Saturday's Ride

Today I did a little of different things:) First I got my boards out and walked Navajo over them..HE did really good and by the 5th time he was not hitting any of the boards..Then I took him down to the fence and got him to move his hindquarters which he did right away:) Then I did the forequarters and that went ok but it needs a LOT of work!! I also Did some backing too. I got him bridled and hopped on him..He stayed still till I asked him to move forward..He really progressed well with that since I have him.

Once I was on and had him going I got him to walk over the boards with me on him..we only did that twice, once both ways..HE DID GREAT!!! Then I took him to the rectangualr grass area and did some trotting and walking to warm him up:) He did good with that too..Needs a lot of work but we will get there:)

Then I took him out to the field..He refused to go in the field at first but I got him to listen to me eventually:) Then we trotted out way out and galloped in...He was acting funny and haven't figured out why yet..When we were galloping he wanted to not listen to me..He found out that is not a good thing to do..Even though we are cantering or galloping I still have control. So once we were by the grass again I got off and made him move his hindquarters and back up..Then hopped on him again and took him out to the field..He seemed to do ok but then on the way back in he decided he wants to not listen again..I stopped him and hopped off and walked a ways away from home in the field(if that makes sense). We did some in hand trotting too..then I turned around and walked home..He seemed to do ok..Once we were back again..I made him move his hindquarters and back up...He did great again..So we ended on a good note:)

As I said in one of my last posts I am going to do dressage..Well before I am going to do anything I am reading up on it and the different things I want to do..So soon you will be reading about our progress:) I am also going to do other things like walking over ground poles to. Everyone Have a great weekend.

Web Pages

These are a few web pages I like:

TTouch Training: http://www.ttouchsa.co.za/files/horses/horses_higher.php I like this website..Definitely things you can add to your groundwork:)

I like this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGjKMiA4zEc very true!!!

My friend Amber's blog: http://www.allaroundhorses.blogspot.com/ She has some very useful blogs and I use some of the things she talks about.

Another person on Hc's wordpress: http://alittlefaith16.wordpress.com/

HorseChannel.com is the greatest place to be if you want to meet other horse people:) http://www.horsechannel.com/

here is Navajo's page: http://www.horsechannel.com/blog/viewbio.aspx?apid=119353

Someone I found on A little faiths page..very interesting!! http://dressagewannabes.blogspot.com/

My other blog: http://horsebookreviewsandotherinfo.blogspot.com/

These are just a few that I like:) Check some of them out and let me know what ya think!!

Friday's Ride/Training Session!!

Well Tonight I did get to ride:) I rode Navajo out in the field for a bit did some trotting and a little cantering..we weren't out there long just one time out to the end and back again. I got back and decided to do some groundwork and some things from his back. I first did some backing and circles on his back..Then decided to ask him to move his hindquarters from his back to see if he knows what to do..he didn't so I got off and we did some moving his hindquarters from the ground..HE DID PERFECT!!. I didn't get him to move his forequarters at all. Then I did some flexing and he did REALLY well with that..I was happy with him..He just gave me his head and no questions asked:)

Then I got back on him and took him over to the lighted area (has a dawn till dusk light and is rectangular and has a barn and stones on three sides perfect for ring work or work you would do in a ring..hehe don't have one)..Sorry for the bunny trail..Anyway..We did a lot of trotting..It helped me to keep my balance and posting..although now I am seeing what good a saddle would do me..It would help me stay in position more. We trotted both ways and he did really good. I think we both did well. I got him to back around two corners with me on him and he did good with that too. Tonight was a good night for us both especially since I haven't ridden in about two weeks and he hasn't been worked with at all in that long too.

I have decided tonight that we are still going to do pretty much what we have been doing all along all except I am going to start teaching him dressage using this site: http://www.classicaldressage.net/index.html (home page) http://www.classicaldressage.net/members/lessonlist.html (lesson list) http://www.classicaldressage.net/members/lesson_pages/not_a_lot.html (lesson 1). This is what I am going to start working on in addition to what I am doing now. Which is mainly working on flexing, moving both hindquarters and forequarters, lowering his head and backing up. For me it is my seat and position. So I have been looking for new stuff to do here is what I came up with for my decision.

