Cativa Cativa Cativa & Ferrary Enzo

[happilyeverafter]

Was up to the barn this morning....worked with both kids. Cativa was great! We walked once the whole way around the arena and she didnt care at all I think I'll get to sit up soon! Yay!

Enzo was great too! We lunged him first for 20 minutes and then I got on three times; the first two I walked about 3 steps and got off (felt him going to buck and Sandra says get off whenever I feel him tense up or if I get nervous!)...the third time we just stood still to let him get used to the weight.

Woo ponies!

barn again saturday and sunday this weekend

[happilyeverafter]

Today was a good day at the barn....it was really windy outside and most of the horses were having bad days but Cativa and Enzo were fantastic.

Cativa and I had to wait for about 25 minutes, just walking around the arena, before Sandra was ready to work with us. Cativa spooked a few times at the wind but nothing big. She was pretty calm for the stool work so Sandra threw me on. We walked around the arena a few times, got off, gave her a carrot and went back in the barn!

Enzo was well behaved today- SO well behaved. He lunged like a pro, and because he was so calm we decided to do some stool work. Then Sandra had me put my hands on the saddle (pommel and cantle) and jump straight up into the air, as if I was going to get on. We did this on both sides for about 15 minutes (I was POOPED! it is so tiring jumping into the air over and over and over again!). Towards the end Enzo was completely ignoring me/not really caring what I was doing, which is what we wanted....so he got his carrot and went back in!

Yay ponies!

Going up to the barn tuesday and thursday this week. Will update again.

[happilyeverafter]

Realized I never updated from Thursday...it was a great day!

groomed and tacked Cativa, then we went out and did some stool/flapping work. Did a couple of mounts just putting weight on her back and then the third time sandra had me swing my leg over! It was hard because you absolutely cannot hit them in the back, and you arent sure how they're going to react to the legs on their sides! Then you have to decide/figure out if they will tolerate you hugging their neck (Rosso reared! hahaha) or if you have to just hold their mane.

It was a nerve racking few minutes but Cativa was a STAR and didnt mind anything we did. She walked around the arena with me on her back without a care in the world--- what a pro. haha

With Enzo we just did a lot of flapping and jumping around! He is more of a flake then Cativa and so we have to go slower. I got on a couple times but it was just lying over the saddle and waiting for him to relax. We did that about three times and called it a day.


We also watched Andre ride Danza...he is now working on faster stops, canter lead changes, rounder circles and lateral work.

That brings Danza's 2 week training up to: walk, trot, canter, woah, rein back, lead changes, leg yeilding, turn on the forehand and turn on the haunches.

He's a star!

I'm going to ask Alyssa to get some pictures of Cativa, Enzo and I next time she has her camera up...hopefully it will be sometime soon!!!!!!

[Kayla D]

any updates on the babies gill?
i love reading about these guys.

[happilyeverafter]

haha yes, I was out today actually

Havent been there in a week so it was really nice to see everyone...especially Christina. Over the weekend one of the yearlings (Kozi) kicked her in the forehead! She is doing a lot better now, but it is nice to see her and be able to talk to her.

Anyway....

It was such a nice day out that we turned all the horses out except for Enzo, Cativa and John (christina's gelding). We each groomed a horse (me, cativa -obviously- christina, john and sandra, enzo) and then we turned them loose in the indoor arena!!!

We basically just chased them around and played with them. John kept giving Sh*t to Cativa but she showed him...she waited until he was just close enough for her to get a cheap shot in and then she kicked him in the neck!! He is fine and it was actually pretty funny.

After a while we let them settle down and they wandered around eating hay and checking everything out. Then Sandra told me to go get my helmet on!!! I did...we caught Cativa and did some jumping around. Sandra would throw me up in the air and I was just putting weight on her back (Cativa was in just a halter and lead...no saddle or bridle or anything!).

Then Sandra just threw me right on- like a normal leg up! So I rode Cativa around bareback!

We were really happy because we figured she would be an idiot --- the other horses were still wandering around loose!! Cativa was a superstar tho.. of course. It was really cool to be able to get on her bareback. She is very comfy and its amazing to be that close to her (I havent ridden bareback in years!)


