Kelly Sigler is letting me do some computer work for her (data entry) and I'm loving being around her and on her farm. It's a lovely place. Eventually I'm bringing O'Rion to her to finish his saddle training (I'm not savvy enough at this point although I've made a good start). and Exy, too.
We'll be doing a workshop with Kelly at my sister's. Hope this is a trend, as it's certainly a DREAM COME TRUE to be around someone like Kelly.
I'm smiling. :)
December 23, 2009
Post Lesson happenings
Private Clinic with Kelly Sigler, my 50th Birthday present from my husband...Birthday is December 28, went very well. I trotted without fear. a HUGE thing for me! Still licking over some things and it's really good. I'm still working on myself.
my herd
Fiona came home from Kim's house looking fit and more trim. we just never could get our schedules connected to ride, so I brought her home.
After weeks of putting Fiona on and off the trailer, driving just 10 feet, feeding her on there, ect...opening and closing doors, playing with lots of squeeze, we made the 15 min drive to the house and she was not quite as upset as going TO Kim's, she was pretty darned upset. Added to that fact that the herd went crazy running, squealing, bucking and farting all along the fence, I had my hands full (of her like a kite!) when we arrived home. She got off the trailer ok but was lightly sweating (an improvement) but then went completely RB aftter I had her in the yard.
We did lots of my back to the fence 180's and walked sideways all the way down the fence. FINAlly she calmed.
when I got her in the herd there was some pretty scary noises and striking. She was striking out at her beloved son, O'Rion, who had enjoyed a run of second in command while she was gone. Momma came home and took back over her herd...and it was fun to watch. I got some nice pics. :) Poor Boss was relegated to second and he kept trying to cut his herd out from Fiona, but finally the whole herd went with Fiona. It was sad to see him give up. He sort of deflated.
I've had wrist pain/numbness these past few months...it's flaring up now. so no typing.
I'm doing ok. Had a LOVELY Liberty session with Exy tonight (RBI/LBI) with a tiny bit of dominance, then softening and some lovely phase 1 (I'm going for feather touches and she responded well) yeilding in zone 3. When I had a little snake head and drove her away she went away sideways. I had to laugh. She loves sideays.
we had a community grooming sesson with Fiona, me and O'Rion, they were licking me and doing that soft teeth nip, then more licking on both hands at once. NICE...very soft looks from them and lots of licking and chewing right before the sesson.
I did some undemanding time with them both and they really responded.
Lovely ring around the moon tonight.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Love,
Shelly
my herd After weeks of putting Fiona on and off the trailer, driving just 10 feet, feeding her on there, ect...opening and closing doors, playing with lots of squeeze, we made the 15 min drive to the house and she was not quite as upset as going TO Kim's, she was pretty darned upset. Added to that fact that the herd went crazy running, squealing, bucking and farting all along the fence, I had my hands full (of her like a kite!) when we arrived home. She got off the trailer ok but was lightly sweating (an improvement) but then went completely RB aftter I had her in the yard.
We did lots of my back to the fence 180's and walked sideways all the way down the fence. FINAlly she calmed.
when I got her in the herd there was some pretty scary noises and striking. She was striking out at her beloved son, O'Rion, who had enjoyed a run of second in command while she was gone. Momma came home and took back over her herd...and it was fun to watch. I got some nice pics. :) Poor Boss was relegated to second and he kept trying to cut his herd out from Fiona, but finally the whole herd went with Fiona. It was sad to see him give up. He sort of deflated.
I've had wrist pain/numbness these past few months...it's flaring up now. so no typing.
I'm doing ok. Had a LOVELY Liberty session with Exy tonight (RBI/LBI) with a tiny bit of dominance, then softening and some lovely phase 1 (I'm going for feather touches and she responded well) yeilding in zone 3. When I had a little snake head and drove her away she went away sideways. I had to laugh. She loves sideays.
we had a community grooming sesson with Fiona, me and O'Rion, they were licking me and doing that soft teeth nip, then more licking on both hands at once. NICE...very soft looks from them and lots of licking and chewing right before the sesson.
I did some undemanding time with them both and they really responded.
Lovely ring around the moon tonight.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
Love,
Shelly
November 1, 2009
Trailering
For some reason say the word trailer in my home or take horse somewhere, and the truck and/or trailer hears you and acts up. Today is the back tire of truck. I've connected trailer to truck (Albert says WASH THE TRUCK AND TRAILER) like that's going to fix it. Anyway, put trailer on truck and noticed rear tire sort of flat. Albert takes truck to get tire filled. Today it's a tiny bit low. Tomorrow I"m on my own, he's working, so it's on me to put air, whatever it needs.
Fiona and I take off for the other side of town today technically so she can meet and greet with Kim's horses and freak out over the fence...then get turned out with them so we can have a quiet clinic (prior and proper preparation, right?).
I"M EXCITED! Kelly Sigler is coming here on Tuesday/Wednesday for a private clinic for Kim and me. This is JUST US TWO...no watchers, no one so we can get down to it. FEAR MAKEOVER is this clinic's theme. Kim is afraid to ride. I'm afraid to go above a walk. (a few trot steps is ok and FORGET jumping, my former passion).
