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Post by pk on Apr 12, 2010 15:27:57 GMT -5
Lila just arrived on Saturday so she hasn't had much done with her yet. Yesterday we did a little ground work, and she learning to be tied. So far she will pick up one foot without kicking. She is quite nervous since it is her first time ever being off the farm. However, she is already starting to calm down.
The pasture she has been in all winter did not have any shelter, so Lila has a lot of rain rot on her back. We will get her started under saddle as soon as that clears up. Lila is energetic, but also very smart and extremely willing to please. She is going to be a great little mare.
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Post by pk on Apr 17, 2010 21:55:06 GMT -5
Lila just finished her first week of thoroughbred boot camp. She arrived as a frightened filly with minimal handling. Somehow we managed to get her hauled to the farm so she could begin her formal education. I’ll admit that I was sure Lila was going to be a real handful when she got here. Having never been off the farm where she was born, Lila was nervous and afraid when she arrived. She would tremble due to her insecurity. We decided not to push her at all; we’ve been working at her pace. Luckily Lila is very smart and wants to cooperate and learn new things. She’s quit kicking at us and has been easy to catch so far. We can hardly wait to get her going under saddle to see how she does. Lila has been in heat the last two days, which has made her EXTREMELY easy to work with. She wants attention from anyone who will give it to her. A photo summary of her week: Wednesday - Lila mastered loading in and out of the trailer like a pro! Thursday – Standing tied and getting a bath. (Being tied is the hard part) Friday – Picking up the front feet and wearing a saddle blanket. We are still working on the hind feet, but she’s coming along nicely. Saturday – Being ponied around the neighborhood.
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Post by leahlady on Apr 18, 2010 18:41:51 GMT -5
What awesome pictures!!!!!! She looks GREAT Kristi!!!
This filly has come so far - would strike at people and not let anyone near her at first! Having no experience with a horse this fearful/unhandled... I am SO thankful to Kristi for taking her on.
Clearly she has quite a future ahead of her! She looks so pretty after her bath!
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Post by pk on Apr 24, 2010 23:18:46 GMT -5
This week Lila began her saddle training. She was fairly easy to work with for most of it. Unfortunately the “I’m so sweet when I’m in heat” Lila is a thing of the past, at least until next time. Lila is really seeking security from people when she is unsure of herself. The first time she was lunged with the saddle she’d try to run and get away from it. Then she would face me and walk up with a look on her face that said, “Can’t you save me from this thing?” Everything went well – no kicking, rearing or bucking – just some side stepping. At the beginning of the week Lila was doing well and picking up all four feet without kicking. Her front feet had very short toes with a lot of wall on the side and quite a flare. The farrier trimmed her front hooves. She was REALLY good for her first hoof trim! Unfortunately she is back to kicking with her hind feet so she’ll have to have them trimmed later. It is a little discouraging to have her kicking, but Rome wasn't built in a day... Lunging with the bareback pad: (sorry, photo disappeared) Front hoof before the trim - no contracted heels here! Hooves before and after: In the round pen today - Day 3 with a saddle:
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Post by pk on May 9, 2010 23:02:22 GMT -5
Over the last two weeks we’ve done a lot of work with Lila in the arena. She is doing very well with her training. Lila has a "whoa" that could make other horses jealous, and she has the one-rein stop down to a science. Here is a photos update of Lila’s progress. Hanging out with her new fly mask Lila wasn’t getting the idea of “forward” in the arena, so we decided to head out into the real world. She handles traffic and even motorcycles without batting an eyelash. Under the scary power lines – not a problem. She is naturally curious and interested in everything around her. We couldn’t find anything that would spook her. We stopped to remove some low hanging branches from the trail. Even with branches breaking right next to her face, Lila couldn’t have cared less. She stands perfectly still for mounting and dismounting; getting back on is a breeze. Through the woods
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Post by winterlakesfarm on May 10, 2010 14:13:57 GMT -5
Wow that is awesome! She looks great and it sounds like she is a superstar under saddle!
