Horses Are Our Lives

It's been awhile since I've posted...

2012-05-23T08:21:00.002-05:00

On Shaggy at the FAMDR

Wow, it's been 2 weeks since I blogged! With the nice weather, I'm outside more. Conditioning 2 horses on longer miles plus spending time with 3-5 other horses takes up my day, along with paperwork and trying to post clearanced tack store inventory on facebook, which I haven't done much of that the last few weeks either! I'll blame the weather!

Views at Turkey Creek

This month has been a busy horsey month. The first weekend, I went to Turkey Creek, Newcastle, NE to help judge a ACTHA ride. A friend car and trailer pooled with me. We both took our gaited horses and we were able to ride Friday evening after settling in, and Sat and Sun afternoons after judging. We put on about 23 miles.

Covered pavilion at Turkey Creek

The next weekend was the NECTRA clinic, which I'll post what I remember doing. Now, memory has to kick in! NECTRA is the Nebraska Competitive Trail Ride Associaiton, a division of NATRC,North American Trail Ride Conference.

Distance Derby Riders at the FAMDR

Last weekend started on Friday with the FAMDR, the Friday After Mother's Day Ride, which Tammy, horsetrailriders.com, organizes. I think there were over 100 riders, mostly women. A few guys ride along as safety riders, but I think they come to enjoy the ride also. We rode a 14 mile roundtrip stretch on a great trail from Valparaiso to Loma, NE.

This past Saturday a training horse went home. I showed the owner what the horse was acting like walking around the barns, standing tied, being in the arena by himself. She had brought her other horse, so we went to Branched Oak Lake, which is about 25 minutes from me, to ride the trails. The training horse rode great. He is a 9 year old part Arab, part Paint, and it is just his personality to be a little high strung when he is by himself. The owner had ponied him as a youngster and worked him a lot, but he just remained goosey at things. I hope the consistent month has made him calmer for her!

We had some rain Sat evening and night, but even though it dried up on Sun afternoon, hubby and I relaxed some. We cleaned up some paperwork in the office, froze some of the strawberries that we had picked, and went to a gun show. Well, he went in to the gun show while I did some internet work.

Lately, I've been posting more on my Messick Quarter Horse Facebook page, about the lessons and events I'm doing. I'll have to get back to posting more updates here! I have a Centered Riding clinic here in another week and excited about that. My level 3 instructor is coming and I have 10 riders!

I've been spending a lot of time riding and enjoying the 2 new Arabs, Allie and Bonita. Bonita has the sweetest lope. Allie is starting to pick up speed at the trot and I think she is going to have a ground eating extended trot!

The review of the NECTRA Open Clinic was:

Open Obstacles at CTR Clinic

Clinician Cheri Jeffcoat, Past Open Rider

ON GROUND:

First, we came into the arena without horses to have a question and answer session. Cheri gave her advice on what she would do at obstacles, preparing for obstacles, nutrition, etc.

Then we came into the arena with only halters and lead ropes on the horses. Cheri wanted us to rub the horses all over to get them to relax. A lot of what she said to do during this clinic will transfer to when you ride them. The 10-15 minutes that we took to rub our horses set us up to have a more relaxing training time with them.

We walked with the horse, stopping, and we waited until the horse stopped. We worked on leading and stopping from both sides.

We were to back the horse, without turning around. Stop, walk backwards and have horse back. We worked on both sides.

We were to walk the horse 1 step at a time. This sets the horse up to take just 1 step when it is needed on the trail.

We walked over logs, stopping with front feet over 1 log, counting to 5, walk on. We were to lift the horses head and front end by lifting up on the lead rope. This will help the horse to lift his/her feet and not hit the logs.

We worked on having the horse do forehand turns by moving hip both directions, working from both sides. We did the same with having the horse do pivots, working both sides to move the shoulder. And we worked on having the horse side pass, working both sides.

ON HORSE:

Now, my memory has to kick in, but I think we did a mixture of walking and stopping, walking 1 step at a time, and stopping and waiting.

We walked and trotted over logs, lifting the horse’s head up as we go over the legs, to help the horse to lift his/her feet. We walked over the first 1 or 2 logs, then stopped and waited over the 3^rd log.

While trotting over logs, we were to be in a 2-point seat position as if we were going uphill. Our lower legs were to be solid on the horse. We were to hold with our thigh so our lower legs wouldn’t move.

