Flexibility

The other day I learned [or rather was reminded about] a lesson in being flexible, from none other than my resident introvert, Zephyr.

Its coming up to that time again, that time where I call the farrier out. Now Zephyr is, for the most part, fairly good with her feet. Her attention span is that of a gnat though, and she tends to pick up and promptly say thats enough. Its just not something that has been worked on, and something I havent had time enough since getting her to really address since there were more pressing issues to deal with like DONT RUN ME OVER! Now that priorities have shifted from safety and survival to more fun and progression, I feel like I can communicate more with her to enhance her footie play interest.

It started during feeding times, I would just grab a hoofpick and go out and quietly pick the snowballs out of her feet. That was going ok. She was distracted eating and wouldnt squiggle around tooooo much, but also wasnt really good, or getting better. Hmm... The next day after I realized it wasnt getting better, I was lucky enough to have soem 'warmer' weather, so I haltered Zephyr and brought her into the barn to finish her dinner and went to playing with her feeties.

I started with the usual pinching chestnut technique, but our dear introvert just didnt care. "You can pinch as much as you want, I am not going to move" was her attitude. In fact, she put MORE weight on the one Iwas trying to get up! Silly girl. So I broke out the cookies. One thing I have learned about Zephyr is that she LOVES food. To the point of chasing me and Mo at a gallop apparently to get some. Time to figure out if I can motivate her to lightness in her feet with food now.

At first she didnt really get it. I would ask for her foot and if she even took her weight in the right direction I gave her a treat. She just thought she was teaching me to dispense cookies. Thats ok. It was sort of progress. I continued with that for a bit, but still no real connection from Zephyr about WHY she was getting cookies. So I switched tactics to trying with the carrot stick, tapping her leg, seeing if that would cause her to be uncomfortable enough to lift her leg. Not much disturbs my little girly. Mostly I like this.

Hmm. So the tapping was mostly a flop. There was zero ideas in Zephyrs head that she should move away from this annoyance, and she just kept trying to mug me for cookies. About this point I was wondering if it was even a good idea to break out the cookies, but I stuck with it and just kept thinking of different things I could do. Running through my 'how to pick up feet' list in my head I ran into the good ole fashioned 'savvy string around the ankle' version and decided to try that one!

I wrapped my string around Miss Zephyrs ankle and went through my phases. Lo and behold, up came the foot.  COOKIE. It was kind of just a "Whats that, get it off" flail on her part, but she clued in after the cookie. So I tried again. More flailing, more cookies. I think this is when a little cartoon lightbulb went off above my dearhearts adorable noggin. Phase two, up, cookie. Lather rinse repeat. Before ten tries I was moving on to holding it up for a few seconds and Zephyr was really trying! How cool is that?

Three techniques down the trail, all for the same task, and I finally found one that clicks for her. Thats the key isnt is? The one that works FOR HER.  Its not about the technique. I just had to find out what made sense to her! Pretty cool lesson. Sometimes it is so easy to get stuck in ' Well I saw Pat/Linda/whoever doing it X way, I HAVE to do it that way, its the only way!', when really, its one of many ways, and the way that just happened to be appropriate for that horse in that moment. How interesting.

I am so lucky to have had so many horses through my life to teach me that each one is different and needs a different strategy. Not to mention the advent of horsenality.... makes life so much simpler! 

Such is my lesson from Zephyr today.

:)
S

Plans and Resolutions

The other day at work [my un-fun work, not teaching or pony related] I was doing some pondering. I was pondering about life, and the usual order of things. Get born, grow up a few years at home, go to school... more school, get a job, retire at 65 when you can finally focus on doing what you love. Humf.

I have always been really driven and focused on doing what I love - horsey stuff! Most people/society/cultural norms seem to think that 'horsey stuff' doesnt qualify as a real job, and therefore you must contain said passion to a hobby. Obviously, I never really agreed with that, or allowed it to guide me in any way. I have followed my passion and desire for excellence with horses into Parelli, and continue to do so.

The advent of gaining possesion of my dream farm seem to have necesitated the extra income gained from a 'real job'. Said 'real job' being a boring position as a cashier in a local shop. Yes, its a regular pay cheque, but do I really gain any fulfillment or enjoyment out of the experience? Well, at first, yes. I did. I was learning things and meeting new people, but now that I have settled into my role and the learning has slowed considerably, my left brain extrovert mind is BORED. As much as idle hooves are the devils workshop, so is my idle mind.

