Tuesday, June 14
Jun. 15th, 2022 03:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gottawonderToday I am grateful for:
SO MUCH RAIN!
In a way, rainy days like this are a break for me, because there is no pressure to do enormous amounts of yard work.
I had a telephone conversation with Sister E, and at least we didn't talk about desperate measures to get what we need from our partners today. She was very supportive of me as I told her about yesterday's bullshit at the tire shop.
She has a horse that has some issues with his teeth, and she may or may not have to have some serious work done on his mouth. He broke off a tooth, which is not as uncommon as you'd think in horses, and they are not sure if they will have to pull what is left, or if he can manage. Horse teeth actually keep coming in through their lives, and it might work out. We'll see.
Her dog also got bit by another dog WHILE AT THE VET CLINIC WITH HER HORSE, and now it needs attention.
She's had a fairly shitty week.
I went to see River, and his breathing was good today, because of the cool, wet weather. He was wearing a rain sheet, so he stayed clean, and R had him in the barn eating his mash when I showed up, so he was in a good mood. Relaxed and happy.
I put the bracelets I made into the jar I have at the barn for people to look at. If they want one, they can just leave money in the jar.
We ran through our groundwork, which is these days the same work, but more and more without a halter.
Then I rode for a while, working on the same things. Giving to the bitless, softness.
He was not concerned at all about all the wind and noise going on outside.
I came home and let everyone out for a while.
Then I sat with the goats and ponies in their snug little shed, and listened to the rain on the roof.
Then I binge-watched several episodes of "Squid Game". It really is good.
Today I learned about a species of sponge called the "Glass Sponge" (Hexactinellid). They were believed to be extinct millions of years ago, but living specimens were discovered 25 years ago. They are believed to be a very long-lived creature, that can live to be over 15,000 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexactinellid
SO MUCH RAIN!
In a way, rainy days like this are a break for me, because there is no pressure to do enormous amounts of yard work.
I had a telephone conversation with Sister E, and at least we didn't talk about desperate measures to get what we need from our partners today. She was very supportive of me as I told her about yesterday's bullshit at the tire shop.
She has a horse that has some issues with his teeth, and she may or may not have to have some serious work done on his mouth. He broke off a tooth, which is not as uncommon as you'd think in horses, and they are not sure if they will have to pull what is left, or if he can manage. Horse teeth actually keep coming in through their lives, and it might work out. We'll see.
Her dog also got bit by another dog WHILE AT THE VET CLINIC WITH HER HORSE, and now it needs attention.
She's had a fairly shitty week.
I went to see River, and his breathing was good today, because of the cool, wet weather. He was wearing a rain sheet, so he stayed clean, and R had him in the barn eating his mash when I showed up, so he was in a good mood. Relaxed and happy.
I put the bracelets I made into the jar I have at the barn for people to look at. If they want one, they can just leave money in the jar.
We ran through our groundwork, which is these days the same work, but more and more without a halter.
Then I rode for a while, working on the same things. Giving to the bitless, softness.
He was not concerned at all about all the wind and noise going on outside.
I came home and let everyone out for a while.
Then I sat with the goats and ponies in their snug little shed, and listened to the rain on the roof.
Then I binge-watched several episodes of "Squid Game". It really is good.
Today I learned about a species of sponge called the "Glass Sponge" (Hexactinellid). They were believed to be extinct millions of years ago, but living specimens were discovered 25 years ago. They are believed to be a very long-lived creature, that can live to be over 15,000 years old.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexactinellid
no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 07:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 08:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-15 09:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-16 03:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-19 06:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-19 09:16 pm (UTC)He also mouthed the bit in a fairly extreme fashion, and in videos I saw that when I backed him using light cues, he gaped his mouth like I was trying to rip his face off.
This is after we tried several different bits at the other barn, doing our best to find one that didn't bother him. The bit I was using was a very gentle snaffle with the bean shape piece in the middle.
With the bitless, he is not popping his head up during transitions, and naturally he is not gaping or working his mouth.
It is taking some work to get him not to lean on it for collection, and there are times when he walks through the halt etc. When he is focused, he is working off of very light cues, including backing and turning on his hindquarters.
no subject
Date: 2022-06-21 04:57 am (UTC)I'm glad the bitless has helped with his balance and comfort through transitions.
Leather over the nose isn't as "sharp" as metal in the mouth for sure and leather in particular has a bit of a yielding feel to it and can encourage leaning because the signal doesn't feel as solid. I've had some horses I have had to switch to a synthetic noseband or a chain curb depending on the bitless because the leather wouldn't give the horse as clear of a boundary to respect.
I'm sure River will figure it out and get lighter with time. Of course it also helps to have "allowing" aids that aren't trying to hold or force the shape either, which I'm sure you're working on. I'm glad he's nice and light when he is paying full attention!
no subject
Date: 2022-06-21 05:33 am (UTC)He is getting nicer with the bitless, and I am really working on using every other aid before I use my hands so that I don't get him leaning. It isn't easy!
no subject
Date: 2022-06-22 02:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2022-06-22 10:21 pm (UTC)