Sneaky little Tinker

Soooo another week has passed and the lungeing has been going well. Another great Lungeing sessio n with Tori and now......the rot sets in.

Firstly we are stable bound and have been for a week as the fields are sodden :(

Sundays lesson had himself working very well in the pessoa but going very lazy so we introduce some tactful use of the lunge whip to encourage him to go forward.

With Tori Rendle My Trainer

Training your Handler

Monday not so good and I started to think he was lame on one rein but only slightly I pushed on and he looked better. I couldnt pick up the lunge whip as he kept tanking off so I eased off and I was worried he may have worked too hard on Sunday.

Tuesday he was really naughty and kept shooting off and I couldnt used the lunge whip.

Now I should point out I am not lifting it up and cracking it or anything like that. I have it in the centre of the school and I just bend down to pick it up and keep it low. Even bending down he shoots off

So the question is it pain ?

Wising Up

Wednesday I was tough. For once I had a decent nights sleep. So I started off carrying the lunge whip commenced on his easy rein then swapped to the tough rein. It soon became very apparent that what we are dealing with is quite a naughty boy. He was throwing his head up and tanking off in canter and it was all beacuse he was trying to evade the pessoa so.... did I stop and say there there little horse? No I did not and he started to work a lot better.

Back to the easy rein and the little tinker tanked off and sort of struck out with his left fore. Striking out with his left fore is his answer to everything it is his tantrum aid. So I just said get on with it. We finished off back on the tough rein and then cooled down. Point made Charlie No pain No Gain honey.

Lesson learnt

a) He is not frightened of the lunge whip he knows it means he has to work.

b) he is not lame he is stiff and is trying to evade stretching that which must be stretched.

c) He has got me sussed and is trying to train me

Monday Solo

God what a Star my Charlie is but maybe thats why he is called Loughgowna Star. To day we pessoa'd without the safety net of Tori Rendle to support us and she has taught us well. That really was a good move dragging her in for when I started working as I feel confident and know aht we are setting out to achieve.

Charlie was like a very big handsome clockwork mouse he must have been paying attention yesterday. Didnt work him too hard but had some stonking trot on both reins without and with the bit attached to the pessoa he is already understanding the job expected of him and looks for instruction as we go back into walk.

Am I staying walking or am I halting to change the rein.

Sorry no photos Harriet has some from Saturday if she ever gets to post them for me I will put them up..

Sunday and We Trotted

Today really is Sunday as I post this on the same day I am blogging about. We had a lesson booked today with Tori Rendle and I must admit I was thinking several thoughts
 a) how will we fill up a 45 minute slot with 10 mins lunge and
b) will we dare trot.

Well what can I say we discussed the fitting and use of the pessoa, we fitted the badly designed cavesson I had bought and we discussed warm up and cool down but most of all WE TROTTED.

Charlie was brilliant a little bit anxious but very good we trotted on both reins with just the sheep on his bum and then we finished off attaching the front of the Pessoa and did trot work on both reins and he was a very good boy.

He got quite sticky so I am going to have to consider clipping at some point!

Freedom!

Friday at Last

Well I say Friday at last but typically being me I am posting this on Sunday. Charlies first experience on turnout and lungeing was not as hoped for.

Firstly lungeing. Started off just in the roller and long side reins and he was ok until I asked for trot- he went ape shit leapt in the air and plunged a few times inviting me for skiing lessons.

Changed the rein and asked for the same thing same reaction. It may appear dumb but I wanted to know if he felt different on the other rein.

Gave the beast his breakfast rugged up and prepared to turn him out he was great walking down the  track to his field but went ballistic when I let him go and careered around with his two pals.

Here is a link to photos of the boys Charlie being the one in red

Cautious Saturday

After the hooliganism of Friday we took things low key on Saturday. I put Charlie in the pessoa but only put the sheep across the back and had the remaining straps hooked to the roller. I just concentrated on getting Charlie walking calmly on a circle and left it at that. Turnout too was much easier and no shenannigans.

Explosive Wednesday Chilled Thursday

Explosive Wednesday

Well, Charlie, It says on the instructions controlled exercise walk in hand 30 minutes.
Nowhere does it say explode while your owner has her back turned setting the timer. Nor does it say piss of round the school with the lunge line chasing you and you did not have to change rein and charge off in the other direction the lunge line was NOT going to eat you.

Anyway it was a lush canter and you looked very handsome.

Chilled Thursday

The last of our walking in hand days and Charlie was an absolute poppet again no surprises or explosions. Bring on tomorrow....I think.

Preparing for Sunday

Schooling Standing Still ?

Friday is Freedom day for Charlie so Sunday we have our first lesson in a Pessoa booked with  Tori Rendle. We have never lunged in a Pessoa before so it makes sense to start out correctly and then Tori can help me with ground work as well so by the time I vault back in the saddle Charlie and I will be brilliant!.

Today we did schooling standing still :). I have already faffed around his bottom with the lunge line as I hear tell some horses cant cope in a Pessoa but this afternoon we popped the lunge Cavesson on (not sure about the fit here but its very pretty Havana Leather and Brass!).

Then we put the bargain Mark Todd roller on seemed absolutely fine and then we popped the Pessoa loose on his back and dropped the sheepskin part over his bum. All absolutely fine rattled and jangles the ropes no reaction.

Put it all away and then thought I'll trim those hairy ears. Got my step and a pair of scissors ....Oh no you dont! Keep away from the ears so I had to give him a head rub instead I will sneak up on the ears another time.

So bring on the weekend!

Countdown to Freedom

Nearly There

Well not long now Charlie the patient is doing well. It would appear his naughtiest is afternoon yards when he knows everyone is coming in and he can get quite silly. So glad I am doing morning walking.

So here we are its Tuesday and he can be turned out at the end of the week and start lungework.

Walking is now at 30 minutes and I am including turns and small circles and changes of pace involving very fast walk and very slow walk and halt transitions at markers.

Waiting for an explosion with Elvis

Today, I decided, was the day for Charlie to have a roll in the school. At the end of our 30 minutes I gave him a treat and removed his bridle. I wandered off to give him space.

Then I waited and waited and.....waited.

Charlie stood next to the stool with my mobile phone sat on it blaring out Elvis indicating the 30 minute walk alarm had gone off. I went up patted him and said its ok you can go have a roll.

He gave me a look which indicated Elvis is singing its time to go back to my hotel room which we duly did.

Just one more week

Cant believe its nearly 10 days since I posted. Well the Dude is chilled really laid back has had the odd blip in his walking but nothing that you would worry about.

We had our 2 week check up on Friday and all was ok. We are keeping the dressing on for an extra week just in case and that is due to come off tomorrow then Hoorah 1 more week and he can have turnout.

We have a nice little routine going but I cant help but worry he is a little spoilt. We sing nursery Rhymes to walk to and he knows exactly when his stable is ready to move back into after I have mucked out and tells me.

Currently on about 25 minutes walking in hand.