3/13/14

Making plans.

Alright, so the more that I think about it, the more that I like the idea of getting a trainer out when we are officially moved into the property. Just looking at Red's bloodlines and relatives makes me realize just how much potential he does have. I want one out less for me and more for him, just to see what the horse can really do when his young owner isn't the only one working on him. Not to say that I'm even going to start showing or anything, but I feel like he can be an amazing horse and even at 12 years old, he can learn a lot. But I have decided that all of our endeavors will be completely western. His bloodlines include cutters, reiners, pleasure horses and some ropers. He's a Western horse and it almost made me happier that I sold my english stuff. Maybe in the future I'll start back up with it but at this point in my life, I think I'm only going to go anywhere Western.

Our first job is to fence everything in, build a barn and get water put in, that's gonna cost money. We are not rich people at all, so we'll be taking things slow. Once we do have the money for it, we are going to fence in a small arena, get some nice footing put in it and build some poles for trot poles and pole bending, I'll get some roping stuff just to mess around with the goats and etc, but I'm feeling like Red and I will mostly be working on WP and Ranch Pleasure. When I start working with him in the slow way, getting his head low and steps slow, you can tell he really enjoys it. He's not necessarily the most fast-paced horse in the world. He's not a Thoroughbred, and he likes things slow and easy.

I've also decided to ditch my spurs. ;) I've used them twice and both times, he's decided to be more spooky and just fast fast fast paced. Not barn sour, because he'll want to bolt wherever, and I don't like it, especially not paired with his barn sour issue that we are working on so hard. The ride before I got them, he was so lazy, he barely trotted for me because I didn't wear my bumpers (lost them) and he responds well to the bumpers. I was impatient and wanted some with straps because of how much the slip on's fell off so I bought the pair that I could find and well, while I love that he does good with leg pressure, I'm not going to make him scared of them and that's what he's running on. I can deal with lazy, but I don't want to deal with the bolting. I talked to my mom about it and she said she thought the same thing, so next time, I'm ditching the spurs, seeing how he acts and I'll go from there. If he acts fine like I expect, I'll buy another pair of bumpers and see what goes on. I want him to be a bit faster paced but not like that.

So, this month is full of making plans for mainly the summer and year in general.

First step is finding the right spurs and getting him out of this barn sour thing, second step is looking around casually for a trainer, very casually because I won't be able to afford one for awhile. They need to come to my barn because of lack of trailer, lol. Not sure how that works out but we shall see. Next step is getting the property ready and the horse's moved. We have no idea when we'll be done with the work, but I'm hoping that it'll be less than a year and the horses are home.

Plans are good but stressful. :)))

9 comments:

  1. I think you'll find lessons extremely helpful for both of you.

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    1. I can't wait for them to be out there and have someone come out. I've got a cousin that would help a lot, they may move closer so I'm crossing my fingers!

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  2. That sounds exciting!! I keep both of my horses right on my yard and having the property and facilities all your own is just the best thing ever.

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  3. I love lessons, and I think if you can find the right trainer, it will be an awesome experience for both you and Red :-)

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  4. You'll get a lot from taking lessons and become a much better rider:)

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  5. Sounds like some great plans. Working with a good trainer is wonderful. :)

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  6. Even trainers can use trainers to build their horsemanship skills and well as their horse's skills. It'll be nice to see what someone else thinks of him and help you build as a team. With the young lazier horses to get them moving with the Old Cowboy we used the kiss, squeeze, slap method and they got lighter and lighter and more willing to move forward with your seat and leg. We used dressage whips and just gave them a tap for the "slap" part. It was less frustrating for them getting nagged on with just a leg. Easier to get them out of a rollback or up your transition if they actually want to go haha.

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  7. It's going to be so nice to have the horses right in the back yard! Congrats!

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