iShame's Clovenburg Training

[iShame]

This is where the training for my Clovenburg(s) will be posted. (: One post for each hopefully.


Clovenburg Horses (c) - Speckled Orchid

[iShame]

~ Training for Mesa ~

Riding Manners 101

Today was to begin my first day of training; Having spent the last 2 years out to pasture with only the basics taught; haltering, leading and a bit of long-line. A short haired female approached my stall with a calm but non assertive air about her; her name was Cleya. The daughter of my 'owner'. With a heavy snort i shoved my face at her just in time for a bit of snot to land on her nice riding jacket; why she was wearing such a nice thing for a short training session i'll never know, but it gave her my feelings about her. "I can easily take advantage of you, and i will."

After a solid 30 minutes i was groomed decently, and even tacked up. I decided to try something i had seen the older horses do, and sucked as much air into my abdomen as i could while she tightened my girth. I was supposed to be a, as the humans put it, fantastic and naturally motivated jumper from my parents, but I had little interest in anything at the time; besides playing with my jolly ball in the paddock.

Walking out to the paddock i could feel the air hit my neck and face; cold and crisp in the autumn air. So refreshing i had to pause for a moment just to take in the smells around me. Cleya began to yank on my lead but i was enjoying the air too much to truly pay attention. Moments later i felt a stern, but sudden, hit to my hip and i gave a squeal and a small kick in return to the girl with now fiercely angered eyes. So far i wasn't liking this training. It felt more like jail. And im supposed to enjoy this?

A minutes worth of walking and we arrived in the 'arena', a sandy area of footing that gives way too easy, but was easier on my joints that the rough ground i loved to play on. I disliked this area because when you ran and came to a stop, the sand would get into your eyes, ears and nose, making me cough and begin to hurt from doing so. She placed a mounting block beside me; a three step because she was short. Seeing this strange item beside me i didn't like it, so i began to step away, pulling the reins from the girls hands as i did. She gave an angry huff and followed after me with the mounting block, a scowl on her face from how this wasn't going the way she wanted. Placing the block beside me once more, i was a little less at ease, and began to pick up on the fact that this was fun to me. Maybe i could enjoy this 'job' after all.

It took a good 10 minutes before Cleya could get on top of me, flicking my tail with a bit of disgust i aimed for her face and knew i struck when i heard her cry out. Sure it looked soft, but it was quite deadly when given enough momentum. A new human came out to the arena after a while of us simply walking around; i wasn't listening of course. She didn't deserve to ride me, nor did i want to be ridden. The man came out and began talking to the girl on top of me; telling her to look where she wanted to go, and to apply her right leg when she wanted to go left. He placed out cones for us to weave though, and at first i didn't get it, but after a qhile it seemed interesting. He placed other obstacles out during the time i was ridden; barrels and cones with poles sticking out of them, even a bucket on top of a barrel that had a long stick in it. I didn't understand what the stick was supposed to be, but as i moseyed around these items, i started to get intrigued. Maybe this wasn't as bad as i thought it would be.

First Trail Ride through the Mountains

Today Cleya came to my stall with a wide grin on her face; obviously enthralled by something that happened, or perhaps some news she had gotten. She groomed me with renewed vigor; The last few days i had been especially hard for her, testing what boundaries that i could get away with. I still had issues with mounting; disliking the inferior human on my back. Though i had to admit, i was enjoying this grooming. After a sold ten minutes, the female left my stall, only to return lugging an old, and from her facial expression, heavy, dingy item with more tassels hanging from it that i had stands of hair in my tail. The small almost weightless saddle pad i was used to was replaced with a dully colored brown item, that i could only describe as vulgar and crude was placed onto my back. With a heavy effort, Cleya was able to toss the larger heavier item into my back; making my middle sag as the weight pressed down on my back. The tightened not only one area, but laced a second near my groin as well. Having this weird thing on me, and its lackluster i kicked out with my back leg. This was not fun anymore

The human even dared to put on a different bridle. This one had much longer rains that i felt like i could end up tripping on, nor was it as tight as the one i always wore. I didn't mind it as much as the new saddle on my back. Cleya was mounted up in moments, from the ground this time; it seemed like the mounting block wouldn't be needed anymore, and she and I headed after the man, whom was waiting on an old path on a black gelding. I hadn't been out with many others, nor did i really like them, but this one seemed different. I hadn't ever met him before, and when we met i let him know right away with the strike of my foot, that i was in charge. He met my strike with a quick squeal of his own; and the two humans laughed before they pushed us forward with their heels.

