Coopersmom_1958's Posts - Barnmice Equestrian Social Community2024-03-29T06:31:10ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalowhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2187929879?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://www.barnmice.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=2chqo7mmczwac&xn_auth=noJanuary 2016tag:www.barnmice.com,2016-01-07:1773158:BlogPost:7785082016-01-07T19:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>January 7 2016</p>
<p>I haven't posted much lately, I have another ulcer on my stump again caused by the new prosthetic leg and pressure spots in it, and of course stress and having diabetes does not help with the healing. Home nurse care is coming in again and on oral antibiotics and hope it heals up quickly since we caught it early and it's being treated right away.</p>
<p>Also adding to the stress the owner of the property has put the place up for sale, so just a matter of time before I…</p>
<p>January 7 2016</p>
<p>I haven't posted much lately, I have another ulcer on my stump again caused by the new prosthetic leg and pressure spots in it, and of course stress and having diabetes does not help with the healing. Home nurse care is coming in again and on oral antibiotics and hope it heals up quickly since we caught it early and it's being treated right away.</p>
<p>Also adding to the stress the owner of the property has put the place up for sale, so just a matter of time before I have to look for a new boarding stable. She said she would give us all 90 days notice when it sells so plenty of time to look for a new place when it happens. Nothing is as close as this place :( It will be back to over an hour drive and longer in the bad traffic and weather. </p>
<p>I was walking our new dog a lot and now others will have to do it. I know they are going to spoil the training that I have put into him!! </p>
<p>I got back on Cooper twice last year, October 24 & 25 2015. I had assistance from other very helpful boarders and only walked around being led both times like a little child. I was scared, my heart was pounding like crazy and the first day emotions got the best of me and I had a little happy cry! I haven't been back in the saddle since.</p>
<p>I was getting back into doing ground work and was looking forward to easing myself back into the saddle come this New Year but that's not going to happen now. We were doing a lot of Straightness Training from the free Marijke DeJong videos and not sure if I was doing everything correct as they never divulge all the trade secrets without you paying for the whole course!</p>
<p>But Cooper was doing some great shoulder in along the rail of the whole arena in both directions, started getting a few haunches in but have to work on that. He remembers the natural horsemanship online training and I was able to walk all over the bumpy arena with this new leg finally. It felt like we were both getting stronger, me mostly I guess LOL</p>
<p>I lunged him a few times on a regular lunge line, starting off at a small circle walk and letting him out trying to keep the bend and have him step under. When out far enough I would ask for a canter and he would do great going to the left but when going to the right, even at a trot he would get snotty and pull out of my hands. I could not hold on, he was pulling me off my feet so I let go and he would take off with the lunge line flying behind him, bugger! When I finally caught him I took the line off and made him move around the arena until he really asked to come in. He's been doing this a lot lately to the right. I am not going to ask for a canter again for awhile until I can get the trot without him acting up.</p>
<p>Now and then we did some John Lyons groundwork, hip, shoulder, shoulder and giving to the bit and he did great with it, being nice and relaxed after a 10 minutes of this work so this might be the route I take when we get back to it.</p>
<p>The young girl riding him says he has been fantastic most times but does occasionally act up when he thinks he's done enough, he's got a mind of his own.</p>
<p>I've been trying to save some money to try and take a course in the spring or summer if any are offered with Anne Gage, Confident Horsemanship. Will need to rent someone to trailer him to any event I want to go to and hope they have restroom facilities as that is a real necessity for me!! </p>
<p>So now back to sitting on my butt while I heal, oh well I have not been enjoying the cold much lately, even turned the heat on in my apartment and I never do that!!! </p>
<p></p>Going to get back to work with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2015-05-19:1773158:BlogPost:7681572015-05-19T19:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>I'ts been almost 7 months since I fell off of Cooper, October 24 2014, and stopped riding him. I even stopped doing groundwork and only went out to see him a few times a month.</p>
<p>My prosthetic leg was hurting all the time and I was spending so much time with a new puppy, oh and I've been having fear issues. I did get back in the saddle after the fall but that was it since then.</p>
<p>Also I have been wimping out since my husband started working a second job in the evenings and I just…</p>
<p>I'ts been almost 7 months since I fell off of Cooper, October 24 2014, and stopped riding him. I even stopped doing groundwork and only went out to see him a few times a month.</p>
<p>My prosthetic leg was hurting all the time and I was spending so much time with a new puppy, oh and I've been having fear issues. I did get back in the saddle after the fall but that was it since then.</p>
<p>Also I have been wimping out since my husband started working a second job in the evenings and I just haven't wanted to go to the barn by myself.</p>
<p>The new prosthetic leg is finally starting to feel better, not great, but at least its not as painful as when I first got it a few months ago. In the beginning I was only to wear it for an hour a day and then a few hours and after about 8 weeks I was told to start wearing it all the time and not switch back to the old one. Still don't know how it will feel when I put my foot in the stirrups again, hope I can do it!!</p>
<p>I started going up almost every night since it happened on April 28/15 to look after a wound on Coopers face. He got kicked in the field, just missing his eye, only fractions away from it. He was on antibiotics and I needed to keep the wound clean. After the antibiotics were done I started to use Manuka Honey on it and it began to heal very nice. There is still a little opening and a lump which the vet will look at this week when they do vaccines and deworming.</p>
<p>I'm trying to get back into working with Cooper now that I know I can do things without my spouse being there! I may not ride right away but no big deal if I don't anyway.</p>
<p>I have had a few non horse people ask me lately, Why do you have a horse if you can't ride and you don't do any showing or anything with him?? I say because he is my therapy, he is the best thing that has happened to me in a long time and I am not giving him up just because I am not riding or showing. I am never going to show, that is not why I got him, to try and win ribbons and stuff!! These people that are saying this are the ones that go away 3 or 4 times a year to Cuba, Mexico, Punta Cana, etc. That is what they spend their money on!! I have no interest in going anywhere so I will stay here and spend my money on my horse, my dog and my daughter. Although my daughter wants me to get a passport and go to at least one place with her once maybe twice LOL </p>
<p></p>
<p>I'm going to start with groundwork first and try to build my trust with him again. Last night I did about 10 minutes of ground work, trying to do some of the straightness training by Marijke De Jong. I only watched 3 of the 4 part mini mastery series, missed the last one that was for riding, but I read that it is very similar to what a lot of training is, western, dressage, etc. Just going to take my time, like I always do and not worry about riding yet, if I ride than ok, but no hurry for it to happen.</p>
<p>He has been very head shy lately, especially in the side that he was kicked on, I'm guessing that is why he is doing this. </p>
<p>I'm hoping to head up again tonight, Tuesday May 19/15 and do another 10 minute session, or longer if my leg doesn't start hurting.</p>
<p>Tomorrow night I will be going with my daughter to see Cavalia Odysseo!! She got tickets to take me as a birthday gift. I have always wanted to see it, it's going to be fantastic!!</p>July 2013 Time with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2013-07-02:1773158:BlogPost:6768142013-07-02T14:02:03.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Monday July 1 2013</p>
