Eating some grass, loving life :-D
On the hot-waker, with some friends!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
I've found my calling!
It might have taken me 16 years, but today I found my calling in life!
Today was my first official day as a pony horse! Emily and I hit the track at 8am this morning with another pony horse "Socks" from the barn next door. We walked onto the track and galloped (cantered) around so I could take in all the sights and sounds of a real racetrack. As we were galloping (counter-clockwise) around the track, the racehorses were beginning their morning routines as well. I was surprised to see a racehorse galloping up behind me, but I was more interested in keeping pace with Socks. Its good practice to be calm on the racetrack, so after our gallop lap we stopped near the gap (the opening to enter the track) and watched the racehorses strut their stuff. Emily made me stand still (having Socks their helped a lot) and watch so I understood that my job was NOT to gallop at full speed around the track.
After a few more trips with our racehorses back and forth from the track to the barns I was beginning to get tired. I was behaving well on the track so Emily decided it was time to try the real thing and actually pony a horse on the track.
(Emily and I had ponied a few horses around the barns, but we had only ponied at a slow trot. On the racetrack the point is to get horses in shape for racing....therefore we must gallop while we pony.)
We walked back to the barn and collected Incendiar (a quarter horse). He is relatively calm, so he was a good test run for me. Things were a bit shaky in the beginning, but after I realized my job things calmed down. Incendiar on the other hand was crazy! As we galloped he would randomly freak out and buck and kick the air. He apparently likes running! He also tried to bite at my neck and almost took a chunk out of Emily's thigh. He is a goofy boy, thankfully Emily kept him under control and I still have all of my neck! The three of us galloped 2 laps and then slowed up (making sure to pass the gap before we stopped). We walked back to the barn, dropped Incendiar off and then headed back to the track with a few more horses to make sure everyone stayed safe.
I was exhausted and worked up quite a sweat. Emily untacked me and reminded me how good of a boy I was today! After a quick cool down and brushing I ended my morning by getting my feet trimmed by the farrier! I felt all sorts of special :-D
It was a great day! I can't wait until Friday when I can hit the track again with Emily!
Today was my first official day as a pony horse! Emily and I hit the track at 8am this morning with another pony horse "Socks" from the barn next door. We walked onto the track and galloped (cantered) around so I could take in all the sights and sounds of a real racetrack. As we were galloping (counter-clockwise) around the track, the racehorses were beginning their morning routines as well. I was surprised to see a racehorse galloping up behind me, but I was more interested in keeping pace with Socks. Its good practice to be calm on the racetrack, so after our gallop lap we stopped near the gap (the opening to enter the track) and watched the racehorses strut their stuff. Emily made me stand still (having Socks their helped a lot) and watch so I understood that my job was NOT to gallop at full speed around the track.
After a few more trips with our racehorses back and forth from the track to the barns I was beginning to get tired. I was behaving well on the track so Emily decided it was time to try the real thing and actually pony a horse on the track.
(Emily and I had ponied a few horses around the barns, but we had only ponied at a slow trot. On the racetrack the point is to get horses in shape for racing....therefore we must gallop while we pony.)
We walked back to the barn and collected Incendiar (a quarter horse). He is relatively calm, so he was a good test run for me. Things were a bit shaky in the beginning, but after I realized my job things calmed down. Incendiar on the other hand was crazy! As we galloped he would randomly freak out and buck and kick the air. He apparently likes running! He also tried to bite at my neck and almost took a chunk out of Emily's thigh. He is a goofy boy, thankfully Emily kept him under control and I still have all of my neck! The three of us galloped 2 laps and then slowed up (making sure to pass the gap before we stopped). We walked back to the barn, dropped Incendiar off and then headed back to the track with a few more horses to make sure everyone stayed safe.
I was exhausted and worked up quite a sweat. Emily untacked me and reminded me how good of a boy I was today! After a quick cool down and brushing I ended my morning by getting my feet trimmed by the farrier! I felt all sorts of special :-D
It was a great day! I can't wait until Friday when I can hit the track again with Emily!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Catching up!
Well hello everyone! I apologize for my lack of posts recently. I got a little extra time this afternoon from my busy schedule so I figure I should update ya'll on the happenings recently in my life.
