Headlight's 2007 Training Journal
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE 2008 TRAINING JOURNAL!
Friday, March 3 2007
I've started Headlight's "get in shape" training for 2007. The arena was kinda wet so I did alot of hard troting and worked on our turns. I had Derek get on the tractor and pull the arena drag while I rode to really try to freak Headlight out. He didn't mind the tractor or drag at all. I rode behind the drag and then made Headlight stand in the middle while Derek drove the tractor towards us and Headlight didn't move an inch! I think he might actually trust me now.
Saturday, March 4 2007
Today the arena was ten times dryer then yesterday and I was able to do alot more work with Headlight. I did alot of circles at the lope and worked on his steering at faster gaits (he tends to like to slam on the brakes if he has to do a tight turn). Headlight didn't object to moving out at the trot and working the patterns like I thought he would. He has been dropping his head too low our last couple of rides so I worked on pushing him up and into the bridle more. At times his head was higher then I wanted but I understand he is out of shape and that will come with time.
I also worked on slowing my seat so that my rides look "effortless". My thighs were burning when I got off of him and he was sweating pretty bad. The new chains I bough are doing their job of making him actually pick up his feet instead of dragging them along. I'm looking forward to Mason Dixon :-)
Monday, March 5 2007
Headlight was wound up tonight. I got home from picking Saki up (he got fixed) and I could see Headlight runing up and down his fence line. I walked out to him in my dress clothes and he was acting like he hadn't even been fed (and he had no hay). I threw him some hay and a handfull of grain on top to make it more interesting. Poor guy, I think he wants a stall :-(
Tuesday, March 6 2007
I didn't work with Headlight last night. It was crazy cold outside and there was just too much stuff to get done at the barn. I had to put his second blanket back on (the past week he's only been wearing one) because of the snow comming today. Looks like I won't be riding for a while.
Thursday, March 8 2007
I didn't ride Headlight again last night...I did however lounge him with his wraps and chains on. He actually looked really good and listened to me the entire time. He naturally moves off his back end so when he canters its actually pretty slow even on the lounge. I've been keeping his neck wrap on him while he works in hope that it will help keep his "neck fat" down. I'm not actually sure if this works but its worth a try!
Saturday, March 10 2007
I rode Headlight today and we were the only ones in the arena....well we were the only ones at the barn. I worked on getting him back in shape by doing alot of troting and loped him for a long, long time. I also started working on getting him to respect my "clucks". I would cluck to him and if he didn't speed up I put my spur into him. He has gotten to where he ignores my constant clucking so he is in for a rude awaking. I also worked on staying still in the saddle while he loped, he is such a sensitive horse that as soon as I would "stop riding" he would slam on his brakes. He has improved greatly on this in the past couple of weeks. After our workout I sweated his neck with some "neck magic" stuff (I don't see any difference) and I put some cooling gel on his legs.
Sunday, March 11 2007
I got on Headlight today and warmed him up by doing some circles and then I asked for the canter departure both ways, stopped and then got off. Sometimes I don't feel like a horse needs to be "drilled" for a long time if they are having a "good day". I also was too lazy to put my martingale on him and I actually think I liked his headset better without it (he tends to get too low). I think from now on I will ride without any gadgets.
Monday, March 12 2007
I didn't ride tonight. Derek and I were going to the store so I just threw Headlights blanket on and called it a day. I think tomorrow I'm going to start him under lights in hopes that he will be completely shed out for Southern States (end of May). Its not like Headlight grows much hair but he also isn't "slick". I'm not too worried about Mason Dixon since its normally such a laid back show. I just wish his tail would grow faster :-(
Thursday, March 15 2007
" I came home tonight to find Headlight torn to shreads. It turns out that one of my POS boarders put him in the "shoot" and then told my dad that he "busted through the gate to get to the other geldings". It was complete BS and I think this boarder put my horse out with the geldings. I'm really upset about the whole situation and I hope that the scars go away.