I have decided that I love the western saddle for trail rides and such but I love bareback the best for just a fun trail ride and I am finding there are tons of fun things to do with English riding!! Also some useful and interesting things too. Because as for now I am working on getting Navajo to move his forequarters and hindquarters to eventually get him to do the sidepass and I think...Am not positive though, if there is a sidepass in english or not, so the sidepassing is for the western side of things (maybe the english too not sure on that). So this is where I am at right now..I have goals that I want to meet in English riding and it seems I can find more stuff that I want to do with Navajo with English than I do Western. I don't know if I am the only one that has ever gone thru this that they don't know what they want to do..hehe..I love western and all the fun possabilites such as barrels and poles but honestly I am not for that or at least not in the show ring. All I want is things I can do that will be more than just alwasy trail riding and that will help when we go for trail rides. Also so Navajo doesn't get bored and so it gives him something to do and keep him guessing on what we will do each day! That is one reason I am leaning toward dressage. Sorry if this is long and drawn out..have put a lot of thought into this. So if anyone has any ideas at all let me know..Thanks. Everyone have a great weekend.

Arrived Safely Home!

Abby Me and her mom Terri! We had so much fun meeting each other:)
I loved the rocks along Lake Erie where we stopped so took a few pics!

Lake Erie..We didn't stay long..it rained:)

LAKE ERIE!!

Some flowers and other things made out of recycled signs in Meadville PA

Some things made out of recycled signs

Bell in Franklin PA

Fence in Franklin PA

We loved this fence so we took a few pictures:)

Same fence in Franklin

In Franklin (love this picture)

Some more scenery on the way to Franklin.

Some Scenery on the way to Franklin PA

Here are a few of the pictures we took while on our trip..Well on Thursday we traveled out to Franklin Pa to drop part of our load off at a guys place and stayed the night there..Then we drove to Erie PA and stayed there from Friday till Monday morning..I got to meet Abby a girl that I met on HorseChannel.com on Saturday afternoon. It was so cool getting to meet someone from HC. Then Monday we left for Lima OH..We arrived in Lima around 3..dropped off the stuff that we took out for the guy..Then we drove down to London OH and stayed there Monday and Tuesday Night. We previewed the sale Tuesday and then went there today...We were at the sale about an hour..dad looked around and found the stuff he wanted to buy..but the stuff was not going to sell till last so he didn't want to stay...so we drove home Today...I was so glad to see Navajo and all the other animals:) I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow because I want to spend tons of time with Navajo:) Everyone have a great rest of the week!

Wednesday!

Ok today the people I am getting to take care of Navajo some of the time while I am gone came and I showed them what to do:)

Once they left I groomed Navajo and decided to go for a ride:) He did very well..We cantered a little and trotted a lot! We didn't really work on much while we were riding all except for him to listen to me when I aske him to move over at a trot..That needs a lot of work.

When we got back I praised him for being a good boy. Then I got off and I got him to flex a bit..he wanted to be stubborn but he did listen to me..I was very happy..Then I asked him to back up which he did well.

Then I asked him to move his hindquarters around and he didn't do it right away on the one side but on the other side he did it immedately:) I am so happy..I praised him and then cleaned his hooves out and turned him out again:)

We are all ready to now...All we have to do is get the stuff we will use in the moring together and be off:) I will try to update on here or via e-mail...We will see if I even get on..hehe..Everyone have a great evening and weekend.

TUESDAY EVENING'S GROUNDWORK!!

I just got in from a FANTASTIC working session with Navajo..This morning it was a bit frustrating getting him to move off of my cues. He was not light at all..

THEN TONIGHT!! I went out to him with the bridle took him up to the dusk to dawn light (so I could see) and rode him in circles getting him to move off my leg (calf) cues:) He did good..We trotted a bit too:) Then I took him up to the back of the bank barn and did some backing up..He did ok with that:) I also got him to go in a circle with out using direct rein just my neck and leg cues:):) HE NEVER DID THAT BEFORE!!!

