I cantered Cole for the first time! (Canter is a version of gallop.) We were on the trail, since he does better for me there than the arena.. Saturday, when I asked him, he didn’t have a clue what I wanted. I ended up having to tickle him with the whip. When he got it, he went very fast. I have him trained to stop when he reaches my sister, and he did. We did it a couple more times, and then we quite for the day.
Sunday, after riding him about 20 minutes, we decided to try again. I sent my sister up the trail. When I asked Cole to go, he remembered the lesson from the day before and burst forward into a gallop! He stopped at my sister, and I started to breathe, again. The second time I tried, he walked, then trotted, then cantered on command. He still went fast, but is was more reasonable. We did it one more time, and we were very successful.
We headed home, and he was very hyper. I think he enjoyed his cantering. It was also very windy and leaves were falling everywhere. I think that got him going, too.
Since he got hyper, I may not do it again for a while. I just wanted to get it over with. Honestly, that was much more scary than riding him for the first time. I’m glad it was uneventful. He sure has a powerful canter.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Cantering Cole
I cantered Cole for the first time! (Canter is a version of gallop.) We were on the trail, since he does better for me there than the arena.. Saturday, when I asked him, he didn’t have a clue what I wanted. I ended up having to tickle him with the whip. When he got it, he went very fast. I have him trained to stop when he reaches my sister, and he did. We did it a couple more times, and then we quite for the day.
Sunday, after riding him about 20 minutes, we decided to try again. I sent my sister up the trail. When I asked Cole to go, he remembered the lesson from the day before and burst forward into a gallop! He stopped at my sister, and I started to breathe, again. The second time I tried, he walked, then trotted, then cantered on command. He still went fast, but is was more reasonable. We did it one more time, and we were very successful.
We headed home, and he was very hyper. I think he enjoyed his cantering. It was also very windy and leaves were falling everywhere. I think that got him going, too.
Since he got hyper, I may not do it again for a while. I just wanted to get it over with. Honestly, that was much more scary than riding him for the first time. I’m glad it was uneventful. He sure has a powerful canter.
Sunday, after riding him about 20 minutes, we decided to try again. I sent my sister up the trail. When I asked Cole to go, he remembered the lesson from the day before and burst forward into a gallop! He stopped at my sister, and I started to breathe, again. The second time I tried, he walked, then trotted, then cantered on command. He still went fast, but is was more reasonable. We did it one more time, and we were very successful.
We headed home, and he was very hyper. I think he enjoyed his cantering. It was also very windy and leaves were falling everywhere. I think that got him going, too.
Since he got hyper, I may not do it again for a while. I just wanted to get it over with. Honestly, that was much more scary than riding him for the first time. I’m glad it was uneventful. He sure has a powerful canter.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday Night
I had a very nice trail ride on Cruiser. He was definitely feeling his oats!
I had a tougher time with Cole. I wanted to ride him in the indoor arena, but figured I would lounge him first. Well, the horses were out next door, and they were running around and banging the gate. This really revs Cole up. He kept having tantrums on the lounge line. I worked him through it, and we actually did some good stuff, but by then, he had had enough of a work out, so I didn't ride. I took him for a quiet walk outside to cool out and relax.
He has a good side and a bad side. On the good side, I am able to shape his shape by clicking when he drops his head and rounds his back. It worked--he kept going back to it quicker each time.
On the bad side, I was just content with him going forward quietly. I clicked him for that.
I wish it wasn't too dark to take both horses on the trail. Unfortunately, in a few weeks, it will be to dark to take either one out.
I had a tougher time with Cole. I wanted to ride him in the indoor arena, but figured I would lounge him first. Well, the horses were out next door, and they were running around and banging the gate. This really revs Cole up. He kept having tantrums on the lounge line. I worked him through it, and we actually did some good stuff, but by then, he had had enough of a work out, so I didn't ride. I took him for a quiet walk outside to cool out and relax.
