Just A Little Love

Yesterday I was alone for over an hour with the horses. I normally do not like to work with Ink without someone there. Errika, I will because that’s just how I feel and am with her. But it would be stupid of me to work him alone. I’m still learning about him, our trust in eachother is still building, and his feelings of me are as well, still building. I was giving him a bath before Matt left while Errika stood by us. I try to give them both something to do at every moment. If I’m working with Ink, I’ll have Errika out in the arena or turned out in one of the small fields/areas up by the barn. Sometimes I’ll have Matt warm her up for me or cool her down so I can start or finish up with Ink. It works out well, but yesterday Ink was really ‘into’ her and he was more comfortable with her nearby and I felt like we could relax and get down to grooming. Not avoiding anything by any means, just finding a good balance for all of us while the building is going on.

The way I see it, is I want my horses to be comfortable. That way when we do things together we are happier and more in-tune with eachother. If I asked something of Ink while he was not comfortable, there wouldn’t be much accomplished in a good sense, for the both of us. At this stage in our relationship with eachother, the situation needs to be as comfortable as possible for the both of us so we can slowly build trust. Then you bring in all the little, obtainable, goals and challenges in. You cannot go at it, full steam ahead in most cases, or else you’re going to end up with a horse with a lack of confidence, trust in it’s handler, and confused perspective. Well at least that’s what I’ve observed.

Tonight was just great. The barn was a little loud today. My younger brother and his friend (don’t get those two teenagers together!) were just annoying, being boys I guess. Ink spooked at the cows on the way up to the barn. I need to get closer to him. When I sense that he is nervous I try to relax myself, but then I tend to back away to give him space if and when he does spook. I always get this worst-case senario in my head, “what if..” But he needs me to pet him, sooth him and relax him. I do my best and often times he does confide in me (which is awesome). I usually talk him down, but I need to do more than that.

I had him on the hot walker by the cows and pigs. It’s in the area right next to where the noisy pigs and frisky cows are. He snorted and spooked, but it was a good learning experience. He respects the hot walker, so I wasn’t worried about him pulling back or anything like that. He walked around and I talked to him, and soon enough he was gaining his confidence in the situation and relaxing. He’s a smart horse, he has horse ’street smarts.’ After walking in both directions I turned him loose in that area to graze. He didn’t spook at all while he was in there, which was great.

I free-lunged Errika in the round pen over some ground poles. She was a sweetie as always, trying so hard. She corrects herself beautifully. Sometimes while she’s trotting, she’ll come up short, and have to quickly act and pick up the back leg. She’s been getting really good at knowing her distance and really trying hard. I’m so proud of her!

Later on, I rode her while the sun was setting. Just casually trotting around I added some bending and leg-yields in there ;).

Tonight I felt like Ink and built on our trust and I felt like our friendship had also went up.. These feelings are really amazing and give meaning to the whole purpose of life :).

Welcome to the World

I had two encounters today.. One was interesting and worth an eye covering, and the other was beautiful altogether. First, since it was the first encounter of the day, was with Ink. My mom, younger brother, and I were walking out to get the horses. Then Ink started making his manly whinny..that kind of whinny… and mounted Errika. The first words out of my mouth were, “Oh my gosh..” I just couldn’t believe he did, or would. The owner of the place has seen him mount her before when they were turned out together. I’ll spare the details. We got to their gate and he still was..in the mood.. He made more deep manly whinnies and acted like he was going to do it again. I’ve never owned a gelding before Ink, so I don’t know if this is natural or not, for them. We were and are thinking he is proud cut. He was acting a little unpredictable when I brought him out, but he settled down once we got to the barn. I put him in his old stall/paddock while I messed with Errika. The wash/tie rack is right next to his paddock, so he stood there making more deep noises and smelling her.

