Fiona's Opthamologist is a terrific guy who calls me "Mom" when he talks about Fiona...as in "Mom, we're doing this or that." I love him!
Updates are very positive although they had a scare where she quit sweating and respiratory rate went to 60. This was after shavings were tossed around her (and me) and I noticed I was having trouble breathing in the shaving dust. They told me that wasn't it (I'm not convinced). I was afraid for her...but she's improved now. They put two fans on her and She's breathing around 40 bpm now.
They are to call tomorrow to let me know if I can go pick her up after 12noon. I'm getting the truck ready first thing in the AM so I can go pronto!
Wish us luck. Albert (hubby) is taking day off to help bless his little heart.
I'll get him to drive down there while I keep leg elevated (I hurt my knee) but I'll drive my girl home. :)
Fingers and toes crossed for her to be home tomorrow! We'll have to treat her every 6 hours for weeks. No worries since I do this at work, too. Can't wait to have my pretty girl back home.
Keep her in your prayers and me, too.
August 1, 2010
Fiona Emergeny Trip to UGA (warning ugly picture)
my pirate girl. 
arriving at UGA
OK so I work all night, get the vet there first thing, and she says ya gotta go to Univ. of GA vet school.
I'm still mad cause someone should have looked at her eye on SATURDAY. Not her fault, so I don't take it out on her.
Got Fiona loaded in about 15-20 mins. This is a record. She is TERRIFIED of the trailer and I just kept saying to myself, "this is not about the trailer, this is about me as the trusted leader." She snorted a few times, I let her go on and off a few times, and then we closed the doors in stages, open closed, open closed, repeat a few more times, I closed them and took off. Stopped at McDonald's to get a bite and checked on her--she was sweat soaked-- offered her water (she would not take any) and then we were off for good. I threw a little water on her to cool her at least. Drove a little more than 1.5 hours to UGA (I'm lucky I'm that close) and they admitted us.
I asked for a few moments to "settle her." I had her walk sideways and backwards, and then we went to the barn.
First time in the barn she was a little RB calling and head was up but not on the ceiling, I was happy with her. She immediately began calming.
Hopped right up on the obstacle (I mean scale). They were impressed.
Took her right away to an exam room and they poked and prodded her, she behaved gloriously taking it all in stride. I was about to burst with pride. I told everyone who would listen "this is a Parelli horse. check it out! Parelli.com." yes, I'm a nerd.
Head was occasionally up, but I asked her to put it down and she calmed. Re-read the blog title...she was a STAR!
They sedated her (she did VERY well with the needle--one guy, no histronics) twice--did well both times. Again, about to pop with pride. She was SO BRAVE. And SO Well behaved! Yes!
They put a catheter in her eye under her eyelid and that was a tiny bit hard to watch cause a student did it (Main Doc supervised very well). Fiona tolerated it very well (drunk) and when she was coming around they were still sutering but she took it amazingly well.
I brought treats and when she could have them she got some! Also used Lavendar aromatherapy during the procedure and she eagerly sniffed it. I left it with them for her.
coming home without her was HARD.
Relationship and Draw building
Spontaneous session today.
Dad came over and picked up a broken lawn mower, and some of our dogs like to bite the guests' tires, so carrot stick in hand I prepared to defend Dad's tires.
Exy watched the proceedings so I thought let's play!
Asking her to come to me, very successful and she actually stopped outside my space, which is huge. (she's a space hog=dominant). Something I've been working on, making the horses staying out of my space.
I rewarded her for that with some scratches.
We went to the two salt holders and did at Liberty figure of 8 around the holders with salt. At first I was able to get her to go in a circle one way, but when I drove zone 1 it was too much so she left (although calmly) so I went to her, got her attention, smiled and backed up really fast inviting her. SHE CAME! I was so happy I scratched her some more. Lip action (must bring camera for that, she's hilarious) so I was successful with my reward.
Trying to keep my energy WAY down as I'm LOUD with body and energy sometimes, and she's very sensitive and I can throw her into RB behaviour with too much asking/demanding.
So that was my focus. Be gentle, be calm be clear. Take breaks. Not straight line. Think laterally...(hard for me).
Moved front end and hind end around with phase 1 and then had to touch her hair a ltitle, so that was good. I'm proud of her, she's really trying to get it and do as I ask.
Pause for dwell...licked, chewed. Waited til she looked at me and then we moved on.
There was a grazing incident and I had to stalk hineys...everyone gave me their face pronto! I was just going after Exy's butt but everyone else was in on it, too, and turned and faced. Good herd. I greeted Boss and let him touch me.
