Yesterday (April 16th) was overall a very good day :)

We did a ton of groundwork, lunged over ground poles, cavalettis, and practiced some halter/showmanship things.

Then I brushed him out and hopped on, and we rode in the round pen, practiced going in and out of it, did some trot work, and then rode around the property. Did some trotting around the property, he was very good.

Again similar thing as to what was happening April 8th with the mud/bad footing but he was more willing this time. I'm going to start lunging him there and walking him there a ton so that he gets over it.

Besides that hes very comfortable walking and trotting all over the property :)

We did the obstacle course too and he had fun

We're going to be showing this summer! I'm really looking forwards to that

Ill be sure to post updates when it happens, it starts in May :)

April 19th

Didn't have much time, but we practiced lunging in a different area. Hes been refusing in that area (bad footing, he went from goofy baby to sure footed and not trusting mud LMAO)

But anyways got him over that, probably going to have to practice it a couple more times but I got him walking and trotting through it

We also practiced lining up at the giant mounting block that just got set up, he was good

Sunday (april 23rd)

A really good day :)

I rode without the bareback pad, and did some trot work in the pasture. He was super good! Also rode around the property a lot. And lunged over ground poles. I rode in flipflops, and when those fell off, I rode barefoot lol. It was pretty fun

Monday (april 24th)

Great day yesterday! Set up some small jumps to lunge him over and he had lots of fun going over them. Also did cavelettis and ground poles. His topline is coming along really nicely! Yesterday was the first day with Ace Hi Complete added in to his diet (1/8th of a scoop)

Going to be slowly introducing it. And then add ground flaxseed in aswell.

Then I rode him and we rode through the part where he was refusing! I'm so proud of him!

We had to back through it the first time, and then he was a lot more confident, and confidently rode through it normally.

Trotted around the property and also rode in the arena a bit. My trot is getting better, but I still feel really sloppy so I need to work on that. Hes perfect 😂

We cantered in the pasture too. I've been teaching him that hes only allowed to graze when I say 'ok!' (same with putting him in his house to eat or the pasture)

And when I ask him to go, he needs to go. Hes picking it up pretty quickly :)

I might buy a circingle and ground drive him (he knows how to do it), but I think it might be beneficial for him to keep learning to get on the bit.

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Things for me to work on:

trotting

jumping

Things for us to work on:

water crossings

getting in frame and on the bit on cue

downward transitions

riding off property

getting through the scary enclosed behind the pond area

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Wednesday April 26th, 2023

Our first off property ride! It went amazing! We got about halfway down the road, and then turned back. Maple was very calm and happy. I let him graze for a moment in the beginning, and then we moved on. He looked around a little bit but he was a happy fella.

When we got back we rode all around the property, did a lot of trotwork and just overall had a nice time

Then he got to go hang out in the pasture :)

Im going there later so I will post an update either tonight or tomorrow

I did not go there Friday lol

Saturday April 29th 2023

Today was a busy day! Got there, lunged. Farrier did his feet. We rode bareback around the property and he did really well

I put him in his house for a little bit and cuddled him. Then I took him out and put him in the pasture for awhile

I took him out and saddled him up and bridled for the first time in like 2 months lol

We rode in the arena for the first time since September (when I fell off really bad)

He was sooo good! 🤍🤍🤍

Also the cow was in there (he's pretty freaked out by cows lol, but he's getting better)

We tried to work the cow, it was a little chaotic but it was his first time ever so I'm proud! And 2nd time ever being close to a cow lol

I ended up getting off and we walked around after the cow to get him a little more desensitized to the cow

He was really good!

We'll keep practicing, my goal is to be able to work a cow off of him :)

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His topline is coming along nicely, it's not there yet ofc, but still progress is progress so I'm happy

This summer we're going to be working a lot and I'm looking forwards to it

Cows??

cows 🙏

Sunday April 30th, 2023

Did a little ground work and then I saddled him up again, rode all around the arena (he was super super good!), and rode all around the property. We also had our first off property ride with the saddle! He gets a lot more nervous with the saddle on than off, but he did AMAZING and he was super super calm! Im so so proud of him. All our hard work is paying off :)

I had to get off because he got a rock in his foot, I got it out and got back on and he was super calm and happy. He wanted to keep going, but I didnt want to push him too hard, and I want to keep that excitement/curiosity to explore in him, so we'll keep venturing farther in short sessions

We also cantered in the pasture, it was super fun.

I think riding in the pasture and riding bareback has been whats helped him get so far, so I 100% recommend this to anyone struggling with a fearful, traumatized, or anxious horse on trails :)

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Monday May 1st

A pretty bad day. I dont know why, he was just struggling and really anxious and hot and freaked out. So I just turned him out and it seemed to help a little. We all have rough days sometimes. I gave him a hug :)

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Wednesday May 3rd

A good day, lunged over some cavalettis, and then hopped on bareback and rode around the property, did a little trot work. I tried to open the front gate but hes too tall, I couldnt reach 😂

So we just stuck to the property. It was a great day!

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Some upcoming things:
Hes getting his teeth done in about 2 weeks

Going to start him on ulcer treatment aswell

Booking a chiro and massage appointment in about 3 weeks

He's also going to be getting 24/7 bermuda and alfalfa from now on

And hes going to be getting more buckets (right now he gets Ace Hi Complete M/W/F/S/S)

I think Ace Hi Complete, Senior Feed, and Cool Calories plus whatever vet recommends will be really helpful for him

I wanted to put him on Purina Super Sport too, but I cant find it anywhere 🥲

WIP

I've been procrastinating updating this lmao

But here we go!

May 5th, our 2 year anniversary! It's been a wonderful 2 years since I've owned this boy, and I love him so much

We went for a little trail ride and it was so fun. He was super good. It's really incredible seeing how he went from a skinny scared horse who almost outright refused to go off property to gorgeous shiny boy who loves exploring

May 6th

Another short trail ride, we had a blast :)

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May 7th

Wednesday May 17th

Vet appt! Maple got his teeth done, overall check up, and we tested for fore and hind gut ulcers, and incredible news, he is negative for both! I'm so happy and it's honestly a miracle but I'm super thankful and happy lol.

Also got polo wraps!

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Thursday May 18th

He was still kinda slow from sedation so I just gave him a spa day and turned him out

im falling behind on updating this big time lol

My updates will probably be sporadic and not as detailed as before for the forseeable future

Tuesday June 6th I jumped him bareback though which was really fun, and we did some obstacles

His collection is progressing quite nicely and so is his topline

We rode behind the pond a couple weeks ago which has been a goal of mine for awhile now and he was super good :)

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My goals for now are to have him collect on cue (he does it most of the time I ask, but still sometimes gets confused but hes improving)

Have his topline keep improving

Be able to ride out the other way (we have only gone one way so far on trail riding)

Build more confidence in the arena

Get his side stepping perfect

Jump 3 feet