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Buenos Aires: A New Beginning

8K views 95 replies 15 participants last post by  PoptartShop 
#1 ·
I had a journal that I started when I first got Aires, but I haven't touched it in years. Rather than digging it up, I decided to start fresh.

So...

Aires will be SEVEN in May. I don't even know how to deal with that. I have had him since he was a two-year-old barely-handled stud colt.

For those of you who don't know my boy, Aires is a Percheron/paint cross. He was 15hh and barely halter-broke when I bought him in late May of 2011. I did all his groundwork myself, teaching him to lead, yield, lunge, and getting him used to the saddle. My old BO, who I bought him from, technically broke him to saddle, with a friend of mine who is also a trainer putting the first four rides on him. I was then handed the reins and told "Have fun." We trail rode a few times over the following years and rode a few times in the arena. I have some serious fear issues from a horse who threw me right after I first bought Aires and they have kept me from doing as much with my boy as I should have.

A year after I bought Aires, I moved to a new barn, where we've been for almost four years now (it'll be four years in the fall, I believe). I adore our barn now. The BO is amazing. The facilities are super nice. But, I've only ridden Aires twice since we moved there.

This year, I have decided that I need to stop being a ninny and ride my horse. He has NEVER given me reason to fear or doubt him. Ever. I want to ride in the shows at our barn this summer. I have already arranged for my shift to be covered on the days of the shows (I manage a local hotel).

So, I am going to record our progress here. I am also going to get a planner and use it to schedule my time and record what we accomplish each session in it.

I have a confession. I am VERY green in the saddle. My cumulative riding experience would add up to less than a year. I know that green plus green usually equals black and blue. Aires is an old soul, though, much like me. I know we can do this.

My goals for our first week are as follows:
-Groundwork: I know Aires has solid manners, but he needs a tune-up, as do I. I also want to work on his giving to the bit more, as that's not something my old BO really taught him when he broke him out.
-Giving to the bit: See above
-Stop: His stop is sloppy right now, on the ground and in the saddle. I need it 100%, as that's my biggest fear issue right now (him not stopping...even though he's never really bolted, it still scares me when he won't stop when asked.
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#5 ·
Not a great way to start my journal, but I just gotta rant real quick...

So, I had left my saddle at my best friend's barn because I didn't want to schlep it home (I have a really small car) and because she likes riding in it. Well, I went to pick it up last night to give it a good oiling so I could use it (until I can get something better-made, since my saddle is on a fiberglass tree that is going to mush). Pulled the saddle pad off the top of it (luckily her pad, not mine) and my entire saddle seat and the jockeys are COVERED in mouse poop and pee. Not just a little bit. Literally the entire seat is covered and it's run down onto the jockeys. I am super not happy.
 
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#7 ·
Haven't been ignoring this thread. Planned on starting to work with him today...and it decided to SNOW last night!! :mad:

I've been thinking, though. I think I'm going to ask a guy in my church if he'll help me with training Aires. Not sure how Aires will do with a man, but at least he could give me pointers if we get stuck.
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#8 ·
Just found out that the season opener is on March 26th! Freaking the freak out a little bit!

Gotta get the boy's feet done here soon so I can really start working with him.
 
#9 ·
Ohhh, subbing! Aries is such a handsome boy!

I would be LIVID if that was my saddle! Totally not cool on her part!

Yikes! That is coming up! Breathe as freaking out will help no one :-p I'm sure they would have walk-trot classes of some sort, so don't push yourselves farther than need be! And remember, it'd be an introduction to showing. Just make it a good, all around experience :)
 
#10 ·
I'm thinking we might just show in-hand the first show. :lol:

This is the website for the show series:
The high desert horse show - Home

In-hand we can show "Stallions and Mares-Open," "Color-Open," "Trail Novice," and "Trail Open." If I can get him to really listen, I can also try "Showmanship Novice."

I'm really miffed about my saddle. I keep looking at it (it's sitting on the back of our futon) and thinking I need to clean it, but then part of me wonders how clean I can get it. The seat is going to be easy, since it's smooth faux ostrich. The jockeys are going to be more difficult. Then, I wonder if it's even worth trying to save, since the tree is turning to mush. *sigh*

This is my saddle (pre-mouse desecration):
 
#12 ·
Oh yes, if they have In Hand classes I vote do those instead! I was hesitant writing to even do walk trot due to how soon it is!

Took a quick peek at that. I'd definitely do both the geldings class and the color class :) Trail if you're pretty certain you can get him over a bridge and pick up a rain slicker. Oh, and open a mailbox and wave the mail around! Least that's how our trail classes go! Sounds like a fun series!

That is a tough one :( if it's still serviceable I'd try and clean it up. But if the tree is that bad I'd probably start the great saddle search. It sure was a pretty saddle to start with! Though I know nothing about western saddles and don't pretend to! Which that reminds me... what exactly is a jockey with regards to a western saddle? I haven't heard that term used before!
 
