"Blaze" Of Glory

[Amanda.]

OK, as most of you know Im planning on getting a foal in the near future but untill then Im riding and working with a horse named Blaze. He is 14 or 15 years old, a morgan X, he is dark bay with a okward shaped blaze on his face, and 15hh. And and interesting fact about him is onw of his hind legs are longer than the other!

Ok last saturday I rode him and he was scared of everything. OMG big scary barrel, OMG big scary pialon, OMG bi scary marks in the sawdust! He pissed me off sooo much but I got trough it. Eventually, I had to move all the "big" "scary" stuff to one end of the arena. Then we got down to work. We did big circles walk/jog and small circles at a walk because he was SUPER lazy and I tried SOOO hard. But, it was all good still. Then I got off and took him in and brushed him and stuff. Also, before I ride I brushed him VERY good. There was a HUGE HUGE HUGE pile of hair because where he is shedding. It took about an hour to do jusat one side. It seems like he sheds better on his left side than his right lol. Well, we had some lovin' and some workin' so it was all good. I love him so much.

Today, when I rode him, it was much better because I had someone to ride with, Kristen. She rode Strider. He wasn't scared of like anything so I was really proud! We again did big circles walk/jog but he was lazy so I got a crop. Then we switched directions and stuff and did walk in small circles and tried jog, but sadly it didn't work very good, even with the crop. I also tried figure 8's.

Then after when the arena got all stuffy we opened the arena door and decided to go outside. We walked around a bit to see what would happen and it was all good, so Kristen did a little lope and I was sort of nervous to do it in that place cause there was snow and I didn't know what was there. But, when we found a place that was smooth we cantered into the arena. It was like the 4th time I've ever loped on him and boy was it bumpy, but, I like his own okward lope. Then, Kristen wanted to try it so I got on Strider. He is a 14.2-3hh Welsh pony X. A BIG difference than Blaze he is a much smaller build and i havn't rode him in a LONG time so I was like WOAH and I couldn't reach the sturips so it was a bit harder. So, we went back to that spot and I loped first and managed to stay on with ease and she was sayin owww the whole time! After a few times at that we walked and cooled out and brought um' in and brushed. It was a fun day.

Also, another funny thing is we were feeding him a treat and for like 5 minutes he was sticking out his tounge and shaking his head wanting more! It was SOOOO funny! And he licks your hand like a dog!! HAHA

Well, thats all for now! I will post a picture of him when I get on my accual computer!

Amanda and Blaze

[Mellu]

Amanda the best thing to do if he's scared of something is to reassure him while you are off his back.

Turn him loose in the arena with the "scary items".


If he was unwilling to trot on a 20 m circle you need to find out why. Prancer is uncomfortable trotting 20m cicles because of her stifle. Try it going large before you try circles. Once you get it down large, start circling. You also want to make sure he is bending because that will make his job much more comfortable and make him more willing. Keep your hand contact nice and soft, stay off his mouth. You can control his trot by your posting and use strong legs *ask*release*ask*release*ask*release*. Keep in mind when you are circling you DO NOT drop your outside rein. Your outside rein is just as important/more important than then inside.


Getting a nice forward walk before asking for a trot, work on getting a strong transition. Try some trotting poles(make sure to space them properly).


I used to have these probems with Prancer but now I can't slow her down!!!! Haha.




Becca is VERY upset wth this tongue sucking business as it is Prince's gimmick.


Becca *45 Days!* says:
he's nota llowed
Becca *45 Days!* says:
totally boobs signature move
Becca *45 Days!* says:
like common,
Becca *45 Days!* says:
he has fans for it
Becca *45 Days!* says:
and is famous for it
Becca *45 Days!* says:
only HE had people come to the barn to see the famous tounge sucking prince..

[Amanda.]

OK thanks for the advice! Yea I usually do walk first and I never drop my reins unless its an accident!

[Mellu]

I assume you mean drop your outside rein?

[Amanda.]

Yes, I mean that. Here is a few pictures of him! Sorry for the size!

