I Heart My Horses :D

I cannot gush anymore profusely! My boys did FANTASTIC last night. Just fantastic :D Kylie finally got to ride Bubby in her lesson. She has a brass set, lemme tell ya. I think the height unnerved her for a second.....literally, haha. He did get a little quick in the trot at first but the second time around he was very good and she exclaimed (as I'm running along side him) "I got it! I got the rhythm!". Music to my ears :D I think at first he didn't know what to do with a whole 40 lbs (maybe) on his back, haha.

Then Christina rode Darryl. He is VERY out of shape. Yet, very willing to work. My only hesitation was because back in the fall/winter, he was getting a little.....full of himself, let's just say. I was hoping to chalk it up to the cool air and he was still getting back into shape. Ever notice how a thoroughbred's response to work after time off is "happy butt's"??? lol. He was also fantastic for her. They rode in a 5 person lesson which is unusual for this barn but what he is used to and it seemed to have worked for them. My trainer and I both think with a few weeks of trot pole work, he'll be ready to add some canter and small X's to their lessons :D 'Ol man's still got it!

And, yes, I snuck a picture of Ali and Bubby JUMPING! I know it doesn't look like my much to the untrained eye, oh but it is priceless. Standardbreds CAN jump! :D

'Til next time! :D

Happy Happy Happy!!!

Today was the day a lot of hard work and patience paid off :D And a day I proved the naysayers wrong....if only for my benefit :) A friend came over to the barn today and asked if I wanted her to hop on Bubby. She's ridden him before and has been riding greenies and, in general, a lot longer than me. It's always nice to see your horse go with someone else, good or bad, to just SEE it AND keep them from being a one-rider horse. Oh, and she loves my jumping saddle, lol. I haven't had a ton of time lately (update on that in a sec) so it worked out for all :)
It started kind of rocky. He was back to dragging his hind feet and locking his neck. We were in the indoor and I seriously think that the felt footing actually encourages him to do so. Oy. He was strung out and bending a LITTLE. I figured it would be a bust but wanted him to go over some trot poles so we at least ended on a good note. And my friend is game for anything and understands dealing with greenies, so outside we went. Hello different horse! He was right where we left off last week :D (hence the felt theory, haha). He was round and flexing and holding himself UP! Oh, and tracking up too :) THAT is my horse.
Last time she had ridden him, a couple months ago, she had tried him over some cross rails which he went over but, eh not really. This first one was too small. Yes, he's going to be one of those. Too small, I crash it or trot ridiculously high over it. Up two more holes it went. And then I became absolutely elated. See, I never intended him to really jump. He's never really really liked the idea and recently he's been developing some bad habits (ie rushing) with the cavalettis and trot poles. Today. Today he looked like he had been jumping all his life :D :D He stretched over the jump with a great take off, little bascule and landing. I am such a proud mama! Then, he started like he was going to canter (we do get a tad excited when we get things right, haha). So the next time around, she encouraged him and my boy CANTERED!!!! It was a little short but he stayed collected and again like he'd been doing it forever. And then he got confused transitioning down and paced, lol. He'll get it, I'm sure.
SEE, classical training works! And Standardbreds CAN jump AND canter AND do them WELL with training. Just like any other horse. I was telling my boss the other day on the way to a dental appointment that I want another STB. I really do. Obviously when I have the means and the time, lol. But it has been such a rewarding experience and I fully believe that if I had had an instructor like I have now, I would have a fantastically trained 16yo horse now. I'll always have Bubby (well, until...) but when he's done being a late blooming show horse my next will be another off the track STB, for sure.
More good news *fingers crossed* There is someone starting the barn tomorrow. He'll be doing M-F, IF it all works out. I'm hoping! Now, to get ready for CAMP, dun dun dun. Hahaha. And then bring on the weddings and bridal showers :D
Til next time!

*yawn*

Oy. I am not a fan of 10 and 12 hour days. No. Thank. You. Ugh! So, the new guy kind of sort of worked out....for weekends *headdesk*. Yes, it could be worse except that I'm basically doing the job of two people >P I'm feeding, turning out, bringing in, cleaning AND helping my boss with her dental appointments. Makes for very long days. And I just can't seem to get enough sleep no matter what I do. I WANT to sleep. Honest. I haven't been able to convince myself to STAY asleep. I have had help from my "little" brother, haha. I would not have been able to do all the barn work and the dental help work AND lessons by myself. This coming week will be even worse. Is it bad I'm already counting the days down til Friday??? Dun dun dun ~ CAMP WEEK. On a good note, it is the LAST one!!! Oh Joy :)
In other news, the boys and a few others in the barn finally got their feet done. And EVERYONE is sore. They were done Wednesday no less. Yeah, they were a bit over due. But sometimes the farrier gets a little trim happy too. Don't get me wrong, he's a really good farrier both skill wise and business wise. Last time my guys were done, their feet looked good. Let's just say, ok. This time, they look fantastic BUT they are both ouchy. Thankfully, everybody is getting better so *knock on wood* nothing serious going on in the hoof department, haha.
OH, and one of the girls at the barn is going to try Darryl aka Ol' Man, in her lesson next week! I'm crossing my fingers he works out for her. I simply can't keep them both exercised right now. He gets groomed and fussed over a bit during the week but no work. I mentioned it in passing and her eyes lit up :) I think they would be good for one another. She rides well for her level, nice seat, nice hands, good balance. He needs someone to kick his butt a little, lol, and have FUN with him. And I know she would appreciate him too. I figure is she likes him, she can ride him whenever she would like, on sort of a free lease. I'm lucky to have two good boys, why not share them? Here's to hoping he doesn't buck in his lesson and scare her. I've told her he KNOWS it, he's simply on the rusty, old-and-cantankarous side, lol. It would be so good for him. I do feel a little bad that it would take away from my boss' business (she has been paying for extra rides on a lesson horse) but at the same time, I know this girl really really really wants to ride and doesn't have the resources to be able to as much as she'd like. Please work, please work, please work!

I'll let you all (hahaha) know how it all goes. Kylie may be riding Bubby this week too :D We shall see!!!
Til next time! :-D