Liberty and Horsenality Clinic

This weekend I had the immense pleasure of attending the very first Liberty and Horsenality clinic in Canada, put on by the one and only Fawn Anderson. Linda had taught this format before the Advanced GOC clinic in Zurich this spring/summer, and Fawn was there and brought us all the best parts that she learned! I will try to recreate the weekend as best I can :) It was fabulous and FULL FULL FULL of learning!

Saturday morning I went out to load up, I was feeding Mo and called all the other horses in - they were waaay out there, and somehow I got lucky enough that everyone thundered over :) Good start to the day! Since Mo is obviously not up to a whole weekend clinic, I took Indy with me. It was kind of a toss up. I thoguht about taking Zephyr, as a super start to Liberty with her, and Gambler to further our relationship and get Fawns help with, but I figured I would get the most out of the clinic if I took Spotty Pony, because other than Mo, she is my most advanced partner. Plus, she is so clever, she makes me look good ;) Or horrible... one of the two... Mostly, I just get distracted looking at her because shes so pretty and thats how it goes.

SO! We loaded up, headed out and arrived shortly at the clinic venue, which is only abotu a half hour away. Other than the ponies who arrived the night before, we were the first ones there. I unloaded Indy, handed her off to Laura - who was going to share the Indy for the weekend with me, and parked the trailer. Bless thy gooseneck, for it is back-able.

Laura played a little, while I sorted out paperwork, and then we swapped places and I got Indy settled in a stall while she did paperwork :) We had originally intended for one of us to to Saturday with Indy and the other play Sunday, but the way the clinic worked out, splitting up into two groups based on level, we both got to play both days! It was perfect!

The morning started out theory. YEY! I LOVE THEORY! I love knowing the whys and hows and whatsits that go into everything. Sure, I can go out and try it and feel it out for myself, but I LOVE having all the ammo in my brain to figure it out while Im out there without feeling like Im breaking new ground every time. Having only ever had a couple of clinics with Don Halladay, and one GOC clinic with Amy, I wasnt really sure what to expect. Fawn gave us an AMAZING theory session. Ask my notebook how many pages I scrawled out while she talked. Some of it just scribing what she said, other points just BFO's that I had as she spoke. I loved how it wasnt really "new" info, just more and more layers of filters to apply to what we already know about dealing with each horsenality.

OH! And also a new way to play stick to me, that doesnt involve micromanaging the horse to stay, or having everyone else chase the horse back to neutral[you] so that was super great. I felt really good as she was describing it, because I had sort of been experimenting with a very similar thing with Indy already, so it was cool to know that I was on the right track without knowing... if that makes sense?

So, super theory session under our belts, and divided into two groups of four, Group 1 went to get their horses! The goal was to warm up online, preparing for liberty, and using the model of Calm Connected, Responsive to give the horse what they needed so they could give us what we wanted. When the humans felt ready, they slipped off the halter and went to liberty. If the horse stayed, SUPER. The human would play some stick to me game and see what they could accomplish. If the horse left, then they would begin tracking their horse in Zone 5. Just following, tracking, not driving, not disengaging. It was Fawn and mines job to keep the horses trotting. Not cantering or galloping, fleeing pressure, just moving so the would look for an answer [and not turn and beat each other up]

Each time your respective horse would yeild you zone 1 a little, turn an ear, give you an eye, or make any kind of effort in your direction, you would arc away from them in a straighter line, when they werent, then you would arc in a more direct line behind zone 5. The horses were pretty fresh first thing on a chilly morning and galavanted for a while before starting to see a point to the humans following and reflecting their movements. Finally, each horses ended up following the appropriate human, and all was well! Debrief and LUNCH TIME!

Post lunch is was my turn to play with the spotty pony :D I was super excited. Laura and Indy did GREAT in the morning session, and I was really pumped to see what we could accomplish. We had a great warm up online, practiced our stick to me with a safety net, and practiced 'scooping' her up so she could keep up with me by her responsibility. *Scooping - when you turn to the outside, while maintaining your track, give them a moment to read the body language and intention for them to keep up and then 'scoop' them up with the stick and string by swining the stick back and having it come in to hug around the hock area*

Everything checked out online, so I went to liberty, and mostly things still went good. I was dull though, I wasnt engaging her, I had no plan and I lost her expression. This is typical for us. She will do stuff 'obediently' but her ears are back, shes doing it because I told her to, not because she wants to. I asked Fawn about this, how she was staying even though she looked lke she would rather be anywhere else, and Fawn suggested getting more provocative, pushing the boundaries, seeing if I could push enough that she finally 'had enough' and left on her own, without me sending her off, that way I could then track her, and have it be her idea to stick to me. Cool idea.

Off we went. As an afterthought now, I think I should have just gotten interesting with my energy and phases, but what I did was get interesting with my feet. I started moving faster. We ran around, well, I ran, she trotted, the arena, changing directions, stopping, backing up, a whole bunch of stuff! I was really actually quite surprised at how long it took her to leave. I asked a lot, she got interested. Hmm. she did leave though, and I got to tracking. She had played the game in the morning, and with me before too, so it didnt take that long, but it felt long? It felt long because I was feeling guilty about having MADE her stay. I want her to WANT to be beside me, not stnad beside while muttering grumpy curses under her breath.

When she connected, we just went right back about our business and she didnt leave again until I asked for a circle, then she left for half the arena and went "Oh wait, my human is over there" and came back to claim me, like some lost baggage on the carousel or something. Funny horse.

When everyone reconnected with their horse, Fawn had us halter up and show her our yo-yo game, so we could prepare for canter draw! Indy was sluggish. I knew she could do better, but thats what I got in the moment, because my energy was scattered. We played with refining our phases and using the PROMISE of pressure to motivate them, without actually having to go to the high phases hopefully. INTENSITY was the name of the game! Boy did Indy wake up! She didnt quite get to marching back the way I know she can, but she did scoot :D

Then we got taught a really cool drawing technique to encourage a speedy, exuberent draw. First, you yo-yo them out, then add a push to the shoulder and draw them on an arc while asking for speed through the shoulder. The idea is not to have them come to you on a straight line, but a slight curve so they can power up and use that curve to get the right placement for power.

When I think about it in my head, I get it. When I try it, Indy looks at me like Im a spaz, tries a canter, and I get so happy I release even though Im not sure what happened. Im still figuring out the execution, but I can definatley see how cool this could be!

Day one debrief after our session closes, and its home time for me and the Sportty face! It was so refreshing to be in the learning zone again! I LOVE LOVE LOVE to learn! Sometimes I wish I could just travel around to all the different clinics [or Florida, or Colorado] and go to them all, and just keep studying. When I win the lottery. :D

We came home, unloaded, cleaned up, turned out and called it a night. Morning came again and the routine repeated. I somehow got lucky again, when I called the ponies, maybe they were cold, but they all galloped in again! Poor Indy was all shivery because it was a whole 3 degrees or something and she didnt get the memo about needing a coat soon. I gave her a cooler for the drive and parked her tied in the sunshine when we arrived. She stopped shivering after that :) Poor sleek horsey!

For Sunday we had a shorter theory session, though no less packed with super information.Our focus of the day was "how are we going to be different after yesterday, and what is our plan" forming around the tasks of circles and figure eights. Cool. Once again, group 1 was first, and it was great to watch the strategies applies for those horses. I really liked being able to watch what was going on with everyone, and not just needing to focus on my own horse [I was also glad that my own horse wasnt a rafter monkey, since it was her first official clinic other than being in Florida!]

When it was our turn, we warmed up, looking for calm connected, responsive on a corners pattern. Like I said, my stick to me is wandering and doing transitions, so I set myself up on a corners pattern, and when we got to the corner, we stopped. This produced lots of licking and chewing and checking in [presumably to see where I found some leadership from] It was good though! When we went to liberty it was much of the same, and if she fell behind, I could scoop her up without her taking offence. The expression went a little bit, so then I started playing with more intensity, and I got her back, which was very cool.

Everyone went back online for the figure eight/circle part, and due to space,we went two at a time. The first two to go did their thing while I did little yo-yo plays with Indy in the corner and then it was our turn! First we played with having an effective send, using the promise of pressure and when that was good, we introduced the figure eight. I figured out a whole new level of refinement, and not doing more than she does. OH and also, not adding pressure accidentally but heading back to center before she crosses X. Lots of ear changes! Much less grumpy and micromanaged feeling pony I think :D

Once again, lunch and debrief and then we went into individual sessions in the round corral with Fawn, after some very cool change of direction simulations. Gotta love Conga Horses! Somehow I ended up going last. But thats ok. We went in and did our thing, halter off at the gate, walk across the centre to test connection and see if they are with you. Well, like almost every other horse, Indy stopped to smell the poops by the gate. POOP is more interesting than me.... ouch.  ;)

Off to tracking I went, and it wasnt long before she caught up with me, which was nice. When I was sure she was with me, we headed to the center of the corral to show seven games in three minutes or less [which she rocked at, and I felt great about her!] and then we went onto checking out our circle send and then the figure eight. She rocked it all :) I was so proud of her! Once she was connected and it was her idea, she was right there with me.

