Tomorrow, I start teaching again full time so my Monday through Friday visits to the dog park with Lola and Bentley, as well as leisurely days at the stables, will draw to a close until January. The flock of sheep will also be reduced from 5 to 1 as Tammy will take the 'girls' with her when she moves to Red Bluff in early September. I'm sure Ewenice will miss her flock, but three of them are very aggressive and push her around, so I'm sure she will acclimate to the usual slower pace around here very quickly. As is always the case, the end of summer means many changes in schedules, weather, and wardrobes.
Cleo and I have been trying out a new saddle. When I first got her 6 years ago, I rode in a western saddle. Not long after, I bought a treeless, endurance saddle and sold my western tack. The endurance saddle is so comfortable, it's like riding in a chair. Sometimes, it's too comfortable and my riding position deteriorates. But since Kass went to a new home near Sacramento, I have started riding in his dressage saddle. Everything is different! But I think Cleo moves freer since it is smaller and lighter. In my next post, I'll relate my adventures with the new tack. Now I must turn my attention to preparing for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to meeting my new students, but the first day of school is always scary for both students and teachers.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Summer's Drawing to a Close
Cleo and I and the rest of the animal family are already getting ready for HSU to start and I go back to teaching full time through December. I didn't ride as much as I had wanted, but Cleo and I still met many of our goals. 1. I have ridden her alone in the arena with great success, although we always make sure someone else is around in case we get into a pickle. 2. I also rode in a dressage saddle for the first time. I really liked how it rearranged my position. The knee blocks and saddle seat forced me to sit straight and tall, and to let my legs hang directly below my hips. 3. I'm much better at insisting Cleo go forward even when she objects.
But for some reason, I have lost some of my courage riding outside and down the lane. So Paula and I have been working on that. We had a scary moment a couple of weeks ago when Artie balked at a change in the scenery going down the lane, and Cleo basically 'freaked out.' Thanks to Janice, we used the event as a learning opportunity that ended well--riding in the outdoor arena and than back into the indoor. But without Janice on the ground to keep both of us calm, I wouldn't have been able to do it.
Cleo's paddock has a cover for the first time. I am hoping that she can stay out more often in the winter, which is her preference. But when the wind blows, and the rain pelts down, she has not been happy with just her raincoat. Last winter she shook so hard when I got there in the late afternoon that I could hardly put her halter on to lead her to her stall. But then in the morning, she is always ready to brave the elements again regardless of the weather. I'll have an easier time deciding the best place for her to be now that she has protection from the wind and rain.
The next four months should be both interesting and a challenge since I have a five day teaching schedule. I have reserved Wednesday mornings for my lessons, but even though I rarely ride during the week, even the weekends are likely to be crowded since I won't have a day during the week to do my other chores and responsibilities. But Cleo and I will work out a schedule that suits us both.
But for some reason, I have lost some of my courage riding outside and down the lane. So Paula and I have been working on that. We had a scary moment a couple of weeks ago when Artie balked at a change in the scenery going down the lane, and Cleo basically 'freaked out.' Thanks to Janice, we used the event as a learning opportunity that ended well--riding in the outdoor arena and than back into the indoor. But without Janice on the ground to keep both of us calm, I wouldn't have been able to do it.
Cleo's paddock has a cover for the first time. I am hoping that she can stay out more often in the winter, which is her preference. But when the wind blows, and the rain pelts down, she has not been happy with just her raincoat. Last winter she shook so hard when I got there in the late afternoon that I could hardly put her halter on to lead her to her stall. But then in the morning, she is always ready to brave the elements again regardless of the weather. I'll have an easier time deciding the best place for her to be now that she has protection from the wind and rain.
