5-25-10

Parsley had the day off.
Looking forward to riding tomorrow (wednesday)

5-24-10

Parsley was super sweaty today, but then again- all of the horses were! We took it easy today and just had a refresher.
Stand still at mounting block, walking with forward movement, lightness in the fore, stopping with haunches and not leaning on the fore, trot departure with one click and squeeze of leg, remaining light at the trot also worked on some serpentines, and circles.

Again- he is my star pupil!

5-23-10

Today I put Parsley to the ultimate test... and OMG lol he was FANTASTIC!
He has two whole families that have joined his already growing fan club.

My logic is that if Parsley is going to be marketed towards youth and amateur- both should be able to ride him safely, yes?

So Sunday, on the hottest day of the year so far- instead of me riding him and having him pass out from heat stroke- one of my 9 yr old students rode parsley (she only walks on lunge- and minimally trots with me running alongside her) and he was such a good boy!!!!

I took a ton of photos lol and will post as soon as i can find the camera... ha ha!

Caitlyn's family has been hehawing for the past year about purchasing a horse for their family, and they definately like mr. parsnip- however I just dont think they are ready for that type of commitment.

It would be great if he could be available for shareboard once he is finished with his training, of coarse!

5-22-2010

Today Parsley had a visit from Pat, his owner/mom and it was interesting to see him revert to some of his past behaviors- some that he has not attempted since his first day at the farm etc- pawing at the ground, dancing around, and just being antsy in general. It was also a lot warmer outside and I feel that also played on his stamina under saddle. REGARDLESS, overall he behaved wonderfully under saddle and yes, he broke from the canter here and there- and he was a bit heavy in the front at first. But towards the end of our ride he was much lighter in the front.

He kept breaking, but the quality of movement was much improved.
hence the saying "quality not quantity!"

5-19-2010

Tonight Parsley was absolutely wonderful! He was light, he was willing, and he was well such a joy to work with tonight!

LOL! however he did give my working student, Brianna a hard time when she was trying to lunge him and kept stopping to look at her and then changing directions. However, even when he is being naughty, he is still adorable! ha ha!

Last night Parsnip did everything I asked of him, and more. Again, I want to state that his owner did an EXCELLENT job starting this horse!

We did some exercises to lighten up his forehand- including stops and backs, forehand and haunch turns.

Last night he also made it all of the way around the arena both directions at the canter without breaking on me... and all without a whip!

His canter depart at the left is almost perfect, with maybe one step before going into the canter, and to the right is improving- he still trots 3-4 strides before going into the canter.
!
He leans heavily forward still when stopping, or when he goes into the canter, but the trot is much much better!

Im so proud of this guy!
I worked 4 horses last night, including my mustang, and Parsley was the by far, the best ride I had all night =)

5-17-10

Parsley is doing extremely well and I no longer need to ride with a dressage whip. He moves off my leg at the walk, trot, and canter. He has mastered the working walk and although it is a challenge for him to be light in the front, he is trying hard to please and although not consistant, he does remain light for a few strides at the trot, and then heavy, then light again. Its definately a work in progress, but he is one smart horse, and has a few more members of his fan club since last week. =)

I have video I want to post, but will have to wait until tonight when my husband can show me how to do it.

5-15-2010

No new photos or videos today- going to try and get some tomorrow morning when I work Parsley aka "Parsnip" as he is now lovingly nicknamed at the barn =)

I wasn't planning to ride today, But did- Parsley did a great job. We took it nice and easy today- and Walked A WORKING walk- not lazy bum walk, a nice trot, and cantered a few circles each way.

He still attempts to hold a conversation with the mystery horse in the mirrors, but otherwise was a perfect angel.

Major goal for this week is to remind him to stay off his forehand at the walk, and to stay light. Today by the end of our ride, he was starting to get the idea.

Oh- and as I predicted, Parsley has his own fan club that consists of all the pony owners, and lesson kids that take lessons on the ponies at the farm =)

Parsley does have two or three bite marks on him, but nothing serious, just a small tuft of hair is MIA-but there is no breaking of the skin, cuts, etc. Thought I'd just let you know.

Oddly enough he is best friends with the horses that are turned out during the day next to the pasture board turnout... lol!

Until tomorrow,
Kristina

5-14-10

Today is Parsley's day off, he is now turned out with the pasture herd, and although there was a bit of running around, there wasn't any kicking or biting and within 5 minutes they all went back to eating their hay... lol glad that went well.

Tomorrow will be aclimating to the arena again, and hopefully Sunday will be riding!

5-13-10

Today Parsley was too cute, I still managed to make him uncomfortable and took him out of his safety zone, and he did well. First, I put him in the wash stall and hosed mud off his legs, he didn't want to stand still, and danced around before realizing that it would be over a whole lot quicker if he just stood still.

There was a lot of activity going on at the farm tonight and he picked up on that and danced around in the cross ties. So, I put him in an empty stall, turned him around and he rolled in the stall with a saddle and polo wraps on! I was definately not expecting that one. The silly boy continued to try and roll in the indoor arena too!

Although he was wearing a saddle, I did not ride him. I lunged him and let him spook at the scary shadows, have a conversation with the mysterious horse on the other side of the mirror, and the monster that was going to jump through the lounge window at any moment.

Parsley was defiant with the idea of lunging tonight, but quickly realized that it was much easer to just move forward and work on transition between walk, trot, and canter. Positive note, not once did he put his ears back =)

5-12-10

Parsley is a 4 yr old Connemara gelding that arrived at Paris Farms today and was immediately partnered up with my mustang mare, Bella Sierra. The next day or so they will be turned out with the rest of the pasture boarded horses, and once settled in I will be able to start to ride this neat guy!

Until then, the plan is to work on ground work, ground driving, and lunging.

I will add photos soon!
Until tomorrow,
Kristina