Baja goes to a show

We went to a show in Cadiz, KY yesterday and I had decided we would take Baja along for his first outing. He was his usual cool self and took it all in stride. He rode in the trailer well, stood tied for 7 hours (with his haybag and buddies), was very nonchalant about all of the commotion, vehicles, people, horses, storm, kids, etc. He was so good!! I took him and walked him around in the ring before the show and he was checking everything out, but was very calm and easy to handle. We had a big storm blow over, with lots of wind and then cooler temps, I was worried because it was right before I was supposed to get on and ride him during intermission. Well, besides him not wanting his pink saddlepad put on (his usual routine, he doesn't like the pink pad), he just acted like he'd been going to shows all his life!

I got on and rode him during the intermission, then we did a Mustang Exhibition featuring him and BooBoo since it was National Adopt a Wild Horse Day. I had written up a 5-minute presentation and we rode them around in the arena while the announcer read the script. He did great! I couldn't have asked for him to behave better on his first outing. Especially with the showgrounds being so packed and the crazy storm blowing through. I was very pleased.

My husband videoed our presentation, so if I can, I'll get it uploaded. I don't have any pictures of it, it was dark by the time I got to ride him.

One Month to go...

Quick Update...

Baja and Legacy both got their feet trimmed on Tuesday. Baja got all four done and seems to be less limpy now, farrier said his bars were probably the problem. I have been doing flexing and bending work with him the last couple of days to soften him up. Still having to work on left canter lead. I also trimmed him up a bit today. He is getting better with the clippers, he let me trim his bridle path, and I also pulled his mane and trimmed his tail. I'm hoping the rubbed part of his mane will be long enough to fold over by the time of the competition.

Busy! Busy!

Wow!! I have been really busy lately with trail rides and shows! It has been a while since I posted an update, and Baja has continued to make great progress. He is riding well, walk, trot, & canter, getting his left lead most of the time now. his steering has gotten pretty good and he has learned to move off of leg well. He backs, bends, turns on the forehand and haunches, and does obstacles like a champ! This is one of the best horses I've worked with as he is so laid-back and cool about almost everything. He will make someone a great trail horse.

I set up obstacles in the indoor arena last week and the first time at them he just went through like he'd been doing it all of his life. Saturday I loaded him in and out of the trailer, walked him into the garage, up onto the front porch, through the swingset, into the feed and tack rooms and pavilion, through a squeezey tree, etc. He even went around the trampoline with my son jumping up and down on it! He is definitely Mr. Cool. The only thing we are having to work on is getting him used to the clippers.

I gave him a full bath last week as he was stinking really bad! He was good for that and smelled much better afterwards. He is really shedding right now, which I am really happy about because I'm hoping he'll grow in a new, shiny coat before the competition. He is supposed to get his feet done tomorrow, I'm hoping to get shoes on his front feet so we can start going more places (tender feet).

Legacy is doing well, her condition looks great right now. She has really filled in and gotten slick and shiny. She is leading well, lunging, has been ponied, started tying, and gone through the obstacles. She has finally gotten over her fear of the big ball and was actually playing with it on her own today.

Progress and Teeth

Well, I rode again yesterday, started out in the roundpen, then in the indoor arena, and then we went into the outdoor arena for the first time. His feet seem to be getting better about being on the crushed limestone footing. His cantering got better and he actually took his left lead for the first time. He was good out in the big outdoor arena and we worked on moving hips and shoulders over, leg yield, and backing.

Today the vet came and he floated Baja's teeth. He did really well, flinched a few times, but no drama. He looked so cute when he was drugged up! I will give him the day off from riding, but will probably do some ground work with him later.

We Cantered!!

Yay! We cantered today. I did alot of riding work, cantered both directions in the round pen. He is going to have some trouble with his left lead as he never wants to take it, lunging or under saddle. I'm loving this cooler, less humid weather. Great for riding!!