Alfalfa Field Planted - Informational entry

Alfalfa, queen of forage crops, is the nation's most important forage. Most authorities believe that alfalfa, which means "Best Fodder" in Arabic, originated in southwestern Asia. Alfalfa was brought to the New World by 16th Century Spaniards and introduced to the United States by missionaries from Mexico
Dad has worked tirelessly preparing the field for the last 10 months. He and his small Kubota rototilled it numerous times turning under the weeds. We decided not to plant this summer and wait for the first rains of the winter. The ground was nicley moisturized after a week of rain. With the help of Uncle Ronald and Aunt Terry, Mom and Dad we spread the seed. AmeriLeaf 721 a hybrid for the warmer climates.
Within 24 hours you could see a small 1/8 inch stem appearing. In 48 hours the leaves were evident. The field has a green sheen to it. We also planted corn and an assortment of vegetables along the edge of the field. Uncle Ronald used his engineering skills and came up with 1/8 acre.

"AmeriLeaf 721: Big leaves, big yields

Up to 20% more leaf mass than conventional varieties like Pioneer brand 5683
Resists all root rots and wilts common to western alfalfa production
Unique resistance to Western Crown Rot complex
Combined Aphid and Nematode resistance ensures long stand productivity
Excellent eye appeal and dark green color make this variety a great choice for dairy quality hay production
First non-dormant with advanced seedling resistance for extra disease protection during stand establishment
AmeriLeaf 721 is the revolutionary next step toward bigger, higher quality yields. The photo above, illustrates leaf size difference between AmeriLeaf 721 and conventional varieties. Amerileaf 721 has up to 40% larger leaves and 20% more leaf mass than conventional varieties. AmeriLeaf 721 is the new yield and quality champion.
AmeriLeaf 721 and several other America's Alfalfa varieties adapted for western cash hay production fight Western Crown Rot. This crown rot is caused by a complex of diseases including, Anthracnose, Phytophthora, Fusarium, Stagnospora and other pathogens. These pathogens work together to rob western hay stands of yield, quality and persistence. Only varieties from America's Alfalfa are selected to minimize the damaging effects of this complex. That is just one of the reasons our varieties start strong and yield long.
Plant at 25-30 pounds per acre. This seed is treated and coated with inoculum.
Pest Resistance Levels:phy-tophthora,Anthrac-nose,Vertic-illium Wilt,FusariumWilt, BacterialWilt, WesternCrown Rot, SouthernRoot KnotNematode, Stem Nematode
SpottedAlfalfaAphid, BlueAlfalfaAphid, PeaAphidDuring Establishment -

Have a soil test taken to determine lime and fertilizer needs for alfalfa establishment. Fields to be seeded to alfalfa should be limed to pH 6.5 to 7.0. Needed lime should be applied at least 6 months to a year before seeding to allow the lime time to react with the soil and minimize triazine herbicide carryover. For maximum production, seed only in soils that are already at a pH of 6.2. Generally, for soils below this pH, lime should be applied but seeding delayed. Starter fertilizer applications of up to 20-60-20 per acre are desirable at seeding time.
Established Stands - High levels of phosphorus and potassium must be maintained in the soil for high crop yields and long-lived alfalfa stands. Determine lime and fertilizer needs by soil test. High alfalfa yields can reduce plant nutrient levels in soil rapidly. Thus, for top production and stand persistence, annual soil testing is recommended.
When a soil test indicates the need for fertilizer, topdress after first and/or last cutting. Split applications, one-half in fall and one-half after first cutting, may result in more efficient use of fertilizer, especially potash. Recent research suggests that, based on nutrient removal, a 0-1-4 ratio of N-P2O5-K20 is best when high yields are anticipated. If the soil test is 1 part per million (ppm) or less of boron (B), or plant tissue has 25 ppm or less B, then topdress with a fertilizer containing at least 2 pounds of B per acre.
At present, there is no evidence to indicate a general need for other fertilizer nutrients. Recent research does suggest that in certain isolated cases small responses from sulfur may be obtained
A minimum of five alfalfa plants per square foot should be present.
Management of forage insect pests is aimed primarily at the alfalfa weevil and the potato leafhopper in alfalfa.
Seeding Year - When alfalfa is spring seeded, the first cutting can be made 60 days after emergence if one cutting during the seeding year is allowed to reach early bloom before it is harvested.
Cutting pre- or early bud alfalfa is not recommended because there is a higher risk of losing the stand. Also, fiber levels may be undesirably low when cut extremely early. If an alfalfa stand has been weakened by winter stress, make the first cutting at the early- to midbloom stage.
Generally, summer cuttings are permitted to reach early bloom (approximately 35 days between cuttings). In Pennsylvania, the average cutting intervals between first and second cuts and second and third cuts, for producers who make four or more cuts per year, is 37 and 33 days, respectively. Stage of growth when alfalfa is harvested (Table 2) is the major factor in determining forage quality. Total Dry Matter (DM) yield increases at a constant rate from first growth until the half-bloom stage. Dry matter in the leaves increases until the early-bloom stage, with little increase thereafter. Allowing alfalfa to grow beyond the early-bloom stage (when new growth starts from the crown) decreases the leaf-to-stem ratio, resulting in low quality forage. A change in the ratio has a drastic effect upon the energy and protein content (B.R. Moss, MSU Animal and Range Sciences Department.Recent studies show that whole-plant digestibility decreases by 0.3 to 0.5 percent per day from early flowering to near maturity (Table 3). The crude protein decreases at similar rates in the stems and leaves, but the leaves contain a much higher protein content. This loss of energy and protein emphasizes the importance of early harvest and harvest methods that preserve the leaves.
Stage
%Digestibility:Pre-bud 66.8, Bud65.0,early bloom 63.1,Mid-bloom 61.3,Full-bloom 69.4
Late-bloom,57.5,Mature55.8
Alfalfa becomes more difficult for livestock to digest as it matures beyond the optimum (early-bloom) stage. The intake decreases as the digestibility decreases.
Research indicates that intake drops about 2 percent for each day that cutting is delayed after early bloom.
Recommends that growers leave a 2" stubble when cutting healthy, unstressed alfalfa in spring and summer. Adjust cutting height upward when the crop has been stressed by drought or flooding, or in fields that have been cut early and often.In his tests the past two seasons, total dry matter yield from three cuttings increased an average 1/2 ton/acre for each 1" reduction in cutting height. Lower cutting reduced relative feed value by about four points per inch. But potential milk yield per acre – a combined measure of forage yield and quality – increased by 900 lbs/acre for each 1" reduction in cutting height. Can cut to 1" height but there is a problem w/ rocks.


A good stand of alfalfa (36 or more plants per square yard) with proper fertility and pest control, can yield 5 to 7 tons per acre under irrigation.