<p>I was just going to pick his feet and groom him but when I was finished I decided to take him out on the regular lunge line and flat halter. Al put the treats in his bucket before I was done grooming and Cooper was trying to back into his stall. We did some circles, walk, trot, canter transitions while another boarder lunged also. He did great tonight, listening to my voice cues and keeping a loose line on the lunge, even at a canter this time. The other boarder…</p>
<p>Monday July 1 2013</p>
<p>I was just going to pick his feet and groom him but when I was finished I decided to take him out on the regular lunge line and flat halter. Al put the treats in his bucket before I was done grooming and Cooper was trying to back into his stall. We did some circles, walk, trot, canter transitions while another boarder lunged also. He did great tonight, listening to my voice cues and keeping a loose line on the lunge, even at a canter this time. The other boarder commented on how well he was on the end of the line and said she wishes her horse would not pull so much. He's still having trouble picking up the correct lead at a canter going to the left but gets it every time going to the right. One of the DVD's I have says to make him go faster and he will change leads but it wasn't working so I brought him back to a trot and asked for the canter again, several times before getting it. He did lots of blowing and licking and chewing tonight, very relaxed with a lower head and not paying too much attention to the other person lunging. He did want to look out the door every time we went so when he did that I just squeezed and released until he brought his attention back to me. I cooled him off by walking around the arena on a shorter line with him bending around me. Then his favorite part, treats in his bucket at the end of the night.</p>June 2013tag:www.barnmice.com,2013-06-03:1773158:BlogPost:6662922013-06-03T00:07:15.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Saturday June 1 2013</p>
<p>I didn't get out all week to see Cooper, between stomach issues and being too darn tired after work. We were supposed to go Friday night but my spouse fell asleep and we didn't it out.</p>
<p>Cooper was very happy to see us, squeezing up against the corner of the stall door trying to get to us. </p>
<p>I tacked him up with the bridle and bit and did some ground work for about 30 minutes. We did some half circles to the back of the indoor arena and once there we…</p>
<p>Saturday June 1 2013</p>
<p>I didn't get out all week to see Cooper, between stomach issues and being too darn tired after work. We were supposed to go Friday night but my spouse fell asleep and we didn't it out.</p>
<p>Cooper was very happy to see us, squeezing up against the corner of the stall door trying to get to us. </p>
<p>I tacked him up with the bridle and bit and did some ground work for about 30 minutes. We did some half circles to the back of the indoor arena and once there we did the squeeze game by the open door. We stayed in the far end of the arena as another rider was in the front part. Then we did some sideways back and forth at the back of the arena. We did some squeeze by the smaller doors. The one to the other barn was open and a little scary to him so we spend some time there. One time while trotting around he me slipped on his left rear and almost went right down. We did a little giving to the bit, holding the reins until he gave and then releasing. I was taking him back inside then I remembered I wanted to do some stirrup work, so went back into the arena and practiced getting him to move off of the stirrup, going forward, yielding the hindquarters and moving the front end over off of the stirrup. Next time while riding I have to start doing the exercises again where I move his hind over a little while walking, that was one of the lessons we had when we took them at Five Star Ranch.<br/>I was going to untack him and Lizzy offered to ride him, I was too hot and tired to ride again. This silicone sleeve on my prosthesis that helps me to walk and move better really makes me hot.</p>
<p>She did some walk, trot and canter transitions on him. He was having a hard time getting the left lead, just like on the ground when we do it. He was very sweaty when finished so she hosed him down in the wash stall and then Al toweled him off while he was eating his TREATS.</p>May 2013 Cooper timetag:www.barnmice.com,2013-05-09:1773158:BlogPost:6619782013-05-09T12:45:19.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Sunday May 5 2013</p>
<p>I hadn't played or worked with Cooper for a few weeks as I had not been feeling well. We got to the barn around 6 p.m. and the barn manager and her husband were doing feed and we had to wait until 7:30 when they brought the horses in. They said it was too dangerous for us to go out and get him as there were 3 new geldings out in the paddock and they didn't know yet how they would behave. <br></br>Once we got him in I took him right out into the outdoor arena without…</p>
<p>Sunday May 5 2013</p>
<p>I hadn't played or worked with Cooper for a few weeks as I had not been feeling well. We got to the barn around 6 p.m. and the barn manager and her husband were doing feed and we had to wait until 7:30 when they brought the horses in. They said it was too dangerous for us to go out and get him as there were 3 new geldings out in the paddock and they didn't know yet how they would behave. <br/>Once we got him in I took him right out into the outdoor arena without grooming and then picked his feet outdoors. We played on 22' rope doing circles and figure 8's around 4 cones. We did change of directions, transitions at a walk, trot and canter. He was getting a little pinny eared at times, I think I was applying too much pressure as he was being very sensitive tonight. He tried to run and back away from me one time and ended up standing in front of a jump standard. I did not let it get me upset and continued on with what we were doing. I brought him in closer in the circle and then he wanted to stick close to me and not move out.<br/>Then we went for a walk doing travelling circles all around the outdoor arena. He kept trying to stop and get bites of grass so I would swing the carrot stick and string quite vigorously a few times, smacking the ground behind him. One time he got a little rambunctious and squealed and kicked his heels at me then tried to pull out of my hands but I was prepared and took the power position. We played outdoors for about 45 minutes, it was a nice evening. I was tired and weak from the workout but felt very good emotionally from spending time with Cooper.</p>April 2013 Time with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2013-04-08:1773158:BlogPost:6560612013-04-08T15:13:07.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Tuesday, April 2 2013</p>
<p>We went up tonight to meet with the farrier and try on the new Myler bit. When the farrier was done with Cooper he thought he was done and since we were right in front of his stall he started to back into it without me asking. I brought him back out and then walked him in so he wouldn't think he could do what he wanted. The farrier was going to do another horse in front of Cooper's stall so I took him out and moved down the aisle to try on the new bit. I attached…</p>
<p>Tuesday, April 2 2013</p>
<p>We went up tonight to meet with the farrier and try on the new Myler bit. When the farrier was done with Cooper he thought he was done and since we were right in front of his stall he started to back into it without me asking. I brought him back out and then walked him in so he wouldn't think he could do what he wanted. The farrier was going to do another horse in front of Cooper's stall so I took him out and moved down the aisle to try on the new bit. I attached it to the one ear training bridle that has snaps on the end for this. He was good with it sitting in his mouth but as soon as I asked for some giving he started chomping away. I was told that it is typical for horses to do this as it is new to him, he has to get used to it and not to think that because he does this in the beginning that he doesn't like it. It is different for him, a 3 piece jointed mouthpiece with a barrel in the middle and copper inserts. They didn't have the Western D so I got the Eggbutt one with mouthpiece 1 which is Myler 04. We did some did some flexing and giving with the new bit in the aisle. I didn't like the way it was sitting with this bridle, the side piece seems very wobbly with the snaps so going to switch it to the Billy Cook bridle next time and maybe attach the mecate reins and slobber straps.</p>March 2013 with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2013-03-02:1773158:BlogPost:6482002013-03-02T21:04:47.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Friday March 1 2013</p>
<p>It was great to see Cooper tonight, I hadn't seen him since last Saturday. He lost his new halter again that I just put on him on Saturday night, the barn manager said he lost it the next day after I put it on him. I am not buying anymore breakaway halters, it's costing too much and they won't take his halter off because they worry about any of them getting out and not being able to catch them with no halter on. Just in the past week not too far from us, horses had…</p>