Saturday, March 17 2007
I've been treating Headlight's cuts and making sure they stay clean and have plenty of cream on them so they don't leave scars. The big bite mark on his back is making me think twice about putting my western saddle on him so if I do ride anytime soon it will have to be in a hunseat saddle...YIKES. I did manage to get a bridle and saddle on Headlight and take him into the ring to find it very wet from the 5 inches of rain we got last night. I lunged him for a while and called it a day. The weather is suppose to get warm again this week so maybe I will get some training done.
Tuesday, March 20 2007
Last night I put Headlight on the lunge line to let him get some energy out since I knew I wouldn't have time to ride. Some of the boarders had set up a small cross rail so I thought "what the heck" and worked Headlight towards it. He slamed on his brakes and not so gracefully jumped from a stand still over the rail (about 3 feet higher then the actual jump). I continued to let him jump about 5 more times and when I saw that jumping made him HYPER I soon realized jumping is not in our showing future (not that I wanted it to be)
Its hard to imagine that my entry is due for Mason Dixion in TWO weeks! YIKES...I feel like Headlight and myself are not anywhere near ready for this show. There are a ton of things I need to work on as well as getting a new show jacket sewn and getting my tack cleaned...ugh I'm starting to feel the pressure!
Monday, April 2, 2007
Gosh I haven't worked with Headlight in what seems like forever. The farrier came out and put show shoes on him last week. Headlight's legs were going every which way and I really need to work him ALOT before Mason Dixon. I didn't do so much as to look at him this weekend...I hate when my personal life gets in the way of his training (which seems to happen more and more these days)
Wednesday, April 4 2007
Headlight was worked tonight in his training bit and drawreins. His jog felt awesome but his lope to the right felt horrible. I'm not sure if its the new shoes, lack of work or maybe I need to get someone to come do some work on his back. I feel like his back end is very week and all over the place. I'm thinking that I will work him for the next 5 days and if it doesn't get any better call someone to look at him. I'm praying that with the new show shoes he is just being lazy and not wanting to engade his hind end.
Next week I switch to the show bit to prepare for Mason Dixon....we are so not ready!
Saturday, April 7 2007
Yep this is about all Headlight does anymore:
We are going to go to Mason Dixon, make a fool of ourselves in front of Dwayne, and Derek is going to KILL me.
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007
Gosh so much to do! I have to ride Headlight in his show bit starting tonight and then on Sunday put the show bridle and reins on him to see how he does. Our last couple of rides have been okay. He still isn't as strong and in shape as he needs to be and the weather here has been horrible the past week. Its amazing to me to think that a week from today I will be leaving for Mason Dixon. UGH crazy stuff.
On a good note I got my new trailer mostly packed and I made it a point to show Derek how nice it is to have our $650 "board" (stud divider). I was able to put my hay, shavings, saddle rack, chairs and fans all in the first horse stall with room to spare! Tonight my goal is to get the matress and sheets in the trailer along with some of my "everyday" clothes. I'm sooooo not ready for show season!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
So I feel really good about last night :-) I got down to the barn and rode Headlight in a full cheek snaffle and worked alot on our canter departure going to the right. I went back to one of my fav. training methods of cantering off, taking 4 strides and them coming back down to a walk for 4 strides and then cantering again. By the end of our ride, Headlight was nailing every lead and had rocked back onto his hind end. Tonight I'm going to add backing into his training to see if I can get even more of a rocking horse canter!
I worked on Headlights tail last night. It actually look less time then I had thought it would and looks pretty good. Tonight I'm going to do a little more and put it up in a new tail bag since he managed to rip the one I put on him last night off already...I hope he doesn't mess up his tail too bad today.
Friday, April 20th 2007
Headlight's tail still looked good when I got home last night (thank god). I was able to make my own tail wrap out of a sleeve on a shirt I had given up on sewing a while back (odd I know) Derek said this morning his tail was still in the bag so I think I'll use that for the show.
