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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
 
Location: IL | Well I have finally reached the point with my OTTB mare that it's time to start hauling to shows and exhibitioning. After putting lots of wet saddle blankets on her and getting the kinks worked out at home (not just her, many of the kinks were me! Lol) it's time to start hauling her. This will be my first horse I have completely trained. I seasoned my Paint mare when I was a teenager. I got her as a 6 year old and we were told she had been hauled extensively (surprise, surprise she hadnt been) but lucky for me she was, and still is, the most sane level headed horse.
Needless to say I am a bit nervous. Not just to how she will react to the hoopla but to all my work and training finally being put out there for everyone to witness. Haha.
Any advice in regards to seasoning that you've learned along the way? Or perhaps some encouragement!? I'm sure I'll be shaking like a dang leaf at my first show with her lol.
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  Whack and Roll
Posts: 6342
 
Location: NE Texas | That is awesome!!!! Congrats to you! Rule #1 is enjoy yourself. Both you and your mare are going to make mistakes, that's part of it, so choose to focus the most on the things you both do right rather than wrong. I think that is always the hardest part for me. Just be realistic with yourself and take the pressure off to be perfect, the goal is to continue to improve, not to be perfect.
Keep us posted! You're going to do great, now go get em! 
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
 
Location: Alberta | Focus on the process (your training and what you know she is capable of) not the "what if she does this or that" Don't be concerned when she does have a goof up, its all part of it, just keep riding and SMILE....
#1 aspect of it all is DO NOT compare yourself to anyone else. This can be the evil of us all, especially hauling "colts" do your best and shoot for better the next time.
I wish you the best of luck!!!! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | TACKyPaints - 2015-07-02 4:19 PM
Well I have finally reached the point with my OTTB mare that it's time to start hauling to shows and exhibitioning. After putting lots of wet saddle blankets on her and getting the kinks worked out at home (not just her, many of the kinks were me! Lol) it's time to start hauling her. This will be my first horse I have completely trained. I seasoned my Paint mare when I was a teenager. I got her as a 6 year old and we were told she had been hauled extensively (surprise, surprise she hadnt been) but lucky for me she was, and still is, the most sane level headed horse.
Needless to say I am a bit nervous. Not just to how she will react to the hoopla but to all my work and training finally being put out there for everyone to witness. Haha.
Any advice in regards to seasoning that you've learned along the way? Or perhaps some encouragement!? I'm sure I'll be shaking like a dang leaf at my first show with her lol.
Go and have fun and keep us posted! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1032
Location: IL | Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words and the great advice! I will be sure to keep you updated should we make it to a show. We've had so much rain lately that I think, from May until now, our area has only been able to hold about 3 races.
I think that's something I do worry most about is the "what if she does..." I am a person who struggles with trying to get things perfect all the time. In fact I where a necklace at all times that says "Progress NOT perfection" as a reminder to myself.
But I do think part of my worry or nervousness is that when I go through the gate with her that my brain is going to fall out the back of my head. She is an incredibly sensitive mare and very in tune with me when I ride. A lot of our tweaking things has been me trying to find the best way to ride her through the pattern. And considering that I did all of her training, I know it's all because of the handle that I put on her, but I really have to be so incredibly aware of every movement I make on her when going through the pattern. She will respond in a heartbeat to a slight change in your seat. I have found that I have to keep my eyes up and never look at the ground ahead as she must be able to feel the slight change in my seat/body and will start to rate or turn too soon. When I cruise her through at home (and ride her well) I don't even have to touch her face at all, just barely guide with my hands as she relies completely on my seat and body to guide her. Makes me proud of my training that she is capable of that but also so nervous I'm going to make her look like a fool when all eyes are on us. Lol
Thank you again! :)
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