Back to Basics……..

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 We have achieved a great deal in Hevans EV Catorrius’s training to date. Reus has his own paddock, he can see the girls and is not isolated, he is settled and we do not work him in his own paddock. He is lunged, worked in hand and driven in a separate field, there is no confusion on “work” time!  We also use a round pen or go for a walk in hand around the lanes. I never let him get bored and am always striving to find new challenges.

Hevans EV Catorrius

 I am confident and firm with him, never letting him know he is physically stronger than me. Long reining has given him a great opportunity to see the world outside the farm gates and keeps him focused on going forwards.

 Hevans EV CatorriusHevans EV Catorrius

A well behaved colt is a well-trained one, I am always on my guard for everything that is going on around us and I am constantly thinking ten steps ahead of him. It is tiring and frustrating to loose placing’s because of his hormones, in time I am sure he will switch off at the shows.

Hevans EV CatorriusHevans EV Catorrius (10)

At present, Reus is turned out during the night and stabled during the day! This change  has enabled him to have a longer duration of time out in his paddock, avoiding the flies and eating the grass instead of standing in his field shelter out of the sun. 

REUS JULY 14 (1)

I hope this change along with a structured training plan will enhance his concentration & performance?

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 He really has a kind nature when his hormones are not aroused……….

Education………

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Before

Before

Another change made at Redheart Appaloosa’s has involved the purchase of a few sheets of ply board, a few pots of paint and the help of my daughters.

We have had great fun at the start of the School Summer Holidays making a secure “round pen” to help build the relationship with the young stock!

 

 

 

 

During (2)During (3) During.

 

The decorated panels should enhance a bold approach to similar surroundings in the future for the young stock.

 

After

 

Hevans EV PascaliusHevans EV Pascalius

Hevans EV Pascalius was amazed!

 

 

Hevans EV Catorrius (4) Hevans EV Catorrius (2)

Hevans EV Catorrius  quietly walked around looking at each design!

The round pen certainly has brightened up the training / education sessions, as we head back to basics with Reus and prepare Evee for the Appaloosa Horse Club UK National Breed Show.

Testing & Pushing the Boundary………

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Achieving the “mileage” on the showing circuit with Hevans EV Catorrius, today we attended the APHC UK Southern Show at Pachesham Equestrian Centre in Surry.

Gaining 2nd place in the male under three years and Reserve Champion Young Stock.

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Assessing Reus behaviour recently in the ring, it is my assumption he has realised during his “show”, there is an opportunity to play and show off without being reprimanded!

This behaviour is  totally unacceptable especially so late in the season!

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He has learnt to “switch off” outside the ring, he will walk around the ring with other horses and will stand for the judge.

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Being aroused by the ladies and getting his penis out is nature, I only try to distract him, dealing with his behaviour and gaining his concentration is key and seems to be working.

Reus was imprinted at birth and has been educated to a high degree of manners and understanding. There is nothing I cannot do with him at home, he is a very sweet, calm and intelligent natured horse and a very quick learner. Nothing phases him and his inquisitive nature enables me to achieve more in his education than most two year olds I have dealt with. Perhaps this is one trait of the Appaloosa shining through?

It is the testosterone that switches Reus character at the events. The presence of this hormone gives him a thicker “cresty” neck and a more muscular physique. On occasions his presence makes him head strong and hard to handle and sometimes he is unpredictable with his actions.

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I am always on my guard for a high leg or a swing from his head, 

aware of the danger and consequence should he get loose in the ring.

 

It is not in Reus’s character to intentionally misbehave, It is my understand that he is pushing the boundaries and testing me?

 

Just like “the terrible two’s” of a child!

 
My aim is to persevere and change his attitude, going back to basics at home. We need to enhance our bond, I need to regain his trust and respect starting with a change of routine. A possible change to future showing maybe to compete English style, this will give us more control in a bridle and the bonus of being allowed to carry a showing cane will help reiterate who’s boss!

We have a few weeks before the Nationals, I hope to achieve a significant difference by this show!

Time will tell….

 

 

 

Hormones Oop’ North…….

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An early start for Hevans EV Catorrius, a straight run on the M5 and M6 to the Appaloosa Horse Club UK Northern Show, held at the very impressive venue of Myerscough College. Preston. Lancashire.

We arrived an hour before the first class to allow Reus to stretch his legs, have a look around and warm up. He was an absolute dream but as the horses started to arrive and the first class got under way the hormones kicked in…….again!

 

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Although he won the APHC USA main registered Appaloosa young stock, placed second in both the APHC UK colts under three and Open Colts / Stallions any age he was an absolute nightmare to handle!

There was no way he could possibly get a place in the Championships as he spent most of his time on his hind legs with his penis out!  We don’t get this problem at home even though we have four females in his surroundings, therefore it is very difficult to reprimand him at the shows.

 

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I am sure (hope) this is a phase he is going through and in his defence the indoor arena was very humid with the scent of either a “in season” filly or the scent of female urine held in the surface of the indoor arena?

 

This show was our first indoor venue for 2014 but an experience to remember for next time….…….

Sponsored Colour At Cadam…..

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Although a straight run on the motor way the three hour journey for Hevens EV Catorrius was for one reason, to qualify for the Royal London Show.

Reus was warmed up on the lunge and dressed over before taking the  Baps & ApHC UK Main Register in-Hand Young stock three years and under. 

Task completed!

 

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The venue at Terry’s Patch formally known as Terry’s Lawn was delightful.

Two good size rings on the flat, a well organised team coordinated the classes to perfection.

A very friendly show that attracted many colourful horses from ALL BREEDS!

 

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Hevans EV Catorrius qualified for Royal London Show

 

This was the first competition Redheart Appaloosa’s sponsored, I was delighted to talk to Emma Feltham with her 4 year old mare called Mischief Maker.  A well-built, calm and correct Appaloosa X mare who took the In Hand Championship. Her breeding is Tiptoe Little Joe out of a registered New Forest Mare called Summer Time Girl. Very many congratulations…….

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Emma Feltham & Mischief Maker

Championship winner sponsored by Redheart Appaloosa’s