I started on building Headlight's mouth back up to prepare him for his show curb. I will keep him in a smooth snaffle all day everyday untill the show. This will help his mouth get a little "tuffer" so he won't be so sensitive to his bit.
I get home today at 4:30 and will ride, clip and bathe him ...Gosh I can't wait to get out of WORK!!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 24 2007
Last night was busy (like I expected). I got to the barn and turned Headlight out while I packed up some more items in the horse trailer. Once I was done packing, I got Headlight out of the field and had to tack him up at the horse trailer since my tack was already packed. I rode for about 25 mins and work mostly on getting him to keep his head up and making him "drive" under himself with his hind end. The ride was okay...not the best....but not too horrible.
Once I was finished riding I hosed Headlight off and took him in the barn for clipping (my least fav. thing in the world). The white sock on his rear leg is once again white and I managed to twitch and perfectly clip his ears on my own. Once at the show I'm going to make Derek help me clip Headlight's muzzel since he totally hates that.
I turned Headlight out this morning before I left for work and I will lunge him tonight and turn him out all night. I still can't believe its show season!
Wednesday, April 25 2007
Last night was a bunch of things rolled into one. I worked more on Headlight's tail (which I think is finally done) and I sprayed him off with the hose. I have yet to give Headlight a real bath but everynight this week I have sprayed him down in hopes that the layers of dust in his hair will get washed away. After I sprayed him I covered him in a hair polish and put his blanket on. I turned Headlight out last night and he will stay outside untill we leave for the show. I'm praying that he will be exhusted by the time we actually leave for the show but since I've never could turn him out all day and night its more of a guessing thing at this point.
My plan is to get home tonight and lunge him for about 30 mins. and then wake up at 4:00 tomorrow and lunge again....let the no sleepaton begin!
Wednesday, April 25th 2007
Headlight has a awollen eye. I have no idea if he got something in it or if its allergies. I'm freaking because I really don't want to miss Mason Dixon after all my hard work over the past couple of weeks. I'm so sad :-(
Monday, April 30th 2007
Shew....back from Mason Dixon! While at the show Derek and I both realized that Headlight needed some major work on his shoes because he had ZERO knee action. I ended up having the show farrier work on him and put four new weighted shoes and pads on him. I think he moved about 30% better with the new shoes but not nearly good enough for Southern States. Starting Wednesday I'm working him in chains and bungees to get some more action.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT OUR 2007 MASON DIXON SHOW!
Tuesday, May 9, 2007
I've been working Headlight alot in chains trying to get his knee action better for Southern States. I had new show shoes put on him at Mason Dixon and the farrier there said that Headlights feet really needed some "growing time" so I will not have them done again untill Southern States. Hopefully this will help get them longer.
I tied Headlight up to a post last night and let a tarp get blown around him. He wasn't too happy about it but handled it pretty well. I have also hung things from the arena fencing in an attempt to get him used to the "banners" that will be hung while showing at the regional show. Headlight didn't pay any attetion to the banners when I rode him but I have a feeling they will try to "eat" him during one of our rides soon.
Before I left the barn I hung feed bags in his stall.....I will make this horse "bomb-proof" if its the last thing I do!
Tuesday, May 15th 2007
I've actually been riding Headlight alot this past week. I found my old fav. show bit and I've been working him in that. I'm still not sure if Headlight likes the shanks on it though. It seems like he pulls on me more in that bit then in his normal one. I'm pretty sure a regional isn't a good place to try changing bits on him so I think I will use my old one. I think I might try to take him to some showgrounds this weekend to just ride around and get him used to some more stuff. I could try going on a trail ride on Friday with him too. I rode in the field yesterday and he was perfect...didn't spook at all...maybe my "bombproofing is working"
Monday, May 28 2007
Just got back from Southern States to find that my horse is ranked # 1 in the country in Amt. Western Pleasure. I'm almost in tears...god I love this horse:
Check out the 2007 Southern States Regional Write Up!