I'll check back and let you know how it goes.
Fingers crossed Kim doesn't sell her horses. (she threatened to).
Fiona and I take off for the other side of town today technically so she can meet and greet with Kim's horses and freak out over the fence...then get turned out with them so we can have a quiet clinic (prior and proper preparation, right?).
I"M EXCITED! Kelly Sigler is coming here on Tuesday/Wednesday for a private clinic for Kim and me. This is JUST US TWO...no watchers, no one so we can get down to it. FEAR MAKEOVER is this clinic's theme. Kim is afraid to ride. I'm afraid to go above a walk. (a few trot steps is ok and FORGET jumping, my former passion).
I'll check back and let you know how it goes.
Fingers crossed Kim doesn't sell her horses. (she threatened to).
Umbrella Day /Happy Halloween
Fascinating day with an umbrella and my trusty steeds. Started de-spooking on Halloween, funnily enough, (again for Boss and Fiona) and it was Hey the umbrella's here, let's play for Exy (LBI/RBI) and O'Rion (RBI/LBI). They quickly found out it was a toy and with a tiny snort and one backing off quickly, O'Rion joined Exy in trying to mob the umbrella. As learners they both go RBI but their curiosity and play drive is up and they love to play and explore their world. Lots of mouthing the brolly and trying to bite it. I let them somewhat but hey it is my umbrella! THEIR game then changed to Keep Out of my Space. Very successful with sending energy to them and a small stop with the hand or a step towards them with lots of energy sent their way. I was happy with it.
Meanwhile Bos (LBI) was having none of it and wanted to completely ignore me and then go catatonic on me. I noted not much breathing and some staring. We did LOTS of retreat with my back to him. Finally after about 20 mins he started turning to look at me. (I was halfway down the field by this time). Lots of time to process and he did a lot of licking with tongue way out.
It took about another half an hour but I was able to approach and retreat with rhythm and relaxation approaching his shoulder that he was able more often to look at me and actually took two tiny steps towards me. This is HUGE for Boss, who is TERRIFIED of an umbrella and has always been for the 20 or so years I've had him. I rewarded this by retreat and quitting for a few moments. More licking.
Finally I got to within 30 or so feet (10 meters) of him with approach and retreat and he changed his expression and then came to me licking and chewing. I retreated more and he sped up a little from the previous creep to an actual walk so I let him catch me. Sniffed umbrella, let me touch him with it. I was amazed. His expression was riveted as I was thinking the whole time I will not force you, come to me when you're ready. Finally I was able to rub him with the umbrella while closed (NEVER BEFORE, this was HUGE!) both sides minding my body language in neutral with one leg cocked. He then proceeded to yawn several times, and lick, yawn, lick. It was really good! I was smiling from ear to ear and stood with him with my hand on his withers.
NICE session and it was capped off by a lovely rainbow from the slight mist that caused me to get the umbrella in the first place! A huge bow that stretched from one side of the farm to the other in a complete arch. FANTASTIC STUFF!
Tomorrow I take Fiona to Kim's (my sister's farm) so that the squealing and freakout will be over by Tuesday...so we can have our PRIVATE CLINIC WITH KELLY SIGLER in peace! (no horse antics hopefully by then). I'm So EXCITED! This is my 50th Birthday present from my sweet husband Albert.
Forgive typos today...glasses are in the bedroom and he's asleep. I had to get up for a bathroom break and didn't want to wake him to get my glasses when I could not go back to sleep.
Nighty Night!
October 21, 2009
Preparation for Clinic
Today it is get prepared to TRAILER to the clinc with Fiona. We did Touch It on the trailer. Nose first...she blew by that and put her feet on it. Good girl. I'm impressed by her as she loves to put her feet on things.
Remember, one of the last times we trailered it was a horrible wreck (she FREAKED out in the trailer and hurt herself coming down the ramp) so my focus has been "stand in the trailer calmly."
We did approach and retreat (it was not a bad reaction at all, but I wanted her to keep her confidence the WHOLE TIME). Stand on ramp. Graze. Ramp again, let's go forward. Retreat. graze.
Nose in trailer. If she leaned towards, I left her alone and it was hard to be in neutral. In my head I kept hearing Pat say "she has to act like a partner. Quit micromanaging." How did he get in my head?
Anyway, I just STOOD in neutral unless she leaned back or took a step back. It WORKED! She loaded herself essentially and most of what I did was just support backwards movement with a tiny stick wave. It only took tiny movements. This is big.
SUCCESS.
O'Rion and Exy began snorting and farting, running along the fence to our back with the dogs barking, this made her lose confidence, so I took her away from trailer and did S Bends and then finally falling leaf. She looked at me as leader, we returned to trailer and did beautifully with them in the background. It's not about the herd. She kept asking questions this whole time and I was pumped. VERY nice for her and not her norm.
So then I showed her all the doors and things and did friendly on the closing mechanism. Stroked the sides of the trailer, stroked the gate, stroked the partitians in the trailer with her watching, thought loudly :) Good Trailer, Good sides, Good door, Rattled it in front of her...showed her how things worked.