I can’t remember if we practiced the pivots, forehand turns and sidepass while mounted.

We did drag a line that was attached to about a dozen plastic jugs. My horse wanted to see what others were dragging, but he didn’t like to drag it, as he went sideways.

We worked on straddling a log by the length of the log, which the horses wanted to step over it.

We worked on opening and closing the gate, by asking the horse to back through it.

Everything we do on the ground with the horse transfers to when we ride!

What a great clinic!

A Quiet Evening with my Arabs

2012-05-09T23:19:00.000-05:00

Tonight was one of those nights that I just wanted some quiet time with a horse. Tonight, I had that quiet time with 2 horses.

Earlier, I rode a training horse and Duke. I finished chores, then I went to spend time with Allie and Bonita.

It's amazing how what you thought would happen, doesn't. And then more amazing is when something better happens.

I've saddled, lunged and rode Allie a few more times than Bonita, just because she is a little bigger, and I thought was a little bullier, so any extra time I had went to her. Today was no different, as I started with her.

I'm trying to get this "natural" horsemanship feeling brought into my training program. "Feel" is what I've always tried to teach. Now, because of Centered Riding and a few other things that I'm trying to learn, I take the time to really watch the reaction, and wait on the reaction, of my horses.
The first time I cinched up Allie, and I always cinch up slowly, she turned her head to nip. Hmmm. Day 1 home. We need to learn more about each other. Let's take the time to desensitize you more. Next time, I'll spend more time rubbing her, like Lyle did when he showed her to me.

Today, she was fine. She just stood there as I saddled her. I moved her hindquarters both directions, and every time I moved, she turned to face me, moving and crossing over with her hindquarters. I took her off the leadline, and asked her to move around with the saddle on. All she wanted to do was to turn and come back to me. Ears forward, watching me, walking with me. I think my stubborn filly has bonded with me. A pleasant surprise. And I'm liking her even more.

I brought her by the platform to mount, and she stands quietly. I ask her to walk off. I've decided to talk to her as I ride her, asking her what she needs me to do, telling her what we are doing, and asking her what she will teach me. I forget about talking as much as we trot off, both directions, sitting and posting the trot, and riding in 2 point, which I will do a lot during competitions. We only ride for a mile, but that was long enough. I dismount, and I ask her to follow me over the platform. She hesitates slightly but slowly extends one foot, then the other, and then walks towards me, where I stand on the other side. Ears perked, coming willingly. I turn her to walk over the platform from the other direction. She hesitates slightly, then walks to me. What a wonderful feeling.

I leave Allie in the arena when I open the gate to bring Bonita in. Bonita was the quiet one, so light to ride. She seems a little grumpy tonight (and I hesitaite to put human emotions to a horse, because it's not the same. But something is a little different with her). I rub her a little, but didn't ask her to move her hindquarters before I saddle. She just doesn't seem as quiet as I saddle, and I make sure to ask her to move her hindquarters after I saddle. Still not quite right, I took her off the line and ask her to move away as I free lunge her.

She went off willingly, and wanted to crow hop a little as she went in to a little canter. As I sent her away from me, Allie went with her. Bonita loped off but Allie came back to me. At one point, Allie came trotting up faster than I think she needed to, and as I put up a hand, she stopped right in front of me, actually in front of my raised hand, and I rubbed her forhead. What a good girl. She wants to be with me! That is a good feeling!

Bonita, on the other hand, has decided to stay away. Stopping by not turning towards me. So I keep sending her away, until she turns to me. It was funny to send her away, or turn away from her, and Allie is right behind me, so I rub her between her eyes, and turn back to Bonita.

Bonita has decided to turn towards me, and I walk to her, rub her between the eyes, and walk away. She follows. I attach the lead and ask her to move her hindquarters both directions. She does. Time to ride.

She is light and responsive, and moving out. I had to tell her we were done, as she would keep trotting and going.

I also ask her to come over the platform. She hesitates a little also, but comes.

I told Tom that I think this is different from Quarter Horses. If the QH didn't want to do this, they would pull back and argue, and you would need to spend time teaching them and showing them that this is ok. These 2 arab mares hesitated, I relaxed but held the rein with a give and take, and they walked right over.

