Rain Dance Ruby – Natalie Payne

Ruby and I have had a wonderful time learning about each other and what all each of us can do. She has learned plenty and is seemingly proud of some of her accomplishments! She can now be lunged, long-lined, driven, ridden, trail ridden, bathed, clipped, hauled, chased by a dog without caring, and whatever else you can think of.

Ruby is a great horse who only gets better by the day. She enjoys learning and concentrates hard as she works. It is a little amusing because when I first started riding her I thought she didn’t enjoy it because her ears were always back, but then I realized it was just that she was concentrating so hard and listening so well that her ears just stay back.  She’s relaxed and happy with her work on a daily basis which makes it fun for everyone! So we are out to do our best tomorrow and I hope she remembers everything she has learned over the last three months…

Good luck to everyone and we’ll see everyone tomorrow! Let’s have some fun…

So Ruby and I headed to Lake Elmo for the Washington County Fair’s English Show. It began Saturday night and we were one of the first classes to show. By this time it was pretty much dark outside and now the Ferris wheel lights were on and blinking, not to mention the kids standing around the arena with their balloons and loud voices. So Ruby’s head was up higher than some full time show Saddlebreds! Besides this she was a bit nervous to say the least. She wasn’t sure that the gate into the arena was big enough for her so she insisted someone lead her into the arena, instead of entering at a trot like everyone else. So I convinced a horse-loving bystander to walk with Ruby to the gate so we could show. After we were in, there were so many other scary things to be aware of. She started to stop mid-trot and turn around to go the other direction, more than once. I completely understand where she was coming from though, so we just worked through it. I actually started to laugh as she shied away from the rail so many times it became funny! Once we got close to the rail she decided maybe it wasn’t so scary, but then again when you go into a canter or even a walk, the rail changes. So again, we just worked through our issues and I was happy that she did at least take proper steps in every gait both directions of the ring! After we showed we cooled down and went immediately home because we both needed rest for tomorrow’s open show.

So Ruby was bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning, which of course to me means, she’s ready to give this show thing another try! So we jumped in the trailer again and headed to North Branch for NWSC’s annual Over the Hill show. We showed in the Saddle Seat Pleasure and Saddle Seat Equitation classes and ended up doing really well. She made dramatic improvements from the show the previous night and even between the two classes today. This is an impressive horse.

In our first class today she was again sure that the people on the other side of the rail may just reach out and grab her, so she was sure to stay far away from them. This class she also didn’t want to canter, so we had to trot into it (which I do not approve of). At the end of it, she again did all of the necessary gaits and ended up with second place. The judge commented as we exited the arena that when she is right, she is really nice!

We had just a short break and then it was time for the second class. I explained to Ruby that this was out last chance before the big day, so she had to concentrate, listen, and most importantly, TRUST. So this class started out better and she was getting into the groove of this show thing. She was now setting her head and listening to what speed I was requesting (except for at the canter). This time we came within 3 feet of the scary people at the end of the arena, which I think impressed the judge.  The second direction she was even better, so I was completely satisfied as I trotted into the lineup. This time the judge made the comment that she improved very quickly and he appreciated that. It was so good in fact that we WON the class! Yeah Ruby!!

So those are our first shows and I am happy with the progress we made in just the two days. We still have some details to work on (slowing down the canter), but Challenge of the Unwanted Horse…HERE WE COME!

Our first show was yesterday and now today we’re at our second. Here’s a quick pic of us waiting to go…

So this morning was Ruby’s first time with absolutely NO “safety” features on when I rode. It was just a normal full bridle, without all the attachments she’s been wearing. We are excited for the Washington County Fair this weekend and while the goal is simply to see how she behaves, I’m sure she will be great! I put her in a stall today so that she can stop scratching herself on whatever it is she finds outside and stay a little cleaner as well. Still working on the details, but in the end, we’re doing good!

