Fizzicus aka "Fizzi"
July 31, 2007
Hi, Elizabeth and Barry!
We were FINALLY able to get our internet service up and running,
so I am now able to send an update on Fizzi (AKA Fizzicus)!!
We moved to Aiken, SC just over a month ago. Fizzi is at a very
laid-back, quiet barn south of Aiken and about 10 minutes from
our house. He is turned out by himself in a big paddock. I think
he misses being out with other horses, but he's pretty bossy and
there's not really a good match for him at the barn right now.
I've been enjoying access to a large, fenced arena, a full size
dressage arena, a round pen, and lots of trails. Unfortunately,
there are no jumps or poles at the barn, so we haven't been able
to work over fences at all since we moved. I have given my dad
a project....building jumps for his "grandchild"!! Hopefully,
I'll have some
very soon.
Fizzi has been very quiet since the move. He's less stressed when
I ride him, because the arena is very quiet and not sitting right
on a busy road. We've done some work in the round pen. He didn't
understand it at all at first, but quickly got the hang of it.
Most of all, I've enjoyed riding him up and down the wide, sandy
road that runs to the back of the property.
We've done lots of trot and canter sets, and he really seems
to enjoy that. He did flat out run away with me once last week.
I think he thought we were headed back to the barn. I've been
very careful both before and since then to never let him take
charge when we're headed for home.
If anything, Fizzi has tended toward the lazy side. Sometimes
it is a challenge to keep him moving forward! He does love to jump,
though. I love that I can trot and canter him over fences without
him getting quick or strong. I'm really hoping that once our house
in Lawrenceville sells I'll be able to start taking regular lessons
and get him out to some shows.
I've attached some pictures from a ride last weekend. Marble,
the barn dog, loves to accompany us on the trails.
Come and visit us anytime you are over this way!
Amanda
May 12, 2007
Hi, Elizabeth and Barry!
My friend, Julie, and I took our horses for their first trail
ride today.
We went to the new Little Mulberry Park in Gwinnett County. We
weren't sure
what to expect, but our horses were great! Fizzi's balance up and
down
hills has improved tremendously in the past month, and he certainly
had a
chance to practice his skills today. Fizzi and Trendy really seemed
to
enjoy themselves...we can't wait to go back again!
Have a great weekend!
Amanda
P.S. The day ended on a good note when Fizzi actually loaded himself
onto
the trailer for the ride home!!
April 22, 2007
Hi, Elizabeth!
David went with me to the barn this weekend and took a few pictures
of Fizzi jumping. This was only about the third time I had asked
him to jump anything. He did well! He doesn't really see the point
of actually jumping these small fences. He just wants to trot over
them most of the time, but when he does decide to pick his feet
up, he's a lot of fun! I'm so out of practice myself at jumping
- we'll just have to improve together.
I enjoyed your Training
Notes on Bending. Some days are better
than others, but Fizzi is slowly learning that he CAN bend to the
right consistently. It can be frustrating, because he bends correctly
at one end of the arena and counterbends at the other. We'll keep
working on it!
Give all the horses kisses and hugs for me (especially Bounced,
says David!).
Amanda
April 5, 2007
Hello!
Fizzi jumped his first little fences today - some crossrails
and a small
vertical! He was such a good boy! Unfortunately, David left the
camera at
home, so we didn't get any pictures. Next time! I'm having so
much fun
with Fizzi. It amazes me just how much he learns and remembers
from one
ride to the next. He has quickly moved up to the alpha position
in his
pasture, and we've had to have several reminders that he is NOT
alpha over
me. But other than that, he has been great!
I hope you have a Happy Easter!
Amanda
March 18, 2007
Elizabeth and Barry,
I had to write and tell you about the fun Fizzi and I had yesterday! You
may remember my friend, Julie Moore. She came out to Bits and Bytes with me
once for a visit. Well, she was taking her OTTB mare, Southern Trend, to
the Athens area for a lesson with our event trainer. I decided to go for a
lesson myself and to take Fizzi along just for the experience. She stopped
by to pick us up, and though it took a while, Fizzi did load onto the
trailer without incident.
Fizzicus and Amanda are enjoying their lessons. March 2007
I was going to decide whether to borrow a horse or ride Fizzi in the lesson
once we got there and saw how he was handling the situation. He couldn't
have been quieter! I was so impressed all day long by how he took
everything in stride. I lunged him for a few mintues before getting on. He
was very quiet and cooperative throughout the entire lesson. The wind was
terrible, but he didn't seem to mind. Afterward, Julie and I decided to
cool the horses out by walking the galloping lane that surrounds the
property. Fizzi quietly followed Trendy for the first half of the walk.
Then he decided to take the lead. He wasn't bothered by barking dogs,
moving tractors, swooping birds, or anything else!
I couldn't wait to get home and tell David how great our boy was! My
trainer really liked Fizzi. One of her first comments was that he looks
like he could "jump the moon". She also thought he was a really nice mover
and a great fit for me. Based on my experience so far with Fizzi, I
wouldn't hesitate to purchase another off-the-track thoroughbred through
Bits and Bytes Farm. Feel free to give my contact information to any
potential buyers who have questions or need references!
