Riding Louka

Well what a day that was- Off I went to pick up Louka thinking I'd only have to ride him in the roundpen or small paddock..but no Amanda had other ideas- we went right up over the steep hills only walking - it had been raining so the clay tracks were a bit slippery.Louka has been doing this trail trotting and cantering for the past 3 weeks,and Amanda wanted me to see where he has been and to ease me into it before she let him go home....I was like a newby- but the nerves eased as I realised that he was taking this all in hs stride - my nerves started to ease as we got nearer to home and Louka didn't put a foot wrong. My friend Jak's came with me to pick him up, and it was wonderful as she was able to come with us and ride another really safe huge grey ( he was only 3 years old)- that was an unexpected bonus too. Thanks Megan for riding Louka every day, and thanks Amanda for your expertise in getting him to this point.

What has been happening with my little herd.

It's been a while since I updated on this site so I decided I'd better get onto it....
There has been an enormous amount going on over the last few months...Every Monday and Friday our little kai's have been amazing using their skills to help "at risk youth" and this will finish for the year tomorrow- Monday 5th December 2011.  The school year is almost at an end, and the "Equine Therapy" has been instrumental in helping to give these children a better view of life, and a few tools to help them along the way.
We have had a few online lessons with *1 star Parelli instructor Jane Cook and will be looking to book a few more.

Arobridge Maxwell A & P Show Clevedon Nov 2011

There has also been the A & P show We entered  Maxwell and Louka - in hand only and were very proud to see that Maxwell and Louka both came away with some ribbons. There was a good turnout for the Kaimanawa section this year, so it was brilliant that they both did so well. Also Maxwell's first floating and outing from our place- so he excelled in everything- I think he likes to be on "show"- he was very well behaved...while Louka was really far more interested in the grass.

Arobridge Louka @ A & P show clevedon Nov 2011

Louka had been away to be started under saddle, and we brought him back to the show for the weekend off, and then he went back again- hopefully he will be home again on tuesday..I really miss him, so it will be great to see how well he is doing - apparently he hasn't put a foot wrong so far- that's my boy!!!!  I have also went along to Equidays and stayed the 3 days- that was just brilliant and I would recommend anyone that horses to attend the next one..then a few days later I attended Jackie Chant's horsenality clinic at Waerenga- was just awsome...there is so much to learn.  As it gets drier and when the hay has been cut I can't wait to get out and use that paddock to practise all the lessons so far learned...I want to sit the pnh level 2 freestyle this summer, so that I am progressing through the levels....in the meantime there is still a lot to be done with Maxwell and Oscar to bring them on a bit more.  Oscar is looking lovely in his summer coat and he is the quiet gentleman of the herd- much bigger than the others.  Sarg is his usual cheeky self, and has just had a lump surgically removed from his butt- don't think it is anything sinister but we had it sent away for analysis to make sure..... He backs up the paddock with his tail held to the side to show me, because he knows that I need to check that it's healing and clean...no problems - the stiches will be removed in 2 weeks time....so that's about it for now....Christmas is nearly upon us- so hope all our horsey friends out there have a great safe and happy Christmas....HOhoho have lots of fun and laughter. Cheers from Gypsy, Sarg, Louka, Oscar, Maxwell & Me

Awsome weekend

I went to a Dale Speedy- Bio Mechanics course last weekend....took Gypsy to the first session and Louka to the second day... What a brilliant course- could recommend it. This is a first for Louka..being looked at by many different people....trying to practise the techniques of this very different way of targeting problems and then observing behaviour, actions & movement by the horse/ human and the surrounding environment.
All things that horses do naturally. Fascinating, thrilling stuff, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and so did the horses. Louka was extremely good, calm all the time except when it puddled down I put him in an enclosed stall & he was having none of that- he was either going to come over the top of the door or barg his way through it...ironic that I was there to observe the environment as well as all those other things and I didn't consider that by putting him into an environment that was very foreign to him - where was unable to see over the door or see the way out he still had the instinctual survival- I'm getting outta here one way or another....I took him out straight away and he just dropped his head and started eating...a timely reminder really - he was not familiar with these surroundings and may have felt safe in the stall at home but he could always see and get out if he wanted toat home....I should never asume.

