The Equus Ink

Every day for the horse expo, I put these fancy glitter stars on Ink's butt.  For the last day, which was when the picture was taken, I decided to make a shooting star type design.  It was so cute!!

To everyone in the USA, Happy Fourth from Ink and I!  Wishing everyone a very happy and safe Holiday!

Everything else is secondary when you're riding.  It's a matter of putting everything else behind, almost instinctual to focus on that communication between you and your horse.  Sometimes it's mentally exhausting to do this with a horse you're training whilst there are many other things going on.  It's hard to suddenly shut those things off when those things are directly linked to riding.   

I rode Ink yesterday late afternoon.  My strength class was a success and I go back tomorrow.

I tried riding in my spurs instead of riding with my crop and it was somewhat unsuccessful.  I know that during the ride, Ink was trying to figure out the connection between spur and the normal cues of my leg.  He would stop confused.  Being more of thinking horse when someone's on him, he took the time to question and not react physically. 

I am planning a cross country schooling vaca for Ink, Christine, Merlin and I at the end of July.  :)

I've been finding how tack is such an issue.  If it's not one thing you need, it's another.  I find myself going..."that looks smart."  Then I add it to my mental, 'must have' by not really needing.. list.  This pursuit is...not good.  Because one knows that tack is endless.  Want to know what's on this list now?

Leather breast-plate with dark tan elastic. 

Square pad...not the thick kind. 

And what I really do need a protective vest, a black tipperary one. 

On the horse front, Ink is doing good.  He's moved up to the upper barn and settled in grand to it.  He has a great neighbor, Fresian x Lippy gelding named Picasso.  Reminds me of a male version of sweet Errika. 

My back decided that after my ride last week on Ink, I was going to pay for it.  I had this fantastic ride on Ink last Wednesday where we jumped and did some feel-good flat work.  He was forward and moving off my leg, such a refresher.  The expo with Mr. Bradley widened my eyes to the eventer/jumper within and I've been re-creating that fantisma since.  So the ride was good, really good.  I think I rode to much for myself and the next morning I awoke with some painful muscle spasms going through my left side. 

I haven't rode Ink since.  I gave him a lunging on Saturday and he started off quiet, then got a bug up his hiny when the barn dog came down to herd him from the fence line.  Ink likes this, he likes to play.  He began bucking and then here comes my dog and then bam, I get pulled to the ground and the big bag takes off to the other end of the arena.  Like a good boy though, trying to redeem himself as always, he stood quietly while I gathered the lunge line.  My hand however was burning.  The lunge line slipped so swiftly through my grip, it actually burnt through my skin between my thumb and pointer finger.  Ouch!

Barn owner A* rescued me and offered help.  She lunged Ink, did a little training session. 

I want to ride so badly, I debated just hopping on and even just walking.  But even walking can be worse than posting the trot.  I have a strength class tomorrow to access my back and put myself on a proper course of action to fix or help whatever seems to be going on. 

If I get a good report and an OK to continue riding, I'm going to tomorrow evening.

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Below is the latest newsletter and I thought it would be equally befitting to post it here. 

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Ink and I had a wonderful time at the 2009 WSHE! Filled with great friends, meeting new ones and of course a great learning experience for the both of us.

Ink and I arrived on Thursday the 11th, to be greeted by Christine and her 14 year old Mustang, Merlin. Welcomed with open arms, Christine took both of us in and under her wing. My family and I would like to thank Christine and her family for their support and sharing a wonderful time! It wouldn't have been the same without all of you!

I would also like to think Stephen Bradley for allowing us to share this experience. I had a fantastic time riding with this talented horsemen. Equally welcoming, Stephen helped Ink and I raise the bar (literally) and achieve some great things. A solid, composed clinician with an in-depth insight into the relationship and training of horse and rider as a team, Stephen helped Ink and I develop some lacking confidence, understanding and technique. We are really looking forward to meeting up with him again! Thanks Stephen!

I had a great time meeting new faces. I met some really nice people who shared their stories with me and I them. It was a treat to exchange experiences and for Ink and I to be an inspiration to one rider and her young off track Thoroughbred. As she said, "It was nice to see someone who's achieved what I want to do with my own ottb and know I can do it." "Don't stop believing," I responded.

Ink was great the entire time. I'm sure many of the audience didn't know that this was only Ink's second time out and about since his track days. This spoke volumes of his mind and how special he really is. Although the new exposure to the noisey grand-stands and baby strollers made him nervous, we rode through every spook, each time his comfort increasing. He jumped fantastically, I couldn't ask for more out of him. Stephen later said, "He is a very careful, atheletic jumper." It proved so, when one time Ink rubbed a rail with his back hoof. I could tell he was mad at himself as he threw his head in frustration and made sure next time, he would clear it. And he did!

By Sunday we were clearing jumps with increased confidence and with better form, mostly on my part. It felt great!

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Post-ride discussion with Mr. Bradley

Stephen Bradley, Christine, Merlin, Ink and I

Sunday, Ink and I over the in & out.

Gotta love the stars!!  Thanks to Christine for the braiding :D.

Ink and our new buddies

Pre-ride talk - Sunday

Aww, look at their cute faces!

Friday - one of the first jumps of the weekend!

Mr. Bradley coaching Ink and I.

Thank You Christine & Stephen!

Yesterday I rode Ink and he was great.  I wasn't, however, so he was a bit tense.  But without my input, he would have been better.  He is so in tune with what I'm feeling and thinking, it's scary.  Ink could tell I was grouchy.  For good reason too, but I tried to release that and focus on how lucky I am to have my big bay.

I spent my time in the outdoor portion of the lower arena.  Matt set up and an in and out.  Ink and I jumped 2'3" max and the ended with each pole on a standard on the ground, so it was a friendly way to introduce the in and out.  Then that was all.  I was able to get some awesome canter bits from Ink too, which was the highlight of the whole ride.  He quietly picked up a relaxed canter coming out of the jump and we made our way around twice each time.  Ink was pretty soft and I was amazed at how quiet he was considering it was feeding time next door and one of the horses was bucking and running in it's paddock while the wind was howling.  I was able to sit down and ride his canter, feeling secure and forward, it was great.  I tried to keep Ink moving forward, forward, throughout the ride so he stayed concentrated on me.  It worked well.

After Ink it was Errika's turn for some love.  Matt walked her around bareback, while I hand walked another horse in the arena.  Then it was time for some pampering.  I decided to braid her mane, tail and forelock.  It came out really neat.  I did the mane and then braided the braids into a running braid..did you get that.. ;)?  She stood quietly ground tied while I cleaned her up pretty and she was able to socialize with her true love, Ink during the process. 

Grooming is one of my favorite parts of owning horses.  I love spending that time with them.  Equally as much as I love riding. 

This week has been long.  On Tuesday it was my Uncle's memorial.  It was all good, sad and disappointing wrapped into one.