Mounting Fun With Mo

In the onslaught of crap-tastic weather up here in the great white north, I really havent had much oppurtunity to do anything for the last little while. It feels like it has been raining non stop! Everything is under water or so muddy/moist its dangerous, so doing anything big is RIGHT OUT! [obviously, intoned with the tone of Mr. Counts to Three for the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch a la Monty Python..]

Today, there was a little break in the near-constant waterfall, so I took the chance to go out to visit my poor Mo, who, when I pulled up was in the shed and looked happily at my truck when it pulled in. By the time I went out to the barn though, after seeing my cousins and Aunty, she was, of course, out in the middle of the pasture. I called her name and she looked at me at least, but didnt come over, of course. Lazy lazy pony :-)

As I walked over to her though she started to come over, so that was a nice thing. Trixie came over to, so I got to play with protecting my little herd of two, which was nice. I mostly just loved on Mo, scratching her, rubbing her, just hanging out with her. Some how I got the great idea to play with leading by the lip.. I cant remember why it came up, but it did, and it worked out rather fabulously. I am pretty proud of the way Mo plays her porcupine games! I even tried spontaneously leading her backwards by the tail and she responded perfectly! I was surprised by that a bit, because usually I really have to get her thinking 'backwards' before that comes to easily. We must be making progress!

After playing around a little bit with all these things and little other things to like leading by the mane and holding her tongue and such, I thought it would be a fabulous idea to see if I could teach Mo how to help me mount bareback. I am honestly not sure if this was the most clever idea, seeing as we were at liberty in a 25 acre pasture, but it worked out ok, so ... thats just how it went.

I started asking Mo to put her head down and keep it there. Our head down is usually really soft, but the 'keep it there' is not awesome, so we played with that a lot. It got pretty ok, so I started playing a friendly game with my foot and leg coming up around her head. My goal is to be able to swing my leg over her neck and then have her boost me up onto her back, then to sit proper I would have to turn around, but thats ok.

Mo was having a hard time with the friendly with my leg because when it was coming up I think I had my energy wrong or something, and I wasnt athletic enough to make it smooth and be able to follow with her right until she relaxed. It also looked a lot like a block to keep her head up. So I changed tactics. I went over to a fallen tree that I could stand on that puts me at a height where I could play friendly games without having to worry about her keeping her head down. Isolate, Separate, Recombine, right?

That helped things A LOT! Once she figured out it was just another crazy friendly thing I was doing she relaxed right away. Since she figured that out I went to a lower tree, about six inches off the ground and attempted to combine the head down with me swinging my leg over. It went beautifully! Our friendly game paid off. I started asking her to bring her head up a little at a time until she felt my leg over her neck. The first time or two she thought it was a porcupine thing and put her head back down but then figured out I was asking and would just sort of hold and push a little into me. That was cool.

I finally got my courage up to just try it. I felt like Mo was confident enough and I was going to survive in case I was misreading her and I swung my leg over her neck, grabbed mane and asked her head up. And just like that I was sitting on Mo!!! WHOO!! Without a single issue I was sitting on Mo [backwards, mind you] it was perfect! And, with no further issues, I just put all that friendly game on her back to good use and turned myself around. Voila! All done!

I jumped off and tried again, with the same result! How cool! Go prior and proper preparation!! Now I just have to take it to the next level and do it from the ground... will work on that! I thought that was pretty cool, doing it all at liberty, no halter, rope or string or anything. Pretty proud of my pony! I brought Mo back to the barn after that, backed her into the gate and gave her some treats in the barn before backing her out once more and giving her even more cookies :-)

Gotta Love Mo!

:-)
S

The Difference Between Left Brain and Right Brain

I just had a rather important BFO I think.

Lying in bed, on my way to dream land I was contemplating my two ponies, as I am wont to do, thinking what I can do next to improve my savvy and theirs. I was thinking about what a cool session me and Mo had yesterday [that I forgot to blog about, but it was awesome] and that she jumped the upright barrels with a pole across them [two as standards plus pole] I couldnt beilieve she jumped it, right off, with no inspection or anything, just complete responsibility number four: Watch where you are going. She did, and cleared the jump easy. Pretty cool for a not so enthusiastic jumping pony. Whoo. Mo is a Left Brain Extrovert, some times introvert, she is right on that cusp.

Contrast that with Indy, who I know is a fabulous spectacular can-jump-paige-wire-fencing jumper. In our play today I just wanted to see what would happen if I pointed her at the same jump. Three times, she knocked it down, only noticing it was there at the very last second. After the first time I sent her to it to investigate it, but she still knocked it down. Indy is a Right Brain Extrovert. Getting very confident mind you, so she is starting to *look* left brain....

