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Pumpkin's Progress

17K views 221 replies 14 participants last post by  PumpkinzMyBaby22 
#1 ·
OK, so I thought it might be worth while writing down Pumpkin and mine's progress so we can see how far we have come. First, I suppose, Pumpkin is 18 yrs old, 13.2hh Welsh cross something. We have had him scince he was 5 but he sat in the paddock untill I decided I wanted to do something with him.

So, early this year we had a trainer come in and help train Pumpkin. That went amazing and in 4 3-hour sessions, he was perfecto. I am super pleased that he now has the abilty to be ridden with less hiccups. So really, for the last 8 1/2 months, I've just been mucking around, glad to have a pony I can ride.
Well, the options for pony club and competeing have come into play, so we are cracking down and getting things like balance, collection, extension ect perfect. So, for the next month or so, I have packed up the jumps and am going to be really focusing on my dressage basics for Pumpkin. Huff.... that will be interesting ;p

Thats all for now, I will *try* to keep this alive... Anyways, here are some pictures!


jumpies


bareback



And his head...
 
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#52 ·
Yup, so I got off my lazy little butt and went to ride the pony. I rode bareback, partially cause i was to lazy to put my stirrups and leathers back on the saddle.
We did alright I think. I cantered my first canter bareback. And to top it off, I didn't have a tea party with the ground :D Our balance around corners needs improving but maybe that was because it was our first time.

After that 10 min ride (I know, very short) we worked on disengaging the hindquarters. By the end he was moving his bum around very nicely.

Our private lesson will be on Wednesday next week and I am trying to organize a photo person. Hopefully I can find someone :)

Till next time
xx
 
#53 ·
Thursday, 30 June

Hey everyone,

Yesterday I rode Pumpkin with the saddle this time. And wow Pumpkin has good balance going around corners on the wrong lead. His right lead is pathetic :/ So, more work on that will be done for the next couple of rides until it is down pat. Which means circles and getting the correct bend. One of his least liked things to do, but it needs to be done.
The bolting to the gate started again. *sigh* Instead of wrestling with him to get him to turn, I gave him a kick and we went galloping to the gate. And away from it. So we had no issues with riding near it again after a few times.
We put up a little cross rail towards the end of the ride and popped over that a few times.

Till next time!

xx
 
#54 ·
Friday, 1st July

I just got in from 2 hours of riding the pony and chillaxing across the road while grazing near the local pond. We spent the first hour riding, working on brakes. I also noticed a little foaming around his mouth afterwards.

Once that was down pat, picking up the right lead. In the middle of it, he had enough and took me to the gate. So we continuously trotted in a circle in front of it, both directions, until he gave up on that trick. We finished serious work once we had a nice long run on the right lead. So we cooled off and went across the road for some grazing. I ended up sitting on him bareback while he ate. The temptation was to much for me to resist :p

Thats all for now and I will be updating tomorrow hopefully,

xx
 
#55 ·
Saturday, 2nd July

I set up a few jumps around the paddock. We went for maybe 30-40 minutes then he started being a brat. I don't really blame him. It was getting hot and he has his ridiculously think winter coat at the moment.

New habit: Sitting back to soon. Thankfully, Pumpkin is a good boy and will take even the worst of positions. And try his best at every jump so long as you drive him to it. Hopefully with my jumping lesson on Monday, my habit will get nipped in the bud.

I finally got my sister to film me, and she discovered she loves it! Best news I have heard for a while :P I might get some more pictures from now on :)

Till next time :)

xx
 
#56 ·
Thursday, 7th July

Hey everyone :) I thought I would just combine the posts from both of my lessons. I would have updated yesterday, but I had friends over.

Monday: We worked on jumping a lot. I only rode each horse for half an hour as it was ridiculously hot and the horses are in their winter coats. It went well, I need to suck my stomach etc more but other wise it was good :)

Wednesday: Pumpkin was great walking down to our lesson, and as it turned out we made it in 20 mins, not the 45 I was expecting... So we popped in to our friends house and meet her ponies :) Pumpkin was a great little boy and he seemed to enjoy meeting other horses. The was no freak outs or anything which is good as he has had hardly any horse contact in a long time. We headed back to our lesson after that little meeting.

He was nice and calm, and still remained to listen to me. We walked straight into the arena so he wouldn't get to distracted with all of the other horses around the place. We had a little walk around then put on the bridal and off we went. Boy is he lazy :/ We go alright at home but to get him moving there (even though he was perfectly calm and relaxed) was a mission of its own. We ended up doing some lunging and in his objections, I almost came off. I haven't had that happen in a little while and it was refreshing :P

I fidget with my hands to much when he misbehaves apparently, so I will be working to myself quieter from now on. We went over a few small jumps towards the end and he became a little more enthusiastic about that :) After half a hour went, I put him in a back paddock and jumped on one of her horses. We did some more jumping for the last half hour and ended on the note.

On the way home we got some ice blocks for the three of us that went and one for Pumpkin.

Anyway: Enough talk, now for pictures! More are coming when I get some off my friends camera.

