30 Day Training Diary (the short version)

30 Day Training Diary (The short version)

We had 5 mares in training here for the month of Sept. I shared a detailed description of their first three days in last months newsletter. Here is a shorter version of the diary we kept the rest of the month.

We take the best care possible of the horses entrusted to us, and we plan to not only gain their respect and trust but we will help them to be more valuable horses. We hope to bring out the potential that each one of them has.

Day 1
Ground work and ride with bareback pad in round pen.
I like putting the bareback pad on first before the saddle so they get used to the girth. None of them bucked until we asked for the canter. However after their initial attempt at getting rid of the girth, each canter transition was without any bucking. So we said, "what are we waiting for we only have 30 days so let's ride." We only did walking and lateral bending but it went very well.

Day 2
Repeat day one and then saddle.
We let them be in a pen wearing the saddle for several hours while we worked each horse. (flagging, tarping, backing, circling, flexing, etc.) Then we move them all together under saddle.

Day 3
Repeat Day one and two, plus put first ride on them in the round pen. (Walk, trot, 1R stops, lateral flexion)

Day 4
Repeat Day 3 plus add snaffle bit and long lines during the ground work.

Day 5
Canter under saddle in round pen. Pony on a trail ride.

I have discovered that many horses are ok with desensitizing while standing still, but just because you can do things with your horse standing still doesn't mean that you can do it while in motion. When you put a horse in motion they can become scared, or maybe even defensive, especially on their right side in zone four. I spend quite a bit of time with this until a horse doesn’t feel the need to kick out or spin away from the stick/bag when in motion. Spending a lot of time near the right flank and back legs is profitable. It is important to give the horse lots of wait time. Then I do the falling leaf pattern with the bag as my stimulus. I also believe that part of desensitizing is teaching the horse to respect or move away from the object. Interestingly enough the more they respect the object the more confidence they gain. I always put the horse away
on a really good note.

Day 6
Mock worming and ride out of round pen in a small arena in halter, walk trot transitions.

After a little ground work we mounted up. Well it took a little longer to mount Wildfire. She did not want to stand still. It was windy, thundering and raining. We went slow, because mounting is part of riding and if it doesn't go well, especially with a colt well you can't really expect the ride to go much better. We started with passenger riding, then tit for tat, then some 1 rein stops, and circles. Next we played follow the rail only using reins when necessary. We combed the reins instead of pulling on them to direct the horse. Then we did the same thing with some 360's on the rail and finally some figure 8's. Plus we added a little yo yo (riding forward and backwards).
It was more difficult to get Maiden moving forward than the others. So I had to support Erica from the ground. We feel it is really important to get the forward button fixed from the very beginning. It is pretty hard to teach a horse anything that is difficult to move. Impulsion is so important. You have to have life in the feet in order to direct them.

Kache problems: When we saddled her and turned her loose in the round pen, she went to bucking harder than she ever has. So we went back to square one with the friendly game. We did lots of approach and retreat with sticks, ropes, stirrups, etc.
Again she is pretty fine when standing still but put her in motion and it is a different story. I suppose we could have worked a little faster but I gave her plenty of down time whenever she made a little progress. After 2 1/2 hours she
had made some pretty significant changes. Then I spend another hour and ½ helping her to circle at the walk. Whenever we ask her to go she goes alright, but it is mighty fast and with an attitude. So I didn't quit until I could send her out and she was calm, attentive and willing to walk an entire circle without breaking gait or shaking her head with attitude or bucking. I feel like I made some real strides with her tonight. The truth will be told tomorrow after she has time to think about everything that she learned today. I am confident that she will be a lot better, maybe not totally cured yet, but life will be better for both her and I. I knew we would have just been stealing a ride tonight if we had tried. I want her in the right frame of mind before we mount her again, because I want it to be as good for her as it is for us. The plan for tomorrow is lots more friendly with Kache, getting her to slow down and be in physical and more importantly mental and emotional control while circling. We will ride her only if she is ready.

