Moderate breeze today so of course it was great weather to play with a tarp. Really wanted to give O'Rion confidence so flapped it while walking backwards from him. He finally got curious, so I let the wind take it a little more, then placed it on the ground and motioned him towards it.
Usually I put pressure outside zone 1 he pushes against it and goes toward pressure, then runs off. So I'm really trying to do LOTS of friendly but supporting my notion of pressure when he's not afraid. I want him not afraid of the CS or me. But I need him to do what I ask (he's huge and could hurt me). First time he was asked to go to my left with pressure outside his left zone 1 he immediately went forward (success) so I quit in mid ask.
He lipped and bit at the tarp for quite a while while Exy grazed with one foot on it. Cute pics but I can't get them on the computer. Pity. I need to take my camera more often.
Exy allowed the folded tarp to be placed all over her and then I left it briefly on her back while I got the pic. Exy did really well.
After that O'Rion kept biting and pawing it. This went on around 10 mins or so. I put the folded tarp in his zone 1 and did friendly with it. Called it good.
Really nice session tonight. I'm pretty happy.
When I slapped the ground Exy ran to me so that was amazing. :) She's coming along just fine. I am trying to get him and her both to load comfortably so that perhaps one of these days we can go somewhere easily. Tried the other day but thresholds kept us from getting there. No worries, we'll keep working on it.
That will give me something to have a program with. 7 day loading program for Exy and O'Rion both.
Meanwhile Fiona's ear is still scary looking but it's healing. Will not be asking her to do anything til that ear heals. The halter would possibly hurt her ear so that's out taking her anywhere.
Nice healing session with Fiona tonight. I did Healing for Horses (basically healing touch) on her and she blew and put her head down, very relaxed. I thought to myself
that I just wanted to offer her this with no expectations for a return. Just then I had the urge to cry....I went with it and then she began lipping and grooming my shoulder. She tucked her head into my chest and we stood like that for a while. Sweet moment.
September 30, 2010
September 28, 2010
Stick to Me Walk and Trot with Exy
Fiona as a Pirate no more...
Today I noted that Fiona's mask had cut her right ear right in the crease pretty badly. I took it off....I"m sick of it and so is she. ENOUGH already. Her eye still has a small white haze on upper middle of eye, but she can see. I'll keep treating it but she's been through enough with that dang mask...enough. After 2.5 months with it on ENOUGH.
Fi's Beautiful ears. I love her ears...almost cried when I saw the right one today...cut is about 6 inches long and 1/4 inch deep. This happened either last night or yesterday after I saw her. It wasn't there then. Mystery. Treated it really well, cleaned, put cream and anti-fly cream around it. She's been through enough I think. I do not want to totally ruin our relationship.
This is what happens when I'm out in the fields.
exy the sweet and funny. We had such fun tonight.
Rode Boss bareback, he's 26, I basically just sit there as he's Mr. LBI I can't move...so I sit if he wants to stand there fine with me. He's AMAZED I'm not making him do anything...it's blowing his mind!
She on the other hand...loves to play and is in my pocket the whole time I'm out. I had a blast. Exy is my nap girl...she loves to nap. I find her lying all over the field with everyone else standing guard.
I'm all sweaty and stinky right now from playing with my horses. However, I had a wonderful session with Exy, my dapple grey mare. She is actually pretty amazing and very funny. We are playing at stick to me...and she loves to jump on the tarp if I drag it just like a little frog...stiff legged and jumping...it's hilarous.
Tonight I had her walk and trot mirroring me...if I walk, she walked....if I sped up she trotted but I did have to reinforce the trot, but she got it right away. I stopped by exhaling and relaxing..then stopping, she stopped. This went well on one side and pretty well on her other side....preparation for ridingbareback with no bridle. (not sure if I have good enough balance for that but it's my goal at least at exhibitions. also I ran from her and she chased me...she got it right away.
The other horse behind her, O'rion, (rose gray) is a big scaredy cat and I played with him doing lots of friendly, but he wanted to duck out of pressure like put his nose to the ground and then paw. LOTS of friendly and he wanted to bite/lick/chew the carrot stick so I let him. I did a few things with him then let him go. Backed through two fences in stages, let him graze in between, with friendly on gate and friendly on him, too. LOTS of retreat with him...but he's still afraid. I kept thinking "you're ok, I'm ok." didn't seem to help. Also "do what I say but don't be afraid" to myself. He wants to go introverted as a learner, but loves to play with Exy...so I'm trying to be really really patient.