And so was born my RESOLUTION! It isnt really your typical new years resolution, more a drive and goal for my life. My five-year-plan if you will. My five-year-plan stands thusly : Within five years, I will no longer be doing things I dont absolutely love to do. Eg: No un-fun cashier job, but lots and lots of teaching!

There are plenty of things I love to do. I just need to figure out how to cause those things to earn my living. I love to teach, I love to train horses, start young horses, I love to take pictures, I love to provide a natual boarding facility to horse owners. I plan to build an indoor arena in five years, to facilitate the year-roundness of said endeavour.

So many people are of the 'I'll do it when I retire' variety - and there is nothing wrong with that! Its just not for me. Why should I wait so many years, when I can do what I am passionate about now? What could I possibly gain from years and years of negative mental torment? Especially when I could have years and years of positive JOY doing what I love and being with people who love it too.

Such is my five year plan. I will spend my time doing what I love. I think its a great plan. I cant wait!  This summer is going to be such a great start to this plan!

:D
S

Muriel Update

It just occured to me that I never mentioned the hilarity of what happened to Muriel after the move.

Everything was fine and dandy at first, she was even getting some exercise! Then Zephyr came home. Miss LBI seems to think eating everything was ok. I came home one day to find the little trouble maker gnawing on Muriels SEAT! Like some kind of doggy, Zephyr chewed Muriels seat to bits.

Now I need a new one. I still think its funny.

Its almost like "My dog ate my homework" ... except my horse ate my bike seat.... :D

:)
S

PS: I keep spelling Zephyr wrong [Zephry] and it makes me think of Jeffrey... which makes me think of Fresh Prince... which makes me think of Zephyr speaking in Jeffreys voice.... anyways... moving on...

Odd Experience

I had a very odd experience tonight with the horse that boards at my house today.

I went out to feed, and everything was normal. I have been adding some Flax Appeal to her grain, and using some water to mix it in, which she seems to like. Indy was being a bit of a spaz, so she was trying to pick everyones bowl but her own.

Finally everyone settled down to eat and I went to set out the hay. When I came back from setting the hay out, Roxy was looking at me, and pawed once at her food bowl. I assumed that meant that I hadnt put enough mixing water in, so I grabbed the bowl and added more water. After swooshing it around I brought it back out and was confronted with an interesting sight. She was laying down. My first thought was to be worried. Not a great response, I know, but when a horse suddenly lays down, I think any sane person wonders about colic!

I brought the bowl over to her to see if she wanted any, but she wasnt interested. The thing *I* was most interested in though, was that she actually allowed me to approach her! This mare is EXTREME RBE, usually just approachign her in the pasture requires approach and retreat to get her confident, and there she was, totally confident allowing me to walk right up to her while she was down. 

I offered her the food bowl, but she ignored it, so I rubbed her and asked her to get up, which she did. I moved her food bowl over to where she had walked and she laid down again.I was definately concerned then. I went over to her again, again she was good with me walking right up. I sat with her for a bit, leaned down on her belly to see if I could hear any gut sounds. I could, so then I was a little stumped. I sat with her a little more, resting my weight on her, which again she was good with, surprise.

We hung out for a little, then I got up and she got up, looked at me, like she accomplished what she needed and then walked purposefully over to her bowl and promptly, compeltely finished her dinner.

Huh.

How interesting.

I have no idea what just happened. But it felt very surreal and life we forged a real connection... for no discernible reason that I could find.

Still licking and chewing on that one.

:)
S

The Extrovert Within the Introvert!

Last Sunday was a fun day. It was sunny, if chilly, so I took advantage and went outside. My initial thought had been desire to play with Zephyr and Mo online and maybe ride Mo later on if things went well and the footing was good.  As per usual, things went sideways and I ended up going outside in a peculiar mood. Odd phonecalls can have that effect on me I guess.

I went outside jsut wanting to really hug a pony, soI grabbed a carrot and some other cookies and went out. I got mobbed, what else is new. Everyone got their share and then I went to the fence. Mo and Zephyr came too. I climbed up on the fence and suddenly NEEDED to sit on Mo, so I asked her to come over and she did. Lucky me. I mounted and gave her more cookies, and Zephyr some too, since she was there, looking all hungry and forlorn... right.