That was pretty much our entire day... haha! Once we put those three horses outside we stood in the sunshine and watched the herd play. After that Sandra and her husband Mark took Christina and I out for Brunch.

We went to Broadway Bar and Grill and had a delicious cooked breakfast! YAY! haha no rez food for me today

Sandra also told me today that she is going to have Andre do the rest of the work on Enzo. Enzo is a bucker and she thinks that he will do better with Andre's straight forward all business technique, whereas Cativa is so much more easy going she doesnt care what we do!!

Going to the barn again on sunday, will update then!

[happilyeverafter]

Wanted to add, for those interested: Sandra got on Danza on monday and rode him w/t/c and all his lateral work....he didnt care at all that she rides differently from Andre! We are really happy and excited for him to begin his career as a show horse

[Sarah]

I love reading about the kids! Cativa sounds like such a nice mare to be able to work with, and even Enzo!

[nat]

aww what babes...cativa will definately just let you do what ever, cause she trusts you=)!!

[happilyeverafter]

Update for today:

Got to the barn, did some chores, spent about 2 hours grooming both horses. Everyone is a mess! All the spring mud.... yuck!

Anyway, once they were groomed I tacked up Cativa. Sandra and I did some jumping around and flapping the saddle etc etc until she stood quietly (only took about 5 minutes). Then I got on and just lay there on my stomach for a few minutes. Got off, jumped around for a bit..then Sandra threw me back on- leg over the saddle and holding her neck.

After about thirty seconds she told me to sit up! I did and Cativa didnt react at all.

Abigale was out in the arena hand walking Balzano so we followed them walking around the arena for about 10 minutes. Cativa couldnt care less that I was sitting up on her back! She was a superstar!



Enzo was also fabulous today. He was really really quiet- no pawing or neighing and NO BUCKING! Wahoo! haha I only did the jumping around etc and lay on my stomach for a few minutes, but we were just happy that he was so quiet and relaxed.

We have a sneaking suspician that maybe when he saw me get on cativa bareback on thursday he realized what he was supposed to do - if big sissy can do it so can he! haha!

Hopefully he will continue to be a superstar like his sister

[nat]

sounda fabulous gill..the kids are really coming alone..enzo is jealous...lol...i lov reaidng your logs=)!!

[happilyeverafter]

Another update from Tuesday Night

Went up to the barn around 4:15. Christina and I brought in Cativa, Enzo, John and Jaye. I groomed both of the kids and then tacked up Enzo...Sandra had an idea about getting him used to mounting!

Christina put Jaye's bridle on and brought him out with us. I held Enzo and Sandra,Christina and Jaye stood infront of us. Sandra threw christina on Jaye bareback, just like she does when I get on Enzo and Cativa! Enzo watched VERY closely. Once Christina was on, Enzo and I went over to them...Enzo sniffed all around Christina to check everything out. Then Christina got off and Enzo sniffed the spot where she had been!

Sandra threw Christina up again, and this time Enzo and I were on the other side, so we saw Christina's leg come over first. Again Enzo checked everything out. Then Christina and Jaye walked away, so Enzo would see that its okay for him to walk while someone is on his back. Enzo was watching very carefully!

Then Christina came and parked Jaye infront of Enzo, while Sandra and I did some fakes- jumping and bending and flapping the saddle etc. Then Sandra gave me a leg up and I lay across Enzo on my tummy--- he stood still and really relaxed! Yay Boy!!!

I got off and we did it again, this time tho, Christina and Jaye walked forward and Enzo, Sandra and I followed! We walked only about 10 paces and got off again.


We really dont want to push anything with Enzo, just because he learns differently from Cativa. We will continue taking our time! Now that he knows we arent going to hurt him, I think he will progress faster and catch up to Cativa quickly!





As for Cativa, it was same old same old! Tacked her up, took her out to the arena, Sandra and I did some fakes and then she gave me a leg up. I sat up right away and we went for a walk around the arena with Christina and Jaye. We walked around for 15 minutes or so and then called it a day- Cativa was really good...a couple of times she would look back at me, as if to just make sure I was still there! She is super cute Love my mare!

Cativa has a really nice walk- big long strides and very even/rhythmical. Its going to be a lot of fun once she really gets going undersaddle!!!

