So we decided to ride today while the weather was mild and it was a learning curve to say the least. Kel protested to standing still on the yard with a little buck - a first. He was pretty wired most of the way along the roads and irritating Tralee in front despite fighting with him to not bite the old boy on the backside. Thankfully Tralee is very tolerant of Kel and didn't even bat an eyelid.
Well we had already made up our minds about having a first canter before he really gets his feet so today was the big day. He was definately ready for it and rather desperate to just go. We jumped a puddle on the way into the field (I still feel bad about jabbing him in the mouth when I got left behind the movement) and after a few seconds of just walking to keep him settled, asked for a trot and then canter. He was unfazed by my bumping in the saddle at first (gosh that's a wake-up call my legs are unfit to stand at canter) then as he evened his pace out I managed to take up a decent position and get off his back. He slowed up nicely which was better than expected.
Then the problems started. He wanted to keep trotting. He's feeling fresh and abit fizzy at the moment which I think is related to being on haylage despite Peter saying it wouldn't make him hot. He was prancing and refusing to quiet down by evading the bit. So we turned downhill in the second field over, waiting for him to chill out. I left Mum and Tralee standing in the middle while I attempted to walk him up and down to get him listening again.
Kel was having none of it. Evaded the bit, ignored the outside leg and refused to go forwards. He put in a little rear which was easy to sit to thanks to my forward seat (Its the bucks that get me). Then when he did stand quiet and I turned him back towards Tralee the trotting started again so hauling him to the right, I tried to ask him to walk quietly again. After digging his feet in and refusing to budge, I used the old trick of slapping the end of the rein on the shoulder to get him moving. After a couple of slaps he rushed forward and sideways, very nearly unseating me. I felt the air beneath my butt before a handful of rein, mane and a solid leg on the opposite side got me seated back in the saddle.
After the tantrum, I did finally get my way though and he walked back up the field and for the majority of the way home -Not tired but defeated in this battle at least.
So we're cutting down on the haylage and this week I'm going to start his schooling education - particularly in regards to stopping and turning when asked. This has been just a taster but Kel is a smart boy. I hope he realises that after trying and failing to get me off, he's better off just listening first time. We shall see.
Monday 26 December 2011
Thursday 15 December 2011
Mares and Geldings
I wanted to post my opinion on something I have a good deal of experience with; keeping mares and geldings together.
First things first - it can be done. We've had our horses in mixed herds for years now with the only exception being for a couple of years at Kestel where we had an all boy's herd.
Secondly, there is an old myth that says if you have a mixed herd, geldings should never outnumber mares. Perhaps in large and frequently changing groups this may ring true but from personal experience we know that several geldings can get along just fine with fewer mares.
We have 3 geldings and 1 mare all living quite contentedly in the same field. This is because a horse's social heirachy dictates there to be 1 lead stallion in the herd and lower ranking stallions that are tolerated as long as they don't try to dominate or mate with the lead's mares.
With geldings, this is taken to a greater degree because the lack of testosterone allows them to also form bonds with other geldings without constantly thinking about rivalry.
That's not to say geldings don't also think about sex because anyone who has owned one will know they still get aroused and that many will also mount other horses - mares and geldings alike. They are just generally less inclined to be so high strung over it.
Our herd has Tralee sitting pretty at the top as herd leader. He used to regularly mount Nell but has recently lost most of his libido. He used to be quite rough but has become more chilled since Kel arrived, allowing the youngster to do most of the work for him. Kel has pushed Rocky out of the second in command spot and has tried it on with Nell but that may be more coltish behaviour than rigginess. They have quite a tight bond now and Tralee is most of the time, willing to allow that. Kel is still very young and not much of a threat to the leader and is therefore tolerated like a young colt. Rocky is less liked by Kel but still ranks third because he acts more dominant towards Nell. He has never shown any inclination towards mares so is never a threat to Tralee. He is mostly on the outskirts of the herd and less bonded to the others but still important in the herd dynamics. He has the role of a submissive stallion who is usually lower than the higher ranking mares. Nell sits at the bottom of the pecking order but is now more protected by Kel, making the whole group calmer and happier. She has been subordinate in all herds she's ever been placed in and is probably happiest like this. She takes the role of the lowest ranking mare - a follower not lead.
On another note on the general day to day life at the stables, Kel and Nell are sharing a stable. The tie up area is just too wet to be used so they're now official bunk buddies.
First things first - it can be done. We've had our horses in mixed herds for years now with the only exception being for a couple of years at Kestel where we had an all boy's herd.
Secondly, there is an old myth that says if you have a mixed herd, geldings should never outnumber mares. Perhaps in large and frequently changing groups this may ring true but from personal experience we know that several geldings can get along just fine with fewer mares.
We have 3 geldings and 1 mare all living quite contentedly in the same field. This is because a horse's social heirachy dictates there to be 1 lead stallion in the herd and lower ranking stallions that are tolerated as long as they don't try to dominate or mate with the lead's mares.
With geldings, this is taken to a greater degree because the lack of testosterone allows them to also form bonds with other geldings without constantly thinking about rivalry.
That's not to say geldings don't also think about sex because anyone who has owned one will know they still get aroused and that many will also mount other horses - mares and geldings alike. They are just generally less inclined to be so high strung over it.