The question is how much fresh cut hay to feed in comparison to Alfalfa Hay cubes.?
In a experiment w/ mice weighing 45 Gm they weighed the fresh alfalfa and found it was 3.9 X heavier than dry alfalfa. Fresh=39 Gm vs dry 9.8 Gm = 3.9 gm fresh to 1 gm dry wt.
I feed 5lb dry alfalfa cubes and would need 19.5 lb fresh cut alfalfa to be comprable.
19.5 lb X 8 horses = 156 LB/day to replace 40Lb dry cubes/day.

http://www.tqhp.com/ interesting new way of processing, drying and baleing hay making it feasible to grow hay in Hawaii. The recommended distance of the fields from the processing plant is 30 miles or less. The hay is cut in the field, processed and baled in 4 hours.

Thanksgiving day ride

The wind was whipping as I wondered if it was smart to be going out today. I decided to go anyway and we had a lovely walk down to the reservoir. It is incredibly sad that Maui Land and Pine has gone out of business. The Pineapple fields will be a thing of the past. No more delicious "Maui Gold" Pineapple. I have been buying as may pineapples as possible to enjoy it while it lasts.

Winter has arrived

Windy, blustery days with frequent passing squalls precluded any riding. After 3 days of weather induced (cant go outside) house cleaning there was a slight break in the weather so I ran down and turned everyone out. Kalae and Divine exploded in the main arena. Running flat out for more than 5 minutes. Yikes I could not slow them down. I let Rupert and Pueo out with the 2 girls who were now standing around. Fortunately they were much more low keyed. Freederic, Darleen and Freesia were happily grazing on the grass as large double rainbow arched overhead. Wondermann who is recovering from a hoof abscess meandered the house pasture talking to everyone in the main arena. I had my camera in hand. Kalae let me photo her eye before she got bored and wandered away. Wait I want one more shot with the lighting. I love taking pictures of horses eyes!

Study your horses feet!!

Each one of Wondermann's feet is different. These photos are taken 5 weeks after shoeing. We are removing the shoes and transitioning him to barefoot.

The top picture shows his feet before we pull the shoes. The front feet heels are too high. The Left front has much more under slung heels than the right front. Both heels are contracted making the area in the back of the hoof narrow, expanding out to a large toe in the front. The frogs are narrow and underdeveloped. The middle picture is of the hind feet. Very steep angle, high heel with the toes dubbed off.

The bottom photo shows the front left trimmed (before the mustang roll). If you look at the right front you can see the front profile of the foot does not have a straight line from the coronary band to the toe. There is a bulge as it approaches the toe.

We will follow his case over the next few months.( I forgot to take a picture of finished fronts and hinds for comparison and will do that in the next few days)

***

Barefoot Success: Most riders are afraid to transition to barefoot. Their farrier tells them they wont be able to ride let alone go on the trail. The problem is if your regular farrier just does a "pasture" trim, his prophecies may well be true. You need a beveled "Mustang roll" around the entire hoof. You also should use hoof boots to help in the transition.

I had people tell me my horses gaits would never be as good as they are with shoes on. They have been better!

1) All my horses have transitioned very well in just 8 weeks. I have ridden in a big 3 day clinic just 6 weeks after transitioning.

2) A friend just transitioned her draft cross. He had his shoes removed on Monday and on Saturday he won the green hunter over fences and he is a big draft cross. No boots! He is moving much better and much more forward. I had to say "Slow him down, he is going too fast".

Great Sunday Trail Ride

Kalae and I with Julie and Freederic headed out at noon. There was a light "warm" wind and a slightly overcast sky making the temperature just perfect. Lots of trotting and quite calmly which was nice for Kalae. They both wore their easy boots (Kalae wears easy boot gloves # 2.5 and Freederic easy boot epics #4) on the front feet for their transitioning phase to barefoot. They are able to work barefoot in the arena with out any problems.

On the way back home Freederic went to the lead to bolster his confidence and away we went! Kind of tricky posting the trot and videoing at the same time especially in the steering department.

God has 2 new Horse Angels

Kimo was my first foal and has been with me more than half my life. He was 33.5 years old, when he galloped into heaven. A week later Sweetheart his once long time companion followed him. She was 31. Our childhood horses which we did everything imaginable on. Western shows, dressage, hunter, gymkhana, swimming in reservoirs, blasting around in the cane fields. walking along the beach. Trail rides to Palehua, Kaena Point, Ulupalakua, La Peruse and in the cane and pineapple fields. I miss Kimo's daily rattling the door knob for carrots and apples or his resting on the patio looking in the door. Just a week prior he galloped up the slope to the house right at me, I had to run to get out of the way. He used to do the same thing when he was young. My running flat out with his warm breath on my neck and his toes clipping the back of my shoes. Rascal!
He is a photo gallery of their lives.

Riding revelation - Balance and a strong core

I was talking to my sister today and said I had the most amazing, round, light and easy canter on Freederic a few days ago. I was riding in a Pesoa jumping saddle because Julie had been riding him and I was hopping on. I felt like I was perched up on a post. I can not remember ever riding in a postage stamp like this. Amazingly it was so easy to canter in. It seemed my legs might be a little more in front of me and I was more upright.
Carole said Yes, I just had the same revelation when riding Wondermann in the Lassetter clinic. I was riding in a different saddle and when cantering I had to be super strong in my core to be able to do all the geometric exercises and remain in balance. When I got home that muscle memory followed over into my ride with my horse and it was a fabulous ride. I think for you it was you had to be stronger in your core to balance in the jumper saddle. You were more in balance and thus the horse was more in balance.
That's it! Amazing. I have been riding Freederic for a year and this is the canter I have been trying to get. Just think how much a subtle improvement in balance has affected the horse's balance.
Carole's parting statement was "Just think how difficult it is for a horse with a floppy rider."

John Lassetter Clinic

Another fun, fabulous 3 day clinic with the Master. This clinic brought together friends and family. We also made new friends with Stephanie visiting from Washington. She rode Freederic the Great for 2 days. She has a Freesian/Percheron at home about the same size.
Carole rode Wondermann and did very well. At certain intervals she was stopping and adjusting her girth and then her stirrup leathers and finally admitted it was an excuse to breath :) The next day John starts out "right, is your girth tight? Stirrups even?"
Ann and Rein Beau really did super and Ann had fun. He was doing Half Pass at canter and canter pirouettes. He worked on Ann's consistent application of the "Symbols". The goal being if she just slightly takes away her leg he will shoot forward with impulsion. If she takes away her leg and he doesn't go forward immediately clap him with both legs and go forward. If he does go forward pat him. "For me the reaction is not good enough. He must become electric off the leg."

Marilee rode Divine really well and they did awesome. I was so proud of Divine.