We are officially moved in at the track!!!! (We made the move to the track a little over a week ago)
I now reside at Mount Pleasant Meadows Racetrack! I easily adjusted to my new stall and much to Emily's surprise I didn't get an upset tummy! The barn currently is full of 25 of my new friends and my neighbors are a few 2 yr old quarter horses. They moved in a few days ago, so I showed them the ropes of how to behave at the track (they were a bit nervous). I live on a very precise schedule so everyday is pretty similar. This is good because as a horse, routine is important. Each morning Emily comes into work around 7am and gives grain to all of us. Some of us get more grain than others (I am at the low end of the feeding rations), but at least I get a small handfull of grain with a supplement and coca-soy oil. I feel pretty special! After everyone has their breakfast we all go outside for exercise and a leg-stretch on the hot walkers. I get led out to the hot walker and exercise with 3 other horse friends. On the hot walker I can be as silly as I want and can either walk or run, depending on what my friends and I decide we should do. I look forward to my daily exercise and returning to a nice fresh stall with hay and fresh water waiting for me. My friend Poison (you remember him right?) is especially silly on the hot walker! He gets very excited to be outside!
A few times a week (when Emily isn't up to her elbows in homework) I get to help Emily with the daily going-ons of the barn. I got a new bridle and bit this week as well, so I was excited to try out my new gear. (I love my bit btw.) This week I got to help Emily "pony" one of my friends around the barns. (The actual track opens this weekend for horses to exercise) Emily wanted to see what my ponying skills were like, so she grabbed my fellow pony-horse friend "Dell" and the three of us went for a walk/trot around the barns. Emily says I did PERFECT! It was a lot of fun! After my ponying experience Emily and I went for a long ride up the road to an Amish Auction (what a crazy experience that was). I enjoyed getting out of the backside and basking in the sun for a while. We rode to the auction and looked around for a while. I was perfect the whole time and liked looking at all of the amish carts and HUGE draft horses. While up at the auction Emily and I took advantage of having an arena to ride in so we did some "arena" work (sooooo boring, I don't know why we waste our time with this stuff like bending and leads). The arena work went well, we even got a small audience of amish boys! After our workout we strolled back to the barn (Emily MADE me walk through a huge puddle. I though it would be a better idea to walk around) and I got to finish eating my lunch.
On Monday I got to pony an actual racehorse for the first time! What do you know, I got to pony Poison :) Emily and I ponied Poison and his rider around the barns, we also ponied my friend Zena and her rider. I did everything perfectly again! Emily is very pleased :)
This weather has been incredible! I am almost fully shedded out and am shiny as can be! I am starting to get "muscles" and Emily thinks I look pretty darn good for 16 years old!
Hope everyone is having a good day! I am currently relaxing in my stall, munching on hay and chatting it up with my buddies! Dinner should arrive in an hour or so.
Until next time, (which will be sooner than later!)
Zach a.ka. (Boo, Boo)
We are officially moved in at the track!!!! (We made the move to the track a little over a week ago)
I now reside at Mount Pleasant Meadows Racetrack! I easily adjusted to my new stall and much to Emily's surprise I didn't get an upset tummy! The barn currently is full of 25 of my new friends and my neighbors are a few 2 yr old quarter horses. They moved in a few days ago, so I showed them the ropes of how to behave at the track (they were a bit nervous). I live on a very precise schedule so everyday is pretty similar. This is good because as a horse, routine is important. Each morning Emily comes into work around 7am and gives grain to all of us. Some of us get more grain than others (I am at the low end of the feeding rations), but at least I get a small handfull of grain with a supplement and coca-soy oil. I feel pretty special! After everyone has their breakfast we all go outside for exercise and a leg-stretch on the hot walkers. I get led out to the hot walker and exercise with 3 other horse friends. On the hot walker I can be as silly as I want and can either walk or run, depending on what my friends and I decide we should do. I look forward to my daily exercise and returning to a nice fresh stall with hay and fresh water waiting for me. My friend Poison (you remember him right?) is especially silly on the hot walker! He gets very excited to be outside!
A few times a week (when Emily isn't up to her elbows in homework) I get to help Emily with the daily going-ons of the barn. I got a new bridle and bit this week as well, so I was excited to try out my new gear. (I love my bit btw.) This week I got to help Emily "pony" one of my friends around the barns. (The actual track opens this weekend for horses to exercise) Emily wanted to see what my ponying skills were like, so she grabbed my fellow pony-horse friend "Dell" and the three of us went for a walk/trot around the barns. Emily says I did PERFECT! It was a lot of fun! After my ponying experience Emily and I went for a long ride up the road to an Amish Auction (what a crazy experience that was). I enjoyed getting out of the backside and basking in the sun for a while. We rode to the auction and looked around for a while. I was perfect the whole time and liked looking at all of the amish carts and HUGE draft horses. While up at the auction Emily and I took advantage of having an arena to ride in so we did some "arena" work (sooooo boring, I don't know why we waste our time with this stuff like bending and leads). The arena work went well, we even got a small audience of amish boys! After our workout we strolled back to the barn (Emily MADE me walk through a huge puddle. I though it would be a better idea to walk around) and I got to finish eating my lunch.
