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Post by larkspurco on Apr 10, 2008 22:01:10 GMT -5
The secret is taking lots and lots of pictures, a habit I developed in a previous job where I had to shoot the pictures for the stories I wrote. I just don't show the bad pictures. The camera is actually just mediocre, but I run the pictures through the Firefox photo editing filters to pretty them up.
But he is an awfully cute horse, so of course he is photogenic!
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Post by cardicorgi on Apr 11, 2008 15:58:24 GMT -5
What a great update! He is very cute. I can't wait to hear more about his adventures undersaddle...
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Post by Sara on Apr 11, 2008 16:42:50 GMT -5
He looks great! "leggs" is a gorgeous girl so I don't blame him for being in love!!
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Post by schwung on Jun 29, 2008 12:55:05 GMT -5
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shekaberry
SAFE Volunteer
SAFE Volunteer Coordinator
Posts: 1,521
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Post by shekaberry on Jun 29, 2008 22:11:06 GMT -5
He is such a beauty, sure hope the mirror helps the insomnia. Funny, since my mirror causes my insomnia!!!!! Just kidding.
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Post by fototropic on Jun 30, 2008 17:02:36 GMT -5
Wow! He looks fabulous! You wouldn't believe he is the same poor soul that was rescued. Good for him to have such a wonderful home. Pam
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Post by larkspurco on Jul 9, 2008 0:26:44 GMT -5
I think it's great you are checking on the horses. I enjoyed meeting Kelly and I think I talked her ear off. It's a good thing she didn't stick around for the riding that day because it was terrible. But we're back on track again and I finally got some pictures tonight. I am far from an elegant rider, so once I got past all of my mistakes I was more than encouraged by how much my boy has progressed. Here are a few of the pictures. If you want to see more they are in visit Desi's photo album here: s73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/hfournier/Desert%20Spark/We begin the walk fairly relaxed: Then progress to the trot. I don't know why but he always needs to throw his head around first for a bit - ugly ugly Now he's starting to settle down: Getting better: I really like him here: And I like his expression here: Brace yourself for the canter -- departure looks promising: But then he has to be a freak and throw his head around. I assure you I am not yanking on his mouth, in spite of what he might have you believe. I just keep laughing at him -- it's going to take a lot more time.
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Post by schwung on Jul 9, 2008 0:40:05 GMT -5
I think he looks great, and you are doing exactly what I would do, just ignore it, drive him forward, give him a consistent, light contact to relax into, and let him come down on his own. I think this is mainly a strength and balance issue...transitions are tough, and always where the head will fly up. Vanna does the same thing (because I never rode her consistently enough to get her fit and to learn how to balance herself). You look GREAT on him and I love the 5th and 6th photo!
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Post by larkspurco on Jul 9, 2008 0:58:48 GMT -5
Thanks Jaime,
It's been tough since bringing him home from 8th Heaven. I had to start over almost from square one, and I have no mirrors or trainers to tell me how we're doing. Best compliment I ever got was when my trainer walked through the arena and said "he almost looks like a normal horse." LOL.
He is really neurotic -- wouldn't let the trainer bridle him and was so neurotic under saddle that she declined to continue riding him. We agreed that he most needed consistency, and I didn't want her to worry about getting hurt.
But he is improving, and the neurotic behaviors are becoming less frequent. The nice thing about him is he never tries to bolt or run off and while he can spook and scoot, he has never bucked or reared.
Longeing with Vienna reins followed by long walks through the pasture have done him a world of good. We have no rhythm yet, but I have faith...
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Post by coconut on Jul 9, 2008 1:08:16 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing your photos and your thoughts: I SO appreciate hearing what other's think about their own horses and take encouragement from even the little challenges I read about because sometimes I feel like I'm the dumbest rider out there and my horse is the only one who doesn't do exactly what a show-horse would do...because they all actually really do know how to do that, right? They just have some secret pact with one another NOT to let us know about it too soon in the relationship. Your photos are great and the captions are fun and informative...keep it up! I'm taking notes
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Post by akoehmstedt on Jul 9, 2008 10:34:48 GMT -5
Sounds like you guys are doing great. Keep up the good work.
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Post by larkspurco on Jul 15, 2008 0:44:07 GMT -5
Desi has a new neighbor -- Bamm-Bamm. ;D
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Post by safehorses on Jul 15, 2008 16:41:35 GMT -5
Desi looks great...so do you! Bamm Bamm has broken the cute meter...what a darling little goat!
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Post by cardicorgi on Jul 15, 2008 16:46:39 GMT -5
Aww, how cute!
Don't know how I missed the riding photos! That 6th photo is lovely of you two. I also love that you are smiling at his evasions.
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Post by leahlady on Jul 15, 2008 17:08:22 GMT -5
I totally missed the photos of you riding him! What a handsome boy he is! He really looks lovely, and his canter looks amazing! Your post makes me smile because those are the exact issues I had with Lady when I got her. She threw her head the EXACT same way! VIOLENTLY!! I love that you are laughing at him when he does it, instead of getting frustrated. Desi is very lucky to have a rider like you!! (By the way, you are a LOVELY rider!) We also had the exact same thing happen with the trainer - Lady was doing neurotic things and my trainer also declined to continue riding her! A wonderful, kind trainer, but Lady was being dangerous and got herself fired. That was 8 years ago (oh my god, so long ago!!) Lady got much better once she lived in a pasture instead of a stall, and had me riding consistently. Another thing that really helped her was the switch to a mullen mouth. That bit really helped her calm down about the contact, I think because it barely moved in her mouth and was really easy to carry. I now ride her in a sprenger snaffle, but the mullen mouth really helped her to become stready in the contact. I have the bit in my basement if you would like me to mail it for you to try! It is 5". I agree with everything Jaime said, and from the looks of the photos, I know you guys will work through this! 8 years later, Lady still tosses her head at the start of every ride, but only once! She has to always let me know what she thinks
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