Bending

I thought it was a good time to talk about Mick and bending. Not all Percherons are created equal. Mick is almost sporthorse in confirmation. You look at him from the front and he is relatively narrow. The Amish would not choose him to pull  logs. BUT that makes him far more suited to the world of dressage. When choosing horses for "jobs" keep in mind that a horse that is "blocky" from a frontal view will have better balance. The one that is narrow or oval in this view can better develop supple bend. So here is a guy weighing nearly a ton that can bend easily -in the trot- on  a ten-fifteen meter circle.

The canter will be a different story. We have a lot of work to do to develop that. First, I need to get my round pen back up to work on any canter at all. To start a horse that size on a canter, one needs  some containment. Moving him and containing him with that much energy and mass is like working with a diesel locomotive I can't compensate for variables the way I do when working smaller horses. OK...MAYBE if I was still in my twenties!

Back to the trot. For his size, lovely and fluid. I truly enjoy watching him move in the field. See his natural movement tells me a lot about how he will be once he is schooled to compensate for the effect of a rider. On the lunge he can be moved through several sub-gaits of trot via vocal cadence. he understands voice cues very well. In fact, one has to be very careful not to send out the wrong signal. My stupid Basset  loves to "get involved" when I am lunging and when I raise my voice at the dog, I can get an unwanted reaction from the horse. Sometimes they are smart enough to know where it is directed but not always. I am anxious to do more work with caveletti but I need to rig something up or invest first. he does well with what I have done so far. I have rigged two up on a small circle. he might hit them the first time but after that he knows how to pace himself and use his body to adjust.

If no one ever rides this horse he will still be a reward to school. It is such fun to see his development through incremental groundwork. I tell students "its not about the ribbon, its about the ride" but I take it a step further in my own experience- its about the school.

More about "the school" in my next entry! Philosophy 101! 

Hot! Hot! Hot!

We went from slopping wet spring to extremely hot summer. I guess I am lucky that I work nights. I can rush home in am and do things with by equine buddies before it gets impossible. My theory is: Horse sweating in stall? No work. the heat index really has been over 100 so that's another indicator.

Mick and my soft eyed Arab -Cole can take it better than the Haflingers who are just a mess. Mick has been agreeable to lunging and in hand work. Cole-at 18- his light springy self. The Haflingers become stubborn and lethargic. In fact, poor little April Fool-the gelding- was breathing heavily on Saturday and had to be drug out of his stall for a cool shower to help him cope. The two mares are still slightly lame in the trot from the spring wet hoof mess but can be worked/trained at a walk. Fortunately their stall gets a better breeze.

In -hand, Mick is doing well. Just a little better every day. His back-up is straight and responsive. the "steps" to touch are a little more responsive but it is a slow process. Voice is critical. Tone, rhythm, and tempo are all part of the recipe. In fact, Mick responds very strong to tone and tempo. He hears me pick up my voice and he picks up his pace. I also work with cadence. Down the road in training, I should be able to minimize voice as more subtle aids taker its place.

I am using a new in-hand whip. I am really proud of this as it is the first product of my home grown bamboo. It is a thin stalk but suited perfectly to the work of in hand. It has a lovely "crack" too! The length is perfect to work with big ol Mick! Long and curvy to reach around his hocks for signalling.

I just keep hoping for more tolerable weather as our efforts are minimal, short and sweet. Oh for days where I can have nice long conditioning sessions! Tehre was no spring. I can hope for a long fall and minimal winter AND and indoor arena???????

Mick, Ground work and the Bitless Bridle

The spring muds are still taking their toll. I have had one Halfinger with glue and special shoes and now the second has lost a lot of hoof due to the abscess capsules finally falling away. I'm not trying any more heroic measures. They are in no discomfort so I'm just going to let nature take its course and when good hoof is back, they will return to their jobs. I have other horses that can use jobs and attention.

So... back to the Big Guy.

