More reflections on young horses . . . Lena
I worked with Lena yesterday. I have hand-grazed her a couple times since last posting, but not done anything else.
Yesterday I tied her at the trailer and she was a perfect angel. I groomed her, then sprayed her with bug spray. There is some kind of big fly here that seems to only go for the groin area of all the horses. Without any hesitation I sprayed Lena’s chest, then moved to her stomach, and directed the spray way back underneath to her teats. She never batted an eye. Those who have horses know that even older, experienced horses are not necessarily thrilled to have that done, so I was very impressed.
I always like to do something new with young horses just before rewarding them – in Lena’s case this is a small amount of grain, followed by hand-grazing in the field. I got brave and picked up one of Lena’s hind feet. This is always a little nerve wracking as horses can kick faster than the human eye can follow. There’s no seeing it coming if they really let one fly. But again, she didn’t bat an eye.
Really, nothing I’ve done since tying her has phased her. And this is the beauty of young horses. If they have never had a reason to fear people, once they learn to trust you, they are not defensive.
I’m going to try my English saddle on Lena the next time I work with her. Since she now ties, I’ll be able to get a decent picture!
Lena Update – Easter Sunday (April 8th)
Decided I would try to trim Lena’s front feet today. I haven’t worked with her since my last update, but it’s really become apparent to me how fast horses learn and accept things. There is no need to work on things for extended periods every day.
Lena certainly proved that today. I led her to the horse trailer and there was no hesitation walking onto the mat. I groomed her first, just dropped the rope and she stood there. She does enjoy being curried and brushed. When I was done grooming her, I sprayed her with bug spray. The first time I did it – March 31st – I just spritzed her chest. This time she stood completely still and let me spray her mane, neck, front legs, chest, belly, and body.
Then I tied her. On the 31st she pulled back and we never had a “successful” tie. This time she pulled back once – only pulling about 18 inches of the rope through the ring. After that she did pull back very slightly once, but stopped when the rope went taut. I was very impressed. She was so good tied – letting me pick up her left front foot without issue – that I felt trimming was a possibility.
I did manage to trim both front feet. Nipped the flared wall off, and rasped to smooth both feet. It was not a pretty trim, but it was very good for a horse whose previous record holding up a foot was less than a minute. I didn’t bring my phone and wouldn’t have had enough hands to take a photo anyway, so didn’t take photos, but I can say that she has good feet. Most horses who’ve gone as long as she has without being trimmed would have forward toes, but she doesn’t. Her foot never migrated, and is nice and round with good hard frogs.
As a reward she got some grain, and then some hand-grazing in the field. She also seems to have learned what whoa means and led very well. While we were out there, I ran my hand down each hind leg, slapped them a little and was very happy to see that it didn’t disturb her in the least. Also put my right arm over her back, squeezed and put some weight on her back. No reaction, she just took it completely in stride.
On another note, I put my entire right fist between her jaw bones at her throat. It fit easily, even with my bent thumb sticking out. This bodes well according to Dr. Cook. A wide throat is a plus.
Lena Update – March 31, 2012
Worked with Lena yesterday. Took her out of the field and up to the horse trailer for some grooming. This is the first time I’ve brought her to the horse trailer but she was good, a little hesitant to approach it, but not bad. There is a black stall mat beside the trailer where I tie the horses and she refused at first to step onto it. Not surprisingly. But she didn’t overreact, and after a short while willingly walked onto it.
She has also never been tied before, so I just held her while I groomed her. She really seems to love being groomed and just stands nicely.
It was a big day for Lena. A trip to the horse trailer, a good grooming, some bug spray (another first). Then I decided to try tying her. I use the Blocker Tie Ring, which I highly recommend to anyone, so that the horse is never tied solid, which causes them to panic if they should pull back. Lena stood quietly tied – not because she knew she was tied, just because she is good. However, I wanted her to experience being tied, so I tried to pick up her right foot. That caused her to back slightly and experience the resistance of the rope. As is normal, when she felt that pressure she pulled back harder. The rope slid through the tie ring a couple feet, and she stopped when she got that release. We did it a couple more times with the same result. I felt that was enough for one day on the tying, and surprisingly, once I untied her, she allowed me to pick up both front feet and hold them for several seconds without wrestling.
