On Monday when I had hippotherapy Robin's assistant was my former riding instructor Eileen. It was good to see her and I knew I needed to make amends for refusing to do several of her instructions that now, five years later, know how right she was.
If I had listened to her, I would have been riding Western several years ago, instead of waiting until I was so sore, when I got off of Bouffe, I could barely walk. Secondly, I refused to cross tie the former OTTB I had. At that time I believed TB were not crossed tied that was only for the "lesser breeds" - how wrong my snobbish attitude has become. Thank you Eileen, for all the basic dressage you taught me. I have used it over and over again on Bouffe.
Speaking of Bouffe, he again refused to be ridden in the indoor arena. Something in his past, probably the indoor paddocks at Pimlico and Charles Town, has made him very afraid of being in a closed in environment. Even though it was raining off and on, which was the reason I wanted to ride inside, we went to the outdoor ring and Bouffe was the perfect gentleman he always is and during the thirty minutes I rode him, we even leaned some more about neck reining and sitting to the trot. I felt good about all that happened today and am looking forward to riding Bouffe again on Friday.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Hippotherapy - Good To Be Back
Yesterday was my first day back at the farm since I returned from New York. I had a hippotherapy appointment and since I was exhausted the last time I tried to do both, I didn't ride Bouffe, but just worked with Robin. We had a very successful session but today my back is bothering me again. I made an appointment with my primary care doctor with hopes of getting a referral to someone who can make my back feel better.
Bouffe did seem glad to see me and especially the carrots I brought him. He stood patiently while I feed him and gave him the once over; he looked good. I do plan to ride Bouffe tomorrow and it will be good to be back in the saddle.
Bouffe did seem glad to see me and especially the carrots I brought him. He stood patiently while I feed him and gave him the once over; he looked good. I do plan to ride Bouffe tomorrow and it will be good to be back in the saddle.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Multiple Sclerosis - New York Took Its Toll
Besides for all the tolls I paid to and from New York, my health has paid the most from the trip. New York was great and I had a good time, but my MS couldn't withstand the increase in activity. I was so fatigued, I could feel my whole system being jeopardized and on the way home I started feeling nauseous. The results - a canceled riding session today and the show on Sunday.
So, now along with my swollen lower legs, I also have a stomach virus, which is not a good scenario for riding Bouffe. I am hoping that by taking off until Monday all will be well.
So, now along with my swollen lower legs, I also have a stomach virus, which is not a good scenario for riding Bouffe. I am hoping that by taking off until Monday all will be well.
Friday, October 18, 2013
OTTB - Very Disappointing Day
When I went to the farm this morning all the horses were turned out, I think still from last night. I couldn't get to Bouffe, because there were other horses turned out with him and my balance isn't good enough to lead Bouffe and keep the others from getting out of the gate. Also, Bouffe didn't have his turnout blanket on and I am paying a blanketing fee. I was not happy.
Leslie was not there and I couldn't wait around for someone to tell me what was going on; so, I left. This experience just added to the questions I had about Bouffe's care after seeing on Wednesday that someone else had ridden him and didn't even bother to bathe him or at least rub out the sweat marks from the English saddle and girth. I agreed to have Monica lunge and ride him a little, but to have gotten him as hot, as the dried sweat on his body showed, who ever was on him road him hard .
I am leaving for New York for a few days and this was an important training day that went up on smoke.
Leslie was not there and I couldn't wait around for someone to tell me what was going on; so, I left. This experience just added to the questions I had about Bouffe's care after seeing on Wednesday that someone else had ridden him and didn't even bother to bathe him or at least rub out the sweat marks from the English saddle and girth. I agreed to have Monica lunge and ride him a little, but to have gotten him as hot, as the dried sweat on his body showed, who ever was on him road him hard .
I am leaving for New York for a few days and this was an important training day that went up on smoke.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
OTTB - Learning To Neck Rein
Even with the first signs of winter hair, Bouffe's coat shone brightly after I groomed him, which is a good sign of how much better he is doing and feeling. After all the rain we have had, the sun is still a rare sight in the sky and today was no different with overcast skies and a cool breeze. But it was still good to get back in the western saddle, which my body still seems to appreciate when I throw my right leg over the cantle and ease down into the seat.
In our session today I had two things I wanted to accomplish : practice neck reining and sit to the trot. The last time I rode, Bouffe and I worked for almost the entire thirty minutes on neck reining and I expected to practice some more today. Wrong! Bouffe remembered. He wasn't perfect but still showed that in just one session he had learned the basics. With just a little snag of the direct rein first I then placed the neck rein over his opposite shoulder and he turned. After several times I stopped using the direct rein and he had gotten the hang of it, much better to the right than the left, but still a big improvement from last week. Bouffe continues to amaze me. He is an excellent example of how smart OTTBS are and how willing they are to learn.