<p>Friday March 1 2013</p>
<p>It was great to see Cooper tonight, I hadn't seen him since last Saturday. He lost his new halter again that I just put on him on Saturday night, the barn manager said he lost it the next day after I put it on him. I am not buying anymore breakaway halters, it's costing too much and they won't take his halter off because they worry about any of them getting out and not being able to catch them with no halter on. Just in the past week not too far from us, horses had gotten loose and some were killed on the highway, that is just horrible, poor things :(</p>
<p>I put the rope halter on and groomed him while he ground tied. I left him standing there for at least 15 minutes while I stood in the arena door with a few others watching another rider with her saucy redhead mare. I had never seen this mare act as bad as she was, rearing, bucking, not wanting to move forward, scary!</p>
<p>I <span style="font-size: 13px;">tacked Cooper up with his saddle thinking I might ride tonight but by the time I was ready there was no one riding and I just decided to do groundwork with the 12' rope.He did very well, a little spooky though, and just wanted to stay close to me so I tried to keep him out of my personal space. We went to the back of the arena and I had him squeeze by the poles in the corner then we did sideways in front of the back arena door. He did a lot of snorting at the snow at the bottom of the door so we stayed there for a bit until he relaxed. We did the falling leaf, C-pattern from one end to the other a few times. After he got comfortable doing this I asked for a little more energy and he had his butt working so good. In one video Al took you can really see him working very well. We worked for about 30 minutes, maybe a little longer, I really enjoyed our session tonight.</span></p>February with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2013-02-02:1773158:BlogPost:6426412013-02-02T20:53:20.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Friday February 1 2013. While grooming Cooper he was getting antsy and nipping at everyone who went by including me and Al and pinning his ears. I decided to put his bridle on and do some giving to the bit work. At first he was going like crazy and would not slow down to a walk so I took him off and let him free run as no one else was in the arena. He ran around a lot for a few minutes then started to listen to me. He kept a circle around me and changed directions when I asked him to. One…</p>
<p>Friday February 1 2013. While grooming Cooper he was getting antsy and nipping at everyone who went by including me and Al and pinning his ears. I decided to put his bridle on and do some giving to the bit work. At first he was going like crazy and would not slow down to a walk so I took him off and let him free run as no one else was in the arena. He ran around a lot for a few minutes then started to listen to me. He kept a circle around me and changed directions when I asked him to. One time when changing directions he bumped up against the kickboards and stepped in a hole that looked like a rodent or something made to get into the arena. I called him in and put him back on the lead to check his movement and he looked ok so we continued on with giving to the bit work. </p>
<p>We were in the arena for about 20 minutes then went back inside and gave him beet pulp. I didn't take the camera so no pictures. They all look the same anyway, dark and green LOL.</p>January 2013 New Year with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2013-01-06:1773158:BlogPost:6365812013-01-06T18:47:03.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Jan 1 2013</p>
<p>We worked on the ground again to begin using the 12' rope attached to the bit for about 20 minutes, changing sides often. I didn't do any giving to the bit tonight. <br></br>144th ride, we walked to the back of the arena following another horse again. Cooper did good, he tensed up a little but continued on with no spooking. <br></br>We did some more sit trot, jogging tonight. We didn't do any circles but worked on Lyons 3 Step Stop exercise and rollbacks again. He started to stop…</p>
<p>Jan 1 2013</p>
<p>We worked on the ground again to begin using the 12' rope attached to the bit for about 20 minutes, changing sides often. I didn't do any giving to the bit tonight. <br/>144th ride, we walked to the back of the arena following another horse again. Cooper did good, he tensed up a little but continued on with no spooking. <br/>We did some more sit trot, jogging tonight. We didn't do any circles but worked on Lyons 3 Step Stop exercise and rollbacks again. He started to stop great with this exercise but when he figured we were done his whoa was awful again when headed to the door.<br/>We had a very good ride again tonight, rode for about 30 minutes then untacked, groomed and gave him his beet pulp, yum yum! Back to work tomorrow and physio so won't see him but out again on Thursday night.</p>
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<p>Jan 3 & 4 2013 </p>
<p>We went up up later both nights and groomed Cooper then gave him beet pulp with Cough Free in it again as he was coughing a lot.</p>December 2012 with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2012-12-04:1773158:BlogPost:6306162012-12-04T16:38:49.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Saturday Dec 1/12 </p>
<p>I didn't get out to see Cooper again all last week, Al did go out on his own though. When I came in to the barn Cooper was pushing his nose in the corner of the door to get out. As I groomed him he had this soft look in his eyes and was turning his head and mouthing me, not biting, just rubbing me with his lips. I wasn't feeling up to riding so I decided to take him into the arena and free lunge him as no one else was around. He was relaxed and not doing any crazy…</p>
<p>Saturday Dec 1/12 </p>
<p>I didn't get out to see Cooper again all last week, Al did go out on his own though. When I came in to the barn Cooper was pushing his nose in the corner of the door to get out. As I groomed him he had this soft look in his eyes and was turning his head and mouthing me, not biting, just rubbing me with his lips. I wasn't feeling up to riding so I decided to take him into the arena and free lunge him as no one else was around. He was relaxed and not doing any crazy running, just nice and slow. He started coming in closer to me on his own and circling so I decided to try some liberty with him. He was fantastic! He loped a few circles around me and then came in when I asked for the yield and draw in to me. I played with him doing this for about 10 minutes then another boarder asked if I could do it again and show her. Cooper was doing some tight trot circles around me with his head turned in. I was walking around with him and was getting very dizzy. I tried to get him to go out farther but he just wanted to stay close. After we walked all around with him following me with no lead on, even down into the scary end of the arena.</p>
<p>When I was all done with Cooper the barn manager and the other boarder who was watching came in and asked if I might help her with her new horse. She would like me to show her some of the ground work exercises, 7 games and stuff for safety and respect. I told her I could try but that I was no expert and that I could loan her my Level 1 On Line dvd to get an idea of what it is. She was so grateful that I said yes to helping her and I felt so good that they think I have done a wonderful job with Cooper :)</p>November 2012 with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2012-11-02:1773158:BlogPost:6255372012-11-02T16:20:08.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Thursday November 1 2012 We got to the barn late just to groom and wash the mud off of Coopers feet. He had a few burrs again and was tender on his left stifle. Guess he might have slipped in the mud maybe while trying to run away from flying feet. He is a little instigator and always getting hurt trying to work his way up in the herd. He is number 3 right now and goes after the 2 leaders, who are both big boys, one of them over 17 hands.</p>
<p>After cleaning and drying his legs & muddy…</p>
<p>Thursday November 1 2012 We got to the barn late just to groom and wash the mud off of Coopers feet. He had a few burrs again and was tender on his left stifle. Guess he might have slipped in the mud maybe while trying to run away from flying feet. He is a little instigator and always getting hurt trying to work his way up in the herd. He is number 3 right now and goes after the 2 leaders, who are both big boys, one of them over 17 hands.</p>
