Our Grace adventure

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2011-03-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it! A year ago today i was driving to El Dorado Hills to pick up Nevada and Midge. Midge got adopted soon after the Expo... and i still have Nevy. I am actively looking for a home for him, can't keep him forever. :( But every chance i get to spend with him is so lovely! He is making great progress and the students LOVE to work with him.

Pictures part 2

2010-06-28T07:51:00.000-07:00

Pictures part 1

2010-06-28T07:44:00.000-07:00

Nevy & Laura Performance Routine

2010-06-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

WE WON!!

2010-06-13T07:40:00.001-07:00

Sorry i don't have any pics or video uploaded yet but i will by Monday or Tuesday. Im tired!!

I was shocked and amazing when my name was called in our division. We were in the Elite catigory(moved from Ground Me because of our challenges), which was for the mustangs going under saddle. But almost half of the mustangs wern't going to be ready to be ridden by the expo so they decided to make a sub catigory for ground only. They gave 1st, 2nd, and 3rd to ridden mustangs(all amazing!) and then we got 1st place out of all the ground work elites!! We won a throphy and prize money, both of which will be coming in the mail. I am just so overwhelmed, and EXCITED to get home and learn as much as i can before next year!

Thursday - obstacle course & Showcase

2010-06-10T23:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the video link to our morning obstacle course. He rocked it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNiauu4eVeI

And the Showcase was fab. as well! hegot to show off his skill on the platform and the gate while 6 other horses were around us doing the poles and balls.

Midge got ponied in from a golf cart, then we got to play with the ball, tarp, barrels and a little jump. It was tons of fun! I have video but won't be able to post until after this weekend as my dad has the camera with all that on it.

Tomorrow is our last day of compitition! We have a performance routine at around 10:00am then we just have to sti back and find somone to adopt them!

We are here!

2010-06-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

We arrived at around 4:00pm and got everything settled in. Navy and I walked around and he got to meet a lot of the volunteers. Midge got hadned off to a youth volunteer and they walked her out for me.

From 7:00-9:00 we got to go out and practice for the showcase. LOTS of standing around at the in gate and waiting for your turn to go out to the arena, but they are both taking everything in stride. Nevy is a bit nervous about on the concrete and man-hole covers but is getting used to them.

Neither of the horses like being in their stalls, but i think once they have been in overnight they will settle down more.

Time for bed! LOOONG day tomorrow!

Trail ride!

2010-06-06T14:13:00.000-07:00

Went out on a trail ride yesterday and Nevy ponied along so nicely! CAN"T WAIT FOR THE EXPO!

Mr. Nevers, superstar

2010-06-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

Nevy acting like a baby! I turned my back to talk to a student and when i turned around he was eating the chair! Then he proceded to pick it up and knock it over.

So i don't know how many more blog posts i will be able to squeeze in before the Expo(6 days!!!) but Nevy and i are doing REALLY good! He loads in the trailer, stands, and backs out when i ask. We have gone for a couple rides and over the next week i will take him to a stange place and practice re-loading. He comes when called in the pasture, lead from both sides at the walk a trot. Can do all the basic requirments for the obstacle course, and well as some bonus point things.

As of today i can pick up all four feet for around 3 seconds before he gets fussy. I hadn't really planned on working with the back feet before the expo because he has been REALLY nervous if you do anything past his shoulder. But today we were just hanging out in the arena, he was working on ground tieing while i was teaching a lesson. I figured i should at least see how far down i could take my hand before he got nervous, figuring i would MAYBE make it to his hock. Well, he let me run my hand all the way to his hoof! No fuss, he was ground-tied and to be honest kind of gave me a look like "what took you so long?" So i just kept petting his legs and once he got bored and cocked his foot to rest i just asked to hold it and he gave it to me with no problems! i think i was able to do each foot 10-15 times. So we have 6 more days to practice. We will keep working on that and start getting used to a hoof pick and rasp. Although his feet don't look half bad, he needs his basic farrier care sooner rather than later.