Hmmm....

So. A left brain horse will be aware of where they are going and make an effort to clear the obstacle. A right brain horse will be aware of the obstacle but only inso much as to see it at the last second and lose the oppurtunity of a good clearance. How interesting!!! Its funny to, because its not like Indy was tuned out today, she was right with me. Just clearly unaware of where her feet were going.

This may or may not make sense come morning, but it just hit me and Iwanted to note it before I forgot.

:-)
S

Just Little Things :-)

Today my plans got a little distracted, but good things happened anyways.

I was planning on playing with at least Indy and Crystal today, but only got to Indy because friends called me to come out and play since we all finally had a day off on the SAME day [thats a big deal around here andunheard of!]

Firstly, when I first got to Aunty's house in the morning to let Pride into the barn, Indy, Mo AND Pride were all waiting for me at the gate. I cant tell you what an amazing wonderful glowing awesome beautiful feeling that is. Pride was there because she wanted in obviously, but BOTH my ponies were happily waiting for me at the gate, begging to play! WOW!!!!!

I opened the gate to let Pride in ad she went on into her stall. I invited Indy into the barn at liberty and she came in very politely and stopped when I asked her in front of her stall so I could halter her. While this was going on Mo was waiting politely at the gate behind Indy. I sent Indy further into the barn and dropped the rope to leave her be while I got Mo in and put her in her stall for her naps. Silly Mo, every time she comes in she naps ...litterally, flat out, sleeping, snoring sometimes even. She is so cute.

Once I got Mo settled, I groomed Indy and we went out to play. We played online some, with circles and transitions and figure eight and then tried our weave. Everything went really well. eaving needed some clarification but Indy was having a blast. We also played some more with backing by the tail, which I started teaching her last session, and she was right there! It was very cool, she is super clever.

Around there A called me and said lets go see Transformers 2 ... again. How could I resist? Optimus... big screen... Im there! So I finished up with Indy online and proceded to complete the coolest thing with her.... I gave her a bath, from the hose, with shampoo, AT LIBERTY. OMG WOW!

This might not sound so awesome to most people, but let me explain. Before my sojourn to Florida, I could not get ANYWHERE near Indy with a hose, with the water off, let alone running water and actually let the water TOUCH her. So, to have her stand calmly while the water runs over her head and neck while I suds up her mane. What a cool horsey!! I am so proud of her!!

So much hugs and cookies later, Indy went back out into the pasture and I went to giggle at Mo, who was indeed sleeping! Such an adorable little girl! I hugged her and gave her some cookies then asked her to please get up and go outside. All at liberty, she went out and disengaged while I protected her space from Indy who was hoarding the entrance looking for cookies. It was very cool to be able to do that for Mo. I think she rather enjoyed it.

With that, I had to run so I could have time to shower before visiting mes amis, so as not to offend them with my [lovely, I think] eau de barn. They cant seem to find the appreciation for it that I have. Oh well!

So bath time with Indy, and cool naps and herds of two stuff with Mo, even if it was brief. Coolest stuff happens with my girls :-)

:-)
S

So Many Things!

What a cool day today was. Figuratively and literally. Great great things happened today, and it was also not so very warm!! Apparently, Mother Nature lost the memo that said "BTW, its JULY!" *sigh* Moving on...

This morning I had to go over to Auntys house to let Pridey in because they are being lucky and off on a massive road trip and such. So ponies are my responsibility for the next however many days. Cool beans. I went out to fetch Pride and technically Crystal, to play with but its funny how things dont always work out how we plan them!

Pride completely ignored me, and since it was cold and there werent any bugs, I ignored her to, to let her graze until she wanted to come in. She really only comes in to get away from the bugs anyways. INDY on the other hand, saw me coming, watched me for a while then walked 1/3 of the way across the pasture of to me. OVER TO ME! She didnt run, no, but she walked, steadily, in my direction, a rather long distance to come check me out, say hi and ask to play. How cool is that?!?! I was super excited! Since Crystal wasnt exactly offering herself in Indy's place, I haltered Indy instead and we went on our way back to the barn, playing little stick to me games on the way.