At the end, Fawn asked if there was anything else I wanted to do, so I asked about spins and how to know if you are ready. I have always kind of been confused about how those work at speed and just end up confusing my horse and breaking my change of direction. The answer was refine your change of direction until its so easy its basically a rollback, and then create a box-step to just keep talking to zone one all the way around. She also showed me a way to teach it online, which I cant think of how to descibe in words without showing? Anyway, she did a few simulations with me, to set me up for when I am ready, and it was great, really made sense and put into place those few things I was confused on.

Then it was over :( I was the last person to go, and after a debrief, we all went our separate ways. Two days just isnt long enough for me ! I want MORE! Hopefully when she comes back in the spring, there will be another topic clinic I can take! I just LOVED her teaching style. It really suits me and my unquenchable thirst for more knowledge. There were so many times where I was going to ask a question, but then on the next sentence, Fawn would already be answering them. She is just a fountain of information!

It always fascinates me how different everyones teaching style is. Having been mostly exposed to Don Halladay in a clinic situation [ok, twice] he is very much a "Heres the task, go play, come back with questions" kind of teacher, which works great for me on some subjects. Fawn was very individualized, with LOADS of info and tips and thoughts which I LOVED! Plus, it doesnt hurt that she was so recently so close to the source [Linda] so she had all the latest tips and thoughts Linda has been playing with!

Homeward bound we were, then. Indy loaded up a little snorty, so I have put her on a trailer loading programme again. Load, eat a snack, hang out, go back to pasture. Just to make sure that she doesnt revert to her trailer loading terror of her previous life. I decided to load Zephyr and Gambler today too. Both were super stars, though scared the crap out of me with mild choke cases [ I think] when they gobbled the cruch out of the bucket to fast. Some quick head down combined with water syringing ddown the throat and everything turned out alright, but jebus that was scary. Really now ponies, CHEW! Suffice to say, those two wont be finding crunches as a reward anymore... though Indy has never had any trouble? Go figure. The LBE's get over food enthusiastic.

To finish, here is a poem Fawn suggested we look up -

The Man In The Glass Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.
	When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say. For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass. He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest For he’s with you, clear to the end And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test If the man in the glass is your friend. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

:)
S

Changes!

They always say that the only constant thing in life in change... whoever 'they' are, and they're right. Change happens whether we want it to or not, so its best to be ready to welcome it with open arms! In the last month alone, my life has taken a MAJOR over haul, and its been incredibly positive!

One month ago this Friday, my fiance and I moved into our very own 70 acre gorgeous wonderful perfect fixer upper of a farm. It has pasture, it has hayfields, it has a barn, it has apple trees galore and of course a little house that I love and that we are fixing up currently to make it more accomodating. Given the order of my list of exciting things, you can see what I am most excited for. SPACE! For my ponies! For the first time in about four months, my two ponies were finally re-united with zero fireworks or any kind of great photo-op. They just said "oh hey, its you' and promptly tackled the chores of mowing the paddock that had been empty for two months. It was pretty spectacular. For the most part Mo and Indy being put together in confined space creates .... drama. Not on that day! Oh well. At least they were happy.

Moving was an event. It always is. I sincerely, severely, dislike packing. Its right up there with wall painting and spiders. I just dont like putting my life away in a box! Especially when I know it may be a few months until that box gets opened, due to reno's ongoing in the house. I try to label the boxes in a detailed fashion. I try to remember where I put things. Alas, I have failed. I have no idea where my passport is, no way to find it without unpacking everything, and all I want to do is jump across the border [a whole 28km away] and get some poptarts. Phooey.

To be fair, I did not misplace a single thing belonging to Mo and Indy. In fact, their things have likely never been more organized! Upon arrival, one of the first things I did in the following days was re-vamp and organize my - yes MINE, you have no idea the excitement - tackroom. It went from an un-used semi-shop area to a clean, bright, well organized horsey central. I know exactly where everything is, its all clean, visable, or stored nicely. All of my ropes are hung properly, all of my saddles and pads and on racks, sticks and strings stored nicely in a corner until I come up with something better, its just perfect. I even managed to clean the grime encrusted counter from its 'natural' brownish greyish blackish color back to its original white, pre-stains-that-have-been-there-for-years. Let me tell you... that took some elbow grease.... and bleach. Some of that too!

My barn is perfect. It has four stalls. Two are clean and useable currently, one is currently housing our soon to be installed dishwasher and one holds some old hay and straw I need to get rid of. Bonfire anyone? The aisle and footing in the barn is sand, so when I got there and the rubber mats down the centre were roiling and overlapping I pulled them off and raked the ground level before replacing them. Now I wont twist any ankles. Yey. There is a space I will turn into my feed room. There is a space for my winters worth of hay. There are LIGHTS. There are two big doors at each end, painted black with white high stepping horses on them. I am pondering perhaps painting over those horses and applying the Parelli Logo. I think it would look nice.

Mo and Indy are extremely happy in their new home. They also have a new ami! Her name is Zephyr and she is a dun yearling quarter horse! I 'desperately' needed a new buddy to keep whoever gets played with company! She is quite the little LBI, and I am really enjoying her and figuring out what motivates her - so far scratches and apples.

My house is pretty awesome in its own right. Cairo loves it. He is its king. He presides over all that goes on and sleeps a lot. Jax is loving having a house to guard. He has his happy ears on all the time. Much perkier nowadays. Which is very good. He was pretty depressed when I first came back from florida. He is now all slim and athletic again and a very happy camper.

Today I spent my late morning to mid afternoon on a lawn tractor, making my home look gorgeous. Its been over run in the pasture with weeds, so I am slowly taking it back. Should be an interesting battle. So far I am winning.

Thats my little life update :)

S

Life..

Such a sad sorry state of neglect I have left my blog in... terrible! I shall try to rectify that post-haste!

Summer has finally come to the great northland that is my home. Sunshine and warm temperatures make S a happy camper. Mo too. I think. Maybe not. The flies bug her a lot. Mo has moved into a quaint paddock created from step in posts in my back yard so that I can have her close, as her being forty five minutes away was causing me to struggle with sanity. Its not fun partaking in your primary addiction in life only once in two entire weeks!

Needless to say, that situation has been remedied nicely and now I can see Mo any time I want, simply by looking out a window. Her Royal Higness, Miss Indy is still enjoying the pleasure of Rocky's company out at Dad's. Mostly because I dont think she would respect a little fence that would hardly come past her tall knees. Although, my dearling left brain ami finally [after three weeks] figured out the wire wasnt hot and decided walking through it was the best answer she could come up with to get the grass on the other side. Oh, and also, that the gravel on the road is the most curiously entertaining thing in the world, that she just MUST explore! *sigh* After three near heart attacks and a newly charged fence, m'dear Mo has stayed safely behind bars... er... fence. Thank goodness!

Since being at Dad's, Indy seems to have started a war with the trees. To tell the truth, I am really not sure why, they seem to be aimiable towards her, providing shade and relief from the bugs, but nonetheless, she seemed to feel the need to provoke their ire. Twice. I went to visit my spotty ami one day a few weeks ago, only to find her entire upper leg and knee swollen pretty extremely. Part and parcel with a twig sticking out of a tidy puncture wound. I tried to pull it out, but most was broken off, so I did what I could with the limited [aka none] supplies I had and headed home to re-stock. When I came the next day, it had mostly scabbed over but was still swollen. The teeny tiny wound looked to be nothing, but I still re-opened it to pull out the rest of the debris and disinfect it. Indy was a total pro for this, I must admit, I was VERY pleased and proud of her. She stood stock still, inspected my work and approved. She was a rock star.

To battle the swelling I cold hosed the leg for about 15 twice a day when I could, once when that was all I could manage for three or four days. I called the vet office to find out if there was anything I could or should be doing and they said I already was [which was a relief] other than getting her a tetanus shot. So off to the clinic I galavanted to fetch my pony a needle. Thank goodness for great ponies, because I just walked up to her at liberty in the pasture, poked her, rubbed her, gave her a cookie, and voila, sans drama, my pony was safe from the threat of tetanus for another year. Did I mention she was a rock star?

Slowly the swelling was going down, and I was getting quite pleased with my veterinary efforts until the fourth day. On the fourth day everything back slid. Silly pony. I walk over to check her out and all the swelling had moved down the leg to her knee and cannon bone.... huh? Running my hand down her leg, I found out why. My dearling had once again fought with the foliage, and this time had a thorn in her knee. Really now, can we yeild on the tree-wars please? Luckily this thorn plucked out easily, unlike the twig, but once again, I was back at square one dealing with swelling. Back on the bute my lovely went [she is pro at taking that to, even dad can do it! ] and mucho more cold hosing. Silly pony. At least she seemed to enjoy the hosing. There was a time, when I first got her, that the hose was the debil in disguise. She cut herself on the trailer ride home [OH so RBE that day] and I tried to hose it off... didnt work. At least now she stood rock solid, even trying to play with the hose and drink the water, and even give me a shower!

