Inactive Logs:

Hylee's Howabouthat

Howie is a gorgeous 5-year-old bay Morgan owned by the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.  He came to our barn March 1, 2006 with solid training in both riding and driving.  The College of Veterinary medicine would like Howie to represent the College in parades and other events;  We were charged with driving him on a regular basis and introducing him to new sights and sounds.  At the request of the College, Jada showed him at the 2006 Harvest Moon Carriage Classic, where the turnout won the Reserve Championship in Novice Horse or Pony.

5/31/07    Driven lightly in the morning, and then longed in the afternoon.  Dr. Sally Prickett, the director of the ISU College of Veterinary Medicine Teaching Hospital, came to pick him up in the afternoon and move him to his new home in the Teaching Hospital, where he will provide ISU Veterinary Medicine students hands-on experience.  He was truly a delight to work with, and know he will be an addition to the College program.

5/30/07    Driven inside, working on transitions, reinbacks, steady gaits, and lengthening and shortening his stride when asked.  Washed and cleaned horse and harness. He was a good boy today.

5/28/07    Ridden, working walk, trot, halt, back, and transitions.  Worked outside around track/cones course.  A good day for him.

5/25/07`    Driven outside, around the marathon course. Saw deer and turkeys on the course, and drove next to tractors in the
field. He was calm and relaxed.  A very good boy today!

5/23/07    Howie did not get his feet trimmed on the 22nd, but Dr. Thompson said he could go back to work if he was not noticeably lame.  So he was driven outside, working on smooth transitions, direction changes, and quiet halts.  A good day!

5/16/07    Dr. Linda Thompson checked him in the morning, and agreed that he is off on the right hind.  He has an appointment to have his feet trimmed Tuesday, May 22.  He will not be worked again until after that date.

5/15/07    Driven lightly in the morning.  He needs to have his feet trimmed, and seemed slightly off on the rear hind.  Was worked under saddle in the afternoon by Dr. Prickett and ISU vet students.

5/9/07    Much better outside today.  Walked around the track, field, cones course, working on transitions, primarily halting and standing.  Much calmer and more responsive today.  A good boy!

5/8/07    Howie was very energetic today.  He did not want to walk, and had trouble paying attention to the driver.  Went outside at first, but brought him back inside and did circles and transitions until he would walk, trot, halt, and stand on command.  Then went back outside to the track, where Earl drove the tractor and spreader around, in front, and behind him on the track.  He was not very concerned about the tractor! 

5/3/07    Drove outside in rainy, cold weather.  He was very energetic, and wanted to faster then he should, but settled down quickly.  Worked on prompt up and down transitions in fairly lousy weather.

5/2/07    Driven inside, working on transitions and the gaits and figures required in a training-level dressage pattern.

5/1/07    Driven outside (nice weather makes driving lots more fun for horse and driver!)  The hazards from the CDE clinic April 20-22 are still up, so he was driven through each hazard.  He was very calm and relaxed, even away from the barn and track.

4/30/07    Driven outside, and was bothered at first by the wind, but worked through it.  Walked around outside, worked on changing directions, figures, and transitions.

4/25/07    Driven inside (it was pouring out!), working on transitions, reinbacks, and square halts.  Asked him to stretch over his back by dropping his head.  He was slightly nervous about the thunder and rain, but worked through it very quickly. 

4/23/07    Driven outside again.  Worked on going through puddles willingly.  Drove past cows, cars, machinery.  Standing quietly outside. Transitions . . . a little bit of everything.  A very good day.  Dean Thomson and Dr. Prickett from the College of Veterinary Medicine visited late in the afternoon.  He was harnessed and driven outside again.  They asked that he be ridden, as well. so he was saddled and driven inside at walk, trot, canter in both directions.  He has not been ridden for a couple of months, so we were pleased because he was very good:  respsonsive, well-behaved, relaxed.  He'll get a day off tomorrow!

4/16/07    FINALLY a nice day, so he was driven outside.  He was jumpy and excited by the north tree line.  Driven until he relaxed at the walk and trot.  Walked around the alfalfa field.  By the end of the lesson, he was relaxed and calm.

4/12/07    Continuing the plan to have him ready for SOV, he was driven in the arena with the volume on the CD turned up to the maximum.  He was far less troubled by the noises than Joe, who came after him. 

4/11/07    Played the CD with the loud noises for driving horses while he did transitions, circles, slow and working trot, walk, and halts. 

4/9/07    Drove in the indoor arena with the radio on very loudly.  It did not seem to bother him.  if he is going to appear in the SOV  Music Man, he will need more loud sounds, curtains, and practice with cotton in his ears. 

4/6/07    More work on not dropping his shoulder in the turns.  As his bend improves, so does not dropping his shoulder.

4/4/07    Worked on stretching across the topline at the slow, working, and lengthened trots.  He was much better, and was not dropping his shoulder on turns or corners.

4/3/07    Worked on lengthening in the walk and trot without breaking gait.  These are driven dressage moves that are not easy, and he did well.  All in all, a very good day for Howie.

4/2/07    Worked on driven dressage moves, including stretching and not breaking gait when lengthening.

3/30/07    Worked on changing the bend through circles and figure 8s.  Also asked to stretch at the walk and trot. 

3/29/07    His right hind was better today, so he was given more work to do.  He was asked to bend in the corners and do figure 8s at a slow trot, which is difficult.  He did well.

3/28/07   Howie was driven lightly today because he seemed slightly off on the right hind.  Worked on stretching at the walk.

3/21/07   Howie needed to have his teeth floated, which Dr. Linda did on Tuesday, March 20.  So he could finally be driven comfortably today.  He worked around cones, focusing on prompt changes in bend and not falling in.   

3/15/07   All the horses were wormed, had their teeth checked, and received spring immunizations on March 12.  Howie really needs his teeth done, so Dr. Linda will return for teeth work.  In the meantime, he was ground driven through scary stuff.  Worked on ground tying and the halt.

3/14/07    Driven, with work on ending in the corners and bending through directional changes.

3/12/07    Drove cones with lots of scary stuff in the arena:  barrels, the pregnant donkey cutout, temporary hazard materials.  He dealt with everything very well. 

3/09/07    Drove cones with lots of bending and changes in direction.

3/08/07    Worked on smooth upward and downward transitions.  He did the transitions very smoothly!

3/07/07    Driven, working on transitions and changing the bend on corners.

3/05/07    Driven, worked on a long rein trot and square halt.

2/28/07    Worked on steadiness in gaits and balance through direction changes and transitions.  Practiced Prelim Test 6.

2/26/07    Driven in dressage movements, emphasizing steady gaits and square halts.

2/22/07    Driven in circles and serpentines today.  He is not dropping his shoulder!  And his reinback was wonderful today.  Overall a super day.  What a nice pony!

2/21/07    Driven, working on smooth direction changing, and reinbacks.  A good day . . . he is getting more and more responsive to the driver's aids.

2/19/07    Howie was driven in a dressage test, with emphasis on steady tempo.  Smooth transitions from trot to walk were emphasized, also a smooth, submissive reinback.  He did well!

2/14/07    Howie was ridden at the walk, trot, and canter, with emphasis on transitions . . . it was just too cold to drive!

2/12/07    Cones and hazards and transitions;  Howie is bending very well!

1/29/07    Howie was driven on a loose rein with his head down, stretching over his back.  He is no longer dropping his shoulder.  He was very in tune with the driver, even with other horses in the arena.  A very good day!

1/26/07    Worked in circles and half-circles, and at the halt, to maintain the square halt.  The goal of smooth bending in the corners and on the circles at a slow, steady trot was largely achieved.

1/25/07    Driven in big circles at a steady trot on a long rein.  He did very well . . . NO JIGGING!

1/24/07    Driven with his head down, stretching over his back.  Worked on a square halt, and a less resistant reinback.  The latter is getting much better!

1/18/07    Driven, walking with his head down and stretching, crucial training for learning to relax in the carriage.  He is not dropping his shoulders on the turns.  : )!

1/17/07    Howie was ridden today.  Worked on transitions and reinback.  He is getting better about not dropping his shoulders in turns and bending smoothly.  His halts were very prompt and square. : )! 

1/9/07    Worked on halting squarely, standing quietly at the halt. He is improving at both activities.  Also focused on changes in bend, which is getting somewhat smoother. 

1/8/07    A good day!  Circles, bending, smooth change of direction.  He put his head down and reached for the bit, stretching over his back.  His reinback is getting straighter with less resistance. He did everything that was asked of him.

1/4/07     Worked on a long rein, for walking quietly, halting, and backing. S

1/3/07    Howie is driven in the indoor arena.  Work continues on transitions, from walk to trot and back to walk and from walk to halt and back to walk.  He had trouble standing still in the lineup at the Harvest Moon, so no sSession is complete (and this one is no exception!) without time spent quietly at the halt and performing reinbacks.S

Reba

Reba is a 9-year-old registered Morgan recently purchased by Eleanor Eagly.  She arrived at Three G Farms the first weekend in November, 2006.  Eleanor worked with her on ground manners and longeing until the first of December, when we began to introduce the idea of carriage driving to her.  She continues to be worked under saddle, even though the steps leading up to carriage driving are our main emphasis.  Eleanor's goal is to compete with Reba at the 2007 Harvest Moon Carriage Classic.

05/23/08Worked on steady gaits and not pulling through the aids. Walk and trot work while relaxing all over the property, around the track around the hay field ect... Very good girl.

05/21/08Drove. First with draw reins then with one draw rein at a time then with regular reins. Very good girl.

05/19/08Ground drove with draw reins.

05/16/08Went outside, worked on walk, trot, halt and transtiions.

05/15/08Ground drove. Worked on bending both directions and following the outside rein without running through it. Very good day.

05/12/08Drove with draw reins. Worked on steady gaits and transitions especially the halt/stand.

05/09/08Went on trail ride. (Jenny Rode) Went all around cross country course and down to petersons pits, by the river, over logs/branches, through mud and water. Very good girl.

05/08/08Drove. Went outside around track and around hay field. She was a very good girl, but very looky at the cows across the street.

05/07/08Drove with draw reins. Worked on being soft and not pulling through aids.

05/06/08Drove. Again worked on steady, relaxed gaits and halt.

05/05/08Drove in draw reins. Worked on steady, slow, relaxed walk and soft halt.

05/02/08Worked on transitions. Being soft and not running through aids. good day.

04/30/08Drove. Worked on slowing down and steady gaits.

04/28/08Drove. Worked on transitons and steady gaits. Good day.

04/22/08Much better day. Worked a lot on transitions and the halt/ walk off. good day.

04/21/08Ground drove. Seemed a little bit tense so we worked a lot on figures, bending, transitons and relaxing.

04/15/08Drove. Went for a little pleasure drive outside. Went around the hay field and up and down some of the hills on the east side.

04/14/08 Ground drove and drove. Worked on transitions and being soft.

04/10/08Ground drove. Worked on balance and bending.

04/08/08Drove. Very good girl. Worked on balance and starting to correctly bend without speeding up.

04/07/08Ground drove. Very good day. Went all over outside, up and down hills, between trees, in the open, under things ect. She is getting 100% better about staying relaxed and not pulling through aids. 

04/04/08Drove. Worked on a nice, steady, relaxed, four beated walk, not speeding up foot falls, not rushing and not pulling through aids. She was a very good girl. This was probably one of the best drives she has had for a long time. We even went outside and had a nice, relaxed walk around the track both ways and part way around the hay field. (part way because it got pretty muddy half way out).

04/03/08Worked on steady gaits, relaxing, not hanging or pulling on hand aids and transtions. Good day.

04/01/08Ground drove. Worked again on relaxing and smooth transitions without pulling through hand aids.

03/31/08Drove. Worked on not pulling through hand aids and steady relaxed gaits. Very good girl.

03/28/08Ground drove in drag. Worked on halt and stand, walk, working trot and slow trot.

03/25/08Ground drove. Very good day again. Very relaxed and attentive. Very smooth and responsive transitions.

03/24/08Ground drove in drag. Very good day. Worked with other horses in the arena and focused on steady gaits, relaxation , and focus.

03/21/08Ground drove. Worked on transitions and going from the trot back down to a relaxed, loose walk. Good day.

03/20/08Ground drove. again worked on a relaxed, calm, slow walk and trot. Very, very good girl.

03/19/08Ground drove. worked on a relaxed, calm walk and not pulling through bit.

03/18/08Drove. Worked on walking, making sure to not rush, pull through hand aids or put head up too high.

03/16/08Brian drove. worked on relaxing, steady gaits, halt/stand.

03/13/08Ground drove. Very good day. Worked on transitions, relaxing and steady gaits.

03/12/08Ground drove in drag. Again working on slowing down and relaxing. Mush better day today.

03/11/08Drove. Worked on slowing down and relaxing. Also ground drove until she could slow down in the walk and not rush or pull on the reins.

03/10/08Worked on a steady walk with a relaxed head and body carriage and a four beat gait. not pacing or rushing or putting head up.

03/05/08Worked a lot on the walk today. She is getting much better, but still wants to rush some in the walk, especially in the corner and turns. So we did a lot of slow, steady walking.

03/04/08Worked on steady gaits and relaxing.

03/03/08Drove, worked on slowing gaits (mainly trot) she is doing very well and starting to understand she can't go through aids.

02/29/08Worked on slowing gaits and developing a solid four beated (not rushing walk). 

02/27/08Drove in small meadowbrook again. Did more work on balance and steady gaits. Good day.

02/25/08Drove in smaller meadowbrook. Very good day. She is finally not crossing her front legs and falling through corners. She still wants to counterbend going to the right, but is getting much better about responding to aids.

02/22/08Worked on light cart. Worked a lot on slowing gaits and square steady halt.

02/21/08Drove in jerald cart, worked on steady gaits and standing up through corners and transitions.

02/17/08Rode, worked on steady gaits and slowing trot and canter.

02/14/08Rode, Worked on steady gaits and balance. worked on walk, trot and canter.

02/13/08Worked in drag again. Worked on a relaxed slow walk and trot. Also worked on transitions and balance especially to the right. She is getter much better about not leaning or falling over shoulder but still needs remainders.

02/08/08Worked in drag again. Worked on a relaxed slow walk and trot. Also worked on transitions and balance especially to the right. She is getter much better about not leaning or falling over shoulder but still needs reminders.

02/05/08Worked on steady gaits and slowing trot. Also worked on balance and bnot running through bit or aids.

02/04/08Worked on not running through bit, trnasitions, and steady gaits especially the walk.

01/28/08Drove. Very good day. Worked on balance, changing bend/direction. slowwing down, steady gaits, halt and stand, and body carriage.

01/25/08Drove. Worked on four beated walk, no jigging and slowing the trot down.

01/21/08Rode. Worked on steady gaits and slowing down in the trot and canter.

01/16/08Worked on transitions and balance. Also worked on not moving around at halt.

01/14/08Too cold to do too much. Did light work on transitions under saddle and worked on ground tying.

01/10/08Very good day. Worked on relaxing, bending and balance.

1/09/08Worked on steady gaits and relaxed movements.

01/08/08Worked a lot on corners and turns. She is getting much better about balance and steadyness. She is also getting much better about being honest in all gaits and using neck and back properly without running through hand aids.

01/04/08Took video of harnessing, hitching, three trots, turning, whoa and stand, walk and back.

01/03/08Worked on three steady trots and a 4 beat walk. Worked on balance and holding her neck and shoulders up and out.

12/31/07Worked again on the balance, holding herself up and steady gaits.

12/28/07Drove. Worked a lot on the walk. Worked on being relaxed and very steady in the walk even with a long rein. Worked in the arena with distractions such as: other horses in the arena, stuff in corners. Very good day with balance and bending corectly and body carriage.

12/26/07Worked at the walk on a four beated, relaxed gait with head down and back up.

12/21/07Worked on balance and relaxation. Worked on transitions and standing square and quietly with a smooth transition.

12/20/07Again we worked on balance and steady gaits.

12/19/07Worked on steady, relaxed 4 beated walk and steady realaxed smooth transitions. Also worked on rounding body and body carriage. She is still getting much better everyday, but will continue to work on this until she has the confidence and balance she needs.

12/17/07Drove. Worked on balance and smooth turns and transitions and a square halt. Worked a lot on a four beated  steady trot without speeding up or running. Good day about standing up straight and holding herself.

12/12/07Worked again on rounding body, lifting back, and tucking nose. Also worked a lot on balance and smoothness through turns and transitions.

12/10/07Drove. Worked on steady gaits and smooth transitions.

12/07/07    Ground work over poles. Worked on steady gaits on the ground and trotting and walking over ground poles.  

12/06/07     Worked a lot on letting her stretch out and come back up. Worked a lot in the walk to develop a very regular, s/teady, 4/ beat gait with proper body carriage. Getting better.

12/04/07     Worked on reaching over topline and tucking nose in. Also still working on balance, steady gaits, not running through aids and acceptance of bit and other aids.

11/29/07Again worked on walking evenly and relaxed, and  relaxing and steady gaits and at halt.

11/27/07Worked on tucking nose in and balance. Did a lot of walk work. Getting much better about holding herself up through transitions and corners at walk. Getting much better about not rushing. Working on a solid 4 beat walk with energy but not running or scittering.

11/26/07Drove inside today. Worked on rounding and not running through aids. worked on transitions, Putting head down and steady gaits as well.

11/21/07Again worked on balance, being soft, reaching and starting to correctly bend. It is still hard for her to do all these  things at once but she is starting to be able to do them so we will be able to put all things together.

11/20/07Worked on steady gaits and not falling over shoulder. Still working on rounding and reaching over topline and being soft.

11/19/07Drove inside. Worked on balance, bending correctly (stills wants to counterbend, but at least starting to hold herself up) Also worked on tucking nose in and reaching over back and topline.

11/16/07Again worked on being soft and rounding. Still working on balance and holding herself through corners and turns.

11/13/07Drove, mostly inside. Worked on keeping head down where it needs to be, and briging nose in. She is starting to be able to carry herself without rushing or falling over shoulder. Starting to get much lighter in bridle and trust driver. 

11/12/07Drove ouside. Worked on rounding into bridle, reaching over topline, steady gaits, smooth gaits and holding balance (holding herself up) through turns, circles and corners.

11/08/07Worked a lot on balance and not falling over shoulder or running through bridle in corner or turns. She is learning how to smoothly make turns and keep her balance without running or rushing.

11/06/07Drove with draw reins again. Worked again on balance, rounding body, and not running through hands. She is getting much better about not pulling on hands and running through rein aids. She also is getting much more prompt and smooth about transitions and standing is become a non issue for her.

11/05/07Drove inside with draw reins, worked  on rounding body, reaching over topline and not running through aids.

10/31/07Worked outside today. Worked a lot on rounding body and not resisting bit. She is starting to acept the french link D ring. She is starting to let go and flex at poll and let go in jaw.

10/29/07Drove inside today. Again worked on standing up straight and balancing herself through corners, turns and transitions. She is starting to get better, but still needs to develop proper muscle strength to perform correctly.

10/25/07Drove outside, worked a lot on not dropping shoulders and balance herself through transitions and corners.

10/24/07Drove in new bit. Trying a french link snaffle. Worked with her for a long time getting her to understand the relationship with bit and driver. Finally she started to figure out to hold her body up and not resist the bit. It will take a little while, but seem to be making massive progress.

10/23/07Worked on bending and balance, A lot of work on relaxing poll, neck, and throat latch and being soft in drivers hands. Getting much better. She is able to get it and is understand the idea of the outside rein and how to balance herself she just has to develop muscles and hold herself.

10/22/07Drove inside, worked on transitions and being soft in bridle. Getting much better about not falling through outside rein and not falling over inside shoulder.

10/18/07Drove, worked on putting head down and starting to stretch and reach over topline.

10/17/07Rode, worked on figures, bending, relaxing, and slowing trot and canter. Went on very pleasant trail ride around farm and down road.

10/16/07Drove, again worked on letting go in the neck, jaw, poll, neck and wither and using whole body correctly. She is getting much better and seems to be better about relaxing and holding herself up.

10/15/07Drove, worked outside on track. Worked on rounding neck through body and not leaning on bit.

10/12/07Rode, Went on short trail ride and worked on bending. Also worked on not falling through shoulders and relaxing through poll and neck.

10/11/07Drove outside, worked on cross country course, went over bridge, worked on bending (or not counterbending) , Also worked on rounding, being soft through the throat latch, poll and jaw.

10/09/07Drove inside and out, I think she feels better but now has to learn what to do with herself and figure out whatever was// hurting her is no longer. Worked on rounding, softness, steadyness and relaxation.

10/08/07Went to see horse chiropractor.

10/05/07Went outside, Worked on cones course, crossing water. Also worked more on flexing at poll, bending and relaxing.

10/03/07Very good day. Getting much better about letting go in jaw, poll, neck, withers and shoulders. Also getting much better about staying round and starting to bend correctly through the corners and through turns.

10/02/07Worked on transitions, a square halt and reinback. Transitions getting smoother with Reba not tossing head in air or bracing in front end.

10/01/07Worked on bending and balance.

09/28/07Worked on rounding and letting go in the neck, pol;l and jaw. Continued work on bending and transitions.

09/27/07Went on very nice trail drive. Very good day.

09/25/07Worked again on rounding, relaxing and holding herself through turns. 

09/24/07Very good day. Starting to relax and bend through neck and starting to let go in poll, jaw and withers. Good day.

09/20/07Again worked on bending, standing up, and letting go in the poll, neck, withers, and shoulder. Getting much better. Plan is to keep working on this until it becomes more willing from the horse.

09/19/07Worked a lot on letting go in the poll and neck and not resisting. Getting better every day.

09/18/07After a long weekend and a couple days off Reba is back to work in training. We worked on bending and standing up straight. Also worked on not resisting through jaw, poll, and withers.

09/13/07Lesson with owner. Worked on reisnmanship pattern, smooth transitions and steady gaits. Also fitted to new cart.

09/12/07Drove, went around marathon course. Also worked on three trots, steady gaits, a smooth back, and transitions.

09/07/07First show went very well. Reba was very good in both game classes (Placed 2nd in gambler's choice and pick your route cones) and ring classses.  

09/06/07Arrived at Villa Louis for pleasure show. Warmed up, looked around. Very good girl. Very relaxed, calm and responsive.

09/05/07Drove, worked on steady gaits, balance and transitions. Getting ready for Villa Louis.

09/04/07Rode, worked on balance and steady gaits. Also worked on reinback and not falling over shoulder through turns.  George Gibbs trimmed feet.

08/31/07Drove outside, worked on three trots. Slow trot getting much better, more steady, more relaxed and slower. working trot and strong trot very good. Went and saw scary stuff around the farm. Very good reaction. Looked but didn't worry. Good day.

08/30/07Drove, worked on transitions, and square halt. Also worked a lot on reinback and upward transitions without raising head or ducking head. Got to be much better. Good day.

08/28/07Drove outside and inside, worked on transitions, backing, a lot of relaxing and walking.

08/26/07Lesson with owner driving reba.

08/25/07Schooling show. Owner drove, worked on designer reinsmanship and working pleasure classes.

08/24/07Drove inside (thunderstorming outside). Horse had very good reactions to thunder and noise also very good reactions to other stuff going on in barn. Good day.

08/22/07Drove, worked on transitions and balance. Worked a lot on slow trot and walk. Horse is much slower and becoming more relaxed every day.

08/21/07Rode worked on balance, bending, standing up straight (not leaning). Also worked on halt and back.

08/20/07Drove inside worked on transitions and back. Bending improving  but still needs work mostly to the left. halt and back getting much smoother and less resistant.

08/17/07Worked on bending and balance again. Getting much better at keeping steady gaits and not speeding up or slowing down. Downward transitions also getting much quicker and smoother.

08/16/07Drove inside, worked on bending and balance, also worked on backing up without putting head up. Getting better.

08/15/07Drove with other horses, passing/being passed, steady gaits, rounding frame. Also worked on cones course.

08/13/07Drove inside and out. worked more on rounding body and reaching over top line, steady gaits and speeds, bending, changing bend, and backing up without putting head up.

8/10/07    Starting to get used to the new bit.  Worked on steady gaits and reinbacks.

8/08/07    Another new bit, and she is much more responsive.  Eleanor came out this morning and worked with Jada and Reba.

8/07/07The same:  driving, working on slowing her gaits, and making transitions between gaits smooth and prompt.

8/06/07    More work on transitions, slowing and steady gaits, bending, using her shoulders properly.

8/03/07    Today Reba was driven outside, working on transitions, slow, working, and strong trots (needed for a pleasure show), the halt, standing quietly, and the reinback.

8/01/07     Eleanor plans to show Reba at the Harvest Moon, so Reba's owner came this morning for a driving lesson.  She and Jada worked on slowing Reba's trot, bending, and steady gaits.  She is starting round up over her back.  And she is getting used to the new bit.

7/30/07        Worked her in a new bit, a 4-3/4 inch French link snaffle.  She was ridden, working on bending, her slow trot, and keeping her head down.  She was a good girl today!

7/28/07      Another trail ride with other riders.  She seems to enjoy this activity, and rides well with others.

7/27/07    Trail ride, around Peterson's Park, with other riders.  Up and down hills, in the water, leading and following.  A very good girl.

7/25/07    Rode on a trail ride, all around the marathon course and up the road. 

7/24/07    Driven, working on bending, balance, transitions and maintaining steady gaits.

7/23/07    Driven, working on bending and lateral flexing, balance and steadiness.  She is coming along!

7/19/07    Worked in the outdoor arena on dressage test moves:  transitions, 40-meter circles, working walk.

7/18/07    A much better day than yesterday!  Worked in cones and worked on steady gaits, balance and going where directed.  A good day!

7/17/07    Reba was not very responsive today.  She could not keep her attention on the driver.  She wanted to go faster and faster.  Drove lots of figures , lots of transitions, until she settled down.

7/12/07    Reba was driven inside today, working on bending and balance.  She is coming along.

7/6/07    Molly rode with mom today.  They walked all around the marathon course, the hay field, the track, the cones courese, and the road.  Reba was a very good girl!

7/5/07    Driven outside through the cones course, around the track and the hay field.  Worked on keeping steady gaits, not speeding up, at the trot.  Xavier rode with mom today!

7/3/07    Driven outside in the outdoor arena.  Worked on slowing the trot and steady gaits, transitions, and bending.  She is starting to bend and carry her outside shoulder properly.

7/2/07    Drove inside first, working on transitions.  Then went outside to the orchard and the cedars.  A good girl today!

6/29/07    Ridden outside on a trail ride.  She was a very good girl, did walk and slow trot for most of the ride.  The goal was to keep her slow and relaxed, and, mostly, we succeeded.  It was a good day.

6/28/07    Driven, and worked in outdoor arena on bending, still not bending very well toright but getting better. also worked o transitions and balance. getting muchbetter. She is starting to develop much more steady gaits, as well.

6/27/07    The marathon course is still up, so Reba was driven on the whole course.  She was a very, very good girl.

6/19/07    Driven inside, working on correct bend and balance.   Then went outside, and she wanted to trot WAY too fast, so did lots of transitions.

6/14/07    Worked on the longe line and then drove, working on balance, transitions, steady gaits, and not running through the bit.

6/13/07    Time to introduce fly spray, which she did not like at all!  Worked with her until she would stand still to be sprayed everywhere.

6/11/07    Driven inside, working on balance.  Then drove outside around the hay field and the track, working on transitions, halt, and stand.  The bugs were really bad, which bothered her, but she handled it very well.

6/4/07    Driven, working on bending correcrtly, transitions, and steady gaits.  Xavier (age 4) put on his helmet and rode with mom today. 

6/1/07    Worked on the longe line today on smooth transitions.

5/30/07    Driven outside around the track, working on transitions.  She was irritated by the flies (even though sprayed), but was not overreacting.

5/28/09`    Driven outside, around the track, working on smooth downward transitions.

5/24/07    Driven outside, working on transitions and balance.  She gets better with every session!

5/23/07    Driving Reba becomes less of a "training session" and more of a fun drive each day.  But we still work on making sure she maintains  steady, balanced gaits and the correct bend, even when driven outside, as she was today.