Inside the barn I shined her up, and made her look her most gorgeous. I really need to get some new clipper blades so I can re-clip her legs, but other than that she looked fabulous as per usual. Going out into the ring I grabbed the 45' and off we went. Usually things go really well on the 45' with Indy but I guess her adrenaline was way high because she was completely out in left feild and I just couldnt get the attention of my beautiful, rather large, kite flying 45' away from me! Doing what I hope was the savvy thing, I swapped for my 22' and moved on. OH BOY

Things completely turned around! Our session turned into the most fabulous thing! She was so attentive and wonderful. We played with transitions on the circle, being more particular about fast trot and slow trot, that got her licking a LOT even while she was out on the circle. Also, since her adrenaline was up, she was pulling on the line. Funny little habit that comes up only when she gets hyper and disconnected now. So we played with that, transitions and dont pull on the line and she gave me some of the most fabulous relaxed, rhythmic and connected circles on a loose line. The funniest thing happened with one of the transitions, she got confused and started to brace to pull away off the circle and then just stopped, and backed up six steps. Fast! So random! But I think it is from all the times we did backing circles and backing ransitions in her pen in flroida! It was an awesome self-check on her part. She really was going to pull away from me to, so fabulous timing on her part.

We also played with some squeeze games over jumps of barrels and sideways and things, but the circling was the biggest thing. I couldnt really think of anything to *do* while riding today, so I just opted to sit on her for a passenger lap of the ring then sit on her while she grazed in the back yard. Turns out that was a really fun plan! While my dear is grazing to her hearts content, I am sitting on her back playing away! I layed back, using her bum as a pillow, I did around-the-world- several times, sometimes lying on my stomach from sitting backwards, sat side saddle, kneeled on her back, sat on her bum and finally slid off of her from her bum. Super cool stuff. I wouldnt have guessed she would be so calm about all that, but she was perfect. I love my pony!

The only minor grey spot came when I went to put some things away and left Indy grazing and Candy came running in from her pasture screaming like a moron. Apparently she just noticed Indy was here. She scared Indy into walking away, and then Indy scared herself by having the 12' trailing her and she trotted off down the trail. *sigh* I hate that feeling, as you watch your beloved run in a direction you know isnt fenced and you cant run faster than them... Since I was close to the barn I grabbed a bucket with some crunches and shook them hoping for a good response. I got something, she looked at me, but then kept going. Dang, so I started walking.

She was grazing in the tall grass and wandering around, stepping on the rope every so often. I was *almost* to her when Candy comes pounding hellbent down her pasture still screaching and freaking Indy out AGAIN. Cursing the pony as Indy runs into the bushes leading to the neighbours yard I start jogging after her when I hear hoofbeats coming back my way. I stopped and waited and out bursts Indy from the tall grass. She stops, looks at me and then turns to walk away...what an opinion!... I lean down hoping to disengage her hindquarters and VOILA disengage AND she walked over to me! THANK GOODNESS! Lesson number one... make sure your bring back is JUST as good as your send!! Sheesh!

Candy was still doing her song and dance, so Indy wasnt to pumped about grass so I brought her into the barn and rasped her feet by myself for the first time [on her I mean]. She was fabulous, I am really proud of her! After that I turned her out accompanied by many crunches. By this point the weather looked threatening, as if it would storm again, so I decided to get Mo instead of Crystal, incase it did get bad, I knew at least I could for sure trust Mo not to freak out. Weather turned out fine later. Crazy clouds. But I had Mo anywyas, so we played.

Coming in from the field we did little trot-halt stick to me things, and as a change, I got her to back INTO the barn, up the step, instead of just squeezing in. That was fun. Interestingly enough, while she will back out with just one of the gates open, it took having both gates open for her to consider backing in. She had a lot of unconfidence with it and licked and chewed a LOT when she finally went in the first time. The second time she licked as she backed and went right in. Smart pony!

I prettied Mo up, brushing her many many hairs, and making her shiny before taking her out to the ring. I put Mo on a 22' based on Indy's fun, plus, the ring really isnt enough room for the 45'.

Right off Mo was uber tuned in. Like, UBER tuned in. It was fascinating! I turned and looked at her and she shot of sideways with a squeal. SERIOUSLY! I wasnt even trying to ask her anything. Hmmmm... So I used it. We sidewaysed over all the way to the barrel line of jumps and I suggested she jump it. She offered to try and sideways over it. I said thanks, but back up and jump it, so she did and I disengaged her a la squeeze after. I had planned to go on to something else from there, but she turned and jumped it again, so obviously, given Ms. Horrible Jumper was offering to jump, I took it and hugged her! Cool stuff.

We played with yo-yo on energy and got some really cool fast back ups without even having the rope moving! Wherever my introvert went, it sure isnt here at the moment! She was all motion today! But it was all GOOD positve motion, that was the cool thing. She was trying everything for me! On the travelling circle, she jumped the little upright barrels on a SUGGESTION! She easily could have gone around them, but she AIMED for them! How cool is that? Upright those barrels are easily 3 feet, and the jump she took even looked rideable!! Which, I have to say was part of the coolness.