She asked LOTS of questions and seemed engaged the whole time. It was lovely.
We loaded again and I closed the gate partway then she tried to come out. I let her. Rinse, repeat. got it closed and asked her to stay on when she moved to come out. Very gently tapped on her HQ with stick. She took the suggestion and stayed. Gate closed briefly and then I invited her out. Nice expression at end of session and I called it a a day. I figured we'd build on that and I'd ask her to stay in with gates closed next session, then a short ride.
I feel really good about how it went.
Albert came home so that cut short our grazing session I had planned. I had to talk to him about a project we're working on, but grazing will take priority next session.
:)
Remember, one of the last times we trailered it was a horrible wreck (she FREAKED out in the trailer and hurt herself coming down the ramp) so my focus has been "stand in the trailer calmly."
We did approach and retreat (it was not a bad reaction at all, but I wanted her to keep her confidence the WHOLE TIME). Stand on ramp. Graze. Ramp again, let's go forward. Retreat. graze.
Nose in trailer. If she leaned towards, I left her alone and it was hard to be in neutral. In my head I kept hearing Pat say "she has to act like a partner. Quit micromanaging." How did he get in my head?
Anyway, I just STOOD in neutral unless she leaned back or took a step back. It WORKED! She loaded herself essentially and most of what I did was just support backwards movement with a tiny stick wave. It only took tiny movements. This is big.
SUCCESS.
O'Rion and Exy began snorting and farting, running along the fence to our back with the dogs barking, this made her lose confidence, so I took her away from trailer and did S Bends and then finally falling leaf. She looked at me as leader, we returned to trailer and did beautifully with them in the background. It's not about the herd. She kept asking questions this whole time and I was pumped. VERY nice for her and not her norm.
So then I showed her all the doors and things and did friendly on the closing mechanism. Stroked the sides of the trailer, stroked the gate, stroked the partitians in the trailer with her watching, thought loudly :) Good Trailer, Good sides, Good door, Rattled it in front of her...showed her how things worked.
She asked LOTS of questions and seemed engaged the whole time. It was lovely.
We loaded again and I closed the gate partway then she tried to come out. I let her. Rinse, repeat. got it closed and asked her to stay on when she moved to come out. Very gently tapped on her HQ with stick. She took the suggestion and stayed. Gate closed briefly and then I invited her out. Nice expression at end of session and I called it a a day. I figured we'd build on that and I'd ask her to stay in with gates closed next session, then a short ride.
I feel really good about how it went.
Albert came home so that cut short our grazing session I had planned. I had to talk to him about a project we're working on, but grazing will take priority next session.
:)
August 6, 2009
Rode Fiona with Parelli Saddle
well, silly me...didn't push down so felt like I was on a cushion of air...well I was!
I was tipped a little forward, but it was cushy and comfy and we had a nice hour or so ride around the little paddock. Also had a lovely liberty session before I mounted as she was going a little RB and sleepy, so I changed up the energy and changed the game. We forgot about me mounting and played games.
Fiona really woke up and liked that! Also I'm sure I was sort of wired about riding so it gave me a chance to sort all that out, too.
Stirrips were too little so I did not use them. Just used balance point and Pusing passenger, did tit for tat and mirrored, even when she shivvered for a fly I shivvered, too! She was licking and chewing a great deal and I noted she did turn when I would turn (tried to pretend I had no reins).
Nice ride!
O'Rion is on the list for a very gentle trainer this winter. (I don't bounce as well as I used to and he'll be very gentle). I checked him out thoroughly. Nice soft hands. He said I should be able to go to beach or trail ride when he gets done and for me to come ride, too, while O'Rion is there. He'll be starting one of O'Rion's half siblings soon, too.
I was tipped a little forward, but it was cushy and comfy and we had a nice hour or so ride around the little paddock. Also had a lovely liberty session before I mounted as she was going a little RB and sleepy, so I changed up the energy and changed the game. We forgot about me mounting and played games.
Fiona really woke up and liked that! Also I'm sure I was sort of wired about riding so it gave me a chance to sort all that out, too.
Stirrips were too little so I did not use them. Just used balance point and Pusing passenger, did tit for tat and mirrored, even when she shivvered for a fly I shivvered, too! She was licking and chewing a great deal and I noted she did turn when I would turn (tried to pretend I had no reins).
Nice ride!
O'Rion is on the list for a very gentle trainer this winter. (I don't bounce as well as I used to and he'll be very gentle). I checked him out thoroughly. Nice soft hands. He said I should be able to go to beach or trail ride when he gets done and for me to come ride, too, while O'Rion is there. He'll be starting one of O'Rion's half siblings soon, too.
June 25, 2009
Itchy Spot
Had a funny time with Dancer's Boss (QH) yesterday. He showed me his itchy spot on his tummy and between front legs. I was scraaaatching...and then got to cleaning sheath. He just moved so my hands were back at the itchy spot and the lip was just a-going. He kept getting lower and lower, and trying to lean on me. He is so funny.