5/19/07    More of the same:  outside, around hay field, working on transitions, and getting a steady trot and walk.  A very good day.  Then worked inside on balance and bending correctly.  She is getting better!

5/18/07    Drove outside, all around the hay field and track.  Worked on transitions, halt and standing.  Very steady and honest. A good day!

5/17/07    Eleanor was out in the morning, and rode with Jada as they worked outside.  Reba showed off her smooth transitions and, especially, her square halt.  A very good day . .  she was a good girl!

5/16/07    Drove inside and out, working on transitions, a square halt, and reinback.  She was calm, responsive, and sensible.  A very nice pony to work with!

5/10/07    Driven outside.  She is becoming more balanced, starting not to counterbend.  Worked on transitions, changing direction, a square halt and standing.  A good day!

5/8/07    Driven outside, working on transitions.  There were lots of puddles from the weekend rains, which she walked through.  And there were cars coming and going, which did not bother her.  She is getting to be enjoyable and easy to drive!

5/7/07    Driven, worked on balance and not counterbending (sounds like a broken record!)  She is getting better, but not there yet!

5/4/07        Worked on balance and not counterbending.  She is getting better, but still needs work.  Drove outside;  she was very calm and very good!

5/2/07    Her owner, Eleanor Eagly, was out early in the morning, so Reba was put through her paces in the indoor arena for Eleanor's benefit.  She is still counterbending a little in the corners, but she is doing it less.  And she is doing a nice, solid working trot.  She starting to develop much better balence.  Eleanor was pleased (always our goal!) 

5/1/07    Fit to the large Meadowbrook carriage.  Worked outside in the nice weather.  Walk. trot, halt, standing.  It was very windy, and that did not seem to bother her.  She was very calm, responsive, and well-behaved.

4/30/07    Still in the small cart because the carriage we need to put her to was in use.  Still working on transitions.  She is becoming much quicker to respond to the aids.  She is getting less fussy with the reins, and is slowing down and relaxing significantly.  She is a very nice horse to work with.

4/27/07    Driven in walk, trot, and halt transitions.  She is still counterbending when going to the right, but getting better.  Her gaits are slowing greatly, and the pony is relaxed.  Outside, walked around the track and cones course.  She was very good, relaxed, calm, no problems. Ready to move out of the training cart.

4/26/07    Driven, walking, turning.  Emphasized two things:  not speeding up in the walk, and not dropping her shoulder when turning.

4/25/07    Driven, worked on transitions and not dropping her shoulder in turns, especially to the right.  She was initially worried about the wind and rain and thunder outside the arena, but worked through it.  She was relaxed at the end of the session.

4/17/07    Worked outside on transitions, standing quietly, and reinbacks.

4/16/07    A good day!  Worked inside at slowing her trot (what else is new??).  Walked outside . . . this was her first time outside.  She was very relaxed and calm.   

4/13/07    More work on slowing down at the walk and trot.  Emphasized halt and standing quietly.  She getting better about not pulling and is slowing down, not rushing as much.

4/11/07    She continues to slow down at the trot when asked.  Her transitions were good today.  Overall, a good day with her!

4/10/07    A very good day.  She was much slower, and is not dropping her shoulder in turns as much.

4/09/07    Continued work on slowing the trot and not running through the bit.  She starting to slow and relax more. 

4/06/07    She started off fussing with the bit, but got much better as the day went on.  She was more relaxed, and began to slow her trot.  She is getting better at not running through the aids (pulling on the reins). 

4/04/07    With her comfortable in the (too tight!) easy entry cart, we can work on the what she needs to do to improve as a driving horse:  changing bend when changing directions and transitions:  walk to trot, trot to walk, walk to halt, halt to walk. 

4/03/07     Worked on right bend and changing the bend when needed, and on slowing the trot.  She is starting to slow down.  She needs a wider cart, which will help with bending and turning smoothly without dropping her shoulder.  

4/02/07    In the cart, driven from the cart rather than from the ground.  Worked on the standard stuff:  walk, trot, halt, direction change.  The right bend is hard for her, so that was the focus.  She is starting to improve.

3/30/07    In the cart again, working from the ground.  She was driven in large circles at the walk and trot. Her issues are bending and slowing the trot on command.  At this point, her trot is too fast for working trot.

3/29/07    In the cart for the first time!!  Walked around the arena, getting used to the cart. She quickly discovered that she could not shove it over with her hip as she could with the drag.  That did not seem to bother, however!  Worked in  both directions, walking and halting.  A very good day for her first time in the carriage!

3/26/07    Reba is still in the drag, with work on square halts and transitions.    We do not move to the next stage of training until we are sure that the horse is confident, even bored  with the whole thing.  Then it is time to move on!

3/20/07    We will wait until next week to attach the cart.  She was worked in the drag again, with emphasis on transitions and steady gaits in the drag. 

3/19/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on steady transitions, a square halt, and steady gaits.  She is ready for the cart.

3/15/07    Same stuff:  walk, trot, halt, change directions in the drag.  She is still being worked inside in the drag, but will go outside soon (we hope!)  She needs to be totally bored with the whole thing before we move on to the carriage. 

3/14/07    Her first time in a closed bridle.  She wondered at first where her trainer was, and kept trying to turn so she could see her.  But she got over that quickly.  She was worked in the drag at the walk and trot, changing directions and halting.  A good day!

3/9/07    Rode her today, and worked on picking up the canter, not running into it.  She had smooth transitions to the walk.

3/8/07    Worked in the drag on transitions:  walk, trot, and halt.  Did turns, figure 8s and circles.  She was very relaxed!  A good day!

3/6/07    Worked in the drag again, at a walk,  trot, and halt, and turning circles.  She was very good!  Fitted the Village harness to her. 

3/5/07    Ground drove.  Put on the drag on and did walk, trot, and halt.  She was calm and relaxed for her first day in the drag.  A very good day!

3/3/07    Ground driven over PVC poles;  worked on smooth transitions.  A good day!

2/28/07    On the ground, worked on slowing down the canter and steadiness of gaits.  Ground drove with harness and britching snug.  She is finally ready to do more with shafts/poles and the drag.  Needs to be fitted with a blind bridle.

2/26/07    Longed at walk, trot, and canter. 

2/22/07    Rode, with work on transitions to the halt an steady gaits.  She is coming along . . .

2/21/07    Rode, working on slowing her canter and a steady trot.  A good day!

2/19/07    Reba was ridden at the walk, trot, and canter, counter canter, sidepassing, and leg yielding.  A good day!

2/13/07    Ridden outside, mostly at a walk to get her used to being in the Three G surroundings.

2/12/07    Reba was ridden a walk, trot, and canter.  Counter canter to help keep her from leaning and/or dropping her shoulder;  she is getting better at this, but is not perfect! 

1/31/07    Reba was ground driven, and responded well to voice commands when asked for transitions.

1/29/07    Reba was ridden at the walk, trot, and canter.  She was very responsive, and is getting better about moving away from the rider's leg, and not running.  She is starting to leg yield.

1/26/07    A very good day!  She shows lots of improvement in the promptness of transitions and steadiness of her gaits. 

1/25/07    Ground driven with poles on each side.  She had no reaction to the poles touching her as she walked.  She was worked at the walk and trot, and is getting much more steady and consistent at those gaits.

1/23/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  She is much better about standing (not leaning!) in the canter.  Her halt took a little work, but she is becoming more prompt in transitions.

1/19/07    Reba was ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  Her canter is getting smoother;  she is not rushing as much.  She was ridden outside as well as in the indoor arena.

1/18/07    Reba was worked at the walk, trot, and canter.  Her canter is finally slowing!  Her trot is getting less rushed and steadier.  She still drops her inside shoulder on the left lead, but she is improving.

1/17/07    Reba was frisky and full of energy!  The cold weather seems to agree with her, and has prevented us from working horses.  She was ridden today, with work mainly on transitions, which are getting smoother.

1/11/07    Reba is improving quickly on halts, standing, and reinsback.  Side poles have been introduced one at a time.  She is slightly nervous about the poles . . . this may take awhile.

1/10/07    Reba was long reined.  Her transitions are getting smoother.  She was touched all over with lines and poles.  She reacted a little at first, but then settled down and was okay with the idea of stuff touching her in new places.

1/9/07    Reba was ridden, to teach moving away from pressure.  She is getting much better, has started to leg yield, sidepass, and pivot.  Her regularity in the trot and walk are improving.

1/8/07    Ground driving.  She showed improvement in promptness and smoothness in transitions.  She is starting to relax in change of direction, and is almost ready to start the process of getting into the cart.

1/5/07    Jada rides Reba again, focusing on canter departs and canter-trot transitions.  She is picking things up quickly!

1/4/07    Jada rides Reba, concentrating on a smooth canter, and slowing down when asked to do so.  Also included in the session is a square halt.

1/3/07    Reba is harnessed and ground driven , with emphasis on transitions.  Emphasis is also placed on standing at the halt in the harness. 

Red

Red is an 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare owned by Randy Farwell. She arrived at our barn January 4, 2007. Although a riding pony, it has been several years since she has been ridden.  Randy would like to offer her for sale, and wants Jada to tune her up a little before spring.

1/31/07    It was just too cold to ride, so she was worked on the longe line.  Worked on transitions, standing, and ground tying.

1/29/07    A very good day at the walk, trot, and canter.  She is getting quicker and more responsive in downward transitions.  Her canter depart was very good today, and her canter was smooth and slow.

1/26/07    Worked at standing still for mounting and dismounting.  She was very responsive to the leg and rein aids.  Went outside and walked around the track and the hayfield.  A very good day!

1/25/07    An excellent day!  She was relaxed and steady, honest at all gaits.  The bit was changed to a D-ring snaffle, which she seems to like better.

1/24/07    Worked at the walk, trot, and canter.  She was fussy with the bit, and slightly crabby.  Maybe in heat?

1/23/07    For the first time, there were things set up in the arena and outside:  cones and the indoor hazards.  She was not bothered by the new items.  Her canter was much slower, and she was quicker on the canter depart.  Her trot was very steady, and her halt was much quicker than in the past. 

1/22/07    Worked at slowing her canter.  Also on the trot to walk transition and the walk to halt transition.  She is responding much more quickly in the transitions than she has in the past.   

1/19/07    Ridden at the walk, trot, and canter.  She was very steady.  Ridden outside, around the hay field and barn.  She walked calmly. 

1/18/07    Walk, trot, and canter.  Her trot is getting very steady, and her transition to the canter is becoming quicker.  Her canter is slowing.  Went outside and walked around the track and down by the road.  The cars did not bother her.   

1/17/07    All horses have had a couple of days off because of the bitter cold.  Red was worked today at the walk, trot, and canter, with special emphasis on a smooth canter depart.  She is getting steadier at maintaining the desired gait.  She also was longed, and is still quick and rushed.  She is improving, but is not there yet.

1/11/07    Red is improving on steadiness of gait, but she is not there yet, because she will not stay in the required gait, as requested.

1/10/07    It really is nice to work with a horse that has excellent ground manners!!!!  She is developing a good work ethic, willing to finish the session.  Worked on steady gaits.  She is still a little jiggy at the trot. 

1/9/07    Worked on walk and trot. She is improving at not trying to head out the door of the arena!  She is steering better, and her halt is very good!   

1/8/07     Ridden at a walk and trot, worked on breathing and relaxing.   She is getting better at running through the rider's aids! 

1/5/07    The bridle and saddle are fitted to her.  She is walked around the arena so that she is familiar with the sights and sounds (especially the mirrors!)  Longed at a walk and trot in saddle.  Seems to remember what she needs to do . . . a good thing!

 Tug

Tug is a 10 -year-old quarter horse owned by Randy Farwell.  Randy would like to offer him for sale, but wants Jada to tune him up before offering him as a riding pony.  Tug arrived at Three G Farms February 10.

3/31/07    Ridden today for photographs.  He was excited!  And Randy took him home. 

3/30/07    Worked outside at walk, trot, and canter.  Introduced him to the wash stall and spray bottles.  Used plastic bags and other scary things, and he handled everything fairly well.

3/29/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  Worked on transitions, halting steadily and smoothly, and standing quietly.

3/28/07   Ridden in the indoor arena and outside while a chain saw was running.  Worked on a steady gait and direction changes.  TOOK PICTURES!

3/21/07    Ridden hard today, mostly at the canter.  His canter is getting steadier each day, which is the whole idea.

3/19/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and and canter.  Worked on balance in the canter, standing up straight and not dropping the inside shoulder.  He gets better daily!

3/15/07    Ridden at the walk, trot, and canter.  He is picking up the correct lead better, his transitions are becoming smoother, and his gaits steadier.

3/14/07    Ridden at the walk, trot, and canter.  It was a good day;  he was very calm, relaxed, and responsive. 

3/12/07    Rode with driving horses in the arena at the same time, along with barrels, the pregnant donkey cutout, and temporary hazard materials.  He started out fairly nervous, but walked out of it. 

3/9/07    Rode at the walk, trot, and canter.  Very good day . . . calm, responsive, steady.

3/7/07    Rode at walk, trot, and canter, and worked on steady gaits. He had a good session, very relaxed and much more responsive to aids.  Did leg yields, sidepasses and pivots.  He was also ridden the afternoon, working steady gaits  at the walk and trot.  Jada gave Xavier a ride at the walk and trot

3/6/07    Rode at the walk, trot, and canter.  Worked on bending, relaxing, and moving off the leg.

3/5/07    He had a good day, ridden at the walk, trot, and canter.  He was much better about picking up the correct right lead.  Worked on transitions, as well.

2/28/07    Rode at the walk, trot, and canter.  A very good day.  He became less nervous and worried about everything around him.  Worked on steadiness of gaits and promptness in transition cues.

2/27/07    Rode at walk, trot, and canter.  He started out a little nervous, but worked out of it.  He gets better daily!

2/22/07    Walk, trot, canter, working on prompt transitions.  He has a very nice canter.  Worked outside . . . a good day!

2/21/07    Rode at the walk and trot.  He has a very nice, steady trot.  More work on walk, trot, and halt transitions.  Went outside around the barn.  A good boy today!

2/20/07    Rode walk-trot circles, changing directions.  Transitions to walk and whoa.  Walked around the barn outside.  He needs more exposure, but overall a good day. 

2/19/07 Ridden today at the walk and trot.  There was lots of activity in the arena today, because it was so nice.  Lots of other horses being ridden, longed, and driven.  Good halts. . . . overall, a good day.

2/12/07      His first day.  He was walked around the arena, through the cones and hazards that were set up, brushed, and saddled.  Not ridden yet! 

AJ

AJ is a 3-year-old Palomino Quarter Horse filly who arrived at Three G Farms February 19.  Her owner, Leonard Larson, wants her taught to drive, so that his daughter can drive the pony at her wedding early in June.  A BIG task that we needed to begin immediately!

6/2/07    A beautiful day for a wedding!  Jada accompanied the Larsons to the State Fair Grounds for the wedding to help with AJ.  Jada groomed, harnessed and hitched her, and then drove her from where she was hitched to the street in front of the Agricultural Building, where they waited for Kimberly and Roger to emerge after the ceremony.

Photo by Matt Neubauer

Then Jada handed the reins to Kimberly, Roger helped Kimberly into the carriage, then got in himself, and the newly married couple drove around the Fairgrounds before returning to the Agricultural Building for the reception.

Photo by Matt Neubauer

We doubted that we could have a three-year-old horse ready for the big event in three months . . . but we did it!  What a nice memory for Roger and Kimberly!!

5/24/07    AJ's owner picked her up tonight, and will return for her carriage and harness tomorrow.  A few more things to do that only they can do:  let her see a huge expanse of white (we suggest Kimberly wrapped in a sheet), and have Kimberly practice getting into and out of the carriage (with or without AJ attached) in something other then her jeans.  And Kimberly and Roger need to practice the moves to get them in and out of the carriage the day of the wedding.  We think she'll do well, and are pleased that Leonard and Kimberly trusted her to us.

5/23/07    Driven outside, around everything we could think of.  She is as ready as we can  make her!

5/22/07    AJ's owner picked her up Saturday evening for a second trip to the State Fairgrounds.  She and her carriage reappeared Sunday evening, so we assume everything went okay!  She had the 21st off, and then worked again today.  We fitted her with the bridle that her owner brought.  The bit is too big for her, but the bridle will work with one of our bits.  Went outside, around the track and the around the mower when Earl was mowing.  Around the hay field, into the pasture, through the trees.  She was very steady, relaxed, calm and responsive.  A very good day.

5/18/07    Dewormed, and then driven outside.  Many cars went by while we were on the track, and we blew whistles while she was working.  She was very good!

5/17/07    Drove inside, working on transitions and a steady trot and walk.  Outside, went around the track and hay field.  Earl was mowing, and she passed the mower without blinking an eye.  The neighbors' dogs were out, and she put her head up and got a little quick, but not a bad reaction.  She was a good girl;  we had a very good day!

5/16/07    More umbrellas, whistles, and fly spray.  We needed to repeat the fly spray on her back legs until she was not jumpy.  Other than that, she was calm, relaxed, and soft. 

5/15/07    Took her to the round pen, and introduced noisy whistles, umbrellas, and a small boy (Xavier, age 4, who came with his mom) bouncing a ball.  She was very good.  Raised her head at first, and then relaxed.

5/14/07    The Isenhart twins and their mom, Joanne, rode their bikes down to our place.  Mary held AJ in her halter and lead rope while the three zipped up and down past her on their bikes.  She was a little nervous at first, but settled in quickly.

5/13/07    AJ, her harness and carriage, were loaded into Larsons' trailer for her first trip to the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where the wedding will be held.  The wedding and reception are scheduled for the Agricultural Building.  The plan is for Kimberly and Roger to walk from building to the street after the ceremony, get in their carriage, and drive around a few blocks and come back to the Ag Building for the reception.  Earl and Mary met AJ and her family behind the Pavilion Sunday morning.  AJ and her carriage and harness had been unloaded.  By the time we got there, she had been walked all around in her halter, and was peacefully eating grass.  We harnessed her and led her in her halter from the trailer to the Ag Building.  There we put on her bridle and reins, with her halter under the bridle.  With Earl driving and Leonard on a lead rope, she was ground driven all around.  There was a Quarter Horse show at the Fairgrounds, so there was some activity between the Pavilion and the horse barns.  Finally, we hitched her on the side street just south of the Pavilion, and Kimberly and Roger drove her up to the Ag Building, around the triangle, and back to where she had been hitched.  Nothing fazed her . . . she looked at new things, and whinnied some, but she did not shy nor even offer to raise a fuss.  She looked long and hard at kids on bicycles, to which we will expose her in the coming week.  Loud noises and umbrellas probably should be on the list, as well, and anything else we can think of, based on what we saw at the Fairgrounds.   

5/11/07    The Larsons came in the evening to work with AJ.  Kimberly harnessed, hitched, and drove her in their harness and carriage.  Jada rode along, and everything went very well.  AJ is comfortable in the carriage and harness, and Kimberly drove her well in the arena and all around outside. 

5/9/07    In our carriage, our harness, on the track with traffic.  We drove the pickup, the Jimmy, and the Gator around her and toward her over and over again.  She reacted more to running over a branch, which cracked loudly, then she did to traffic.  We will do this again, with vehicles and the tractor and spreader.  She was very calm and relaxed the whole session.

5/8/07    Used our harness with her owner's carriage, a four-wheeled carriage that is not cut under.  She was driven in the indoor arena until she was accustomed to the carriage with its large turning radius.  Then she went outside and around the track.  The majority of the session was at a walk, so she could get used to the carriage, but there were short stretches of trotting, as well.  She was very good:  calm, relaxed, very accepting of the new carriage. 

5/7/07    Fit the owner's harness to her, along with the blind bridle that he supplied.  The harness is fine, but the bridle is way too large.  After today, we will use our bridle with the owner's harness.  We did not want to change too many things at once, so we put her to her regular carriage, the Meadowbrook.  Because the saddle of her owner's harness does not have a gullet, it sits right on her spine, which is a problem in a two-wheeled carriage like the Meadowbrook, because her back is likely to hurt from the pressure on her spine.  For that reason she was only worked in the indoor arena for a short time.  

5/4/07    Driven working on steady speeds , halting and standing.  A good day!

5/2/07    Driven in our harness in the Meadowbrook outside, working on smoothness of transitions and balance.  She is getting much better.   Worked back and forth on the track with cars, trucks, and farm equipment driving by on the road.   She was completely unconcerned by the equipment and noise.  It's time to take on the track with our tractors and vehicles. 

5/1/07    Fit to her owner's harness, which took awhile.  The harness does not have a blind bridle.  We probably should put her in an open bridle in the indoor arena at some point, so she can see (and not be frightened of) what is behind her.  But for regular driving (including the June wedding), she will need a blind bridle.  

4/30/07    Fit to the large Meadowbrook carriage. She was very patient with us as we changed the settings on traces, tugs loops, etc., while hitching.   Worked on transitions and promptness, starting to bend, more forward in the walk, getting much quicker in response to aids.  The new carriage, a full-sized Meadowbrook, is much easier for her to pull, so she was calm and relaxed.

4/27/07    A very dirty palomino pony!  Began in the wash stall, to clean her up and get her used to being washed with a hose and warm water.  Played with her tail until she relaxed and did not clamp down.  Harnessed and in the cart, working on transitions, square halt, standing.  Introduced the whip without a problem.  Went outside for the first time in the cart.  She was very good:  calm, relaxed, not worried. 

                Kimberly Larson and her fiance came with her dad in the evening to drive AJ.  They brought the carriage and harness she will use for that event, so we can, eventually, fit the harness to the horse and put the horse to that carriage.  But that is later this month.  Kimberly drove her for more than an hour, in the training cart, and both did very well.  AJ is ready to move out of the training cart.

4/26/07    In the cart gain, walking and trotting.  Worked on prompt transitions. This is her third day being driven from the cart, and she was really good:  relaxed, comfortable, confident.  Ready to move on!

4/25/07    In the cart again, this time in the indoor arena at a trot.  She was not bothered by the thunder and lightning outside, but had a long, relaxed session.  Another day or two like this and she will move to a heavier carriage.

4/23/07    AJ's owner called and wanted to visit, so we waited to drive her until he arrived in the late afternoon.  We started her in the drag, then moved to the cart.  She wad driven by a person sitting in the cart for the very first time.  She was worked at a walk both directions of the arena, and did several calm, relaxed halts.  She was very relaxed and calm.

4/16/07    Finally, a nice day.  After warming up in the drag at walk, trot, and halt transitions inside, she went outside for the first time.  She will be worked outside in the drag several times before going out in the cart.  She did well:  relaxed and calm outside, with no problems.

4/13/07    In the cart, still with Jada on the reins on the ground, Mary on the end of the longe line, a small safety feature that she does not seem to need very much.   Large circles walking and halting, which she did very well.  She is almost ready for weight in the carriage.

4/12/07    Started in the drag, then switched to the cart.  Jada was on the reins, Mary on the end of a longe line hooked to her bridle.  She was nervous at first in the cart because she cannot move it over with her hip as she can with the drag, and, of course, she can back up, something she cannot do in the drag.  But she settled down quickly, and walked in large circles to the left and the right

4/11/07    Back in the drag, to reinforce the lessons of transitions, halts, and turns.  She will be in the cart tomorrow.

4/9/07    We started in the drag, reinforcing transitions, calmness, and relaxation.  Then we attached the cart, a light easy entry Jerald.  She was a little jumpy at first, so we started with just a few steps at a time, moving out, stopping, moving again, stopping  We ended after she took 4 very relaxed steps.  A good beginning!

4/6/07    She worked in the drag, walk, trot, transitions, halts.  It was a very good day.  She is calm, relaxed, and responsive.  She is ready for the cart.

4/4/07    In the drag, as usual, at the walk and trot.  She was very calm, relaxed, and responsive.  Her transition to trot is much better, as are transitions.  She stood quietly, and she is getting much better about not tossing her head.

4/3/07    Still in the drag, but added extra (noisy) stuff to the drag for a different experience.  She was calm, relaxed, and took it all in stride.

4/2/07    Worked in the drag, as usual, on transitions and direction changes.  She responded quickly, and behaved herself very with the new noises.  The new horse, Vick, was raising quite a fuss, and she took it all in stride!

4/1/07   Still in the drag, working on standing quietly at the halt. 

3/30/07  In the drag, working on direction changes, transitions, and halts.  A very good day.  She gets calmer and more relaxed each day. 

3/29/07    Still in the drag, working on transitions, changing directions, and steady gaits.  A good day!

3/28/07    Worked in the drag again, with lots of things going on around her in the arena.  It was a good day.  She was very calm and relaxed.  She halted and stood quietly in the drag.

3/26/07    Worked on standing quietly while being harnessed.  She hates to have the crupper put under her tail.  Did this several times!  Then worked her in the drag, working on transitions and standing quietly.  The session finished in the wash stall with a spray bottle, to introduce her to the idea of being washed with a sprayer attached to the hose in the wash stall. 

3/21/07    More work in the drag in the indoor arena, with the same old stuff:  transitions, gaits, halts.  She needs to be bored our of her mind in the drag before we will move to the carriage!  Probably another week or two and she will be ready, if she continues as she has been going.

3/20/07    She is becoming more and more comfortable in the drag.  She was worked in the arena, while the morning crew worked on getting the arena ready for the upcoming clinic, with the Gator, the garden tractor, etc.  She paid attention to her driver well, ignoring the distractions, as she responded to verbal commands for transitions.

3/19/07    Ground driven in the drag.  Transitions:  walk, trot, halt, and directions changes.  A few more days in the drag and she will be ready for the cart.

3/16/07    She followed the drag first in her halter.  Then she was harnessed and the drag was introduced.  She was hooked toit, and walked in circles in both directions.  She responded well to "Whoa" and "Walk on."  A very good first day in the drag!

3/15/07    She was ground driven, working on walk, trot, and halt.  The reins were moved to the saddle terrets, where they will need to be when the drag is attached.  She did not mind the difference.  She was calm and relaxed.  A very good day.

3/14/07    AJ was long-reined.  We introduced PVC pipes on her sides, first rubbing her all over and then putting them in the loops and driving her with two people managing the poles.  We bounced the poles, and made sure they hit her hind legs at about the hocks, which is where the drag will hit her.  She was calm and accepting of the new equipment.

3/12/07    Longed and long-reined.  She was calm and responsive.  She is starting to understand and respond quickly.  A good day!

3/09/07    Ground drove, with lots of turns, walk and whoa transitions.  She was very good!  A good week for her on the whole.

3/08/07    Long reined and ground drove.  Lots of turning, direction changes and upward and downward transitions.

3/07/07    Long reined, and started ground driving.  Did lots of turns and steering until she quit running forward in the turns.

3/6/07    Harnessed and bridled.  Fit a leather Village harness;  the back is too short!  She was much more relaxed than yesterday.  Long reined, worked on transitions. 

3/5/07    Harnessed and bridled.  Longed.  Started long reining.  She had a very good day, learning voice commands and starting to relax and trust us. 

3/3/07    Fitted with a  blind bridle.  Her first time in a blind bridle, and she behaved well.  She was longed, working on transitions on voice commands.  She is coming along!

2/28/07    Harnessed with britching snugged.  Work on voice commands for walk, trot, halt, and ground tying.  Very good day;  becoming more responsive and more relaxed.  Starting to trust us.

2/27/08    Saddle, breast collar, and britching in place.  Longed, and is getting better at transitions on voice commands.  She is starting to relax.  She is a very sweet horse, but does not fully trust us yet.

2/26/07    Harnessed and longed.  She needs to relax more and work off of voice commands.  That will come!

2/22/07    In the harness with britching snugged.  Longed until relaxed at the walk and trot.  Worked on transitions on voice commands.

2/21/07    We tightened her britching, and longed her until she was relaxed.  She reacted to the britching at first, but then settled right down .  Worked her at a walk and trot on the longe line.

2/20/07    We insist that each critter that comes to us for training have a dental check first.  Dr.  Howard came out to check AJ's teeth. Her teeth were floated, and two large wolf teeth were removed.   We will wait to put a bit in her mouth until next week.  We fitted her with our horse-sized harness so she could get used to the crupper.  She had no reaction, a good sign!  She was walked around on the ground, and longed.  She is calm and gentle with nice ground manners! 

