185. Suggesting that your horse does something is so much better than having to tell them to do something...

I remember reading somewhere that if you want to get your horse to do something you must first suggest the idea to them, then (if no response) ask them and then (if still no response) tell them (which is sometimes easier said than done.) But having to tell your horse to do something is never quite as fulfilling as merely having to make a suggestion... I realised this whilst lunging Spice in the arena today, when i suggested that she jump over a cross jump and with immediate effect and more impulsion than i even asked her for she did it.

Spice really seems to come into her own when in an arena. It's almost as though she doesn't really need a teacher but merely a director - someone to guide her - she has all the skills needed, she just needs someone to suggest that she use them. I've read in many equine sales adverts the term 'push button horse' or the phrase 'you just need to point them at the jump' and from what i've seen so far i believe Spice is one of these horses and her potential truly excites me. Why she loves jumping so much is beyond me but you can actually see the excitement in her face when she realises a jump is coming up and her natural ability to work out striding, footing and pace truly amaze me. I was actually in awe of Spice today and so proud.

I had such a brilliant schooling session i was actually buzzing with excitement when i put her back in the paddock and i think she was too. I always know when Spice has enjoyed our sessions because i always ask her to 'canter' after i've put her back and often if i feel good about our session and she does too she canters off, tossing her head playfully in the air but if i ask her after what i feel has been a bad training session she often just walks off with her head down!

I think 2011 might be the year for Spice competition wise but for now all this is very good practice and bringing smiles to both of our faces. :)

179. Working in an outline without a bit!

Today (as you can see from the photos above) we worked on getting Spice to work in an outline in both walk, trot and canter and she did really well considering it was only the second/third time of being asked to come into an outline using a bitless bridle and got better and better as the session went on. She was very well behaved throughout the session doing everything that was asked of her and even threw in a few jumps at the end for good measure. Very pleased with her today.

http://www.artofriding.com/articles/onthebit.html

166. Schooling Spice...

Yesterday, i schooled Spice in the arena for the first time in ages. We didn't do much - just a bit of trotting and a few transitions but it felt so nice to be finally riding again. She was so responsive, particularly to my verbal cues and was very calm throughout the ride.

I was surprised to find that i was able to do the sitting trot better than i've ever been able to do it both with and without stirrups but i think it has more to do with the treeless saddle i am using rather than my skill as a rider. The treeless saddle by Dream Team is sooo comfortable and allows you to feel every movement of your horse which i think is why it makes it easier to do the sitting trot as you can really move in sync with your horse. It also puts you in a very good position.

I can't wait to get back on her and although i know i still have far to go with Spice in terms of discipline if i can achieve half of what i've achieved on the ground with her i should be able to get her listening to my every cue. :)

149. Having fun with your horse...

Yesterday after being away for two days i couldn't wait to see Spice and do something with her. So i decided to lunge her for a bit and then loose jump her. I'm really liking doing things with Spice that she is naturally good at and enjoys because for one it makes my job far easier and two it's also good for my confidence because i am starting to realise that a lot of what it comes down to is what your horse is naturally good at...I take no credit whatsoever for Spice being a good jumper, it's in her breeding and she just loves it...simple as.

So, i have decided to concentrate on schooling and jumping rather than making her the bold happy hacker that i so wanted her to be - because to be honest although i enjoy hacking out i actually really enjoy jumping her so why not concentrate on what she's good at?

So my plan for the rest of the week is to do some more loose jumping and concentrate on having fun with each other after all isn't that what it's supposed to be about?

108. The power of Garlic

Today i decided to give Spice a day off since we had done quite a bit yesterday and her hoof is still repairing itself. I've been cleaning the exit point of the abscess up and applying some pure garlic paste to it to fend off any infection which i think has really helped, i decided to do this after speaking to my partners sister about it and then reading up more about it on the net...

Garlic has anti-septic, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects, reducing blood pressure, improving respiratory problems in horses and acting as a fly repellent -

Garlic is used by many horse and pony owners as a regular equine feed supplement. It contains substances with benefits of pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and reduce swelling.

It is believed that garlic is one of the most effective natural healing substances in the world. It is popularly used, in conjunction with anti-biotics to treat equine respiratory diseases and infections in the horse's lungs.

Garlic is rich in Selenium and Sulphur. Sulphur is recognised as having blood cleansing properties that are useful in treating and preventing equine disease. It is also believed to contain over 25 germ-killing compounds.

Many horse owners feed an equine garlic supplement for its insect repelling qualities - the sweat produced by a horse fed on garlic gives out an odour that keeps flies, ticks and midges away - making it a natural fly repellant.

Horse owners also find feeding garlic useful as part of their equine worming program. Regular feeding of Garlic is effective in deterring tapeworms, pinworms and roundworms - but this should not exclude the use of regular wormers.

Garlic can be used used to give relief from the symptons of coughs - it contains a substance that helps to clear mucus in the airways. This cleansing action, together with its ability to reduce inflammation, also benefits the urinary tract.

The recommended amount to feed is half an ounce to 2 ounces per day depending on the horse or pony's size. It comes in several forms for equine use - powder, freeze dried granules and some herbalists claim freshly grown garlic is the best way to feed it.

The benefits of garlic are many and if you do decide to feed a garlic supplement just be careful not to overdo it.

Spice is booked in for another trim in just under 2 weeks time so i will hopefully be able to do more with her then.

I really want to focus on building up her topline as she has definitely lost some muscle tone over the winter period so i was thinking i could lunge her twice a week with side reins and start schooling her twice a week in the arena.

On the other days i think i will do ground work and jumping at liberty and if all these things go well actually start hacking her out again for 30 mins or so but i don't want to do any of these things until i have the all clear from the barefoot trimmer as the last thing i want to do is risk getting another abscess so i am happy to wait 3 more weeks after all i've already waited 3 months.