Domino

[Kelsey]

Hey everyone : )
The past weekend, I went in the Jim Durling clinic at Katrina's barn in Seal Cove! The first day he basically was getting to know us and the horses, but than after he figured out what I wanted to work on we did some exercises that would help us! I told him that I wanted to work on getting Domino more collected in his jog and lope and I would like to get his to give in the bridle easier.

First we went on a twenty meter circle and working on getting him to give in the bridle. But it was all about the release. After and few circles in both directions after doing this exercise, I felt him being softer already, and he was giving easier too! When I got him in the bridle his jog and lope collected so much! What a difference, Jim even said he was a different horse from the beginning of the weekend.

On Sunday we basically did the same thing and we did lots of tight turns while asking him to give his head! I have to say it was a wicked clinic, I learned a lot and my problems are solved!
Check out the pictures in picture place!

[Kelsey]

Hey everyone! : )
Sunday I went in a clinic with Mel and it was really good, we worked on slidings, spins and flyings. He was sooo good and we learned a lot.

Today I had a lesson with Erin but I didn't ride, I worked on in hand, getting him to cross his front legs over. Mel reccomend to do that because it would help out spins!

I am going to ride tommorow, will keep everyone updated : )
More pictures coming soon

[Kelsey]

Hey everyone, I had an amazing lesson today! :DWell, first off I was late for my lesson because I completely forgot about it!
So I was rushed getting tacked up, so he didn't get a very good grooming. Anyways, we started off on a 20 meter circle working on neck reining on a circle on the far end of the arena. Usually it's harder to get him to listen to the neck rein up there because he tries to head towards the barn. But today he was really good and never ignored me. We did lots of change of direction on the circle but coming off the wall a little but and coming back again, kinda like a turn on the haunch!

We did this at the walk, and jog. He does amazing turn on the haunches to the right, but we need to work on getting him to get off my left rein more so he will turn good going to the left as well. I was really impressed on how much he improved in his turn on the haunches to the left from the beginning of my ride. I was in a really good mood today so that made it a lot better for the both of us.

I had an amazing ride! I am going to ride tomorrow also, and do the same exercises. ;D
Kelsey & Domino

[Kelsey]

Yesterday, I just rode outside for about 15 minutes, bareback. He was really well behaved seeing it was only his second or third time being ridden bareback and it was a bit dark out. He only spooked once, which wasn't his fault! A lady ran out from behind a tree and he kinda' just ran away I have a lesson today so i'll post that later!

[Kelsey]

Hey guys : )
Yesterday, I just have him a spa day, seeing he has been so good latly! Thursday, he slid 11 feet, and on Friday he was used in a Documentary at Clovelly, "Girls and their bond with horses". There were lots of lights, and he was so good, he had to stand up a good hour (as did Steff and I )
while we were interviewed. : )

Anyways, yesterday I have him a really good grooming, painted his hooves, picked out his stall, cleaned his water bucket, gave him some treats and spent lots of time just talking to him
I have a lesson today, I'll post that later on!

[Kelsey]

I had a 3 day clinic with mel this weekend! I rode in a group with erin, sharon, Steven & I! It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot!
I completly forget everyy little detail of my rides
but we worked on flyings, slides, spins, riding in groups, steering, and lots more! great clinic

[Kelsey]

Wow, haven't posted on this in a while!

I haven't been riding very much the past week or so because me being a keener and all I had to study for the mountain of tests I had But I am going to shape up now and start riding everyday. He is a very energetic horse so he needs the work! When Mel came down last month she noticed Domino had a sore back. So everyday I massage it, before and after I ride and I also put Epsom salts on his back.

Today I knew Domino was going to be hipper, so I just lunged. He needs to be worked on the lunge line more anyways. When on the lunge line he pulls and when he is not on the rail, he speeds up. But he speeds up because he of his lack of balance.

Today I couldn't lunge for very long. I worked on trying to get him to stop pulling, his downward transitions and responding to "easy", "steady", and "good boy", without being on his back. I think I am going to start lunging him regularly, it would probably also allow him to stretch out his back.

-Kelsey

[Kelsey]

So yesterday I had a lesson , Domino was uber' energetic. so now I know exactly what I am going to be working on =P haha. He is naturally energetic, but he can be slowed down! I think once he starts getting outside he will be easier to work with. right now he is all about "go go go"! Tomorrow I am going to ride again, and my ride is going to revolve around collection! And now that that weather is getting nicer I want to be able to ride outside, but he is energetic inside, i can only imagine what he is going to do outside!

[Kelsey]

Yesterday was beautiful out, even though it was kinda' chilly :PAnyways, we rode outside while Becca & Karly were jumping, Dom was shocked! He was amazed, it was the first time he ever saw a horse jump and his eyes were bulging out of his head! haha.

As I said in my last post, I am concentrating on getting collected now, and riding more consistently. Lately, my teachers love me and have been giving me tests like everyday so I didn't get down to the barn enough the past 2 weeks but now that I am on easter break and i have no more tests, I will be riding everyday!

Domino was AWESOME yesterday, he was listening really well to my seat and to my voice. He only had one major spook, which was scary for a horse; one of Becca's friends were sitting in the judge's hut with his legs stuck out over the fench and dom didn't notice him until we were right next to the hut and he just kinda' jumped to the side. it was also the first time I have ridden him outside since last summer he was collected, and that's all I want from him right now!

Kelsey & Domino

[Becca]

just so y'all know.. she's talkinga bout becca hoyles and karel.. not velv & myself no jumps for us yet!

he looked awesome by the end of the ride kels! i can't get over how far you guys have come sence you've owned him, great job girlie!!

[Kelsey]

haha, thanks.@ the end is right, @ the beginning he was excited to be outside!

[maria]

Apr 12, 2009 15:13:12 GMT -3 Becca said:

just so y'all know.. she's talkinga bout becca hoyles and karel.. not velv & myself no jumps for us yet!

haha, I was reading that and wondering, lol!

and Kelse, I know how you feel! This past month I haven't been down to the barn very much, and my riding went complelty down the drain. However since Easeter break Connor's been in boot camp, and is getting worked every day, lol! I think they're happier when they have stuff to do!

[Kelsey]

Yah i think so too.

[Kelsey]

The past three days, Domino has been an angel! I had a lesson Tuesday and yesterday and he was AMAZING

[Kelsey]

The past three days, Domino has been an angel! I had a lesson Tuesday and yesterday and he was AMAZING, I learned a lot and was really patient with me. I was really impressed. I have been posting that I want to work on collection and that's what we worked on in my lessons! Today, we worked on getting Domino on the trailer (Steff & I). I would just walk him straight @ the trailer & if he hesitated steff gave him a small, encouraging tap on the bum and he jumped right on. and while he was in the trailer he was relaxed & he never tried to run out, witch really impressed me! After 2 times of Steff having to give him a small tap, we tried without steff & he jumped right in. After we worked on getting Dom & Bella on the trailer we went for a walk down the drive way with the ponies, and they were both perfect! ;D