Missing Sid

I love Svenna. I really do. She's been just what I need over the last few months, and I know I'll continue to enjoy her. All that being said, there are times when I really miss Sid. He was such a nice horse to ride. I get regular updates from his new mommy, which is sweet.....but tough. They are working towards things that Svenna will never get to do. Which brings me to one of my most recent realizations: I need to stop comparing the two horses! They are COMPLETELY different, and they are supposed to be. That's why I picked her. Sigh.

Gift wrapped!

Anyway, some pics of Svenna in her new (admittedly ugly and inadvertently Christmas themed) blankie. She's so damn cute. I've been trail riding like a crazy person and she's been amazing. We've seen strollers, kids, cars, other horses, emus (yes really!!) flocks of geese, and cows and nothing bothers her. She loves to trot out in company and is really enjoying the chilly (read: SO COLD) weather.

 So I've written before about how crazy smart she is, but I think she is even cuter when she's being kinda dopey. See that pic which her pulling up the edge of the mat? Yea...she got her face down far enough, and the mat up high enough so that when she let it go with her foot she'd smack herself in the face with the mat. Repeatedly. I was dying laughing. She was almost not even surprised...no struggling or freaking out in the cross ties. Just bored and being over dramatic about it!

Her progress under saddle has been super. Picking up the canter much better, being more forward, all the usual baby steps. The important news is that we are having a JUMPING lesson on Friday or Saturday. I'm totally excited...we've been doing lots of poles and a few teeny tiny crossrails here and there, but I want to see what she does with a jump she can't just trot over.

So hopefully I have a good update later in the week. I'm on break for Thanksgiving so able to do a bit more riding/writing. And studying. Always more studying. Blah. I've been using my new ochem skills to research metabolic supplements for my fatty mare, so at least I'm using it for something, right??

More than just a pretty face

My schedule is still crazy busy but I had a friend come to the farm so I could finally get some pics of me actually riding the ponster. She's doing super well...no dumb blond here! I can hardly make a shape or do a certain exercise more than once without her feeling like she's got it all figured out. Her biggest "flaw" is still how stiff she is, but she is making huge strides in terms of learning to move over her back instead of the typical pony nose-in-the-air no bend routine that she started with. 

Tiny pony strides are getting longer

She's never going to be some super athletic big moving horse, but that's ok...I just need her to soften up, everywhere. She's WAY better than a few weeks ago, but still has a tendency to drag when she isn't sure what I'm asking or just plain doesn't want to do it. I'm having a lot of fun with her, and I'm curious to see how "nice" I can make her in terms of suppleness/gaits/responsiveness. Like I said, she's wicked smart, and is now very respectful and tries to be obedient, so the rest will come with strength and time. I'm excited, I love a project!

I know I asked about bits a few weeks ago and I thought I'd give an update on that front. After trying a few things I've ended up with a myler, a brand I've never had before. It's technically a kimberwick, but it has no real port and I've wrapped the bars of the bit and the curb strap with latex so it's nice and soft now. Also it articulates to the left and right so it's much clearer about left vs right than just a straight bar. There is very little leverage, and I mostly ride on the top rein, but the bottom rein is great to have when I need it. 

I still put her back in the HS D to check her progress periodically, as I would like to get her back in something dressage approved eventually, but for now its just what we need and makes riding a lot more pleasant!

She's much better in the canter, I'm making lots of circles and trying to help her get her balance. All her gaits are pretty downhill, which I'm thinking is as much about lack of strength and balance as it is about training. I'm SURE no one has ever asked her to sit down on her hocks before, so part of it is getting lost in translation, but for now I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt that she's chubby and unfit. Still cute as can be though!!!

Saying Goodbye

Even though Sid sold two weeks ago, school has been so crazy I didn't get to go and officially say goodbye till last weekend. I'm happy I din't wait any longer as I guess he left the sales farm this morning. Of course it was really, really sad, but sending him away for this whole process was the smart way to go. And the amount of work I have in my class has made me even more positive that it was definitely the right decision to sell. All of that said though, If I'd had to do it myself I don't think I could have. Looking at his cute face everyday would have been too much. So, being that I don't really have time to write anything thoughtful I took a bunch of pics and will let those do the talking. The weather was really horrific so please excuse the weird outfit. It is WA after all. 

Silly cheeky baby horse wonders why I even bothered  to come if I didn't bring carrots.
Also my laughing while crying face is not attractive. 

  

BF has the great idea to just give him his favorite- wild growing "spikey weeds"

I taught him to "make that face"- the finger in the air is the command. His new owner doesn't even know :(

No more messing around, really time to go. Our last picture together

He watched me walk alllllllll the way to the car, like he always does. Whenever I'm on the property with him he never takes his eyes off me. 

In other news, Svenna is still cute, even though I continue to take only unflattering pictures of her that make her appear very strangely conformed. And I finally found a dressage girth short enough to fit her (18"!!), so we put on the treeless dressage saddle for the first time today (Heather Moffet/enlightened equitation brand that I bought as a "back up" for when my treed saddles were not fitting/needing to be adjusted etc).

It was insanely windy, and I don't think she was super thrilled with my decision to ride anyways. I think her face says it all:

Burr-lets just eat food and snuggle inside

Anyway, I'm hoping to get some video of us together soon, as I really feel like she is starting to "get it". I'll for sure post it here so that everyone can see what a cute, sassy little thing she is under saddle. Also a jumping update coming soon!