We played some with transitions on the circle again, she was offering a lot more canter today so I took it and did fast canter/slow canter/how slow can you go without breaking gait. Apparently REALLY slow. It was very cool. You could distinctively hear each beat and the pause. One...two...three. She was really thinking about what I was asking and maintaining her responsibility to not change gait! It was really cool to feel her take part and be a partner so much!

We played with trot transitions to, and those went really well too. Then I thought, since I really should be getting to filming my L3, maybe I should *actually* remember to work on my patterns... I am great for playing, then getting home and reading the assessment thing and going DOH patterns dorkball! SoI was proud for remembering.

I set myself up a weave with the little barrels standing up, and let the fun begin. Mo completely remembered the figure eight [which I started with] and offered it right off at the trot. She did it pretty well but drifted out a bit far on the right barrel so we played with that until she got the point. *Then*, oh yes, then, when she got the pattern, it went *click* and she started offering me COOL THINGS. She went, "oh yea, figure eight, no problem, how about I do the figure eight, and jump this single upright barrel on my way by, would that be good?" SERIOUSLY! I love my horse!

She just started offering me these fabulous little tid bits, like cantering, and jumping the barrels, and sidepassing over them, away AND towards me! Very cool stuff!! For me though, the highlight was when we were playing with some more sideways, I just got my "go sideways' ENERGY up and pointed it at her and she flew off sideways [straight to, no leaking forwards!] and licked and chewed and relaxed. THEN from the end of my 22' line I asked her to COME to me sideways AND SHE DID!!!!!!! Like.. four times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called it quits then.

What a fabulous HIGH note to end on! It was by far the coolest thing ever. GO MO! I just need a personal videographer/photographer at all times apparently, because of course, the day we do some of the coolest things ever, no one is even home. Oh well...

So I didnt even ride Mo, becuase that was such a highlight. I let her graze in the yard though while I put some stuff away and then backed her out the door giving her lots of crunches and hugs. I also got her to bow accidentally while itching her belly, which was kind of cute. I was standing at her withers hugging her whole body and scratching her belly and she started bowing looking for something yummy - her bow suggestion is my tickling her belly lightly. Funny horsey..

*insert lunch break here*

I came back after lunch to play with Crystal. Today was my first time ever riding her sans supervision, so it was going to be exciting!

For the first time ever, while we played online she jumped the barrels calmly! That was a big deal!! And then one random time in the middle she circus ponied it and just got all four feet tangled up close to the barrels, which was really funny before finally popping over it. Silly horse.

We played with lots of squeeze games online today. That was sort of our theme - and the firgure eight pattern. Interestingly, she went a bit right brain in the beginning of the pattern, so I just stuck with it and when she finally calmed down it was just so soft and fluid, it was beautiful! What a cool horse... She just needed to find that confidence with the new task!

When I saddled her up, an interesting thing happened. I backed her up after saddling and getting the girth up, and that was fine. Then she spontaneously jumped forwards two steps half bucked and then I stopped her myself and she stood looking at me licking all innocently " I dont know what just happened there, I think I was possessed..." Strangest thing! She showed no inclination whatsoever to do anything else the rest of the ground session or ride! I even tried to provoke her after that, pushing her into a fast canter, over jumps and things. Nothing! Hmm..

When I finally mounted, I rode with a carrot stick for the first time. Now THAT has to be the best idea Ive had in a while! She went from having no clear idea what leg = turn meant, to having a pretty good semblance of steering on her in one session! YEY! We were also able to maintain a trot for 3 laps or so! WHoo! Go Crystal! No canter yet, but I am working on refining that cue online still, so it will come!

OH! And also, she had the bridle on today to! Not in use, just in a friendly game way. She takes the bit fabulously, lowers her head and opens her mouth and lets it go so gently when it comes off to! All it took was a minor suggestion to look in my palm for a cookie!! Everything about her is so soft and willing... I love it. Shows what you can do when there is no previous baggage!! And of course, when you know what to look for and how to be particular about it... Crystal is teaching me so much! We had a faulous ride, I survived, so did she, and we both came away knowing several new things!

And so concluded my awesome horsey day! I got to play with all of "my" girls and we all did some fabulous things!! I couldnt be more proud of all my pony partners!

:-)
S

The Perfect Summer Day!

Today, as my title indicates, was my perfect summer day. The sun finally made a re-appearance after what seems like a month long hiatus. It was warm, sunny, and generally fabulous.