Rock

Rockingham (Rock to his friends), owned by Paul, Bridget, Stephanie, and Ben Bryson of Cedar Falls, is an 11-year-old Belgian-Mustang cross.  Before coming to us in the fall of 2006, he had done almost everything in his career: trail horse, hunter-jumper, dressage pony. His family wanted to begin driving, however, and so wanted him trained to drive.  We had him for two months in the fall of 2006, when he was taught the basics of driving.  He was doing very well until one December day he decided to jump out of his turnout pen.  We have no idea what frightened him so badly that he tried to take flight, but he did.  And he almost made it.  But he tangled with one of the T-posts and was injured.  We suggested that the Brysons take him home to heal and return him for another month of training after the cut was healed.  He returned to Three G Farms Wednesday, March 7.

4/05/07    His owner, Paul Bryson, came for a lesson with Rock.  They started in the arena, working on basics.  Did deviations and direction changes during the 10-minute walk.  Started trotting, changing direction across the diagonal numerous times, and then changing direction with half circles at the end of the arena.  Paul drove Rock in big circles in the middle of the arena, and changed direction through the circle.  Did small circles in the corners in both directions.  Then halts and reinbacks coming up the center line.  Then Paul drove Rock out to the track, around the track a couple of times, and then back to the barn.  Paul took Rock home, confident that he will be able to drive him at home. 

4/04/07    Transitions are getting better.  He is paying more attention to the aids.  His reinback is getting better, but he still raises his head when asked to back.  He was asked to stretch while being driven, and did it well.  A good day!

4/02/07    He was excited today because of the new horse in the barn, but he calmed down quickly.  Worked on circles, bending, and accurate figures, as in a dressage test.  This is a good way to emphasize direction changes and transitions.

3/30/07    Transitions, asking for more forward gaits, especially after a transition.  He is getting better at more forward gaits.  He also is getting better at a quiet, square halt.

3/29/07     More work on bending and transitions, to make them smooth and quick.  Also focused on forward gaits when asked. 

3/28/07    Continued work on transitions and bending.  Emphasized more forward gaits.  Rock will hang back if not encouraged!

3/26/07    Driven in the indoor arena, working on halts, backing, and transitions.

3/21/07    Set up cones to work on small circles and direction changes, which make a big horse like Rock really push off from his hind legs, essential for getting a forward trot.

3/20/07    Okay, time for serious work;  no more of this "lightly driven" stuff.  He worked for a full hour, with emphasis on square corners, and transitions.  He really is a joy to drive!

3/19/07    The treatment is working very well, so Dr. Linda said to put him back to work.  He was lightly driven for his first day back at the walk and slow trot.  Worked on a square halt, bending in corners, and changing the bend in direction changes. 

3/14/07    Dr. Linda diagnosed him with a controllable case of heaves.  We began a regimen of steroids for their control.  If he responds well, we will start working him again.

3/12/07    He was driven, but had a cough while being driven.  Because Dr. Linda was at the barn for spring immunizations and worming, she looked at him and drew blood.  We will wait to hear from her before driving him again.

3/9/07    Driven with lots of circles and changes of direction.  Transitions to walk and trot and whoa.

3/8/07    Rock was fitted with our Smuckers horse-sized harness, and was driven in Randy Farwell's carriage, which fits him very well.  He was driven at a walk and trot, and there were several halts.  He was calm and relaxed.  And has obviously not forgotten anything that he learned about driving in the fall.  A good day!

Azure Wind Sonata

Winnie is a 5-year-old pony owned by Eleanor Eagly, who drove her with success in the 2007 competition season.  Although she is her driving pony, Eleanor would like to keep Winnie's riding knowledge current, so that, in a few years, her 7-month old twin granddaughters would have a pony to ride.  So Jada is riding her a couple of times a week.

11/05/08    Worked on staying forward in the bridle, and smooth, soft transitions.  Also worked on the halt and staying soft through the halt transition and while standing at the halt

11/03/08    We worked on changing the direction and the bend smoothly, and going all the way into the corners with the correct bend.  Lots of transition work.

11/1/08    Eleanor and Winnie had a wonderful lesson with Robin Groves . . . they are coming along as a turnout. Robin was impressed at Winnie's physical development . . . she is finally done growing, and Eleanor's growth as a driver.  

10/29/08    Today's focus was transitions and not popping her head up through upward and downward transitions.

10/28/08    Worked on stretching her frame and staying soft (the usual!)

10/25-26/08    Eleanor and Winnie traveled with other Iowegians (see Where to Meet Us) to the 2008 Cowboy Country CDE in Stillwater, Oklahoma.  She was a very good girl on the trip in the competition, doing everything Eleanor asked of her. 

10/20/08    Again worked on dressage moves, being soft, stretching, bending, changing the bend and staying soft through transitions. 

10/18/08    Eleanor drove Winnie in cone weaving at Games Galore, and took third place.  After the games were done, she drove her dressage test while Theresa Burns scored her.  Room for improvement, of course (that's true for all of us!)  It was nice to have a chance to receive a score on her dressage test a week before the REAL competition!

10/17/08    Worked in the outdoor dressage arena, focusing on being and staying soft, steady, and forward.

10/15/08    Jada continued the work on dressage elements:  getting her to be soft in the neck, especially through transitions, helping her bend and stretch over her topline and down. 

10/13/08  Eleanor had a lesson with Jada today.  They worked on Training Test 4 (the test for Cowboy Country) and then went out on the marathon.  A good day!

10/9/08    Worked on shoulder fore, getting her inside hind leg up under her to lift her body.  Continued to work on being soft and round through bends and transitions.  That is a never-ending task!

10/8/08    Worked on being soft and staying soft through transitions.

10/6/08    Still working on being soft through her pole, which is coming along, but not there yet.  This is one of the hardest things for any horse to learn, and she is getting there!

10/1/08    Jada checked the dressage test for Oklahoma, and then worked on relaxing, using her rear end to push and carry herself correctly.  It was a very good day.  She is getting lots better about staying round and smooth through transitions and bend changes.

9/29/08    Worked on rounding and relaxing through her neck and pole, which will help her have a good dressage test at Oklahoma.  Also worked on bending and changing the bend smoothly.

9/25/08    Worked in the cones course, which she loves.  The focus of the day was getting her to stay soft in the transitions and to change smoothly and quickly when asked.

9/24/08    Still getting used to the new bit, a Dr. Bristol.  Worked inside, getting her to stay soft and stretch.

9/22/08    Jada tried a new bit today, a double jointed snaffle, to see if she will release her neck, instead of setting it so tightly.  It will take a couple of days for her to adjust to the new bit, but Jada saw improvement in softness today.

9/19/08    It seems like a broken record (broken log?) to repeat that we continue to work on the basics of a training-level test, which Eleanor will drive at Oklahoma the end of October:  bending, straight on the center line, 40-meter circles, long-rein walk, steady trot. 

9/17/08    Worked on changing the bend, and not falling over her shoulder in the bend.

9/16/08    Worked on dressage moves, especially bending and stretching.  She needs to work on bending and stretching every time she is driven, or she slacks off!

9/11/08    Drove in the outdoor arena, and, for a change, worked on smooth transitions and a soft halt by doing a reinsmanship pattern.  She still needs work in those areas, but she is getting there!

9/10/08    Worked on three distinct trots, something that she will need at higher levels in CDEs and for pleasure shows.  Also worked on bending. 

9/9/08    Continued worked on stretching the frame and transitions.  She is coming along!

9/3/08    Went on the cross country course, and did cones, which she loves.  She needs a break from the dressage work!

8/28/08    Drove, working on bending, stretching, and transitions, and lengthening at the walk and trot.

8/27/08    She was much better today, so she was worked in the indoor arena. with emphasis in stretching over her back when asked (particularly at the trot!)

8/26/08    Winnie's neck was still stiff from her rabies and West Nile boosters, so she had the day off!

8/22/08    Eleanor wants to drive prelim test 6 in her lesson with Robin Groves in November,  so Jada is working on the key to test 6:  getting her to stretch in the trot is the key to a good score, and that takes LOTS of work.  That is Jada focus now!  Winnie was also driven in cones, which she LOVES!

8/20/08    Eleanor drove her today in the arena with Kieron, Joe, and Kevyn.  She will not be competing in arena classes at Harvest Moon, but can use the experience.  She has almost as many problems with other horses in the arena as Kevyn does!  Also drove her through the cones course, which she loved!

8/19/08    Worked on prelim test 6, mostly preparing her to stretch down in the trot (one of the requirements in test 6).  Also worked on a calm, steady, relaxed halt.

8/18/08  Played in cones, which she loves, and on the marathon course.  Jada pushed her to do the prelim marathon time, which she did easily.

8/15/08  Worked on stretching and relaxing through her neck and over her back.  Worked on smooth transitions, which are getting much better.  She is becoming quieter when driven. 

8/12/08    Drove in the arena while it rained outside.  Continued to work on steady gaits, smooth transitions, and staying soft.  While she was being driven, Mary and Kevyn were also working in the arena, so Winnie was driven next to Kevyn, to prepare him for the arena classes at Harvest Moon.

8/11/08    Drove her inside and outside, working on transitions, standing quietly, and the reinback.

8/06/08    Worked on the walk, so that she lengthens and then comes back smoothly.  Worked on staying soft through those transitions.

8/04/08    Continued work on bending, steady gaits, and smooth transitions.  She continues to improve, but still is not where we would like her to be.

7/30/08    More work on bending, stretching (long rein walks count DOUBLE in dressage tests!), and staying soft.

7/29/08    Continued work on staying soft, transitions, and bending.  She is getting much better about getting soft, and carrying herself instead of depending on the driver for her balance.   

7/28/08    Driven in the arena, working on being soft, stretching and bending.

7/25/08    Worked on relaxing, stretching over the back, and staying soft, especially through transitions.

7/22/08    Driven in the arena, working on being soft on the bit and bending both left and right.

7/10/08    Out on the marathon course again.  She was a good girl on the course, and had excellent pulse and respiration at the end of the drivel.

07/07/08    Drove, working on stretching over her topline and transitions, all things she will need for the next Driving Trial or CDE.

07/02/08     The marathon course is still up, so Winnie drove it again, and seemed to enjoy it just as much as she did on Sunday.  

06/29/08    A perfect marathon let Eleanor and Winnie hold their third place finish in Training Level Single Pony.  Winnie deserves to have a day off!

06/28/08    Eleanor and Winnie drove a respectable 54.55 in her dressage test at the Skunk River Driving Trial.  Only one ball down in cones, within the allotted time, and they were in third place after dressage and cones.

06/25/08    Eleanor came for lesson, working on the dressage moves (long rein walk, 40-meter circles) that are a part of any of the training level tests.

06/23/08    Drove in the outdoor arena, working on dressage test 2.

06/18/08    Lesson with Winnie's owner, Eleanor.  Worked on working trot, lengthening, reinback, walk, and trot.   Also worked on round circles and correct figures for Training Test 3, the dressage test for the Skunk River.

06/1608    Worked in stretching and transitions, also conditioning for the marathon.

06/12/08    Drove. Worked on being and staying soft, stretching and bending . Also worked on halt and transitions.

06/11/08    Worked on bending ,and becoming and staying soft. Also worked on stretching and letting out her neck.

06/09/08    Went outside. Worked on transitions and fitness.

06/02/08    Drove. Worked on transitions and stretching. Mike trimmed feet.

05/28/08    Drove, worked on transitions and stretching.

05/26/08    Worked on transitions and bending. also worked on steady gaits and staying soft and relaxed through neck and jaw. Went on cross country course. Good girl.

05/21/08    Worked on transitions and bending. Didn't work too hard since she just had a long trip back from Georgetown, KY, where she placed 3rd in dressage out of 13 or so and 5th overall. Good job Winnie and Eleanor.

05/12/08    Worked on dressage test 4. Worked on keeping circles round and full and transitions.

05/09/08    Drove. Worked on steady, smooth forward transitions and staying soft and relaxed through transitions. Also worked on bending both directions. Later in the afternoon she went on a trail ride with Reba (Jada riding). She was very good girl. Not one problem. It was a lot of fun taking Reba and Winnie both out.

05/07/08    Lesson with owner.

05/05/08    Worked on stretching and transitions.

05/02/08    Worked on bending, changing direction and bend. Keeping circle out  and moving into the outside rein while keeping throat and jaw soft.

04/30/08Lesson with owner. Worked on bending, halt and test 4.

04/28/08    Worked on bending and transitions. She was stuck in the jaw and throat so we worked on untightening and relaxing in that area.

04/21/08    Drove outside. worked on moving more forward and onto the bit. good girl.

04/19/08    Lesson with Robin Groves.

04/14/08    Worked on bending and lengthening/comming back. good girl.

04/11/08    Drove. Went outside. Worked on hills and hazards. (barels and cedars) Also worked on lengthening and collecting.

04/09/08    Much better day. Much lighter and more relaxed. Worked on transitions and stretching.

04/07/08    Worked on letting go through her neck and jaw. Also worked on steady gaits and smooth transitons/halt.

04/02/08    Lesson with owner. Worked on relaxing through neck, poll and jaw and stretching down into bridle and comming back up to more of a collected walk and trot.

03/31/08    Drove. Worked on relaxing and stretching over topline. Also worked a lot on letting go and relaxing through jaw and neck.

03/26/08    Lesson with owner. Worked on Winnie relaxing through entire body and being soft through neck, throught, poll and jaw. also worked on starting to collect and lengthen. good day.

03/24/08    Drove. She was very frisky today so we worked on paying attention and being soft.

03/21/08Worked on stretching over topline and reaching for bit. Also worked on smooth downward transitions and a smooth halt.

03/19/08Lesson with owner. Good day.

03/17/08Drove. Worked on developing a good stretch over her back and through her neck and poll. Also worked a lot on letting go through her jaw and being soft.

03/14/08Drove. Worked on transitions, body carriage and halt/stand. Sorry Tad and EleanorI forgot to measure her in the Meadowbrook cart, I will do it tomarrow.

03/12/08Lesson with owner. Worked on rounding, and body carriage/holding herself correctly.

03/10/08Worked on body carriage, transitions, bending and changing bends without changing any of these things. Also worked on a square halt and straight back.

03/06/08Worked on bending and rounding body through neck and relaxing through poll and jaw.

03/04/08Worked a lot on transitions and the back.

03/03/08Drove. Worked on rounding body, and stretching neck/tucking nose and lifting back. Also worked on lengthening and shortening strides at walk and trot.

02/29/08Showed owner progress. She was a very good girl. Worked more on bending, starting to collect and lengthen.

02/28/08Worked on transitions and bending.

02/27/08Drove with owner. Worked on body carriage, Forward gaits and transitions. Good girl.

02/25/08Worked over ground poles. Worked on getting a relaxed, forward, lifting trot and walk.

02/19/08Worked a lot on transitions and making them smooth and quie, but responsive and quick.

02/18/08worked on body cariage and not running through hand aids or hanging on reins, especially through corners and turns.

02/11/08Worked on lengthening and collection beginning. Also worked on transitions and not dropping shoulder through transitions and turns.

02/08/08Worked on bending , transitions and halt.

02/07/08Worked on not holding onto bit or running through bit aids. Worked on body carriage, rounding, lifting and stretching. Started working on a collected trot and moving back into working.

02/05/08Worked on reaching over topline, lifting back and pushing with hind legs forward. Also worked on a prompt halt without compromising body carriage or wiggling.

01/31/08Light work in cart. Worked on transitions and relaxing.

01/28/08Rode. Worked on relaxing and steady gaits. Also worked on not dropping back or sucking in neck or locking jaw.

01/25/08Worked on a real stretch, over topline, through back and with nose in. Good day. Also worked on the back and halt.

01/21/08Drove. Worked on rounding, body carriage, stretching over topline and square halt.

01/17/08Worked on square halt and stand, back and transitions without changing body frame or position.

01/16/08Owner worked with Winnie today. She was a good girl.

01/14/08Worked on transitions, steady consistent gaits and body carriage. Also worked on a square halt and stopping on the bit.

01/09/08Lesson with owner. Worked on developing good frame and working through and over topline. Also worked on smooth transitions, lightness in bridle , square halt and stretching.

01/08/08Worked on steady gaits and stretching over back through body. Also worked on smooth transitions, a square halt and smooth back without putting head up.

01/04/08Worked on rounding back and bringing nose in through reaching over back and pushing from behind.

12/31/07Worked on body carriage and bending. Also worked on using bit reaching through body.

12/27/07Again worked on bringing nose in and reaching over topline, using back, pushing from behind and relaxation, and letting go in the neck, jaw and poll.

12/26/07Worked on reaching over topline and pushing from back end. Worked on transitions and a square halt.

12/20/07Drove. Again worked on rounding, bending, body carriage and being soft in the bridle especially through transitions and at halt.

12/19/07Worked again on rounding body and using back and body carriage. She is starting to become a lot more relaxed through the jaw and neck. She is also starting to develop a nice muscle through the top of her neck.

12/17/07Drove. Worked on rounding body and tucking flexing poll while relaxing neck and jaw. Worked a lot on transitions and making them smooth and relaxed while holding herself up and not leaning on bit.

12/12/07     Drove, worked on relaxing neck, back, throat, and poll while working in the cart and tucking nose in, lifting back and pushing from behind without increasing speed.

12/10/07     Lunged, worked on ground over ground poles. Also worked on transitions and a square halt.

12/07/07     Rode, worked on steady transitions, without tossing head or dropping back. Worked over ground poles to develop a higher energy trot but not faster.

12/05/07     Drove, worked on steady gaits and balance. Worked on not holding onto bit and letting go and relaxing through jaw and throat.

11/30/07Drove in arena, worked again on rounding and using back and body. Getting much better through poll, neck and jaw. Starting to become soft and let go and stop holding onto bit.

11/28/07Worked in arena with other horses. Worked on steady gaits and using hind end a little bit more also worked a lot on rounding and lifting back, tucking nose and pushing from behind.

11/26/07Drove in arena. Worked on tucking nose in and rounding back. She is still figuring out where a comfortable place is and how to carry her own body, but getting better.

11/20/07Rode, worked over ground poles. Also worked under saddle on rounding body and bringing nose further in and holding it. She is starting to understand and be able to put body where it is needed but will have to develop the strength and muscles to be able to hold herself completly and for very long.

11/19/07Drove in arena. Worked on tucking nose in on vertical, rounding over topline, pushing off from hind end with  inside under body and moving more forward and freely.

11/17/07    The participants in ISU's Master Equine Management Program were visiting Three G Farms.  In the discussion of types of training, Mary drove Winnie in the indoor arena.  She was very good, standing quietly while the participants looked at her harness and carriage, and asked questions. 

    Beginning Monday, November 19, Jada will be working with Winnie, either riding or driving, for ground pole work and for work on getting her round, with her nose in. 

11/16/07    Dressage work in the outdoor arena.  She had a steady trot, and is learning to bend, particularly with the whip on the inside shoulder. 

11/14/07    After all of the confusion of the day before, Mary wanted a good session with Winnie.  After warming up, they headed for the outdoor arena.  Where it was very, very windy.  Not to mention very cold.  So they went back to the cones course and pretended that the south end, where the cones course narrows, was the equivalent of an end of the dressage arena.  Worked on bending in a 40-meter circle, which she did very well.

11/13/07    Winnie and Mary had warmed up in the indoor arena with the standard 10 minutes of walking.  They had trotted around the track once and were at the end near the road when they heard a horrible racket.  Jada had been working Dusty in the indoor arena, and somehow he got away from her and was now streaking through the yard.  He went around the house and out the driveway.  Mary was very concerned that he would be back, perhaps headed for the track.  So they took the opportunity to get back to the indoor arena, where Mary unhitched and unbridled the pony and tied her in her stall with her harness while she want to help corral Dusty.  Who was found more than 2 miles away, after crossing US 69.  Bummer, but Winnie was safe.

11/12/07    Friends were visiting from Texas, so Gary rode with us on the marathon course in the Bellcrown.  She went hard and showed very little stress, even though she pulled two people for more than three miles at a pretty good clip.

11/09/07    Eleanor had a lesson this evening, and we began by helping her learn the tricks of long reining, first with the short pair of long reins through the loops, then through the terrets, and finally, the long (red and blue) pair of long reins through the terrets.  Eleanor and Winnie did very well!

11/08/07      A nice day, so Mary and Winnie worked outside on prompt transitions, bending in the dressage arena, and, of course, her dynamite long-rein walk. 

11/06/07    Mary is not as comfortable with long reining as Jada is, and so decided to practice with Winnie before introducing the ground poles.  Jada is right:  long reining is lots easier when the pony already knows how to drive!  And it is easier with the red and  blue reins, although they are pretty long.  But it will be easier to do the ground poles with the red/blue reins.  Besides, it is easier to tell which one to pull when you want to hold the outside rein.

11/04/07    Eleanor took a lesson with Robin, and both did very well.  Both were relaxed under what has to be pressure!   Eleanor and Mary will review the tape of the lesson in the new year!  Robin recommends ground pole work, which Mary can do on on long reins or Jada can do under saddle.

11/01/07    Earl and Joe Boeser changed the shafts (getting them in backwards first . . .)  Eleanor was able to come out for Mary's noon lesson with Robin.  And the pony was wonderful!  Getting her in the short shafts let her bend very well, particularly when reminded to bend with a whip on her inside shoulder, to prevent her falling in.   A good lesson!

10/30/07    Dressage work in the outdoor arena, which convinced Mary one more time to drive Winnie in one of her lessons with Robin Groves.  This is a pony that has matured nicely, and should be able to bend.  Light bulb!  Maybe the shorter shafts would help.

10/23/07    An absolutely glorious day outside, especially in the afternoon.  Mary had a friend from Ithaca, New York, visiting, and so she waited until late afternoon, and then took Winnie in the Meadowbrook-formerly-known-as-pink with Ardie as a passenger through the marathon trails.  Winnie was a very good girl, moving out when asked and slowing down when appropriate.  A really nice drive that she seemed to enjoy as much as we did!

10/22/07    Kind of a crumby day outside, so we worked inside on bending.  Getting her into the bridle helps with both bending and getting her nose in.  That is coming!

10/19/07Jada drove, we worked a lot on rounding, and relaxing through the poll, neck, shoulders and withers. We also worked a lot on letting go of the right rein. (She was hanging on the right rein). We worked on bending, changing bends and smooth, transitions.

10/08/07Went to horse chiropractor.

09/27/07Mary drove. Worked on dressage, including bending, rounding and moving up into bridle.

09/25/07Mary drove worked more on dressage and bending. Winnie is getting to be much more steady, more prompt in transitions and more supple and flexible throughout body.

09/23/07Winnie completed a very tough marathon course to finish 1st overall in training level single pony at The Longview Lake CDE in Kansas City, MO, and to win the training level championship.  Good Job Eleanor and Winnie.

09/22/07In Kansas City, MO Winnie performed an excellent dressage test and a very good cones course, with no time penalties and only one knock down.

09/18/07Drove in new bit. Went in french link D ring. Planning to get a half inch wider and circle, or liverpool french link. In the afternoon Winnie's owner drove her in a dressage lesson.

09/12/07Lesson with owner.

09/11/07Mary drove and Ali rode.

09/06/07Drove, worked on transitions and reaching over topline- with tucking nose (not sticking nose out). She is starting to get much better. Also worked on square halt and reinback without tossing head or sticking nose out.

09/05/06Ali rode.

09/04/07Drove, worked on transitions, not leaning over shoulder, balance and square halt.  George Gibbs trimmed feet.

09/01/07Owner drove in practice pleasure show. Worked in arena with 4 other horses. Practiced passing, being passed, three trots, walk, halt, standing in line up and reinback. Very good girl. Very quiet, responsive.

08/30/07Ali rode

08/30/07Ground drove and other ground work. To keep her reminded of space and to give her something else to do. Worked over poles and over bridge, tarps, over barrels, between poles and barrels. Good day.

08/29/07Ali rode.

08/27/07Drove, worked on smooth transitions and letting go in the neck and jaw. She started on wanting to lean on bit and run through bit, got much better as worked. Started to even round back, lift and push from behind.

08/23/07    Inside again.  Today Mary watched the corner mirrors to make sure she was not dropping her shoulder and falling in, especially to the left.  She gets better about this daily, but it is a struggle!  We're looking forward to when we can work outside again!

08/22/07    This week has been the monsoon season, so she was worked inside, with emphasis on square corners and not counterbending in circles.  Her owner watched the lesson.

08/18/07Riding, standing up straight in corners, using shoulder and picking up back.  Getting better in neck and jaw, showing less resistance and much more willingness. Good day.

08/17/07Rode worked on straight halt and back, steady gaits and smooth transitions.

08/15/07Owner rode, worked with other horses and worked on balance and steady gaits.

8/13/07    Warmed up inside, to give William experience with another horse in the arena (which does not bother him at all!)  Then to the outdoor arena, to reinforce 40 meter circles in both directions, square corners, and walk transitions.  She was a good girl today!

8/10/07    EARLY this morning, so we went outside to work on dressage.  She is quite sure that she CANNOT bend to the left, so we worked hard on that, doing several 40 meter circles at different places in the arena.  She never did bend as well as she does to the right, but at least she tipped her head to the left and did not counterbend.  We also worked on a smooth downward transition from trot to walk.  Lots of times she takes more steps than she should.  Finally, we did all of test 2, without the reinback.  And it went very well.  This was the best test she and I have ever done. 

8/08/07    Our session today was in the late afternoon, so, again, we stayed inside.  Worked on bending left and right, and on reinbacks.  She does a very nice reinback when reins to in the left hand and they are pulled down with the right.  Her reinback is smooth and relaxed when done with the technique. 

8/07/07    The flies were really bad today, so we stayed inside for most of the session.  Worked on smooth transitions (she is slow to come back to a walk when asked) and on calm, relaxed halts.  She can be worked out of counterbending, but she has trouble bending to the left.  That still needs more work. 

8/03/07    Driven outside, working on transitions, halting, getting her head down and nose in, and stretching over her back.

7/31/07    Dressage work today in the outdoor arena.  Worked on bending in the corners, free walk with no jigging, steady gaits, and slow, working, and strong trots.  She did well!

7/30/07    Jada drove her on the marathon course, doing hill work, so she is comfortable trotting or cantering up the hills.  It really is easier to canter up steep hills, but sometimes it is hard to convince the pony of that fact . . .   It was a good day for 

7/28/07    The cones were set up in the indoor arena for the Robin Groves clinic, so we took advantage of them to work on bending, which is Winnie's main weakness for dressage.  We went up and back and around.  We varied the pattern enough so she did not get bored . . . and she seemed to love the session!

7/26/07    Worked in the outdoor arena on dressage elements.  Today it was 40-meter circles with the right bend, in all areas of the arena.  We got chased out of the outdoor arena by Jada and Hank in their Groves lesson, so finished the session on the cones course, where we worked on left bends.

7/25/07  The Groves clinic was going on, so we worked outside on conditioning for a marathon.  We did 20 minutes of trotting, ten minutes walking, ten minutes standing, and 15 trotting.  She was hosed down afterward, but was simply not the least bit stressed, even though it was a warm day.

7/24/07    Eleanor is not quite sure where she will compete with Winnie next, but it is safe to say that she will need to do 40-meter circles, prompt transitions, steady trots, and working and long rein walks.  She needs to be reminded to make prompt transitions.  Sometimes trot to walk takes a long time.  Today we worked on the walk transitions, going from working walk to long rein walk and back.  One thing we need to remember is to work on reinbacks, just not at X.

7/19/07    We got home from Winnipeg on Tuesday, so Winnie got Wednesday (the 18th) off.  She and Eleanor did a nice job at Birds Hill, coming in 5th in a highly competitive training level single pony class.  Eleanor's daughter, Chandra, flew from Lansing, Michigan, to Winnipeg, to navigate for her mother in the marathon.

