Yuku free message boards
Username or E-mail:
Password:
Forgot
Password?
Sign Up
Grab the Yuku app
Search:
Free Speech Horse Forum
>
Training Logs and Stories
>
Gus in AK-7 yo Arab gelding*Pic page 10*
0 Points
Search this Topic:
Remove this ad
«Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
Next»
Jump
Add Reply
New Topic
Forum Jump
Announcements and Information for New Members
Training Logs and Stories
Training the Next Generation
Training Questions and Advice
General Discussion (Horse Related)
General Discussion (Not Horse Related)
Conformation Critiques
Memorials
Emergency Preparedness Information
Foaling Camera Discussions
Beware of..
Horses for Adoption or Sale (Under $1000)
Horses for Adoption or Sale ($1000+)
Horses Wanted
Other Animals - Wanted/For Sale/Available
Tack For Sale
Tack Wanted
Stuff Wanted/For Sale/Available
<< Previous Topic
Next Topic >>
Re: Gus in AK-7 yo Arab gelding*Pic page 10*
Author
Comment
fireweedak
Aug update on Gus
#1
[-]
Posts
: 4022
Aug 5 09 12:03 PM
Reply
Quote
More
My Recent Posts
Gus had his first trot under-saddle about 3 weeks ago. A was riding him in the big arena (with soft footing). He spooked at her movement and weight shift with HIS trot movement and he cantered (very quickly) about 3/4 of the way around the arena before stopping. A was careful not to pull to hard on him, rode him fantastically and got him stopped just fine. More walking, turning, halting and called it a day.
More round pen work that same week - walking, turning, trotting. He was getting a bit lethargic to leg aids. The footing in the round pen is very pebbly.
Kids got on and were led around a bit. And I've ridden him too. He is super sensitive to seat and leg in that just a change in seat he will halt and he will turn only off leg aids. (yay!! dressage arab win!)
A few weeks ago he was very sore in his back after very short ride - A 10 mins, me 5 mins and kids 5 min each at the walk only. Massaged, liniment, wool blankey, hand walking and stretches got him loosened up. Decided to give him some time off from riding work.
For the last 2 weeks he's been turned out to run, lunged in vienna reins (sometimes circingle, sometimes saddle), over cavaletti, lots of transitions and turned out for an hour each night to encourage more walking. Also checking his back, stretching his front legs forward, hinds stretched front and back (Gus says, what the...?) He seems to have some tenderness in his neck about a hands to 2 hands width back from his poll. I've been gently massaging his entire neck to help this.
This time off and specific exercise has helped his back tremendously. Got on him last Saturday and he was magnificently forward, no sluggish response to leg aids
Also experimenting with different saddle pads and stretching his front legs forward before work. Only drawback is the pebbles in the round pen.
Today he is getting his first set of shoes ever
We gave it a go barefoot, but it's still too sore for him and there's too many pebbles around to avoid. We may revisit barefoot at a time when I am able to get boots (Epics or Renegade) for all 4.
I'm letting his long arab bridle path grow out. His first winter in Alaska should be extra special, lol. I figure any extra hair will help! It's been raining for 2 days and he's one of those smart horses that goes in his stall when it rains, is cold or too hot out.
I've been looking at the white hairs at the top of his tail and peppered throughout his body - mostly his barrel, belly and haunches. He's got some roaning (rabicano)! Which also attributes to the white in his mane.
I've been using MTG sparingly on his tail bone and the base of his mane to encourage growth and help with tangles, and to get rid of the crusty bumps on his elbows. The MTG worked great at getting rid of the scales on his tail bone - despite shampooing and conditioning and Cowboy Magic detangler. The only drawback is the oiliness of the MTG collects dust, oh, and stinks too. Tolerable, but oh so gross to have MTG all over my hands after applying. We don't have running water at the stables, just creek water (no extra charge for parasites) so I can't just go wash my hands. I think I'll utilize my latex gloves next time.
Gus is also back on Omega Horseshine, ordered from SmarkPaks. Love the convenience. I'm seriously considering purchasing the HUGE bag directly from the manufacturer. I'd like to give him extra OHS after workouts and during winter. A few mares at the barn have been in heat, one in particular has been in season for over a month...
Gus was only gelded a year ago and he gets QUITE amorous with her if given the opportunity. He's been a bit edgy, so decided to try him on raspberry leaves - Mare Magic. For the most part it's taken the edginess and jumpiness off.
<< Previous Topic
Next Topic >>
Add Reply
Forum Jump
Announcements and Information for New Members
Training Logs and Stories
Training the Next Generation
Training Questions and Advice
General Discussion (Horse Related)
General Discussion (Not Horse Related)
Conformation Critiques
Memorials
Emergency Preparedness Information
Foaling Camera Discussions
Beware of..
Horses for Adoption or Sale (Under $1000)
Horses for Adoption or Sale ($1000+)
Horses Wanted
Other Animals - Wanted/For Sale/Available
Tack For Sale
Tack Wanted
Stuff Wanted/For Sale/Available
Share This
Email to Friend
del.icio.us
Digg it
Facebook
Blogger
Yahoo MyWeb
«Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
Next»
Jump
Free Speech Horse Forum
>
Training Logs and Stories
>
Gus in AK-7 yo Arab gelding*Pic page 10*
Click to subscribe by RSS
Click to receive E-mail notifications of replies