The challenge: 12 Weeks, 40 horsemanship hours, 30 rides.
Week 1
Horsemanship Challenge |
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Horsemanship |
Riding |
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Date |
Week |
Day |
Days |
40 Hours |
30 Rides |
Notes |
30-May |
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Sheryl and I picked Spanky (Hank) up in Elgin and brought him home. |
Tue May 31 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1.75 |
1 |
Rescuing Autumn from being tied to the tree. First ride, Hank is stiff and he rides western, while I ride English – we’re working on it. Short ride with no reins, eyes closed. Small spooks. He is suspicious of the Parelli ball, so we’ll do some ground work. He likes to be in your space, we’ll work on that too. |
Wed Jun 1 |
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2 |
2 |
2.5 hours |
1 |
2nd ride. A little more awkward than yesterday as no one was holding Spanking at the mounting stump. We worked around it 10-15 minutes until he figured out what I was asking and I got my nerves under control. Foot in the stirrup, half way on and he walked off, then the saddle slid off from my weight. He stopped and looked at me, I got us straightened out, saddle off and back on. Finally mounted and we did better today. More loose rein and some no rein, hands out at a walk, some trotting. Erin came out and took him for a little ride, trimmed his feet. He got an apple, grooming and loved on. A good 2nd day overall. |
Thu Jun 2 |
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3 |
3 |
2.46 |
0 |
Ponies had a spa day. Autumn stopped chasing Spanky and all 3 have been building a herd foundation today. At together; Autumn won’t let him in the shelter yet, but she isn’t chasing him at all. |
Fri Jun 3 |
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4 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
Spa day for the horses |
Sat Jun 4 |
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5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
Oncology appointment and errands all day. |
Sun Jun 5 |
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6 |
6 |
2 |
1 |
Short ride, Izzy bandages on leg, Brave needed meds. Teaching a WWOOFer (guest) about horsemanship. |
Mon Jun 6 |
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7 |
7 |
0.45 |
1 |
Rode Flashy in the pasture and Sheryl rode Hank. First time with a bridle here. Used her Parelli bridle with the sweet iron bit. |
Total Week 1 |
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10.75 |
5 |
Nice end to week 1. |
Tuesday May 31, 9:05 pm It’s pouring rain tonight. The boys are out in the pasture, Autumn is in the dry lot. Spanky is smitten with her. It’s pouring but they are healthy adult horses, a little water won’t harm them. Thinking of our ride this afternoon, feeling grateful and looking forward to tomorrows ride. Erin is coming out to trim so maybe just some ground work. It will be a “horsemanship day” and some grooming. I need to apply the oils again. He has such a lovely, smooth trot and his canter ain’t half bad either! sigh I heard someone walking by the house tonight yell at someone else “Did you see Deveri’s new horse? He’s gorgeous!” Yes, he is.
Thursday June 2 The horses got a spa day today. Essential Oil treatment and massages. I let Autumn out to mow the yard and give her some extra hugs. They are all together in both pastures and it’s been very quiet. I’m adding Rose Hips to Pete’s diet after reading a number of articles on the health benefits. I have powdered, ground and whole. He snacked on 5 whole ones this morning and seemed to enjoy them. Here’s the article that I found interesting (and yes, I did see the cautions about sugar content and diarrhea on other articles so I am starting slow). Hank didn’t care to try them but I’ll add a tiny bit to his grain and watch for any health response.Charles Abraham will be here tomorrow for health check and spring shots; 2 of the foals are not feeling good. Izzy has tore up her right front leg pulling it through something and Brave is colicky. We’ve ramped up the DigestZen for him and treated a puncture on his shoulder but his coat is dull and he’s really cranky about touching his belly