Bareback Balance

I worked on my balance bareback with Mo yesterday. Interestingly enough, it was Indy who met me at the gate though. That was a nice treat so I just gave her a hug and some scratches and left her on her way. Mo was in the shed so I went over to say hi. She looked happy and walked over to me. After I haltered her I did a few little porcupine games including asking her to 'park out' like a hackney to lower her back for my less than profiecient bareback mounting attempts. I didnt actually get all the way on today, just swung up and managed to hook my leg on her hip. Thank you Mo for just standing there gawking at me.

When I brought her over to a post for me to stand on she siddled right up to me, so I took that as a good sign. When I sat down she walked off. Ugh. I should have gotten off right then, becuase that is a Mo telltale bad sign, but I didnt, I just thought.. I dont know what. So we walked off and Mo was either super impulsive or super trying to get back to the barn. Joy. Bareback on her when she is impulsive and all over the place is not a confidence inspiring thing so I got off [ finally] and went into a big focus debate with her.

She was thinking all towards the barn to I said let me help you, think about the barn, and back in that direction as fast as you can. Her speedy backing really has no sense of direction [we are working on that generally, when focused more] so she went wiggley and got turned around and headed over to the barrels I have in the feild. At the barrels I turned our game into a fast squeeze over, back and forth, back and forth, until she *finally* checked in with me and went "What?! Why am I so energetic??" When she could think I changed the game to circle over the barrels, which was actually pretty successful.

When we were both happy I remounted and we went after Legend who was patrolling the frog population near the road. Mo locked her target on him and when he started racing back to the barn I had to remind her to listen to me, not just follow blindly. We started some trotting circles around the telephone pole for balance and maintain gait, that went well. Both directions. Then what seemed like forever later we played with transitions within gait, fast trot slow trot, which was surprisingly good. I was surprised anyways.

Finally I asked for a canter and got a lovely slow collected UPHILL canter, which I stopped after half a circle before it could degrade [and Im PROUD of that] So we continued our pattern of half circles then trot and then canter transitions. Even some sideways trotting, which was really neat. Our cicles eventually moved from the semi weedy telephone pole area to a flat grassy spot near there. We proceded with more canter transitions and stopping until we changed directions and I realized I wasnt getting my right lead.

I tried a zillion and one different things from all the new things I have seen to try and help her, even a few things from 'normal' books once or twice just to see. In the end, of course, [srsly it makes me ache inside that this is what worked.. ache from laughing I mean] what worked was the very first thing I should have tried. You know in the old Level 2 when Pat asks for canter leads, he sticks on hand out and one hand back? Yeah, that. THAT is what helped Mo get it right. I tapped her bum on the outside to get her to think back there at the trot and then when I asked for a canter, she counter bent her body [ to the outside] in a gigantic effort[it was really REALLY weird] and launched herself into the right lead canter. Hmmm. Ok. I let her canter out to the telephone pole before stopping her.

We got it three times before I called it quits. When we got to the barn I let Mo go in the backyard to graze, a treat for her efforts...

So another weird ride. Interesting and prodictive for sure, but weird. I think Mo has spring fever, except its fall...?

:-)
S

Power

Today she and I fought. This morning and this evening. She ruined my mood, she ruined my ride, and I let her.

I hate her just a little for that. That she has the ability to get under my skin and force my mood to sway. No longer. I refuse to give that power to anyone. My temperment will be my own. It is mercurial enough without the aid of others.

Just before going to the barn harsh words followed me out the front door. My mood plummeted and all I wanted was solace in my horse. Mo's day, it was today. We would have fun, she and I, flying unfettered through the pastures.

As I walked out to catch her I forcibly set my mood aside. I had to, Mo can scent a bad mood a mile away and unerringly goes the opposite direction. I thought I had myself in check. I thought I was alright. I was pleased that I could set aside such trivialities and be in the moment for my horse. She caught me, I caught her and I just hugged her, she smelled faintly of week old show sheen.