#13 ·
He is a trail horse extraordinaire. :lol:

His first ride in the arena and his fourth ride ever:


I've even gotten him to back over the trail bridge under saddle with no hesitation.

He and my best friend goofing around. He's standing on a stacked trail bridge (it's two pieces that latch together):

Convincing him to step up:


The majority of the tree on the saddle is okay. It's the stirrup bars (where the stirrup leathers/fenders attach to the saddle) that's going mushy.

The jockeys are the piece of leather that come down from the seat and cover the top part of the fenders/stirrup leathers. Also called the "seat jockey."
 
#15 ·
My biggest issue with a saddle is finding something that will fit me, fit him, is comfortable for me (very difficult in a western saddle, as most hurt my butt), AND won't break the bank.

He needs FQHB. I need a 16" seat if it's a deeper seat (like my saddle) or a 17" if it's a flatter seat.

I'd love something like this: All around ranch, cutting, roping, trail horse saddle 17 in "

But, I think after we buy the other stuff we're wanting with our tax money, I won't have much left over for a saddle. :sad:

And then I speak too soon!! ERMAHGER!! :shock:
Beautiful Western Show Saddle Lots of Silver 17 Inch | eBay
 
#16 ·
Got to go visit the boy today and try our new Hereford saddle on him. He was being so sweet and cute! After we tried the saddle on (it fits!!), I let him loose in the round arena to play. You can tell he doesn't get to just play much cuz my big ol' boy immediately let out a big buck and started cantering around the arena all crazy. Then he stopped and had a nice roll. My BO's husband was working on setting up some new stalls and he came over to chat with me as I was in the arena with Aires watching him. He showed me a four-inch thick post that was sunk two feet into the ground that Aires supposedly knocked down. He likes to blame any damage on Aires cuz he's the biggest. :-p Anyway, I turned around and looked at Aires (he was almost on the other side of the arena) and called out "Have you been a naughty boy?!" He did that half rear and strike thing, then trotted over to me. He stopped next to me, looked at Marco, then dragon snorted, arched his neck, and shook his head. Apparently, they've had run-ins before. :lol: I took off at a jog away from him and he followed perfectly at my shoulder, stopping when I stopped. He even wrapped his head over my shoulder and gave me a horsey hug.

When it was time to go, I picked up his halter and he just about haltered himself for me. Led on a completely slack lead back to the turnout...then stopped like a pig and refused to go in until I got stern with him (which consisted of me slightly deepening my voice and saying "Stop being a schmuck. Come here." :lol: ). Then he came in and stood for me to take his halter off very nicely.

I need to get some coconut oil to put in his mane and tail. His mane falls below his neck, almost to his shoulder, but it is starting to get gnarly again. Need to schedule a farrier visit, too.

And our new saddle:
 
#18 ·
Really frustrated right now.

Had to return the saddle. We're so far behind on bills that it's ridiculous.

Not gonna be able to do the show on the 26th. Had a front desk employee put in her two weeks, her last day is tomorrow, and I haven't been able to replace her. So, no way I can take the day off for the show.

I've been so busy and stressed lately.

I'm hoping to go out today and maybe give him a bath. I got some organic coconut oil to use on his mane and tail to see if it helps. I'll post pics if I do.
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#20 ·
Well, good news again! We actually got our state tax refund last night (which was our bigger refund)!! Soooooo, pending hubby's approval, I'm going to pick up that Hereford tomorrow! I can't believe it's still there. I messaged the tack shop owner and she was so happy that I was going to be able to buy it after all. I think she was secretly steering people away from it in hopes that I'd be able to buy it eventually. :)

Still no show for us, though. Haven't been able to go out and see the boy, plus I haven't been able to get his feet done. Was excited, too, cuz my mom and sister said they'd come to the show! No one in my family is the least bit horsey, except me. Hubby has to work that day. So, I decided to hold off until next month.
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#24 ·
Tuesday is going to end up my barn day. Poneh has a pedicure that day (finally), so might as well make a day of it. I'll get pics before, pics after, pics with the new saddle, all sorts of pics. :-p

Have got to get a spray bottle and baby oil today so I can work on his mane and tail. Would mineral oil work, or would baby oil be better for detangling? I ask because I have a bottle of mineral oil that I oiled my bamboo cutting board with.
 
#26 ·
His mane probably won't be a huge problem. Some mystery person at the barn has taken to brushing his mane out every so often. Kind of odd, as the BO (who is there almost 24/7) has no clue who is doing it. His tail, on the other hand, is a different story. I've tried conditioner on it and it doesn't help much with detangling. the underside of his tail is in thick (1" thick, in some cases) spiral almost wind knots. If I can get them separated, then I can maybe braid up his tail to keep it from happening as much.
 
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