I always like to end a new experience on a good note, so Lena got some grain, and then some hand grazing in the field. Her leading is getting much better, though she is still not that great at stopping. It’s a weird feeling stopping and having a horse just keep on going. But she’s getting it. We also tried a few steps of backing, which was good.
All in all, Lena seems to have a very laid back disposition. She accepts new experiences fairly calmly, and even when startled recovers and adjusts quickly. This, I believe, comes from her natural boldness, basically, she is a brave horse. Hopefully the good attitude will carry over into riding!
Training update – March 15
Wednesday Chance was 3-legged lame with an abscess. Not a horrible shock, but this time it was finally not his right foot! No work for him Wednesday, but he was significantly better yesterday (Thu).
I tacked up Zola (Wed) with the intent of lunging her in the Meroth bit, and if she seemed okay with it, riding her. Had my helmet, gloves, and boots on, but a few minutes on the lunge made it clear I wouldn’t be riding. She was good about the bit – mouthed it the whole time – understandably – but not excessively. It’s soft leather, and I told her she’s lucky it’s not metal.
On the lunge there was bucking. When Zola is not happy Zola bucks. This just shows how much more disturbing a bit is to a horse (and it’s not even metal!) than the saddle. Zola never really bucked over the saddle. She bucked over being told what to do – not the same thing. She was not happy about the bit. She did however get good by the end, and I ended our session right there.
Before I lunged Zola, I trimmed her feet. Below is a photo that shows the change in angle since moving to Harned from Paris. I attribute the change solely to diet. My trimming has been the same.
Zola's right front 3-14-12
Decided to see if I was right about Lena on Wednesday, as well. Got out my cheap bareback pad and went to see what would happen if I tried to put it on her. I dropped it and went to get Lena, then brought Lena over to it. This may seem like the same thing – but it’s very different. Approaching with a strange object in hand, is not the same to a horse as going with them OVER to a strange object. I picked the pad up and held it, and Lena sniffed it. I backed up, moving the pad away from her. So much of working with horses is really psychological, once she realized it wasn’t a threat she relaxed. Then, just as if she was a trained horse, I lifted the pad and placed it on her back. She lifted her head for a second – probably to get a look at it – and that was that.
Below is a photo I took to show how relaxed she was about it. She looks terrible because when I tried to step back to get the photo she just kept following me. Being a long object the perspective makes her look freakish. But it’s very apparent that she is relaxed and that the pad is not even secured – it’s just sitting there. Below that photo is a photo of how Lena really looks.
Lena first time with pad 3-14-12
Lena - with a little belly - 3-14-12
As a reward, I took Lena out to the big field – only took seconds to get her through the gate this time. While she grazed I worked on picking up her feet and had some success. At one point I had her left front up for a good 20 seconds, and I put it down, she didn’t pull it away by walking off. That is what she normally does. She doesn’t just stand there and pull it away. It’s almost as if once it’s off the ground, her natural urge is to take a step. She then takes that step and there goes her foot. There’s no sign of fear or belligerence about it. In fact, she often puts her nose on my butt, as if to say, what are you doing?
We practiced some stopping – we’re still working on whoa. Oddly enough she backs up quite easily – no resistance at all. That is unusual, but another sign of her cooperative nature. Though, like Beauty (and Lucy, Roxanna, and Bettina) when it’s time to leave the grazing she doesn’t mind balking a little to let me know she’d prefer not to go back in. And I like to see that. First, because it means that the cooperation is real – she is not suppressing fear or anxiety – she’s being her real self. And second, I like a horse who thinks and communicates. In racing, I think a horse needs to be mentally tough. Stubbornness can be a good thing. And yes, it’s possible to be sweet and stubborn. Sweet does not mean weak, as so many racetrackers seem to think.
March 13th update
It rained yesterday – very lightly I thought. I was expecting the field to be good. Saddled Chance but didn’t get far before I realized I was hearing SQUISH with every step. Maybe it rained during the night – quietly – because there was a big puddle on the road, and clearly the field was saturated. Too wet for fast work – I don’t want anymore of those deep hoofprints – so we walked for 20 minutes and took a few trots up the hill. I feel good that we’ve actually done something 3 out of the last 4 days.
It was 80 today! Chance was warm before I tacked up, since he still has his winter coat, but there was no sweat under the saddle when we were done.