I decided to ride Errika. I would have preferred to ride Ink, but he’s not doing anything under saddle until the chiropractor comes out. I knew it wasn’t going to be the best day to ride, but hey it’s all in the challenge. It felt amazing getting in my Dressage saddle, I call the back saddle, because I have been riding bareback for a while now. The girth fit fine, because Errika has put on some pounds. Errika was evading my seat, leg and hands. So it wasn’t the easiest day to practice communication. But we did manage to do some nice extended trotting.. Her extended trot is beautiful, not the easiest to ride, but warmblood movement worthy. After about 10minutes I took her into the round pen where I had some poles. I did walking and trotting over those, made patterns, asked her to turn on the forehand and haunches over them, which was great. But she had tunnel vision so I didn’t feel like we were really settling into the work at hand.

After I was done with Errika, I had my mom untack and groom her while I took Ink out. I too, brought him into the arena to do some ground work. It was perfect because the round pen has grass in it, so we were able to practice that. He has improved a lot on his ground manners and respect of who is handling him. I did some pole work with him too. I had him back over poles, which is a new thing we’re doing, and some other various patterns. He was way more in-tune than Errika was, but his mind was a little off because he knew that Errika was at the barn..

I told you I had two encounters today. The second one was… Cinda’s baby was born!! He’s a handsome little palomino =D! He was loping around and bucking. I got some good pics of them. He was born Saturday.

Mud Slickers

I guess I’ll get to the point. I don’t want to make a seemingly bad thing, be the whole point of this post, but in keeping with honesty and the fact that I just cannot keep these until the end, I’ll say it now. Ink charged at me today. He didn’t catch me off gaurd really, but I wasn’t prepared for it. He’s never done this before, so my reaction was to back off and almost fall in the slippery mud. I probably looked like a dumb person out there, but oh well.

It was raining today. I am disappointed that it did, for Ink’s sake. I really didn’t/don’t want to put him in again. I am and was hoping that he will be turned out from now until this fall. But the rain came today. I didn’t have a chance to go by yesterday or last night to put their blankets on because it was my brothers’ birthday thing, and we were out of town. Matt said that he didn’t think it was going to rain that hard at all, just a little drizzle. But it rained pretty good, enough to get the field a little muddy. In case you’re wondering and haven’t read past posts, Ink got an abscess last year around fall/winter time and has been in since then, and we have been avoiding the mud for that reason. Otherwise he’d be out, being a horse, and not stuck in a stall he was never ment to live in.

When Matt and I got over there later in the afternoon, Ink and Errika were playing. Not always are you able to catch these moments in person. I’ve never seen Ink rear or jump off the ground, all fours, and strike. But today I had my chance. He was really feeling his oats! He would jump off the ground, spring in the air, and strike up and out. Of course I didn’t have my camera then, to get some shots..

Matt and I played with the horses out there for a little while. I had planned on bringing both the horses up for a grooming and then when they dried, to be blanketed, but Ink was enjoying his time and we were having fun. The rain slowed to a light drizzle. Matt and I brought Errika up to the barn, I figured I would spend some time with her and she could eat her grain up there too. Matt had to leave for work, so I was left solo with my dog.

I made up the kids’ grain, gave Errika her’s and then walked back to give Ink his. My little dog Sophie came along this trip to see the horses. So the two of us walked to the back, and we hung out there for a little while. I spent my time taking pictures of both Sophie and Ink. The one above was taken today at that time as well. Here are todays’ shots;

To Expect?

For the next few days, things should be going the same as usual. I can’t garuntee the most interesting updates. Everyday I try to work on building that solid foundation on the ground with Ink, and that’s what we will be doing until it is the appropriate time for under saddle work. He’s a whole different horse under saddle. Really it’s amazing, so calm and patient, he likes to be in-tune with you. Normally on the ground he is such the observer. Not spooky, but just likes to casually look at things and observe them. Horses are quick reaction animals, where as humans sit and think about something. Well Ink sits and thinks about it. I brought out a large plastic bag, the bag that the shavings came in, and I wanted to work with Errika. Matt was walking Ink around and then Matt decided to bring him up to smell it. Well Ink too charge, his head lowered, the happiest expression, and walked right up to the bag to smell it. After five seconds, he got bored with it, and decided he wanted to walk away and do something else. I’m in love with his personality, he’s so fun to work with.

Waiting..

