http://review.barnmice.com/
I have found some really great articles and videos on this site. Hope you find is as useful as I have.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Great Website
It is quite possible that most people already know of this website, but I just found it so I figured I would share.
http://review.barnmice.com/
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http://review.barnmice.com/
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Beware of Horse Eating Creeks!
Pippi decided yesterday that a cool creek is actually a really great thing on a hot summer day after all. Guess she had been wrong about those swallowing horses whole, all this time. She splashed and all but squeeled in delight, after being backed into the creek yesterday. What a silly equine she is!
Anyone know a good electrician? I do!
I knew it had been a while since I last blogged, but a whole month? Where did the time go?
Ever just not feel like blogging? Life just doesn't seem interesting enough to write about sometimes. But then again it is not as though all of a sudden my life became fascinating, yet here I am writing again. If a was a professional I could have blamed it on writers block.
Anyway................
Pippi had a complete melt down at the last show. It is a long story; here it goes:
Pippi and Daughter did the flat class for the 18" division, and all went well. Did not place, but no incidents. Then it was time to do the jumper class, and Pippi entered the arena at High alert. And then refused to go anywhere near the left side of the arena. She hopped, she bucked a bit, but was quite adament that there was no way she was going down that side. After fighting her a bit, Daughter wisely left arena, only to try again for the next class with much the same result. It was a WTF? moment. I walked down the side of the arena (it is an indoor) where Pippi did not wish to go, and she came a bit closer. This is a schooling show, so all were being lenient as we fought with Pippi. Daughter got her closer step by step, but Pippi finally spun around quickly leaving Daughter (to Pippi"s surprise) on the ground. Pippi actually stopped and neighed at her, as though to say "get out of there!!!!" As I turned to leave the arena to go find Horse and Daughter outside, I saw that behind me was the electrical box with the cover open, and duct tape and a general mess. In the outlet underneath was a plug that belonged to the Concession stand.
This made me think:
Last year at a show Pippi simply refused to go anywhere near one of the jumps by the arena fence, and nothing was going to get her there. NOTHING! It was the night before the show actually, and she was clearly bothered by something at that spot. There were other horses there, but none of them had a problem with that spot. We chucked it up to "just another Pippi thing," and was quite frankly irritated by her nervousness and testiness. Later that evening the "Show Lady" decided to turn on the arena lights, and went to the pole that housed the switch. As she flipped it on she experienced a shock, enough for her to yell out and pull back abruptly. That pole was right outside the arena at the spot that Pippi had refused to go earlier.
Remembering this incident, I told our friends about it as we are discussing what to do by our trailer at the show this year. As I theorized that Pippi was once again scared by electrical surges, my friend said "did you hear that?" They had just announced that it would take a while for the lights to come back on, because those kinds of lights had to get cool before they would could light again. The POWER HAD GONE OFF!!! A breaker had tripped due to the extra power being used by the concession stand. I wondered aloud why Pippi had not shown any fear for the flat class, when my friend stated that they had only used half the string of lights then but had flipped them all on for the jumping. They now only had half on again.
This still makes my hair stand on end. Pippi is hyper sensitive, and it certainly can be a challenge, but it is also a great gift. She never intended to throw Daughter, as Trainer pointed out, she was just looking out for her own safety. As perplexed by her behavior as we were, can you imagine how irritated she was by ours?
Ever just not feel like blogging? Life just doesn't seem interesting enough to write about sometimes. But then again it is not as though all of a sudden my life became fascinating, yet here I am writing again. If a was a professional I could have blamed it on writers block.
Anyway................
Pippi had a complete melt down at the last show. It is a long story; here it goes:
Pippi and Daughter did the flat class for the 18" division, and all went well. Did not place, but no incidents. Then it was time to do the jumper class, and Pippi entered the arena at High alert. And then refused to go anywhere near the left side of the arena. She hopped, she bucked a bit, but was quite adament that there was no way she was going down that side. After fighting her a bit, Daughter wisely left arena, only to try again for the next class with much the same result. It was a WTF? moment. I walked down the side of the arena (it is an indoor) where Pippi did not wish to go, and she came a bit closer. This is a schooling show, so all were being lenient as we fought with Pippi. Daughter got her closer step by step, but Pippi finally spun around quickly leaving Daughter (to Pippi"s surprise) on the ground. Pippi actually stopped and neighed at her, as though to say "get out of there!!!!" As I turned to leave the arena to go find Horse and Daughter outside, I saw that behind me was the electrical box with the cover open, and duct tape and a general mess. In the outlet underneath was a plug that belonged to the Concession stand.
This made me think:
Last year at a show Pippi simply refused to go anywhere near one of the jumps by the arena fence, and nothing was going to get her there. NOTHING! It was the night before the show actually, and she was clearly bothered by something at that spot. There were other horses there, but none of them had a problem with that spot. We chucked it up to "just another Pippi thing," and was quite frankly irritated by her nervousness and testiness. Later that evening the "Show Lady" decided to turn on the arena lights, and went to the pole that housed the switch. As she flipped it on she experienced a shock, enough for her to yell out and pull back abruptly. That pole was right outside the arena at the spot that Pippi had refused to go earlier.
Remembering this incident, I told our friends about it as we are discussing what to do by our trailer at the show this year. As I theorized that Pippi was once again scared by electrical surges, my friend said "did you hear that?" They had just announced that it would take a while for the lights to come back on, because those kinds of lights had to get cool before they would could light again. The POWER HAD GONE OFF!!! A breaker had tripped due to the extra power being used by the concession stand. I wondered aloud why Pippi had not shown any fear for the flat class, when my friend stated that they had only used half the string of lights then but had flipped them all on for the jumping. They now only had half on again.
