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The Challenge | The Trainers and Students | Event Information

Thursday, July 24

Success!!! Jewel (Garnett) passed her farrier test with flying colors!

There was some question as to how this would go. When she was at MHARF she required some corrective shoeing to fix her very over-grown feet. However, she also required a very large cocktail to accomplish this task! I was informed that just because she had been shod doesn't mean she stands for the farrier. Seeing as how I like my farrier very much and am not willing to sacrifice him (he and his wife both appreciate this gesture!) Jewel and I have been working diligently for some time on all the yoga positions farrier work requires. Of course, like all smart horses, she smelled an appointment an hour away and decided to play "Catch me if you can!" I see your tricky horse game and raise you one bucket of grain that I'm going to feed Polly one handful at a time, with lots of shaking in between. Ah ha, you fold!

I was a tad concerned that all of our pre-farrier work may go down the tubes now that the day was upon us. Did I mention how great my farrier is? I explained her situation to him and he just took his time with a few extra pats and a "good girl" here and there. To the delight of us both she stood like a pro! For the record, she stood better than my 3 year old gelding who has no excuse. How embarrassing.

> Back to the Trainer's Challenge

Tuesday, July 15

After a somewhat slow start Jewel (aka Garnett) is off and running, figuratively of course!

We had some trust issues that took a bit of time to work out. In the beginning, she showed some aggression toward being reprimanded and was not above a small explosion for dramatic effect. I'm not too surprised at her responding to me that way after watching her interact with her two pasture buddies; Jock - a very old and somewhat blind and deaf TWH and Polly my Appaloosa mare who we refer to as our "good will ambassador" (she just wants everybody to get along!). Jewel marched out in the pasture, pinned her ears, squealed and kicked at each of them and basically told them what to do and where to stand. Oh, and absolutely under no circumstance are they allowed near her food. I believe they call that "Boss Mare", a title she really didn't want to give up to me!

I've always found horses to be very acute judges of fairness. As the trainer, if your discipline matches the disobedience and you keep your emotions out of it, they come around. And Jewel did! Now she'll turn herself inside-out for a "Good girl!!" and a pat on the neck. A yummy treat never hurts either! Tying may always be an issue for Jewel (insert explosion here) if she feels like she doesn't have options she'll make them d@#n it! She's learned to ground tie and now I can tie her loosely - if the rope gives, she doesn't panic - but I usually throw the rope over her shoulder, say "whoa, stand" and go about my business.

Now that we're getting past our ground issues her rail work is coming along great. At 14 hands (I'm 5'10"!) my work saddle looks huge on her but she never batted an eyelash at it. Tonight I did my first solo ride on her. Because of her past exhibitions I've been careful to have a warm body close to her for moral support (hers and mine) but she proved to be a trustworthy companion.

And the most amazing thing is now that all the bad juju is falling away, her reining horse instincts are starting to pop out! She figured out how to do a turn on the haunches like she was pre-programmed. After the rain the other day she and Polly came flying in out of the pasture and I'm not kidding she sat down and slid to the water tank, stood up and took a drink as though she had planned it that way.

> Back to the Trainer's Challenge

About Garnett: Foaled in 2005, Garnett came to the Rescue in December of 2007 and was a late entry into the Challenge. She needed some major rehabilitation including food and farrier work and hadn't had any good handling before her arrival. I give a big thanks to Drew for laying a great foundation, she was careful to let me know all of Garnett's idiosyncrases and what she had worked on in the 6 months Garnett was there. Garnett and I can't wait to dazzle Drew with how amazing this horse is!

To get in touch with Laura regarding Garnett (Jewel), or to set up a time where you can meet them both, please feel free to send her an e-mail.

About Laura: Laura started riding at age eight and focused on Hunters and Dressage. She discovered that she excelled at riding the green, the "hot", and the generally ill tempered.  In college, Laura had the opportunity to ride OTTB's (off the track thoroughbreds) and get them ready to be regular riding and show horses. Somewhere along the line she fell into the Western world and found her philosophy on training: good riding is good riding, period. It doesn't seem to matter if you're on a jumper, a reiner, a dressage horse, or western pleasure horse - the basics remain the same. Balance, suppleness, collection. Lately, you'll find her showing my futurity Appaloosas in Western pleasure events.