I also have a video of us doing liberty in the round penning, him walking through a lardge mud puddle, and him ponying through some obstacles with my student Camille which i will post later.

trailering

2010-05-30T21:38:00.001-07:00

We did two trips in the trailer down the driveway and 2 trips around the neighborhood. He was very good! Got a little nervous when we would get back and park but knew i wasn't gonna get him out until he mellowed and started eating again. In the next week and 2 days we need to work on loading into the trailer without food, going on longer rides, and loading into a stange trailer. Thankfully our boarder is going to let me use hers. :)

I love him. :)

great day!

2010-05-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

Midge being a foot rest. :) My nana was watching Nevy and me practicing our liberty work when Midge wandered over and wanted her neck rubbed.

Having some fun in the round pen.

Two of my students, Camille and Lydia with their cousin. Nevy stood very nicely for a few pictures!

Nevy loading into the trailer! Its a little dark but i think you can see him hanging out in there. He isn't tied up, i just set the lead rope in the window sill.

2010-05-26T22:01:00.000-07:00

Practicing some obstacles. :) He is learning to be sent through and over things instead of just following me. He is really getting the hang of it! I was also sending him towards my goats who were out grazing so that he was"chasing them", I think he liked it! And we did more trailer loading, 5 times all the way in and out today!

Thanks to my hubby for designing some fun obstacles for us to play with today!

2010-05-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

Nevy is doing so good! He is now out in a paddock with 2 other horses... that DOES mean he has a couple bite mark for the Expo :( but he is SO much happier having buddies. I took of his quick release halter for the first time yesterday, so he is now out with nothing on. He walked right up to me 3 times yesterday and so we just have to see if that continues. Trailering is getting better. He will load his front feet with no trouble, and back out. he gets really nervous if he loads up and then i ask him to turn around and jump out. So i decided to just teach him to back out from the start. He has to go slower and and really listen to be and pay attention to his feet.

nevy roundpenning.

2010-05-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

So Nevy is just on a roll! he is really starting to come out of his shell and and is acting more like the 2 y/o he is. He is curious, pushy, piggy, and a bit of a ham. He LOVES bath time, i think its his favorite thing we do. He gets a hose off every day to help with he touch issues. He is very sensitive to touch, flies, the brush etc... so we are bathing and exercising every day to help toughen up his skin a bit.

Saturday we had a playday at the ranch for all my students. So we had about 10 kids and their parents all hanging out and sitting under the tree next to his paddock, or riding around the arena. He paddock is inside the riding arena so everything was going on right around him. He was a little freaked out at first but calmed down pretty quick. After a little while i looked out and saw that one of my older students was actually in the paddock with him and he was standing and letting her pet him! She has a very quiet and calm energy so i think he was able to connect to her quickly. During our lunch break i let her take him out and play around with him in the arena. they did great!

This evening i went out to play with him and i decided to see if he would put at least one foot in the trailer. He is EXTREMELY food motivated so a hopped in with a scoop full of grain and "told" him that if he started to lift a leg or put a foot in the trailer he could have a bite of grain. Well, in less than 5 minutes he was all the way in the trailer. We loaded up twice and will keep practicing EVERY day until the expo. I want to be 200% sure he will be good for the trip, the unloading, and the reloading after the expo.

My little ham! He is becoming more mouthy... which we will work on but for now im just happy that he does show an interest in being a little naughty and playful instead of fear being his dominant emotion. I think he has me around his finger. :)

2010-05-13T08:17:00.000-07:00

So Monday was raining and i didn't get to work with him... But Tuesday and yesterday he was a superstar! I started putting a rope halter over his breakaway halter, he learned to lunge on the lead and is really starting to get the "go forward" cue when i point. I can send him over poles, through gates, and between cones. he walks over our box and teeter-totter.

