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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Update - Elvis and Ben

I continue to ride Elvis at Jan's 3 times a week.  It's going really well, and it's so much fun to ride this great horse.  I'm having less and less trouble with my shoulder and fingers, but oh my, am I ever out of shape.  There are lots of rider breaks in our sessions! 

The whip has been an issue for both Elvis and me.  Even though I carry a whip for convention instead of use, Elvis had a fear of the whip.  Jan has done a lot of work desensitizing him.  My problem has been keeping the whip and the reins in my stiff fingers.  We started Elvis back to work carrying a short little hunter/jumper bat, and that went fine.  Today we graduated to a dressage whip, and both Elvis and I forgot it was there!  He wasn't nervous about it, and I didn't have to concentrate to keep it from falling out of my hand.  That's huge!

Here's a look at today's trot work


and the canter work


It makes me feel so good to have my dear friend Jan coaching me and my dear husband David taking photos.  Does it get any better?  NO!

That's Jan's husband John in the background.  He built her arena.

Big Ben is coming along nicely too.  He's had some time off after getting his wolf teeth out, but today David got back in the saddle.


Good boy, Ben!

14 comments:

Sharon said...

You and Elvis look great!

Big Ben's movie died half way through, probably my signal messed up. He's a magnificent animal, for sure!

Lori Skoog said...

Love the photos of you, Elvis, David and Ben. Kudos to all of you for doing some work. Elvis and Ben are some lookers! Wow....

Once Upon an Equine said...

Nice photos of you and Elvis. Ben and David look really great too.

Janet said...

Elvis looks to be going brilliantly -wish I looked as good as you in the saddle too !
Loved the little video-do the flies bother Ben ? he has such a short tail -which is how it should be of course-just wondered how he coped !

Mare said...

Love the photos of you and Elvis:) As for Ben and his awesome Clydesdale sabino-ness (if it's not a word, it should be) he seems like a super nice gentle giant!

Louise said...

You and Elvis look great together. Isn't it going to be hard to give him up when Janet is ready to ride again? Ben is so cute. I love the way he keeps looking at you and the camera as David is riding past you.

Funder said...

Yall look wonderful. I bet this is the best physical therapy money can buy! Great idea on carrying a short bat til you get your hands sorted out.

<3 Ben!

Dreaming said...

Those are great pictures. Elvis looks wonderful! So does Ben... love his gentle demeanor.
Funny about the whip. You love carrying it and feel awkward without one... I detest carrying one. And now, my hand falls asleep when I carry it (at least it does when I carry a driving whip) Arghhh!

Dreaming said...

Those are great pictures. Elvis looks wonderful! So does Ben... love his gentle demeanor.
Funny about the whip. You love carrying it and feel awkward without one... I detest carrying one. And now, my hand falls asleep when I carry it (at least it does when I carry a driving whip) Arghhh!

Dreaming said...

Those are great pictures. Elvis looks wonderful! So does Ben... love his gentle demeanor.
Funny about the whip. You love carrying it and feel awkward without one... I detest carrying one. And now, my hand falls asleep when I carry it (at least it does when I carry a driving whip) Arghhh!

in2paints said...

All the horses look beautiful!! (and the riders too...) :)

Oak Creek Ranch said...

Elvis is a beautiful horse and your seat looks pretty wonderful too -- I'm glad the lessons are going well for both you and Elvis.

Jim said...

'Oh I get by with a little help from my friends.'
Sounds great that things are coming back for you Terry!

fromsophiesview said...

Time for a new poochie...right!