Hello 2012!

Wow – it has been a LONG time since I have up-dated Lex’s blog!!  It is that time of year though, so I’m getting back at it!

Lex had a successful show season, including a couple of reserve champion futurity finishes and APHA points in halter and lunge line.  He spent the fall and winter at my parent’s stable in Cape Breton eating hay, kicking back, and growing nicely.  Lex moved up with me about 3 weeks ago and is just getting ready to get on to a nice easy two year old training program.  Currently Lex is at Ski View Stables located just outside of Windsor, Nova Scotia.  He will move back to the Fraser’s in Beaverbank after the Colour Classic APHA Show in June.

In the next couple of weeks I plan to put together Lex’s YTP (Yearly Training Plan) to take us until the end of December 2012.  I have to say, it is pretty scary to post my plans for the world to see – things can change with young horses, but I hope this will keep me motivated and on track.  Texas 2013 here we come!!  This plan is for the next 2 weeks and my first few rides.

Hopefully some people find this interesting . Suggestions are always welcome, I’d love to hear about what others are doing!!

Happy spring and have a great ride!

Lex’s Training Plan  April 15^th-30^th 2012

Lex’s April Training Schedule (Day-to-day in PDF format)

Competition Goals 2012:

• June Colour Classic APHA Show – Halter & Colour Class 
• September MPHC APHA Show – Halter and 2 year old western pleasure futurity

 Monthly Training Goals:

• Active training 3-5 days per week
• Practice with clippers, focus on ears. 
• Teach to move forward on lunge with side reins.
• Mount – at least 3 rides by the end of the month
• Work on basic ground exercises and focus

 Beginning Comments:

Lex is lunging nicely, and is working solidly on all cues.  He has had the saddle on about 5 times, and has been lightly flexed to the side with side reins attached to his saddle twice.  He is a little slow on the lunge, and would rather go slow than move forward into pressure.  Stops and stands when confused with what is asked.  Lex is always very quiet, though “into” everything like a lab puppy!  Need to work on focus.