A Visit with Sawyer

Over the holidays, I was lucky enough to be able to travel home to Wisconsin and spend some good old quality time with friends and family.  On December 23rd, I headed to Madison to spend the day with Pam Groth, adopter of Sawyer, one of my first foster horses.  Sawyer’s registered name is Jimmy Kool and we called him JC.

Through the months since Pam adopted Sawyer, I have gotten photos and little updates from her.  However, this was the first time I had been able to actually go visit him since he left here in March.  I’m thrilled to report that Sawyer is doing fabulous.  I didn’t get to see him under saddle because Pam had the chiropractor out the day I was there.  However, he is in excellent weight and appears to be very happy and healthy.  In addition, its quite obvious that Pam simply adores him.  They are a good match.  Please enjoy the following photos of Pam and Sawyer.

Pam & Sawyer in the barn.
Look how glossy his coat is!

Outside in the snow!

Where’s my blanket?

His “Do you have a cookie?” face.

 

Going, Going, Gone!

JC didn’t leave the round bale all day.

Going

Going

Gone

 

Amy & JC

Isn’t he just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? JC has been adopted! Yippee! Congrats to Pam Groth of Madison, Wisconsin. Pam snapped this picture of JC and I when she was down to visit on Valentine’s weekend.

 

New Videos of JC

Here are a couple new videos of JC. This first is one of JC’s newly acquired skills. He has overcome his fear of riding crops and can now be directed into position for mounting at the mounting block. He also stands quietly for mounting.

The second video is just general work under saddle. He quietly and happily goes about his business.

 

JC During Lesson

This is JC during our recent clinic session with Linda Heiny.

 

JC Coming Along Great!

I am really thrilled with JC’s progress under saddle. He is really starting to understand that when I put my inside leg on, he should stretch down into contact. He also is more than willing to carry himself and lift his back. He is usually good doing so for about 5-6 strides at a time. We’re working on figure 8s and he is about 50/50 on being able to stay soft and round through the change of bend. Usually though, it is my fault that he doesn’t stay connected as I forget to support him. He remains extremely willing as well as very soft and light in the bridle. Every once in a while he falls out of balance and becomes heavy and stiff. But really, he tries so very hard to do what I ask and I simply can’t ask for much more than that at this point. I’m extremely pleased with his progress under saddle. If he is still around (and the weather cooperates) I’m thinking about entering him in the Come Again Farms dressage schooling show in January (intro level).

I have also started lunging him at the canter in the arena. My indoor is fairly small (about 15 meters wide), which is pretty tight for a horse that is used to the big sweeping corners of a race track. For this reason, I haven’t asked for the canter under saddle yet. I really don’t think that stopping him will be the issue. Rather, he is still figuring out how to canter on the 15m lunging circle, so until he can canter in a somewhat balanced state on the lunge, I’m not going to ask him to do it under saddle. Perhaps if we ride at a larger arena, we’ll ask for the “C” word under saddle.

Here are some recent photos of him:

Standing quietly in the cross ties.

Ready to Ride!

What A Cutie!

 

A Week in the Life of a Thoroughbred

The following video click was created to show just how versatile, sound and sane Thoroughbreds can be. This is literally 5 consecutive days in the life of one of my new foster horses. This guy is looking for a home! Enjoy.

 

JC: A Quick Learner

I’m am thoroughly impressed with JC. Not only is he well built, but he has a great mind. I decided to actually do some work with him yesterday. I started out with a lunge line. He picked up on lunging very quickly. I think someone may have done some natural horsemanship type lunging with him because he understood to go the direction I pointed and to halt when I pulled on the line and said “Ho.” In general, he was w/t/c on the lunge, both directions, in about 10 minutes. And the best part, he never once tugged on the lunge line or used it for balance. He just stayed out at the end of the line and went around me. His trot was rushed and his canter was very quick and unbalanced, but he was willing to do whatever I asked in both directions.

So because he figured that out so quickly, I added sliding sidereins to the equation. I figured he could actually do some work if he already understood lunging. These were just no big deal. At first he bumped his mouth trying to pick up his head, but very quickly figured out that it was most comfortable to go around with his head stretching down and out. Pretty soon, his trot slowed down to a real nice rhythm and his stride lengthened. I could see his topline muscles working on the top of his neck and along his back. He looked GREAT! I was thrilled with how quickly he picked this up, especially for being 2 days off the track.