Albie is working nights this week so I did most of the chores alone and fed all the critters. Lovely weather here after it cleared up from this am's rain. I'm grinning from ear to ear. Exy makes me laugh out loud...I need to take pictures of her faces. If you scratch her in the right spot she pokes her lips out and wiggles her lips.....hilarious.
Today I noted that Fiona's mask had cut her right ear right in the crease pretty badly. I took it off....I"m sick of it and so is she. ENOUGH already. Her eye still has a small white haze on upper middle of eye, but she can see. I'll keep treating it but she's been through enough with that dang mask...enough. After 2.5 months with it on ENOUGH. 
Fi's Beautiful ears. I love her ears...almost cried when I saw the right one today...cut is about 6 inches long and 1/4 inch deep. This happened either last night or yesterday after I saw her. It wasn't there then. Mystery. Treated it really well, cleaned, put cream and anti-fly cream around it. She's been through enough I think. I do not want to totally ruin our relationship. 
This is what happens when I'm out in the fields. 
exy the sweet and funny. We had such fun tonight. 
Rode Boss bareback, he's 26, I basically just sit there as he's Mr. LBI I can't move...so I sit if he wants to stand there fine with me. He's AMAZED I'm not making him do anything...it's blowing his mind! 
I'm all sweaty and stinky right now from playing with my horses. However, I had a wonderful session with Exy, my dapple grey mare. She is actually pretty amazing and very funny. We are playing at stick to me...and she loves to jump on the tarp if I drag it just like a little frog...stiff legged and jumping...it's hilarous.
Tonight I had her walk and trot mirroring me...if I walk, she walked....if I sped up she trotted but I did have to reinforce the trot, but she got it right away. I stopped by exhaling and relaxing..then stopping, she stopped. This went well on one side and pretty well on her other side....preparation for ridingbareback with no bridle. (not sure if I have good enough balance for that but it's my goal at least at exhibitions. also I ran from her and she chased me...she got it right away.
The other horse behind her, O'rion, (rose gray) is a big scaredy cat and I played with him doing lots of friendly, but he wanted to duck out of pressure like put his nose to the ground and then paw. LOTS of friendly and he wanted to bite/lick/chew the carrot stick so I let him. I did a few things with him then let him go. Backed through two fences in stages, let him graze in between, with friendly on gate and friendly on him, too. LOTS of retreat with him...but he's still afraid. I kept thinking "you're ok, I'm ok." didn't seem to help. Also "do what I say but don't be afraid" to myself. He wants to go introverted as a learner, but loves to play with Exy...so I'm trying to be really really patient.
Albie is working nights this week so I did most of the chores alone and fed all the critters. Lovely weather here after it cleared up from this am's rain. I'm grinning from ear to ear. Exy makes me laugh out loud...I need to take pictures of her faces. If you scratch her in the right spot she pokes her lips out and wiggles her lips.....hilarious.
September 20, 2010
Making the best of Confinement
Fiona is still alone in a smallish paddock behind the barn and posing as a pirate with her one eyed mask on (small holes to peek out of the other eye)--autoimmune problem with blisters that almost ruptured the eye. It's now stable but we have at least three more weeks of treatment. Yikes. We BOTH are about over it...I'm doing lots of friendly on the eye before and after treatments and tonight she put her head on my chest and sort of snuggled, and I must say she didn't give me too much trouble today. She was very sweet. Yesterday a different story. Think bobbing for apples...that's her head. Down up down up down up...get away from my eye!
Today I did some back by the tail. went Very well...two tries and she shifted her weight back first time, then almost took a step back second time...I quit. Trying to tap it in...not hammer it (I have to REALLY work on that cause I get excited and want to do it again and again and again! yay! ) Horse is looking at me like what's your prob? I'm bored.
Then stick to me. Not very good. She kept thinking I wanted her to back when I wanted her to go forward. She was afraid so I laid the halter over her shoulder and then she got it with the connection and we walked all over the field...over a log...and then back to the water trough. Hate to just have her standing around in the field with her mask on and all these months going by...really working on the relationship and trying to make sure she's ok with trailering and all the stuff we have to go through to treat the eye.
friendly and slap the ground, treat. Rinse, repeat...I want her to come to me when I slap the ground. We did that about 4 times and then she started getting it so I quit. (trying hard not to torture her).