[jessicab]

What she means my "drop" the outside rein is to let it go slack. As in, completely release all contact with that rein. That can cause the horse to throw out his outside shoulder, and drift to the outside. You need to keep a light contact on the outside rein for support!

Have fun with him Amanda!

[Amanda.]

Thanks Jess. I didnt look at it that way I meant drop it like out of your hand lol.

[Mellu]

If tht purple bridle and breast plate is ever for sale LET ME KNOW!! Would look so cute on Joon .

[Sarah]

Haha, so you started riding him? I told you he was good.

I rode him over Xmas holidays, and he was great. Then since Trish Gyspy got sold I told amanda she should ride Blaze. I'm happy you found another horse to ride! haha, remeber when we were trying to catch him that first time? Good times. xD

Good luck in the future with him!

Edit : sorry, forgot again.

[Amanda.]

Yea that was fun! Me and him seem to click because were both alike... STUBBERN!!

[oxmaybesoxo]

He sounds greart, I love his show name!

[Elsabé]

HE'S ADORABLE!!!good job with him

[Amanda.]

Thanks. I can't wait to go to the barn soon to ride him again!

[Danielle;]

If your horse is afraid of something, the worst thing you can do is push them through it. You're horse will loose their trust in you right off the bat.

First of all, let's look at the natural horse and try to see things from his perspective. Horses are prey animals, which means they are hunted as food by predators who sneak up on them, trap and kill them. Consequently, horses are always on the lookout for dangerous situations and signs of trouble. By instinct they will avoid narrow places or areas that don't have an easy escape route because something deep inside programs them to behave that way. From our point of view, horses are skeptics, cowards, claustrophobic and panic-aholics. This is why we run into so many problems with them.

When a horse feels trapped, he doesn't think - he reacts. For example, if a horse gets startled, pulls back and finds he's restricted by a halter and lead, he instantly feels like he has to fight to save his life. At that moment he doesn't realize that he is not being attacked or otherwise in danger. He just knows he needs to run for his life and he has to get away from whatever is stopping him.

What most people don't know is that horses need programs. Their instincts are essentially a program that works in the wild. For horses to become our partners and to be safe in 'humansville,' we need to reprogram their instincts.

Start by giving him a number of tasks designed to teach him a few basics.

a) I am a friend, not a threat despite looking and smelling like a predator;

b) I am 'number one' in his natural pecking order;

c) I will help him get through any confusion or fear by being passively persistent in the proper position.

The last thing I want to do is put a horse in a sink or swim situation. Think of it this way. If you were dealing with a claustrophobic person, would you stuff him into an elevator and leave him there to work it out?

Horses love comfort. If you stop the stimulation at the right time, the horse will learn that by standing still, he gains comfort. If you stop at the wrong time, you'll teach him to be scared.

It's important to realize that there are a number of factors involved, six to be exact - attitude, knowledge, tools, techniques, time and imagination. These are the six keys to success. It's not just what you do, it's how you do it and for what purpose.

Any time you are teaching your horse, ask yourself whether what you are doing is helping him become calmer, smarter, braver and more athletic. This is a good barometer as to whether you are doing this for him rather than to him. I also encourage you to not resort to mechanics and force. Keep it natural. If you know enough about horses, you don't need artificial aids for leverage.

Think of it from the horse's point of view, and learn as much as you can about the natural horse. It'll help you become more than a rider. It will help you become a horseman, and even more - your horse will become a horseman, too.

Hopefully this helped, sorry it's all over the place!

Gotta love Parelli <3!

Half of this info was said by Mr. Pat Parelli himself, what a guy

Danielle

[Amanda.]

Thanks Danielle it helped A LOT! I sort of knew a lot of that. I usually try to get him as close to it as possible but if he freaks i usually let him get away with it for a few rounds and go back to it to see if hes still terrified of it! But, i haven't been to the barn in A WHILE! but hopefully ill be there on sunday or sometime before that to ride him! I love this boy!