Thursday's Stable Visit

Yesterday's visit was fun. When we arrived it was pretty dark, so we didn't waste any time getting Eli and Ella into the barn. Jesse brought Eli in, removed his turn-out sheet and then went into the Arena. I joined them for some fun, once Jesse started lunging and working with Eli I went out and got Ella.



When I brought Ella in I tied her and removed her two layers, fleece and rain sheet, brushed her down and while Jesse and Eli were working in the Arena Ella and I worked on putting on her bridle with the bit. I don't think I like the nylon bridle I have. I bought it thinking it would be easy and convenient to use over top a halter as it has less straps (no nose band) and just the throat latch to do up, BUT I find that the brow band slides down the cheek pieces - I guess because nylons slippery. It's so low at some points you would think it was the nose band.



In any case she did well. So we practiced lowering her head and putting on/taking off the bridle three times - each time she became a little more accepting and patient for me. Then we headed into the Arena to do some lunging and ground work.


During the ground work, respecting each others bubbles, there was a lot of chewing - which is a really good sign and while we walked around the Arena both their heads were low - so they seemed pretty relaxed. Afterwards we went back into the barn and proceeded to groom, hoof pick etc.

Yesterday was the first time Jesse worked solely with Eli, I was there if he had questions or to help point out minor things if needed. It was also the first time we had Eli and Ella in the Arena together, not loose, but on their leads. I will hold off turning them loose in the Arena until Ella is a little more confident and comfortable, I have no doubt they would behave I just know that Eli is comfortable being in the Arena loose but afraid of Ella whereas Ella isn't afraid of Eli but isn't comfortable to be loose in the Arena just yet as she gets quite nervous and doesn't know what to do - that will come with time. Once she trusts us more and is fine on her own then we'll turn them out in the Arena together to stretch out.

In the barn while tied Ella was so quiet, she's already come so far with relaxing indoors. I am amazed at how fast she progresses, such a smart girl. I think having Eli around helps calm her as she realizes she's fine as he is such a big baby and he's OK.

Calm and quiet 

The hay net was once again empty so I filled it back up, will definitely pick up an EcoNet for both of them. It was nice to be in the Arena today with Jesse and both of us having our own mounts. I can't wait until summer when we can hop on outdoors and go for a trail ride. I'm sure Eli will appreciate the Equine company during lessons and riding as well.

I have to admit I am really happy and impressed with how well Jesse's doing with Eli and how much calmer and more trusting Jesse has become thanks to Eli's sweet disposition. They really are buddies.

Funny picture below, just like the picture of Eli and Jesse peering through the Arena door into the barn at Ella and her new hot pink rain sheet, there they are again in the distant background.

Here are Some Video Clips of Yesterdays visit. They will be posted to the Video's page as well. 

Ella being calm and relaxed

Eli thinks he's in a box stall

Jesse lunging Eli 

Running along

Monday Stable Visit.

Went out to the Stable Monday evening after work. Worked with the horses a bit and switched their winter blankets out for rain sheets.

Well Ella's is a rain sheet, but Eli's is a water resistant turnout sheet so has a liner inside. Ella's didn't so instead of throwing the plastic like blanket on her I threw on Eli's fleece sheet first, layering it a bit.

Glad I did because it turned out to be warm the following two days and sunny. They certainly would have been warm maybe over heated and I got a major migraine so have been out of commission since first thing Tuesday morning.

At least with the light blankets when the sun goes down and the wind picks up they have some cover and can retain a bit of body warmth.

In the second picture picture below you can see Eli and Jesse in the Arena peering through the door at Ella and her pretty pink rain sheet. I didn't pick this pattern/color intentionally, it just happen to be the best quality for the best price haha. Have to love Sales.

Was happy to see Eli had eaten up all the hay that was in the hay net hanging from the shelter in his paddock, updated the 'Boredom and Head Bobbing' post with the empty net picture.

Hot To Trot (1988)

What Makes a Good Racehorse - Explained by "Ella" from IRELAND

Boredom and head bobbing

Eli's been head bobbing and working up a sweat more so lately than before. Could be because he's in a paddock over the winter to prevent slipping and competing for hay ( not sure where he fits in with the herd but he wasn't the dominant one )

Or, could be his feed - too much Protien as mentioned in the Hard Keeper - Feeding Pellets post.

Either way I am sure it is some sort of anxiety associated with boredom. Which is probably another good reason he is free feeding. When he's eating he's not bobbing his head.

What I did and HOPE it works is put some hay in a hay net, the one we used in the trailer when transporting him and hung it from his shelter. The idea is that he will eat from there but have to work a bit to get the hay out. Might have to let him finish off the hay in his paddock before he shows any interest. PLUS, if it's snowing or raining he'll be protected from the elements.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not, but I got it when I read a post about an EcoNet round bale. Seen a picture, but still haven't had a chance to look into that yet I will post about EcoNets once I research more.

Update: looks like its working. Went back two days later and netting was empty, certainly eating the hay so must be keeping him busy even if for just a short time. Refilled it before heading home.

Hard Keeper - Feeding Pellets

Eli being a Thoroughbred is always on the lean to thin side and with winter here we are trying to make sure he and Ella put and keep weight on.

How we're trying to accomplish and maintain this is by, making sure they have continues access to hay (free feed), wear sheets to suit the climate, get regular exercise to maintain muscle and feed them pellet feed in thd form if a high-fat supplement mixed with a complete feed.

Having done this we noticed Eli was head bobbing and pacing quite a bit, this could be a number of this ( another post to follow will be AB idea I had to combat boredom). Someone made mention that it might be their feed. High protein or too much protein. So we have since changed it to Proform Step 6 to go along with the high-fat feed Proform Step 8.

I should have picked-up the maintenance Step 5 feed as it is 10% Protein and the Step 6 is 14%. I hope that this makes a difference because changing feed before they get used to it can't be good either.

We keep the feed in containers to help keep it fresh and prevent attracting mice and contamination from mice droppings.

Picture 1 is Step 6 feed. Picture 2 is Step 8 feed and remaining photos the containers and information found on Proform. Something I have to keep in mind is they amount they are fed and their daily intake of selenium.

Second last Picture: CR Profibre Crunch is recommended for horses with Metabolic Syndrome or sugar sedative and the last photo is a selenium 'guidline' found on the Internet.

Any feed or supplements should be Veternarian recommended or approved. H

Proform Step 6 Feed on the LEFT  Proform Step 8 Feed on the RIGHT

Proform StepRight Step 8 Feed (High Fat)

Proform StepRight Step 6 Feed (Senior) 

Selenium daily intake 'Guideline' 

Saturday's training session

Saturday's training with Ella went really well. Worked with lowering her head for the bridal. The bit didn't seem to bother that much at all and usual one hour session was extended to two hours.

Did some lunging and ground work in relation to effective communication in the saddle or when mounted. I can certainly see her confidence growing.

When Robyn (trainer) is working with her I see how willing she is and how much potential she has - then when practicing my homework with her prior to the lesson ending I realizing how much I have to learn as Robyn makes it look so easy.

I have to focus on my timing and make sure I am communicating with her properly and not sending mixed messages.

After Ella's training session I brought Eli in for some lunging - stretch out his legs and get some circulation going. When that was done I took off his halter and let him run around. Just after putting his halter back on he indicated that he wasn't quite done so before attaching the lead I gig z clip of him being a bit spunky, I will include that as well.

After training and lessons and some time cooling down they get their feed as a reward back in their paddocks. And plenty of fresh hay.

Eli having fun running around in the Arena

Eli Following me in between the posts without a lead 

ELLA 

Ella Trot and Canter