Stop! Pony Time

You can't touch this
(oh oh oh, oh oh)
You can't touch this
(oh oh oh, oh oh)
Break it down
(oh oh oh, oh oh)
Stop...Pony Time

I had on of those amusing moments today when I was about to teach a lesson and Laurel was also in the ring riding Lady, when all of a sudden MC Hammer came to mind and I cracked up at the thought of changing the lyrics to Pony Time. We are kind of swimming in ponies now...especially with the new five.

I did get the chance to ride Bubbles out on the track and in the cross country field. He definitely likes the rubber bit better. He still starts out his ride a little tense and quick, but I can tell it's just because he expects me to get in his face and gun him around haphazardly. He settles in very quickly when he figures out that I don't want him to run around willy nilly. I think he will like the structure of a lesson program and be quite happy. He seems very businesslike and so far I can't find a mean bone in him. He's not looky or spooky either. Just a get 'er done kind of pony and very sensible and smart. So let's all cross our fingers that he will continue to show lesson potential. He's still not too sure about being in a stall it seems. He doesn't really like to stick his head out over the wall and he's a little wide eyed in there. He really doesn't like having a hand reach in to pet him. But I think he's just not used to being in a stall. I can see it being a little unnerving for a pony used to being outdoors in a little herd all the time. All of a sudden your in a box alone without the security of your little herd...I bet he feels a little cornered at times. But he's smart so I think he'll figure it out. He really started warming up when I started giving him a few treats. He was surprised when I offered him one at first, so I'm not sure he's really used to getting treats, either. But he likes them!


Before I get to the new ponies, let's do a few updates on the other projects and on how lessons are going.

Hope rode Greyson twice since Evil threw a shoe. I'm happy to report that she also very much likes him. He's been a real stinker to catch lately though, what with the new ponies in his field. But he's still very good under saddle. He's still making baby steps in his canter but it's still progress...he's offering to stretch his head and neck out to balance a little more each time. I had Hope jump him as well. I really think the jump will improve this ponies canter. Right now I just want him to trot in and canter out. He wants to trot in, and awkwardly trot out...he doesn't want to scoop up his shoulders with his hind end on the landing side to get into a canter. So I am making it a point to teach him to canter out. I want to get him to the point where he can do some gridwork, which will hopefully teach him to use his hind end and stretch over his back better.

Greyson looked good jumping with Hope and he is getting the idea of cantering out and doesn't need as much encouragement on the landing side, so I had Hope jump him through his first line, just two nice sized cross rails at three strides apart, and while he has trouble keeping a straight line, he's very very willing to put in an effort and did a good job. That's what I like about Greyson. He's always willing to try. He's not one to argue or say no.

I hacked Bear around the other day. Started in the ring, went outside the ring, around the ring. out in the yard...just went wherever I liked and expected him to keep whatever pace I put him in. He did a great job. He even cantered out in the grass without getting too forward. He got a little quick to the jumps out there but I really think he just doesn't know where his feet belong all the time. He's much more controllable to and from the jumps now though, but I'm still keeping it really simple, mostly single fences, and mostly trotting or even sometimes walking in to them. I want this pony to start getting bored with jumping. He puts too much emphasis on the jumps.

I took him out to the track and into the cross country field and walked him over the tiny log. He's a lot more distracted out there and started to get too quick again and putting too much energy into such a little jump. But we just kept going over it, changing it up now and then (sometimes walk in, sometimes trot, sometimes stop in front of it, sometimes circle) staying straight after the jump and coming back down to a polite trot as fast as possible. He started to calm down again after lots of repetition...but it seems he will need more work cross country.

