Ho-Hum, Normal Week.

Not much happening this week.  I rode last night. It was a pretty decent ride! Well, there was problems getting on. =/ Sash occasionally swings away from the mounting block. Well, my RI was there, so he held Sasha. She sometimes backs up REALLY fast a few steps and then is fine. However, she kept doing this last night. Repeatedly. At one point, it looked like she was over it, so I put my foot in the stirrup and put my weight in it. Well, Sasha decided to FLY back ATM! I was hanging from the saddle going "oh s***!" I ended up slipping my foot out from the stirrup and dropping down. I think she is wary of my RI sometimes because he smokes [not around the horses] and so he smells like smoke sometimes. I know, I know, it's really bad, but it's his decision.

After that, Sasha was good. Nice and soft. I was letting her stretch down and out to get her to relax. I think she was trying to take advantage of this because she would stretch down, I'd loosen the reins and lower my hands, and then she would quicken. The one only not so great part of my ride was when I tried to canter the second direction. No matter what way, the second way she is always a little "up." I softened the reins and squeezed her forward lightly, and she eagerly sprung up in the air and did these weird giant, high canter strides lol. Other than that and a few quick moments, I think we are making progress. Sasha was soft, round, and relaxed.

Three good, three bad, right?

So, I had three good lessons, then three bad. Hopefully that means three [or four or five or infinity?!] good lessons are on their way!


Friday's lesson = not good. Sasha was rushing everything and being a little b i t c h. I ended up getting off half way through and my riding instructor whopped her butt [not literally] and got right up in her face for rushing and pulling around. He backed her up a few times, and gosh, she was pissy about it! She would FLY backward with her ears pinned and head up! I thought she would trip or fall backward!


I got back on. Sasha still was a little annoyed and showing it, but we ended up jumping 2'9"ish in an in and out off a diagonal, and I'm still alive to tell the tale. =] That has to account for something, right?!


Today's lesson....was very iffy. She was pretty obnoxious, not as bad as Friday, but still pushy over fences. My life didn't feel like it was in mortal peril this time, so that's good ha ha. There were a lot of horses cantering around and jumping and stuff, which was making her tense, which didn't help keep me calm either. =[


Oh, and I learned I can't go to St. Clement's this year. Financial stuff. Waah. =[ But I'll still be going to Northampton Hunter/Jumper Show in MA in August. Only problem is, that means I'm missing the big charity horse show. No way that I'm bringing Sasha for 3 days to MA then haul her butt back up here and show her the day after in another fairly stressful show. I'll probably give her a good two days off with hosing down and handwalking after Northampton. She's never shown at that level or for that long. She did HITS Saugerties, but that isn't a three and a half hour haul.


ALSO! My barn is going to host Outreach Medals, which are state-wide medal classes that are 2'/2'3"-3'3". I'll be doing "Silver" level - 2'6". Hey, I can pretend to do the bigeq without actually jumping 3'6" and spending $1000+ per weekend, right?


...no? Whatever, it's one step closer to my goal of doing that. If I even just trot into that Oncourse/Maclay ring one day, I may faint from pure joy!


Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! That means carrot crunchies/"Sasha's Treat!" and maybe a long hug for Ms. Sasha!


<3 you all my stalkers.!


-Cruce

Fake it till you feel it

That's my new motto. Sounds cheesy, but it works. When I ride, I think of this motto. Basically, I think to myself "Alright. I'm riding a completely obedient, well trained quiet horse that listens to my half halts. You can handle anything she throws at you, but she won't because Sasha's amazingly obedient." It isn't true; it's far from true. Yet, it works. I was riding Sasha yesterday and it was fairly busy. Sasha was a little quick at first, and I felt like I wasn't riding to the best of my ability [which isn't much, but meh.] I started thinking this, and wonder upon wonder! Sasha stretched down, accepted the bit, let out a snort, relaxed, and softened. I was amazed! Sure, she wasn't "push-button," but it was amazing the difference!

I think I'll go riding tonight. I can't ide for long/it's really cold, but I think I'll be adventuress and try some bareback riding. Hopefully I won't die. It will probably only be walking ATM because I don't think she's ever been ridden bareback. =]

Nothing like easing into the show year. =]

I rode today. I lunged Sasha quickly for about 10 minutes, then hopped on. She was pretty good, a little bratty at times. She tried to take off at the canter one way and was resistant to bending at the canter the other, but pretty good nonetheless. We worked on cavalettis, and she was PERFECT!

I've decided that my horse is accident prone. She somehow gave herself a small cut on her right hock. -eye roll- Of course she did. Sasha's an idiot. =P I think that she cut herself on some ice. There's a lot of ice, and she can be silly sometimes. Oh, and most of the gates have little ice droplets on them.