I went then to Exy and scratched her whithers and her chest. Also she likes right between the udders. This gets her to spread her legs and sigh. What a hussy. The lip was going immediately and her head went way down as the front feet went right out in front as if she were parking out. I was laughing before long. Wish I'd had my camera.
Fiona next. She likes a good scratch between the udders, too, as well as right at the girth line. She's more covert about liking it and although she puts her head down she rarely puts her lips out and makes faces. She will watch me and put her belly right back where my hand needs to be if I move it. Miss Subtle.
O'Rion likes anywhere scratched. And he's HUGE so it's pretty funny...I usually get up on the fence so I can reach him and he'll back up to the fence for a good bum scratch. He loves his withers and belly done, too. And ears...he LOVES his ears scratched. HE makes all sorts of funny faces if you do the ears. I'm teaching him to hand me things and he's getting it pretty quickly. He hands me his bowl as well as branches and a jolly ball. Smart boy!
I went then to Exy and scratched her whithers and her chest. Also she likes right between the udders. This gets her to spread her legs and sigh. What a hussy. The lip was going immediately and her head went way down as the front feet went right out in front as if she were parking out. I was laughing before long. Wish I'd had my camera.
Fiona next. She likes a good scratch between the udders, too, as well as right at the girth line. She's more covert about liking it and although she puts her head down she rarely puts her lips out and makes faces. She will watch me and put her belly right back where my hand needs to be if I move it. Miss Subtle.
O'Rion likes anywhere scratched. And he's HUGE so it's pretty funny...I usually get up on the fence so I can reach him and he'll back up to the fence for a good bum scratch. He loves his withers and belly done, too. And ears...he LOVES his ears scratched. HE makes all sorts of funny faces if you do the ears. I'm teaching him to hand me things and he's getting it pretty quickly. He hands me his bowl as well as branches and a jolly ball. Smart boy!
June 19, 2009
Pushing Passenger on Dancer's Boss (RBI)
OK. I've said before that I had not realized what I had in Boss. He's a GEM. I have been scratching his belly a lot lately and he is hilarious. LEANS toward me...and if I scratch somehwere else he puts his belly right next to me. I move to the bum or tail, he moves so that his belly is right there. (I admit to scratching other things just so he'll show me his itchy spot. After all these years he has FINALLY done it and I'm so pleased).
Got on him the other day with a cushy saddle blanket under my bareback pad (he's an old guy and sort of bony although I'm working to get him more of a fat layer) and we did it after lots of scatches and treats. He was fine with it. I did pushing passenger and tit for tat. Then I did let's go here for a great grazing spot, let's go sideways to that grazing spot. Let's back up--and graze. He is a smart cookie and got it right away. We did this for about an hour and I had a fantastic time. Rode in the herd and had to swing a savvy string to keep O'Rion and Exy away..they were really happy to see me and wanted to come over to mess with me (ORion is too mouthy and I might get a nip)--not to mention I was leading/defending my herd of two. Boss really licked and chewed when I drove them away. :)
I feel ashamed that I wasted all these years with such a great potential partner and I thought he was a jerk. He USED to be very dominant and scary at times. Now that I can speak horse (thanks Pat and Linda! Get the Horsenality DVD right now if you don't have it!)he's so much better and we are forging a new relationship. He actually looks happy when he sees me and nickers really low in his chest. Makes me smile SO BIG! I nicker back.
Any problem of his--it was MY PROBLEM and I'm sad. But I thought, what the hay, I'm going to enjoy him if he's ok with riding. he seems to be! Especially when I take my magic bag on my waist with the treats! And we have really lush grazing right now (unlike the blasted heat of hell that we'll have later on in the summer) so I'm going to take him into the woods for a trail ride soon.
My friends from Scotland are coming this week! Julie, Chloe, Iain, Rosie, and Stuart. When I visted my friend Shelley I was able to bring Julie and it was the first time she had been around horses in years. Her Mum used to be a jockey, too. so you can perhaps know what that meant to her. Thanks, Shells! I can't wait to hear the lovely accents once more! I'll try not to greet too hard when they leave!
Anyway, back to my adventures.
Went to have a tire fixed off the horse trailer and the guy had TWO HUGE tractor tires and he gave them to me for FREE! We had three men load them in the truck. Albie unloaded by himself (what a stud) and we have yet to place them in the playground. I'm very chuffed about having more tires!
Got on him the other day with a cushy saddle blanket under my bareback pad (he's an old guy and sort of bony although I'm working to get him more of a fat layer) and we did it after lots of scatches and treats. He was fine with it. I did pushing passenger and tit for tat. Then I did let's go here for a great grazing spot, let's go sideways to that grazing spot. Let's back up--and graze. He is a smart cookie and got it right away. We did this for about an hour and I had a fantastic time. Rode in the herd and had to swing a savvy string to keep O'Rion and Exy away..they were really happy to see me and wanted to come over to mess with me (ORion is too mouthy and I might get a nip)--not to mention I was leading/defending my herd of two. Boss really licked and chewed when I drove them away. :)
I feel ashamed that I wasted all these years with such a great potential partner and I thought he was a jerk. He USED to be very dominant and scary at times. Now that I can speak horse (thanks Pat and Linda! Get the Horsenality DVD right now if you don't have it!)he's so much better and we are forging a new relationship. He actually looks happy when he sees me and nickers really low in his chest. Makes me smile SO BIG! I nicker back.
