Quickie Intro

[FrancaV]

Hi, all. My name really is Franca and my TB mare, "Seven", and I live in central California. I was just a lurker on the old board but thought I'd jump in and introduce myself in the new surroundings. I don't ride to compete or do any particular discipline; I just want to build the best partnership I can with my horse so that we'll be well prepared to do whatever strikes our fancy in the future. She's young (coming up on 6 yrs. old), very fit, and we have plenty of time. :) I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone here and hearing about your "adventures" with your horses. Struggles, successes ... it's all good!

[fionagirl]

Franca, thanks for jumping in and staring some Intros -- it's a great idea. And you live in one of my very favorite parts of the world. I don't know how I wound up in Maine!

I'm totally green at all of this but loving every minute of the learning. I have a lovely, dependable 18-y-o Appendix mare who I've been trail riding for years. She's one of those horses who has learned to "just get by" but we have a wonderful time and learning some horsemanship has taught me all the ways I could do so much better by her -- so there's a little guilt there! Meanwhile I have a 2-y-o who I'll start this year with Joe Wolters. I'm so very fortunate to have a community of people around me who have been doing this for a long time. They've picked me up in body & spirit many a time and no doubt will do so again and again as we travel this journey.

Looking forward to "meeting" kindred spirits through this forum!

[FrancaV]

Ah, well, New England has its seductions ... it's green in the summer, there's almost no traffic, there's *lobster* (yum) .... :) I lived in NH for nine years so I know whereof I speak! It was too cold for too many months out of the year for this California girl, though, so eventually I had to move back here. And now that I have a horse I'm very glad not to have to deal with snow and ice, frozen water troughs and other winter wonders.

Like you, I am fortunate to have a wonderful "support group" of more experienced horsefolk around me who have helped me along the way. I was a returning rider as an adult after more than 25 years out of the saddle, and Seven is my first horse. I thought long and hard about raising a youngster but decided that time was a-wasting and if I wanted to fulfill this dream I'd better get on it. Wouldn't have done it, though, if I hadn't been committed from the start to getting good help whenever and wherever necessary. And I worked hard to learn as much as I could so I would know what I wanted our partnership to be like, and would be smart enough to tell when things weren't working out and a change in the plan was required. So now my mare is growing into the horse of my dreams and I'm hoping if we both stay healthy that this will be a lifetime partnership for both of us. When we're done with our adventures they can put us out to pasture together, LOL.

I got Seven as a weanling and knew her history from birth, so I pretty much know what's "in there", no big surprises from previous lives. My best friend has her mom - she's off the track and would have plenty of tales to tell if she could. She is definitely more of a challenge than my mare but my friend has done wonderfully well with her.

Do tell about your 2-yo!

[fionagirl]

Yeah, this morning's trip out to the barn was accompanied by 20-mile bitter northeast winds. On mornings like this I start shopping the real estate pages for spots like Monterey!

Fiona is a PMU foal who I got on a complete whim. Was at a beach-ride fundraiser and they had her newborn pictures at the ride and I fell for her. Adopted her the next day. We think she is Arab-Draft cross but who knows. I am very fortunate that her mother, a PMU mare, was rescued pregnant from the premarin ranch, so Fiona was NOT born at the ranch but at our nearby rescue facility. From the start she was a confident, bold filly -- smart, attentive, and gentle. I had "sampled" horsemanship when I took my older mare, Wilma, to a couple of Greg Eliel clinics and then audited clinics by Buck, Joe, and Bryan. From those experiences I knew that this is how I wanted to raise Fiona right from the start. So at 1-y-o she was in Greg's groundwork clinic and as a long yearling was at Joe's Wolters's starter class.

We've definitely had our ups and downs. It took a full-out hospitalized concussion for me to learn about requiring respect. (Would have been nice if THAT lesson came a little simpler!) But we've worked hard together and had loads of help and now we are doing better.

