Another Clinic

We had another clinic a couple weeks ago it was such a beautiful day and boy did we learn a lot.  Well at least I did.  I'm hoping Razz did too.  We started where we were last time in getting her to give and relax and we did a bit more on the ground and then time to ride.  Char got a bunch of pics of me they are awesome!

(Ugh I need to sit back!)

We worked on more of her getting to be balanced at a trot and eventually a lope but we want solid trot first.  She learns easy at a trot, always has and he says lots do you need forward momentum and many walk just plodding along. 

(Look at the hind leg going right underneath her :) )

We were getting through so much so I just asked a bunch of questions, one was her back up is stiff and I want it softer so we worked on that a bit, I was standing there and he said how hard do you pull and so I picked up my reins and she lifter her front end and was all weight on the back end.  Hes like YES!  THAT!!!  That's what he is looking for when riding and backing.  And she just done it :)  She's so cool.  And expressive, her ears are always on the move when we are doing something, its easy to see when I am asking wrong or weird or she doesn't get it.  But she always tries.

We had our own session in the morning and then after lunch we all rode together, did a few obstacles, jumped walked over a weird camo tarp and the bridge.  Razz did all with ease.  Then he brought out a tarp on a rope and we followed it then he handed it to me and I drug it and they all followed me.  It worked well.  I wasn't too worried about that we have carried a flag before but this was a bit different.  Then he had us lift it up and pretend to use it as a coat.  I'm uncoordinated and it drug over her butt and she didn't care, I've done that before. 

Then we headed out into the field across the road and practiced the same things we did in the arena.  That was cool, Razz was just trotting along minding her own business then I asked her to give and relax and it took a couple asks but she did and was so nice!  She really elevated when I ask a bit its super cool.

(Scott took this one it was so pretty there)

All in all a good clinic.  We were supposed to go again tomorrow but it sounds like cold and rain so we postponed.

300

Well I made my 300 hour mark with rides with the Alberta Equestrian Federation.  Seems like it took way longer than it shoulda, haven't been riding as much this past year as I would like to or have in the past.  But I got there and now on my way to the 500 hour mark is the next reward.  With all the horses I have it shoulda took no time at all haha but we are continuing on.

I also headed to a trail clinic over the weekend, fantastic place and what a good guy, he is very mindful of the reasons he does stuff and has no trouble explaining it all till we all get it.  Very interesting guy to ask questions to.  We had a bunch of obstacles there and that was kinda fun, it wasn't about the obstacle really just making sure your horse was looking to you and going forward.  Very cool how we went about it, taught them to relax first then bring in a scary object, get them to look at you and relax and scary thing goes away.  Very neat.

(nice big pens to keep the horses in)

Also worked on releasing the poll and then getting a sidepass out of it.  Was easy but hard lol.  Easy to understand hard for me to release at the right time but we did get it a few times.  My timing is not right but I am working on it.  Then he has a short trail course with stuff in it and steep hills and we all went on it.  Pally is pretty cool she was going up the hill a little fast and I asked her to slow down and she just stopped.  Half way up a steep hill.  Was crazy. Didn't even rush out of it just walked to the top, that was cool.  Then his other short course has a swinging bridge, rain, pond with fountain (Pally didnt care for that one), vines, a slicker on a post, a rope gate and a block bridge.  She did everything but had to follow right behind his horse to do the fountain one and she rushed pretty fast through the rain but never thought of refusing so I will take it.

(the cabin at we stayed in, belongs to a friends cousin)

He took some pics but I haven't seen them so hopefully I can get them cause that would be super cool.  Thinking of going to another clinic or 2 in September if I can find time.  Id like to take everyone lol, but specially Razz, get her to slow down and maybe into a bit.  I am gonna try some of the stuff on her and see how it goes then when I am struggling can ask him about it.  The 2 day ones are only $150 and include 2 hour and a half sessions to work on whatever you want each day.  Pretty reasonable.