We did liberty put your nose on something after that and she got it right away...good girl. Nose on the ball, nose on fence. She stuck with me pretty good but then wanted to get behind me. Got a little frightened when I applied pressure in zone 4/5 way out from her body come up here with me. Tried to before this do friendly on whithers and would have driven from there but couldn't reach there she was so far back. She walked away and started grazing (I'm boring?) so I made noise, she looked at me, and then we started again. Was coming to pop her under her tummy or something to get her attention (yes, I'm the leader, sister) but she gave me it before I got there so I didn't have to go there.
A couple of times she lagged so I ran backwards and she came to me with a lovely pert expression.
I quit and came in, cooked a lovely pesto with basil from the garden and am having a glass of wine.
:)
Dad came over and picked up a broken lawn mower, and some of our dogs like to bite the guests' tires, so carrot stick in hand I prepared to defend Dad's tires.
Exy watched the proceedings so I thought let's play!
Asking her to come to me, very successful and she actually stopped outside my space, which is huge. (she's a space hog=dominant). Something I've been working on, making the horses staying out of my space.
I rewarded her for that with some scratches.
We went to the two salt holders and did at Liberty figure of 8 around the holders with salt. At first I was able to get her to go in a circle one way, but when I drove zone 1 it was too much so she left (although calmly) so I went to her, got her attention, smiled and backed up really fast inviting her. SHE CAME! I was so happy I scratched her some more. Lip action (must bring camera for that, she's hilarious) so I was successful with my reward.
Trying to keep my energy WAY down as I'm LOUD with body and energy sometimes, and she's very sensitive and I can throw her into RB behaviour with too much asking/demanding.
So that was my focus. Be gentle, be calm be clear. Take breaks. Not straight line. Think laterally...(hard for me).
Moved front end and hind end around with phase 1 and then had to touch her hair a ltitle, so that was good. I'm proud of her, she's really trying to get it and do as I ask.
Pause for dwell...licked, chewed. Waited til she looked at me and then we moved on.
There was a grazing incident and I had to stalk hineys...everyone gave me their face pronto! I was just going after Exy's butt but everyone else was in on it, too, and turned and faced. Good herd. I greeted Boss and let him touch me.
We did liberty put your nose on something after that and she got it right away...good girl. Nose on the ball, nose on fence. She stuck with me pretty good but then wanted to get behind me. Got a little frightened when I applied pressure in zone 4/5 way out from her body come up here with me. Tried to before this do friendly on whithers and would have driven from there but couldn't reach there she was so far back. She walked away and started grazing (I'm boring?) so I made noise, she looked at me, and then we started again. Was coming to pop her under her tummy or something to get her attention (yes, I'm the leader, sister) but she gave me it before I got there so I didn't have to go there.
A couple of times she lagged so I ran backwards and she came to me with a lovely pert expression.
I quit and came in, cooked a lovely pesto with basil from the garden and am having a glass of wine.
:)
July 12, 2010
Amazing Draw! Just Like Black Beauty!
Yesterday I had an amazing day, so amazing just like I dreamed as a little girl--AFTER Exy threw a fit, acted all crazy, tried to dominate me, and then came at me with evil intention (I retreated behind the fence but kept the I'M THE BOSS WITCH! Attitude going) and her feet moving. After all that mess, there were still more MAJOR freakouts. O'Rion came over and I chased him away protecting my herd of two. He started bucking and farting and trying to kill one of my dogs, which set Exy off RB. Phase 4 to snap her out of it made her worse. Circles against a fence fixed that. He freaked out again, and she spooked but then looked to me as her trusted leader and chilled quite quickly. It was impressive. Albert bought me a special heavy duty tall cone, so we played with that. Sweet guy!
I had planned to ride Fiona but she ran from me when I took her tack and began scratching her with it, so since Exy ran TO me I played with her. I had planned to start riding Exy but her behavior was NOT rideable so that plan was nixed quite early on.
Anyway, I played with her on some patterns and then did "Stay in that box" when she kept trying to take over and come in to my space. At that time I was shaking and taking deep breaths cause she scared the poo out of me a few moments earlier. stay in box is a good game to play when you're trying to get your stuff together. I was actually shaking! she had been squealing and flying straight up into the air then at me...yeah, I was frightened for a moment. but kept telling myself YOU'RE THE LEADER YOU'RE THE LEADER NOT HER. You can do this! You're ok, You're ok. I did think out loud at one point towards her "I was afraid there briefly but now I'm ok and so are you."