Rode Zola as well, and I have to say she is a good girl. She is still very green but I no longer lunge her, just get on and go without issue. Steering is still problematic and I think I will try the Meroth on her tomorrow. The truth is she will have to have a bit when she goes to the track, so she might as well start now. Stopping and slowing are not a problem – thank goodness!
Worked with Lena later and am impressed with her attitude. Haltering is easy. I brought a hoof pick, scissors, and curry with me into the field and just dropped the rope and started brushing her. She stood there like she’s done it her whole life. Just so good natured! I cut her bridle path, and her raggedy mane and she never batted an eye – honestly I think she enjoyed getting rid of it. She likes attention and seems sweet. Never makes a face or shows displeasure about anything in any way. This is the beauty of an untouched horse – once they trust you most things are a non-issue. Worked on trying to pick up her feet. She doesn’t really understand and tries to walk away, but that is all.
I tried to get her to go out the gate again today and was successful. It took a while, but she did it. We went across to the big field and I let her graze. Picked up her feet while she was engaged in eating some clover. Got both front feet up a few times, but only for about 5 seconds at a time. But she will get better. She is, like most horses, a fast learner. I was a little concerned about how long it would take to get her back in through the gate but it was a non-issue.
If I’d brought a saddle pad with me I’m sure she would have accepted it without any fuss. Will give it a try tomorrow.
Spring forward
Last night we set the clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time. I hate springing forward and love falling back. I already feel like I lost half a day, but I do hope we have sprung forward into spring, finally.
The weather has been wild. As most know, a huge number of tornadoes struck Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee last week. On March 4th Louisville got snow! Luckily we missed that, but we did get rain. And wind. The good news is that the ground seems to be catching up after all the precipitation this winter. It only took a day to dry out after Thursday’s rain.
Zola had an abscess in her RF. Got over that, and then followed it with one in her left front. Got over that and then went lame in her right hind. She seems fine now. My guess on the abscesses is that the cracks she developed in Paris were the problem. Since it was so wet this winter the hoof wall was flexible. As soon as it really started to dry out – the hoof wall contracted, and voila, abscesses.
Rode Chance yesterday. Poor guy, I’m sure he wonders what’s up with the occasional riding. Hopefully things have settled and we can develop a regular routine.
I tried to take Lena out to graze yesterday, but she wouldn’t come out the gate. She has gotten shocked several times (her own fault) and is afraid to pass through the open area – as she knows it’s normally electrified. She has become quite friendly and relaxed. Doesn’t bat an eye when I halter her, and let me pick up her front feet without a big fuss yesterday. She has never had hoof care, so that is a priority.
On other fronts, Zenyatta had her baby – a colt – March 8th. Below is a photo. Zenyatta looks fresh as a daisy. Rachel Alexandra also had a colt. One has to wonder if they will meet each other on the track. We can only hope!
Zenyatta and her new colt!
Update February 29th
I’ve taken full advantage of the nice weather and the dry field. On Monday I drove Huey for the first time in quite a while and he did great. So great that I actually hooked him to the singletree and practiced with that. I followed up on Tuesday (yesterday) and actually hitched him to the drag. He did fine, however there was some issue with the drag as it pulled to Huey’s off side. The drag is chain link and I’m guessing the shape of the links causes that. Played with it for quite a while, moving the connector I use to attach the drag to the singletree to the right and left until it seemed to be pulling evenly.
Huey pulling the drag
I’m looking forward to being able to drag the “track” – to keep the grass low, and to hopefully smooth it out some over time. Also will drag the area in front where the horses eat, and hopefully get Huey to the point where he can pull some of the smaller dead trees down to the burn pile.
I rode Zola on Monday. Our longest ride to date. Walked almost all the way around the track a couple times – cut one end short . Also trotted several times, which uncovered the fact that Zola is harder to steer to the right than the left. Which is interesting, as on the lunge she prefers to go to the right. It’s not that she really resists terribly going to the right, the problem is when I pull harder she stops. Steering in general is not great – the usual green horse problem. One of the advantages to starting a horse in an arena is their natural tendency to follow the fence line – and develop the habit of going straight and making “turns”. Out in the wide open, straight lines require a good deal of steering on a green horse.
In order to hopefully improve steering to the right I used the LG Bridle instead of the jumping hackamore yesterday, in the hope that the “wheels” on the sides will make turning signals clearer. I considered using the Meroth bit, but didn’t want to jump straight to something in her mouth. The LG Bridle has a curb strap and puts some pressure on the nose and the chin – wanted to see how she handled that first. And there was some improvement.