The same thing happened when we worked on a sitting trot. It has been over a week since we practiced but from that session Bouffe had gotten the idea that if he slows down his trot just a little I can sit comfortably on his back and stop bouncing up and down. I shouldn't have been surprised that he had figured this out. He is such a remarkable horse that I put nothing out of reach as to what he can learn.
After many treatment of iodine wash and Furicin the cracked heel Bouffe has had for awhile is finally clearing up. I treated it one more time and fed Bouffe his carrots before putting him back in his stall. All is well.
In our session today I had two things I wanted to accomplish : practice neck reining and sit to the trot. The last time I rode, Bouffe and I worked for almost the entire thirty minutes on neck reining and I expected to practice some more today. Wrong! Bouffe remembered. He wasn't perfect but still showed that in just one session he had learned the basics. With just a little snag of the direct rein first I then placed the neck rein over his opposite shoulder and he turned. After several times I stopped using the direct rein and he had gotten the hang of it, much better to the right than the left, but still a big improvement from last week. Bouffe continues to amaze me. He is an excellent example of how smart OTTBS are and how willing they are to learn.
The same thing happened when we worked on a sitting trot. It has been over a week since we practiced but from that session Bouffe had gotten the idea that if he slows down his trot just a little I can sit comfortably on his back and stop bouncing up and down. I shouldn't have been surprised that he had figured this out. He is such a remarkable horse that I put nothing out of reach as to what he can learn.
After many treatment of iodine wash and Furicin the cracked heel Bouffe has had for awhile is finally clearing up. I treated it one more time and fed Bouffe his carrots before putting him back in his stall. All is well.
Friday, October 11, 2013
OTTB - And The Rains Came
I missed riding Bouffe on Wednesday because I took my wife, Barbara, to an eye doctor's appointment and was looking forward to riding today. But then the rains came and came and came. It has been raining now for over twenty four hours, with no predicted end until tomorrow.
Regardless of the rain I went to the farm this morning to at least drop off Bouffe blanket and I was glad I did. When I finally got there, after negotiating wash outs on several of the roads, it was cold. Bouffe was in his stall, but not very happy. He is a creature of habit and doesn't like any kind of change. Having a stall is a change he still hasn't gotten used to. This morning the horse in the stall next to him was out and Bouffe was racing around his stall in panic mode because he had been left. I guess being in a stall is something he will have to get accustomed to again and the horses and the field he is turned out in keep changing - he gets frantic every time but calms down once he is turned out with horses or a fields he is accustomed to.
Well I didn't get anything done this morning besides fitting Bouffe blanket on him. He was just too excited to stand still long enough for me to even feed him his carrots much less groom him. So, once the blanket was on it was back in the field he went.
Regardless of the rain I went to the farm this morning to at least drop off Bouffe blanket and I was glad I did. When I finally got there, after negotiating wash outs on several of the roads, it was cold. Bouffe was in his stall, but not very happy. He is a creature of habit and doesn't like any kind of change. Having a stall is a change he still hasn't gotten used to. This morning the horse in the stall next to him was out and Bouffe was racing around his stall in panic mode because he had been left. I guess being in a stall is something he will have to get accustomed to again and the horses and the field he is turned out in keep changing - he gets frantic every time but calms down once he is turned out with horses or a fields he is accustomed to.
Well I didn't get anything done this morning besides fitting Bouffe blanket on him. He was just too excited to stand still long enough for me to even feed him his carrots much less groom him. So, once the blanket was on it was back in the field he went.
Monday, October 7, 2013
OTTB - Fundamentals - Neck Reining
Sine we have gotten back from Cape May I have been feeling much better physically. I don't really know why, but it is wonderful to walk without feeling so much pain and balance issues, as I put one foot in front of the other. BTW the western boots are even better now that I took the orthodics out.
I felt a real inspiration today, to ride Bouffe from my experience of meeting Dale and Duck on Saturday. We rode for thirty minutes today and never broke out of a walk - we just turned a lot, as Bouffe had his first lesson today in neck reining.
Dale Simanton told me the first thing in teaching a horse to neck rein is for the horse to know your leg aids and since Bouffe does we were heading in the right direction. As before, when we were practicing bending, Bouffe turned to the left much easier than the right. In fact several times he didn't turn to the right at all. But after watching several videos today I know it was my fault; I wasn't using the direct rein enough. It will be easier for Bouffe and me when I get longer and maybe split reins instead of the English braided ones I am using.
I considered this a positive learning experience for Bouffe and me, as we break the old mold that thoroughbreds can't be western mounts - you need a quarter horse. I heard this from Leslie today (she is a die hard quarter horse owner) , which made me that much more determined to prove her wrong.
I felt a real inspiration today, to ride Bouffe from my experience of meeting Dale and Duck on Saturday. We rode for thirty minutes today and never broke out of a walk - we just turned a lot, as Bouffe had his first lesson today in neck reining.
