Jumping (For greenies)

Hello, my equine buddies :)

So, recently, one of my friends have been trying to bring her 4 year old onto jumping and I just thought since I did this with Blue that I would do a post saying what I did with him and what I think works for bringing a horse on.

(Warning: This is based on by past experience, not a professional opinion. Also, the height ratio should be altered depending on the size of the horse/pony)

Okay, I'm not sure where to start but I guess you want to make sure that you are in an area which you and the pony are comfortable in and have lots of space around the jump. Make sure to be happy trotting and cantering over poles and they aren't offended by anything surrounding them. Such as jump stands!

So I would suggest starting off with just the one pole on the ground with jump stands either side to get your horse used to the set up. Now its likely, if they are green, to be quite spooky around this foreign object (if you can turn your pony out with the jump in their paddock, or in the arena, do, just so they are used to the sight of it) remember to reassure your horse and reward it when it over come its fears. Even though I say that, don't pussyfoot around too much. Give them the support they need but make sure you are still in charge and that you still expect them to do as you say. Ensure that you go over the pole at speed, defo a trot, obviously a green horse isn't going to canter over it instantly but make sure they can before putting the rail up.

Okay, once you have your horse going over the pole in a canter, well. You should now bring the pole up a little, only a little to lift the pole a few inches of the ground. This introduces the idea of the pole being higher than the ground and the horse is going to have to put effort in to get over it. Again make sure you are going at it straight and that your horse is happy. Now, obviously you are going to knock it and don't get disheartened. Keep at  it until you feel, both you and the horse completely get it. (AGAIN you are still going to knock a rail from time to time, you don't have to continuously get it right before moving up a notch)

Okay, this is where things get interesting and a little more complicated. I'm going to try and spell it out in two options.

Option 1:
If you are super confident, are bringing a horse back into work or teaching an experienced horse to jump you can try this.
After your horse has got the gist of the jump scenario and the pole off the ground I would bring it up around half a foot off the ground.
This gives a defined message that your horse needs to actually jump and can't just trot over it. From then onward I would go up at what ever pace you like, I find this good, go up 1/2 foot then, then 1/5 foot and then 1/8 foot onward.

Option 2:

Gradually build the jump up as slow as you like, you could go a cm at a time. (You may want someone there to put the jump up, its seriously ridiculous to have to get off and on every 5 seconds). I did this with Blue when I had just got him, I was 13 at the time and was very nervous so the caution was more to settle my nerves rather than Blues. I'm not sure exactly how gradual I did it, I did quite a few cross poles to get up to an okay height.


Once you have got to this stage you are pretty much good to go. Just a final thing.
Vary, the jumps you jump, don't just stick with one for the entire learning experience, for 1 you are going to pick up bad habits, 2 you will end up with a preferred leg and 3 your horse will not understand a course of jumps with turns and bends. I say that, don't go jumping 10 jump courses when you are learning, when you are up to just less than a foot I would suggest a couple of jumps, never one directly after another.

Now, on a similar note, vary what kind of jump you are jumping, vary between cross pole and straight pole and double pole. I understand you may have a preference and feel more comfortable to jump a certain type, that is fine to jump when you are going up a notch, but make sure you can jump a straight of similar height as well. A cross pole is great for alignment and I would suggest using them regularly while learning but don't overuse them as your horse has to learn to curve on a jump as well. If you have a dodger (you can guess what that is) I would suggest putting poles at the ground on the sides of the jump, you can actually place them on the the rail itself but I would really only do that for alignment. If you need help with your pacing and strides, you could try putting a placing pole in front of the jump, either when you are to break into canter or when your last stride starts, this gives you good perspective of how long your horses stride is.







I think that is all it, ooft! I hope so at least. Okay. That was a very long ramble. I wish you the best with your jumping etc. Remember safety, is the upmost importance, so hats on and preferably body protectors on and have fun! Byeeee! xx

Everyday

(Apologies in advance, no pictures due to my tablet cutting them all in half)

Hi guys, so where do you ride? Keep your horses? What do you do?

Today, I thought I would tell you exactly what I do and where I
do it. So, on an everyday basis I have the horses in a 8-9 acre field. The field is next to my house. This makes life incredibly convienent, I can run out in my pajamas and crocs and go jump on blue, literally! We have one stable, split into two, one side for storage, one for horse. The actual stable is quite dreary especially in winter when there is no sun, however it is serves its purpose. Nearby is a room half for tack and half for dad's stuff, sometimes when I am untacking blue I take him in there (sshh don't tell dad) this room is spacious and is great for cleaning tack. There is about a 3 metre gap between the stable and the house, with my room's velux directly aligned with the stable door. This means when I have a pony in I can wake up, walk from my bed to the window and say morning. This is the luckiest thing ever, no-one I know can do that. The
downside/upside to this is that if there is a loose horse I can quickly deal will it, on the other hand they are running around a trampoline and cars!

