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Saturday, March 26, 2016

~Update on Sheika

Well I can finally say she did something. As in something she wasn't supposed to do!
  I was riding Sheika a week or two back (I always do all the groungwork first) and asked her to go into the canter and she started into few little lurching buck/hops. Not very big and not much but I wasn't expecting it and it caught me a bit off guard. I was riding two handed at the time and have a habit of NOT grabbing the horn so I ended up riding it out with just the reins! So the next time I had Marcy lunge me on Sheika so that I could hold onto the horn with one hand and the reins with the other. Annnnddd she did it again. Except it was a big bigger and higher this time. I was really glad for that horn and my right arm was super sore for several days.
 Back to Sheika. I don't think she is mad or anything like that. Something was scaring her when ever I asked her to go into the canter. Quite frankly though it is very small bucking compared to most young horses. The second time she did it we worked a bunch at the trot and then tried again for the canter. I decided I wasn't quitting that day till I got her successfully into the canter. And we did!
The last time I rode her, I think it was Monday, she did A-W-E-S-O-M-E. I did all the groundwork tacked up first and decided to lunge her a bunch at the canter before I rode so she would be completely prepared for when I ask her. So I rode her around in the arena, walk, trot, and I got to a place where I could feel she was ready to go on, I kissed, and she went right into the canter with no hesitation! I was ecstatic! We did several laps that way then stopped for a breather and went the other way. Jess even got it on video! So I feel like that might have been a bit of a break-through, but I won't be surprised if there are more bucks to come. Clinton always says you have to ride the bucks out of them. I would prefer that she never had to buck but I can't expect perfection from her, Because I'm not perfect! Hopefully I'll get some pictures riding her soon.

2 comments:

  1. You are doing great with her, Heather!! Beau has the same problem. He is very energetic out in the field, but not when someone riding him. I asked him to canter and he bucked, hard. Thankfully I was prepared, or I would've flew right off! We need to get our round pen set up, then I can lunge him. ( Or Mom, she is a lot better!)
    Can't wait to see some pictures!

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    1. Thanks Paige! How old is Beau? Roundpens are awesome! A definite necessity!

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