Training Horse Profile: Annie

 

Training Goals:

• Groundwork
• Start under saddle
• Desensitizing to a variety of environments

Annie is a 5-year-old Quarter Horse mare.  She was bred and raised by her owner and is now ready to be started for his teen granddaughter as her new horse.  While she is very laid back and good-minded, Annie had never been off the farm before.  Her first ride in the trailer was to bring her to me.

This mare picked up everything so quickly and was so level-headed in the arena.  She took to a rider the fastest and more easily than almost any other horse I've worked with.  She struggled much more out in the open country and was one of the more spookier horses on a trail ride.  She definitely kept me focused out there!

Day 1: Lyra was very upset when I took Annie out of her lot and took her to the round pen.  She spent the entire training session galloping around the pasture (even though I was working with Annie a mere 30 yards from Lyra's fence).  All of the galloping made Annie nervous but we were able to work through it and establish ground manners.  Worked on lunging, yields, and lowering her head.  She was a little pushy but not bad for her first day.  When I went to put her back in her lot, she bolted out as I was closing the gate and it took awhile to catch her.

Day 2: Annie was more relaxed today.  She lunged will, yielded decently, and responded well to the plastic bag desensitizing good except when shaking it behind her head.  She was a little unsure about the saddle pad.

Day 3: Her yields were good and she lunged well once I got her moving out in the circle.  She reared briefly when I asked her to move out.  She took the surcingle and saddle pad well and I sat the the saddle on her back.

Day 4: Vet was here today to do some routine work on several horses.  Annie got her coggins pulled and stood well for the vet.

Day 5: Had to switch some horses around over the weekend which resulted in Annie being in a lot that required me to lead her across a small creek to get to the round pen.  She would not get anywhere near the creek as she would panic as soon as she felt the bank sloping down (she lived in a small dirt lot).  Since we couldn't leave, we did ground work in her lot!

Day 6: Reviewed yields, backing, surcingle, and lunging.  Saddled her up for the first time and she was not concerned about it at all.  Lunged her with the plastic bag and rock jug and she handled it very well.

Day 7: Reviewed ground work and then saddled her up.  Lunged her with the rock jug tied onto the saddle, alternating sides and positions on the saddle.  No spooks or bucks!  Introduced her to the bit.

Day 8: Using the surcingle today.  Lunged her with the plastic bag tied on alternating sides and she did not spook at all.  Introduced bit pressure using the side reins.

Day 9: She was a little more on edge when I brought her out (the boys had been neighing a bunch at Lyra), but she saddled and lunged well.  Continued bit work, focusing on flexing to each side.  She was resistant to flexing but starting to catch on.  I also stood in the stirrup and she did not have much of a reaction.  She was a stinker with picking up her front feet and kept trying to lay down 😂 

Day 10: She was more cooperative with her front feet today.  She responded to the bit better today and was good with me standing in the stirrup.

Day 11: Planning on her first ride today! Reviewed ground work and bit pressure, as well as lunging her under saddle.  She had a brief side spook when we first started moving but otherwise her first ride was pretty uneventful and she walked around quietly.

Day 12: 2nd ride.  Rode at the walk and trot.  No issues but it took a lot of leg to keep her going.  Worked on backing and flexing.

Day 13:  3rd ride.  Lots of leg needed to maintain walk and trot.  Started working on hindquarter pivots.

Day 14:  Rode walk and trot today.  Completed hindquarter pivots decently. Started working on forehand pivots.  Maintained trot better but quit in the turns.

Day 15: First canter today!  Less leg needed to maintain the walk and trot.  Hindquarter pivot was decent and forehand pivot was ok.  Cantered briefly on the left lead.

Day 16:  Annie was much responsive to leg.  Walk, trot, and canter on the left lead.  Her hindquarter pivots were good and her forehand pivots were better.  She backed well but didn't really give to the bit pressure.  Maintained trot better through turns.

Day 17:  Rode walk, trot, and canter.  She was very resistant against the bit today and refused to back.

Day 18: Rode walk, trot, canter.  Switched up her bit and she was much more giving to the bit pressure. Backed up much better and gave to the bit.  Began working on the side pass.

Day 19:  Rode again in new bit and she did well.