He had the patience of a Saint with me. It was a humbling experience. The pattern of a middle 20 meter circle with 10m satellite circles in each corner. R counter canter and every slight curve and she did a flying change. I could not counter canter. Prior to the clinic I could counter canter a 15 meter circle and weave all over the arena and was so proud and eager to show John my good progress this last 5 months. I had not practiced flying change as instructed. I really worked hard on better submission and thought I had been doing better. Was I subtly anxious myself? I know Kalae knows John and the loudspeaker system as she always gets amped up and crooked in the past. Sigh!
Kalae was anticipating the change and kept offering it. "You have a huge problem" John says. We kept repeating the R Counter Canter. I am thinking"This is not working". Finally I just said "good girl" at every canter step and she relaxed and we got through the short side. More collection and control in the CC. Chest up and out, arch the lower back, tummy forward so your seat brushes forward with each side. L leg really back, check with the right rein. Allow a little longer frame, more straight.
As a correction to the not wanted flying change "" You have to be clear this is not what you want. You are doing nothing and she just keeps doing it. Halt, kick her with your L leg, rein back really far and now halt. Now it is over, you have forgotten it, start on a new page and try again. When she does it right halt and really Pat her and reward her. She has to wait for your aid or you will never have the flying changes on the aids. "
She started to get a little stuck in the collected canter, too short so he sent her down the long side in the medium gait in a shoulder-fore, then collect and down the center line and back to E or B then CC across the short side, At E or B change into the corner and walk.
"Your homework is to get the counter canter on the 20 meter circle so you could bet $100 and know your would win it 100% of the time. Then flying change. Come down the center line absolutely straight. Get your mirrors adjusted so you can see more. Change and go absolutely straight toward C. You are changing and turning at the same time. You need to be straight. As you canter L lead, have the whip in the right hand to tap her behind when you ask with your L leg so her R leg comes through, it is nearly there, just slightly late. Work on your canter pirouette in the corners.
"It is all there, she can do it. You have to be positive you are going to do it. You are almost at PSG. "
I feel so frustrated, stuck at 3rd level forever. I need lessons more than 2X a year. Do I want to ride like this? It is not in my nature to be a task master. I don't want to punish my horse. She try's so hard for me. Am I doing her a dis-service by not being totally black and white with clear "Punishment and Reward". I am not clear enough? Do I have what it takes to get to GP? "Am I really positive I am going to do it?"
Ah Humble Pie!
Positive note: Carole and Ann say they have never seen Kalae so through and looking so good.

Transition to Barefoot

Kimo- after trim w/ equi-cast on R foot - Kimo w/reverse shoes before trim.

I was fortunate to find a barefoot trimmer by word of mouth. Amazing how that works. I was planning on bringing a trimmer from the Big Island. I was showing my parents the Pete Ramey book. Later that week my Dad was talking to his neighbor who has horses and told him about the book. He said here give your daughter this card, she does barefoot trimming and lives on Maui.

At the end of August I made the transition to barefoot for all horses here on Maui. Nicole said Kimo, my 33 yo QH would be the oldest horse she has ever transitioned to barefoot. This has been phenomenal for him. He had his front shoes on reversed because of very sensitive toes. His toes tended to grow too long and with the reverse shoe it helped keep it shot by normal wear.

Nicole applied equi-cast hoof cast to his front feet. It is a flexible 4 inch wide roll of casting like material which you wrap around the outside hoof, then fold it over on the inside sole. It dries very quickly. Kimo now stands with his front feet wider apart, not so toed out and is walking every where. Now you have to watch out because he will be right on your heals, walking briskly and kicking up his heels. After 1 month he has worn through the casting but is still walking great.

I purchased some easy-boot gloves to help in transitioning. Nicole will help teach me. I have been touching up with the rasp, making the mustang roll. Some of the nail holes will have to grow out. I have learned about apple-cider vinegar 80% w/ 20% H2o for soaking. Tea tree oil for funky spots on a daily treatment sprayed on the bottom of the hoof.

There is so much to learn!

A great barefoot trimming magazine http://www.thehorseshoof.com/

Info on equicasting. http://www.equicast.us/

Omega 3 antiinflammitory hoof and coat product http://www.rohan-nutrition.com/

Pete Ramey site w/ many articles: http://www.hoofrehab.com/

Wondermann Jumps

A young teenager came out to try Wondermann on Sat and Sunday. Wondermann is such a good boy! He just turned 10 years old. He is referred to as the LOH "Large Orange Horse". We had Tiamo jump him for his first go around. Trotting and cantering. Tiamo said "No problem he didn't even look, give him a few weeks and he will be fine." I only rode him once during my 2 week stay as a fever had a hold of me for over 3 weeks and I had no energy. On returning home I looked at Wondermann's pedigree and although I knew he was well bred for dressage. Numerous stallion of the years, Stallion of the Century Wetmeyer, Bundeschampion and Reserve Bundeschampions. I was surprised to see 2 foundation Hannoverian jumping sires in Pik AsXX and Pik Koenig. His mom was a A Circuit Hunter in Calif. Wondermann also has in his pedigree 4 Top 100 TB sires. #1= Man O'War, War Admiral, Nasrulla and Nearco. From 1997-2008 a prestigious Arc de triumph race in France has been won by Nearco off spring. Performance breeds performance.

Plastic Bag Success!!

Yes, The plastic Bags touched Rupert's shoulder on each side and he stood!

How long has it been? 8 weeks? Oh it was only since July 18th 4 weeks - even better than I thought, it seemed like forever. I thought we would never get to this point.
He was still spooky and trotting in a big tight circle around me with his body having a nice arch as he was trying to get away from the bags. I just thought OK - "Bag on, Bag off, Bag on, Bag off"
I would touch him briefly and remove it. Before long he was standing , licking his lips and saying "Sheesh is this all you wanted?" Silly goose.

Also able to lay on him from the top of the round pen rail. Wave my hands all around too. Stand up on the top rail and do the sending exercises.

Trail access changed

Today was absolutely stunning. Vivid greens and blues as we headed out for a trail ride. Freederic's first in quite a while. Oh No! A big berm sprang up overnight between the vacant lot and the pineapple fields. Quite a few people walk though the lot with their dogs or just for a afternoon stroll in the Pineapple fields. Motorcyclist also use this access. Freederic stood on top of the berm a few times but always backed off. he wasn't to sure of the step down. From horseback it looked Giant! :)

Jessica said she could get him over. "But how am I going to get back on him?" He finally hopped on over. I put my leg up to chest level and climbed up into the saddle. "You would be a good mountain climber".

Pete Ramey and Natural Barefoot Trimming

I just got "Making Natural Hoof Care Work for You" by Pete Ramey from amazon.com. A must read for all horse owners. I am going to transition to barefoot. Last shoeing I removed Darlene and Fressia's shoes. So I have 3 barefoot horses, 2 in full shoes and 4 in front shoes. I had been really worried about Freesia's front hoof which was contracted with a tiny shrunken frog. In a few weeks it is amazing her hoof has widened behind and the frog has doubled in width. So I was doing some research about barefoot trimming, heard about the "Mustang roll" and came across Pete Ramey. http://www.hoofrehab.com/ I ordered his book. Then on Clinton Anderson's site I learned he transitioned to barefoot 2 years ago and his horses have been sound, their hoofs are great and he will not go back to shoes. He only shoes the rear of his reining horses so they slide. Clinton has 2 video's of Pete Ramey discussing and showing his trimming 2 of Clinton's horses.
I am ordering Pete Ramey's 10 disc DVD series "Under the Horse - Hoof Rehab".
In 85' I went to horseshoeing school in Oklahoma for 2 weeks. Time to brush off the tools and start doing this myself. I will just keep the feet touched up regularly. I am going to order some Easy boot epic's for the transition. Then I am going to loan my DVD series to all the horseshoer's on island that are interested and hope they watch it. Maybe I should have video nights for all interested horse owners too.

