Trotting and Trails!

Whew what a great day for the V man! We started out like normal. He is really solid and calm.

Then we worked on taking a rattling halter from one post to another.

We started out seeing how the trot went and he was sound so we trotted for a little while. We worked on keeping the same speed on a loose rein and some steering.

hen we headed out of the arena. We decided to take a buddy this time but I still wanted V to lead and go out where I wanted him. He did GREAT. He spooked/jumped twice but didn't go anywhere. He just startled.

Farrier, Summer Camp, Trail Rides, oh MY!

Sunday:

Versace has really grown up! He is well into High School! He is trustworthy to step on without issue, track off calmly and with good flow, leg yeilds, turns and gives to pressure, stops softly, and stands quietly.

After a VERY nice ride we decided to leave the arena. There is a nice trail around the property. Unfortunatley it was getting dark so I only got 1 good picture. He got a little stuck in 2 places but I was able to get him back on track easily. He was calm and quiet and stayed between my aids. I was very proud of him!

Monday:

I was worried about how V was going to behave when I got to the barn. The farrier was there and I had forgotten but Summer Camp had just started so there were 12 little girls running around like crazy right where the farrier works on the horses.

Versace wasn't first but when it was his turn the kids had gotten bored and weren't sitting still watching. He stood like a champ. The farrier even lit the forge when V was 3' from it and he didn't flinch.

The farrier found the tract from the abcess and has ordered the soaking to stop and the applying of iodine to start. He says the soreness is from the direction and path the abcess took. This will help dry out any more moisture and hopefully get him 100%.

Tuesday and Wednesday:

More of the same. Walking, turning, and stopping.

We have been working on picking things up from the fence and carrying it other places. Another fence post, a jump standard, or throwing it over his head/hip. He never flinches.

Our BIG accomplishment for Today...We sidepassed over to the gate, opened it, walked through and down to the barn without issue!!!

As Promised!!!

More of the 100+ pictures here: http://s141.photobucket.com/albums/r47/rooloo7/Versace/

More Riding

Today went SO much better! My dad was in town and took pictures but wont' be able to sent them to me until tomorrow.

Versace was fabulous. He was much more forward today and was great about staying in my aids and moving off my legs and and and...he was GREAT!!!

He stood still, was soft in the bridle, turned on his haunches, turned on the forehand, and stayed forward!!!!!

What a day!

Whew what a day! The vet came out to evaluate Versace's foot and check on some other horses for me. He doesn't think its an abcess. He thinks that Versace stepped on himself and caused a hematoma and that is why he is sore. He also thinks that I should be riding him at the walk while it is healing. The vet wants me to keep soaking it though and rub ichthemal (or however you spell it) on the swollen part of his coronary band.



He has really grown up since he got here. His manners are really coming along and he will stand tied for a long time and even stands with his foot in the bucket and not move while I do chores.

It rained most of the day. I went out to feed this evening and it had stopped but you could feel the storm coming. It was cool with low humidity and the wind was blowing strong. It was PERFECT spooking weather. Since I'm a no-excuses kind of teacher we tacked up anyways. I wasn't going to let the wind stop me from taking advantage of a dry hour. I tacked him up like I would any of my other guys. I don't tip-toe around babies....it only makes it harder later on.

Sadly I didn't have a photographer today. Hopefully I will tomorrow. We did a little of groundwork before I stepped up on him. He stood fine and we started working on bending. He is an over achiever so he wants to over flex instead of actually giving and moving the way he should. We did this until his back relaxed.

Then I realized how sucked back he was and how he wasnt forward at all! I don't talk while I ride. I use my aids to do all the communicating. He was sticky at first and then got the hang of it.

We worked on steering, moving his hips, giving to pressure, moving his shoulders, and the most important of all....STAYING IN MY AIDS. If he looked out or bulged he got corrected. He was forward, straight, and relaxed when I had him between my aids. He did fabulous. All we did was walk and that is all we needed to do. Until we tackle all these issues we can't go faster.

He didn't want to stand at all but eventually got the hang of it. He had to stand while I got on and off. He moved while I was getting off so I got back on and waited until he wanted to do what I asked and then I got off. He stood while I chatted in the arena and then was very well behaved while I put him away.

Heat and Manners

UGH! He has decided that he prefers to NOT wear the duct tape boot and keeps pulling it off. There is finally heat in his foot and I think its going to pop out of the front or coronary band.

He learned Tuesday that he is NOT allowed to bite, smell, or harass the horses tied in the barn. He is in a stall and can reach them if he pushes on the door. He also learned that he isn't allowed to nose me or nip at me for attention. He is supposed to back away from the door anytime anyone passes.

Versace Day #1

Here are the pictures of him when he arrived. He was MUCH calmer than I expected. He wasn't thrilled about he traffic but took it all in stride. Hopefully this abcess pops in the next day or so and we can really get to work!