Saturday- Great day with Friends

Today was awsome- I started back into PNH lessons with Gypsy....Debbie started PNH lessons with Louka and Gaylene came along for PNH lessons with Mon's....we all had a ball and our tutor was brilliant- thankyou Jane.
Louka and Debbie were on first- and both beginners did so well...you would think Louka was much older than his 3-4 years- he arrived from the 2009 muster as a wee tyke with a gash to his front leg- he was the "wildest" one of them all...but now I would say he is the wisest, calmest, has heaps of charisma and is so like an exmoor pony in his markings....but he is also very quick to learn...and as it's Debbies first time to PNH he was just brilliant for her to work with- there is no dancing, prancing etc- his manners are impeccable and it made it so much easier to pick up the moves...he knows that we like to be safe while we work with him, and I have used them in his training since he arrived....It will be lovely to see him progress through the levels.
Gypsy and I learnt so much- many of the gaps of why we do things were filled in and this should lead to a better relationship as we progress through the riding as well.  The rain did hold off fpr most of the session(s) and we have a bit of homework as well to keep us on track- sooooo looking forward to dry ground for a change...roll on summer!!!!!

DRY weather- covers are off.

It is so good to have the covers off the horses- the mud has dried up and we are going to get dry weather until sunday- Wooohooo...You can tell the horses are feeling really good- Maxwell and Oscar are playing their games- running and nipping and rearing- jumping then scooting off in the other direction...it's great to watch them playing like that..means spring is almost here. Maxwell must be about 18months old now and Oscar 3 years old...They are looking good -came through the winter in great condition...Sarg is very relaxed these days just loves standing and dozing in the sun. Louka loves to play with everything and it's all done so calmly that teaching him anything is such a breeze.
Gypsy is looking great too and prancing around the paddock with her tail in the air...RD the teeny weeny has fitted into the herd really well...So nice that they are all in the paddocks together instead of having to split them up.  I have been really busy with the Therapy sessions.  We LOVE IT!!!!!
http://www.arobridge.co.nz/

Feet are finally ok

For the past week I have had to watch Sarg Louka and Gypsy looking really quite sore...No abcess present but there had been plenty of MUD- I now think they must've either had their hooves half sucked off by the MUD or they have hooned and pulled muscles...We even had to miss our lesson with Tori... I put them all on freemover and they have now come right again.....they were definitely ok today while they were hooning like their lives depended on it..But the difference is they are on the river silt which had dried out from this wonderful sunshine and they aren't slipping everywhere now, so with a bit of luck they'll still be ok tomorrow...They have had all the mud brushed out of their manes and tails- feet all checked again- Gypsy was the only one that needed soaking in warm water & hypericum lotion- she looked a picture standing with one hoof in the icecream container...she thought it was lovely...looked like a bit of thrush....The farrier is coming on thursday to trim all their feet so I want them feeling good by then too.  LONG LIVE THE SUN...I know we are meant to hibernate and reflect in the winter so I have decided that's what I'll do next winter- it'll be by the fire with a lovely mulled wine catching up with friends and watching Parelli DVD's- thanks for the tip Jane. That's a good one!!!!