The path was hard on my feet; i had to constantly pay attention to where my feet were; avoiding the dirties looking spots, leaves as well as the dreaded stones. More than once i found myself face to face with branches when i looked up again; the black gelding could only whiny with laughter at this. He wasn't concerned with where his feet were, and occasionally tripped, but he wasn't getting hit with branches as i was.

After a while i seemed to get the hang of this mounting riding, of course i often stumbled over things and i still had a few branches in my face, but overall it was much less than when we began. We spent almost the whole day on the 'trails', as the humans called it, until we came to stop on a long hill; the stars coming to life in a purple sky. It was simply amazing.

Trotting Poles

Things had been going well with the human Cleya. She was beginning to become more dominate, and thus i couldn't get away with as many things as i wanted to anymore; such as stepping away from the mounting block. Today we would practice this thing called 'dressage basics', and i had watched Cleya lay these long poles on the ground just earlier this morning, taking long steps in between each pole. Once mounted up, the girls asked me to move forward, and when i didn't react the first time, she responded with an even harder kick, and a careful slap to my withers, and gained my attention.

We started at a walk towards the long poles on the ground, and i was weary and tried to cut around them. The first time i succeeded, but from them on, Cleya was much more adamant that i go over them, and i did. My hooves fumbled over the poles, tripping me and almost sending the female over my withers. Just when i had begun to understand how to space my feet, Cleya asked that i pick up the pace to a trot, and the fumbling began once more. Cleya picked up the reins, making my raise my head, and gently applied more pressure to my sides, and suddenly it all fit in, and i was making headway into 'dressage basics'.

From then on, even without Cleyas instructions, i extended my gait slightly, and raised my head; and only rarely did i strike a pole. This was interesting.

Small Jump

Today Cleya had a worried expression on her face as she came to groom and saddle me. Once more we were in an English saddle and my familiar English style bridle. I could feel her anxiety; giving me the jitters as well. It took the female several tries to tighten the girth to as tight as it often was, and once done, she almost forgot her helmet as we walked from the barn. She was just a jumble of nerves, and not only was she still making me nervous, i began to over power her; pushing against her and taking my time as we walked to the sandy arena. She was becoming more flustered by the moment and i was almost certain i would get out of work today; but low and behold that man was standing in the middle of the arena, with several poles on blocks scattered around the arena.

He saw the way i was bullying Cleya, and came over almost immediately, snatching my bride reins from the girl and hopping onto my back in a matter of moments. Before i knew what was going on, he had be doing a fast trot in circles around the arena; slowly wearing me out in the autumn air. Within minutes i was almost exhausted, and i understand what a nice circle looked like, but not what the man had in mind. While he was on my back he was constantly talking to the female, whom the next time i saw her from working seemed much more confident. My fun was over.

Cleya hopped onto my back, and with a rough flick of my tail we set off at a slow trot. I noticed that we were heading for one of the poles set onto the larger block; and Cleya raised from my back. I didn't understand what i was supposed to do, and the obstecal was getting closer. Without any clue from Cleya was veered off sharply, tossing the teenage girl over the jump herself. I trotted off a way before stopping; looking back at the frustrated dust covered girl. Once she was up she took a moment to dust herself; and conversed with the man for a moment before heading my way, and mounting up once more.

We began toward the jump again;Cleya raising from my back, but this time her hands were more firm, and i had pressure on the left side of my mouth, to keep me from cutting out early again. Within two strides of the jump, she dug her heels into my sides, and i let out a squeal as i launched myself far higher than i thought i could go. I could feel Cleya begin to fall as i landed, and tossed lowered my head suddenly, giving a small buck to rock her out of the saddle once more. It almost worked; she clung to the front of my chest; my bridle reins hanging in front of me, and my mane pulled almost to my chest as she clung for her life. I liked jumping; but she was not experienced enough.

Big Jump

It was several months later by the time Cleya had began to master the smaller jump; and today the man wanted her to try a bigger jump; the height of the smaller ones, and half more to raise it just enough to scare the girl once more. I felt like a pro now as we began a gentle rocking canter towards the larger jump. I loved jumping more than playing with my jolly ball; bob, after my first dash for freedom over a fence my first night here.

