Starting Bash Under Saddle

Starting Bash Under Saddle

Monday, March 4, 2024

No comments

 

It's time to get this guy, Bash, started under saddle. We're off to a late start as he turns four this month, but after the injury at two with the year of stall rest/small turnout then allowing more time to make sure he was completely sound we're finally ready. 

And this is my issue. 

We purchased Bash in May of 2020 from the ranch where he was bred when he was a little over a month old. They weaned him, halter broke him, and delivered him to us in October. We've been his only owners outside of his breeder, so we know exactly how he has been handled and cared for. While most of our horses are rescues and have unknown or bad histories he does not. 

None of that is the issue. My issue is that I know he's never been mishandled. He's not sour or full of bad habits or responses to being handled improperly. He's always had proper nutrition, veterinary care, dental care, hoof care, etc. And I'm petrified to send him off to a trainer that may not be as reputable as it seems. 

I've recently been confronted with people that I had respected in regards to their horsemanship and animal husbandry show me that they actually aren't as on the up and up as I previously thought. It has been a shock to my system to have to reconcile being so wrong about a person. It's also made my suspicions arise with regards to sending my horse off. 

I have then talked to a few people about just putting on some basic rides, and I am just less than impressed with the levels of riding I am seeing. Some people might say I'm being picky, but I handpicked this colt to be part of my future. I don't want some underhanded horsemanship setting us back more than we already got set back by an accident. 

I guess my general takeaway is that I just need to do it myself. I am just worried about my already struggling physical health. The autoimmune disorder that I have affects my lungs, eyes, joints, and moisture glands throughout my body mostly. It can spread into other organs as well, but thankfully so far mine is contained to the lungs as far as body organs. However, during flares my joints become quite painful. Although I don't believe Bash will be a bronc I do know he is athletic, and I have witnessed him jump with the saddle on. I'm just not sure my joints can withstand that if I come off. 

This is such a hard thing. I have talked to one girl that I believe is a more gentle trainer. She's just getting started in this area, and although some people might want someone more experience I know that everyone has to start somewhere and she is open to a less heavy handed approach. 

Anyway, I have no clue what I will end up doing. I just know what I won't be doing and that is letting some half cocked rough rider on my horses. 

Follow me on social media for more indecisiveness! :) LOL

Click here! 

Read More

WHEN TO QUIT

WHEN TO QUIT

Monday, November 20, 2023

No comments

 

It might sound backwards to say that it's important to know when to quit, but it's honestly one of the most important things to know in life, and especially with animals. 

As I shared on tiktok last week, I had a training session with Bash where I had to get to a positive point, then quit. Bash is one of those horses that is the sweetest thing; he will follow you around and stick his head into the halter for you. However, he also lacks confidence. He's the epitome of the stereotypical goofy bay gelding. And that's fine. It just means I have to approach working him differently than some of the others we have. Getting frustrated with him because he's unsure never helps. Being able to feel myself getting frustrated so that I know when to quit does help. 

It does not mean that you're letting the horse get away with things. As I stated in my video I quit after getting the desired result a few times then end on that good note. 

And not only quitting with training. It's perfectly okay to acknowledge that you are not vibing with a horse and find a different horse. Or a trainer. Or really anything in your life. I recently shut down a successful small shop because it was mentally draining me. 

How do you know when to quit?

Well with training sessions, it's important to quit before you get frustrated and lose sight of the overall goal. End on a good note and try another day. Even if the good note is just practicing something the animal has already previously mastered. It doesn't have to be the something new. 

With overall larger things, like deciding that the animal you're working with isn't clicking with you. Then I say once you realize that it's not a good fit find that animal a home where it is a good fit, and find a horse that is a good fit for you. It does no one any good...you or the horse to try to fit when it's just frustrating for both of you. Only you can judge what is too frustrating for you or if it's just a phase or if you can push through the issues. 

I just personally believe that many horses wind up with issues after being paired with riders or trainers that work against them constantly rather than working with them. If you can't work with them then let them go to someone you can. There are tons of horses out there for you to find one that you can work with. 

Knowing when to quit or pivot can help us so so much in life. We don't have to fight battles that we really don't care about. It's all about defining our goals and then letting go of the things that don't serve those overall goals. 

Until next time! 

Follow me online by clicking here! 

Read More

A Goal for Bash & A Lesson in Pivoting

A Goal for Bash & A Lesson in Pivoting

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

No comments

 

Upon purchasing Bash, my goal was to do some futurities, then derbies, and finally move him up to pro- rodeo horse as a stallion. However, ultimately I decided that all of the work that goes into keeping a stallion and marketing them was not for me. So we got him gelded and the plan was still to futurity, derby, then pro-rodeo horse. 

.

Then in July of 2022, we went out to throw hay in the evening and Bash didn't meet us in the front of the paddock like he normally did. He was standing in a low part of the pen not moving. M went up to him and called me over. He had cut both of his hocks which were actively bleeding. I called the vet who had me send photos and video of the cuts. After seeing the pictures, she asked that we meet her at the clinic so they could be evaluated, cleaned, and we'd go from there. 

.

At the clinic he was sedated, wounds were cleaned, and it was determined that on his right hock he had cut or torn the superior flexor tendon. It wasn't completely severed, and there was no synovial fluid leaking from either joint which was the good news. The bad news is that it was partially severed, and he had two deep lacerations on both hocks which required stall rest for a two year old. 

.

We left with a plan to recheck in a few weeks, with tons of IM antibiotics, pain meds, and instructions for keeping everything wrapped and clean until the wounds had closed up. 

.

After the first recheck he was cleared to do hand walking. This was super fun and not at all terrifying when he wanted to immediately RUN out of the stall. But we got through it and eventually he was allowed to be in a small turn out by himself for eight months. The vet said this injury takes about 6-9 months to heal and we gave him a year before we decided to resume training. 

.

We only just started lunging again because I wanted to make absolutely certain that he is healed. The longevity and his health is far more important to me than any futurity. And now that he's a little over three I really thought my chances at any futurity would be futile since he's not even started under saddle yet (that's happening in the next few months, just waiting for it not to be over 100 degrees every single day). THEN I found TWO futurities in Arizona that happen in January. 

.

This means he won't be five yet if we aim for the ones happening in 2025. He will still be four since his birthday is the end of March. And that gives me over a year to be ready. That's our goal. And honestly if we have to pivot from this goal for the health of the horse then we will like we did from our first goal of doing Old Fort Days in 2024. 

.

It's okay to pivot from goals when you are faced with situations out of your control. And it's okay to not beat yourself up about that because it's horse first. Just make a new goal because there is always another jackpot or rodeo or event or show. 

.

Follow me online! 

Read More