Valentina

Ride 6

2010-07-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

Today was huge step for Tina! Since I got her, one of her biggest issues has been pulling back. We have spent a lot of time correcting this, and today I finally felt confident enough with her to tie her in the aisle. She was great, never even took a step backwards, moved over when I asked, and was very patient while I untacked her. We also tied in the wash stall, where she was also an angel.
Another great ride today too- we worked in the indoor again, trying to make our circles actually round, and she's great for it in both directions, at walk and trot. I have been spending a lot of time lunging her, trying to get her to build up some muscle. When we first started, even trotting for a few minutes straight was a big challenge stamina wise, and so we are we are going to get lots of canter muscles built up before we try cantering undersaddle. Meanwhile, we'll perfect the walk and trot, where she's already stellar. I'm so happy with all the progress she's making!

Fourth Ride

2010-06-29T20:02:00.001-07:00

Tini had another wonderful day! For her third ride (yesterday) and her fourth ride (today) we had to work in the outdoor arena, a new place for Tina, due to some construction in the indoor. Once Tina got a chance to look at everything, she was a rockstar. She picks up things so fast. On only her fourth ride, she is walking, trotting, stopping, and backing beautifully on cue. We've been doing a lot of different figures, her steering is wonderful (always a plus!). No one who sees her believes that she has only been undersaddle for a matter of days.
Recently I have added pool noodles to Tini's stall, it hangs near the center of her stall. She was not happy about it at first - I got the evil eye for a few minutes - but now that she is used to having it there she doesn't even glance at it. When she walks around her stall, her ears will bump against it or it will blow in the wind when the doors are open and she doesn't even notice. She's so brave about new things. So long as you take your time and don't rush her, Tini will do anything for you. She loves to be praised- her ears perk forward whenever you tell her "goood girl!" and you can tell she gets proud of herself. As soon as you show her the difference between what you want and what you don't want, she is happy to do things your way. It's quite refreshing!

Tina's Second Ride

2010-06-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

Today was Tina's second ride and I couldn't be happier with her! She genuinely enjoys being ridden and worked with. She turns easily in both directions, though she prefers going left, and stops with light contact and a soft "whoa." Tini is quickly learning to move off of leg pressure, and is happy to move forward when asked. We even trotted a few steps in both directions today, a huge step for her on only her second ride. When something surprises Tina, she does not spook, instead she stops and looks at it. This girl is a true gem, and she learns so quickly! After only a couple times on the lunge line, she is already a pro- she will walk, trot, canter, stop, and change directions on command. Tina ground ties for being brushed and tacked up. She gets better everyday about being hosed down- she likes to do a little jig in place or flap her bottom lip when she gets anxious, but settles down once she realizes whats going on.
Tina is very social. She adores people and horses alike, and has become Miss Popularity around the barn. I posted new pictures in her photo album, many of which are of Tina and her "fans"- Girl Scouts who spent the day at Grand Marais Stables where Tini is kept. You can't help but like her! I encourage anyone who is interested in Tina to contact me at 218-988-2147 or marsalata@yahoo.com, I gaurentee she will steal your heart!

Day Fifteen

2010-05-24T17:30:00.001-07:00

These past two weeks have been very busy for Tina and I! She is a very smart girl and learning very quickly. I anticipate our first ride with in the week. We've been doing roundpen work and she is very quick to pick up on everything. We have also worked towards curing her pulling back problem. I am now able to bounce a large, green exercise ball off of her back and she will stand quietly tied. She's also okay with me swinging a rope around and over her now. We are going to play with tarps and cap guns tomorrow to desensitize her further. Another thing we plan to work on soon is trailering, as Tina wasn't quite comfortable with it on her initial haul up to my home. I have had a lot of friends over to meet Tini and everyone comments on how sweet and friendly she is. When I go out every day she races the other horses to the gate to say hello. I am absolutely in love with her personality.

Day One

2010-05-10T16:10:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone!

Today was Tina’s first full day at my home after arriving at about 9:30 last night. She is happy and settled into her paddock and has made lots of friends over the fence, including several other Arabians, a blind Appaloosa, and the Appaloosa’s miniature guide pony. She seems very comfortable in her paddock.
Yesterday we went to pick Tina up from the rescue. It took some time to load her but when she did decide to get in she did so very calmly, one foot at a time, and didn’t race over anyone or try to back out again. Once in the trailer she was obviously nervous, visibly shaking, but after about a two hours on the rode when we stopped to check on her she was standing quietly eating from her hay bag. On the road we barely heard a peep from her, except when we went over a lot of bumps. Once we arrived she backed out of the trailer without hesitation.
I went out to play with Tina today after school. We spent a lot of time getting to know each other. She was perfect for being haltered and led around, although when she feels nervous about something she likes to trot in place beside me. She and I spent a lot of time going over the “whoa” command, and she picked it up super fast. She now plants her feet when you say it and is starting to understand the idea of not moving until asked to. She’s a smart girl. Tina is very happy to ground tie. She stood, half asleep, with her lead rope slung across her neck while I groomed her.
When we went for a walk outside of her paddock she was very alert and attentive to everything around her. It became obvious to me that Tina’s natural defense is to pull back. Shortly after this discovery Tina lost her leather halter privileges and now has a nice little rope halter until she learns to give to poll pressure.
Tina is very smart and loves people. I anticipate her being a lot of fun to work with.