Then I got off of him (since he had no clue what I was asking when I asked him to move his hindquarters with my leg) I asked him from the ground..HE MOVED IMMEDIATELY ON BOTH SIDES:):):) I got him to flex to and he did that well too:) No moving around nothing just gave me his head:) Then I got him to move his forequarters and HE DID THAT WELL TOO!!! I was so PROUD!!! I finally accomplished something I have been working on for a while:) YEAH!!! I was getting frustrated and then I have an awesome night like this:):) Everyone have a good evening!!

Tuesday's Groundwork!

This morning I worked with Navajo on moving his hindquarters and forequarters..He did quite well..We also did some in hand trotting..he did good with that! Now I am looking into things I can add to my groundwork routine:) So if anyone has any suggestions let me know..Thanks

Pictures:)

Groundwork!

Today I did groundwork up in the hay shed since it is raining here. He did not listen to me when I asked him to lunge so I decided I am going to work on Navajo moving his hindquarters. He didn't seem to get it at first but toward the end he was getting better:) I was proud of him. Then I decided to ask him to move his forequarters. That went pretty well also. He did so good and I am so pleased.

Yesterday the farrier came and he said Navajo's hooves are very healthy and good:) He didn't have any bruises either:) Well I am off. Everyone have a great weekend.

Update!!

I left Navajo out and according to last nights forcast we are supposed to have rain morning and evening for the rest of the week till sunday night. I will have to see what the forcast is this morning. I left Navi out last night because it was nice and he didn't mind. Figured I'll give him one more chance to be out all night and day before it decided to flood us out..hehe!!

Oh I changed his feed yesterday. Well not completely changed it I am still mixing the sweet feed with his senior feed. He really really seems to like it. So I guess we will see how it goes:)

I haven't ridden since monday:( Tuesday we canned yesterday was so busy catching up with work from tuesday that didn't get done because of canning. That is just part of life. I am planning on working with him today on groundwork and maybe a little riding. None in the cornfield today:( Tomorrow the farrier comes. That is pretty much the update on us. Everyone have a great rest of the week and weekend:)

p.s. we are not going away till next week sometime or something like that.

Monday's Ride!!!

Tonight I got to ride:) The farrier is coming tomorrow so I don't know if I will ride or not!!

Anyway tonight Navajo was being stubborn. I got on him and he stays put nicely. Well once we get up the field he would not go the way way I wanted or stay in the row I selected. So we worked on him listening to my cues which he was just being stubborn. He kept wanting to move to the top of the field and I don't know why. Well I finally got him trotting where I wanted to and he did pretty good. Then I turned him around and we had a good gallop. Then on the way back down the row he gave me a fit again on where he wanted to go. We worked on it again. Then we walked home. Once we were home again I got him to move both hindquarters for me from the ground. Did well. Have a wonderful evening!

Saturday's Ride ♥!!

I got to ride this evening! We went out for dinner just Rose Mary, Rachel and Mom!! Dad had some guys that they went out to eat:) So after we ate we went to the library and I got tons of books:) :) And we stopped at walmart aka Wally World and got some other stuff (I got a book:).

Then we came home and I went out to ride! I got Navajo groomed and bridled him and headed for the cornfield:):) We trotted out to the end, then walked down the width of the field. Then we trotted most of the way toward the road then we cantered the rest of the way. Then I turned around and headed back out!! We trotted some of the way and cantered the other part!! Then I turned him around and GALLOPED him back toward the road!! Then we cantered back toward the end. Then we walked home!! he broke a sweat!! I was impressed and Had fun. Everyone have a great weekend:)

Friday's training Session!!

I was not planning on doing anything with Navajo but I decided I wanted a bit of a ride:) :)

So I went out bridled him up and rode him for 10 minutes! I worked on him moving immediately from my leg pressure:) And backing up. I got him to move from left to right and he did so immediatly:) I was so proud. talk soon

Thursday's Groundwork!

