Ice falling off the roof and I lived to tell about it!

Today while riding, we had some ice drop off the roof. Nik did spook a bit but he calmed down right away. I was worried that we were going to have a full roof slide so I did a short ride. We did a 10M circle and leg yielded to 20M with a 10M in the opposite direction on the open side of the circle. Also working on smaller circles, bending and listening to my forward aids.

Nik grew 1/2 an inch!!!!!!!

Nik is officially 15.2 1/2! I was tacking him up yesterday and noticed he looked taller so I measured him. I then rode outside in the snow for the second day in a row. He seemed to enjoy it and I had a lot of fun.

Back in the saddle again!

After a good 2 weeks off, we are up and riding again. Today I rode outside and Nik was nice and forward. We even worked on W-C transitions and lengthenings. He was a joy to ride.

FAbulous Ride

We did our first walk-canter transition. Basically off the voice but he was willing to try. We've been working as starting SI, LY away and towards rail, lengthening, canter forward and back, med walk to free walk and back, stretchy circle.

2 Great Lessons

Had 2 really good lessons this month. Nik was very good and forward. (so it was 30 degrees, windy and dusky) Some notes: Keep off inside leg, more responsive to leg aids, no potty breaks, leg yield then straight then LY, rt hand down, sit still with upper body, few strides of lengthening,
start ly against wall at trot, start moving shoulders for SI, work on keeping weight in contact and stretching into contact esp. in downward transition, try work in hand to get more responsive, keep legs relaxed.

I'm a BAD boy

Well today, Nik decided again to stand in the water trough and mangle another water heater. Not only that but he also stepped on one of the cats. Thankfully the cat is fine.

Enjoying the weather

Nikolaas' canter has really improved over the last month. Lots of trot to canter transitions. The crisp air gives him some extra impulsion.

First Ride in 2 Weeks

Nikolaas is all better! I did a light outside ride and he felt great. During our 2 weeks off I took some photos of the farm to keep myself busy. Here is an artsy close up shot.

Coughing Brook Farm

Tiki came home a couple of weeks ago from the Gladstone CDE and must have picked up a virus. It managed to spread to Nik and Kade. Nik has been off work for 2 weeks and still has a slight cough so I will wait alittle longer. The good news is we have found a digital thermometer that takes a temp in 8 seconds. When you have 3 sick horses it is very handy!

Update photo

Here is a recent pic of Nik from a video. I have been riding outside for all my rides. Yesterday he cantered on the track for 1/4 of the way around until he started going alittle too fast for comfort. He can canter all the way around the dressage arena and driving arena. His strength is improving!

Super BIG Brag

Nik went to his first schooling show today. Intro A and B with 69% in both. He was calm, relaxed and just plain fun. I was so proud! The only problem we had was he was afraid to back out of the trailer. We moved the divider and he contorted himself out.

BIG BRAG

Nikolaas made his grass track debut today. We trotted once around in each direction. He was alittle scared but soon calmed down. I was so proud!

Riding in the "Real Dressage Arena"

Nik is going nicely and has graduated to the unfenced real large dressage arena. We have even attempted to canter a 20 M circle. It wasn't really a circle but he did complete it! Today after our ride I walked him on the woods trail and trotted him too. He was perfect. He is leg yielding nicely and cantering longer distances without constant reminding from me.

Lesson during aThunderstorm

Had a fine lesson today in the indoor and of course it was raining and thundering. Nik as usual took it in stride and was perfect. Some reminders to work on:
Leg yield at trot, come down to walk if not responding
shallow serpentine
stretchy circle
TOF off left leg walk forward during
Use the Verhan saddle.

Nik's New Friends

After Chelsea pony had to be laid to rest last month, someone offered us 2 donkeys to keep our horses company. Introducing Omar and Milton. Our new welsh cob, Kade, arrived last week too and all 4 are getting along perfectly.

Nik is starting to look like a dressage horse

Nik is starting to become rounder at the trot and he is trotting nicely forward. He is really coming along. He is starting to canter but he doesn't want to go very far yet!

First Tail Ride

Nik has been going well in the outdoor arena so I decided it was time to venture even farther. Ari rode Tiki and I rode Nik. Nik actually wanted to lead! He didn't spook but was looking about at times. We did our little walk thru the woods and on the grass track and came back. Then I rode him with Tiki in the ring. He has never been ridden with another horse. He was pre-occupied with Tiki. Did I mention he is in love with her? So it did take some effort to get him to pay attention to me. Good learning experience.

Moving right along!

Nik is really learning. He has such a wonderful attitude. Could be alittle more forward in his thinking but his overall demeanor is great. We have graduated to being able to ride in the whole outdoor arena even the scarey area way at the end. I am also cantering him outside. He can't canter for a long distance yet but he did canter the other day with just voice! I am also working on turns on the forehand, off the left leg he is great off the right leg he isn't very reponsive yet. Overall he is coming along. I'm riding 4 days on and one day off. Alternating inside and out.

Update: CANTERING undersaddle

It was a great day us today. I cantered Nik for the first time undersaddle. He picked it up in both directions but only cantered for about 20 M. But he was perfect and it was a great first time. I also started him trotting over cavaletti again and he seems to enjoy it.