In other news: I looked at the show schedule again. There's a show at Skidmore College on February 27, but Sasha and I haven't even STARTED thinking about courses! I had a dream last night [really weird] that was a mix of Black Swan [I was watching trailers + clips yesterday], and then being told to go ride in French class. Hmm. There was this huge wide jump that was a mixture of poles and...pillows? that we had to jump, but I misjudged how big it was and Sasha and I fell but it was okay because it was pillows. She didn't hurt me. We were doing courses, though, and she was really good. Let's hope that mirrors reality. I cantered a 2'6" oxer with her when trying her out and she seemed better cantering jumps then trotting. =]

Anyways, back on topic. The next shows are March 20 then March 27. I WAS planning to go to the March 27 show - then I found out that I was away that week. =[ Next show?

May 3-8, then May 11-15.

Guess what big show in capital area NY it is. Just guess.

Yep, that's St. Clement's. I've never been before, and I haven't done such large "A" shows before. It's always been the slightly quieter "A" shows or local shows. So, I'll be riding a horse I've never shown at a place I've never been at a level I've never shown at. [Wow, that was appalling grammar.] But hey! It will be fun! Right?! AND I get to miss school! Whoot! Whoot!

<3 Cruce

Grrr.....Nature.

Sasha's in heat. That has...um....fun results.

Let's just say yesterday's lesson consisted of cross-rails. Just cross-rails. She decided it was HILARIOUS to prance sideways around the turn then ignore my hand and charge around after the jump shaking her head. No, she is not in pain. It was -sooooo- fun. Sarcasm intended. My RI was just like "....Let's not fight her hormones and just do cross-rails."

I was GOING to ride today, but stupid bipolar New York weather didn't let me. The day started out mid-20s, and Sash had her heavy weight on, and she was a decent heat. Well. I had a friend who's into horses hang around the barn with me today. I decided to ride later with my mom so she wasn't bored.

Well. Half way through the day, the snow turns to rain and it's now mid 30s. I get to the barn, Sasha is soaked. Yay. I pull her blanket off, and steam comes off her. Sasha is now sticky, wet, steaming, and cold somehow at the same time. I don't want a colicky horse, so I throw her fake Baker as well as her real Baker sheet on her and I lead her around.

TWO HOURS LATER she only is a little chilled, so I put her midweight on. Ugh. It took TWO HOURS to get her dry. TWO HOURS of walking. >.< I hoped I walked her energy out. =P

Not a fun evening. Then, my brother drags the family to Outback Steak house, which isn't vegetarian friendly. I had a small plate of French fries for dinner. So filling.

Should have fun stories after my lesson tomorrow.

FYE.

Isn't that a store? Whatever.

Here you go. For your entertainment. Ignore the video quality/my voice.

I wasn't able to see Sasha today, but my mom [a vet] said that her cut is healing and it looks like a piece of dried meat. Um...good? I suppose? 

Piccy of the baby girl.

You can see where she ripped off the skin, on the inside of her leg, just above her left knee. =[

TTYL stalkers that don't exist. <3

=[ Sasha's hurt.

Not badly, but I still feel terrible.


She was playing in the indoor arena, goofing around. Then, we brought in Noodle, my friend's horse. There was the usually kicking and squealing, but then they ran around and played. The indoor has a unstable stall guard attached to a lead rope on a broken hook eye over the entrance. My friend and I moved the mounting block and we were standing on it next to the door.


Long story short, Sasha tried bashing the stall gaurd - miraculously, it didn't work, so she jumped it and tore off a piece of skin on the inside of her leg above her knee. It's not bad, but I feel terrible. My mom told me to put the mouning block in front of the door but I ignored her.


I caught Sasha - she just went down the arn aisle - and lunged and rode her lightly. She wasn't lame, but I bet her cut stings. =[ She was pretty good during the ride though.


If YouTube ever uploads my video, you'll get a quick clip of Sasha "spooking" and leting out a huge bucl. Pictures are coming later tonight, but I need to eat dinner and write a 5 paragraph history essay for tomorrow. Oops.

Two Steps Forward, One step back.

Minor setback today. =[

I had time for a quick ride tonight. I got Sasha ready, she was very cuddly, blah blah blah. I bring her into the arena - one other person was riding her 17hh Percheron x Trakehener [sp?] around, but he was also having a "green horse day" - and tighten her girth. She is puffing up like a maniac - first sign of a "fun ride" - and she swung away from the mounting block when we went up to it. I ended up sandwiching Sasha between a jump standard and the mounting block, then I swing on. Sasha starts walking off, and at this point I am thinking "Ohhhh crap. It's going to be one of those days." Not trying to cause problems, but yeah.

Well, it was. Sasha randomly would try to trot off when we were walking, and when we trotted she would try and canter. I had to REALLY sit back and HAUL for her to slow down. I'm all for being soft and quiet, but that wasn't working today.

