Monday, May 9, 2011

Springing

Domino and I have been enjoying a lovely, albeit quite muddy, Ohio spring. I've been spending a lot more time in the saddle, so I think this blog needs to get some more regular updates now that we're really cracking. First some photo-documenting of what we've been doing recently...

Working in the field like a good boy.

Getting our canter leads more consistent.

Encountering some highly suspicious foals...

Riding bareback a lot.

And for today's update, our most recent expedition: braving the trails!

Domino has never been a big fan of leaving his friends. He naturally tends to the herdbound and barn-sour, and we often end up having some prolonged discussions about why leaving home isn't actually the end of the universe. Because of this, I haven't taken Domino out to the trails due to some nervousness about his reaction to going far away from home. Like out of our field of vision.

On Saturday, with the help of a most excellent supporter on foot, we finally did it!

We crossed over to the neighbor's property and rode back through an opening in the treeline, which opened into a big clearing. Across the clearing was a small wooded area with some trails and fallen logs which we spent some time exploring. It was muddy and mucky, but very fun. 

It was an absolutely gorgeous ride, and the best part? Domino didn't put a foot wrong. Bless him, I could feel him processing everything while we went along. He was a bit tense, but he handled everything like an absolute gentleman. I was so proud of him!

What a clever pony!

It ended up being quite a long ride, so the rest of the weekend involved a quiet little bareback walk/trot session in our home back field. He also gave a friend who hasn't had the chance to ride much this semester a nice little fun ride.

I can't wait for our summer of playing and learning!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Working on walking

I rode! I rode! I rode!


Okay, now that that's out of my system...

It's finally warming up, and the ice melted enough for some riding yesterday. The arena - that big slushy mess I'm riding in - still isn't in great shape, but it was manageable, especially since my goals for the moment are getting Domino straight, rhythmic, and balanced in the walk.

We started off with one of Domino's characteristic, "Are you sure you really, really want me to do this?" bucks. When he realized, yes, I really, really wanted to ride, he settled in and we got to work on a circle in a patch of arena that seemed dry enough.

He started off a bit tense and looky, with some calling to his friends in the barn, so I played with some counter-flexing to try to get his mind on me. Inside bend for five strides, outside bend for five strides, and relax. After a few attempts in both directions, he was listening to me pretty well and carrying a relatively nice inside bend, so I moved on with the ride.

One of the hard things about Domino is that his neck is very short, very thick, and set on very upright. It makes going in a relaxed, long frame rather difficult for him, especially when he's tense and hasn't been ridden outside in a few months. That said, I was pretty impressed with how hard he tried this session. I asked him to do one of our trademark exercises that I've found very helpful with getting him balanced and under himself: leg yielding in and out on a circle. He collapsed in on me when I first asked, but I toughened up my inside leg and tried again and the memories seemed to flood back. He did very well after that first boo-boo, and I was happy with how things were going.

I did a little loose, relaxed trot work for a few minutes just to let him get some stretching in. He's much easier in trot than walk. After a few more circles, I brought him down to the walk and let him out to the buckle. He stretched down and forward, making me a very happy camper because it is hard to get him to do that.


Domino seemed quite pleased with himself and was in a very happy, affectionate mood when I hopped off. He had lots of face itchies, which had to be scritched. My friend rode around on him for a few minutes, and he was a good boy. We ended overjoyed that we'd gotten a nice ride in, and eagerly looking ahead to spring. I can't wait to really start getting him fit and working consistently.


Goals for the next ride, whenever that may be: introduce some more trotwork. Transitions galore!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Icicles in my nostrils.

Still no sign of winter letting up.

Domino and I have been barn-trapped for the past week on account of very thick scary ice. It's been very cold and very unpleasant, so there's not too much to talk about in this little entry.

For now, you can enjoy some fascinating pictures from the day-to-day barn-trapped life of the pony and his faithful servant (aka, me, your intrepid blogger).

His Royal Highness is groomed daily. His coat is showing no signs of growing out yet, sadly. Hopefully it'll start thinning out soon so he doesn't overheat in the spring. That long-bristled brush is the greatest thing since sliced carrots, in Domino's learned opinion. It elicits much joyous yawning and (pictured) bedroom eyes at the groom.


After thirty minutes of grooming, we both get bored. Domino decides he would like to be a fashion model. We try on his fancy monogrammed stable sheet. His girlfriend (she digs older men) looks on in approval.


Unfortunately it is a bit too long, and Domino's brief foray into the fashion world is devastatingly, mercilessly ended. We grieve the loss of use of the cutely monogrammed sheet.

R.I.P., non-fitting sheet.


To ease his heartbreak, peppermints and carrots are bestowed upon his sorrowful self. They are enough to pull him back from the depths of self pity for the time being. I give him a pat and leave the barn to return the next day and repeat the same process. Swearing at the ice the entire time, of course.

Side note: the temperatures look like they are going to start going up soon. I'm really hopeful today was the low point and things are going to start melting soon. I've had more than my share of snow for the next decade. Domino feels similarly. Say some sun prayers for northern Ohio, please!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Where have I been?!