On the way back to the barn we played some little games like falling leaf and stick to me. No matter how fast I run, Mo can trot faster. I need a new tactic to garner the canter. In the barn I tied, brushed and tacked her. Back out to the pasture we went, armed with a camera to hopefully take some film of the two of us playing.

Online went well, I think. Mo was light with lots of draw. It wasnt long before I mounted and, inspired by our online connectivity, I took off the halter. A boarder came out then, to catch her horse. Mo saw her and checked out. Foolishly I thought I would be able to garner her attention back. I was wrong. After two attempted take offs to the barn I got off. I put her halter back on. I fashioned our 22' line into a hackamore. My forcibly put aside negativity and pain was returning. Of all the days I could have used a flawless amazing ride, this was one of them.

Remounted, I directed Mo onto a circle. On said circle she defined the laneway side as terror for no reason I could discern so I ignored her obious cues and pushed her, into a figure eight patterns, varying with just circles at a trot and canter. Our canter maintaining gait was miserable so I added more energy via lead portion of the hackamore. That helped, fixed it compeltely actually, but I used it for the wrong reason.

I was getting frustrated again, and in my head I knew it was all because of her. I knew I shouldnt let her intrude on my session with Mo this way. I knew Mo didnt understand my shortness or being abrupt. I must say though, that compared to times gone past, I was very much in control of myself. A very large statment for the growth of my emotional fitness I believe.

Finally I gave up on staying in the tiny area dictated by the video camera's perch on a barrel. I let Mo go basically where she pleased and asked her for speed. We galloped around the pasture three times before she asked me a question, she was that uptight. Because of me, and me because of her. When we finally walked out, and went back into the barn, there was lather beside the girth. More anger at myself. It wasnt lather from exertion. It was from emotional unease. Unease I caused. Kudos to Mo for controlling herself fairly well though, in her past we would have be galloping bucking uncontrollably around the pasture. She is more inclined to stop these days, when I ask.

I untacked her rather hurridly and then walked her up the laneway. This is the part that kills me... the part that was nearly my undoing. The whole time I was walking her, Mo kept loking at me every four steps or so... just a swing of the head, glance over, plain as day, asking me "Are you ok?" It was then that I realized what had happend, how I had once again allowed outside folly to influence my time with her, it was then that the tears tried to make an appearance. Then, as now, I pushed them away, marking them for weakness.

On the return trip to the barn Indy stood in the shelter, head straining over the fence, looking for us, for me, concern writ on her face as well. They may have no voice we can understnad, but that doesnt mean they lack wits. Both my girls knew of my internal turmoil, and both struggled to help me.

I fed Indy some treats when she met me at the gate, hugged her nose, but then had to ask her to move to protect my herd of two with Mo. Mo stayed at the gate for a bit, obviously trying to console me. Ive never felt such an outpouring of support from any person as I have felt from those two horses this afternoon. All without words. It was beautiful.

On the drive home and the subsequent drive to class this evening I contemplated my situation. She cannot be allowed this effect on me any longer. It has been going on for nigh on two years. I can not emotionally handle the jagged lows she creats that accompany my personal highs. Not any more. It is highly unlikely that her confrontations will cease, but I have made the descision to refrain from allowing them to affect me this deeply. It is unfair to Mo, Dakota and Indy, who have to deal with me on these occasions. It is unfair to myself to try to handle this trauma alone, in my own head.

Once the choice was made I felt like a weight was lifted from me. I have made this 'choice' before, but always kept a peice of the woe for myself. For whatever masochistic sad reasons my heart had for hanging onto to that tiny sliver of pain, it is gone now. Whatever happens, it will just happen and I will move on. I do not need to cry Woe is Me any longer. Effort will be made to focus on the delight not the distress. It is done. She will have no power over me any longer. I am free

Who is she? She is my mother.

Sunday, Sunday

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Not so much in the sense of weather - it was humid and threatening rain, although gracefully breezy - but in the sense of what events came to pass.