Busy Weekend

So all week been trying to meet up with friends and drop off her horse. Friday was kinda in the plan but it didn't work and was so nice out that I took Jess and went riding.  We rode in the North field and Razz was calling some.  I was thinking of bringing her and ponying her but her eye was a bit swollen and weeping so I figured I wouldn't.  Jess has a habit of trying to head home but she's sneaky about it she just slightly turns the way home so when she does I turn her 90* away from where she was.  It usually takes a couple times and then she just kinda accepts fate, silly girl.  I tried that one day after getting so frustrated and my arm was sore from pulling on her to keep her straight and trying to kick her straight that I just tried something different.  She still tries now and then but a lot less.  And I was so excited to put on my new stirrups cause my others were just worn out that I forgot I still had my winter boots on till I was on and so it was a ride with no stirrups, although the boots do fit it was just weird.

(found a flat bare spot had to lope)

(Got Neil to take a few pics after)

(One day he will get me smiling and my horses ears up)

(and the cat has to come visit)

(and climb on one shoulder of Neil and down the other)

(came back to see a jealous colt)

(and look at the pretty tail...and rump)

 Well finally Saturday and it worked for us both so away we went and since we were meeting we decided to ride too so went to the nearby arena and just rode.  I took Jess, the colt loaded perfectly again and off we went.  So nice to ride in an arena again, we just worked on basics again, and I am trying this year to get walk to lope transition but I am bad for kicking too hard and she goes into a gallop or not enough and she just trots.  And I can't do it too many times or she gets anticipating so we got it a few times and that was enough.  We rode pretty good and then cooled out bareback I wasnna get better so thats how I do it.  

(Afterwards there was not enough tie rings in the arena so I just left Jess loose

 and she just stood there like why are we not going???)

Then Sunday he was having a clinic and we debate on going cause its fun but so many times our horses are way broker and we know more than the rest so we end up hearing a lot and he talks a lot so we get bored but he said he'd help get a first ride on the colt so we went and it was a lot like that but was good as well.  I took Jess and he knows shes broke so when others were working on stuff that was easy for us he got me to do it all one handed which is harder and yet kinda easier cause I don't use two hands very well anymore never ride like that.  So that was kinda neat to make my brain work in ways I haven't done in a while.  I'm thinking of taking lessons there with the one girl and my other riding buddies later on maybe do 2 half day clinics one with the broke ones and one with the young/and Pally, should be fun but wont be for a while when we can go consistently.

Since we brought the colt we thought wed make it easy

 and just tie to the one side but there is only 2 ties

 so I just left Jess loose and saddled her in front of his pine tree, 

We don't have any so I need to get some pics of them)

(Even played soccer, Jess wasn't enthused but she did it)

And now after 3 days of riding Jess is a bit sore, she cant take that when not in shape anymore so she will get 3 days off cause I'm busy and then I go on a scrapbooking retreat for the weekend.

Weekend Plans Start with a Clinic

Last Thursday night I was asked if I wanted to be in a clinic over the weekend, well I was busy Sunday so I said if I can only go Saturday I sure would.  I like his clinics they are fun, we do all sorts of things and he makes everyone feel good :)  So as I was looking online for him and I never found it lol but I did come across the girl who bought my grey Princess horse.  She still has her and they look good together so I stole some photos off Facebook of her.

Anyways back to the clinic I took Jessie cause shes always good and I like to work on me, I'm tired of working on the horse and I need to improve.  So away we go.  He has a few things in mind but asks us what we all want to work on, there was a few things and so he worked them in.  We started with crazy riding, just going all over working on steering exactly where you want.  Then we set up cones and loped circles at the same speed making an even circle.  I had a little trouble, Jess kept slowing down as we approached the crowd so I had to pay more attention.  Then we put the cones in a row and 2 barrels at the end and we weaved through them steering with only one hand.  I never thought of it but as we come away from the second barrel she just booted it home, lol I had to slow her down and make her go back through the cones.  Been a long time since we barrel raced but I guess she still remembers.  We did it a few more times and made wider circles and she slowed right down.

Then he put a half full bucket of water on barrel and we had to carry it from one to the next, she had no trouble with them she wanted to stick her nose in in thought it was food I guess lol.    Then we sidepassed over logs and carried a raincoat around and then stepped on it, I didn't think she would but sure enough.  Of course I sometimes feel like I can cheat with her cause its so easy to move her shoulders if I do it at the right time she has to.  of course sometimes I think she just does it to get it over with so she can stand.  Then lunch time.

After lunch we opened and closed the gate and walked over the bridge and then we got to jump!  Jess isn't much of a jumper but we did jump over it a couple times.  It was set pretty low so they could make it over without jumping.  Then we went into the indoor and we got to work cows :)  I got to go first and Jess was pretty well right on.  Yay I was super excited for her cause its been a really long time since we done that and I might borrow her out for a few lessons this fall so a neighbor can try cutting.

That was all for the day, whew I was tired but it was so good, wish I coulda made it back for a second day, but we are gonna set up a smaller clinic with just us and take a couple horses each and see what we can work on cause we are all at the same level.  He has a ladies night there as well might try to join that have to see what winter brings.  I do want to ride Jessie and Dee and hopefully get Trio going as well.

Clinic With Dee

So right after we got notice we were allowed to move in I was signed up for a Kevin Pole clinic in Brooks.  I was kinda excited to go but I also wanted to stay home so I could move in.  And the Spruce Meadows Christmas fair was that weekend and just so much in one time, but I was in the clinic so to the clinic I went.

I had no plans on who to take, I was gonna take Jessie cause shes easy but I also know she needs a chiro/massage cause she doesn't like being rode 2 days in a row and so 3 days wouldn't be good for her.  Well I went out thinking maybe Bailey, be good to get me back into riding her again fro the winter and if we had any trouble there was help there for me.  I really wanted to take the pony cause thought it would be perfect to get to know her, but I didn't have the bit she rides in, I ordered one and I could probly get away with riding her in a snaffle but why bother when she was good otherwise.  So I went out to get Bailey and Dee comes right up to the gate and shes kinda pushy and bossy so I caught her, still wasn't planning on taking her just wanted her in the other corral. Then I went to catch Bailey and let Trio out too so I could work with her, her best friend ever is Bailey so she just follows her wherever.  Well then Razz had a brain fart and ran past us through the gate and in the corral, well I didn't want her in she got rode all summer she gets winter off.  Well I went to catch her and she was being a dork and running around with her tail in the air and everything.  Well 4 horses and a pony were too much in for the winter so I had to take someone back out.  I only really want 3 cause then I can haul them all when I go riding.  Or just take one and 2 are left to keep company.  Well all chaos after Razz got out so since I still had Bailey I caught her and hazed Trio into the small corral beside Pally and then let George and Jessie out and opened the way for Dee and Razz to run in the alley way again.  Good.  Then I caught Razz in there and turned her out and since I just had Dee with halter on yet I decided to take her.  Whew.  Loaded her up and off we went.

It started on Friday and I was to ride at 1, so I got in early cause I had to stop at the house place and drop off some form she forgot out here and I wanted to stop at Walmart cause the cats were complaining they are hungry so I got cat food.  I had extra time so I thought I would go have lunch at Wendy's and get a coffee and then head down there.  All was good, the arena is only 5 minutes from Brooks so that's easy.  I left Walmart and noticed my tire looked low, so I grabbed lunch and went over to the tire place.  I had an hour wasn't worrried. Of course there was worse problems than I figured, I had 2 bias and 2 radial tires which apperently don't go well together cause one round on the whole tire and one on the edges so they were really on riding on one tire on each side.  So we thought we would put 2 new ones on and go from there.  he thought he had used but of course had every size but the ones I needed.  So 2 new tires and the low one was about to blow so just threw it out and I kept the other one as a spare. Well by the time he was done it was 12:50, not much time to get there and saddled and ready but what do I do?

(at least it was nice out while I sat and waited on my tires)