I hate that I haven’t posted lately, but life is getting in the way! So Ruby and I are just putting in our work to ensure we look as great as possible at the Big Day…She has slowed down a bit at the canter and has a little more energy at the trot, so we are heading in the right direction. Ruby is an easy horse to work with, so once she understands what I want, she basically just does it. She is objecting less and less every day, so I think she is liking this whole idea of working.   I long lined her yesterday and she was so adorable I was actually mad that I had no way to video her!

So this week it is back to working on obstacles and standing still in the “line up.” I still haven’t made it to a show with her, but I believe that can happen either this weekend or next. We will be signing up for the Washington County Fair English show, so if you’re in the area, stop by next Saturday night (8/6) to see us show! And of course you can come and see her work anytime by contacting Natalie at 612-616-6687.

Sponsor Ruby here: http://www.fosterfarmmn.com/

I finally have the video available on You Tube! Visit Ruby here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC-PEd6aff0

So I was at a horse show all last week, so Ruby was left to her own figuring when it came to working. While I don’t think she worked too hard, I was very happy when I jumped on her and she was in the same place mentally than she was the last time I rode her. She is still a little ‘lazy’ but we are working on that. She is learning leg cues quite nicely and I am impressed at how responsive she is when I ask her to move one direction or the other with my leg.

The focus is still on a slow canter, but there are so many other things we need to get to as well! If we had just one extra month, we would be rock stars by challenge time. I am trying to get her to a show or two, so now that I have got her going in a full bridle comfortably, I will hit up the first show I can find with Saddleseat classes.

So let me point out all the great stuff this mare offers so that no one is afraid of thinking a Saddlebred can’t be a great horse for them. First and foremost, she is easy to ride! What’s better than that? Then she also enjoys baths somewhat and stands tied until you are done messing with her. She is now standing quietly in crossties (or should I say cross ropes), so she overcame that bad habit. She can be clipped fairly easily as long as you move slow and allow her to investigate first. While long lining is not her strongest feature, she definately does do it. She lunges very easily. She is walking over bubble wrap and poles with ease. She can handle something being drug behind her. She stands quietly while you mount. She can handle traffic passing while you ride down the road. etc, etc, etc. This is a good mare- what else do you want to see her do? (driving is coming slowly but srely too!)

Contact Natalie to come and see this great mare. Visit her page to see pics and sponsor her:  www.FosterFarmMN.com

I’ve been pretty busy lately and unfortunately, it hasn’t been with Ruby.    But I have continued to plug away with her and we have had some success in the crosstie situation. She has now successfully stood in the crossties twice (which is a lot considering her record). She doesn’t like when I leave her sight, so she is learning how to handle that.

Last week I put her ‘safety’ gear back on and connected her to the cart! She was nervous and didn’t want to move, so we took it slow and walked down just one side of teh arena. She took it much better than I hoped, so we quit on that good note. I’m hoping to get her driving, but have to take it slow.

Then this week I rode her for the first time in a full bridle (a.k.a. double bridle). This was a great step in the right direction since this is how Saddleseat horses are expected to show. She doesn’t require much bridle contact, so she took this quite well too. She of course has to learn what the curb bit is for, but again we will take it slow and work through it.

Last we worked on slowing down her canter. This is tough because she is a little lazy and falls out quickly, so I have to keep her going, but in a comfortable speed. She is better one direction then the other (naturally), but she is pulling it together.

Ruby is doing great and I had someone take video so I’m hoping to post that sometime soon too….Contact Natalie to come and visit Ruby: www.FosterFarmMN.com

I finally was able to convince my husband that I needed help taking pictures of “the new horse.” So, here are the results! Another good ride. I am slowly taking the ‘safety’ pieces off of the bridle and she continues to behave, which keeps me delighted.

Ruby has also now decided that standing still when tied isn’t such a bad idea. When her friend outside starts to call to her, she gets a little worried and thinks she needs to go save him. Slowly but surely all the pieces come together!

I’m so happy with Mrs Rain Dance Ruby!

Remember to come out and see her work, try her out, or whatever else by contacting me: Natalie 612-616-6687, Natalie@FosterFarmMN.com. Or sponsor Ruby here: www.FosterFarmMN.com