The morning started things off right, by being able to wake up on my own time. That is always a good thing. I went over to Aunty's to play with Crystal. I had meant to play with her yesterday night, but I ended up getting home way to late and was exhausted. Especially with Crystal right now I want to make sure I am there 100% for her mentally, so I didnt think it would be fair to her last night.

Out in the pasture she walked over to me which was really nice. She haltered nicely and came right with me to the gate to the barn. Mo was also at the gate asking very politely to get in. Things havent been so hot with Mo lately [more later] so I let her into the barn and put her in her stall to nap until I was done with Crystal. Yes, she litterally naps, flat out and all.

Crystal and I proceded out to the ring to change to the 22', grab the saddle and pad and carrot stick. Things went fabulously. She was right on. We played some really nice yo-yo and she finally offered me some ultra soft beautiful relaxed squeeze game over a jump! That was a first! I am really proud of her for that. I asked for a little feet-moving in a circle game before bringing her over to the saddle set up on the mounting block for investigation. She did a good job investigating to. Our Touch It is pretty great! 22' away ... put your nose on the saddle... OKY! Done and done. What a cool horse.

After thoroughly nibbling, sniffing and otherwise curiosing her way about the saddle I walked over and offered to lift the pad for her to check out further. She was thrilled with that! Ears all perked and happy, she sniffed it all over both sides and moved on to the saddle while I threw the pad all over her. This is old news to her, I do this with the bareback pad each time we play. PERFECT!

Next came the saddle. She was pretty interested in that. I dont think she could figure it out. Its synthetic and smells like other ponies but it jingles and is shaped funny... Hmmm! I swung it around a couple times, letting her check it out completely and threw it on and off of her back before finally just leaving it up there. She didnt even flinch. Blinking, licking, and thinking, she was right with me.

I let the girth down and did it up enough so that if she chose to go nuts it would stick with her without being dangerous. Again, perfect. As I stepped back to pick up the stick and ask her something she kinda of tensed and looked a teensy bit tight and concerned. On a 50/50 chance of either letting her wait it out, or explode on the spot, I gave her something to think about [based on previous experience last time she got that look] and asked her for a fast backup NOW.

That did the trick! She tuned right back into me and stepped back nicely and when she relaxed I allowed her to stop. From there we went into a nice soft circling game at all three gaits with transitions and some relaly great disengages and draw. We played some more with the squeeze over the jump, which interestingly, was harder now, so I waited for the relaxation.

When I felt like she was ready I brought her over to the mounting block and did my run-through of pre-riding checks and then.... mounted! TADA. Just like every other time, she just stood still, and offered me lateral flexion. What a doll.

The ride went like a dream, everything I asked, she did. Without hesitation and to the best of her understanding. She tries so hard! Our last ride was out first trotting ride, so we played more with the go button and transitions, doing walkl halt and trot transitions all over the place. She was fabulous. What a clever horse!!!

So Crystals ride went perfectly. YEY! I am so happy with how she is coming along. Aunty is to, and thats my basic goal. Really, owner of horse = second priority after making sure pony is happy. Much happiness all around, on to Mo.

In between Crystal and Mo I went into the house to get a beverage because it was le warm and beautiful out. It would be a shame to waste such a nice day sick due to dehydration!

When I left the barn Mo was covered in shavings, having actually had her nap, but she was up. When I got back, she was snoozing again! Gotta love Mo. She is so cute! The best part about the napping-ness is that she lets me come over to her when shes sleeping and clobber her. Ok, clobber isnt the right word, but I hug her and sit on her and generally adore her.

Such is exactly what I did. Quietly walk over to visit my snoozing Mo and say hi, hug her giant cranium and start rubbing her. Eventually I somehow end up sitting on her..[oops] ... We hang out like that for a while, shes dozing and I am sitting on her hugging her neck, relaxing myself. Now that is NICE. I love that relaxing feeling. It just makes you feel super close to your horse when they let you do that.

After hanging out that way for a bit I went back to kneeling by her head and rubbing her face and such. She then proceded to let out this huge sigh and relax even more. I decided to see what would happen if I tried to suggest lying flat out to her.... MUCH to my surprise Mo promptly groans happily and lies flat out. Like a giant doggie I go and scratch her belly and she luxuriously stretches out her legs and neck like an actual puppy, loving every minute of it. To conclude this lovely session, EXACTLY like I would with my *actual* doggie, I got up and said "Ok, lets go" and *poof* up she gets. HA! My goodness I love my pony.

