I wanted to see what riding Crispin looks like, so I asked Daniela to take a video. We are progressing slowly but steadily (I still haven't found/decided on a saddle and still ride him only once or maybe twice a week).
The video is from our 16th ride. The saddle is yet another one I've had out to try (Euroriding Achat). This one is too small for both of us (17 inch seat and a 34 gullet). I've asked the the saddler to order one one size bigger and wider. Not sure if that one will fit, the saddle is really short but the panels might not be flat enough for Crispin.
Now to the video (it's pretty bad quality because of the editing).
Steering is still a little awkward. Circles to the right and straight lines to the left are pretty solid but we have issues with circles to the left and with going straight on the right. It's getting better with every ride and I'm looking forward to our first riding lesson (just a 30 min session) next week!
Samstag, 26. März 2011
Samstag, 19. März 2011
The New Welsh meets The New Haflinger
My very good friend Daniela who let me ride her horse during the last year, finally sold her horse in January.
Like me she wanted to downsize and started looking for a small horse or big pony. Unlike me she wasn't set on a specific breed but she did have a soft spot for haflingers. She checked out a few horses and a couple more haflingers and found the right little pony for herself, a comming 3 y/o halfinger gelding.
So, here's "The New Welsh meeting The New Haflinger"
His name is Amalfi aka "Alfie" and compared to Crispin he looks tiny! But of course Crispin has a whole year of growing and filling out on this little guy.
I think they make a cute little pair.
Like me she wanted to downsize and started looking for a small horse or big pony. Unlike me she wasn't set on a specific breed but she did have a soft spot for haflingers. She checked out a few horses and a couple more haflingers and found the right little pony for herself, a comming 3 y/o halfinger gelding.
So, here's "The New Welsh meeting The New Haflinger"
His name is Amalfi aka "Alfie" and compared to Crispin he looks tiny! But of course Crispin has a whole year of growing and filling out on this little guy.
I think they make a cute little pair.
Sonntag, 13. März 2011
The first 6 weeks of riding (and one more freejumping video)
After six weeks "under saddle" I think it's time to summarize what I did so far.
Rides 1-3: Mounting and dismounting and being led a couple of circles by a friend.
Rides 4-9: Riding alone. Just walk in the indoor and outdoor ring and on the trails/track on the property (accompanied by another rider). Crispin responds to my leg aids well by ride 9.
Rides 10-14: I added the trot at ride 10 without any difficulties. I'm now basically riding by myself walk/trot in the indoor (steering greatly improved by now) or outdoor ring plus walk/trot on the trails/track on the property without another horse to lead.
We also did some freejumping again this sunday. Here's the video:
This time it was a little more challenging and technically difficult. Crispin managed quite well. In one round he bounces through a one stride distance but with the help of a ground pole he gets it correctly the next time. I tink there is some real jumping to be seen in the video.
Rides 1-3: Mounting and dismounting and being led a couple of circles by a friend.
Rides 4-9: Riding alone. Just walk in the indoor and outdoor ring and on the trails/track on the property (accompanied by another rider). Crispin responds to my leg aids well by ride 9.
Rides 10-14: I added the trot at ride 10 without any difficulties. I'm now basically riding by myself walk/trot in the indoor (steering greatly improved by now) or outdoor ring plus walk/trot on the trails/track on the property without another horse to lead.
We also did some freejumping again this sunday. Here's the video:
This time it was a little more challenging and technically difficult. Crispin managed quite well. In one round he bounces through a one stride distance but with the help of a ground pole he gets it correctly the next time. I tink there is some real jumping to be seen in the video.
Mittwoch, 9. März 2011
Today, it really felt like riding!
After the last post I think it's time for a happy little update.
I think that today I had my first real ride on Crispin. I lunged him a little and then rode him in the indoor.
And I think for the first time I actually really rode him. We went where I wanted to go in the pace I chose. We did some circles and change of reins, trotted, walked, stopped. Very grown up and very fun!
I think that today I had my first real ride on Crispin. I lunged him a little and then rode him in the indoor.
And I think for the first time I actually really rode him. We went where I wanted to go in the pace I chose. We did some circles and change of reins, trotted, walked, stopped. Very grown up and very fun!
Montag, 7. März 2011
Bad week
This last week wasn't a good one.
I was sick. I had to make the decision of what I'm going to do once the Offeenstall is gone. There is still no saddle in sight and Crispin decided that it's time to become a teenage brat an acted up this week. *twice*
At first I was down with the stomach flu for a few days at the beginning of the week. At the same time I finally had to make up my mind about what I was going to do once the Offenstall is gone (which is probably very soon. They are about to start working on the new stalls). It just sucks! It took me a very long time to think about all the pros and cons and I'm sure I did make the right decision (for now) but that doesn't make me any happier about it. I hate it! I'm not moving Crispin to a new barn. He's going to stay at the barn where he is and is going to live in a box stall with group turnout. Not in the kind of stall I want or even in the herd I want him in but it's the best I could do for now. He will be moved into the herd I want him to be in once there is a stall available for him (probably in the fall, maybe sooner. Who knows).
Once I felt better I called the tack shop again. They are not able to get the saddle that might have fit Crispin and they don't have any other options either. So I'm back to square one. No saddle and no idea how to find one. (Remember, I already called every saddle fitter in the area I know of).
And to top off the week, Crispin decided to act like a stubborn, pigheaded teenager this week! A wonderful combination on an overly sensitive horse! When I lunged him on friday he managed to get away from me twice, once leaving outdoor ring in the process! And when I rode him yesterday he tried to pull off the same stunt again with me in the saddle! I could ride him through this quickly and he was a good boy after that but the whole situation is unsatisfactory. He's almost four, head of his own little herd, it's spring, it's normal that he starts testing me. Basically, I think he's ready now for a little more work to keep his pea brain busy, but without a well fitting saddle this is going to be difficult. (I can not lunge him all the time. Maybe twice a week but not more).
I was sick. I had to make the decision of what I'm going to do once the Offeenstall is gone. There is still no saddle in sight and Crispin decided that it's time to become a teenage brat an acted up this week. *twice*
At first I was down with the stomach flu for a few days at the beginning of the week. At the same time I finally had to make up my mind about what I was going to do once the Offenstall is gone (which is probably very soon. They are about to start working on the new stalls). It just sucks! It took me a very long time to think about all the pros and cons and I'm sure I did make the right decision (for now) but that doesn't make me any happier about it. I hate it! I'm not moving Crispin to a new barn. He's going to stay at the barn where he is and is going to live in a box stall with group turnout. Not in the kind of stall I want or even in the herd I want him in but it's the best I could do for now. He will be moved into the herd I want him to be in once there is a stall available for him (probably in the fall, maybe sooner. Who knows).
Once I felt better I called the tack shop again. They are not able to get the saddle that might have fit Crispin and they don't have any other options either. So I'm back to square one. No saddle and no idea how to find one. (Remember, I already called every saddle fitter in the area I know of).
And to top off the week, Crispin decided to act like a stubborn, pigheaded teenager this week! A wonderful combination on an overly sensitive horse! When I lunged him on friday he managed to get away from me twice, once leaving outdoor ring in the process! And when I rode him yesterday he tried to pull off the same stunt again with me in the saddle! I could ride him through this quickly and he was a good boy after that but the whole situation is unsatisfactory. He's almost four, head of his own little herd, it's spring, it's normal that he starts testing me. Basically, I think he's ready now for a little more work to keep his pea brain busy, but without a well fitting saddle this is going to be difficult. (I can not lunge him all the time. Maybe twice a week but not more).
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