Update!! :-)

Just a quick update- Since I'm up in Knoxville now, unfortunately Pixie's work over the last two months has been somewhat sporadic. However, I have been working with her as much as is humanly possible---and she's doing wonderfully! She walks, trots, canters (still working on getting leads 100%, but she is getting better with each workout!), backs, and is comfortable with light trail riding and obstacles around the farm. We definitely need more consistent bridlework, but that's just going to have to wait until I can work with her on a regular basis. For now, she's learning to be more confident. She is SO level headed under saddle that I let my mother (an advanced beginner rider) ride her over the weekend. Pixie was slightly unsure at first, but she quickly adjusted to my mom. Quite a feat for a three year old filly! I can absolutely see Pixie as a learner-type child's horse in the future.

I'm thinking that once spring/summer rolls around, I'll try to get her ready to take to some late summer shows for ASB Country Pleasure 13&Under with a wonderful little catch rider from KY. That's my plan, anyways!

As you can tell by the picture, Pixie is getting QUITE fuzzy and fat to boot! She gets along fabulously with her field mates and has even taken up with the three goats that now also inhabit her field.

Progressing nicely...

Just a quick note- we now have 5 rides under our belt, and she has done amazingly well! Her timing and balance are coming along wonderfully- Pixie figures things out very quickly. The funny thing is, I think she really enjoys being ridden. We are walking, trotting, "whoa" and standing, and backing both directions.

I didn't think breaking horses was supposed to be this enjoyable or easy...

Ride #2- Check!

Just a quick update- Pixie and I completed ride #2 this AM. She did very well today also-- we even worked up to trotting the entire straightaway today. She is so smart, I think my biggest challenge with working her will be to keep her entertained. Pixie really seems to enjoy new things... Anyways, just a quick note to say YAY she's doing well!

Pics from the first ride (Yes, I wore a helmet... I hate them but I was not going to be the brave, stupid one... I have to use this brain awhile haha):

(you can tell I was slightly nervous... I do not usually tilt that far forward!)

Officially BACKED!!!!!!!! :-D

Well, we did it.......



Today was the day. Actually, it didn't start out that way. I've been saying all week that Pixie is ready to ride, she is ready to ride. But the farrier is not able to come out until early next week, and I really did not want to wait that long to begin with Pixie under saddle. So this evening I headed down to do my usual evening routine: feed ponies, then cats, then goats, then pony in the far field, and then return to work with Pixie. I got out all my grooming accessories and my long-lining tack, caught Pixie (which has turned into a LOVELY game btw... need to research methods of catching a filly who delights in making you chase her for about five minutes, and then decides 'Okay, it's MY idea now, this sounds good' and walks right up to you very nonchalantly), and started work. I got Pixie all groomed up and Travis helped me. We got to talking about my game plan for Pixie, and I said, "Yeah, I think I'll ride her tomorrow or Saturday..." And he replied, "Why not tonight?" Well, why not tonight?


So, we did it tonight. I saddled Pixie up and spent about twenty minutes practicing getting on, laying over, and standing (on the arena gate) over Pixie's back. She's so smart, so after a few minutes of this her face literally said, "What the crap, this is nothing to stress over". Obviously, she was ready to ride. I got on her back with Travis working as my handler (and my mother taking pictures on her phone, LOL--which I'll get from her tomorrow and upload). He walked with us for a minute, but she did WONDERFUL and we were soon off the leadline and on our own. Primarily, we just walked around the arena at a very relaxed pace. I let her feel my weight move in the saddle as well as my legs at her sides. She did quite well-- we even trotted around half of the arena. She was unsure about moving forward very fast (which is TOTALLY preferable to the other extreme hahaha), so this trot was more of our long-lining "jog" pace, but I wasn't going to ask for more speed today. After about 15 minutes of riding time, I called it a successful day and dismounted.


I'm pretty darn impressed with Pixie. No funny business, no fussing, no nothing- she took today like a champ!!

Voila, a pony who can even do vacations!

