Hey everyone!
Just finished our classes at the Stock Horse of Texas World Show and thought I’d share some notebook-style musings. Picture me sitting down with Remi (who is, of course, quite proud of himself) and jotting all this down.
Remi’s Loose Rein Revelation
So, first big discovery: Remy is a loose rein connoisseur. Even when he’s a bit nervous or a little extra forward before we head into the class, I learned that if I just trust him and give him his head, he settles right down in the first few strides. This little gem let us pull off some really beautiful ranch pleasure runs. So, winter project number one: we’re going to practice that loose rein confidence, get him moving forward and happy, and maybe even try a 30-day bridleless challenge just to see how we do. Because why not?
Avoiding the Horse Tornado (And Finding Our Calm)
Now, here’s a funny one: the warm-up pen at these shows is basically a “horse tornado”, dozens of horses all loping around in a circle, and Remi is not a fan. I used to think, “Hey, let’s just join the chaos,” but it turns out he’s much happier with a midnight ride when it’s just the two of us in the arena. So instead of fighting the horse tornado, we’ll keep his pre-class routine simple: a nice walk, a little stretch, and no tornado necessary.
Head Down, Chill Out, and Oh Yeah, We Need Cows.
Another little gem: when Remi gets antsy waiting for our turn, I used to try to trot the nerves out of him. But I found out a little “head down” cue and calmly asking him to relax works like a charm. So that’s on our winter homework list: more head-down practice at all gaits, more steering finesse, and yes: FIND SOME COWS TO WORK. Because, let’s be honest, our cow work classes need all the help they can get.
So that’s our little notebook from the weekend! Now I’d love to hear from you. What are you planning to work on over the winter with your own horses? Or do you have any tried-and-true show tips that have helped you out in a pinch? Drop your thoughts in the comments. I’m always excited to learn from this awesome community.