Yesterday he lunged well and gave me some good yields with whip to "buttons". No, not whipping him, just using it to develop pressure point communication.

Out of the stall he came with his Clinton Anderson rope halter on.This is a great, versatile halter. since their are no European style Cavessons available for Mick, I have had to improvise. This rope halter works great. Not all rope alters are created the same and I can only recommend the Clinton Anderson for this task. It has knots in just the right places and is made of a sturdy but pliable rope-giving it the necessary tension. While he stood ground ties, I applied a roller (surcingle) and walked him to the tack room where i added his Dr. Cooks Bitless bridle. I have already blogged on the success I had lunging him in this bridle. Today, I had set higher goals.

After lunging both directions, I found him very stiff on one side. No surprise here. What horse isn't? so I found a larger area and lunged him where he would have more space and could stretch more. The BB did its job. As always, he played rodeo Percheron with the upward traditions but they were mild in comparison to last years displays. for those of you who have never lunged a Percheron, bucking, pulling on the lunge line are something to be avoided. Thank goodness I have a strong set of shoulders!

Next it was time to do some ground driving. Previous attempts have been unhappy trials. Runoffs, rearing, etc. Now that I am down to two horse that are working, I have more patience and a BB! Off we went, down the drive. I had thought about staying in the pasture to contain him in the even of a run off but.. the pasture is rougher and tough on my knees so gamble I did. Things went really well. I started with circles before I moved down the drive. This gave both of us "a feel". Then we cautiously moved down the drive. Finally, he seemed to understand that my steps cannot match his and he moved quietly so I could keep up. We had no battle. he moved and look like a gentle man. the BB has given me a calm boy. I am learning he needs to hear calm in my voice. I cannot raise my voice if he picks up his pace. I must calm him down. he listens and responds. Turning was no great trial. I worked a little and ended on a good note. What a good boy!

Whether he gets a harness and cart or just is a ground driving champ, these exercises take him far in his development.

Pas de Deux

No, Mick did not get his chance at this -yet. Besides who would want to shame themselves next to this big handsome boy! But...that is my excuse for having been too busy to write this blog and sadly, be away from my own , dear horses. Oh, I saw them and cared for them everyday but training has been nil as I helped my son and another amazing Pony Clubber get ready for a regional Pony Club rally. I also coached the "D's" in their preparation for Dressage Rally and will be there arena side for them on Saturday. "Here we come, Buckeye Horsepark"! If all goes well, it will then be "Here we come Kentucky Horsepark"!

A remark was made that the two oldest riders were currently riding horses that look very much alike and wouldn't it be nice if they rode a Pas de Deux?

Oh my!

I had attended a seminar at Ohio Equine Affaire a couple of years ago in which Stefen Peters introduced the concept behind musical freestyle . Also, I  studied Anky's approach to the same . Putting the Pas de Deux together became MY PROJECT! Everyone loved the idea except my son who is one of those two oldest riders.  One should never coach ones child -especially if  it is a boy and especially if it is a musical freestyle.

Oh my!

I selected Gene Kelly's "Singin In the Rain". The tempo was correct for their trot and it was the proper length.
I took to timing the horses doing certain moves (Training Level only) and piecing together choreography.  Easier said than done. With the help of free music editing software I was able to download I was able to mix in the sound of rain and thunder. Their final salute will time just perfectly with a thunder clap! I have never done anything remotely like this and their were plenty of aggravating moments. In the end, it has been fun and I hope they can have fun when they do their final ride. The best thing about it is as long as they can "fake it" no one will ever know. Along with this I have coached them in their mandatory rides. I could have used another week of COOPERATION but I suppose that is the nature of the beast!

At about 1530 on Saturday June 25th they will head down centerline with yellow polo wraps, yellow saddle pads, yellow polo shirts and the most delightful yellow fisherman rain hats!

Fingers crossed!