I walked out of the stall and Mo followed me over to where I usually brush and such. I got my brushes and cowboy magic and started tackling *all* Mo's hairs... and she has many. I promise. Stock in Cowboy Magic, I should buy.

When she was all shiny and beautiful I took a few pictures of my efforts while she harassed the bin she knows the grain lives in. Then I braided her hair up so it would be out of the way and mounted bareback for a brief trail ride. We had played some little games on the lawn and in the barn [Mo bows now! Total accident, she dove for a dropped cookie once so I took it and shaped it!] and off we went on a mini trail ride. We rode through the trails, in the river some and back to the barn. Mo was in a weird mood, but handle-able.

She has kind of been off the last little while and I havent figured out why, so I wasnt going to push her, I wanted this to be a really good session for her, so I got off and snapped on my 22' and started playing on the ground in the ring. We played some really cool sideways from long distances with sideways towards and then played with some rather awesome transitions on the circle. I was *this* close to getting passage!! My focus was transitions within the trot, so slow, medium and fast and then as slow as you can to as fast as you can. Her as-slow-you-can was SO close to passage! I couldnt believe it. I was so proud. We played lots with energy up and down and how little could I do to get a response, send off at a slow trot or send off at a gallop... VERY cool stuff!

We stopped there and I took Mo to graze in the yard while I put things away. She was pretty impressed with that I think. Its only her favorite thing ever :-)

I had originally planned to also play with Indy, but I was super toasty and wanting to swim, so I just took some treats out to her instead - good for the relationship points. Before turning Mo out I also rasped her feet a little and she was a star! I dont have a stand so I had to use a bucket over turned and she was peachy with that. She was actually better today than ever before with letting me do her feet, held them up all on her own and everything. *duh... play with her FIRST!* Why dont I understand that yet?!?!

Either way, Mo had a fabulous session and I am so so proud of her. She was even collecting herself on the circle, tucking her head and stretching alternately. Beautiful! Transitions really do work... !

To complete the perfect summer day, I went to my "cottage" [aka grandparents in suburbia who have a pool] swam for several consecutive hours, had Dairy Queen ice cream, swam some more, then had pizza with the Grammie and cousins. Awesome day. Super worn out now, but awesome day. I love my life :-)

:-)
S

Great Afternoon

This afternoon I finally dredged up some time for MY ponies! I have not really done anything much since before I left for Michigan, so it was a nice treat to have A) daylight and B) the time!

As I walked out to the barn I saw Mo in the middle of the feild and whistled [and was graced with not even so much as a lifting of the head] but then I saw Indy in the shed with every horse EXCEPT Mo, so that was good. When I went to the back door and whistled she came over and I was able to halter her and bring her into the barn.

I brushed her and made her gorgeous [not hard to do] and then brought out my saddle and shims. The last time I had her saddled she bucked and acted generally uncomfortable, so I thought it was time to re-assess my shim pattern. That, and the fact that she has beefed up CONSIDERABLY since coming home! She has a NECK and a CHEST and her back is spreading with muscle like nobodys business! She is just flowering into this gorgeous phenomenol horse. I cant get enough of her.

Shim pattern re-done, I put my saddle and pad outside and grabbed my 45'. We went into the arena and started to play. Firstly I moved some barrels into a row so that we could have them for a jump. To begin with I ended up testing our yo-yo, because she was slacking a bit while I was moving barrels around so we played with "How little can I do while you back up quickly and straight" - now THAT was fun! She really got into it and tried and really got backing with very little more than an energy burst from me!

From there we went into some circles all the way out on the end of the 45' and I got a really nice surprise! ALLLLL the way out there I took two steps back for a change of direction and POOF there it was! WOWWWWYYY!!! I was so thrilled!!!

On that high note our ground play just progressed and was fantastic. We moved on from circles to do a really fun playful squeeze over the barrels that inolved Indy playing Cow pony when I disengaged her as she would cut down low on the re-send. It was hysterical! She also offered some BEAUTIFUL collection on the circle, bending her body perfectly. I will admit I was asking for sideways at the time, but I will take what I can get!!

We went on to do some falling leaf through the small pasture and generally just played around with some high energy things until I got "the look" and had permission to saddle. Saddling was a snap and we went back out to play some more for girth tightening. My pony is getting chubby... the girth only goes up three holes currently! Used to go five or six... oopsy..!

When she was ready to ride I unsnapped the 45 and coiled it up - during which time Indy didnt move at all, which was a real treat and testament to our friendly game progression - and we walked over at liberty to the fence to get the 12' to make into reins. I also put my savvy string around her neck to see how that would work out. Me being me, I just clambered up onto the ledge of the water trough for a mounting block, and Indy being Indy was a doll and just sidled right over to help me on! What a sweetie! Of all things, helping with mounting is one of my very favorite things!