I tried my close contact on Errika. It’s Ink’s saddle, I do like it. It’s just not the most comfy thing you’ve ever ridden in. I fit OK on her. I won’t be using it regularly or anything like that, probably not at all. But I was thinking of using it for the Easter day, since I need a new girth for her saddle. I had my shoes on, and some kind of short jeans on, so my leg was getting rubbed to death by the jeans’ friction against the saddle. Err, not the best situation. I didn’t plan on riding, or even trying the saddle, it was a spur of the moment type thing.

My mom, Matt and I went to Petsmart. The shelves weren’t as stocked up as usual, but I did find some bargains. I found a nice durable material fly sheet in the blanket bin, for $30. It has 3 rips, so I got it at almost 60% off the sale price. I was looking at tall boots, and saw new ones for $70, I really liked them. But they were too long. Pooh, they were pretty nice too. Oh well, my hole-soled boots are the best, and will do me fine until a new pair comes along. I needed new riding pants. My full-seat breeches have a tear (that grows every ride) in the under area. I bought a pair of the X-Wear Devon-Aire’s Hipsters. That was the most expensive item! There goes my helmet fund. Trying to save for a GPA helmet.. But I think that savings just went crashing down ;).

The Ink was great today. This would be our year.. But he’s still not sound. When Stanley comes over next for their trimming, I’ll have him evaluate his ground manners to see if he is ready for the chiropractor to come over. I think he’s ready. You can tell Ink’s back is out of whack. The croup area is raised a little bit and not completely aligned. Poor guy. He moves beautifully, can’t imagine what he’ll look like once he gets adjusted.

The two horses got a good grooming today, and then I turned Errika out with him. Tomorrow she’ll go back in.

The Sweet Spot

Video: Join Up [ Errika and I join up ]The other day (forgot to mention this is the last post) I found Ink’s sweet itchy spot. It’s right under his belly, and the low sides. He’s like a dog, haha. He’ll lift his back leg for you, stretch his neck out, pucker his upper lip forward, and even twitch. This has been a great thing for the grooming. Now he finally realizes the true enjoyment and fun of daily grooming! Ink has been much better with his bevahior while grooming. He loves it, didn’t think I would see that day this soon, but it’s happend! Yesterday he let Matt and I groom, and groom him. You wouldn’t believe how much hair came off of him this time.. Gah.. Just keeps coming.

Yesterday I turned Errika out in the arena and went back to get Ink. He was antsy, and kept walking the fenceline looking towards the arena. Maybe he wanted to see Errika? Not sure really, what it was. He finally decided that he wanted to be haltered and came to the gate. I didn’t want to rush the situation and let him come to me when he wanted too. Matt at this time, had put Errika in the round pen. I let Ink visit with her briefly on our walk up to the barn. It was obvious she was in heat.. I turned Ink out in the arena to play while I worked with Errika. Ink didn’t do much playing, he whinnied and walked and then galloped around. Whinning is unusual for him, and I don’t know what or to who he was actually whinning too. Maybe the preganat mare he is buddies with? Or maybe Errika? It wasn’t clear.

I had Matt bring the poles to the round pen so I could work Errika over those in there. Change of situation, and the constant turn, turn, turn was good for her. She did fantastic today over the poles. An improvement from Tuesday.

After I was done with that, I had Matt walk Errika out. He took her on a walk around the property. I brought Ink to the barn and started grooming him. He must have felt abandoned by Errika, who was at this point far off on the property. Where Ink was standing tied he could see Errika beyond the arena and the pasture where the cows were. He whinnied to her, and started moving about. I talked to him and itched his sweet spot until Errika came back. Matt ground tied her by the trailer, 20 feet from Ink. Then Matt helped me groom Ink. His whole body was dried sweat, and it took a lot of good currying to get him cleaned up.