RD & Shanae- Gracie & Sarg

Yesterday was really good until RD started to Rear and buck- with Shanae on her- Just as well I had taught Shanae how to do an emergency dismount-she lept off well clear of her. She did the same thing to Gracie- we thought we'd start from scratch and do Parelli- the 7 games to show Shanae how to work with her before she got on again...so Gracie did the 7 games with Sarg and Shanae did the 7 games with RD...It showed the girls that the best way to stop bad behaviour was to show the horse you care but won't allow bad behaviour...In no time at all they were doing a whole obstacle course on the ground which included everything in the 7 games..There was a maze- figure of 8 squeeze between barrells, circles around the mounting block etc- they mastered this in no time at all..Then they learnt how to saddle up Parelli style, ride in a halter and go through the course again but riding them this time....Fantastic it all flowed so beautifully...then once they felt confident enough we went down the driveway- RD & Shanae went over the bridge  because the stream was too deep for RD- and Gracie and Sarg rode through the stream...wow so well done Gracie & Shanae- then we went up the hill to the house - a bit of a rest here then back downhill- the girls learnt how to lean back slightly to slow them down when going downhill and in no time at all we were back over the bridge and stream and they were able to dismount - take the saddles off, have something to eat- horses and children, put the covers back on etc....This is fantastic as I don't have to do any of the covers, feeding, haltering, saddling- I think the girls and horses have learnt heaps in just 2 days....and they are ALL loving it- Horses and Children- & ME!!!!!!


Gracie & Sarg





Shanae & RD



RD & Shanae

Newcomer- for 2 months

We have a new arrival-  Rural Delivery or "RD" for short is her name- she is 10hh and just right for the littlies that will be here over the holidays...we are just looking after her while her owner is in the USA.
Now wouldn't it be lovely if it stopped raining - the mud dried up and the sun shone for more than a minute!!!!.
I have just been out moving the horses to new pasture- I ran them all through the creek to get the mud off their legs- so much easier and they love it...Unfortunately it was a bit too deep for RD, so her legs and tail got a good scrub with the shampoo and hose. I haven't put her in with the others yet- I want them to all talk over the fence for a while. I think Gypsy has her eye on her..she just loves looking after small horses, must be her nurturing nature. Hope Maxwell doesn't get his nose out of joint- Gypsy normally looks out for him- when he arrived she took him under her wing and now he behaves very much like her....little character, he's turning out to be a fabulous little chap.

Look'n forward to the school holidays.

The Kaimanawa's and Gypsy are all look'n forward to the school holidays- ps hope it stops raining for them.  There are going to be a lot of hands and caring little hearts to care for the horses, and I have been offered a couple more smaller horses that the littlies can ride as well....so it should be great fun.  I know Sarg, Louka, Maxwell and Gypsy loved having all that attention last school holidays, and now that Oscar can be groomed so easily he will be able to join in with the children instead of me brushing him each time...I don't need to micromanage him as much now....I know they will all be safe around all the horses now that he is used to different people handling him. So there has been some progress.
I am waiting for a lull in the pouring rain- groan-  Have to feed out the beefy's and horses.

Spending time in the sun

Today was an absolutely gorgeous sunny day- Great for grooming and getting all that mud off.  Megan and I did all 5 today, and they look lovely...we all just soaked up the sun while the grooming was done- MMMmmm it gives us all a glow- there's nothing like sunshine in winter- crystal clear skies and warmth like no other...Hmmm lovely.

Louka sporting the D'yon bridle I won.

We just all hung out together for the whole day- glorious!!!!



Maxwell looking pretty dapper- loves the attention



Oscar - soaking up the sun- look at that kaimanawa mane



Sargeant says "Oh what bliss fed, groomed and sunshine"



