First off, I want to address how these more recent posts pertain to the road to the classic. It is something that has been on my mind because there have been times that even I think that I'm just randomly writing about my life now. I have come to the conclusion that everything that happens in my life, good or bad, Stretch related or otherwise, leads me to the classic three-day event. It alters my life and the things that happen in it, which ultimately affects that one big show.
Moving on to an update on the Stretchy pony. I decided to pull his shoes for the winter and am working closely with a farrier to monitor his feet and to stay on top of things. He is a little sore right now, but here's to hoping that it gets better in a few days! If he cannot handle the barefoot road then we will slap some cheap basic shoes on him through the winter and go with a quality set in the spring. Unfortunately I am unable to ride him much due to my school schedule, money issues, trailer issues, and tack issues. In the end it is probably best for him to continue his much needed and deserved time off. The goal is that by spring I will have a trailer and at least a dressage saddle and will be able to bring him to Stillwater with me, where he will reside at my wonderful place of employment, the Frederiksborg Horse Farm!
As for things at work, they are going great! Pete is doing fantastic! He is working w/t/c in the arena, going over cavalettis, and is safe to hack in the field. He is also reaching for the contact consistently at the walk and trot and he bending well. Cannot wait to start him over fences soon! Kristiana is coming along nicely as well. She is starting to relax under saddle and is beginning to reach for the contact at the walk and trot. Paint Design is gaining confidence with every day and that is the most rewarding of all. He was afraid of everything a month ago and is now wearing a saddle, going on the walker, exploring scary barns, loading in trailers, and ground driving without a fuss.
Every day that I go to work I am reminded of what magnificent creatures we have the priviledge of working with. I love my job and everything it entails, whether it's a good day or a bad one. I live for the "lightbulb effect" that a horse has when something that you have been working on and struggling with for so long finally clicks and I get to witness it every day. Life is good, and only getting better!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Meet My Mounts...
I have finally started my new job at Frederiksborg Horse Farm and am having a great time riding and learning about each horse's personality. Thus far I'm pretty sure that I have cleaned more tack than is needed by a small army and if we opened a store, we could make a fortune! My first full encounter with all of the horses was deworming day. Oh the excitement! We had to catch and deworm twelve horses, which took a total of about three hours. The horses consisted of broodmares, green broke youngsters, two-year olds, and babies. Some were much easier than others, of course, and this gave me an oportunity to get hands on each individual and begin to figure them out.
Now that all the boring stuff has been touched on, let's get to the part that I know you all have been wanting to hear about! The horses themselves...
Kristian:
4y/o Frederiksborg gelding
Kristian is a great horse that I am sure will make a fantastic kid's or adult amateur's mount. He is very quiet and laid back, but still rather cautious about new things. I love riding him, as he is a quick learner and reminds me a bit of Stretch under saddle. He is a lovely mover and knows walk, trot, halt, and turn. He is also learning how to go on the bit at the walk and trot and his canter is coming along nicely. Kristian left today to head out to the East Coast where he will be training with a young rider schooling under a upper level dressage trainer. I think that will be a great experience for him that he is more than ready for and will hopefully help to promote the breed and influence some sales!
Kristiana:
4y/o Frederiksborg mare
Kristiana is just about the exact opposite of her half-brother! She has a fiery redhead personality and is extremely independent and curious. I think she would flourish in the hands of a professional at the upper levels. She certainly has the potential to go to the top! Due to her "Imma Be Me" personality, Kristiana is difficult to catch which means alot of ground work is in her near future! Under saddle, she is currently working at the walk in the round pen and can halt and turn quite well. Still working on giving to the bit though! She is quickly becoming a favorite of mine! ;)
Pete:
4y/o Thoroughbred gelding
Pete is definately a cutie and would have a nice career in the hunter ring. He has a gorgeous flat-kneed, long strided movement when working free and on the lunge. His trot is so smooth that it is easier to sit than post! He definately needs some miles under saddle to get comfortable enough to relax and allow his movement to shine through. He is working w/t/c and goes over cavalettis. Soon to be evaluated over fences. Hopefully he is just as nice over fences as he is on the flat!
Liselotte:
3y/o Oldenburg mare
Lotte is my favorite of the barn and if I had five grand sitting in the bank, she would be mine in a heartbeat! I am extremely excited to get to start her under saddle this fall. I have done join-up with her in the roundpen and have worked on giving to pressure. Lotte is extremely smart and gorgeous to boot! (Greys are my weakness!) Although she does not seem to be quite the mover that I thought she would be, I am interested to see how she will go over fences. If her jumping form is on par, she definately has a career as a jumper! She accepted a saddle with absolutely no fight and did well with a bridle as well. I was able to lay over her back yesterday and it didnt even phase her. Hopefully I can actually sit on her the first of the week. Fingers crossed!