Finally [so far] a truce has been reached with our so-called enemies the trees. Its been two weeks, and there have been no further attacks. Hopefully, the truce holds, and further injury can be avoided. There is another Hunter Pace on the 10th of July that I would like to take Indy to, and as such, I'd very much like her to stay sans swollen limbs. At least she never got sore or lame.

Back to Mo. Mo has been a super pro here at home. We have been playing a lot, lots of online on the 45', getting our maintain gait at a canter better and better, playing with finding clean flying lead changes, and giving a focus on jumping lately, seeking the obstacle and jumping in a confident and rideable fashion. We had a great little liberty session a week ago too, complete with many canter laps and a few flying changes of direction! I was really proud! We have been playing with lots of finessey things while riding, getting back to stretching and using both of our bodies. Its so easy for me to get stuck in freestyle because its my favorite savvy. Bareback and bridless has always been my dream and what makes things fun and challenging for me. Finesse is fun to, and challenging in a different way, I just need to find the right motivation for it - other than just getting my L4 Audition taped. I dont have the excuse with freestyle anymore... since its already passed.

Either way, I have been playing much more with contact now, at all gaits, and Mo is getting better and better every day. Our latest focus has been jumping a course at a balanced rhythmical canter. Its going great. Maybe I will take her to the hunter pace... We have been playing a lot with patterns. I mowed a whole bunch into the grass where I ride so I have a follow the rail, a clover leaf, a circle [10m and 20m] a figure eight and a question box. I should make a weave... that would be nifty. Maybe next time. We are playing with breaking down the flying change, really building the pattern into the question box to change leads with a drop-to-trot change through the centre, and yesterday she offered me the first clean flying change in a while, which was fabulous.  Patterns patterns patterns!!! They work!

A few weeks ago now, me and Mo participated in the first Games and Demo day here. We had a big demo with seven local instructors and horses, and some tournament style games for students as well. It was a fabulous day, and a great way to see a lot of friends I hadnt seen in a while. Overall a great success and a pretty fabulous sum raised for the Parelli Horsemanship Foundation!  Mo was very tolerant during the demo. I hadnt been able to do much of anything with her for the two weeks previous, having just got back from Florida, and she still loaded up like a pro, got to the new place and helped me put on a great show for Parelli students of the area. What a great partner she is!

In other news, I will be moving to my new farm/house/home in just about a month now. I cant wait. I am terrified. I am excited beyond all reasoning. Seventy whole acres to turn into Parelli Paradise all to myself [well, I have to share with D, but same difference] I can finally have Indy and Mo at the same place again, I can leave stuff out to play with anywhere I want, I can make silly paddocks and mow patterns anywhere I want. I can have Play Days! Its going to be a great home and I really cant wait to live in it.

I think that about catches up things since my last less than timely post. I shall endeavor to post more often. Parelli Connect is sort of stealing blog-thunder at the moment, as I am keeping up with that instead of blogging here. Ill work on it. Try and be more exciting and all, so I have things to post.

:-)
S

Made it to Ocala

The journey began on a dark and frigid morning, one blustery Tuesday in February. The sun hadnt woken yet, but Jack Frost was having far to much fun harassing us. I woke up warm in my bed, though at an insanely early hour.... only to be thrust out into the icy icy breeze whipping the snowfall around. -20something with the wind said the radio. Eep!

Saying goodbye is the hardest part of leaving, even though I know I am coming back. Snuggling one last time with Cario, as he squirms in protest, not really sure why I am squeezing him quite so tightly. I miss the little bugger already. He did make a valiant effort as a stow away, but I have confirmation that he remains at home. Goodbye hugs with Mom are so regular these days with all my travels, its almost routine. Yes Mom, Ill drive carefully, text you often and be good. Love you *hug*.  Generally how that rolls out. It works for us.

Figuring out how to say goodbye to D was a little harder and more stressful. Thats a whole new situation and leaving with the whole house-buying-thing going on really doesnt feel like the cleverest plan, but what else can I do? Just going to have to trust the people at home working on it. I know it will all work out fabulously, and then when I go home I get to pack some more because we will be moving to our very own house in July! Seventy acres to do anything I want with... hello HEAVEN!

I managed a high spirited goodbye to Aunty, C and C. My goodbye to Jax was a little more solemn. I always hate leaving him because he gets so depressed. I really hope he will be ok with Teddy around for company. My little/giant old-man-puppy isnt as young as he used to be, and I still need him around for many more years...

So then came the loading. Indy was pretty much her usual RBE self, determined that the wind was turning the trailer into a shadowy horse eating monster, and to be fair, it kinda looked like that anyways. She hopped about for five to ten minutes and then remembered, 'Oh, right, trailer, adventure time' and got on. Mo was her usual rockstar self and marched right on. Do I ever love that pony. SO reliable!

It wasnt snowing, no, but it was crazy windy. We decided to leave anyways. If it had been snowing at home, I likely would have waited out another day - but apparently it snowstormed the next day, so that would have been a bad plan to. Anyways. We left, and it was SLIPPERY. I was white-knuckling it the whole time. It is one thing to slip around when its just you and your lonely vehicle. But I had VERY precious cargo in the back - and I really dont think E would have appreciated a visit to the ditch either. As we wiggled our way down to the border things got a little better.

Crossing went extra smooth and off we went onto Highway 37. Now, let me advise you, if its blustery and winter, you likely dont want to take this road with a horse trailer. I didnt know this, but lesson learned. We lived through it, but we went veerrryyyy slowly. It wasnt great times. Several grey hairs from that experience Im sure. When we finally made it to I-81 this funny thing happened... we couldnt go. We had no speed pressure. Bugger. Call dad. He says he thinks the fuel lines are frozen so we limped to a truck stop and got some 911 stuff thats supposed to unfreeze things. We also were able to have the very nice lady at the truck stop call a little garage  down the road to have a look at our fuel filter. So we limped there.

That little event was an adventure in and of itself. Inside the garage bay was a firetruck. Inside the garage bay was also my truck and trailer wedged against a side, that we had to take a running start to get into because their lot wasnt plowed and it was on a little uphill that Goliath kept spinning out on going slow. Good times. Now, Mr Garage Man was very very nice, but I will say he had no idea what he was looking at because he couldnt even find our fuel filter and sent us off on our way again. Poop.

Back limping on I-81 for a little longer, going a grand total of 70km/hr. Whooooo we were flying! *sigh* It was so stressful not knowing what was wrong with the truck. AND not being more than three hours from home yet ! We got off at another little sketchy exit and found a whole bunch of garages. We went from one to the other to the other, all of them busy and unable to help until we got one call referal to the EVER SO WONDERFUL Skips Pit Stop. The one garage we were at called them, they said they would order the filter, it was there five minutes after we got there and changed and ready to roll out in less than half an hour. Talk about service! Now, could I find the place again if I had to ? No. I doub it. We were so re-routed by then, I was lost, and it was a blizzard. So bonus points. AND, AND, for a gold star, our GPS connection was dead, and we were trying to run it off our laptop powers and so trying to conserve it as much as possible. Joy.

But! All was once again well in the world, as Skippy had our truck healthy and hale once more, and ready for the open road. So we set off. Our goal was the North/South Carolina border, at a wonderful layover spot called Sallys Ark [this place I CAN find again, and have several times, I love it] We did get a back up plan to stop over in Virgina though, because it was about 12:30-1pm by the time we got on the road for real and we werent even to Syracuse yet.

The drive was on and off blizzards pretty much the whole way. We eventually decided to just haul tail for Sallys, because other wise day two would just be another crazy long day, and I would rather do one uber day and one short day. So uber day commence.

Around 7 or 8pm both E and I were getting to the point of boredom. Just the whole stuck-in-a-car forever thing, and so we both broke out our little 5-hour energy drinks and downed the powerful energizing brew.... WELL! When they say powerful energy kick... THEY MEAN IT! We were buzzing and bouncing for HOURS. At fuel stops we were literally running in and out of the stations and jumping around, chatting and generally being insanely hyper. Anyone who has seen me buzzed on Easter Cream Eggs, this was 20x that. Imagine. Now run and hide.

It was crazy, it was fun, I dont particularly want to do it again, but it got us there. 2:30am we pulled in, unloaded ponies, fed them, unblanketed, and went to bed. Oh, but not before trying for a good while to text the moms that we got there safe. Backwoods North Carlolina has zero cell reception though, so that didnt fly very well. We tried though! Tucked into bed with an alarm set for 8, we were dead to the world.

Morning came with sunshine at least. We passed through a mini blizzard in north North Carolina, so the sunshine was welcome. I played with both girls at liberty in the round pen before loading them up and that was super fun. They are both such great fun to be with, and its such a challenge to play with both at the same time, accomodating Mo and her left brainedness and Indy and her right brainedness... its fun. I love them.

Indy loaded like a total trooper and Mo her usual self and we were off once more. Luckily, this day ran MUCH more smoothly and we made it to Ocala to J's for about 4:30 I think. We unloaded the girls and they both ran about for 15 minutes or so, rolled, blessed the ground they stood on for being solid and then got to grazing. When I came back a little later, Mo was sound asleep, and yesterday morning bother were out like lights. Poor kids, they get tired too!