I'm enjoying these 2 girls. They are going to teach me my next stage of horsemanship. That is one of finesse. They along with Shaggy, and Savannah, and Duke, and Duster, and Honey, and Dove and Fawn. And I'll fine tune everything with Starlet, who I know so well.

I guess that means all horses will teach you something, no matter what their age is and no matter where you are at in your journey.

"Embrace the Journey!"

Love this type of evening....

2012-05-07T23:52:00.003-05:00

Riding done. Chores done. Time to sit outside with a cup of coffee.

And while I was on the lounge chair, drinking my coffee, I heard the doves, which I love. The cooler temps were refreshing, almost a little chilly.

I looked around, seeing all the new flowers that are blooming.

The rose bush that was ablaze with blooms.

Hostas are loving the wet weather.

The perennials are loving this weather!

So many different shades of green.

My 2 Rushcreek Arabians

2012-04-24T08:47:00.002-05:00

Bonita and Allie joined my Quarter Horse herd on Sunday!

6 year old Allie

5 year old Bonita

I'm excited to start my open CTR and endurance rides!

Tyler's 1st Birthday Party

2012-04-18T13:47:00.000-05:00

Tyler's 1st Birthday Party!

He has a train cake!

with his own engine cake!

Tyler is standing when holding on to something, but not quite walking.

Big Brother Caden gets to help open presents.

Tyler likes his ball!

All the younger cousins enjoy playing with the toys!

The cousins are watching Tyler with his presents.

"What do you think, Uncle Micah?"

I like the balls the best!

Time for family photo.

Time to blow out the candle!

" Do you mean I can eat this?"

This looks yummy!

"Are you sure I can eat this?"

"I'm having so much fun!"

Peek a Boo or ham-ing it up!

"I'm getting full!"

"ok, I'm done."

"I only got a little cake on my face!"

Happy Birthday, Tyler!

Love you, bunches and bunches!

Grandma and Pop

Grandkids Riding Chick

2012-04-15T17:09:00.000-05:00

Sara and Makenzie wanted to get Chick out to ride. Caden spent the night, so he wanted to ride, too! This would be the first time that Caden would actually ride, not just sit on the horse! He was excited to help groom and saddle! (Thank you, Traci, for having him brush Bob!)

They are waiting at the railing with Pop!

Sara warmed up Chick. (Oops, we forgot to bring her helmet out!)

Caden has his first long ride! He even trotted and loped a little!

Makenzie wasn't happy waiting, but I told her that it was Caden's very first ride and she gets to ride all the time.

Caden was all smiles! He ia already a naturally relaxed rider!

Makenzie is riding too!

It wasn't long before she was giggling!

Makenzie even rode Chick by herself and rode in circles. Quite a horse woman at 3 years old!

Grandma just had to get on Chick with Makenzie for 1 picture! (Sorry I didn't have my helmet!)

The Cousins are Playing

2012-04-14T23:44:00.002-05:00

Our family gathering for Easter is happening a week late. The 3 cousins are having a great time playing!!!

Caden picked out Easter Bunny ears for himself and Makenzie. The grown ups laughed but the kids thought they were fun!

Tyler gets to try on both of them!

The kids love playing in the yard!

and "baby Tyler" just smiles and keeps on crawling to the next toy!

Centered Riding Book 1 Exercises

2012-04-11T10:03:00.000-05:00

I am starting to review and practice the Centered Riding Book 1 Exercises, one exercise
or group of exercises a week.

Chapter 1: Introducing Centered Riding, where Sally Swift talked about herself.

Chapter 2 Exercises: Pretend you are a horse. The rider gets down on all fours and has someone
rub, squeeze or massage your back as you stand and walk. How do you think the horse feels?

Chapter 3 was a review of the Four Basics, Eyes, Breathing, Centering and
Building Blocks and a few exercises of each basic. More on that tomorrow!

Chapter 4 Exercises: Learning and the Brain. Use your hard eyes and left brain to think through the exercise/pattern/what to do and use Soft Eyes and right brain to feel the ride. Learn to ride with one brain then the other brain. Don't dwell on one problem... Your body will respond will less effort.
Chapter 5 Anatomy Exercises.

1. Find the hip joint by lifting your knee up and down while searching for the
bend with your fingers.

*** You can rotate the thigh using a lot of muscle and tension OR you can use
soft eyes, play the internal videotape and see the greater trochanter move
"forward" through the muscles. Use SOFT EYES and see the motion inwardly.