Yesterday he learned how to tie, started learning how to be ponied(by student Lydia riding my AQHA Gelding Cody) and stood at the post eating grain while a student tacked up her horse right next to him. He had made amazing progress just in the past 2 days.

For the first time i actualy feel confident that we will make it to the Expo. woo hoo!

Midget the coolest pony ever

2010-05-07T20:22:00.000-07:00

SOOOOO cute!

Nevy Update

2010-05-05T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well, for the past week Nevy had been getting more and more lame. All this time i have been thinking he pulled a muscle. it would have made sense with the way he spooks and runs around his paddock... Well yesterday i talked on the phone with his vet (Dr.Mike, who is awesome!) and we ran through the possibilities of is injury and along with many nasty and long term things Dr Mike also mention it could be a hoof abscess. Well sure enough! this afternoon it burst at the front of his hoof at the cornary band and i couldn't have been happier! he went from almost 3 legged lame to walking soundly in a matter of minutes! So now its just the matter of it draining and staying clean, which will difficult considering i can't handle his legs yet. But it is definetly managable and good news!

Midges first Trail ride!

2010-05-04T09:23:00.001-07:00

Midge and Jacob in the tack room getting carrots. :) The first time i took her inside she was a bit nervous... but then realized the drawer of my desk is always full of snacks!

We took Midge out on the trails Saturday and she was awesome. Trailered great, was pretty good about crossing a couple small creeks, though at the big one she jumped it and ran into Sonny's butt, and did great being ponied by my gelding Sonny(ridden in the pics by our boarder and client Andrea)

After her bath yesterday. :) She doesn't like the water so we have been doing lots of bathes and and she is getting better.

2010-05-04T09:15:00.001-07:00

Here is nevy letting me catch him for the first time! before this i have had to put him in his little pen and feed him lots of carrots. :)

And here he is at the end of the day letting my student Taylor pet and love on him.

aw cute. :)

2010-04-29T20:50:00.000-07:00

My hubby Chris playing with Midge on our teeter totter bridge.

yay Nevy!

2010-04-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

My nana petting him on Friday. HALETR! Only took 20 minutes and once it was on he was super calm.

Taking a walk. :) after the walk we went back in the round pen and got to the point where he was letting me pet his neck and shoulder on his left side.

Midge's First Show!

2010-04-26T12:06:00.000-07:00

So I took Midge, a client's 2 y/o filly Georgia (first show as well) and my 18y/o rescue project mare Kini, who came along to babysit, to a schooling show on saturday. Four of my students tagged along and I talked two of them into showing Midge and Kini in the non Stock Horse halter class. Kini is the Buckskin you will also see in the video. I was a little nervous to take Midge only because at home she still seems a bit skittish around the full size horses and squeal and swings her butt around. But she was as calm as could be the whole morning! Stood at the trailer when she needed to, walked all around the show ground, and stood by the in-gate surrouded by showmanship and reaining horses without batting an eye. She even ended up "babysitting" the 2y/o filly Georgia when the girls took Kini back to the trailer. people were constantly coming up and asking to pet her, i think she loved the attention. It was great practice for the expo and i have no doubt she will be great in June. i think next saturday we are going to take her out for a trail "ride" to continue practicing riding in the trailer and going new places.

Showing off her 3rd place ribbon while giving my husband some smooches!

YYYEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

And this is why i do what i do.

And a HUGE thanks to Michelle for her lovely and encouraging email. :) You made me cry, thank you for taking the time to send me a letter.

Oh and Midge is going to a horse show on Saturday to do halter and showmanship class. will post pictures after!

Emotions....

2010-04-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

When i started this blog i wanted to make sure i put EVERYTHING out there. Good, bad, ugly. So i am just going to type what i feel...

