tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post7395770561885589038..comments2023-11-30T04:11:25.341-05:00Comments on What was I thinking.....?: PurposeWolfiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-86868058815167944442012-05-15T13:36:09.152-04:002012-05-15T13:36:09.152-04:00I guess that some enjoy the routine and comfort of...I guess that some enjoy the routine and comfort of the arena and lesson, while others don't. It's too bad that you weren't aware of his dislike before you borrowed him. Nice to hear from you!Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-54029950395533590012012-05-15T13:34:42.702-04:002012-05-15T13:34:42.702-04:00I have never had any illusions that Gem is smarter...I have never had any illusions that Gem is smarter than me! :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-30137691699604975002012-05-15T13:34:03.579-04:002012-05-15T13:34:03.579-04:00I seem to recall you posting about this, Victoria....I seem to recall you posting about this, Victoria. I will check it out. Thanks!Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-41684264866598776472012-05-14T19:27:34.605-04:002012-05-14T19:27:34.605-04:00lol the comments about trail horses not liking the...lol the comments about trail horses not liking the arena rung a bell for me. When I borrowed the trekking pony on loan the other year, he hated the arena having never done any schooling work but he wasn't just bored he was pissed and showed me by bucking me offJanLouhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03010473291932572898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-5577859383399825542012-05-14T18:06:40.463-04:002012-05-14T18:06:40.463-04:00woman smart, horse smarter? ;) lol
anyway, seems ...woman smart, horse smarter? ;) lol<br /><br />anyway, seems when my friend set up my new page, all previous comments were lost, including yours... sorry bout thatlaughingwolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08873675614347328116noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-680446277924925022012-05-13T20:52:47.001-04:002012-05-13T20:52:47.001-04:00You've gotten so many good suggestions here. O...You've gotten so many good suggestions here. One more thing to think about --- When I was finding that Siete was bored and didn't seem to want to be my partner, I discovered Carolyn Resnick. Check out her blog and her book. Just starting the Waterhole Rituals with Siete made such a big difference in our relationship. It compliments whatever else you are doing in your lessons and it helps build the bond between you. Just a thought. I'm sure that you and Gem will work this out. He's just trying to tell you something and luckily, you are listening.Victoria Cummingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17267314663679137147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-1161298965426148082012-05-08T12:26:24.552-04:002012-05-08T12:26:24.552-04:00So nice to hear from you! I like your idea of mix...So nice to hear from you! I like your idea of mixing group and private lessons. I had a couple of private lessons in April and I got so much out of them compared to group. However, I really do like the social aspect of group lesson. :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-51509764125183674142012-05-08T04:33:28.653-04:002012-05-08T04:33:28.653-04:00I love that you are willing to try and make things...I love that you are willing to try and make things fun for Gem, you are listening to your horse and that is great! I would definately talk to your instructor about mixing things up in your lessons but that can also be difficult when it isn't a private lesson as she needs to consider others. If possible can you have a group lesson every second week and a private lesson the other week? That way in your private lesson you could work on more challenging things? Everybody else has suggested great ideas for arena work.<br />GOOD LUCK!!!!Ninahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02632143091614116055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-21871295815364041182012-05-04T05:24:15.158-04:002012-05-04T05:24:15.158-04:00Two gears: walk and hell-for-leather! Lol, I have ...Two gears: walk and hell-for-leather! Lol, I have known a few like those. The self-same little school horse is in my profile picture... she even looks like a brat - but everyone loved her to bits. Ride out then Wolfie, and work on your bits of schooling while you ride out, a good time with your friend is also important. :)Landershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613235363954103351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-32826618358063897192012-05-03T19:53:22.899-04:002012-05-03T19:53:22.899-04:00Lesson horses are so small compared to Gem! I may...Lesson horses are so small compared to Gem! I may have an even worse time trying to keep my balance. :-) There is one lesson horse that doesn't care much for trotting, but like your example, she loves to run. She looks beautiful.Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-20562333177975653542012-05-03T19:42:49.720-04:002012-05-03T19:42:49.720-04:00Thank you! I will visit, for sure.Thank you! I will visit, for sure.Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-61132624767019215762012-05-03T19:40:21.553-04:002012-05-03T19:40:21.553-04:00Make no mistake - he does have a naughty side to h...Make no mistake - he does have a naughty side to him, but he is not malicious. :-) Excellent suggestion and yes, there is a "loping" field out on the trails. My goal is to lope around it a few times by summer's end. :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-86404661439464271132012-05-03T19:37:20.410-04:002012-05-03T19:37:20.410-04:00Interesting question - I take lessons so that I ca...Interesting question - I take lessons so that I can learn how to be balanced, safe and correct in my communication to Gem. My focus is definitely on me at this stage. I am seriously considering taking a break from lesson this summer. It may be time for both of us. Wonderful that you are riding Cassie again - Yay!Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-61469313125795758332012-05-02T13:59:20.485-04:002012-05-02T13:59:20.485-04:00Could you alternate your lessons so that one week ...Could you alternate your lessons so that one week you ride out and the next you have a lesson? Apart from that I'd make the same suggestion as Sandra and Breathe, in fact a school horse may even up your confidence during your weekly lesson so that when you take Gem out, you feel more confident about things? This story brings to mind a school pony we used to ride who also soured from teaching novices, so she would be so difficult to move forward, but once we got on to give her a canter she would hot up tremendously and really get into it, sometimes even trying to steer into jumps hoping her rider won't mind :) Good luck Wolfie!Landershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14613235363954103351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-91883325766374057802012-05-02T13:54:42.764-04:002012-05-02T13:54:42.764-04:00Brilliant blog! Why not come and post it at Haynet...Brilliant blog! Why not come and post it at Haynet an Equine Social Blogging network? We have blogs from all over the world in all things equestrian. Be great to have you there! Come and visit http://hay-net.co.uk/Equine Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08745158633433533850noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-55080602531225201792012-05-01T11:29:47.643-04:002012-05-01T11:29:47.643-04:00So many ideas! But hats off to you for working out...So many ideas! But hats off to you for working out that he acts the way he does because he's bored and not because he's naughty. <br /><br />I was thinking this might be a dumb idea but I see that Sandra does her schooling while out hacking :D *enjoys a small confidence-boost* Would that be a possible option for you and Gem? Are there level stretches of ground where you go trail-riding?Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18058665356922189006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-22058568974455845672012-05-01T10:26:48.486-04:002012-05-01T10:26:48.486-04:00I was going to make the same suggestion as Breathe...I was going to make the same suggestion as Breathe. It depends on why you take lessons. Are the lessons for you to improve your riding skills or are they so you can have help with improving Gem? If the lessons are mainly for you, I think it would be a good idea to give Gem a break and ride a school horse. Or perhaps you could take a private lesson with Gem?<br /><br />I use my picadero for in hand work and liberty work. I do ALL my schooling out on a hack. I have just started riding Cassie again (yay!) and after 8 months off she needs a lot of work, but I do it out on the roads and forestry around here.Sandrahttp://twohorses.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-30328999597979456212012-05-01T10:10:41.115-04:002012-05-01T10:10:41.115-04:00You are so right....it is equivalent to a child be...You are so right....it is equivalent to a child being in a classroom. I was bored at school, too, so I can relate to what he is going through. I never thought of taking a lesson on a lesson horse; something to consider. I hadn't realized it, but your observation about trail horses being bored in the arena and arena horses disliking trails is so true!!Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-82675488154702079602012-05-01T10:07:30.000-04:002012-05-01T10:07:30.000-04:00Good ideas. Jumping? Yikes! I don't think m...Good ideas. Jumping? Yikes! I don't think my old body can handle that! :-)Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-39013730560871027412012-05-01T10:04:50.630-04:002012-05-01T10:04:50.630-04:00Funny you mention toys. Having 3 dogs of my own, ...Funny you mention toys. Having 3 dogs of my own, one of the first things I bought him was a big ball. :-) He doesn't play with it much in the summer, but he likes kicking it around the paddock or field in the winter. He has a couple of turnout buddies that he plays with, so I am not too concerned about him being bored when I am not there.Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-38155472832486259712012-05-01T10:01:17.787-04:002012-05-01T10:01:17.787-04:00Based on yours and GHM's recommendation, I am ...Based on yours and GHM's recommendation, I am getting Cherry Hill's book! I do go on a trail ride almost every Sunday. I am usually only in the arena for lesson....with 3 other people. I am thinking that I need to start being more involved in the content of the lesson to ensure it's different each time.Wolfiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04743943656869294788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-25600565767190058342012-05-01T05:56:28.632-04:002012-05-01T05:56:28.632-04:00Many great horses get burned out being used as les...Many great horses get burned out being used as lesson horses. While I imagine there are ways to make arena work challenging, it's still the equivalent of being in a classroom for a child. Sometimes one needs to get out and have recess.<br /><br />Could you take lessons on a lesson horse? It's always good to learn on different horses. You can also have purpose in an arena by playing games with others.<br /><br />But at the end of the day a good trail horse always seems bored by being in the arena, a good arena horse dislikes the trail. At least that's what I've found.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-63927636789948058972012-05-01T04:13:28.231-04:002012-05-01T04:13:28.231-04:00Good on you for finding out what was Gem's pro...Good on you for finding out what was Gem's problem. <br />Maybe you guys are ready to move up a level and start doing more complicated exercises.<br />instead of staying in the arean all the time why don't you take Gem out on a trail ride once a week.<br />As well as incorporating poles into your flatwork, how about making small cross rails or small jumps and jumping him over them.<br /><br />Just a few ideas ...:)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03285687707142504098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-631917751951196382012-04-30T23:51:28.069-04:002012-04-30T23:51:28.069-04:00Does he have toys to play with when you're not...Does he have toys to play with when you're not there? (Thinking it might ease up on the overall boredom. Also thinking as a dog-person here.)detroit doghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03636798112379229385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8766983761847636077.post-4204863782616905982012-04-30T23:30:41.098-04:002012-04-30T23:30:41.098-04:00I have to work to keep arena work interesting too....I have to work to keep arena work interesting too. I try to go on a trail ride at least once a week and I try to mix things up in the arena. Some days we work on transitions, some days we work on conditioning (lots of canter), some days we do poles... With a smart horse, it is definitely a challenge. Now that you know the issue, it will be easier to deal with (and more fun for you). I have the Cherry Hill 101 exercises book -- it is very good.Oak Creek Ranchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02875705582058188289noreply@blogger.com