Little bit of R & R for Gypsy too

Another wet gloomy day

On wednesday I had a brilliant day..Lessons with Tori PNH for me & Gypsy, and first lessons for Megan and Louka.  I am now learning and practising what I need to do for the freestyle to finish my level 2....It was quite amazing really- I was pretty pathetic most of the time BUT when I felt that I was in the right place...it was like when I was riding her on the Lake Tekapo trek..so in tune and the feeling is like nothing else, but I kept over focusing again and when I do that I lose the plot...so it's back to practise practise practise- I don't need to be perfect but I do need that practise.....the best part was that I LOVED IT and can't wait to do it all again....I have Freddie until Monday night so don't think I'll get the chance with the rain being ensconcsed here again as well...BUT I will be as soon as I'm able to....such fun....Louka and Megan are starting from Level one basics, and I know they will do well- Louka just loves to play so that makes it much more fun too...We have decided every thursday to start with Oscar, then Maxwell then Louka then Sarg and the Gypsy- doesn't have to be long just 1/2 hour each to start.
Today when I went to feed them all they had broken through the tape and were way down the other end of the paddock..groan I thought - Heavy rain warning- I have Freddie (3years old) and here they are on the paddock that floods..BUT to our delight I called them and they all hooned back into the yards- we were thrilled what a great feeling when they really want to be with you.

Back into it

I haven't been on here for a while..so much has been going on and I haven't had a lot of spare time...BUT today it is fine again...Cold after all that beautiful warm weather we've had...so I suppose it MUST be WINTER now...When I look out the window I know it is because the mud is back....It is usually about this time of the year I am gearing up for another 2 Kai colts to arrive...feels a bit empty without them arriving this year... So I decided to go and spend some quiet time with my little herd....I discovered the hunt going over the top of the hills and the hounds coming precariously close to where I had my horses behind a tape....Sarg was snorting back and forth and all the others were just watching with great intent...When it got too much for them the 5 of them would go to the end yard- I had this all open in case it rained- the stall and all the yards- and when it's wet they go in and out at their leisure...Today they were ripping up & down the small paddock and this turned to mud in no time...Not to worry I put them all out on fresh grass once the hunt had finished....Megan and I took all their covers off and gave them all a good grooming. They were all hyped up so it took a while to settle them down even Louka was fidgety today- then we decided to do Maxwell and Oscar as they haven't really been handled for a while...Maxwell was great  stood beautifully quite settled while he was groomed and had his feet picked out etc...He is such a funny wee chap- has a character like none of the others...he is filling out nicely now and even his funny little mouth is widening- such a charismatic chap, he really is learning good manners now and just loves the attention...Oscar was good too, he was the muddiest of all and it took quite some time to get all the mud off him- he hasn't been in a cover yet- that's the next step...He will let us pick up all of his feet without any fuss now and we are able to groom him from tip to toe. Thankfully all the things we had taught him he hasn't forgotten, so played some friendly games with him and then they went out into the big paddock as well.  Interesting _ Just lately Sarg & Louka seem to have paired off and Gyspy and the 2 younsters (Maxwell & Oscar) seem to spend more time together. I think Gypsy has taken on the role of being in charge of these 2...Maybe she thinks Sarg and Louka are big enough to be out on their own now.....So I think I'll put Sarg & Louka into a paddock of their own and give Gypsy some time with these 2 youngsters and see what happens...Maxwell has learnt heaps from her already.

Gracie, Nakita & Shanae



Nakita and Louka



Louka and Shanae- Shanae is
getting readyto back him up-
 well done Shanae & Louka!!!



Shanae getting Louka over the
pole- I had to use a bit of lead
rein here

 Gracie stayed to ride Sarg and Nakita rode Louka  for a couple of days- then Shanae came and she helped to ride Louka
as well.


Nakita taking Louka over
the poles

Louka has only been ridden for about 3 weeks ( 6-8 times) so I think Nakita and Shanae did a fantastic job- he was in a pnh hackamore too so he was going by the feel of the rein and the seat rather than pulled by the mouth...he was a very happy chappy- thankyou Nakita!!!!


Gracie rode Sarg mainly- in the torsion...then the Wintec and Bareback....mostly it was the wintec saddle. I think Sarg really enjoyed his time with Gracie...he was very relaxed and was waiting for her to arrive each morning to groom and feed him....thanks Gracie I appreciated this too.