I know it doesn’t make good business sense to put in 5 hours in one day on one horse, when you are not getting paid by the hour. But she needed it and I will do what needs to be done with a horse. I will to my best no matter how long it takes. I won't push through just to make things happen. I will take the time it takes to get it right before I move on. It is better for the horse that way and safer for us. Plus the results will be more lasting, instead of a quick fix which isn’t permanent.

Day 7
Raincoat riding because it is raining. Lead by rope on feet, Ride in larger arena with obstacles.

Well it paid off big time! I am referring to the 5 hours I spent with Kache yesterday. She was a very changed horse today. She was the most relaxed and willing than she has been since she arrived. So we did make the ride as good for her as it was for us. The end to a beautiful day and what we think is our easiest and most successful first week ever, since Erica and I have been working together. It was a peaceful and rewarding day.

Here is our raincoat progression.
Spend some time on the ground with bag and tarp preparing for raincoat. Then work with the rain coat before saddling. After saddled I continued the process of desensitizing to my rain coat. Let the horse carry it. Hang it on the fence, and then I wear it while doing some ground work. I drag it, swing it, and throw it, all kinds of things. Then I mount and ride up to it on the fence let the horse smell it. Next position the horse so that all zones and both sides are close to it on the fence. I then pick it up put it back down, then put it on the saddle and carry it around. Finally I dismounted put it on, then remounted and rode for an hour with it on.

Day 8
Trailer loading and riding in the rain in the small pasture.
Tomorrow another round of trailer loading just to make sure each horse is confident. We are getting ready to haul the horses to camp this weekend. Remember prior and proper preparation prevents poor performance. Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you have to go somewhere to see how well your horse loads. It is important to practice trailer loading until your horse is well seasoned in hauling.

Day 9
Focus on Impulsion, transitions, backing and 1 rein stops. Ride horses in arena by themselves for confidence and to prevent buddy sour issues. Short trail ride in bigger pasture with another horse.

Day 10
Take horses to clinic this weekend to ride in group situation, plus first longer trail rides.

We were very proud of them as there was a lot of distractions which included: (People cantering around on their horses, a big herd of horses coming in from the pasture, over 50 people coming and going in the lodge for a dinner, lots of cars, etc.) They stayed calm, attentive, and willing during the longest ride we have put on them. Kache is still not quite where I would like her to be this many days in, but we are glad we have been taking the time needed with her. We only rode her in the round pen at the clinic, however it was a good ride. We both feel that once we give her a couple of days off to soak on all of this the progress will begin to go a little faster for her. We are enjoying working with her even though she has been teaching us how to stay patient, giving her the time she needs to figure things out and change her attitude about it.

Day 11
All horses have the day off while I take one of my horses to the camp. A day off will not only refresh us but them as well. We have over 20 hours in each horse in the first 10 days. Peepers and Kache have over 30 because they came earlier and Kache has needed more time.

Day 12
5 hour trail ride at camp. They didn't spook at anything and went right across the water and mud. We cantered out on the trail, around hay bales in the fields, went up and down some steep hills. Plus they rode politely in the group.

Day 13
Same as Day 12

Day 14
Ride in Snaffle bit for first time. Trail ride at home and ride through cattle.
Practice circling and turning around cedar trees. We like to do a lot of training out on the trail, not just arena work. So from this day forward it is about 60% trail and 40% arena work. We do about 70% riding and 30% ground work. Added the use of a post for change of direction to follow a feel in the ground work.

Kache bucked today. She was goosing to movement of the legs so we spent an extraordinary long time doing friendly game along her sides until she could move with out humping up again. Then we got off and desensitized with the stirrups. Did some more ground work and quit on a good note. She has definitely been a challenge compared to the others and is quite a bit behind their progress even though we have twice as much time in her. But all is well, we will not give up and she will keep
teaching us how to be tip top horsewomen.

Day 15
Focus on freeing shoulders and disengaging HQ followed by FQ (Dennis Reis call this the million dollar move). Sometimes we support one another on the ground with the stick. We always have fun doing that together Started sidepassing over logs. We
finished up with our square barrel pattern.

