Today was cold and rather uneventful but I wanted to post because it was a good day. All we did today was lunge, but it was a good evaluation of just how far we have come in such a short time. From our first time being led around the arena and NEVER ever wanting a person on the off side, even just standing we were able to walk, trot and CANTER for the first time on a lunge line this morning. 

Pogo has been working very hard so, in my eyes, this was a good way for him to just relax, get exercised and think "hey, life is pretty easy!" I will be the first to admit that there is nothing better than making progress with a horse, and it can be so addicting to say "hey, look what we can do!!" BUT that isn't always what is best for the horse. We all strive for improvement, but even if you just take a step back and go back to an earlier exercise or something simpler you can see just how far you have come and also see an improvement in that exercise in itself.  And today wasn't perfect, there were moments where he was tense at the trot to start (it was SO COLD!! who could blame him) and there was some swapping of the leads at the canter, but we were able to stay on a circle, maintain forward momentum and relax in each gait.

It was great to see an improvement over the last time and also see what I should look for to be improved in the future. Patience, patience, patience is KEY...

I am midweek in my first week of classes, and "surprise" all of them are that the barn so I can further my knowledge of the horse industry. I am enrolled currently in Western 4, and first thing we were watching a training video by Craig Johnson, "let it rein" or something to that effect. I am always willing to learn more, and am rather open minded to all training methods. All horses are different, sure they all have four legs, two eyes, cute, disproportionately small faces in comparison to their body, freakishly small feet for the mass of everything, BUT somehow, not every horse can go well in a snaffle, and not every horse will need a mikmar, running martingale, breastplate, etc. So, I do feel that it is important to take in everything you can because you never know when that horse will come you and your methods don't work. IF there was only one way of doing things, there wouldn't be so many successful trainers out there with a strong and supportive clientele base.


Anyway, back on topic - a lot of what Mr. Johnson had to say was great. Lines such as "move the feet, move the horse" so simple yet, why didn't everyone come up with that? And although he is a reiner, his methods too can be used on any horse. SO this morning Pogo was learning a bit about yielding to leg pressure and magically similar exercises arose - the "imaginary roundpen" and getting the haunches to swing out and away from the leg. All very helpful things. We were also starting to work a bit on accepting contact, which is a bit different from english to western, EXCEPT that ideally the outside rein should turn the horse in english, ie: neck reining. 

Anyway, I wanted to share Pogo's success in starting to yield to leg aids and learn about what that big piece 'o rubber is sticking in his mouth AND make my instructor/coach/fearless leader proud (note to Kristen: however notice I did NOT use the term "disengage the hind end" I just can't do it, but that's what we were working on)

Today was yet another big day for Pogo - We attempted the trot undersaddle, and it was a huge success. 

Back when I was working with my first fresh OTTB (in less than perfect conditions, and I think I was only 16 or 17, no guidance) it was just get on, and be as good of a team as possible. It was in the breeding shed of a breeding farm and eventually when I trusted he wasn't going to kill me we graduated to the 1 acre pasture, 5 acre, etc. Anyway, open space was my friend as it was the only thing I could think of to get this horse to move on and accept leg. My thought process was: the horse knows how to run, give him the opportunity he will figure it out. We actually never even got to a gallop stage (much less a canter) and to this day this horse was the QUIETEST horse I have ever dealt with ..Since then (and that long struggle with getting all four feet moving) I have learned A LOT about groundwork and how it makes life so much EASIER.

Now with Pogo, we do the whoa and go exercises from the ground. I make what I am asking clear, not confusing and accept the one answer: cluck once, maybe twice = forward moving feet, not sideways, not backwards only forwards. Troubleshoot: one cluck isn't clear = I do once louder, and then resort to making a noise such as tapping my leg with the excess lunge line, usually that is enough. "Whoa" in a clear tone is all four feet stop moving. A more subtle "whoooooaaa" or "eaasssyyy" I use for transitioning gaits. Once I carry this over to a lunge line, I will use for upwards a cluck and "walk on" or "trot on"  or later "Caaanter" 

Now reasons for today's success: Pogo is confident on the ground, however with an english rider with longer legs on his back (as opposed to his jockey), this is all foreign domain. I am first able to ensure he remains relaxed, just by taking it slow and being encouraging but also by carrying the voice commands over to riding and associating them with the leg and seat, gradually allowing him to accept the aids. For now, he whoa's just off the voice, a very good trait!!

Looking back and comparing the length of time I accomplish a trot under saddle between the first horse and Pogo, I would say it happened in the same amount of time, if not faster with Pogo. I wouldn't be surprised if the first horse described was confused, slightly frustrated but Pogo definitely was not and although tentative as it was somewhat new, he was confident in what was being asked. 