Saturday during the day my aunt had told me "If its not raining tomorrow, come over and make me ride!" So Sunday morning when I woke up and things were drying off from the night time downpour, I was quite enthused. I walked into their kitchen and proudly announced "Its muggy, its cloudy, its breezy, and we are going riding!" Turned out all four of us would be mounted this day!

When I went to fetch Indy the funniest thing happened. All of the horses except Mo were down by the lower fenceline, bordering Candy's paddock. Mo was off near the road on the barn side. I had to wade through ponies in order to achieve my goal [Indy] because I have been going out for undemanding time with treats in my pockets so now all of the horses are my best friends. I shared a few treats before starting to protect my herd of two and haltered Indy quietly and calmly.... until behind me I hear thunder. No, not thunder. Mo.

I turned around to see what was going on and I see Mo galloping hell bent in our direction looking right at me. She gallops by and I laugh at her and call her name so she trots over with this "You have the wrong horse haltered" look. It was priceless. She hasnt figured out she will be stuck with me for six weeks straight yet....

I gave her some crunches from my pocket while Indy stands back indifferent, and Mo just looks at me with bright eyes. Aww... I hugged her and loved on her a bit, but I really really wanted to take Indy out so I eventually [softly] asked Mo to move. You would think I shunned her for leprosy or something at the way she took off galloping away. My whole [considerable] walk back to the barn was followed by an entourage consisting of the entire herd, with one dorky Mo galloping circles around us with her tail and head up like an Arab, and then trotting for all her Hackney blood is worth. Jesus. What a goober. A gorgeous goober, but a goober none the less. It was hysterical.

My aunt and Chelsea were standing at the fence post when we got closer and asked me what was up with Mo. I had to answer jealousy, because that was completely what it looked like! It was like Mo had super sonic hearing/eyesight and as SOON as I tied that knot on Indys halter she thundered over.

Before I brought Indy into the barn I called Mo's name again and she came to get more hugs, so I am glad she wasnt offended enough to not want her hugs. After I brought Indy back I brought Mo some treats at the gate to, which she came over willingly for, so that was good. An offended Mo is never a good thing, it behooves one to stay in her good graces.

*Pan back to Indy* I spent some time gussying up Indy and saddled her in the stall mostly just because I was trapped and had to kill time. When I could get out, we did and went to play on the ground in the ring. We played with our figure eights with barrels, and I found out that blocking zone one with the carrot stick works better to slow her down than using the rope, so neato!

Indy offered me some really nice sideways steps as well as relatively fast backwards at phase one. She also offered some BEAUTIFUL vertical flexion out on the circle at a trot, stretching into the saddle and new shim positions again. So that was nice. I switched to my hackamore and felt spoiled because the mounting block was out. I sent Indy over to investigate it and she was so cute. She went over to it, sniffed it, and just stood there resting her nose on it until I came over.

When I climbed up onto the block she actually positioned herself for me to! How sweet! Once mounted we set off at a walk [very energetic] and worked on our follow the rail at a walk and trot, with lots of back up transitions - which are getting better! We didnt canter A) because it was to wet and B) because I have decided she needs more balance before we up our speed.

It was a really nice feeling though when she was responsive off of my leg. Both in speed and in turning. It wasnt long ago that I had neither. What a treat. Our general group plan had been a mini trail ride for our outing. So ring stuff was basically just a warm up. A good one though. I have to be more concious of transtions in the trot though. I get so caught up in her wonderful flowy giant stride that I forget to ask for transitions.

Chelsea opened the gate for us as we headed out down the trail. Chelsea and Tripp were in the lead, with Colleen and Candy second, then Indy and me and Aunty and Tucker. We trotted most of the trail, I had to make sure to give them a head start so Indy's super trot wouldnt just over take Candy's pony trot in two strides. It worked out well.

When we decided the galloping trail was to moist for action we walked up the laneway - some where Indy has never been ridden before. I trusted her with a casual rein, and my trust was returned tenfold - she was a STAR! Indy was perfect! Tripp spooked once right in front of us because Legend was rustling in the bushes and she responded perfectly when I did a one rein stop, stopping and relaxing completely. She had only tensed a little when Tripp jumped, but still, I was very proud!