The next four months should be both interesting and a challenge since I have a five day teaching schedule. I have reserved Wednesday mornings for my lessons, but even though I rarely ride during the week, even the weekends are likely to be crowded since I won't have a day during the week to do my other chores and responsibilities. But Cleo and I will work out a schedule that suits us both.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
After several weeks of near perfection, Cleo decided to complain yesterday by acting very bad going down the lane, and then to the outdoor arena, and back to the covered arena. It's not her fault that the barn management decided to do some remodeling in her paddock, and she is displaced in a small, dusty, inconvenient pen. The work was supposed to last two to three days, and it's over a week now. So she let me know how annoyed she is by pulling the 'backwards, twirling, balking' routine. She had been the model of a good horse until we started down the lane behind Artie and he shied at the 'construction site.' Thankfully, our friend Janice was there to help me get Cleo's attention again. But it was touch-and-go for the last 15 minutes of our ride. Janice remided me that every day is a new day with horses--good and bad. At least we ended on a positive note. I got off in the outdoor arena and got back on in the indoor and she was an obedient mount again.
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Clinic
After much preparation,anticipation, and anxiety, the day of the horse handling clinic arrived. After practicing at Redwood Acres for a weekend in late May, at the last minute the clinic was moved to the second Sunday in May (8:30 until 4:00) at the gymkana arena in a town 15 miles away. Just as well--I didn't have time to get anxious. Again Cleo did great. She loaded in and out of the trailer and seemed to enjoy the ride with her friend Artie.
When we arrived, Cleo was the perfect horse. She stood tied quietly during the lecture part of the clinic. She was perfect for the loading and unloading practice. She responded beautifully to the lead line lesson. Then, after lunch, we tacked up our horses and got in the saddle.
At first, Cleo and I were both nervous. Artie scared his rider so they went to the other end of the arena to lunge. Cleo and I walked around and around until she calmed down and we both were able to enjoy the location. The skateboarders, basketball players, and party-goers didn't seem to phase her.
We had a wonderful time walking and trotting with the other horses and riders participating in the clinic. Even Artie was back in the program. But two-and-a-half hours later--a record for me and Cleo under saddle--Carrie and Artie decided to get ready to go home. As soon as they left the arena, Cleo said, "Me, too!" In Cleo body language that is expressed as running backwards, spinning in circles, throwing her head in the air, and refusing to go forward. I had to call for an on the ground helper to grab her reins so I could jump off. I almost fell off, but was determined not to embarrass us in public. Eric, the clinician had to get on Cleo so she would not win the battle or the war. But I was pooped and she knew it. She was pretty pooped too, especially after she was loped around the arena for twenty minutes. I think Eric was actually having fun.
The end of the story is a happy one. I had a great time, and in spite of the grand finale, I gained information and confidence that have stayed with me the past two months. And I'll do it again when I have the chance.
When we arrived, Cleo was the perfect horse. She stood tied quietly during the lecture part of the clinic. She was perfect for the loading and unloading practice. She responded beautifully to the lead line lesson. Then, after lunch, we tacked up our horses and got in the saddle.
At first, Cleo and I were both nervous. Artie scared his rider so they went to the other end of the arena to lunge. Cleo and I walked around and around until she calmed down and we both were able to enjoy the location. The skateboarders, basketball players, and party-goers didn't seem to phase her.
We had a wonderful time walking and trotting with the other horses and riders participating in the clinic. Even Artie was back in the program. But two-and-a-half hours later--a record for me and Cleo under saddle--Carrie and Artie decided to get ready to go home. As soon as they left the arena, Cleo said, "Me, too!" In Cleo body language that is expressed as running backwards, spinning in circles, throwing her head in the air, and refusing to go forward. I had to call for an on the ground helper to grab her reins so I could jump off. I almost fell off, but was determined not to embarrass us in public. Eric, the clinician had to get on Cleo so she would not win the battle or the war. But I was pooped and she knew it. She was pretty pooped too, especially after she was loped around the arena for twenty minutes. I think Eric was actually having fun.
The end of the story is a happy one. I had a great time, and in spite of the grand finale, I gained information and confidence that have stayed with me the past two months. And I'll do it again when I have the chance.
Cleo has human, feline, and canine friends
In addition to the horses sharing their lives with me, many dogs and cats also have been members of our family. As a result, I will be expanding my blog to include the other mammals--and sometimes birds, fish, and reptiles--enriching my life. Stay tuned for more introductions.
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