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.
:)
October 21, 2009
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...
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