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Post by beksnjake on Jul 12, 2012 12:10:41 GMT
I think being out overnight agrees with Jake (plenty of Dr Grass - always helps!!) as he was much less anxious this morning. I did ride out yesterday morning on him and he was OK. I did feel Jake was quite backwards, not sure whether it was due to him feeling his back feet or the fact I was a little anxious about how he would be. Possibly a combination of the two but I am trying not to over-think things as that is what gets me into a mess. But I was tired after 2 night shifts so we only did a short ride.
So today we went slighter further afield (Whiteways & Mill Lane) but its a circular route so if I ran into problems with the Cavello boots I would be able to get off & walk him home.
It is very odd riding a horse with clonky feet, but we are both getting used to the clip-clonk as opposed to clip-clop ;D
Jake was lovely and forward - the only time he felt backwards was when we went past a field with horses in. He can actually see these horses from his field so I can't blame him for slowing down. We did plenty of trot, met a couple of big lorries, a speedy tractor & a person who appeared out of their front door (how dare they!!) - no problem! When we got back to the yard I realised I'd rather enjoyed myself. Jake was ready for a snooze.
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 13, 2012 18:30:48 GMT
Just a short ride today as the weather appeared to close in (actually poured with rain just as I left the yard) and I didn't fancy getting wet.
Boots much easier to get on today. Jake striding out, seems to be getting used to them - when I checked them after our ride, the toes didn't seem to be any more scuffed than yesterday. But I was thinking that he has got to get used to the extra weight, depth etc of the boots, in order not to trip over Jake will have to lift his feet higher than he usually does, so I guess there will be a period of adjustment for him. One slight discoloured area on the bulb of one heel (?a bruise) but Jake not bothered by me poking & prodding it so who knows.
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 16, 2012 19:25:54 GMT
Another short ride - is anyone else fed up with all this rain, what happened to summer Rode without the boots today - I think Jake is slightly shorter striding without them.
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 17, 2012 14:57:34 GMT
Lovely hack this morning in the sunshine - same old route (backwards for a little variety) as they were cutting silage along the route I'd planned to take - narrow lane, big tractors & trailers speeding along, not my idea of fun - although Jake is not bothered by them.
Jake fine in his boots. I will try & get some photos of his feet, so as to document their progress. His frogs are definitely looking better, obviously the hoof walls have to grow down & get rid of the nail holes. At the moment they do look a bit rough as he'd pulled off bits of hoof removing his shoes!
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 22, 2012 11:55:19 GMT
Totally awesome schooling session today with mum being my eyes on the ground. Jake chilled and pretty forward (very hard when you're full of grass though ;D) Quite a bit of canter work, something we've not done much of as previously he's been quite spooky in the school. Lots of trot work and also lateral stuff. Jake dropping into an outline with no pressure from my hands every few strides, especially when I sit up. Mum is helping me to get my legs more relaxed - with the confidence issues my riding position has deteriorated and I grip up so badly now without meaning to. When I relax from my hips down to my heels, Jake just moves so much better - plus I'm in a safer more secure position should anything go awry. Also have to learn not to drop my head when I check his neck & shoulder position as that tips me forward and puts Jake right back on his forehand. Have suggested to mum that we school a couple of times a week with her help. Finished up showing mum a few "roll backs" and Jake started to get into it and was even cantering a couple of strides as we turned.
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 23, 2012 15:11:12 GMT
Lovely chilled hack this morning only spoilt by the 100's of horse flies & bots that attacked Jake just as we approached home. I had to get off as Jake was beginning to lose the plot - I found 5 horse flies attached to his sheath . So we walked home together, with me killing as many of the buggers as I could along the way.
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 24, 2012 18:36:27 GMT
Another good schooling session with mum acting as my eyes on the ground. we worked on my position and trying to relax my hips and legs to stop the gripping up which has become an annoying habit. I'm also nagging Jake a lot with my heels - thought I'd got rid of that particularly nasty habit, but its crept back! So trying to reset the muscle memory at the moment. Jake was lovely - somewhat lethargic at canter but it was really very hot so I kind of let him get away with that one (bad I know but . . . . )
Am going to get mum to video me riding next time we school either on my phone or I think dad may have a camcorder somewhere because I can't see my position faults and in the past seeing myself on film/video has really helped. Am feeling quite positive about my riding at the moment and actually enjoying myself!