<p>After cleaning and drying his legs & muddy tail, I braided his tail and Al rubbed his stifles with the green cool and alcohol mixture then took him for a walk out in the indoor arena. There was another boarder walking around with her new horse and it was good for the other horse to have someone with him. The other horse was put into the geldings paddock on Wednesday and jumped out in fear of the other horses.</p>
<p>I walked him all around the arena and over to the feed door. He was blowing and snorting at the door again, stopping and backing up so I did some approach and retreat before he finally settled down. We did some walk, whoa and back up all around before heading back in. We gave him his treats and said goodnight. </p>October 2012tag:www.barnmice.com,2012-10-02:1773158:BlogPost:6214482012-10-02T17:03:19.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Monday October 1 2012</p>
<p>I tacked Cooper all up and first did some ground work with the 12' lead and rope halter, falling leaf, c-pattern to the back of the arena and then to the front. We did some responsibility circles at a trot and he maintained them for the most time, a few times I had to cluck and just raise the stick and he continued on. The we did some Clinton Anderson changing eyes stage 1. I put the bridle on and did a little giving to the bit and clock work. I had to stay in…</p>
<p>Monday October 1 2012</p>
<p>I tacked Cooper all up and first did some ground work with the 12' lead and rope halter, falling leaf, c-pattern to the back of the arena and then to the front. We did some responsibility circles at a trot and he maintained them for the most time, a few times I had to cluck and just raise the stick and he continued on. The we did some Clinton Anderson changing eyes stage 1. I put the bridle on and did a little giving to the bit and clock work. I had to stay in the middle while doing the ground work as there were others in the arena, 2 riding and another doing groundwork.</p>
<p>125th ride</p>
<p>I had a hard time getting my foot in the stirrup, it seemed so high and yet I had it down a hole. Also struggled getting my leg over the cantle as usual. We stood at the mounting block for a few minutes, just relaxing and doing some flexing with the bridle. Then we walked off staying on the inside, doing some serpentine at a walk, yielding the hindquarters and lowering his head and trying to lengthen the rein which was hard for me. I was a little tense in my legs, trying to relax them as we walked along. Once I felt comfortable I started off on a trot/jog and just as I started one of the horses spooked and bolted, Cooper jumped sideways with his head high and the other riders horse almost took off too. Noises were coming from the feed room, the crinkle of feed bags and of feed being poured into bins set them off. Cooper walked by the door and saw the girl in the feed room then when we passed it the noise from the bags happened again and he jumped, but it was just a little one and I managed to keep him on the path.<br/>He seemed to be dragging himself around tonight, I think he was tired and sore. I don't work him hard but tonight was the 4th night in a row for being worked. Sunday he had a good workout with another rider who just started to ride him, which included cantering that he's not used to.</p>
<p>We did a few circles in the close end of the arena and when we got near the back I just walked him until we got back to the front and trotted again.<br/>We practiced walk and whoa on the rail and then went into the middle and did it as the other 2 started cantering on the rail. We had a few good stops with the verbal whoa and one time he started to stop just from my seat, making progress One time when there was no one near me I did a whoa and went into a back up and the next thing I know there is another rider right beside me yelling circle, then she was right behind me as I was backing. I said sorry and she said sorry but I don't really know who was in the wrong. I think riders on the rail have the right of way but she circled in right behind me, I am still learning the arena rules. I have been told to stay in the middle when I am doing groundwork but I was riding and still staying in the middle out of the other riders way.</p>
<p>Then we did some turn on the haunches and turn on the forehand. I had the elastics on my feet holding them in the stirrups so I managed to get my foot back to have him yield.<br/>Al rubbed his legs and stifles with Green Cool and I stretched him on all 4 legs. Didn't braid his mane or tail so hope he doesn't find anymore burrs.</p>
<p>Going to give him a few days off, we might go see him tonight but not going to ride. He's getting his feet trimmed today so just going to groom, maybe take him in arena on the 12' rope and check him for soreness then give him a treat.</p>September 2012tag:www.barnmice.com,2012-09-04:1773158:BlogPost:6176912012-09-04T15:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>September 2 2012. I haven't been feeling well for several days now but went out to see Cooper, pick his feet and say hi to him. He had a new kick on his left hip. You could tell it was a kick as the hoof mark was there. There was an egg size bump with a little heat to it.</p>
<p>I took him to the wash stall for some more cold hosing again. He wasn't very comfortable with the water trickling down his leg and massaging at the same time. I didn't make it out last night again.…</p>
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<p>September 2 2012. I haven't been feeling well for several days now but went out to see Cooper, pick his feet and say hi to him. He had a new kick on his left hip. You could tell it was a kick as the hoof mark was there. There was an egg size bump with a little heat to it.</p>
<p>I took him to the wash stall for some more cold hosing again. He wasn't very comfortable with the water trickling down his leg and massaging at the same time. I didn't make it out last night again.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203038196?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203038196?profile=original" width="438" class="align-full" height="643"/></a></p>August 2012tag:www.barnmice.com,2012-08-04:1773158:BlogPost:6132532012-08-04T17:00:23.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Wednesday Aug 1 2012</p>
<p>I've been going up after work every night to cold hose Cooper. Last night I didn't say anything to him and just walked past his stall, I thought I was being quiet but his head popped up from eating and he came over to the door and squeezed his face against the screen. Guess he could hear my bones creaking LOL</p>
<p>The hematoma is not getting any bigger now, looks like it has gone down a bit. I put poultice on it Tuesday and Wednesday after drying him and then…</p>
<p>Wednesday Aug 1 2012</p>
<p>I've been going up after work every night to cold hose Cooper. Last night I didn't say anything to him and just walked past his stall, I thought I was being quiet but his head popped up from eating and he came over to the door and squeezed his face against the screen. Guess he could hear my bones creaking LOL</p>
<p>The hematoma is not getting any bigger now, looks like it has gone down a bit. I put poultice on it Tuesday and Wednesday after drying him and then doing some massaging all over other parts, hips, tummy lift, shoulders. He is still going out everyday for turn out, so not confined to his stall all day. I think he is starting to enjoy the wash stall, he was settling down and relaxing more in it last night. It will be like doing 7 day desensitizing sessions. Heading out after work to treat him again.</p>
<p>Thursday August 2 2012</p>
<p>Hematoma is still the same size as last night. Cold hosed him and put poultice on again. </p>
<p>Friday August 3 2012</p>
<p>The hematoma is getting hard and not shrinking anymore. I sure hope it goes down, I have read how they will sometimes just harden and stay a big lump. It's the weekend now and if it doesn't shrink anymore I will be calling the vet next week. I'm not going to put poultice on anymore either, as I don't know if it is really doing anything.<a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203038603?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2203038603?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>July 2012 with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2012-07-04:1773158:BlogPost:6082552012-07-04T13:49:01.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
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<dd><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Sunday July 1 2012 106th Ride. </p>
<p>We played for a few minutes indoors while waiting for another boarder. Then we walked out to the outdoor arena without any snorts, nice and calm. We walked around the edge of the arena doing squeeze game, falling leaf and circles. We stopped in one corner so the managers little 1 year old some could pet Cooper from over the fence. Cooper stood quietly and looked like…</p>