It has been such a roller coaster with Nevy these past few weeks. I've gone from confident and excited to feeling like a failure only in a matter of hours. Ive gone from feeling hopeless right back to the top the first time he "kissed" my face. Ive doubted my abilities, believed in my methods, and learned new things all in one day. After 3 weeks we are NOWHERE close to where i hoped we would be. Nevy is without a doubt the hardest horse i have worked with. The methods that i started using on him i quickly realized were not going to work for him. So i would try something else, that would be a bad fit... i have just stood and stared at him, racking my brain, trying to decide what approach is right for him. There are times I've felt like a bad trainer because *MY* methods wernt working but what about how nevy learns? If i want to be a successful trainer i need to read and understand the horse I'm working with. I need to know whats going to work for HIM. he is forcing me to set back and watch him, observe him, and THEN decide how to approach the situation.

I am still struggling with the fact that I think i am the youngest and probably least experienced of all the trainers in the competition. I read some of the bios on the website and felt SO inadequate, like i don't even deserve to be in the same category. And then i start to wonder WHY oh WHY did i pick such a difficult baby? Most of the other babies were sweet and friendly, i think all were halter broke and ready for training. so why did I end up with the scared, nervous, untrusting baby who still doesn't have a halter on after 3 weeks? Did i doom myself? As inexperienced as i am should i have chosen differently? Or did i do the right thing by picking a horse that i KNEW would push me, challenge me, make me feel like a loser and a winner, make me cry and make me laugh. When the perspective changes i realize that this has nothing to do with some silly competition in June, but it has everything to do with a life changing opportunity. Without Nevy i wouldn't be changing and stretching and growing. it may be painful and draining, but wouldn't i be a fool to turn it down? As I'm typing this i am reminded of the Garth Brooks song The Dance... "And now I'm glad I didn't know
The way it all would end the way it all would go
Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to miss the dance "

I'm going through a lot of pain and discomfort right now, and i don't know what the end of this crazy ride will be like... but all i know is that this dance is wonderful. And now having the chance to know Nevy... i wouldn't have picked another baby for the world.

Love you Nevy, you are the best teacher I've ever had. <3

Day 17/18 - Midge

2010-04-15T21:39:00.000-07:00

So over yesterday and today Midge worked on lunging, bathing, clipping, flyspray, trotting over poles, and just being an all around good pony. :) In the one picture the dirtbike is running and she could have cared less. She was a little spooky when she first came but is getting much more both and confident every day.

day 18 - Nevy

2010-04-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

My beautiful baby having his lunch. :)

So i can finaly say i have touched Nevy. I am surprised at how long it took... Next week when i have more time i will dedicate a post just to the emotion/education side of this jounry with him, but for tonight its just about the training. :)

So last week we build a round pen/paddock(in the middle of the arena mind you) so he could be seperated from the other horses. both for training and because i want to keep food in front of him 24/7. He is so skinny! within that paddock we set up a smaller one, about the size of a stall. While i am out teaching lessons i put him in the smaller stall and just sit on a stool right next to it while i teach. The first couple days he was pretty stressed out, but today he was doing much better. we got to the point where he would come up the the fence, nudge my elbow and i would turn around and feed him a bite of carrot. after doing that a few times i started putting both hand through the fence and "making" him let me touch his nose or jaw before giving him the carrot piece. We kept working on that and he was being so calm i decided to enter the stall(staying VERY close to the corner/fence) and do the same thing. He tends to get really panicky if i push him too far so i was very careful to stay calm and quite and not take up too much of his space. he was very good, ate a couple carrots and i had a student snap a couple pictures. Although progess is SOOOOO much slower thani expected, I am trying very hard not to feel rush, or to rush him. He is a very fragile horse and i need to do theis the best way i know how. and that is to go slooow.

Day 15

2010-04-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

Sadly today it was pouring rain so nevy has had 3 days off in a row... Not good considering how slow we are progressing. Tomorrow is should be sunny and the round pen should be dry so we will jump right back on track!

