Posts Tagged ‘Dressage’
Big Heart – Big Talent
Hi Elizabeth,
Been a while so I thought I’d check in. “Ping” (Shelby’s Hill) is now 7, and a full 16 hands. He has filled out and is beautiful.
After some work his feet are now great, and I hope to start his event training this year. He is so talented in dressage he could just do that, but that is not all I want to do. I long-lined him yesterday after not doing it for two years and he was just great. I still toy with the idea of a bigger horse but he has a big heart.
Hope all is well.
Sarah Farnham
“Tru” Love Success Story
Tru Native gets body clipped for the first time.
Hi Elizabeth,
“Truman” is adjusting beautifully. He has quite the personality and is a barn favorite for sure. He is VERY social and absolutely craves attention. Since he has been living in the field all alone for the past year this has been a complete life style change for the better for him. He now LOVES sugar cubes, beet pulp, horse cookies, etc. He has figured that whatever I offer him now it must be delicious. He is quite pushy and knows his size. So we are just slowly working on him respecting my space! By the way, we measured him and he is an unbelievable almost 17.2 hands!! Just massive and oh so sweet.
Tru Native begins training to be a dressage horse.
It has taken hours to get the clipping done. Of course, when I turned them on he backed up on the cross-ties and sent them flying down the isle about 30 feet, we just hit the ground knowing they would snap. He then slowly walked down the isle, so proud of himself, and into an empty stall. It didn’t take long at all for him to realize that the clippers won’t hurt him. Just lots of patience… I’m still working today on finishing his face, but don’t get next to his ears!! He did get a bath and was sooooooo good for that. He thinks he has “gone to heaven”! Absolutely loves grooming and stands perfectly still while he gets groomed. But, don’t walk away, he will follow! I now have to replace two sets of cross-ties!! Nothing seems to startle him much and is quite confident.
Tru Native admired the gorgeous horse in the mirror.
He loves his turnout paddock and loves his new horse buddies. He has bonded with his neighbor, Abby, a 31 yr. old OTTB. He loves toys and is VERY curious about everything, not spooky at all. When I brought him into the indoor for the first time, he was shocked at our huge mounting block, and then he got to see that gorgeous horse in the mirror. Tail straight up and trying to show off. He is learning to free-lunge and then decides to go straight over to the mirror, pulling me along, to see the horse that lives in the mirror. He is really a gentle giant and doesn’t mean to do that to me, but his curiosity gets the best of him. He has shown me his gorgeous, floaty, slow rhythmic trot out in his turnout paddock. I can’t wait to see how he comes along with dressage training. I think I found a “diamond in the rough” for sure. Have not seen a canter yet, so looking forward to getting a look at that as well.
I have not ridden him yet. The vet who did the pre-purchase said his teeth were in need of immediate floating and a baby tooth needs to be pulled. My vet is coming out on Monday to do his teeth/sheath, etc. His training will start later next week and I can’t wait!!! My trainer and I will take it VERY slowly with him. I want him to enjoy his daily work and be happy and relaxed.
Tru Native and mom - "Tru" Love
I am totally in love with my new baby. I don’t want to leave the barn and when I am at home, all I want to do is go back to be with “Tru”. Thank you sooooo much for your support and assistance. This happened so fast, but I knew when I saw his photo on your website that was it. I was in love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and had to meet him if possible. And possible it was, I was so lucky and blessed. He also has the same birthday, April 28, my horse that I just sold. I knew he and I were meant to be together. Everything fell into place perfectly. He is so far turning out to be an amazing, beautiful horse inside and out. But, just look out, when he wants something, he will get it. Quite strong-willed that way but I will surely enjoy this wonderful, exciting journey.
HAPPY NEW YEAR… It’s going to be a good one!
Lauren
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Tru Native aka "Truman" | 
Tags: Dressage, First, Lunging, Prospect Horse, Training
Bubba Does Dressage
I’ve heard the other folks at the barn talk about those special moments when you and your horse make a huge leap forward, and this past weekend Bubba and I enjoyed one of those precious moments.