He has a good side and a bad side. On the good side, I am able to shape his shape by clicking when he drops his head and rounds his back. It worked--he kept going back to it quicker each time.
On the bad side, I was just content with him going forward quietly. I clicked him for that.
I wish it wasn't too dark to take both horses on the trail. Unfortunately, in a few weeks, it will be to dark to take either one out.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thunder the Brave
Thunder is the smartest and bravest cat. I am now thinking things will work out. I carried him down the stairs and placed him on the other side of a hall that I had blocked off. It contains 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. I used a fireplace screen as my blockade—braced with a couple of boxes. The dog was locked in another room with my dad watching TV.
After a couple minutes, he realized he was safe and in a couple of his favorite rooms. He walked around, ate some food and was quite comfortable.
I went to train the dog. We mastered down the day before, and now I added on stay. She caught on pretty quick. I peeked out across the living room to check on Thunder. He was on the other side of the screen, listening. I brought the dog out, and as far away as we could, we went through the routine. When she noticed Thunder, I changed what I was doing. When she looked at him, I said her name. When she looked at me, I clicked and treated. We lasted about 5 minutes.
I put her back with Dad, and went to talk to Thunder. He was so happy! He was rolling and stretching and purring. I got out one of his toys and we had a fine play session.
We had 2 more clicker sessions with dumb dog. Each time, we got closer. Finally, we were about 3 feet from the screen. I kept giving her treats for just sitting and behaving. Thunder just sat in the hall and watched with the most intelligent look on his face. He looked like a scientist studying a new form of life. He was so brave.
While she was locked up with Dad, I opened the screen. He did come out and walk around the living room and dining room. He finally got to explore the fireplace—since I removed the screen. He has wanted to do that for years.
When he decided to go upstairs, I got dumb dog out. I went to go talk to him upstairs and couldn’t find him! I called him and here he came up the stairs! He went down by himself! The dog was wandering about, too, so I don’t know if he came up because of me or her.
Anyway, this morning after breakfast, I heard him jump off the stairs, he walked into the dining room, meowed and I went to see him. The dog ran over to him, and he ran up the stairs. I hollered at her, and she came back to me. Thund didn’t seem panicked this time and dumb dog didn’t seem like she was chasing—just wanting to see him.
I will keep working with them like this. I need to get dumb dog as obedient as possible. She is learning fast. if things work out, I will start to call her Maggie.
After a couple minutes, he realized he was safe and in a couple of his favorite rooms. He walked around, ate some food and was quite comfortable.
I went to train the dog. We mastered down the day before, and now I added on stay. She caught on pretty quick. I peeked out across the living room to check on Thunder. He was on the other side of the screen, listening. I brought the dog out, and as far away as we could, we went through the routine. When she noticed Thunder, I changed what I was doing. When she looked at him, I said her name. When she looked at me, I clicked and treated. We lasted about 5 minutes.
I put her back with Dad, and went to talk to Thunder. He was so happy! He was rolling and stretching and purring. I got out one of his toys and we had a fine play session.
We had 2 more clicker sessions with dumb dog. Each time, we got closer. Finally, we were about 3 feet from the screen. I kept giving her treats for just sitting and behaving. Thunder just sat in the hall and watched with the most intelligent look on his face. He looked like a scientist studying a new form of life. He was so brave.
While she was locked up with Dad, I opened the screen. He did come out and walk around the living room and dining room. He finally got to explore the fireplace—since I removed the screen. He has wanted to do that for years.
When he decided to go upstairs, I got dumb dog out. I went to go talk to him upstairs and couldn’t find him! I called him and here he came up the stairs! He went down by himself! The dog was wandering about, too, so I don’t know if he came up because of me or her.
Anyway, this morning after breakfast, I heard him jump off the stairs, he walked into the dining room, meowed and I went to see him. The dog ran over to him, and he ran up the stairs. I hollered at her, and she came back to me. Thund didn’t seem panicked this time and dumb dog didn’t seem like she was chasing—just wanting to see him.