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<dd><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Sunday July 1 2012 106th Ride. </p>
<p>We played for a few minutes indoors while waiting for another boarder. Then we walked out to the outdoor arena without any snorts, nice and calm. We walked around the edge of the arena doing squeeze game, falling leaf and circles. We stopped in one corner so the managers little 1 year old some could pet Cooper from over the fence. Cooper stood quietly and looked like he enjoyed it. I was told from his past owner that he grew up with little ones playing around him and laying on him and his half brother all the time.</p>
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<dd><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I had the rope halter and 12' line on and did it up to use as 2 reins and got on for a ride. We walked around the outside of the arena and Cooper was very good. He would look off to the outside and start to raise his head and when I bumped him with the rein he would pay attention and move on. We did some indirect rein and direct rein in towards the rail making a complete turn and continued on in the same direction. Then we did some half turns to go in the opposite direction. We trotted around and I tried to keep a loose rein and did good most of the time. We also went sideways over to the fence so I could get a drink of water. Cooper was so good at it, went with very little touch. There was a nice breeze and hardly any bugs out tonight.rnWe then followed the other boarder out of the arena and back inside and again Cooper was very calm and walked nicely all the way until I dismounted in the indoor arena.</p>
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<p>June 2 2012 </p>
<p>I hadn't seen Cooper since Tuesday. We got to the barn late on Saturday so I didn't tack him up. We went into the indoor arena with the rope halter and 12' rope and did ground work. We first did some changing eyes stage 1 for about 10 minutes then some sideways along the arena wall and c-pattern. I took him into the feed room and let him go in and out of the back arena door. Then I put the 22' rope on and did some lope, trot, walk transitions. Finished of with the…</p>
<p>June 2 2012 </p>
<p>I hadn't seen Cooper since Tuesday. We got to the barn late on Saturday so I didn't tack him up. We went into the indoor arena with the rope halter and 12' rope and did ground work. We first did some changing eyes stage 1 for about 10 minutes then some sideways along the arena wall and c-pattern. I took him into the feed room and let him go in and out of the back arena door. Then I put the 22' rope on and did some lope, trot, walk transitions. Finished of with the c-pattern at a walk from more of a distance to cool down. Right from the beginning he didn't want to go out far, trying to come in close and stick to me most of the time.</p>May 2012 with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2012-05-02:1773158:BlogPost:5974142012-05-02T02:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Tuesday, May 1 2012 </p>
<p>There were 2 others riding in the arena so space was tight but we all managed to work together. One girl had a jump set up and Cooper & I would watch when she jumped. It was funny, Cooper was really watching her jump too. We did about 20 minutes on the ground, some changing eyes stage 1 and some circling. He wanted to be in close to me tonight. I had him do some transitions from walk to trot to walk, more walking. We did falling leaf to the back of the arena…</p>
<p>Tuesday, May 1 2012 </p>
<p>There were 2 others riding in the arena so space was tight but we all managed to work together. One girl had a jump set up and Cooper & I would watch when she jumped. It was funny, Cooper was really watching her jump too. We did about 20 minutes on the ground, some changing eyes stage 1 and some circling. He wanted to be in close to me tonight. I had him do some transitions from walk to trot to walk, more walking. We did falling leaf to the back of the arena while 2 others rode around. We then did some giving to the bit. I got on and rode at a walk for about 10 minutes. I tried to hold my stomach in and push in my right stirrup to keep myself straight. I was also trying to keep my legs back and trying not to fling them forward the way I seem to do with them. Practice, practice, it will get better.</p>April 2012 with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2012-04-03:1773158:BlogPost:5903922012-04-03T14:00:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>We got to the barn late as the car broke down. We just got my daughters car out of the garage and drove her to work to test it and it conked out on the highway on the way to the barn after dropping her off. It started again in a few minutes so we ended up taking it back to the garage and got my vehicle to go to the barn. </p>
<p>I quickly used the shedder to get any mud off & picked feet. We then went in the indoor arena for about 1/2 hour. We went to the back arena door and he handled…</p>
<p>We got to the barn late as the car broke down. We just got my daughters car out of the garage and drove her to work to test it and it conked out on the highway on the way to the barn after dropping her off. It started again in a few minutes so we ended up taking it back to the garage and got my vehicle to go to the barn. </p>
<p>I quickly used the shedder to get any mud off & picked feet. We then went in the indoor arena for about 1/2 hour. We went to the back arena door and he handled it well, a few snorts but quickly relaxed. He went right out the door in the dark, smelling the ground and coming in and out of the door. He still is quite spooky at one door back there, but I did get him to go up to it several times and finally he stopped snorting at it. We did the falling leaf or c-pattern and circling with rope halter and 22' rope. Did some small circle trots and then I let him out farther and did some faster extended trotting. Cantered him a little both ways, he was good. He was a little stiff on his back right leg again. Arena doors were all open as we walked all around the arena.<br/> Gave him an apple, carrots, sunflower seeds and equilizer with some beet pulp after.</p>
<p>I will have to wait until the next time to try the new bit I bought for him, a <span>5" Sweet Iron Snaffle Mouth with Copper Inlay, 2-3/4" Ring, German Silver Dots</span>. I hope he likes it, I think it's very nice looking LOL <br/></p>March 2012tag:www.barnmice.com,2012-03-09:1773158:BlogPost:5847392012-03-09T19:00:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Thursday March 8 </p>
<p>I made it out to see Cooper last night, I hadn't seen him since Feb 24 as I got sick on the 25th and still trying to get over it.</p>
<p>It was so good to see him. When he heard me he had his nose and face glued to the crack in the door, and I mean glued, it was like he was trying to squeeze out. I went into his stall to change his halter and he was rubbing his head all up and down me and leaning on me. I didn't let him do it for long, didn't want him to get to…</p>
<p>Thursday March 8 </p>
<p>I made it out to see Cooper last night, I hadn't seen him since Feb 24 as I got sick on the 25th and still trying to get over it.</p>
<p>It was so good to see him. When he heard me he had his nose and face glued to the crack in the door, and I mean glued, it was like he was trying to squeeze out. I went into his stall to change his halter and he was rubbing his head all up and down me and leaning on me. I didn't let him do it for long, didn't want him to get to disrespectful, but it sure felt good to know that he really did miss me. He was also very dirty so maybe he was having a good scratch too. He just wanted to stay right with me at the beginning.</p>
<p>I took over an hour just trying to scrape mud off of him and I still didn't get him really clean. Oh well, it will be all back today LOL</p>
<p>That really tired me out doing that, I started a course of anitbiotics on Tuesday for a kidney infection and I am still weak. We did do a little walk, whoa and backing up in the aisle way. He would go one way with his hip and I would bend over and look and he would move it over. At the beginning he didn't listen and all I had to do was twirl the end of the rope toward his hip and he started to get the message. The treats were in his bucket and he knew it, so I made him walk quietly into the stall before taking off his halter, then I had him wait beside me until I said it was alright for him to move and go eat.</p>
<p>Cooper really made me feel good last night, I felt missed and loved, if a horse can make you feel that way. </p>Feb 2012tag:www.barnmice.com,2012-02-05:1773158:BlogPost:5760712012-02-05T20:39:59.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Friday Feb 3 we had a great ground session. I turned him loose in the arena when no one was in there. This was the second time doing that and he is starting to go in the scary back corners by himself. He even followed me back there with no lead on.</p>