IMPORTANT POINTS: Steady maintenance is the heart and sole of Natural Hoof Care. Trim every 4 weeks. Touch up in between.

1) The sole is the primary guide to hoof trimming. The outer 1" band of the sole
is an area which should be almost never touched. After the 1st trim you almost
never trim the sole except for a 3/4" band around the frog forward of the bars.
2) Solar concavity is built, never cut. Leave the sole at the toe alone.
3) If you leave the calloused sole at the heel alone and lower any hoof wall
standing above the sole the heels will lower on their own. Never cut the heels
lower than the widest point of the frog. usually 1/4-1/2 inch heel above.
4) Never leave the quarters higher than than the heel or toe. In the Natural hoof
there will be a hollowing at the quarters so it doesn't touch the ground when on
a flat surface.
5) The entire hoof capsule is a blood pump, The frog is not!
6) Mustang roll is a bevel at approx 45 degrees along the wall outer wall. This
keeps the wall off the bearing surface. It helps prevent cracks and flares. It
starts the process of callusing.
7) Use boots to transition successfully from shod to barefoot,


Thrush treatment: New:http://www.hoofrehab.com/Thrush_treatment.htm
or
80% cider vinegar w/ 20% water. You can soak the foot for an hour in a soaker boot. Can spray this on hoof after cleaning if you see signs of thrush.

Rupert in Main Arena - Almost ready for a rider

Look at this face, so relaxed, standing ground tied. Thank you Clinton Anderson for all the wonderful exercises and guidance via DVD and your http://www.noworriesclub.com/. I could not have gotten to this point this quickly. I think back to him dragging me across the property 2 months ago. Out of control, whinnying for his mom. Un-weaned,BIG and Dangerous! OMG what do I do.
Today he had not been in the main arena in weeks. He went in, I saddled him without incident. He was lunged and changed directions with a hint of body movement, disengaged to stop. He then backed and stood waiting for me. I stood on the mounting block on both sides and laid on him. Whirled the whip over his head and around his sides. He backed to light pressure on his nose. Put his head down to the ground w/ light pressure. Moved his hips away w/ light pressure. Moved his forehand 360 around his HQ. Moved his HQ 360 around his forehand. I ran up to him from all different directions with out spooking. Touched his nose to his side. Flicked fingers in his face. Hung off his side. desensitized w/ whip. What a good boy. I think he is almost ready for a rider.

PS He still is spooky w/ the plastic bags. I can get it within a foot of his body now though. But now that I have them flapping on the ground in the round pen he is getting more used to them.

Detail that Trailer and check the floor

I called Dad and asked if he had a brush on a long handle, I wanted to clean my horse trailer.

"No, don't you think about doing that, you are just getting over the flu. I will bring my jet washer down". An hour later Dad arrives. He has his jet washer, bucket with soap, cleaning mitts, ladder, hose, tools. He cranks up the engine and starts blasting the exterior. "I'll just clean inside and be out of the wind." We argue a bit but I get to scrub some. "You have to quit or I wont spray the trailer" He is smart. :) The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Hard head but hard working.

We pull out the mats and use a knife blade to check each wooden plank. The hard wood is sturdy and the knife doesn't penetrate the wood at all. The angle iron supporting the floor is top shape. You know you can check the floor too by bringing the horse in here before you put the mats back and see if the boards bow. There is some rust on the roof, sides and at the internal seam on the wall where it meets the floor at the rear. "This is just surface rust, we will use a wire brush, treat it with "Amazing" and then when it is dry we can shoot it with some paint. This trailer has lots of life left in it. I have seen some of those new aluminum trailers flex like crazy when they go out into the pasture. They are fine for long distance, highway driving. Your steel trailer is what 16 yo. You only go 10 minutes down the Hwy." (I secretly wish for new trailer with a tack room. In fact I could live in a living quarters trailer just fine. I only need a house to sleep in - I am outside all day. Wait, scratch that - my recliner and large TV were nice this last week while I vegged with the flu - OK I love my house)

That afternoon I loaded the biggest horse I had before putting the mats back. Come on down Freederic the Great 17H 1400lb. The boards rang out as he stepped in but they didnt move.

FYI Dad is 84 yo. This week he repaired Danny's dryer. Bought and installed a new dishwasher, then 2 days later a new water heater. Repaired his jet washer which was clogged. Mowed Caroles 2 acre. Picked and shipped flowers another day. The washed and cleaned my trailer.

The week prior he was down at the beach house repairing the washing machine and dryer, sanding the porch. Removed the light fixtures for ease of painting.....

Rupert wears a saddle

JULY 31 "RUPERT"- Well after a week of no work due to my porcine flu, Rupert's training resumed. The first day he was wild. I had to turn him loose in the round pen and get his feet moving and get some of that energy dissipated so he could concentrate. He didn't mind the surcingle at all. I thought after a week of no work and just having had it on 3 times that he might get bucky. I had noticed in the Road to the Horse DVD of Clinton starting a youngster that he put all kinds of things in the round pen for the horse to get used to. So I put the plastic bags on a stick in the arena. That has worked well. He was trotting and cantering close by it. I will add more stuff like plastic tarp, poles and half barrels.

KALAE- I thought since I had not ridden for 8 days it might be smart to first round pen her. YA! She was a bucking -rearing fool!! I have never seen her buck like that before. Then jump vertically through the air striking a foreleg at the same time. Glad I got that grasshopper out of there. had a fabulous ride! Practiced being able to counter flex and change the position of her head/neck while cantering and trotting. Move the forehand and hindquarters .

August 1 "Rupert" - FIRST SADDLE and he bucked quite a bit, but it was more like hump your back and boing off 4 feet. Not going anywhere. I was trying get him to disengage w/o success. After 2 X around he settled down and the rest of his work was good. The one new thing was not staying out on the end of the line when I asked him to stand. He kept trying to move his feet. I kept backing him up and each time he walked forward I sent him back and asked him to stand. Then I practiced running up to him. This was scary at first but he soon got used to it. He is doing better with the plastic bag. I could stand 45 degree to his shoulder and hold the bag thumping my chest with it and then show it to him. he would touch his nose to it but I could not quite get it onto his body. But being just 2 feet away is an accomplishment.