I will keep working with them like this. I need to get dumb dog as obedient as possible. She is learning fast. if things work out, I will start to call her Maggie.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Weekend Update
My sister and I had a 4-day weekend that consisted of a lot of riding! I rode both horses each day (and yesterday, too) On the first day, the river was too high for Cole, but we crossed with the other horses and avoided the rain. I rode Cole in the ring (where he did very well for a change) and then took him on the hill. It started to rain, and he panicked. Very odd since he used to live outside.
Friday, I took Cole out with my sister’s horse and we worked on trotting together. We have a double problem with that since ranger likes to challenge horses to a race when we trot. Okay, so does Cruiser. We created the problem ourselves. What we did was trot very short distances and stop. They both caught on and settled down very nicely. Before we knew it, we were trotting calmly down the trail! It was great.
Saturday, my niece rode with us. We took all 3 horses out together for the first time. Cruiser never went out with Cole before, and he was so excited! He couldn’t take his eyes off of him. After he settled down, he was thrilled to walk with him. They are both capable of walking fast. We kept stopping to wait for Ranger to catch up. We stayed at a walk the whole ride.
Sunday, we took him up the the shwo ring area. The ride was successful, and we did a few short stretches of trotting. He was a little jumpy, and it really seemed like he was spooking at his shadow. It was early in the morning, and the shadows were longer than he has ever seen them.
I rode yesterday in the ring. He did spook a few times, but I got control of him right away and he settled quickly. We did a fair amount of trotting—enough that he wanted to stop on his own. After about a half hour, the coyotes started howling outside, and I decided it was time to quit.
.
I rode Cruiser on the trail last night, and he was great, of course. He always is. Someday, Cole will be there, too.
Friday, I took Cole out with my sister’s horse and we worked on trotting together. We have a double problem with that since ranger likes to challenge horses to a race when we trot. Okay, so does Cruiser. We created the problem ourselves. What we did was trot very short distances and stop. They both caught on and settled down very nicely. Before we knew it, we were trotting calmly down the trail! It was great.
Saturday, my niece rode with us. We took all 3 horses out together for the first time. Cruiser never went out with Cole before, and he was so excited! He couldn’t take his eyes off of him. After he settled down, he was thrilled to walk with him. They are both capable of walking fast. We kept stopping to wait for Ranger to catch up. We stayed at a walk the whole ride.
Sunday, we took him up the the shwo ring area. The ride was successful, and we did a few short stretches of trotting. He was a little jumpy, and it really seemed like he was spooking at his shadow. It was early in the morning, and the shadows were longer than he has ever seen them.
I rode yesterday in the ring. He did spook a few times, but I got control of him right away and he settled quickly. We did a fair amount of trotting—enough that he wanted to stop on his own. After about a half hour, the coyotes started howling outside, and I decided it was time to quit.
.
I rode Cruiser on the trail last night, and he was great, of course. He always is. Someday, Cole will be there, too.
I think I don't like dogs.
Things have improved slightly with the dog situation at my house. First off, we had a couple good training sessions. She will now lay down when I point to the ground. (We skipped right over “sit.” She kept laying down and I figured that was good enough for me.) I am now trying to install a voice command. Tonight, we will do that and work on “stay.” I realize I must get her listening if I ever expect her to behave around Thunder.
Thunder, of course, is still hiding out upstairs. We have circular stairs. I have them blocked so the dog can’t get up them. I did notice last night, when he heard the dog moving around, instead of climbing up the windowsill—the highest point in the house, he walked to the edge of the stairs and looked down at her. I think that is a good sign. Also, I put treats on the top 2 steps before I went to bed, and he ate some of them. I’m hoping that if he gets comfortable sitting on the steps, he could watch the dog from there.
Thunder, of course, is still hiding out upstairs. We have circular stairs. I have them blocked so the dog can’t get up them. I did notice last night, when he heard the dog moving around, instead of climbing up the windowsill—the highest point in the house, he walked to the edge of the stairs and looked down at her. I think that is a good sign. Also, I put treats on the top 2 steps before I went to bed, and he ate some of them. I’m hoping that if he gets comfortable sitting on the steps, he could watch the dog from there.