Our herd has Tralee sitting pretty at the top as herd leader. He used to regularly mount Nell but has recently lost most of his libido. He used to be quite rough but has become more chilled since Kel arrived, allowing the youngster to do most of the work for him. Kel has pushed Rocky out of the second in command spot and has tried it on with Nell but that may be more coltish behaviour than rigginess. They have quite a tight bond now and Tralee is most of the time, willing to allow that. Kel is still very young and not much of a threat to the leader and is therefore tolerated like a young colt. Rocky is less liked by Kel but still ranks third because he acts more dominant towards Nell. He has never shown any inclination towards mares so is never a threat to Tralee. He is mostly on the outskirts of the herd and less bonded to the others but still important in the herd dynamics. He has the role of a submissive stallion who is usually lower than the higher ranking mares. Nell sits at the bottom of the pecking order but is now more protected by Kel, making the whole group calmer and happier. She has been subordinate in all herds she's ever been placed in and is probably happiest like this. She takes the role of the lowest ranking mare - a follower not lead.
On another note on the general day to day life at the stables, Kel and Nell are sharing a stable. The tie up area is just too wet to be used so they're now official bunk buddies.
Monday 12 December 2011
Diets and Hacking
I know I said I'd post pictures of Kel's first ride but my god, I hate how I look in them. It was a bit of a "come to jesus" moment and while I know it was not a flattering jumper, I still feel I looked fat in those photos. So for the past two weeks I've been on the no junk food diet and esentially cutting out all the rubbish to drop a few pounds. While I don't look it most of the time, on my heaviest days I weigh up to 11 stone 10. For my height (5ft 5"), I should really be about 10 and half stone maximum. After two weeks I weighed in at 11 stone 1 so it seems to be working. I'm excited by the prospect of seeing myself back in the 10 range and I already feel a bit better in myself.
Back on the topic of horses; Kel went for his first full hack around the roads on friday in company. He was quiet and rather well behaved although lost concentration near the end and was trying to bite Tralee and play with him. The following Saturday we upped the ante and took all four horses out. Kel was unfazed and very good up until a point where we came across a huge German Shepard in a field by the road. He stopped, thought about spinning, went forwards at a trot then partially bolted past before coming to a standstill when he realised none of the others were following. It wasn't naughtiness but genuine fear so I give him credit for stopping and going back to look afterwards. He's only in a little eggbutt snaffle at the moment and I managed to stop him in that so I'm hoping he won't need anything stronger.
Saturday 3 December 2011
Ride number 4 and we're ready to hack
Ride 1: Sitting and being led.
Ride 2: Walking in the round pen on the lunge.
Ride 3: Walking and some sitting trot in the round pen on lunge.
Ride 4: First ride up to the farm and back.
I think this is pretty good proof of just what a willing little horse Kel is going to be. I've been long reining for a long time now so the steering and brakes are all in good order. Getting him to move off the leg is the next phase as he has a habit of shutting down when leg is applied. I shall let you all know how that progresses.
The weather was absolutely trashy as well so it was certainly a test of his metal. It tipped it down and was dark by the time we set out. Mum accidentally pulled the bit off the side of his bridle when she tried leading him off Tralee so I dismounted, stuck the bit back in, went back, got back on and set off again without the use of the leadrope which I surprisingly felt safer with. Mum really wanted the rope on but then she also later told me that she had been shaking, watching me get on him. I think it's harder for her than it is for me which is understandable.
It wasn't a long ride at all - 10 minutes or so - but for his 4th ride I'm very proud.
It's not all plain sailing though. Kel decided a few days ago that he was not going to stay in the field with Rocky while Nell and Tralee went for a ride. So he jumped the hedge and the 4 and a half foot post and rail fence at the top and flew right over into the round field. Thankfully he caught easily and I stuck him behind the electric fencing without incident but he's certainly going to be quite the athletic little jumper when he's older.
Ride 2: Walking in the round pen on the lunge.
Ride 3: Walking and some sitting trot in the round pen on lunge.
Ride 4: First ride up to the farm and back.
I think this is pretty good proof of just what a willing little horse Kel is going to be. I've been long reining for a long time now so the steering and brakes are all in good order. Getting him to move off the leg is the next phase as he has a habit of shutting down when leg is applied. I shall let you all know how that progresses.
The weather was absolutely trashy as well so it was certainly a test of his metal. It tipped it down and was dark by the time we set out. Mum accidentally pulled the bit off the side of his bridle when she tried leading him off Tralee so I dismounted, stuck the bit back in, went back, got back on and set off again without the use of the leadrope which I surprisingly felt safer with. Mum really wanted the rope on but then she also later told me that she had been shaking, watching me get on him. I think it's harder for her than it is for me which is understandable.
It wasn't a long ride at all - 10 minutes or so - but for his 4th ride I'm very proud.
It's not all plain sailing though. Kel decided a few days ago that he was not going to stay in the field with Rocky while Nell and Tralee went for a ride. So he jumped the hedge and the 4 and a half foot post and rail fence at the top and flew right over into the round field. Thankfully he caught easily and I stuck him behind the electric fencing without incident but he's certainly going to be quite the athletic little jumper when he's older.
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