We wandered up the laneway, wending our way slowly until we hit the road. At the road we decided to make a left and ride out the width of the pasture. A good first road ride for Indy - and Tucker for that matter. Indy looked a bit crosswise at the mailboxes, and one of those electric kid cars someone had in their laneway, but I never pushed her and just let her do her own thing. It was perfect. Indy was perfect. We rode the whole time on a completely casial rein, relaxed, happy and interested! I was SO PROUD!

When we got back to the barn and untacked we brought the horses to graze in the backyard. Chels actually got a leg up onto Tripp, so I got an idea and brought Indy over to get personal with Mr. Trampoline. That went super well and I was able to mount her from the crinkly trampoline! How cool! I was pretty proud of the to - especially since the siddling up/sidepass towards thing Mo does isnt something I have taught Indy yet. So YEY Indy!

When I finally let her go out the back gate, she stayed and waited for me to run and get her another handful of crunch. She even kept her happy look when I ran back directly towards her!

What a spectacular horse... she is so clever! I will have to make sure to play with Mo a few sessions in a row now though to aleviate any residual jealousy *giggles*

:-)
S

Just Incredible...

Perhaps I should named Indy Incredible instead of Individuality. Perhaps...

Last night was just flat out amazing. Just phenomenol. I couldnt stop smiling at her and calling her wonderful clever and beatiful. Like every good diva, Indy preens at the compliments [or I just imagine she does..]

Fun things started when I went out into the pasture to secure me a pony.... they were all on the far side of the feild, completely ignoring me. I filled my pockets once more with crunches and started my trek out. Pleasantly surprising was the fact that Clarisse, the six million year old pony, walked RIGHT up to me! She and King had been hanging out at the "Spot" where all the horses stand in the high summer to swish each others flies. She walked straight up to me, ears up, super happy and was all "Hi!! How are you? Whats going on!" She looked so happy and sweet and I felt privilaged that she chose to come say hi that I gave her some crunches and a hug before continuing on my way.

Here now, is something that REALLY surprised me! I was maybe one hundred feet from where the herd was congregated - even Mo. One hundred feet away, I whistled and called Indy - she looked up but didnt move - but CRYSTAL, [yes, seriously, the horse that isnt even mine!] Crystal looked up, saw me, went OH BOY and walked enthusiastically ALL THE WAY OVER TO ME! Holy cow, I was just floored. What a doll. I gave her lots of scratches and crunches for that - at least until Mo got jealous and came trotting over to see what the fuss was about. What a goober. Mo got hugs and crunches to before I went over to Indy. Talk about starting off with a nice high!

Indy was with her new bff Tucker and didnt really want to leave him but when I was close enough they both came forwards. More crunches. Indy surprised me a LOT when I went to halter her. I even took extra stock notes in my head when it happened because I wanted to emphasize the importance of it! Indy TURNED HER HEAD towards me - over and down, just like we have been playing with - and offered to be haltered, no questions asked! WOW!! That is HUGE for her!! HUGE I tell you!!

So after much gushing and loving I asked for a driving in zone three ish game on the way back to the barn. It took her a little while to get up her confidence to step out in front of me but she did! We went over and jumped the tree a few times, played falling leaf a tad and some beginning stick to me. Her energy and play were coming up nicely! Interesting to note that Indy's dominance comes up in equal doses as her play drive comes out... will have to be careful with that - had to remind her not to pin her ears at me twice.

In the barn after being beautified we went out to the ring. I put the saddle on the rail and grabbed a 22' line. On our walk into the barn we had a walk and a very slow lagging trot so we played with send means SEND to the point where I pointed and she took off at a canter - BUT [my goodnes this is a BIG day for Indy] - SHE NEVER HIT THE END OF THE LINE!!! She used to pull and lean on the line relentlessly, but not yesterday! Not even when she tore off like a lunatic! WHOOHOO!!! I was soo ecstatic!