I felt kind of bad only walk/trotting, but I'd rather be completely sure and confident before I do it when she's like this. Being ran away with last week cracked [not totally shattered =P - and my lesson yesterday helped bring some of it back, but...] my confidence, and so I've been very cautious. I think tomorrow is a "let 'er rip" day. AKA, turn Sasha out in the indoor and flick a lunge whip at her so she's "terrified" and gleefully gallops around launching some huge twisting bucks that make me glad I'm not on her!

Overall, Sasha was way to fresh for a horse that was worked pretty heavily the last three days. She had no reason to be so hard-mouthed and stubborn. However, apparently there is a killer snow storm headed our way, and animals can sense big weather events. Fingers crossed for a snow day.

P.S. We just got a new [to us] Ford Explorer with 7,000lb towing capacity. It's our new "haul the horses to the show" car, plus we're getting a two horse trailer soon. Should be fun!

P.P.S. The grand prix rider from last Wednesday [I think I posted about it Friday] moved her horse to my barn yesterday. He's a huge 17.2hh bay Hano. I can't wait to see him move and jump!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

I had a lesson today. I'm having two lessons/week for a few weeks probably until we can calmly do courses.


But, Sasha was incredible! I know I seem like I've been bragging a lot, but it is so nice to have a horse to have fun with and not stress over.


So, our flatwork was good. I ended up cantering her on a very loose rein on a circle, and she was almost LAZY! Sasha actually broke into the trot! =O My riding instructor made me do figure eights within the circle...at a canter. Um, yeah, we got lots of flying lead change practice! I just need to keep my inside leg on more because we both sort of ducks in after she does her lead change. It's nice - she almost auto changes, but she sometimes gets "scrambly," so I'll just work on really balancing her for them.


Jumping went well. I had the lesson to myself. We started right off with an in-and-out. I was pretty happy - we actually got some height today at 3'. I thought it was 2'6" lol, but Sasha gets SO ROUND and SO SO SOFT at that height! We had one refusal when I collected her trot too much around the turn and then didn't send her forward enough, but I was fairly balanced today so I didn't tip forward like I occasionally still do [oops.] Sasha was a little...rambunctious after the jump the first few times, but she settled after I made her walk at the end of the arena and we cantered around the corner the last round.


And I learned that the higher the jump, the rounder and quieter Sasha gets. Hmm. Interesting. =P


Though, quick random note, when the jump hit around 2'9", I think my brain was like "AHA! Not a baby jump!" and I ducked like crazy over it [only the first time, then I corrected it.] My RI said something like "What did you do over that last jump?" Me: "Ducked like crazy." Him: "Yeah, you ducked like it was 6'. It's not. Sit up!" So yeah. 


Oh, fyi, I'm going to do a chart at the end of my posts on "Achievements" and "Things to do Better." Some stuff may not be in my post - rather, they are reminders to me.

Achievements Hit the 3' mark Cantered nearly on the buckle Stayed fairly balanced even through refusals. Got Sasha soft/ROUND by the end.

Things to Improve Flying Changes Lift inside hand more through turns Be more proactive and react more quickly to what Sasha does. Try not to duck even over one jump! Desensitize Sasha.

Carrot Crunchies: ♪They make a horse go mad♪

Yup, that was my inner Shakira coming out.

So, this is the treat that Sash goes WILD for! She starts doing her bending exercises [where I make her bend her neck as far to her side as it will go for a treat {and to supple her}] by herself, licks and nuzzles my leg, sniffs my pockets, and trots up to the gate in the field for them.

A batch lasts about a week of going to the barn every day and spoiling my horse rotten. <3

Sasha's Cookie

• 1 Cup Dry Oats
• 1 Cup of carrots, chopped finely
• 1 Cup Flour
• 3 teaspoons* of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 cup - 1/2 cup✝ molasses

Preheat oven to 350℉, or if your oven is weird and too hot like mine is, 325℉. Add all the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Mince the carrots so they are in small chunks. Add the molasses and vegetable oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until blended. The mix will be chunky and sticky - you should have just enough moisture so that the cookies a medium brown color with bits of oats and carrots. I found that you can actually taste the mix. If you can tolerate it, it is fine. If you find it disgusting, add a little bit of sugar. Put on non-stick cookie sheet. Approximately twelve medium sized balls can be formed. Do not worry if they are a bit crumbly; just pack them as tightly as you can. Put in oven and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies stick together but are still flexible. I often split the cookies into smaller chunks before feeding to my horse to make them last longer.

*Add more if needed to make the mix more moist, or if you want to help produce a healthy shiny coat. Do not add so much that the mix is runny; it should still be sticky.

✝You may need to add the molasses as needed. 1/4 cup often does not blend the mix enough, so if this is the case, add a little dash at a time.