Dale Simanton told me the first thing in teaching a horse to neck rein is for the horse to know your leg aids and since Bouffe does we were heading in the right direction. As before, when we were practicing bending, Bouffe turned to the left much easier than the right. In fact several times he didn't turn to the right at all. But after watching several videos today I know it was my fault; I wasn't using the direct rein enough. It will be easier for Bouffe and me when I get longer and maybe split reins instead of the English braided ones I am using.
I considered this a positive learning experience for Bouffe and me, as we break the old mold that thoroughbreds can't be western mounts - you need a quarter horse. I heard this from Leslie today (she is a die hard quarter horse owner) , which made me that much more determined to prove her wrong.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
OTTB - Thoroughbred Makeover
I spent the day at the Thoroughbred Makeover and saw numerous former racehorses who are now successful in new careers. There were show jumpers, a police horse, polo ponies, barrel racers and Dale and Duck. Of all the makeover trainers, I have been following Dale Simanton and his progress in converting Drake's Dancer (aka Duck) from racehorse to ranch horse, in his Gate to Great Program at Horse Creek Thoroughbreds in Newell, South Dakota. http://www.gatetogreat.com/
I walked back to the barn and met Dale and Duck. Dale is quiet and humble. I felt it a privilege to meet a true cowboy.
Duck reminds me so much of Bouffe. Not on looks, but by his quiet demeanor and willingness to please. There are many videos of Dale and Duck on the Retired Racehorse Training Project website http://retiredracehorsetraining.org/ but the best one is the one found here http://retiredracehorsetraining.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=560:a-tribute-to-a-great-team&catid=102:dale-simanton&Itemid=398 I need to say no more.
Friday, October 4, 2013
OTTB - Training To Jog and Retired Racehorse Training Project
I rode Bouffe today for the first time in a week and he and I both enjoyed the session. Now that Bouffe is in a stall he has gained weight just in a few days, probably from the extra feed. He was on his toes, which was a good sign and I never had to ask him to walk on and not plod.
Teaching Bouffe to do a slow trot (jog), so I can sit the trot, is going to be a long process, for Bouffe is a typical OTTB and only has two speeds - walk and gallop. The trot is just pass through on the way from the walk to a gallop. Even when I did tight circles and serpentines Bouffe kept up his fast trot and would have galloped if I just moved my hands up his neck. So, as much as I tried I could not sit, I just bounced if I didn't post, which you don't do when riding western.
Riding western is still very comfortable for me and doesn't irritate the tightness and numbness in my legs the way riding English did. I figured out a new way to get the saddle, which weighs thirty pounds, closure to where Bouffe is cross tied in the barn. The saddle stand is on wheels that make it easy to push closure to the tack room door right outside of where Bouffe is standing. It keeps me from struggling to carry the saddle the length of the tack room and makes it much easier to tack up and put away.
Today's session started out good and ended good. A student of Leslie's, Monica, is going to groom, lunge, and ride Bouffe on Saturdays, starting tomorrow, with the goal of boosting his conditioning. If everything works as planned Bouffe and I should be all set for the show on the twenty-seventh.
Tomorrow I am going to the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium sponsored by the Retire Racehorse Training Project. One of the makeovers was done by a western trainer, who taught his OTTB to be a cutting horse and compete in barrel racing. I am looking forward to tomorrow with hopes of picking up some pointers for training Bouffe.
Teaching Bouffe to do a slow trot (jog), so I can sit the trot, is going to be a long process, for Bouffe is a typical OTTB and only has two speeds - walk and gallop. The trot is just pass through on the way from the walk to a gallop. Even when I did tight circles and serpentines Bouffe kept up his fast trot and would have galloped if I just moved my hands up his neck. So, as much as I tried I could not sit, I just bounced if I didn't post, which you don't do when riding western.
Riding western is still very comfortable for me and doesn't irritate the tightness and numbness in my legs the way riding English did. I figured out a new way to get the saddle, which weighs thirty pounds, closure to where Bouffe is cross tied in the barn. The saddle stand is on wheels that make it easy to push closure to the tack room door right outside of where Bouffe is standing. It keeps me from struggling to carry the saddle the length of the tack room and makes it much easier to tack up and put away.
Today's session started out good and ended good. A student of Leslie's, Monica, is going to groom, lunge, and ride Bouffe on Saturdays, starting tomorrow, with the goal of boosting his conditioning. If everything works as planned Bouffe and I should be all set for the show on the twenty-seventh.
Tomorrow I am going to the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium sponsored by the Retire Racehorse Training Project. One of the makeovers was done by a western trainer, who taught his OTTB to be a cutting horse and compete in barrel racing. I am looking forward to tomorrow with hopes of picking up some pointers for training Bouffe.
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