Positive Outlook

A lot has happened since my last update, with the horses. Over the weekend, (was it sunday?) Ink fell in the barn. It was very scary, and I was so upset with myself that it happened. He was really excited, and there were a few guys building a overhang carport thing for the owner of the barn, and the noise didn’t help much. He was excited but acting responsive, but I wanted to test him and see how he reacted. We’ve been working on the coming-out-of-stall manners, and it was going pretty well. I had Matt bring him out while I stood there, seeing how he would behave. But he didn’t do good, and I took the lead. He made a quick turn while spooking and fell to his side. I was so scared he might have broken a rib, or something. But he got up and stayed close to me. I think it scared him too.. Poor guy, I was so nervous the rest of the day. I jump to conclusions, to the worst, when something like that happens. But I turned him out in the arena, and he ran and bucked as usual. I’m always worrying about him. He means so much to me and I just don’t know his ways yet, not his behavioral ways, but his health ways. Of course I think about Errika, but I don’t worry like I do with Ink.

I’ve been over with them everyday and making sure they get fulfilling days. And good news…Ink was turned out! The field is fairly dried up, and it’s been rather warm, so out he went. He’s been much easier to handle, work with, and as expected he is happy and positive. The morning after he was turned out with Errika, the owner of the barn called to say the gate between the two fields (one field is occupied by a pregnant mare) was broken (off the latches rather) and the horses were to together. Ink quickly bonded with the pregnant mare and stood close to her, as if he was protecting her. He’s such a love. The pregnant mare was acting really unpredictable and weird, so we didn’t attempt to halter her. We separated them with grain and got both Ink and Errika out, and then lured the mare back to her field with some more grain. I placed Ink in another small field while Matt fixed the gate. That field is right next to the cows’ pasture.. That ought to be interesting.. And it was! The herd came right over to Ink, and one cow in particular walked right up to the fence and the two smelled noses. Ink is skeptical of cows anyway, but once they quickly became buddies, Ink stood right next to the fence with that cow.

During one of the hot days last week, I have Ink and Errika a quick bath. Ink loved it, as he usually does, and you wouldn’t believe all the clumps of hair that came off of him.. It was gross.. The next day I came to find him looking ragity, because I didn’t have time to groom him well when he dried. So I spent the next day grooming him. It took about a good hour to get him grooming well. We worked on his biting, moving and kicking during grooming. He’s really funny because I will say, “NO!” stomp my foot, and stiffen my body and he will pin his ears and act, ‘grrr, fine…’ He just can’t stand being told what to do. Then he will put his ears forward, act happy, and look into the distance, and sometimes he will look up at the barn..laaadeeda.. Haha, it’s really funny to see him acting like that. Such a character. He really doesn’t want to be mean, but he never was given a reason not to be before he came to me. I’m teaching him, well hoping, the good in life. No need to be defensive or grumpy, life can be good with the good from each-other in everyday life.

His ground manners are improving so much. I love my Ink, he’s too sweet for words. I can just see him now, trotting around like a gentlemen with a bouncing six year old with a huge smile on his back. I couldn’t imagine what this horse would be like if he didn’t have the racing background, sure there are some benefits, but Ink would be one amazing horse. Of course he is now! But he wouldn’t have a negative background and outlook, nor the aches and pains from the track. He’s always been the underdog, and he will get there one day, standing above the rest. I know we boast about our horses, all are amazing, but he just gives me this crazy feeling inside. There is a hidden beauty, a legend, a soul that only comes around once in a while.

I am though happy that he does need work. It makes it all the better, what would be horses without the hard work? What would be the glory of every moment without achieving something together?

**
In preparing for Easter, I put Errika in Ink’s stall. I’m going to be moving her around randomly to get her used to difference in situation. I wonder what it’s going to be like on Easter.. Errika really looks to me, but it will be interesting to see how she acts. I still want to bring Ink.. That would be loads of fun! But not sure yet. My mom talked to my other aunt today and she said she and her family were going as well. I wasn’t expecting that, but it makes it all the better!! I’m going to see if we can bring Ink… I’ll need to go see the property first, if it’s adequate. I don’t know how he’ll act though. He might be cool as a cucumber. He was pretty well behaved the first day I brought him to the barn, still being high from the track.
**

My brothers’ birthday is coming up, and I decided to get him a banner done for his racing. A banner he can hang in his race trailer at the races. I have to come up with a logo and everything.. Today we went to the place that makes them (the lady was so nice and helpful!) and I got an idea as to what I’m going to do. We’re going tomorrow to go over the initial logo and see what we can do. His birthday is on Sunday, and then Saturday we will be racing somewhere. You’d think horses keep me busy enough, but lately it’s been days with the horses, nights at the race shop.