Within the field I have a diet field, which I used to use for flatwork but now its too muddy, a flatwork area which is in the 'some nights' video on my YouTube channel. I have several jumping places, on along the side of the ditch, and the two you see in '-Blueberry-' video. At the top of the hill in the field there are huge rocks sticking out the ground so I can make some fun xc courses up there. That is basically it when it comes to the field, I don't do much clearly and I don't adventure much but I still really enjoy it.

So where do I go other than the house? Hacks, so much hacking! I have several routes, some outback some not. I do enjoy hacking around forests aposed to roads but where I am you have to spend a significant amount of time on roads. Ah well the forests around where I am are worth it. Outback hacks are short and I am still to discover more. Another place I go to with blue is a nearby stables with an outdoor floodlit arena, not sure what size but three arena's worth. This place is great, I go there for a day (free, because the manager there is amazingly generous!) and jump blue in their huge arena, with awesome jumps and fillers. As my Christmas present I get 2 weeks livery there for Blue so you will definitely be hearing more about this place. I sometimes go to my friends stables where she has her horse kept, the place has plenty more facilities which some are amazing, indoor arena yaah, one thing I have had to realise is arena protocols, at the place I go to there has only ever been one or two other ponies in the arena, using the other side. Shock to the system!

I think this ramble has gone on long enough so I am going to bring it to a swift end. I hope you enjoyed it and good luck with your own shenanigans!

Lunging (Basic)

Hey people :) I'm super sleepy right now so I am sure that I will make tons of typos, SORRY!

So lunging! It sure is a great way to exercise your horse for whatever reason you have.

Here is what you need to lunge:

For you:

Hat. Always use a hat while lunging as you could be thrown to the ground or kicked during this activity.

Boots - As muddy as you like! You will need grip when you are on your feet so make sure you have well fitting boots.

And finally, gloves. You really need gloves with good grip as the lunge rope is easy to run through your hand. Also you really want to prevent any rope burn you receive through lunging.




For the horse:

Bridle - if you are using a bridle to lunge make sure you are in a mild bit and the reins are taken off.

Cavesson - I don't have a cavesson but if you are using one make sure it fits well and will not rub and create sores.

Run the line through the inside loop and clip on the outside loop, make sure when changing direction to change the line on the bit.

You will need a good, long lunge line with complete stitching and in good condition.
 When you are setting up the horse before make sure that it is looped up correctly so you can adjust it easily.

Lunge whip, make sure that it is in good condition and you have a good hold of.

















The actual lunging:

Okay, I'm not gonna lie my lunging arrangements are quite poor, I don't have an enclosed area and the ground isn't ironed flat. Apologies if this offends anyone, I do have pride in the safety of my ponies and assure you that what I am doing doesn't harm or upset them in any way or form. Here are general rules which I really should/do go by:

- Use an enclosed area
- Ensure the ground is flat and solid
- No other horses are in your way
- Your horse is happy in this area
- Don't use an area too small.

Urgh! Practice what you preach!

When you are lunging make a triangle with the lung rein at your horses's head, the whip behind him and you in the middle of the circle.
Try to follow your horse's withers instead of their head, this will stop you getting ahead.

NEVER HIT YOUR HORSE WITH THE WHIP. Use the whip to create sound and awareness that you are asking for a change in pace. This whip is not designed to hit your horse with and you could seriously hurt your pony.

Make sure that the lunge line has a little slack but not so legs can get tangles and not too short that you and horse and being pulled towards each other.

When lunging make clear commands through voice and whip, when results occur praise your horse (Don't let them in on the circle), when they misbehave, stay calm and collected and keep a low voice so they are aware of their wrong doings.

Thanks for reading, if you have any questions feel free to leave a comment :)

Pulling :P (the mane)

In the beginning

Hey guys :) Here is a tutorial on how to pull your horses mane. I have some pictures of Shannon, my intense mare. I say intense, she seems to think whenever blue is out of her sight that we are harming her or him!

Before we start, please do not judge Shannon on this, I just haven't had time to tidy her up properly since its still winter :(
Yes, dandruff, sorry! She just get it bad when winter rugs come!
Tip
Try using a rubber curry comb to bring the embedded dandruff to the surface. Then use a duster to remove the dandruff. (THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO DANDRUFF IN THE MANE OTHER THAN COMBING IT OUT)

So, lets start by putting it in stages.