Any problem of his--it was MY PROBLEM and I'm sad. But I thought, what the hay, I'm going to enjoy him if he's ok with riding. he seems to be! Especially when I take my magic bag on my waist with the treats! And we have really lush grazing right now (unlike the blasted heat of hell that we'll have later on in the summer) so I'm going to take him into the woods for a trail ride soon.
My friends from Scotland are coming this week! Julie, Chloe, Iain, Rosie, and Stuart. When I visted my friend Shelley I was able to bring Julie and it was the first time she had been around horses in years. Her Mum used to be a jockey, too. so you can perhaps know what that meant to her. Thanks, Shells! I can't wait to hear the lovely accents once more! I'll try not to greet too hard when they leave!
Anyway, back to my adventures.
Went to have a tire fixed off the horse trailer and the guy had TWO HUGE tractor tires and he gave them to me for FREE! We had three men load them in the truck. Albie unloaded by himself (what a stud) and we have yet to place them in the playground. I'm very chuffed about having more tires!
Can't Get Rid of Exy!
I'm thrilled. When I walk in the field (10 acres) if I turn suddenly--oops! I bump into my lovely Exy's nose! She goes with me EVERYWHERE and is such a pocket pony. I love that. We've played some games at liberty and she is doing a lovely job. Her weakest game is porcupine but I'm working on it. (her mother was a draft horse..Percheron...you could porcupine her for days and she'd just look at you...I tried!)
I do have to work not to ask too much of this RBI girl (as a learner) or she'll shut down. But if I WAIT WAIT WAIT she gives so much. I'm having fun with her. When I feed her I put all my weight on her back and it's a non event. LOTS of scratches with that, too. I rub her with my leg while I sit on the fence and then put the leg over (maintaining my grip on fence) and LEAN. She's ok with it. I'm just afraid to take it to the next level. MUST work on myself more.
I do have to work not to ask too much of this RBI girl (as a learner) or she'll shut down. But if I WAIT WAIT WAIT she gives so much. I'm having fun with her. When I feed her I put all my weight on her back and it's a non event. LOTS of scratches with that, too. I rub her with my leg while I sit on the fence and then put the leg over (maintaining my grip on fence) and LEAN. She's ok with it. I'm just afraid to take it to the next level. MUST work on myself more.
May 31, 2009
Brilliant day with O'Rion and Fiona
I played a total of 4 and a half hours yesterday with O'Rion and Fiona and it was going so well I didnt' want to quit! Only darkness stopped us. Today I'm sore as I've been a couch potato for two weeks due to being ill. Yoga this morning and a good stretch helped. Albert did some with me after MUCH ribbing on my part (he thinks it is easy and sissy) and he changed his tune. Realized it was harder than he thought! He's stiff.
Back to yesterday play session: First went O'Rion as Fiona completely ignored me. He caught me and we went to the play ground (a platform, some cones, a green ball, two tractor tires, poles and some logs. Sometimes a tarp.)
He was so engaged and so smart! This LBI/LBE boy was a whiz at the puzzles I put out for him and we went fast and loose. Two barrels with a green ball in between: he pushes that green ball right out and goes through. Easy peazy. He pawed at the pedestal a lot as he'd not been on it but briefly once. Pushed the ball around.
Once he lost his confidence but was LBE on adrenaline and wanted to go fast, so I helped him go faster and put an obstacle in front of him to jump/interrupt pattern. Lovely stride and lovely round jump. I enjoyed it! In the past I would have freaked out as he's a LOT of horse especially on adrenaline....there was a moment when I gave him a phase 4 with the buckle and he stopped and said THANKS! I needed that! His old self came through then. Amazing. This Horsenality stuff has completely revolutionized how I play with the horses and it is so freeing! I used to be clueless as to what to do if a horse got really big and it really scared me! Now it's no biggie. I like that. THANKS to Pat and Linda Parelli I'm on the path to my dream.
Fiona came next. I studiously ignored her and she came right to me and caught me at the fence. I was leaning on a fence looking off into the distance and I felt this gentle touch and then sniffing all on my back. My girl Fiona had come to play.
My goal for this session was to take a walking trail ride and expand her horizons. She has lots of thresholds so we did approach and retreat with me driving her and watching for thresholds. Lots of licking and chewing ensued as we retreated each time her head came up or she gave a blow, or she just looked worried. We retreated so much we didn't get much of anywhere but I think we made LOTS of progress. I am going to take the time it takes. No shorter, no longer. She offered a lot of things while we were playing like getting on the pedestal without my asking. However, once she got up there she had trouble figuring out how to get down. She got up there three times and got stuck. I finally helped her down. She weaved and did fig 8 brilliantly. I'm so proud of her!