We played with figure eights to - Indy got it really quickly to! Got some really nice soft sideways by accident... which was fun. I was in zone four asking for forwards but I guess I asked wrong because I got super delightful sideways... *insert more gushing over Indy here*

About now I saddled up, it went really well! Indy is starting to be more animatedly interested in the process, licking and chewing, and wanting to investigate the tack. Wonderful! I actually rearranged my shims last night to. After Mo's indefinable session, I decided to try a new shim pattern. Seems I am on the mark for Indy at least because while trotting around for girth tightening stretching down and arching her neck.... So there I am spinning on my circle when I am supposed to be standing still, mouth gaping open, drooling over how she looks.... WOW... does even cover it... I will definately have to try to get pictures of this. These little flashes of what she *could* be, what she will be, are just incredible.

So after picking up my jaw from the ground, I finally mount up [from the ground, yey me!] I started out with a carrot stick, and found that I am slowly getting actually direction control with my legs! WHOOO!!! I cant even express my joy at that. After YEARS of riding side dead lesson/camp horses - even Kota sometimes, it is such a pleasure to ride a sensitive horse. Not that I would qualify Indy as sensitive yet, but she is on the road! Mo on the other hand... I have to work on that since she is getting *too* sensitive. I need to define more what means turn the corner vs sideways etc... She tries so hard and is so light though, so its all good.

Indy and I did some walk trot and trot halt transitions while playing follow the rail in both directions. She is really good at that. I ended up ditching the carrot stick because my darling had her giant stride on today and I wanted to be able to grab mane should I lose my balance - eventually I will stretch my balancing talents to doing all sorts of things while she trots, but for now I am pleased just to keep my seat and stay out of her way so her confidence stays intact!

I really got to test how our yeilding to leg was going without the stick - and to see how she responded if I talked with rein. I found that she is a little like Mo, and will stick her nose where the rein goes [if I use it] but may or may not always follow with the body. Interesting. Moving off the leg was pretty good considering three rides ago I had NOTHING. She also has a little bit of the Mo thing where if I ask to turn a corner she checks if I mean faster first... oh extroverts!

After a whole honking bunch of transitions and follow the rail I got bored [*coughextrovertcough*] and so we went to the gate to head for the trails. Another moment of Indy-genius. She REMEMBERS how we need to move to open the gate. As soon as I focused on it and thought 'I need to move over to reach it' poof, there she was, softly moving sideways so I could grab the gate - we got through the whole gate opening process without a single hitch. WOW!! I love my horse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So we set off, at a lovely sedate walk on a casual rein. We moved up to a lovely sedate trot [a DREAM to sit] and then Indy sort of went "OH BOY! The TRAIL!" And went power trotting... I kid you not. I felt like a total slob posting to her trot because I was working so hard to find the right rhythm! Her stride when she does that is ENORMOUS. I finally found some vague sense of harmony and it just felt like flying. A minor hitch occured at the top of the hill where we can see the river. A cleverly places heron took off at just the wrong time and Indy went "OHNO"... and forze. Boy it was bizzare. She froze, to the spot, rigid, tense, *thinking* about running. Hmm.... I wondered what on earth I should do and opted for lateral flexion. Well as soon as I touched the rein she snapped out of her fuge and sort of spun to run home, but because I was already bending her we didnt go anywhere but in a circle. Whoo for right choices in that 50/50 draw!

She braces, and looked paniced for a short while, and then, miraculously, released to the pressure and sighed! I gave her a few crunches for extra distraction and we set off at that ground eating trot again. A few times she broke to a canter, but I just brought her back to the trot and left her alone on a casual rein. It was sooooo hard for me to do that. My head was literally screaming at me to slow her down. But it was just my lack of confidence. I went through the same thing with Mo's speedwalking. This is just how Indy trots!! She was calm, cool, and fully present, looking around, not spooking, nothing. It was all me - just because her stride is big and I am not used to it. So in a monumental feat of internal strength I grabbed mane with the hand on the reins so I wouldnt pull subconciously and just focused on finding my harmony with her. I am quite proud of that.