Yesterday’s ride was even longer than Monday’s and went well. We worked a lot on steering at the walk, using the mounting block and other objects to make the idea more clear. Zola also offered a few trots. Most times I kept her at a walk when she did, as I don’t want her to think she can just do whatever she wants, but a couple times I did let her go. Since she volunteered to trot there was no “face”, which was nice. She wasn’t too happy at first with the chin pressure of the LG Bridle, but got used to it. I also figured out what caused her to move into a trot and used that to get several more trots – when I chose.
It’s interesting how sensitive horses are to what we do and how responsive they are before we would call them trained. What made Zola trot? Sitting straight, being confident, and following her movement with some energy. Boom – trot. Every time – and without the disgruntled face making. When I am less confident she walks. When I lose focus, or stop following, she stops. I will have to experiment with my position, energy, and focus regarding steering.
Rode Chance yesterday as well. Was nice to be able to gallop. Was also nice not to hear squish, squish, squish!
Lena was not left out. I walked right up to her carrying the halter and lead rope. She greeted me, and didn’t bat an eye when I haltered her. Led her several steps, stopped. Repeated. She was completely relaxed. Took the halter off, gave her a bit of grain. Stroked her neck, scratched her withers. Took the halter and lead rope together and laid them across her withers. All good.
A gorgeous and productive day!
Lena Update
With the rain, snow, and wind I haven’t done anything with Zola or Chance. But the time hasn’t been completely wasted.
Lena, on her own, has been approaching me and I decided it was time to move on from just visiting her at hay time. I started by taking the rope from the bale I just fed and approaching Lena with it. First just in my hand, then rubbing it on her, then laying it on her head. I started carrying a handful of feed in my jacket pocket and offering it to Lena once a day. She was very tentative at first, taking just a few crumbs. She is still very delicate and not greedy.
On Tuesday I brought a halter and lead rope out into the field after the horses had finished eating their lunch. Lena stood still as I walked up to her and offered her a little grain. A little being around half a teaspoon. Without making a thing out of it, I laid the lead rope over her neck. Waited. Then laid my arm across her neck and put the halter on. She did back up one step – but not fast and not upset. When she stopped I fastened the halter and gave her some more grain. Holding the end of the rope, I walked forward, giving her a very slight pull. She followed nicely. I halted, took off the halter, told her what a good girl she was, rubbed her face (something she likes), gave her another tiny bit of grain, and left.
The next day, I went out to get Lucy, so that she could graze in the field while the other horses ate their hay (grazing in the big field is considered a special treat). All the horses were standing around in a group waiting. I called Lucy, but she didn’t come – I swear they want me to have to walk in the mud! I noticed Lena watching me, and when none of the other horses responded to my calls to Lucy, Lena came forward! Very exciting! I laid the rope across her neck just behind the ears and wiggled it around, putting a little pressure on it as well. She stood perfectly still, and just when I was thinking maybe I’d halter her, Lucy came over. Lena didn’t leave though, which was nice to see. I gave Lena a nice rub and haltered Lucy.
This initial work – getting Lena’s trust – is probably the most important step with any horse. It’s the foundation for everything else and makes everything that comes later so much easier.
Update February 18th
It’s hard to believe that it was February 2nd when I had my best ride ever on Zola – and that I haven’t ridden her since. Between the escapes, and subsequent minor injuries (turned out Zola ended up not just with a hoof abscess and some hide off of her right knee, she also had some scrapes under her “arm pit” and directly under her chest), and the ongoing precipitation – there has been no training going on.
The weather was so incredibly gorgeous – a record 4 days without rain – then – rain!!! Then snow. Then rain. Then snow. Then rain. In between there were some days without rain/snow, but only 1 or maybe 2. Mud is rampant and there is standing water in spots in the field.
There is good news though. The entire herd continues to become even more contented and relaxed. This is evidenced by their behavior at hay feeding times (3 x per day). The dominant horses (Shadow, Huey, Roxanna) still can have whichever pile they prefer – and there are still a couple rounds of musical hay piles – when one shifts they all shift – but it is very casual and calmly done. More telling is the degree to which hay sharing goes on. It’s nothing to look out and see three horses eating from the same flake, while others share as well. And it is not always the same horses. Shadow will share with Zola, Lucy will share with Zola and Lena, or with Beauty or Chance. Bettina will share with other chestnuts (Lena, Zola, Lucy), etc. I have seen as many as five at one pile at one time.
