well, yesterday, October 2nd, I put my oldest thoroughbred down to rest... he was 28 years old. I took him at 22 years old. The day he came to the barn.. will never forget... he was happy to be with other horses.. ran like a young horse, rolling, yelling for the others.. very happy! I put needed weight on him... spent alot of time with him, and rode him about 6 days a week.
I was looking for a horse to ride since my Appy, Poncho was lame with navicular, back problems, etc.. loved to buck you off....
so, I rode Nash... he loved to be ridden.. couldn't wait to put the bridle on, and go in the ring... just loved it... never really wanted to stop riding...
He was never worked hard, just had fun....
I then got another thoroughbred, from a friend of mine - he is much younger, and I decided to retire Nash, the oldest one.
Although during his retirement, he carried around little kids... and he did so carefully.
Nash was just that way.. I think he knew when there was someone young, or a beginner on him.... so patient... so sweet
the past few years I noticed his sight was going more... spooked more, would almost run into me... he would see me the last minute and move... we fed him 3 meals a day, to keep weight on him... when he seemed tired, spooked too much for kids, I retired him....
He still went out every day... when he wanted to come in, we let him in... when he wanted out, we let him out...
He was funny...if something was wrong - cut, needed his bug mask, fly spray, whatever it was, he would find me... he wouldnt' leave until I found out what he wanted... once I patched up a boo-boo or gave him fly spray, he would then leave to see the other horses... if he wanted attention, he would follow you... chase you, etc... it was pretty sweet!
I knew yesterday would be hard... I had friends with me, and a caring vet...
I spent the morning at the barn... brushed him, scratched his bug bites, fly spray and treats.... he would follow me around....
He looked tired... really tired... I could see it in his eye....
when the vet got there, I made sure I hung on to him as long as I could..hugs, kisses....
Karen and Elizabeth, along with the vet, walked him to his place of rest...
I almost yelled out for them to stop... I hated watching him walk away... I knew I would never see him again.
I have a piece of his tail... I will keep it forever...
RIP - Nash.... 1982-2010
:-(
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
No more boarding
As this weekend ends, I only have less than a week to clean 6 stalls in the morning... sad, but true... boarders are leaving next weekend... the only reason why I am happy is - I will only have 3 to care for....
I have been told we have a "fun" life... as much fun as I have had fun, and the people I have met, continued friendships and all; all work and no play makes me a dull girl.
It will be quiet at the barn soon... but, i really don't mind... it will take less time for 3 stalls than 6... less shoveling, less time for bug spray, fly masks, blankets, hay, water, grain... clean the turnout, the run in, never mind stalls.
I remember moving 600 bales of hay at a time (last year was about 1000 bales of hay, 1200 bags of shavings, sawdust, frozen water pipes and more... yes, it will be less hectic....
It's been good... some people said I will have no one to ride with; yup... it's nice to call someone, but I ride alone for the most part... keeping the cell phone close by, or telling neighbors I am riding in case I fall...
crawling home once or twice hasn't been too bad... couldnt' walk, so the crawl was a short one, after being thrown or falling off a horse...
One more day for the weekend, and back to "normal" for monday... I will appreciate this week.... but will also appreciate the week after..... only 3 horses.. hopefully I will ride more and pay more attention to my own, more...
Thanks to my boarders... it's been fun!
I have been told we have a "fun" life... as much fun as I have had fun, and the people I have met, continued friendships and all; all work and no play makes me a dull girl.
It will be quiet at the barn soon... but, i really don't mind... it will take less time for 3 stalls than 6... less shoveling, less time for bug spray, fly masks, blankets, hay, water, grain... clean the turnout, the run in, never mind stalls.
I remember moving 600 bales of hay at a time (last year was about 1000 bales of hay, 1200 bags of shavings, sawdust, frozen water pipes and more... yes, it will be less hectic....
