Wednesday, April 18, 2012

the round pen

Oh Shyloh. Always trying to be one hoof ahead. She still has not quite grasped the concept that her shenanigans result in extra work for her. Or she likes doing extra work, but I doubt that.
We started round pen work. Shy actually did very well, but the temptation of grass and dandelions was too much for her. This was the first time I did round pen work and it seemed like Shy had some round pen work in the past. We worked on using body language to get Shy to walk, trot, canter, whoa, and switch directions. We did have to use a lunge whip at first, but quickly transitioned it out. 

Shy worked up a sweat working in the round pen. It did not help that every time she felt we were not paying attention, she dove for grass. Or when she was asked to whoa, she went down for grass. Or when she was asked to walk, she tried to sneak in some grass. Sometimes, I think it was just the principle of getting grass, because she knew she was not supposed to do it and would push the grass out of her mouth as she was made to trot or canter. But sometimes, those dandelions would disappear into her mouth like they were being sucked in. 

But with the bell boots and splint boots on her, she had a beautiful trot and canter!
After the round pen, Beth rode her for a bit. Shy was tired and did really well. Not quite my dream pony from the other day, but very good. So I got on her. I walked Shy around, worked on using my legs to keep her on the rail, and walked over poles.

Did I say Shy was tired? She started giving me some trouble going left. So after we went over the poles, I made her go left. Shy said no and scooted herself into a canter, a canter that I did not ask for nor was I expecting. I was able to stop her relatively quickly and stay on. Go me! Then I made Shy walk around some more doing circles and going over poles. No more troubles from the pony.

I am thinking that her scoot and take off is a tried and true way that she has used in the past to get out of doing things she does not want to do. Well, it is not going to work anymore. I know Shy can work without doing it. And if she continues to do it, she will have to work harder. 

7 comments:

  1. Yay Ali for staying on then making her work after she took advantage. Score!

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    1. Right! Glad I was int he Western saddle instead of the dressage. . .I think I might have had a different outcome. . .

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  2. Oh that old working harder business. You'd think they'd figure it out more quickly than they do.

    Washoe (Mom's horse) is very stomach driven. Everything he does, he does for food, so he's always in trouble for snatching grass. He's recently decided that if he sneaks a bit of food, he's going to get put to work, so he grabs a bit and then immediately takes off. We've had to change his idea of "work". Now, he grabs a bit to eat and has to stop and back and back and back. He's getting pretty darn good at backing. But it's a pain in the neck and today he had to back in some pretty tight spaces on the trail.

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    1. You would think!
      Shy was doing the same thing, grabbing grass, then running off. I will give that back up a try!

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  3. Camryn here: Again I say abuse gurl. To much work I tell ya. Luckily we don't have a round pen here.

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    1. Camryn, too funny! I have to get this horse in working order! I may have to use her as my main mode of transportation if gas prices keep going up!

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  4. Way to go staying on during her unexpected canter and continuing to ride after. You're doing so awesome!! :)

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