Last week Farys aka Fistaszek joined Poldek and Fiestina whom I've been starting this summer.
Farys
Let me introduce to you new kid on the block who has just arrived to Anka Rancho: Fistaszek is friendly and loves jumping (after all, he is a grandson of an Olympic medalist). He was quick to prove this to us by jumping out of his paddock to join the big heard stuffing their bellies with grass on the pasture next door. We had no choice but to introduce Fistaszek to the small herd where he instantly made friends with Poldek.
Farys owner says:
“He inherited from his mum spookiness and willingness to run. However, he was raised with his left-brain uncle Bartus, half-Hucul who thought him to be playful and curious. He also thought him to appreciate rewards. Especially those eatable. Farys has been exposed ropes and carrot-sticks all his life and he loves to play with people. When he doesn’t play for a longer period of time, he quickly runs wild. In his life he came across some people who didn’t give him a fair–play treatment. He remembers that and anytime he feels threatened he’s ready to fight: kick, bite, pull away or push. Did I mention that he is an extrovert and he loves flat gallops and rodeo bucking? This is why his owner is unable to take him to the next level which is ridding”.
You can learn more about Farys from his wall on Parelli Connect (if you want to find out more about Parelli Connect and learn how to get a free membership, click here)
Below you can find some photos from Fistaszek's first visit in the arena.
Hawana
Hawana is a mare from Anka Rancho. For the last two years she has been pampered by Justyna, the author of the lovely photos you can find above and below. Hawana started regular work late in her life and even in the last two years it wasn’t as regular as it ought to be. She is a complex mare. Very dominant and aggressive and yet easily intimidated and righ-brain. Our mission in the following weeks will be to improve Hawana’s expression (especially at the canter) and decrease the size of her belly. I hope the two things will go together.
In order to decrease the belly we do a lot of trail rides. In order to improve expression we do a lot of back ups and sideways. Did you ever hear Pat saying that the better you horse goes back and sideways the better he does everything else?
You can follow Hawana on her wall on Parelli Connect.
Hawana is a mare from Anka Rancho. For the last two years she has been pampered by Justyna, the author of the lovely photos you can find above and below. Hawana started regular work late in her life and even in the last two years it wasn’t as regular as it ought to be. She is a complex mare. Very dominant and aggressive and yet easily intimidated and righ-brain. Our mission in the following weeks will be to improve Hawana’s expression (especially at the canter) and decrease the size of her belly. I hope the two things will go together.
In order to decrease the belly we do a lot of trail rides. In order to improve expression we do a lot of back ups and sideways. Did you ever hear Pat saying that the better you horse goes back and sideways the better he does everything else?
You can follow Hawana on her wall on Parelli Connect.
Fiestina
I have already introduced Fiestina in my previous post. Now when I gained her trust we are ready to progress. Friendly Game with a rope was turned into Friendly Game with a bareback pad and eventually with a saddle.
Horses are extremely perceptive to changes (and especially the horse Fiestina and the horse Poldek); therefore, no assumptions are to be made. Even though a girth is no more then a rope under the belly and a human remains the same human whether he stands next to the horse, on a barrel above the horse, hangs of the horse’s back or sits in the saddle, we need to take time and don’t assume the horse will be OK with whatever we do. Thanks to “a prior and proper preparation” (which “prevents p… poor performance”) the only thing Fiestina was afraid of when I got on her back was that she might not be able to reach the carrot I was giving her (she managed, thank God!)
Apart from riding prep we also do a lot of On Line work on hills and poles to get her ready to carry a rider; we learn that rubber snakes don’t spit out poisonous venom but nice, cool water and that humans are not to be leaned on when hoof-picking.
I have already introduced Fiestina in my previous post. Now when I gained her trust we are ready to progress. Friendly Game with a rope was turned into Friendly Game with a bareback pad and eventually with a saddle.
Horses are extremely perceptive to changes (and especially the horse Fiestina and the horse Poldek); therefore, no assumptions are to be made. Even though a girth is no more then a rope under the belly and a human remains the same human whether he stands next to the horse, on a barrel above the horse, hangs of the horse’s back or sits in the saddle, we need to take time and don’t assume the horse will be OK with whatever we do. Thanks to “a prior and proper preparation” (which “prevents p… poor performance”) the only thing Fiestina was afraid of when I got on her back was that she might not be able to reach the carrot I was giving her (she managed, thank God!)
Apart from riding prep we also do a lot of On Line work on hills and poles to get her ready to carry a rider; we learn that rubber snakes don’t spit out poisonous venom but nice, cool water and that humans are not to be leaned on when hoof-picking.
Piotrus Pan
Poldek was also introduced in my previous post. He’s already done with Friendly-Gaming bareback pad and saddle, having humans hang over his back, pat him, tap him, lie on him and do all sort of odd things on his back. Time for walking and first trots and loads of licking and chewing (which means thinking).
Prior and proper preparation on the ground, getting his trust and synchronizing with him On Line allowed me to guide him easily from the saddle. In the figure of eight, downwards and upwards transitions he was light, willing and relaxed. His owner is getting back in shape with help of another horse after some months off the saddle but I can’t wait when she rides Poldek for the first time!
Just as Fiestina, Poldek learned about the benefits of civilization, such as showers. He is also getting pro at trail rides being ponied of Niko and accompanied by Hawana. Also, he almost got good at coordinating his feet over poles and jumps.
Poldek was also introduced in my previous post. He’s already done with Friendly-Gaming bareback pad and saddle, having humans hang over his back, pat him, tap him, lie on him and do all sort of odd things on his back. Time for walking and first trots and loads of licking and chewing (which means thinking).
Prior and proper preparation on the ground, getting his trust and synchronizing with him On Line allowed me to guide him easily from the saddle. In the figure of eight, downwards and upwards transitions he was light, willing and relaxed. His owner is getting back in shape with help of another horse after some months off the saddle but I can’t wait when she rides Poldek for the first time!
Just as Fiestina, Poldek learned about the benefits of civilization, such as showers. He is also getting pro at trail rides being ponied of Niko and accompanied by Hawana. Also, he almost got good at coordinating his feet over poles and jumps.
It wouldn’t be fair though to give all the credit to myself . Niko has been helping me a lot assisting and whispering answers to his younger friends. Dear Niko, your help is very much appreciated!
I’d also like to introduce to you Drako, whom I’m helping to put on some miles in the saddle. On his part, he is helping Poldek’s owner to get some miles in the saddle, too. So there we all are helping each other.
I’d also like to introduce to you Drako, whom I’m helping to put on some miles in the saddle. On his part, he is helping Poldek’s owner to get some miles in the saddle, too. So there we all are helping each other.
To follow their progress read "
How the kids are doing ".