So I went to Destin, FL with my younger sister last week for her post senior year trip. I was not sure exactly how Pixie was going to handle an entire week off (I've posted before about the attitude thing...), and I wasn't sure WHAT was going to occur when I returned. So today, exactly 9 days after the last time I worked her, we barely missed a beat! She lined like a champ, and we even achieved more relaxation for the most part today than we have ever had in the past! I was so so excited, because I have to admit... I had been somewhat dreading this first day back. And I tried very hard not to be, because I really think horses can sense that kind of apprehension and react accordingly. We did have more get-up-and-go today, which is to be expected with that long of a break... although she was out in her field, so it's not like she got no exercise. I had planned to ride her for the first time this week, but until Miss Priss gets her twinkle toes done--I'm not so sure. She's very due for a farrier visit, so hopefully I can get that lined up and maybe ride this weekend!?! I think she is ready... we have steering down absolutely pat, and our whoa-ing is 100% better than it was. As I mentioned, Pixie has gotten quite a bit of "go forward"... which is good, I suppose. She is getting increasingly game, so I've tried to keep everything very slow and relaxed---but I really believe this filly has show horse in her. Maybe by the end of next summer...... ;-)

Riders up!! ;-)

We are wearing a saddle!!! Along with ground-driving well (now that I've finally found a couple of bits that fit her mouth correctly... had to buy them in Shelbyville!), tonight we added to Pixie's resume by adding "will wear saddle". If I had not been seeing it myself, I never would have believed how easily it went. She let me saddle her up like an old pro. I had expected at least a little bit of attitude, since she has developed into quite a little diva, but I could not have asked her to be any better. Unfortunately, I do not have a saddle with rings large enough to fit my long lines through them, so I attached a loose/stretchy pair of side reins to the saddle and off she went. I let her jog around in the arena for about fifteen minutes or so, and then I untied the stirrups and let them flop at her sides. Pixie handled it like a pro, even when her little yearling neighbor over the fence decided to try to take bites at her and her "back appendage" as she went by... I even acted like I was going to mount up and added weight to both stirrups--she was picture perfect.

She did NOT, however, want me to put the fly mask on... of course, it was most likely a new experience--probley NOT as many flies in NY!! But she quickly got over it and it became old news...

Wearing a surcingle and a bridle!!! :)

Pixie is officially back to wearing a backpad (surcingle) and a bridle! We have not yet combined the two--that's a project for this week-- but she is doing so well! She is a very smart little cookie, this Miss Pixie... And, something that I absolutely ADORE-She LOVES to work!! I'm trying my best to give her 'rein' enough to be her own horse without feeling trapped- and I think this approach has attributed alot to her great attitude. She is the first to come up to be caught now, and she gets jealous when anyone else gets work (to the point where she stands at the gate and paws out and nickers until you pay her attention!!). She's still figuring out lining to the left, but I figured out a two-person system that helped her figure out circles yesterday... Once Pixie catches on to something, she absolutely remembers it. When I put the backpad on her for the first time, she got in about three bucks and then stopped. I rewarded her, and thus far we have had no further bucking episodes or really even a foot out of place. Something Kiersten told me once though I have found to be very, very true-- if she does not understand what I am asking her, she shuts down. I have found that its best when she does this to simply stop, reassure her, and then begin again. So far, this seems to be working... Stay tuned, by next week we'll be long-lining/ground driving!! :)

It's PRINCESS Pixie nowadays...

Pixie "molting"... and needing a haircut

Well, its been awhile since I updated this. Pixie is doing very well- she has gained weight and is (FINALLY) somewhat shedding her NY coat... She and the yearling have GOT to get with the program, everyone else is shiny and slick already! She doesn't know it yet, but she and I are about to start our 'summer fun' together in the next couple weeks. She might not be too impressed though- I think she's rather taken with babysitting "her" yearling now. Miss Priss definately has personality though- She is developing a bit of a princess-y attitude, although she may have always had it but she's now comfortable enough to express it... I must admit, I do find it a rather fascinating aspect of her -- But I have been trying to keep it in check while still letting her express her personality. We'll see how this alters her training... I do enjoy working with mares with attitudes (most likely because I tend to be somewhat similar in my approach to life!!)-so we'll see how that goes. Hopefully, she will at least be backed by summer's end, maybe with the hopes of doing some shows sometime next season...

Pixie wants to be a Forward!!

