A calming trip

After the farrier had gone home. I chose to ride out in the woods with Giga. I needed a long trip where I could just be myself and enjoy the peace. It was really quiet in the woods. And among the trees, we met many beautiful deers. I felt  that I was back in Sweden, I needed just to meet some elks and wild boars.

I should ride more often in the morning. There' a special peace that's really nice and calming.

Positive experiences

I got up at 06.30 on a Sunday. My new farrier is a energetic man ;-D
To my great surprise, Giga was just a bitch today. She put all her weight in all 4 legs, so when poor Lars was finished, he was very sweaty.

Yeeea, and this was the easy horse, I thought. Cool!

 Well, then it was Victor's turn. And it went so good. His approach to Victor was wonderful. Victor was calm and relaxed for once and it all went far beyond my expectations. We had a good talk about behavior and the way we handle horses in Denmark.

It's lovely with positive experiences. It always gives me a little more joy and energy in life.

Well that's me!

 

 

I was up early

Today, I have achieved many things with the horses. I was up early and let 28 horses out on the farm. The stallions were a little wild but still very easy to handle. All the mares and their foals were very eager to get out. Fortunately you just let them run out to the paddock themselves.

 After that, I chose to watch  the course which was held on the farm today. It was about how to train your horse so it gets a better balance and proper movement. Very interesting and educational.

 After a few hours with that, I chose and two friends to go out and ride in the woods. I haven't really been exploring the forest because of my late days at school. I had the impression that the forest was very small and boring. I was wrong. On the other side of the road was a HUGE forest with countless beautiful long and wide riding trails. It was so beautiful with the snow and the countryside. It reminded me of Sweden.

We had a fantastic trip and all three horses and riders needed it. It's almost pure therapy for the soul. I am always very happy after a ride in the beautiful nature.

Drinking time!

Later my vet came. Giga had to get her teeht rasped. The vet was very hesitant when she saw how big Giga was. After her wild experience with Victor, I can't really blame her. But to her biiig surprise, Giga was just the sweetest ting she had ever met. In the end she got rasped her teeth without anesthesia. I thought it was pretty cool. Considering most horses has to be anesthetized.

I'm so happy that I found this vet. She takes her time with the horses, well she even sings to them. How many veterinarians do you know who does that? It was pure x-factor today. But it had a calming effect on all horses :-)

She's just such a sweetheart!

Those who inspire me

 

Here are some pictures of those who inspires me.

 

 Appassionata have from my childhood inspired me. I've been to many of their shows. And they can still get my jaw to drop.

 

Anders Chortzen, one of my big source of inspiration!

 http://www.hestensabc.dk/

 

 

The medieval way of looking at training of horses inspires me too. They made individual bites to their horses, tailor-made saddles, etc. And they rode often their horses without bridles.

The anatomical part of the horse and correct riding is according to me a very important thing that helps us to understand the horse better.

The Spanish school inspires me also and I hope that one day I can achieve some of the high exercises with a horse.

 

Bent Branderup is the man who invented the Academic Art Of Riding. What he can with his horses is admirable.

 

After 2 years with anxiety

After 2 years with anxiety to jump on Giga, I decided that today I had to get over my fear. It was a hesitant start but after a few good jumps the fear was forgotten. I got quite "overconfident" at the end. Typical me :-P I have to thank Janni and Josefine for the help and inspiration! And thanks two Sascha that bothered two raise the jumps :-D

For those who don't know, I was in a serious cross country accident with Giga two years ago. Nothing happened with Giga. But I got a concussion, a fiber rupture, a pressured spine and lot of bruises. I never came up again after this happened and ever since I have been extremely afraid to jump.

What a successful day :-D

I'm just so happy :-D
Again today my two teachers had another fight with the little Icelandic pony. They tried everything, but it kept kicking, biting and rearing. One of the teachers is only used to handle cows and sheep, he got so intimidated and surprised at how strong it was. They gave up completely after 30 min.

Then I asked carefully if I could try with my method. They laughed a little at me but I they gave me a chance.
I took a whip and laid a gentle pressure on its hind legs. As expected, it kicked hysterically as soon as it stopped kicking and stood still I praised it and cuddled it by the throat. This exercise I carried out 10-15 times and finally I was able to put my hand on the leg. When she was comfortable with my hand, I could treat her wounds without the slightest trouble. She stood perfectly still. All this took 10 minutes.

This may sound very magical and unrealistic. But actually there isn't more to it. Positive and negative reinforcement and good timing can do a lot.

A lot of jaws dropped today. And when the teacher praised me it was a huge boost for my confidence.

You should never fight against a horse. It will always beat you pretty much no matter the size. You should rather work with it. Violence and punishment is NEVER the right way!


In this case it was just a poor horse who fought for its life. And if it only has experienced negative things every time it ends up in the stable it is obvious it wants to flee away. I would do the same thing...