The relaxation extends to individuals as well – naturally. Lena is much more approachable (for me) and also more in the thick of the herd. Maura who was very nervous for several weeks after her arrival is now calm and happy to see me. Things that scared her – like the wagon I haul the hay out in (which rattles) – are now accepted as non-threatening. She was extremely head shy when she got here – in fact it took a few weeks to be able to get her halter off, as it had been on so long the leather had stiffened to a degree that required some force – and she wouldn’t stand for much fiddling. That appears to be much diminished and she is not even afraid of the dressage whip I carry to keep the horses from sneaking up behind me and pulling the hay off the wagon. I can even point it at her (she too will try to grab the hay) or tap her on the butt and she takes just enough notice to walk away. Shadow has recently taken on the role of guardian of the hay and drives away anyone looking to steal some, while herself remaining a respectful distance from the wagon, so the whip is really no longer even needed.
Beauty can now be turned loose in the big field with only a halter, no more dragging lead rope. She is also coming to enjoy the attention. The more she realizes that life here is very different, the more cooperative she has become. She is a very tall horse and while not difficult to halter, kept her head at its normal position. She now, with no prompting from me, lowers it very nicely for the halter. She is lowering her defenses as well – very quickly for a horse – and I think changing her name and telling her how beautiful she is has made a difference.
Zola is funny girl. She looks like the most laid back, relaxed horse – which she is – but that is not the whole story. She is also a dominant horse. It’s no accident that she shares hay with Shadow, and that aside from the leaders’ hay, she is free to take whatever pile she wants. She’s deceptively sweet – but don’t cross the line. Only yesterday I was reminded of that. Bettina, Zola and Beauty were eating their grain at the same time. Beauty took a step toward Zola – and instantly Zola fired off a hind foot and made “the face”. Sharing hay is one thing – grain is something else again! Interestingly, when Bettina was done she too approached Zola’s bucket and Zola allowed her to share the few remaining bits, while not yielding the bucket. All of which confirms my opinion – better to be Zola’s friend than to try to dominate her.
The more I watch Lena, the more interesting she too becomes. She is also a sweet horse, but doesn’t appear to want to be dominant at all. She is however, very independent. From day one she made it clear she has no problem doing her own thing and doesn’t need the herd. She has also proven to be bold and adventurous. She and Maura have become friends, and it is not unusual right before feeding time to look out and count 8 horses – and to find Maura and Lena off on their own. From what I see – and it could be only part of the story – I think Lena will actually be a cooperative horse to train to ride.
As for Chance – he too is a sweet horse, but he does like to dominate where he can. Just to do it. He’s not a dominant horse. He makes me laugh and I kid him that he’s just the pawn of the girls. I never would have planned it, but as it turns out, I have a pretty natural herd, in that there are 10 horses and 8 of them are mares.
Snow is in the forecast for tomorrow – again! – hopefully some good weather will finally arrive and stick around.
Slowly recovering . . . and a little surprise
The whole escaping adventure has left everyone tired. Partly emotional, partly physical – on all our parts. The escapees seemed to have fared better than the rest of us. Unscathed, they have snapped back the fastest. Of the rest, I haven’t had good sleep since Sunday night, and I was exhausted and sore from all the hiking. Zola has a cut on her nose, and a scrape on her right knee – nothing serious, but slightly swollen. Lucy has small wounds on both from legs – from rose thorns I would bet, just some dried blood, no visible cuts. Maura was the worst off, with swollen tendons, but she is fine now and back to normal.
Training, obviously, has been on hold. Zola probably feels worse than she looks, and the ground is still too wet to gallop Chance. 2011 was some kind of record for rainfall in KY. Hopefully this year will be drier.
Had a scare when I got up this morning. Thought all the horses but one were gone. But that wasn’t the case. A few more days without incident and perhaps I’ll be able to relax.
When I fed this morning, as I was laying out piles of hay, I had a pleasant surprise. Lena walked right up to me – into my space. A first! And she didn’t suck back when I went to pat her. So a big day there. Don’t know what brought it on, but I’ll take it.
- View from the driveway January 25, 2012
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