Basilio: Looking to The Future
This summer Basilio turns 3. Which is mind boggling, I feel like 2017 was just yesterday, that I blinked and somehow a new decade arrived. 3 years old is a big milestone for any young horse. Their bodies are significantly slowing down in their growth, and their brains are catching up too. You’re on the tail end of babyhood and there’s no denying that sooner than you think you’re going to have an adult horse on your hands, one who’s ready to start work under saddle. I was initially planning on sending Basilio out to get started by someone else. I’ve never started a
Proud
There are days that I couldn't be prouder of my horse and today was one of them. I've been riding Achates pretty consistently over the past week and it feels great to be getting back to where we were. Since September I've been trying to change how I ride, focusing on getting away from using my hands and concentrating on more of what my body does. It has been both fun and frustrating playing around with exactly how each shift in my own body effects the way Achates moves. Thankfully during those frustrating times I was able to turn to a wonderful friend of
Backwards but Forward
The barn Achates and I are at recently finished installing their outdoor arena. This is a VERY exciting development considering that our indoor arena is slightly larger than a 20 meter circle and I am more than excited to have some more room. The new arena isn't quite finished but I couldn't resist trying it out today. I decided to lunge Achates in it instead of riding him. Why? Because it's a completely new environment than what we've been working in this whole year and he deserves a chance to go through his emotions and let any steam he has out. The way I
Processing
Lately I've had a lot of solo riding time, which has been a great opportunity for me to analyze what I'm doing. I decided to zero in on my half-halt and fix the issues I have been having with it. When I made the switch from hunter jumpers to dressage 5 years ago my trainer introduced me to a different kind of half-halt. One that not only helped with controlling my horses tempo but encouraged him lift his back and round up when used. Up until the past 2 month I honestly had no idea of how to use this aid in an
Back to Work
As I mentioned in my last post I was kind of stuck in a rut for a bit when it came to my training, today I think I took a step forward. I've said multiple times that I have high expectations for my horse but more so for me, and in the past and sometimes present these expectations have been detrimental. I think the biggest lesson I have managed to learn so far is that sometimes it's those small inconsequential moments that matter more than the endgame. That enjoying the journey and staying in the present is far more important than over thinking
CANTER
Today I wasn't able to make it out to the barn. I have seasonal allergies and unfortunately they were out full force. So instead of talking about the training Achates and I have been doing I wanted to take a second to highlight the wonderful organization I got my horse from. CANTER (The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses) is a great organization that helps place ex-racehorses in loving homes. For horses who aren't able to be purchased right away, due to an injury or any other physical condition, they take the time to rehab them and get them to the point where
Wash Stall!
Today our barn added a wonderful new feature . . . a wash stall! Can't even explain how excited this makes me. Of course Achates and I had to try it out. This takes a bunch of the hassle out of trying to hose him off. I can't wait to give him a bath in it tomorrow, if the weather holds up. In other, less exciting news I've started to take inventory of all of my equipment. And it has been the most annoying/tedious task I've had to do in a long time. I know what you're thinking, is that really necessary, and yes,
Funny Business
I'll be the first person to acknowledge that I'm serious in my training and at times a bit too serious. To me every moment that I'm around my horse is usually spent trying to figure out how I can better the both of us. Or more accurately what I can be doing better. So I'm surprised to say that our training has become a bit more playful over the past week or so. I'm even more surprised to say that his training is progressing faster since we made this shift. Admittedly, I do get arena bound. And with show season coming up my focus
Reflection
So it has been a REALLY long time since I updated this blog. I honestly don't have an excuse for this laziness, but a couple of events have been key in keeping me away. About a week after my last post my trainer was rushed to the hospital. As much as I don't want to admit it this event shook up my world more than I care to admit. My trainer, Dorothy, has been a major part of my life since I was 18. The thought, or idea that she wouldn't or might not ever be there again seemed unfathomable. Aside from my
Less is More
After working Achates today I also worked with one of my trainer's horses. Bling is an adorable paint pony who is as sassy as he is cute. Whenever I'm working a horse in our indoor arena he comes up by the back gate and scrapes his teeth on it incessantly until I look up and acknowledge him. I haven't worked with him to much so I decided to stick to lunging him for right now. This way I was able to see how he was moving and balancing himself. I decided to use some side reins as a training aid. I know, when