Monday, October 18, 2010
New dog
Well, we got our new dog. She is adorable. Dad loves her. She loves Dad, and Thunder is petrified. She chased him, and now he won’t come downstairs. I brought all his furniture, food and litterboxes into my bedroom. I opened up the other bedroom up there, too. I am so upset becaseu he is upset. I wish we never got devil dog. The stairs are blocked so she can’t get up them.
She is about 30 pounds, black and white and is supposed to be a Border Collie mix that likes cats. Yeah, right. I’m ready to turn her loose for the coyotes.
She is about 30 pounds, black and white and is supposed to be a Border Collie mix that likes cats. Yeah, right. I’m ready to turn her loose for the coyotes.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday Evening at the Barn
I started down the trail yesterday evening with Cruiser. I got down the hill to the first river crossing and it started. First there was a loud screech and then boom…boom…boom…screech. Well, Cruiser is half Arabian—he thought we were entering a warzone and he got very, very frightened. I got off, turned him around and led him back home.
We are close to the airport, and every now and then, Canadian geese congregate on the runways. They shoot something at them—sounds like loud fireworks—to get them off the runway. Usually, it is only a few shots, but not last night. I brought him back to the barn to let him unwind. He was petrified. I cleaned stalls as he settled down. When it seemed quiet, I took him back out. He hesitantly, yet bravely headed back into the park. Once he realized it was going to be quiet, he settled down and we had a nice ride.
When I got back, it was Cole time. I have been having inconsistent rides in the arena. Sometimes, he is fine. Sometimes, he is very speedy and feisty. Other times, I have troubles with him spooking and trying to take off. (This is the worst thing he does, but I always catch him before he gets far.) It has put me off from doing ring work with him. On the weekends, and sometimes if I have enough time before sunset, I have been taking him on the trail where he is more consistent. My hopes are that as his good behavior on the trail becomes a habit, he will transfer it into the arena.
Well, I think it is working. It has been nearly a week since I tried the arena, and he was considerably better! In fact, it was by far, our best arena ride, yet! We walked and trotted about, practiced transitions and turns and didn’t have a single spook. He got a little goofy towards the end of the ride, so I just started to review very simple things to settle him down and when he was listening, again, we quite for the night. What a relief. I have a long winter ahead where I will mainly be riding in the arena, so I am glad things are starting to work out.
We are close to the airport, and every now and then, Canadian geese congregate on the runways. They shoot something at them—sounds like loud fireworks—to get them off the runway. Usually, it is only a few shots, but not last night. I brought him back to the barn to let him unwind. He was petrified. I cleaned stalls as he settled down. When it seemed quiet, I took him back out. He hesitantly, yet bravely headed back into the park. Once he realized it was going to be quiet, he settled down and we had a nice ride.
When I got back, it was Cole time. I have been having inconsistent rides in the arena. Sometimes, he is fine. Sometimes, he is very speedy and feisty. Other times, I have troubles with him spooking and trying to take off. (This is the worst thing he does, but I always catch him before he gets far.) It has put me off from doing ring work with him. On the weekends, and sometimes if I have enough time before sunset, I have been taking him on the trail where he is more consistent. My hopes are that as his good behavior on the trail becomes a habit, he will transfer it into the arena.
Well, I think it is working. It has been nearly a week since I tried the arena, and he was considerably better! In fact, it was by far, our best arena ride, yet! We walked and trotted about, practiced transitions and turns and didn’t have a single spook. He got a little goofy towards the end of the ride, so I just started to review very simple things to settle him down and when he was listening, again, we quite for the night. What a relief. I have a long winter ahead where I will mainly be riding in the arena, so I am glad things are starting to work out.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Great Ride Sunday
After 2 less than great trail rides on Friday and Saturday, Cole redeemed himself on Sunday when we took him back up to the show ring area.
