Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Week 23

Part 16 in a series of Sarah Andrew's training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.

 Confidence.

You can see confidence in a Thoroughbred when he wins his first race. You can see it in the morning when the horse bounces on to the track.

In late October at the Second Call "Fall For Horses" All-Thoroughbred Charity Show and Festival, Ally-Gator (Jockey Club name Thewifedoesntknow) showed the same confidence. She was in a strange environment, surrounded by strange horses, and she performed like a star, earning ribbons in two classes.  

I only had time to watch Carole warm Ally up at the show, but it was a successful outing, and a hint of the great things to come in the show ring for this mare.

Five weeks after the show, Ally was brimming with even more confidence during our photo shoot. Just five months ago, she was fresh from the track, and learning her new career as a riding horse. Now, she has mastered the basics and shows them off with style. At the trot, her shoulder is freer, and she is able to carry herself and rely less on Carole for balance and guidance. As her topline improves and she becomes more muscular, she becomes more elegant and powerful.

Due to Hurricane Sandy derailing everyone's plans and schedules, Ally's training slowed a little. For the past couple of weeks, she and Carole did not do much jumping. As soon as they trotted up to the first cross rail on Sunday, Ally's expression perked up, and she bounced over it with enthusiasm. During her over-fences work, the mare's outline rounded, her eye brightened, and there was a spring in her step. Unlike horses who rush fences when they lack confidence, Ally - full of confidence - floated to each jump. 

After warming up over a few cross rails, Carole and Ally rode a line from one cross rail to an oxer. Ally accepted the new challenge with alacrity, rounding her neck and basculing over the fence. 

I got to see more of Ally-Gator's playful side when Rio, a resident barn cat, decided to hang around with us. 

Carole's daughter, Liz, rode Ally at the end of the session. She said she had not ridden the mare in a while, and it was a pleasure to watch her work with the mare. 

Liz rode Ally in a slightly looser and more forward frame than Carole did, and the mare adjusted nicely to her rider.

Each time I visit Ally-Gator, the mare blossoms more and more, both in her physique and in her personality. Clearly, she enjoys her new career, from jumping oxers to playing with cats to massage sessions. She came to this farm as a promising prospect, and now she's learning every new lesson with trust and confidence.  

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 5

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 7

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 8

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 11

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 12

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 15  

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 19

• Click here to read my interview with breeder Meg Buckley, who bred and raised Thewifedoesntknow

• Click here to read my interview with Tim Shaw, who trained "The Wife" at Monmouth Park and retired her as a sound sporthorse prospect

• Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race 

• Click here to read about Ally-Gator's massage session with Christie Kerr

• Click here to read Karen Hagy's conformation analysis of the Thewifedoesntknow, and see "before/after" photos of the changes in her musculature and hooves since she retired from the racetrack in June

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

 

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.  

 

Please click here to order your calendar now

 

 

 -Sarah Andrew

Horses and Hope: Sunny's Story

Part 5 in Sarah Andrew's Horses and Hope series, an uplifting look at how the equine community helps local horses in need. 

No two horse rescue stories are the same. The story of Sunny is a story of matchmaking, and a story of how one of my favorite horses arrived at one of my favorite rescues, and was adopted by one of my favorite people. 

Lisa Post of Helping Hearts Equine Rescue (HHER) remembers how Sunny, an American Mustang mare from the Twin Peaks herd in northern California, arrived at her New Jersey rescue:

"I first met Sunny as a fresh-from-the-BLM youngster. Her owner was a client who would trailer her over on occasion to get her out to see the world. When Sunny turned 3, she came to me to be started under saddle and thereafter for several years trailered in for weekly sessions with her owner and her friends. During the first year Helping Hearts was in existence, her owner contacted me asking for help placing Sunny. She'd been trying without success and was considering putting her down rather than sending her into questionable circumstances. There was no way I would let that happen. Sunny had always been a favorite 'student' of mine. Sunny was relinquished to Helping Hearts."

I first learned about Sunny when she was added to Lisa's list of HHER's adoptable horses. Although Sunny was not the perfect match for her previous owners, she sounded like the ideal horse for my friend Kris. Kris and I have been friends since college, and she was looking for her first horse. For a few years, she took riding lessons and leased a mare, and was ready to look for a horse of her own. The stout Mustang mare with the cat-shaped star on her forehead turned out to be just what she was looking for. 

 The intelligence of the Mustang is celebrated by horsemen, and Sunny had a clever plan for sealing the adoption deal when Kris met her at the horse rescue:

"When I read Sunny’s adoption posting, I thought she was a good age, a good size, and had some good experience.  I was intrigued by the fact that she was a Mustang, not a very common breed here in New Jersey.  I tried not to be too excited, because this was the first horse I was going to see in my search for a horse of my own.  My trainer and I went to meet Sunny, and we were both impressed, she had a beautiful trot and was generally pleasant to handle. As I stood next to Sunny discussing the adoption, she sealed the deal by putting her chin on my shoulder and licking my face. Clearly, this mare was coming home with me!"  

