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An Equestrian Life

F#, Horses
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October 15, 2019

Ground Work with Stu

Stu is now a big two year old. He’s spent the last year of his life basically being feral. He got some basic training at his breeder’s farm, and then I worked with him a few times until I got pregnant and he kicked me twice, like a little shit. I decided it was too much of a risk to work with him while I was pregnant, and decided to shelve it for the year.

The year has now generously finished, and it’s time to work with him again. He’s only two, but he can be rambunctious, and he continues to get bigger. I really don’t want an enormous, untrained three year old – that sounds like more challenge than I’m willing to take on. I have to draw the line somewhere. 

As a side note – how much bigger is this monster going to get? I’d be happy if he stopped growing immediately, but I don’t think he’s going to take my request into consideration. I would estimate he’s 16.1 now. He towers about my other horses. His dam was a bulky 17 hands, and I think his sire was 16.2? Not sure if I’m remembering right. It’s been a really long time!

I have an area I’m going to set up crossties, but right now it’s just two poles. But, since he doesn’t understand cross ties anyway, that’s where I’m starting. I worked on him standing still while I’m grooming, and he seemed to grasp that quickly. By the second session, he just dozed off while I groomed him. I wouldn’t trust him to ground tie if I walked away, but it’s a pretty good start. 

I started working with him in his little pen, but we didn’t make progress in understanding lunging. It is a very confusing concept to him. He doesn’t want to be sent away from me, he’s also extremely low energy AND he doesn’t care about the whip. I know I’m being cowardly by not being more forceful, but I have a very vivid memory of being kicked. It’s the kind of thing that really sticks with you, and plus, his hooves are much bigger now.

We did lots of work with giving to pressure. He grasped that concept and would move with pressure on both his body and his face. 

The best part of working with him: he actually loves it. At first he was distracted and wanting to look at other things, but as he realized I was asking him things, he wanted to figure out the right answer, and had all his attention on me. It really makes me excited for continuing to work with him. 

Just relaxing for a grooming.

For the second session I asked him to walk up and down the grooming area, and that did go better. He still doesn’t fully get it, but he’s sort of getting it. He just can’t get why I want him to move away from me. Oddly Vintage was similar but she’d actually move. She was so high energy, she’d try to keep facing me and leg yield in circles around me. She was an agile little thing before she became an old lady. 

I know I need to push more, but it is so pleasant with him being so relaxed. It’s like watching the a video of ocean waves – so calm and predictable. For being a 2 year old, he’s very low key. But, I’ve seen him bucking, running around, and playing in the field, so I know he’s got some energy in him. He doesn’t have that kind of energy for everyday though, it’s just special occasion energy. 

I’m very excited to actually be working with him again. I only work with him for 20 minutes or so every other day, so progress is slow, but it seems steady! 

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Fashion has been inspired by equestrians for a long time, and likely a long time to come. It's a classic, beautiful look. It's form and function. It's sport and elegance. We equestrians like it, and it's nice that others appreciate it too, even if the fashion interpretation isn't always practical.

Next time you have a dirty ride, remember that even at your messiest, you're a fashion icon. You just happen to get up close and personal with dirt.

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Fashion has been inspired by equestrians for a long time, and likely a long time to come. It's a classic, beautiful look. It's form and function. It's sport and elegance. We equestrians like it, and it's nice that others appreciate it too, even if the fashion interpretation isn't always practical. Next time you have a dirty ride, remember that even at your messiest, you're a fashion icon. You just happen to get up close and personal with dirt. #equestrianfashion #fashion #style #horsestyle #equestrian #horses #horsegirl #riding #countrystyle #countrygirl #oldmoneylooks #horsesofinstagram
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
FINALLY got some mounted photos on my boy! I can't believe it took this long, but I'm happy it finally happened. Stu loved just standing here, it was his favorite part of the whole ride. He's a good stander, and I'm a good sitter, I'm  wearing my amazing @syncequestrian breeches so I'm basically glued to him.

Thank you @nataliaornatascha you're so good at this!! 

#equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #warmbloodsofinstagram #equestrian #ridinglife #horses #horsephotos
FINALLY got some mounted photos on my boy! I can't believe it took this long, but I'm happy it finally happened. Stu loved just standing here, it was his favorite part of the whole ride. He's a good stander, and I'm a good sitter, I'm  wearing my amazing @syncequestrian breeches so I'm basically glued to him.

Thank you @nataliaornatascha you're so good at this!! 

#equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #warmbloodsofinstagram #equestrian #ridinglife #horses #horsephotos
aneqlife
aneqlife
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FINALLY got some mounted photos on my boy! I can't believe it took this long, but I'm happy it finally happened. Stu loved just standing here, it was his favorite part of the whole ride. He's a good stander, and I'm a good sitter, I'm wearing my amazing @syncequestrian breeches so I'm basically glued to him. Thank you @nataliaornatascha you're so good at this!! #equestrianlife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #warmbloodsofinstagram #equestrian #ridinglife #horses #horsephotos
3 months ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy.

#horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy.

#horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy.

#horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
aneqlife
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There's nothing like a summer day with horses. You may end up dirty and sweaty, but you'll never be so happy. #horselife #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #horsefarm #virginia #horsecountry #countryside #farmlife #lovehorses
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible!

#iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
aneqlife
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Well, after you disappear for a while, reappearing in Iceland is pretty cool. Good thing I now have the travel bug because I still need to ride an Icelandic horse there. But just seeing it was still pretty incredible! #iceland #blacksand #travel #travelgram #travellife #icelandtravel
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
He makes me happy but also causes confused and vacant expressions, but like, overall, pretty happy

#horsesofinstagram #horsegirl #equestrian #instahorse #horselife
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He makes me happy but also causes confused and vacant expressions, but like, overall, pretty happy #horsesofinstagram #horsegirl #equestrian #instahorse #horselife
9 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
When you have to  guess at what your trainer said 🤷 more leg is always acceptable

#horsesofinstagram #instahorse #equestrian #horses #horselife #moreleg #ridinglesson
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When you have to guess at what your trainer said 🤷 more leg is always acceptable #horsesofinstagram #instahorse #equestrian #horses #horselife #moreleg #ridinglesson
9 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/6
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