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Al, I don’t think I deserve that pat on the back now. And Amanda, I’m not longer feeling snafflerific. What seemed so great yesterday, fell apart today. I’m trying to remind myself that there were a lot of negative factors: Leo loaths puddles and the arena was full of them; Leo wanted to go to his “magnet corner” since we were next door to home; and he had a new bit in for only the second day.

BUT, Les makes everything look so easy! I did a lot of reading in his workbook last night and got frustrated with myself because it’s all right there and I don’t remember it all when I’m riding. For instance, I haven’t been using hands AND legs consistently when working on vertical flexion. I get absorbed in just ONE element and forget all of the other stuff I should be doing. So, tonight I was really concentrating on the hands and legs and vertical flexion. I thought since Sunday went so great, I’d really be able to focus on vertical flexion and collection. Here’s what happened.

He was not yielding. He was ok when we were walking away, but if we were headed toward his magnet corner of the arena he would ignore my requests until I was almost pulling on him to stop. I think he did so well yesterday because he was in a new place and wasn’t focused on going home. With the shank bit, he’s soooo good at doing a counter arc. But he was either confused or was just flat out refusing to do it today. Also he started tossing his head again. He doesn’t toss his head in the Billy Allen bit, but he seems to do it in a snaffle. Is it possible that he just isn’t comfortable in a snaffle? Or maybe he was just irritated and confused.

I’m going to call the barn owner tomorrow and see if she’ll help me. She’s an incredible English riding instructor. I suppose, if you’re going to talk about snaffles, who better to go to than an English riding instructor? She knows a lot about horses, so I’m hoping she’ll take a peek at him.

Something really great did happen today though. Guess what…he did almost a half circle of turn around the forehand. I almost jumped off and danced a jig. He’s getting it!

Today was an adventure for Leo and I. Jim drove us to an arena for the first time. The weather has been so bad that it’s been impossible to ride outside—constant rain has turned the outdoor arena into one big mud puddle.

I had a few goals for the ride and some concern. Leo was a pretty nervous horse last summer at the team roping events. I was concerned that he would revert back to his old ways and express his frustration and nervousness in a unconstructive way. When we arrived, Jim and I took him inside with just a halter and lead rope. The big beautiful gloriously-dry arena was empty! Woo hoo! We did have an audience though, as soon as we slid open the door, a row of stabled horses popped their heads out of their stalls to see who the new kid was. Leo ignored them and snuck a bite of their hay on the way by (bad horse).

I walked him around the arena, and he seemed fine. He was checking things out, but wasn’t jumpy. So we saddled him up, and I went for a ride. I started him out slow, and once I realized he was fine, we started working on our Les Vogt moves: zones one, two, three, and four. We’re working hard on getting those down. Although I feel like we have a long way to go, I’m so proud of Leo. His behavior was wonderful. He was relaxed and listening. He seemed perfectly comfortable. I like that he was curious of his new surroundings, but still paying attention to me. Continue Reading »

I’m back. A little stuffy, but the worst of that plague-like cold is over. Tonight when I got to the barn, Jim (Leo’s owner) had Leo saddled up for me (pretty nice). By the time I hoisted myself up into the saddle, it was 30 degrees and pitch dark out. Leo is getting more comfortable in the dark. Thank goodness for that outdoor arena lighting next door though!

I had a great ride. Leo was really trying. We worked on flexion for awhile and then I “let” him canter around. I think I sometimes confuse his being “chargey” with his apparently sincere desire to run. People say, “he’s a lot of horse.” I’m a believer. I know how powerful he, how agile he is, and that he’s hurt a few people who scared and possibly hurt him. So I have a healthy respect for what he can do. However, this “healthy respect” sometimes turns into fear. I think that might be causing me to choose the wrong bit for him. Continue Reading »

Well, that last ride did me in I think. I’ve been sick all weekend. Ugh! Since I’m too focused on searching for my reserve Kleenex boxes and soup cans to ponder the mysteries of horse training, this might be a good time to share a story I found. I came across it while doing one of my routine searches for reining information on the Internet (I’m in the very scientifically named learning stage called, “sponge mode,” right now)

Here is the story. I’ve found it on several sites, but the primary posts are from the Ohio Valley Reining Horse Association and the Central Ohio Reining Horse Association web sites.

Ron Kohlhoff, a lifelong horse trainer located in Wakeman, Ohio has been diagnosed and is undergoing treatment for Multple Myleoma, a type of Leukemia. Ron has a long history as a reining, dressage and cutting horse trainer and competitor. He and his wife, Sylvia, also a horse trainer, are both self employed as owners and operators of Kolhoff Performance Horses. The portion of expenses for chemotherapy and prescriptions not covered by insurance are creating a financial burden for the family. One drug alone is costing $5000/month of which he has to pay $3000! Anything you can do, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. Continue Reading »

It rained my first three days back from vacation, so I didn’t get out to the stables until yesterday. I hurried to saddle him up before it got too dark to see. It was 33 degrees and the ground was just as wet as it could be. His hooves sounded like toilet plungers as we walked into the muddy arena (why do I know that sound so well? Don’t even get me started on my landlord…).