Doc gave me a nice ride, finally starting to go a little softer in my hand rather than going against it. Now that he figured out that its a lot more comfortable to stay soft in my hand, he wants to hide behind the bit at times. So I am constantly adjusting myself to correct Doc's evasions. He's getting it, but it's a busy ride for me. The work is helping his gaits though, as they tend to be very stiff and short when left alone. Now I'm starting to get a nicer, smoother, reaching walk, trot, and canter out of him. He's a nice little horse. And pleasant to jump...he really couldn't care less, just goes over it like he's been doing it all his life. I really do want to get him started on grids. I just want him a little more consistent on my aids first. He's a tank of a horse, so if he were to start to get the idea to rush jumps, he'll be a freight train. I really want to have confidence that I have him focused and he has a basic understanding for all of my aids.

I've had quite a few very awesome lessons these past few days, too. Lots of breakthroughs and lightbulb moments for riders AND horses. It makes me excited! Karen successfully learned how to turn Pavs stiff, tight backed trot into a lovely, uphill, floating, reaching trot (no easy task!) Alissa is riding MUCH less crooked now and can ride some beautiful straight lines and corners, I can see her doing well in the dressage ring. Kendall rocked on Clementine today and can get her leads over fences almost every time. Bry caught me by surprise when she said she actually worked on the heel stretches I told her would help, and man it showed today when she rode Belle through a grid and her heel stayed down, and her lower leg finally stabilized (what a huge difference from last time!) There are so many more little successes that I just can't remember them all!

Bry and Belle...huge improvement. Next step, keep our butt out of the saddle just a little longer!

A discussion that keeps coming up with several students is keeping your ride a little more focused and planned, rather than just hopping on, putting your horse through their paces, over a few jumps, and calling it a day. When you are getting ready to ride, reflect a little first. How has your horse been going? What are they doing that you want to change? What are your goals for the horse? How have you been riding? What do you want to change with your riding? Then think about what you can do to improve both you and your horse. What do you want to do. How do you want to do it. And most importantly, WHY are you going to do it that way? If you can't answer all of those questions, you aren't doing you or your horse any favors. And don't be vague...(What: I want my horse to jump 2'6". How: I'm going to set up the jumps to 2'6" and practice. Why: So he learns to jump 2'6") be specific: What: I want to improve my horse's flat jump. How: Make sure I have a good canter to work out of on the flat. Encourage my horse to move in big, round, uphill strides.Use placing poles before and after jumps, and/or gridwork. Why: I can't improve my horse's jumping style if her canter is sloppy and flat. Placing poles give my horse a visual for where to take off so they don't take off too soon and jump flat, and gridwork improves her fitness and encourages her to sit back on her haunches and round over a jump.

You can be way more specific than that but there is a simple example. My older students, and especially those with your own horses, I'm giving you fair warning: as we get into warmer weather and more work, I plan to expect a little more thinking from you when you ride. I want to see you each making effective use of warm up time and tailoring your warm ups to your horse's specific needs. I will be asking you throughout your rides to explain what's going on, why you think it's happening, how you plan to fix/improve it, why your solution is going to help. So start thinking about your rides!

Okie dokie...the four new ponies!

We have two geldings, Trick and Buster, and two mares, Nellie and Cricket.

Buster and Trick

Cricket and Nellie

They are actually all a lot more "user-friendly" (as Karolyn would say!) than I thought they would be. I expected them to be a lot more skiddish and scared, but most of them have a general idea of how to lead and are very curious about us and seem interested in being friends with people. Surprisingly they aren't too upset about having their heads and ears, legs and bellies touched. Cricket has the least handling but even she is giving us a lot more benefit of the doubt that I expected. Right now we are just working on getting them used to the routine, used to us, picking up feet, touching them all over, etc. Basic stuff. They are very different than all our other horses and ponies, so be very quiet and slow when you are around them and very careful because they could be much faster to resort to prey instincts and throw a kick. They also don't know about respecting personal space yet so they could plow you over if they become frightened. Unless you have direct permission to work with them, please stay out of their stalls. You can talk to them and try to pet them if they seem like they want the attention, but otherwise...I don't want anyone to get hurt!