I find that anytime I ride, I exercise the hip joint! This helps me to be more
flexible in my riding. This keeps my hip joint from "catching" or "cramping".
I start out by doing simple leg exercises, just rotate the ankle and lift it up
an down. Swing my lower leg up and down at the knee. March in place starts to
relax the hip joint. Then I swing the leg, back and forth, from the hip, and
not bending the knee. I can't swing the whole let too far, but even a couple of
inches will start to get the hip joint released and working.

As always, do a little at a time, and only what you can do so you don't get sore
muscle.

The review of this part of the chapter is on my chat, Horses Are Our Lives. Click on the link below to join. Read along and/or discuss this and other books with me. I'll soon be back to talking about riding and training tips, health issues, grooming, feed and nutrition, etc.

Join the Horses Are Our Lives Chat Group to learn more of the exercises at:
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/horsesareourlives/

"Embrace the Journey!"
Brenda

Happy Easter

2012-04-08T22:01:00.001-05:00

Blog 357: Easter Reflections

Easter, like all Holidays, make you think of not only what God has done for us, but about family and friends, about what you are blessed with, about being grateful. God gave his only son for us. He died alone, then rose again, into salvation. We are truly blessed, for all who believe.

Holidays are a joyous time. Church has a special meaning. This is a time to be at peace, to pray, to think, to relax, and to enjoy the fellowship. The scriptures tell us the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Sometimes, different scriptures tell us a subtly different version. But the meaning is the same. He died so we could be saved. Hallelujah!

He is gone. He has risen. He is with us always. Alleluia!

It was a good feeling to be in church today. It was a good feeling to be greeted by people who we haven’t seen for a while. It is a good feeling to have people tell us that they were glad to see us. The greetings were heart-felt ad sincere. We have been missing this in our lives and now I feel that it’s time to have it again. It’s time to be part of our church family.

Today we enjoyed Easter with Micah, Jacob, Amber, Caden and Tyler. Next weekend, we continue our family celebration when Sara, Jake and Makenzie come home.

We had a fantastic ham dinner, with Amber’s potato casserole and Micah’s green bean casserole. Yesterday was hubby’s birthday and today was Jacob’s birthday, and Amber made a birthday dessert, apple crisp. Hubby did have a Dairy Queen Ice Cream birthday cake last night!

The boys did some target shooting. The girls joined in. Pistol shooting is different than 22 rifle shooting, and I have to figure out why I am shooting high, low, and to the left! Geez!

We had an Easter egg hunt. Pop, where did you hide all of them?

It is going to be great to have the whole family together next weekend! I can’t wait!

Sara, Jake and Makenzie, we miss you!

Good Friday!

2012-04-06T21:46:00.000-05:00

New Beginnings...

Today has been a busy day, and my plans of spending all afternoon outside,
spending time with more than 1 horse, isn't going to happen.

I just got home from running to town, sending packages through the mail and UPS
to customers, going to the bank and for groceries, and getting a surprise ice
cream cake for Tom's birthday tomorrow. Shhhh, don't tell him.

I have just seem frazzled this week, with "needing" to get some paperwork done,
and some that still isn't done. I need to study for my CDL and that is just
going to wait until a little bit tomorrow or Monday. I did clean bathrooms.
The floor dusting mop is sitting out. That will help later.... or tomorrow.

I just feel like a need to sit a moment and think about Good Friday, and what
our Lord has done for me, for my family, for all of us. Sometimes, Good Friday
makes me sad for all that Jesus had to go through. Most of the time, I feel
glad for God's plan for us. As today passes, I look forward to the joy we feel
on Easter morning.

I don't have that desire to spend time with 3 or 4 horses, and trying to get the
miles in that I had planned. I need to pull Shaggy out and just go ride,
thinking about everything and thinking about nothing. Time to enjoy riding,
without being so busy all the time.

Now the plan has changed to looking at the time, getting and hour and 1/2 or so
ride in, chores, and being back inside by 6 or so. Time to grab a relaxing cup
of coffee.

And BREATHE! Let those Centered Riding concepts come into your daily life.
Center yourself and draw peace from that.

Happy... Good Friday! Have a great weekend!

Lilacs are Blooming

2012-04-06T15:57:00.000-05:00

Lilacs started blooming last weekend, and I brought a bouquet into the house a couple of days ago!

