Benson, oct 19th

[htrimm08]

Tonight was really good. we did lots of mixing it up between jog and trot, and the usual. Tonight I loped him around the arena twice in both directions and he was good. He tried to break a few times, but once I got my seat in good and was able to keep my leg on he went around fairly well, hes still a bit wonky at the lope but nothing unexpected.

Heading back to cmac friday morning!

[htrimm08]

just thought I'd let ya'll know..

Benson was trailered to McNutts today to go back to Maggies. I was a bit worried it would be a bit of a trouble to get him on the trailer but it took about 5 minutes so I was really happy about that. He'll be on his way around ten tomorrow morning, I'm going to miss my baby

[teezernbreeze]

Why are you sending him back to maggies?

[htrimm08]

because I cant afford $400 a month anymore!! lol, thats whats happens when you don't plan for a horse.

He was going back at the beginning of April anyway, so I would have more time to focus on finals but he deserves a good break to chillax and play until I'm done and I get him to Labrador..somehow lol. But this is probably the last summer that I'll be home anyway.

[teezernbreeze]

well makes sense . He'll enjoy playing i'm sure!

[htrimm08]

SOOO, tomorrow Benson is traveling home to Labrador tomorrow! I've been on the west coast for the past couple of days, my parents came in for the weekend and we found a trailer to bring him home so its happening!

Bess is at my barn right now, so Benson will be going in hers for a couple of weeks at least so he can get rid of all his buggies, I will update with pictures and such when we get home!

[htrimm08]

though he didn't come home as planned, we finally made it!
yesterday he was wonderful, we had him on and off the trailer ten times no sweat, and this morning when I was waiting for dad to come he even loaded himself.

The trip was uneventful, he unloaded great and is settling in well.

[ariana]

Glad to hear it had a good and safe trip !

[htrimm08]

for the past few days I've just been taking the boy for walks, letting him get comfortable with his surroundings and the vehicles and such, he is a horse of a nervous nature as well he dosn't overly like being by himself all too well.

Today when we walked on the roadside vehicles didn't phase him at all, though he was a bit wired because Im pretty sure he caught a whif of Bess, the wind was blowing in the right direction and he kept looking towards where my barn is. On our walk back Benson had his first tractor trailer encounter, I saw the truck coming along on the same side of the road and I knew what was coming so I stopped him and prepared for him to have a little fit, It wasn't too bad, he just leapd off into the driveway that we happened to stop in and I held the lead and calmed him. Once it passed I waited a few seconds and we carried on again like nothing happened.

As well I rode Bess over to her barn where Benson is and introduced them, I was expecting her to kick up a little stink over him but she loved it, right now their happy as two little clams munching on their hay.. too bad I didn't think of taking a camera! It was too cute. Tomorrow I'll walk them both to my barn... and the vet is coming on Wednesday to give Benson his boosters and Bess a checkup

[htrimm08]

Today I rode Benson for the first time since hes been here, and for the first time in three months. We went for a little jaunt around and he did well considering the fact and being in a new place, and around traffic, a dumptruck and school bus passed and he only flinched a bit. We just walked and a slight bit of trotting, and along the way getting him to give to the bit at both, and he remembered it instantly. He was a bit excited so he didn't like to stay in one spot for too long, but thats all.

[htrimm08]

I fail at writing in this..

Since hes been here I've been focused more on exposing him to his environment, aka lots of exploring. lol. So far I've been just lunging him at walk/trot/lope in both directions every second day at the least, as well we've been for a few trail rides, as well as along the road.. hes been great with traffic so far and even the big scarey bridge.. when we crossed it the first time he didn't like it so well so instead of stressing him, I got off and led him over it, but on the way back he crossed without hesitation. As well he is now on 2 L of hfhf, timothy alfalfa cubes and free choice hay and seems quite happy

at the moment plans are being made to put in a small arena next to the barn as well as extending their turnout, hopefully I can get the ground leveled out within the next week before I start working so I can have lots of time for fencing, funn

once the arena is in I plan to start working on extending his trot as well as his lope in general, I know last time I had him going at the lope he was still rushy and quite unblanced, though I take half the blame for that lol.

[Suzanne]

sounds like he's doing good! I probably would simmer on the lunging every second day... there really isn't a huge need right? and although it seems simple, the circles are hard on their joints! I'm certainly no expert now mind you but I thought I would voice my opinion. It obviously depends on how much lunging you're doing.

Exposure and trail rides X 1000000000000 would be the best for him! and GROUND WORK!!!

I could see you asking this question if this was a training log belonging to someone else: What the frig are you doing teaching a western horse an extended trot?? hahah

Remember*** There is no point in even trying to work on the lope if you don't have the other "less complex," shall we say, stuff at least semi consistent first!!

oh and lastly, the most important thing for him training wise is to GET BLOODY PICTURES OF HIM!!! thank you.

[htrimm08]

lol don't worry I'm not working him too hard or too long with the lunging, its mainly just to give him some exercise, seeing as hes been listening very well to his ques.

lol extended trot? western horse or not I think it would be something good for him to know, and to get him working more.. who knows maybe we'll dabble in the english world someday?

oh and, i promise I'll bring my camera tomorrow

[htrimm08]

little update,

I haven't been doing much ridding with Benson, I want to get a bit more weight on him before I start working him, so for the past while we've been going for walks and little jaunts, and working in hand. I just finished trimming his feet a few days ago so hes a bit ouchy on gravel.

Their turnout is in the process of being extended, all posts are up, tomorrow I have to go get rolls of rope to start putting up around.

[htrimm08]

Today was the first time I actually did some work undersaddle with him since he left Truro, he did very well.

we started off at the walk, lots of giving to the bit, bending, stops and backing up.. then when he was consistant we moved on to giving at the trot and stopping, trotting circles in both directions. In the beginning he tried to drift off to the side, but I put him in his place, not hard to do though lol. after that I got him to pivot in both directions, he didn't try to circle at all and just followed his nose, there was minimal contact between my rein and the bit.

then we went around a couple more times at the trot, just to see how quick he would be to respond, I asked him for a lope and he did after I kissed and gave him a nudge with my leg, I only got him to go a few strides because all I wanted was that, he wasn't too rushy either, which I was pleased with. He was very pleasant and enjoyable