Paint Design:
2y/o Frederiksborg/QH gelding
Paint is a nice horse but seems to have some trust and respect issues that we are working through slowly but surely. He gets a little more confident every day but it is going to be slow goin' for a while. He is getting lots of roundpen work, saddled every day, and goes on the walker.
Way To Go:
2y/o Appaloosa gelding
I havent came up with a nickname for him yet, but it is definately in the works. Way To Go is just too long to say all the time! I definately have a soft spot for this little guy. He almost died two winters ago because he got extremely ill and emaciated and just flat gave up on life. Now he is back to 100% and is an absolute sweetheart. He has taken to saddle and bridle with no fight and also goes on the walker. I layed over him yesterday as well and he was a little nervous but very cooperative. However, dont let his cute looks and sweet baby antics fool you! He is definately a little spit-fire when he wants to be!
Well, obviously I have my hands full. However, I have certainly found my dream job and I think it is going to get even better once breeding season is in full tilt. I could be content doing this for the rest of my life. What was once a 'pipe dream' is quickly becoming a reality. Life is good.
Now that all the boring stuff has been touched on, let's get to the part that I know you all have been wanting to hear about! The horses themselves...
Kristian:
4y/o Frederiksborg gelding
Kristian is a great horse that I am sure will make a fantastic kid's or adult amateur's mount. He is very quiet and laid back, but still rather cautious about new things. I love riding him, as he is a quick learner and reminds me a bit of Stretch under saddle. He is a lovely mover and knows walk, trot, halt, and turn. He is also learning how to go on the bit at the walk and trot and his canter is coming along nicely. Kristian left today to head out to the East Coast where he will be training with a young rider schooling under a upper level dressage trainer. I think that will be a great experience for him that he is more than ready for and will hopefully help to promote the breed and influence some sales!
Kristiana:
4y/o Frederiksborg mare
Kristiana is just about the exact opposite of her half-brother! She has a fiery redhead personality and is extremely independent and curious. I think she would flourish in the hands of a professional at the upper levels. She certainly has the potential to go to the top! Due to her "Imma Be Me" personality, Kristiana is difficult to catch which means alot of ground work is in her near future! Under saddle, she is currently working at the walk in the round pen and can halt and turn quite well. Still working on giving to the bit though! She is quickly becoming a favorite of mine! ;)
Pete:
4y/o Thoroughbred gelding
Pete is definately a cutie and would have a nice career in the hunter ring. He has a gorgeous flat-kneed, long strided movement when working free and on the lunge. His trot is so smooth that it is easier to sit than post! He definately needs some miles under saddle to get comfortable enough to relax and allow his movement to shine through. He is working w/t/c and goes over cavalettis. Soon to be evaluated over fences. Hopefully he is just as nice over fences as he is on the flat!
Liselotte:
3y/o Oldenburg mare
Lotte is my favorite of the barn and if I had five grand sitting in the bank, she would be mine in a heartbeat! I am extremely excited to get to start her under saddle this fall. I have done join-up with her in the roundpen and have worked on giving to pressure. Lotte is extremely smart and gorgeous to boot! (Greys are my weakness!) Although she does not seem to be quite the mover that I thought she would be, I am interested to see how she will go over fences. If her jumping form is on par, she definately has a career as a jumper! She accepted a saddle with absolutely no fight and did well with a bridle as well. I was able to lay over her back yesterday and it didnt even phase her. Hopefully I can actually sit on her the first of the week. Fingers crossed!
Paint Design:
2y/o Frederiksborg/QH gelding
Paint is a nice horse but seems to have some trust and respect issues that we are working through slowly but surely. He gets a little more confident every day but it is going to be slow goin' for a while. He is getting lots of roundpen work, saddled every day, and goes on the walker.
Way To Go:
2y/o Appaloosa gelding
I havent came up with a nickname for him yet, but it is definately in the works. Way To Go is just too long to say all the time! I definately have a soft spot for this little guy. He almost died two winters ago because he got extremely ill and emaciated and just flat gave up on life. Now he is back to 100% and is an absolute sweetheart. He has taken to saddle and bridle with no fight and also goes on the walker. I layed over him yesterday as well and he was a little nervous but very cooperative. However, dont let his cute looks and sweet baby antics fool you! He is definately a little spit-fire when he wants to be!
Well, obviously I have my hands full. However, I have certainly found my dream job and I think it is going to get even better once breeding season is in full tilt. I could be content doing this for the rest of my life. What was once a 'pipe dream' is quickly becoming a reality. Life is good.
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