It's been good... some people said I will have no one to ride with; yup... it's nice to call someone, but I ride alone for the most part... keeping the cell phone close by, or telling neighbors I am riding in case I fall...
crawling home once or twice hasn't been too bad... couldnt' walk, so the crawl was a short one, after being thrown or falling off a horse...
One more day for the weekend, and back to "normal" for monday... I will appreciate this week.... but will also appreciate the week after..... only 3 horses.. hopefully I will ride more and pay more attention to my own, more...
Thanks to my boarders... it's been fun!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
April lessons
Working with someone else's horse is sometimes different than your own. Having lessons at a stable with an indoor is "totally" better than not having one. I've been riding Libby alot this past year. Although she is a little bit "slower" than Asher, her stride is big. Correction must follow of what you are asking. Alot to think about in a matter of seconds.
I rode Asher this past week. I am trying to remember everything I have been taught with Libby; Asher is not as in "shape" as she is, so it will take some work and patience. He is "stuck" alot when I first ride him. Last week when I rode him, he just wanted to "jig" (sort of a trot) I didn't get mad, as this is the first time out this year in the ring working. So, I asked Elizabeth what I was doing wrong.
His head goes up, the "race track" vision is there. Head twisted and he just wants to bolt. ha ha......
Elizabeth mentioned, he is "stuck". Not being straight, could be out of "whack" whatever you want to call it. Do some latteral movements and don't yank on his mouth. No pulling. Lift the inside rein and ask him to go forward slowly.
Tonight I worked on this. He really wanted to go. As Elizabeth says - "brace" is "race" without the "B".... he is stuck, can't move forward without being asked correctly.
I did some side-passes, used my "wrong" diagnol at the trot for so many steps and so on. He worked up a sweat... which what I am asking is not easy... and it's the beginning of the year. I gave him all the rein he wanted at times to really stretch out.
In the end, I was happy because I was patient... I didn't get mad at him for not doing the whole ride correctly, but he sure did try.
http://www.localriding.com/glossary.html
I rode Asher this past week. I am trying to remember everything I have been taught with Libby; Asher is not as in "shape" as she is, so it will take some work and patience. He is "stuck" alot when I first ride him. Last week when I rode him, he just wanted to "jig" (sort of a trot) I didn't get mad, as this is the first time out this year in the ring working. So, I asked Elizabeth what I was doing wrong.
His head goes up, the "race track" vision is there. Head twisted and he just wants to bolt. ha ha......
Elizabeth mentioned, he is "stuck". Not being straight, could be out of "whack" whatever you want to call it. Do some latteral movements and don't yank on his mouth. No pulling. Lift the inside rein and ask him to go forward slowly.
Tonight I worked on this. He really wanted to go. As Elizabeth says - "brace" is "race" without the "B".... he is stuck, can't move forward without being asked correctly.
I did some side-passes, used my "wrong" diagnol at the trot for so many steps and so on. He worked up a sweat... which what I am asking is not easy... and it's the beginning of the year. I gave him all the rein he wanted at times to really stretch out.
In the end, I was happy because I was patient... I didn't get mad at him for not doing the whole ride correctly, but he sure did try.
http://www.localriding.com/glossary.html
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March 2010
The last couple lessons I have been working on connection and the canter... much funner that "trotting" all the time...
This past week I was asked to hold a dressage whip in each hand. I'm not quick enough to ask in time to remind the horse of their hind leg. I rode Corey last week, and Libby this week.
Corey has a great canter - I didnt' have 2 whips last week; I actually don't need one with her :-)
Libby, who I used 2 dressage whips with - just get's "stuck" and you need to ride her correctly or she might throw a leg out which can get me going... she's not doing it to be mean. You just need to ride her straight and correct and then she will go into a nice frame.
I'm hoping to ride Asher this weekend and hope to remember everything I've been taught - and work on him!
This past week I was asked to hold a dressage whip in each hand. I'm not quick enough to ask in time to remind the horse of their hind leg. I rode Corey last week, and Libby this week.