E and I had another adventure trying to get into the house we were staying at, we got locked out and such, but eventually got it sorted.

I got to play with the ponies yesterday a little, when it stopped raining for a while. That was nice. I groomed them both up shiny, clipped Mo's chin hairs and cleaned up her front legs a little. Played with clipped approach and retreat for Indy's chin and legs and then played with my still-shiny-new feather lines that I got for Christmas with Mo.

WOW! What a star she is, and how much FUN are feather lines?? Such a cool way to feel for lightness! Also played with some zone five driving with walk/trot/backup transitions and the figure eight. Mo is a star. I couldnt have been happier with her. I turned one of the lines into a hackamore style rein set and 12' line and moseyed over to the pedestal. As soon as Mo saw me getting up on there she started to come to me sideways. She was quite a ways away to, because she had been lollygagging a bit. Silly Mo. Still, it was really nice to have that obvious invite of 'Lets go for a ride'. We didnt do to much, because I was still getting the feeling of Mo being travel-tired. Just some bends and haunches/shoulders in and backing practice from my seat. Also did one walk canter transition, just to see how little I could do and still get it. The answer is next to nothing :-D I was pretty excited. I only did it once, because I didnt want to push it when she was obviously trying so hard even though she was tired.

Funny side bar about clipping - Mo fell asleep while I was doing under her jaw and I had to hold her head up at times... silly horse.

Pretty much the whole time I was doing stuff with Mo, Indy was stalking us, trying to get in on the action, or rumaging around in the things I left on the bridge - brushes, showsheen, clipper box open... she messed up all the things with her curiosity. Which.. I am glad she curious, but I am also glad she didnt break my camera that was sitting there to!

It was raining here when I was finishing up playing yesterday, so on went their rainsheets. They looked pretty miserable in the morning time all wet and with their long hair, so since it was chilly anyways, I thought they would be ok with their things on. They seemed happy this morning when I went out to feed them.

So, thats my adventure thus far, I will endevor to keep the world updated as much as I can
:-)
S

Classy Ponies!

In my seemingly never ending mission to be ready to head to the wonderful and warm South, I got my ponies some excellent outerwear to *hopefully* curb their Canadian Woolies.

Courtesy of my friend and fellow Parelli student S, who co-owns Manely Horses, I found some very awesome purpley and stripey fleecey coolers, and a lovely black and almost lavender rain sheet for Mo, and a wonderful tealy blue one for Indy. They both look so classy and mega-rock-star like in their new swanky gear!

Heres hoping they leave them on and dont let the others rip them to shreds..... !

:-)
S

PS: How nice is it that when I opened the back door BOTH of my ponies came over. Not just Mo, who has formed a nice habit of coming over when I call her, but her darling Aloof Highness herself came over too, and waltzed right into the barn. How excellent is that? Loverly!

Ahhh! But it Turned Out Alright!

Today is my day to do stalls, and as always, it takes me extra long because I cant help but talk to my girls and scratch and provide cookies as I go. Mo has been super enthusiastic lately, she watches my truck drive in and power walks over to the fence [because she is close already] It is really sweet!

When I finally finished up what I was supposed to do, I rescued my saddle and extras from Reggie [truck] and brought them over to the barn and wrangled me up some ponies... both came in willingly and happily. I stuffed some food in front of Indy and borrowed Mo to get in some clipping prep play that I meant to do last week! She was pretty skeptical in the beginning, but it was no time before she was pushing the massager around with her nose and being all curious. She let me rub her withers and shoulder, but was pretty introverted about it, so after she relaxed and licked I stopped and we went back into the barn to saddle up. Also because Indy was causing a bit of a ruckus, and I really didnt want her to attempt her infamous jump-out-of-the-stall routine.

I tried our two-thick-shim idea with the saddle, and it was perfect. But I am getting ahead of myself. As I was playing with Mo I was trying to figure out if I could be brave enough to suck up the cold long enough to play with both of my girlies today. Being the not very winter inclined person that I am, I decided that probably wouldnt happen, so I came up with a super fun alternative. Given our little stand together and not eat each other session the other day, I thought we could try ponying! Ride Mo and pony Indy so she can get out and get confident to, without having to go alone!

My plan was going perfectly, I had Mo saddled, Indy waiting patiently a little ways away and I mounted... and then I realized I forgot my carrot stick, which I thought might be pretty crucial to keeping dearling Indy out of Mo's personal space. So I jumped down, "ground tied" Mo .. which she is usually a super star at, led Indy with me back into the barn to grab and came back to find Mo wandering away. *sigh*

I quickly put Indy away in the barn and went after my escapee. She had just a halter with finesse reins clipped on, and she had cleverly slipped them all the way over to one side, so as she was curious-ing her way away from me, with her big nose on the ground, she was stepping on the rein, at which times she would stop, back her foot off [look irritated] and keep walking... and walking... and walking!! ACK!

Annnd then she started trotting. Poop. Off down the laneway goes my pony. Time for reinforcements. I grabbed dearheart the second, apologized for the lack in prep and jumped on in hot pursuit of my escapist. We trotted off down the slippery lane, happy to find Mo had stopped not to far down the corner. We slowed down and I tried the catching game with her via Indy, stopping every time she looked and backing up and such, but Mo just snickered and took off again. Still stopping every now and again to address stepping on her reins... By this point Im just shaking my head, and starting to freak out a little inside that she will get hit by a car on the road.

We get out to the road after a merry chase down the laneway [Mo took off in a happy go lucky canter] were she stopped, looked around and went "OH BOY! The neighbours yard has no hoofprints!" *facepalm* So Mo walks over down the neighbours lane [across the street] Every time we got close enough, Mo would go just out of reach so I couldnt grab the reins or her halter, or basically anything I could use to get her attention. Smarty pants.

I almost had her on the laneway, because I could use the garage as a barrier so she could only go in a certain direction, but somehow she got around and plundered her way through the snow around the side of the house [sorry people who live there] and off to the other neighbours... [sorry other people who live there] and then she tramped through the ditch and back onto the road. She was heading back to the laneway, thankfully, but I was worried she might try to dart past it to... and that was when the car turned the corner, just as we were passing the lane, and she WAS trying to squirt past. Indy played cutting pony rather well in that moment and pushed Mo onto the laneway.

Off she went. Galloping down the laneway. *sigh* Galloping on the ice. Indy wanted to take off in hot pursuit, but I was only really open to letting her klutzy highness canter. We caught up with Mo at the corner, where she had stopped to try and dig out some grass and were able to herd her from there into the barn - I had given up trying to catch her at this point, just glad to be back on our own property! Once I got her in the barn poor Mo knew she was in trouble!

She backed her butt all the way to the end of the barn and looked at me with her " Im super cute and you arent mad... yes?" face. Ill be honest and say I was a little mad, but with that face, its hard to stay that way. Mostly I was just incredibly relieved that she wasnt dead on a road smacked by a car somewhere. We are only on concession away from a pretty major road around here, high speeds and lots of volume. Not good!

With Mo finally caught, we returned to our orignal programming, complete with stick on the first shot this time.  And so our actual real planned adventure began. Indy was a little bit more focused on eating Mo in the begining, but I was able to step up and keep her focused on what I was askng her instead, and she gave up that idea pretty quick and just followed along like the super rock star she is!

We walked and trotted once we got to the road, and they were both excellent. Indy was very respectful, and Mo was very good at paying attention to me and not the stick I was waving around to help Indy figure out where to be. YEY friendly game! We went up the road further than I have with either of them alone, so it really seemed to boost both of their confidences that they had moral support of another pony, not just me. I thought that was pretty interesting.

I think I will do this more often, and when Indy gets better and more reliable at her laterals I can pony Mo from her. I found out while trying to get to Mo that while yes, when focused and prepared she is pretty on the ball with little lateral things, she was not so on the ball when not so prepared.  So when I know I can ask her anytime anywhere to do anything...then I know she will be ready to be the leader and not the follower.

 - funny side note - watching Shanghai Noon on tv, and Mo is definately like the indian pony that Jackie Chan gets... the follow you into the bar type of horse, makes me giggle -

Such were my adventures today.. its was almost warm, butnotreally, and it was sunny. That was good. I was starting to forget what that yellow orb in the sky was! All we have seen lately are low and heavy grey clouds!

:-)
S

Little Bits

It was actually finally sunny today, so after work I was brave and went out to visit my wonderful fuffly friends.

Mo met me at the gate, and Indy was around to, which was nice. I went out to visit and say my hellos and slip my savvy string around Mo's neck. Today was one of those silly winter days where it feels like its been ever since I actually sat on a horse, so I just needed to sit on my pony. Either, I wasnt being picky, but Mo already had the string on.

I hopped up onto the water trough to use it as a mounting block, and Mo came over and then changed her mind and walked five steps away. A little sad, but not terribly surprised, I happily watched my other pony go "Oh boy, free human!" and mosey on over. The best part was that as she got closer she started coming in sideways to meet up with me on the mounting block. I layed on her and loved on her, but the way I was precariously perched on the edge of the water trough and the packed snow making her taller, I couldnt get the right angle to swing up. To tall!