Friday and Saturday, he was questioning me as to why he had to go at the gait I wanted to go. When I trotted, he wanted to canter. When I walked, he wanted to trot. We worked through it all, but it was work--not fun.
Sunday, though, he was wonderful. We went with my sister on Ranger, kept the ride at a walk the whole time and that's what he did--he walked. He didn't spook when a dozen motorcycles passed us, he went calmly up the steep hill, and he did better when I led him down the steep hill. Even though the park was chaotic and we rode into the busy area, he acted like he did it his whole life.
Next weekend, I have a 4-day weekend with lots of riding planned!
Friday and Saturday, he was questioning me as to why he had to go at the gait I wanted to go. When I trotted, he wanted to canter. When I walked, he wanted to trot. We worked through it all, but it was work--not fun.
Sunday, though, he was wonderful. We went with my sister on Ranger, kept the ride at a walk the whole time and that's what he did--he walked. He didn't spook when a dozen motorcycles passed us, he went calmly up the steep hill, and he did better when I led him down the steep hill. Even though the park was chaotic and we rode into the busy area, he acted like he did it his whole life.
Next weekend, I have a 4-day weekend with lots of riding planned!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Warm and Sunny Weekend
Oh, it is going to be such a fine weekend. After days of rain, we are going to have warm days of sunshine. We will be doing a lot of riding--including a trip up to the show ring area with Cole and Ranger on Sunday! It will only be our second time up there with Cole.
He did fair in the indoor arena on Weds. He did sppol a few times and was more hyper than usual at the trot. I think that with all the trail riding, he is getting in better shape, so it takes more to tire him out. I will ride him in the arena tonight and see how it goes.
I am taking Cruiser on the trail for a quick ride before sunset. Cruiser is doing well, so there is seldom much to say about him. I certainly appreciate him a lot more now that I have Cole!
He did fair in the indoor arena on Weds. He did sppol a few times and was more hyper than usual at the trot. I think that with all the trail riding, he is getting in better shape, so it takes more to tire him out. I will ride him in the arena tonight and see how it goes.
I am taking Cruiser on the trail for a quick ride before sunset. Cruiser is doing well, so there is seldom much to say about him. I certainly appreciate him a lot more now that I have Cole!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Weekend Update
I had a 3-day weekend, which meant 3 days of trail riding! Friday was perfect, and we had a great time. Saturday and Sunday were drizzly and chilly. We still managed to trail ride, though. We just didn’t go that far.
Cole is doing well. His biggest accomplishment this weekend was crossing the river when it was a little higher and muddier than he was accustomed to. He hesitated, but I just kept my legs on him until he took a step.
Another thing we worked on was increasing speed on command. He was a little slower, so I decided it was time to ask for more speed at a trot. I simply squeezed my legs, and when he picked up the pace, I released and clicked. He understood right away, but I did it a lot to reinforce the command. I will continue to do it. I’m hoping that when he really understands, I can get him to canter from the trot on command. We haven’t worked on cantering on the lounge, so we don’t have any cue for it at all.
This evening, I will be riding him in the arena for the first time in more than 2 weeks. I don’t know what to expect. How well will he transfer what we have been working on to the arena? We shall see…
Cole is doing well. His biggest accomplishment this weekend was crossing the river when it was a little higher and muddier than he was accustomed to. He hesitated, but I just kept my legs on him until he took a step.
Another thing we worked on was increasing speed on command. He was a little slower, so I decided it was time to ask for more speed at a trot. I simply squeezed my legs, and when he picked up the pace, I released and clicked. He understood right away, but I did it a lot to reinforce the command. I will continue to do it. I’m hoping that when he really understands, I can get him to canter from the trot on command. We haven’t worked on cantering on the lounge, so we don’t have any cue for it at all.
This evening, I will be riding him in the arena for the first time in more than 2 weeks. I don’t know what to expect. How well will he transfer what we have been working on to the arena? We shall see…
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