January:
My boss offers me a horse. I'm torn because I can't afford a horse (specifically board) at this point in time, but I want a horse so much. I do a lot of thinking and praying. I don't really think anything will come of it though.
February:
I still don't think I'll buy the horse, but I can't help paying a little special attention to him now and then. He is such a sweetie! He sneaks through the fences (cough Houdini cough) into the mare pasture but the mares bully him so that barely gets any food or water. You'd think he'd have he brains to stay with the geldings . . . but no.
March:
A few things work together for good and we're going to buy Gambler! I'm gonna have a horse! I can't believe it.
April:
As of April 4th, 2015, Gambler is mine.
Woozy horse. |
Yes, this door. |
You can see the stitches on his eyelid here. |
May:
Gambler's training begins (re-begins). I've always wanted to train a horse at some point so I'm familiar with Parelli natural horsemanship methods. Teaching them to a young horse however, is much harder than I expected. I discover that while "Gamby" is quite spooky, he loves to play with new things like old grain bags.
I have to convince Gambler that a fly mask isn't going to hurt him. I put it on him backwards so that he can get used to the feeling of the ears. It creates a comical picture.
Right away, I teach Gambler to back away when I shake the rope or when I back up beside him. Because he has the tendency to crowd me, this is necessary for my safety. To this day it is the foundation I fall back on. Then I start to teach him to yield his forequarters and hindquarters. I try to longe him, but have a hard time teaching him to do it that Parelli way.
I honestly couldn't tell if this picture was of my mom or I . . . it's me. |
June:
In the beginning of June I visit family for two weeks during which I miss Gambler very much. When I get back, Gambler's training continues. We have a breakthrough with the circling game when I ask Gambler to move around a barrel. This is the month during which Gambler's dapples emerge.
Once he understands the cues to circle, training really begins. Gambler catches on quickly.
July:
This is a rough month for both of us. I am overwhelmed and stressed by the future and life choices I need to make. I had the chiropractor come out to look at Gambler and he is a mess. So I have to spend a lot of time doing exercises for his back. He gets squirrely because I'm not working him as hard as usual and my confidence dive-bombs. Not a good combination. He becomes increasingly spooky as he mirrors my emotional state.
More jumping. Gambler was really spooky this day and scared me a lot, although this picture doesn't show it. |
Another dispute. No, I am not hitting him in the face. I am blocking him with my hand while he tosses his head to get around me. |
August:
Gambler's training continues to slip until finally I have an epitome and renew my efforts.
August is the month Rebel passes away and we welcome Kezi to the barn.
Even after Gambler re-learns (for the second time) the circling game, he barely trots and cantering is unheard of.
September:
In September I use ground poles and jumps to improve Gambler's topline and teach him to carry himself in a more balanced manner. Jumping also gives Gambler an outlet for all his spooky energy.
I continue to work on Gambler's self-carriage by asking him to work for short periods of time on small circles. I also focus on consistency at the canter.
Cantering! Woo-hoo! |
The day after that picture is taken Gambler has his first bout with colic. I give him a week off afterwards, which in retrospect is overkill.
October:
This month I try to make up for all the ground I've lost, but this proves to be increasingly difficult due to school and fewer hours of daylight.
This month I try to make up for all the ground I've lost, but this proves to be increasingly difficult due to school and fewer hours of daylight.
November:
This month yields the same fruit (or lack thereof) as October. So much to do, yet so little time to do it.
This month yields the same fruit (or lack thereof) as October. So much to do, yet so little time to do it.
December:
So here I am, at the end of December. I'm trying to get Gambler to stand perfectly for the farrier and let me sit on his back. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the next year!
So here I am, at the end of December. I'm trying to get Gambler to stand perfectly for the farrier and let me sit on his back. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us in the next year!
Big year!
ReplyDeleteSo he's never been ridden before and you're going to do it all yourself? It's a really fun journey starting a horse on your own. I've loved every step with Griffin.
Best to you in 2016.
Gambler was started under saddle walk/trot/canter a few months before I got him, but his training was interrupted and he was left alone in a pasture until becoming mine. I know very little about his training process, but I have heard from outside sources that he may have flipped at one point - something I believe since he has reared a few times. So I'm taking it from base zero in hope that it will go smoothly. It has been an incredible journey and I am so thankful for him. It has been an incredible learning process.
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