground work skills that were sorely needed. I don't think I ever really appreciated how much ground work contributes to successes under saddle. 

I also dusted off my camera and started taking photos again. Irish and Carmen made great subjects cavorting in the field.

July & August

I found Roz Mozkowitz to come and help Carmen and I. I really liked her teaching style and she was able to stay calm even when Carmen was a bit tense.  I also took Irish and Carmen and Cynthia over to Karens for a weekend away. It was fun and both horses were terrific. 

My sister and her family came to visit. My niece, Caelan loves horses like I do and she and Irish had a lot of fun together.

Irish quite enjoyed playing with her as well. I loved having them visit- it's hard when your family lives so far away. 

I also was learning far more then I ever wanted about mare heats and their impact on behaviour. I decided to try PRE MARE:

I wasn't sure if it would work but it seemed to make a real difference with her. I will be using it again next year. 

Irish started head shaking and required a UV fly mask. I was happy though that that worked. 

Sept  & Oct

I kept on with the riding. I was able to ride 4-6 times per week most weeks which was good. I came to realize that I needed to stop trying to change her and instead work with her. While that realization seemed small, it changed how I approached everything with her. The riding and training progressed at a snails pace with small breakthroughs. But I celebrated each one. I learned that I need to clear in what I want and determined that she needs to focus on what we're doing. Not on the million things that may kill us. 

what horse training is really like

November

In November we all headed to Karen's again for another weekend away. It was not only a terrific time with friends but Carmen and I learned a few things as well. Back at home we kept on our path and slowly began to conquer the ring. The transition from schooling the ring to schooling in the ring was huge. For anyone watching from the outside it was probably like watching cement dry. But that's okay. 

Irish's head shaking also disappeared which was good. 

December

In December the riding had to decrease due to weather. It was too bad because I was loving the work. I also came off for the first time in December. And it was fine- no one died and now I can say that that's out of the way.  And it showed me our next project- keeping cool in the face of scary, flapping things. 

I am not sure if I was able to capture the year very well at all. It has been quite the Journey with Carmen and it has been good for me- she refused to let me wallow or to baby me. It was just what I needed even when I really wanted a bit of babying. 

Carmen has grown physically (I swear she's taller) and in confidence. At times she shows a playful side that is fun to watch. I believe that she's content becoming a Canadian. 

So the year that started so horribly ended up in a good place after all. I have plans for next year with Carmen and our riding. 

Carmen: plans? what plans?
Irish: you probably don't want to know

The Attack of Snow Fence

I found the secret to not gaining weight over Christmas- just have the flu. I couldn't even drink wine! However, the family all pitched in and I 'directed' the cooking of Christmas dinner from my chair. It worked out well and dinner was delicious. It was very hard to look at the beautiful weather on Christmas day and not be able to ride. I've always loved riding on Christmas day but haven't been able to for the past few years. In the grand scheme of things it's not that big a deal. But still. Darn.

I'm finally feeling better. Just in time for a snowfall warning. So yay. This fall I bought a roll of snow fencing - I thought that if I ran it above the barn it would help lessen the drifting up against the barn doors and limit any shovelling/plowing in the small paddock. It's a hypothesis at this point. I hemmed and hawed yesterday because I still wasn't feeling great but after I brought the horses in I decided to put it up. I wrestled it on to hung it on temp fence posts. I left an opening for the horses and the idea is to put a section across the gate when there's going to be a major storm. That way I can keep open the gate after the storm.

This morning I opened their doors to the paddock to let them out.
Irish boggled.
Irish' Holy Crap! That wasn't there before!'
Carmen: 'Oh my god. Is it dangerous?'
Irish '*snort* I don't know. It looks dangerous'
Carmen "let me in your stall!'

Irish leapt out of his stall after which much milling about ensued. Heads were high, nostrils were flared they were getting into a tizzy.

Sighing I put down the water bucket and calmly walked out to the gate and stood on the other side. With a speed he hasn't shown in years Irish streaked by me. His tail stood up and he pranced about.
Irish 'oh.oh.oh. It almost touched me!'

I stood there calmly. Looking at me and then Irish Carmen came trotting out breaking into a gallop as she came through the gate. I'm thinking she has eventing potential....
Carmen 'are we safe?'
Me 'yes of course you are safe'
She lowered her head and started to crop at the little bits of grass that are left.
I carried on with the scrubbing of water buckets. When I looked out they were inspecting the snow fence like an elderly couple at a penny auction.

I filled up the bird feeders and headed out of the barn. Carmen was watching me on the other side of the snow fence. I stopped.
Carmen 'I'm being very brave. See.'
Me: 'yes I see that. Good for you. If you want hay you can cross the gate and get it. 
Carmen 'are you sure?'
Me 'very sure'

With that she walked down through the gate to the hay net. Where she started to eat. So not too bad a start to the day really.

(from last March)
I'm hoping we don't get too much of this! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

It Christmas eve and I woke up with the flu. I'm laying low in the hopes that I feel better tomorrow.

So I'm sharing some of the photos from my critters Christmas shoot. I have this Santa hat and in the past have placed it on the animals to get some cute shots. Last year I didn't feel like it but this year I wanted to.

I enlisted the help of Cynthia as my photo assistant.

First the out takes:

but why? 

where did the cats go?

can I have more of the wreath? 

what's that Martin?
Something all self-respecting kitties reject

no

is it that time of year again?

But in the end I get a shot of all of them and then compile into a card:

So Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Oakfield Farm to you.

Operation Brave

I had originally called this 'operation flappy-things-won't-kill-you' but there were it was a bit too amusing for my FB friends and caused commenting  like 'maybe you should wear a bra when you ride' and 'fix it in time for bare arms seasons'. I have such hilarious friends. 

So I went a different way.

maybe some day

After the unplanned dismount the other day I realized that I needed to directly target sacking out Carmen. I have done this sort of thing before but she sometimes has an explosive reaction at times so I want to do some research. I found this video by Warwick Schiller and really liked it: 

I liked the idea that you have the horse follow the bag because they are more brave when they are chasing rather than being chased. After watching it I drew up my plan and was able to try it today. The weather was warmer and there was no wind. I took a plastic bag, dressage whip and duct tape to create the torture training device: 

I started with our usual lunging. Once I was sure that I had her attention I put down the lunge whip and picked up my 'bag on a stick'. I started by walking away waiving it a bit. She followed nicely for a half the ring but then I got a bit too enthused with my waving and she freaked out. I lowered the stick and let her canter around me a few times until she settled. I then went back to walking with it held out in front of me. She was obviously not impressed but she followed. 

When she seemed very calm I stopped and let her look at it. When she looked I hid it behind me. I repeated this for what seemed like a long time. As we played peek-a-boo with the bag I fought all desire to move it closer. I needed her to approach it- not the other way around. Gradually she started to stretch out her neck towards it. After we did this for a while I walked off with her following again. This time she was much more willing to follow along. I stopped again. After a few more trials of her looking she went up and gently put her nose on it. 

And I stopped it right there. We walked out of the ring and she followed the bag. :) Before we got to the barn I dropped it - I didn't want Irish freaking out and undoing my work. 

It was a good start. I think I will spend this winter really sacking her out so that she's much more confident about things. 

I wore the hat, what more do you want from me?

Trust me, it will save both our lives.