Ah, the joys of a busy life preventing regular blog updates. Sigh.

Here's the run down of what's happened since we last met!

The weather turned foul in November and it's not looking up yet. We made ends meet with some light hacking in the snow until I had to go home for my December break, which was enjoyable enough (though cold). I acquired a lovely saddle - Courbette Vision - that fits Domino and me really nicely, and I now have a functional bridle again, too! It was quite the shock at first, but we're both back to being fine in normal tack once more.

Then the snow came. It was cold, but pretty. Domino practiced being a handsome studmuffin model for me. I learned that Vaseline does wonders for keeping ice and snow out of pony hooves. His feet have looked pretty great for him, with his notoriously crappy feet, this winter.

We did have to spend a depressing amount of time indoors - and this is still true - but we kept our chins up. And ate lots of carrots. It was a difficult job, but Domino was up to the task.

I returned to school in January after a break over the holidays. Domino was doing well, but starting to show his frustration at the awful Ohio weather. I started paying for use of an indoor arena about two football fields from home. We had a couple rough spots due to me struggling with personal issues and Domino being a bit of a manipulative little dude. The first few attempts at walking over ended in tears, a pony dead set on rearing/spinning/bolting, and other frustrations. I learned, however, that with the company of a friend, I became much more confident and the walks got easier. This way, Domino and I made it over to the arena for a few productive rides.



Now, things are slowly starting to look up. I'm dealing with my issues and getting some of my confidence back (i.e. not letting my pony try to trample me). Domino is remembering those things he has called manners. All in all, we're learning to enjoy ourselves as best as we can in the sad weather. Domino has proven very good at enjoying himself.


Next up? Trick training to beat the winter blues! Domino is going to learn to look "ashamed". I'm sure he will feel ashamed that I have started making him do these silly things.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Trotting and tractors!


This week has been going outstandingly. Considering our mediocre-at-best tack setup at the moment of leather halter with extra long leadrope and saddle without stirrups, Domino and I have both been doing wonderfully.

My core had gotten really weak just because my only ride time was in lessons, and unfortunately I just can't afford enough lessons to really keep my physical stamina up. But posting and sitting the trot for significant chunks of our 30 to 45 minute sessions is already helping! I managed to do almost all posting trot work today for a good 20 minutes. My legs are killing me, but I can't wait to be back in good, strong riding shape. And I can't wait for Domino to get his fitness up again, either.

After my successful little ride today, I decided to take Domino on a walk around to do some bombproofing work. We encountered tractors and trucks and bright red trailers, and he took it all in stride. Clever, clever pony. I think he'll be ready to start trying some trails soon, but I'll be waiting for real stirrups and an actual bridle for that.

Happy weekend!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

A Hectic Week

As of Friday night at around 10:00pm EST, I am once again in possession of my Domino pony. He arrived at the barn and unloaded like a pro. Unfortunately, I was showing about three and a half hours away in Michigan and could not visit him until Sunday night. I was very happy to find my fuzzy monster looking well.


On Monday I went to do a thorough check of his condition, since I couldn't see very well the night before. I also had to check the fit of my saddle, but the poor thing was covered in mildew so I decided to take it home to clean it up that night. Domino seemed happy and healthy, so I let him go out in the outdoor arena for a little play to watch him move. He let me know he was feeling just wonderful. After a couple laps around the ring, he settled in to graze on the short grass and I let him enjoy his turnout and stretching time.

As I started to clean the saddle up, I discovered that it was a nice old Crosby! I rode in a Crosby Prix des Nations for a little while and loved the saddle, so I was immediately excited and hopeful about the fit.

I went to visit him on Tuesday and turned him out in the big field with three other horses. He was being a bit of a brat with the foal - I don't think he's ever seen one before - so I ultimately separated them and decided it was time to try a little riding. Domino hasn't been ridden since the last time I saw him in August, so I wasn't expecting much. I also didn't have a bridle or stirrups on my lovely saddle, so this was shaping up to be an interesting ride. I checked the saddle fit and was moderately pleased with it, so I "tacked up" (aka, attached an extra long leadrope to the leather halter and put a saddle pad under my stirrupless saddle) and headed out to the arena.

Almost immediately Domino started dancing around the mounting block and being a pain. I finally got my butt in the saddle, fully prepared for a short bolt or buck. What did I get? Absolutely nothing. I was thoroughly surprised. I nudged Pony on with my heels and he stretched down into the contact/halter, rounded up, and stepped off. He rode off my seat and leg cues perfectly - so responsive and willing. We had a little walk/trot work and ended on a nice little leg yield. Not bad at all for an out-of-work pony's first ride at a new place with no bit in his mouth in a forward cut jumping saddle!

Today I headed up to the barn after class and turned Domino out with two of the horses from yesterday, but no foal. He settled right in with them, so I'm letting him spend the afternoon out. I'll go ride him again in a little while after he's had some social time.

Pony love for all!