Valentine's Day

is coming up soon, February 14, 2013 ~ that would be next Thursday. I'm hoping that the weather is nice and if so I am going to bake some horse treats and head out to the barn for a visit.

Just for fun, as I'm not big into Valentines Day myself, I made a few cute pictures of Ella & Eli together. We know Eli loves Ella, but she seems to tolerate him more than anything else ha ha

Just thought it might be fun, but truth be told ~ if Ella's in foal then she's got some explaining to do to Eli because it ain't his baby... 

How important are lessons?

I went out to ride Eli and while practicing, seeking advice from instructors/experienced riders and while reading I accomplished a halt using my seat aids - therefore I didn't need to put any pressure on the reins.




Up until practicing and achieving this I was asking Eli to stop by putting direct pressure on the reins (bit) without using my seat. How confusing and uncomfortable do you think this could be for an ex- race horse that used to go faster when the jockey pulled back on the reins.

This thought made me think of other horse riding aids in relation to Jockey's and Thoroughbred race horse training. Seeing as how the rider is so high up, knees bent hovering or nearly standing over the horse, I don't imagine they use leg yields.

Then again the saying is 'All GO and NO Whoa' so I guess it doesn't matter much.

Luckily Eli's had plenty of re-training and I'm the one that needs to get up to speed with communication. Right now when I don't ask for something correctly he ignores me until I get it right - good teacher, but I don't want it to be at his cost i.e. pulling on his mouth with the bit etc.

OR, what about when they don't stay on the horse at all... check out the video by clicking on the link provided: Nate Hubbard ~ Hilarious jockey riding

Great Winter Weather ~ They're naked!

The weather in CALGARY, AB has been so nice lately that there has been no need for blankets on the horses. I am glad as it's been some time since I've seen them 'naked' ha ha and they look quite nice with their slightly furry coats. I'm sure they feel good to, especially when they get down on the ground and roll around.

YAY, NO BLANKETS MAKING US HOT AND ITCHY!!  

Update on Winter Paddock boarding

Thought I would note that the paddock boarding is going OK thus far. Being in the paddock opposed to out at pasture has allowed for Eli and Ella to receive daily feedings of grain - to assist in keeping their winter weight up, as well as to help prevent slips and falls on ice or hard snow. It has also made it easier on me when going out to blanket them during cold winter days, I don't need to hike through the pasture should they be far out in the field.

Eli walking around his shelter and Jolly Ball

The downside to paddock board is that it eliminates their ability to run, buck and rear etc (which could be a good thing when you take into account this is how they could slip and fall). Therefore, they aren't able to fully stretch out and exercise daily the same way they would in a field. We remedy this by turning them out in the indoor arena and making sure to ride and do as much as possible throughout the week in the indoor arena, such as ground work, riding and lunging.

The other downside is that being confined to a smaller area - the horses can or tend to get bored, mentally. If they aren't eating hay (there form of reading, watching TV, or working) and mentally stimulating themselves there isn't much as to do. They have each other for companionship, but not a whole lot in the form of fun.

Notice the hay net hanging to the right of Eli (full) Jolly ball to left

We had a jolly ball that we placed in Eli's pen as he's the one with the more obvious vices and he paid little to no attention to it. I've since hung it from a string in his shelter. The other night when I was out filling their hay nets I noticed that (although I thought it would spook him, or keep him from actually using the shelter) he quite enjoys it. He doesn't play with it the way I expected (at least not that I've seen) - I thought he would head but it, bite it, or lick it. He walks under it and backs up a bit having it bump him in various places on his back and neck, sniffs it, then walks under again and stops as it bumps him.

Glad to know that it isn't keeping him out of the shelter and that he is finding some form of stimulation from it - if all else fails it seems he keeps Ella entertained as she appears to stand and watch him. Ha Ha.

You can see Ella's hay net suspended on her side - she's watching Eli

Ella absolutely loves her slow-feed hay net. She prefers to eat out of it over the hay that's placed in her tire until its filled-up. When we remove the empty net now to refill, she stands and waits patiently, or is perhaps afraid we're taking it away. Once we put it back it she happily stands and nibbles at it.

Ella seems to be amused when Eli plays with the Jolly Ball (here swinging)

We knew Eli liked his and are glad to see Ella enjoys hers. I've since picked up two more, this way there is another option for them in two ways.

1. The second hay net is hung from a post - therefore in a lower position than the one in the shelter that is hung from the ceiling (higher up) 
2. The location of the hay net is off in the corner of their paddock opposite the shelter so they can nibble in privacy - should they want to (whereas the net hung higher up is in the shelter and they are next to each other aside from the fence railing separating them) 

So, in each of their paddocks they now have: 

• A high suspended hay net that can be found in the shelter underneath the roof providing a dry place to nibble should it rain or show and they can enjoy each others company
• A lower hung hay net off in the corner of their paddock where they can enjoy the nice weather and have some privacy while eating with their heads lowered
• Their routine hay feeding twice a day (loose hay in the tire on the ground) 
• Grain feeding once a day
• Easy access to fresh water
• Shelters
• Eli has a suspended jolly ball for entertainment 
• Ella has Eli for entertainment 
• They have Each other for company
• On cold days they're blanketed with a fleece sheet and waterproof shell
• On really cold 'winter' days they have their winter blankets and if need be the fleece sheet as lining

I have just started learning how to stretch their legs for them as this can help them in the arena prior to warming up (we don't ride on really cold days and on chiller ones we are sure they warm up prior to) and going for a ride as they can get pretty stiff. Plus a trick I was just taught - if you tack-up and lunge or ride your horse in the winter (when they have their longer 'winter' fur coat) it's best to stretch their front legs forward as this can pull the hair underneath their front legs (arm pits  from the Girth - should some be caught in there it can be uncomfortable and at times painful for the horse.

Sorry for the bad pictures, they were taken at night in the dark with minimal lighting and by an iphone camera - not the best quality camera!!