December 27, 2019
We have been enjoying unseasonably warm weather for the past week. I’ve also managed to get in to and out of work early, with two holiday days off, there fore I have managed a hand full of farm hacks and generally enjoying my ponies in the daylight.
I snapped off these two quick photos of Simon the other day. He makes me smile.
I also caught this quick video of him getting a little roll in just before I got the photos.
Posted by riderofchaos on December 27, 2019
https://blueridgepony.com/2019/12/27/warm-winter-weather/
October 11, 2019
Here is a quick snap from my hack out on Simon the other night.
Nothing better than some relaxing time with you pony and your dog.
Posted by riderofchaos on October 11, 2019
https://blueridgepony.com/2019/10/11/a-good-evening/
August 7, 2019
I hooked Simon up to his cart for the first time in about a year and a half. It went particularly well.
Since it’s been so long I started off by ground driving him for a few minutes with a few Whoas and Stands. Then I attached the cart and walked behind to the field with some more Whoas and Stands.
Next I had him Stand for a solid three minutes before I got into the cart. He was all business and stood like a statue except for a fly stomp.
We drove around the field, wove through poles, did a couple Whoas and Stands, and did some “come around” turns for about forty minutes. I think all of this was very good for his mind. Lots of thinking and a complete change in activity.
I have no driving background or experience and am essentially cowboying it. Today really reminded me that I should get a lesson from a professional. I think I will set one up at the end of the games season. I would like to learn the basics and I also want to make sure Simon is properly and comfortably hooked up. I wouldn’t ride him in tack that didn’t fit so I don’t want to drive him in tack that’s not well fitted either.
I also noted that he seems more annoyed at the blinkers than I think they help. He seemed frustrated when he couldn’t see things. And he seemed more “looky” since he couldn’t look. I think I’ll try him in an open bridle and see if that is an improvement.
The over check also seems to frustrate him. I had it set how a friend had set it originally and when I released it he stretched hard. So I loosened it up and he seemed much happier. I’m not positive he needs it. But he is a fat-butt and may snatch at grass if he doesn’t have it to stop him.
Things to try and lots of things to learn, I’m looking forward to some more driving sessions. I think I’ll do a little googling now and see what info I can absorb.
Posted by riderofchaos on September 7, 2019
https://blueridgepony.com/2019/09/07/driving-simon-august-7-2019/
September 1, 2019
While I was out of town for the 2019 International Trip, our amazing neighbor did some welding work on my trailer. If you need a welder this dude is fantastic!
When I got back I decided to continue the trailer maintenance and replace the trailer jack. This was mostly a necessity because the inside mechanism had become bent and it was getting harder and harder to hook and unhook the trailer. The final straw was having to get my husband’s help to wind it high enough to unhook it.
I searched around and found that you replace the whole piece not just the inside and it was actually pretty affordable. I did some measuring and decided I wanted the top part to be slightly shorter but could take that up on the under side. So I picked out a trailer jack on ETrailers.com.
There were plenty of jacks to pick out. I selected one that was rated for well more weight than I needed and had the correct amount of lift. I considered the electric ones which were way more affordable than I would have thought but ended up selecting a gray economy one by Bulldog that would match my trailer. It was about $65 after shipping and arrived in about three days.
Full disclosure, my husband did the actual installing. He used some DW40, some jack stands, and a ratchet wrench. The whole process from collecting tools, changing the jack out, to putting the tools back away took about 10 minutes. It was way easier than either of us expected.
First we sprayed DW40 on the three nuts. Then we wound the trailer up and put the two jack stands under the hitch bars, one on either side. Then we wound the original jack down, putting the weight on the jack stands and none on the actual trailer jack. Next my husband used the ratchet wrench to loosen and then remove the three bolts. This was the hard part and took a bit of arm strength.
Once the bits were off the old jack was easy to remove and the new one was easy to slide right into place. The nuts were put back on and tightened down and then the new jack was wound out and the jack stands removed. Done.
We both wound the jack up and down a little. It turns way easier than the old one but not as easy as we both expected. I put that to it being the economy model and that it is lifting quite a bit of weight. I don’t recall any other trailer ever being any easier than this new one.
Two days later I hooked up the trailer and the new trailer jack worked just fine. That night I unhooked it and it worked great. I am completely satisfied with this project and still amazed that it was easier than expected.
Posted by riderofchaos on September 2, 2019
https://blueridgepony.com/2019/09/02/trailer-maintenance-replacing-the-trailer-jack/
July 5, 2019
“Possum goes to Boot Camp” sounds like a children’s book doesn’t it?
Since I have been trying to rest my broken finger so it can heal quickly and keep me in the game for MGAA Nationals, and because Possum has some pony moves that need refining he can’t have a full week as a pasture puff before Nationals. But I am lucky to have an amazing friend and teammate who offered to let him come stay with her and to put him through her rigorous boot camp. Val is the perfect person to kick his butt into gear and teach him how to be a grown up pony.
Possum’s life precious to me involved a lot of pasture ornament time and living the easy lazy life. While he has miles he is still very green to basic foundation work, generally manners, and important games standards like balance. I’ve been working on all of that and battling his “pony-tude” but Val’s help is immense. I am not afraid to admit when I can use some help and I know Val has the ability and skills to jump in and get stuff done. I am so lucky to have her as a friend.
It’s also really handy to have a teammate that knows your pony and can help decipher and discover issues and improvements.
You will note in the photo below that Possum is pooped out. Val probably had three other horses to ride that day.
Val has ridden him everyday, taking him for work outs on the C&O, splashing in the canal, and of course games practice. She has also gotten Matt and Abby on him at practice which is all valuable work.
We have been discussing his idiosyncrasies, lack of balance, laziness, and general improvements and things to work on. I’m finding it extremely helpful and I am so extremely grateful.
I also think it will come in handy when training together. Val can chime in at other first hand knowledge on what I might be doing right or wrong or ways to better work with Possum.
I am picking him up Saturday and getting in a practice session while doing so. I am so excited to get back on him and work on some of the things Val and I have discussed. Val has been updating me with videos and photos everyday. It’s quite exciting really.
Not only has my finger healed quite a bit this week, and Possum did not have the week off, but he had expert training from a pro games player.
I don’t think o can thank Val enough. She’s an amazing friend.
Video of various riders making Possum work: https://youtu.be/OcgJJlQPfXs
If anyone needs help with a pony, I highly recommend Val’s pony boot camp.
Posted by riderofchaos on July 5, 2019
https://blueridgepony.com/2019/07/05/possum-goes-to-boot-camp/
Blue Ridge Pony 