On January 25th 2012 I measured G with a special measuring tape. He was 15.2 HH and 881 lbs. Now the height is probably within an inch, but measuring weight with a tape is not very precise. Still, I can keep track of increases and decreases and it gives me a ballpark.
I measured Danny on the 28th. It was much more difficult because the white tape was very scary to him. One of the girls at the ranch helped me calm him down enough to do his height. Unfortunately I was holding him and she did the measuring, so I can only take her word for it. Danny also came out at 15.2 HH. I could swear he's shorter than G. Maybe it's just because he's stockier. I couldn't do his weight because there was no way he would have that tape around his girth. If I had more time to work with him, I'd get him used to it but he's not mine.
G looks like he's put on a little weight. I'll measure him again next month.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
January gymkhana
Here is a video of one of my events. It's called the Figure 8 Cowhorse. Apparently using 45 seconds of copyrighted music is a no-no. Next time I'll do something else for sound.
When I arrived at the ranch for this month's gymkhana, I decided to sign up first and then get G out of his stall. There was only one family and they were having trouble signing up. It seemed like every kid had a different last name and no one knew which kid was under which name. It was taking forever. Since there wasn't any line, I wandered off while they figured it out. Big mistake! When I came back the line was huge. I decided to get G and groom him while I waited for the line to die down.
Spots at the hitching rails are at a premium and I had to hitch at a rail I don't like. When someone came to hitch up next to me G threw a little tantrum. The other rider moved off, and I felt badly about it. Once I signed up I moved G to the back side of the arena and tacked up in the boonies. I signed up for all six events.
Once I was in the saddle G was a prancing hyped up maniac. He really understood that there was a competition. The ranch was so crowded there was no good place to warm up and burn off the excited energy. The secondary arena was already full and even the pathways around the stalls were crowded. Not only were there horses and riders, there were friends, children big and small, and dogs running around. The preschool sized children always worry me the most. They have no fear and no sense when it comes to hyped up horses.
Gary, Alex, and Caitlin arrived shortly before the first event. Gary went to the announcement stand to find a good camera angle. Alex and Caitlin hung out with me until the allure of the goat pen won out. They were so intrigued that they missed my first event! The P.A. system is just loud enough for the arena area and doesn't carry to the rest of the grounds.
The gymkhana lasted four hours. I was in the arena for less than one minute per event and the time between my runs was very long. The cold wind and Alex's hunger sent the kids back home after just two events. I called them to come back as the second to the last (penultimate is such a better way of saying it) event was being set up. They saw my last two runs and then it was off to Chili's for a warm and delicious lunch.
I learned many things from this months gymkhana. Sign up first no matter what. Plan on tacking up in the boonies. If it's a crowded event have family come for just the second half. Use a different video camera. Layers and snacks!
I took a lesson this week so now I have some pointers on what to practice. It's so much fun that I don't care that I came in last almost every time. Still I'd like to know what I'm doing and be in better control.
When I arrived at the ranch for this month's gymkhana, I decided to sign up first and then get G out of his stall. There was only one family and they were having trouble signing up. It seemed like every kid had a different last name and no one knew which kid was under which name. It was taking forever. Since there wasn't any line, I wandered off while they figured it out. Big mistake! When I came back the line was huge. I decided to get G and groom him while I waited for the line to die down.
Spots at the hitching rails are at a premium and I had to hitch at a rail I don't like. When someone came to hitch up next to me G threw a little tantrum. The other rider moved off, and I felt badly about it. Once I signed up I moved G to the back side of the arena and tacked up in the boonies. I signed up for all six events.
Once I was in the saddle G was a prancing hyped up maniac. He really understood that there was a competition. The ranch was so crowded there was no good place to warm up and burn off the excited energy. The secondary arena was already full and even the pathways around the stalls were crowded. Not only were there horses and riders, there were friends, children big and small, and dogs running around. The preschool sized children always worry me the most. They have no fear and no sense when it comes to hyped up horses.
Gary, Alex, and Caitlin arrived shortly before the first event. Gary went to the announcement stand to find a good camera angle. Alex and Caitlin hung out with me until the allure of the goat pen won out. They were so intrigued that they missed my first event! The P.A. system is just loud enough for the arena area and doesn't carry to the rest of the grounds.
The gymkhana lasted four hours. I was in the arena for less than one minute per event and the time between my runs was very long. The cold wind and Alex's hunger sent the kids back home after just two events. I called them to come back as the second to the last (penultimate is such a better way of saying it) event was being set up. They saw my last two runs and then it was off to Chili's for a warm and delicious lunch.
I learned many things from this months gymkhana. Sign up first no matter what. Plan on tacking up in the boonies. If it's a crowded event have family come for just the second half. Use a different video camera. Layers and snacks!
I took a lesson this week so now I have some pointers on what to practice. It's so much fun that I don't care that I came in last almost every time. Still I'd like to know what I'm doing and be in better control.
Friday, January 13, 2012
simple lead changes
The wind finally settled down this afternoon. Red Flag warnings expired at 3:00 and for once the wind paid attention. It was still pretty breezy so I decided to stick to the arena.