I split up Kache's training times today one in the morning and another in the evening. In the morning I really worked on moving her FQ around from the ground for more respect, sort of like lots and lots of falling leaf but without the HQ disengagement. Also flooded her with the stick and bag, in other words more desensitizing exercises than the law allows, being passively persistent. She has been really touchy on her sides and above her. She can take it while standing still but in movement she has a hard time accepting it. I also did some long lining with the bit, which went nicely. Then went back to the stick using it for
porcupine game (move the FQ, HQ and sideways). I did this until she was responding instead of reacting or humping up. That was just the morning session. I want to say that even though she has been a challenge it is a good thing, because she is
teaching us a lot, especially to be persistent because she sure is. Again not a bad thing, she is who she is and we are working our tails off to help her be a calm, attentive willing horse who wants to be a partner with us.

Day 16
Focus on figure 8’s because our plain circles are coming along well; get up on the big pedestal with all 4 feet while being ridden; work on relaxation and stretching on the circle during ground work.

Again split up Kache sessions into two again today. Still putting twice as much time into her as the other horses, only because she needs it and I want to. All of the horses are still getting 2 hours a day and that is usually more than enough. All horses are different and some are definitely easier than others and some are quicker than others. I guarantee that I will do what it takes with each horse. I do what I think is best for each one to the best of my abilities, and if that means more time, it is just longer hours for me. I don't skip another horse’s time if I need to spend more with one for any reason. I am real happy with each horse’s progress. Each was in a different place when they came and each will leave in a different place, a better one, I am sure. Of course the easiest ones were the blank slates, but that doesn't make them better or more valuable than the other horses, they are what they are, each one of them. It is my job to take what they are and make the most of it, no matter how difficult or easy it is, no matter how much time it takes or how little.

To help Kache more with her nervousness about accepting a rider on her sides and above we sandwiched her between our horses and waved our arms above her, slapped the saddle, and let our feet and legs run into her from both sides for about 2 miles until it was no big deal for her. Of course we gave her lots of retreat, rest and soak time when she wasn't reactive. Little Wildfire rode like a dead broke horse instead of a green horse on this ride, side-passing over to Kache every time Erica asked her, and of course Dolly kept everyone in line as a polite but persistent lead mare should. I was real proud of all three horses. Not only did we desensitize Kache to things on both sides of her and above her, she has learned not to be crabby when riding with other horses on both sides of her, and Wildfire learned some good lessons about that too.

We got on and off Kache about 50 times after our sandwich trail ride. Up and down on both sides, jumping around her, moving legs on her sides, etc. etc. Then I put the lunge line on and she had the most forward moving relaxed ride to date. Whew, it is the first time we didn't think she might explode at any minute. We are sure hoping and praying that she has given up the need to think about or attempting to buck. Our goal is not to have to ride a bucking horse, and not to let her find out it is an acceptable thing to do. If that is all we get done this month I will think we have certainly won the battle. And oh, yea she did some real nice lateral flexions tonight also.

Day 17
Focus on soft turns, stopping, backing while riding in the field. When we got
back we worked on rounding them up.
A few friends showed up to watch us ride Kache. Doug mentioned we must have the best job in the world, and I do love it even though it can be very physically and mentally demanding when you have the responsibility to get a horse along as
far as possible in just 30 days. I think we do a pretty good job, but it isn't accomplished without a lot of commitment to do what is necessary for each individual horse. It can be challenging and rewarding all in the same day or even moment to moment.

Day 18, A couple of the owners came to ride their horses today. The lessons went very well, everyone was pleased.

Day 19
I am doing my best to be a real good steward of the horses that have been entrusted to me. Putting as much time and patience into each one as I possibly can. I am giving them each my very best. In the past three years all the horses Erica and I have started were doing very well at the end of 30 days. In fact each client has said they were doing more than they every imagined they would and more than other horses they had sent to trainers for 90 days. However, this time I have learned that a trainer must always remain humble. Because just about the time you think you are doing really well a horse will come along to teach you a few more things. I always knew that being passively politely persistent in the proper position was important, but I now know just how much patience must go along with that little philosophy. I wrote a book on winning a horse's heart and like people sometimes this nearly happens over night and with others it takes a lot of trust and respect building which must be earned over time.