7/9/07    The morning got away from us, so Winnie and Mary headed to the dressage arena around 4.  When the flies were awful.  She was sprayed with fly spray liberally before we went, but it wore off.  One new thing . . . she seems to be getting her tongue over the bit.  Her nose pops into the air and there is no control at all.  She gets it back in place quickly . . . but it ruins an otherwise nice dressage test.   We need to think about raising her bit maybe half a hole. 

7/6/07    Today Winnie was asked to maintain a sustained trot for 20 minutes, which she did willingly.  Then we walked 10 minutes . . . also easy for her.  If it had not been so hot, we would have halted for 10 minutes and then trotted another 20.  But, by the time we were done, it was beastly, so we quit.

7/5/07    More work on dressage, focusing on prompt transitions and steady gaits.  For some reason, Winnie stuck her nose in the air several times.  It felt a little like tongue-over-the-bit.  If it was, she got it back pretty fast.  That is the first time she has done something like that.

7/4/07    Eleanor worked on dressage, with Mary watching/critiquing.  Eleanor is able to nail the halt at X almost every time!  And the long rein walks are coming along (worth double in the test!)

7/3/07    To keep her from getting bored with dressage, we went to the cones course today, where she could practice changing directions and bending in another venue.  The cones were set at 170 centimeters for Mary's Meadowbrook.  At first, we hit a lot of cones, as Mary practiced her new cones technique.  But we got better with practice.  A measurement after the fact revealed that Eleanor's cart is 5 centimeters wider than Mary's Meadowbrook.  Which, of course, explains at least some of the problems!

7/2/07    Mary got home around noon, and it was just too hot to work her then, so she was worked in the evening in the outdoor arena.  They worked on transitions, walk to trot, trot to walk, walk to halt.  At the beginning of each session, her transitions are poor . . . late and sloppy.  She always improves with work . . . note to Eleanor . . . make sure she is warmed up well before her dressage test, with lots of transitions in the warmup.

6/29/07    Mary worked her in the outdoor arena, working on bending left (she does well bending to the right), 40-meter circles any place in the arena, and the working walk-long rein walk-working walk transitions.  She was VERY good!

6/28/07    Eleanor drove the marathon course today, with Jada navigating.  They ended the course in the middle of the window.  

6/27/07    Eleanor came early in the morning, and worked with Mary on dressage in the outdoor arena.  One of the goals was to figure out how to nail X, which we did by counting strides from A to X.  Seemed to be successful.

6/26/07    On the marathon on Sunday, June 24, Winnie was several minutes over in time.  Today Mary drove her on the course, with Jada navigating.  Winnie was not pushed AT ALL, and they came a minute under the three-minute window!

6/19/07    Eleanor drove her again today, working on dressage in the outdoor arena.

6/16/07    Eleanor drove her early in the morning, before helping with the course for the Skunk River.

6/13/07    Eleanor drove her today, working on her dressage test in the outdoor arena.

6/12/07    Mary is not comfortable yet getting into Winnie's new carriage alone, because it is a front entry, meaning that the driver must get in by stepping in front of the wheel. If the pony moves at all, the driver could be knocked off her feet.  And there was nobody around to head her.  So the goal of the day was having her stand quietly in the cross ties without banging her head around.  She did well standing for the harness.  But when the bridle was introduced, she began her usual dance.  We looked it over carefully, and think we now have the nose band and the bit adjusted so she will be more comfortable.  We took the bridle off and then put it on and took it off several times. 

6/11/07    George Gibbs trimmed her feet.  Much better!

6/7/07    Fitted the new bridle to her.  It needs a couple of extra holes at the top of the cheek pieces to get the blinders in the right position.  We will do that as soon as we locate a punch.  Had Robin Groves check the fit of the harness and the carriage, and the combination of the two.  A few minor adjustments and she is good to go.  We shortened the traces to the last hole, so the overgirth would be aligned properly, and then checked to make sure she had enough room between her back legs and the carriage at the trot (which she does).   The shafts are the right length and the right width apart, but need to be tipped out so that they will not stab her in the side on a tight turn in the marathon.  She (and her driver) like her new carriage a lot.  She needs to have her feet trimmed badly, however, so we will not drive her again until that is done.

6/5/07    Driven in the arena and outside today.  Hitched to her new Bellcrown with her new Camptown harness.  We had trouble getting the breeching tight enough.  Finally had three wraps and in the third hole, and there was still a little too much slack.  She was really hyper, so we walked for 45 minutes, inside and out, until she relaxed.  Then we worked on elements of Training Test 2 in the outdoor arena, which she will perform at the Skunk River.  It has been awhile since we have driven her, and, as we harnessed, we remembered what a TWIT she is in the cross ties.  She stands still, just moves her head ALL THE TIME.  We'll make standing a part of her training this month!!

5/04/07    Eleanor came out in the evening, with the idea that we would hook Winnie to, first, our training cart, and then to our Meadowbrook.  The training cart had flat tires.  We pumped them up, but they did not last very long.  (Need to get those in the "to be fixed" list because we have horses in training that will need that carriage soon! )  They stayed pumped up long enough for Eleanor to drive Winnie at a walk in the indoor arena.  Switched to the Meadowbrook without incident.  Stayed at a walk.  Will trot the next time.

5/02/07    Winnie had an accident at the CDE camp, dumped her driver and navigator, and galloped home with the cart careening behind her.   One question is whether she will be able to drive again.  It has been 10 days since the accident, so it is time to try her.  We put her in the drag inside, and she did very well.  Totally unconcerned about it.  GOOD!

4/6/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  A very good day.  She is moving off the leg much better.  She is starting to get softer in the neck, more rounded, and forward in movement.

4/4/07    Ridden at walk, trot, and canter.  Worked on changing bend, moving off the leg, and steady gaits.  She was very good today!

3/16/07    Ridden again.  Worked at steady gaits, being soft in the neck through transitions, and moving off the leg without running forward.

3/15/07    Ridden at the walk and trot. She has a good canter!  Today she bucked a little, which is understandable . . . it has been months since she was ridden.  But she worked out of it and did a good job understanding Jada's requests for transitions.

Native Victory

Native Victory (we call him Vic) is a 3-year-old Hackney Horse colt owned by Anne Leck of Native Oaks Farm in Maple Plain, Minnesota.  He arrived at Three G Farms on April 1, to be trained as a driving pony.  We began with the basics of ground work, and he is learning rapidly!

8/07/07    We got a health paper for him today, and he was picked up for his journey around 3.  We will miss him . . . he was a challenge to work with, but learned to trust us quickly, and settled into becoming a very good driving horse!

8/06/07    Drove outside, working on transitions, halt, stand,  and reinback.  A VERY good boy today!

8/03/07    Anne contacted us about Vic's new job:  he will join the string of horses on Mackinaw Island, where no automobiles are allowed.  He will be paired with a mare, probably working at the Grand Hotel.  She wanted pictures before he headed out, so Jada put him the large Meadowbrook, working outside at the walk, trot, changing directions, halt and stand.  Took pictures and videos for Anne.

7/31/07    Fit him to the large Meadowbrook.  Drove him outside on the cones course at a walk and trot.  Worked on changing directions with the correct bend and a steady gait.  A good boy today!

7/30/07     Still in the Jerald cart, working on walk, trot, and transitions.  We did a lot of slow trot work today, which is great for building endurance.  It was a good day for him.  

7/27/07    Started in the indoor arena early, before the clinic started.  In the cart at the walk, trot, and halt.  Worked on changing the bend.  He was a very good boy, relaxed, with a calm, flat-footed walk, paying attention and responsive.  A few more days inside in the cart and then outside, and then it is into the large meadowbrook.

7/25/07    The Robin Groves clinic is going on today.  It is hot, so the clinic inside.  Vic was ground driven outside, working on ground manners around other horses.   He really is getting better about paying attention while working.

7/24/07    In the cart again, working on gaits and transitions.  He was a very good boy.  He is the largest pony we are currently working with, and is the lightest of all of our horses in the mouth.  He was very responsive today, very relaxed and calm and confident.  He is getting much better about bridling, unbridling, and leading.  He hardly ever yells  while being led now. 

7/20/07    Ground driven in the drag again, working on smooth transitions.

7/19/07    In the cart inside at the walk, trot, and halt.  Changed directions and worked on gait transitions.  A VERY good boy today.

7/18/07    Ground driven in the drag, at walk, three trots (working, strong, slow), halt, standing quietly.  Back in the cart after the session on the ground, driven at a walk, with halts and direction changes.  He was a very good boy, relaxed, responsive, and agreeable.  A good day!

7/17/07    More ground driving in the drag, outside and inside.  A very good boy.  Back in the cart as soon as Mary and Earl get home.

7/12/07     Outside in the drag, all around the farm:  hayfield, track, cones course, arena.  A very good boy!  

7/11/07    Vic in the carriage is delayed again, because Earl and Mary were on the way to the Birds Hill CDE, and Jada is hesitant at this point to put him the carriage for the second time when she is working alone.  So he was ground driven in the drag outside and inside, working on all gaits, transitions, and standing quietly.  All of our horses can always use more of that sort of work.

7/9/07    The plan was to put him in the cart again.  But the arena was SO dusty that Earl decided to water it.  And we did not want Vic in the cart with the water and the hose and the extra person.  Next week that would be okay;  today, no.  So it was back to the drag, and outside, where he did very well.  He really has learned that, when he is in harness and working, there is to be no testosterone-fueled behavior.  He works calmly and responsively, paying attention to the driver, and does not pay attention to the other horses in the turnouts near him, nor does he whinny, yell, etc.  His feet were trimmed today, and he was a good boy for the farrier.

7/6/07    VIC GETS WHEELS!  First he was ground driven in the drag, reminding him of transitions, halt and stand.  We debated about closing the doors of the arena, but decided that, given the heat, both humans and the horse would be very uncomfortable.  So we left them open, not something we usually do when we put a pony to the cart for the first time.  But Jada thought he would be fine, which he was.  Then we put him to the cart (a lightweight Jerald easy entry training cart).  We ground drove him in the cart both directions of the arena.  He was very calm and relaxed and responsive.  A very good boy!

7/5/07    Ground driven in the drag outside on the cones course at walk, trot, halt, standing, changing directions.  Walked all around the track in both directions, and all around the outside arena (Jada was pooped when they got done!)  He was much better today about putting on and taking off the bridle.  He is getting much better about controlling himself and WORKING while in the harness.  He is ready for the cart. 

7/3/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions, standing, changing directions.  He is getting smoother at transitions, and better at putting his head down when asked.  A VERY GOOD BOY today!

7/2/07    Worked on putting his head down for bridling and haltering.  Also on washing with a hose in the wash stall, and accepting fly spray.  He is getting very good about most things!

7/1/07   Ground driven in the drag, walking outside.  A good boy.

6/29/07    Ground driven in drag, working on smooth transitions, steady gaits, a square halt and standing. He was a good boy, and is getting better about bridle but we will continue work on bridling.

6/27/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on smooth transitions up and down, staying steady in all gaits and remaining there until instructed otherwise.  He stood very nicely for harnessing and hitching and in the wash stall.  He stood for fly spray, also.  That still bothers him a little, but he tolerates it well.  He is getting better at taking his bridle off.  We are still working on not raising his head when the bridle goes on.  A good day.

6/26/07    Ground driven in the arena in the drag.  He was a very good boy after being bridled.  The instant when going from halter to bridle in the cross ties was the very instant that he chose to raise head.  So he got loose from the cross ties.  He ran into an open pen, so no harm was done.  Worked on lowering his head to put on and take off the bridle.  And found a halter for him that has a buckle on the nose band, so there never needs to be a time when there is nothing around his neck!

6/19/07    Ground driven, working on steady gaits, relaxing, and paying attention, halt and stand.  Then put him in the drag. He was very good about standing to be hitched.  Worked on a relaxed walk, halt, and stand.  Also worked on being polite when putting on or taking off the bridle.

6/18/07  Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions and relaxing at the trot.  He wanted to tuck his tail and run.  Driven until he would walk calmly and trot a half circle without jumping.

6/14/07    Ground work, leading around outside without jumping around.  Improving, but still wants to yell at other horses.  Ground drove in the drag.  A very good boy with smooth, prompt transitions.  We are making hay, so trucks, tractors, hay racks, and people were moving around near him.  A very good boy!

/13/07    Ground driven in the drag outside. mostly walking.  He was very good, staying relaxed and focused on his work, and not on other horses and tractors.  Worked on halt and stand, which is getting better.  He needs to be relaxed, almost bored, and extremely well mannered before moving up to the cart.  He is getting there!

6/12/07    Introduced fly spray, which he did not like one bit!  Worked with the spray bottle until he was not upset, and he would stand still to be sprayed all over:  legs, back, neck, rump.

6/11/07  Ground  driven in the drag.  Worked on transitions, halt, and standing without moving around.  He is getting much better, more relaxed and focused on his work.  It was a good day.  He is almost ready for wheels, but he needs to stand still at the halt in the drag before the wheels go on.

6/7/07    The Robin Groves clinic was being conducted in the indoor arena, so we worked Vic and other ponies in the round pen.  We worked in the drag, and he was startled at first at the sound of the drag on the fine rock in the round pen.  Worked at a walk until he was okay with the sound, and then worked on transitions and standing still.

6/6/07    All of the horses were fussy today, and Vic was no exception.  We thought it might be flies, and decided to see how he would react to fly spray.  Not good.  We kept at it until he stopped moving away from the spray.  When he came in in the afternoon, it appeared that he had a small cut on his ankle.  We decided to wash the cut out on the wash stall, which gave him a good introduction to being washed with a hose and shower sprayer.  Turns out it was not a cut, just a blob of mud.  But the experience of being in the wash stall with lukewarm water spraying on his legs was a good one for him.

6/4/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on halting without squirming, moving, dancing, backing, etc, and stopping and standing on voice commands.  He is getting better, but is not yet ready to move to the carriage.

5/31/07    Ground driven in the drag at the walk only, with direction changes.  Worked on standing still while being hitched and walk/halt transitions.

5/30/07    Hooked to drag and ground driven in the indoor arena.  Worked on halting without backing or wiggling.  He is getting better.

5/29/07    Hooked to the drag and ground driven at the walk.  Worked both directions of the arena at the walk.  He is still wiggly in halt, but getting much better.  In general, he ground manners are getting so much better.  He leads well and has been behaving himself even when other horses are present.  He seems to be getting the idea that work is work!

5/25/07    Ground driven first, working on direction change, halt and stand. Put to the drag, and started by leading him both directions of the arena.  A VERY good boy today.  He stood very quietly for hitching. A good day!!

5/23/07    Worked in the indoor first, long reining to remind him of transitions from voice commands.  Then put the side poles on and walked him around the indoor arena with one person leading and the other handling both poles.  We would have liked to have ground driven him with the side poles, but he walk is SO BIG that we would have had trouble keeping up.  He has a wonderful, relaxed walk but his stride is huge!

5/22/07    Back in the blind bridle, ground driving.  The indoor arena had three hayracks of hay in it, so he was ground driven outside for the first time.  Went around the track, around the cones course, through the empty water hazard, past other horses.   He was very good, calm, responsive, relaxed.

5/21/07    Picking up his feet and manners on the lead line and the longe line.  Worked in the harness with his halter.  The farrier trimmed him today, and he was a very good boy.  He stood in the cross ties while each foot was picked up and trimmed without fussing.

5/18/07    Dewormed, and ground work in the halter.  He is much better at picking up his feet!

5/17/07    Ground driven in the open bridle.  He does not like the open bridle as much as he likes the blind bridle, but we want him to see (and not be afraid of) stuff and people behind him.  Pulled the poles ahead of him both ways around the arena until he was relaxed.  Then pulled them beside him, and finally slid one pole into the tug on the right side and walked him toward the mirror, so he could see what was going on.  Then repeated that on the left side.  Settling down well, but needs a day off tomorrow . . . he has had a pretty intense week!

5/16/07    Ground driven in the open bridle, touched with the poles and followed the poles until he was relaxed and confident.

5/15/07    Ground driven in the blind bridle.  Long reined with both poles in the tug loops.  He got nervous when he could see people and poles behind him in the arena mirrors.  Switched to the open bridle, so he could see.  Ground drove in the open bridle, moving the reins around him, and walking behind and beside him to get him used to people and things following him.  Then Mary and Barret dragged the poles ahead of him while he was ground driven from behind.  He has SUCH a big walk that we had trouble going fast enough to keep out of his way!

5/10/07    Ground driven, with lots of directions changes.  He is getting much smoother and better about not running through turns.  Worked on halt and STAND, also getting much better.  He is becoming more patient.  A good day!

5/9/07    Ground driven, working on a halt without curling or wiggling, and on standing in the halt.  Getting much better.

5/8/07    Ground drove first.  He is very calm, responsive, and not worried ground driving.  Two side poles were put through the tug loops, one on each side.  He was led (rather than ground driven) in both directions around the arena, with the side poles held in place by two assistants, who were careful to let him know (gently!) that the poles were there.   He was very calm about the new experience.  He is proving to be a quick study as we proceed through the steps needed to teach him to drive (longeing, long reining, ground driving, side poles to this point).  We do not anticipate problems as we move (slowly!) to the drag, cart, and carriage over the next several weeks.  What we are concerned about is his manners around other horses.  He needs to learn to control himself.   He is getting better, but he still whinnies loudly when he can see other horses.  Our hope is that he will be like the Trottingbred colts we broke in our earlier life:  when they were in harness, they were completely focused on the task at hand.   

5/7/07    Harnessed and bridled, ground drove through transitions, halt, and stand.  Introduced side poles by touching him all over with the PVC pipes.  Put through the tug loops one side at a time, bumping him and rubbing him with the pole in the loop.  Took his halter off in the round pen for the first time, and caught him easily when it was time to go back in in the afternoon.  We are happy that we can now take his halter off in his stall and outside!

5/4/07    Harnessed and bridled, then long reined.  Started ground driving.  He was very good.  Starting to understand the bit, and his transitions are becoming quicker and smoother.    One thing not noted earlier:  for the first six weeks, we left his halter on at all times, not something we do with any of the other horses.  He is now calm enough and trusts enough that we take the halter off at night in his stall.  The next step is to take it off when he is turned out in the round pen. 

5/3/07    Harnessed and bridled, long reining.  A very good day working.  Still needs to work on not yelling and getting excited around other horses, but by himself or while working is much better at paying attention, focusing, and responding to aids.

5/2/07    Longed in the indoor arena again.  Another excellent day . . . same as yesterday:  walk, trot, halt, turn.  Responsive and relaxed.  Worked on keeping his attention on his work.  Started long lining.  He is beginning to understand and use the bit.  A very good day.

5/1/07    Now longeing in the harness and bridle.  He paid attention to his work, and not everything else.  On voice command, he did walk, trot, halt, turn.  He is becoming very responsive and developing better manners.  He respects the handler's space much better, but still squeals when being led to his turnout past other horses.  If we could just get rid of that tendency . . .

4/30/07    Harnessed, longed, worked on promptness of transitions.  Then fitted him with a closed (blind) bridle.  If this is the first time he has had a bit in his mouth, he was amazing.  He fussed with it a little, but not much.  We use a half-spoon mullen mouth to begin all of our horses, and then move them to different bits if needed as we work them.  Walked him around in the bridle and harness.  He is becoming much easier to work with.  He is starting to focus on work and not on everything else.  It was a good day!

4/27/07    Tied, groomed, picked up all four feet easily.  Harnessed and longed.  He is becoming more relaxed and focused on his work.  Worked on transitions, walk, trot, halt, direction change, standing and relaxing.  He still has lots of energy, but is getting better at focusing on the task at hand.

4/26/07  Worked on the longe line first, asking for a relaxed walk and prompt transitions on voice commands.  He gets better daily7 on the longe line and in ground manners.  Stood in crossties calmly while fitted for a harness.

4/25/07    A long session learning to be quiet in cross ties, regardless of who or what is near him (including a mare in heat in a neighboring stall).  He wad groomed all over, including his feet, while in the cross ties.  He is developing much better ground manners and patience.  Starting to control himself a little better around other horses and things going on.  He was longed, with a solid, flat-footed walk for the first 10 minutes (5 minutes each way).  Then he did trots, halts, and turns from voice commands.  He is almost (but not quite!) over being nervous about having the handler (including the person working the longe line) on his right.  His longing is almost perfect . . . a couple more days and we will fit a harness to him so we can longe him (and long-rein him) in the harness before moving on.

4/23/07    Still on the longe line, working on walk, trot, whoa, and turn on voice commands.  Led around the barn, working on ground manners and puddles!

4/17/07    Longeing, gait transitions on voice commands.  Standing quietly in cross ties and leading calmly.  This was a very good day . . . his ground manners have improved greatly!

4/16/07    Longed and groomed, picked up his feet for the first time.  Good except for the back right (which his owner warned us about!).  Rubbed his ears and face, belly and tail.  Picked up his tail as we will need to do for the crupper. 

4/13/07    Longeing, working on transitions on voice commands.  Changing directions, cross tying, brushing, and touching all over his body.

4/11/07    Longeing, leading, brushing, cross tying.  A very good day.  He is getting much better about moving away from people, and is much more relaxed.

4/10/07    Still on ground manners, but he gets better daily.  He also was much better at being touched and rubbed all over, and working from the right side.  He was longed, changing directions.

4/9/07    Leading, ground manners, brushing.  Lunged for the first time since he came, going in both directions.  At first, he was nervous about working from his right side.  He is starting to relax, but it is taking time . . .

4/6/07    A lesson in tying today.  At first he pulled back hard, and finally figured out that, if he relaxed, the pressure would be off.  A valuable lesson. 

4/4/07    The morning session focused on ground manners, particularly not whinnying loudly when being led.  He gets calmer with each session.   He is starting to relax, behave, and settle down.  In the afternoon, in addition to walking and standing, he was brushed.  He does not like to be brushed!

4/3/07    In the morning, we led him around, working on ground manners (staying out of the handler's space) and halts.  He is still pretty excited, but turning him out helps him get rid of some of the energy.  We insist that he walk quietly without yelling, calling, grunting, and other noises!  In the afternoon, we continued with leading and ground manners, mostly staying out of the person's space.  Worked on moving away from pressure and standing quietly.  He was much calmer in the afternoon, but needs more ground work.

4/2/07    We started with ground work by walking him around in halter in the arena.  He was very excited and pushy.  He will need lots of ground work and handling before we can even think about beginning the process of teaching him to drive!  His attention span is pretty short right now, so we will work him a couple of times a day for short periods.

Peco

Peco is an 8-year-old Welsh pony . . . actually a tiny  (maybe 10:2 to 11) and very cute Welsh pony who arrived on Thursday, April 19.  His owner, Julie Stancliffe from New Hartford, Iowa, wants him taught to drive.  He has been ridden extensively, and has good ground manners.  He will be fun to work with!

10/13/07Owners drove in games galore. They did a fabulous job with him, Even placing 2nd in cross country marathon pace and 3rd in a cones class. They also participated in cone weaving, numbered cones and double jepordy, where Ethan got to drive him for the first time and did a wonderful job.

10/12/07Drove outside, worked on transitions, halt and stand. Also worked on cross country course, cones course and gambler's choice. In preperation of games galore.

10/11/07Drove, started rough, I think something pinched him or bothered him somehow right as we were begining. Unhitched and ground drove, he seemed to settle down very quickly so hitched up again and worked in outdoor arena, on cones course and all around field and cross country course. Also did the bridge, water hazard, between barrels.

10/09/07Drove ouside. Went on the marathon course, went through the oarchard, passed the dogs, through the cedars and through the tall grass, between barrels and fences, up and down hills, saw other horses on course and wildlife. very good boy.

10/08/07Drove with other horses. (Some other horses were being naughty) Peco handled himself very well. Went outside and worked on going over the bridge, through the water hazard (now with water to his belly). We also worked standing quietly with other things going on around him.

10/05/07Drove outside, worked on cones course and worked on him trusting. He is much, much better. When you guide him or direct him to go somewhere he will go without a fit. GOOD BOY. Also worked on transitions and the back.

10/03/07Drove outside, went all around marathon course, including barrel hazard, apple oarchard, and cedars. Also went through water (big puddles from yesterday's rain) and over plywood bridge. very good day. No resistance at all. 

10/02/07Drove inside (t-storms outside) worked on transitions, square halt and stand and reinback. Good day. Very responsive and relaxed.

10/01/07Drove inside and out. Getting much better about understanding when he is supposed to be working, to pay attention and go where directed. Getting better about not testing and trusting to go where he is steered not whatever direction he wants to go.

09/28/07Drove outside. Did not like the outdoor arena barrels tipped over, but worked through it until calmly walking and trotting by it.

09/27/07Drove outside. Worked on steady gaits, smooth transitions and paying attention to driver.

09/25/07Drove inside (raining outside) worked on transitions, halt and stand. Also went around more scary stuff set up in arena. Good boy.

09/24/07Drove. Very Good Boy. Worked in outdoor dressage arena and went around hay field and through barrel hazard (he sometimes thinks barrels are going to eat him) without any problems. No dodging or fits. Was very responsive and very willing. Good day.

09/20/07Worked in outdoor dressage arena, worked on steady gaits, half halts, and going around and passed scary stuff without boggling or dodging. Got better.

0919/07Drove, started off a little bit testy but soon figured out he was going to be put to work and decided to be good little pony. Worked on transitions, halt and stand.

09/17/07Walked around, put harness on and ground drove, just walk and whoa. Went all over farm, but did light work.

09/12/07Lesson with owner. Worked on reinsmanship. Also clipped and started mane thinning.

09/10/07Drove inside due to rain. Worked on transitions, tree trots, halt and stand. Also worked with other horses in arena. Good boy.

09/06/07Drove outside, went around mini marathon course. Went up and down hills, between trees ect.. Very good day.

09/05/07Lesson with owner worked on all three trots, steady gaits, bending, halt and reinback. Very good day.

09/04/07Drove outside and inside, worked on transitions, halt, stand and reinback. Getting much better about staying relaxed and focused. Good day.

09/01/07Drove in practice pleasure show with 4 other horses in arena. Worked on three trots, walk, changing direction, hatl and stand in line up and reinback. Becoming much less anxious and more relaxed, more responsive, and much more confident. Very good boy.

08/31/07Did light ground work and ground driving outside. Worked on walk-trot transitions, three trots, collecting and  releasing,. Also worked a lot on whoa and stand just to keep him reminded of what he is to be doing.

08/30/07Lesson with owner. First ground drove, (to make sure pony was going to listen). Very good lesson. Very relaxed and listening very well. worked on slow, working and strong trot. worked on halt, stand, and reinback. Getting much more relaxed and responsive to other drivers. very good day.  Mike Stanley trimmed  feet

08/29/07Drove inside, worked a lot on transitions, relaxing, halt, standing and back. Started off naughty, not standing, wiggling, dancing around. Did a lot of busy work, lots of transitions, a lot of slow-working-strong trot transitions. Got a lot better toward end of session. much better behaved after a good days work.

08/28/07Drove inside and outside, worked on transitions and standing, also worked on back/reinback.

08/26/07Lesson with owner.

08/25/07Owner drove in schooling show, worked on reinsmanship and working pleasure.

08/24/07Lesson with owner.

08/23/07Driving lesson with owner. Very good day. Julie (owner) much more confident and relaxed. Worked on harnessing, hitching, all gaits, reinback and standing.

08/22/07Driving lesson with owner. Worked on harnessing, hitching, transitions, all gaits. reinsmanship.

08/21/07Drove inside Julie (his owner) took a lesson and is now learning how to drive him with plans to show him at Harvest Moon Carriage Classic in Des Moines, Iowa.

08/20/07Drove inside with geese (decoys) and barrels. Started off dodging them but got much better, until was able to walk and trot passed with no problems. Also worked on transitions and halt and stand. Good boy.

08/17/07Worked on long rein walk with no jigging, transitions and standing still. Good boy.

08/16/07Worked on slow trot and transitions. Getting much quicker and smoother. Good day.

08/15/07Drove outside on maraton course and trails, saw scary barrels, deer, dogs, rabbits ect. Did very well. Did very well in trusting driver and going where directed without a fuss. Very good day.

08/13/07Drove outside worked on bending, steady speeds and gaits, up and down hills, practiced cones.