Lightening Hit Tree

2012-04-03T23:02:00.000-05:00

This tree was hit by lightening sometime over the winter.

Rhododendrons

2012-04-01T22:04:00.000-05:00

Rhododendrons are blooming.

Early Spring! What will summer be like if it's 90 on April 1st???

Spring this Past Week

2012-03-31T23:23:00.000-05:00

Spring this past week:

Caden helps burn brush

2012-03-29T12:46:00.000-05:00

Caden was here last Saturday, helping us to burn brush.

First he watches Pop cut branches.

Then he holds the gate open. Actually, he likes to twist the chain around, but that's ok.

Caden stands back while Pop is making smoke,

But finally there is fire.

The tree line is cleaned up. Until the next store anyways. But it sure looks pretty.

Pop surprises Caden with a cowboy hat he found! He looks pretty snazzy. My newest cowboy! Looks just like he daddy did!

Shaggy's Side is Looking Better

2012-03-28T21:15:00.000-05:00

Only 3 days since we have seen Shaggy's hair loss.

There even seems to be some hair growing back, or coming in.

And he looks like he is finally shedding out, so he won't be hot and itchy!

Shaggy's Side

2012-03-26T15:06:00.000-05:00

Poor Shaggy!

We've had extremely warm days and the horses haven't totally shed. I had rinsed him Friday before going to my Western Dressage Group lesson. Saturday, I rode Savannah since I was riding the fields with friends. Tom had actually caught Shaggy for me while I was getting another horse out, but decided to change horses. We would have noticed this Saturday or at feed time.

It looks like Shaggy laid down late Saturday or Sunday morning and rolled to get some loose hair off. I only have a dry lot here with limited grass, and I think the dirt clumps stuck to the loose hair, and since the loose hair isn't entirely loose, it pulled all his hair off!!!

I've never had a horse do this. This looks so sore. I'm treating it with a product like Vetricyn, which sprays on and turns into a gel. I also have Microtek spray for skin problems and fast healing. I sure hope this starts to grow hair soon, and not white hair.

I've heard where you can rub bacon grease on areas and hair won't come in white. What do you think? I sure don't want this area to be white. But, first, I just want him to heal.

I'm just glad that today is windy and the flies that are starting to come are blown away. The gel is also keeping flies off of it!

Signs of Spring

2012-03-26T13:29:00.000-05:00

Last week, spring was popping up everywhere. I can't believe the difference today. Here are pics a week ago Sunday. I'll post what it looks like now, in just a week! I can't believe how many 70 and 80 degree days we are having. We are blooming early!

We've been seeing Robins for a long time now. I understand some may never leave the area over the winter, but I don't usually see Robins until mid-March, not in Jan and Feb!

More spring photos to come!

31st Anniversary

2012-03-21T22:49:00.001-05:00

Today was Hubby and my 31st Anniversary! He left me a lovely card. He sent me a text message and left a message on my cell phone, singing to me ... "Happy Anniversary to you, Happy Anniversary to me, Happy Anniversary to us, and now I better go!" LOL

I called him to wish him a Happy Anniversary and asked if he wanted to meet me for dinner. He said he was going to cook me a steak dinner and fix salad as a surprise, but that could wait a day, and we could go out and enjoy a meal. He had even picked up a good bottle of Merlot.

I had gone shopping and found a perfect card for him. The first one I found, and it said, I Believe, and part of the message said... "because you are the best thing that has happened to me!" I had to laugh, as
that is what Hubby says about himself to me!

I've been wanting a hair cut and style, so I walked in to the first place, and they had an opening. 5" shorter and layered, I feel lighter.

I met Hubby at The Steak House and surprised him with my hair cut. It doesn't look that different, but now has a style! I gave him my card. We sometimes don't do cards, so this was a nice surprise for him, too.

We had a delicious steak dinner, toss salad, and baked potato with the toppings! I had a strip steak smothered in mushrooms and he had one smothered with fried onions.

We went to dinner early enough that we had the room almost to ourselves. That was so relaxing to sit and talk, without the distraction of other people around us.

What a lovely evening!

Then we came home to put 2 round bales in to the horse lots, with mud everywhere. At least the rain had stopped.

You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl.

Horses need to eat too!