Till next time!

xx
 
#57 ·
Soo.... take two for uploading the pics. They aren't the best quality, but my friend got some nice riding shots on her camera which will be posted later.
 

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#58 ·
Wednesday, 13th July

I am pumped to say the least. A family friend of ours has invited me to go on a 3 hour trail ride down in New South Wales. We are riding on Sunday and going through 2500 acres of paddocks and through some small valley's. Pictures are going to be coming!

School has started again, and I have a great semester subjects wise. I can see my grades improving these two terms.

Pumpkin is good. He had a good run around the paddock for 15 mins at dinner time tonight. He is bounding full of energy. I also have another photo to add! Hopefully I will get the rest soon :/

That's all for now!

xx
 

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#59 ·
Saturday, 16th July


The trail ride place was fully booked for this weekend, so we are going next Sunday instead. A little bit of a disappointment, but I suppose 1 more week won't kill me.

Going to school 'survival' camp for 3 days this week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. It shouldn't be that bad as I am in the group with 3 of my closest friends! Very very lucky and it shall be awesome.

Pumpkin is going very well. We have been working more with commands on the ground and adding jumps while going around the paddock and he has been doing extremely well :D When this rain stops, hopefully I can get back on him and ho for a ride.

That is all for now

xx
 
#60 · (Edited)
Sunday, 17th July

Got two more photos! But those will come in a minute :)

I jumped on Pumpkin bareback this afternoon and started around at walk trot and canter. Our balance is improving! Also, his halts and downwards transitions are improving a lot as well. I didn't spend to long on that. Also practiced 2-point and rising trot - I can actually do it! Woot :D

Now, I have been trying to find background info on pumpkin for a few weeks now, and have come to no luck. I will attach a picture of what his brand looks like, and if anyone has any knowledge about it or can suggest anywhere to look for info, it would be very much appreciated :)

Anyway, that's all for now :) Photo time!

1. Me riding one of the school horses, Auzzie, while we were jumping.
2. Pumpkin and me.
3. His brand

(yes they are edited slightly)
 

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#61 · (Edited)
Friday, 22nd July

Back from survival camp! Some would have rather it be called torture camp, but I happen to think it was one of the best experiences I have had. Our group of 20 people was great, we all got along really well. We were dumped at one end of a valley and we had to climb to the mountain ridges and get to the other end. In the first day we traveled 7 kms with heavy backpacks (not quite sure about the weight, I am planning to weigh it tomorrow). I have chaffing on my back from where it was rubbing though :/ We woke up at 6 the next morning to watch the sunrise on the mountains. Wow. So beautiful. That day we traveled around 17 km of steep uphill and downhill slopes. I love being a horse rider: I have the thighs for going down hill with no problem. YAY! We finally got up to the top of the mountain peaks. The view was AMAZING.

We then lost half the group though at one stage as they went the wrong way down the mountain. While our camp instructor went looking for them, the 10 of us fit people stayed back and talked. It was the perfect setting for Tomorrow When The War Began. The sun set and we ended up hiking in the dark to our camp site after we found the others. Today we got up at 7 and only had to hike 1km before getting to base and heading home at 1.

Now for the reason I started this journal: Pumpkin.

It seems like he missed me. I was talking to a friend who's mum dropped me home and he was pawing at the fence when I didn't go say hello. After they left, he gave me a long cuddle and seemed very content to have me home and to be standing by me. That would be the first time I have had a proper greeting from him after I have been away camping :)

I am looking very forward to Sunday! Holly, my friend, is booked in and coming with us. She used to ride but hasn't in years, though loves it.

Again, any background info on Pumpkin will be most appreciated :)


Thats all! Hopefully photos from the camp and Pumpkin soon.

xx
 
#62 ·
Saturday, 23rd July

Riding was cancelled today, so in my boredom, I jumped on Pumpkin. We worked on being more responsive to cues like moving forward and changing transitions. We also worked on bending. I noticed he really started to lower his head and sort of reach for the bit, (I think.. it is hard to judge without a trainer) so hopefully we are headed in the right direction!

Tried again with picking up the right lead. I am still impressed with how balanced he is on the incorrect one. But that is beside the point...
And he is very rushy once he does pick up the proper lead. I guess it needs more work and time to develop those muscles so hopefully we become capable of slowing down and moving along with out training.

I contacted the APSB organization last week about Pumpkin. They have searched a few stud books and the closest they have found is DIAMOND T Z up here in QLD. Tomorrow we are clipping the fur on his shoulder to get a proper look at his brand so we can get down to finding his history. Wish us luck!

Tomorrow is trail riding day! 13 hours till we get picked up and start down to Numinbah. Can't wait!

I have some pictures that I took and edited from today.

Till next time,

xx
 

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#63 ·
Monday, 25th July

O.M.G.... That is all I can really say.