After lunging for about 25 minutes, I decided to move on to something else. One of the best things I ever taught my mare to do was to come to me at the mounting block and stand for mounting. I can get on the mounting block (or truck tailgate, or log, etc.) with her pointed in any direction and she will sort of parallel park herself into place so that I can get on her. Its pretty cool, not to mention very helpful. So I decided to work on this with JC. It starts by finding out how they react to a riding whip (I used a dressage whip). He was a little nervous about it, but I rubbed him all over his body with the whip and praised him every time he chewed or took a deep breath. Pretty soon it wasn’t a big deal to tap him with the whip.

At that point, I started having him move away from the whip at whatever point I touched him. This is really key to teaching them to move towards you on the mounting block because you might need to tap the outside hip and have it move towards you. He quickly figured out this game as well and I had him yielding to the whip in any direction in the arena. He is such a smart fella!!!

So then I got on the small mounting block and had him move around me. I then quit driving him around me and waited for him to stop. He did and then I praised the heck out him. We did this a few times and then I worked on getting him to step up to the mounting block. It wasn’t too long before I could get him into position so that I could have mounted had he been tacked up. He stood patiently while I rubbed him all over and praised him.

I said it above, but I’ll say it again now. I’m REALLY impressed with this young gelding. He really aims to please and is a very quick learner. With some consistent work, he will make someone an awesome riding horse!

 

JC Cleared For Work, Roman Needs Rest

So the vet was out yesterday to give the horses a basic exam and see where they are after coming off the track. She looked at JC first. He was a very good boy and stood quietly during the exam. He also trotted along side me needing little persuasion so that the vet could see him go. The vet really likes him and mentioned that he was one of the nicer horses to come through the FFI program. He was declared sound and could begin light riding. The vet did mention though that although JC is tattooed an papered as a 2004 — which would make him 4 1/2 years old, his teeth say otherwise. His 4 1/2 year old teeth haven’t yet come in, which made the vet think he is only 3 1/2 years old. We’re going to keep an eye on his mouth and see what developes. He may just pop those teeth later than normal.

Roman was seen second and he was a bit more on edge. After some discussion, we think he may have been given Equipoise at the track, so it may be a while before he’s back to himself. At any rate, he is sore on both the left front and the right hind. The right hind is sort of a given with track horses since it is the leg that does the most work — in the left lead, they push off of it the most. However, the vet couldn’t find any reason why the left front is sore (no heat). There is an old splint that was popped some time ago, but its not warm. Roman is approved for turnout, but no work. We’re going to give him a month or so to see how he does on his left front.

Both horses will have their shoes pulled tomorrow.

JC was approved to head to a dressage clinic with me on Friday. I’m looking forward to working with him there and seeing how he does. It may be his first post-race ride.

 

Big Welcome to Roman & JC

I’m excited to offer a huge welcome to two new FFI horses: Roman and JC. Both of these horses are considered part of “Tony’s ExRacers” which means that they are being funded by a $20,000 grant received by Friends of Ferdinand, Inc. from the Tony Stewart Foundation. I don’t have great pictures of either right now, although I’m planning to take some today. Here is the scoop on both:

Roman (registered name Shedroe Warrior)
2004 Chestnut Gelding
Roman is a bright coppery red with a white star. He was fairly anxious yesterday about arriving to the knew barn and seems to be quite full of himself. I think his let down period will take a little longer and I’m interested to see what type of personality he really has once he lets down his guard. He has decent enough conformation. He is a more compact type with thicker body and neck. My guess is that he stands about 15.2 – 15.3h. I haven’t had the chance to really do much of anything with him, so I’m looking forward to getting to know him.

JC (registered name Jimmy Kool)
2004 Bay Gelding
I don’t know much about JC either, but he seems to be a very sweet guy. He is plain bay with no white markings, but he makes up for his plain coat patterns with a very regal presence. He has a beautiful, refined head and very nice conformation. He was also very willing to please, entered the barn quietly, although was a little looky at thing. He lead easily without a chain and stood quietly for blanketing.

The vet is coming today to check them both out. I’m looking forward to hearing what she has to say about them. Pictures will follow!