The January gymkhana is Sunday so I practiced the barrels. Last month we disqualified on the barrel event because we crossed the timing line when we took a turn way too wide. I read somewhere that it is important to be a driver and not just a passenger when riding, and that's what I concentrated on today as we wove around the barrels. In the past I've been afraid of making G turn so tightly he might wipe out. This fear, which is really unfounded, meant I didn't take control and G didn't have direction.
The other thing I worked on today was simple lead changes. We did figure eights at a lope with a trot in the middle and a new lead as we reversed direction on the next loop. This is something I really enjoy working on with Danny and hadn't tried with G. He is getting better and better, and I'm getting more and more confident in his abilities.
I've invited two of my new friends to come to the gymkhana. I hope they come, and I hope I do ok.
The January gymkhana is Sunday so I practiced the barrels. Last month we disqualified on the barrel event because we crossed the timing line when we took a turn way too wide. I read somewhere that it is important to be a driver and not just a passenger when riding, and that's what I concentrated on today as we wove around the barrels. In the past I've been afraid of making G turn so tightly he might wipe out. This fear, which is really unfounded, meant I didn't take control and G didn't have direction.
The other thing I worked on today was simple lead changes. We did figure eights at a lope with a trot in the middle and a new lead as we reversed direction on the next loop. This is something I really enjoy working on with Danny and hadn't tried with G. He is getting better and better, and I'm getting more and more confident in his abilities.
I've invited two of my new friends to come to the gymkhana. I hope they come, and I hope I do ok.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Trail 3 days in a row
My last three rides on G have been on trail. Becky took me out on Wednesday and showed me a fairly flat loop that included the wash along Sierra Hwy. It was great to get to know someone at G's ranch. G does not stand for "gentleman". He pinned his ears every time he got close to Diamond, Beck's horse. He even bit poor Diamond on the butt. G obviously likes to be in the lead, but that won't work when I don't know where we're going.
On Friday I did the wash portion of the ride on my own. I just rode out and back. It went really well and I'll definitely do it again. It took about 45 minutes and seemed quite long, but when I mapped it it turned out to be barely more than 3 miles. Still, it was a warm day and G was tired and sweaty when we finished.
Yesterday, Sunday, Becky and I went out together again. The wind was gusty and a little nerve wracking in places. This route had a few more hills. G pinned his ears a lot, but I tried to keep him well back from Diamond. At one point the trail goes up pretty steeply, a hairpin turn at the top and then down. Becky warned me about the sharp turn, but too late for me to visualize it. We came right up on Diamond's rear as she slowed to turn. Although G didn't bite, Diamond kicked. Fortunately, G's little leap back didn't tumble us on the slope.
I'm learning a lot on these rides. I'm sorry Diamond has to put up with my inexperience in trail etiquette. It's such a relief to find some trails I can enjoy.
On Friday I did the wash portion of the ride on my own. I just rode out and back. It went really well and I'll definitely do it again. It took about 45 minutes and seemed quite long, but when I mapped it it turned out to be barely more than 3 miles. Still, it was a warm day and G was tired and sweaty when we finished.
Yesterday, Sunday, Becky and I went out together again. The wind was gusty and a little nerve wracking in places. This route had a few more hills. G pinned his ears a lot, but I tried to keep him well back from Diamond. At one point the trail goes up pretty steeply, a hairpin turn at the top and then down. Becky warned me about the sharp turn, but too late for me to visualize it. We came right up on Diamond's rear as she slowed to turn. Although G didn't bite, Diamond kicked. Fortunately, G's little leap back didn't tumble us on the slope.
I'm learning a lot on these rides. I'm sorry Diamond has to put up with my inexperience in trail etiquette. It's such a relief to find some trails I can enjoy.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Day
Today is New Year's Day and Sunday, so a horsey day. I'm happy to report that Friday's bath hasn't worn off. G is still soft and looks better. I bought him a few things.
Mane and tail conditioner $12
Triple Crown Senior feed 50lb bag $23
The conditioner is as much for G as it is for Danny. When I rode Danny on Saturday his tail was so tangled and caked with mud that I couldn't brush it out.
The feed is just for G. Hopefully it will help him put on some weight. The directions suggest 6 pounds a day divided into two feedings. Well, I decided to start with 3 pounds every time I see him, which will be three times a week. I weighed it with a kitchen scale, but when I gave it to him it seemed like so much. In the end I only gave him 2/3 of what I planned. I want to re-weigh the feed to be sure.
Becky was there today, and we made a date to ride trail on Wednesday. I'm very excited to finally have someone to show me the trails. I've tried a few forays on my own, but none have been satisfactory.
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| G rolling after our ride |
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| Getting up - he looks awkward |
Mane and tail conditioner $12
Triple Crown Senior feed 50lb bag $23
The conditioner is as much for G as it is for Danny. When I rode Danny on Saturday his tail was so tangled and caked with mud that I couldn't brush it out.
The feed is just for G. Hopefully it will help him put on some weight. The directions suggest 6 pounds a day divided into two feedings. Well, I decided to start with 3 pounds every time I see him, which will be three times a week. I weighed it with a kitchen scale, but when I gave it to him it seemed like so much. In the end I only gave him 2/3 of what I planned. I want to re-weigh the feed to be sure.
Becky was there today, and we made a date to ride trail on Wednesday. I'm very excited to finally have someone to show me the trails. I've tried a few forays on my own, but none have been satisfactory.
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