At this point I noticed Exy standing in an empty water tub (it's knee high to her). So I zoomed over there and asked her to keep front feet in the tub and move hind end around in a half circle both ways. Funny expressions. When we finished she seemed stuck in the bucket so I asked her out. She got out and then put herself right back in. I walked away figuring she'd figure it out. When she did make it out of there, I dragged the tub with her chasing me. watch those toes!
O'Rion came to investigate so he got lots of scratches. We played about three turns of "shoulders" and he's not getting it. Feels too much pressure and runs off. Gotta do that on line.
Having trouble with him flipping from RBI to LBE. He can be a pill--very naughty and loves to play--as well as be Mr. Fraidy cat.
Really really want to ride him. He's been played with in the games since he was born and now he's 5. but he's SO BIG that I'm afaid really to be the first one to put lots of miles on him. I need a western saddle so I'll feel a little more secure. Still dealing with pesky fear issues. Same for Exy...I need to get to riding her but am afraid to really do it....but I"m convinced it'll be a non-issue...but still have trouble going forward.
gotta get to riding...I WANT to ride....just want a little less grass green horse. And Fiona is half blind these days with the pirate mask.
I'll work it out....one of these days.
Today I did some back by the tail. went Very well...two tries and she shifted her weight back first time, then almost took a step back second time...I quit. Trying to tap it in...not hammer it (I have to REALLY work on that cause I get excited and want to do it again and again and again! yay! ) Horse is looking at me like what's your prob? I'm bored.
Then stick to me. Not very good. She kept thinking I wanted her to back when I wanted her to go forward. She was afraid so I laid the halter over her shoulder and then she got it with the connection and we walked all over the field...over a log...and then back to the water trough. Hate to just have her standing around in the field with her mask on and all these months going by...really working on the relationship and trying to make sure she's ok with trailering and all the stuff we have to go through to treat the eye.
friendly and slap the ground, treat. Rinse, repeat...I want her to come to me when I slap the ground. We did that about 4 times and then she started getting it so I quit. (trying hard not to torture her).
At this point I noticed Exy standing in an empty water tub (it's knee high to her). So I zoomed over there and asked her to keep front feet in the tub and move hind end around in a half circle both ways. Funny expressions. When we finished she seemed stuck in the bucket so I asked her out. She got out and then put herself right back in. I walked away figuring she'd figure it out. When she did make it out of there, I dragged the tub with her chasing me. watch those toes!
O'Rion came to investigate so he got lots of scratches. We played about three turns of "shoulders" and he's not getting it. Feels too much pressure and runs off. Gotta do that on line.
Having trouble with him flipping from RBI to LBE. He can be a pill--very naughty and loves to play--as well as be Mr. Fraidy cat.
Really really want to ride him. He's been played with in the games since he was born and now he's 5. but he's SO BIG that I'm afaid really to be the first one to put lots of miles on him. I need a western saddle so I'll feel a little more secure. Still dealing with pesky fear issues. Same for Exy...I need to get to riding her but am afraid to really do it....but I"m convinced it'll be a non-issue...but still have trouble going forward.
gotta get to riding...I WANT to ride....just want a little less grass green horse. And Fiona is half blind these days with the pirate mask.
I'll work it out....one of these days.
September 12, 2010
No Water and Playing with a Bag
Our water has ruptured. Sucks... We're roughing it til Albert gets a day off and digs up the water line...it's bubbling up when the pump is on right outside my kitchen window. Can't figure out what went wrong...tree...old age of line? Who knows.
So watering horses is a trial... went out to make sure they had plenty of water for the next couple of days. They did so of course I wanted to stay out with them.
But it's HOT...so I keep directing everyone to the shade.
First Exy. We did stick to me, friendly with the rope. She was doing brilliantly and then I think a gresshopper jumped on her cause she exploded bucking and I saw a grasshopper shoot off her back! That started lots of running and bucking...and she was kicking out in MY direction, so I encouraged her to move her feet really fast and now! She made a huge circle and then kicked O'Rion. So I asked her to move some more. She ran around for about 4 minutes and it was so hot I allowed her to have a sip of water, then asked her to move away from the water and move her feet since her last circle had her head turned outside the circle.