Coming up to the jump, i figured i had it perfect, my head was in nice shape, Cleya was in her two=point, as i had come to know it, and we set off. Halfway through the jump, my leg fell slightly and knocked the bar. Upon landing i felt a pain in my leg, and almost fell with the second beat. Beofre i could stop, the man was already rushing over, noticing the blood gently running down my leg. I didn't like the feeling and began to stomp my leg. It felt like flies crawling over it. It wasn't a large abrasion; really just a scratch, but i hadn't done anything like this before, and i really hoped i wouldn't ever again.

It was a few days before Cleya wanted to attempt the same jump once more. I felt fine once they covered the small wound that day. It seemed to mess with her confidence; like she had done it, and i remember her constantly apologizing for 'hurting' me. We started out with a few smaller jumps today; to help build Cleyas confidence once more. When it came to the big jump once more, i could feel the girls confidence fade away. She almost forgot to go into her two point, until the man called out to remind her.

This time we sailed over the jump, and i kept my legs raised as to not knock the bars. It was enthralling; the feeling of the air rushing through my hairs. I loved jumping, and nothing would ever keep me from doing it.

Jumping in the Mountains

Today Cleya and the man on his black gelding met up with us once more on the beginning of the trail. I was decked out in my normal English gear which confused me; if we were going on a trail ride why aren't i wearing my western set? The gelding was also wearing an English set of tack, but he seemed to understand what was going on. His confidence gave me a bit more, but still the unknowing gave me a sense of fear. Cleya didn't seem too phased, but the man was talking with her to keep her nerves under control.

It was a few minutes later that we picked up speed in a semi flat area, first a trot, then a canter. Over the months we had been working on the jumps, Cleya could finally control me when it came to cantering; and he looked awesome together. It was then that i saw it ahead; a large log on the ground. It was at least as high as my knees, just above what we had been jumping back in the arena. I felt an adrenaline rush and began to pick up more speed; and flew over the jump with the black gelding just ahead of me. I felt that Cleya wasn't expecting me to rush as i had; and nearly fell over my head as we landed. She clung to my neck, but didn't fall off; and seemed to be laughing.

We continued on this one jump for a wile until Cleya got the hang of it, and i quit rushing as much as i had the first time. I lost count of how many time we jumped over the log; but it was more than enough for me to get bored with it. About the time i began to show my annoyance, the black gelding and the man had began to move away; and we followed with a gentle rocking canter; ahead the black gelding and the man were soaring over jumps; and Cleya and I were following with some trouble. The rough and scattered feeling of the mountain terrain caused me to loose my balance a lot; if i hadn't had the human on my back it might've been easier. Cleya too was loosing her balance a lot- and on several occasions almost fell off, or lost her stirrups here or there.

As we continued on however; i was beginning to get the hang of the jumps; lifting my legs higher so that they would not scrape the tops of the large broken trunks, and i began to get a feel for the rough rocky terrain. At this time the jumps became less and less, and we could breath easy once more. Ahead, the black gelding and the man were perched by a cliff; gazing back at us. It took a moment for me to realize; but this was the cliff that we came to on my first trail ride, and it was still just as beautiful as it was the first time.

Jumping a Gorge

After what felt like hours that we sat at the cliff top, we watched almost black clouds cover the slowly darkening sky. It looked heavily ominous and the man suggested we head back before the storm hit. We decided to take the easier route, though was slightly more precarious as we moved near the cliffs edge. Nearing the halfway point a crash of thunder following almost immediately after a bolt of lightning, causing me to rear in fright, and tossing Cleya in the process. I did not like these noises; how the wind howled around us as it rushed through the foliage, the blinding lights over head or the loud noises of the branches creaking around me. I took off in a rush, leaving the two humans and the black gelding behind, in the direction i believed to be towards home. I had to make it home before i died of fright.

Then the rain came, the howling winds intensified as i charged through the forest and the rain blinded me more than the strikes of light through the foliage. My stirrups caught on many things as i ran, eventually pulling off the entire saddle as i ran, but not without scaring the life from me first as it was tugged on by branch after branch. I was unaware of the cuts along my sides where the saddle and girth had been ripped from my back.