So I get there had Dee inside and was saddling and he was starting so I just walk in the arena and thought Id wait while he talks and then get on, well he didn't want to talk and since he didn't see me warm up I got to go first.  Haha.  Well he just had us go around half the arena at a walk and keep them to the outside.  Well not so much, Dee was a little herd bound but we got away from the group and then because she wasn't there in time to warm up she was looky at everything in there.  Well no worries, we just worked closer to the inside keeping a circle shape and moving towards the outside.  She wasn't bad, her steering is a bit missing, lol I feel like I'm in a car I have to move my hands so much to get a turn.  Then up to the trot and same thing, that was actually easier for me.  Then a lope well no chance of that.  I was actually quite surprised we got a trot so easy, last time I could hardly get her out of a walk especially away from her friends. Well so we worked on that, don't worry about steering just lope.  Well I could get one or 2 steps and then shed break down.  We worked really hard, she tried to kinda crowhop once, I kinda laughed at her cause it was pretty pathetic, mostly she just kept trotting and not really all that fast either.  She also tried heading towards the other horses and she got kicked pretty hard when she got there and a relax when she walked away from them, then she tried the gate, same thing.  Well we quite after we got about 10 steps one way.  Whew I was tired and I think she was too.  He made me trot down to the other end and stop at the spot she thought was the scariest.  They have a water hose coming up and that musta been it.  We walked as far as she would go and then stop then walk a step then pet then another step then pet, all while looking at it.  Finally she pushed her nose out and touched it, good girl.  She is curious so that helps a lot.  We rested there while someone else went.

(the super scary water pipe)

After she was done he got me to go around  a couple more circles at a trot and see how she was, she was really good we even stayed right to the outside.  Then we were done for the day but I stayed in the arena to watch and let her cool out.  First time I had anyone tell me I had brass ovaries LOL, he said most people, specially girls woulda quit before I did.  I told him I wasn't worried about her, shes about as safe a horse as you can get and so it was just me wearing out that wanted to quit.  He also kept saying numerous times how he loved her top line.  I guess I never looked that close but she has a normally low head and he likes reiners so maybe that's why?  I think shes pretty but didn't think she was hat special.  Maybe I am wrong and she is??

(watching others work)

(one tired pony)

Saturday was better, I got there on time had her warmed up, we rode with others and away from others and she was getting better, so much improvement in one day.  He also made me change my reins cause they were too short.  They were Baileys cause I used her bridle cause i was planning on taking her.  And they were long enough to get off her mouth but he wanted longer so I put Jessie's reins on her.  They are split and really long.  And amazing how she quit bobbing her head after the first few minutes.   So simple.  Anyways we started doing the same thing but quicker progression, I got her to lope going left but right I was just tired and so he asked if Amy would get on her and she did and she worked her pretty hard, steering is still a bit weird she says it felt like riding a runaway bull cause you can turn her head but she keeps going, I laughed and said ya but she doesn't wanna run away and she said that was true, its just odd.  But she got her into a lope both directions and even got a lead change out of her, a few actually, they were pretty nice.  I gave her a rest, just tied up.  Everyone else went and the continued from yesterday and worked on collection, Dee wasn't ready for that but while we stand we did get her to soften a few times, might as well start now.  Then after everyone else's turn he hooked up the flag and the whole clinic came in and we all stood in the middle of the arena facing it and walked towards it a step, petted and continued on until we were right up at it.  One horse wasn't worried about it at all but the rest were kinda concerned, specially when it moved.  He said that's the best way to get a horse not afraid of the flag, and it sure seemed to work.

(watchin other horses not perfect always)

(and just hanging out waiting...away from others)

Sunday, I was getting tired but sure excited about the progress she was making.  I almost brought Jessie too cause I knew were were working the flag and none of those horses had, he said he wished he had a horse that knew how but too late y then.  We all worked the flag, some closer and some farther, all working on different things.  Dee we just wanted her moving with the flag and then turning with it too, she wasn't really ready for a flag but we did it anyways slowly he said it wont hurt.  Then after everyone went we brought cows in in one by one tracked them and then turned them, it was fun, I volunteered to go early and she was super good, got sidetracked by other horses a few times but she loped easy to pass the heifer and turned her good.  Probly helped I knew what I wanted to do haha.  Then I left and just watched everyone else it was good.  I would so go again, they are gonna try to get him back in January/February and so would love to be in there again.  Should get Dee going better so here is an improvement he can see.