With the confirmation of a phone call yet to be made, Pumpkin may be called 'Tazz Sunblaze'. I have just received an email back from the APSB. Here it is:

Hi Jalah,
Well, looking at the records it is quite likely that the pony is a Australian Pony and was bred by Brian Zischke from Lower Tenthill, Qld. I think the pony's name might have been Tazz Sunblaze but can't be sure because I can't find any details for this pony - except that Mr Zische paid the membership for a Mr Wust in 1993 so that he could register the foal (Sunblaze) by Mr Wust's stallion.
I can't even tell you if the pony was palomino because the records are so old they are not on the Federal Council database but it all sort of fits. There is a phone no. Mr Brian Zischke on the ystem 07 **** **** but he hasn't been a members since 2007 so this may not be current any more, although I just checked in the white Pages and it looks like he might still be there. (see below).
It is probably worth a phone call.

(if this doesn't make sense, give me a ring).

Good luck!!


I am so happy to say the least!

OK, about yesterday. Sorry I didn't update, I was pooped and had a bucket load of homework due today. Anyway, Set up was quick with organizing experience and matching horses. I ended up with a 14.2 Appy mare, Nikki. The ride through the valley was gorgeous. Once we were out in the paddocks with the cows, we got to canter a little bit. Not to much and it was in a line, but that can be understood due to keeping people safe etc. Overall it was pretty good :) Also, you can do volunteer work there over holidays, so I might check that out. I am still to get the pictures onto my computer so those will come later.

I will update again soon,

xx

 
#64 ·
Also, that information was with the brand DIAMOND T Z, not DIAMOND T 2 as there was no brand found with that start.
 
#65 ·
Friday, 29th July

Not much this time. Jumped on Pumpkin bareback yesterday after going for a run and working on ground cues again. Then we miss calculated while trotting (in the halter) and we ran into a low branch.. oops. Just a tiny scratch on the face, no problem.

He is going well with becoming a lot more responsive both on the ground and in the saddle. Legs cues and the whoa cue is coming along nicely.

That's all really, a bit of a pointless post but you know.

xx
 
#66 ·
Thursday, 4th August

B-Day in 10 days.

A friend of mine is getting me 2 -3 baby silkies (hens) for my birthday :) Ine of our ducks is trying to sit at the moment, so if Icing (our only hen) doesn't take to be their mother, hopefully Barnabee (the duck) will.

Worked with Pumpkin again tonight. He has become a great deal more respectful of which way I am going and is yielding to my directions well. And then you know you are getting somewhere when you can control speed in the same pace with voice commands.
Pumpkin has come such a long way. Longer to go still and so much more to learn, but I am so proud of him.
 
#67 ·
Sunday, 7th August

Been very busy this weekend. I have hardly been home. Started work at 10 yesterday, and went until 3. Got to riding at 3:30 which went till 4:30. And I just got back from a sleepover.

Sue, our instructor, has recently acquired a pony called Comet from their neighbors. He is only tiny, maybe just smaller than Pumpkin, and has the same attitude. He was trained by the neighbors, and they have no horse sense, so naturally, things went downhill.

She thought I would like him and would be able to handle him so she put me on him. Lets just say he has no respect for the bit. I have had an interesting lesson and learnt a lot. The tactics I learnt helped me with Pumpkin this afternoon, but that later. He settled down well and started to listen to the thing in his mouth, and the person on his back. I am in love with him.
It will take a bit of work, but he will come around.

Pumpkin was good today for the most part. At the start, he tried to take me to the gate while we were cantering. So, tactic time. I used the tips Sue gave me in the lesson, and gave Pumpkin two sharp pulls on the bit just as he tried to take off. Result: An angel for the rest of the ride. He was listening incredibly well, never tried to go to the gate. I think it was a bit of a shock for him to get that sort of reaction from me when he tried to run off.

I also talked to Sue about bringing Pumpkin for lessons and she has no problems what-so-ever about him coming. A few more weeks and he will be there. :) Can't wait.

I will try to get a photo soon of me on Comet, though it might not be the best.

Till next time,

xx
 
#68 ·
Ran out of editing time. Comet and I are circled
 

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#69 · (Edited)
Monday, 29th August

Long time no update...

Had my 15th on the 14th so that was a lot of giggles and fun. I got given two Silkie chicks for my birthday :)

Pumpkin is well and been keeping out of trouble. Not happy about the malting, bu that cant really be avoided.

Yesterday, I had Maddie come over and give us a 'lesson'. We popped over some jumps as we hadn't done that in agesssss. Pics at the end. He did well, but has started to get lazy with his back feet. Fixed that and now all good again :)

After we put him away, I went over to see Chinga. Hopped on him and went over some jumps as well. Had a great time. It was awesome to see them again :D

I'll put the pics in the next post. I need to find the good ones.


 
#70 ·
Some of them are screen shots, so not the best quality. I should be getting some good ones soon thoug

IN the first 2, I am riding. The 3rd,is Maddie.

xx
 

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#73 ·
Thank you! We are not sure what he is now... I contacted the stud book people and they think he is an Australian Pony.
 
#75 ·
I have no clue! I am hopeless with breeds as well :P

Yes, I still call him my welsh as well.
 
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