First Day of Spring

2012-03-20T14:22:00.001-05:00

Spring is here. Birds were chirping as soon as the sun started coming up this morning. We had a little rain yesterday, but today is a day of a steady, light rain. We started getting green grass last week, the buds were starting to form and open this past weekend, and I saw a few flowers. With today's rain, I'm sure everything will be sprouting and getting greener. Geese have long left the area. Winter is officially over today, at least on paper.

Some history about when the first day of spring is every year:

The March equinox occurs the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from south to north. This happens either on March 19, 20 or 21 every year. On any other day of the year, the Earth's axis tilts a little away from or towards the Sun. But on the two equinoxes, the Earth's axis neither tilts away from nor towards the Sun.

Today is the spring or vernal equinox, with the sun shining directly on the equator, and when the day and night are each approximately 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days before the vernal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going northward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west.

There are also the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year, and the Sun reaches its most northern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting shorter.

During fall, or autumnal equinox, day and night are each about 12 hours long (with the actual time of equal day and night, in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring a few days after the autumnal equinox). The Sun crosses the celestial equator going southward; it rises exactly due east and sets exactly due west.

And winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, when the Sun reaches its most southern point in the sky at local noon. After this date, the days start getting longer.

The four seasons are determined by changing sunlight (not heat!)—which is determined by how our planet orbits the Sun and the tilt of its axis.

Caden and Pop

2012-03-19T22:29:00.000-05:00

Caden spent the night Saturday night, so his daddy and mommy could paint the hallway. He was so excited to come to help Pop pick up sticks around the house!

I didn't get photos of trimming apple trees and picking up sticks, because I was riding. But here are the end of the afternoon photos. Pop sat next to Caden to talk about their day, and to pose for me!

I just love this shot! OOOOO!!!!

and then the amazment and the smiles!

The First Western Dressage Group Lesson

2012-03-19T13:04:00.000-05:00

Last Friday evening was the first Western Dressage group lesson. There were only 3 of us, Sandy, Virginia and me. This was actually an extra group lesson, as most of the riders will come this Friday.

We had a great time, learning to keep the horse traveling correctly in the bend of the circle. We parctice "threading the needle" exercise, moving along the rail, riding a circle, going straight, then doing a half circle, riding the rail the opposite direction, doing a circle, etc.

The horses were responding, giving at the jaw, stretching down into the bit, strengthening the neck, learning to lean on the bit. The basics of dressage. Small steps.

I had an individual Dressage lesson last Tuesday with Shaggy, a few days before the group lesson. My third dressage lesson ever and my first with Dara. She is a wonderful, kind instructor who teaches in a coaching atmosphere. She explains what to do clearly, she tells you the moment she sees a response in the horse, and when something is confusing, she explains it another way. She shows exercises that will help a horse to build up his topline.

"Relaxed Tension" was one way for her to explain how much contact needs to stay on the reins. I hold with contact, and that is where the change in me is starting. I hold with a give and take with following hands and elbows. Dara is teaching that at first, really give so the horse feels no contact when the horse gives. Yet, there needs to be tension on the reins at other times so the horse knows to go into the bit and search for the bit, not quite leaning on it but feeling it. So much a fine line to teach the horse where to go and to teach the rider how much or how little to hold. I will try to explain this more as I learn the steps. Letting totally go when the horse gives, to maintaining some contact, to eventually have the horse carry the bit.

For now, Shaggy is a fast learning. We worked on keeping the bend in the circle, leg yielding out, then circling. He picked up on this and stays in the bend. Then we worked on having a slight bend, while traveling straight, and asking for a leg yield out. This is a little more difficult for him to give the ever so slight bend and maintain traveling straight. He would start to travel at a faster trot, and I would half halt, with my inside thigh and my seat, and bring him down to a slower trot. Other times, we would come down to a walk or a halt when he becomes anxious and wants to travel faster. We will work on this a little each day.

Shaggy worked hard on Friday. I didn't think we were working too hard, and it wasn't even an hour, when he decided he was done. He showed a little frustration, then decided to go faster into a canter to complete his exercise. I slowed him down to a walk, left him relax, and we completed one more exercise, then we were down. I wanted to get him back to a working, relaxed mind, do a simple job, then walk off relaxed to tell him he was done.

He settled down and hung his neck out on a very relaxed long rein. We ended the moment on a good note.

This Friday is another group lesson and I'll have more to share!