Kache is doing her part in my journey of becoming a better horseman. I have had to be creative, consistent, and try some things I have never done before. Tonight is the first time I have worked with her that I finally felt like I was actually winning her heart. She was so relaxed, calm, attentive and willing and it felt soooooo good to be with her. I hope it felt the same for her. I know I still have to keep up my A game with her and continue building a relationship based on trust, respect, clear communication, which will lead to a horse who wants to be a partner with a human. Her eyes changed tonight and her body was softer as I finally got her to stretch on the circle using the invisible human technique. I don't have time to explain it right now. But if you are interested in it, I recommend you buy Karen Rolhf's book and video called "Dressage Naturally".

Day 20
Trying to mold what the horses offer us instead of trying to force things to happen. We continue working on rounding them up a little better. Backing through the L, creative riding over the bridge being particular about what feet go where. Ride up on small pedestal with all four feet after getting it on the ground. It is really quite a task in good communication, talking to specific feet of the horse in order to get the job done. It is much easier on the big pedestal.

Here is a quote from Buster McLaury that I really like and I keep thinking about it today. "If the human could just learn to give a little bit, then the horse could learn to give it back. Ray Hunt always said if the human could just give 5% the horse would come up with the other 95%. But it's pretty hard it seems like, for the human to learn to give. Most everybody, they want to take. They get on the horse and they want to take him over this direction, take him over there, speed him up and slow him down. And while those changes in direction and speed are important pieces of the horse's foundation; the trick is to allow them to happen, not force them to happen. You're trying to get that horse to think about the same thing you're thinking about. You let your idea become his idea. It's easy right? But how exactly, do you go about doing that. Horsemanship is pretty simple. It's not easy, but it's simple."

I think a lot of time when you are having trouble with a horse, if we could ask him what was going on he would tell you he was either confused or afraid. Kache has been both with a little bit of attitude and dominance thrown in there. I keep reminding myself that the horse is never wrong. Where she has been coming from in her mind is exactly what she thinks she is suppose to do, or what she thinks she needs to do to survive. To date she hasn’t been thinking with the partnership side of her brain. But I am hoping she will change more in the next few days. She has needed, direction, discipline, understanding, and of course feel from us which was meaningful to her. I think she may be starting to believe that we are on her side
and that we are just taking care of her. Maybe someday she will take care of her riders.

Day 21
Work on opening gates, ride the rail (5 times) until we get one entire lap at the trot without any corrections and a solid steady consistent rhythm in the gait. Then we did our favorite thing "Canter Wars" Ride up and down the big arena from point A to B. Resting at each end. Seeing who can get there first and with straightness and relaxation. Green horses can be so darn drunk and this is how we get them going straight. We love it and had a blast. We ended with some million dollar moves.

Again I repeat that when a horse comes to us that is a virtual blank slate they are usually much easier because they don’t have to unlearn any bad habits, before they could start learning. I can make the whole process a lot quicker. I will admit that a great temperament is a big plus as well. All I could think about all day was take care of the horse and they will eventually take care of you. We love this time of the month. Today was the first day we have nearly a perfect day. All the horses were at their best and we didn't have to work too hard at anything to get it accomplished. It all is finally falling into place, as it should.

Day 22
The end is near, and I am so thankful for having had the opportunity to learn from each of these horses. It has been fun and challenging to get them off to a good start. I think we have accomplished that with each one of them and helped each one become a better using horse than when they arrived. I am sure they have learned as much or more from us. I think they have learned to think things through instead of react, they have learned to accept a saddle and rider, they have learned to be directed by a rider, they have learned to be responsive to the handler or riders cues, they have learned to be trustful and respectful, they have learned to yield different parts of their body, they have learned about moving forward with straightness, calmness, and rhythm. The have learned to whoa and back up well. And they have learned about some lateral movements as well. They have learned to give to the bit, and a little about posture. They have learned to cross water, trail ride, and move through and behind cattle. I am sure there is a lot more. I would have to go back through my diary notes to list everything. But all in all I am very happy with the results as a whole. Of course I am always looking to improve, so I am sure there are some things I could have done better, and I know I will next time, because of the lessons I learned this time. Each horse and each opportunity makes us a better horseman if we are in a learning frame of mind.