Day 20: Switched her back into the snaffle and  rode walk, trot, and canter.  She picked up the right lead correctly about 50% of the time.  Rode her outside of the round pen for the first time.  She was scared of the frog pond and very nervous by the big pond.  Lead her across the bridge. 

Day 21: Rode walk, trot, and canter.  Worked on getting her to walk quietly by the canoe by the pond.  She spooked when walking by the frog pond.

Day 22:  More energetic today.  Rode walk, trot, and canter.  She rode well in the pasture and better by the pond except by the wooden bench. We were able to work though her fear and walk quietly by the bench.

Day 23:  Rode walk, trot, and canter.  She was good in the arena and side passed well to the left.  She didn't want to leave the pasture, but once we made it out she was more relaxed than yesterday.  Rode across the bridge and rode in the flat on the other side of the creek.

Day 24: Really struggled to pick up the right lead today.

Day 25: Annie was a little impatient after Whiskey left this morning.  Reviewed ground exercises.  Put her to work on the lunge line to work on picking up the right lead.

Day 26:  Rained a bunch so the footing was too slippery to work on the canter.  Annie backed and stopped excellently.  Pivots were good and side pass was decent.  She was a little impatient about standing after mounting, but overall she was very responsive and willing today.

Day 27:  Picked up her right lead about 75% of the time on the lunge line but was not able to pick it up under saddle.

Day 28:  Annie's owners visited to see her progress.  Annie performed well and her teen owner rode her as well.  She behaved nicely!

Day 29:  Lots of rain last night which left lots of big puddles to practice riding through!

Day 30:  Annie was feeling a little spunky today.  A few buck/spooks/bolts on the lunge line but she was good under saddle.

Day 31:  Picked up the right lead many times on the lunge line.  Under saddle, she was able to pick it up once but it was very rough.  Continued to work on her side passing.  Rode by the pond and in the flat across the creek.  She was very nervous at first but relaxed after awhile.

Day 32:  She picked up her right lead every time on the lunge line.  Was able to pick up the right lead twice under saddle.  It was rough but better than yesterday.  She side passed a little better.  She would not go out of the pasture gate so I had to back her out through the gate and down to the pond.  She kept refusing to walk forward, so we practiced lot of backing and moving off of leg.  She spooked when crossing the bridge but rode nicely through the flat until we reached a 'No Trespassing' sign.  THAT was scary.  She tried to spin around and run off and reared up when I wouldn't let her bolt off.  Eventually, we were able to work through it and walk calmly by the sign.

Day 33:  Annie was having trouble standing for saddling so I lunged her until she was ready to stand.  She picked up her right lead well on the lunge line.  Side passing left was good, right was ok.  She even picked up her right lead correctly both times.  She was hesitant to ride out of the round pen and refused to exit the pasture gate.  A crop helped to get her moving forward and I walked her in and out several times.  She was pretty relaxed on the ride by the pond.

Day 34:  She was feeling spunky today and bucked on the lunge line, but she was good under saddle.  Picked up her right lead twice.  She had a brief refusal at leaving the round pen, but once we were out she rode nicely by the pond, across the bridge, and through the flat.  She also trotted nicely along the pond.

Day 35:  Good under saddle today and had a great side pass to the left.  Rode her by the stack of tires, which was terrifying.  She also spooked at a parked 4-wheeler and I think all four of her feet left the ground when a branch brushed across my helmet 😂

Day 36:  Annie was good in the arena today.  There were new dirt piles and down trees in the small pasture so I rode her over to explore these obstacles.  She was hesitant at first but eventually walked up to everything and stepped over a log.

Day 37:  Good in the arena and good with the obstacles that we explored yesterday.  She wasn't quite as scared of the tire pile.  Worked on desentizing her to tree branches by pulling leaves as we walked by.  Went on a short trail ride and she walked through big puddles without an issue.

Day 38: Arena work- did everything well.

Day 39:  A little wild on the lunge line but rode well at the walk, trot, and canter.  Side passing was ok. Rode in the small pasture and along the pond.  She did a lot of blowing but less jittery.