Ahead of me i could see a large meadow, and i knew home was close from the tall birch tree in the distance and i picked up speed, maybe it wasn't storming at home and i would be safe there. But it didn't seem to be getting closer as i ran, my bride reins slapping against my neck, when i was only a few feet away i was able to see the huge drop off that separated me from my home; a large gorge. I lengthened my stride as much as i could to gain more speed, and once i reached the end of the ledge, i took the leap; mustering as much power as i could to propel me forward. I felt suspended; my heart racing as i hoped i would make it. I didn't want to die yet.

Things seemed to take forever as i soared above the gorge; lighting filling the sky as i reached the other side-- just barely. I felt from front limbs give as i hit the ground and i toppled over. I rushed to my feet as quickly as i could and began off again, but i was on the ground once more as i noticed that the reins were now tangled around my front left leg; prohibiting me from going any faster than a walk. the thunder boomed and the rain fell hard and fast as i slowly walked back. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off, and the pain from my cuts burned as the rain fell into them, i couldn't see my back nor my sides, but it felt at though it was all on fire. In a seemingly endless walk i eventually reached home, the bridle digging into the corners of my mouth as i finally reached the barn. I wasn't even sure if the humans had made it back yet, so i laid inside of the shavings bin where it was dry and sort of comfortable; you know, except for the cold wind that rushed inside blowing the shavings into my cuts and face. I placed my head as close to my leg as i could in an attempt to remove the bridle, but it was too tight. Slowly the storm died down enough for me to fall asleep in the endless rain.

The following morning i was awoken by a sparrow that landed on my side, forcing pain through my insides. My sides and back were immensely sore, and i wasn't sure if i could even stand. I began to whinny; though it was hoarse. Perhaps this would have been a good idea the night before, i might've been heard even through the rain and thunder. But inside the shavings bin, my ohoarse voice echoed loud, hurting my ears, but i did anyway. Perhaps someone would hear me now. To my luck, it was the older man that found me. He started first with removing the bridle and reins from my face and leg, and gently tied a rope around my neck instead. He urged me to stand, and with a lot of effort i did. It felt as though it took hours, but we made it inside, where he and a few others i had never paid attention to cared for my wounds. I did not care for how they poked and prodded at my wounds to clean them, and showed my disgust with the flickering of my ears and tail, but was too tired to really do anything against them. After an hour i was bandaged and cleaned of mud and debris that stuck to me from the night.

In my stall i laid down to rest; warm lights close by as i slept calmly. I was awoken by a noise at my stall door after only a few minutes; it was Cleya. She had a few cuts and bruises from what i could see through groggy eyes, and she had a few things with her. The frist thing she handed me was a handful of treats, which i happily, but slowly, took from her hand. The second thing she brought me was my jolly ball. While i wanted to play with the wonderful toy, i simply didn't have the strength, and when i laid my head down once more, it was in Cleya's lap. It wasn't quite as comfy as the soft bedding, but i didn't mind at the moment. I was home, and i was safe.

[iShame]

~ Training for Moxus ~

- Knowing pasture boundaries
- Meeting other horses
- Getting comfortable with pulling weight
- Learning where the best grass grows
- Learn ground manners
- Bond with a human
- Learn basic dressage ( optional )

[iShame]

~ Training for Dimitri ~

Police Work

- Getting to know the human

[list][size=85]It wasn't my first day in this new area. I had been here for weeks already, but was having little luck finding a human that would pair with me. My unruly teenage hot-head was a bit much for most to handle. After what felt like forever; in reality only a few weeks, i was, i guess the word was happy, that they couldn't find anyone to work and ond with me. I was a youngster; testing my boundries and unreliable. If they planned to make anything of me, they would need someone serious and dedicated, but patient enough to deal with me misunderstanding.

The main cheifs of the schooling stable had begun to give up on m, and were deeming me unteachable; it wasn't all quite my fault, all of the 'men' and 'women' they were sending weren't the most experience horse-wise, and didn't seem to want to be on the mounted patrol. However, one man approached me; he was an older gentleman with large shoulders and heavy muscles. He held a mustache as well; neatly trimmed and didn't seem to have a hair out of place. He looked at me with scrutinizing blue eyes, not daring o make a sound. I stared back at him; slightly fascinated, but also intimidated

WIP


- Bonding achievements
- Defensive tactics to protect
- Sound desensitizing
- Understanding pressure

Show the horse learning bad pressure from a simulation of rioters pushing the horse, and show the horse learning good pressure from the police directing where he needs to go.

- Large crowd simulation
- Naming ceremony