Stamp of approval

Sammie has been in a charming mood for the past couple of days and we had a great time long lining yesterday. I was walking him for a bit between trotting and I know that if I get within a certain distance of him he thinks it's Spanish Stamp time - don't ask me how this has happened, but it has. He caught me out yesterday but the great thing was that he stamped with both feet whilst still walking forward. He only did it on the right rein but I was so surprised that he'd remembered what we worked on well over two weeks ago now.

It still looks very funny but he seems to get some real pleasure out of it even though he does it with such force!

When we'd managed to stop going round in ever decreasing circles of stamping he did a much lighter canter on the right rein, so I reckon it must loosen things up a bit as well.

After that he long lined me back to the yard in the dark and he was foot perfect apart from the spooky bit where he thinks the electric in the fence might leap out and bite him on his fine backside.

Escape artist

Well the gorgeous Sammie broke out of his stable today. Not through the stable door but through his pretty sturdy chain and rubber door guard thing. He's developed a habit of poking his front legs out and pawing the walkway when dinner is on the way and tonight he must have really pushed his weight against it and he fell out giving himself one hell of a shock.

He quickly backed up into his box and lots of snorts followed while he stood there shaking his head in disbelief! It's only ever on there when people are about so no worries there, but what a vandal - I told him I'd be issuing him with a Criminal Damage fine. His face was a picture though! I managed to sort of hook the broken bits together quite firmly and then covered it with loads of gaffer tape while he stood there trying to touch it to get some treats.

I managed to long line Sammie yesterday and he was in such a better mood afterwards. He was fairly out of control at some points and very keen to get going and keep going, but he actually looked pretty happy to be prancing around. I'd noticed that he'd got more and more grumpy during the last week when I was too ill to do anything with him. There was such a marked change in him back in his box after exercise. I've never noticed that before or maybe it's just a new thing with Sammie.

When is enough, enough?

I keep thinking that it's enough for me when I get to a certain stage with riding Sammie, but then we discover something new. RI is such an inspiration and can spot things a mile off - a tweak here and a nudge there - things you really wouldn't think would make any difference at all, but they do. She kept telling me I had my 'handbrake' on in walk and I really didn't believe her at first. But she was right, I did. Sammie's walk is not the best horsy walk, but it can definitely get better as long as I get my act together.

Anyway, after throwing it all around my head, I've come to the conclusion that Sammie will tell me when enough is enough. He's been very good at that all along, so there's no reason he should be any different with this. I guess this still pretty basic stuff to a lot of people, but then I do doubt that a lot of people get that incredible feeling. The horse is trotting forwards, its head is in the accepted position and it's moving, but there's something so different when they are doing it in this way. It's like riding with a whisper and once Sammie starts listening to the whisper, he really gets it. I guess because he was ruined in his early life he just got used to bangs and shouts instead of whispers, so it really is a matter of him learning to recognise a much softer sound.

Trot Hot Shot

Sammie was amazing today! So light at the front and so lifted and all in sitting trot. Wow! What a great feeling - I literally just sat there, no legs, just closing and opening my seat. RI said he looked lovely and impressive, but I just can't get over that feeling. I just love sitting trot (never thought I'd say that) and Sammie is now better in sitting trot than rising. RI said that's because he's really working through properly which makes it easier for me to sit and he's comfortable like that.

Boy, I'll never cease to be amazed by how tiny, tiny seat changes can bring about a whole host of changes. As soon as I lifted slightly and brushed Sammie forwards with my legs off he goes.

I started off by saying I'd like to get a better walk. So we lifted, brushed forwards and if nothing happened I tapped my boot. RI reckons Sammie finds the walk rather boring now, but by the end we were getting some better strides.

I was just feeling great when RI threw in another challenge - stay sitting at trot but open him up down the long side of the school. Hmmm... well that ain't quite so easy to sit to just yet! You have to lean very slightly backwards, get your pelvis underneath you and release. Bless him, Sammie did it, but I need to get better at sitting to that extended pace!

Then we worked on paces within the canter - letting him out a bit down the long side and collecting up at the top ends. Not as easy as it sounds I can tell you! You really have to use your back and stomach muscles - mine were groaning by the end.

