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Post by sbutter on Nov 4, 2008 13:15:10 GMT -5
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Post by sbutter on Nov 4, 2008 13:31:04 GMT -5
Ok, Wow we have been so busy with the past couple of horse sales that I forgot to post an update on Calista. Right now I am in Kentucky at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for Thoroughbreds. If you are curious about what it looks like I think the Keeneland website has a live feed to watch the sale. Anywho, back to the real reason I am typing. Calista has been doing absolutely wonderful and she is learning way faster than I expected (must be the Kiger brains). We have been ground driving her and as obvious from the pictures, she can now wear a saddle. Each lesson I work with her for maybe an average of 30 minutes a day twice a day (haven't been able to work with her recently due to the sales). We always finish the lessons on a good note and I try to switch them up a bit to keep them interesting so she doesn't get bored. The most recent lesson was me actually sitting on her!!!! She handled it very well and both my parents were there to help out (my mom is in the top picture). First, i just jumped up and down next to her and then would bump into her side a little so she wouldn't be surprised. Then I bellied up on her for a couple of seconds and then slid back off of her. After each step we give her a lot of praise. Then I was able to put my full weight on her and I slid my leg over to the other side. I praised her and got off so she would feel more relaxed. I then got back on her and fully sat up on her. She shifted her weight a little and her ears kept moving back and forth ( I almost could see the wheels turning in her head). I sat there for about a minute just talking to her and then got back off. We praised her again and decided to call it a day. The whole thing took about thirty minutes.We hosed her off and turned her back out. She of course went out and took a nice long roll.  I am super impressed with how fast she is learning and how relaxed she is even with new stimulus. |
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Post by Michelle Clarke on Nov 4, 2008 20:41:14 GMT -5
She looks great and sounds like her training is coming along wonderfully!! She seems to have Charros' (Geronimo) hindend - where that sacrum really bends and comes underneath to allow a pull from the hind feet instead of a push. It is really a something to ride too! Keep us updated.
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Post by sbutter on Nov 5, 2008 11:37:44 GMT -5
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Post by sbutter on Nov 5, 2008 11:40:44 GMT -5
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Post by fantasykiger on Nov 5, 2008 14:37:27 GMT -5
It is great to see Calista doing so well. She is such a pretty mare. You have taken some wonderful pictures of her, thanks so much for sharing them with us.
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Post by sbutter on Nov 6, 2008 10:06:31 GMT -5
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Post by dazzlingduns on Nov 6, 2008 14:43:01 GMT -5
Beautiful pictures. You must have a great camera. I remember a pretty Autumn picture of Joan riding Calista in a bosal. I think it is in a previous Kiger Mustang calendar. Since Calista was already previously saddle trained, you must be wanting to achieve more refinement? Can you explain your techiques and what steps you are going through in these pictures, and the results you wish to achieve with Calista? She is a nice mare. What do you plan to do with her in the future?
Thanks,
Melissa
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Post by stlkigers on Nov 7, 2008 0:06:20 GMT -5
Great to see pics and hear an update about Calista.....She's a gorgeous mare!
Angela
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Post by DianneC on Nov 8, 2008 10:10:43 GMT -5
Great shots Sarah! She looks wonderful and happy with her work, I'm so glad you have her. Her trot is amazing isn't it? Her filly, Quil Ceda, is going to be just like her.
Melissa, you're thinking of Caliente, Joans' mare was our first foal out of Calista. This is Calista's first real training.
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Post by sbutter on Jan 16, 2009 22:19:03 GMT -5
So, new update on Calista! This was the second time I rode her with a saddle on and she did great! She took everything in stride and had no problems. I was a little iffy at first, because she is in heat right now and I wasn't to sure if I wanted to find out what kind of mood she was in  . We just stuck to walking and lots of circles.When we unsaddled her and took her back out, I rode her back to her pasture bareback. My dad snuck in a little trot for me so I could see what it felt like...let me tell you I am excited! It was sooooo easy to sit! Let me see if I can pull up some pictures.... |
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Post by sbutter on Jan 16, 2009 22:34:03 GMT -5
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Post by sbutter on Jan 16, 2009 22:42:28 GMT -5
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Post by DianneC on Jan 17, 2009 1:07:12 GMT -5
Whee, you guys look great! How cool to have your mom and dad able to give a hand. Calista's looking super too. I wish I could have heard what your mom was saying to her.
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Post by sbutter on Jan 18, 2009 23:32:52 GMT -5
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I am super impressed with how fast she is learning and how relaxed she is even with new stimulus.
. We just stuck to walking and lots of circles.When we unsaddled her and took her back out, I rode her back to her pasture bareback. My dad snuck in a little trot for me so I could see what it felt like...let me tell you I am excited! It was sooooo easy to sit! Let me see if I can pull up some pictures....