When I jumped down, Mo came right back over and I was able to line things up right and squirm my way onto her back. Armed with my savvy string and carrot stick we moseyed on out into the  pasture. We didnt do to much, just some follow the trail on the path the ponies have dug in the snow, walking and trotting. I really just needed to feel my horsey and see her for more than just a quick hello and maybe a good grooming. I know I just rode last week, but it already feels like forever ago. January is like that.

When we got back to the gate in the ring, Indy was there waiting so I decided to perform an experiment. Indy and Mo hate each other with something bordering on passion, so I thought why not see if I can step up the leadership and work towards being able to play with the two together, and one from the other. Mo and I moseyed up to Indy and, as I thought, she pins her ears, but all four stay on the ground.  I protected our space [Mine and Mo's] with the stick and then *poof* ears up! How interesting... !

So we played with that, until the two of my girlies were standing an inch apart, side on, and HAPPILY. We did a few little stick to me forwards and backwards things and then Mo and I walked away. Leaving things on a good note! We wandered for a few more minutes before I jumped off and fetched some cookies for my rockstars. How I adore them!

:-)
S

It Was a Good Day Today

It really was. Not a super fantastic great day, but it was a solid check in the Good box. Nothing extra ordinary happened. I went over to do my day of stalls this morning but I kept getting distracted by ponies... as is wont to happen fairly often. Mo actually watched me come in the laneway and then met me at the gate, which was adorable. Indy was in an attention grabbing mood to, so that was nice.

As it was warm out [hahahah sure, yea right, it was +1 C] I actually left the barn door open and was serenaded by the gate clanging as Roxy kept trying to reasure me that she would indeed fit through the space between the chained-closed gates. By the time I finished the first two stalls - one of which belongs to Indy - my princess was not so patiently waiting at the gate, so I got her some hay [she's dropping weight :-( ] and let her in to munch. She seemed pretty content to eat, even though being in the barn is not usually her favorite thing. Mo loves to be the only one inside, she gloats and carries on, Indy just wants to be outside again. Funny horses.

I finished all the stalls in a round about way and then went to see Mo, who was at the side gate again when I dumped the last load. Yesterday we played with backing out the gate because it is a tight squeeze with no turn around room due to the tractor being parked right there. When I went to just say hello and hug her, she obviously wanted to come in, so I tried to engineer a repeat of yesterday, but with the added challenge of being at liberty. Things didnt really fly so well and indy started making noise, so I just told Mo try-again-next-time and went to stuff some more food in front of m'dear noisebox.

Interestingly, when I popped my head back outside, Mo was still there and looking like she would please like to try again, so I offered her another chance. Lo and behold, she backed right out and pretty much all the way into the barn on her own. I will admit it was a little bit of an assumption on her part, but still pretty cool! I will have to work on that a little, change things up so its not always a super back up with no draw.

Mo got to hang out in her stall munching while I took out Indy. I shined her up and detangled her fair share of hair. Someone has been munching on it lately, so its all ugly and uneven now... she looks goofy. When it grows a bit I will even it out with the rest of her mane.... Poor girl.

After grooming her I grabbed the snazzy little gadget I aquired from the dollar store yesterday - one of those noisey three legged massager things. PERFECT clipping practice! I had intended to do this with Mo, but Indy was there, so I did it with her instead. I let her sniff it, then turned it on and walked away. She was a little skeptical of the noise at first, but her curiosity peaked pretty fast. It wasnt long before she was trying to get closer and closer and finally putting her nose on it, while it was on. Cool stuff. This is very similar to what we did in Ocala last year, so I am glad it stuck.

We progressed fairly quickly to rubbing her body and legs. She was a little concerned over her back at first but relaxed on the second try. She didnt do anything extreme, just flexed her back away from the vibration. The only thing the she actually moved her feet for was when I tried under her jaw. That was my fault. I saw after that I had blown through some thresholds under her neck and chest area, so I went back and worked with those and quit when she was ok with that and licking and chewing. We will tackle the jawline another time, she did awesome and I wanted a good note to end on since my fingers were losing circulation..!

In the barn I saddled her up with our new toy and off we went. I was VERY happy to see her blowing out and stretching in the walk. Indy RARELY if at all stretches and blows during a ride, and certainly not at the very beginning. That was a treat. We walked down the laneyway doing little transitions, freestyle, and little isolations of her fore quarters and hind quarters. I was a little miffed to find that they were softer and more precise than Mo's! How that happened, I really dont know... will have to see to that though! It was a lovely feeling though, the speed that she offered in the turn on the haunches was really fun to ride. I can see why people like to ride spins.

Another really nice part of the ride was the incredible light soft flowy sideways she offered. Sideways under saddle is usually really sticky for Indy, so that was a treat. I think the biggest thing for me to see today was the walk/trot transition. *Usually* going up into the trot, her head comes up and her ears get snarky - just a bit. Not today. Nope. Head stayed low, ears stayed happy. How interesting.

We didnt canter because the laneway was a little slippery, and we didnt make it to the road because we hit a big threshold that I didnt want to explode through, but we had a great time. It was nice to be able to hang out with my ponies two days in a row. Even if all I did with Mo was hug her and say hello [which is all I did]

I dont do well in the cold... Yes, it was nice out compared to standard fare around here, but it still wasnt summer, and I got cold and numb fingers, so after getting off of Indy I opted to go drop off Richard.

Like I said, it was a good day

:-)
S

Jockey In Training?

The other day I finally got this wonderful oppurtunity to gallop one of the horses at work. Boy was it FUN! And boy was I unimpressed when my body flipped me off and said "You arent fit enough to do this!". On galloping days [not to be confused with fast work days] they trot two laps and turn around and gallop two more. Well, after one lap my body summarily gave out and I had to stop. Well, my legs did anyways. I was so dissapointed in myself for that! Pretty much anything that I am physically incapable of doing with ponies frustrates me. Things that I know are relationship based etc, like awesome liberty, I know I just need to keep playing with, but when my body says no, then I look to what I can do to fix that.

I am not incredibly unfit or anything, I work on a horse farm every day all day and ride fairly regularly, so by default I am semi fit, Just not in top shape like I need to be for this particular endeavour. SO! My plan, is to practice and practice and practice standing and trotting or cantering or galloping - whatever my ponies choose to give me - on MY ponies around the pasture. I figure I pretty much have all winter to get this solid before spring, when race training really picks up again and the chance to be employed as a ride might come up again. The minor fault in this line of thinking, is that it is kind of hard to ride with short short stirrups in my regular saddle. Do-able, just not ideal. Oh well. I am doing it anyways!

Today was my first chance to practice, since Tuesday was the day I rode, and then I had things to do each night after that until today. It was really nice to be able to see both girls on my birthday! I played with Indy on the 22'for a bit, just checking out her mood and seeing what she was interested in doing today. She was pretty go-y but paying attention really nicely. She even stopped midway over the barrels the first time I asked - that was a treat!

She was great when I saddled her up, and stood nicely while I fussed with getting my stirrups to go short enough - accomplished with one wrap and the highest hole! When I finally climbed aboard - with help from the water trough, it was really .... odd.... feeling to have such short stirrups in a regualr saddle! A racing saddle has a long seat and not much else to it, so when your knees are up, you dont really notice that it is an otherwise awkward position in another saddle. Oh well, I am determined to practice this so off we went.

I am not really sure what Indy thought of it. Her ears were semi back at first, but when we got trotting she was pretty content. She trots with her head up, so that helped because I could stand and grab mane if I had to, to keep balance. Her follow the rail was pretty good, and she was still listening to my leg even though it was unusally high for her! So that was great :-)

My dearling extrovert soon caught on that I was experimenting with myself and just giving her a job to keep up and kept her job up admirably. She followed the rail, she trotted, or broke to a canter/gallop on occaision, but it wasnt so much about gait, so I wasnt overly worried. She stopped when I asked her to so I could take breaks and just let my feet down! We continued this pattern for a while I had enough for the day and then I put my stirrups down and we played cutting geese for a bit. I tried to convince Trixie to play, but she said no. Crystal was right out dead asleep with her nose resting on the ground so she didnt want to play either. That was ok though, we just walked around and then went back into the barn to unsaddle. Afterwards Indy got to hang out in the backyard and have grass.

While Indy got her fill of the last grasses of the year [tear!] I got Mo out of her stall [she insisted she come in to when I brought Indy in] and played around a little bit and went outside, although only on our 12'line. I really dont know what my intention was. I think it was to play liberty but then there were ponies in the ring and I *just in case* I didnt want her playing escapee and harassing anyone.  So instead, we had this really cool, pseudo liberty, ultra intense session on our 12'line! It was super neat!

We played with all of the same things that I have been doing at liberty, and just shining them up a little more. Getting out canter stick to me even closer, our trot/walk/halt/backing together even better, and going over jumps instead of *around* them - Mo's specialty! I even finally got her to understand the jump halfway over and stop idea that Indy picked up a while ago. Jumping really isnt Mo's thing, so anything to do with it and she kind of says "thanks, but no thanks"and moves on. She was really intrigued today though and that was just fabulous!