Corey has a great canter - I didnt' have 2 whips last week; I actually don't need one with her :-)
Libby, who I used 2 dressage whips with - just get's "stuck" and you need to ride her correctly or she might throw a leg out which can get me going... she's not doing it to be mean. You just need to ride her straight and correct and then she will go into a nice frame.
I'm hoping to ride Asher this weekend and hope to remember everything I've been taught - and work on him!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
old pictures
Walking in the field up the street last summer
Me and my Gram
Kim riding Gemi at a clinic
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Feb 22nd Lesson
It was a "balmy" 30? on Monday... All I know is, I didn't need 5 layers to stay warm... huge plus!
I rode Libby again... (no complaints, ever!)
Been working on the same thing as my last few lessons, but this time, working on the canter. Riding your horse...vs... school horse... huge difference.
But, Elizabeth gave me some huge skills to work on Asher with. His canter is "faster" than Libby's... I was able to ride her canter pretty good considering I dont' canter alot any more....
With the skills I was given on Monday, I can't wait to get back in the saddle with Asher and work more canter work! woot, woot!
I'm hoping in a couple of weeks to start him up again.... his shoes will be put back on in April.
I rode Libby again... (no complaints, ever!)
Been working on the same thing as my last few lessons, but this time, working on the canter. Riding your horse...vs... school horse... huge difference.
But, Elizabeth gave me some huge skills to work on Asher with. His canter is "faster" than Libby's... I was able to ride her canter pretty good considering I dont' canter alot any more....
With the skills I was given on Monday, I can't wait to get back in the saddle with Asher and work more canter work! woot, woot!
I'm hoping in a couple of weeks to start him up again.... his shoes will be put back on in April.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Today's lesson... 2/15/10
wow... let's see if I can describe today's lesson!
awesome? great? wow...
I rode Libby... after having SO many great lessons with her, I was so happy to ride her again, as you learn SO much...
More or less just worked on walking... leg yield... doing it correctly makes so much more sense...
Keeping her straight and asking her to go forward... she would "lock" up and I would need to remind her of her hind leg...
My errors? I ask too much in the beginning and end up "over" asking... the results? An unhappy horse at times.
At the end? Elizabeth asked me to "step" into my inside leg, use my outside leg, support her with my outside rein, and soften my inside rein...
Sometimes I had to "lift" out of my seat for a tiny bit... release their back... (they were not meant to carry us) Use even weight in your stirrups... that is what I was taught so much this past year!
I hope I got that right!
waaaalaaaa... softer horse... NO pulling... just some reminders and asking.. this took a while for me to get... why? I'm so use to riding "frozen"... or "stiff"...
uh uh... none of that... it took some work, but worked.
it's funny... some pictures, even of showing, I look at, and BLECH... I want to remove them, and will soon... will get some better pictures riding this year....
it shows my hands and seat "suck" (sorry, but they do) working on them since last May.. huge difference...
So much to remember, so much to think about... but I know in my heart Elizabeth (and Annette at home) will help me :-)
Thanks Elizabeth!
(Her website is in the progress of being built, will post soon)
awesome? great? wow...
I rode Libby... after having SO many great lessons with her, I was so happy to ride her again, as you learn SO much...
More or less just worked on walking... leg yield... doing it correctly makes so much more sense...
Keeping her straight and asking her to go forward... she would "lock" up and I would need to remind her of her hind leg...
My errors? I ask too much in the beginning and end up "over" asking... the results? An unhappy horse at times.
At the end? Elizabeth asked me to "step" into my inside leg, use my outside leg, support her with my outside rein, and soften my inside rein...
Sometimes I had to "lift" out of my seat for a tiny bit... release their back... (they were not meant to carry us) Use even weight in your stirrups... that is what I was taught so much this past year!
I hope I got that right!
waaaalaaaa... softer horse... NO pulling... just some reminders and asking.. this took a while for me to get... why? I'm so use to riding "frozen"... or "stiff"...
uh uh... none of that... it took some work, but worked.
it's funny... some pictures, even of showing, I look at, and BLECH... I want to remove them, and will soon... will get some better pictures riding this year....
it shows my hands and seat "suck" (sorry, but they do) working on them since last May.. huge difference...
