Day off

Mason got the day off today. My plan was to just go on a trail ride with him but after riding Pokita I got a text from Tayla saying she's down here in Plymouth and asked if I wanted to go to the beach. I decided to give Mason the day off. A much needed day off.

I tried some boots on Mason the other day. I need a lot of new things :/ My equifit boots fit him but those are just for show. In other words, I need schooling woof open front since I have the hinds from Pokita, front and hind show and schooling cross country boots along with a smaller sized bell boots.

Quick ride

Today was just a quick ride, partly because it was late and also I tried on a new saddle. I went to the upper barn to grab Lisa's but that doesn't fit Mr. Mason. Martha was at the barn pretty late which I was surprised about, but she offered to let me borrow her saddle. It fit Mason pretty well so I just rode in it. Lets just say I'm going to have a hard time flatting in a dressage saddle with him, lol. I was just bouncing all around on his back, poor guy!

The ring was super dusty and deep, yet another reason to keep it quick. I need to figure out a way to get him in shape. I don't remember if I wrote this yesterday or not but I have come to the conclusion that when Mason gets tired to gets heavy and more forward. I can be totally wrong, who knows, I'll just have to wait to talk to Lisa hopefully this weekend and have her give me her thoughts.

Tomorrow I'm just going to go for a hack, no trotting. Especially since Pokita is getting her feet done in the AM, and the jumper show is in the PM. I have a feeling I'll be setting the course up. UGH! Speaking of Pokita, I had such an amazing ride on her today! I decided to just flat out on the hunt course because its so dusty and deep in the sand ring. She was amazing!!! There were moments where she was SUPER light and carrying herself! I was so proud!!! We ended up just trotting up and down some of the mini hills just to get out and do something different, and she was perfect!!! Betsy and Alison were there late as well riding Beacon, Devon, and their two. I was half way done with my ride when Pokita got distracted because Betsy and Alison were walking horses out to the ring. Coming downhill she "spooked" and that pissed me off so I made her back up, up the hill. But I took a breath and decided not to punish her and we finished on a nice note. I took her for a quick hack and she was awesome again! Still a bit worried that she was going away from the barn but I'm not going to work on her staying calm and not caring since shes leaving in a month. I have other things I need to work on with my new guy.

Yesterdays ride

Yesterday was just gross out! It was hot, humid, sunny, and sticky! Not a good mix at all. I rode inside because erin was lunging Ivy and I hate riding wherever Erin is. My ride started out fine but it started to go down hill. My theory is that he is out of shape and the only way he knows how to deal with it is to go more forward. I need a lesson with Lisa ASAP.

I talked to Erin yesterday, she was asking me how my ride was and I told her, she didnt sound too impressed. She had the attiude like, "I told you not to get a green horse" Whatever, I'm just ignoring her.

TB comes out

Yesterday was Mason's first day off since I got him. He almost got today off as well but I couldn't stand not seeing him for 2 days so I went to the barn and rode.

My ride on Mace was rather... well... interesting. For some reason I decided to try my nubby spurs on him to get a more prompt up transition. Everything was going well until we took a break. When I started back up things just changed. Mace was just full of himself, not bad but he was just all go go go, and very heavy. Not sure what that was about. I guess I did have a lot of things against me. He got yesterday off, and I tried spurs. Courtney has ridden him in spurs before so I know this wasn't the first time he was ridden in spurs.

After a slight battle I decided I didn't want to fight anymore and lunged to get some more of that energy out. I had no idea if Mason was ever lunged but for some reason assumed he knew the basics of lunging because he was on the track. Again, i don't know why. Mace was awesome on the lunge! For the first time I actually got to see how he moved, he's FANCY!!! I cant wait to have Lisa sit on him and really see how he moves! Anyways, going back on lunging, the poor pony was tired even before I started to lunge him, so tomorrow will be interesting. I wonder how he will be. My plan is to jump him but I just watched the weather and its suppose to be really nice out. Since there are no jumps outside I'll be stuck inside. If I do end up jumping I'm definitely going to go out back to get him out there seeing new things.

I just bought 2 new halters for Mason, I cant wait to see and use them! Tomorrow my plan is to figure out what fits and what doesn't, I gotta start selling some tack since I need new tack! Yay and ugh at the same time lol

Lesson with Lisa

I had a great ride with Lisa yesterday. She thinks Mason is adorable and fancy! Who can blame her? lol. We were working on much needed up and down transitions. It was a bit harder than usual because Mason was pretty tired. I guess he never really got worked 6 days a week!

Exciting news! Lisa mentioned to me that she is taking Marissa and Rocky to Flatlands 3 phase schooling show on July 1st. If Lisa doesn't take Jericho she said I can come! I'm super excited I actually might be able to show off farm this summer! But I'm not going to get my hopes up yet. Also I should mention to her that Flatlands fills up super fast and opening date is next week!