On Monday I got to pony an actual racehorse for the first time! What do you know, I got to pony Poison :) Emily and I ponied Poison and his rider around the barns, we also ponied my friend Zena and her rider. I did everything perfectly again! Emily is very pleased :)
This weather has been incredible! I am almost fully shedded out and am shiny as can be! I am starting to get "muscles" and Emily thinks I look pretty darn good for 16 years old!
Hope everyone is having a good day! I am currently relaxing in my stall, munching on hay and chatting it up with my buddies! Dinner should arrive in an hour or so.
Until next time, (which will be sooner than later!)
Zach a.ka. (Boo, Boo)
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Feeling Great!
Hello everyone!
I have been at the farm with Emily for a little over a week now. Emily is very impressed with my progress already. She says that the biggest changes have been with my coat. Emily says she is starting to see dapples everywhere and that some of them look like tiger stripes, its pretty cool! I am feeling fantastic and like to buck and squeal as I am lunged on a daily basis. I can be a pretty spunky horse for 17 years old! Emily hops on me every once and a while, but the temperatures dropped a lot and its way to cold to ride on the track. I am happy i'm cozy and warm in my stall everyday, and I even got to graze for a while today with Nate. As soon as the weather heats up a bit I will be hitting the track with Poison and can't wait! Although I am getting in shape, I still have a lot of progress to make. Hope all of you have been enjoying your Monday so far! I'm hanging out in my stall, chatting it up with Poison and munching on hay. Another update later this week!
I have been at the farm with Emily for a little over a week now. Emily is very impressed with my progress already. She says that the biggest changes have been with my coat. Emily says she is starting to see dapples everywhere and that some of them look like tiger stripes, its pretty cool! I am feeling fantastic and like to buck and squeal as I am lunged on a daily basis. I can be a pretty spunky horse for 17 years old! Emily hops on me every once and a while, but the temperatures dropped a lot and its way to cold to ride on the track. I am happy i'm cozy and warm in my stall everyday, and I even got to graze for a while today with Nate. As soon as the weather heats up a bit I will be hitting the track with Poison and can't wait! Although I am getting in shape, I still have a lot of progress to make. Hope all of you have been enjoying your Monday so far! I'm hanging out in my stall, chatting it up with Poison and munching on hay. Another update later this week!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
I'm surviving the first week!
Well hello again,
This is my first official week here at "camp" and I am having fun and learning many new things about racetrack life. One big change is my lack of turnout. I miss that, but Emily tries to give me some free time outside as much as possible!
This weather has been awesome, and I have been lucky enough to enjoy some nice rides lately. I have settled in here at First Moon Farm and am now happy and quiet in my stall. I have become even better friends with Poison and both of us are becoming shiny and sleek with our daily grooming routines.
Emily rode me the first two days I was here, then gave me two days off to recover and get into a routine. I have been quite nervous the past few days and got a little case of the "runs" which is slowly clearing up. Emily says its a lot of change for me, so as far as she is concerned i'm perfectly normal and she is watching to make sure I don't get too upset. After my two days off (Nate was nice enough to get me out of my stall and take me for a walk when Emily wasn't around) Emily came out, groomed me and we did some long line work and lunging to build up my butt muscles. I am taking the work very well and my legs are staying cool and happy. Emily has to invest in some hind boots because she can hear my back ankles hitting as I trot. I dont want to get any boo boos :(
Emily loves having me here and can't wait everyday to see me! I have been eagerly awaiting her arrival and give little welcome nickers as she walks in the door. Hope all is well with everyone! Tell Casey and the new mare Hello for me! I miss you Mom!
This is my first official week here at "camp" and I am having fun and learning many new things about racetrack life. One big change is my lack of turnout. I miss that, but Emily tries to give me some free time outside as much as possible!
This weather has been awesome, and I have been lucky enough to enjoy some nice rides lately. I have settled in here at First Moon Farm and am now happy and quiet in my stall. I have become even better friends with Poison and both of us are becoming shiny and sleek with our daily grooming routines.
Emily rode me the first two days I was here, then gave me two days off to recover and get into a routine. I have been quite nervous the past few days and got a little case of the "runs" which is slowly clearing up. Emily says its a lot of change for me, so as far as she is concerned i'm perfectly normal and she is watching to make sure I don't get too upset. After my two days off (Nate was nice enough to get me out of my stall and take me for a walk when Emily wasn't around) Emily came out, groomed me and we did some long line work and lunging to build up my butt muscles. I am taking the work very well and my legs are staying cool and happy. Emily has to invest in some hind boots because she can hear my back ankles hitting as I trot. I dont want to get any boo boos :(
Emily loves having me here and can't wait everyday to see me! I have been eagerly awaiting her arrival and give little welcome nickers as she walks in the door. Hope all is well with everyone! Tell Casey and the new mare Hello for me! I miss you Mom!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Moving Day 2/4/12
Well hello there! Welcome to my blog :)
Today was a big day and I can't wait to share today's stories and many more to come!