Mo was just ON today. She was a bit spooksy because it was windy and she is goofy that way, but she was really paying attention and really amping up her try and energy. She even trotted backwards once when I asked for more energy in a yo-yo! We also got trot and canter draw, and happy 12'canter circles! Mo was collecting ALL BY HERSELF! It was SO pretty! Just GOR-GY-OUS!  Loves my ponies! 

We only really played online, in that really ultra intense way. I didnt ride Mo today. Tomorrow probably though, since this semi-ever-present rain is supposed to be gone for a few days! It was really really cool to be able to turn up the intesity and be ever so subtle and get such dramatic things done! WAY TO GO MO!

I really do need to film my L3 stuff.... silly procrastinator!

:-)
S

Sometimes I Wonder...

I wonder a lot of things... like how much hay needs to be washed out of my hair before the drain clogs... but tonight I am wondering a specific thing. I am wondering about my sanity.. or lack thereof!

As today is Sunday, I spent my dreary rainy day at work, which is completely ok with me. Being Sunday also means that tonight was the season premiere of Heartland, a delightfully horsey show that is among my guilty pleasures. Since it was such a moist damp cool day I came straight home [it was raining anyways] and jumped right into a wonderfull hot shower and plunked down for some down time. Havent had to much of that lately. I am not big on sitting still, it kind of irks me. I fidget, I invent things needing to be done, places to go, all that. I just dont like stopping because then I crash, and we all know thats no fun what so ever!

Due to the glory of time shifting I got to watch my delightful premier at 6 instead of 7 and after watching the Sunday movie which was the Pacifer, with Vin Diesel who always makes me giggle. Come 6pm I gte my loverly horsey-on-tv addiction fix ... and then its over. AND THEN I wonder why I havent seen my ponies today. And how I really want to go see them NOW. Even though its dark, even though its later, even though its raining. Hmm. I really wanted to be able to walk out my back door and see them, but alas they are not back there! I *almost* just sucked it up and said oh well, but then my conicous kicked itself and said THEY ARE ONLY FOUR KILOMETERS AWAY - GO!!! At least is isnt -3279857432985 degrees out yet!

So I did :-) And I spent a wonderful hour with BOTH of my ponies in the barn - the wonderful barn-with-lights - brushing them, hugging them, smelling them [horse people get this] playing with Mo's bows and playing hide and seek in the stalls. I love my horses. OH SO MUCH.  I miss them when I dont see them for 24 hours, sometimes even after just an hour or two. I am well and truly addicted to my horses, and it is definately a habit I am not interested in kicking!! Even if all I got today was an hour, spent in my pj pants and rubber boots, loving on them, it was enough. It was enough to lift my mood, make me smile and make everything ok again. Not that anything was wrong, just... I dont know, the world looks better after pony time.

Even better, Ajax was waiting for me at home and he was all happy and cuddley. AND Cairo seems to like me again as he is trying to post his own message to his not-so-secret-kitty-army.. so if there are typos, I blame him today! So its all good. Mo is happy, Indy is happy, Ajax is happy, Cairo is happy and all of that comes together to make me happy!

But like I said. I wonder sometimes, about the sanity of it all.

:-)
S


PS: fhiporengtres <-- Cairo says hi... I think. ?

My Horse the SUPERSTAR!!!!!

Today was just phenomenol!!! I LOVE MY HORSEY!!!!!!

In a small town near where I live today there was an event called a Hunter Pace. This is basically a trail ride that has some potentially jumps and is ridden by a member of the Hunt to find the optimum time, and then us regular people try to ride it to what we think that time is. Basic rexipe for uber good times!!

Oringinally, there were supposed to be five of us going from my work. This morning when I got to the farm with my pony and trailer I found out it was just going to be me and A. Which is just peachy :-) I am just glad someone was still going to come with me!

Anyway, back to the beginning! I brought Indy in this morning, becuase I finally felt like she was ready to go somewhere in the trailer again. She is finally loading *so* nicely like Mo does when we are practicing, and the Hunter Pace isnt far, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to practice. I cleaned up my dearling half white messy pony as best as I could [I DID try and wash her legs at least yesterday... but she rolled six million times when I let her go...*sigh*]  I loaded up my truck and trailer and then the test came - how would Indy load? I knew my energy was up because I was excited about where we were going, but I was working SUPER hard to control it and make it calm down! It must have worked because my SUPERSTAR walked right onto the trailer! Have I mentioned I love my horsey?

When I got to my work farm I couldnt see anyone, and I was honestly a little worried they left without me! Turns out everyone just bailed... poop! Well, two bailed and one was sick, so that just left me and A. Since it was just going to be us I offered to let Boots [her mount] ride in my trailer instead of hitching up the giant 5 horse for one lonely pony! Indy was showing off her superstar quality right from the start. She didnt freak out, or try to get off or take a single misstep while we loaded Boots [a strange horse!] right up beside her on the trailer. GO INDY!

Once we were loaded up we were off to the Hunt!! Turns out its not even that far away! Whoo! We pulled in, and some people were already leaving, but we werent late because you were allowed to leave between 11 and 1pm. I like that because you dont have to get up at the crack of stupid like when you go to a show!  Indy came off the trailer like a pro! She was calm, neighing a little [she likes to make friends] but for the most part she was excellent and in tune with me and paying attention! I am SO proud! I was nearly certain I would have my fanatical RBE back, but NOPE! She was FABULOUS!

I did a couple of little things to make sure she was paying attention and then saddled her up and did a few more things for girthing up before mounting. More uber superstarness! We walked around a little while waiting for Boots to get finished. When we were both ready we went over to the starting line and off we went! We were team #22, with just the two of us. We started off pretty nice and slow, walking and trotting, there werent to many things to jump in the beginning.


Indy was a star though. I was riding with my hackamore, and for the most part on a casual rein! Pretty stellar for a right brain extrovert if you ask me! Lots of open spaces, chances to bolt etc and she didnt want to go anywhere! I am SO proud of her!! A was in the lead with Mr. Im A Racehorse, and Indy did a great job following! She stayed with him without being a pain or getting to close [most of the time] We trotted the first few jumps, which were smallish, after Boots, and Indy did great! Then we came to this little feild that had a ditch jump, a barrel jump [laying down] and a couple of log jumps. It was a PREFECT warm up! ALL things Indy is used to and knows she can jump!! She jumped them all like a total pro and was controllable the whole time to boot!  Boots did great to!

We moved on and through the ever winding course, through some straw feilds that we cantered through, over bunches of more jumps and always laughing and having fun! Indy was just a STAR! I cant even express that enough, how proud of her I am! She just totally blew me away today! The last few rides have been kind of ishy, then yesterday we had a fabulous trail ride with C and Candy [which was a real treat!] and then today, just.. POOF ! She was ON! She was having a ball jumping and running, but toally willing to walk around on a casual rein when I asked her to. LOVE IT!!!

After flying over one awesome log we landed in the feild with the 3/4 way house - water and chocolate! Indy was completely content to stand and graze while I guzzled my drink and candy. PERFECT! I love that we can pump up the adrenaline one second and then relax completely the next. I really really came to apreciate that today watching A trying to get Boots to stand quiet [he got upset that others were going in front of him!]

There were two jumps through the exit of that feild which Indy completley ignored [and I had to laugh because she was very dramatic about it] and then pelted after Boots when he went around a corner and nearly spooked at another jump. That was about the only drama she gave me for the day, and it wasnt much! In the next couple of clearings there were things to jump and we jumped them all! Indy was a total star! We even went and played in WATER TWICE!!! Usually water is her sticking point, but she just plowed right in both times, sipping some delicately, and splashing around after.

The coolest thing I think was when we went over the hedge jump. Indy WAAAY overjumped it [she thought it was solid I guess] but we survived and the next time she jumped it like a normal horse! YEY! We even went over some of the ..coops I guess? The rounded ones made with slats of wood? Boots rapped it a bit and she was a little worried but she went right over it clear and free. Lots of logs and things to jump! Some of them were big to!!! It was really nice to be able to have confidence in Indy, knowing that if we could just get a confident approach that I knew she could clear these things - I worry with Mo, because she is small and sometimes klutzy. Annnd she jumps like a deer and that is hard to ride sometimes. She is getting better, but Indy is by far the smoother jumper!

So, overall, we jumped baxzillions of things, lived to tell the tale and had a BLAST!! MY PONY IS A SUPERSTAR!!!!!!!! I was worried about being able to just control her away from home... and instead we had the best ride EVER, got compliments on our jumping AND did it all with confidence! Every time we slowed down and walked she was blowing and licking and walking level or low headed. I am just SO thrilled with her! SO PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!

INDY IS A ROCKSTAR SUPER MEGA STAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVES MY PONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:-)
S

Fun Stuff

A couple fun things lately.
Yesterday I took Mo over to D, L and S's place to play. K was there to, and we all had a blast. We played with Sparky again, which I always love! Mo loved it to! Instead of playing in the arena, we played in the straw field!! There were rows of cut straw so when the cow went out of the path, it had to jump over the rows which gave an extra little fun bit!

Me and Mo played with some contact with the Cradle bridle, and some bridless stuff too, which was a blast. S and D had set up an awesome obstacle course that we played online and the undersaddle as well, which was a super challenge and fun. Mo was really tuned in and I am super proud of her.

