Lesson Horses

They teach us so much, are such steady companions.

I got to ride a new horse at the barn. Her name is Lily. She's a beautiful Morgan mare. 
Wonderful gaits, wonderful personality.    Very curious.

I need to take pictures while I'm out there.
I'll add some next post.

Happy Trails!

Serpentines

There's a reason for them.

My riding lessons have been going very well.  The mare I enjoy riding is a grey, mix, by the name of Dolly.
I did some reaserch, as she has a big brand in her rump. Turns out she may be a bucking school drop out. She is very sweet.

In lessons we have been working on serpentines. Its supposed to help with Balance and flexion. Coordination and flexibility. 

Saying Goodbye

I'll miss his nicker each time i'd say "Hello Mr. Bass".

 It hurts more than words can capture. Tuesday, January 20th, as I hugged him and scratched his favorite places, I didnt know it would be the last time he'd rub on me. Looking back now, I think he was saying goodbye.

The first time I met him, he captured my horse crazy heart. In the field of his herd mates, he tried to get all my attention. They say a Morgan chooses you, it is definitely true. I knew after that first meeting, that he had to be mine. I was 14 and he was 4.

Fond memories of riding, and shows, and even his bucking episode on the front lawn. At the time I counted how many times, it seemed to go in slow motion, but I stayed on. I tore my shoulder muscle but he never bucked again after that! I would read to him in the barn, do my homework with him.

 My best friend.

 I'm sorry I had to let him go when circumstances were out of my control. I tried to keep track of where he was. I even went to a dressage show he was in. Eventually I didnt see his name in any of the shows. Years apart and never a day went by that I didnt think of him and wonder where he was.

 On a whim I emailed a farm in Connecticut to see if they had heard of him. I thank my stars everyday that a local horse farm took him in 7 years ago. He was once again mine, mine to stay until his last day. These past 7 years went too fast, but I'm glad to have had them. Thrilled to have been able to ride him, still as spunky and full of heart.

He'd prance at the end of the lead, not to misbehave, but just to show off or to say he was feeling good. He taught me patience and strength.

 My best friend, I thought I had more time.
Rest in peace my old friend, WBM's Ambassador 06/09/1985- 01/21/2015

Lessons and Lessons

My lessons started with a phone call to a local riding stable. At the time it was Aspinwall in Lenox MA, but it was owned by someone different than who owns it now.  I was working on a girl scout badge.  After asking the lady a bunch of questions, she asked if I was interested in taking lessons.  I handed the phone to my mom, begging silently for lessons.  I was 7 or 8 at the time.

My first lesson horse was Dr.Cox.  He was the best lesson horse for a younger rider.  I am sure he had been doing his job for years.  He was a thoroughbred, brown, with a small white star.  Looking back, I wish I had started keeping journals back then.  He was my favorite for a long time.

There were other horses at that barn that I liked.  My riding instructor, Denise, ( I wish I could remember her last name, she was the absolute best ever riding instructor) had a few horses that she used for lessons. Esprit, was a white mare. There was Oberon, another thoroughbred.  One of the horses at the barn, his name was Blue, was for more experienced riders.  He was beautiful. I think he was a Morgan, but at the time, I didn't really know.  I did get to ride him eventually, before Denise left the barn to go to another, thankfully I was able to and did follow her to her next barn.

My riding instructor was awesome.  I wish I had kept in touch with her as I got older, and got my own horse and moved.  She taught us everything.  She taught the basics, grooming, picking hooves, tacking up. She also taught us, during lessons, the parts of the tack, parts of the horse. The best was that at a walk or a stand still while on the horse, we had to point or reach to each part that she was naming.  Looking back now, it was all to work on our balance, but at the same time it was fun.

I used to keep track of all those horses on little index cards, what I liked or didn't like about each one. What they looked like, if they were favorited by other riders. 

For the longest time after Dr.Cox retired, Oberon was my favorite.  Some of the other girls didn't like him, they called him lazy, but when I rode him, he was perfect.  Maybe I rode better than they did. Maybe it was because I treated him with the respect due to a wonderful lesson horse.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I had more time when my Mr. Bass was younger.  All the hours I would've put in the saddle.  I am just glad I did find him, and he can spend his last years not worrying about where his meals are coming from, and knowing that he is loved.  I did get a couple rides in on him before he started having problems keeping weight on, and I am thankful for that.  He is definitely my heart horse.

till the next time.. happy trails! 

Inspiration!

I had an opportunity to volunteer at a Youth Mustang Challenge Showcase over the weekend. Those kids are amazing!  To take a wild Mustang and gentle and train it enough in 6 months to do what these kids did is just awesome.  The mustangs were born in captivity but had no human interaction. They were wild.  The club that put on the youth challenge sorted the horses and matched them up with kids aged 8-18 yrs old. Then they did in hand trail and showmanship.  They had a free style competition too.  At the end the kids, actually probably the parents, could decide to sell the Mustang or keep it.