We went up the hill at the end of the trail, and down the galloping trail a bit at a walk before it pushed a threshold, so we turned around and walked - a fast, flowy free walk - all the way back down the trails at to the barn. When I dismounted at the barn Indy turned her head and looked at me like "That was fun!" and that is exactly how I want her to feel!! I let her graze for a while after unsaddling. She was super soft yeilding her head when I eventually let her go.

I am sooooooooooooooo beyond proud of Indy. She is fabulous, and has so much potential!

:-)
S

Good/Bad/Interesting

Given the title of this entry you should have some idea that I have no idea what to think of last nights session with Mo. I really dont. A few things were off kilter - I forgot my ipod and I had a time limit - that I think affected me in some way.

When I got to the barn all of the horses were in the shed hiding from bugs. Those blasted little tiny blackflies that never went away all summer. Walking to the barn I called Mo's name and she looked over at me ears forward, good sign! I filled my pockets once more before going out. I forgot to grab a halter.

Indy was at the very edge of the shed so that when I went through the gate I could see her bum. I called her name and much to my surprise she turned around and came over to me! Hmm!! I gave her some treats and checked that her milk wasnt causing problems and was confronted with Tucker, who was watching the whole procedure with intense curiosity. Tucker is usually kind of a reculse to me, doesnt like to be scratched on his face at all. I offered him a chance to sniff me and gave him a crunch. He looked pleased at that so I went back to loving on Indy a bit more before going to find Mo. On the way I met Pride again, who looked thrilled that I had another treat for her.

Past Pride was Delilah, who actually half pinned her ears in my direction! When she did, I stopped and then she sort of did a double take and went "Wait.. what?" And looked at me ears up so I gave her a treat to. Interesting. Behind her was Trixie and Mo, with Tripp in between the two. As soon as I ducked under Delilah's neck, Tripp turned around and made to leave. Trixie and Mo on the other hand looked really happy!! I spent some time with those two while Tripp left - which made me sad but it really is not my business.

I got Trixie to move eventually, along with Delilah's bum so Mo and I could leave and off we went. We hit a minor hitch when Indy blocked our way at the end and Mo left when I went to move Indy - jealousy I think . The second time I brought Mo forwards we got to the gate no problem and I let her into the barn. She went down the aisle and into Prides stall.

When I got the gate latched Indy was there looking sad, wanting dinner so I got her some more crunches. When I fetched Mo out of the stall she was looking very pleased with herself. I brushed and saddled her in the aisle and then we were on our way with a 22' line. We played in the riding ring because the bugs are less vicious there.

I wanted to play with the figure 8 pattern, but needed to retrieve a barrel from the re-flooded portion of the ring. I backed Mo out of the way [so the rope wouldnt get wet, I admit] and proceded in my retrieval pattern.... until Mo went beserk and ran like an insane horse around me. Thankfully, my hand was phase 4 pattern interrupting before my mind conciously acknowledged what had happened. [Interesting to note that I think - one small bit of unconcious competence]

Mo looked very 'up' so I sent her around behind me and backed her a bunch until she remained reasonably attentive then went back to moving my barrel. She moved again, but not insanely, to over in front of my, so instead I just asked her to back away from the barrel as I rolled it. Strange pony.

We played with the figure eight pretty nicely at a trot, with even a few offers to fix her own mistakes when she was going to miss the barrel. That was cool.

When she was ready I mounted up with a 12' tied in one rein and a carrot stick. Riding around at a walk was fine, we chased Candy out of the ring, even getting some back and sideways nicely in our pseudo bridless fashion. At the trot things sort of fell apart. Im not really sure why. I think maybe her confidence just wasnt there so I decided to 'hold her hand'. That worked really well for Dakota last time I had him at Auntys and we got some really great stuff accomplished.

I tied my 12' into reins and ditched my carrot stick. Mo's head was up, so to get a soft feel my reins ended up quite short, which was a semi-novel experience. Off we went into trot/halt transitions and doing a figure eight exagerated and huge around one of the barrels we used earlier and the lonely barrel in the far end of the ring. Mo was really soft in the halter. I was actually surprised. 'Usually' she likes to push against me when I take up any kind of contact on the halter.