08/10/07    Drove inside, worked in square halt, prompt transitions.  There were other horses around him and scary stuff.  He was a good pony!

08/08/07    Scary stuff was set up in the arena today, and he did well.  Hesitant at first, but then relaxed.  Worked on figures, transitions, and steady gaits.

08/06/07    Driven outside again, working on transitions, bending, and steady gaits.

08/03/07    Driven outside, through the cones course, working on transitions, walking without jigging.  He is getting SO good!  A pleasure to drive.

08/02/07    Driven outside (always our choice when it is nice!), working on transitions and driving on the long rein without jigging.  Long rein work is excellent for developing balance and carriage.  The pony learns not to depend on the driver for balance.  

08/01/07    Worked outside on the cones  course, working on lengthening and shortening, a square halt and standing quietly.  He gets better every day!

07/30/07    Drove him outside, working on bending, not dropping his shoulder, a square halt, and quiet stand.  A good day!

07/27/07    While the weather is nice, we'll drive him outside, today on the marathon course.  He is dynamite in the hazards because he is little and fast!

7/25/07    Outside again, on the marathon course.  He is bending much better, and becoming more willing and responsive.  The Inside-Out additive, although it looks weird, seems to be working, as he is scratching himself a whole lot less. 

07/24/07    Driven outside, working on bending, transitions, a smooth halt and quiet stand.  Went out on the marathon course, and through the hazards.

07/23/07    Driven inside today working on transitions.  His halt is square and solid, and he is standing still much better.

07/19/07    Driven with other horses around.  He was a very good boy.  He still shies some but is learning to handle himself well.

07/18/07    Driven outside, around the barn, around the hayfield, and worked in the cones course.  He was a very good boy, is resisting less and less as he becomes more willing to do what he is asked to do.

7/17/07    Driven outside, working on steady gaits and not changing until told to do so.  He is getting better about standing still and not being such a pony brat!  Becoming much easier to work with and more willing to respond.

7/11/07    Driven outside on the cones course, around the hay field.  He is getting better about listening and being responsive to driver's aids.  And his responses are getting quicker, as well.     

07/09/07    It kept threatening rain (and raining!) so Peco was worked in the indoor arena while Earl was giving a lesson.  He usually does not work when there are other horses around, so this was good for him to share.  And he was just fine:  calm, well-behaved, responsive.  What a cute pony!  He rounds his back and pulls his nose in naturally.

07/06/07    Our farrier looked at his feet and said that the only problem was that they were not short enough.  So he was trimmed, which eliminated all of the cracked and broken places.  What CUTE little feet!  And what a good boy for the trim!

7/5/07    We are worried about his feet.  His hooves are splitting, probably because he is being worked fairly hard on a regular basis.  Mike Stanley will look at his feet Friday (the 6th) and decide if he needs shoes.

7/3/07    Headed outside to the outdoor arena.  He refused to leave the barn at first, so worked on not throwing a fit when he does not get his own way.  He can be a real turkey at times!  Worked in the orchard, and then went back to the outdoor arena.  He is getting better about doing what he is supposed to do without argument or refusal.

7/2/07    Drove inside, working on transitions, halt, and stand.

6/29/07    Hitched him to the carriage and headed down the driveway to the outdoor arena.  He did NOT want to pass the dumpster, something he has done many, many times before.  He eventually passed the dumpster.  We could not figure out what was happening, and so kept working at it until he would go forward.

6/27/07    Driven, working on transitions, which are becoming smoother and prompter.  Worked in the outdoor arena until he did not shy from the tall grass that forms the border of the arena, barrels, garbage cans, etc.  Went on a mini-marathon course, because the markers are still up.

6/26/07    Driven, working on changing directions while maintaining steady gaits.  Worked on transitions and not running away from scary stuff.

6/19/07    Driven inside and outside, working on transitions, bending, and steady gaits.  Went outside around the track, where he encountered (horse eating) barrels and branches.  A good day.

6/18/07    Worked on standing still for hitching.  He is getting much better.  Drove, changing directions, standing still, and steady gaits.  A good day!

6/14/07    Another day in the cart, working outside.  He really has taken to driving very quickly, and really seems to enjoy it!

6/13/07    Drove him in the cart, working on transitions, square halt, and steady gaits.  He was a very good boy.  Worked in the indoor arena and then outside.  Peco is such a calm, relaxed pony that Xavier, Jada's 4-year-old son, put on his helmet and rode with his mom today.

6/11/07    Mary worked with him first, in the drag.  Drove him all around outside and on the track while Jada was working Reba.  he was not troubled by another horse in a carriage meeting him or passing him.  When Jada was done with Reba, we hitched Peco to the small Meadowbrook which, unfortunately, Mary cannot get in!  So Jada will need to take over now.  RATS!   Mary really enjoyed working with him!

6/7/07  Because the Robin Groves Riding and Driving Clinic was going on in the arena today, Peco had a short session at noon.  We ground drove just a little and then put him in the small Meadowbrook carriage.  Jada drove him from directly behind the carriage, both ways of the arena.  He was so relaxed and calm that she got in the carriage and drove him at a walk both directions of the arena.  He was WONDERFUL!  What a good boy!  Pulling a person in the carriage was basically a nonevent.   Just what we like!

6/6/07    For some reason, all the horses were fussy today, and Peco was no exception.  We worked on the ground first, and then attempted to put him in the drag.  He wiggled and wiggled and WIGGLED until we gave up and focused the session on standing still and paying attention.  At one point, Jada sat in the open door of the arena with the long reins in her hands while Peco stood quietly at the end of the long reins. 

6/5/07    Long reined and ground drove in the drag for the first part of the session, with transitions and direction changes.  He is perfect at those exercises.  Then we hooked him to the first time to our teeny Meadowbrook, and he was a little fussy being hitched, but he did well.  We drove from the ground at a walk both ways of the arena.  What a good pony!  Tomorrow we need to get some weight in the carriage before we actually get in.

5/31/07    Ground driven in the drag at walk, trot, and halt both directions of the arena.  Worked on standing still while being hitched and unhitched.  A good day for him.  He is progressing rapidly in the drag.

5/30/07    Hooked to drag, and worked in the indoor arena on walk/trot, transitions, steering, and changing directions.  He was a good boy today!

5/29/07    Hooked to drag and ground driven in both directions at walk emphasizing halts, standing quietly, and changing directions.  He stood very well for hitching and unhitching.

5/25/07    Ground driven first, and then put to drag.  Started him in the drag by leading him, and then he was ground driven in the drag both directions of the arena.   Asked him to halt and stand, which he did very well.  He was very calm and relaxed and stood very quietly.  A very good boy today!

5/24/07   After his mandatory 10 minutes of walking, we put the side poles on and drove him both ways of the arena, bumping, rubbing, etc., to get him accustomed to the feel of something on his sides and touching his legs.  The session was short, because Earl was driving Joe, and we did not want to disturb Joe and vice versa, but Peco did very well.  He is ready for the drag.

5/23/07    In the indoor arena, long-reining, then ground driving.  Outside ground driving from the barn to the road and back.  Then back inside with the long side poles.  Today he was led around while a second person held both long poles through the tug loops, one on each side.  We worked both directions of the arena with the side poles in this position.  He was not troubled by the poles touching his sides and his back legs.

5/22/07    The indoor arena was filled with hay racks full of hay, and it was a nice day, so he worked outside for the first time.  He was long-reined a little in the indoor, and then driven around the cones course, through the (empty) water hazard, and around the track, with walk-to-halt and halt-to-walk transitions.  When we got back from the tour, we introduced short side poles while he was held.  We showed them to him and rubbed him all over with them.  He was a very good boy.  Relaxed, responsive, and calm.

5/21/07    After all the work on standing quietly in the cross ties, he still needs to be reminded that it is his job to STAND STILL.  He is fine as long as there is no one working with him.  His driver can put him in the cross ties and go get his harness, and he will not move.  But when someone is working around him, he needs to be reminded (by tugging on the lead rope) that he needs to STAND.  Each day is better, but he still tries to step away when the person grooming or harnessing him moves from side to side. 

Started in his open bridle today, so he is comfortable driving in that, as well.  And he was a mess, spinning and fussing.  His bridle has a broken snaffle, instead of the half-spoon mullen mouth, and we suspect that he is experiencing a nutcracker effect . . . the bit is pinching his tongue or hitting the roof of his mouth, or both.  So we changed back to the blind bridle, and he was wonderful:  he long-reined smoothly with many voice transitions:  walk to halt, walk to trot, trot to walk, halt to walk, and turning. 

5/18/07    Did his required 10-minute walk in a his blind bridle with the reins through the tug loops.  Then moved the reins to the terrets and long reined with the reins in that position.  He was wonderful!  He only offered to spin once, and that was not really his fault.  Now I know why Jada long reins with reins that are different colors.  When she pulls on the red rein, she knows she is pulling on the right rein;  ditto for the blue rein and left.  We finished the day ground driving both ways of the arena, so he becomes accustomed to taking his cues from someone behind him.  We will do more of that next week, and will start out in the open bridle.  He got his feet trimmed today, also. 

5/17/07    Began the session with the same old stuff:  long reining in a blind bridle with the reins in the tug loops.  After about half an hour, when he was almost perfect, switched the reins to the terrets and long reined with the reins in that position.  This position is more difficult for the handler, because the pony can spin more easily than when the reins are through the tugs (and therefore beside his body, rather than on top of his body).  We only worked for about 10 minutes with the reins in this position, but he was wonderful.  A couple more days of long reining in the closed bridle, then back to the open bridle for long reining.  And then it is time to introduce the side poles. 

5/16/07    His owner came to visit, so we showed her what he has learned:  standing in the cross ties (almost, but not quite, perfectly!), long reining in the blind bridle with the reins in the tug loops, at which he is very good.  Ground drove him a little with the reins in the tug loops, to get him used to somebody controlling him from behind.  He was not quite sure at first, but caught on quickly.  Moved the reins to the terrets on saddle and breast collar, and ground drove just a little, and then ended the session.

5/15/07    Long reining in the open bridle, so he can see where the handler is.  A little nervous at first, because it is different from what he has been doing.  But settled down, relaxed, and behaved himself!

5/11/07    Two people again, working on standing.  He was almost perfect . . . good enough to go back to work in the arena.  Long-reined very successfully today.  Smooth transitions on voice commands.   The next long reining session will be in his open bridle.  Then it is time for the side poles.

5/10/07    Worked on ground tying and standing still in the cross ties, also wall tying.  Getting better.

5/9/07    Today we double-teamed him.  The idea is to make the correct behavior easy and the obnoxious behavior uncomfortable.  He was put in the crossties, and Jada held a lead rope attached to his halter, while Mary brushed him.   Every time he moved, Jada gave a tug on the lead rope.  Not a hard tug, just enough to put him back where he started.  He caught on quickly and stood still!  Then we harnessed and unharnessed him three times, encouraging him to stand while being harnessed.  That was the morning.  In the afternoon, Mary repeated the session without help.  Again, when he moved, he was put back with the lead rope.  He can go back to long reining again, but we will repeat the standing and harnessing lessons at the beginning every session. 

5/8/07    Okay, we'll do crosstie manners.  He stands relatively quietly, although we want him to plant his feet and stay there, which he does not do yet.  The main problem, however, is that, when the handler changes sides while he is in the cross ties, he moves away from her.  Which means chasing him around when harnessing.  We did three short crosstie sessions today, about 20-25 minutes each.  We will continue to work on crosstie and harnessing manners.

5/7/07    Our first day long reining.  The reins are run through the tug loops, under the neck straps, to the bit.  He was very good, making transitions on voice commands, and halting and standing when asked.  A little rough on the turns, but that will come.  But he drove Mary CRAZY while she was harnessing him.  He simply would not stand still in the cross ties.  That needs to be our next task. 

Around noon his owner called to ask if it would be convenient for her to visit in the afternoon.  He was harnessed and put through his paces for her, although there was a little "I gave at the office this morning" behavior . . . what do you mean, two sessions in one day????"  He was very good, however, even executing our first smooth turns!  But still a turkey in the crossties.

5/5/07    A very short session (20 minutes), to reinforce what he did yesterday . . . prompt transitions on the ground, halting and standing.  Still will not stand very long at the halt.  Will continue to work on that, starting in the cross ties. 

5/4/07    LOTS of other horses in the arena with him while we worked, but basically ignored them and focused on his own work.  He was very good, moving from walk to trot, back to walk and halt on voice commands.  Still will not stand well . . . but each time he stops, he stands for a few more seconds.  He is doing the next thing to long reining, with two longe lines on his bridle.  He is in a blind bridle, and is unconcerned.  When we introduce stuff  (poles, the drag, the cart), we will work back and forth, closed to open and back to closed, so he knows what is behind him and learns not to be bothered by it. 

5/3/07    Another good day . . . only a few problems on the longe line.  He is getting so much better!  Worked on responding to voice transitions in both directions.  A little slow on the downward transitions, but getting better.  His halt and stand still needs work before we move on.

5/2/07    A much better day than yesterday!  Worked on two longe lines, one on each side of his bridle, so the outside line could be used to keep him from stopping and turning in.  He did very well, walking calmly when asked, trotting when asked, halting when asked.  A couple of more days like this and we will move to ground driving with side poles.

5/1/07    Was a little turkey today!  Did not want to longe.  Kept stopping and turning into the handler when he wanted to quit!   We kept at him until we got a single relaxed circle at that walk.  Then quit on a good note.  But he had a good workout!

4/30/07    Harnessed, fitted a closed bridle (a blind bridle), the smallest one we own!  His owner brought along his riding bridle, in case we needed an open bridle, but he was not bothered by the closed bridle, so, unless he gets unduly nervous about something, he will stay in the closed bridle.  Longed, working on transitions through voice commands and whoa without turning toward the handler.  He was much more relaxed and responsive to voice aids.

4/27/07    Harnessed, played with his tail to teach him not to clamp down when the crupper is put on.  Longed, working on a flat-footed walk, especially at the beginning of the session.  Then on trot, walk, and halt, with emphasis on smooth transitions.  He is becoming more prompt at doing what is asked, but he is not there yet.  Improving quickly, however. 

4/26/07    Worked on the longe line in harness, but not in bridle yet.  Continued until he had a relaxed walk without peeling out!  Good session.

4/25/07    Worked in harness, with holdbacks buckled into the breast collar, so the britching was tight.  He took it well.  The britching will NOT be that tight in a carriage, but he accepted the pressure well.  Worked at a walk, trot, and halt in the halter and harness on a longe line.  Worked on voice transitions from walk to trot and back to walk.  Getting better, but not there yet!

4/24/07    Fitted a harness, which was not a big deal to him.  Accepted the crupper, britching, and breast collar willingly.  Longed in halter at walk, trot, and halt.

4/23/07    Brushed, cleaned feet, walked around the indoor arena, so he could check out the mirrors.  He is not sure about the other pony in the mirror . . . Then longed, at walk, trot, and whoa.  A very sweet but still nervous pony.

Darcy

Darcy Darling is a 3-year-old black Morgan filly owned by Becky Newhall of Dumont, Iowa.  She arrived at Three G Farms on Friday, April 27, 2007.   This is her first trip away from home, so she was nervous about the whole idea.  We had an inside stall ready for her, which was clearly not going to work, because she could neither see nor hear other horses, who were all outside when she arrived late in the morning.  So we moved her to a stall with a run, beside a nice gelding.  And she settled right down.  Her owners want her taught to drive. 

7/01/07      Darcy's owner picked her up early this morning.  She will finish Darcy's training herself.

6/29/07    Jada got in the cart with her for the first time, and there was no reaction to the new weight behind her.  Worked on transitions, halt and stand, steady gaits, and changing directions.  It was a VERY GOOD DAY.

6/28/07    Ground driven in the cart.  She started off a little quick and stiff.  She did not want to turn, but worked out of it by the end of the session. She was a good girl!

6/27/07    Put to the lightweight two-wheeled Jerald training cart.  She was very good for standing and hitching.  She was ground driven  in the cart both directions in the indoor arena, working on walk, halt, and standing.  She had no reaction to being in the cart!  Just what we like, a nonevent!  A very good day.

6/26/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions, especially downward transitions, steady gaits, and standing quietly.  A good day!

6/19/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions, halting, and standing, and on changing bend and direction without changing speed.  She had steady, consistent gaits.  A very good day!

6/14/05      Her owner came today, so we waited until the afternoon, so Becky could watch Jada to work her.  It was hot but Darcy was very good:  calm, relaxed, responsive to Jada's verbal commands to change gaits, change directions, halt, and stand.  A good day!

6/12/07    Today was wash stall day, to get her used to being washed with a hose.  She started out a little nervous, but settled down and stood very nicely.

6/11/07    Ground driven in the drag.  Worked on slowing down and staying in the gait that was requested.  Wanted to run around and play today, but worked until she settled down, was relaxed, responsive, and paying attention.  Her responses today were 3-year-old responses!

6/7/07    A Robin Groves Driving and Riding Clinic was taking place in the indoor arena, so almost all horses were worked outside, and Darcy was not exception.  Ground driven outside in the drag with lots of other horses around, coming and going.  A very good day.  Her transitions are geting smoother and quicker.    Worked on square and prompt halts, and standing still at the halt. 

6/5/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions and square halt.  Her transitions are becoming prompt and relaxed.  A very good day!

6/1/07    Ground driven in the drag in the indoor arena.  Also worked on standing still for fly spray and being washed with the hose in the wash stall. 

5/30/07    Hooked to drag and ground drove.  Worked on walk, halt, and standing square. A good day.

5/29/07    Hooked to the drag and walked in the indoor arena, steering in both directions. Worked on standing still to be hitched. 
A very good day.

5/25/07    Ground driven first, and then put to drag.  She took a little while to walk off, but had no bad reaction.  She pulled the drag around the arena in both directions calmly.  She stood quietly for hitching very nicely.  A good day! 

5/24/07    Driven with the poles on her sides.  Mary had to move fast to keep up!  She was calm, accepting, relaxed.  Introduced the drag by dragging it ahead of her (she tried to step on it!), beside her, and in back of her.  At the end of the session, we put the drag into the tug loops, and let her stand with the weight of the drag on the loops.  She was very calm, relaxed, and not at all concerned.  She is ready for the next step.

5/23/07    After a short long-reining session, the side poles were placed in loops on both sides, and she was led around the arena in both directions with poles on both sides of her body.  The person holding the poles was careful to make sure they touched her flanks and back legs, simulating how the drag will touch her.  She did not react to the poles . . . she is coming along nicely.  The drag will be introduced soon!

5/22/07    Ground driven, transitions and voice commands.  Working on one side at a time, the side pole was placed in the tug loop and she was led around the arena.  She was a very good pony!  She learns fast!

5/21/07    Ground driven, reminding her of voice transitions.  Showed her the side poles, one side at a time, rubbing them all over her body.  She did not react to being rubbed, first on one side, then on the other, by the poles.  She was trimmed by the farrier in the afternoon.  We put her in the crossties, and she seemed worried, so Mary held her lead rope while she was trimmed.  And she stood very well for the trims.

5/18/07    Dewormed, and then long reined, with transitions, changing directions, halting, and standing.  It was a very good day,  She is easy to work with and learns very quickly.

5/17/07    Fitted a bridle with half-spoon mullen-mouth bit (our preferred bit for starting a young horse).  Started long reining.  She is a very quick learner.  Worked on transitions with the bit.  A very good day. 

5/16/07    Still in the halter, so she can see behind her, longeing with both lines, lines around her legs, dragging lines, transitions, which were very good.  Starting to understand voice commands, starting to relax her neck at the walk, and lower her head.  Time to fit her with a bridle. 

5/15/07    Longed, started dragging the outside line behind her legs, so she gets used to something back there.  Transitions . . . still need some work on transitions to walk and halt, but almost there. 

5/11/07    Longed first, with her almost perfect in responding to voice commands.   Then harnessed her and longed in the harness with the britching snug. She had no reaction to the britching today.  Still HATES to pick up her back feet, the turkey! 

5/10/07    Harnessed, with the britching snug.   Longed, working on transitions and response time to voice commands.  She is getting quicker in responding and smoother and more balanced through transitions.  She was a little nervous at first about the snug britching, but settled down quickly.

5/9/07    Groomed;  still not picking up her back feet very well.  That will come with daily work!  We began  with a short (half hour) longeing session, which was very good:  calm transitions on voice commands from halt to walk, walk to trot, trot to walk, and walk to halt.  She was fitted with a harness, which went well.  She did not react to the saddle, the girth being tightened (although not as tight as it will be in the future), the crupper (often a big deal, but she did not seem troubled by it), and the britching, although the latter was just hanging down and not tightened. 

5/8/07    Standing in cross ties, picking up feet, longeing, with voice transitions.  She is finally starting to relax when being handled! Her transitions are getting much smoother, and being made without raising her head.  We will fit a harness to her soon!

5/7/07    She stood quietly in crossties for grooming, and then was longed in the arena, working on voice transitions.  Lots better with no other horses in the arena!

5/4/07    Longed with lots of other horses in the arena at the same time.  Took her a long time to settle into a walk.  Too much going on around her!   But she finally did it:  relaxed at the walk, trot, and halt.  Also worked in the cross ties, picking up her feet.  She still is not thrilled about picking up her back feet, but she is getting better.

5/3/07    Groomed and longed, working on smooth, soft transitions on the longe line.  She still wants to go faster then she should but usually manages a relaxed walk.  Also worked on picking up her feet without her leaning on the handler!  Coming slowly.

5/2/07    She was groomed, but is still reluctant to pick up her back feet.  That will come!  Longed again, and is getting very good.  She is learning that the longe line means walk unless otherwise instructed.  We insist that the first 10 minutes of any session be at a walk.  It helps relax the pony at home or away. 

5/1/07    Standing for grooming, including standing in cross ties very well.  She enjoys attention from people!    Longeing the halter, starting to learn the circle and to walk, trot, and halt.  A good day    

4/30/07    Groomed thoroughly, picked up and cleaned her feet, washed tail and legs in the wash stall (a new experience for her!), led, doing walk, trot, and halt in hand.  She is learning to move away from pressure.  A very sweet horse who trusts people and is willing and capable.  She will be fun to work wi

4/28/07    Tied, simulating cross ties (hooked on one side, with the other side of the "cross tie" a hand-held rope, in case things went south).  She was calm, no problems.  Then longed briefly so she could get used to the mirrors in the arena. 

Command the Moment (Kermit)

Command the Moment (Kermit to his friends) is a gorgeous dun-colored Quarter Horse gelding with lots of experience riding and in hand.  His owner, Hillary Butler, wants him trained to drive, so she can go down the road in her doctor's buggy.  Our first task is to assess whether he will accept a carriage behind him.  Given the fact that he came to us with his ground work completed, we should know fairly soon whether he will make a driving horse.

7/01/07    Kermit's owners came with harnesses that they wanted fitted to him.  Jada fitted the two harnesses to him, and then showed Hillary and Al how to harness and hitch him. Jada drove him first, and then Hillary drove him.  And then he went home.  His owners are very pleased that they are taking home a safe driving pony!

6/29/07    Driven outside in the arena, working on steady gaits, smooth transitions.  As noted, he does not bend as well to the left, but is getting better. A good boy!

6/27/07    Drove inside and outside, working on not running through the aids.  He is standing very will for hitching and unhitching, and the transitions are coming along nicely.  He was very sensible outside as Jada drove him around the hayfield, the track, and the outdoor arena.  He was a good boy today!

6/26/07    Driven in the large meadowbrook inside first, and then outside, around the track and the hayfield.  Worked on transitions and steady gaits.  He does not bend as well to the right as to the left, but that will come.

6/19/07    In the large meadowbrook for the first time.  He was a very good boy.  He started out slowly, but got used to the larger carriage very quickly.  A good day!

6/18/07    Driven in the Jerald cart, working on transitions and changing directions.  A very good day!

6/14/07    Drove him in the Jerald cart, mostly walking, halting, standing, and changing directions.  He was a very good boy:  calm, relaxed, easy to work with, and very responsive.

6/13/07    KERMIT FINALLY GOT WHEELS!  Hooked him to the cart and ground drove him in both directions.  Had him halt and stand.  He was very good.  Stood still for hitching, He was a very good boy, not the least bit upset, relaxed, with his head down, but still very responsive. 

6/12/07    Showed him the cart (a light easy-entry Jerald), touched him all over with the shafts, made noises with the cart behind him, but was not hooked to the cart.  He had very good reactions, calm and relaxed.

6/11/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions, halt, and stand.  Also on changing direction without changing speed or gait.  Went outside in the drag.  It was a very good day.  He is ready for the cart.  He is very calm and relaxed.

6/7/07    Worked outside in the drag, working on transitions until he was very relaxed and light.  He was not upset by the noise of the drag on the gravel surface outside or the feel of the drag or reins.  Worked on standing still and halting square.

6/6/07    Ground driven in the drag outside, working on transitions and standing patiently.  Getting much better about not throwing his head up.  A good day!

6/4/07    Ground driven in the drag, working on transitions, a prompt halt, and standing square.  He is starting to put his head down and relax at the trot as well as at the walk.  A very good day!

6/3/07    His owners came today to check his progress, and were impressed with his progress.  He drives calmly and well in the drag, the first step to getting him in the carriage.

5/31/07    Ground driven in the drag, with transitions and direction changes and going over bumps.  He a very good boy today!

5/30/07    Hooked to the drag and ground drove in both directions of he arena.  He was a VERY good boy, calm, relaxed, responsive.  The pony finally trusts us.  He is getting much better very fast.!

5/28/07    Ground driven, and he was very relaxed with lines and poles all around him.  He was not overreacting to everything.  A VERY good day.

5/27/07    Ground driving.  He is becoming very comfortable with lines around him.   Touched him all over with short poles, longed with short poles on side. Touched with longer poles, moving toward and around him with poles.  Put the regular (10-foot) poles on either side.  He finally relaxed and calmly walked forward with both side poles.

5/24/07   Ground driving and worked a lot with poles and touching with poles.  Showed the drag, walked him around it.  He is getting a lot better, but still we are still going very slowly to be safe.

5/23/07    In the indoor arena, long reining and then ground driving.  While Jada held him, Mary worked with a short pole, dragging it straight toward him, and then rubbing it on his sides.  He gave a slight reaction at first, and then relaxed and let himself be touched and rubbed on both sides with the pole.  Progress is slow, but steady.

5/22/07    More work with short side poles and other scary stuff in the round pen.  Did a lot of playing with him.  He is starting to trust us, and the more he trusts, and the more round pen/play activities he does, the better off he will be.  By the end of the session, he could be touched everywhere on his body with poles, and he would walk with a pole on first one side and then the other.   He is getting better each day.

5/21/07    Worked with him in the round pen with short side poles until he was calm, relaxed, and comfortable with them around him, above him, under him, and touching him EVERYWHERE.  Slowly but surely he came around!

5/20/07    Kermit's owners came to observe his progress.  Worked him in long reins in the indoor arena.  They were not surprised that it is taking a long time to introduce the side poles!  They helped us figure out new tactics!

5/17/07    Ground drove.  Still very jumpy when he sees things move behind and beside him from a distance. 

5/16/07    Ground drove in the open bridle.  Followed poles again until he relaxed.  Seems to be relaxing overall, but still needs lots of repeated work until he trusts and becomes confident, relaxed, and soft. 

5/15/07    Ground driven, working on not being nervous about people and lines behind him.  Still unpredictably jumpy.  He will do a particular thing perfectly for a period of time (being rubbed by a PVC pipe, for instance) and then suddenly react to it.  We made him follow the PVC pipes being dragged in front of him until he relaxed.

5/9/07     Ground drove in the open bridle, so he can see what is behind him and learn not to be frightened by it.  After several minutes long reining, which went very well, we introduced the 10-ft PVC pipes, with mixed success.  He would let us rub him with the pipe and then suddenly take issue with the action and dodge.  We continued working with the pipes around him, but he was never completely comfortable with them.    

5/8/07    Ground drove in an open bridle.  He was much improved from the day before with lines a movement around him.  Side poles were again introduced, one at a time, while he was standing still.  He was better, less worried about them then he was the day before.