This morning I hopped on the trailer and enjoyed the oddly warm weather as my mom, new trainer and I zoomed up I-75 toward Mount Pleasant. I didn't know what was to come of the day, but it was gorgeous so I ate my hay and enjoyed the breeze. I arrived at First Moon Farm around 3pm and stepped off the trailer. I was greeted by many friendly faces and said hello to the entire barn as I walked toward my new stall. When I arrived I met one of my many barn mates Don't Get Poisoned, we have become good friends already. I got fresh bedding in my stall and settled in and ate my hay. My mom gave me a hug and then her and Emily my trainer headed out and got some much needed lunch. I hung out with poison for a few hours until Emily came back for a much needed ride.
My first ride was exhausting, but I was very excited to be riding in such a big arena (I didn't know they made them that big!). I started out my ride doing some bending exercises and getting used to the layout and commotion around the farm. Some silly foals playing tag around their pasture made me nervous, so I sat and watched them for a while until I calmed down. After realizing I wasn't allowed to play with the foals :( Emily and I walked out to the track (I even helped open and close the gates) and I began trotting around the HUGE oval. I had a blast as I trotted over the surprisingly soft sandy track. There was so much to take in, sights, sounds and smells as I trotted up the incline part of the track. I got a small break as we rounded the turn at the top of the hill (the ground was a bit harder and I didn't want to slip and fall). I enjoyed the scenery until Emily reminded me we had work to do. I again broke into a trot as the ground softened and got so excited to be on a long stretch I flagged my tail and stretched out into a floaty long-trot. Emily laughed at me for flagging my tail and being silly, but she was having fun as well. I again trotted up the hill, going around the track for another go at the trot. After another lap Emily asked me to canter. I eagerly hopped into a steady canter and enjoyed the rush of going faster and faster down the backstretch. Emily could tell I was getting tired as we rounded the last turn before the hill. She pushed me up the hill and then let me walk and relax as we explored the hay field in the middle of the track. I regained my breath and walked back up to the barn. Emily untacked me then let me go outside and graze for a while as she groomed Poison. I enjoyed a nice roll and ate some hay in the crisp evening air. It was starting to get dark so Emily brought me into the warm barn and put me in my stall with a handful of grain, fresh water and some hay. I was very tired and slept like a log!
Today was a big day and I can't wait to share today's stories and many more to come!
This morning I hopped on the trailer and enjoyed the oddly warm weather as my mom, new trainer and I zoomed up I-75 toward Mount Pleasant. I didn't know what was to come of the day, but it was gorgeous so I ate my hay and enjoyed the breeze. I arrived at First Moon Farm around 3pm and stepped off the trailer. I was greeted by many friendly faces and said hello to the entire barn as I walked toward my new stall. When I arrived I met one of my many barn mates Don't Get Poisoned, we have become good friends already. I got fresh bedding in my stall and settled in and ate my hay. My mom gave me a hug and then her and Emily my trainer headed out and got some much needed lunch. I hung out with poison for a few hours until Emily came back for a much needed ride.
My first ride was exhausting, but I was very excited to be riding in such a big arena (I didn't know they made them that big!). I started out my ride doing some bending exercises and getting used to the layout and commotion around the farm. Some silly foals playing tag around their pasture made me nervous, so I sat and watched them for a while until I calmed down. After realizing I wasn't allowed to play with the foals :( Emily and I walked out to the track (I even helped open and close the gates) and I began trotting around the HUGE oval. I had a blast as I trotted over the surprisingly soft sandy track. There was so much to take in, sights, sounds and smells as I trotted up the incline part of the track. I got a small break as we rounded the turn at the top of the hill (the ground was a bit harder and I didn't want to slip and fall). I enjoyed the scenery until Emily reminded me we had work to do. I again broke into a trot as the ground softened and got so excited to be on a long stretch I flagged my tail and stretched out into a floaty long-trot. Emily laughed at me for flagging my tail and being silly, but she was having fun as well. I again trotted up the hill, going around the track for another go at the trot. After another lap Emily asked me to canter. I eagerly hopped into a steady canter and enjoyed the rush of going faster and faster down the backstretch. Emily could tell I was getting tired as we rounded the last turn before the hill. She pushed me up the hill and then let me walk and relax as we explored the hay field in the middle of the track. I regained my breath and walked back up to the barn. Emily untacked me then let me go outside and graze for a while as she groomed Poison. I enjoyed a nice roll and ate some hay in the crisp evening air. It was starting to get dark so Emily brought me into the warm barn and put me in my stall with a handful of grain, fresh water and some hay. I was very tired and slept like a log!
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