Pumpkin's Progress

Tuesday, 28th June

Hahaha. God, I might kill it though... :p I have the amazing ability to ruin everything

But, on the topic of pulling, Mum took me down to Horseland yesterday and I got myself some new Jods, boots and a pulling comb. I can't stand the plastic manes and tail combs, (and they wouldn't last around anyway) so we got a metal one. And the weird part.. It has a hoof pick on the end... 0_0 Never heard of that before, but ok! It saves me having to bring out the other hoof pick.

Pumpkin is good, I haven't ridden due to my being sick :/ I might hop on him today though to go for a little walk around as I am feeling better. Horse riding lessons have ended for the term, but mum has so kindly booked a private jumping lesson. Also, I am getting a private with Pumpkin so that will be very beneficial to us :) I can't wait. I will see if I can get pictures, though no promises!

I swear something else happened but I can't remember..

ETA: Wow. I just noticed how.. sort of flabby he looks with his winter coat *sigh* can't wait till summer for his nice Pally coat to come through


Till the next time!

Xx

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 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

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

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

That's all for now and I will be updating tomorrow hopefully,

Xx

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

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

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.

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

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 When this rain stops, hopefully I can get back on him and ho for a ride.

That is all for now

Xx

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

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)