Day 23
I had two new clients come from Blair NE today for lessons. They rode my horses Cisco and Dolly while I spent the whole day playing with and riding Wildfire since she will be going home this Sun. instead of staying until the 30th, due to family travel plans. Just a note to let everyone know that people come to my place quite regularly to take lessons on my horse, or they bring their own. So you don't have to wait for a camp or go to one of my many clinics, you can come here directly anytime, as long as we can find a date that works for both of us. And now we have the bunkhouse for you to stay in if it is a long drive for you.

I demonstrated a lot of ground exercises with Wildfire today while teaching the gals. And then also demonstrated riding exercises with her as well, she was a really good horse today. Then we went on a long trail ride, cantered her quite a
bit out there as we all rode together. Also did circles around trees, stepped her up the mounds, crossed water again, etc. She rode just like a real broke horse. I am real proud of her. She is ready to go home a little early.

Counting down the days now, only 7 days of training left, but I won't give them any slack, I will keep trying to accomplish as much as possible with each one of them.

Day 24
Erica is gone so I put the first solo trail rides on each horse except Kache. They all did great, a couple of whinnies when we first got out of sight of the herd but nothing else. Then I got bucked off Kache in the arena That is a story in itself.
I didn't get any supper because I worked until after dark with her. I was able to make a good change with her and ride her again a little before I put her away. I remember reading in Tom Dorrance's book that one of his students said, Tom would work through supper well into the night if that is what it took with a horse. I feel like I quit in a good place with her. I went to bed exhausted at 1:00 am after talking on the phone for a long time with my friend Nila. That is a true friend who will just listen to you and support you through the rough times. She gave me a good suggestion to really watch Kache closely and see what I was missing. Let her tell me what I need to know.

Day 25
This was a very long day, go to my blog to read what happened on my observation day with Kache, it is too long add here.

Day 26
Arlene came to ride Maiden, and Luan came to ride and pick up Wildfire. Wildfire was a perfect little gem for me as I rode her, and as Katlin, Luan's daughter, who will get the horse rode her. Then Luan rode her on a trail ride. It was a beautiful day as the fruits of our labor were evident as we rode across the sandhills together with a pretty blue sky above us.

Day 27
I was happier with Kache’s connection today, but I had to cause it by giving her some very clear choices. So it was progress even though we chose not to ride her. We have ridden her 20 times in the last 27 days. We have right at 80 hours total work with her and she has only had 4 days off. We have three days left with her, and we hope to ride her three more times, but I won't steal another ride on her if we feel like she is going to buck again. I feel totally proud of the effort and work we have put into her and I am not ashamed in the least that she is not riding like the other horses who have less time and fewer rides, she is what she is and I am not criticizing her in any way. I know that we have made a lot of positive changes for her and also given her a lot to think about as she learned with us. I have laid out the truth plain and simple. I am not judging or complaining about her or the long hours and effort we gave to helping her. I would not have done it if I didn't care about her, because if I figure our hourly wage it is way less then minimum wage. That is the chance you take, not all horses take the same amount of time or progress at the same pace. After being a school teacher for a lot of years, people are no different. And a good teacher does the best they can with each student no matter if it is easy or hard to teach or reach them. I am happy to have had the opportunity to learn from each of these horses.

Here is the statistical run down of our month so far.
Kache 80 hours, 20 rides, 4 days off
Peepers 64 hours, 21 rides, 4 days off (she came three days early and I worked with her before Sept. 1st).
Maiden 50 hours, 19 rides, 4 days off
Wildfire 55 hours, 19 rides 4 days off
We didn't keep statistics on Punky but it would be pretty similar to Maiden.
Wildfire is gone but I will put at least 3 more rides on the others.

Day 28
We took some video while riding Kache first thing this morning. Her 21st ride and it went better today, however, we don't feel like she has yet truly accepted the rider, and there is still something funny about her right side. However we were happy with the morning, with some independent riding at walk and trot, some 1Rstops, plus back up and change of direction.