Before we did all of that we did lots of transitions - trot to halt, halt to walk, walk to halt, halt to trot. It really does lighten him up at the front which is why I think we got such a lovely sitting trot.

Once again RI said how well we're doing and that people can have lessons for years and not come on nearly as much. She also said he still looks absolutely fine on his feet as well. I know he is, but it's good to hear other people say that as well.

Nocturnal Moves

It was dark when I got to the yard today, a bit drizzly and pretty windy (and cold of course!) We've missed a lot of exercise sessions this week so I was determined to do something. Got him dressed up in his long lining gear and without thinking really, long lined him down to the school in the dark. I did question my decision as we left the yard, but he just strode on right down to the school. A few snorts here and there, but he looked almost keen to get into the school.

Once there, he worked like clockwork. Trotting and cantering, even down the scary end with the floodlights on. I walked him round a bit after we'd finished to loosen him off and then exited the school to turn off one of the floodlights (we leave one one so we can see our way back) I turned it off, turned Sammie to head back to the yard and he decided to take himself back in the school and go for another walk. He wasn't scared, I think he was actually quite happy to be doing a bit of work.

I eventually persuaded him that we really should be on our way and he long lined the whole way back until he heard an electric fence clicking. That was too much for him in the dark and after a mild panic attack, he stood firm and let me undo the long lines so I could lead him back. We did get in a bit of a tangle but he just did as I asked and was then happy to walk alongside me the rest of the way.

I rugged him up and left him watching TV while I got his supper ready. He just loves looking out there in the dark but the sound of supper soon saw him asking to get back to his stable pronto!

Tails of the Unexpected

Sammie went on the run (again) today, this time with me hanging on to his tail. I was untacking him outside the tack room after our ride and normally he just stands there with his bridle on (not very BHS I know) I was talking to H and just resting on his bottom and he decided it was about time to move off. The only thing I could grab was his tail. He didn't give two hoots that I was pulling on it. So we went round the back of the yard and up towards the top fields - yes, with me hanging off his tail. I didn't want to let go because I was worried that he might catch himself in the reins.

He actually took me to the very top, I couldn't believe it. Boy he's a powerful monkey once he gets going - talk about horsepower! He just walked but it took all my effort to keep up with him. Eventually I managed to turn him into some trees a bit, which slowed him down and I was just about able to grab a rein whilst still holding onto his tail.

What a sight we must have looked!! He really didn't seem to think it was at all odd to have me hanging off his back end. He certainly made no attempt to run away, just walked very purposefully taking in the sights as he went along. Who needs long lines?

That's a first for me, but afterwards I thought what a turnaround that he didn't try to buck or kick me out of the way. He was just so unconcerned about it. Of course everyone had a good natured laugh at my expense when I returned with Sammie in hand.

Prior to that new trick he was a very good boy in the school. Got down to work and gave me a couple of nice canters. My new clippers should be arriving tomorrow so I intend to get the rid of the rest of his fluffy tummy and chest by the end of the weekend. He really is getting so wet around there, it can't be good for him.

Independent spirit

I went to muck out Sammie this morning as usual. When YM serves breakfast I always pop him in the empty stable next door rather than leaving him standing at the gate. Only this time I forgot to put his lead rope across the door which is usually enough to deter him.

Breakfast was gobbled down and as I walked to the other end of the yard I just happened to look back to see Sammie poke his head out, look left, then right and make his 'stealthy' escape. "If I take it slow, I'm sure they won't notice. Easy does it." He did go very slowly, almost like he was creeping, so I thought I would catch him up and I wasn't too worried as I knew he'd head for the top fields.

However as he crept out of the barn he was very shocked to see the new display of one of the dog's practice agility jumps out the back and took off at smart trot, snorting away to himself. I then spent the next 10 minutes trying to persuade him that he really should come back and get out to his own field. Needless to say he made me late for work, but he did look rather good taking off at a pacey trot with his neck arched and tail held aloft, even though I wasn't impressed with the 'catch me if you can' game in the muddiest part of the field.

When we walked back to the barn, he didn't give the agility jumps a second glance. What a monkey!

I managed to long line today and the left rein canter is still improving. I'm trying to get a consistent 'bounce' into canter. It can still be a bit hit and miss but I reckon we're getting there.