Then I took her back to the playground and put the bareback pad on, and got on after about 10 mins of friendly with carrot stick and with my hands and body. She's still worried about that stick. It was getting dark so I just rode a few mins. When she started off fast in the wrong direction (not fast and no big problem really) I bent her to a stop and got off because of my brain and trying to decrease fear. I thought "OH MY GOD SHE'S GOiNg FAST." so I got off...although my mind really understood I was in no danger somewhere deep inside thought YIKES. So I felt silly but glad I did what I had to go to preserve my trust in myself.
Back to yesterday play session: First went O'Rion as Fiona completely ignored me. He caught me and we went to the play ground (a platform, some cones, a green ball, two tractor tires, poles and some logs. Sometimes a tarp.)
He was so engaged and so smart! This LBI/LBE boy was a whiz at the puzzles I put out for him and we went fast and loose. Two barrels with a green ball in between: he pushes that green ball right out and goes through. Easy peazy. He pawed at the pedestal a lot as he'd not been on it but briefly once. Pushed the ball around.
Once he lost his confidence but was LBE on adrenaline and wanted to go fast, so I helped him go faster and put an obstacle in front of him to jump/interrupt pattern. Lovely stride and lovely round jump. I enjoyed it! In the past I would have freaked out as he's a LOT of horse especially on adrenaline....there was a moment when I gave him a phase 4 with the buckle and he stopped and said THANKS! I needed that! His old self came through then. Amazing. This Horsenality stuff has completely revolutionized how I play with the horses and it is so freeing! I used to be clueless as to what to do if a horse got really big and it really scared me! Now it's no biggie. I like that. THANKS to Pat and Linda Parelli I'm on the path to my dream.
Fiona came next. I studiously ignored her and she came right to me and caught me at the fence. I was leaning on a fence looking off into the distance and I felt this gentle touch and then sniffing all on my back. My girl Fiona had come to play.
My goal for this session was to take a walking trail ride and expand her horizons. She has lots of thresholds so we did approach and retreat with me driving her and watching for thresholds. Lots of licking and chewing ensued as we retreated each time her head came up or she gave a blow, or she just looked worried. We retreated so much we didn't get much of anywhere but I think we made LOTS of progress. I am going to take the time it takes. No shorter, no longer. She offered a lot of things while we were playing like getting on the pedestal without my asking. However, once she got up there she had trouble figuring out how to get down. She got up there three times and got stuck. I finally helped her down. She weaved and did fig 8 brilliantly. I'm so proud of her!
Then I took her back to the playground and put the bareback pad on, and got on after about 10 mins of friendly with carrot stick and with my hands and body. She's still worried about that stick. It was getting dark so I just rode a few mins. When she started off fast in the wrong direction (not fast and no big problem really) I bent her to a stop and got off because of my brain and trying to decrease fear. I thought "OH MY GOD SHE'S GOiNg FAST." so I got off...although my mind really understood I was in no danger somewhere deep inside thought YIKES. So I felt silly but glad I did what I had to go to preserve my trust in myself.
May 28, 2009
Sick x 2 weeks but now I'm back
I just wrote a VERY long blog. NOT sure what happened but I'm talking epic and now it's gone. I will shorten it and type some of it again. I'm ticked off.
Exy's LUMP is going away very slowly but going away! Yay! I'm very happy about that! It really had me worried.
Had the flu (swine? who knows) for two weeks. Now I'm much better although my voice is all dusky and sexy. can't quit coughing. STOP already.
Played with Boss, my 23 year old QH. He used to be LBI Extreme and attacked me twice until I figured out LBI. now he's a joy. He weaved like a champ, did circles with an OBSTACLE (key) and grazed after each game. I showed him barrels and just stood there like do what you want, ok? and he pawed at them. With gusto. He's a love. He tried to get on the pedestal but tripped. I took the TRY and moved on. good boy!
More grazing.
Scratched his belly and got the lip out and quivering. Hilarious! I was chuffed at the whole day.
did some LIBERTY with O'Rion in the horses' field. Then came Fiona at liberty. She did well with friendly and porcupine FQ and HQ and backwards. Driving she left. I spent a LOT of time with Friendly on the string and CArrot stick. She licked at the end. And came to pick it up with her mouth. BIG. She has NOT been curious about anything much. I was happy with that. LOTS of more friendly and then she left me. I got too direct about it! (can't seem to learn that lesson?!). she's very sensitive to pressure.
I sort of wandered where she was, ignoring her...and just happened upon her--OH! Youre here. did the Laborador Retriever energy and panted, pretended to be a dog frolicking and all around her and all over her and she allowed me to do much more. Yep, I was too direct line as myself. Note to self: LIGHTEN UP!
OK, I had much more here but can't do it all over again...hope you're well and living your dreams. Let me hear them!
check out Shelley's blog at Savvyscotland.com.
Till Next time....
Shelly
Exy's LUMP is going away very slowly but going away! Yay! I'm very happy about that! It really had me worried.
Had the flu (swine? who knows) for two weeks. Now I'm much better although my voice is all dusky and sexy. can't quit coughing. STOP already.