This time her head was turned to me so I allowed her to drink again. She stood there blowing for a while and she faced me so I retreated and she followed. Lots of friendly.
Then approach and retreat with the bag on the end of the carrot stick and she almost immediately tried to jump on it, so I was happy with that. It took about 30 mins of approach/retreat to be able to put the bag on O'Rion and he did start to go introverted once, so I retreated more than approached, and he finally allowed me to pet him with the bag. He nuzzled it once, so I called that good.
Boss took direction from accross the paddock when I was trying to get him to go out. I pointed softy, shook the bag to zone 5 and he went out. Nice.
knee is hurting today (Physical therapy starts this week for 6 weeks then they decide if I have surgery). I'm going to prop up on couch. All animals fed so Albert can give hay and haul water.
Fiona's eye (autoimmune problem with cornea) is doing well BUT we went to Univ of Ga Wed and they cut her cornea getting out the catheter. (eye roll) so now we're dealing with that. Small cut, and I'm hoping it's all healed up by Tuesday at the latest.
She still has her pirate face/eye mask on. Hopefully this will end soon.
So watering horses is a trial... went out to make sure they had plenty of water for the next couple of days. They did so of course I wanted to stay out with them.
But it's HOT...so I keep directing everyone to the shade.
First Exy. We did stick to me, friendly with the rope. She was doing brilliantly and then I think a gresshopper jumped on her cause she exploded bucking and I saw a grasshopper shoot off her back! That started lots of running and bucking...and she was kicking out in MY direction, so I encouraged her to move her feet really fast and now! She made a huge circle and then kicked O'Rion. So I asked her to move some more. She ran around for about 4 minutes and it was so hot I allowed her to have a sip of water, then asked her to move away from the water and move her feet since her last circle had her head turned outside the circle.
This time her head was turned to me so I allowed her to drink again. She stood there blowing for a while and she faced me so I retreated and she followed. Lots of friendly.
Then approach and retreat with the bag on the end of the carrot stick and she almost immediately tried to jump on it, so I was happy with that. It took about 30 mins of approach/retreat to be able to put the bag on O'Rion and he did start to go introverted once, so I retreated more than approached, and he finally allowed me to pet him with the bag. He nuzzled it once, so I called that good.
Boss took direction from accross the paddock when I was trying to get him to go out. I pointed softy, shook the bag to zone 5 and he went out. Nice.
knee is hurting today (Physical therapy starts this week for 6 weeks then they decide if I have surgery). I'm going to prop up on couch. All animals fed so Albert can give hay and haul water.
Fiona's eye (autoimmune problem with cornea) is doing well BUT we went to Univ of Ga Wed and they cut her cornea getting out the catheter. (eye roll) so now we're dealing with that. Small cut, and I'm hoping it's all healed up by Tuesday at the latest.
She still has her pirate face/eye mask on. Hopefully this will end soon.
September 1, 2010
My Parelli Journey with Fiona the (formerly) runaway brood mare.: More Fun Liberty with Exy and O'Rion
Parelli Natural Horsemanship
More Fun Liberty with Exy and O'Rion
Today was hot as hades here, in the 90's, so I have to admit I was not that motivated to play, so of course we ended up playing like maniacs and had a blast! Honestly I forgot all about my knee pain during this, it was fab! (hurt knee x 1 month ago, Doc appt. Friday).
Initially I took my CS out to help with crowd control when I let Exy out of the small pen (she grabs everyone's food so we just stick her out of the way of trouble).
I thought let's do stick to me! and it was a total bust as a HUGE, I'm talking prehistoric Horse Fly from HADES got on her butt and the bucking and farting started. GAME ON...Exy will Zoom up to me to get flies swatted and this time she zoomed up, and zoomed on by bucking and farting...I was glad she didnt' stop so as she was looking out towards the woods away from me I encouraged her feet to go faster. SLAP on the ground. Neutral position...O'Rion joined the game bucking, galloping and farting. I noted that Exy went wayyyyy down the other end of pasture and took a turn so fast her hind went almost out from under her...she was very athletic jumping a limb and more bucking and I thought it was a good thing I was not riding that!
