Category: Magic

Magic and I rode with Justin and Lauren and Chance and Amanda today. We rode up on Shirey Mountain and along all the deer hunter roads on Pinnacle Mountain. Justin suggested that we ride through the woods and we found a bench high on the mountain where I built a trail and rode in the 1970’s. I had not been able to find this route in the last several years. I will cut a trail there again. They were all on Quarter Horses. Magic was a little more active than usual and that might be expected considering that we have not ridden in quite some time. Justin would “spin” his horse occasionally like cowboys are apt to do. Magic did not like that horse spinning and would pin his ears to show them what he thought. I’m happy with Magic being a little hot. He walked their socks off and they would be slapping rumps with their ropes to keep up. The temperature was 40 with occasional wind. Magic did not sweat himself wet but his hair did get curly. It was not the type of day I would ride without encouragement. We enjoyed the outing.

I have found “Retired Racehorse Training Project” on the web and on facebook. It is a bit confusing to figure out everything that is happening. I think several top trainers get a retired Thoroughbred and we get to watch the project as it progresses. I watched Eric Dierks training Brazillian Wedding, part 1, on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnqCQSogJsk . It was excellent. Eric is very good, he talks a lot and I could see the improvements as they happen. I watched it twice.

Magic and I rode on the Buffalo today. We rode from Steel Creek to Naked Lady Bluff, about 10 miles round trip. I originated this ride specifically mentioning “slow and short”. Magic has been idle for some time and I wanted to be sure not to overdo it. Evelyn, Peggy, Linda, April, Ted and I rode for about five and a half hours. The rides are often 14 miles. There was a 26 mile trip the other day from Woolum to Horn Mountain.  I prefer a shorter ride like the one we did today. It is easier on the horses and the time required is much more acceptable. Good weather, just a little wind, beautiful fall colors and good company. A very nice day. Magic did good. Once or twice he stood still when I wanted to go forward. Not a balk because if I increased the pressure, he moved on. This is the first time I have noticed this behavior. My expectation is that it will not happen again. We paid no attention to it and just went ahead.

Rode Magic in the arena and around the Oak Pasture and the Ash Pasture. He had lots of energy, even pranced sideways a little. I have progressed, over the past 10 years, to the point that I am able to ride a eager horse back to the barn on a loose rein. There was a time when the return trip usually meant lots of pressure on the reins. We returned today with just an occasional checking. Nice ride.

Rode Magic today. We rode in the arena, around the Oak Pasture and up on Shirey. We cantered a little. Magic was good.

Rode Magic today. I lunged him rather than the round pen today. We rode in the arena and around the Oak pasture. We cantered a little. He always took the left lead even when I asked for the right. Plenty of energy. Nice ride.

I worked and rode Magic in the round pen. We rode up on Shirey Mountain after riding in the arena. Magic is barefoot. There is no consequence when we are in the grass here around the home pastures. It was noticeable on the road up to Shirey where we crossed the limestone outcrop. We jumped a big covey of Bobwhite Quail (abrupt noise and explosion of birds). Magic was cool, just a little quick brace and then he was over it. Nice morning, nice ride.

I groomed, trimmed and worked Magic in the round pen today. Then we rode in the round pen, the arena and around the Oak pasture. Magic was very good. I am working on two point balance a little at a time. Very nice morning.

I have trimmed Magic’s feet this week. I did the front a day or two ago and the rears today. I think if I trim every month, it will not be so much to trim (work) and the frequent trims will avoid the splits and cracks that seem to occur when the hooves are long. This is the second time I have done Magic and Newt and I like the results. I worked and rode him in the round pen. I was going to ride in the pasture but I ran out of time and had to go to town. If my perceptions are correct, Magic was in a cantankerous mood today.

Magic and I rode up the deer hunter road to the fork that goes up to Pinnacle. We did not do any exercises. We rode through the Ask pasture, through the gate to the springfield then the spring and on up the road. We rode back through the Divide pasture. Magic’s latest thing is to be impatient when I am mounting. He is always still when I actually am mounting but before I get my foot into the stirrup, he has started to move around. He is a very nice horse but I am amazed at the new things he will “test” for whatever reason. Last fall he started being pushy, particularly with strangers. He got over that and then had the period on not wanting to load. (A few things about loading needed to be pointed out to me.) These are not serious problems and we get past them. But he is always changing. The transition from race horse to riding horse is a big change and it takes time. It was a very nice ride this morning.