So this will be a journal about my exciting new no-cost leasing project, Prettyface. Don't worry, I will definitely get some photos this weekend
She's currently up for sale but has a few things to work on so she'll have a better chance to get a good forever home (if she decides to sell.)
I work with her tomorrow on the lunge. We'll see how it goes, as the owner hasn't lunged her before and we have no idea if the previous owner ever did.
Here is some info about her from another one of my threads:
4/29/13
I have taken on another project horse who I am working with for free, but do not own: An unraced 12 year old thoroughbred mare. We'll call her Prettyface since I love her broad intelligent face.
Prettyface is 15.1, brown thoroughbred mare. Lacks much of a topline, extremely stiff neck muscles which I suspect are in spasm. She's been out of work for a month, inconsistent rhythm at the walk and trot, sensitive in the mouth from previous hard handling, spooks a little bit but not much. A little bit mareish as expected.
I have permission from the owner to work with Prettyface on her groundwork, on her lunging, and play around with a different bit (hooray!!!). I plan on starting her completely over with learning to yield from pressure, then light touch, then motion and vocal cue. Walking she's fine at, transitioning to trot she gets tense and throws her head up and gapes her mouth even with no pressure. She likes to do her own thing. Leans when she turns. Does not respond well to seat or leg aids.. will be a work on progress.
I'm so excited I only met her yesterday and she is about 30 minutes tops away from me.
The downside is no indoor or light area so when it gets dark.. I'll have to be creative. May need to buy a few electric torches to illuminate the arena at night.
__________________
So here's to working with Prettyface. Testing my riding skills, my teaching skills, and my horse knowledge. Oh and I've ordered a solar powered portable floodlight It should get here in about 2 weeks
She's currently up for sale but has a few things to work on so she'll have a better chance to get a good forever home (if she decides to sell.)
I work with her tomorrow on the lunge. We'll see how it goes, as the owner hasn't lunged her before and we have no idea if the previous owner ever did.
Here is some info about her from another one of my threads:
4/29/13
I have taken on another project horse who I am working with for free, but do not own: An unraced 12 year old thoroughbred mare. We'll call her Prettyface since I love her broad intelligent face.
Prettyface is 15.1, brown thoroughbred mare. Lacks much of a topline, extremely stiff neck muscles which I suspect are in spasm. She's been out of work for a month, inconsistent rhythm at the walk and trot, sensitive in the mouth from previous hard handling, spooks a little bit but not much. A little bit mareish as expected.
I have permission from the owner to work with Prettyface on her groundwork, on her lunging, and play around with a different bit (hooray!!!). I plan on starting her completely over with learning to yield from pressure, then light touch, then motion and vocal cue. Walking she's fine at, transitioning to trot she gets tense and throws her head up and gapes her mouth even with no pressure. She likes to do her own thing. Leans when she turns. Does not respond well to seat or leg aids.. will be a work on progress.
I'm so excited I only met her yesterday and she is about 30 minutes tops away from me.
The downside is no indoor or light area so when it gets dark.. I'll have to be creative. May need to buy a few electric torches to illuminate the arena at night.
__________________
So here's to working with Prettyface. Testing my riding skills, my teaching skills, and my horse knowledge. Oh and I've ordered a solar powered portable floodlight It should get here in about 2 weeks