Obstacle courses and more trail rides!

Since my last post, Candy participated in an obstacle competition! She was actually pretty willing to try all the obstacles, and any she didn't (like the cowboy curtain), we went back and worked on them after the show and completed them successfully. All obstacle course photos are courtesy of Bryan Pittman of Sliver of Time Photography.

Through the hay ring

Not wanting to walk through the cowboy curtain at first

Picking our way through the deadfall

Walking over the tire

Walking over the teeter-totter

We've also been on several trail rides and transitioned to riding in the bit full-time. She's now been to Pinnacle (Pilot Mountain, NC) twice (Ray cantered her on the trail today and was all smiles!), and Grayson Highlands/Mt. Rogers, where we encountered the feral ponies. It was a sweet moment when a young pony approached Candy and greeted her with the classic opening/closing of her mouth. Candy would have adopted her in a minute.

Feral ponies of Grayson Highlands

Candy meets "Brooke", a curious two-year-old

From a training perspective, Candy went through a little bit of a rebellious stage, which normal in a green horse. However, it's extremely important to get to "yes" (with confidence and without nagging) during this period, or you will end up with a horse that likes to argue and wants to be the primary decision-maker. I've also been working with Ray on his cues and timing while he is riding and he is learning a lot as well!

I cannot emphasize enough how important rhythm is to training horses. It is comforting as well as encouraging when encountering obstacles or working on gaits. I learned about the comfort of rhythm through my hoof care business (Nature's Path). Most horses actually seem sedated after I trim them (in fact, I've been falsely accused of sedating horses). I realized that the smooth, consistent, steady rhythm of the rasp is what comforts and calms them. Sudden or jerky movements in your hands, legs and the rest of your body will have the opposite effect when handling or riding horses.