(watching someone work the flag)

(they are all watching too, they were in the group after us but joined for the flag work)

(flag work)

(and a cow, shes not worried about cows so was just watching relaxed)

He called her Trigger lol.  There was a few Palominos in the clinic, the other was big yellow and he had nicknames for all the horses was kinda cool.  The one guy there said she looked familiar, and I said I got her a year and half ago from up by Edmonton and as we talked he said his mom looked at buying her for a broodmare.  Not a lot of pics f me working cause I didn't know anyone there and so had no one to take a pic/video.  Maybe next time.  I learned a lot in this clinic, some about me and some about Dee.  Its nice to go and not always the same horse who makes me look good all the time haha thanks Jessie.

Ranch Roping

Ever since I signed up for the clinic I wanted to go in the ranch roping.  Haha like I am anywhere near ready for that but I still wanted to do it.  I think Jessie woulda been good in it and a spot opened up and I almost said I would change to that one but then remembered I don't have a rope saddle that fits her :(  I guess I coulda put Razz in it and used my ranch saddle but I have never roped or even thrown a rope off her so I didn't.  But I sure am gonna practice now that I have watched that clinic at least throw a rope and dally, maybe make a roping dummy and practice. And funny thing is as soon as I got home I saw this:

No wonder I wanted to do the roping, I have had that book forever and read and reread it.  I also have his groundwork dvd which I have watched a few times but I really needed someone to show me in real so they could correct me.  That's one thing I really liked about this clinic, he would show us, we would try (and I would get it wrong) and he'd show us again and then I can do it cause I saw where I was having trouble.

Buck Brannaman Ellensburg

Oh Boy where do I start?  So much learning.  Quite a trip down there.  I left Wednesday morning and drove to Shirley's place to stay overnight.  I got there in the afternoon and she took me to see a few things in town like the Kokanee brewery where the Sasquatch tried to steal my beer!  and lots of neat things in town, cute town she lives in.  Then back to her place and we had peaches right off the tree, mmm so good.  

(left in the morning and Bob was moving his cows across the road)

(Pincher Creek was my first stop for gas and it sure is pretty there)

(the Sasquatch!)

We left the next morning, me with the trailer and her with a holiday trailer so we had someplace to stay.  Trip had a couple stops on it and we still got there in good time.  Tracey Westbury was there with a horse for Shirley to use and to pick up a dog the Karen Jackson Simmons brought her.  So I got to meet those two!  that was super cool!  Then since the horse was new to Shirley she thought shed better see if they would get along....well not at first she was a little quicker moving than was expected and she come off but Tracey got on and then Shirley again and went much better the second time.

(Tracey playing with George)

(Shirley on Doxee)

Friday we started out with me and Razz ponying Doxee and getting her warmed up.  She was coming along nicely.  Then clinic started.  Buck has a filly he started about 3 weeks ago and was working with her.  He got us to start moving our horses in a circle following the lead then driving them around if they don't follow a soft lead.  Razz doesn't yet go when I ask with my hand I need to drive her shoulder.  If I ask too far back she just pivots her hind end away from me.  After getting them following a circle with a slight bend we were to lift towards the hip and get them to move the hip out.  I had a little trouble getting her hind feet to cross correct but I noticed if I did it right she did it right.  So its all timing on my part that's off.  Then we got them to move the shoulder back and around so they were going the other way.  I need more practice with that.  Razz goes about halfway around and then quits.  But I think I stop moving so again its me.  We have to practice tonight so we are good at it tomorrow and can move on.

We watched the other classes, the horsemanship class was a repeat of what we did but in the saddle then they moved on to more.  The ranch roping was really interesting to me cause I'd like to do that.

We did our homework that night and amazing how much better Razz was then after thinking about it all afternoon.  She got the soft feel quite a few times and the turn was good.  Moving the shoulders was much improved as was her back up but it still needs more work.  

(Big classes)

(roping)

(more roping)

(roping and doctoring)

Then Saturday was more of the same to start, A lot of improvement for me.  Then after we got that down, we moved to the fence and did the same thing, with them moving between us and the fence and no rushing.  Then we climbed on the fence and got them to step over to it so its easier and safer for us to get on.  The idea is to lift up on the lead rope until they move the hip over to the fence.  This was hard for Razz she just kept moving forward and into the fence then tried backwards and she finally got a step towards the fence.  She never did get real good at it but she will if I work on it more.  While we were up there we had to swing our lead ropes and flag (if we had one) and move stirrups and put a leg over all without stepping off the fence so if they got worried and moved we were still safe.  

