Cold day at the Stable

Saturday's training was cancelled and rescheduled due to the cold. It was -20, with windchill -27, but it felt more like -30 and is expected to stay cold all week. 

We brought Eli in and Jesse spent some time playing with him in the arena so I was able to catch some of it on video. Eli was quite spunky today and wanted to roll around in the dirt. I am glad to see he's very active and playful. He demonstrating his ability to move around freely, his joints not being too stiff or cracking (way better now than before - especially when it's this cold). 

I was worried for a moment when he rolled in the dirt, the first time, that he would flip over and wedge himself against the wall and get stuck. This is when his high wither (dorsal fin) comes in handy as it usually prevents him from being able to do that. He did buck a bit when he was playing, video below, but I wouldn't take it as misbehaving as he isn't on a lead - but we do have to be cautious. When I was in the barn cleaning and Jesse was leaning against the door, Eli bucked and fully extended his hind legs out while doing a lap around the Arena. I'm sure he would do this out in the field at pasture and if he doesn't do it once in a while indoors then when is he able to. Jesse had a lot of fun and got some exercise as well. 

We went out and brought Ella in, let her stretch out and warm up a bit. We put both a fleece sheet and their winter jackets on (layering) before turning them out into their paddocks again. They stay out all night so the layers and their shelter will help keep them comfy. Ella was so quiet and such a sweet heart again, seems she is getting more comfortable with us and her surroundings. 

Back outside we filled up their slow feeders. Next visit will be Christmas day with my parents. I am excited for them to meet Ella. Will bring out mash for them as a treat.

Wednesday's Stable Visit: December 19, 2012

We headed out to the Stable last night, heard the temperature was dropping and wanted to work with the Ponies. When we got out there we took Ella inside the barn and removed her sheet, groomed her and checked her hooves.

I snapped on the western reins to her halter. Jesse surprised asked, "what are you doing" - so I told him that I intended to go for a ride on her bareback in the indoor arena.

With his help (holding the lead to her halter) I put the reins over her head. While she stood still and I stood on a stool I hung or draped myself over her back and loin. After doing this a couple of times (and having Jesse say "well are you going to get on or what, bewildered) I proceeded to swing my leg over her hind quarters stopping my foot or lightly bumping the heel of my foot on her croup or dock (near her tail). She did great, she didn't move away, she didn't stir, her ear was flicking back and fourth to indicate she was paying attention (and probably thinking the same thing as Jesse)

When I was comfortable I jumped so my stomach lay across her back and at the same time as pushing myself up with my arms I swung my leg over. There, done, on! She remained still. Once on Jesse proceeded to walk her around the arena with me on her back, bare, no tack.






I took a few things into consideration, one of them being that she had no tack or padding on, she wasn't as familiar with Jesse holder her lead and lastly, not having a saddle on meant I didn't have a stir-up to step into and saddle to hold when hoisting myself up and she's a TALL horse. I still had to hop and bump to get on her from the stepping stool.I suppose I should look into a proper stepping stool as well for these tall, high backed horses

After I was led around the Arena a few times on Ella I hopped off and asked Jesse (with the knowledge that he has just seen me do it) if he wanted to give it a go. So he did, he took his time and hoisted himself up. Once up and on he was amazed at how comfortable Ella is, even said he prefers riding without a saddle. I took her around the arena a few times (quite a few more times around then even I had gone) and Jesse noticed your balance is really important, that if he sat in the right spot and positioned his legs correctly (what we think is correctly, will have to check on that) she seemed to be all that more comfortable and relaxed. She was a lot more comfortable having me on the ground leading her around and that helped Jesse relax therefore be a bit more comfortable.

So this is what we did, walked around in the indoor arena spending time working on trust while being safe respecting her and ourselves. I knew she would be fine, but to be honest she was a lot quieter than even I expected. She was extremely quiet when in the barn leading up to the Arena as well. I have no doubt that a lot of Jesse's doubts or fear dissipated and he developed that much more trust in her just from that short relatively relaxed interaction.

After working with Ella we put her blankets back on (was still extremely quiet) and took her back out to her paddock and have her some feed. Then we brought Eli in. He was pretty worked up with his head bobbing again, neighing his face off and desperately needed to burn off some steam. So we turned him out in the indoor arena and that he did. Wish I had my phone with me then to record (always when you don't have it Dole's Law) he was running, jumping, bucking (no rearing) tossing his head around. He ran and then sniffed the ground and sure enough you could see his front knees bending then rolled and rolled in the dirt all the while snorting like a moose - it's really quite the spectacle. Nice to see him all lively and playful. After he played and burned off steam for a while we groomed him and and worked with him in the barn.

Before we left we filled up their slow feeder hay nets and made sure they had dry blankets on. Will be heading out again soon. Can't wait, slow but steady progress.  I will look into bare back saddle pads and the benefits of them as well as the pros and cons of the different styles available.

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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