So after my lesson Kate, Finn, Mason and I went on a little hack. It was nice to get Mason out in the open with another horse. Soon I'm going to go out back by myself and see how he is.

There is a jumper show this Thursday and I'm thinking about doing it, crazy right?! Well I'll only do it if I can get a QUICK trot to canter transition and if I jump at least once before Thursday at a regular height. I don't want to go out in the show ring chasing Mason into the canter in front of everyone! I'll only be able to do 1 class since the price is now $20 per class! So my plan IF I go show is do either 2' or 2'3. I have a feeling I'm going to help set up so I can see what the course looks like, if its inviting and easy I'll try it. Of course I'll have to do the stuff I said above first. Gotta show off my new pony at some point!

Today is Mason's first day off. In 4 hours I'll have had Mason for one week! Crazy how time flies!

Tired Pony

Mason was extremely tired today. He kept burying his down in his chest and getting really heavy. He also as having a tough time doing trot to canter transitions, which is hard for us in general but it seems harder today. Erin was out in the field riding Devon, and there were times where she was being a witch, Mason didn't event bat an eye when she was rearing up! What a great feeling knowing I have a horse who couldn't care less! After a long walking break... waiting for Erin and Devon to leave. I decided to just trot over the 2 little cross rails that were outside, he was awesome! After my ride I took Mason out for a quick hack out on the hunt course, he was a bit looky but he didn't spook at anything. Can't wait to see how he is out in the back fields!

I have my first lesson with Lisa tomorrow!

Hidden talent

I just had the most amazing flat ride on Mason today! I don't know what happened but everything just clicked!!! My plan was to jump today but a quick flat warm up didn't happen, go figure right?

I was working on up transitions, Julie suggested I should do some to figure him out. I first started walking him when he would start to get heavy. After maybe 3-4 down transitions from trot to walk going both ways he was so light and balanced!

Today I was playing around with him and found he can extend his trot!!! Hello first level dressage! For first level dressage you need to extend your trot and canter. I already knew he could extend his canter because I played around with it when I first met him. I just need to work on the prompt trot to canter transition. I just need to figure out how to ask him correctly. Once I figure that out I'll be able to go to a dressage show in no time... that is if I can get someone to trailer me. I have no worries that he will be herd bound! Eek, I'm just so excited that I have an amazing horse!!!

Tomorrow I'm going to attempt to jump. I'm a little worried about jumping him by myself because he is so green jumping I don't want to mess him up. I guess the only way to teach him, and me, to jump is just do a trail and error. I already know he doesn't get pissed like Miss Pokita if I miss the distance and pop him in the mouth. Did I mention he is AMAZING?!

First ride outside

I'm too tired to write too much, but I had my first ride outside today. Mason was amazing! I am having so much fun on him. I walked him outside to mount up from the mounting block because Alison was in the ring having a lesson and the gate was closed. I decided to just hop on Mason and not walk around to show him the ring, a little test to see what he would do. He was amazing of course! He wasn't very focused on me at the beginning, especially seeing Beacon and Slick on the grass. That was very distracting, lol. Otherwise he was good. Not to mention that it was raining all day yesterday so the ring was really soupy. Mason wasn't even bothered by the bad footing in the ring. What a good boy!
Erin saw me on Mason for the first time today. It was a little awkward to be truthful, but I'm just going to have to learn to deal with it.

After I got off I saw Erin and she was asking me what my plans are with Mason. I'm not really sure what answer she wanted me to say. Thinking back on it now i should have said 'just to have fun on him'. I also think she wants me to show. This is going to sound horrible I know, and I'll most likely regret it but hey, no one is reading these blogs but me... for now. I think she wants me to show so I will have to pay her for lessons, coaching, and trailering. Well news flash Erin, I've had my share showing. Yes Mason may be able to go out and show next weekend but I am not ready to show. My goal is not to show, would it be nice to show off my new man? Yes it would, but I am not focused on showing. I am focused on having a good time and relationship with my horse. I agree with Lisa, Valinor Farm has become a really big show barn. I would say 75-80% of the people riding and boarding there are show focused. Whatever happened to just enjoying your horse? This all might be coming from me taking a year off from showing because of Pokita but I don't get it.

Going on a rant here! I don't get why Erin doesnt understand why I am not so show focused. If I was so show focused I would get a totally made horse. I am not afraid of showing, I just learned that there is a lot more than showing. Pokita has taught me this. You pay hundreds of dollars to enter a show to what, ride for 30 minutes max? I don't even pay half of that for a lesson and I get an hours worth of riding, with Lisa at least :)

Ugh! I need to stop this rant, my eyes are bugging out of my head. Will try to post tomorrow....