Played with Boss, my 23 year old QH. He used to be LBI Extreme and attacked me twice until I figured out LBI. now he's a joy. He weaved like a champ, did circles with an OBSTACLE (key) and grazed after each game. I showed him barrels and just stood there like do what you want, ok? and he pawed at them. With gusto. He's a love. He tried to get on the pedestal but tripped. I took the TRY and moved on. good boy!
More grazing.
Scratched his belly and got the lip out and quivering. Hilarious! I was chuffed at the whole day.
did some LIBERTY with O'Rion in the horses' field. Then came Fiona at liberty. She did well with friendly and porcupine FQ and HQ and backwards. Driving she left. I spent a LOT of time with Friendly on the string and CArrot stick. She licked at the end. And came to pick it up with her mouth. BIG. She has NOT been curious about anything much. I was happy with that. LOTS of more friendly and then she left me. I got too direct about it! (can't seem to learn that lesson?!). she's very sensitive to pressure.
I sort of wandered where she was, ignoring her...and just happened upon her--OH! Youre here. did the Laborador Retriever energy and panted, pretended to be a dog frolicking and all around her and all over her and she allowed me to do much more. Yep, I was too direct line as myself. Note to self: LIGHTEN UP!
OK, I had much more here but can't do it all over again...hope you're well and living your dreams. Let me hear them!
check out Shelley's blog at Savvyscotland.com.
Till Next time....
Shelly
May 8, 2009
Exy has a lump
My 2 year old Exy has a lump. I'm watching it, had the vet out. He said wait and see. I'm a little nervous. It's raw and oozing...and swollen.
April 29, 2009
Playing with my LBI O'Rion
Hi,
Back again in a short time! A record for me.
Two days ago I played games with O'Rion, my 3 year old RBI. He's pretty funny and can be LBE with his peep, Exy, but as a learner he can go to RBI and even introverted if pushed so I do not go there!
Anyway, I was stalking his butt (he's a slow mover and sort of devious about making ME do all the work!) but he got into it and was really moving around--took off bucking and farting and looking at me like I was crazy. I did Zap his butt once...that was all it took! He never let me out of his sight after that. He came to me, I scratched him in all his very best itchy spots, threw out hay and left. He was like WHAAAA???? hilarious.
can't wait to see how he acts next time I go to the field.
No riding lately as I have zoomed here and there...
SO..when I had a plan to ride, wouldn't you know, the horse that showed up that day was FIONA THE UNCONFIDENT. So I just played with her a little, did a lot of waiting around and doing nothing...then let her go. Treats, scratches, and ditched my plan. (I was disappointed 'cause had really gotten it in my head I wanted to ride, but I read her and it was a no go that day.) sigh. My girl comes first! So no ride.
Perhaps Saturday?
Hope your journey is going well. I'm slow but having fun.
til next time...
Back again in a short time! A record for me.
Two days ago I played games with O'Rion, my 3 year old RBI. He's pretty funny and can be LBE with his peep, Exy, but as a learner he can go to RBI and even introverted if pushed so I do not go there!
Anyway, I was stalking his butt (he's a slow mover and sort of devious about making ME do all the work!) but he got into it and was really moving around--took off bucking and farting and looking at me like I was crazy. I did Zap his butt once...that was all it took! He never let me out of his sight after that. He came to me, I scratched him in all his very best itchy spots, threw out hay and left. He was like WHAAAA???? hilarious.
can't wait to see how he acts next time I go to the field.
No riding lately as I have zoomed here and there...
SO..when I had a plan to ride, wouldn't you know, the horse that showed up that day was FIONA THE UNCONFIDENT. So I just played with her a little, did a lot of waiting around and doing nothing...then let her go. Treats, scratches, and ditched my plan. (I was disappointed 'cause had really gotten it in my head I wanted to ride, but I read her and it was a no go that day.) sigh. My girl comes first! So no ride.
Perhaps Saturday?
Hope your journey is going well. I'm slow but having fun.
til next time...
First Sit On Exy!
After LOTS of friendly and relaxing (us both as I was soooo excited/nervous!) I finally sat for the first time on my girl Exy! She's now two. (Perch/QH). A very laid back and happy RBI (I do NOT push her as she has been known to go introverted). she loves to play and has LBE tendencies but as a learner she's RBI. SO...I did approach and retreat, took about an hour and loved on her, lots of scratches, then put her next to the plastic mounting block and she wanted to get up there with me! (not good!) so we retreated and repositioned and I put my leg on her...scratches, then boosted myself up and sat on her! She rocked back and forth. I got off. It was a non-event lasting about 10 seconds. Success! I have actually started one of my own foals myself! This is a dream come true! Thanks, Pat and Linda to you it was a non event and so nice! I look forward to lots more...but I'm going VERY slow and mostly doing ground work with her til I get to Level 3 with Fiona my main levels horse.
BIG SMILES HERE!
Shelly
BIG SMILES HERE!