Day 40:  Walk, trot, and canter no issues, side pass better.  Took her for a long trail ride through the fields.  Lots of blowing but walked steadily until we were near the hunting shack.  That got her a bit worked up until we were back down in the flat.

Day 41:  Kept trying to stop today but good side pass.  Finally was able to get her to lead across the little creek in her lot.

Day 42:  The grandfather decided it was time for his granddaughter to figure things out the rest of the way.  I rode Annie and gave her some tips and tricks for working with her and then the granddaughter rode her.  Annie behaved well and the granddaughter handled her well.  They'll have a few things to work on and figure out, but with time and hard work, they will make a great team!

I look forward to seeing pictures of the two of them next year when they start showing!

In training June 1- August 6, 2021

Horse Training Profile: Whiskey (Part 2)

Lunging with Side Reins

Day 24: Whiskey really struggled to stand still today so saddling was a bit of a chore.  Worked on desensitizing him to a rider standing in the stirrup.  Lunged with side reins and bit.

Day 25: Stood better for saddling.  Exercises with the bit went well.  Asked him to back up a few steps while I was standing in the stirrup, which went well.

Day 26:  Just used the surcingle today with the side reins.  Tied the plastic bag on each side of the surcingle while lunging.  No bolting!

Day 27:  Stood great for saddling.  Continued to work on getting him comfortable with a rider in the stirrup.  Had him take a few steps back and forward while I was standing in the stirrup.  He also did a little circle and stayed calm.  Continued to work on his bit response.

Day 28: Whiskey threw a bit of a fit while saddling today for some reason but he lunged without issue.  Hung a sandbag on the saddle to add weight and he did not like that.  He bucked hard for a few laps and then lunged calmly.  Added a sandbag to the other side of the saddle to even out the weight.  Stood in the stirrups without issue.

Lunging with Plastic Bag

Day 29: After the introduction to the sandbags, Whiskey decided that he was not a fan of the saddle.  He did not want to be anywhere near the saddle.  Once he was saddled, he lunged well and reviewed the bit exercises.  Stood in the stirrup on each side and backed him up a few steps.

Day 30: Difficult to saddle once again but eventually got it done.  Put the sandbags on once again and he exploded into his bronc moves.  I was certainly glad I wasn't on his back!  He was able to buck the bags off so we (Hubs was helping because they were HEAVY!) had to put them back on...and he bucked some more. Since the weight was concentrated mostly on his shoulders, I wanted to move the bags back further to simulate a rider in the seat.  We got the bags moved back...and he bucked some more.  Eventually, he figured out they weren't going to hurt him and went around quietly.

Day 31:  Very against saddling once again so just saddled and unsaddled him a bunch of times.

Day 32: Refusing to stand still- asked him to stand, worked him when he wouldn't, tried again.  Took quite awhile for him to decide that standing in once place was the easier option.

Day 33:  Yesterday's lesson must have stuck because he decided to stand still today!  Worked some more on his bit response and standing in the stirrup.

Lunging with Sand Bags

Day 34: He saddled well and reviewed some saddle desensitizing.  Tied plastic bag on the saddle and he was much more accepting of it than previously.  Lots of licking and chewing.

Day 35: Owner visiting. Saddled well.  Demonstrated the sandbags and although he thought about bucking for a moment, he decided that it wasn't worth the effort.  His owner was a little disappointed that she couldn't witness the show!

Day 36:  Whiskey was feeling a little ornery today about backing and moving his shoulders.  Stood in the stirrup like normal and he was reactive and threatened to buck.

Day 37: Lunged again with saddle bags.  He briefly thought about throwing a fit but wisely chose not to.  After he had gone around nicely, I took the leap and climbed on.  He stayed calm but would not move forward.  Hubs was around so he helped with the lunge whip to get him moving forward.  Walked and trotted without issue!

Success!

Day 38:  The day started out a little rough.  He refused to lead to the round pen at first and backed away.  And then spooked when going through the gate.  Lunged him and then rode at a walk.  He moved extremely slowly but responded better to leg than the first time.

Day 39: 3rd ride.  Moving forward better in the beginning but stopped going forward halfway through the session.  A tap from the crop helped get him going again.  He was resistant to the bit when asked to stop or back up. Worked on giving to the bit from the ground after the ride.