Stage 1
Comb mane throughout, thoroughly so there are no tangles. Using detangler spray or condition spray is helpful to get tangles out and also to keep the hair in good condition (key to successful pulling).

Stage 2

Comb down the hair until you get to the thinnest hairs. Keep this in mind over how short you want the mane but at the start pull these hairs out first.








Stage 3

Take a grip of the longest hairs and comb it upwards until they are only remaining.
Do this thoroughly as to maximize the ease of removing the hairs.










Stage 4
This is where you have options as to how you pull the hair.
Option 1
Pulling with your fingers. You can simply take a hold of the hair and swiftly strike down to remove the hairs (any form of gloves are helpful here, especially surgical gloves). Make sure that your motions are swift as to not cause pain to the horse. Also try very little hair to start with if you have never pulled your horses mane before as they could react badly.

This is my technique if I am going to use just my fingers to pull the hair out. That is to overlap my middle finger and then strike down with that middle finger making it a very swift, easy motion.
However just gripping the hair like the picture above is fine, the thicker the bit of hair the harder you will find to do this though.




Option 2

This is my preferred option when I have a really thick mane which also needs thinning.
You bring the hair through the bottom of the comb, through the teeth, then back over, down and through the teeth again. Then grip the comb and swiftly pull down to remove the hair.




Stage 5
At the end spray the mane with conditioner and work it into the tips. Also ensure any sensitive roots which have become stimulated by the pulling are clean and healthy. Then just comb the mane, fully again.

Finished!
There we go, that's how you pull a mane. Again remember this is the way I do it, along with many others. It doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you, but if you try out a few techniques there will be something that works for your horse.

(This is getting shorter in due course, I just do it gradually)

A little late..

Sorry, it looks like that  the blogs are going to be every Thursday apposed to Tuesday. So that's blogs on Thursday and videos on Friday. I will however put up a new photo album tonight to redeem myself, hopefully. Sorry bout this!

Sillyness

Hey guys, this has to be a short one because I have yet another interview!

So, the other day in school one of my friends showed me pictures of her horse, safe to say, looking dysfunctional! (I may mention, this horse, Magic, is amazing! the best youngster ever!) So here are the silly photos. Enjoy.

Well, hello there

Cheese, gimmi cheese!

:P

I just can't stop laughing at these! I don't see how my friend took these pictures in time!

I then went off and looked for silly ones of my ponies... I have close to none. OUR HORSES ARE REVERSE! Magic is stupid in photos and is perfect in the flesh, Blue is lovely(ish) in photos but is a complete idiot in general! 

So, here are the photos I tried to make look funny...(Warning! They aren't funny.. I lack humour :S)

Because you're worth it!

Are You Filming Me?

Nom nom nom

Okay..

Anyhoo, gotta run, laundry to do :) 

I don't even know....

Hey everyone,
This is gonna be a short one since I have no time, school, horse, revision tiding and the Sainsbury's is coming tomorrow!
This is a guide to my general, every day groom, for both ponies. Its quite simplistic and I don't use things others need to.

Okay, to start with is a Dandy Brush. This has tough bristles to brush dust and dirt off your horses body, neck, belly and upper legs. Use firm strokes in the direction of the hair as to not tickle the horse.
Second is the rubber curry comb. It has solid circular loops of rubber to brush dirt off your horses body. I put this second as I only use it when Blue has been rolling in mud and it now covered in dry mud. Its also handy to remove hair when ponies are malting (Blue has an immense coat making this tool valuable indeed.) Brush in the form of small circled on the main areas of there coat.

So here is a plastic curry comb, this has rigid bristles to brush the mane, tail and fringe of your horse. I do sometimes use it for Blue's feather on his legs, after cleaned and dried but I wouldn't suggest this if your pony has thin feather. Brush your tail in parts first and then use downwards, clean, defined strokes for tail, mane and fringe.

Here is the body brush, it has soft bristles to brush your horse's body, legs, face and "intimate" areas :P. When brushing the body and legs ensure you are brushing in the hair direction with again firm strokes as to not tickle your pony.



Lastly here is to pick your horses hooves. I have made this is to and extended array of pictures.

 

Okay, its safe to say that my optimism of keeping this short was ambitious.  Re-donc-u-las!
OOFT! I'm done now. Like I said before don't take what I say as awe-inspiring, this is just the way I do it and it works. You can do it completely differently and it will still work just as well.
I wish you fun in what looks like more snow!
Byeee xx