5/7/07    Ground drove in an open bridle, until he was nonresponsive about the lines being behind him, touching his back, rump and legs.  Showed him the side poles, touched his sides with them until he did not care.  He is getting better, and is less worried each day.  But new things need to be introduced v e r y slowly.

5/4/07    Fit an open bridle (which we will not need . . . his owners brought an open bridle on Saturday that we can use exclusively on him).  Longed with lines following him.  He started out slightly nervous and jumpy, but gradually worked out of it.  Started long reining in the open bridle, and, again, he was nervous about seeing the reins and movement behind him eventually relaxed, and quit worrying.  He is a pony that will need to go back and forth between open and blind bridle, so that he knows what is behind him, even though he cannot see it, and trusts that it will be okay.

5/3/07    Harnessed and bridled, long reined, at walk and trot, with directions changes.  Introduced side poles.  Would like to put in an open bridle, so that he can see what is behind him and will not be bothered by it.  We will work back and forth, until he is calm in both situations.  Started ground driving and making noise following him.  At first he was a little jumpy, but settled down quickly.

5/2/07    Continued work in harness and bridle on the longe line, and then switched to long reining.  He is easy to work with and understand quickly what he needs to do.  A good day!

5/1/07    Fit a blind bridle in addition to the harness.  He was longed inside at walk, trot, and halt.  Let him drag a line behind him, touching his back legs.  He was a very good boy, with hardly any negative response.  His personality makes him very easy to work with. 

4/30/07    Fitted a harness to him and longed with a snug britching.  He started the session slightly nervous and distracted, mostly by the mirrors in the arena, but worked out of it, and focused on what he was being asked to do.  He was slightly jumpy at the sound of the wind outside, but worked through that, as well.  He is very well-mannered and well-behaved.

Ryan

Ryan is a POA that his owner, Diane Fulk, of Slater has recently purchased.  He was sold to her as a riding and driving pony.  She would like him evaluated to make sure he is safe for her to drive and her grandson to show in 4-H.  He arrived at Three G Farms May 31.

8/08/07    His owner picked him up today.  We sent him home with with a letter indicating our concerns about his behavior if he is to be used as a kid's pony.

7/24/07    Driven outside, and did very well for about 30 minutes.  Then, with no warning and no apparent trigger, he through a HUGE fit:  kicking, bucking, spinning, running away.  Based on today's events, we will recommend to his owner that he not be considered a child's pony, nor a pony for a beginning driver.  We would be understanding if we could figure out what prompted the blowup . . . but there was no apparent cause, other than his attitude.

7/20/07    Driven inside and out in the cart.  He was a very good b oy, very focused and responsive.  Much better about behaving while being driven.

7/19/07    In the cart again.  He was very responsive and well-behaved.  A very good halt and stand.  A good day.

7/18/07    Ground driven in the drag, and he was a very good boy.  Time to try the cart again.

7/17/07    Still in the drag, and behaved very well for hitching, driving indoors and out, and paying attention.

7/12/07    In the drag again, and it was a very good day.  He was very responsive, with no bad behavior at all.

7/11/07    Ground driven in the (now broken) drag.  He will not go in the cart again until he has had three good days in the drag.  Today was one of them.

7/9/07    Basically, we picked up where we left off Friday.  He was relaxed and ready to work.  Maybe the hissy fits are over!  Let's hope! His feet were trimmed today, and he will be wormed tomorrow.

7/6/07    The day did not start off very well.  He was in the drag, and just did not want to work.  He refused to go forward;  when he did, he leaped and bucked.  He broke one of the supports off the drag (which is why he is in the drag and not a carriage . . . that is very easy to fix!).  Jada continued until he was finally relaxed and responsive, halting and standing when asked, moving forward at the walk and trot when asked. 

7/5/07    Ground driven again today, working a lot on halt and stand.  He is getting much better and more relaxed.  A good day!

7/3/07    Ground driven with and without the drag.  He is getting much, much better at halting and standing without jumping or backing up.  He is started to relax and understand what he is supposed to be doing.

7/2/07    Ground driven in the drag.  He was more confident and relaxed today then before. 

7/1/07     Ground driven, working on a solid halt without backing up.  He is still a little unsure of himself at the halt.  

7/29/07    Ground driven with and without drag.   Worked on steady gaits and halting without backing up or jumping forward.   He is getting MUCH better.   A good day!

6/28/07    Ground driven and then put in the small drag. Worked on not backing up or jumping  forward. He is starting to relax again.

6/27/07    Put him in the small meadowbrook, and there were problems.  Jada tried to drive him, but he kept stopping, backing up, and jumping.  Unhitched him and put him back in the drag.  Ground drove in the drag and without the drag until the pony could walk off in a calm, relaxed manner and halt again without a fuss.  Jada will be working him on the ground and in the drag for awhile before going back to the carriage.  She finally got him to relax and be calm, and wants to encourage him to stay that way!

6/19/07    Driven in the cart, working on a steady walk.  He is starting to relax and feel more comfortable in the cart.  Worked on changing directions at the walk and transitions to halt and stand.

6/18/07    Driven in the cart.  He started out a little bit worried, and an uneven walk.  He wanted to stop, but worked through it and started to relax.

6/14/07    Hitched to the cart and drove in the indoor arena.  Needs to work on balance and steadiness, but gets better as he goes and gets used to the cart.  He clearly has been hitched before!

6/11/07    Hooked to the drag, worked at the walk and trot, and asked him to stand quietly.  He was a good boy . . . he seems to know what to do as a driving pony.

6/6/07   Ground drove in harness and bridle.  Showed him the poles.  Worked on transitions and standing.  Started out a little squirrely, but worked out of it, started to relax and steer correctly.

6/5/07    Ground drove with harness and bridle.  Getting much better about picking up his feet, leading, and longeing.  A very good day.

6/4/07    Fitted with a harness, breast collar, and bridle.  Longed, working on transitions and direction changes.  A very good day!

6/1/07    Picking up feet and standing still in the cross ties.  Longed, and then fitted with a harness and bridle for future work.

5/31/07    Worked on picking up his feet!!!!!  He does not want to bend his legs, but getting better with work.

5/30/07    Put Ryan in the cross ties, picked up and cleaned his feet.  Then longed him, and worked until he understood the circle.

Toby is a 7-year-old dark bay Quarter Horse gelding that his owner, Jo Arrowsmith of Boone wants to be able to drive. Jo drove her Shetland pony, Jane, to third place among training level single ponies at the Skunk River Driving Trial the end of June, and is really hooked on driving.  She wants Toby to be her new driving horse.  She has ridden him a lot, and he as good ground manners.  Jo brought him to Three G Farms July 1, 2007.

09/05/07Lesson wiith owner, worked on rounding  and pushing into bridle. Also worked on transitions, halt and reinback./ Good day.

09/11/07Drove, worked on designer reinsmanship pattern. Worked a lot on reinback and three distinct trots.

09/04/07Rode, worked on reaching and rounding into bridle. Transitions much better today. Also worked on back. Getting better but still a little resistant.

09/01/07Pracice pleasure show. Worked on three trots, walk, halt, standing in line up, reinback. Good day.

08/28/07Switched bit to regular mullanmouth snaffle. Went much better. Worked on rounding back and reaching with neck. Also worked (on the ground) on his reinback and back up, Seems to be better with new bit.

08/25/07Drove in scooling show. Did very well in both ring class and reinsmanship class. Need work on reinback. Going to try different bit.

7/31/07    Worked on steady gaits and the reinback.  This is his last day of training at Three G.  He holds the record at our farm for being the fastest horse we have ever trained to drive.  He has become a safe carriage driving pony in just a month, a tribute to the ground work Jo did before she brought him.    She can confidently take him from here! 

7/30/07    Toby is going to be shown in the Novice Horse or Pony division at the Harvest Moon Carriage Classic, so today we worked on making sure he has three distinct trots, a square halt, and a willing reinback.  He needs LOTS of work on the reinback!

7/27/07    Drove with his owner, Jo, working on stretching, cantering, slow trot, working trot, and strong trot, along with halt and STAND.  Needs more work on the latter.

7/26/07    Drove outside with his owner.  He is becoming very round and is starting to stretch and bend more easily.

7/25/07    Jo's advantage is that she lives close, and so can come every morning before work to drive her pony.  Today she and Jada drove in the dressage arena and on the cones  course.

7/24/07    Drove with his owner, Jo, working on transitions and stretching over the topline.

7/23/07    Drove outside, working on bending correctly, steady gaits, and stretching over the topline.

7/19/07    Drove outside and around a shortened marathon course.  A very good boy!

7/18/07    Drove outside, around the track and the hayfield, and worked with Jo as she drove him.

7/17/07    Drove, working on transitions, slow trot, and working trot.  Went around the hayfield and through the cones.  A very good boy!

7/12/07    Worked on one of his vices, not standing stock still while being hitched!.

7/11/07    Jo came at 6 again, and drove with Jada in the large Meadowbrook outside.  He is so calm and responsive!

7/9/07    Toby's owner came around 6 (when we like to work horses when it is this hot), and helped put him in the drag.  They went outside, through the cones course.  And he was so good:  relaxed and responsive to commands, not bothered by anything going on around him.

7/6/07    Toby may hold the record for the fastest we have ever put a horse in a carriage!  We put him in the drag today, and he was just fine.  He stood quietly for hitching, and then walked, trotted, halted, and stood.  He was very good!

7/5/07    Fitted a blind bridle to him.  His first time in a blind bridle, which did not bother him at all.  Jada ground drove him in the harness and bridle, first with the reins through the loops, and then through the terrets.  She worked on transitions, and changing direction in the indoor arena.  Before the session was over, we introduced the side poles, and he walked off with them bumping his sides.  He is a very good boy who is easy to work with.  Jo has done an excellent job on his ground work.

7/3/07    Fitted a harness to him, and longed with the harness, with britching snugged up tight, probably tighter than it will be when he is in the carriage.  He looked down at the britching . . . and then walked on, totally unconcerned.

7/2/07    Groomed him, so he gets used to us, then walked him around the farm, and finally longed him (which he does well!) 

Sweet William

Sweet William is an 11-year-old white Fell Gelding owned by Susan Hulls from Galena, Illinois.  Susan has ridden him extensively in competitions.  He is trained to drive, but seems to have issues driving that he does not have when being ridden.  One of the issues is not being used to seeing other horses being driven.  Susan would like him to become a safe driving pony for her, one that Susan, an experienced driver, can show with confidence.  We picked him up July 22 on our way home from the Hickory Knoll CDE.

08/25/07Owner drove in schooling show, worked on reinsmanship, 3 trots, transitions, and a lot on the drivers confidence.  This is William's last day. Susan will be taking him home to practice with him and get ready for the upcoming shows, including Villa Louis and Harvest Moon.

08/24/07Lesson with owner.

08/23/07Driving lesson with owner. Used his own harness and cart. In lesson worked on all gaits including 3 trots, walk, halt, stand, and reinback. Very good boy. Susan (owner) will be driving him in this weekends schooling show.

08/22/07Drove, worked on 3 steady trots, prompt transitions and reinback. Very good day.

08/21/07Today we worked on the cones course. We also worked on steady gaits and porompt transitions. Good day.

08/20/07Drove inside working on transitions, bending, steady gaits and reinback. Outside went around hay field, passed dogs, between trees. Very good boy

.08/17/07Transitions getting very prompt and smooth. Standing very still and quiet for harnessing and hitching. Worked on different trots and long rein walk.

08/15/07Worked on transitions, becoming very smooth and prompt. Practiced cones too. William enjoys cones and games. Very good boy standing to be hitched and unhitched.

08/13/07Drove in arenas with  other horses, passing/getting passed from both sides, standing quietly, reinback. Worked some more on standing quietly without moving for harnessing and hitching just to keep him refreshed (so he dosen't forget he has to stand still. Very good boy.

8/10/07    Standing still while hitching and unhitching outside and inside, transitions, becoming much more prompt, square halt and standing. Also worked on reinback, getting much better. Got feet trimmed.

8/08/07    Worked on transitions today, emphasizing promptness and paying attention to the driver.  He was hitched and unhitched outside, and was a good boy about standing still.  Dr. Linda Thompson was out today, and we asked that she check his teeth.  She gave him a BIG thumbs up on their condition . . . really excellent!

8/07/07    Driven inside while Mary drive Winnie.  Sometimes he passed Winnie, and vice versa.  He stood while Winnie trotted, and vice versa.  He was very good for hitching and unhitching, also harnessing and standing quietly in the crossties.  He did smooth transitions, stood calmly, and did smooth reinbacks with prompt responses.  A VERY GOOD BOY today!

8/06/07    Driven inside, working on ground tying and standing, transitions and halt.

8/03/07   His owner was here today, and watched him as we worked on standing quietly to be hitched, standing quietly in the carriage, and patience.  Brian drove Hank while William was driven, so he got experience with other horses.  He was a very good boy.

8/02/07    Drove outside today in the carriage, working on steady gaits, paying attention, and transitions.  He was a good boy!  His owner is coming later today, and will stay Friday to ride him and drive him.

7/31/07    Ground drove in the drag outside, around other horses and carriages.  He is getting quicker to respond and also is becoming more relaxed.

7/30/07    Ground drove him in the drag, working on standing quietly while being hitched, halting, standing, and walking off quietly without jigging or wiggling.

7/29/07    While Robin Groves worked in the outdoor arena, we hitched William up for the first time in the indoor arena.  He was very good when driving, but did not stand absolutely still (one of our our requirements) while being hitched.  We will work on that first before moving on to driving him with other ponies.

7/27/07    Cleaned the pony (Susan will be dazzled at how dirty he has gotten!), picked up his feet, touched him all over with ropes:  on his back, behind his legs, around his hocks.  Ground drove him again.  He was a very good boy, very responsive, no misbehaving.

7/26/07    Ground driven again, checking to see what he knows and how he responds.  No apparent problems on the ground, at least.

7/25/07    Ground drove in the indoor arena and outside, working on transitions, standing, changing direction, and steady gaits. 

7/24/07    After a day off to rest from the trip and get used to his new surroundings, we put William in the round pen and drove other horses around him outside of the pen.  He leaped and bucked at first, because he was glad to have a space to do that, not because he was bothered by the horses  being driven outside the pen.  We fit him with a harness and bridle.,

Kieron

Kieron is a 2-year-old Connemara gelding owned by Lisa Etzel from St. Anthony, Iowa.  She wants us to work with him on age-appropriate activities for a driving horse.  We will work with him on lungeing and ground driving at first, and then assess whether we will put him in the drag this fall.  He arrived at Three G August 4, 2007, went home for the winter, and came back April 27, 2008.

09/13/08    Two more events, Working Pleasure (5th place) and Pick Your Route (2nd by 1 second).  A very successful show for Kieron!

09/12/08    Driven in Novice Pony Turnout.  He did very well in his very first arena class, earning the 4th place ribbon.  Also drove Numbered Cones (2nd place),  Designer Reinsmanship (4th place) and  Cross Country (2nd  place).  A very well-behaved pony for his first show.

09/11/08    Journeyed to Living History Farms for Harvest Moon.  After unloading, he was driven (in the rain!) all around the the farm, with his owner, Lisa, riding with Jada.  He was a very good boy, and did not react to anything except the low-flying airplane.  He put his head up, but that was it.

09/10/08  Getting him ready for Harvest Moon by driving through cones, developing and holding three distinct trots, and standing.  He is doing well for a 3-year old . . . these are not easy tasks for a youngster!

09/10/08    Worked in the outdoor arena on his reinsmanship pattern, with emphasis on halting, standing, and reinback.

09/3/08  Continued to work on three distinct trots, prompt steady transitions, and standing quietly.

09/2/08    Worked on three trots, making sure there is a difference between the three.  Also worked on halting and standing quietly. 

08/28/08    Outside on the marathon course, with emphasis on trotting fast without breaking into a canter.

08/26/08    Kieron was worked in the outdoor arena alone, with emphasis on three trots, slow, working, and strong that are clearly distinguishable from one another.  

08/22/08    Kieron and Kevyn worked together in the arena for a little while, and then Jada drove Kieron in his designer reinsmanship pattern while Mary timed, followed by Mary driving Kevyn in her designer reinsmanship pattern, while Jada timed.  Both horses did well.  The trick for Kieron is to keep him from breaking into a canter in his strong trot.  Then we moved to the cones courses, again timing each other.  Kieron again wanted to canter, but gradually he learned to just trot.  Both horses got needed experience in standing around, watching another horse (or horses) perform, one of the "skills" needed for pleasure shows!

08/20/08  Worked in the arena with three other horses, working on passing and being passes, lining up, reinback, and waiting his turn.  In the lineup, he seems to be less fussy if his nose is about 2 inches ahead of the others in the lineup, and he is better on the end . . . good things to know BEFORE the show.  He was worked in the cones course, and got lots of experience standing and waiting for others, also good experiences before the show.  He was a very good boy!

08/18/08    Lisa decided to leave Kieron for a month, for more training by Jada, and to give him more experience in the arena with other horses and in the lineup.  Today Jada worked on three trots, halt and back, and on bending, especially to the right. 

08/10/08  A lesson with Anne W. Leck, the judge and clinician for the weekend.  Anne gave many tips .  .  . and liked the pony a lot.

08/9/08  Because Jada will be competing with Kieron at the Harvest Moon Carriage Classic, we asked that Lisa bring him back to Three G Farms for the schooling show.  We did not want Harvest Moon to be the first time he was in an arena with other horses!  He did very well (better than Mary's pony, Kevyn!) with the other horses.  He was a little nervous at first, but settled in and let other horses pass comfortably, and was okay passing other horses.  He was a little fidgety in the line up.  We'll work on that.

06/18/08    Drove outside.  Xavier, age 5, rode with Jada.  Drove around the hay field, around the track, and all over the property.  A very good boy . . . Xavier would not get to ride with his mom if she were not absolutely confident of the pony!

06/16/08    Driving lesson with his owner.  Worked with Lisa on holding the outside rein to give him support and guidance, and using the whip.  Both pony and driver were very good!

06/13/08    Drove. Worked on steady gaits, smooth transitions, square halt. Went outside, through water, between trees, around Ron (Earl's brother running the weed eater.) Good boy.

06/11/08Lesson with owner, Good day.

06/09/08Lesson with owner. Learned how to harness, hitch and the basics to begin driving. Both horse and owner did very well.

06/04/08Worked on square halt and steady gaits. Went outside around the hay field. Saw deer, tractor, cars. Very good boy.

06/02/08Worked on bending and steady gaits. Also worked on standing for hitching and standing when asked to.Good day.

05/29/08Worked on a square halt and stand. Also worked on transitions and steady gaits.

05/28/08Worked on bending and smooth steady gaits and transitions.

05/26/08Worked on steady gaits and smooth transitions. Went all over outside. Very good boy.

05/21/08Worked more on bending and bending through his body and stretching. He is accepting the bit much better now . We also went outside around the hay field, through the timber, around the track, saw cars, truck,s tractors ect. He was very good boy.

05/20/08Drove in arena and outside with other horses. Good boy. Also worked on changing direction with steady gaits and started doing some work on bending.

05/19/08Drove. Much better with his teeth, much less fussy. Worked on steady gaits and transtiions being smooth and not changing position of head and neck through transitions.

05/14/08Dr. Howard floated teeth, pulled #3 cap and the remainder of a wolf tooth. He will have the rest of the week off to rest and let his mouth feel better.

05/12/08Worked with owner. Drove. Did a lot of direction changes and figures. Used a rubber mullen mouth and seemed happier in his mouth but still a little bit bothered.

05/09/08Drove. Worked on transitions and halt/stand. Also worked on not dropping shoulder through turns and not counterbending.

05/08/08Drove. Worked on transitions and smooth steady gaits. Also started working on bending. He is still a little fussy with his mouth, but getting better.

05/06/08Drove. Worked on steady gaits and transitions.

05/05/08Ground drove in drag. Worked on direction changes, transitions, and halt. Hooked to cart and drove. Worked  on steady gaits, body carriage and transtiions.

05/02/08Ground drove and worked with the pvc poles on either side of him. Worked a lot on changing direction and changing gaits. Good boy.

04/29/08Ground drove/long lined. Much less fussy with mouth. good day. Worked on relaxing and smooth transitions.

04/28/08We are glad to have him back with us. Today we reintroduced him to the arena and walked him around outside. Ground drove him. He started a little bit fussy with the bit but worked out of it very quickly.

10/01/07Last day for Kieron at 3G for this fall. Worked with Lisa. Showed her how to harness and hitch. Kieron showed off all that he  has learned in the last 2 months and Lisa got to drive him a little bit. Worked with Lisa on basic commands and basic driving outline.

09/28/07Drove outside, worked on transitions and pushing up in the walk. (tends to get a little lazy in walk)

09/26/07Drove outside. Worked in dressage arena on bending, transitions and steady gaits. Also worked on square halt and standing. Went around the hay field and down pasture. Very good day.

09/24/07Worked on steady gaits, moving up in the walk a little bit more. Also worked on bending and a sqaure prompt halt.

09/20/07Drove in meadowbrook. Worked on transitions, and steady gaits. Went around hay field and through water hazard and over bridle and over tarp and between ground poles. Very good boy.

09/19/07Ground drove worked on transitions, halt and ground tying. Very good boy. 

09/18/07Drove outside (in bigger meadowbrook) Worked on smooth turns and bending. Went over bridge and through water in puddles and in water hazard. Also worked in arena with other horses.

09/17/07Drove inside, worked on bending and smoothly changing direction without raising head. Getting better. Also worked on square halt and standing.

09/13/07Drove outside, went around hay field and down to bottom pasture. Good boy. Also went over bride (plywood) and around cones and next to gravel road with cars and tractors. Very good reactions.

09/12/07Drove outside today. Worked on walk, trot and halt. Worked a lot on steady gaits and not changing temp or speed unless asked to. Also went over plywood bridge and around cones course. Very good boy.

09/11/07Drove inside and outside. Worked on direction changing without changing tempo or gaits. Outside saw utility truck, tractor and lawn mower. Very good boy.

09/10/07Drove inside (in cart) trotted for the first time. Worked on balance at a trot, transitions, (trot, walk, whoa). Very good boy. Learning very quickly.

09/06/07Drove in cart for first time. Very good boy. Worked on walk, whoa, stand, and changing directions. Very good boy standing to be hitched and unhitched. Also worked on the transitions from halt to walk and walk to halt.

09/05/07Hitched to cart (with real wheels) for first time. Very good boy. Worked on walk, whoa, and stand. Very relaxed, and calm. walked both directions, worked on downward transitions, changing directions and standing.

09/04/07Ground drove in drag. Very good day. Went outside all over, has very good reactions to "scary" things. Shows he has confidence and trust. Transitions getting smoother and more prompt. Developed a very good square halt and is standing very nicely. Very relaxed a confident. Now not fussy with mouth hardly at all. Good boy.

08/31/07Another very good day. Ground drove in drag, worked on transitions, halt, stand, changing direction. He is standing very well to be hitched and unhitched. He is also becoming more prompt in transitions. Introduced cart. Let him look at, smell and follow. Good reaction.

08/30/07Ground drove in drag again, Another good day. Very smooth and responsive with bit and aids. Very relaxed and quiet for hitching and unhitching. Developing very steady gaits and starting to become honest about his work. An other couple of good days and he will be ready for the light cart.

08/29/07Very good day!! Ground drove with drag. Very relaxed, calm and responsive. Did not fuss hardly at all with the bit. Getting much better and smoother at using the bit as a cue to turn and stop. Very prompt at transitions and at the halt and stand. 

08/28/07Ground drove in drag. Very good boy. Transitions getting quicker, gaits becoming more steady and honest. doing better with bit. Went outside. Very good reaction to drag behind him on gravel and grass.

08/27/07Ground drove in drag, worked on changing direction, transitions, and halt/stand. Still fussy with bit, but not as bad as he was when he first started.

08/23/07Ground driving with closed bridle. Touched all over again with side poles showed drag again. Good reaction again. Hooked to drag. At walk worked on changing direction, whoa and walking off. Very good day.

08/22/07Ground driving with closed bridle, worked on changing direction and steady gaits. Also worked on halt and stand. Introduced side poles, dragging side poles behind, following poles. Also showed (introduced) drag to him. Did not hook up, but let him follow and sniff and walk over it. Very good reactions. Good boy.

08/21/07Fit closed bridle and worked more on long lining and ground driving. Started off confused because he could not see me, but worked through it fine.

08/20/07Long lining with open bridle, getting more comfortable with using bit to steer and stop. Doing very well with things behind him and things such as ropes, lines, traces ect. touching him and hanging on him. Good day. Ready for side poles.

08/17/07Continued in open bridle and worked on transitions, whoa and stand and turning with the bit. Very good boy. Learning very fast.

08/16/07Worked with harness and open bridle. longed with extra line touching his opposite side and legs. Very good boy. Started working on long lining and turning with the bit.

08/15/07Harnessed with complete harness including breeching (snugged) breast collar (tightened) and traces (hanging on either side). Very good boy longing with harness. Getting much quicker and smoother transitions. Starting to keep attention on trainer longer. Very good day. Learning very quickly.

08/13/07Picking up feet, cross ties, fit harness, longed with harness, walk, trot, whoa, turn. started a little bit jumpy about breeching but got used to it very quickly. Becoming much more prompt with transitions.

8/10/07    Picking up feet, started in cross ties, worked on longeing, walk, trot, whoa, stand, moving away from pressure, touching all over, found harness to fit him in.

8/08/07    Brushed him, cleaned his feet, working on ground manners.  Then lunged, working on walk, trot, halt, and turn.  His owner brought his riding bridle with a bit she would like us to use when we put him into a bridle.  Dr. Linda Thompson checked his teeth and said they were excellent. 

8/07/07    Worked with him to teach him the basics of lungeing . . . that always takes a few sessions!

8/06/07Starting to lunge, working on walk, trot, turn, and halt on the lead line.

Daisy is a 3-year old draft cross.  She is here to learn to drive with the possibility that 15 year old Kyle might show her someday. She arrived at Three G on August 15, 2007.

05/26/08Went outside. Worked on steady gaits, smooth transitions and halt/stand with stuff moving around her and cars going by ect.. Good girl.

05/23/08Worked on bending, square halt and back.

05/21/08Drove. Worked on direction changes and bending.

05/16/08Went on cross country course. Good girl.

05/15/08Worked on trailer loading. (getting prepard for the trip to Florida). Did very well. Loaded and unloaded calmly and without hesitation 4 plus times, drove around and unloaded and loaded again. Good girl. Also bathed.

05/12//08Lesson with owner.

05/09/08Very good day. She is starting to accept the bit and move forward and actually look for contact. She is also getting much rounder and starting to hold herself much more comfortably.

05/07/08Drove. Worked on stretching and rounding. worked on smooth transitions and halt/back. Good day.

05/05/08Worked on back and balance/forward, steady gaits. Also measured for new carriage.

05/02/08Worked on transitions, smooth, steady gaits and worked on the back. She is also becomming much more relaxed through her neck and throat.

05/01/08Worked on the back on the ground. Starting to get it and actually move backwards.

04/22/08Drove. Worked on bending, changing bend and transitons. Also worked a lot on staying soft even through the transitions.

04/21/08Put saddle on and walked around. She seemed sort of tired and mentaly exhausted from this weekend (participating in a two day parelli clinic and Robin Grove's lessons) So we did light work and took it easy.

04/19/08Lesson with Robin Groves.

04/14/08Worked on steady gaits, moving into outside rein and where directed to go. Also worked on square, soft commited halt and transitions.

04/10/08Drove. Worked on bending and transitions also started working on the back.

04/08/08Drove. Worked on forward gaits and transitons.

04/04/08Drove. Worked on starting to round and stretch over neck and topline. (this is hard for her at this stage but she gives a good effort). Also worked on steady gaits and transtions.

04/02/08Lesson with owner. Worked on transitions and keeping her in an even tempo. not slowing down or speeding up. also worked on moving into outside rein, and bending and going into corners, not diving.

03/31/08Worked on steady gaits and three trots. also worked on transitions.

03/21/08Worked on transitions and forward gaits , even through transitions.