<p>We then worked a little with the 12' rope and rope halter, doing some circles, change of directions, squeeze game, sideways, figure 8's. I worked with him a lot in January and forgot to post some of it, and it is starting to pay off…</p>
<p>Friday Feb 3 we had a great ground session. I turned him loose in the arena when no one was in there. This was the second time doing that and he is starting to go in the scary back corners by himself. He even followed me back there with no lead on.</p>
<p>We then worked a little with the 12' rope and rope halter, doing some circles, change of directions, squeeze game, sideways, figure 8's. I worked with him a lot in January and forgot to post some of it, and it is starting to pay off finally. </p>
<p>I found myself getting frightened a lot and had to try to stop myself from doing that. When I stood up tall and walked straight for things while trying not to worry too much, we got better. I have been watching and following a few of the Clinton Anderson methods. He is not much different than ones I already follow, but is a little more aggressive. After a few sessions of trying this way I found that I don't have to be so assertive. Cooper is very sensitive and was getting too jumpy so had to tone it down a lot.</p>
<p>I was having a hard time with the giving to the bit as Cooper would just race around me like a wild horse. His brain wasn't getting anything, he was going so fast. I would just raise the dressage whip and off he would go. One of the other boarders there who has gone through the Lyons training saw this and told me to try doing it at a walk with less whip. It was hard at first to get him to slow down but when he did he finally started to think, and I was getting less dizzy. It is working though, he is slowing down, listening more, and is more relaxed.</p>
<p>On Saturday Feb 4 after a few minutes of running around free in the arena we did some more ground work. He was very relaxed and did really well. We worked with the 12' rope and rope halter first, doing the usual exercises. I have been flexing him too, before I take him out of his stall and at the end of the each session. </p>
<p>After this work I tacked him all up and did some giving to the bit work. We walked all around the whole arena, he was very good in the spooky corners. He did snort and try to back away a few times but we both handled it very well. I got him to go right up to the scary things and relax his head and stand there for awhile.</p>
<p>He was doing so well that I decided to try riding him. He was great, we walked quietly all around the arena while another person was riding and cantering past us. I asked for a jog and he was very good. A few times he veered away from the corners and I circled him and went right past them again. I was aware not to look at him too much and at the spooky doors and corners. When I looked ahead to where we were going things went better.</p>
<p>I am taking today off, I'm so sore from riding and walking so much.</p>
<p>I have still been doing exercises through the week at work during my lunch time. I've been struggling a lot to get the last 10 minutes done of a 30 minute treadmill routine. I have to keep it up and get stronger. Looking forward to the next ride on Cooper, of course if he is ready. What's the saying? work/play with the horse that shows up.</p>Jan 2, 5 2012 Time with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2012-01-06:1773158:BlogPost:5673512012-01-06T17:15:22.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Monday night Cooper didn't seem to be feeling good, kicking his stomach and his tail was tight. I walked him around in the indoor for about 1/2 hour he had lots of gas and finally a very runny movement. I then did big circles with him at a trot for his stifle, had a hard time keeping him out on a big circle, he just kept trying to come in close to me. I am going to try to do trot circles for a few weeks, no riding for awhile until we strengthen his stifle and also have time to get him less…</p>
<p>Monday night Cooper didn't seem to be feeling good, kicking his stomach and his tail was tight. I walked him around in the indoor for about 1/2 hour he had lots of gas and finally a very runny movement. I then did big circles with him at a trot for his stifle, had a hard time keeping him out on a big circle, he just kept trying to come in close to me. I am going to try to do trot circles for a few weeks, no riding for awhile until we strengthen his stifle and also have time to get him less spooky in the indoor arena.</p>
<p>He had another normal movement but after. He then had the beet pulp I made for him, with some carrots and apples but didn't want the grain. Maybe he was full?</p>
<p>On Thursday I did some big circles with him on the 22' rope. Again he was trying to stay close to me. He was spooking in all 4 corners of the arena so I worked more in the corners. I let him touch the boards and when he looked at me I smiled (with all 4 cheeks LOL) His stifle gave out twice, one time I think he slipped on some manure that was in the arena. We had some good circles going, did both sides. We then walked around to cool off and watched his buddy being ridden. First time I saw his owner since moving to the new barn, we were at the other barn together.</p>
<p>Forgot to take pictures again, that's ok, I don't like the way the turn out in the indoor arena anyway.</p>Lesson 22 - Dec 15 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-12-16:1773158:BlogPost:5628772011-12-16T15:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Last lesson tonight, very sad.</p>
<p>I won't be taking any lessons in the winter but will think about joining again come spring or summer next year.</p>
<p>We were fast trotting, posting trot, on the long side and jogging, sitting trot on the short sides. After a little while we started to put a sit trot circle at each corner. I was tense at the beginning but finally started to relax and felt it in the horse too. He was tired from being in the first group lesson and was always trying to…</p>
<p>Last lesson tonight, very sad.</p>
<p>I won't be taking any lessons in the winter but will think about joining again come spring or summer next year.</p>
<p>We were fast trotting, posting trot, on the long side and jogging, sitting trot on the short sides. After a little while we started to put a sit trot circle at each corner. I was tense at the beginning but finally started to relax and felt it in the horse too. He was tired from being in the first group lesson and was always trying to stop. Once I started to keep squeezing more he moved better.</p>
<p>My legs were killing me!! The coach had to tell me several times to try to keep the lower leg steady, the one with the prosthesis. </p>
<p>I loped on the lesson horse tonight!! At first it was very strange. His lope was one of those short choppy kind of lopes, like you see on the show horses. I felt like I was going to get tossed out of the saddle. I did several lope transitions and finally started to feel more comfortable in the saddle near the end. I was still having a hard time keeping my butt planted in the saddle. I wasn't relaxing enough, the few times I remembered to relax I really felt the difference. I can see it in the videos my husband took too.</p>
<p>I will get post those once I put them together with last weeks lesson videos.</p>
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<p>I will still be posting photos and videos and of course blogging about Cooper. Can't get good photos or videos in the indoor arena at the new barn. It's so dark there. But will try to put up what I can :)</p>Dec 1 2011 Lesson 21 for me on a Lesson Horsetag:www.barnmice.com,2011-12-02:1773158:BlogPost:5593152011-12-02T14:00:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>I stopped in to see Cooper first before heading out for my riding lesson. The cross ties were too high and short for him so I ground tied him to groom him a little. He was very good when I was there and as soon as I left the room and left him with my husband he started to walk away. My husband is too soft with Cooper and our dog LOL</p>
<p>The barn manager says that Cooper has such good ground manners, I was happy to hear that. One woman that was there says she thinks she sees Morgan in him.…</p>
<p>I stopped in to see Cooper first before heading out for my riding lesson. The cross ties were too high and short for him so I ground tied him to groom him a little. He was very good when I was there and as soon as I left the room and left him with my husband he started to walk away. My husband is too soft with Cooper and our dog LOL</p>
<p>The barn manager says that Cooper has such good ground manners, I was happy to hear that. One woman that was there says she thinks she sees Morgan in him. That is the second person who has said that. I will never really know for sure what is in him unless I get one of those dna tests done, if they can be done. I just know that the old owner said he was 1/2 Quarter Horse (which could be wrong). I gave him some beet pulp, carrots and apples and left for the lesson.</p>