Our farm is located next to the city park here, and it is now officially soccer season. I do not believe Pixie has had much previous experience with soccer (correct me if I am wrong Kiersten), and neither has Mac, the yearling, as I had not had him in such close proximity to the park before (something about nibbly foals and tiny kids makes me nervous... call me crazy). Yesterday evening kicked off soccer practice, and let me tell you-- Mac and Pixie want to join the team!! Everytime the ball would go flying, so would they. Tails up flagging in the air, the two of them would run and stomp and snort back and forth as the ball traveled the field. Needless to say, I had to wait to feed... there was no stopping soccer practice in the horse field!
Pixie and Mac have become fast friends, which is good. And my old retiree who also lives in their field is all to happy to finally be at the top of the totem pole. I'm planning on doing some extra work with Pixie this week (spring break woohoo)... so maybe I'll get time to take some good pictures for you Kiersten! For now, here's two I took with my cell phone...

Finally deciding that it was okay to just spectate and snack, Pixie enjoyed her dinner

while "coaching" from the sidelines ;-)

She and Mac are good buds... even sharing hay

Edited to add: Pixie has finally decided to gain weight like I want her to! She'll be a fatty like the others in no time. Size wise she has grown nearly a half inch... I had thought she was a smallish filly before she arrived, but she may top 16 hands yet.

It's wonderful to be muddy!!

Good morning everyone!! Pixie here today. I wanted to update you all on my life here, so I figured the best way would be to SHOW you!!!


Mom took this one before I went outside. She says I need a haircut, but that will have to wait until next weekend (she has tests this week! Puhleeze. My hair should absolutely come before any silly tests! Does she KNOW how hard it is to keep your hair looking this beautiful?).

I finally got to go outside!! I found this muddy part of the field to be the most fun, I could slip and slide and play all I wanted to!!

This is my field buddy, his name is Mac. He's little, so I can boss him around all I want to! He wasn't going to be my field buddy for another day or so, but the mean old mare they turned me out with wouldn't stop being mean to me, so Mom put me in another field!!

I heard a scary noise!! This place is so different, it's really warm here! And wet!

Thank GOODNESS they have mud here! I have gotten behind on my spa days, so I have been in desperate need of a good facial for ages it seems. No cucumbers or saunas here, but I suppose I will deal without those necessities...

Nothing like a good mud bath to put a spring in your step! Not to mention, after being cooped up for over a week, I have TONS of energy!

This is the mean mare I was talking about, Suzy. You know how us girls can get... we were 'friends' when we were neighbors in the barn, but she's fickle and backstabbed me! That's okay though, because I secretely tell all the boys that she looks like a giant blue smurf!!

CHICK FIGHT!!! She wouldn't leave me alone, but I got a bunch of good hits in on her! See if her fourteen year old booty will mess with a young hot thing like me again!

This is my new fieldmate, Mac. My other new friend is in the background, his name is Mickey. I met them over the fence because silly Mom wanted to make sure that I would get along better with them. I keep telling her that the boys ALWAYS like me better than the girls anyways. Girls just get jealous of me.

FINALLY the respect I deserve. I love the fact that both of my new fields come equipped with a pond and mud area. Mom fussed at me because now she will have to spend some time grooming me again (she already did once today), but I keep telling her that you simply must let it sit for at least twenty-four hours! But there is always plenty more mud where this came from, according to Mickey. I think he must like facials too.

Well, that's all for my first day outside! Mom says hopefully next weekend she'll have more time to give me a haircut and a bath. The royal treatment. Perfect. :-)

Spoiled already

Well today we got some better pictures of Pixie than the one I took with my phone, but my computer is being silly so I will have to try and upload them again tomorrow. Pixie seemed to officially settle in today. I went down about two hours after their morning feeding and took Pixie outside for awhile, just to do some in hand work and to get her some exercise. Before long she'll be able to go out with the other horses in the field (and I KNOW she'll be excited about that!). She was a very good girl most of the time... although she did decide that bucking down the hill once sounded like an awfully good time! But she certainly is smart and she settled back down almost immediately. Her personality was emerging a good bit today, which was great. She seems to be a very sensitive filly, but she also seems to be pretty people-oriented. After our walk she had her lunchtime hay snack and chilled for the afternoon. Travis and I took her out again for about forty five minutes before evening feeding... she and Travis seemed to click together too. I was really happy to see that because Travis has not really been into messing with the horses since Sebastian (his old rescue ASB) passed away. But of course while they got to play I had to do the barn chores. I just got back up from giving Pixie her last hay snack of the day, and she definately didn't want me to leave her stall! I would walk one way in front of her stall and she would follow, then I would walk back the other way and she would follow me that way too! So I finally took the hint and spent about fifteen minutes brushing her. She's spoiled already--anyone that walks into the barn MUST stop to brush her for at least five minutes! If you don't, she lets you know that she is upset with you. She is quite funny.