So much to remember, so much to think about... but I know in my heart Elizabeth (and Annette at home) will help me :-)
Thanks Elizabeth!
(Her website is in the progress of being built, will post soon)
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
my lessons keep me going
I cant' wait to see Elizabeth's website...
It's exciting - she has been my instructor since May... I have learned (is that actually a word??) so much... and last night was no exception.
I hope I get the explanation right, since I can in no way explain as well as her :-)
I rode Libby... riding is so important - the minute I stopped riding and didn't ask correctly (like I have in the past) riding a 20 meter circle... a few times she would go in the opposite direction - that was because I wasn't riding
Then, I "tapped" her right shoulder (riding counter-clockwise) to remind her of her outside leg (I hope I have this right!) and I got it correctly; inside leg; outside rein, a little tap, and it all came together...
awesome............................
It's exciting - she has been my instructor since May... I have learned (is that actually a word??) so much... and last night was no exception.
I hope I get the explanation right, since I can in no way explain as well as her :-)
I rode Libby... riding is so important - the minute I stopped riding and didn't ask correctly (like I have in the past) riding a 20 meter circle... a few times she would go in the opposite direction - that was because I wasn't riding
Then, I "tapped" her right shoulder (riding counter-clockwise) to remind her of her outside leg (I hope I have this right!) and I got it correctly; inside leg; outside rein, a little tap, and it all came together...
awesome............................
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Lesson for the 25th, January
OMG.. was last nights Lesson awesome...
Rode Libby... Much more forward... it's funny... dont' hold the horse back, or they will be confused.
Don't have too much rein, but ask them to hault with your seat.
Don't ask them to go more forward, without having them straight
Don't stop riding, and ask them to go forward
I rode Libby in a 20 meter circle, at the trot, asking for a forward trot and didn't have her straight at times... she would hook a right... LOL, go to pick up a canter, then back to the trot, not straight
I did get it - woot! woot!
She was pretty forgiving... a good girl...
The slowest gaits can be the hardest!
Rode Libby... Much more forward... it's funny... dont' hold the horse back, or they will be confused.
Don't have too much rein, but ask them to hault with your seat.
Don't ask them to go more forward, without having them straight
Don't stop riding, and ask them to go forward
I rode Libby in a 20 meter circle, at the trot, asking for a forward trot and didn't have her straight at times... she would hook a right... LOL, go to pick up a canter, then back to the trot, not straight
I did get it - woot! woot!
She was pretty forgiving... a good girl...
The slowest gaits can be the hardest!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Winter weekend... hanging out
Hoping to ride tomorrow, the footing seems to be okay... we'll see how Asher is... LOL... he was FULL OF IT this morning when I put them all out. I didnt' ride today, went out with mom for lunch, bought stuff for a calzone, and went to Staples.
Hubby and I had dinner and watched a movie tonight... The Transporter... Love the guy, loves his cars... :-) I'm a car freak... never mind horse freak. I can usually tell what kind of car in less than 30 seconds of seeing it...
The past month I have lost over 10 lbs... which is awesome... just no appetite lately... which is not a problem. Now if I want ice cream, it will be all good!
My lesson is Monday night... can't wait. I'm hoping the weather stays warm enough to keep the rain from freezing. But, in NH, you never know.
Would love to get a snowmobile, but that will wait. Maybe next year...
It's almost February... how many more days until spring?
Hubby and I had dinner and watched a movie tonight... The Transporter... Love the guy, loves his cars... :-) I'm a car freak... never mind horse freak. I can usually tell what kind of car in less than 30 seconds of seeing it...
The past month I have lost over 10 lbs... which is awesome... just no appetite lately... which is not a problem. Now if I want ice cream, it will be all good!
My lesson is Monday night... can't wait. I'm hoping the weather stays warm enough to keep the rain from freezing. But, in NH, you never know.