Day 40: 4th ride.  Much better at stopping and backing.  Was able to get him trotting as well.

Day 41: 5th ride.  Rode at the walk and trot.  Working on turning, stopping, and backing.

Day 42:  Whiskey was feeling a little off today.  Saddled him up like usual and started to lunge him.  He was acting a little bucky.  I loosened the cinch a little bit and then he lunged without issue, even after I tightened the cinch again.  Rode at the walk and trot and part way through he had a little episode where he sprung straight up a couple of times and then reared briefly.  After that, he behaved perfectly for the rest of the ride.

Day 43 & 44: Rode at the walk and trot.  It's always a good day when the ride is uneventful!

Day 45:  Whiskey heads home today!  I rode him for his owner and gave her some tips on working with him at home.  Whiskey gets anxious when he is by himself and can be claustrophobic, so the plan was to mildly sedate (orally) him for his hour ride home.  This was done easily when she brought him but he was not letting the tube get anywhere near him today.  After attempting for some time, I put the bit back in his mouth.  This distracted him enough from the tube and we were able to administer the sedative.

Some thoughts from his owner:

"Whiskey has been home for 3 days now and here are a few observations:

"He is noticeably more comfortable in his own skin.  I've kept him separate from the mares, and he is perfectly happy spending the day grazing on his own.  He no longer feels the need to constantly have an eye on another horse.  This is huge, especially given the extreme measures I've seen him take when isolated before.  There has been minimal anxiety from him when I re-arrange everyone in the pastures, and his attention is very easy to redirect.  I am very happy with this change.

"Secondly, his attention to me is very different- a good different.  He is far more receptive to my actions and requests.  There is less attitude, more curiosity, and his give to pressure is far less.  It's almost as if the language barrier between us has lessened and he's finally hearing me.  

"He's mellowed out... The farrier was extremely pleased with his behavior and said it was like working on an entirely different horse.

"And last but not least, his body condition.  He is in pristine condition, and for his age, this makes me very happy.  He's leaned out a lot and I can see great improvements in his movement.  This has also reflected greatly in his overall attitude.  I can tell he's feeling great and there's a happiness in his step.  Our relationship on the ground has improved greatly, and I hope it reflects when under saddle."

Training Horse Profile: Whiskey the Mustang (Part 1)

 

Training Goals:

• Start under saddle
• Think before reacting

Whiskey is somewhere between 15-18 years old, American Mustang.  It was obvious that someone had put some some solid training into him, but the extent was unknown.  He had been bounced around to several homes before his current owner took him in.

She had started working with him again and had even saddled him and sat on his back once before, but decided she needed a little help to make sure his start into the riding world was done right.

*Note: This is not an exhaustive list of everything that I did each day but an overview of the main things worked on and his response.

Day 1: As always, I started with ground work.  Whiskey was pretty responsive and definitely had done a lot of the exercises before.

Day 2: Reviewed the groundwork exercises.  Introduced my favorite training tool: the plastic bag on the whip.  He was not so much a fan of that.  Desensitized to the saddle pad.

Day 3:  Brought out the surcingle.  He stood nicely while I put it on and adjusted it so it was snug.  Then, all of the sudden, he exploded and bolted off, bucking like a bronc for quite some time.  As quickly as the episode began, it stopped and he lunged nicely for the reminder of the session.

Day 4: Today I was prepared for the bucking and it occurred exactly the same as yesterday.  Once he was done bucking though he was quite the stinker to catch.

Day 5: Suited him up in the surcingle, but no bucking today!  He lunged nicely.

Day 6: Whiskey's owner visited today to see her favorite guy.  Of course, today he decided to be impossible to catch.  Once caught, we reviewed the groundwork exercises so his owner could see them. Worked again with the plastic bag and he did so much better.  Accepted the surcingle without an issue.  Introduced him to the noisy plastic jug.

"When I arrived, he was alone in a pasture, quietly enjoying his own company.  No pacing the fence line or calling to other horses.  This was one of the first times I've ever seen him comfortable alone.  His separation anxiety has been the most difficult challenge to overcome. and here he was minding his own business.  This was a big step in the right direction.