<p>I rode one of Five Star's lesson horses tonight, a handsome bay gelding named Porky. That name does not suit him at all, he is a very good boy. When I got in the saddle and started to move it was just like riding Cooper. From his back he even looked like Cooper. I always liked this horse and wanted to try him and now I get to use him for my last few lessons this month. I was thinking about trying a lope but it took me almost the whole lesson to really get comfortable on him. He was testing me and stopping then not wanting to move at the beginning. He was tired, he had just had an hour and half lesson before me.</p>
<p>We were working on the extended posting trot on the short side and slowing down to a jog on the long side. First we were to try slowing with our seat, which I was always forgetting to do. I was having a hard time posting, mostly because of my leg I think, I am not that strong. I was trying to post right away when coming to the corner of the short side and then the coach told me to get in a few fast strides first then start posting and it was a little easier. I will be trying this with Cooper the next few times I see him.</p>
<p>We also had to keep collected and rounded and release the rein when the horse got soft. My coach was always at me to slow my seat, lower my hands, slow my hands, shoulders back, legs down. That's good, I need to hear that as I forget and start doing all that stuff.</p>Lesson 20 - Nov 29 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-12-01:1773158:BlogPost:5591132011-12-01T18:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>This was my last lesson at Five Star Ranch with Cooper. I have learned so much in the short time we have been riding together there. I will miss the lessons on him but it was getting too much driving there on a work night and putting gas in my truck.</p>
<p>I moved him to a new barn yesterday that is 15-20 minute drive from home. There are no trails but that is ok as I am not that interested anymore in doing that. I hope to be able to see him more often and not dread that long drive all the…</p>
<p>This was my last lesson at Five Star Ranch with Cooper. I have learned so much in the short time we have been riding together there. I will miss the lessons on him but it was getting too much driving there on a work night and putting gas in my truck.</p>
<p>I moved him to a new barn yesterday that is 15-20 minute drive from home. There are no trails but that is ok as I am not that interested anymore in doing that. I hope to be able to see him more often and not dread that long drive all the time.</p>
<p>In the lesson tonight we worked on getting the front end to lighten up and raise the withers. Instead of Coopers front feet falling with a thud thud we were to get them softer, softer. I had a hard time feeling the difference but the coach could see it from the ground and she would tell me to release the rein.</p>
<p>I did some giving to the bit work on the ground and hip shoulder shoulder before getting on him. I hadn't been up to see him since our last lesson and he was such a good boy. He did a itty bitty jump on the ground when I asked for a faster trot around me and that was all. Very good for a young guy.</p>
<p>The coach had to keep telling me to bring my shoulders down and back, I hunch them up a lot. Also to try to lengthen my legs and stop pulling them up into that fetal position.</p>
<p>We also did some turn on the haunches and turn on the forehand. I was having a hard time with the prosthetic so we worked on a steady bump bump on his side to get him to move his hip over for turn on the forehand. He is doing really good with the turn on the haunches. </p>
<p>Just have to keep practicing.</p>
<p>Another lesson tonight and I will be using one of the lesson horses. </p>
<p>I will miss taking lessons with him but I will be taking all I learn on a lesson horse and practicing with him.</p>
<p>I have 4 lessons left this month and I won't be signing up for the winter. I have a lot to work on with him and we are going to go back to some of the ground work exercises that he is not very good with. I hope to be in able to take lessons again in the spring or summer, but I think this time I will try to go into a level class on a Saturday and try to get my Level 2 Western Riding.</p>Lesson 19 - November 24 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-11-25:1773158:BlogPost:5567492011-11-25T14:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>One person was away, so 2 of us joined in on the 7 p.m. lesson.</p>
<p>It was really rushed as I didn't find this out until 4:30 and still had to go home after work to change. But we made it and we were tacked up and ready to go in record time, for me anyway!!</p>
<p>There were 9 of us in the class. It was a little chaotic at first but close to the middle of the night everyone was working great together and hardly any collisions. I would laugh everytime Cooper would try to get real close to…</p>
<p>One person was away, so 2 of us joined in on the 7 p.m. lesson.</p>
<p>It was really rushed as I didn't find this out until 4:30 and still had to go home after work to change. But we made it and we were tacked up and ready to go in record time, for me anyway!!</p>
<p>There were 9 of us in the class. It was a little chaotic at first but close to the middle of the night everyone was working great together and hardly any collisions. I would laugh everytime Cooper would try to get real close to the horse in front of him, not a good thing, but it made me laugh how he wanted to stay close to the other horses.</p>
<p>At the beginning I was tense as I was worrying that Cooper was going to spook and go sideways everywhere. I hadn't ridden him since Nov 10. I did some circling with him with the rope halter and 12' lead on the ground and he would kick and squeal when I asked for a canter. We walked around at a trot and I had him go into the spooky corners, which he did pretty well.</p>
<p>Overall he was a very good boy for a week off from any work, I really got lucky when I found him.</p>
<p>We were learning counter bend. I was confused but my coach said it looked like we got it. Cooper was getting it anyway, not me. You were to counter bend then come right back to the circle and keep him moving his inside shoulder on the circle. Do not cross your hands over his withers, which I and many others were doing. Pull up on both reins in the opposite direction while keeping the circle going.</p>
<p>I still don't think I really understand the why with this. To me it seems like the same exercise almost as the clock work. and having his shoulder go to 1 & 2 or 9 & 10. I hope to get some practice time in as the next week is very busy for me and I don't know when I can get out to see him again.</p>
<p>There is a make up lesson on Tuesday then another regular lesson Thursday next week.</p>
<p>Al got a few photos in between snoozes up in the toasty viewing room. I will post them later.</p>
<p>I managed to get through the night without any incidents with my stomach, it was a good night and was great to put my arms around Coopers fuzzy neck and hug him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>My years with Coopertag:www.barnmice.com,2011-11-24:1773158:BlogPost:5561432011-11-24T16:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>I hope to make a few more videos for each year, will take awhile as I have tons of photos and videos and trying to pick a few is sooo hard :) </p>
<p>Thanks Jackie & Shirley and everyone else for all your encouraging words over the years I have been with Barnmice!! I am looking forward to growing with you all over the next years and reading your blogs and accomplishments.</p>
<p>My family knows that I have loved horses since I could walk & talk but some of them can't see how a horse…</p>
<p>I hope to make a few more videos for each year, will take awhile as I have tons of photos and videos and trying to pick a few is sooo hard :) </p>
<p>Thanks Jackie & Shirley and everyone else for all your encouraging words over the years I have been with Barnmice!! I am looking forward to growing with you all over the next years and reading your blogs and accomplishments.</p>
<p>My family knows that I have loved horses since I could walk & talk but some of them can't see how a horse can be your life. You give up a lot of things to keep your horse. My husband has told me over and over that no matter what happens I have to keep Cooper.</p>
<p>My daughter was my joy when she was born, as I was told I could never have any children and she was a blessing. She still is the love of my life, but she has her own life now does her own things. Cooper has filled a void and helped emotionally more than any doctor could ever do.</p>