Would love to get a snowmobile, but that will wait. Maybe next year...
It's almost February... how many more days until spring?
Monday, January 18, 2010
January 18th lesson
My lesson rocked today... being in a "good frame" of mind and concentrating on why you are there to begin with helps!
Rode Libby... so much more forward... she was a good girl too....
The weather wasnt' too bad either... it's a balmy January day in New Hampshire!
Rode Libby... so much more forward... she was a good girl too....
The weather wasnt' too bad either... it's a balmy January day in New Hampshire!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
favorite vid's of thrill riding!
you may have to copy and paste these links - not sure if the links are working... :-(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOJoWe7dHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOJoWe7dHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rdFWmDjL9c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwtflXeHcA4
Nice Dressage Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RF2_BiTHlM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1vqKS9Ep84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOJoWe7dHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPOJoWe7dHM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rdFWmDjL9c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwtflXeHcA4
Nice Dressage Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RF2_BiTHlM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1vqKS9Ep84
Highlands Ski area
This is from years ago... Bill and I use to 4-wheel to the top of Highlands Mountain... there use to be a ski area, now it is a Mountain Bike Park
yup.. I'm afraid of heights, so don't ask why I did this. At the top I climbed the ladder on the chair lift... views were amazing. To the right is the stable.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
~~ winter blahs~~
I hate winter... okay, I use to "like" winter... when I use to ski... I do try to go sledding with any kid who will put up with my "Childish" behavior once in a while too :-p.
Same ol, same ol'... alarm at 4 am... hit the snooze button... get up, feed the dog, watch the weather... breakfast... put the 30 layers of clothing on... 15 minutes later, I'm down the barn... you can see the horse's breath... you can see the steam off of the heated water buckets. I open the doors, put one out at a time; with the exception of Poncho.... he wanders the hall of the barn and eventually goes out while I'm putting about 15 piles of hay out there... and making sure the water tub is filled outside...
They all go out... they all roll... they all get up... they all push each other around for the best hay pile... when I am there on the weekends, I hear banging around with the horsey - jolly- balls... (big horse toy) I go through about 6 a winter.
This week... same ol' thing... the holidays are over, it's back to the grind.
I had my lesson Monday night... just wasn't myself; feeling a little "down".. my instructor can pick that up in a second...
Talking is good when you have someone to lean on, trust and just vent to! I rode Libby, the great mare her boarder has... it was a quiet lesson, but I was told I had a good seat....
Elizabeth went over the lesson time; which I do so appreciate... although when I'm done with my lesson I try to get home, I wanted to stay just a bit and help out anyway I could... she has some great people there already helping, but thought I should show my appreciation for everything she taught me.
Sometimes appreciating other stuff is better than life itself :-)
Same ol, same ol'... alarm at 4 am... hit the snooze button... get up, feed the dog, watch the weather... breakfast... put the 30 layers of clothing on... 15 minutes later, I'm down the barn... you can see the horse's breath... you can see the steam off of the heated water buckets. I open the doors, put one out at a time; with the exception of Poncho.... he wanders the hall of the barn and eventually goes out while I'm putting about 15 piles of hay out there... and making sure the water tub is filled outside...
They all go out... they all roll... they all get up... they all push each other around for the best hay pile... when I am there on the weekends, I hear banging around with the horsey - jolly- balls... (big horse toy) I go through about 6 a winter.
This week... same ol' thing... the holidays are over, it's back to the grind.
I had my lesson Monday night... just wasn't myself; feeling a little "down".. my instructor can pick that up in a second...
Talking is good when you have someone to lean on, trust and just vent to! I rode Libby, the great mare her boarder has... it was a quiet lesson, but I was told I had a good seat....
Elizabeth went over the lesson time; which I do so appreciate... although when I'm done with my lesson I try to get home, I wanted to stay just a bit and help out anyway I could... she has some great people there already helping, but thought I should show my appreciation for everything she taught me.
Sometimes appreciating other stuff is better than life itself :-)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
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