During a break in the rain a couple of my students took turn walking and trotting Midge down the driveway. She is doing a great job listening to new people and was happy to be out and trotting around.

the sun WILL be out tomorrow!!! So i will have new pics, maybe video too!

yikes

2010-04-11T17:25:00.000-07:00

wow sorry abou the lack of updates! things have been crazy and i don't have time even now to catch you up on the past few days but should have time after work tomorrow. BUT both Midge and Nevy are doing good. nev is a tough cookie to crack and our progress is (literaly) in inches, not feet but i believe in him 100%. And Midge is fantastic...SO smart!!

I promise more tomorrow!

Day 9

2010-04-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

Don't have too much time for typing today...

Midge is doing great... i didn't get any pictures of her today but will probably get some videos tomorrow!

Nevy is doing great again today! We are continuing with the round penning. He is calm about the lunge whip touching him, but still doesn't want me too close. after working ofr a while though he will come take a carrot from my outstretched arm. After we were done i sat up against the fence and put his grain bucket at my feet. While i read my Reader Digest he snacked away, and didn't seem as frightened. Here are a couple pictures. i don't know why one is upside down... maybe i can fix it tomorrow.

Day 8 - Progress!

2010-04-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

Today Midge was used in a ground work lesson. Lauren had her practicing over poles and around cones, taught her to walk over a tarp, kick a soccer ball, and wear a small blanket. Midge is a little jumpy about the lead rop so i taught Lauren how to desensitize M to it. We also used the same method with the saddle blanket.
Everybody is falling in love with her and don't want to see her go. I do hope someone adopts her at the Expo... but if not then I may not be bringing home an empty trailer. ;)

After all the discouragement with Nevy i am finaly seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! We dismanteled out round pen that was at one end of the property, and rebuilt it in the arena where we can herd him into it. It is 45ft which is the perfect size for this type of ground work. He was much more settled and relaxed then in his paddock and we were able to make some great progress. This video is right after we started working, he goes great to the left, but kept turning around going to the right. By the time we were done for the day he was going steady both direction.

After getting the basics of round penning I started gently swinging the lunge whip up and over his back. He quickly got used the the feel of it on his back and butt. We finished when I was able to swing the whip over his neck and body and rub his neck a little. I hoping to get to that point sooner tomorrow but we will see. I really saw a difference in him today and i am excited to work with him tomorrow.

He is now also out with 3 other horses instead of being in his own paddock. he seems MUCH happier and relaxed with them. I just hope they don't beat him up, i want him to look handsome. :)

Day 6... more frustration

2010-04-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

Well i am beginning to realize just how much i have bit off with choosing Nev as my baby. the pessimist in me keeps wondering why i didn't pick an easier baby but the BETTER part of me knows that i did the right thing. Giving a very deserving horse a chance at love and partnership with a human. That's what I need to focus on. Not the competition, not the Expo, my "pride", what other trainers may be doing, or the short amount of time. I need all my energy and mind on Nev and only him. HE is the reason i am doing this, nothing else. Success is getting him adopted.

He is moving along much slower than I hoped, but i know i just need to keep going at whatever speed works for him. ITS HARD! no one EVER said this job is easy, and its days like this i know that for a fact. but the end result is so rewarding. The paddock i have him in isnt great for training, I really don't have a good set-up here for un-halter broke horses. I can't get him to a round pen and thats makes thing difficult. I am going to have to set back, re-evaluate, end decide where to go from here.

As for Midge...
she is a JOY to have!(she may just have to stay!) I was feeling frustrated so i decide just to take her for a little walk around the arena. She learsn fast, and remember it quickly. We worked on walking up and over the "bridges" we built for trail practice, and well as poles and tiny jumps. Then we walk tot he goat pasture for some turnout time. I let her off the lead and sat down against the fence to watch her. She would wander around for a minute or two then come back, give me a couple "kisses" on my face and then go back to exploring.