I moved them around a bit then turned them at the fence on either end....they turned towards the fence, so I encouraged more movement. When they cantered by I cantered to establish harmony (we're talking wimpy cantering but I was thinking I'm cantering) and there was a lull in the action when they slowed and trotted, so I trotted, too. (it worked! :) ) so I allowed a stop and drink. Exy wanted to come to me but she was Way too on adrenaline, so I softly asked her to go away and she BLASTED by me again. You would have thought I had taken a HUGE bite out of O'Rion's butt the way he blasted off. Silly boy. I took pains to do lots of friendly at this point.
By this time sweat was rolling down my chest and face...shirt soaked and dust all over my nice shoes (what was I thinking to do farm work in Bjorns?!) LOL...I had been on a date with my husband to dinner and didn't change clothes...poor planning I guess. Or just lazy in this heat?
Boss (26 yrs) just stood eating hay prolly thinking what are these idiots doing in this heat? No way I'm in on this madness. Smart boy.
We got into harmonious cantering again and then trotting and they looked calm so I asked them both in. Both stood about 6 feet away and heads down, breathing hard, so lots more friendly and then some belly and ear scratching...I wished I had my camera as Exy now has a new itchy spot I found and her face was hilarious! O'Rion just put his head way down so I scratched my way up his mane. This boy has to be 17 hands. He's a monster!
Such a fun day!
Now the plan is kick back with some lemonade on the couch and become a potato.
Have a lovely evening of your own. :)
Initially I took my CS out to help with crowd control when I let Exy out of the small pen (she grabs everyone's food so we just stick her out of the way of trouble).
I thought let's do stick to me! and it was a total bust as a HUGE, I'm talking prehistoric Horse Fly from HADES got on her butt and the bucking and farting started. GAME ON...Exy will Zoom up to me to get flies swatted and this time she zoomed up, and zoomed on by bucking and farting...I was glad she didnt' stop so as she was looking out towards the woods away from me I encouraged her feet to go faster. SLAP on the ground. Neutral position...O'Rion joined the game bucking, galloping and farting. I noted that Exy went wayyyyy down the other end of pasture and took a turn so fast her hind went almost out from under her...she was very athletic jumping a limb and more bucking and I thought it was a good thing I was not riding that!
I moved them around a bit then turned them at the fence on either end....they turned towards the fence, so I encouraged more movement. When they cantered by I cantered to establish harmony (we're talking wimpy cantering but I was thinking I'm cantering) and there was a lull in the action when they slowed and trotted, so I trotted, too. (it worked! :) ) so I allowed a stop and drink. Exy wanted to come to me but she was Way too on adrenaline, so I softly asked her to go away and she BLASTED by me again. You would have thought I had taken a HUGE bite out of O'Rion's butt the way he blasted off. Silly boy. I took pains to do lots of friendly at this point.
By this time sweat was rolling down my chest and face...shirt soaked and dust all over my nice shoes (what was I thinking to do farm work in Bjorns?!) LOL...I had been on a date with my husband to dinner and didn't change clothes...poor planning I guess. Or just lazy in this heat?
Boss (26 yrs) just stood eating hay prolly thinking what are these idiots doing in this heat? No way I'm in on this madness. Smart boy.
We got into harmonious cantering again and then trotting and they looked calm so I asked them both in. Both stood about 6 feet away and heads down, breathing hard, so lots more friendly and then some belly and ear scratching...I wished I had my camera as Exy now has a new itchy spot I found and her face was hilarious! O'Rion just put his head way down so I scratched my way up his mane. This boy has to be 17 hands. He's a monster!
Such a fun day!
Now the plan is kick back with some lemonade on the couch and become a potato.
Have a lovely evening of your own. :)
Update on THE EYE
Today Fiona's eye, which they tell me is an autoimmune condition that may or may not have had a fungal infection and/or a bacterial infection (but they said it was not trauma, for which I'm forever grateful, as I was afraid I'd hit her in the eye with my Savvy String) is looking a tiny bit better, I'm happy to report. It still has a small milky patch right at and below the pupil on the cornea but she can see (I tested it) and seems fairly comfortable EXCEPT when I'm either pulling on her eye catheter to make sure it's seated (like they told me to do) and when I'm injecting the meds. We clean the mask twice a day, change pads, and put meds every 8 hours. I"m tired of this routine, I have to admit. But I'm doing what I have to do for my girl's eye...ready for this eye to heal!
Please send all the happy thoughts/prayers/healing energy you can for Fiona's left eye.
Thanks!
Please send all the happy thoughts/prayers/healing energy you can for Fiona's left eye.
Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