This still makes my hair stand on end. Pippi is hyper sensitive, and it certainly can be a challenge, but it is also a great gift. She never intended to throw Daughter, as Trainer pointed out, she was just looking out for her own safety. As perplexed by her behavior as we were, can you imagine how irritated she was by ours?
Friday, June 10, 2011
Storm Storm go away.....
......Come again on a non lesson day!
After the move we no longer have an indoor arena, and yes we will miss that aspect of the old place. But we will make do, and cross our fingers that the storm does not roll in today. Go north I say!
Trainer is fantastic!! Just fabulous! He actually has a lesson plan, and comes prepared to teach and work. This is only our second Trainer, and we loved K who came out a few times, but she is just way too busy. Trainer is so focused, and knowledgable. And he studies and reads about what to do, learning and taking lessons himself. Pippi gets this weird expression when she sees him; a mixture of grudging respect, dread and excitement. But boy does she work hard. The gymnastics are super beneficial, and she goes all out. For such a little mare, compared to the BIG jumpers we face, she pulls out five strides between jumps too, and it is thrilling. This is her third season under saddle, and she is learning and loving it.
Pippi is changing in more ways that just skills, she is growing up. Her body is changing from that of a Filly to that of a grown mare. And she is filling her body if that makes any sense. Watching Daughter and Pippi become women/mare is odd and somewhat sad. They both are strong and sensible, and kind. Our ferrier who has a lot of experience with Pippi's bloodline told me that they mature late, both physically and mentally, and I can see now that he is right. She is becoming so settled, so much calmer, and less worried about things. It is great being on this journey with her.
After the move we no longer have an indoor arena, and yes we will miss that aspect of the old place. But we will make do, and cross our fingers that the storm does not roll in today. Go north I say!
Trainer is fantastic!! Just fabulous! He actually has a lesson plan, and comes prepared to teach and work. This is only our second Trainer, and we loved K who came out a few times, but she is just way too busy. Trainer is so focused, and knowledgable. And he studies and reads about what to do, learning and taking lessons himself. Pippi gets this weird expression when she sees him; a mixture of grudging respect, dread and excitement. But boy does she work hard. The gymnastics are super beneficial, and she goes all out. For such a little mare, compared to the BIG jumpers we face, she pulls out five strides between jumps too, and it is thrilling. This is her third season under saddle, and she is learning and loving it.
Pippi is changing in more ways that just skills, she is growing up. Her body is changing from that of a Filly to that of a grown mare. And she is filling her body if that makes any sense. Watching Daughter and Pippi become women/mare is odd and somewhat sad. They both are strong and sensible, and kind. Our ferrier who has a lot of experience with Pippi's bloodline told me that they mature late, both physically and mentally, and I can see now that he is right. She is becoming so settled, so much calmer, and less worried about things. It is great being on this journey with her.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Peace
Just wanted to share a Picture of Pippi surveying her new surroundings.
We feel so blessed to have such a great, drama free, place to enjoy our passion. The arena was very wet and soggy yesterday so Daughter and Pippi trained by riding around the pond for a while. It was just beautiful. The sound of birds chirping, and ducks playing in the pond made it a perfect day.
(Meanwhile at our old barn, the horses were left out during a monster thunderstorm Saturday night, and went through the electric fence and were scattered around the property. Just proves that moving was the best option for Pippi and us.)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
For all the Riding Queens
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1385730/Queen-Elizabeth-goes-riding-Prince-Edwards-children.html
Love this picture of Queen Elizabeth riding ponies with two small children. Wish she would wear a helmet, but when you are the Queen of England and 85 years old, I guess you get a bit of a pass.
Long Live the Queen.
Monday, May 9, 2011
To do or not to do.......
....that is the question that I am pondering for the moment. To compete or not to compete, at the show coming up May 15th. I would do the two Walk/Trot classes again, the ones in the Crossrails division that I placed third in during my first ever competition a month ago.
Here are the reason to NOT compete:
-daughter is working on a lot of new things with Pippi right now; new martingale, new riding style, longer stride in canter, just flat work adjustments really, so I do not want to "unteach" new skills
-I want to give Pippi and Daughter every advantage and a fresh horse could make a difference
-we could sleep in a bit more, as crossrails are the first classes of the day
Here are the reasons TO compete:
-"everybody" wants me to, and is cheering me on (mostly other newbies, and close friends)
-Pippi needs to warm up for the other classes, and Walk/Trot is a great warm up
- Pippi loves her "mamma" and seems to settle down nicely for me, and is therefore a calmer horse after I ride her
-it costs money, and this is an expensive month.
So, there it is.
I can't really tell you whether I want to or not, but I am leaning towards not competing. Just don't know if I feel like it. The ribbons last time was a nice surprise, but.............oh I don't know.....
Here are the reason to NOT compete:
-daughter is working on a lot of new things with Pippi right now; new martingale, new riding style, longer stride in canter, just flat work adjustments really, so I do not want to "unteach" new skills
-I want to give Pippi and Daughter every advantage and a fresh horse could make a difference
-we could sleep in a bit more, as crossrails are the first classes of the day
Here are the reasons TO compete:
-"everybody" wants me to, and is cheering me on (mostly other newbies, and close friends)
-Pippi needs to warm up for the other classes, and Walk/Trot is a great warm up
- Pippi loves her "mamma" and seems to settle down nicely for me, and is therefore a calmer horse after I ride her
-it costs money, and this is an expensive month.
So, there it is.
I can't really tell you whether I want to or not, but I am leaning towards not competing. Just don't know if I feel like it. The ribbons last time was a nice surprise, but.............oh I don't know.....
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