Gracie and Sarg going over
 the pole

Gracie and Sarg steppin out

Gracie / Sarg - Nicky / Louka

Gracie is getting used to Sarg and building a great relationship with him now- she has been riding him for the last 5 days- mainly in the roundpen, even trotting today in the rope hackamore - then she ventured out and rode him down the driveway towards the stream- he put his feet in and had a drink then some grass from the side of the stream then back to the stall.
Nicky was here 2 days and struck up a bit of a relationship with Louka and did really well riding him in the roundpen- then bareback to the stall...all of this in the rope hackamore- really great.
The girls learnt a lot of safety rules on the ground first then progressing to being on their backs.


Gracie, Gypsy and Nicky

 Both horses were great, took great care of their riders- just shows what a little bit of building the bond with your horse does. Thanks Girls Me, Sarg & Louka all appreciate it. XX

Nicky & Louka

Gracie & Sarg

Mr Calm was such a hit

Yesterday Lily and Zoe (5) were staying- Rory had gone home so it was a bit easier to do the horses without a 3 year old.... First of all Lily and Zoe groomed Louka ready for the saddle. They had to really get stuck into all the mud he'd managed to stick to his coat...but they brushed and brushed until he was spotless...such a good way of bonding and learning to move him around properly...then we saddled him up and walked him down to the roundpen....We put the string around his neck for the girls to hold..funny though they preferred to hold his mane, and then we walked them around the arena- they had 5 circles either way just at the walk and Louka was brilliant, he took great care of them. He was so gentle and calm- I'm sure he knew he had children on his back- he didn't put a foot wrong. Lily gave him some willow as a treat and Zoe gave him a great big cuddle....This was the highlight of their holiday so far, they haven't stopped talking about Louka and they are the first of the grandchildren to ride him.
Sarg is a little bit goey for the tinies, but Gracie is coming today and she has plenty of get up and go so I'm hoping that her and Sarg will love having fun together...I'm not sure how much riding Gracie has done so I don't want to just let her get on and go with Sarg....we'll see..Nakita and Shanae are coming after easter too so hopefully they will be riding  as well.
I am going to do parelli with all of them before they get on, and then they will only know that way of handling the horses.
Gypsy was standing looking at me- waiting for her turn so I groomed her and then did a little ground work with her...we just love being together now...relationship is improving all the time. Not sure if I mentioned it but finally I sent my level 1 off - I couldn't get it onto utube so I sent the disc with the forms and assessment...how I hope I do alright.-wish me luck.

Starting back in ernest again

Next week will be school holidays and lots of comings and goings with grandchildren & great nieces...It'll hopefully still be fine and we can get in plenty of horsey time. Yesterday grooming was the order of the day..Gypsy and Louka mainly- there manes were Reeeaally long, so I have pulled the manes and given all of them a general tidy up...My gosh Louka is a beautiful horse...so showy...Gypsy now looks a picture again, and Sarg, Oscar and Maxwell look great....we trimmed ears tails and under the chin- Hmmmm they don't look half bad now!!!! Today we put the saddle on Louka and Megan rode him through the stream- the bit is in his mouth but we are only leading him with the halter, not pulling his mouth at all with the bit in it yet... He had no apparent issues but we do this for quite a while before we ride him with the bit in his mouth..we like to know that he has really got the feel first and then gently introduce the feel to the bit....then it was Sarg's turn- he hasn't been ridden for aquite a few weeks now- but he really likes the torsion saddle and he loved it..Megan rode him right up under the verander and around the corner to the dining room window- and he poked his head in for a look...he didn't mind this one bit and then it was off again down the driveway for the rest of the ride...Maxwell walked out like an energetic little livewire, but he is learning that he doesn't have to do everything at breakneck speed...he's a real little character...I thinm the kids are gonna have a ball this holidays.  I have just finished the EGALA stage one course so I am really looking forward to practising with the kids...I'll keep you posted