And then as we were leaving our class Jennie and Michelle were there!  That was so cool to finally meet them.  We all watched the horsemanship class and visited.  

(Bucks filly with about 3 weeks on her, she was not perfect but you could 

really see the improvent in her even during the 4 days we were there.  He had another 

sorrel but I missed getting her pic)

(His stallion Guapo)

(his other bay, he was in the 2 rein, a pretty cool horse he sure had some moves)

(and Razz, I snuck in a pic of her while Buck was riding)

Sunday we started with cowboy Church, nice music from a participant and a good message.  Then in our class we did more of the same and then we got on!  I got on from the ground as the fence was all full, which he said we could do as long as we did it right and careful.  We did the same, the soft feel and driving if they didn't go and then moving the hip over.  He made us bring the head around 90* and then pet their head when they stand still.  Once both sides were good we added a leg and got them to move the hindquarters and do a one rein stop.  then we walked off and did a one rein stop.  It felt out of control for a while.  Buck said looked like a snake killing.  He has some of the funniest sayings.  But then I realized I wasn't doing it in time with the feet.  If I ask for the hip as she is lifting the inside hind foot its all smooth.  I really struggle with knowing where the feet are at all times so I really had to concentrate on that.  

We got to to short serpentines, asking with a soft feel, inside leg back and outside leg forward to get the bend.  It was a lot harder than it looked like.  The H1 class did the same but they did bigger serpentines with more steps in them.  Then the ranch roping class had to doctor the cows cause quite a few had pink eye (probly from the dust)  So that was neat, gave a purpose to the roping.  They had a few good ropers and they headed then if the cow stood still they practiced roping and dallying and if they moved the tracked them.  A couple horses were unused to seeing cows to they rode by them lots an did the motions without using a rope.

I also knew a girl from the horsemanship Challenge I did in January was going, I only found out the day before.  So I was looking around or her, finally saw her horse in the H1 class and so had to talk to her.  She said she had been looking at me thinking I looked familiar.  So glad I got a chance to meet her as well.

Some cool horses there, I really liked this black and white Tennessee Walker, 

I talked to her about him and found out he was abandoned in the Mohave desert 

and was 500 pounds underweight when she got him, he looks good now, he was super pretty. 

 Shes been in a few Buck clinics and the first one he wouldn't let her ride him

 but hes good now)

(this cute Arab with ears that were almost touching at the top)

(A haffie, aww so adorable!)

(I really liked this black horse he was kind)

(And Robin and Holly the sorrel paint)

(This dun gelding was Razz's neighbor in the barn.  She was in both the the foundation

 and horsemanship classes I dunno how she done it.  She said she was glad 

she was beside Razz cause he was freaking out until she came by

 and then he calmed down)

(not a great pic but the light bay was in the two rein, the only one in the clinic who was, everyone else was in a snaffle or hackmore)

Monday we did our class again, start over and then we did a little trotting to the one rein stops which made me think again. One other thing the H1 class did and he let us trot trying it was to yeild the shoulders with the reins and get one front foot to move wider out as a start for a turnaround.  While watching the H1 class I wanted to get out and try it and so finally got a chance.  I watched, tried it and then had to watch again cause I couldn't do it.  I finally think I got it but I sure got to practice more so I don't forget.  

 He answered lots and lots of questions and that was kinda cool.  And showed us a bunch of different things we can do.  Like using the slobber straps to get a horse to back up and go forward.  Nothing I woulda thought of before but just a different way to do something.  He also told/showed us the 4 ways to move the hindqarters.  I had heard some of this before in that horsemanship challenge but I was a little confused but now I understand a little better, I need a lot more work on that too.

He also talked about what he likes a horse to know before he moves them from a snaffle bit to a hackmore and then to a two rein.  I always find this interesting since I never know when to do such things.  

(rodeo grounds were kinda cool, almost in a bowl)

(got super windy up top but just a breeze in the arena)

All in all a good clinic and I would love to go again, probly in the H1 class.  But I will be a little smarter and try not to go in the middle of July when its 38* everyday.  Of course that's not normal for them either it was kinda a heatwave