Pictures, Intro To Mary, Lesson Update

We ran an equine photography short course at our facility the end of October, and I got some great pictures of Rogo to share. His stone bruise was bothering him (before it got equipacked), so there aren't any mounted pictures, but I LOVE these! The photographer here is Naomi Carter. All of the students were very impressive.

I have a horse appearance pet peeve - I do not like skinny necks. Sooo, of course I'm completely in love with Rogo's neck. Isn't it beautiful? Of course with Rubenstein 1 as his grandfather (some may feel his neck was too big), it would be very unlikely to get my dreaded skinny neck :). As Rogo's training has progressed his neck has become more graceful.

I want to introduce you to Mary. She's 15 and helping out at our arena facility and riding Savanah and Dan (our Appaloosa, see side bar). She's also taking lessons with Joan! She and I have lessons together - she on Savanah and me on Rogo. It's very fun and it's great to have a riding partner. We can give one another feedback, plan our rides together and keep one another motivated. Also, it's great to have two people to set up cavelleti instead of just me :).

Dan hasn't been ridden in years, but with Mary riding him he's doing great - really loving the attention and going remarkably well. I'll get pictures of them soon.

Mary and Savanah

Mary has been doing Clinton Anderson natural horsemanship with her Fjords (she and her Mom each have one, full sisters, four and five year old mares). Their manners and behavior are amazing! Mary rode her four year old, bitless (reins on her halter), on a 26 km round trip along the road to Joan's house to ask her to teach her - how could Joan (who hasn't taken students in many, many years) say no! Here is a phone picture of Mary and her Mom Joanne riding in our arena. I can't take my eyes off of these horses - they are so pretty, sweet and unique looking.

 Mary, Joanne, Cookie and Spice

Joan is starting Mary from the beginning with our lessons so she'll know how to start a horse in dressage. With our lessons together, this means lots of much needed reviewing going on with me - transitions within gaits, halts, cavelleti. I should say I've asked Joan to teach me to do low jumps, as I think it would be good for Rogo's body and mind and good for my horsemanship. I need to get a saddle for it, so we'll see where that goes

My light bulb moment this week? Cutting my aids for shoulder in by about 90% to get a better movement and stepping under. More practice with that coming up.

And on a completely different note - stay tuned for my upcoming defence of sweet feed :).