Better Weather Bringing Better training

Ok-so it is not so hot. For about ten days it was unseasonably hot. Mick and his pals came running to the barn when I got home from work in the morning."Let us In"! it seems that Percherons and Haflingers hate the sun and most of all the huge amount of flies that have been enjoying a hot, wet spring.

Finally, Sunday we got to have a lunge. Mick is so much more forward than his Haflinger pals. Very sensitive and attentive but not nosy and unfocused like the Arab. I lunge him in a rope halter. Yep. It really works well. They don't make Cavessons in his size (HUGE). having used all of the above, I feel I am equally as effective with this, properly positioned as I would be with the finest European made cavesson.  My biggest problem is that the only flat spot I have is fairly small. It is fine for walk trot but to push a big horse into a canter, I really need more space.

I had a round pen up last year (which I really need to canter him) but my family would not let me put it anywhere but in the pasture. It was a rough spot (the ground)and the horses were rubbing against the gates and tearing it up so down it came :-(((( ! OH...for an indoor!!!

So sad when genius is suppressed!

Mick and I do th ebest we can. Since I cannot risk riding him (too tall) at this time. We do ground work and perhaps we can learn to do some fancy stuff. Horsemanship is not just about riding.

At least that is what Mick and I think!

Dr Cooks Bitless Bridle

Hello everyone!

I am so sorry I have been "away". A late winter, VERY wet conditions and now sudden above 90degree F heat has really put a damper on our equine activities. Mick was spared the bad feet but my time was consumed with other horses that had a variety of hoof ailments. We went from abscess, Thrush, mild strains and sprains. It was awful  Now we have flies the size of prehistoric birds.

I would like to take a few minutes to talk about Mick and bits. As big as he is, he is a big baby. he really panics when a bit is applied.

First , let me point out that I do not believe a horse should be stopped by pulling on their mouth. Use your balance, your seat. Please. That being said, the plan does not work when one is DRIVING the horse. By accident I found that a good rope halter meant something to Mick. Nose pressure sent a message that he could understand without being fearful or resistant. So, Clinton Anderson's rope halter-draft size-became our friend. I honestly feel that this serves us as well as the best cavesson (providing they came in his size) for ground work.

With this in mind, I went on an internet pilgrimage and found information on bitless bridles. I found I could by them on Ebay. Stupid me went with the less expensive on. Wrong. The design is not the same ans does not work the same way a Dr. Cooks does. So there was a waste of money. Let me save you some. Finally, I had some spare cash and I happened to be at the Ohio Equine Affaire where I stopped at the Dr. Cooks Bitless Bridle Booth (say that real fast). Without hesitation, I bought Mick the "BB".

I could hardly wait to get it home and try it. I had to wait two days but we then had our first lunge lesson and ground driving. he was right on! he was able to concentrate and connect. I was very pleased with the outcome. I bought another for my smaller horses and they do well with it as well. I am going to try it on a friends horse that is always dropping her head and banging herself in the mouth.

There is a lot of good literature on www.bitlessbridle.com. You will really wonder why you use a bit! Unfortunately, You cannot ride every show, every discipline with a BB due to governing rules. Check out the rules for your discipline before you show up at a show with only a BB. Go ahead and school with it though! You and your horse will be happier!

As a side noteEnglish Leather Headstall-Bitless Bridle, I had to get the biothane for Mick as that was the only material the draft bridles are made of. I was a little concerned but I really like it. Very pliable and durable, So easy to clean and maintain. I like it so much, the smaller one was purchased in biothane.

Mick and I, another milestone!

Its Showtime!

Welll, not quite unless you are lucky enough to be in Wellington. For the rest of us, we can start thinking about the season and what the new tests will bring.  I think it is good to have change. Who would want to ride the same old stuff? I got the tests but will reserve comment until I have studied them.

Have no fear, Dressage Today deals with the issue and I send you there. Come back and open a discussion! That would be fun!

Also, they have a great article by Janet Foy. She discusses what the judges look for. I'm looking forward to sharing with my Pony Clubbers.

So ...read Dressage Today. Come back and chat!