03/19/08Drove. Worked on bending and steady gaits. Also worked on starting to round and stretch over neck and back.

03/17/08Light work. She started off wet and cold and a little racy, so we worked until she was happy and relaxed and responsive.

03/14/08Good day. Did light work. Worked on transitions and steady gaits.

03/12/08Worked on transitions being smooth and response time. Also worked on having steady gaits and bending. Good day. She was a very good girl and her work ethic seems to be improving with each workout.

03/10/08Worked on steady gaits, transitions, bending, and not stopping when not asked to.

03/05/08Worked on bending, transitions, halt and stand. Also worked on keeping a marching forward walk and steady beat and rythem in the trot. (no slowing down and speeding up).

03/04/08Drove. Worked on transitions. Mostly going up from walk to trot. Also worked on a square halt and stand.

02/29/08Drove in Jerald. Worked on transitions, and a marching, forward walk and trot. Good day. Might need her teeth looked at again. She is at the age when wolf teeth start to come in and bother the mouth and bit.

02/27/08Drove. Worked on not being lazy and responding more quickly in transitions (especially upward)Also worked on correct bends and square halt.

02/25/08Ground drove in drag. She did very well. Worked on walk, trot, halt, turning and changing direction. 

02/17/08Worked in drag. Worked on transitions, voice commands, walk, trot, whoa and stand. She was not upset by any of this and I think she will be quick to come back to driving

02/14/08Ground drove. Worked on balance, transitions, and halt /stand.

02/13/08Fit harness and bridle. Lunged, refresher of voice commands, walk, trot, whoa, turn. Also worked on putting head down.

10/19/07Drove inside, worked on square halt and moving a little more forward in trot and walk. Good day.

10/17/07Lunged and long lined with saddle. She is pretty comfortable with saddle instead of harness. Pulled on stirrups, flapped things all around her, pulled on saddle from both sides, jumped next to her on both sides, got up and down off her back two times. Very good girl.

10/15/07Drove, went on fun relaxed country side drive. Very good girl.

10/13/07Daisy participated in games galore, completing all six classes (some twice) Kyle finally got to drive her. Both Denise and Kyle did a wonderful job driving her and seem to get along very well.

10/12/07Drove through gambler's choice and cones course. Also worked on rounding, and relaxing neck, poll and withers. good day.

10/11/07Lesson with owner, Denise showed her bridge and barrels, drove cross country course. Worked on dressage and rounding into bridle. Also Mark drove for a little while. I think she is too slow for him!!

10/10/07Linda Thompson (VET) floated her teeth. Had some hooks on back molars.

10/08/07Lesson with owner. She drove her for the first time (actually the first time anybody else drove her) Both the horse4 and the driver did very well.

10/05/07Drove inside, worked on getting her up and not so lazy indoors. Worked on transitions, square halt and started a back.

10/03/07Drove inside and out. She is slightly lazy inside, so you have to keep after her to step up. Very good outside, went all around hay field and through cedars and orchard. Worked on cones course also. I think she and her owners would enjoy the games day at  the farm Oct. 13.

10/01/07Worked out on cones course. Practiced not going crooked between cones. (I think she wanted to kick the cones out of her way). Got much better about standing up straight and letting driver direct her. Very good day.

09/28/07Drove outside, worked on transitions, steady gaits, a more prompt halt and back up.

09/26/07Drove outside. Worked in dressage arena on transitions, steady gaits and bending. Getting very good when left on honor. Also went out passed hay field, down pasture and along corn fields. We saw turkeys, deer, and barrel/board hazards. Good girl.

09/24/07Transitions, getting much quicker and smoother. Gaits getting much more steady and less lazy. Good day. Went right over bridge and through water hazard with no problems.

09/20/07Worked on halt and stand. Also worked on trot /walk transitions. Light work. Good day.

09/19/07Went over bridgle and through water hazard.(Took about 4 seconds to get her over, much better) Worked on standing up (with shoulder) in turns and not diving. Also worked on transitions and not putting head up in the air and dropping back to stop.

09/18/07Worked on cones course. Also worked on steady gaits and smooth transitions and smooth steady gaits. Getting better about not raising head when asked to change gaits. Also worked a long time (but finally did it) on going over the plywood bridge and through water. 2nd time went right over and through.

09/17/07Drove outside. Went around hay field and down to bottom pature. Went through wooded area up and down hills, saw pheasants (Very close up) Very good reactions. Good day.

09/13/07Drove while owner was here. Worked on transitions, steady gaits and a square halt and stand.

09/12/07Drove outside, worked on direction changes, transitions, (trot, walk, and whoa) and steady gaits. Also went through and around cones course and hay field. Good day.

09/11/07Drove in big meadowbrook for the first time.( It will not take a lot to fit the cart to her.) Worked on transitions, changing direction and steady gaits. Drove inside and outside. Good day.

09/10/07Drove inside. Trotted for first time in cart. Very good girl. Worked on transitions (trot, walk, halt) also worked on directions changes and a square halt. Good day.

09/06/07Drove in cart. Worked on transitions from walk to halt and halt to walk. standing very nicely for hitching and unhitching. Horse is very calm, relaxed and willing.

09/05/07Drove for first time in cart. Very Good day. Worked on changing direction, walk, whoa, and stand. Did very well. Very relaxed, calm. 

09/04/07Ground drove in drag. Went outside all over farm. Very good girl. Worked on transitions, steady gaits. Hitched to cart for the first time (in arena) very good girl. Seemed calm, relaxed. Walked around arena both directions with cart!!

08/31/07Drove in drag. Very good day again. Transitions are getting very smooth and quick. Becoming more willing to work. (less lazy) also getting to be much more steady in all gaits and doing very well standing still for hitching and unhitching. Showed cart, let see and smell. Good girl.

08/30/07Light work in drag. Mostly worked on walking and halt walk transitions. She seemed to be slightly sore in the stiffle area. Not lame or injured, but stiff.  Still presented very good attitude and very good behavior.

08/29/07Ground drove in drag, worked on transitions, changing direction, halt and stand. Getting much better about hitching and unhitching. Also getting much better about staying in the gait asked of her. Good day.

08/28/07Worked in the round pen and on ground to get her to more quickly move away from pressure and back.

08/27/07Ground drove in drag. More work on direction changes and transitions. Went outside in drag. Good reaction to drag on gravel and grass. Good day.

08/24/07Owner came to visit today. Watched as we showed her how Daisy now stands quietly to be harnessed and hitched to drag. Worked in drag at walk and trot, showed off transitions, changing direction, halt and stand. Very good day.

08/23/07Hooked to drag, ground drove, worked on transitions, including:walk, trot, whoa and stand. Also worked on direction changes. Very good girl. Starting to trust more and more and also starting to relax a lot more.

08/22/07Ground driving, changing direction, transitions, introduced drag, following drag. Hooked to drag. Worked on walk, whoa and direction changes. Very good day.

08/21/07Ground driving, worked on changing direction, transitions, whoa and stand. Introduced side poles. Touched all over with poles and walking with poles dragging on ground behind. Very good reaction. Good day.

08/20/07Started long lining, Very good girl.  Worked on transitions, changing directions, whoa and stand. Ready for side poles. Seems to be going very quickly. Owner did a good job starting her and she seems to be very good natured.

08/17/07Harnessing, longing with closed bridle, not upset at all about things hanging on or around her or things behind her. Worked on transitions and standing.

08/16/07Cross ties, Basic ground work to get to know the horse. Harnessing, longing in open bridle, worked on walk, trot, whoa, turning. Started very nervous but worked out of it. Very willing and sweet horse.

Zammie

Zammie Is a Clysdale/TBred cross, Owned by Denise Loewe of Ankeny, IA. He has been riden  as an eventer and a Fox Hunter and is now learning, yet another skill. He arrived at 3-G on Oct 23. 2007.

02/07/08Drove and rode. Worked on transitions and lengthening. Very good boy.

02/05/08Workedagain on lengthening and collecting. Also practiced a prompt square halt without changing body carriage or bring neck in.

02/04/08Worked on a free walk and coming back to the working walk. Starting to develop a lengthening walk and trot as well as a collected.

01/31/08Worked on paying attention and steady gaits. He was slightly antsy. He kept breaking into a canter, so we learned to canter in the cart both directions. Finally he started to pay attention but was sweaty and tired. So we worked on transitions and square halt.

01/28/08Worked on changing bend without running through outside rein. Also worked on transitions, square halt and smooth back. Very good boy.

01/25/08Worked on transitions and halt/back.

01/21/08Worked on three trots, and even, stretched , relaxed forward walk, and a square halt/smooth back.

01/18/08Drove. Worked on slow trot, working trot and strong trot. Also worked on walk to trot transitions without raising head or speeding up pace of legs.

01/16/08Worked on transitions and reaching over topline and stretching down into bridle.  Also worked on a square halt and changing bends and going straight down the centerline without trying to guess and wiggling.

01/14/08Light work in the cart. Worked a lot on a square steady halt and back.

01/11/08Light work today. AHe was a very good boy. We worked a lot on relaxing even through transitions and through the halt.

01/10/08Worked on transitions, square halt, straight back and stretching in walk and trot. Worked a lot on moving up and stretching into a free walk and back to working walk.

01/09/08Worked on steady, forward gaits. Also worked on stretching over topline, smooth forward transitions, square steady halt and back.

01/08/08Drove. Worked on three trots and smooth transitions. Also worked on a smooth square halt and back.

01/04/08Ground drove in drag. Worked on reaching over topline and flexing at poll and through neck and jaw. Did a lot of bending and direction changes. He is getting much more relaxed and easier to work with.

12/31/07Worked on reaching over topline and holding body through transitions and at halt.

12/28/07Lesson with owner. Worked on reaching down and moving forward. Worked on starting to bring him up and let him go and smooth transitions. VERY GOOD LESSON. GOOD JOB DENISE.  Lessons with Angelica are good for you, even if they make you sore. Ha, Ha.

12/27/07Worked on steady gaits and steady rein changes. Not diving in corners and holding himself up while bending and reaching even through corners and turns and transitions.

12/26/07Worked on transitions and his walk. Worked on lifting back and using back end to push. Not Sucking Back.

12/21/07Lesson with owner. Learned how to hold reins, shorten, lengthen reins, how to cue horse and basics of what Zammie has been learning in his time at 3G.

12/19/07Worked a lot on direction changes and changing bend through outside rein smoothly. Worked on both bends in 20 meter circles and spirals to get him to go into the outside rein, but not run through it. Also worked on transitions and centerline  straightness.

12/18/07Worked on transitions being smooth and fluid. Also worked on the halt being square and not tossing head through back.

12/17/07Worked on going straight down the center line without looking out. Also worked on changing bend through changing direction and doing it smoothly. Gaits getting much more steady and consistant. he did not like the ice on the mirrors in the arena so we went by them about 1000 times until he didn't care about them.

12/12/07Worked on smooth steady gaits and transitions. Worked on a square straight halt and back. 

12/10/07     Worked on the ground. Worked on transitions, and worked over ground poles and transitions.

12/07/07     Worked on smooth steady gaits and bending. Worked a lot on the left bend and changing from the right bend to the left bend. He is getting much better but still needs constant reminders to not look out.

12/05/07     Worked on rounding back and lifting gait. Worked a lot on trot to walk transitions and not putting head up, looking around, or just quiting. Started to get much better about putting back end under himself and stepping into the walk rather than falling into it.

11/30/07Worked on transitions and a square halt. Started working on a slow, working and strong (lengthening) trot. Worked a lot on the walk as well. Worked on going from working walk and staying up and light and carrying himself to streaching out into a Freewalk and comming back. Wanted to trot and jig at first but was starting to understand the concept and get pretty good by the end of the session.

11/28/07Drove in arena with other horses. Worked a lot on bending and reaching over topline and pushing from behind. Also worked a lot on transitions and staying soft and round through transitions.

11/26/07Worked on transitions and being soft in hands. Transitions getting better and smoother without running through outside rein.

11/21/07Drove inside. Worked a lot on bending, changing the outside rein without running through it, transitions to halt without loosing position, and introduced the back-up in the carriage.

11/19/07Drove with owner. Showed her how he is doing. Did walk, trot, whoa transitions, bending, changing rein (directions) different trots, whoa and stand. Very good boy.

11/16/07Drove outside again today. He is starting to get braver by himself. Transitions becomming much more prompt and smooth. Worked on walk, working trot, slow trot and halt and stand. 

11/14/07Drove, mostly inside (very windy outside). worked with other horses hitched up in arena with him.  Worked a lot on relaxing all the way over topline and through neck without running through bit. Also worked on transitions, starting to become smoother and more prompt while staying in bridle.  Worked a lot on left bend. (not counterbending) Getting better, but still needs constant reminder to not go through outside rein and not look around.

11/13/07Drove inside. Worked on balance and moving forward into bridle. Also worked on transitions, and bending.

11/12/07Drove outside for first time in closed bridle. Very good boy. Walked and trotted all around track, cones course and hay field. Had one moment when neighbor dogs came at him he broke into a canter then gallop, but came right back. I don't think he was scared or frightened, but excited to see the dogs. (And he thought he was going fox hunting for a brief moment).

11/09/07Drove in meadowbrook. Worked on transitions, steady gaits. Also worked on moving forward in to the bridle and rounding body, reaching over topline and balance through body in corner and turns and bending. Wants to counterbend going to the left, so he must be reminded to not drop shoulders and not run through rein, (mostly outside rein)

11/07/07Drove in meadowbrook. Very good boy. At first he wanted to keep looking at himself in the mirrors, but quit after a couple times around. We worked on a forward, marching walk, smooth transitions to trot and back down to walk and starting to round his body and lift while pulling the cart.

11/06/07Drove in cart. Worked on transitions, steady gaits (pulling weight very easily) and pulling the weight of the cart with holding own body. Worked with walk, trot, changing direction, and halt.

11/05/07Fit to cart. Started off kind of slow. Did a lot of walking around and changing directions until he got used to weight of cart and how to pull it. Very good boy.

11/04/07Ground drove in drag. Worked on transitions, steady gaits and a square halt without raising head or going behind bit.

11/02/07Ground drove in drag, worked on walk, trot, whoa, changing direction, and transitions, He is getting better about not hanging on rein or runnning through outside rein when reminded, especially in transitions.

11/01/07Hooked to drag for first time. Ground drove, Worked on walking forward, transitions, and changing direction. He/ had no problem with the drag behind him or the shafts next to him. Worked mostly on walk and whoa, but started a couple/ steps of trot.

0/31/07Ground drove, introduced drag, showed him, let him walk around it, let him follow it then had it follow him. Also touched all over with it on both side, rump, back, belly, neck. Very good reactions. Very calm, not worried. Good boy.

10/29/07Ground drove, worked on voice commands, transitions, without raising or ducking head. Again showed him long pvc poles and touched him all over with them. Let him walk with one pole on each side. Very good boy.

10/25/07Ground drove, worked on voice commands and changing directions on the long lines. Showed him the long pvc poles and let him follow them around. He seems curious, but not upset or scared.

10/24/07Long lined with closed bridle and with the breeching and breast collar snugged. Worked on changing directions and voice commands. Also started ground driving. Seems to figure things out very quickly, easy to work with. Very good boy.

10/23/07Fit harness, closed bridle and bit. Longed and long lined in arena both directions, started teaching him voice commands. He was very good about crooper, breeching, breast collar, and bling bridle. Very nice to work with.

Fanny

Fanny (aka Fancy of Nieman Marcus) is a 2-year-old Halflinger owned by Joe and Annete Boeser of MN. She has been taught some of the basics but needs to build her confidence and get some miles of good, safe driving.  She arrived at 3-G Oct. 20 of 2007.

12/17/07Fanny's last day at 3G. Worked with owners and Fanny. Showed them are routine of harnessing, hitching and working. She will be missed but has earned a little time off during the winter to enjoy being a horse.

12/12/07Drove, worked on steady gaits, balance and holding herself, transitions, a square halt and smooth steady back.Good day.

12/10/07Worked on ground. Worked on transitions, square halt and worked over ground poles.

12/06/07    Worked on bending and smooth turns and corners. Getting much better about her balance and holding herself up through direction changes and turns. Again worked a little bit on back. Want it to be relaxed, steady slow and smooth.

12/04/07     Drove, worked on transitions, a square halt and smooth gaits. Introduced the back/reinback. Getting much better about being patient and standing quietly in cross ties and for hitching.

11/30/07Very good day for Fanny. She is starting to be very steady in all gaits and starting to be able to carry herself and stay light in the bridle through transitions , direction changes and through halt and stand. Balance had improved a great deal with confidence.  

11/28/07Drove inside with other horses longeing and riding around her. She wanted to look at them but did very well. We worked on steady gaits, and carrying herself especially through corners and direction changes. Good day.

11/26/07Drove inside. Worked on steady gaits and balance. Corners, turns and transitions becomming very smooth and willing. She is also becomming much more patient as far as standing in cross ties, harnessing, hitching and at halts.

11/21/07Drove in meadowbrook. Very good day for Fanny. She is getting much more steady and relaxed in all gaits. Worked a lot on changing directions without running or slowing, changing gaits without running or falling out from under herself, (Keeping her balance through transitions) and starting to bend and round. But because of her age, she will not be pushed to hard yet for this.

11/19/07Drove in meadowbrook. Again worked on steady gaits, smooth transitions, halt and stand without moving around or wiggling. Getting much more relaxed. Very good Day.

11/16/07Drove in meadowbrook. Worked again on standing perfectly still for hitching. She is getting much better, but still I want her to relax and wait for command to move off. Also worked on transitions and promptness and steady gaits. Went outside all around the outdoor pens and around the barn two times. Got  much braver and more dependable as time sent by outside.

11/14/07Very good day. Worked on steady gaits and balance. Horse becomming much more steady and much more balanced and sure of herself and also becomming much more trusting of driver and quicker to respond correctly.

11/12/07Drove in meadowbrook. Very good day. Worked on transitions and steady gaits. Also worked a lot on using outside rein and not pulling or running through. She is getting much better and much quicker to respond to aids.

11/09/07Drove in meadowbrook. Worked on balance and rein aids. Getting better about not running through hands, but still needs consistant work to get her more trusting, steady, balanced and confident.

11/07/07Drove in meadowbrook. Worked on standing still in cross ties and for hitching (not moving at all or looking around) Starting to get her balance and stand up through turns without dropping shoulders. Also she is starting to use her body and back end to push rather than putting her head on the ground and trying to pull. She is pretty young so it is forgiven, but she is getting much better.

11/05/06Drove in meadowbrook. Worked on smooth transitions and not pulling or running through aids.  Getting much better about keeping body together and not getting heavy and putting nose on ground.

11/04/07Ground drove in drag with new bit. She seemed to like the new bit. She seemed to have more room for her tongue and had less tendencies to pull through aids. (New bit purchased from Sandy)

11/01/07Joe did a lesson with Robin Groves.

10/31/07Ground drove in drag. Very good day. Starting to get the idea of not resisting to bit by running through it and not to hang on it. She just needs to learn to hold herself up and keep her own balance, but as a 2 year old she is doing very well.

10/29/07Ground drove in drag. Tried fench link bit but she did not like it, she just kept getting her tounge over the bit and acting uncomfortable, so I switched back to a curved mullan mouth snaffle.

10/25/07Ground drove in drag. Worked on being soft and not running through aids, mostly ouside rein. Also worked on transitions and steady gaits without barging.

10/24/07Ground drove in drag. Worked on being soft in the bridle and not running through aids. Also worked on a steady gaits and a square halt.

10/23/07Ground drove, worked on steady gaits and being soft in the bridle, (not hanging on the bit). Also worked on directions and learning not to pull on driver's hands.

10/22/07Fit harness, bridle and bit. Walked her around until she was comfortable with mirrors in arena, and someone walking behind her in the closed bridle.

Tiger (the pony formerly known as Max)

Tiger (formerly known as Max, registered as Drag On Fly Wings) was purchased by Denise, Mark, and Kyle Loewe, as a competition pony for Kyle.  He is a 10-year-old registered Welsh palomino gelding.  Mary and Earl have known the pony and his previous owner, Jane Fallander, for almost 4 years, when he was purchased, along with Mary's competition pony, Kevyn, from Lee Bennion, who lived in central Utah.  Jane took the pony back to the Twin Cities, where she drove him lightly.  When Loewes purchased him, however, he had only been driven four times in the past two years.  Kyle will be taking regular lessons with the pony, and, in between Kyle's lessons, we will work him on the ground and in the carriage.

05/23/08Worked on transitions (speeds) within the trot. Also worked on bending and cantering.

05/20/08Lesson with owner.

05/19/08Darcie drove. Worked on transtiions, and a square halt.

05/16/08Lesson with owner. went out on the cross country course, went around obsticales, cantered up hills. Good boy. Good driving for Kyle.

05/13/08Lesson with owner.

05/08/08Worked on transitions and three trots. Also worked on stretching, especially through neck and throat.

05/06/08Lesson with owner. Worked on bending, stretching and transtiions. Also went outside and had a nice drive around the field and marathon course.

05/05/08Drove. Darcie drove outside. Went around hay field and around track. Good boy.

05/02/08Worked on bending, especially to the left. Did a lot of figures and direction changes/ bend changes.

05/01/08Drove. Worked on steady gaits and smooth transitions.

04/22/08Lesson with Owner. Worked on transtions, bending. Worked on 40 meter circles, center line, halt/salute. Worked from dressage test #3. good job for both Kyle and the pony.

04/19/08Lesson with Robin Groves.

04/15/08Lesson with owner.

04/14/08Worked on steady gaits. Three distinct trots. halt and stand and bending and turning both directions without changing body position unless asked to and without changing speed or tempo. Good boy.

4/11/08Drove. Worked on bending and transitons. Also worked on steady speeds and stretching out and down.

04/10/08Lesson with owner. Worked on steady gaits, transitions, making him go where he is directed. (no cutting corners, diving through turns ect...) Worked on cones patterns and how to increase speed, make it smoother and more precise driving. Good day for Kyle and Tiger.

04/09/08Worked on bending and standing.

04/07/08Worked on transitions, back and a square halt. Also worked on bending both directions.

04/03/08Drove. Worked on bending and transitions.

04/01/08Lesson with owner. Worked on three trots. and a square halt with softness. Also worked on being soft and relaxed through transitions and worked on moving into outside rein and stretching doen and forward.

03/31/08Worked on relaxing through neck and over back. Also worked on three trots, transitions and halt/stand.

03/27/08Lesson with kyle. Worked on three trot speeds, relaxing and bending.

03/26/08Worked on stretching down and over topline. Also worked on bending, changing bend, and halt/stand.

03/24/08Darcie drove. Worked on transitions and a square halt. Also worked on straight down the center line.

03/21/08Worked on bending and starting to reach down and come back up. Also worked on steady gaits and a square halt and straight back.

03/19/08Drove. Worked on transitions, halt and stand.

03/18/08Drove. Worked on bending and transitions.

03/14/08Worked on bending, steady gaits, transitions, working in arena with other horses. Darcie also drove, worked on steady gaits, figures and being soft in the bridle. He was a very good boy.

03/13/08Worked on bending, transitions and  a square halt/straight back.

03/12/08Worked on bending, changing bends, steady gaits, and starting to stretch a little more into the bridle and both walk and trot.

03/11/08Worked on three solid trots, walk and a square halt without moving around.

03/06/08Worked on bending and  stretching through neck and back a little bit more.

03/05/08Worked on steady gaits. Also worked on shortening and lenghtening stride at walk and trot.

03/04/08Worked on steady gaits and not speeding up pace of leg movement when asked to stretch.

03/03/08Ground work over poles.

02/29/08Drove, Worked on making sure gaits are regular and even in tempo. Also worked on back and reaching out and down with neck a little bit more.

02/27/08Drove, worked on steady rythem, bending (especially to the left) and a little more stretch through the neck in the free walk.

02/24/08Very good boy. Completed his first mini (indoor cde) since he has been her. He did very well in all phases of competion ending up with a very good dressage score (53.1), hazard times of 52 and 54 sec. and a clear cones run. Good job Max.

02/23/08Drove. Worked on training level test #3 for upcomming event. (Indoor arena driving trial). Also let him get a look at the hazards and a couple sets of cones

02/21/08Worked again over ground poles, worked on keeping and developing a forward gait, pushing from behind.

02/19/08Worked over ground poles.

02/14/08Worked on bending and changing bend. Also worked on pushing him into the outside rein.

02/13/08Worked on transitions and bending. Also worked on square halt while keeping correct body frame.

02/08/08Ground drove over poles. Worked on lifting and pushing energy forward.

02/07/08Transitions, square halt, collecting and moving out, stretching over topline and through neck and back.

02/06/08Worked on halt and back. Walk on, more forward , energitic walk and trot.

02/04/08Worked on square halt and slow, working, and strong trot. Also worked on bending and changing bends smoothly.

01/31/08Lunged. Worked on transitions and went over ground poles. Good boy.

01/28/08Worked on different walks, transitions, and square halt followed by standing still until instructed to move.,

01/25/08Worked on a square halt and standing without moving around. Also worked on three trots, working walk and free walk.

01/21/08Worked on transitions. Becomming more prompt but not running into them. 

01/16/08Worked a lot on three trots and bending in both directions along with changing the bend without changing speed or gait.

01/14/08Worked on transitions and going from the walk directly to the working trot without putting the first 5-8 steps. Also worked on promptness of transitions and halt and stand.

01/10/08    Worked by Earl early in the morning.  He thought he would die because he had not had his hay yet!  Continued to work on stopping and standing quietly.  For maybe the first time, there was another pony being driven while he was in the arena, and he was not bothered.  He is clearly getting stronger and more fit with each session. 

01/08/08Jada drove today. Worked on three trots. Slow, working and strong. Worked on a honest, forward walk, square prompt halt, and standing.

01/04/08    Earl drove Tiger today, working on halt transitions and standing quietly.  He got better as the session went on.  Also worked on a working trot with more energy then he usually has.  

12/28/07Another lesson with Kyle.  We did maybe a dozen short halts and three or four long ones.  Our goal is that Tiger learns to stand for five minutes with Kyle in the carriage without lifting a foot. 

12/27/07More work on halts and standing.  Also on steady trots. 

12/24/07Earl drove him today, working on halting and standing quietly.  Worked on a more energetic working trot.

12/19/07Kyle came today for a lesson, and, as usual, did well.  But we did not like the fact the Tiger thinks that, as soon as someone is in the carriage, it is time to walk off.  We need to work on having him stand as long as the person in the carriage says to. 

11/30/07Worked on the lunge line. Tiger is up to 20 min per session now and getting stronger each week.  On the lunge line we went over all the gaits and transitions and also worked on a square halt and stand.

11/28/07The harness is back, so Tiger was long-reined today, with emphasis on stopping and standing quietly.  And he did very well.  So the problem must be when he is in the carriage, not on the ground.  Will begin driving him in the carriage for short sessions, along with work long reining.

11/27/07More work on the lunge line in the morning.  Tiger needs short sessions a couple of times a day to get him fit.  Kyle took a lesson in the afternoon, and Tiger did not stop and stand quietly as well as he should.  We will work on that in the coming days.

11/26/07Without the harness, Tiger was lunged in his halter, and did very well with just a halter, lunge line, and voice commands, changing from walk to trot and back again by voice, along with commands to halt.

11/23/07Another lesson with Kyle.  The two seem to be a good team.  Tiger has not made a misstep with his new owner.  Kyle took Tiger's harness home to oil it.  It has not been used for awhile, and so the leather is a little stiff.

11/22/07Kyle has a second lesson with Tiger in the indoor arena.  It is cold!  Tiger is fine . . . he has lots of hair!  Kyle, on the other hand, is cold! 

11/21/07Mary began Tiger's conditioning program with a 20-minute session on long reins.  The plan is two 20-minute sessions a day until Tiger builds his stamina.  He is in excellent health . . . just not in shape!

11/20/07Kyle met his new pony for the first time.  He drove him in the indoor arena, and both did very well.

11/19/07Dr. Linda Thompson conducted the prepurchase exam, which he passed with flying colors.  Jada ground drove him a little, and then got in the carriage.  He may not have been worked very much in the past two years, but he remembers all of it!