Our transitions were good, and she was blowing and calming down so I asked for a canter. Oh boy... scattered! It was rished, it was fast, it felt discombobulated. Oh my! Hmmm... why? I sitll dont know. So I tried to work on canter walk transitions with some full downward all the way to backing thrown in for good measure. Things got better with that. Our canter departs got fairly snappy. I think I wasnt helping to much because I was fighting to stay on my balance point in the Wintec Wide which seemed to be riding really low on her today.... I will have to experiment with more shims in different places or something.

So we went around, with a soft feel and short reins. Things werent great, but niether was I having to phase 4 disengage to stop her. It was all softly done. I remember thinking this is what it should be, and what Pat means when he says softer..softer.. go softly in all those colt starts. Just because Mo's freestyle is getting good, doesnt mean her baby finesse will be. Or does it?

I find I need to relax. Whether it was the saddle or not, I had a lot of tension in my body last night. I had a hard time following her body, a small ache in my back and I generally felt stiff. If I felt like that, how did Mo feel?? I am going to try some different shimming techniques and see if that helps...

When things were mostly ok in the ring I decided to practice my canter fluidity on the trails because of the long straight stretches. I also remember thinking that it *might* be a mistake. Hmm... I cant decide if it was or not. It certainly wasnt what I wanted to do. Mo was tight, concerned that every clump of grass was going to kill her, and only calmed down on the last bit of the ride back to the barn. Suffice to say, my fluidity didnt improve at all.

Even right when I dismounted I couldnt decide how to feel. I dont know how to feel about the session. I am proud that she was soft and responsive, but there was tension and unhappyness about it.... I just dont know.... so we will see where it goes from here.

I am thinking more and more about a Fluidity Saddle for Mo and me - and Indy and Kota to. I am just tired of struggling to find balance in the Wide, and I am not sure the other saddle fits Mo right... let the saving begin I suppose.

:-)
S

New Best Friends

I completely forgot to post what I did on Tuesday so here it is, two days late, but here none the less.

Tuesday I wasnt feeling so great so I just filled up my pockets with treats and went out to see who wanted to do what. If anything at all.

Everyone was sort of out in the middle of the pasture so I made my way over there, just causually, not in any great hurry. Indy was the first horse I encountered, which was well and good because I needed to check her out and make sure her milk wasnt clumping and things. She was very pleased to recieve treats, not so much to have me fiddling with her full bag. She was really good about it though.

Interestingly, while I was taking care of Indy, Mo, from her place off to the right away [and further] from us, started walking AWAY from us. HONESTLY! I sort of *headdesk*'ed at that moment, wondering why on earth Mo would be walking away from me now of all times. I hadnt even so much as glanced her way yet!! She wandered over to the left where the other horses were and stopped.

When I finished with Indy, who looked sad as I took my treat filled pockets with me, I started to vaguely make my way over to where Mo almost was. I stopped at Trixie to say hi because Mo was giving me shifty looks. When I started to talk to Trixie Mo walked away.,.. again. This time over to Crystal, who she hates, so I dont know whats up with that. King was just beyond both Mo and Crystal so I sort of said "Mo and Crystal dont exist.. HI KING!" in my head. Interestingly, as I was passing them, heading to King [who hadnt yet realized my pockets were full] Mo sort of swung around to look at me and went "HEY! I didnt see you there! How is it going? Nice day huh?" And started walking with me.

I gave her a little treat and loved on her some. We walked in a curvy line and she followed me. Until I stopped. Mo kept walking. She walked like she had a great purpose in mind. It was pretty funny. So off Mo walked, while I dallied with King and Crystal, who both tackled me for treats - albeit politely. When I turned to check Mo's progress, I saw that both her and Indy were heading for the barn. Hmmm....

When I started after them Crystal came with me. Trixie then came up behind us so I stopped and waited and she opted to sniff me so I rubbed her. She licked and chewed at that. Interesting. When I turned to walk away, I hear this commotion behind me and then Trixie shoots by me in an all out gallop to the barn. Ok....