<p>It was a spur of the moment decision to get Cooper and I never even thought about how young he was or inexperienced I was. Well, actually I did, I had heard the old saying green on green makes black and blue, and read how your first horse should not be a baby. But I went ahead and got him anyway!!</p>
<p>I knew I had a long journey ahead of me. I rode as a teenager but only at trail farms, saving babysitting money as my mother couldn't afford to pay for my horse love and raising 4 kids on minimum wages. Then I would work at the barns so I could be around the horses and get free rides. My health had different plans in 1973 and my life moved away from horses and back in to the hospitals and doctor routine which I already hated having spent my first 10 years in and out of the hospital.</p>
<p>In 2005 my daughter took an interest and wanted to take lessons. I was overjoyed but she didn't share the same passion that I did when I was her age. Like a lot of young ones these days she just wanted to ride and get ribbons, didn't want to learn anything else about horses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Oh, back to work, to be continued.......</p>
<p> </p>Lesson 18 - Nov 10 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-11-11:1773158:BlogPost:5517132011-11-11T20:00:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Our regular coach was out of town and the barn manager gave us our lesson. There was only 2 of us in the class. Each of us worked in our own half of the arena. We walked a big circle then used our seat to whoa at the cones that were placed in the middle of the arena. After doing this several times we did it at a jog. Then moved to posting trot doing the same whoa with our seats and trying to use less and less rein.</p>
<p>Cooper was finally getting it a little near the end of the hour. At…</p>
<p>Our regular coach was out of town and the barn manager gave us our lesson. There was only 2 of us in the class. Each of us worked in our own half of the arena. We walked a big circle then used our seat to whoa at the cones that were placed in the middle of the arena. After doing this several times we did it at a jog. Then moved to posting trot doing the same whoa with our seats and trying to use less and less rein.</p>
<p>Cooper was finally getting it a little near the end of the hour. At first we were in the far end of the arena with the spooky things in the corners, skid and cones in one and a cat playing around the big door on the other corner. The other rider and I switched sides and then her horse was doing it also!! Must have been the full moon!</p>
<p>Cooper was also spooking when going past the arena entrance door with the other riders from the lesson before untacking. The door was closed but he was still side stepping going past it. He was jumping at every little thing seemed like. We did the half circles for about 20 minutes then went to the whole outside arena. I was a little worried about the corners but managed to get him through it, and stay in the saddle.</p>
<p>At times his jog was very nice the all of a sudden he would start to go fast. It was me too I know. I could not relax my legs, I could feel them tensing up then try to stretch them down and breath, but forgot a lot.</p>
<p>By the end we were doing ok, this is something new for me to practice again, good thing I write it all down in a journal and on here because I would forget for sure! And the batteries were charged so will get some video and a few pictures up shortly.</p>Lesson 17 Nov 3 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-11-04:1773158:BlogPost:5469682011-11-04T17:00:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>We did the serpentine exercise again from one end of the arena to the other.</p>
<p>This time I was also working on trying to get Coopers head lower.</p>
<p>Like the coach says, it's very ugly looking during training, but he was starting to lower his head near the end of the night, when I finally started to relax!!</p>
<p>He was moving great, well a little spooky in one corner where the skid was up against the wall.</p>
<p>There was actually another horse going faster than him and passing us…</p>
<p>We did the serpentine exercise again from one end of the arena to the other.</p>
<p>This time I was also working on trying to get Coopers head lower.</p>
<p>Like the coach says, it's very ugly looking during training, but he was starting to lower his head near the end of the night, when I finally started to relax!!</p>
<p>He was moving great, well a little spooky in one corner where the skid was up against the wall.</p>
<p>There was actually another horse going faster than him and passing us all the time LOL </p>
<p><br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2108547830?profile=original"><img class="align-full" width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2108547830?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024"/></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am going to work on loosening up the reins more, he was trying to stretch his head down but I was holding on too tight most times!!</p>
<p>It was so late when we got out of there and home to bed for work the next day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Lesson 16 - Sunday October 23 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-10-23:1773158:BlogPost:5429752011-10-23T21:00:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>Had a great lesson today. Our coach could see that we were all riding speedy horses today so we spent the lesson working on slowing down. We were to do a lot of whoa and back up, also did posting trot on the long side and sit jog on the short with circles in the corners. We learned to stay on a circle and keep our horses head and shoulders in between the reins. I was also working on getting Cooper to lower his head more and to give him more rein, to trust him more. By the end of the lesson…</p>
<p>Had a great lesson today. Our coach could see that we were all riding speedy horses today so we spent the lesson working on slowing down. We were to do a lot of whoa and back up, also did posting trot on the long side and sit jog on the short with circles in the corners. We learned to stay on a circle and keep our horses head and shoulders in between the reins. I was also working on getting Cooper to lower his head more and to give him more rein, to trust him more. By the end of the lesson things were coming together so good. </p>
<p>We decided to tag along with one of the trail rides that were going out, it was a beautiful day out. We got through one field and were just heading off to the trails when I felt Cooper tense. I tried to keep his head down and to get him to pay attention to where we were going but it didn't work. Kaboom!!! I was on the ground! I remember seeing my leg coming up off his side and then all I was thinking about was getting my feet out of the stirrups since I wasn't staying on. I landed on my back in the mud. Luckily there were no rocks, it was like landing in a soft pillow. Cooper started to take off back to the barn and the girl who was behind me and our instructor caught him. I got back on but decided not to go with the trail ride after all. </p>
<p>My husband took the lead rope and held it while we walked around the pond for a bit. He spooked again but I was able to control him this time. We then went to the outdoor arena where I rode around at a walk without a leader for about 15 minutes then got off.</p>
<p>I am a tired now, just a little sore (nothing hurt when I fell), getting stiffer by the moment. Off to take a bath and lay down.</p>Lesson 15 - Thursday October 13 2011tag:www.barnmice.com,2011-10-14:1773158:BlogPost:5353192011-10-14T16:30:00.000ZCoopersmom_1958http://www.barnmice.com/profile/MargaretNippalow
<p>We were learning to yield the hind end at a walk.</p>
<p>The hour was spent on one side, next time I am up will have to do the other side. Walk forward in a straight line and press our leg just behind the cinch for a count of 2. If he didn't move hind end then would pull the rein and get him to yield his hind until his hips moved over. Then walk back in the same direction you were going and start over.</p>
<p>He finally did a good one near the end of the hour and ended on that. Hope to do…</p>
<p>We were learning to yield the hind end at a walk.</p>
<p>The hour was spent on one side, next time I am up will have to do the other side. Walk forward in a straight line and press our leg just behind the cinch for a count of 2. If he didn't move hind end then would pull the rein and get him to yield his hind until his hips moved over. Then walk back in the same direction you were going and start over.</p>
<p>He finally did a good one near the end of the hour and ended on that. Hope to do the left side tomorrow. Good thing I had the elastics on or the foot would have fallen out of the stirrups for sure. The elastics did stretch a lot, almost losing them.</p>