One more thing. Today when I went to go get Mason from his paddock he came right up to the gate, I didnt even have to go get him. Not sure if he is figuring out who I am or if he is just that friendly with everyone.

Oh, Dana came down to the lower barn today while I was tacking up and she got to meet Mason. She is in love with him! Who wouldn't love that puppy dog personality?

First Lesson

I had my first lesson on Mason tonight with Julie. What an amazing horse I have!! He was perfect! I really got to experience his canter, and what a couch he is!!! I could canter him all day long! Its interesting, he is better bending to the right at the walk and trot but better bending at the canter. I would have thought since he raced he would bend easily to the left, but it makes sense that he bends easier to the left at the canter I guess.

I got to pop over some jumps tonight, and he was awesome, a little quick but its such an amazing feeling knowing if I get left behind or pop up too soon I don't have to worry about him bucking. Its going to take some getting use to. He's so different yet a lot like Pokita.

Julie thinks I'll be able to go show in no time! Who would have thought I would have the chance to show this summer?! Yes I may be able to go show but I want to take it really slow. Don't want to have a couple of bad show rides and then go backwards with my riding like what happened with Pokita and I. Going to take it really slow with him. My current goal is to do the dressage show at Valinor in October. Maybe just maybe in the mean time I'll try to do a jumper show just to get out there and show off my new baby!

I'm still so excited I found my dream horse! I couldn't have asked for a better horse. Mason is so sound a well educated at the age of 6! With time he will get even better! I can't wait!!

All for now

First Ride

I always joked to Sarah that if my pessoa saddle doesn't fit my future new horse I'll cry. Well today I tried on my pessoa and what do you know, it doesn't fit. Tried my Kieffer on my boy and that didn't even come close to fitting, I had a feeling it wouldn't fit since its a medium/wide tree. So I am slowly in the market for both a jump and a dressage saddle. I'm hoping once Mason fills out my pessoa will fit because its brand new! I bought it in August of last year.

I couldn't have asked for a better first ride on Mason today. Sarah was riding Riff, and Kate and her mom were trying to see if Finn has any potential to be a therapeutic horse. Not sure if that went very well. Anyways, I did a quick walk, trot, canter. Mainly walking and trotting today. I want to take it really slow with him, there is no need to rush. Considering I had a jointed eggbutt in his mouth he was really good! I ordered 2 different double jointed loose rings from smartpak on Sunday so they should be here by tomorrow night.

Its crazy having everyone come up to me and tell me how cute my little Mason is, its not crazy that people think he's cute, because he is adorable! The thing that is crazy is that I never ever thought I would have my own horse! Its still so unreal that he is mine, all mine! I love him already! I will admit, I had a semi panic attack today riding him. My attack was that I have a horse who is too green, and since he is 16.1 hh he's going to have some big movements. I hope my panic attack will go away once I get a few lessons in. Speaking of lessons, I have a lesson with Julie Kelly tomorrow night. I'm excited to have one on my new guy, I don't want to do too much partly because I want to take it slow with him and also I have the eggbutt in. Call me crazy but I want him to get use to the eggbutt.

Going back on my rides. Today I rode Mason first, mainly because everyone wanted to see me on him, I knew it was going to be a quick ride, and I'm trying to switch who gets ridden first, Pokita or Mason. Since I'm going to ride Pokita tomorrow first with Julie I thought I would ride Mason first today.

I think Miss Pokita is jealous, today she saw me drive up and go straight over to Masons paddock and talk to him, I didn't even go near Pokita's. I might be totally over thinking this but today when I was grooming Pokita, she wasn't so lovey dovey with me like she usually is. I will admit I am taking a new interest to Mason but I really am not trying to. I love Pokita, even on our bad days. Hopefully she will come to terms with Mason.

All for now, I'll write how my lesson goes with Julie tomorrow.

My boy arrives

Mason just arrived at Valinor around 10:30 tonight! So happy to finally see him again! He's going to need a lot of TLC. He's an underweight TB of course. I thought I would be able to keep him on pellets but once I saw him come off the trailer and saw his ribs I knew that wasn't going to happen. So he's going on LS feed for about a month at least. I also thought I would be able to get some weight gain sample supplements from smartpak but I can't wait, my baby is too skinny. Crossing my fingers he will like powder, he should since I'm going to give him 4 qts AM and PM.

First ride owning him tomorrow! Will post all about it.

Details

Tomorrow my new horse arrives at Valinor Farm.
Fleet du Masion aka Mason is a 2006 chestnut OTTB. He has 4 white socks and a blaze. Mason came from Courtney Cooper's training/sales barn in Nottingham, PA. Photos coming soon.