Sandra's plan for the rest of the month is to 1)put stirrups on and let them bump and bang on her sides, so she gets used to that and 2)long line her so we can put the steering and brakes on her!



Going up again on saturday, will update then

[Joan]

ohh sounds like everything is going well,you are goin to have to buy a disposable cam and get some pics before you come home!

[happilyeverafter]

Mom is coming up here on the 15th...she is going to come see the barn with me, so I am going to ask her to bring one of the digi cams from home so we can get pics and vids of the horses!

Update from today:

Rode Cativa today...did walk for about 15 minutes all around the arena. Right now I'm still working in the saddle with the broken tree (the one for training horses- in case they flip and damage it or something!), but on monday when I go to the barn I get to use the really pretty black Stubben. We've decided it is time to start challenging Cativa more. So on Monday we're going to let the stirrups bang around on her sides and also long line her to do some steering!

One side note, for the past couple of weeks Cativa has been "girthy"- making faces and walking when I'm trying to do up her girth! Today when she did it I goosed her in the ribs! She jumped and pushed me against the wall - no biggie. Anyway, she didnt do it again after that!

Moving on..
Enzo was a star again today. We worked with Jaye again....ended up walking around on his back, on my tummy, for about 10 minutes. He did so well. We figure maybe 2 or 3 more tummy rides and then we will try "leg over". I'll be sitting up before I go home.


Will update again on Monday!

[happilyeverafter]

Went to the barn this afternoon as a break from studying for finals and writing papers.

When we got there Sandra was riding Danza and having a lesson with Andre. We watched her for about an hour...then we did some chores and got the horses in!

Worked with Cativa first! Today I used the Stubben Siegfried II saddle...a beautiful Black A/P. We are using it now instead of the other one because I need to have a saddle with a proper tree (not broken!) that I can ride in, with stirrups!

Today we long lined Cativa to put steering on her. I walked with her on the lead line and sandra held the lines out behind her. Sandra would say "turning left!" and give Cativa the cue with the rein, and then I would turn left and Cativa would come with me!

We long lined for about 15 minutes while Christina rode John.

Took the long lines off, Sandra boosted me on and I picked up the reins while Sandra lead! We did basically the same thing....Sandra would tell me where to go, I would use the rein (opening rein) and she would turn to encourage Cativa to follow!

Cativa was a star

After lots of turning and circling we practised "woahs" and "walk ons"...even using my leg. It was really great because Cativa caught on super quickly and was getting both cues right almost straight away!!


Put Cativa away and got Enzo. We are still using the crap saddle with him, just cause he could still throw a fit and wreck it! Unfortunately mr Raccoon came for a visit today (Boourns!) he scared Enzo at first but after a few minutes Enz was fine!

We had John out with Enzo first, and sandra gave me a boost up. John was a little weirded out tho and didnt understand his job. Enzo got confused and scared and bucked once so I got off right away.

Christina put John away and got Jaye out in just his halter. SAndra boosted her up with Enzo watching, then she boosted me up and away we went. We only walked for about 5 minutes because we wanted Enzo to have a positive experience and not let him get scared or worried!


Overall we were pretty happy with both horses.
I'm going up to the barn again on thursday morning. The plan is to put feet in stirrups with Cativa, and practise more steering and brakes. With Enzo we're just going to play it by ear. If he is doing well we may try leg over the saddle....will have to see what he thinks!

[happilyeverafter]

2 things to add:

1) Mom is coming up here on the 15th. She is going to bring the digital camera and come to the barn with me to meet everyone...ergo I will have pictures of all the ponies (and maybe vids of me riding Cativa?) in a week or so. YAY!!!!!!!!

2) In lieu of me discovering Pet Smart's equine section this morning, I have made plans to order new tack for the ponies. Here's what I'm planning on getting:

Collegiate Connoisseur Close Contact


HdR Chafeless Girth (52")


Ultra Cotton All-Purpose Saddle Pad (Lavender)


Harmohn Kraft Bridle


And a set of collegiate 1/2" hole stirrup leathers to match my saddle.


The grand total is only going to be around $1100, plus shipping...which is around the same price I was going to pay for the saddle alone, coming from one of the tackshops here!

What do you think of the new tack?