Any New Charm Pics?

[Linda]

I think it is time for some new Charm pics and an update on how her training is coming. Linda

[niaru]

Webshot won't let me post pics on the BB but here's the address to Charm's photoalbum.

community.webshots.com/album/64701858ejMyUt

I need to take pics of her under tack.
She's doing very well, I am riding her with a running martingale and a full cheek snaffle. Our routine goes like this: I get on (usually she trots off as I mount but I don't make a big deal out of it, we practice again later on ), we walk aound the indoor, practice moving off my leg, beginning to bend on a circle, etc. Then we trot. It takes a while until she relaxes and actually gives me a decent trot. She feels uneven, not off or lame, but uneven , maybe just because she's unbalanced and not muscled right.

I will have the vet check her when he comes on Sat. for her Spring shots. I didn't get a vet check at the track when I bought her.

We now trot over ground poles and she pushes from behind to make the distance. She now understands she's not supposed to step ON the poles ;D

I had her step over a tiny tiny "jump" --well, a 'raised' pole. No prob.

I still haven't cantered her but I'm taking things sloooow!!!

Thanks for asking!

[niaru]

Oh, and thanks to Nancy (Kmmom) I'm going to mount a stall guard today for her. She 'll like that!

[Amy]

Niaru,

Thanks for the link. I just think she is adorable. I love the way she is put together and I can't wait to see some undersaddle pictures.

Don't worry about the canter, lots of trotting will help build muscle and "even-ness" (I know that's not a word, but you know what I mean!). All Tango and I did for 3 or 4 months, it seemed was trot, trot, trot with a lot of transitions. Look forward to more updates!

[niaru]

Thanks Amy! I think we'll trot for a looong time... ;D

I didn't ride Charm today. I installed the stall guard, groomed her (I'd forgotten how fun it is to clean a horse with a heavy winter coat and no blanket... ) then took her to the indoor for her usual "energy-let-out" before our ride, but there was a truck-in rider working in it! So I handwalked her and she was a PILL! Squealing, bouncing at the end of the lead rope...at one point I thought I'd have to let go! Yikes!

But we finally got under control, walking and halting, so I decided to take her back to her stall and wait until the rider was done. In the meantime a big tractor trailer was unloading shavings, which means, blowing shavings into a space right on the back of Charm's stall!! It makes a huge racket, and I wasn't about to tack her up with this going on, as she was prancing in her stall. So, I let her loose in the indoor, she ran, bucked, reared, displayed a very nice floating trot with tail over her back, etc. etc.

So much for working her today.

AND IT'S SNOWING AGAIN TODAY!!!

[Lynne]

Oh, I'm so glad to see the pics and hear an update! I hadn't seen anything really and I was worried that maybe you didn't dig her afterall.....SO happy no ;D

It sounds like you guys are doing great! Congrats on so many successes so early. I clearly do these things WAY too slow I'm lookind forward to those pictures under tack.

[Linda]

Thanks for the update!!! I bet Charm would learn a lot doing some of the Parelli groundwork--worked in with all the other things you have her doing. She would learn to pay attention to you, get to do something fun and otherwise just open up an entirely new world for her. If it is good enough for the O'Conners, it should be good enough for Charm. It is great stuff to do when you are stuck inside or in a ring because of the weather.
Linda