Hope to come for a visit soon!!
Amanda
Click here to see a video of Fizzicus created by his dad David.
March 12, 2007
Hi, Elizabeth!
I am having so much fun with Fizzi!!
I lunged him several times
last week.
On Friday evening, as it was getting dark, I decided to get on
him for the
first time at the new barn. The arena is right beside a busy road,
so I was
a little nervous about whether the constant stream of cars and
headlights
would bother him. To my delight, he was completely focused on his
work and
never even offered to spook or look at anything. It was too dark
to get
pictures.
Yesterday, I rode him again and he was great! David took
some
pictures for me. Both he and the barn owner commented about how
Fizzi just "floats" at the trot. I dropped all of the vertical jumps
down to just
ground poles and we trotted several "courses". Fizzi
seemed to enjoy having
something fun to think about. After our ride, I hosed him off and
turned
him out in the pasture. As you can see from the picture, he immediately
checked on one of his mares and then dropped down for a good roll
in the
dirt. He seems quite happy with his life away from the track.
I can't thank you enough for helping me find Fizzi!
Amanda
March 3, 2007
Hi, Elizabeth and Barry!
Well, it took almost 4 months, but Fizzi finally made it home to
Lawrenceville!! He was quite upset about the trailer ride (Elizabeth,
thanks for all your help loading him). When I opened the door, he was
soaking wet and shaking. But he backed off the trailer calmly and walked
nicely with me across the barnyard and into his stall. After a roll in the
shavings, he drank some water and munched on his hay.
Fizzicus is enjoying his new home. March 3, 2007
Within 10-15 minutes,
he had settled in and was interested in the Tennessee Walking Horse mare
next door. He'll spend the next few days in the paddock next to the pasture
where he will eventually be turned out with the other horses.
David and I thoroughly enjoyed the time we spent at Bits & Bytes Farm, and
we are looking forward to visiting the farm and joining you guys on outings
very soon!
Amanda
February 24, 2007
Hi, Elizabeth and Barry!
It was good to see you both earlier today. I had a great time working with
Fizzi. My stamina is still not too good after the surgery, so I didn't get
to ride as long as I would have liked. Fizzi was a good boy, though, and I
know that we are going to have a lot of fun together! I've attached a few
pictures from our visit.
See you soon!
Amanda
Fizzicus and his dad David Curtis. February 24, 2007
February 11, 2007
Amanda Curtis finally got a chance to ride and enjoy her special boy. Just after she purchased "Fizzi", Amnada ended up having emergency surgery. She has finally recovered enough that her doctors are letting her ride. We are happy to report that Amanda enjoyed her Sunday afternoon ride on Fizzicus.
December 7, 2006 - Fizzicus learns about side reins with a bit.
Fizzicus will now accept a bit with side reins. He has learned to give to the pressure and lower his head.
At first, he was confused but he quickly caught on!
November 25, 2006 - Fizzicus learns to work on the lunge line
Fizzicus learns to lunge with Elizabeth - November 25, 2006
OTTB Fizzicus learns about side reins but without a bit for the first time.- November 25, 2006
The lunge line in now run through the surcingle to act like a rein. Fizzicus learned to give to the pressure very quickly and settled right down to work. - November 25, 2006
November 18, 2006 - Fizzicus meets his new mom and goes for a ride
Fizzicus meet his mom for the first time. It is love at first sight! - November 18, 2006
Elizabeth gives Fizzicus a test drive. November 18, 2006
Fizzicus is has a very light mouth. November 18, 2006
Fizzicus is a lovely mover and very comfortable to ride. November 18, 2006
November 14, 2006 - Fizzicus enjoys some green grass.
November 13, 2006 - Fizzicus is enjoying his stay at Bits & Bytes Farm
Fizzicus' coat matches the beautiful fall colors.
Fizzicus makes new friends with Political Pull and Finder's Chance.
Fizzicus' coat matches the beautiful fall colors.
Fizzicus Prospect Horses for Sale photo at the track taken on October 20, 2006
November 10, 2006
Fizzicus was originally listed on our Prospect Horses for Sale page before being quickly purchased by Amanda and David Curtis of Lawrenceville, GA. He arrived at Bits & Bytes Farm early in the morning of November 10, 2006 and will be boarding with us for a week or so. The photos below are of Fizzicus' first turn out after getting off-the-track. You can see his joy in being able to be a horse again - free to kick up your heels and roll in the mud!
Fizzicus is boarding at Bits & Bytes Farm in Canton, GA.
Fizzicus was purchased by Amanda and David Curtis of Lawrenceville, GA.
Fizzicus is boarding at Bits & Bytes Farm in Canton, GA.
OTTB Fizzicus enjoyed his first turn out at Bits & Bytes Farm. November 10, 2006
Fizzicus enjoyed his first turn out at Bits & Bytes Farm. November 10, 2006
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