Derby is steady eddie!!!

We are now just letting Derby get comfortable with moving in a cart. This means we are getting some speed and doing just a bit of bending, but she is staying very calm and accepting!!! So excited for Jessie!!! As the days go by, Jess will start bending her a bunch and getting control of moving her shoulders. Then, we can start asking for collection.

Ramola finds a fear!

Ramola has been here about 1.5 months. Thus far, we have only worked her in the arena and round pen with a cart attached. We did take her for a few walks ground driving and she has not been a spooky mare, just a stubborn mare. But today, we found what makes her jump. Not just a jump, but she sprouted wings and flew. Flew over what? It was all the puddles in the neighborhood. We, who only get about 9 inches of rain per year, got 3 inches over the last day and a half. The arena looks like a lake, but we figured that the roads would allow us to drive. Remember, it is also breezy and very cool for Phoenix, and the horses have been cooped up and missing their daily pasture time and exercise. Thus Ramola had a bit more energy for flying over the puddles. I missed catching her with all 4 off the ground on video, but wanted to show her mom, Jaci, that she really does drive a cart. Ramola was wound up and her usual unspooky mind saw a boogeyman  behind every tree and bush. Some very long trail rides would be very good for her.

And Jaci, please don't think only you talk too much, I talk too much too and together, we are dangerous!! I wanted to be back home before I turned into a pumpkin!

Derby...water training in early October

Most of my posts have been chronological, but this one goes back in time to early October. Jess is working Derby in the water. She tried it again recently and Derby was steady eddy in the water. This video shows some of the power in this mare. I love watching her!

Derby passed the test! Jess gets to drive!!!!

Big day. Her perseverance paid off. Jess has daily tortured Derby with all sorts of scary noise makers and other objects intended to spook. Tarps, bags, bells, cans, buckets, etc have been walked over, worn and dragged. Derby was a kicker and a bolter when scared, but through Jess's daily work, her brain flipped a switch and she is willing to look at anything and stay relaxed. I am excited about the lessons Jess has learned from her!!! I am also very proud of her. She adores Derby and is thrilled. Derby has talent! You can't probably see it in these videos because we are asking her for nothing other than to be relaxed with the cart attached.

I see fancy horses who are fancy because they are hot on grain or are scared, but I want Derby to be fancy, yet to stay calm to some degree. In order to train her how to bend, use her shoulders, carry her weight, we needed her mind. Jess won her mind!! Now the real work can begin!!!!!

Jess then drove Derby about 10 times around the arena which I videotaped. She has no over check and we don't ask anything of her, but she is calm! Wonderfully calm! This mare is very talented. Very! We know how she looks when she rocks back and collects, but I told Jess to just take it slow for the next few drives.



Rain? Rain??? What is that? It is a rare occurrence here in Phoenix, but we are preparing for 3 days worth of it!!

Struggling with pushy Cameo

Cameo is a challenge for us. I KNOW horses addict to speed and I KNOW that a horse loses brain cells when you make them accelerate. Sounds funny, but when I am struggling, I always slow the horse down, go back to what they know and what they do well and try taking baby steps up from there.

Cameo has a very uptight personality. She is wired hot. Jess started driving her back when Jess just wanted to play with a horse. She broke her and started going fast. Is this Cameo's whole problem? I think not....I think the speed coupled with her hot personality makes her pushy when you try to accelerate. By stopping her frequently and doing half halts, Jess has gotten her very pretty when going slow. She also has gotten her very pretty on the long lines. BUT, when Jess asks for more speed, Cameo gets hard on the bit, stiffens, loses her roundness and looks terrible. You can see this happening in the video below. You will see when she is on long lines, she is fairly settled on the bit, but it falls apart in the cart.

Now you know why it can take a long time to get a horse consistent as a driver. It can take years depending on the horse you are working with.




In the same way, God wants us to grow. He wants us to get beyond drinking milk and into the meat. Hebrews 5:12  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

This is the real challenge for me. Getting into the meat takes practice, practice at obedience. Any true knowledge only comes after obedience. What will happen when I am tested? He also will only give me the big challenges if I have been faithful in the little challenges. The same with Cameo. Jess cannot ask for speed until she is consistent with her frame going slow. God gives us all of these creatures and experiences so that we can learn more about Him.

Beamer and Shoulder work again

Calling in at Liberty

I love how we can teach just about any horse to come running to us even when they are out in pasture. I so wish I had known these techniques as a little girl. It would have made my heart sing. I remember my last big horse.....Rula Bula....and how he could come charging.  Here are Ruger and Gentry in our pasture. It was boy's time out and the 4 boys had been playing rough when I called them. Gentry has a high play factor and is going to be a blast to work with. I am so thankful for each day I get to watch these minis run!