Yay for a successful ride!! Looking forward to many more to come from our brave, quiet and level-headed little dude! 

Well, it's been a very exciting week for both Pogo and me. Lots of desensitizing and getting to know each other. We started off the week with some in hand work; "whoa" and "go" - not hard......going to the left. Going to the right, was an adventure of course. We started with just leading on the off side and travelling right and eventually got to lead the lead line out a bit for some mock lunging.

 I introduced group poles ASAP, that is not something I want to be foreign when jumping and cavalletti come into play. He was very cute when he saw the pole on the ground...he sniffed it and then proceeded to curb stomp it, like "hey, what IS this??" but alas, other than that, our lives are uneventful (which is how we like them). 


I'm trying to build suspense, are you dying to know what happens next? Probably not but keep reading :)

So lunging, fine at the walk and trot, but holy uncoordinated canter. We have a beautiful half circle, lead change, counter canter, run into the wall but that's about it. I wish we had a roundpen....Anyway, in an effort to not make a big deal out of  this (cantering CAN wait...if he believes it or not, he is capable) I decided to work with standing at the mounting block and just being patient (as his track name implies, this was not hard EITHER!) so...day after day of boring stuff, what's next?

Hopping on, which is what we did. Today we successfully walked in both directions around the arena by ourselves...yay us. "whoa" and "go" ground commands steadily at work from his back we even could stop, wait, walk on. Of course, probably the most mentally straining 5 minutes of his life, EVER so we didn't push it farther than putting in a circle in both directions and calling it a day. 

This day honestly came sooner than I thought, as Pogo plays the "aww shucks I'm a baby" card 90% of the time. In reality, he is an easy going creature with a good brain and is ready to start learning more. Our game plan from here is to investigate the jump course tomorrow(from the ground) and attempt at some sidereins to learn a little more about bit acceptance. So very excited for #1 having survived(there were not even any fireworks so this is basically an empty statement) and #2 accomplishing a lot in a little bit of time.
Props to Poggio!!!

Another post so soon, I know, but I was not anticipating the arrival of the boys so soon!
Of course, on my day off it's customary to still go to the barn anyway, and that is when I got the news that we would be picking up the horses TODAY! So we hitched up the trailer and went on our way.

Both of the boys loaded like champs and traveled great, but Pogo got a little warm in the trailer so I used this as my excuse to hit the ground running. He immediately surprised me with his willingness - I took him to the main barn which has a garage-type door next to a people door. Generally, we (people) bring the horses there, go through the people door and open the horse door and go through as such. Pogo just followed me in the people door without giving it two thoughts. 

We did some handwalking in the arena with another horse and it went fairly well. It was for sure different for him, but he handled it. So of course I decide to push my luck some and do some grooming - I stuck a bridle on to see how he dealt with that for one, and just to see how comfortable he was with a bit in his mouth. We stood in the wash stall on one tie while he was brushed, fussed over and got our mane pulled. I did some desensitizing with a towel as he was very touchy to quick movements of any sort, and by the end you could throw the towel over his face, over his ears, where ever you wanted. We also attempted clipping but it was about feeding time and a lot was going on so we got the whiskers clipped and called it a day from there. 

Mentally, Pogo is still a two year old but with a good brain. Things are not only new to him because of the environment but new to him period. In some ways this is good, and in others it isn't. He isn't necessarily used to the things a homebred four year old would be BUT he is looking to the person for assurance while a homebred might be wanting to push the limits at this point in their life. I am still optimistic and his future as a children's horse is looking brighter and brighter. 

After today, his racing halter has been put away and "I waited Patiently" is a thing of the past. He is now Pogo, new halter, new home, new life... We will keep you updated!

I just wanted to share with everyone the news that the Jockey Club has officially started the Thoroughbred Incentive Program to improve the likelihood that TB's find great show homes after life on the track. They are allotting a certain amount of money to sponsor TB only divisions that include prize money among other things. They also have a grant set up for horses that aren't necessarily show horses but do participate in other things such as therapeutic riding. Some of the information about this can be found at this website:  http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65561/tjc-launches-thoroughbred-incentive-program  
They have a link here to the applications so if you are interested in hosting a show with prize money for a TB division, or know of an exceptional OTTB go and apply!!

The RRTP program has also selected it's trainers for their training project. We here at The Thoroughbred Chonicles wish them the best of luck with their OTTB's and are looking forward to reading and hearing about their progress. 

As for me, I am off to set up the stalls for Pogo and Ryker and am anxiously awaiting their arrival later this week!

