Coming home...

Well tomorrow is a big day for Grace and for me.

Grace is getting moved to her new home. Star is already there and waiting for her, they will be neighbors once again. Grace will get pasture turn out and I can't wait for her to be a horse again..no more mud or sand turn out. Good ole' pasture and other mare friends for her! She will love it.

It's a big day for me because I will be taking on her training on my own. I mean I will have the BO there and I'm hoping to get her to take Grace out on the trails for me...just to see how she does.

But first things first...I need to get on her on my own with no help. I am actually very excited about this next step in our horse/rider relationship. She is a great horse and has a lot to learn probably as much as I do. I don't want to undo all the work Stacey put on her. Cross your fingers for me! I'll be reading constantly!!!

I moved my things out of Cedar Creek Stables yesterday. It was bittersweet...CC was a great barn with great owners. Probably the first barn I've felt welcomed at and loved the facility (with a few exceptions, turnout, trails you know the fantastic perks at ER) So if you need a great barn with a great arena CC is the place to be!!!

Vacation is almost over and it will be back to the work grind. My step-daughter is here from Vegas and we have a full house....the barn is my quiet place. (right now the kids are screaming at each other why can't they listen...and just get along)

More tomorrow after the move....Ernst Ranch here we come!

Dreams of Inside Rein, Outside Leg....

I've had two super amazing lessons on Grace this week. She is AMAZING...but I'm learning to ride all over again. No neck reining..learning to Really use my legs and hands together. Patience..and repetition.

Our lesson starts with me just getting in the saddle...bend right, bend left...(let me tell you my horse is Gumby..so flexible it's insane) then we are off...She is trotting well on command and seems to really enjoy the work.

I can tell you that I have been on some horses that I just always feel tense on. I have not once gotten that feeling from Grace. Trust me I do not have a false sense of security I know she is green and I can appreciate though how easy it is to teach her something new and how accepting she is.

Basics I'll need to remember for my green horse...

Inside Rein, kept level with the horn, do not pull down...

Outside leg...light pressure for turning (with inside rein)

"Whoa", sit back, pull back reins, light heel pressure = stop and two to three steps back.

So much technique when teaching a greenie....and I love every minute of it..All of the basics that you forget when you ride a seasoned horse. Oh and did I mention how sore I am. Not riding for a year means that you have to remind your muscles what they are supposed to do!

Looking forward to my next ride on MY horse!

Educating myself...

So now I'm obsessed with learning about working with a green horse. Reading everything I can get my hands on, watching video, reading blogs...

So if you have any good advice (such as wearing a helmet) I would love to hear it! I am so excited about getting back out to the barn and working with Grace again.

Last night when I was in the saddle it literally took my breath away. Who knew that owning a young horse could be so rewarding..all the hours of ground work paid off.

I know there will be trials and tribulation with a young, green horse but I think she has a great, willing mind.

Just think of all the trails we will blaze and the fun we will have...if she doesn't kill me first!

I DID IT!!! Still can't believe it.

I rode Grace tonight...I know it looks like I'm just sitting on her but I swear I rode her around the arena just ask BBFF she was there! It couldn't have been better, the tiny training saddle was perfect, the dusty old arena was perfect...everything was perfect! Okay I could be thinner and these pics are total motivation to drop the weight so that I don't kill my pony..but for those 15 minutes I was KING OF THE WORLD!!

I was so excited Stacey had to keep reminding me to breathe...It wasn't because I was scared or nervous it was because I was EXHILARATED!! It was an amazing moment for me. A dream I've had since I brought her home.

She hasn't yet offered to buck or show any signs that she isn't willing to work or accept a rider.

Truly amazing. Tonight was only her second time with a rider. I never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be on her back.

Oh and I almost forgot..When Stacey was riding her she got her up into a trot..just like that. Like she's been doing it for YEARS!

What an amazing night!

P.S Thanks JP (the best BBFF ever) for taking the pics and for being there for our first of may rides together!!

SHE DID IT!!!

So today I received this on my Cell phone...

What is that on Gracie's back? Three guesses...come on...you can do it...

Horse blanket? Nope...

Bareback pad? Nope...

Its a REAL LIFE SADDLE!!

And then I got this one..it just gets better...

Stacey then sent me a text that said Gracie isn't a Virgin pony anymore....she took her first ride around the arena TWICE..you GO GIRL!

So tomorrow night I will be going out to the barn to get that rain check on watching the trainer work Grace...I don't want to get my hopes up again but I'm feelin' good about it.

I went out and lunged her tonight and she is getting much better with my cues. She is also doing well with in hand bridle work..she is amazing.

Come on everyone Give Gracie a hand!!

We are MOVING!!

So my BBFF decided she needed more room to stretch Stars legs and as you all know have grown very fond of her. So when she started telling me about the Barn I thought..hey I need to check this place out.

After meeting with the barn owner and touring the facility's I knew I had to go too..

The new barn has miles of trails...and yes I know it's a QH barn but they have an on site trainer...who can train Gracie on the trails and I'll never be bored...I'll feel like a 12 year old again.

It was really hard to say good-bye to Cedar Creek as they have the prettiest barn I have ever seen and they took superb care of Grace...I just wanted/needed an on site trainer and the trail riding is an added bonus. Plus the digs aren't to shabby.

Check em out..

http://www.ernstranch.com/about_er.html

Oh and did I mention they have turn out..lots of pasture turn out. Grace will be in heaven once she comes home from training at Riggs barn.

So that's the news.

Oh and I still haven't heard any news on Grace. I'm going to go check on her tomorrow...

Sorry no go...

I'm not sure what is going on with Grace right now as I haven't heard from the her trainer, can you say frustrating...because I sure can!!  I would love to have a daily update..via e-mail or whatever. 

I understand that people are busy but I kinda feel like something once in a while that isn't me calling and feeling like I'm super annoying would be great.  

I'm new to this training thing so I'm not sure what I should be expecting..maybe I'm expecting too much..what do you think?

Anyhoo, I wasn't able to see Gracie's first ride yesterday.  I didn't hear from her trainer (she was supposed to call me when she was getting ready to work Grace) so I sent her a text.  The one I got back did not make me a happy camper as I was soooo looking forward to seeing Gracie's first ride!  I won't be able to see her under saddle now until next Tuesday.   

But I will take tons of pictures when I go!  

We have some other things in the works for Gracie and I...I'll tell you about them later!  It's going to be awesome!!

She'll be a rider...

I spoke to Grace's trainer today.  She has progressed so far already.

She was backed last week..Bareback.  She did Great!

She was saddled and backed today.  She did Great!

So tomorrow she will be saddled, backed and moved forward for her very first ride.  I plan on being there and taking tons and tons of pictures.  

I really can't believe how fast she is progressing...I guess I didn't know what to expect.  She really does love to work and has a great mind.   

I was also pleased to know that before she leaves the training barn I will get to ride her.  I have been waiting almost a year to ride this mare...and I CANNOT wait!

JP came out to give some support tonight.  I really appreciated it, she has been a great BBFF!!!

So tune in tomorrow for pictures from the Barn...