"His desensitization work is coming along beautifully and he is facing new and scary things everyday.  Its easy to forget that horses don't come preconditioned.  They aren't born with the desire to have something wrapped around their head, waved in their face, or strapped to their backs.  Someone had to put in the time and work.  It's not easy and often it's not safe.  I am so grateful for the work @sandycreekhorsetraining has put into my little trash pony so far.  The foundation she's helping him build will open a world of opportunities for him and I."

Day 7:  Lunged, accepted surcingle, reviewed plastic bag, desensitized to whip and worked on standing still.  Placed saddle on back and desensitized to pulling girth underneath.

Day 8: Saddled him up and lunged him with no bucking!

Day 9: Saddled and lunged.  He had a short bucking episode in the middle for no apparent reason.  Tied the plastic jug to the saddle and surprisingly he did very well with it.

Lunging with the Noisy Rock Jug

Day 10: Crossed the step bridge.  Saddled him up and he had a few bucking episodes.  Feeling a little spritely after the weekend, I guess.  Lunged him with noisy jug and fitted him with the bit.

Day 11: Using the surcingle today so that I can easily attach the side reins.  He was not into standing still for some reason.  Once the surcingle was secure, I lunged him with the side reins and bit.

Day 12: Started with the surcingle again and he stood better than yesterday but not great.  He was resistant to putting the bridle on, despite molasses rubbed on the mouthpiece.  He stood well for the saddle.

Day 13: Moving around a lot again today.  Took the surcingle on and off several times until he stopped reacting to it and relaxed.  Very difficult to bridle today and would toss his head up and back away anytime the bridle came near his nose.  Stood nicely for saddling.

Day 14: Saddled, bridle, practiced standing still while weight was applied in the stirrup

Crossing the Step Bridge

Day 15: Lunge, surcingle, saddle, weight in stirrup.  Practiced putting on the bridle several times.  Got him to canter with the saddle on, which takes serious work on my part.  He will literally keep trotting faster and faster unless you chase after him.  He bucked for a couple of laps when he first broke into the canter.  Stood well for saddling.

Day 16: Surcingle, saddle, stood well, lunge. No bucking!!  Tied noisy jug at shoulder while lunging.  Stood briefly in the stirrup.  Practiced bridling several times and was much better than yesterday.

Day 17: Saddle, again stood well. lunge, took the bit pretty well, stood in stirrup briefly on both sides.

Day 18: It was very windy today and Whiskey was feeling a bit edgy.  Saddled him up like usual and he took off bucking before I had even finished securing it.  Once he calmed down and I finished securing the saddle, I lunged him and he did not buck.  Tied the jug at his flank which caused a big spook and sent him bolting and bucking around the round pen, even when it was no longer attached to him.  After he again calmed down, I re-attached it and he lunged without issue.  He took the bridle the best he has so far.

Day 19: On the chilly side for late May.  Put the surcingle on and he proceeded to buck quite a bit.  Once saddled, he did not buck at all.  This guy is a conundrum! Tied the plastic bag onto the saddle.  He was fine with it on his left side but was less sure about it on his right side.  He bolted on and off for awhile before learning that it was harmless on that side too.

Day 20: Lunge, surcingle, saddle, stood pretty well and no bucking,  took the bridle well after very brief resistance.  Stood in the stirrup on both sides.  At one point, he spooked a little when I stepped up in the stirrup and reared up briefly.

Day 21: Surcingle, saddle, lunge, no bucking, plastic bag on both sides, practiced with the bit.

Day 22: Surcingle, saddle (stood well!), lunge, no bucking, plastic bag on each side and off horn, wanted to walk and only spooked briefly a couple times, stood all the way in stirrup on both sides several seconds without him getting nervous.

Day 23: Vet visit.  Whiskey got his vaccinations and his teeth floated.  Since he's been a little challenging with the bit I wanted to rule out any possible issues in his mouth. Vet said his teeth looked healthy and there were no issues.  Vet aged him at 18.

The vet was very concerned about me getting injured when trying to ride Whiskey, due to his age and being a Mustang.  I was thinking that he was just about ready for his first ride and then the vet totally made me rethink that 😂

Stay tuned for Part 2 of Whiskey's journey!