Some of you may be wondering why I didn't do anything with Navajo yesterday. Well it was really windy and cool and it was raining in the morning when I would have ridden. So he got a day off..lucky horse..

Anyway Today I worked on Navajo moving his forequarters and hindquarters. At first he wanted to move all of his legs but towards the end he figured it out what I wanted. Right now it takes quite a bit of pressure for him to move I want to get it to the point that I just have to tap the whip agains he and he moves. Then Eventually just wave the whip and he moves. Once we have him moving at a lighter touch I am going to reintroduce it to him when I am on him. There are different things I want to work on but for now this is what I want to accomplish. If anyone has any ideas of anything I can teach Navajo please let me know. Thanks!!

♥ Monday Night's Ride ♥

I got to ride tonight!! I headed out to muck out the pasture tonight so there isn't so much in the morning. I got done faster than I thought I would so I decided I am going to ride!! Navajo and I did some cantering and trotting and a few GALLOPS:):) Then I was like I am going to try to work on him moving his hindquarters again since this morning I worked on him moving his hindquarters from the ground! So we did that and he did pretty good. He was kinda getting mad at me because he wanted to go back to the barn and not do anything..lol. Lazy horse JK! Then we had another gallop. I rode him by the steer barn. He was acting like an idiot which made me kinda mad and upset at him. But we did some circles and I got him to back up and he calmed down a bit!! I then took him back close to the barn and got off of him! I decided to cool him down I am going to get him to move his hindquarters around from the ground! He did good with that too! So I praised him and then took him into his stall/run in and groomed him and loved him up! He loved it. Well Have a great rest of the week and I am off:)

Monday's Groundwork!!

This morning I worked with Navajo on moving his forequarters and hindquarters. He is getting better but It needs a lot of work just from the ground. Tomorrow we will ride again probably. Sorry this is short but I don't have much to say!! LOL ♥

Pictures Of Navajo!!

I didn't do anything to these pictures because I didn't really have time but I really like them:) Took them today. Enjoy.

P.s. I didn't ride today! I was away for dinner at some church people's place and we have some people here for a bit.

Saturday's Ride ♥!!

I did get to ride Navajo and we worked on moving his hindquarters. He moved it from the right toward the left but not from left toward the right. So I got off of him and got him to move that way. DID GOOD!! Then I took him on the road and we headed toward the field. We came home through the field. I was so proud of him.

Earlier I gave him a bath and he still smells nice and looks good! Later I want to take some pics if I can recruit some help..lol. Have a great weekend.
♥ ♥

Another Ride Through The Cornfield

This morning I rode through the cornfield again;) It was so much fun. This time we had a nice long gallop which we galloped the whole lengeth of the field. SO MUCH FUN. Then we trotted back and added a canter in for the fun of it. Then we rode along the field lane out onto the road and went till we came to the strip. We walked home then. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. Nothing to eventful happened and we had an awesome time. I groomed him and loved him up when I got back. Navajo deserved it. Have a wonderful day.

This Morning's Ride in the Cornfield:)

This morning for the first time this fall I GOT TO RIDE IN THE CORNFIELD!! Yippe! Anyway I got him all bridled up hopped on him and out we headed. At first Navajo wasn't quite sure of all this but after a bit he had his ears perked forward and seemed to like it quite a bit:) We walked for a bit then I asked for a trot which he gave. I was a bit surprised because last year when we rode in the cornfield he didn't want to trot or canter away from the barn. HE DID BOTH THIS YEAR!!! Once we got to the end we rode on the little field lane and just walked and explored a bit. He did good. Then we went into the corn field again and cantered a bit. Then I turned him around to canter back which he wanted to gallop so I let him. IT WAS AWESOME!! I was a bit tired when I went out this morning but to cure that I rode and I feel so refreshed and feel so ready to face my day! Then I turned him around to go back out and we cantered out! Then we trotted back home. He did so good for the whole ride. I groomed him and turned him out:) :) I was so proud and I have some ideas how to do different things while we are out there. So it was an awesome ride and can hardly wait till the next one!