We had some AMAZING liberty after that, but even with me turning away she felt too much pressure and zoomed off. I was deep breathing and just doing friendly but it was too much for her. I was actually turning my back to her when she ran. So I kept going away, regrouped, did friendly whilst retreating. Then signalled her sweetly to come to me.
Oops, she's back. she came GALLOPING to me and stopped right in front of me! It was amazing! Ears forward, wonderful expression, that moment right there was when I thought of Black Beauty and how I loved my herd and life with horses.
We did more liberty, she felt too much pressure again from me and ran off...I did friendly with the whole herd and when they went ZOOMING by I closed the little gate to keep myself from running over 15 acres, and just contended with 5 acres. I moved them when they turned away and retreated when they faced me.
They tried to drink. I allowed one drink them MOVE off, sister!~ (it was hot).
Exy immediately caved and turned to me as leader. Breathing hard, she stood right behind me and followed me wherever I went. It was lovely. I put her in front of me and tried to join Fiona with Exy in a line in front of me. Never did get that.
Fiona next, but she was hesitant to approach. I kept up friendly and retreat, and then she did approach me. I scratched her with her tack again and then left. She was like WHAT WAS THAT, You're not grabbing me? Again a little while later I asked her to come in and she did, I scratched her then left. More ogling at me. funny!
O'rion faced and stood with a "what mom???" sweet expression so I took it.
O'Rion approached the fence and I played a short game of shoulders with him. After three times of turning him he got scared and ran away...I guess my energy was ZINGING after Exy frightened me.
Exy was running the herd as she's currently in a campaign to take over as boss hoss. LOTS of rearing, bucking, farting, darting through trees, I wished I had my camera...nice shots were happening all around me.
I said to myself I"M BOSS HOSS HERE, all face me!
Exy turned her bum so I stalked it and WHAP! Then turned around innocently "who me? I didnt' do that!"
funny. She faced me all the time then!
Third time, they ran around like maniacs, Exy ran straight to me and stopped. I backed her up three steps and disengaged myself, called it a day. Walked smiling back to put away my unused bareback pad. A successful hour!
I had planned to ride Fiona but she ran from me when I took her tack and began scratching her with it, so since Exy ran TO me I played with her. I had planned to start riding Exy but her behavior was NOT rideable so that plan was nixed quite early on.
Anyway, I played with her on some patterns and then did "Stay in that box" when she kept trying to take over and come in to my space. At that time I was shaking and taking deep breaths cause she scared the poo out of me a few moments earlier. stay in box is a good game to play when you're trying to get your stuff together. I was actually shaking! she had been squealing and flying straight up into the air then at me...yeah, I was frightened for a moment. but kept telling myself YOU'RE THE LEADER YOU'RE THE LEADER NOT HER. You can do this! You're ok, You're ok. I did think out loud at one point towards her "I was afraid there briefly but now I'm ok and so are you."
We had some AMAZING liberty after that, but even with me turning away she felt too much pressure and zoomed off. I was deep breathing and just doing friendly but it was too much for her. I was actually turning my back to her when she ran. So I kept going away, regrouped, did friendly whilst retreating. Then signalled her sweetly to come to me.
Oops, she's back. she came GALLOPING to me and stopped right in front of me! It was amazing! Ears forward, wonderful expression, that moment right there was when I thought of Black Beauty and how I loved my herd and life with horses.
We did more liberty, she felt too much pressure again from me and ran off...I did friendly with the whole herd and when they went ZOOMING by I closed the little gate to keep myself from running over 15 acres, and just contended with 5 acres. I moved them when they turned away and retreated when they faced me.
They tried to drink. I allowed one drink them MOVE off, sister!~ (it was hot).
Exy immediately caved and turned to me as leader. Breathing hard, she stood right behind me and followed me wherever I went. It was lovely. I put her in front of me and tried to join Fiona with Exy in a line in front of me. Never did get that.
Fiona next, but she was hesitant to approach. I kept up friendly and retreat, and then she did approach me. I scratched her with her tack again and then left. She was like WHAT WAS THAT, You're not grabbing me? Again a little while later I asked her to come in and she did, I scratched her then left. More ogling at me. funny!
O'rion faced and stood with a "what mom???" sweet expression so I took it.
O'Rion approached the fence and I played a short game of shoulders with him. After three times of turning him he got scared and ran away...I guess my energy was ZINGING after Exy frightened me.