As someone brand new to this stuff, I talk a lot with horsemanship friends about balancing a rather mechanical approach with the thinking/feeling approach. What I mean by that is that after my concussion I realized that if we were going to survive this journey together I needed to have a few more fairly rote, mechanical skills in place in our relationship pretty quickly. It's not what I want forever, but putting them in place has provided a more safe foundation for other kinds of work. Obviously if I knew more and were more experienced I would have done it differently, but for me this has worked as a beginning. Now I think we're poised to dig deeper together.

We'll see how this year goes!

[reata]

Hey Girls Welcome to the EH board .. once every one gets registeed I'm sure we will have lots of disscussions.. and we will all learn lots..
Its good the have the board back and some new faces!!
I'm from Downunder and they say I stand on my head all the time thats why I'm like what I'm like .. LOL I think I'm normal!!!
anyways a BIG Welcome !!! :-)

[Zorro]

Hello could I join in? I didn't know about the last board although I have been subscribing to the magazine for a couple of years! I'm from England (as in the UK not the new one!) Just green, wet and muddy at the moment!!! roll on spring!

[FrancaV]

Hi there, Zorro! Please do join in and tell us about yourself and your horse(s). :)

[FrancaV]

Thanks for the welcome, reata! I really must go stand on my head again one of these days. My husband and I spent our honeymoon on the other side of the equator 16 years ago and loved it. Keep meaning to return but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I didn't have a horse then ... it would be nice to have another look from a horsey perspective. :)

[Excess]

Welcome to all the newbies! I am I think technically a newbie too but Reata, Red, MrsC, Mares and them all have taken me under their wing and I feel like I've been here forever! You'll love it here. There is a WEALTH of information fo sure. And wonderful people.

[fionagirl]

Just green, wet and muddy at the moment!!! roll on spring!

At least you've got GREEN along with the wet & mud. We've got dirty gray snow paired with manure-mix brown. Yum. And then there's the treacherous layer of ice hidden below all that. Someone tell me again why the heck I live in Maine???

[MyAmigoMaya]

Hey folks! I thought I'd add myself onto this thread since I'm also a newbie. I'm Sarah, and I'm a friend of Exy's. She's always talking about your chats and how great they are, but I'm asleep by the time everyone gets on, so I was happy that a forum got started up for it. (: I recently (January) acquired my first horse, a 9-year-old dun QH mare with navicular--her registered name's My Amigo Brandy, which is stupid, so we call her Maya. I got her for free because of her navicular, which is getting loads better with balanced barefoot trims. She seems to be an awesome riding horse (with the exception of yesterday's episode, which I'm going to post on separately because I'd love some advice!) and I can't wait until she's more sound and I can ride her more and more--right now we just walk a little bit. I'm also working on learning NH techniques to work with her, mostly from Exy. I've been riding a little over a year, at a hunter/jumper show barn, so now I'm getting used to a Western saddle and trail riding and NH and fun stuff like that. (: I'm also interested in doing medieval horsemanship with her. Anyway, hope to talk to you all more!

Sarah

[Mulie]

Well, I've lurked around on this board for awhile and it's really helped me alot. Now that it's back up I'm hoping to participate some. After years of owning horses I got myself a mule. If I thought I knew anything, she's been kind enough to let me know I don't. I really want to do right by her cause she's a real sweetie, she'll really try but she needs help feeling confident and I don't always know how to help her with that. Mostly because I don't always feel confident. She's shy and reserved, but she's really warmed up to me over the last year. At first she would just hold her breath when I walked into her stall. I'm also working to help her be more comfortable with other people, I don't want her to be a one person mule. Anyway, looking forward to participating.