Once mounted I got myself arranged and then set to the task of getting Candy out of the ring because she likes to be a nuisance. Indy LOVED that task! I focused on the pony and she was right there with me! I hardly had to do anything, she walked when Candy walked, and trotted when Candy trotted. Apparently my cow practice paid off! I wish I had a cow here to play with... must ask neighbours.... [more on cows later..good times!]

After Candy kindly vaccated the area we wlaked around, testing our pseudo-bridless brakes and turning and what not. Everything went very well. As per usual, a little more go than whoa, but getting more centered every time. When we picked up the trot Indy was a little impuslsive and trotting around very fast so that was interesting. I offered her some circles and those seemed to help a little bit. She ran into the stick once from trying to get behind the shed, and I have to say that was kind of funny. I put the stick down in a phase on position, and she just turned her head wrong and went THWACK and consequently spun herself in a circle, stopped, licked and chewed. What a dork. Love her!

So on we went. My self-disiplining pony was slightly more compliant now and amenable to my ideas for direction at the trot. She was still impuslive though, which was kind of fun. She kept offering the canter, which I allowed because the last time we rode in the ring her attitude was very much the " I am to BIG I cant canter in here!" so I was just happy she wanted to canter at all.

We played around in the ring area for a bit but really she was just feeling good so I directed her out to the pasture area and she saw it and went OH BOY and just galloped down the length of it. Good thing I am ok with that... I didnt precisely ASK for it, but neither did I suggest she slowed down, so long as I chose the direction. After joyously cavorting all the way down and allllll the way back she was happier to relax and pay attention. And I think I was better off for a good gallop to - lets face it, I really do have a need for speed! Speedy cars, speedy ponies... either, or, preferably both!

From there we did some sideways stuff - which is getting REALLY soft [so is her general response to my leg which is SO delightful!] and then went out the gate because I heard a something-mechanical start up and was hoping it was a dirt bike or four wheeler I could follow, but it was the motorcycle and it was leaving. Poopy. Oh well, I went on a trail ride anyways.

Funny thing happened on the very first stretch of the trail though! We were cantering happily along and then I look down to check for pot holes and such, and make sure the ground is actually dry enough to support us and I see HERMIONE! [the cat, well A cat] Right underfoot [or about to be] and sleeping. Gack. I sort of probably created a tiny brace in my body, expecting Indy to go AHHH but I was SO PROUD when all she did was a sort of mini jump over the cat, and keep cantering happily. NO SPOOKING!!! Not even when the poor kitty jumped up, freaking out and ran away! YEY INDY!

*so proud*

We cantered most of the trail, trotting where appropriate and snacking along the way [her, not me] When we got to the top of the hill at the end we did some circles around the tree waiting for the motorcycle to leave and playing Follow Fritz [the dog] Of course, being me, I had this grand idea to race the motorcyle down the laneway on the galloping stretch, and that started out well enough.... until the bazzilion cows in the pasture bordering the stretch decided to race ME! AHH! Indy was sooo not impressed with cows racing her and bolted a teensy bit... just a teensy bit though. I bent her to a stop and then all was fine, we played more tackle Fritz and then cantered back down the trail.

We walked and moseyed and stopped with snacking most of the way in order to 'cool out' but as often happens to my attention span, I got distracted when I saw C and C biking off down the laneway. Indy is a bit sketchy on bikes and moving things like that so I thought it would be a perfect chance to build some confidence. They had a pretty food head start on me so we trotted and cantered after them to catch up and then follwed at a walk for the rest of the way up the laneway. It was really good! C and C stopped at the end to pick some flowers, so Indy got to graze beside the pony-eating-cycles and wasnt really bothered by them anymore when they took off again, so JOY! Mission accomplished!

Funny thing about that though, is about a third of the way down the laneway I hear this quiet thunder and then I look over into the pasture... and there is Mo... looking all dejected following us down the road on her side of the fence! She ran up and down the whole way we walked and when the trees were to thick to see us, she would whinny. How adorable! So when we got to the barn, she was waiting all anxious at the gate.

I brought Indy into the barn and put her in 'The Spot' where she waits. I got her some crunch and then got Mo some and ran down the aisle to give it to her. I figure its good friendly game to hurtle myself at her and then give her cookies... it makes her confident about me running to her. Incedentally, it makes Indy confident about me running behind her, because she gets treats on my return! How handy!