Exy was running the herd as she's currently in a campaign to take over as boss hoss. LOTS of rearing, bucking, farting, darting through trees, I wished I had my camera...nice shots were happening all around me.
I said to myself I"M BOSS HOSS HERE, all face me!
Exy turned her bum so I stalked it and WHAP! Then turned around innocently "who me? I didnt' do that!"
funny. She faced me all the time then!
Third time, they ran around like maniacs, Exy ran straight to me and stopped. I backed her up three steps and disengaged myself, called it a day. Walked smiling back to put away my unused bareback pad. A successful hour!
June 30, 2010
Fiona and the Squeeze
Knee probs have kept me from playing much lately, but I wanted to be with the herd so I took my girl grazing and wanted to do something benign that wouldn't have me running or having an RBE moment with her (knee can't take it) so I did some sqeeze through a circle of PVC that was around 7 feet tall. Sort of flimsy so I had trouble holding it up and getting her to go through...enlisted hubby and she did it brilliantly. I was proud....however when she went through from right to left he put it down before she'd gotten more than three feet from it and she spooked slightly. zone 5 was not ok so must pay attention to do more there. However, I backed her under hanging strings (from a tree branch, looks tacky but it works) and INTO a wind chime with zone 5. I've used that wind chime a lot for all zones backing into and sidling up to. Nothing, she was ok with it. Funny.
Then the trailer. I had hay in the right stall so there was lots of hay grabbing, but we did circle on the ramp, back on and off ramp, circle around trailer. then yo yo onto and off of trailer. When she got all the way in she discovered there was nice hay in the manger. And I gave her a treat, too, scratched her back and did friendly when she was on the trailer rubbing her back and scratching her. She maintained a nice expression and no more freakouts so I called it quits. All in all a successful trailering/squeeze session.
Then the trailer. I had hay in the right stall so there was lots of hay grabbing, but we did circle on the ramp, back on and off ramp, circle around trailer. then yo yo onto and off of trailer. When she got all the way in she discovered there was nice hay in the manger. And I gave her a treat, too, scratched her back and did friendly when she was on the trailer rubbing her back and scratching her. She maintained a nice expression and no more freakouts so I called it quits. All in all a successful trailering/squeeze session.
Hose and Splashing Fun
Two of the herd, O'Rion and Exy, are freaks about the water...they LOVE LOVE LOVE IT and will paw and splash until there is no water in the trough, so I have two troughs, one on a tall platform so they can't get in it! lol.
Fiona and Boss are not as great, although Boss LBI has had things done to him and he didn't seem to mind. Although I know now that he did mind, and was afraid of a bath.
He freezes and hardly ever exploded in the past, but he was almost comatose and staring with glazed eye if he became unconfident.
So yesterday I tried again (this has been an ongoing thing with him) to play friendly with the hose and water.
I did friendly with the water just as if it were the CS and string. Figure 8 around me with the water turned away from him. some staring. Retreat, he looked, I bent the hose so no water came out. Lick, lick, lick. Nice.
Repeated this for about 30 mins and my husband came over "What are you doing with the hose???" he didnt' get it...that's ok. I explained but he looked at me like I was a nut. I'm ok with it.
Retreat and advance with hose flinging a wet figure 8 (rhythmic pattern for relaxation) that didn't touch him. I was breathing with him...leg cocked (mine) and thinking "I'm ok, you're ok." Lick, lick. Every time he turned to me I bent the hose in half and backed a step away. Eventually he started turning 100% toward me and even advanced to the water. I put it on his feet, he started glazing over so I kept at it rhythmically with the silly figure 8 until he licked and looked at me...I bent hose and walked backwards. This is when the big breakthrough happened, he started tracking me with ears and turned to me and advanced wherever I went. Finally put water on his withers and back, and rump, (it was hot! and he is old, I wanted to cool him down) and he was ok with it.
Success! I gave him belly scratches while holding the hose in other hand, and he never glazed over again in this session. Each time I retreated he came to me and had a lovely soft expression. I ended on a very happy note, and a cool one, too, as I squirted myself to celebrate. :)
Fiona and Boss are not as great, although Boss LBI has had things done to him and he didn't seem to mind. Although I know now that he did mind, and was afraid of a bath.
He freezes and hardly ever exploded in the past, but he was almost comatose and staring with glazed eye if he became unconfident.
So yesterday I tried again (this has been an ongoing thing with him) to play friendly with the hose and water.
