14Jul 2014 by myexracer

Totally Thoroughbred horse show

Off Farm, OTTB
[caption id="attachment_1398" align="alignleft" width="200"] First place in hand geldings[/caption] It was going to be hot out but i was determined to go watch the Totally Thoroughbred horse show which is in its 3rd year and held at Plimlico Racetrack. Hundreds of OTTB's in classes from lead-line to jumpers held at a race track. What could go wrong? Heh. First off this is a big show with lots of entries, so many that they have to split the classes and they are still huge. Novice hunters over fences at 2'6" went on for 2 hours at least just to get though all the horses entered. Lots of really great looking OTTBs in all stages of retirement from the horses in their teens who have been in new careers for over 10…
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12Jul 2014 by myexracer

Jumping beans!

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
[caption id="attachment_1387" align="alignleft" width="300"] Jump![/caption] Jump training has started. Circe was up first with Michelle on board. After her normal flat work, Michelle decided to take Circe over a few cross rails and a couple of little jumps to see how she did. Circe loves to jump! Who knew!? Shes a careful jumper with scope to go higher then the little baby jumps shes going over now and she tucks her front legs up underneath her. Every single time her ears were perked forward and she never refused anything. It looked like she was having a good time. I really didn't expect to be able to start this work with her this quickly, so of course i'm tickled pink. Especially because she really seems to be having fun. I'm consistently…
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01Jul 2014 by myexracer

One month in

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB
[caption id="attachment_1382" align="alignleft" width="200"] Pink Hat![/caption] Everything is coming together. The horses are loving the new place and so am I. Its quiet and beautiful and even though there are quite a few horses on the property, because its so big it feels much more quiet. A month in and they are both really doing well. Both ponies are being ridden in the upper ring, the lower ring and the indoor as well as out into the woods and on the bridle paths around the 100 acre property. I think the only ring we haven't used yet is the dressage ring. Circe even has a new friend, trainer number two's 8 year old daughter. Her and Circe are total pals and have a thing going. The 8 year old even…
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19Jun 2014 by myexracer

Upper barn adventure

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
[caption id="attachment_1369" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dusty and hot[/caption] The text I got was glowing Sammy (new trainer) rode both girls and they both did great. Circe's didn't call out to the other horses (a habit were working on to stop) and after her work in the indoor arena she was ridden around the property. That means around the pond, to the upper barn and back to her own barn. Miss Jezebel was taken into the woods for a hack and behaved! Yes, Jez has been on the trail before but never alone and its been a really long time. I was so thrilled to hear of their progress i could barely contain myself. [caption id="attachment_1370" align="alignright" width="200"] Happy pony[/caption] Next up Michelle. Since Sammy is pushing the pony envelope a little…
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16Jun 2014 by myexracer

How it all works

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
[caption id="attachment_1363" align="alignleft" width="300"] View from the road[/caption] The girls are being ridden all the time now. They have an actual schedule. It has only been half a month and 2 little weeks into the move the girls are digging in and getting to work. Sunday: Michelle - Monday: Me - Tuesday: Sammy - Wednesday: Michelle  - Thursday: Me - Friday: Sammy - Saturday: Me Only I'm not really riding both yet. Ground work... yes but getting back in the saddle will be a little bit of a work up to it thing for me. I am cooling out Circe after her rides with Michelle and riding her back to the barn this week and then next i'll start riding her on my own. Jez is being re-started really slowly…
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07Jun 2014 by myexracer

No steps backwards

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB
[caption id="attachment_1356" align="alignleft" width="300"] Showing Jez the pace[/caption] I put the girls to work only after a few days off to get settled. They have both been ridden by Michelle and now Sammy the new trainer and they both did great. Jez did try to rear with Sammy but she gives enough warning that she rode her though it and Sammy doesn't think that her rearing is anything that cant be fixed and i shouldn't worry about it too much. I almost cried when i heard that. Circe is close to calm being ridden in the indoor so its likely i'll start riding her next week. I'll cool her out at first then when that goes well i'll just start riding her. Sammy rode Circe back from the indoor after…
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05Jun 2014 by myexracer

New things

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
[caption id="attachment_1348" align="alignleft" width="200"] Walking around[/caption] It was both horses first day working with Michelle at the new place. The new trainer was going to be there as well so her and Michelle could get on the same page and all that jazz. I was both nervous and excited. We moved in last Sat i gave the girls Sunday off and Monday i started to get them used to the new place. Taking them for walks around the property bridle paths, getting them into the wash stall and used to their new cross ties. Everything is going really well. They are settled into the routine and their stall suites. Those stalls are freaking huge! Michelle arrived and we started with Jezebel and went down to the indoor arena. One other…
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03Jun 2014 by myexracer

New home

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB
Just settling in to the new place [caption id="attachment_1340" align="alignleft" width="300"] Grazing in the new field[/caption]             [caption id="attachment_1341" align="alignleft" width="200"] Checking out the boys next door[/caption]                 [caption id="attachment_1342" align="alignleft" width="300"] Field 16[/caption]             [caption id="attachment_1343" align="alignleft" width="300"] Bridle path[/caption]
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25May 2014 by myexracer

Devistation

Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
[caption id="attachment_1327" align="alignleft" width="225"] The better half and the horsey half[/caption] Jezebel is still rearing. Second time under saddle with ground work first then a short walk only ride. Well that was the plan anyways. While she was stopped in the center of the ring on a relaxed loose rein and for no reason whatsoever out of the blue, she first baby reared and then when up for a second try never getting fully vertical. Michelle dismounted and worked her on the ground before making her stand still to be re-mounted from the ground then walked her around in both directions with out incident. I am devastated. The ulcers have been addressed there is no physical reason for this. The physical has been eliminated. This is because Jezebel has learned…
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17May 2014 by myexracer

The girls

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB
Jez's second time over at the ring went well. She seemed happy to be working and eagerly walked over all the jumps that were left set up in the ring. She also listened on the lunge and all though she was interested in looking around she was paying attention and not too distracted. Circe also did well under saddle, walked over jumps and did some good trot work. With out losing her mind. I call that a win.  I took a lot of pictures. [gallery columns="4" link="file" ids="1279,1280,1281,1282,1283,1284,1285,1286" orderby="rand"]
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