Trainer Carole Davison (also the trainer of TDN Blog star Thewifedoesntknow) accompanied Kris when she evaluated Sunny and rode her for the first time. 

 Although Carole's clients usually ride Thoroughbreds and warmbloods, Carole liked Sunny right away:

"When Kris asked me to take a look at a Mustang that she was interested in adopting as her first horse, I was a bit hesitant. However, the first thing I noted was her kind eye. Although she wasn't sure what was expected of her, she remained calm throughout the entire ride. Sunny is a very sweet mare, with a calm, confident demeanor. She is a comfortable ride with steady consistent gaits. Her canter has improved significantly. When Kris first brought her home she had a difficult time getting into as well as staying in the canter. She now steps into the canter easily, well balanced, and maintains a nice forward pace."

Two times a week, every week, Kris and Sunny train with Carole. Through the lessons primarily focus on dressage, they also school for judged trail rides, and are beginning a little work with cavaletti and small jumps.  

Their dedication and commitment was rewarded handsomely in 2012, when Kris and Sunny competed in their first two dressage shows, and scored in the high 60s (for those who are unfamiliar with dressage, those are great scores!). Sunny shows under the name Sunshine Daydream, as a nod to her California roots.

Kris is a true student of the horse, and always works hard to improve her communication with Sunny:

"Over the next year, I discovered that Sunny was all that I had hoped she would be – patient, smart, willing, and calm.  She is tolerant of my rookie mistakes in the saddle and my occasional bouts of fear, gamely trying her best to decipher my sometimes murky aids. Sunny is helping me to become a more confident rider, and already we have tried our hand at intro-level dressage and a judged trail ride."   

A judged trail ride is a very different type of competition from a dressage show.  A dressage show requires a horse to be intensely focused during a dressage test, which lasts less than ten minutes.  A judged trail ride is a test of a horse's willingness, bravery, and patience.

These rides can last over an hour, and horses are introduced to obstacles that they have never seen before, like the life-sized model horse pictured below. Sunny, in true Sunny fashion, tried to make friends with the "horse".

Don't let Sunny's primitive wild bay coloring fool you- she is built to MOVE. Her lovely conformation enables her to collect like a dressage horse, and also run and corner like a barrel racer. Genetic markers in the Twin Peaks herd have been linked to Spanish ancestry, and perhaps this is why she can move with such agility and grace.    

Descendants of US Army Cavalry and historic ranch stock are also part of the herd's genetic makeup, which might explain Sunny's amenable disposition.

This spring, Sunny was diagnosed with Equine Cushing's Disease, but with careful management and excellent veterinary care, it does not slow Sunny down at all. Kris and I board our horses at the same barn, and we've spent many, many hours enjoying trail rides together. I think Kris and Sunny are great riding buddies, and my horse Wizard agrees- he's quite fond of Sunny. 

 To know Sunny is to love her. Lisa Post worked hard to find the perfect home for her, and she couldn't be happier with Sunny's partnership with Kris, "I always considered Sunny a great example of what Mustangs have to offer. Now, partnered with Kris, she has become a great success story- a wonderful representative of both rescue horses and the American Mustang."

Kris is excited about a bright future with her lovely mare: 

"Sunny is an excellent ambassador for her breed; she is eminently practical with a steady and even temperament. It amazes me every day that a horse born in the wild could be so accepting of all the things we ask of our domesticated horses. We are daily becoming a better team, and I can’t wait to find out what we will accomplish together over the years. I am eternally grateful to Lisa Post at Helping Hearts Equine Rescue for allowing me the chance to become Sunny’s rider and caretaker, and to Sarah Andrew for pointing out the adoption posting (and countless hours of advice giving, commiserating, and encouraging!)."

 I'm sure Sunny agrees, Kris!

 

 -Sarah Andrew

 

Click here to read Horses and Hope: Tristan's Story

Click here to read Horses and Hope: Rosebud's Story 

Click here to read Horses and Hope: Georgia's Story 

 Click here to read Horses and Hope: Mimi's Story

 

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.  

 

Please click here to order calendars- they make GREAT gifts!

Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Week 19

Part 15 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.  

I FINALLY wrapped up production on the Horses and Hope 2013 calendar, and it goes to print this week. After several weeks of editing, archiving, researching, and all kinds of other fun things, I got to stop by Carole's barn and visit Thewifedoesntknow, also known as Ally-Gator.   

In New Jersey, the autumn leaves are starting to peak, and the horses are all enjoying the brisk air. Ally had a spring in her step while Carole warmed her up. Her neck has become more elegant and smoothly muscled. Her chest has spread more, and her engine? It just gets bigger and bigger. Her flatwork shows great progress. She has always had a very nice walk and canter, but now her trot is catching up with her other gaits. In this photo above, I see more push from the hind end and lightness in her forehand. 

Her canter has always been lovely, but it just gets better and better. Everything comes easily to her now. Her strides are fluid and relaxed. The walk-to-canter transition is improving on both leads. She accepts contact from Carole. This mare had a good work ethic on the track, and she continues to love to work in her new career.