Swine flu strikes

Yes, I got the swine flu and was down for a week. No riding :( Just lay around and watch Horse video's. I watched the entire Clinton Anderson Colt starting, Road to the Horse, Flying changes and Mindy. and in the mail I got the noworriesclub.com foal DVD. I think this is nearly 30 hours of video's. Watch out Rupert!
Linda and Jessica came over to practice prior to the show Aug 1&2. I waved at them from the house and snapped a few pictures. It was blowing a gale all week and on Friday it was threatening rain. Everyone had fun at the show. Linda's first Training level tests 1&2 with Bambino (cantering yeah) 62% Brandi and I'Claire First Level 1 &2 2nd place 64% able to maintain the lead in the canter serpentine ( she wants to do a flying change)

Jessica and Elroy Training 3-4 62% Peter and Zoe Tr 1 62% Jackie and Makani First Level.

* Look at Kimo- Looking good "stud muffin" - at 33 years old. The QH just keeps going.

Easy way to get a horse to lift its feet

I have been working with horses for 35+ years. Yes I am obsessed. I love it because there is always so much to learn. A life time of learning. I just learned a easy way to get a horse to pick up his feet. Instead of struggling, digging a hoof pick behind his fetlock, leaning on him and trying to get Freederic's huge dinner plates off the ground, all you have to do is squeeze the chestnut on that leg. Wa La dinner is served! That foot snaps off the ground. It works like a charm. I love it - so simple and easy. Learned that on a Clinton Anderson video. You can twist it a bit if they are reluctant but I didn't need to do that. It worked great on Rupert too. He tends to be a little slower in lifting his feet up. Kalae of course lifts her feet up before you even ask.
For Rupert and applying protective leg boots, which is new to him. I learned to rub the upper legs between 2 hands, then rub the lower leg the same way. Go back to rubbing the upper leg. Then apply the bell boots and protective leg boots. Rupert did not stamp and jerk his leg away as he has been doing making application a frustrating event. If he does fuss and jerk the leg away, go back to rubbing. It worked great.

A funny little story. I had the farriers out last week. We were under the shade of the Holly berry tree. As I brought Freederic the Great out of the paddock. One of the young guys, sweat darkening his t-shirt stops in his tracks with a look of resignation. "I had nightmares about shoeing him last night" we all laugh. Henry who has been shoeing for over 50 year, smiles as he watches his young nephew Joey grab his shoeing stand and slide out the center post changing it for a padded U shaped device. "Good thing he is a gentle giant" Joey comments. He raises Freederics leg and places it in a bent position with the U shaped device holding the foreleg in a position ready for shoeing. He steps back smiling. Henry says "Oh boy, we never even had stands when I started, you just use your legs. He pats his thighs. And we had big Belgians bigger than him" As Joey finishes the left foreleg he slides his stand across to the right front leg. Before he can come around Freederic raises his right leg and places it in the U shaped holder by himself. Heads swivel as we all look at each other, eyebrows raised as in "did you see that"? The small moments in life which make it richer.

Summer solstice photo shoot - the last shot

I thought this shot was too dark and never really looked at it until now. It is kinda cool - click on the photo to enlarge it.

Full Body Bath for Rupert - July 23rd

After a 45 minute work out in the main arena I untacked Rupert. He has been ground tying so far. Standing calmly and still at the hitching rail as he enjoys being brushed. Over the past 2 weeks I have been able to hose down his chest and shoulder. I start out by turning on the hose and shooting it out in front of me while I lead him. I water the lawn a bit, spraying on each side of him and then spray his chest for 3 seconds and remove the spray to the ground to the side of him. This has been working well. Today I did similar but then sprayed his back and kept it on for 15 sec. He was antsy circling away but I kept the water on. He stood after some big disengaging type steps with the hind end. Got the HQ sprayed and went to the right side. He was surprisingly better. He tends to not like me on this right side.

I think of how his life has been changed these last few weeks. And what progress he has made. He will be ready to ride very soon.

Rupert wears a surcingle

Rupert(Routinier/Pointmaker) next to his mom Pueonui (Pointmaker/Tanzer/Einblick)

Today was the Day, July 21,2009. I took Rupert in the round pen and did some preliminary round pen exercises. I free lunged him first to get out any excess energy. Then put him on the line and did the "Lunging for respect", Disengaging the HQ, Moving the 4 hand. Backing. Then tightening the lead around his belly, sawing the lead back and forth down his barrel. Putting the surcingle on both sides. Then I put the surcingle on and tightened it enough so it would not come off. I managed to step back pretty far, with him still on the 24 foot lead when he took off bucking. The second buck and his hind leg kicked the gate wide open. In 4 more strides he was half way across the arena. It was all happening so fast. I am sending the message to my feet to run for the gate at the same time seeing images of Wondermann ( 6 years ago) on his first saddling busting right out the gate and getting stuck under a low tree branch and finally breaking the western cinches and getting free. I dropped the lead and bolted for the gate. I could hear him coming on behind me. The unmistakable 4 hoof landing followed by a moment of air time between it. Out the gate I ran, slamming it just in time and thrusting my Handy stick in his face to keep him back. He continued on for a few more bronc type bucks and then stopped.

I vaguely recall hearing my neighbor exclamation of surprise as I was dashing for the gate. He is a blurr standing by his gate with his "english bulldog named Hula". I yell across the road "Rupert's first saddling" I must be good source of entertainment for the neighborhood. No wonder he often says when he comes to pet them "I love them but there so big and scary"

I returned to the arena and proceeded to work on all his exercises without incident. Clinton Anderson recommended the first day of saddling that the colts wear their surcingle for the rest of the day. This is not something I ever have done before but Rupert did not mind and grazed and slept under the Koa tree for the remaining 5 hours with the surcingle on. It worked as the next 2 days he has done nothing when saddled, just like a pro he is. Yesterday he was in the main arena lunging for respect and doing fairly good even though he was a bit more excited in the bigger more open area. In the video below Mom and Dad had just missed the first saddling episode by less than 5 minutes. The video is taken at 5 minutes from the first surcingle application. Kinda like a milestone in your kids life. :)

Ride to the Cane Field Reservoir

On a overcast, spitting -drizzly- rainy type of afternoon,Jessica and her mare Cloe with hounds Q'ie and Leilah arrived for a trail ride. We rode down hill though the pineapple fields. I have not crossed the irrigation canal which divides the Pineapple fields from the lower elevation cane fields in a long time. This is because you must cross a bridge with a irrigation canal running under it. Kalae usually looks at it with her right eye and spooks left nearly falling off the barrier less bridge on the left. Today the water was flowing quite briskly. ( Maui county has issued a drought warning and it has rained every day for the last 6 weeks in the mountains, Haiku & Hana) . Today Kalae refused to go across the bridge as a large volume of green water sped past. Cloe came back across the bridge and escorted us across on her tail. We ended at the reservoir was 2/3 full with a big night heron fishing on the banks. As we turned uphill we had to follow the flume feeding water into the reservoir. This was quite scary because the water as dancing and splashing as it sped downhill. 2/3 the way up the hill Kalae finally relaxed and did not worry about the water. The dogs added to the desensitizing ride by popping out of the brush behind the horses causing the Kalae to startle. Fortunately when we go down hill at the start the dogs are running in front When we return uphill they are lagging behind but the horses are a bit more used to them by then. We got to practice our "One Rein Stops!"