It was just a dreary and dark out as it could be. Leo was none to happy to be put to work after his vacation either. After 15 minutes he started in with his old habits that I haven’t seen in about three months: tossing his head, bunching up, and dancing around like he was revving up for a good bucking session. I probably shouldn’t have gotten off his back, but I did. I got on the ground for the ground check I didn’t do before I go on. Had him yield in a circle to the left, then right, then I backed him up several times. When I hopped back on, he was fine. No more head tossing or dancing around.

He was very chargy though. Continue Reading »

Video of palace arena (sorry about the quality — little camera)

This will be my last blog entry from my Denmark ’07 trip. I just wanted to share my visit to Christiansborg (Christians Palace). It’s now where Denmark’s parliament is, but also the home of the Denmark’s Royal Riding School. I found out about it through one of the policemen that I met (last blog entry). He said it would be ok if I went to watch them exercising the police horses there. Due to an unfortunate bus transfer mishap (rrrr), I was too late to watch the police horses (disappointing because they were jumping). But on his way out, the officer introduced me to three of the Queen’s riders and one rider from the Danish military cavalry. They were exercising the Queen’s horses in the arena. The policeman, who I owe a huge thank you too, asked the soldier to please show me the royal stables and the antique coaches. He said ok!

First we went to the stables so he could saddle up what looked like an 18 hand giant to exercise. I looked around, and aside from the few Oldenburgs, I noticed that most of the horses were like the one he would be riding — towering, white, and beautiful. I’d never seen one before. They are called “Old Kladruby” horses and are still used by royal courts around the world as carriage horses on formal occasions. They have Roman noses, a silky main and tail, and look white, but when you get closer you can see that they are slightly flee-bitten. The original Kladruby stud farm (including the horses) at Kladruby na Ladem in the Czech Republic is on the list to become a World Heritage Monument because of it’s architectural and historical importance. Continue Reading »

I know this is off topic as it has nothing to do with reining. But I’m on vacation, so I might as well. I finally found some real live (as opposed to bronze or marble) horses in Denmark. We spotted them during the changing of the guard at the queen’s royal palace, Amalienborg. They were beautiful Oldenburgs owned and ridden by Copenhagen’s Finest, the mounted police. The two officers we met told us about the training they go through with the horses.

The police horses are tested once a week for their calmness (bombproofedness?). Guns and chainsaws are a few of the things used to make loud noises for this testing. They are taught to actually push crowds back with their bodies. They also practice jumping once a week. Busy horses! Continue Reading »

There are only a few days left of my two-week vacation. I still haven’t seen any live horses in Denmark (but I have tell you, Copenhagen is probably the equestrian statue capital of the world). My sister thinks I’m a little obsessed with learning reining. I can’t blame her since she’s been watching me ride an invisible horse around her apartment for the last week (trying to get the 5 easy pieces sequence memorized).

As you know, since I don’t have an instructor, I’m learning from DVD’s. The program that I’m following is Les Vogt’s Cowhorse U. I think it’s a great program because it’s teaching me the fundamentals of body control. Not having an instructor though, it’s hard to know if I’m doing everything the way Mr. Vogt shows in his DVD’s. When I watch the DVD’s, I pay attention to where he has his hands, his feet, how he’s shifting his weight etc. However, I just can see myself to know if I’m doing what he’s doing.

A few weeks ago, Leo’s owner, Jim, wanted to film me riding Leo. He wants some before and after footage (he’s been pleased with Leo’s progress). When I watched the videos he took, I saw everything that I was doing wrong. My hands! Oh my gosh! My hands are so high up in the air that the reins are hanging down like puppet strings! Continue Reading »

Amanda, pictured at a clinic on the left, gave me a great review of her experiences at Clinton Anderson clinics. I’ve never been to one, but if you have and would like to leave some feedback, click the Trainer Reviews page (on the navigation menu at the top or to the right on the screen), click Clinton Anderson, and then in the text box under Leave a Reply, leave your feedback, and click Submit Comment. Thanks Amanda!

I was in five clinics with Clinton; it’s been a couple years. Now looking back, I kick myself for not keeping a journal or something to remember easier. My first was a three-day was in December (had to be in ‘02). Basically you learn how to soften up your horse from the ground (lateral flexion), do a bunch of different ground work exercises in the morning, then after lunch you ride, starting out doing a lot of softening exercises under saddle.

Then it was kind of crazy, there was about 14 or 15 riders in a 100×200 indoor arena, and when we began riding he had us hang onto the center of our reins with one hand and trot our horses around, then canter without steering! He said only do a one-rein stop “if you felt your life was in danger.” He said horses don’t run into each other in their spare time. There were some close calls though, lots of ear pinning and cow kicks! He also made everyone post…it is a perfect way for someone to learn balance and develop an independent seat. I remember being so tired at the end of the day in the first clinic. I wasn’t used to working so hard! Continue Reading »

So far, this is the only horse I’ve seen in Denmark. It’s only day two though, so I’m not discouraged. I’m in contact with a Scandinavian reining committee member (I think) who said she would do a little checking around for me. Keep your fingers crossed.

About the statue, I’m not entirely sure what the naked guy is doing by the horse’s hooves, but I suspect he threw himself down there to be trampled to death after spending two maddening weeks trying to get his horse to turn on the forehand. Continue Reading »