I did friendly with the water just as if it were the CS and string. Figure 8 around me with the water turned away from him. some staring. Retreat, he looked, I bent the hose so no water came out. Lick, lick, lick. Nice.
Repeated this for about 30 mins and my husband came over "What are you doing with the hose???" he didnt' get it...that's ok. I explained but he looked at me like I was a nut. I'm ok with it.
Retreat and advance with hose flinging a wet figure 8 (rhythmic pattern for relaxation) that didn't touch him. I was breathing with him...leg cocked (mine) and thinking "I'm ok, you're ok." Lick, lick. Every time he turned to me I bent the hose in half and backed a step away. Eventually he started turning 100% toward me and even advanced to the water. I put it on his feet, he started glazing over so I kept at it rhythmically with the silly figure 8 until he licked and looked at me...I bent hose and walked backwards. This is when the big breakthrough happened, he started tracking me with ears and turned to me and advanced wherever I went. Finally put water on his withers and back, and rump, (it was hot! and he is old, I wanted to cool him down) and he was ok with it.
Success! I gave him belly scratches while holding the hose in other hand, and he never glazed over again in this session. Each time I retreated he came to me and had a lovely soft expression. I ended on a very happy note, and a cool one, too, as I squirted myself to celebrate. :)
June 17, 2010
Hide your Hiney
I think Hide your Hiney with the herd when I'm just ambling about is hilarious. O'Rion tends to get a little complacent about thinking of me as alpha...so his is the target usually...the others revolve around me like I'm a little sun. If I get behind, they turn. I love it. Not O'Rion and lately Exy made this mistake, too.
I have thrown pine cones, a tiny pebble, some sand, used the CS (of course) and then when they turn I'm looking at the clouds, like 'who me?' giggles. O'Rion only takes one time before he joins the planets that revolve around me, and he likes to peek at me a lot to make sure I'm not behind him. He's a card.
Today I was doing approach and retreat with the water...if anyone had come at me today with water I would have mobbed them yelling 'squirt me! Squirt me!' But Boss was a little skeptical. He got in the farthest corner and turned away, so I kept the water towards him but retreated, when he looked at me sideways I turned away taking the water away. Only took three times of this to have him face me but the hose was not long enough to get closer so I called this quits. To have someone to squirt I squirted myself and called it good.
Fiona has really been coming to see me lately, as I've decided we're not progressing until SHE takes an interest. She's so lovely, I just want to squeeze her, but she has to want to be my partner, so I'm playing with everyone else. She's more and more curious and that's what I want.
I really really want to ride, so that's good considering how fearful I've been in the past.
PS..I thought O'Rion was worried about going to the left over the log the other day because he stopped, started lipping it and looked like he was going introverted, so I backed him away from it and let him look at it, then asked for the other direction. That went well, so I reversed again and let him go left again. He was slow to pass over the (very tiny) log, but I didn't ask him to, just let him make that decision. He was able to paw the log and finally go over it. Success!
I have thrown pine cones, a tiny pebble, some sand, used the CS (of course) and then when they turn I'm looking at the clouds, like 'who me?' giggles. O'Rion only takes one time before he joins the planets that revolve around me, and he likes to peek at me a lot to make sure I'm not behind him. He's a card.
Today I was doing approach and retreat with the water...if anyone had come at me today with water I would have mobbed them yelling 'squirt me! Squirt me!' But Boss was a little skeptical. He got in the farthest corner and turned away, so I kept the water towards him but retreated, when he looked at me sideways I turned away taking the water away. Only took three times of this to have him face me but the hose was not long enough to get closer so I called this quits. To have someone to squirt I squirted myself and called it good.
Fiona has really been coming to see me lately, as I've decided we're not progressing until SHE takes an interest. She's so lovely, I just want to squeeze her, but she has to want to be my partner, so I'm playing with everyone else. She's more and more curious and that's what I want.
I really really want to ride, so that's good considering how fearful I've been in the past.
PS..I thought O'Rion was worried about going to the left over the log the other day because he stopped, started lipping it and looked like he was going introverted, so I backed him away from it and let him look at it, then asked for the other direction. That went well, so I reversed again and let him go left again. He was slow to pass over the (very tiny) log, but I didn't ask him to, just let him make that decision. He was able to paw the log and finally go over it. Success!
Hello Followers!
Thanks so much to the people who have commented on my blog. However, I have a dilemma: I do not know how to contact some of you! Please email me at chebs1@aol.com if you want me to comment back to you on the comments you left (coming to mind is Petra). :)
I so appreciate your taking the time to ask me a question or just ready my adventures...it means a LOT! Thanks.