I've been slacking on my training journal....I'll try to get better about it. Headlight got some fancy show shoes done at Mid-A which really make him move alot better! In other news Derek now calls headlight "Deevey" (he somehow got that from the DVF in front of his show name?!?!)
Wed. July 11th 2007
Last night I "bitted" Headlight to his right side while he was in his stall. He has always been a little tough on that side of his body and mouth so I make sure to do alot of exercises with him going that way and working him on the bit. Something as small as a curved headset will throw you off the judges card at the world show so I need to get this problem fixed ASAP.
After he was bitted for a couple of mins. I took him out in the arena for a quick ride. I worked some more on bending to both the left and right and did some jogging with impulsion in straight lines. I hope I can get him moving even better for Nationals!.
Tuesday July 17th 2007
I rode Headlight tonight and he was awesome! I put my mylar training bit on his bridle to change things up a bit and he responded wonerfully. Pole work has been helping to open his stride up more and get more knee action out of him. His transitions were flawless and didn't even have slight head movement (something big we've been working on!)
Our training is now going to be focused on ground poles and getting him more "up" into the bridle. I plan on also doing alot more despooking. Looks like we will hit three more shows this season (making it the fullest season ever for both of us!) I just wish vacation time and money weren't issues in my life :-P
Tuesday, July 31 2007
Its hard to believe that tomorrow is Aug. 1st! I have less then a month to get Headlight prepared for Old -D. Things have been slacking in his training and I really havn't done anything new and exciting. Most of my rides are just to keep him fresh and doing alot of bending. Its been a month since our last show and I want to get back in the show ring!
So cute 
Tuesday, August 7th 2007
This really doesn't have to do with Headlight's training but I thought it was too funny note to post about. My parents are on vacation so Derek and I have to take care of the horses in the morning. Derek went down to the barn about 5 mins before me and when I was walking down I saw Derek with the baby horse standing in front of Headlight's stall. I wasn't sure what he was trying to do so I walked in the barn and he told me to go get Headlight out of the baby's stall because he got the two mixed up! LOL that boy is blind!....its also very sad considering Headlight has a huge white star and is about 2 hands bigger then the baby. :-P
Thursday, August 9th
I rode Headlight in his weighted bell boots and draw riens last night. I also got out my big hunter spurs since from now on I have to use western spurs while at the show I figure I better get him used to me having a spur on at home....the last thing I want is for him to have a HUGE transition at a show because his sides are not used to my spurs. Headlight HATES spurs but he also didn't want to listen to me at my last show so he will have to just get over it.
I really need to get his feet done but I don't want to use a farrier who might risk cutting off too much of his foot before the world show. I'm going to have to figure out what to do and quickly!
Tuesday, August 28th 2007
Back from what might be our last show before Oklahoma! Headlight was a good boy and did very well at Old-D. While I was there I had the show farrier put on two back shoes (his back feet needed it badly) and the guy did a horrible job! I'm going to call the good farrier tonight and see if I can set up an appointment in PA to get him done by someone who actually knows what they are doing. The crappy thing is that those two back shoes costs me $75 and I know the good farrier charges a good $200 for shoes all the way around ugh!
Headlight has the rest of the week off untill I start riding him again. I still have my sites set on the $1,000 Western Pleasure Championship at the New York Regional but I'm not sure if we will end up going to that show...stay tuned....
Sunday, Sept. 9th 2007
Just got back inside from riding Headlight. We are gearing up for Grand Nationals by working on long loping sessions. Headlight was worked in bungiees and weighted bell boots before our ride. Derek was in the arena painting the fences with a sprayer and Headlight was "looky" but never spooked. Its amazing how much more confidence he has now then two years ago when I had just bought him. He has great work ethic now and is handling new situations and surroundings like a seasoned pro. After he was worked he got a liniment bath and conditioner put in his hair and was turned out to have some fun.
Friday, Sept 14th 2007
Back to the top: