Lucas

[Jasmine]

I had a jumping lesson today. Liz had me try riding Lucas in a running martingale just because he likes to stick his head up in the air when we jump. It made quite a difference, Lucas was a lot easier to control with it on. After warm-up Liz came up with a couple of courses and I rode them a few times. Liz set up a Swedish oxer and I jumped it. I've always wanted to jump one of those just because they look cool. I had a good lesson, I was a little nervous at first but by the end of it I was really enjoying myself

[anitaridemore]

** ahem, running martingale

[Jasmine]

woops ha ha, I'll change that

[Becca]

i love swedish oxcers! thoughs and skinny jumps are my favorites

[Jasmine]

I have a bit of a hard time holding Lucas straight to fences so I don't like skinnies very much (we've improved a lot though I must say). My favorite jumps are fan oxers, it wouldn't be such a big deal if you took those on an angle

Yesterday I rode Lucas in his old german martingale just for a bit of a tune up. He was really good and the martingale made my life a lot eaiser. All I had to do was keep my leg on and use small half-halts and Lucas would keep himself round and in a frame. If only he was always that soft!

I did some leg-yields and worked on halting square for a bit. We're getting a lot better at the halting thing, our leg yields need some work though. Then I made up a mini dressage test and rode it a few times then cooled out.

[Jasmine]

Lucas has had a bit of a vacation because I've been studying for exams. I think he's mad at me for ignoring him because he was extra cranky today lol. He was also a ball of energy since he's had 2 days off. Riding a horse who's used to being ridden everyday and who has been stuck in their stall for 2 days is like shaking a can of pop and then holding your thumb over it. Well maybe it's not that bad but Lucas did have a lot of energy to burn ;D

Today I was just going to have a no stress ride and not worry about being round or in a frame. That plan didn't go too well lol. Lucas was popping his shoulder a bit around turns at the trot and canter so I thought to myself "I could fix that if I had more outside aids." So I came back down to walk and started straighting Lucas. I then tried to continue my ride just being relaxed and not really doing anything but problems just popping up so I just had to try to fix them. In the end I ended up doing mostly walk work like trying to keep Lucas straight, leg yielding at the walk to get him moving off my leg and just overall trying to keep Lucas packaged and round.

Lucas was a little stiff in the jaw today so that made my life that bit harder. I did get a couple nice steps out of him so I'm pleased with that. Plus the last time I rode specifically on the flat (which was maybe Monday) Lucas was phenomenal, staying round w/t both directions on and off a circle. I really need to stop talking about my horse now and go study some more

[Becca]

totally know the feeling jas! prince has been waiting for a ride because of exams and the rain keeping us away from doing it, i switched his feed to a preformance feed for the summer sence he'll be excersised daily and thats going to add to the energy bubble no doubt!

[Jasmine]

The fitter they are the hotter they get

Rode the Luke-man today. I had the afternoon off because I only had one exam today and it was at 9am so I went out the barn at lunch time. Lucas was filthy. Not dirty, filthy. He had mud/pee stains/shavings all over his body, up is nose, under his belly and even in his ears. I didn't even attempt to groom him, I just stuck him in the wash stall and gave him a bath.

Once Lucas was clean I tacked up and headed out to the outdoor. I worked on getting Lucas to round and go in a frame. It took me a little while but I finally got Lucas to do it. He was pretty good once he gave in his jaw. I rode around walk/trot for a bit. I also threw in some halt transitions and worked on getting Lucas to halt square. He's starting to get really good at it too. Lucas always halts square in front and most of the time in the back as well. After about an hour of riding I cooled out.

[Emily C]

You guys seem like your doing great as usual! I have to visit Clovelly soon to drop somethin off so hopefully you will be around!!

[Jasmine]

Thanks Emily. I'm usually at the barn so if you drop by chances are I'll be there.

Julia and I took our ponies up to one of Clovelly's fields and fooled around. It was a lot of fun. I think Lucas had a good time as well. We galloped up the field a couple of times then I just cantered and trotted around. After giving Lucas a good cool out I cold hosed him down and grazed him for a half hour. It was a really fun day

[Adam]

haha, I actually did the exact same thing today! The hosing down and grazing too
Sounds like you and Lucas are doing great!

[Jasmine]

Thanks! Hot summer days are made for hacks and just fooling around

I've been super busy the last couple of days. We found out that we're moving 3 weeks earlier than we thought so I haven't been able to ride that much this week. I had to teach a lesson this evening I gave poor neglected Lucas some attention. I turned Lucas and Billy out in the indoor arena before my lesson came. They went insane! I just let them loose and they galloped laps around the arena, no whip or encouragement needed. They would stop to play halters for a bit then they would take off running again. Nut cases lol.

The ponies are being shipped off to BC tomorrow so I won't be riding for the next two weeks. Next time I update this I'll be in on the other side of the country.

[Suzanne]

I'm going to miss you guys!! Whats NL going to be like without the Hindys or the Lucas and Billy! I can't think of it!!

you guys are going to have a great time out there and you are going to learn lots! remember me when you are pro! Good luck on the move and hopefully you AND your ponies travel safely!

[maria]

Awwww, I saw the ponies being loaded yesterday, and gave Billy a hug before he got on, lol!! I'll miss you guys so much, but I hope you all do well over there.

[krys]

You will excel to your potiental away.

I'll keep an eye out in the jumper ring for you and Lucas!

Goodluck and keep us updated