[RanchHQ]

I too am new to this Board, but I enjoyed the old Board.
I run a small cattle operation SE of Sacramento.
Three horses, two are retired, only the 7 y/o gets worked, my goal is to make him into the best bosal horse ever.
I live a life on "manana" time, if I can't get it done today I will get it done tomorrow. I'm in no hurry.
I was fortunate to be born in the Home of The Vaquerro, I would like to learn more about the traditions.
I'm Married to the infamous Nurse Ratchet, she beats me on a regular basis, just to keep me in shape. Most of the beatings go on during my sleep.
I was born and raised outside of Monterey, CA, Carmel Valley to be exact. For the first 20 years of my life I thought the whole world was like Central California; Big Sur, Highway 1, 3 hour drive to Yosomite, San Fran was the only city I ever saw till I was 25 y/o.
I went East to Wyoming for 20 years to Manage Ranches, spent some time in NM and CO. Managed Pecos River Ranch outside of Pecos, NM for Val Kilmer (that is another story for another time).
Good to be here, thanks for the Welcome.

[Weebonilass]

I think I posted on the old board once or twice, but never on a regular basis. Came here to check on the prices of some VHS/DVDs and decided to check in and discovered someone had done some interior decorating.

I live in So. IL and own a single Arabian by the name of Selket Ah Men. I discovered yesterday at a clinic at Mark Schwarm (he recently did a two month internship with Ray Hunt) that he loves to play with cows...well calves soon to be steers. He's bred to be a race horse, not a cow horse. :) But he told me other than long rides in Shawnee National Forest this was the most interesting thing we've done... and I think he may like it better than trail riding.

I was fairly natural when I was introduced to the Parelli program, but due to a lot of things I never became a cult member and I really liked the clinic and a semi-private lesson I had with a fellow by the name of Brent Graef. Now, I'm trying to read/watch all I can on the masters the Dorrance brothers and those that follow in those mighty big footsteps.

[Mares Tales]

Welcome RanchHQ and

Of COURSE....we want to hear the Val Kilmer story!!! :-)

[red]

Just plain Red. Without dating myself, too much, I will say that I saw Jim Morrison, the first time he was on stage, and used I to wear stockings in high school, the two legged kind, because pantyhose were not invented, yet. I have no other half, but the BEST part about me, is a good paint gelding, who manages to make me look like I know more than I do ( who am I kidding, he shows me the way, everytime..lol) ..I feel sorta like this way, is the blessing in my life I waited for...something I do just for myself..and for my pony.. and his kind....the truth is, that as with all of his kind, he knows more about being a horse, than all the books ever written.. he graces me with his presence, and makes me feel good about being just a girl, with her horse. And it is enough.

I like good horses, good gear, great dogs. The other saying is "know your bliss" and my idea of bliss is looking at old silver bits, well made saddles, the friendships between man, and horse, the journey towards your highest and best self.. I like to watch that perfect loop float thru the air....But, most of all, I enjoy the struggle towards excellence...and join you in your quest..

I am here to tell you that the kindnesses extended to me, the friendships I have made on this board, have sustained me, during some pretty dark and scary times...and continue to do so.

And Ranch HQ's knows Kilmer...Mares and I are waiting for the stories...lol
good to see ya Ranch HQ.

love,
red.

[Fancy That]

Thanks for starting this thread, Franca! (Franca and I boarded at the same ranch a few years ago)

I used to lurk on the old board but haven't been in awhile and didn't know about this new one! No wonder there isn't much "action" yet here

I have a liver flaxen Morgan mare who I like to do everything with! Been riding my whole life...did Hunters as a Junior and sort of got caught up in the horsemanship stuff when I began college and started my own 3 year old. Proceeded to start my next horse and everything was grand. Albeit, I had no competitive goals and sort of abandoned my traditional H/J background. Even had a custom made endurance saddle!!??

Long story short, I'm doing Eventing now. Local Hunter/Jumper shows, Hunter Paces and the occasional dressage schooling show and Combined Test. I'm having a heck of a time with putting the two together. Yes - easy to see how NH helps w/ respect, harmony, groundwork, etc. Hard for me and the pony to get the constant contact needed in dressage. She was taught to give to the bit and I'm used to turning her loose. Boy, I rode on the buckle for way too long!!