Mid July- Colt Starting Progress- PLASTIC BAGS ARE ALIENS

I was just about to put the surcingle on Rupert when I happened to watch a Clinton Anderson TV show about spooky objects and introducing the plastic bag. Clinton said he never got on a colt unless they were desensitized to the plastic bag. I am sure glad I saw that video because Rupert is having a " COW", as in big black and white Jersey Cow, over the bags. I have spent all week working on it and only yesterday did he touch it with his nose. I still can not get it any where near his body. Geeze he is sensitive. If the water issue was scary. This is magnatude 10 X more scary.
I thought I better order Clinton Andersons Colt starting DVDs because I would not want to leave a important step out. His TV shows do not show the actually saddling and I have heard mention surcingle and boat bumpers. So The DVDs are on their way.
PLASTIC BAGS ARE GOING TO EAT ME!!!
Hooh man - the first day he was snorting and trying to dash left and right. All I did was hold the handy stick( with 2 bags on the end of it) in front of me and try to lead him behind me. The correct way to introduce a spooky object is to have it retreat from the horse per Clinton Anderson. It is not a threat when it is going away from the horse. I worked in the round pen for an hour. Low energy first desensitizing, doing some lunging for respect then backing and turning the HQ and 4 hand. Then following the bags. I got to the point I could wave the bags in front of me from Left to right. I was beginning to wonder if I was doing it right but I just thought I cant quite while he is uptight, he has got to relax. Granted it was quite breezy causing the bags to whip around.
The next day was equally as difficult with the bags. Tight frog lips or as CA says "Fish Butt". Lips so tight they are water proof like a fish's butt. Another hour of work. But I was able to lead from both the right side and left side. He is definitely not wanting me on his right side. It is more spooky when I am on his right side. He did take off a few times and get away from me in the round pen when I was on the right. Snort, snort, big boinking steps but he would disengage and stop facing me.
Day 3 Much better today. And the wind has died down so the bags are not whipping on their own so much. I could wave the bags L and R. Change directions and eyes much better. But he still has his "Frog lips" lips tight together, a little anxious about the bags. I did manage to finally walk backwards with the bag between me and him and wave it R and L. He was snorting and more unsure. Head down taking tentative steps and weaving right to left. Not able to hide behind me! Finally I was able to stop. Hold the stick up and while holding the bags he actually sniffed and lipped the bags.
Day 4 - The Plastic Bags are AWOL -Rupert had someone hide the bags. I can not find the stick and bags. They are gone. Did a big dirt devil whirl them away to OZ? OK Pony's return the bags! Rupert is happy! With a dark horizon, rainbow and immanent rain: we hurried up and just worked on putting his head down to pressure on the poll region. This is for ease of bridling. We worked on introducing moving his HQ away from constant pressure which he did very well. He doesn't mind a rope around his barrel pulled tight. He can have the saddle blanket over his head, neck and back with out any problem.
Approaching another week, making slow but steady progress when compared to where we were on June 1st. I just have to put it in perspective, compare it to the start and be patient.
One thing I have learned is to make sure he has front protective boots and bell boots on. I didn't when I first started working him because he was too spooky. I put them on at 2 weeks of work. As I led him off the tie rail he was taking big high steps with his front feet. He almost ran me over because he was looking at them with his right eye and spooking left into me on a circle. He had just enough round pen work to remain in control and not run me over but it was close. Sure glad I had them on for the plastic bag work though. His legs were hitting the round pen pipes as he frantically dashed around.
This week I also learned to never be with out my Handy stick. I had tied the plastic bags to my Handy stick, but when working on the other exercises I was just using the lead rope. He darted off and kicked out at me when the stick and bags outside the RP rattled and scared him. Thus I put the plastic bags on a old shortened lunge whip so I could have my Handy stick available.
* PS: I wear my helmet during all this ground work and always when riding.

First Week of July - Ruperts Log

Great strides this week! Every day 1-2 new things are introduced. Really scary this week was the whip whizzing thought the air over his head. Also me climbing on the RP top panel resulted in lots of snorting and spooking. But by day 2 of these new things he was calm.
He has been working on the sending exercise on line,backing, turn on the forehand, turn on haunches. Whip in figure eight while standing facing him and on each side. Leading, following the running water hose. Usually after 2 days off I put him off line in the Round pen initially and work on turning and some cantering.
On the 4th of July with fireworks popping in the back ground he worked well. Attentive and not afraid. I was able to Jump up and down holding onto his withers and back and really get some height with my torso bumping into him.
Yeah! And the big one - Rupert had his chest and neck hosed down with water while he was slurping the hose. Thanks Clinton Anderson.
We might not be putting the saddle on in a few days like Clinton but I am really happy with the month of work under our belt. I am thinking of laying on him this week but he is so tall I don't know if I can jump up. I need a leg up.
Sorry for the lack of photo's but it is a little challenging to work him with a camera in hand :)

Freesia - rearing instead of backing

Freesia was a twin filly. She just turned 10 yo. She is very smart. When she was a foal she would whinny when all her siblings were having their ground work saying "me, me, let me do it" She would then proceed to do all the exercises with out being asked. During saddling I would take a saddle into the pasture and put it on a horse. Freesia would come in between for the saddle to be on her. So it would go, saddle on Freederic, saddle on Freesia, saddle on Wondermann, saddle on Freesia...
She had a bad experience when she was young on tying to the rail and this has persisted. She can not be tied up especially to that rail. Applying the Clinton Anderson method I was amazed to find she would not back up. For the last few days we have been working on taking a few steps back. Yesterday she started rearing and bolting off when I asked her to back. This is surprising. In the dwindling evening light we resolve the backing issue by patience and repetition. I should have stopped there but I decided I would desensitize her to the whip whacking the ground 12-15 feet from her side. FREAK OUT!! It was like she was attacked to a 10,000 Volt line. Fifteen minutes later she finally stood and relaxed with the whip whacking the ground on the L, R and in front of her. OK it is dark now! When you start something make sure you have time to finish it.
It is fascinating and interesting to find the holes in the older horses training.

Clinton Anderson and a supple horse

I watched Clinton Anderson's advanced ground work and riding. It blew me away. In the ground work the horse is totally obedient and quick. Crossing fluidly demonstrating a remarkable relationship between horse and rider. Wow I want to do that. Similarly under saddle he is basically demonstrating leg yield, half pass, tempi changes, backing, pirouettes, turn on the 4 hand and turn on the haunches... all dressage movements and all very fluid. It made me realise my older horses all need improved suppleness and submission. Don't get me wrong, Kalae is a awesome horse but she could be better. The reason I am having trouble with my flying changes will be solved with improved suppleness and submission. I need to ask for more fluidity. I have started all my horses back to the beginning of ground work using the Clinton Anderson method.
The herd:
Freesia wont back up reliably and drops her shoulder in toward the person on the ground. She pulls back when tied up and doesnt tie.
Freederic has a very stiff neck and is difficult to bend. He is sensitive but could be quicker off the leg.
Divine needs to be more supple laterally.
Kalae needs improved fluidity and suppleness in lateral work. Fine tuning for more submission in transitions. More collection and control of 4 hand and HQ for improved flying changes.
Rupert is just in the colt starting stage.
Darlene needs respect on the ground. She tends to mow you over.
Pueo is very timid and can use desensitizing.