We just sat for a while. I rubbed Mo. Played with lateral flexions bridleless, and snuggled with Zephyr, who had her head in my lap. Cutie. Eventually I moseyed off. At first Zephyr came with us, but shortly got distracted by some overturned barrels, which was ok. Mo and I wandered around the untouched feild, making footyprints willy-nilly and playing with our yeilds. Hind quarters, fore quarters.... hows our sideways? Backing was pretty awesome. I am really proud of Mo, especially since I didnt really do anything before mounting and havent done much of anything with her at all lately!

This was all just at a walk, wandering and checking stuff... until I hear this crazy squeal and small thunder. I look over to the barn and here comes this beige little mammoth child that is Zephyr! Galloping, bucking, squealing for all shes worth, down the hill, flying over to where me and Mo are standing. She screeched to a halt in front of us and politely demanded a cookie. Really. Lesson One: Find out what motivates your introvert. Cookies. Got it. Lesson Two: Reward good things, like gallop draws. Good. Stuffing cookies into Zephyr. Done.

I put a neck string on Mo at that point, since Zephyr was pretty energized and I felt like I needed a safety net a bit. I moved Mo around a little and Zephyr would trot with us a little, tear off bucking and squealing and then come back all ears up asking for a cookie. Id give her one, and we would repeat - though her sessions of sticking with us got longer. Pretty cool. Liberty stick to me, compeltely unintentionally!

After a whole bunch of rounds galloping around, she finally seemed to run out of some steam... I thought.... She got down and rolled and rolled.... then got back up and ZOOMED over to me and Mo, all proud of herself, so she got some more cookies. Apparently this was a great pattern! She rolled and raced over to us probably six times in a row, getting cookies each time. She seemed pretty proud of her little mammothy self.

I couldnt stop laughing at her. She was just being beyond ridiculous. It was like she had forgotten the pasture was out there and couldnt help herself from playing. Since Mo was the only one out htere, she was the target! She was so exuberant and playful, I will always keep that image in my mind when its me ASKING her to do something, and trying to motivate the introvert to something fun! This was the most extroverted I have seen her. It was priceless. I am so lucky that D came out to take some pictures and video of her, because now I never have to forget it!

Mo was also a great partner, listening and being where I needed her to be. Also not getting caught up in Zephyrs crazy. She was relaxed, and getting some pretty nice stretches at the trot!

I am so excited for Zephyrs future! She is such a fun little horse! Highly entertaining at the very least!


:)
S

Balance BFO

The other day I had yet another BFO with balance! Similar to my adventure with the lawn tractor this summer, I learned a lot about balance from something innocuous random.

While teaching a lesson, I was wandering around the arena, and there were some poles on the ground, of the hunter variety that are kind of octagonal. I distractedly kept trying to stand and balance on it, not really paying attention, but just fiddling with posture and balance. Then I stopped and thought about it, why is my balance so terrible ont his pole? I can usually walk on the curb fairly easily, so this should be similar, right?

Hmm.. Well. Firstly, pretty much everythign in my body was bracing one way or another to try and stay on the pole.  Given what we know about fluidity, we know brace in singularly ineffective. So I tried relaxing. That was great but I kind of melted right off the pole.

Ok, so fluid is good, but not the only answer. So, once again, I heard Linda in my head, saying tuck your belly button to your spine, Micheal Jackson with your hip, armpits down etc.... and there it was! I found this .... sort of zone I guess, where I could balance there quietly. For a few moments anyways. This one was harder than the lawn mower! So I played with that while I was teaching. It was a fun little exercise and it distracted me from the cold!

I love how Parelli really is way more than riding!

:-)
S

New Year, New Thoughts!

Another new year is upon us! I have very high hopes that this year be as great or greater than this last year.

This past year was pretty full. It started off with me heading to the Parelli Campus in Florida from February to May for an Internship [or part anyways] as my then boyfriend and I put an offer on a 70 acre farm.... quite literally the day before I left. Finagling out the details from florida to close the deal, buying the farm and then coming home engaged to said boyfriend, and with one Level 4 Savvy passed! [freestyle] And that was only MAY!

The summer came, sunny and warm, and full of teaching. Horsey time with Mo was great. Some stresses about closing on the house were worth it in the end when we moved in August. Mass renos began and then finished by the 19th of December. I also got a new job to keep me busy through the winter and a new pony, because two wasnt enough apparently. Fall was long and lovely, warm, though not as full of horsey time because of new jobness, still good though.

Now the renos are mostly done, the shortest day has come and gone, and somehow its that future age of 2012.  What can I do this year to top last year??

