Tuesday, May 1 2012 

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.

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Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on May 7, 2012 at 10:10pm

Monday, May 7 2012

We got to the barn around 6:30 tacked up and went to the outdoor arena to work before it got dark. With the 12' rope and rope halter we walked all around the edges of the arena having Cooper do the falling leaf pattern mostly at a walk. He would trot on his own and I would ask for a walk again. He spooked at the usual scary octopus tree but not as bad as previous times. When I got back to where we had started I asked for some trot. I took him over a few poles, did some sideways and a bit of changing eyes.

Then I put his bridle on and side reins and did some lunging. Another boarder was there and offered me some great training advice. She is a well known western coach and trainer who has retired and I appreciate it very much that she took the time to help me. I loosened up the side reins a lot and had the inside rein a little shorter, although they were both very long. I learned to pull gently and release the lunge line and have him bend in a little. At a walk I pressed with my body and lunge whip to get him to bend and also a little pull and release on the bit. He spooked at something one time and rushed off into a gallop but settled down quickly. The ground is very hard outside and he was limping a little again when going to the left.

So much to remember but we both did very well. Can't wait to get at it again!

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on May 5, 2012 at 9:36pm

Friday May 4/12

We worked with the 22' rope and halter. He was acting up a lot for me tonight so another boarder took over the lunging and had him working great in no time. They did walk, trot and canter. At first he tried to act up with her too but she made him work. She had him paying attention to her and didn't let his gaze or thought go to the outside. She has offered to help me with the lunging, so thankful for any help!! He worked up quite a sweat and after I untacked him he had a good roll.

Saturday May 5/12

We did some lunging indoors first with the 22' rope and rope halter and neck stretcher on with the bridle and bit. I tried to do what Wendy had done the night before. We did walk trot and canter and I would apply pressure and get him to turn his attention to me. He started to act up a few times and I went right into his shoulder and neck to get him to move out. One time he almost backed right into the barn area so I quickly went towards him and tapped him on the neck to get him over and to move.
We then went to the outdoor arena with the 12' rope and did some falling leaf pattern all around the outside of the arena. He was spooking in one far corner where some things are roped off and then again a little near the scary tree. I stood with my back to the fence and had him go from side to side until he calmed down then did some squeeze between me and the fence.
Then we did some Lyons giving to the bit around the inside of the arena, over some poles, sideways and back up.
I got on and rode around for about another 10 minutes at a walk. He was already pretty tired, both of us were, so didn't stay riding for very long. It was a gorgeous day but too hot for me with my helmet on. It's going to be horrible when the summer weather really gets here!!

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on May 4, 2012 at 4:41pm

This explains the correct position of the side reins. Looks like I have been doing it the correct way if this is right.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2Q3Q0v2dUg 

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on May 4, 2012 at 2:35pm

Thursday, May 3/12

He really gets a good stretch while grooming, he was loving it tonight and almost fell over a few times. I tacked him all up as I was going to ride but by the time we were ready to go in arena it was storming outside. Everyone else was done so we were alone in the arena. The rain was pelting down on the roof, you could hardly hear. We did some changing eyes first to get him relaxed. We stayed at the front of the arena, I didn't want to stress him too much.
I lunged him with side reins on at a walk, trot, walk transitions, he's getting good listening to the voice commands. When asked for a whoa he faces me, from the natural horsemanship training, but one time he did the whoa straight and I praised him a lot for that. He spooked a few times and that was when someone would walk in arena and we couldn't hear them over the noise of the rain. Sometimes I think to myself that someone else must be working with him but I know they are not and he is finally starting to learn.
One thing I am confused about, I have been told different things from people about the side reins and how to adjust. Some say keep them even on both sides and some say shorter on the inside. The shorter on the inside makes more sense so he bends around you. I don't have them tight right now so he just gets a little contact.
have been trying to walk a big circle and keep him out as he is always trying to come in close. We want big circles to strengthen his stiffle. No pictures tonight, I forgot to bring the camera.

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on May 3, 2012 at 4:51pm

After a good night with Cooper my mind won't stop, thinking of things I want to do the next time LOL

I have a pair of spurs that look almost like those bumper spurs. They are in a bag somewhere probaby with the price tag still on, with the straps that hold them on too. They looked like a gentle one to use with no sharp sides on them.  I have a few pair of higher paddock boots, they are what I wore when taking lessons and my heel would still go all the way down :(  They are all so hot!! The ones I just got  on sale as they are no longer making them, Ariat Telluride H2O are hot too and they are not the insulated ones. 

I was hoping to go see Cooper tonight but have not been feeling to well the last 2 days. The few times I had fast food burgers are catching up to me Oh Oh!! I want to get to the barn early on Saturday and go outdoors if the weather permits.

Comment by Cyndi on May 3, 2012 at 8:37am

I definitely understand the "practice, practice"  :o)

Comment by Jackie Cochran on May 2, 2012 at 4:57pm

I use the laced paddock boots (made for jodhpurs, not breeches) and lace them up tight to help stabilize my ankles.  I know these are English, but hey, if they work so what.  They go up just over the rider's ankle, leaving the calf uncovered by the boot.

I remember from long ago a Western stirrup that you could make longer to mount and then click up with the foot to shorten the length.  Could not a rider have it short to mount and then get it into the long position?  I don't know, just something that popped into my head.

You also might want to look into BUMPER SPURS, these are Western, totally non-sharp, and you just have to bring your leg toward the horse, the bumper part goes to the inside and extends inward about an inch.  That way you would not have to bring your heels in as far to touch his side.  If you can move your toes out/heel in these spurs work quite well without abusing the horse at all, especially at a walk!  I rode sensitive Arabs with them and those horses did not get upset at all when my feet had "accidents" and touched them when I had not planned on using the spur.

Keep up the good work.  Riding horses makes life worth living. 

Comment by Coopersmom_1958 on May 2, 2012 at 12:47pm

It is hard to remember everything. It would probably be better if I could lower the stirrups a hole but then I can't get my leg over the cantle to get on Cooper. When I push down my feet go forward, I don't have control over the real foot either, can't push on the ball or stand on toes, that's why it always looks like I have so much of a heels down position with the right foot. Maybe I need a boot with a lot of ankle support to keep my foot stiff in the correct position but then they are so hot! I have no calf muscles to press Coopers sides with so have to use my heels. Then the artificial one is the whole lower leg and that is always pressing on his side, making him crooked. I was trying to hold my belly button in and push my seat pockets in the saddle (western).  Also try to bring my legs back from the hip and stop bringing them up in the fetal position. My coach when I took Level 1 lessons  would show me by pushing my leg back to where it was to go, as soon as she let go, BOING, it went forward again LOL. Life long learning and practice to to train and develop muscles. It's good I have Cooper to do this.

I am going to try to do a lot of walk and try to work on these things, loved your blog "Walking is Good for the Horse".

I was told that if Cooper is lame (not a bad lame) that a walk is still alright for him. I think that my crookedness might be causing him to be off. When the other boarder rode him the other night bareback she said she could feel him crooked under her and also that he would push his right shoulder out when going to the left. That must be from me, poor boy.

Comment by Jackie Cochran on May 2, 2012 at 11:13am

Don't feel like you're the only one Margaret, I am still working on my leg position every ride.  And practice does make it better.

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