08.09.06
Young warmblood horse goes to school
BACKGROUND:
Gilford, our 3 yr. old Arabian/percheron, was started to ride and drive at age 2. We have boarded him for August near our daughter Emmie, who grew up riding and schooling horses through 4H and Pony Club, open showing and the Arabian show circuit. Training descriptions are from Emmie’s Emails reporting her progress, working with Gilford under saddle and doing prep work for his upcoming American Warmblood Society inspection.
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AUG. 9
Gilford is doing great. He’s fit right in at the barn and is happy as a clam. He’s turned out with two other horses who seem to care less that he’s there. It even looks like he’s getting a good amount of grass. I’ve gone over both days after work. Monday I just worked with him in the round pen, which was probably better because it was SUPER hot! I forgot how gross and sticky being around horses could be. He was really good… I worked mostly on keeping his attention on me (which wasn’t hard at all, he’s so eager to learn), and then also worked on being more forward and staying forward through his walk-trot-walk transitions. He picked it up right away and is learning my cues quickly.
Em fetching Gilford from his new paddock
Grooming up the youngster on crossties
Yesterday I saddled him up and put him in the round pen to warm up. I’ve start adding in some transition work, while also keeping him moving forward. I don’t really think that he’s that lazy naturally, I just don’t think he’s ever really been asked or understood that he should put more effort into moving. I did a lot of quick transition work in the round pen to get him on his toes and to encourage him to lift himself up into the transitions instead of falling into them, and he did great. He got very springy and with a little encouragement every once in a while he started trotting very forward naturally. The round pen is a little bit smaller than I would like, so it’s hard to get too forward, or to extend at all, but he was tracking up well and using his hind end to push off.
All tacked up– Em bridling Gilford in snaffle bit
After the warm up for about 20 minutes I hopped on him in the ring and worked on some of the same… and he was great. He’s getting used to the contact of my hands, is very responsive to me tickling him with the dressage whip to get him to move off my leg, and he was springing up into his trot when I asked. By the end of the session I was able to give him some extra rein and encourage him to lengthen into the bit then stretch his trot out. It was really nice. I’ll do more of the same for the next week, and work on polishing off his circles and roundness, before I ask for any canter work. I want him to be comfortable and confident at the trot (and myself) before I step it up. I plan to do ring work this week, and then possibly take him out on the trail Saturday for something different.
I know you don’t want me to, but I think we should trim his legs up for the inspection. The feathers aren’t thick enough to be clear that he’s part percheron. To me they just look like overgrown fetlock hair and I think it might reflect poorly on him. I braided his mane yesterday to get it out of my way when riding. I may do some thinning of it this weekend, and give him a bath too. Did you send me shampoo?? Also, I didn’t notice if my black paddock boots where in the trunk? Your shoes are doing OK, but I’m starting to get blisters around my heels. I may have to go find myself my own pair…
My legs aren’t sore yet. I’d be surprised if they do get sore. I have been running for the last 4 months on the treadmill and I’m in pretty good shape. Gil is such a sweetheart and totally happy to be around people and work. It’s so nice! I’m in love already.
EM
P.S. Cute blog…I’ll have to start checking it more regularly. I like the pics and cute notes. Oh, and that pic of me with Freckles… I was definitely at least 9 or 10 years old because I always remember that we got Freckles when I was in 4th grade.
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Connie Moses, petArtist– website since 2001:
Portraits With Pets.com aka PortraitsWithHorses.com