 I thought Ally's flatwork was impressive until I saw what she's now doing over fences. She approaches her jumping with the same enthusiasm that she has during her flatwork.

As Carole schooled her over a variety of fences for our photo session, Ally's athletic ability was breathtaking. She simply floated over everything. It is clear that she is capable of jumping much larger obstacles when the time comes. For now, Carole is taking her time and building a good, confident foundation on the mare. They mostly work on schooling grids, poles, and simple lines, but it was a thrill to see a sampling of everything this mare can do now.

 Through a one-stride gymnastic line from a cross rail to an oxer, Ally showed scope and power.

 Over a little brush box, she showed confidence.

 Over a single vertical, she showed adjustability in her distances. She has the stride, the step, the style, and the form for the hunter ring, but I could also see her doing well as an eventer, since she has so much power and is such a confident jumper. Whatever she ends up doing, she will have her own fan club and personal blogger/photographer.

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 5

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 7

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 8

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 11

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 12

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 15

• Click here to read my interview with breeder Meg Buckley, who bred and raised Thewifedoesntknow

• Click here to read my interview with Tim Shaw, who trained "The Wife" at Monmouth Park and retired her as a sound sporthorse prospect

• Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race 

• Click here to read about Ally-Gator's massage session with Christie Kerr

• Click here to read Karen Hagy's conformation analysis of the Thewifedoesntknow, and see "before/after" photos of the changes in her musculature and hooves since she retired from the racetrack in June

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive.  

 

Please click here to reserve your copy now for mid-October delivery 

 

 

 -Sarah Andrew

Thewifedoesntknow Training Blog: Week 15

Part 14 in a weekly series of training blogs about Thewifedoesntknow, a Thoroughbred mare made famous by a viral YouTube video and who is now in training to be a show hunter with New Jersey-based trainer Carole Davison.  

 Ally and her trainer Carole had a week off from being in my blog spotlight, and when I returned to see them at San Sue Acres this Tuesday, some things had changed. Jackets replaced summer clothes. Horses played in the cool morning air, with steam blowing out of their nostrils. Ally-Gator (Jockey Club name Thewifedoesntknow) had sprouted a little bit of winter fuzz. Her coat is still very fine and soft, but it had a velvety feel and a rich color. She put on more weight and muscle since I saw her last. 

 When I photographed Ally's training session in Week 12, I noted that she had gained confidence from her schooling session at the horse show. During her ride this week, I saw that same confidence. Things that were once difficult are now easy. New challenges are met with enthusiasm.

 Trot sets are fluid and balanced. Canter work shows the mare's education and finesse. And the jumping? What can I say... the mare's a natural.

Last week, Ally graduated from cross rails to a few verticals. I love their approach in this photo- Carole has a loop in her reins so Ally can stretch her neck and bascule over the jump. But she did not throw everything away- she has her leg on the mare to guide her to the fence.

The way Ally jumps shows me that she is capable of jumping much higher fences. She jumps with enthusiasm, but never loses her cool; she is focused and very interested in her job.

During their ride, Carole worked on a course interspersed with verticals, cross rails, and single poles. The poles were excellent training tools, because they helped Ally place herself for successful approaches to the jumps. A few times, she found herself in a long spot, but took the distance with the confidence that her trainer gave her.

After their jump schooling, Carole asked Ally for a little hand gallop work. Ally responded with alacrity. All this jumping and cantering is fun!

The chilly morning air gave Ally a spring in her step. She purred excitedly during her ride, and Carole worked with the mare's extra energy instead of fighting against it.

After her workout, Ally was relaxed and content. Although her career has changed, Carole kept the consistent schedule that Ally had at the racetrack. Many Thoroughbreds thrive on a routine, and they are most happy when they are challenged with quality work. This mare is no exception, and it is plain to see that she loves her new job.

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 1

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 2

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 3 

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 5

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 7

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 8

•  Click here to read Training Blog, Week 11

• Click here to read Training Blog, Week 12

• Click here to read my interview with breeder Meg Buckley, who bred and raised Thewifedoesntknow

• Click here to read my interview with Tim Shaw, who trained "The Wife" at Monmouth Park and retired her as a sound sporthorse prospect

• Click here to read my interview with jockey Shannon Uske, who rode "The Wife" in her last race 

• Click here to read about Ally-Gator's massage session with Christie Kerr

• Click here to read Karen Hagy's conformation analysis of the Thewifedoesntknow, and see "before/after" photos of the changes in her musculature and hooves since she retired from the racetrack in June

IN OTHER NEWS

Horses and Hope 2013 Calendar

With the help of Gina Keesling of HoofPrints, my 2012 debut calendar contained over 100 photos of auction horses. Thanks to the support of horse lovers all over, it raised nearly $40,000 for One Horse At A Time, helping hundreds of horses in need directly, and untold others indirectly through increased public awareness. Now that we have one calendar's worth of experience to draw upon, the 2013 version promises to be even more exciting, even more creative, and as always, inspirational and positive. 

Please click here to reserve your copy now for mid-October delivery 

 

 

 

 -Sarah Andrew