Monday, February 16, 2009

A Productive Weekend

On Saturday, I was happy to see that the arena had dried up enough to safely free longe My Boy. There is something different about turning him loose to work, as opposed to staying in a circle on a line.

This is how he started out. First gear, little energy. Goodness, he's trying to fake me out, I know.


After he walked for several minutes to warm up, I asked him to shift into second. We got the famous Standardbred pace.

Then, the rodeo action began! He was so happy, tossing his head and kicking up his heels.

And bucking! Yes, a few of those apparently were directed at me!

He loped a lot, too. Last weekend I could barely get him to lope on the longe line. This time, he loped and loped. I could tell he was feeling good.

I love it when he'd stop. Head raised, he'd blow out loud. Maybe like a stallion does? I feel like the whole neighborhood could hear him. I'm sure he was calling to every mare around. It was Valentine's day, after all. Silly boy!

He's so good when I free longe, even though the arena is not a round pen. He works around me like he is in a round pen. When I want him to stop I just turn my body to the side a bit and he immediately whoas, turns, and faces me.

Am I done, Pony Girl?


After he worked up a light sweat, I walked him out then we started working with the rope.


He took to it like a pro. I swung it around as I led him, and gave him a muzzle-to-tail rub down with it. He really could have cared less.


On Sunday, we worked on the 12 foot line. We did circles, quick stops, and quick changes of direction. Almost like rollbacks on a longe line. I think Clinton Anderson calls it something like "longing for respect." My Boy did great and it was fun, kept both of us on our feet and worked some different muscles.

Afterward, we continued the rope work. I flapped that rope all around him, and he mostly ignored me. I attribute this to the use of my Parelli carrot stick, which has a rope string on the end. I rub him down and drag that string all over his body and around his legs every time I bring him out. It has helped him become desensitized to a rope on him.

This time, I brought in a small log. He eyed it warily at first, but then paid it no attention.

I walked him around the arena dragging the log next to me, as well as out behind me and alongside of My Boy.

Oh yep, I felt like it was a productive weekend. The only thing I hoped to do was ride yesterday, but I got delayed three times getting to the Painted Creek, resulting in a late start. So it was not in the cards.

I have my President's Day holiday to share with you too, but I'll save it for next time! If you had today off, I hope you enjoyed it!

24 comments:

  1. You are getting your boy ready to "rope" that calf at the PONY COUSIN stampede, watch out Paint Girl, I think she's been secrectly tring on your Rodeo Queen Crown and likes how it looks!

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  2. Oh what a fun day you had! It has not dried out to well here at all. The ground is still slick. But I look forward to the day I can work Sissy and Sadie. Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed it!

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  3. Yes I believe she has been trying that Tiara of mine on! It does sit above my computer which she used this weekend. Hmmm...Hopefully after this cold and the back spasms I have been having go away, I can get out and practice too!

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  4. I'm glad you had nice weather this weekend, too! Those coiled up ropes can be scary, but it looks like that level-headed Appaloosa of yours handled it well. I sure do like those Apps :-)

    I had the day off today, but I'm sick so it was no fun...

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  5. Looks like a wonderfuly fun and productive time

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  6. Wonderful photos, Pony Girl! Love the shots of My Boy kicking up his heels! I am so jealous of your nice dry arena...mine is still a sheet of ice!

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  7. Great picture shots!! Like the one when he is feelin good and bucking!! Love it! Great looking guy!

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  8. He is a gorgeous horse! love the photos of him "working out the kinks"

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  9. Looks like you had a very productive day. Good that he doesn't care about the log.

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  10. I love it!! I hoped my trail obstacles would give everyone some fun challenges to work on with her horses! Of course, my boys have had a rope swung over their heads a time or two, but never by me and not in over a year! So we're gonna have some work to do too!

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  11. LOL I love the bucking shots! and the look.... of the one "are you done" LOL looks like you got some good horsey time, just not as long as you wanted?

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  12. Great photo's Pony Girl. You'll have to show your mom how to do that rope stuff when you come to visit!!!

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  13. Those bucking photos are fantastic! In one of them, My Boy's hind fetlocks are flat on the ground. He's really powering up.

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  14. {Nuzz Muzz}~ I noticed the fetlocks, too! That kind of worried me! ;) I wish I could have caught a photo of his bucks in mid-air. Camera is too slow....or maybe I am!

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  15. Great photos - a productive day with your boy is just what you needed! I like the idea of rope work - lots of good skills for horse and handler.

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  16. I need to have a productive day with Miss Jem...it's been difficult getting her to do much of anything, but as soon as the weather warmed up, she was kicking up her heels too! I think My Boy is beautiful!

    Christy Lee
    *~Petals and Pine~*

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  17. What a gorgeous Appaloosa! and such a special relationship

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  18. Looks like you two had a great day together! Glad to see he kicked up his heels and had some fun! I can flap a rope all around Little Man and he pays no mind. Now singing it over his head while mounted is another story! I think he thinks its a UFO that might land on him....

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  19. Nice work. Looks like a very productive weekend! Enjoyed the photos.

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  20. Very well done! My arena is back to snow and ice again...darn it anyhow. Looked like great weather for a perfect day!

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  21. What fun pictures ~ they really showcase your boy's personality! The rope appears so white in your pictures ~

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  22. As always such a cute boy and I am glad you were able to have so much fun with him. You have a lot to look forward to with him.

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  23. {Horse Dreams}~ the rope is white because it is new and I don't do any real roping! :) Maybe someday I can really break it in, LOL!

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  24. My boy is definitely lookin' good!!
    Sounds like both of you had a good time. :)

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