Here are some of the things I would like to do!

 - Pass my Level 4, online and liberty. Finesse is a maybe.  [with Mo]
 - Do a gentle colt start/ first ride or two on Zephyr
 - Find Reggie a replacement, so he can retire in grace from my service
 - Host regular play days and fun things at my new home
 - Create pasture and play space for said play days, maybe some pens too...hmmm.. thats a new idea! I will have to percolate on that one!
 - COMPETE! I really really want to take Parelli to the local competitions to show people how a great foundation can serve you - how its way more than wiggling a rope! i plan to compete int he sport of Eventing with Mo and Indy. Eventually Zephyr too, but shes just a kid right now :)


The biggest thing I am trying to do right now is to stay positive about winter. Its dark, snowy, icy, cold and yucky. All the things that are counter intuitive to horseplay. I am trying really hard to be satisfied with the little plays I get around feeding time, and be proud of them for their progressive and lack of AGRESSION surrounding said feeding time since we began. Also, I am carefully supplementing vitamin D to prevent the SADS :)

I will also try to post more this year. I outdid the previous year by five posts, but hopefully there will be substabitally more to report this year.

:)
S

Slow and Right Beats Fast and Wrong, Again.

Once more, Mo reminds me in a very vivid way that slow and right always beats fast and wrong.

Today, I revisited our zone five driving with two reins. This is something that isnt my favorite thing to do. *I* am not good at it, I dont usually enjoy it, Mo usually doesnt enjoy it because of my lack of enjoyment, and also, it usually causes me a lot of pain because of my useless achilles tendonitis. So, generally lacking in good times. Until today!

Ive been sound[er] myself lately, and wanting to progress more with my zone five driving. Inn little ways I have been adding it around just going from point A to point B with just the 12 or 22' and Mo has been getting progressively better with that. I think she just gets claustrophobic within two reins and feels trapped or unable to move her feet when her extroversion needs to take over, and the I dont know how to help her find the proper outlet without just dropping one rein and bringing her back to me. Plus, usually I run out of try in ME, because I am sore and want/need to stop walking/running.

Today was a different day. I have been remarkably pain free for the most part lately, thanks to some great physio, and Mo has practically been begging me to play with her [Zephyr to, but thats just how she is!] Its New Years Day, and as such, my other job is closed and I cleverly didnt book any thing else to do today, so I would have the option to do anything I pleased. Somehow, I struck a deal with Mother Nature, and won a day of plus four degrees celsius, so when I went out to feed this morning, I was happy to putter around and hang out for a while before going in and chanign to more oppurtune clothes and boots and then coming out to play with my Mo!

As soon as she saw me with that halter she came over and was trying to shove her nose in it while I got it ready for her. I already had the two feather lines on it - I had my plan. My goal is online and liberty Level 4 before the end of summer next year. This zone five driving phobia of mine has got to bite the dust! So we started with just some hanging out and working out what means go and turn. Turns are hard for Mo, because she just wants to pretzel around, and thats not really how driving works. She figured it out eventually and we headed off to hay pile number one. It was a slow process, lots of wiggles and stops and starts, but we made it there and chowed down [by we, I mean her]

On to hay pile number two! Slightly better, but still fairly wiggly. And so we went, hay pile to hay pile, each one getting a little less wiggly, a little more confident within the ropes. Our turns were getting more responsive and less pretzely [its a word!] and just everything generally more interesting. Mo was walking faster and getting the point of HAY to HAY was a great thing, so when I asked for a trot the first time, she went really easily! YEY!

So we trotted to a few piles and then moved on to the barrels out in the feild to see how a figure eight went. The first one was a little messy, just at a walk, but it was definately a figure eight! So we got a few good rounds until I felt her release a little and then powered back over to more hay. I think Mo is starting to like driving! Back to the figure eight a few more times and I got brave enough to ask for a trot! And we survived! In a number of ways. Mostly, in that Mo was a star and responsive, maintaining a nice slow trot and not running off or being afraid, and also because I didnt hurt! I jogged behind her without my ankle trying to kill me! Amazing!


A few really good turns and we trotted to hay. Came back again, and trotted some more and called it a day! When I let her go, Mo followed me around, so I got a hiarbrush and some cookies, stuffed her face full and brushed out some tangles :D

Mo is amazing. I am slowly going to learn not to avoid zone five driving, especially if it doesnt hurt me anymore!

:)
S