Today I went out to test out some new saddle fitting things on Indy.  OH WAIT! I forgot!! I changed the gullet again in my saddle! It is now on the uber widest one, and I am currently playing with shim patterns to figure that one out.... I havent found the perfect one for Mo yet, but B gave me some good ideas the other day via skype [which I adore] that I am playing with. I am not sure how well it works for Mo, but I tweaked it a bit today to fit Indy better and it really seemed to work. I think I could use one thin shim, just for me to get better back on my balance point, but other than that I was happy with it - and better, SHE was happy with it - she was actually OFFERING to put her head down at the trot after a while, and we were just in the halter and 12' - that is something she has never done without being prompted by a fluid rein! So joy for that!

I had some ruffles on the left side, but I think that might be from me re-adjusting the saddle because the girth wasnt tight enough in the beginning. I will keep an eye on it either way though, to make sure it isnt a fluidity issue in me! Interesting note to, she picked up both leads pretty easily. The last time we rode she could not for the life of her [OR ME!] get the right lead -which is interesting because Mo has a hard time with the left lead! So... what does that say about me? I havent quite figure that out yet either.... Lots of figuring going on currently!

Actually lately I have felt a bit stuck, so I have to keep reminding myself that when you feel stuck or like you are moving backwards, its just a new level of concious incompetence. Its a good thing. I just forget that sometimes... it is hard to feel stuck when you want to feel progressive all the time! Things ARE progressing though, I think sometimes though my expectations just get to high for what I am actually doing - in contrast, having high expectations is what has pushed me to get where I am now, so thats not a negative.

In a 'things are progressing' note, I am now consistently and confidently [and regularly!] riding Indy bridless around the pasture at a walk and trot and in to the barn. Little liberty things coming along nicely with her to, which is a nice treat. Mo is being her usual goobery self tonight. I just brought her in to brush her [all those hairs take a lot of upkeep!] but she was so cute and searching out treats that we played with practicing her bows on both sides. I am also trying to figure out how to turn that into lying down without ruining the bow. Yet more figuring! YIKES!!

Lots to think on!!

:-)
S

Productive Day

I got a lot done today! And not just with the ponies, so that is good. Unfortunately I cant ride 24/7 and still be able to exist and all that... Maybe some day!

I started the day mowing the ring once more, scalping it on the lowest setting. It looks really nice again AND I didnt get stuck tis time! I may have been aided by the fact that it hasnt been raining every day, but I am still calling that a plus!

Indy got to play first today. It was really really interesting online! We have been playing with upping our figure eight lately and so we went over to play with that. Last night was a bit bracy on the turns but today was just gorgeous and flowy!! I remember thinking "Oh wow.. this feels really good!" She was giving me enthusiasm and canters and really tuned in trying really hard. On my end, when she was drifting to far, I wasnt interrupting her, I was trying to see if I could just redirect her attention and help her find the pattern... lo and behold! Success! Hmmm... how interesting!

We played with transitions as well , and circles over the barrels and some more stick to me. All went very well. Our yo-yo to, is coming along really nicely, she really puts effort into backing up even at phase 1/2! YEY!

After saddling and doing some more little things to check the girth and whatnot, I bridled her and off we went, same set up as yesterday. We did a couple of rounds walking and doing circles at the walk with the reins on her neck AGAIN! She was fabulously responsive! Really following my focus and I wasnt having to use my leg hardly at all. What a neat feeling!

We picked up the trot and went into a cloverleaf pattern, which went surprisingly well! I played with my fluidity, trying out the sitting trot and trying not to over-post. I find I do that a lot with Indy because her stride is big, but its not bouncy, so I over exagerate for no reason, or maybe because I used to have a hard time with her trot, so I try to hard now even though I have a pretty good handle on it. I played a lot wiht letting her motion be the only thing that pushed me around and I must say I was quite surprised how LITTLE I came out of the saddle. Fun Fact: When I was playing with this and finally picked a posting tempo that matched her better, she stopped speeding up at the trot when I posted! HOW INTERESTING! Something to this Fluidity stuff... HA!

After feeling pretty comfy with the trot we moved into the canter and kept it up for longer than we had yesterday. I had an interesting surprise waiting for me - I found out I used the reins to balance at the canter! Not in a haul-on-the-mouth way, just in a position way. I was used to balancing her canter with my hands down where they would be with the reins, and when they werent there my balance was off! Hmm... So we played with that a bit and it got better. Not perfect yet, but definate improvement. Interesting that I never had that with Mo... I think it is the stride length difference and just being accustomed to having reins in my hand, even freestyle.

After a couple of trot/canter transitions Indy got a bit impulsive, so before something went wrong I opted to pick up the reins. We played with some more fluid rein and contact and such. We also played with transitions within the trot - how slow can you go, how fast can you go. The coolest thing with those was that I wasnt using my leg at all, she was super in tune to my body energy! She was very soft and flowy, extending easily and slowing down easily to while maintaing mental contact and following my focus. It was very cool. Very light. It really showed me where lightness can go.

On one particularly sharp extended trot to halt in our question box I jumped off and called it a day. We breifly addressed trailer loading before turning out - it is SO much better. Basically walk up and get in AND be comfy for me to put the but bar up. YEY!

When we were all done and she was out I went home for lunch and came back later to hang with Mo. She was in the shed, so I crawled through the fence to say howdy and we walked over to the gate that way, semi at liberty/led by the mane. My initial plan was to do a passenger lesson bareback, so I just grabbed the confidence snaffle bridle and reins, because they are lighter that the 12' all done up. We played online first of course, with some interesting results.

Right off the bat Mo was in a strange mood. I was walking along and I asked her to go out and around me a *little* bit and she literally took off at a dead gallop. Mo. Dead gallop. The horse I cant get to maintain three circles at a canter lapped me four times at least GALLOPING. I was just to stunned to interrupt, and she looked left brain about it. I just figured she was being oversensitive, so I played with it, aimed her at barrels, got changes of direction, transitions and all kinds of things. A little bit of figure eight to. It was only later when I finally got her to hold still that I saw/felt the emotional sweat and I found out it wasnt left brain. Or maybe it was, just adrenaline, because she was still paying attention and doing what I suggested. I am not quite sure what happened yet.

It worked out in the end, I focused on close range circles, trying to get her to lower her head and relax. She is really good at putting her head down one way, and will do it at the walk trot and canter, to the extent of even kicking herself in the chin on occasion. The other way is a lot harder, I think her ribs are a little out. She made some small changes, but not all the way loose the other way yet. But at least she was calm and not so ready to run off. I chose this moment to mount up.

Surprisingly, after all the fireworks, the ride was beautiful. Not what I expected, but beautiful. I was planning a mostly freestyle bareback passenger lesson. What happened was a beautiful finesse ride! She was softly collect in all gaits, lightly responding to my leg, following the pattern [cloverleaf] just beautifully. I was even impressed in my head by Mo, she was so soft, I was able to suggest a soft feel with the reins and ONLY suggest a soft feel with the reins. I wasnt using the reins for turning or anything else! I am so proud of Mo! Lightness is coming!!!

:-)
S

The Right Brain Extrovert goes BRIDELESS for the FIRST TIME!!

Today is a total first for Indy!!!!!!!!

I have been having some impulsion issues with Indy. Everytime we trot freestyle, she had been running away at the trot a little bit. Very strange, but not really unexpected due to her nature. We have been playing with it, while working on fluid rein and transitions with contact. I feel like she felt a little lost with no contact in zone one.

With that in mind I have been playing with riding with contact and loosening it and picking it up again etc.

Today when I went to play with Indy we warmed up extra strong online. My initial plan had been to play with more contact riding, so I wanted her uber ready to ride. We played with maintain gait at the canter, figure eight - with some real enthusiasm, stick to me at the walk and trot, and getting her to stop over the barrels coming at them at a trot. She was a little go-ey today, really ready to move and I had a hard time stopping or interrupting her patterns, but when she finally got balanced she was my little hovercraft on hooves!

With that nicely acheived, I bridled her with the confidence snaffle, grabbed my dressage whip [was planning on playing with getting lighter sideways] and mounted up. After some friendly and lateral flexion checks we walked off on the rail, with the reins on her neck.

We walked circles and a little bit of cloverleaf as a warm up - with the reins on her neck. Then I got brave and asked for a trot... and we did the same - with the reins on her neck. I only had to use the stick a handfull of times when she leaked out a little on the turns. Then I got braver and asked for a canter, and we cantered the rail, balanced, and confidently - with the reins on her neck!!! HOLY WOW!!!

This is the horse I have been wondering if I would ever advance to bridless riding with... and look what we just accomplished!! I cant believe it!! Her stops and downward transitions were seamless!!! I even got a little bit of transition within gait at the trot!

Lesson of the day : WARM UP STRONG!! I learned that in Florida... why havent I been applying it consistently?!?!?

I am SO proud of Indy!!!!! Even though my plan went right out the window, I cant be happier with what we DID accomplish!!! I even was able to lead her at liberty from the ring to the barn and out to the pasture - another first for her! *squees happily*

:-)
S

What Happens When Then SUN Comes Out!

