Stacy Westfall on the Ellen Degeneres Show 3/14/08 part 2/2

Stacy Westfall on the Ellen Degeneres Show 3/14/08 part 1/2

Stacy Westfall 2006

Saturday's Training - Ella

So far we've completed 6 -  2 hour lesson's (12 hours total). These have been split between Ella and Eli but the last two, two hour, Training Sessions have been specifically geared towards working exclusively with Ella. We will continue to go this route for the time being with the intention of bringing Ella up to speed so that Jesse and I, or our Trainer Robyn and myself can combine lessons/training to include Eli.

Ella is doing really well under saddle, she's really getting a handle on backing-up, stopping, leg yields. She's doing well with standing and moving her head in to knee/stir-up without turning her entire body. 

Saturday's main focus was to strengthen  these areas: stop, leg yield, back up, stand as well as to establish balance in her trot. We decided as she has two gaits in the trot, walking run and the standard trot, (sorry, I am not entirely familiar with the terminology) it best to pick and focus on one. I am thinking the running walk will be easier for her (come more naturally) and as I am such a green rider that perhaps later down the road, if I am better able and interested in the trot at that point, we can revisit.



I will have to look into whether this will cause more work and confusion and if maybe it would be better to just focus on the trot now as I have a feeling it may be difficult to work around running walk after having established it with her. Either way, not a big deal - pleasure riding should be pretty laid back and straight forward.

Following Ella's training I brought Eli in for some lunging and horsing around, he had fun. I have to say that I have noticed already a change in his joints, they haven't been making that loud cracking noise as they were in the past and if they do it's not nearly as often, or as loud - the Glucosamine must be working and I am glad as he doesn't seem nearly as stiff. 

Something else I have discovered researching the breed is that they were (supposedly) disciplined if they transitioned into a  canter or lope. It doesn't seem as though Ella is against it, so maybe it's not a major issue - but I did learn that the more you free lunge the better they become in terms of transitioning and balance and this helps reinforce that you want a canter/lope if asked.

I have included a video of the training as well as a video from a previous week (that was missed by mistake - lounging with tack on, canter/lope) and a link showing the running walk of a Standardbred Mare 

I also have to say that the drive out to the stable Saturday morning was breath taking - everything was covered in frost. I haven't quite seen anything like it - the frost particles were so large that they cast the sun off trees and fields as though everything were covered in diamonds. First picture at the top of the bull rush stems reminded me of those sugar sticks you can buy for coffee. I wasn't able to capture the sparkling effect, or the fog that was present and low to the road (odd) - but I did get some nice shots with the sun present. 

SATURDAY'S TRAINING

LUNGING AT A CANTER/LOPE

STANDARDBRED ~ RUNNING WALK 

ELI, HORSING AROUND

Standardbred Canada Video Feature - Fifty Shades Of Grey

Sunday's Lesson

Yesterday was a great lesson, they have all been good but in particular this one as it was Ella's first riding lessons. She is showing how great of a Mare she is to restart as she is so smart and willing.

The lesson started off when I met Robyn at the stable and she took Ella into the barn, tacked her up, lunged her and proceeded to mount her for her riding lesson.

Once up and on Ella she did a walk in circle's, both directions and later transitioned into a trot. She worked on backing-up and and leg aides (yields) which Ella was responsive to. 

I am so pleased, she really does try and is eager to learn. I noticed that she retains a lot from the previous training as well and maybe that's typical of horses - but none the less I am proud. 

She just needs a bit of work on her balance and she tends to be a bit bouncy and out of rhythm at times. I'm not sure if when she's trotting she is mixing it up with canter/lope or is fighting the urge to go into a pace or running walk (whichever it is she did racing) but Robyn will work all of that out with her and clearly communicate with her the responses needed or expected for certain leg, seat or body positions. 

Either way, she has the important things down, accept the rider, go, stop, turning AND backing-up. 

On top of the great lesson yesterday, Ella was moved next to Eli so they are now paddock neighbors. I spent some time following the lesson outside with the two of them and they seem happy. Eli and Ella both ate their feed, they both drank from the water'er while I was there and proceeded to eat hay out of the hay tires. 

I stuffed and hung the slow feeders in each of their shelters. Before refilling them, I will note that Eli's was still half full from filling it Friday - so it is definitely a slower feeder that's for sure. I'm not sure if Ella uses hers. 

Here are some video's of Ella's Training - First day being ridden. Will be interesting to look back and see her progress as she builds confidence. My favorite is the last video (part 4) - this being accomplished on the first ride. 

Update: Boredom and head bobbing

I drove out to the stable after work yesterday. Threw the winter blankets on as rumor had it the temperature was dropping down to -17 and would feel like -25 with the windchill.

I'm glad I did because on the drive home every vehicle that passed me was covered in frost. Yes, vehicles passed me as I was doing between 110-120 km's an hour (Dad). I do love and prefer the SUV over the Kia for reasons such as all wheel drive, heavier, higher ground clearance and better visibility. Still great on gas being on the smaller side.

On my way out I stopped at Greenhawk and picked up two hay feeders, one for Ella and one for Eli, for $8 each.

This should work better than the hay feeder I was using having smaller holes, the one I have been using is meant for inside a trailer during transport. So this should occupy them for longer and slow down their eating.

Slowly progressing to an EcoNet. Will pick one up fir square bales from Equi-Mart soon. Jesse and Josiah are going to build an RFF, restricted free feeder, that can be accessed on both sides or hung from a paddock railing.

Our training lesson today was rescheduled to tomorrow due to the cold. After the lesson Ella's being moved to the paddock next to Eli so they can be 'neigh'bors and get to know each other a bit before becoming room mates.

I'm excited about tomorrows lesson.