Sassy

Sassy arrived at 3G Jan. 08 2008. She is a 10 year old Haflinger pony, owned by Hank Harris of Boone, IA. She is here with her slightly older at age 13 (also Haflinger) aunt and are intended to be paired together to pull a wagon. But to start with they will both learn all they need to know individually, so they can both learn the correct balance and develop the confidence they need to work as a pair.

01/08/08Evaluation done. Did ground work and worked on leading (staying out of people space, crossties, touching all over, lifting tail.Picking up feet, droping head, longeing, fit harness/bridle. 

Shirey is the slightly older (13) haflinger, also owned by Hank Harris of Boone, IA. She and Sassy have plans to work together as a team and after Hank learns how to handle them and drive both singly and as a pair will drive them in his restored wagon.

04/04/08Worked with Hank on handling, catching and interacting.

04/02/08Worked with owner on catching and haltering.

03/21/08Very good day. Worked on relaxed and steady walk and trot, square steady halt and standing. Even took a lap for the first time outside around the barn.

03/19/08Very good day. Worked on transitions, steady gaits, halt and stand.

03/18/08Drove. Very good day. Very relaxed and responsive. (but not over responsive) Worked on walk, trot, transitions, halt and stand.

03/14/08Lesson with owner. Drove. Worked on relaxing, changing direction, transition, both to trot and walk, and walk to whoa. Also worked on holding reins, how much contact ect.. Both human and horse did very well again.

03/13/08Worked on steady gaits, walk & trot. Did a lot of direction changes and balance exercises. Very good day. she is getting better and better every day.

03/12/08Drove. worked on a steady walk, transitions and the halt/stand. (not moving around when standing)

03/11/08Drove. Very good day. Worked on a relaxed, confident walk and trot. She did not even start off jigging, or wiggling. She seems to be improving very quickly in her sessions each day as far as steadiness, trusting, relaxation and confidence.

03/06/08Worked in cross ties. Measured for harness, bridle and neck collar.

03/05/08Worked with horse and owner. Owner ground drove, and Jada drove. Good girl.

03/04/08Drove. Very good day. Took no time at all to relax and develop a nice quiet walk. Also did work at the trot, worked on steady gaits, not counterbending and not tumbling through corners and turns.

03/03/08Worked again in the cart. Relaxed and went to work even quicker today. Worked on walk, trot and halt/stand. Good girl.

02/29/08Drove in meadowbrook. Good girl. Started a little bit squirelly but relaxed and was good girl very quickly. worked on a relaxed walk and trot and a reliable halt/stand (not wiggling around).

02/27/08Ground drove in drag. Worked on transitions, standing quietly and changing direction. She is becoming very confident and relaxed. Hooked to cart for the first time. Worked on developing a nice, quiet, forward walk and a steady, square halt/stand. Very Good Girl.

02/25/08Ground drove again in drag. Started of a little bit squirrly, but she was wet and cold coming in out of the rain. She worked out of her squirrellyness as soon as she warmed up. Very good girl. She will be ready for the cart this week.

02/22/08Ground drove in drag. Worked on standing still when asked to, changing directions and slowing down/relaxing.

02/19/08Ground drove in drag. Very good day.

02/18/08Ground drove in drag. Worked on steady balanced gaits, body carriage, transitions, relaxing and halt/standing. Very good girl.

02/14/08Ground drove in drag. Becoming much more relaxed and responsive. Worked on halt/stand. Getting much better. Very good day.

02/11/08Ground drove with drag worked on changing direction, transitions and halt/stand.

02/08/08Ground drove. Hooked to drag for first time. Worked on relaxing walk, trot, halt and stand. Also worked on changing direction and noises behind her and on her side.

02/07/08Ground drove. Worked with the poles on both sides. Hlat and stand getting much better. Introduced the drag. Let her smell it and follow it around until she didn’t seem as nervous about it.

02/06/08Ground drove. Worked on changing direction, transitions, halt, and stand. Worked again with pvc pipes until relaxed and walking forward quietly. Good girl.Getting better every day.

02/04/08Lunged, worked on voice commands and ground manners. Ground drove and worked with pvc pipes one at a time.

01/31/08Worked on transitions, halt and stand and relaxing.  She is getting better but will progress much more quickly once she trusts human. Also worked again on picking up feet and touching all over. Good girl.

01/30/08Dr. Thompson examed her and did flextion test and hoof testing, both of which were negative. Good News. Setup appointment to get feet trimmed.

01/28/08Ground drove. Worked a lot on relaxed walk, and halt. Again getting better, but still not where she needs to be as far as trusting and relaxing and standing at halt. Much better with downward transitions and she is getting much better about responding and not running through you or pulling on hands. She was not off at all today, but am going to have vert look at her just to make sure and find out exactly what is going on. Good girl today.

01/26/08Light work. Owner came to visit today. Showed her progress. She is still working on her standing quietly, but it is comming along. Seemed slightly off again.

01/25/08Ground drove. Again worked on relaxing at the walk and not running through bit. Also worked on changing direction and halt. She still quit a lot of work on relaxing and standing. But she is improving, getting a little bit better everyday. Seemed slightly off on front right, worked out of it, but seemed to be effected by the cold.

01/22/08Very cold. Worked on touching head, ears, and putting bridle on (she has a tendency to wiggle around) Worked on picking up feet and standing in crossties.

01/21/08Ground drove. Worked on transitions and developing a relaxed four beated walk without jigging or running through hand aids.

01/20/08Dewormed with Ivermectin.

01/17/08Ground drove/long lined. Worked on transitions, whoa and not turning into human (even with blind bridle on).

01/16/08Owner worked with Sassy again. Worked on picking up feet, touching all over, leading and handling. Lunged in the afternoon and fit to new bridle. Started long lining. Worked on transitions and standing.

01/15/08Worked with owner. Worked on basics, leading and how to react and control horse. Worked on halt, cross ties, picking up feet, leading and standing. Horse is starting to understand what is expected of her and starting to have much more trust for humans.

01/14/08Ground work, transitions, halt and stand, picking up feet, and cross ties.

01/11/08Lunged in harness. Worked on promptness of transitions and steady, consistant gaits. Worked on voice commands and a square steady halt. 

01/10/08More grooming, picking up feet, touching head including:ears, nose, poll, jaw, and eyes. Dr. Thompson floated teeth.

01/09/08Groomed, Lunged in harness. Worked on learning voice commands for walk, trot, whoa, stand and turn. Sherri seems to be the worker bee in the pair. Very good day. Very quick learner.

01/08/08Evaluation done. Worked on ground work, leading, cross ties, touching, lifting tail, picking up feet, touching all over, fit harness/bridle.

03/21/08Rode. Worked on not dropping shoulder and bending through body and neck. Worked on relaxing a stretching neck and over topline even through transitions and changing directions, or halting.

03/20/08Drove. Worked on steady gaits, bending, transitions. Very good boy.

03/18/08Rode. Worked on steady gaits, stretching through neck, changing direction and bend, transitions. Also started working on sitting trot. Very good boy.

03/14/08Rode. Worked on steady gaits, balance, transitions, and body carriage with an emphasis on neck and shoulders.

03/13/08Drove. Worked on bending and changing bend. Also worked again on not dropping shoulders through turns and stretching neck out and over back.

03/11/08Rode. Worked on changing directions, steady gaits, balance (not dropping shoulder or running out through shoulder) Very good day. Started the canter. He wanted to rush into it and got a little excited to start with, so we will work on this more in later sessions. But he had a very good day and is becoming more and more pleasant to work with,

03/10/08Drove. Worked on bending and changing bend. Also worked on steady gaits, not speeding up or slowing down or putting head up or down through bend changes and transtiions.

03/06/08Drove. Worked on changing bends, stretching neck and steady gaits. We worked on changing bends through changing directions, he is getting much smoother in body carriage, tempo and balance. Good day.

03/05/08Drove. Worked on bending and moving into the outside rein. Also worked on keeping steady tempo. Not speeding up or slowing down especially in the open part of the arena. We worked on transitions as well. He is getting much better about not sucking neck in and up instead he is starting to stretch down into the bridle.

03/03/08Rode. Very good boy. Worked on moving off leg aids into outside rein, not sucking neck in or curling, relaxing , transitions, and steady gaits. Very good. He is a quick learner and very pleasant and enjoyable to work with.

02/29/08Drove, Worked on steady gaits and transitions without pulling head up and dropping back. Good boy.

02/27/08Rode. He is getting much better about moving off leg aid and into the outside rein. He is also starting to get much more steady and smoother in is walk and trot gaits and transitions.

02/25/08Drove. Worked on steady gaits, transitions, not falling through corners (especially going to the left) Also worked on relaxing and stretching neck out instead of sucking it back and in.

02/22/08Rode, Worked on balance and moving into the outside rein, but not through it. Also worked on his gaits being steady and relaxed and not rushing or dropping inside shoulder. Still better going to the right, but starting to get a little more even with left and right.

02/21/08Drove in cart. Worked on relaxing through body including neck and back. Also worked on not running through corners and holding self up. He is getting much better about not running or pulling toward the door. We also are working on getting him to go into the outside rein, but not run through it.

02/19/08fit to Jerald cart and driven. Worked mostly on relaxing, steady forward gaits, and standing up without dropping shoulders through corners.

02/18/08Rode, worked on not dropping shoulder through corner and turns. Worked on steady forward, buut not rushing gaits. Good boy.

02/14/08Ground drove. Relaxed much more quickly, seemed to be a little bit more responsive and quicker to react. Worked on transitions, changing direction, and stretching neck and dropping head, while pushing forward. Good boy.

02/13/08Ground drove. Started developing steady, relaxed gaits and worked on paying attention. Rode as well.  He seemed a little excited and wanted to veer toward the door so we worked on relaxing , not rushing, and politely moving forward when asked.

02/11/08Fit saddle, bridle and harness/closed bridle. Walked around arena, showed mirrors, ground poles etc.   Wanted to pull toward the door at first but eventually settled in and relaxed. Also worked on putting head down, especially for haltering and bridling.

Banks

Banks is an 17yo Warmblood owned by Diane McDonald. He is in training to keep him physically active and in shape for the upcoming spring and summer.

03/28/08    Worked on the long reins. Worked on collecting and rounding and moving back out and comming back again. Worked on steady forward gaits and smooth transitions up and down.
03/25/08    Rode. Very good boy. Very forward even through transitons. Very light and very good about carrying himself and moving off leg aids.
03/21/08    Rode. Light work over raised poles and flat poles. Also worked on transitions and holding self up and moving forward even into downw3ard transitons.
03/20/08    Worked on the long lines. Worked on forward gait, rounding into bridle and stretching neck and back. Very good boy. A lot less lazy.
03/18/08    Worked on stepping up under self. Worked on transitions, not loosing forwardness. Also worked on leg yield and shoulder in to get him to bend through his body and step underneath himself.
03/14/08    Worked on the lunge line. Worked on transitions and forward gaits. Worked over ground poles and small jumps. Good boy. His back left leg as not swelled up at all for the last 3 days. Yeah.
03/13/08    Long lined. Worked a lot on round up into bridle and lifting back and rounding body. Also focused on forward gaits and forward movement through transitions. (especially downward transitions).
03/11/08    Rode. Worked on collecting and lenghthening. Also worked on transitions and not running through aids or falling through transitions.
03/10/08    Worked on the long lines. Worked on transitions being more prompt and forward (especially downward transitions , not dying through transition) Also worked on stretching down and rounding up into bridle.
03/06/08    Worked over ground poles. Also worked on transitions becoming more prompt and forward.
03/04/08    Ground drove, worked on moving forward into bridle and rounding body. Also worked on transitions and not dropping shoulders or hip through transitions or changing position of head and neck.
03/03/08Rode, worked on a big, forward walk, transitions and lead changes, both simple and flying. 

Jedi

Jedi is a 4 year old  Freisan cross owned by Gene and Katy Rhinehart of Ferguson, IA. She has been started harnessing and ground driven, but needs to have the work done to be confident enough to start pulling the cart to be started in the show world next year.

7/04/08    Gene and Katy came today to pick her .  Jada showed them the things that she can do, and had Gene drive her.  She walked calmly, trotted, changed direction willingly, and had good transitions.  She went home today, and Gene and Katy report that she is doing well at home. That's good news!

7/03/08    Drove, working on relaxed, steady gaits.  A good girl!

7/02/08     Drove inside and outside, working on transitions and seeing all kinds of new things.  A good girl, relaxed and happy.  

7/01/08    Drove outside, worked on circles and figures, transitions and halt/stand.

6/25/08    Driven in the cart, worked on halt, stand, walk and trot.  She was a very good girl.  There was lots of activity going on around her, and she did not care.  Went outside and walked around the barn.  A very good girl!

6/24/08    In the cart, relaxing.  Walk trot transitions, halt, and stand. 

6/23/08    Drove in the cart again, working on direction changes, relaxing in the harness and cart, and transitions.  She was a good girl today!

6/18/08    Drove in the cart again.  She was a very good girl, even with noises and distractions in the arena.  She walked very calmly and relaxed, with her focus on the driver.  Each day she gets more confident.

6/16/08    In the cart again, still walking, so that she stays relaxed, calm, and confident.  Worked on changing directions smoothly and stopping and standing.

6/15/08    With Brian's help, we put Jedi in the lightweight Jerald cart for the first time.  She was a very good girl:  relaxed, calm, confident.  Worked both ways of the arena, doing several walk-halt-stand transitions.l

06/12/08    Ground drove in drag. Very good day, very relaxed, calm, very settled. worked on halt/walk transitions, standing and direction changes.
06/11/08    Ground drove in drag. Very good girl. There was thunder, lightening and heavy rain, and a barn full of yelling horses, she did a very nice job of staying focused and relaxed and working steadily. good girl.
06/10/08    Ground drove in drag. Worked on transitions, halt/walk, halt and stand. Good day. Very relaxed, calm, ect.
06/03/08    Ground drove in drag with noises and distractions. Again very calm, relaxed, comfortable. Good day.
06/02/08    Ground drove in drag. Very good girl.
05/29/08    Ground drove in drag. Very calm, relaxed, attentive. Very good day.
05/28/08    Ground drove in drag. Very good day. Worked with noises around her as well. She was very calm, relaxed, not overreactive in any way. Very good day.
05/26/08    Ground drove in drag. Only took about 2 laps until she relaxed, even through direction changes and halts.  Good girl.
05/23/08    Worked with noises and sights. Touching all over with a virety of things, noises behind her and beside her.
05/21/08    Ground drove and worked with noises behind her and beside her. She does better when she can see where the noise is comming from, but i would still like her to stay focused on what she is doing and not worry about everything elso so much.
05/19/08    Ground drove in drag. Worked on relaxing and stretching neck out and down. Which comes when she relaxes.
05/16/08    Ground drove in drag. Very good girl. She is getting much better and much more trusting.
05/15/08    Ground drove with pvc pipes on both sides. Good girl.
05/12/08    Ground drove with pvc pipes on both sides. Veruy calm, relaxed. Good girl. Hooked to drag agian. She started off slow and but worked out of it and just walked around not too bothered by the noises or anything. Went around until she was relaxed in both directions and calmly unhooked.
05/09/08    Ground drove with pvc poles on bot hsides of ther. She is getting much more relaxed and settled, even with noises behind her and the poles on both sides of her. Good girl.
05/08/08    Ground drove with pvc poles on both sides of her. She is staying relaxed and calm. Again we worked until she had a consistant 25--30 min of relaxed work.
05/06/08    Ground drove. Worked with pvc poles. One at a time and noises. Worked until she did not flinch or wiggle at all.
05/05/08    Very good day ground driving. Did not jump at noises around her. She is finally ( I hope) starting to relax and trust and not get herself into fits to where she scares herself. Very good day. yeah Jedi.
05/02/08    Ground drove. Worked on transitions and relaxing and noises behind and beside her.
04/29/08    Long lined and ground drove. Worked on relaxing and paying attention to work. Also worked on steady gaits , transitions and we did a lot of direction changes. Good Day.
04/22/08    Ground drove. Worked again on not reacting so much especially with noises behind her or beside her.
04/21/08    Ground drove. Worked a lot on the halt and stand. Also worked a lot on relaxing and not worrying so much even if there is stuff going on around her or noises in the barn.
04/15/08     Ground drove outside. Worked on relaxing and dealing with noises and things going on around her.
04/12/08Ground drove. Worked on noises behind her and not jumping or running sideways.
04/10/08    Ground drove. Worked on noises around her. The wind was really strong and hard rains outside. Very good pracatice for her. We worked on every time she would jump or try to run forward she was put in a circle. We worked until she could ignore all other things going on and focus on her work. It might take a few more times of this to get her where she needs to be but she is improving.
04/09/08    Ground drove, with noises behind her. She is starting to relax a little bit more each day.
04/07/08    Worked with scary stuff (desentization) and scary noises. She just needs to learn to relax and be calm in more exposed situations.
04/04/08    Ground drove. A good day. Now I am starting to work on desensitization stuff. She needs to get used to as many things, noises, sights, etc.,  as possible and that should help her not want to be jumpy or run. Overall she had a very good day and is improving greatly.
04/02/08    Ground drove. Very good day. No spooks and she didn't once try to tangle up in the reins.
04/01/08    Ground drove. Again worked on relaxing and her confidence.
03/28/08    Worked with owner. She was a little tense and wanted to turn and look at everything. But after a little workout she seemed to start to calm down and start to focus on her work a little more.
03/25/08    Ground drove. Best day yet. Very good girl. She was very relaxed and calm and responsive even with lots going on.
03/24/08    Ground drove. Very good day. Very responsive, but not over responsive. Seems to be starting to calm down and figure things out, but she is still not 100% sure of herself/humans as her leader.
03/22/08    Ground drove. Worked on a relaxed walk with some noises behind her. much quieter.
03/20/08    Ground drove. worked on a relaxed, calm, steady walk. With and without noises behind her. Much better day. Good girl. I think she needs to build her confidence up a little at and learn to relax and understand her job at a slow level, but it is not a big deal and I think she will be fine, (maybe a little slow)
03/18/08    Today she was much better, but still jumpy. seems to be jumpy/upset about noises around her that she cannot see (horse banging on bucket outside, sleet hitting metal doors etc.) She would get a little upset when she heard theses things and go back to want to run or buck. so again I had her work until she was relaxed and calm and could nicely walk around arena.
03/17/08    Ground drove with and without drag. She was a little bit excited and tense today. Wanted to run forward and buck. Worked with her until she could relax and calmly walk around without tucking back end up (getting ready to run or buck)
03/14/08    Ground drove. Worked with owners.
03/13/08    Ground drove in drag. Worked on developing a very relaxed walk. Worked on horse becoming relaxed, confident and sure about what her job is.
03/12/08    Ground drove again focusing on relaxing and steady gaits. Introduced drag and hooked to for first time. Ground drove in drag. Worked on transitions, steady gaits, changing direction without changing anything else. Very good girl. She is a very quick learner and starting to trust and even enjoy time with humans. Very nice horse to work with.
03/11/08    Ground drove. Changed bit to a French link, she seemed much happier and much less fussy with head. During ground driving session we worked on noises behind her, changing directions, while keeping steady gaits, proper/steady body carriage and relaxing. Worked ground driving with pvc side poles as well. 
03/10/08     Ground drove. Showed around. Showed mirrors, corners of arena, anything that she might want to sniff and investigate. worked on relaxing and following humans guidance.

Drowsy Mountain Trace

Native Woodhill: (Woody)

Native Winged Foot is a 3-year-old Hackney Horse colt owned by Anne Leck of Maple Plain, Minnesota.  He arrived at Three G Farms May 10, with the expectation that we would teach him basic ground manners and then train him to drive.  Anne said that we should give him a barn name, and we settled on George.

11/08/08    In consultation with his owner, we concluded that we had taken him as far as we could.  He needs to learn to be around other horses when working without reverting to colt-like behavior, and we do not have a place where we can teach him that that is safe for him or for us.  So Anne picked him up today, and will turn him out for the winter.

11/06/08    Worked on steady, relaxed, forward gaits.  Was slightly lazy at the trot, and wanted to quit.  Jada worked him through that.  He was a good boy.  His balance has improved greatly!

11/05/08    Worked on a forward, marching walk and rounding his frame while staying soft in the walk and trot and through direction changes.

11/03/08    Drove inside, working on steady, smooth transitions and a committed halt.

10/29/08    Ground drove in the drag outside, working on paying attention to the job at hand.  He wanted to call to other horses and jig instead of walking.  He got better throughout the session.

10/28/08    In the Jerald cart, working on steady gaits, head down and stretching and relaxing.  A good boy.

1020/08  Ground drove with the bit holder on, and he was much better about getting his tongue over the bit. He settled into work rapidly today, and was a very good boy.  Worked on steady forward gaits, transitions, and stretching his neck out and down. 

10/17/08  Jada started him on the ground, as usual, and then we hitched him to the Jerald.  His problem  with the bit is that he acts like teenage boy (which, of course, he is) about things, the bit included.  He just has to play around.  We started with a flash noseband fashioned out of ever-popular bale twine.  No effect.  He still could get his tongue over the bit.  Next we tried a half-nose band, tying the two rings, one on either side of the bit, together across his nose.  That worked, but he did not like it very much.  He settled in, however, and had a good drive, once he could not manipulate the bit.

10/15/08    He was mouthy today as he was being harnessed.  Not a good thing, but probably related to the fact that he is still a stud.  He was a TWIT in the harness, as well.  Jada ground drove him for a good 45 minutes before putting him in the carriage. He just did not want to settle down!  And we've GOT to do something about the bit problem.

10/14/08    Ground drove in the drag inside, asking for relaxation and steadiness.   Jada is trying to break him of the habit of throwing his head in transitions.  He is better about getting his tongue over the bit.  Raising the bit helped a little, but has not completely solved the problem.  When he has the bit on top of his tongue, he is very good:  responsive and relaxed.  But there is NO connection when his tongue is in the wrong place!

10/10/08    Ground drove inside, working on following the bit.  One problem is that he gets his tongue over the bit, which affects the driver's control .  We do not want to tighten the noseband, so we will raise the bit by shortening the cheek pieces at the rosette.  Most horses figure that their tongue where it doesn't belong is uncomfortable and quickly figure out how to get their tongue back where it belongs . . . but not George!

10/9/08    A very good day!  A lot of changing directions and work on squaring the halt.  Also focused on not getting tight through the neck through transitions and at the halt.  He is doing well!

10/8/08    Ground drove, with a lot of trot work, focusing on steadiness of gaits and changing the direction and bending. 

10/7/08    Another good day, working on walk and trot transitions and steady gaits. 

10/6/08    A very good day.  Drove him in the indoor arena, and he was perfect . . . no stopping, no tucking his tail and lurching.  That's four days in a row that he has been very good.  We may be getting there!

10/2/08    Today workmen were fixing the eaves and downspouts on the barn, walking on the roof, banging ladders, pounding ot stuff.  So he was worked in the drag in the indoor arena, with new sounds.  And he handled the new noises very well.

09/30/08   Ground drove in the drag outside.  The drag itself makes lots different noises, from gravel to rocks to grass, so he was exposed to different noises and changes in the noises behind him.  Worked on a relaxed walk outside, through direction changes and with other things going on, like mowing, cars, etc.  Focused on keeping his attention on his work, and he did very well.  Jada walked behind him for more than three miles . . . 13 times around the quarter-mile track!

09/29/08    Ground drove all over the farm, working on noises behind him, especially changes in the sounds behind him.  He handled everything very well.

09/26/08   Today was not a good day.  The most discouraging thing is that when he is a little off, he reverts to the scrunch-stop behavior.  Today it did that maneuver probably 10 times.  Next week he probably will be fine again . . . but we would like it if we did not have keep going back!

09/25/08    Because a prospective buyer wanted to have a video of him trotting in hand both toward and away from the camera, and we were not very successful, Jada worked with him in hand today until she could get him to trot out when asked!  Who knew that he would not be very good at it!

09/24/08    Worked in the indoor arena at the walk, trot, halt, stand.  He was a very good boy, with no missteps and no scrunching of his taile. 

09/23/08    George's day began with a trim, his second since he came to Three G Farms.  Because today was the day to make a tape for a woman in Washington who is interested in purchasing him, Tad began by taping him being trimmed.  And he was pretty good .  .  . he objected to having one back foot trimmed.  But overall, he was good.  We put him out in the round pen for a few minutes, and then began taping as Jada led him in.  She harnessed him, ground drove for a couple of rounds, and then hitched him, driving both ways of the arena, walking and trotting, stopping and standing.  We unhitched him and taped him in the round pen moving freely at a trot and canter.  We took the measurements requested by the prospective buyer, and then , after Mary read her emails, taped him (or tried to tape him) doing the other things requested:  walking and trotting away from the camera and toward the camera.  He managed the walking part well, but we were not able to get a good trot leading him.  Tad will get the tape onto a DVD . . . we hope we have what she wants. 

09/22/08    A good session, which started, as usual, ground driving, with Jada making noises behind him.  Then he was hitched to the Jerald and driven inside, working on smooth halts and transitions.  He tucked his tail once, as he reacted to a rattle in the cart, but otherwise it was a smooth session.

09/19/07  We started ground driving, for just a couple of rounds.  Then it was hitched to the Jerald and driven in the indoor arena.  In general, he was a good pony.  He only tucked his tail and stopped twice in the session.  Twice too many, of course, and the good thing is that he stops instead of bolting.  He does not seem to be bothered by sights but is by sounds.  Getting him to relax when there are strange noises is the challenge!

09/18/07    Began by ground driving.  Then Mary pulled the Jerald cart all around him, bouncing it up and down, until there was no reaction on his part to the jiggle.  Then Jada put him in the Jerald and drove him in the arena.

09/17/08    Outside for the very first time, in the drag.  Jada drove him all around the farm, next to the road, around the hay field.  He handled himself very well.  He was calm and not fussing, except at the end, when he was driven past the other horses in pens. 

09/16/08    Ground driving, rattling all sorts of stuff behind him:  milk jugs clicking together, loud stomping, foot shuffling, wood chips against the wall.  Jada continued these activities until George paid no attention to the noise.

09/15/08    Inside in the Jerald cart.  He reacted to the noise of the cart.  When the cart would jiggle, George would crouch, tuck his tail, hop, and sort of freeze.  We did not like his reaction to the noise, and will need to work on that. 

09/12/08  Inside, working on steady, relaxed walking and changing directions without bobbling or weaving. 

09/10/08    Still inside, with emphasis on a square, relaxed halt and stead trot work.  He is getting better!

09/9/08    Worked on transitions, and not getting so tight through the neck when going up to the trot, and through transitions.  Worked inside, and he is getting it!

09/3/08    Worked in the Jerald cart inside, aiming for steady, relaxed gaits.  

09/2/08    Worked again on steady gaits, smooth turns.  We are starting to ask for more bend and quicker responses in transitions.  A good day:  he was calm, relaxed, and responsive.

08/29/08    Today was a good day.  George was relaxed and happy, with no fussing or odd behavior.  Worked again on stead gaits and transitions.

08/28/08  Worked alone again today, with emphasis on developing a steadier trot and smooth transitions.  A good boy! 

08/27/08  Jada usually wants to have another person in the arena to help hitch and unhitch, in case something goes south.  But today she was alone, and he behaved himself very well!  Still in the indoor arena (it was raining), but venturing outside is not far off!

08/26/08  He is SO sensitive to anything that changes around him!  Today two of the horses in the barn were having their teeth floated.  Even though he could not see them, he knew that there was something different going on.  So putting him to the carriage was not as smooth as it usually is.  We want a horse to STAND stock still for hitching, and today he fidgeted and tried to walk off before we were done.  Each time he was asked politely and patiently to QUIT IT.  Once he was hitched and Jada was in the carriage, he was fine. 

08/25/08    Jada started out with him in the drag, for about half an hour.  Then we moved to the small cart again . . . and he was calm and responsive.  How nice to have him BACK to where he was before Sweet Pea joined the barn.  We have always been careful about the ponies next to him . . . forgot about across the aisle!&nb