FINALLY! A long awaited visit from Mr. Sun, and I sure made use of this fabulous sun-shiny day!

First things first, I went on a bike ride with my Aunty, and that was super fun. Havent biked in ..ever [since florida, surely] but, its like... riding a bike... [haha] not something you forget at least :-)

After a nice bike ride we actually opted to saddle up and go for a ride! I chose Mo, because Indy and I were slated for a play-day later in the afternoon. Mo was good coming in from the pasture, they were all at The Spot, so I didnt have far to go and she came and met me part way. I groomed and saddled her in the barn and then went ot the ring to play some ground games. We did just little focusy things and played with her helping me mount again, culminating in her actually helping me mount! YEY! That was cool. Pretty much by the time I got on Aunty was done schooling in the ring, so we hit the trail.

We went down the galloping track as a short cut to avoid the laneyway due to bugs, but were thwarted when some 'vicious' cows ran at the fence scaring our ponies terribly. Lucky for me, a one rein stop is really sinking into my muscle memory and Mo and I both survived. Aunty and Candy did to! We backtracked our way back down the galloping trail and went down the laneway instead. Luckily the bugs werent to bad yet and we werent swarmed.

Slowly but surely we made our way down the dirt-dead-end road and onto the trail that connects to it. We moseyed a bit there and up into the forrest where we WERE swarmed by deer flies and that was no fun so we opted out of the forrest! Someone has been back there with a bush hog trimming cute little trails so we toured those for a while before heading back home. Mo was really good. She was a bit skeptical of a couple of rocks, but we did well.

Back at the barn I untacked Mo and let her graze while I loaded up the trailer for Indy's adventure. It was really nice that when I went to get Mo off of the lawn she actually came over to me, instead of waiting for me to come tell her to stop stuffing her face! That was a good feeling. After turning her out and giving her the sufficient quota of cookies, I went to hitch up the trusty trailer.

I have to say, my trailer is among my most favorite possesions in the world. I LOVE my trailer. It is perfect. Anyways! Once that was all done [thanks Aunty, it always goes better when I have help!] I went to fetch the Diva Queen, aka Indy. She was cute and coy as per usual. I usually go out with some crunch in my hand and she has gotten into this routine of waiting to see if I am coming for her or someone else. She sends her lackeys over to check me out first before coming over herself. Trixie is always first, then Tripp and then Crystal. Once they all pass free and clear she comes right over and everything goes great. Silly horsey.

I brushed Indy in the barn and then off we went to visit our new amis. Luckily they only live about 10 minutes away! That is SO nice! When we got there I left Indy loaded to go say hello and such. That kind of thing is good for her because every time she sees the trailer she goes "OH NO Not another 26 hour trip to florida!" so just waiting, relaxing and getting off after a ten minute trip is perfect right now.

When she did finally come off, she came off super quietly and most of all, CALMLY! I cant even express how proud I am of Indy for this whole day. She did FABULOUSLY! For a previously extreme RBE, she was just super! We hung out chatting with S and D by the trailer for a little while and then I went to set my stuff on the fence and play in the ring while they got their ponies.

Since I had the ring to myself I opted for the 45' line and went out to play! We had some cones set up as a question box, some barrels on a weave and a trampoline! COOL STUFF! I tried to start out with some nice relaxing friendly game but Indy wanted to move her feet. When I remembered that extroverts need to move their feet before they can move their brains, I relized that I should allow her to move out instead of trying to shut her down. Duh... Slow brain!

After a nice travelling circle across the ring, we settled in the back half where there were no obstacles to catch the rope on. Indy mostly wanted to trot, so we played with some transitions and change of direction until I felt like she was focusing more on me and more willing to stop/slow down. We played a little bit of sideways and yo-yo and a little bit of yo-yo on the fenceline with canter departs to back up. That was pretty cool to see the power come through.

On to the TRAMPOLINE! S set the challenge when she brought it out - mounting via bouncing - and I was really curious to see what Indy would do! Sure I have jumped all around her on the ground and such, because I am a lunatic like that, but a trampoline? Who knows... Indy gets skeptical of some things I wouldnt expect her to, so I had no idea what her reaction was going to be!

Turns out I had nothing to worry about. I sent her over to investigate, she did, no problem. I stood on it, no problem. I sat on it, no problem. I started bouncing... NO PROBLEM! HA! Go extreme friendly game! So I bounced away until she was calm, approaching and retreating as needed. The first time I launched myself at her, I wasnt the most graceful in doing so and she sort of shivered in her skin a bit, but didnt move. Lots of rubbing and scratches to make up for that! I continued though, to jump and lean over her and *try* to mount. The thing about Indy though, is she is TALL. And I am not! So even with the trampoline and bouncing, I just wasnt making it high enough.

S, though, is my good luck charm! She came out with her pony and saw what I was doing and encouraged me and VOILA the first time I try as she came out I made it up! That was a cool feeling!!! I hugged Indy and jumped down and did it again! Cool horse :-)

We went back to playing around then. Some circles and figure eights and such before saddling up. When I was ready to mount I thought it would be fun to still use the trampoline as a mounting block, but I had to be creative because now I had a saddle in the way. So... I mounted *behind* the saddle. I was midly concerned that Indy may not appreciate that, so I did some test half-mounts, but she passed the tests and didnt move an inch while I clambered up behind the saddle and scooted forwards to the right place! Yey!

Once settled we went out on the rail and played a little bit there but she got really impulsive so I put her on about a 22' circle. She tried to canter it but soon got herself under control enough to trot the circle calmly. Even going so far as to experiment with putting her head down! That was nice. What felt like a gazzillion circles later, she offered a stop so I took it and relaxed with her until she offered more go and we changed directions. Much less time to stop this go-round.

Feeling like our impulsion was pretty happy, we went over to the weave and did some of that at a walk and a trot. She really picked up the idea and tried really hard at that. It was a real treat today, to ride with her in such a partnership frame of mind. We also played a little cloverleaf uding the question box setup before SPARKY came in!

Now, Sparky is this super-awesome-uber-cool ROBOTIC roping cow thing that L has. Its kind of like Pat's except you dont have a remote control steering, it just staying straighish. I am pretty sure Indy never got to see Pat's while we were in Florida, so this was a first. I dismounted for this, just in case and went over after it stopped to say hello. We played with some squeeze games first, then when she got brave we moved up to touch-it and sideways around it. She got confident with it standing still pretty fast so we moved on and I remounted - again with the trampoline! I need to get me one of those!

When L was ready we played with Sparky. Well, we all followed while he roped it. It would go off on its line, he would chase it to rope, and the rest of us would follow and go touch it when it stopped. Indy was a little hesitant at first but she got into it really fast! I think she had fun with it.

Oh! Before we played cow ponies, we had some fun on a circle - all four of us! Two of us went one way and two the other way, with one way being spinning in the middle. We alternated which ring of the circle we played according to horsenality [Indy never made it to the middle] and trotted and cantered circles that way! It was really fun. Indy started on the second ring from the middle trotting and then as her impulsion stayed under control I moved her to the outer most ring and we did CALM FOCUSED canter circles. RHYTHMIC and RELAXED. It felt fabulous. Casual rein, happy pony, good fun! So that was really cool. We did LOTS of circles to. It was a game, so it worked for all of us.

We played a lot with the cow. That was really really cool. Indy was pretty fascinated by it, and at the end, she got confident enough to play control-holder pony, which involves standing beside the cow and keeping beside it as it runs [so as to be able to invoke the stop button in case a fence looms near] It was such a treat to see her go from afraid to confident in the span of about an hour. She is getting so... I dont know, she is just wowing me so much.

*Then* came nemesis numero deux de la jour. Im am fairly certain Indy has seen a giant green ball before, I am just not terribly sure if she has *met* said giant green ball before. From the look on her face, I am going to vote no. Her head went waay up and she got all frozen and wide eyed. Luckily I was on the ground because I volunteered to hold L's horse while he put away Sparky and fetched out said ball.

Interestingly, it really didnt take much to get her focus back, she kind of relaxed all on her own and I felt good to mount again [used the fence since the trampoline got kicked out of the ring!] The trick to the ball confidence thing for Indy was not to follow the ball, but to follow the HORSE following the ball! S's horse is SUPER confident with the ball, loves it and loves pushing it around so we opted to follow him for a while first. When Indy felt ok we approached the ball and she had no idea what to do. It was so cute. She kind of just stopped in front of it and sort of asked "What now?" I suggested she kick it, which she did, sort of, and so began our ball playing fun!

We progressed from "OMG WASSAT!?" to being able to trot and play pony soccer in one go! I really think being around the other horses that were confident with it played a huge role in Indy's success though. So that is something to remember for the future. We played ball for a while, even scored a few goals!

Eventually though we all got tired and it was time to go home! Indy got to load up and hang out some more in the trailer while I chatted and said my goodbyes [and THANKS for an awesome day] before we headed homeward bound.

What an awesome spectacular day! Good things happen with its SUNNY!!! Hopefully the sun will stick around for a little while!

:-)
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