Here's Looking At You Kid

I'm having a rough day. I'm single and feeling loney and still doubting my decision. I think it will be ok, maybe even better, but right now I just don't know.

I've already shared just about every photo I have that has to do with my progress with Katai this year but i took a few more at the barn today to say goodby to 2014.

Katai with her bestie, Kitty. I'm so happy that she has at least one horsie friend.

Pile of Katai's grain and supplements in the feedroom. I'm so happy that she's getting regular feed and supplements!

Selfie :-) I am so happy to get to call this pony my own.

Goodbye 2014 and may 2015 be an even better year.

2014 In Review

I figured that before I do a 2015 goals post it would be good for me to do an overview of 2014 especially since I think I gained the majority of my readers this year.

Here we go!

At the beginning of the year I was boarding Katai at a small trail barn with a coverall arena and wood footing. I rode 1-2 times a week but spent more like 3 days per week at the barn with her. She was extremely green so when I did ride it was not for very long and mostly in straight lines or 20 meter circles at a walk and sometimes a trot. 

February:

In February I started taking weekly riding lessons with J on a school horse and in April I FINALLY got to start taking lessons on my own horse for the first time since I was 14. It was glorious but that glory was short lived as I started to realize even in June and July that this was not the right trainer for either myself or Katai. However, despite that I continued to learn and make progress as I filter what she said into what worked for me and Katai.

March:

April:

May:

June:

July:

August:

In August and September I started to think about moving to a different barn and actually had one set up but after a really empassioned discussion with J I decided to stay a little longer. Things started to go from bad to worse and I really wish now that I had more videos and or photos but I guess I tend to not want pictures of the bad. The problem with that of course is that then it's tough to see just how far I've come. It did get so bad that she was basically gaiting whenever you asked for anything faster than a walk and would be so tight that she was both trotting and cantering at the same time.

October:

Finally at the end of October I stood up for both of us and took the month of November off lessons and then this happened.

November:

At the beginning of November I announced that I was moving Katai and finally on November 30th moved her to a barn without all the craziness. 

December:

My Overview:

- started to figure out how to keep my leg back

- began to remember how to ride properly

- learned how to properly use my elbows

- gained some courage

- FINALLY got to take regular lessons

- boarded at three different facilities (I'm really not barn hopping I swear)

- ran a long distance competitive race for the first time!!!

- lost 15 pounds

- survived another year at this job

- learned how to be a partner

Katai's Overview:

- went from a green baby horse to one that is now starting to learn some more sophisticated things

- started to get some rhythm

- stopped rearing!!!!

- moved barns twice and only slightly lost her mind on the first move, didn't at all on the second!

- learned about crossties

- learned about stalls

- is receiving a better diet

- gained strength and conditioning

- learned how to move off a single leg 

- is now consistent at forward

- loaded into two strange trailers in less than ten minutes and rode quietly to a strange place

- learned how to be ridden around other horses and that she will survive if they leave

- learned how to be a partner

Stay tuned for my 2015 goals!

The Breakdown

 

 

To accomplish the big goals I need to lay out smaller items to fix, improve and correct. The following are my goals for the rest of February.

1. Lots of Miles – Both of us need time together mostly riding. She is weak, I’m still weak and I’m getting used to her movement and figuring out the communication between us. My goal is to ride her 4 times per week through the end of February.

2. Strength – I need to specifically address her weaknesses which will require more than just time in the saddle. For the rest of February my goal is to do carrot stretches before and after each ride and to introduce more cavaletti work.

3. Communication – Katai is doing really well and figuring out some of the more refined cues at this point, at least refined for a green horse :P, but I need to do more to introduce lateral movements since everything is built on that. My goal is to introduce some lateral work to every ride as well as doing some work on the ground to help her figure this out and figure out how to move laterally without a rider on the days that I don’t ride.

4. Trail Riding – I would LOVE to have nice enough weather to get her out of the arena occasionally in February. If we have reasonable weather my goal is to get her out at least once a week for a quick ride down the road.

During my ride on Sunday I really felt like I’m starting to trust her. She still has spurts of naughty behavior but I know exactly how far they will go at this point and I’m comfortable with how to correct her and move on. I feel like we are starting to become a team and that she is becoming a riding horse rather than just a baby/green horse. I think the main difference for me is knowing that I can do what I need to when I need to rather than needing to change my routine or actions to accommodate a green baby horse and it is a wonderful feeling.