Learning all the time

I just finished reading the book Whole Horse, Whole Heart Whole Horse by Mark Rashid (thanks Maryan for lending it to me and insisting that I read it :).  This book was just full of information that I already knew (confirmed it for me) but also full on things that I had thought I knew, but this book clarified it for me, and, of course I learned quite a bit too!

In one chapter he talks about being a young boy and having a horse "The Black" that he bonded in a way that each the boy and the horse gave all of themselves to each other.  Mutual trust, respect and love for each other.  He explains that even though this does not occur for all of us who love horses, he is very glad that he got to experience it and experience it so early in his horse career as it showed him what kind of relationship could be attained with horses.

I have loved and owned horses all my like, but never did I have a horse like Amazing Grace.  She and I bonded in a way that I couldn't explain to people and before reading this book I didn't even know that anyone else had experienced this type of relationship with a horse.  When I climbed on Gracie to go for a ride it was like coming home - we belonged with each other.

I have always loved horses, I have owned them since I was 11 years old, I will always love horses, but I have to admit that since Gracie died unexpectedly a couple of years ago that I do not have the same zest that I did while she was here.  Now, each new horse that I get - whether purchased or born here, I look and look at that horse "will this one be like Gracie?" and so far none of them have been.  I do enjoy and love each and every one of them, but it is like I will now always be searching for that something extra special that Gracie and I had.  If I am very lucky, I may find it again.
Shelly
http://www.curlystandardplace.com

A busy January for us!

Well, I have been doing lots of things with the horses so far this month, I have been riding *Joe at least three - usually four times a week and we are seeing really good progress.

He is fast becoming a really nice riding partner and I am looking forward to continuing our progress together.

Next is *Sandman's Serenade - she is also a Curly/Arabian and we have high hopes for this filly - she is an absolute delight to work with and train - she loves attention and she tries very hard to get things right.  My daughter Anastasia has done most of the ground work with *Serenade and now that Anastasia is in university full time I have taken over with *Serenade - here she is in her lessons:

The third horse I have been working with, to get started under saddle is the lovely lady *My New Flame - this is a very pretty young mare that has the most amazing movement - she will really turn judges heads in the dressage ring!  But first, I need to get her started under saddle - she is now lunging well and wearing a saddle too - taking it all in stride!

The winter riding conditions so far this year have been really great and we have been taking *Bijou and *Tessa out as often as possible - a couple of times a week.

Well, that is it for now - more news as it happens!

working with *Joe

Here is my Curly/Arabian gelding *Joe http://curlystandardplace.com/index.php?display=116 He is going well - this is a bit of video of me lunging him:


and here are a few pictures of him.

He is doing very well - excellent rhythm and learning to lift his back well.  I am also riding him and his saddle training continues to advance.  *Joe is coming 14 this year and never trained to ride before I got him, so IMO he is doing well.  His fitness level also continues to increase - he is going to be a real competitor on the endurance trails I think!

January 2nd, 2011 - first ride of the year!

January 2nd, Anastasia and I were able to get out for a couple of hours today - it was cold but just an incredible day to ride.  The trails are just about perfect, not a whole lot of snow, but someone has conveniently run around with a snowmobile and packed most of the trails down so that the footing is excellent.  We had a really great time and I even remembered to take my camera along so here are a bunch of photos!  Stay tuned - we are just getting started!

  I even got a bit of video - here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTIDLq-rJE

*Bijou and *Tessa