Little Louie Week 8 Update

Hello all, I hope you are enjoying the fall weather that has decided to grace us with its presence much earlier than expected! Yay for wild horses and cold hands and toes! Okay I'm being a bit extreme, but I am happy to report although all of my other horses seem to be kicking up their heels in this cooler weather, our superstar Louie could care less!

Week 8 brought another exciting adventure for the little man. We took a field trip over to Fat Chance Farm where they have held trail challenge events in the past. I was able to ride Louie around the arena and then take him out on the trails. There were a few obstacles that we could ride over and I was excited to see how he would do with the combination of being on the trails and seeing the obstacles. Eager to please, he gladly went over anything I asked and happily led the other two horses on our trail ride. Earlier on in the week was the first time we had ventured out on a real "trail ride" at home. He took a look at a few things like the monsters in the hedgerow but other than that he was happy to be outside. So As this was only his second time out on a real trail ride, I was impressed. I have entered Louie in the Genesee Valley Trail Trial event this following Sunday. We will put to test the things we've already accomplished and hopefully conquer some new obstacles. Here is the video of our adventures at Fat Chance Farm:

As for our work at home Louie and I decided on what we will be doing for the freestyle event in Harrisburg. I'm going to keep you all in suspense as our freestyle is going to be top secret until the event. :) We continued working on the basics. Walking from point to point teaching him to stay between my hands and legs. Louie's trot has improved TREMENDOUSLY. With the muscle that he has put on and the new skills he's learned he is becoming much more pleasurable to ride at the trot. We continued our canter work on the rope. I'm not to worried about cantering him under saddle at this point seeings how his trot still has room for improvement. One step at a time. 

This week I hope to set up a trail course similar to what we will see in Harrisburg. With all the pieces of the puzzle that we have I believe its time we put the puzzle together and see what area's still need the most work. Louie also struggled with two or three other horses going around the ring when we were off property. At home he is mostly worked alone with only him and I in the ring. I hope to find a few people willing to ride around him this week.

I think that's all the news for week 8! If any of you are planning on riding in the trail challenge Louie and I would love to meet you and answer any questions you might have. Enjoy your week and happy riding!

Love...............................Courtney and Louie