Home Again

Well, here I am, home once more. In my own room and [YEY] in my own BED! I do so miss my delightful bed when I am away from it... so fluffly and comfortable... Anyways!

The horses travelled like rockstars. Our trip was mostly uneventful. The trailer brakes tried to pretend they didnt work, but D fixed that up right quick and our lives were saved. Goliath performed admirably, and is settling into a comfortable semi-retirement, carting me around the area to teach for now, until I re-aquire Reggie from El Popsy.

Mo and Indy are pleased with their new pasture mate, Rocky. He and Indy are having quite the little Battle Royale, to determine who indeed is truly in charge. It is pretty entertaining to watch. Indy has decided that Mo is her personal property, and to be protected at all costs from the Usurper [Rocky] Every time Rocky comes over she herds Mo away and protects her 'herd of two' from the intruder.

She is getting better now, more pal-y with Rocky. He is completly smitten with her. I brought them out some grain the other day and he wouldnt let me put his more than a foot away from her, and since she was ok with that I did. He just politely stood next to her, munching on his lunch. Looking wistfully at Indy while she ate, hoping she might like him. Too funny.

Mo has come into heat now, so thats complicating Indy's attempts to keep her and Rocky apart, but for the most part she is still accomplishing her chosen duty. A few nicks on Mo betray that she hasnt stayed away compeltely though, and thats ok. All three of them are VERY dominant horses, so it has been very interesting to see how they play together. Indy will pin her ears and threaten to kick Rocky and he will keep a happy expression and not even flinch, while he just turns his rump to her and looks back and her and she moves now.

I think Indy and Rocky are still checking each other out, but he may come out on top, or at least tie with Indy. Mo is out of the race, she doesnt seem to be bothered anymore by not being in charge, Silly pony.

Now all I need is some sunshine and some warmer temperatures and I will be all set!!

:-)
S

WHEEHOOOOO!!!

I PASSED MY FIRST LEVEL FOUR SAVVY!!!!   - FREESTYLE!!!!!

We interns tested out with the Externs that just left, and I just got my results back today during my exit review and I passed my L4 freestyle!!!!!! *This* close to liberty, just would have needed a flying change of direction. 3++ in the other two savvys.. well, technically pre-L4 in finesse, as there is no 3, but same difference!

WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!

Here is what I put on Parelli Connec the day of the test :-)

Freestyle testing today. It went well-ish. I was pleased, but not satisfied I guess you could say. Mo was in a GO mood, so our stopping wasnt great, and it was slippy in the round corral in parts, so I felt out of balance when she moved… more bareback riding time! YEY!


The test was to start in a round pen, mount bareback [I am not talented enough to jump up from the ground so we used the fence] Once we were mounted we had to back up, walk a lap, trot a lap and canter four laps in both directions. That went pretty well, though it took Mo a few tries to get her balance on the right lead – which I found interesting, since she has been getting really good. From there we jumped off, saddled, remounted and headed out of the round pen to jump a log [which Mo WAY WAY overjumped!!! But we lived!] from there we were to go open and close a gate [went well] push a ball [Mo is great at that] and then pick up and move a bucket from one barrel to another. Things got dicey here! I had a halter with a savvy string on Mo, since I found out about the carrying things task, and it was a REALLY GOOD thing! I picked it up and things were ok, but when we started walking Mo got really tight and was going to super spook and bronc [its happened before] so I opted to drop the bucket and bend to a stop. Turned out well, I just dismounted and put the bucket back on the barrel and tried again. This time it worked out :-) We made it to the other barrel. Yey Mo! Its funny she has this reaction with buckets and cones, because I can take off coats and put them on the fence, or pick them up and carry them in a similar way no problem… more friendly game needed with this kind of thing obviously! After the bucket there was a weave pattern to do, which required drop to trot canter lead changes, which I think Mo actually did a good job at. She was go-ey, but she tried really hard for me, which I apreciate! Then it was off to the question box! Right canter depart [got the left lead, but fixed it on the first try] for two laps, simple change to the left for two laps, flying change to the right was called for [did a simple change] for a lap and then flying change to the left which we GOT and then stumbled, but still it was cool :-) for one more lap, then stop in the centre for 7 seconds. No problem! The goal was to do this with arms folded. I dont remember folding my arms because I had a carrot stick, but I didnt use the stick, and I had no reins to use, so YEY! I felt great about that part. We then had to show walk, trot, canter, halt, backup transitions down the center of the arena. Mo was go-ey on her stops, but we managed. Then sideways for twenty feet both ways, which was good, if a little forwards leaky. Overall, I felt pretty good about it. I know there was things we could have done better, but I was mostly really pleased! Afterward we trotted and cantered the whole way to the lodge to find the next person and then played around a little in the playground before going back to untack. Super fun day!
 
Cant believe we did it!!!!
 
 - S