Easter Plans

I’m so excited! I even wanted to go to the craft store to buy ribbon, but I resisted, don’t want to get too ahead of myself.

What is it that I am excited about? Oh gee.. My aunt called early this afternoon. She lives about 20mins from us. Anyway she called to figure plans out for Easter. My mom’s side of the family really doesn’t get together much, since my grandma died. I love my aunt Shell, she’s a really fun gal, and I really relate to her. I was happy to hear she called. She wanted to make plans with my mom for Easter. My aunt lives on a ranch of sorts, and apparently it has 5 acres of property.. You can probably already guess what I’m thinkin’ ;D.

She told my mom I could bring Errika! I was beside myself when my mom told me. I can’t wait to show my family this special horse and spend a whole day riding in the open fields..

I want to put ribbons in her mane and tail.. I’m already planning..

My little second-cousins will be there, so if Errika behaves like a lady, she’ll be totting around the little ones for rides. How fun!

I want to bring Ink with me, but I don’t know what is on the property.

I just can’t wait, this will be so much fun for the both of us.

*****

I wanted to ask once again, to the readers, if any of you would be interested in white-tee’s or polo’s with the InkEq logo on it? They would be $6 - $13 per shirt. Interested? The logo will be embroidered. Even if you’re not sure about purchasing one, what do you think of the idea? The money will of course go to my horse fund. So not only will you be getting a nice shirt or polo, you will also be supporting my horses!

Warm Weather

The last two days I haven’t been able to really get Ink out for a lengthy amount of time. I do like to get him out everyday for turnout. The fields are drying up and I’m playing on turning him out next week if the weather stays this warm. We’ve had beautiful days, in the eighties, and it’s the perfect summer tease! Great for riding and playing with your horses. The days are now longer, and it’s a refreshing change. I can now fill my day up with some other things and not have to rush over to make time with the horses. Before I would have to be over there by at least three, to really get enough in with the horses. I can’t wait to turn Ink out again! He’s going to be full of himself when he finally gets to enjoy the days out in the sun.

For the first time in a long time I wore shorts! I loved finally being able to get out of those jeans and into a nice pair of shorts.

The past two days I’ve gone over to give Ink his grain and clean his stall. I didn’t turn him out either days because I didn’t have enough time to. But I did manage to open his stall door that goes to his little paddock. He loves observing, so he spent most of his time looking and listening. Oh, then he threw a few good bucks in there. Couldn’t have been an Ink moment without a least a few bucks!

I’ve upped his calorie supplement, the cool calories, to two scoops daily. Matt offered to go over there in the morning before school, to give him an additional scoop and grain, but I haven’t really decided yet if I want to add in another scoop or not. I want to see how he does on two and then if need be, add another, and feed that separately than what he gets at night.

Errika looks great these days. Her coat is so shinny and smooth, close to being shed out. Her overall condition is great and she sure has the energy as a horse half her age. She’s never been one to buck, but believe it or not she threw a good one a few weeks ago, the first in almost 3 years! The Equine Senior has been doing good for her. I’ve been wetting it down before I feed her because (like I’ve said before) it helps with digestion and getting the best out of it.

There is this new trainer at the place next door, and he is really nice. I’ve only seen him work horses a few times, but I like how he approaches them. He seems very in tune and wanting to work for the horse, instead of vice versa. I might ask him to come over and help me with Ink, but I’m really picky on how people approach certain situations. I love Stanley, because he approaches with a kind, calm, and gentle eye. There is no forcing and that is really important to me. Ink really does want to work, I see it in him. We just have to show him what it is to be a horse and have a friendship filled with trust and correct communication.