We’ve been working on riding and communication fundamentals so Bubba and I better understand one another. Maintaining a consistent cadence, proper pressure on the outside rein, not putzing around in the ring – either work or stand still and rest. In addition, Bubs has matured into a pretty sturdy sport horse, good muscle, using his hind end. So I felt we were ready to canter.
A few tips from Elizabeth and Darylene on how to tell Bubba to canter and we were off, off to the moon! Bubba went into this lovely, incredibly strong (and a little quick) motion and I whoohoo’d as we went around the ring. This quick turn around the ring clicked some button in my plain, small, fuzzy, long maned brown pony and this incredible creature of motion and power appeared.
We next trotted and as I took hold of the reins, he happily dug in and we went round and round with an extended trot I had not previously seen. An amazing door opened for my partner and I, and I think I need to step it up to keep pace with my special boy.
I’m sure everyone has these moments and I’m glad we have the Success Stories to share them. I wish more people had an opportunity to enjoy these incredible horses – whatever their talents and abilities. A great ride is hard to beat but we all look forward to the next topper, don’t we?
-Melanie Eberhardt
Order an original illustration of your special pet for Christmas today!
Bubba’s mom Melanie Eberhardt is also a fine artist. She is offering to do pencil illustrations of your special pet for Christmas gift giving. Prices start at just $10! Give an original artwork as a Christmas gift – it will be treasured forever. Learn more about this on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site and on Pet Portraits at YOUR Price and Melanie’s Web site. She wants to people to have a way to honor their special pets, to share their stories and to promote original art.
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Lynn's Vision aka "Bubba" |
Tags: Dressage, Illustrations, Prospect Horse
Da’ Boyz Do Gymnastics and Dressage
Hi Elizabeth,
Hope your travels went well. Glad to here Dakota’s brother, Brat Maverick, has a new home. I hope to see him sometime.
I’m again enjoying this lovely weather! Da’ Boyz (Dakota Spirit & Chilletecaux) are coming along great! This past week and this week they graduated to gymnastics (three jumps on the one stride) and cantering simple lines. They both LOVE IT!! The dressage is coming too. Of course we all think the jumping is more fun…
My husband, Slim, is a superstar at setting jumps! He walks distance and sets poles perfectly – how lucky am I ?? My step-daughter, Desiree helps me change horses and rides some after I school them on weekends.
Dakota Spirit and Chilletecaux have a new horse trailer.
I’ve ordered the truck. It should be here around Thanksgiving – I’m getting antsy to get them out to play. We’ve gotten bored with the trails at home. Still there’s plenty to work on and we’re having a good time!
Hope everything is going great with you and your crew.
-J
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Chilletecaux, Dakota Spirit |
Tags: Dressage, Gymnastics, Prospect Horse, Training
Lovely Weather – Lovely Thoroughbreds!
Off-the-track Thoroughbred, Chilletecaux and his owner/trainer Jane Chance
Wow, this weather is so wonderful! The boyz (Chilletecaux and Dakota Spirit) have been doing so well. Nancy (the older Ms. Lane) came out to watch both horses go which is great for me given she is such a good ground person. She reminded me not to let Chille get me leading with my body, to keep open to help him stay slower. So easy without someone on the ground and she has such a good eye.
Also on the other hand to try not to help Dakota and let him find his feet. So funny to ride the ‘day dreamer’ to the jumps and feel the surprise when his mind has wondered. Nancy could tell Slim where to place poles as we went – THANKS Slim!
Started little verticles this week and the tiny outside line. So easy for both horses. Went for a short trail ride thru the woods behind the barn – first time it’s been dry enough lately. Can’t wait for my truck to get here… we have plans!