Shelly
April 1, 2009
an older note
Fantastic play sessions the past two days! I'm so excited.
first I watched a video on the savvy club that showed a French girl playing with her pony on the beach at liberty then riding with no
bridle or saddle. It inspired me so I went right out and played with Fiona. The girl had a lot of upward transitions (I mean the horse
going up in the air) so I tried it! Fiona got it first time! I had her walking like the fancy Spanish horses right away and she was riveted!
We played with the trailer (float) and she did circles with the ramp, then backed in then yo-yo in and out backwards. Nice and soft. I was so
proud of her!
We did undemanding and a lot of friendly then I tried to get her to balance on a wide post but she sidepassed over it (offered that) so I called that good.
Today I selected O'Rion to play with as he's mouthy and pushy, and wanted to establish more of alpha with him. If I don't have the Carrot stick he crowds.
With it (even if I ask nothing) he stays out of my bubble pretty much.
Anyway, went out, played friendly with the halter in zone 1, then put it on. He had a soft look and was very into playing. Eyes following me with ears pricked.
We did squeeze over a 4 inch log in between me and fence, then did some "put your nose here and there" and he was brilliant. When I asked a squeeze in between a cart and a tree
it was too much pressure so he got mouthy with the rope. I caught it and just stood letting him process...lots of chewing then.
Tried to do the lead with the leg but he thought it was too much, (got starey) so I did friendly with rope and stopped. Will pick that up later.
We walked sideways with the fence (only a few steps) and
I called the next game.
Falling leaf and S bends. He was bracey on zone 1. S bends he got that soft adoring look so I quit. NICE!
first I watched a video on the savvy club that showed a French girl playing with her pony on the beach at liberty then riding with no
bridle or saddle. It inspired me so I went right out and played with Fiona. The girl had a lot of upward transitions (I mean the horse
going up in the air) so I tried it! Fiona got it first time! I had her walking like the fancy Spanish horses right away and she was riveted!
We played with the trailer (float) and she did circles with the ramp, then backed in then yo-yo in and out backwards. Nice and soft. I was so
proud of her!
We did undemanding and a lot of friendly then I tried to get her to balance on a wide post but she sidepassed over it (offered that) so I called that good.
Today I selected O'Rion to play with as he's mouthy and pushy, and wanted to establish more of alpha with him. If I don't have the Carrot stick he crowds.
With it (even if I ask nothing) he stays out of my bubble pretty much.
Anyway, went out, played friendly with the halter in zone 1, then put it on. He had a soft look and was very into playing. Eyes following me with ears pricked.
We did squeeze over a 4 inch log in between me and fence, then did some "put your nose here and there" and he was brilliant. When I asked a squeeze in between a cart and a tree
it was too much pressure so he got mouthy with the rope. I caught it and just stood letting him process...lots of chewing then.
Tried to do the lead with the leg but he thought it was too much, (got starey) so I did friendly with rope and stopped. Will pick that up later.
We walked sideways with the fence (only a few steps) and
I called the next game.
Falling leaf and S bends. He was bracey on zone 1. S bends he got that soft adoring look so I quit. NICE!
January 19, 2009
Lots of Rain
Hi, January here already and it's 2009! Can't believe it, time flies. I just returned from New Zealand. My Dad had a stroke while on a cruise to Australia and NZ and when they said he might not make it, I had to go. Especially since I'm a Critical Care RN. Got a Medical team together for a meeting, got a plan and am working the plan. All is on go and he's recovering nicely. Even helped cook his own breakfast today! Good news.
Horse time has suffered since Dec. 22 when we learned of my Dad's stroke but I've done a lot of undemanding time and lots of scratching. Still wishing my horses would present the itchy spots to me but I know where they are for the most part, at least, and will get the funniest expressions from Boss and O'Rion and Exy. Fiona is one tough customer and I've only ONCE in the four years I've owned her seen that hilarious lip-is-poking-out-and-I-can't-help-it expression. She loves to be scratched right between her teats. loves it. funny girl.
O'Rion loves his withers scratched. Exy is a chest and tummy girl as well as withers. She gives hilarious lip faces. O'Rion does, too. I LOVE MY HORSES!
They look pretty scraggly right now with this rain and cold and wind. O'Rion has major tangles. Going to be a mess when I finally get around to grooming.
Can't do it all, eh? I can't beat myself up too much. I'll get to it.
Ta ta.
Horse time has suffered since Dec. 22 when we learned of my Dad's stroke but I've done a lot of undemanding time and lots of scratching. Still wishing my horses would present the itchy spots to me but I know where they are for the most part, at least, and will get the funniest expressions from Boss and O'Rion and Exy. Fiona is one tough customer and I've only ONCE in the four years I've owned her seen that hilarious lip-is-poking-out-and-I-can't-help-it expression. She loves to be scratched right between her teats. loves it. funny girl.
O'Rion loves his withers scratched. Exy is a chest and tummy girl as well as withers. She gives hilarious lip faces. O'Rion does, too. I LOVE MY HORSES!
They look pretty scraggly right now with this rain and cold and wind. O'Rion has major tangles. Going to be a mess when I finally get around to grooming.
Can't do it all, eh? I can't beat myself up too much. I'll get to it.
Ta ta.
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