More later!

First farm outing!

Pixie got her first look at the farm in the daylight... She wanted to go and make lots of friends! Unfortunately we want to keep her in quarentine for a week or so, but I did let her sniff Mickey across the fence for a moment. We took a thirty minute or so walk around the farm. Pixie has decided I make a good rubbing post for her head while we walk. I will have to work on that. When we returned and I let Suzy out of her stall for daily turnout, Pixie did work herself into a little tizzy. She was slightly appeased with a little bit of hay, and when Suzy returned Pixie settled back down. I'm going to try to get some better pictures of her tomorrow, but we'll see...

Finally here!

~Pixie~

That's certainly NOT pixie dust that she's covered in!!

First night at home

Pixie made her entrance (finally!!) last night around 9:30pm... I'm so glad the waiting (among other things) is over! She unloaded and made her way into the barn with only one decent sized snort, and immediately fell in love with her nextdoor neighbor (my broodmare/practice mount, RWC Callaway's Suzy). She seems pretty quiet natured... a tad aloof right now, but that's to be expected. I went down this morning and spent about an hour in with her, just grooming and messing around. Although she didn't want me to put a leadrope on her (I didn't push the issue, these first few days will be about making friends and getting to know each other), she did stand very still for me to brush her. She even acted like she enjoyed it. Mac (the foal) and Mickey (retired show horse, RWC Pure Heirogance) REALLY want to meet her! They're in the field closest to the barn, and they've been hollering at her all morning to ask her to come out and play!

Finally!

I just recieved a call from Kiersten and the horses are officially on their way! What a way to make a dramatic exit! Not sure of their ETA as of yet, but if they're on their way that is a step in the right direction.

Pixie doesn't want to migrate South...

Well, I recieved word last night that Pixie and long-time friend Quattro (who is also heading southward, Georgia to be exact) do not want to leave Kiersten! When the shipper arrived to pick them up last night (in the dark, apparently), neither one of them would load! So, the plan was to try again this morning, with a little more experienced horse help. I just recieved an email saying this morning was also a 'no-go'-- so Pixie's arrival here might be a little more delayed than we thought! ...

Will update later

Welcome to Pixie's blog

Hello! This is the blog following the daily ins and outs of the 2006 Saddlebred filly, Pixie. Pixie's current registered name is Images of You, but we plan to change it if she heads for the ASB show ring. She is by Who Wants To Be A Millionheir and out of Foxcaliber, by Fox Creek. Pixie is coming down here to Englewood, TN, from New York. She will have to adjust to Southern accents and warm weather! Pixie's road in life has yet to be determined. Thus far, she was bred by Hallston Manor and then taken for over a year by a wonderful lady from New York state named Kiersten. I found Pixie on trot.org and fell in love. Pixie will be started under saddle this summer when I have time to devote 100% to her training. In the meantime, she will become accustomed to being home and the family (other horses included!) can get to know her. Pixie will be coming down here at the end of this week, and I am very excited about that because we have been waiting several weeks for her!

Pixie herself may post from time to time, but I will do the majority of the posting. My name is Regena Breeden. I am a nursing student at Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN. I currently own one five-gaited show horse that resides up in Kentucky, a retiree gelding that I use for practice (although he would rather I practiced less!), a broodmare (who I also ride), and a just-turned yearling that I have bred and raised myself (who will be getting a blog of his own shortly). I've been riding since I was a child, and I've been dabbling in training since midway through my teen years. I have trained several horses to saddle, but I have never had a starter project horse of my own to work with. Pixie will be my project. If she shows a natural tendancy towards becoming a show prospect, I will send her up to my trainer's in Kentucky for formal saddleseat training. Until then, we will dabble and see where that leads us. I'll let her tell me what exactly she wants to become.