In my scrambling to get ready to go back to school, I of course add in the trips to every barn that I am associated with back home to give holiday treats to the ponies and say "hi" and "bye" in a short visit. 

Some friends of mine have horses on the track, and fortunately for all that know them, or have horses with them, they are some of the best track people I know. They not only ensure the proper care of their horses while on the track, but also allow for pasture turnout and some let down every so often to give them a break and do their all to find homes for those who can't make it or who have served their time.  They look out for everyone and every horse that crosses their path, simply really great people. 

They also own the horse named "Smoke King" that I have had the pleasure of working with, and probably for good reasons still own him. He's a tad accident prone (as are so many of our lovely Thoroughbreds) which turned many off despite his talents. In my visit, I was told of the long battles of abscesses and then now a puffy ankle. And even though this horse had served his time with them on the track, he is still, comfy, cosy in a clean stall with banks 3' high on the walls and a foot of bedding on the floor, second cutting hay, happy as a clam.  In this barn is also a horse that the owner just wanted to get rid of, horse being let down, and one they are giving another shot at the track, and ONE that I happened to have raised from a baby at my job. 

Granted, these people are far from being Todd Pletcher just as all of us are far away from being the next Boyd Martin or Beezie Madden, they still take care of their horses to the best of their ability and all are happy and healthy. It's refreshing to see people that reach out and care for their race horses not as if they were some machines that you could just throw out but as living beings. I am not saying that these people are not out there, because they are but it's great to see. 

To our readers: if you know of any great TB people, trainers, owners, etc. feel free to share your story on our comments page!! If you add contact info we can add them to our resources as well. Great, heartwarming stories are what we like to hear and share, so be sure to send them our way!

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!!
:::and only a few more days to Pogo's arrival!::: 

Happy Holidays to our readers from everyone at the Thoroughbred Chronicles!!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go mess with Pogo before leaving to go home for the Holidays, but that makes the anticipation for both of the TB's arrivals that much greater! It is great to go home and see family, but it certainly snags any pony plans! 

It won't be long and we'll be kicking it into full gear! Stay tuned, our next post should be a good, productive one with pony plans in action!

I recently have been told about a project called the Retired Racehorse Training Project - essentially our independent study on a much larger scale than in little ol' Alfred with two aspiring TB trainers.

Anyway, they are taking three professional trainers and three fresh OTTBs (in the spotlight of a show arena, mind you!) and they get to choose which horse they will take on. A month later, they get to "show" back at the same place what the horse has learned in the month in training. Really cool, and I think people that are not familiar with Thoroughbreds will be very surprised at the progress that is made.

As everyone does, they have a website and a facebook page: http://www.retiredracehorsetraining.org/ and http://www.facebook.com/RetiredRacehorseTrainingProject  definitely check them out, and also feel free to message them! Unlike some pages, groups, rescues, etc. there are REAL people behind the walls of RRTP :)

As for Tesla and me, we are still anxiously awaiting our kids' arrival to the AU barn...come on January, hurry up and get here!!

Now that classes are winding down for the semester, I finally have a little more time on my hands (at least until I actually start studying for finals) and managed to take some time out of my day today to go and see mr. Pogo at his let down barn.

He has come really far from his life on the track - Once a scrawny little thin skinned man, now a hairy, hay-bellied beast...can't forget that he is covered in burrdocks as well and clearly enjoying his turnout time :) With that being said, he never really had the track mentality, I am not sure he spent enough time there to really understand what it's all about. It was great to come into the barn walk into the stall and instead of seeing this wide-eyed creature spinning circles and attempting to buck (which he never actually accomplished successfully) he was sleeping, head down and upon my arrival buried his head in my chest (and not to bite, either!)

One of the many things I have learned from my older TB gelding, Ozzy, is that persistence is key - I bought him when I was 11 years old, and he was DEFINITELY not the best match for me (he was practically feral, just off a round-up out west when a ranch closed down or so the story goes) Anyway, I annoyed the crap out of him - the last thing he wanted was this little girl kissing him and hugging him and climbing all over doing the baby talk, etc. the typical little girl and her pony stuff. Now, however he is the most tolerant creature, and although he would be embarrassed to admit he enjoys the smothering (or at least tolerates it, for me).

Long story longer, I try and implement the same "little girl" tactics on every horse I work with...luckily for me at this point, Pogo loves the primping and pr0dding (it took 20! minutes of careful yanking to clear his gorgeous forelock of burrdocks, and he took it like a champ!) and of course the good scratching under his blanket. He was good about picking his feet, and working around him loose in the stall and even responded to poll pressure. All is going great in Pogo-ville, can't wait to start him doing real horse stuff!