So many conflicting training principles now that I'm getting jumping lessons, dressage lessons and doing XC schooling (my favorite part - and Fancy is a machine cross-country)

We are only doing Beginner Novice, but my goal is to do Novice level eventing (Training level dressage) and never jumping higher than 3 feet or so. We are doing 2'6" now.

Anyone else from "traditional English" background here??? Do you find it difficult too?

Here we are at our first Horse Trial at Elementary Level:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/106/298432316_f43e092d1c.jpg?v=0
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/102/298432302_e83f542a66.jpg?v=0

Riding in the Morgan Breed Demo at Horse Expo 2006:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/75/223066111_e29f22b9cb.jpg?v=0

At a Hunter Pace:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/95/237127983_57a14ad486.jpg?v=0

Sorry so many pics! Anyways, we have a loong way to go to be really competitive, but that's my goal now. Very interesting balancing act between NH style training and 'traditional english'!!!

[FrancaV]

Well, hi there, E! Sounds like you and my friend Fancy are doing great! You both look like you're having fun in the photos. I hadn't seen the Hunter Pace pic yet - very nice!

I have not been able to get my head around the supposed need for ounces of contact on the bit in dressage. It's such a fundamental difference between what you and I have learned and what most dressage students are learning these days. I'm searching for weightlessness - the give-and-take spot where the horse is carrying the bit and following the rider's suggestions so perfectly that the all of the slack never needs to come out of the reins. In modern dressage slack in the reins seems to be a big no-no. My feeling is if the horse and rider are in such complete harmony, why wouldn't you want that bit of slack in the reins? I don't see why folks immediately screech that the horse is "behind the bit" whenever that wonderful weightlessness occurs. Ah well ...

I'm taking my first dressage lesson on Monday with someone who thinks more the way we do. I watched my friend's lesson with her today and not once did we hear, "Shorten your reins!" How refreshing! The instructor is Jec Ballou - have you heard of her or ridden with her? She teaches up at Summit Equestrian. Later in the month I'm going to take a lesson with her mentor, Manolo Mendez. I audited his clinic last fall and was really impressed. For the first time I saw dressage lessons that did not seem to be at odds with the type of horsemanship I enjoy, so when I heard he was coming back I signed up. I'm going to have to go on a hunt for all of my english gear - my english reins and stirrups are stashed somewhere, and my paddock boots and half chaps are in a tote bag in the car. I have to borrow a dressage saddle - sold mine last summer!

I haven't changed my mind about competing, though. I'm a confirmed pleasure rider and the clinics and lessons are just to help me continue to build the best partnership I can with Seven. I think I burnt out all of my competitive genes in my 30s, LOL! I'm thrilled that you and Fancy are having such a grand time. Would love to figure out how to get together for a trail ride one of these days!

[Fancy That]

[QUOTE=FrancaV;397]I'm taking my first dressage lesson on Monday with someone who thinks more the way we do. I watched my friend's lesson with her today and not once did we hear, "Shorten your reins!" How refreshing! The instructor is Jec Ballou - have you heard of her or ridden with her? She teaches up at Summit Equestrian. Later in the month I'm going to take a lesson with her mentor, Manolo Mendez. I audited his clinic last fall and was really impressed. For the first time I saw dressage lessons that did not seem to be at odds with the type of horsemanship I enjoy, so when I heard he was coming back I signed up. I'm going to have to go on a hunt for all of my english gear - my english reins and stirrups are stashed somewhere, and my paddock boots and half chaps are in a tote bag in the car. I have to borrow a dressage saddle - sold mine last summer!


Hi Franca - that's fantastic - I've been corresponding w/ Jec about training and was also wanting to audit the Manolo clinic. Please tell me how the lesson goes. Perhaps I can put Fancy in training w/ her at some point or I can get some lessons?

Just as you said - it is quite confusing for me. I rode Fancy for so long on slack reins most of the time, we just never got to where one needs thier horse for dressage. She's happy w/ the contact I ride in for jumping, but that's different - we aren't focused on getting on the bit- rather just getting round the course in a nice manner.

Looking forward to when this list gets as active as it used to be!