Sunday, March 11, 2012

ground work, and lots of it

While we wait for Lucy's mouth to heal, I've been working with her a lot on the ground. Boring, right?

not boring :)
She has progressed enough that I can send her over jumps, through two obstacles (so between a tree and a rock or something similar), into water, and down the steps.

first I led her up and down the steps

and then I was able to send her down

jumping the log pile, and you can see here how I use my hand/arm
to show her where I want her to go.

after finishing up, I went for a walk with Cairo and Lucy on the trails

the trails go to a lake with a nice boat launch. I can't wait to take her swimming
once the weather warms up!

sending her into the water

on the bridge!

10 comments:

  1. Gali and I once took two months off to do just groundwork (we were between farms and between trainers) and it was the least boring time I've ever had with him. Lucy looks like she's enjoying it, too!

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    1. I am learning as much as she is, but the weather has been so incredible this week and I am sad to be missing out on the trail riding opportunities. Oh well, summer is coming soon and we will have some nice rides :)

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  2. Lucy does not look like she is minding the ground work! She looks great.

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  3. I could just stare at her all day. It's funny, the other day I was looking at some photos of a horse jumping, I think it was on Facebook or something. He was jumping maybe 3's or so, and the owner was gushing about how beautiful the horse was, don't get me wrong here, he looked fine. I think I'm becoming a Lucy snob. I find myself comparing other horse to her. Nothing compares, she just has so much fun, when she jumps or really anything she's doing, you can totally tell.

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    1. Mary that is SO sweet!! I agree, she is quite special :) :)

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  4. LOL..groundwork, please, that is what we do 90% of. I think it's invaluable and I'm sure for Lucy's xc training, it's a chance for her to jump and use her body differently which can only make her more confident in herself and in you.

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    1. Exactly, and a chance for her to think a bit for herself, not like she needs a whole lot of help anyway, but I am sure I occasionally get in her way.

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    2. I'm so impressed! At 23, I don't think I could send Coro into a lake, unless I went in first so that he could jump on top of me.

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