behind on bloggin

I'm behind but that doesn't mean I've not been playing with my herd.
O'Rion was my recent selection as he caught me and off we went.

Played with building his confidence so did things he's comfy with and then added a tiny bit of new.  rinse and repeat. 

When I first started playing with this RBI/LBI guy I thought he was more LB than he really is, so I blew him up a time or two.  I have slowed WAY down and that gets him confident, so that he can go faster--and I have to be on my toes cause he gets bored and then wants to get into trouble.

 He's mouthy and can be the poster child for Alure's twin!  

let's play tag!

He's funny and I LOVE watching him as he's another horse that was born right here and I think he's gorgeous.  (I've not really seen any ugly horses, I might add).    He is an Irish Draught who is going to be mine forever along with the others of the herd.  His Mum was imported from Ireland and a friend was so kind to let me buy her when she dispersed her herd after her husband died.

(his nose is dirty)

I"m having the time of my life with my horses, and if I never ride again, I'll still have fun. 

:)

 

Exy

This is Exy, my almost four year old.  Her Birthday is 6/6/06 so her name, Exy, is "6" in Greek.  She is hilarious and one smart cookie.  All she's known is Parelli from minute one and it shows.  She likes to jump on tarps, will play with anything.  I have sat on her but need to ride her but have had a few fear issues, although she's really calm and pretty brave if she has a strong leader. 

I love this girl, born right on my farm (a rescue, her mother was pregnant when I resucue the mother--a PMU mare (have found a forever home for Mom), so no flames about breeding please as I will keep this girl her whole life). 

I plan to play with her tomorrow with the idea of sitting on her and just sitting, perhaps a little flexion and nothing else.  (will do that from the ground, too, and have been all along). 

This is a true Pocket Pony, who will leave the herd to be with me wherever they are.  I can turn around and voila' there she is standing right behind me with a sweet expression and always wants to play. 
I love this girl!  Plan for her to be my partner long term.   :) The journey with her is fun and she's so easy to teach.  Thanks once again to Parelli for letting my dreams come true. 

I ALWAYs wanted to raise a foal, but I did not have the savvy.  Thanks to Pat and Linda I started her Naturally day one and have never looked back.  this is one super duper horse! 
I"m so lucky it just blows my socks off! 

Smiling again.....

I RODE!

Yesterday I decided to go with the easiest horse (duh) although this has not always been my intent or path.  I wanted to learn the most and ride my dream horse (VERY SENSITIVE mare, my Partner Fiona). 

Well.  Once again, I have to kick myself for not knowing what I had.  Dancer's Boss, very smart QH, who had a jarring trot, so I dismissed him as someone I would not be interested in bonding with (pre-Parelli) and now....he takes my breath away.  I finally understand him and understand what he's been saying to me all these years.  I've had him since around 1986 and he's always been the "guest horse," the one that anyone can ride, (can you say idiot me) and the one that I overlooked. 

OK, enough hair shirt.

Yesterday I decided to play with and ride Boss.  I WANT to ride, and I'm not afraid of him, so I thought I'd get on if possible (plans always flexible). 

We played some games, did friendly (lots of that as he's sceptical of the CS) and wove cones, did fig 8 with cones, circled with obstacle (small log) and then I put the BBP on him with savvy...lots of licking and chewing.  He's never liked being saddled and I'm afraid he was manhandled/abused before I got him, so the baggage was NOT from me.  I've always been gentle with Boss and he trusts me. 

SO...we did games with the pad on and then I got on.  Lots of sitting.  Lick, lick, chew, chew.

I did flexion and backing (on ground, too) and he was stiff/bracey on right side, more soft on left.   hmmm..how interesting.

Tried to get him to go out of the field...gave him an option, pointed towards open gate to playground, and he avoided it...so i retreated to the herd and did pushing passenger, tit for tat, and then tried again. Asked him to move ONE FOOT.  then Stopped, said out loud to myself "don't' hurt yourself moving your feet!  Let's just stand here."  Lots more licking and tongue hanging out.  funny. 

 After four tries (I was riding for the playground) he decided it was also his idea and out we went.

DREAM Realized.  We got on the playground and circled a few obstacles--break for lush grazing...
 and then he put his feet on the pedestal with me on his back!!!  Yay!  I was happy....more grazing...

then went back to herd and stood around swatting at flies.  LICK, CHEW. 
I played with him/rode for about an hour and a half total,  maybe.  Then called it a day.
His LBI horsenality was thriving on the treats!  He was all about the treats and stopping to graze.  It was lovely.  I actually was comfortable to ask for a couple of trot steps!  THAT IS HUGE for me with my fear issues.  I was beaming from ear to ear.  

Today when I went out he was RIVETED!  Nice!  Ears way forward, pleasant expression,
and a Bonus...Fiona came to see me.  I petted, scratched her and walked off.  Her turn later.   :)