After untacking Indy and giving her TONS of love and treats I backed her down the aisle and squeezed her out the gate where she disengaged happily to come in for some more Apple Snacks. She kind of wanted to chase Mo away, and with Mo trying so hard to be nice and come say hi, I sort of pushed Indy away a little and called Mo's name while *trying* to disengage her. Lo and behold, IT WORKED! She turned and faced and walked up all enthused! Good thing I saved her some snacks.....

When I turned to walk into the barn [ostensiably for the night] she followed me so happily that I just couldnt ignore her! She walked with me into the barn, although instead of sticking with me she wandered over to Delilah's stall to investigate for left overs... its always that stall though, so thats interesting. As soon as I walked by though she came right out to see me. I loaded on the yummies for my little food oriented monster and then yo-yo'ed her ALL the way out of the barn... thats right! Riht up and over the large step out of the back of that barn, and she did it with out even pausing [other than to let me open the gate] AND she offered to come back in and do it again! What a doll! She got me to run back for more crunch something like three times. She knows EXACTLY how to get me! Little monster!

Just when I thought she got bored of me and walked away [and so I did to] she came back with water dripping from her muzzle begging for more hugs! She really has me in her back pocket, because I definately went back to hug her some more. How I loves my ponies <3

Such was my amazing evening.

:-)
S

To Michigan, Madison and Back Again!

Since the last time I posted I have been VERY busy! I drove down to Okemos Michigan to visit one of m very god friends M, and the from there, after visiting for a few days we loaded up her pony Hank, P, J, J's pony Star and myself and road tripped even further down to Madison Wisconsin. Why Madison you may ask? Well! Since I missed the Parelli Celebration in Harrisburg [was in Ocala obviously, externing] I exchanged my ticket to get to be in Madison.

M and J both were on the menu of spotlights, and they were both GREAT! M had online and freestyle with Hank, and they were fabulous and J had freestyle with Star and were great too. Saturday and Sunday were fantastic. I did some shopping in the 50% off bins and learned tons.

The dance on Saturday night was a blast. I actually dances, and E attempted to teach me some line dances... we will see how well they stick with me the next time I go out to a country bar...?

My basic point of todays blog though, besides having driven for eternity *again* is what happened when I got home. Obviously, after unloading my truck I went out to Aunty's to visit my much missed ponies. They were gracefully out in the middle of the pasture, completely ignoring my calls and whistles. Joy.

I debated just leaving things at that and waiting til I had time to play and do things before pestering them, but being me, I started to hike myself out there. Mo looked at me when I started walking, but promptly returned to grazing, gooberball! Indy though, didnt notice me right away, but when she did she walked all the way up to me! How sweet is that? She came right up to me, all happy and ears perked, looking for her hugs.

I scratched on her for a while, saved Mo from getting eaten, since she walked right over as soon as Indy came to me. Mo is such a jealous girl! I loved on Indy for a little while, then pony-jumped to Mo, taking out her braid and scratching her itchy neck. She was so sweet, trying to scratch me back.

Even Crystal came over, which was a nice surprise, so I cuddled with her a little bit. Indy wandered back over then, and so I scratched her some more and then said my goodbyes and started back to the barn because it was starting to rain. It was then that I got a REALLY nice BIG surprise.... I turned to walk away, and INDY CAME WITH ME!

I didnt ask her, I usually dont even have that great of draw with her, our liberty is nearly non existant and voila... she voluntarily followed me back to the barn [from waaay out in the pasture] no strings attached, right beside me, all the way. I felt so... honoured!

At the barn,I asked her what she would like to do. If she just wanted some cookies or if she wanted to come in and be brushed. She opted to come in and gently walked through the door and disengaged and waited while I closed the gate, then we yo=yoed down the aisle to the front where I usually groom and turned around there. ALL AT LIBERTY!!! YEY!!!!

She stood perfectly still while I got brushes and groomed her. She stood perfectly still while I brushed her, body and mane and tail. She was curious about the cowboy magic, which made me laugh. She was curious about the brushes and other things on the feed bin and snuffled around knocking them over happily. She was CALM and happy and confident. EVEN when we were done and I backed her via phase one yo-yo all the way down the aisle and she missed a step and kicked her hind leg against the bike. She just went "oh darn" and rearranged to suit.

Joy of joys, she then squeezed out the gate and turned and faced when I asked. LOADS OF COOKIES FOR THAT! I made two return trips to the cookie jar for that effort!! Indy stayed at the gate until I went into the tackroom to put away the brushes. What a sweet heart. It was so very nice.

Such a treat! I cant believe how well Indy is doing! I guess getting your online great really does lead to great liberty... DOI!!!!

:-)
S