I know I could do wonders with him, if he knew how to go in a round pen. Most horses will move off of pressure, but Ink, he will move into pressure. For example, I put him in the round pen. He doesn’t pay attention to me, I try to pressure him using my body and the whip. If I’m consistent he will turn towards me with a good expression and come to me, then walk off. I’m confused.. I need help.

The Days

So I’ve been thinking. I feel like I’m rambling off like some pre-teen with an ‘ooo’ ‘ahhh’ perspective on horses and working with them. I thought, beings as I feel like that’s the message I get from readers, I would tell everyone this thing that’s been bugging my mind.

There are these horse folk neighbors by the barn where Ink and Errika are living. I won’t bore you with the personal feelings on them. But I can tell you, I feel like they are watching me for their own self enjoyment. Watching me make mistakes so they can critique and indulge themselves in the fact that they might inevitably not make the mistakes I do, with their horses. I always feel like I’m being watched, and it gets so frustrating. The man is that kind of person. He judges and judges, and then acts like he is all high and mighty. I get a kick out of people like that, beyond the annoyance and frustration honestly, but this is where it gets sticky. I’m a young horse gal with tons of dreams and goals with horses. He’s above me, older and wiser. Yes even though he may be full of himself, I do fully respect the fact that he is above me in knowledge and understanding.

What heightened this feeling of mine, is the fact that he made some snide remarks to my mom and then walked off giggling making another remark about my dad. I guess high success is the only reason for understanding and properly judging people? My parents are good people, but again this man shows his immaturity and lack of self-confidence, by having the need to make these remarks. Otherwise any intelligent and respectful human being would have no need to fill sullen gaps in their confidence.

I’m trying hard to work with Ink. But it seems if you aren’t the best in anyones eyes (no matter who that may be) you know nothing. Horse people are the worst of their kind. They (generally) all (yes we all have those moments from time to time) act like they know better than you. Speaking from situations which they only see from a distance. The best of the horsemen out there aren’t like that. But as it is with many other industries, for every one great horsemen you have a thousand bad ones. I’ve always believed in the fact that, if you negatively judge a person on what they don’t know in the horse industry, you are at fault with yourself. Because no one knows everything, and probably never will. The good riders and horsemen take time to learn and understand.

I’m not a novice at horses or riding. But sometimes I feel like, because I don’t have this easy horse, I am viewed as such. I’d like to invite those neighbors over to ride Errika. It’s not easy. Then I have Ink. That neighbor has these nice little Quarter Horses (I’m not by any means discrediting QH’s) to work with. If I had one of those too, I’d probably think grand of myself. Well probably not, I’m not like that. I’m sure they all have their quirks, all horses do, but I’d like to see him attempt a ottb like Ink. It’s not easy by any means. I’m not giving credit to myself for any work I have done, but I am giving credit to the situation and how truly, hard work it really is. Ink may not be a stallion, Ink may not be this or that. But he is, who he is. I’m trying really hard, I love him, I do my best for him. And before someone goes to tell me that I’m too novice for him, I’m doing well with him. We are learning. I’m new at OTTB’s, hey we all have to start somewhere. Meet me, meet my horses, know the situation and then please give me all the advice you got! I’m open to hearing anything!

Well I’ll get off my little soap box now. I’m starting to feel like that man, and I don’t like it.
____

I managed to get Ink out on Saturday without problems. I could see the improvement, and he was more responsive to me and my space. We had a little squabble when we got next to the arena. There is lush green grass just at his hooves (literally!), and a few times he couldn’t resist. I had to correct him, by getting his head out of the grass, and then asking him to back a few steps and stand. He had to stand their quietly, again a very hard thing for him to do. If he moved and inch in any direction I would ask him to back again, saying “no” in a firm voice. I love the fact that he is so responsive to my body, he is getting really good at that. Sometimes he’ll try to fight me, and push me around, but once he’s finished with either playing his little game or realizes I’m not going to stand for it, he will listen. The whole ‘testing’ thing is always something he will try to do. I’m learning as always, it’s exciting, because I can see, feel and sense him growing. But I also see that in myself.