2011 a new year. Once again back to the blogging. 2010 was not as fruitful blogging wise, but I hope this year to be better. Even though my words may seem meaningless, I'm sticking to it.
I'm now fully into my Junior year, only three more semester's left of undergrad. Last semester ended very well. Three A-'s and one A in the following classes: genetics, biochemistry I, intro physics I, and intro to research respectively. Worked once again at the school library and studied with some great friends.
School goals for 2011:
- Actually schedule studying
- To really study in the scheduled time
(I'm really good at just taking tests and I can't ride off that anymore, I can do better!)
- Make more time for friends
- Go to more school functions
Onto the Bogey front. He's fat and happy right now, albeit a little more chilled than in August when I last posted, but still great. He had a few mishaps this past fall during a few storms and jumped a fence, scraping his legs. Those then healed without any lameness just minor swelling and now he found something else to scrape one again over my holiday break. I've been doctoring that. There has been no swelling or lameness on that leg just surface wounds. We'll get over this bump and move onto bigger and greater things.
I've been practicing showmanship with him whenever I go home and he's doing great. He has all of the major cues, pivot, set-up and back and now just needs finesse and consistency.
Bogey Goals for 2011:
- Finish him in Showmanship
I want to create consistency and fluidity in all of the movements, and to successfully compete at a few local open shows. I want him to be able to calmly work a pattern and line-up without overly fidgeting. To place at one open show would also be great!
-Put him into the Bridle
I'm going to be working on getting him to rely more on leg aids and I'd like to finally put him into a bridle so I show western pleasure at the local shows since he's now aged out of the snaffle bit.
-Greater sense of collection/cadence/consistency
I want Bogey to be able to successfully move with a higher degree of collection creating greater cadence and consistency for the western pleasure show pen.
-Figure out perfect supplement plan/feeding plan for optimum performance
- Eradicate any question of lameness/hock soreness and get to the bottom of that question or readdress.
When working in August we found issues with his hocks and did do injections, hopefully those issues will be behind us.
Those are the goals for 2011. Also, I'd love to continue with the blogging venture once again.
Here we go again!
-Amy
Respite
2 hours ago
I know how it can be hard to get to the blogging. Nice I am the same year in college as you, but a little closer to my horses...luckily, especially with my young ones. Its still hard to find time some weeks. College is busy, sounds like we're graduating at the same time. I am an economics and business major though.
ReplyDeleteAmber
lol, well I just realized I said the same thing twice...sorry
ReplyDeleteYeah. Wow, glad you like my blog. Well actually I am not sure if you every did 4-H when you were younger, but for the most part I follow what they have in the MN 4-H horse training manual. They have a 5 step program basically and that is where I started with training horses. I mean I have found my own methods, but started with that as the basic building block. So first they learn all the groundwork and showmanship, then we lunge and when they are 1 1/2 or 2 years old I will ground drive them for a little bit and eventually start riding when I feel they are ready and have enough confidence. Then I teach them everything in the snaffle bit and move to the curb. I am working on my second horses' transition to the curb bit from the snaffle. It seems to be going well because they know so much from my other body cues. Yeah, I know that is just it in a tiny nutshell.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that would be cool. I'll try and do that if I get the time.
I am by no means a pro, but I love what I am doing with my horses and just keep learning.
Amber