Summer and Sun

I love summer.  I love being able to spend time with MrBass and not have to bundle up like an eskimo.  I think Mr. Bass loves it too.
I try to stop everyday after work to spend time with him and let him graze.  I keep him on a lead and walk him around the yard.  Its very calming for me, and I think for him too.  Although once in a while we do have to remind him who is in charge.  I will have to get a video of him to put up.

Spring is in the air!

Yay Spring!  I am so glad to finally have this warmer weather.  I know Mr. Bass is too.  He's been enjoying his multiple rolls in the ring when I turn him out.  I really do miss riding him. I remember when I first had him at home, I think I was 15 at the time. I had tried getting him to go out on our trails, and he would have none of it.  At the time I didn't want to fight him, so we just did some small circles at the trail entrance till he settled down.  I wish I had gone back to get him on the trails at another time. I just did a lot of ring work with him.
I really need to get some pictures posted here.  He is looking so good for his age. 
OK, so i really will try to update this more. 

Winter Blues

As you can tell I'm not really good at updating this. I will try more.  Mr. Bass is a fuzz ball right now and very itchy.  I know his blanket makes him itchy but with the temperatures being as low as they were a few weeks ago he needed it. Now that the days are in the 40's he doesn't wear it, but he's still itchy.  I will get some more pictures and post them soon. 

I am a member on a horse forum, and while reading some posts about some members riding lessons, it made me reminisce about mine.  I started actual lessons when I was 8 years old.  I have ridden so many different breeds, and horses with unique personalities.  My favorite was a thoroughbred named Oberon.   I heard many of the other students complain about how lazy he was for them.  When I got on him though, he felt like a different horse.  His feet didn't click the cavalettis, he listened and actually seemed pleased to see me when I went to get him ready for my lesson.  There was a pony name Moon, she loved to jump.  If there were jumps in the middle of the ring you had to keep extra outside rein on her, or she'd veer to the inside and go straight for them. She was funny!

When I have some more time I'll add some longer stories about my lessons.

Have a great Friday!

Happy Birthday Mr Bass!

I know that horses technically celebrate their birthday in the beginning of the year, but why rush it?  He's 28 !  I got him when I was 14!! I thought I was 16, but I found his pre-purchase exam. Anyway, he's been my best friend, his mane has caught many tears, his ears have heard many whispered words.  I tell everyone he's my therapist..  There's nothing a good day at the barn won't cure!  Its late right now but I wanted to post before I fell asleep. I will post more tomorrow.  

More Updates!

Amy Rubin came out and did Mr Bass' teeth.  he still is not chewing right but she did file down a step in his teeth. She wants to see him again in 6 months.  So hopefully it will help him some what. 
Here is a video. Video of Mr Bass

Updates!

I just love that Morgan face of his!  I know it's been a while since I updated. Just have been very busy with some life things.  Mr Bass is doing great!  He has been having some problems with eating lately, but the barn owner where he is has been doing a lot for him with beet pulp and hay stretcher so he's doing good.  I will take some pictures and I do have a video to upload, so soon enough I will get this updated a bit. 

Fall foliage

wow i cant believe how long it's been since i posted on here... has it really been that long? yikes.

i have to get pics up here.

Bass is doing great. I can tell he's getting older tho, he is slowing down, but he still has his days that you'd never know he's 26 yrs old.

Gotta love them Morgan genes.

February

So it is getting close to spring. The sun has made a new appearance. And it is joyous. Bass is in his new home, and seems settled in nicely.

To scratch his neck and have him nuzzle my hair was just amazing. Its like having the dog you love waiting for you at the back door. You know he loves you.

New pictures of his fuzzy coat.

Save Big On Christmas

Save Big On Christmas

check out the link^ its my favorite horsey place.

Ok ok i know i havent updated this in forever. I will i will.

After

LOL

Summer around the corner

Well, the spring has been very wet and depressing to say the least. Amanda is adding on to her barn, another 10 stalls. And field are being fenced in. She is going to be a busy lady this summer. I have to get some recent pictures up here, there are new horses at the farm and grass is growing in.

I hoping to be able to get my daughter up on Bass this summer, so she can ride. He seems to get better the more I ride. I just have to work on his stop. Which I am researching many different ways to get him to listen. On the ground he's awesome at stop, it seem that once I'm in the saddle everything goes out the window, so we'll work on it.

I have got to get some new pics up. I will try.

A quote

“Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and, once it has done so, he will have to accept that his life will be radically changed.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Warmer weather??

Hello

Below you'll find a video of Bass, turn the volume down, for some reason the sound of me clucking and kissing to Bass is loud.

I hope you enjoy his romp.

Mr. Bass

Happy New Year!

It is very cold out, and we are trying to stay warm. I hope everyone had a good Christmas, and a safe new year.



Enjoy!



Oh, I'll post more pics as soon as it's warm enough to be outside for very long!