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honeydofarm
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Post by honeydofarm on May 10, 2010 20:36:36 GMT -5
Wow, great job! She looks like she is getting a lot of great exposure and experiences. Glad to see her coming along so well.
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Post by pk on May 15, 2010 15:44:09 GMT -5
Hey Everyone! Lila here. I’ve done so much this week that it is already time for an update on my training. During the week I went in the trailer and took a trail ride. The humans called it a “practice run”, but I’m not sure what we practiced for. I had a great time. I’ve learned to tie - even to the trailer - and I pick my feet up now. During our trail ride a big bird (maybe a grouse??) jumped out in front of me on the trail. It was squawking and flapping its wings at me. It looked kind of scary, but of course I wasn’t afraid and just stood there like a good girl. There was a big tree blocking our trail. Not a problem! I just blazed a new trail and went around it. I love trail riding!! Around the farm we’ve been discussing this year’s SAFE show. I hope I get to go; the other horses say it will be fun. How do I look? I’ve also been working on trotting with this crazy human on my back. She’s not so bad, but the truth is I’d rather just walk around. Rumor has it that we’re going to work on it some more… There is a lot to do here. Here I am walking over these poles on the ground. The first time I tripped. Now I remember to pick my feet up and everything is good!
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Post by malina on May 15, 2010 20:45:44 GMT -5
Lila looks beautiful Kristi! what a sweetie cutie pie. great job!
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Post by hooti4me on May 16, 2010 14:27:33 GMT -5
WOW, amazing how far she has come!! Great job giving her such a solid beginning in her life.
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Post by leahlady on May 16, 2010 22:13:03 GMT -5
yay she is doing so awesome!!!!! looks so good Kristi!!!!!
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Post by pk on May 31, 2010 6:16:44 GMT -5
Over the weekend Lila left to continue her training. Hopefully Leahlady will give us updates on how she is doing! A video was planned to show what Lila has learned the past few weeks, but unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate. Here are a few photos we managed to snap of recent adventures. Mark came out to put shoes on Lila's front feet. She was pretty good for the shoes, but was ready for it to be finished after that! Getting used to the "slicker" She isn't afraid of the bridge! Eating one of the trail obstacles. Going over the log and through the brush.
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Post by leahlady on Jun 10, 2010 16:57:30 GMT -5
Lila is now back with me, she is living at Meadowhill Farm, where Chance is boarded!! She is proving to be VERY talented over fences, and bold & fearless facing cross country questions, including going through water! Thank you Kristi for her fabulous start... Lila is going to make a wonderful mount for someone. She is currently FOR SALE
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Post by leahlady on Jun 13, 2010 2:48:56 GMT -5
I will definitely bring her if I still have her!! Although I would love for her to have a new mom by then.... she is so great that I'm tempted to keep her, but she looks EXACTLY like Lady at some moments and I just break down and start to cry!!
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Post by leahlady on Jul 27, 2010 3:11:27 GMT -5
Lila found a fabulous new mom tonight... a friend of mine just retired her gelding, and had just started looking for a young event prospect. Lila has proven to be incredibly talented, so I wanted her to go to someone who would allow her to fulfill that potential.. Amy came out and loved her... and felt that she has enough talent to possibly make it to the higher levels of eventing. Only time will tell, but Lila has found her perfect match! Here is a before and after shot... what a difference right?!? I want to thank Kristi for giving Lila such a wonderful start and foundation. It was because of her great start and initial exposure that she has progressed so quickly and easily. Lila is incredible for a horse that barely has 90 days under saddle. She has no bad habits on the ground, clips, ties, loads, hauls, etc. perfectly & calmly. Not to even mention that she was barely handled less than a year ago. I literally cannot believe how far she has come, and I wholeheartedly thank Kristi for the amazing training she donated for Lila. Here she is in October 2009, right after I met her: And here is what she looks like now!! Like a different horse.... Here she is with me under saddle - just look and that hind end. (My trainer says I'm crazy to not keep her, but I don't think I'm talented enough for Lila!!)
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