We Sold Cheyenne

Read full story here

~CBL

Cheyenne Is A Arabian

She isn't really an Arabian, but it sure seemed that way when she was running around in the pasture yesterday afternoon. Because she is grade and not registered, it does make me wonder if she is 1/8 Arab, or 1/4 Arab. POA's already have had Arabian bred into them to help refine the breed (as with most all horses) but she may have a little extra Arabian then what was bred into her foundation breed.

Here are some pictures:

Look at the tail!

Such a pretty girl. :) 

~CBL

It Is A Blustery Day

This morning I let the horses out to play. It has been rainy and cold-not at all like the usual 90 degree weather we had been having. I hope it warms up soon!

Here are a few pictures:

He looks like an Arab! I fixed his blanket after this photo. 

I see a cow horse! :D 

"Look mommy! Three hooves off of the ground!"

Cheyenne: "Look mommy, FOUR hooves off of the ground!!"

"Hey! I can do that too!!" 

"Um....wait up!" 

"See you later, pretty boy." ;P

~CBL

This Afternoon

My sister with Cheyenne, me with Ollie (yes, he has turquoise hair extensions in) and my mom with Sherman. We were going for a walk. 

~CBL 

Cheyenne Day 11

I didn't get any pictures for days 1-9 of groundwork (days 1-5) and riding (days 6-10) but today I did get a few photographs.

When I first got her: 

Hated water
Hated Plastic
Was very fast at the trot and canter
Wouldn't let you touch her nose
Wouldn't let you touch her ears
Disrespectful
Pushy

Now just so you all know, I knew Cheyenne had these problems when I bought her, and I got her as a partial project to work with my new Clinton Anderson Methods.  After her being here for a week I started doing groundwork. I did just groundwork for one week, and during that time her pushiness, disrespectfulness, and head-shy attitude all dissipated (for the most part).


 Then I got to riding.

The first Clinton Anderson Cruising Lesson I did with Cheyenne was pretty easy. She was very, very fast at the trot, so much so that I didn't even bother to canter her, and decided that I would have to work on the trot until the trot slowed down. After day 3 of riding (so, the 9th day of the training), it was pretty slow, and on the 4th day I cantered her (the 10th day of training). She was also quite fast at the canter (duh, she was a barrel horse) but I just sat on her back while she went tearing around the round pen for about 6 minutes. Then, she started to slow down and over time, got slower and slower. Today she is light years ahead of where she was and although she is by no means a "slow horse" yet, she is getting better day by day.

Trotting nicely on a loose rein. 

Then I tried something. 

Cheyenne had hated water, so I had worked with her on the ground in the water a couple times. But after I finished riding her I decided to see how she would do under saddle. 

Walking.......

.and trotting!

Cheyenne went right into the water without any resistance and did great! I was so happy. 

Cheyenne is doing very well, and I feel that it won't tale her long to slow down her canter. She has got a great mind on her (she is one of the smartest horses I have ever met and picks up new things quickly), and I cannot wait to use it to it's full potential!

~CBL

P.S. I got her a cute Weatherbeeta blanket because the mosquito's were bad and were biting her pretty good on her stomach. So, I got her a basic pony 600 denier turnout sheet. Here is a picture:

Update On The Horses

                                                                        

 Hello, Y'all!


 It has been a while, hasn't it? I am sure you all are just itching for a update on the horses. Enjoy!!




CHEYENNE

 I have been really busy with our new horse  pony, Cheyenne. I retired her from barrel racing and am working on her speed. She is fast, but is also quite smooth, despite her straight shoulders. She has found good balance while carrying a rider at a fast gait, so it will be more difficult for her to slow down her speedy lope. I do not have any pictures of me riding her yet, but I will soon.

She has finished all of Clinton Anderson's Fundamentals groundwork. She is VERY smart and quick (as you already know) on her feet. She catches on to things incredibly fast and enjoys a job. Right now she does need a more confident rider to tell her what to do, but the more I work with her, the more I am chipping away at her barriers (she isn't spooky at all, but she likes a leader so that she does not have to make decisions). She wouldn't let anyone touch her muzzle when we first got her, and the former owners tried to use grain to help her with that, but it didn't work much. Now I can put my while hand on her muzzle and she is pretty good with it. She was pretty bad at disengaging her hindquarters when I got her, but now she handles it like a pro. I think she will work well with my family once she is fully trained through the whole Clinton Anderson Method.

OLLIE

I do not have a blog big enough to describe the love I have for this horse. He has finished the whole Fundamentals Groundwork and is almost done with the riding part of Clinton's Fundamentals series. He is so slow now and lots of people, including my trainer,  have said he is ready for Ranch Pleasure classes at the Appaloosa shows. He is learning collection and proper canter departures right now, and he is doing well. He is so smart and just loves people. I got Clinton Anderson's whole bridle, bit, rein, and slobber strap set and Ollie loves it so much. He really reaches for the bit, which is something he hadn't done with his other bits, and is very soft in the mouth with it. He is no longer headstrong and does not try to fight me with nearly anything. When I ask him to canter or gallop, he does it willingly and does not swerve a 90 degree angle when he is running at dead speed when we are on the trail (which is what he used to do about 4 months ago). and easily stops. I ride him on a very loose reins with one hand and very little contact (or no contact) with my legs when we are riding on the trail now. 

I am trying my best to grow out his tail. I have been using MTG for the past week and his hair has already grown 3/4 of an inch (in one week!).  I want him to have a really long tail and mane. It is already long for an Appaloosa (who are notorious for having skimpy manes and tails) but I would like it is long as possible. 

I do not have much of anything on Sherman, but I am working on him a little bit. My mom is cantering him now in the round pen and he is doing well. He will probably go up for sale soon, but we are not sure yet.  Stay tuned for more updates on him!!

~CBL

NEW HORSE!!! Meet: Cheyenne

Well, that was fast. 

Sold the mini's on Saturday, and bought our little Cheyenne today. 

I had been emailing the owner for about a week and a half  before the minis were sold asking questions about Cheyenne (her name was formerly Hope, but my family and I wanted a more Indian originated name). 

Anyway, today (even though it was my younger sister's birthday) my dad, mom, two little sisters, and I all drove an hour and half to meet Cheyenne. 

She is a barrel horse, and when I first got to the barn she stays at, I could see that her owners have her run all of the time. I asked about it and her owner said that every time they ride Cheyenne her daughter gallops her and that they have never been on a ride where they did not have her run. 

As I watched Cheyenne, I could see that when when her daughter asked her to canter, she did it, but it was obvious that she was saying "really!? I have to canter again!" As soon as I got on her and she found that she didn't have to run, she was like "Oh, this is nice. I don't have to run!" 

Can't you see Ollie in her!?

My mom rode her, and she did fantastic. Cheyenne is a 10 year old POA mare, and is 13.2....perfect size for lessons. After thinking about it for about 2 minutes, I decided (along with my mom and dad, of course) to go ahead and get her (did I ever mention i was a impulsive person?). 

For the first few weeks she is at our house, I will just do groundwork and show her that she does not have to run all over the place. I do not know exactly when she will be arriving, but sometime after the brand inspection this week or early next week.  She has a amazing mind and a kind eye. I actually see a lot of Ollie in her when I am walking her, riding her, or standing by her. I think she will have a great home here, and my dad and mom love her!

We got another horse! (well, pony actually but.....yeah).

~CBL