Some things don't always go as planned

I haven't had a lot of time to blog lately- busy busy- BUT I have done the DVD for the online level 1- and yes it's on utube- BUT the quality of the picture is terrible- I have tried and tried to improve it but to no avail- when I play the video on my computer the picture is fantasticly clear- but on utube it's shocking...so it's back to the drawing board- I'll get another copy of the dvd and send it all in by post. All these trials and tribulations MUST be character building (hahaha).  Hopefully by the time I do the level 2 it'll be all sorted...Apart from that we're having a lot of fun. I want to fit in as much as I can before going off to my EGALA course. The one thing I have learnt from all of this trial and errors aren't to be brushed off- I have learnt so much more than I bargained for here...not only with my horses ( in particular Gypsy) but also the technology -namely the computer - and all it's time comsuming trappings....even though this has caused quite a delay I really want to get this right as well , because it's part and parcel to making it easy to send in my auditions...So look out U tube- I WILL sort you out.

Gypsy- audition practise

Today was great- Hana came over with Buzz and Hana practised some of the games for the Northland Games competition...Lots of fun and I practised and was filmed by Hana for the audition level 1... It's great to see the video and work out all the fumbles etc before doing the real thing. I did a lot better than I thought I would though- thankYOU hana I really appreciate your help... Having a plan certainly does shunt you in the right direction and it actually works for me...set a deadline and then work towards getting the goal ON TIME - sometime that works and other times I realise that I need to put a lot more work into that particular thing....One thing I do know is that the 7 games most definitely lead into everything else you do and making the playday course and changing the games often helps me and the horse.
We even got to do a lot more than I usually do simply because I learnt to leave it alone when we got it right..Other thing Which was a BFO (not FBO hee hee) was that on the circle I was NOT really going in to neutral when Gypsy went behind me- my life was still up- so I became Mrs saggy NO LIFE when she went behind me and everything went like a dream...Love it!!!!!! I am learning more about ME all the time.

Colds are improving.

I don't know why Gyspy didn't get the cold too but all 4 Kai's did....I am sure it had something to do with the floods leaving silt on the pasture...I have given them an immune booster and echinacea every day to help them recover..and Sarg has been eating tangelo's- no one else would though, but he loves them. Today Maxwell and Oscar aren't coughing & Sarg and Louka are almost right just every now and again a cough, but not the Long Loud harking that they were doing.thank goodness. There has been no sign of this with Gypsy- funny that she didn't get it too....All hay has been soaked and all feed given very wet. The immunity drops 4 times a day..They don't look any worse for wear now, but I didn't risk taking them to the show- which was a big dissappoinment, but that's Murphy's law for you.  That came as a bit of a shock - it's very rare that the kai's get anything like that.
Dawn emailed me to tell me that Noa has gone off to his new home in Taihape with a lovely family down there- I wish them well and know that he will be a great asset to their family..hope they keep in touch.

A full Day with Gypsy

Ahh it's so satisfying when you feel you have made progress...All of my Kai's have a cold and Sarg & Louka have a cough as well. Have treated them with echinacea but have now got them on antibiotics as well....Think it could be due to dust on their pasture- from the flood...it wasn't until I went out onto the grass that I noticed a fine coating of dust covering all the grass..then of course there is psapalum on other pasture and I'm not about to put them on that...so I have now fenced off the new grass from the area that was cut for hay 2 weeks ago- it's quite long now and no dust...Hopefully they will be a lot better..It means I can't take them to the show though..I don't want to risk it.
Yesterday Gypsy and I spent ALL DAY together playing and generally chilling out- she was just lovely, had a bit of an issue with jumping the barrel, but after watching the pnh dvd last night at the focus group I can see why...still need to circle more and then once over stand and wait- I aren't giving her enough time to think it through...as usual impatience is the bain in my side- BUT I am working on it and many of the other things that got in the way have now been sorted. We would do some of the games and then practise out float loading- then go back and do the sideways along the fence- then go down to the stream for a swim and munch a little bit of grass- it was such a brilliant day.Gaylene came for a while and did the same with Sparky then in the evening it was the focus group wher we finished the Liberty series od dvd's- wish I could do that every day.