Kache's owner arrived later in the day and so we worked with her again while her owner watched. She did about normal for us, and the owner agreed with us about the right side and that she doesn't totally accept the rider quite yet. I also mentioned that I am sure there are still some bucks in there to deal with. I am sure that with time it will all work out for Kache. She just needs time, patience, and crystal clear communication on a regular basis. It will be important to give her consistency with cues but variety in the work so she doesn't get bored. I look forward to hearing how she progresses through her life. And I wish her and her owner the very best. Sometimes the toughest horses turn out to be the best ones. And Kache has a lot of potential.
We then took Maiden and Peepers for a nice long trail ride and gave Punky the day off.

Day 29
Each of these horses left in a different place and each of them came with their own issues, experiences and temperaments. I am proud of what we accomplished with each one of them. Erica and I have put our heart and soul, every ounce of effort we had into each horse this month. We have a lot of hours in each one, each horse has only had 4 days off, Erica had 5 days off and I had no days off. Training horses isn't about luck, but about plain old damn hard work, dedication, consistency, persistence, and enough savvy thrown in. Maybe we lack enough savvy every once in a while because it took us some time to figure each horse out, and develop strategies that worked best for them. But nobody can fault us on dedication, consistency, persistence, and hard work, that is for sure.

Trainers also need patience and a great positive attitude. We have been tested a few times this month but because there has been two of us it is great to remind each other when one of us slips a little in either of these departments. We keep each other honest. As teachers for these horses we have kept our cool when things fell apart, and we worked firmly when needed while maintaining a patient fairness with them. We have not argued with then when they chose the difficult roads. As students of the horse we allowed them to teach us being gentle listeners, seeking what was best for each horse according to each situation and adapting our approach with flexibility when needed. You just never know how or when a horse will understand, make a change of heart and turn around for you. So we never give up.

Day 30
Erica and I had a very lovely morning. What a gorgeous fall day. Erica and I finished our last ride together for the month. She rode Maiden and I rode Peepers. We talked about all we learned this month, the highs and the lows. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Above all we learned that we both are persistent and can endure a lot of different things, and that problem solving involves a lot of willingness to try a variety of solutions until you come upon the one that works best. She is gone now. I will miss her. But we did enjoy the beautiful clear blue skies this morning. What a great ending to a challenging and rewarding month.

We not only worked hard this month, we had a lot of laughs with each other, plus a lot of nice rides too. We had challenges, frustrations, victories, and satisfactions, but in the end it was all good! We are both better people and better horsewomen from the time we have spent the past month. And gals and guys that is a lot of what it takes - TIME! So if you are not happy with where you are as a horsewoman then you just need to get out there. Make time for it.


Notes from people who followed the full training diary on my yahoo group or facebook.

Sherry, the point that keeps coming home to me, after all these years of knowing you and doing some of your photography, is this: the solid foundation that you do put into these horses. You take the time it takes, and that sentence is not used lightly. Your daily journal reports are helpful for all of us, because it reminds us about breaking things down into small pieces for our horses, especially with the early training and then also with anything new. The horses know what they know what they know because you have taken the time to make things clear and simple for them, and you are quietly persistent every day. You don't brush past to go on and do something more "fun". This is a lesson that many trainers glide on by. I'm glad you have had Kache, the tough nut to crack. It's a lot of work for you trainers, but it's an important lesson for us all. Thanks for sharing your journal notes with us each day/each week they have given me insights and inspiration in my own daily work. Sherry--I've appreciated your diligence and your daily writing, for all you've done and all its shown us, living vicariously thru you in this horsemanship journey. Thanks Julie

I've been following your reports all month and I am inspired by your honesty and persistence. What a challenge. Enjoy your camp this weekend, you deserve it.
Patti

I have enjoyed every report you sent out Sherry. You two gals worked so very hard...you guys gave it your all & more! I learned some more from your reports Sherry. Now to get out there & apply them. Jan.

I, too, have always enjoyed your posts about the young colt starting. I have saved all of them on when Dusty and then Kai were being trained by you and Erica. They are learning tools and insights into horse’s minds. I have always been thankful, that even though you may be tired, you have always taken the time to keep everyone informed. That alone is something that not every trainer would be wiling to do. Thank you for going the extra mile! Have fun at camp! Sharon