Rupert June 21-29

Every day gets better! Free in the round pen Rupert reliably goes left and right around the round pen and turns to the inside to change direction. Walk, trot and canter. One the line he is super. I even lunged him in the pasture a few times and he was really good. Who would have thought just 2 weeks ago he could do that. Backs up well. Worked more on turning the 4 hand and can almost do 360 degree turn. I can helicopter the whip next to his side and in front of him and he stands relaxed. He can disengage the HQ for a 360 degree turn. Started putting the lead line around his barrel and pulling it taught in increments with no problem. I introduced Hanging off his withers on both sides with no problem.
Added jumping up and down next to him to simulate getting on "OMG she is going to eat me" - he had heart failure. You know when you initiate the stimulus you can not remove it until he calms down and stands still and relaxes. His head is up, he is snorting and bolting left and right. I direct his head and 2 eyes to keep looking at me. There I was bouncing up and down for 10 minutes. My thoughts were "I'm too old for this, where is the neighborhood kid I can pay to bounce. I tell you my thigh muscles are both sore today.
Every day we work on the hose and water at the end of the lesson. Yesterday he was just dipping his nose in the fringing spray of the hose. He would jerk back his head and put his nose back down to touch the water. I could water the grass on each side of him and about one foot in front of his front feet. I refrained from squirting his hoofs. :)

One Rein Stop - Every rider needs to know this!

I went trail riding with Linda and Bambino a few weeks ago. Linda has introduced me to Clinton Anderson. At the end of the ride, as we came out of the pineapple field and approached my house, my herd all ran to the road. It wouldn't have been so bad if they just stopped but they slammed on the brakes, rolled back, bucked, squealed and took off. Kalae and Bambino bolted forward on the asphalt. Linda instantly grabbed mane with one hand and applied a one rein stop effectively planting her Clyde in place. Mean while we bolted forward, head high, not yielding to the reins but stopped after 30 feet because Kalae is a awesome horse.

Well I saw the video on the one-rein stop just a few days ago. Clinton shows how you practice sliding a hand 2/3 the way down the rein. You just ride around, slide left hand, slide right hand so it is second nature. From the halt slide the left hand and bring it to your hip, bringing the head around, release and do it again. Then do the right rein.  Then try at the walk. I practice this on Kalae 13 yo and Freederic. 10 yo.

It really helps with Freederic because he wont stop. This is the one thing I have been working on for a few months. I ride him toward the fence and do a down transition so the fence helps. He is too stiff in the neck and he sets his jaw when you try to stop. The one rein stop has worked wonders. He is a really huge guy at 17h and when he spooks and darts off in just a few strides you are across the arena. I actually shut down a spook. Yipee.

Every rider needs to know the one-rein stop. It is just amazing no one has taught me this after 30+ years riding. This is what I love about horses. I am always learning, there is so much to learn. It is so exciting to have this new opportunity to train a youngster.

Scared to death of that water hose - amazing result

Rupert is scared to death of the water hose. I have tried to sponge bathe his neck and front legs over the years but it has not worked. For sure I can not get a hose near him.

I saw the video of Clinton Anderson about introducing a scary object. You put your plastic bag on the end of the handy stick and walk straight forward with the stick pointing in front of you, leading the horse behind you. The scary object isn't scary when it is going away from the horse. So I did this with the hose, turned it on and walked forward with it in a big circle. Within just minutes he was trying to touch the water with his nose. He didn't mind the hose dragging along behind him. It was so simple and totally amazing.

June 14-21 Rupert is doing better

I have now watched Clinton Anderson Video's 1-10. Added to Rupert's routine is desensitizing with a rope, backing, disengaging the HQ, touching the nose to his barrel, yielding the 4 hand and leading turing 90 degrees L and 90 degrees right. I am still doing round pen work "off line"

Interestingly his mom whinnies initially but goes back to grazing quickly. What has helped as Clinton said is working a few days in a row. Each day he gets better. I have a video and some photo's to download tomorrow. Stay tuned.

June 7-13 Rupert's Progress

Worried start, blasting around - More relaxed in top photo at the end

I put Rupert in the round pen "off the line"and followed the steps in Clinton's First episode #1.

#1 Get him to go in one direction.

#2 Then Get him to turn to the inside

#3 Get him next to turn consistently to the inside

#4 Follow and look at you with 2 eyes

Well as you know he isn't weaned. So mom is whinnying 20 feet away, He is flying around the arena, trying to stop and turn when he gets half way to the far side. After about 5-10 minutes he starts to not stop and goes all the way around. He goes well to the Left (more comfortable side) so that's all I do on Day 1. On Day 2 we start off line going to the Left. He is still calling and Mom is racing back and forth along the fence. Rupert is looking out at his mom. He settles slightly quicker and I get some turns to the inside. I do get him to go reliably to the right. Good boy

Day 3 I try to lead him but he puts his head up, prances ahead of me dragging me back toward his mom. Yup that was intimidating. I didn't find the CA video about that until a few days later and the solution is so simple. Just walk in a small circle until his feet quiet down. Wow I have been handling horses 30 years and no one taught me that.Day 4 Big break through he did everything like a dream and stopped, gave me 2 eyes and took a step forward.

I Worked for 2 days so Rupert got a break.

Day 7 : Nightmare on Elms street: Sweaty all over and totally blowing me off, not licking and chewing, not giving me 2 eyes. I cant just stop and reward this disrespect. I keep hearing Clinton's voice, "I canter them right off because it just all takes so much longer if you don't." So I am having him go, change directions and I keep trying to stop and offer him the chance to stop moving but he is looking out and concerned about his mom. After 45 minutes he finally licks and chews and sort of comes to me. Hummm I had better stop here, he is a baby and out of shape and I don't want to blow any tendons.

Yes at 4 yo he is a 16.2h warmblood. They do not stop growing until they are 5.5-6 yo which is why I have waited until he is 4. Research has found TB and QH joints are closed at 3 yo, Warmblood joints close at 4 yo and WB/TB cross's at 3.5 yo.

Clinton Anderson - "No worries club"

I am excited to have found www.noworriesclub.com. This gives me access to all Clinton Anderson's TV shows ( 200 episodes) on ground training and colt starting via my computer. I just watched show #1 -3. It is a progressive series which is exactly what Rupert and I need. Now I can see what Linda was telling me. There are forums, articles and you get a discount on his shop. I am always amazed how the information I need finds me.