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 28, 2012 14:22:00 GMT
Mmmm - a mixed bag today. Was met with a slightly anxious Jake this morning in the field - didn't think anything of it initially but should have taken note of the large number of small piles of poo when I poo-picked. Something had definitely unsettled him.
Tacked up - new boots went on easily (I am getting better at this - first few times it took me over 15 minutes to get the damn things on but I guess both Jake & I are getting more used to them now!). Jake getting just a little stressy, head up, looking over at the woods. Then as I tried to get on, did a race-horse whip-round (or more likely a Jake version which was probably half the speed!) and nearly took the mounting block & me out. So now both of us are stress muffins because I can't work out whats bothering him & he's feeding off my anxiety now.
Decide that we're going out whatever - clip on a lead rope and I lead him in-hand round the route I'd chosen to ride. We walk a lot & trot up the hills (insert RUN for the human at this point - no gym for me today!!). About 3/4 of the way round Jake is sufficiently calm enough for me to get on and we amble home like nothing's wrong!!
There some huge tee-pees erected in a field near us so I wonder if there was some kind of party or event last night, Jake would have heard & seen it. Who knows - we got out, he got worked.
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Post by kas on Jul 30, 2012 16:37:11 GMT
Good on you Becks, you wouldn't have done that a very short while ago.
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Post by beksnjake on Jul 31, 2012 16:14:23 GMT
Arrived at the yard in the pouring rain, so had a very wet Jake. So went to the school to do some GW - put on his cavallo boots as I wanted to see how he cantered in them. I have been taking him to the school barefoot as its a good surface and it's only a short walk there & back.
Got some nice work, a little stiff in both shoulders to begin with but loosened up after a few minutes of circling in & out. Canter work good, I was worried that he might trip over or step on the boots as he is so close behind, but Jake was fine. Think I'd be happy to canter him out on a hack.
We then walked the long way home, looking at sheep, the flax fields burning & various bits of farm machinery we came across. Jake was dry by the time we got home!
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Post by beksnjake on Aug 2, 2012 14:59:37 GMT
Confidence is so fickle! Original idea was to school Jake today, but mum is ill so had to change plan & hack out instead. I got so nervous I thought I was going to throw up Jake was chilled so I have no idea where the nerves came from. Spent first half hour of hack fighting with myself to stay on and generally beating my self up mentally - how can I even be thinking about getting another horse when I can barely sit on the one I have etc & so on - round and round in my head. I really need an off switch! Anyway got a grip on myself and ended up having a really nice pootle. Concentrating on sitting upright and lengthening my legs & not gripping so much. Jake a total gentleman as always - not bothered by birds flying up in front of us or huge stacks of straw bales that have mysteriously appeared overnight or by the UPS van that nearly didn't stop - that was a bit scary. Driver said he hadn't seen us - my reply "How much more fluorescent stuff can I wear?!?" He was suitably chastened! Anyway am feeling more positive about looking for a new horse - it's going to be interesting as I need to find something with the same temperament as Jake, possibly even quieter!!
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Post by kas on Aug 2, 2012 21:51:35 GMT
I wish we were closer to each other Becks! You're doing great, honest you are.
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Post by beksnjake on Aug 3, 2012 2:33:03 GMT
I know I'm doing better, but I just can't get to the bottom of why I get so freaked out sitting on Jake - he doesn't do anything unexpected & on the rare occasion he does, he gives you plenty of warning that he's thinking about reacting, before he does. I really couldn't have a better horse. This is all so totally irrational.
Like I said my brain needs an off switch - if I didn't think when I was riding it would be brilliant ;D
Mind you have just had a thought (oh god the brain is on again!!) perhaps getting another horse is a good idea as I won't be so totally focussed on Jake which is perhaps part of the problem. Sorry my early morning thought processes tend to be somewhat rambling in nature!
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Post by el on Aug 3, 2012 8:02:15 GMT
Great to read your progress well done girly!!
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Post by beksnjake on Aug 4, 2012 14:08:58 GMT
Thanks el - I get a bit rambly when I'm on nights (over tired & emotional without the benefit of alcohol!!) so I start over analysing everything. Note to self: STOP THINKING! Looking forward to riding Jake tomorrow, he's been very sweet the past 2 evenings when I've done him before going to work - lots of nudging & wickering & asking for scratches
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