So now, all standing in the immediate vicinity of the gate are Mo, Indy, Trixie, Crystal and King. All looking at me. Indy is standing by the gate, looking at me and then meaningfully at the gate. Mo is at the old fence posts looking at me quite smugly like "See? I know the game plan! You come out.. we go in the barn" King was trying to harrass Mo with his little tiny pinned ears.. Mo just gave him one sort of "Seriously?" look and ignored him. Crystal and Trixie were both looking my way with fascinated expressions...

When I got closer Mo came over for more hugs. Which I obliged and then Trixie inched over slowly to, like she wasnt sure I wouldnt chase her away - which is justifiable, because usually I will. When she got closer I offered her my hand to sniff, which she did, and then proceded to scratch her while making sure not to offend Mo by scratching her with my other hand. One horse on either side, both arms in use, with just enough body blocking going on that Trixie didnt get to close to Mo to make a *squealkick* happen with me in the middle. Interesting!

And so it came to pass that I eventually waded through all the horses, to the gate, but not before Pride made an appearance from being in the shed and got her own treat. I dare say she looked very pleased.

I finally waded through them all, through the gate - after dislodging Mo, who had her head under the chain trying to get in the barn. I think they were all surprised when I just walked away.

Interesting thing happened when I backed Mo out of her gate conundrum - Indy was right there so when Mo turned to leave, she walked about two horse lengths away and just lifted her back leg like she was going to kick Indy! She couldnt have connected from where she was, but she was doing it anyways; completely left brain, slow and deliberate. When I saw her doing it I called her name sternly and she put her foot down. After a few seconds she picked it up again so I called her again and she put it down and walked away. Hmmmm

Very interesting experience...

:-)
S

Houdini has LEFT the Building!

Ivy went home last night! Yey!!

At home I had grabbed Mo and put her on the trailer so Ivy would have company - and hopefully a calming effect - and then went out to my aunts to fetch her. Mo was amazing, a total trooper, just standing there waiting on the trailer!

Ivy loaded really well. I didnt rush her, just sort of asked her to investigate and she curious'ed her own self onto it. Indy was grazing in the bakcyard while all this was going on, she didnt care at all. Once in the trailer before we started moving Ivy had a little mini panic attack, but it was more of a WHERES MOM than claustrophobia, so it was to be expected.

For about one and a half kilometers of the drive Ivy was prancing around but then she settled down and stood super quietly. Of course in my head I am thinking "OMG... shes being QUIET... is she dead?!?" But when I pulled into her new home [my neighbours house] she looked at me all bright and clever when I opened the door. Quite pleased with herself I think.

She unloaded like a total pro, while Mo stod and was an angel! We let her go in her new paddock and she fancied around with her extended Freisian trot, showing off to us while we watched. She made nice with her new family - Tia and Crockett - and prowled her perimeter.

Everything went great when we let them out together, until they cornered her - not even really crowding, just a little close - and she got concerned and squeaked through the electric fence. The fence has a three second delay so we think she didnt get shocked. Luckily, Ivy is super people oriented and was a breeze to catch. We just put them all back together and shooed them into the bigger pasture.

My pasture borders theirs, so of course Kota was doing his own personal brand of fireworks, running and bucking and carrying on, trying to see who the newcomer was. So pretty....ermm.. handsome?

When everything settled down I took Mo back to Aunty's because her girth sores have healed so I can ride in a saddle again... my home time Liberty really sort of flopped... I feel to restricted at home.. not enough space .... I want to play at liberty in my round pen and then go play out in a thirty acre feild! I love having so much room at Auntys. It really is ideal - theres a riding ring, a small pasture, a BIG pasture, trails and access to tons of giant hayfields just at the end of the laneway! Talk about PERFECT! Mo likes being there to I think, and going on adventures with me.

So now Ivy is gone, Indy is pleased and Mo is back in at Auntys. Very productive evening overall!

:-)
S