Rupert - advice for next step

Linda is helping Rupert and I. It has been 10 years since I backed my last batch of foals. Linda has a big half clyde mare named Bailey. Years ago when she got Bailey as a 4 yo Premarin Mare, she could barley be haltered. She worked her on the ground for years and now has a nice riding horse. Now Bailey's foal is a 5 yo colt named Bambino who Linda has worked extensively on the ground. She is up on all the different ground training methods and watches RFD TV video of Clinton Anderson.
She had recommended that Ruperts initial round pen work be on the lunge line. This worked very well. My previous foals (8 of them) all went into the Round pen w/o a line attached and worked free. The big difference is they had all been weaned. They learned to turn to the outside, turn to the inside and joining up. Back then I was very fortunate to be introduced to a young man from Colorado named Tyler McCann. I had just returned from visiting my sister in England. While we where camping one of her friends daughters was reading a book by Monty Roberts. "What you haven't heard of Monty Roberts?" There I was in Scotland sitting by Loch Linne reading a fascinating story. Wow it made so much sense. I had been a horse person for 20+ years and I had never been introduced to this. When I got home I was telling my friend about it when her daughter who was visiting said; " My boyfriend does that. I will bring him by tomorrow." Tyler had be en raised with Ray Hunt as his mentor. He showed me so much in the few days he was on Maui that I invited him back for a clinic. Little did I know he was still in High school. A nice young man with a wonderful feel for horses. This lead me to study Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance, John Lyons and Monty Roberts. This all happened around 1997-2003.

Linda advises don't forget to use your body language to send him out on the lunge. Point to the direction you want him to go. Bend forward at the waist toward his hip that you want him to go.
Wave the wand 3 times in the air over his hind quarters, If he doesn't go you tap him 3 times. Usually they will go on the first tap. If he goes well on the large circle good. If he doesn't then you make the line shorter to the middle range, if that doesn't work then you walk him on the short line just out of the kicking zone at the walk. Don't be afraid to let him know with the wand he needs to stay out of your space. The Reason is, you can not have a 1200 lb animal in your lap. He must respect your space. I am constantly having to remind Bambino to stay out of my space.

Yes I remember years ago I could not lunge Divine. She would drag me all over the arena. John Lassetter watched us for about 5 minutes, took hold of the lunge and shortened it to 15 meters and she lunged like a dream. "When you have control on the shorter circle, then you can let her out a little longer. The moment she starts dragging you around you shorten her up and put her to work."

Linda says once he lunges well, next we have to work on changing eyes. On the lunge I can send him forward along the rail, then ask to change directions, send him past me as I stand in the middle of a figure 8. I remember doing this with Tyler.

Then free work in the Round Pen
Then Trailer Loading and Unloading. He does this but has never had the doors closed or the trailer moved.

Rupert - The training begins Week 1-3

Rupert will be 4 yo on June 16th. This is a log of his training adventures.

3 weeks ago Rupert entered Kindergarten. He has not been weaned and all prior work over his life has been done in the proximity of his mom. When he was young he learned how to wear a halter, lead fairly well, back up on command, move his haunches L or R, Stand for trimming, go in and out of a trailer, and wear a blanket.
He does not know how to tie. Does not like water at all!, has never had a surcingle or girth on, Has not been away from his mom.
Previous attempts to have him separate from his mom result in all out pandemonium on both their parts. Rupert can not focus on anything else, trys to get out of the round pen or arena and becomes unleadable.
I was encouraged by Linda who said Bambino, her 17+ hand part Clyde was never weaned either. He is 5 and still with his mom but goes out on his own now. "I just put him to work and in 2 weeks he got over it."
I started leading Rupert in the evenings. It was obvious I needed to establish his trust and become the leader. I always make sure he has at least 30 min to 1 hour to gallop and play before I start work. Week 3 he does basic leading, stopping, backing, labyrinth work before going out of his pasture.
Week 1: We stop, back, turn haunches L or R and lead going in any direction.
Week 2: A ground labyrinth is added. A series of poles he has to walk through, stop, back and
turn in. This went quite well and he was very relaxed.
Week 3:- Now to expand his boundary and remove him from the pasture with his mom into
the adjoining area. This went well the first day as he was just 10-15 feet away going
up and down the fence line. The next day I ventured further, up to 30 feet away.
As soon as I went around a tree he became anxious. Suddenly 18 h tall and dancing
on the end of the line trying to run over me. I was trying to halt and back him w/o
success. Yikes he is big. Closer to the fence he settles down and is good the remainder
of the time.
- This evening I intend to repeat the further away scenario but want him to be more
comfortable so I turn out a calm mare into the pasture he will be in. This works very
well. He is calm, does all his ground work and it was a success even w/ his mom
calling and pacing the fence line.
- Today Rupert enters the round pen to lunge. I have a halter on and a 25 foot soft
nylon line. I walk, back and halt around the pen. Then I ask him to walk forward to
the left. He stops to eat grass. I tap him on the quarters and he bolts forward.
He stops 50 feet later and eats grass, repeat scenario and by the 3rd time he doesn't
try it again. Very calmly he trots and walks. He is licking his lips. Great I will stop
here. I am very happy and scratch his belly and lead him calmly back to his mom
who had been whinnying and running up and down the fence. The round pen is
approximately 20 feet from the fence line. Using the line in the pen helped prevent
him from sticking his head through the open rails and from frequently changing
directions and running willie nilly.
- Today I will try to lunge both directions if he goes well initially. Yes he lunges well to
the left. It is way more difficult to the R. He immediately turns around to go L. After
3 attempts I realise I have not lead him from the R side. I try to lead him but he
keeps trying to put me on his Left. I shorten the line up and manage to get him to
walk around the track of the RPen with me just out of the kicking range. This seems
to work. He walks and trots well to the Left. I am introducing words walk and Trot,
and burrrp for stop. A kiss for forward. He is very sensitive and I make sure I lightly
touch him with the whip. I put a saddle blanket all over his back and neck, face with
no problem, he is calm. Belly scratches for a reward.
-Today I work him at noon, just before feeding, All the horses are out of their
paddocks into the pastures. I did not hand walk him thought the labyrinth. I halter
him and walk, open and go through a gate, halt, walk 10 feet, halt and back and right
into the RP. He lunges well to the L but has much more energy. Calling occasionally
to his mom who is calling and running down the fence. To the right he keeps turning
around quickly. I try to get the line low so it goes back half way between his hock
and tail dock. He knows the exercise where you but the lead behind his butt and pull
on it and he has to turn toward the pressure and turn facing you. This works on the
lunge line. However sometimes he is quicker than I am and gets the line high and it
wraps to the middle of his neck. The first couple of times he shakes and lowers his
head and slaps his front feet down in a little tantrum like activity. He is pulling me
around the R.pen. I don't want to let go of the rope and have him get scared of it
dragging behind him. I do drop the whip and hang on with both hands. Lucky I have
long legs. Then I get smart. Instead of trying to stop him I just cut him off at the
pass and get big ( hands up) and have him turn to the outside to go Right and thus
unwrapping the rope from his neck. Of course because he is excited and animated
everything is happening quickly. This goes on for 10 minutes. Finally he walks and
licks his lips. So we accomplished a lunge to the right. Walk, trot and halt on
command to the left.