Talk to you soon,
Jane
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Chilletecaux, Dakota Spirit |
Tags: Dressage, Eventing, First, Gymnastics, Jumping, Prospect Horse, Training
17 hand Thoroughbred Horse For Sale – Admiration
Admiration is sadly offered for sale by his owner due to the economy.
Admiration aka “Huey” is a 10 year-old TB gelding who has been off the track for over two years. He is chestnut with four high whites and a blaze and stands 17 hands! Huey is built like a warmblood – wide barrel, very solid bone. Very flashy! He is currently living happily on 24/7 pasture with bare feet. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Admiration aka "Huey", B&B Success Stories |
Tags: Dressage, Eventing, Fox Hunting, Horses For Sale, Prospect Horse For Sale
Good As Gold – Even Though Green
Hi Elizabeth!
It’s been a busy summer and I haven’t updated the info on Goldie (Gold’s Anatomy) in a while. His flatwork is going so well that Laura’s trainer has started them jumping. These are pictures of his first jumping lesson and even though, as you would expect, his form was pretty green he was very willing and seemed to enjoy it more than his dressage. He stayed very calm even when the jumps went up and the trainer thinks may be ready for beginner novice next spring, although she stresses that he’s too nice to rush so we’ll see.
I read about your frustrations and just want to say that what you’re doing is a wonderful thing. The new horses you have look beautiful and I really wish we had room for one more. Someday…
Take care,
Leslie Hempleman
Outstanding “Hill” Climbing
Just a note to say that Ping (Shelby’s Hill) is outstanding!
After trying to figure out sore feet, natural balance shoes and some wedge pads have given me an amazing horse. He’s still for sale on Dreamhorse and if anyone wants to pay my price I’d come and get another one from you, BUT I really don’t want to sell Ping. He is so much FUN to ride and willing to do anything. As soon as I get it right he’s THERE. He does seem to like dressage surprisingly. Seems like many TB don’t have the patience. And he is BEAUTIFUL. A full 16 hands and getting WIDE.
Just an update. A positive, happy update. Sometimes these OTTB just have little issues, and it takes time to figure them out.
Thanks!
Sarah Farnham
Read more of Shelby’s Hill Success Stories on the Bits & Bytes Farm Web site.
Posted in B&B Success Stories, Shelby's Hill |
Tags: Dressage, Prospect Horse, Prospect Horse For Sale, Shoeing
Dixon’s Chief and Avrispecial Check In
Amy Place purchased Dixon's Chief and Avrispecial in the summer of 2008.
Hi Elizabeth,
Dixon’s Chief has really come into his own this spring! This guy has soo much spunk now. He had trouble on and off all last summer with his stomach troubles. He also have to have quite a bit of chiropractic work done on him by Doctor Cleveland. He could not be ridden for a month because of pain in his neck, rib cage and pelvis. I felt so bad for him last summer he was sore, did not eat very well, and got picked on by the other horses. I have to put him in a pasture just with Avrispecial it was so bad. Avrispecial was his protector, he tried to keep the other horses away from Chief. It was pretty cute. I have never had two horses that got along so well and that just love to play together. I started riding him more in the fall. He was super easy. We just walk and trotted. He did not trust my hand at all at first but has got a lot better. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Avrispecial, B&B Success Stories, Dixon's Chief |
Tags: Chiropractor, Dressage, Eventing, Feeding
Young Rachel Alexander Fans
Ex-race horse, Dr. Kenny Winn is now loved by Noah and Josh and their mom Ronni Berman.
Hi Elizabeth,
Hope you have been well. We’ve been following the new and improved NEWZ section and love it! Noah and Josh have seen the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. They asked and I gave in. The boys became huge fans of Rachel Alexandra and thought we should buy her after she’s finished racing. Oh sure, if we win the lottery maybe! Noah is quick to mention that his favorite horse is still Kwinn (Dr. Kenny Winn) though.
Read more about Noah and what he thinks of horse racing on “Our Mission” page.