Buster is the smallest, around the 13.1-13.2 hand range I think, but I'm bad at guessing height. He's a furry little 3 year old chestnut arab cross of some sort. He is going to have some major 'tude I think! I can't wait until they all settle in and we really get to see their personalities. Buster seems like he's going to be a naughty pony...but in a funny way. He seems like he has a big ego! He really needs to learn about personal space so I'm hoping to pop him in the roundpen soon for some work. He does seem to be bright and he's super curious so I think he's going to be very brave and a fast learner, but I also think he'll learn naughty habits just as fast if we aren't careful. He's already trying to nip now that he knows what a treat is (bad pony!) I also think he's going to be the one to give me a run for my money on the first few rides....hopefully he'll surprise me but I see some bucking in my future...he just seems stereotypical pony!

Trick is a good sized 5 year old quarter horse, probably 14.2 hands and built like a little tank, I think I'll be very comfortable on him despite my height (BTW, does anyone else find it amusing that Knights Landing seems to be becoming a pony barn, but I'm the trainer, and I top out at nearly 6' tall??? I so wish I were shorter! I love ponies!) He's the only one that reportedly has been ridden and used for a horse camp. We were also told he could be naughty under tack so we'll see what we have. I have a feeling he was just too young to be packing kids in a camp and that's why he became naughty...he must have been only 3 or 4 years old when he was used, and personally I don't think a horse is mentally mature enough nor has enough miles and experience to pack around kids happily and responsibly when they are that young. I don't really like to consider anything younger than 6 for a kids lesson pony, but I find the golden age is early teens. Even if they are well behaved and laid back at a young age, it just isn't any good for a young horse to skip years of education and experience and jump right into lessons. It almost always ends with the horse lasting a short period of time before developing bad habits and needing to leave the lesson program.

Trick seems like he's pretty sensible and sweet. He does have a bit of a cheeky face so perhaps he does have a naughty side by nature but so far he seems like he's brave and enjoys attention. I'd like to play in the roundpen with him as well this week, and maybe see what he thinks about a saddle. I have no clue when he was last ridden, how he was trained, what he knows, etc., so I'm just going to treat him like he's unbroke.

Nellie is a 3 year old welsh cross, plain chestnut like Buster, and a little taller, I want to call her 14.1. So far she seems to have the most pleasant personality. Very curious and quiet, and really seems to enjoy this attention she's been getting. She also seems very smart and brave. I think she will be a sweetie, but you just never know! I think she's probably going to be pretty easy to break. Maybe a little unsure but will give us honest efforts with anything we throw her way. I think of the three unbroke ones, she will advance the fastest. I bet if I really wanted, she could be wearing tack at the end of the week, but there's no reason to rush. She's a cute and nice looking pony that I can't wait to see come spring, when she's shedded out, mane pulled, has some more weight and muscle, and gets rid of her hay belly. I think she's sickle hocked, but I haven't really had a chance to stand them up to take a good look at their conformation, but I don't think it's going to effect her too much.

Last is Cricket, a 5 year old grey arab/tb cross, standing around 14.3 hands, maybe even 15 hands. She has had the least handling and has been very tense and nervous. She always stands very rigid and doesn't let her guard down, but she's keeping her cool so far. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I met her, she's very spindly and not much to look at. But the more I look at her the more potential I see. I'd like to see her after she has a little grain in her belly, works off the hay belly, gains some muscle and gets a little grooming TLC. I think she'll be cute enough. She doesn't have a great hip and is very light boned, and her neck is set on too low. But I think she'll clean up nice and look like a little gem once she's in work. That low neck will be tricky to work with when she's under saddle though! I can't really comment on her personality yet. She's just too unsure right now so I think it will be a little while before we see the real Cricket.

Ponies everywhere!!!!!! We better watch out, or they will band together and take over the farm and eventually, THE WORLD! (cue dramatic music)