She loves when you get down to her level and just kiss and cuddle with her. she is going to be a project here at the ranch, both for me and for my students. Im so happy to have her. :)

Days 4 & 5

2010-04-02T20:28:00.001-07:00

Midge is coming along great! She is learning not to kick out whenever she is unhappy, always a good thing. ;) All the students love her, and now her mane and forelock and braided. She gets walked and fussed over multiple times a day... right now we are working on refining her leading skills, letting me handle her feet/body, and just being all around pleasant while being around people. Next week we are going to start working with the clippers, bathing and trailer loading. Once she has all her basics done then we will start with the fun stuff!

I have hit a bit of a discouraging setback with Nevada... The paddock he is in shares a fence with our next door neighbor. From the time I set foot in the paddock to the moment I leave our neighbor's dog won't stop barking at the fence. its distracting to me and Nev but the biggest problem is the grumpy neighbor who come out and screams at me to stop "infringing" on his dog. *rolls eyes* So now every time i go out to work with him im scared of being yelled and swore at... its very disheartening but i just don't have any where else to put Nev. i know i just have to Keep calm and Carry On, but i can't expect Nev to be focussed if im distracted. Gotta get my head back in the game...

Day 3

2010-03-31T21:33:00.000-07:00

Midge:
So midge was getting in my way and distracting Nevada so i had no choice but to move her to a paddock by herself. We didn't actualy have a place to put her so we built her her own private place! I forgot to get a picture today but i will get one tomorrow.
Chris came out again after work to play with her. He took her for a nice walk down the road and taught her to trot, stop, and back with him. She was being very good! Then he brought to the barn and he combed the tangle out of her mane, cut her bridle pass and trimmed her chin whiskers(pictured). I handled her feet for a bit and then we called in a day. :)

Nevada:
We took it easy again today. just continued what we worked on yesterday. I also sat with him while he ate dinner(pictured), just some no pressure bonding time. Once i have a hlater on him i think he will move along quickly. he seems very willing. i also can't wait to give him a good grooming and a bath! he is shedding out right now and i can tell he is just SO itchy! my poor baby. :( he needs some good TLC!

Days 1 & 2

2010-03-30T19:39:00.000-07:00

Day 1:

Yesterday, Chris(my husband) and I drove 3 hours up to El Dorado Hills to pick up my new babies! When we arrived at The Grace foundation we were warmly greeted by the staff and volunteers. After signing paperwork and having the process explained to us we were off for a tour and to pick out the youngsters. All the babies were great in their own way, but i felt my heart "tug" towards Nevada. He is a young chestnut QH gelding who is very shy but inquisitive with a soft, friendly eye. I also chose a 3 y/o silver dapple mini horse named Buttercup, who is halter broke but not much else. Once i made my decision then all that was left was to load them and begin the long trek home. Buttercup fussed a little but then hopped in the trailer. Nevada is not yet halter broke so we had to let him go in on his own using a chute, he hopped in after only a couple minutes. :) We drove home, unloaded in the dark and left them to explore their new paddock.

Day 2:

Nevada:

Today i just wanted to work on controlling his feet and teaching him to stop when asked. We danced around the paddock for a while and he was pretty nervous, but quickly picked up that i just wanted him to stand and relax. We are working on the "whoa" cue to stop, face me, and in then in future approach me to be haltered. I am hoping to get a video of our "dancing" tomorrow to help explain the process a little more. I am hoping to have a halter on him by the end of the week, but i am not going impose my schedule on him. if we go at his pace, he will learn in the way that's best for him.

We are also still waiting to see if he will end up with a nickname here at the ranch. We just let it happen organically. :)

Buttercup:

(her new nickname here at the ranch is "Midge"(midget). We felt buttercup was a little too sweet for her sassy pony personality.)

She is hard to catch but with consistent handling that should go away pretty quickly. While i was working with Nevada, Chris and Midge were out in the arena working on leading and disengaging her hindquarters. When she gets upset she tends to kick out, so we need to teach her to move her butt away from people. Once they were done walking around he brought her in and did a quick grooming. She stood for brushing, mane combing, and getting her feet picked out.

Hopefully I will have some pictures and video to post tomorrow!