How Good Riders Get Good

2012-03-15T21:34:00.002-05:00

You MUST get this book. I sat down tonight (really, I did), after chores, with
an ice tea, and outside on the lounge chair. I thought, ok... I'll read the
book cover and intro to see what this book is about. An hour later, I did NOT
want to put the book down. The first chapter even had me leafing through the
book to check out the other chapters. I especially checked out the chapter on
personal characteristics! LOL

"How good can you really be? It's up to you and your choices?"

Are you going for what you want? Find the riding sport that is right for you.
Life circumstances get in the way, what is your support team like, how does your
riding body feel, are you searching for more horse knowledge, is your horse the
right horse for what you want to do,

There are 9 character traits of a successful rider.

It is a nuts and bolts book. Real Life. Tell it how it is. It sounds very
familiar to how I used to be, and somewhere along the way, I've lost something.
This is what the book makes me think, already! I need to get back to my true
self, how I really am, and go for what I really want.

I am anxious to read more tomorrow!

Are you reading this book now, or have read it? What do you think about the
into and the first chapter?'

If you want to join in on my chat, Horses Are Our Lives, request an invite on the chat or at:
messickquarterhorses@yahoo.com

Brenda

Dressage Lesson

2012-03-14T22:10:00.001-05:00

I had my first dressage lesson yesterday. After taking Monday off, and feeling jet lag most of that day after the Horse Fair, I was ready to ride. It had been 6 days since I rode Shaggy, with all the time to set up and tear down the vendor booth, then unpack at home.

This was my first dressage lesson with Dara. I have had only 2 previous dressage lessons, and that was early last fall. I told Dara I was a blank slate.

I ride the trails and ride in competitive trail rides. Dressage is about training and correct movement.

We worked on Shaggy softening in the jaw. We worked on bending correctly while walking and trotting a circle. We worked on leg yielding out before transitions. And we worked on positive pressure.

Shaggy needs to learn to lean into the bit without leaning on me. That's a fine line between too heavy and not enough pressure. I'm learning the language and more will come with each lesson.

I have a group dressage lesson Friday and hope to be able to clarify this info!

Spring Ahead

2012-03-11T13:19:00.001-05:00

Why? Daylight Saving Time allows us to use less energy in lighting our homes by taking advantage of the longer and later daylight hours.

Here is an informative article on how Daylight Savings Time got started:

It’s that time of year again. Get ready to trade an hour of sleep for an extra hour of sunshine later in the day. Welcome to daylight saving time!

At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 11, it’s time to set your clocks ahead one hour to account for the beginning of daylight saving time (DST). That means clocks will "spring ahead" from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. in an instant, causing everyone to lose one hour of precious beauty sleep.

So where did the concept of daylight saving time come from? Well it’s actually still fairly new in the United States.

Some credit Benjamin Franklin with coming up with the idea of Daylight Savings Time in 1784. When visiting Paris, he couldn't figure out why it was getting so sunny so early. He also thought that by adjusting the time, people would save on candle costs. However, DST was not implemented until 1916, when Germany and Britain used it as a way to conserve energy during World War I. The United States used it in 1918, but citizens were against the idea and it was abandoned.

DST came roaring back during World War II. From February 1942 until September 1945, the United States observed the policy year-round. However, it was abandoned again following the war after states and local governments couldn’t agree with when DST should be implemented.

Like a boxer who just won’t stay down, DST made a triumphant return in 1966 when Congress passed the Uniform Time Act which mandated that all states opting to observe DST move their clocks forward one hour on the last Sunday in April and one hour back on the last Sunday in October.
That law was amended in 1986 to start DST on the first Sunday in April. The end date remained the same as the last Sunday in October. This new system started in 1987.

Well the whole system changed again in 2005. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 extended daylight saving time in the United States another four weeks. Now DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

This was done in hopes of saving money on energy bills by making the day longer, earlier in the year. However, Congress retains the right to revert back to the 1986 law should the change prove unpopular or if energy savings are not significant enough.

So now you know why we “spring ahead” in March and “fall back” in November every year with our clocks.

Another fun fact is that the time change will precede the first day of spring and the vernal equinox this year, which is set to take place at 1:14 am on March 20th.

So remember, on Sunday, March 11, at 2 a.m., set those clocks ahead one hour. And then you have until Nov. 4 to adjust to the time change. Have fun!