Shelly
I so appreciate your taking the time to ask me a question or just ready my adventures...it means a LOT! Thanks.
June 13, 2010
Exy Playing with Tools
Exy is another piece of work. Put halter on, she shook head and acted all pissy. So i took it off, wrapped it up and gave her a good scratch with it. Put it back on, with some wiggling for friendly and she took it MUCH better.
Then put saddle pad (hoping it would stand in for bareback pad) on the ground and directed her to it, letting her paw, bite, sniff, and lick it. In the background O'Rion went for the bareback pad on fence and was doing his best to demolish it, so I directed him to saddle pad and he went at it with Exy. They pawed and bit it, with gusto.
I began to feel better with O'Rion as he obviously had some issues...so let them bite it and carry on as long as they liked.
When I got way too hot standing in the sun I called it a day, took off her halter, and came in to the A/C.
Wanted to ride today. Plan changed.
Off to the pool.....
Then put saddle pad (hoping it would stand in for bareback pad) on the ground and directed her to it, letting her paw, bite, sniff, and lick it. In the background O'Rion went for the bareback pad on fence and was doing his best to demolish it, so I directed him to saddle pad and he went at it with Exy. They pawed and bit it, with gusto.
I began to feel better with O'Rion as he obviously had some issues...so let them bite it and carry on as long as they liked.
When I got way too hot standing in the sun I called it a day, took off her halter, and came in to the A/C.
Wanted to ride today. Plan changed.
Off to the pool.....
Can't get Permission
Today I'm afraid I'm a little bit heart broken. After 5 years I STILL cannot get permission to get on to O'Rion. Oh my Gosh, WHAT THE HELL DO I HAVE TO DO?
I have studied Horsenality. To that end I have determined that he is RBI/LBI. With the occasional LBE thrown in.
O'Rion caught me right away. Played all games, and he offered to back up (nice). I started out today with lots of friendly. Retreat, mirroring. He finally licked and chewed. Took a long time.
Took him to water three times and he would not drink.
Got on the bareback pad with savvy, tightened in four steps and did lots of friendly in between.
Got him to go over a log. (tiny one.) Asked for a trot over it, he was worried to the left, but then played with the log. Bent him both ways (stiff to right although he got it quickly). Would easily disengage hind on both sides.
Played Mirror Me all along the fence, and he was brilliant!
Took him to the fence, climbed on it and gave him a treat, and then scratched him all over. Then asked him to come get me. I was there thirty minutes. Three times I tried to do the savvy mounting--got him in position, gave scratches. Waited. Big sigh, so I tried to rock him, and then grabbed mane and rein softly and put my leg on his side, he walked away. Repeated this multiple times, once tried to put my belly over his back and do friendly. He walked away again and never would get by me again. Pawed fence and ground. (I took this as a sign tension was building so I quit asking anything and just petted/scratched his mane and when he gave me his hind I scratched that). He did use his head to wipe me out once, or tried to. I did body blocks.
Seemed worried although I didn't ask anything except to have him stand by me and receive friendly scratches.
Finally I took off the bareback pad and halter/reins, put it on the fence and let him sniff/bite it. He seemed very interested to do so.
I am very disheartened. This horse was raised DAY 1 with Parelli and STILL I can't get on him with his giving permission. I"m sad today. Did think "this is for tomorrow" but DAMN, how many tomorrows does this take? I"m ready to ride and planned just to go passenger and bending, but if I can't even get on then why do I have these horses?
Had camera to take pics but never even thought of it once I got outside.
I AM very pleased that I know to ask permission, but would be pleased to advance some. Trying to rein in my emotional fitness, but just reporting how I feel.
I have studied Horsenality. To that end I have determined that he is RBI/LBI. With the occasional LBE thrown in.
O'Rion caught me right away. Played all games, and he offered to back up (nice). I started out today with lots of friendly. Retreat, mirroring. He finally licked and chewed. Took a long time.
Took him to water three times and he would not drink.
Got on the bareback pad with savvy, tightened in four steps and did lots of friendly in between.
Got him to go over a log. (tiny one.) Asked for a trot over it, he was worried to the left, but then played with the log. Bent him both ways (stiff to right although he got it quickly). Would easily disengage hind on both sides.
Played Mirror Me all along the fence, and he was brilliant!
Took him to the fence, climbed on it and gave him a treat, and then scratched him all over. Then asked him to come get me. I was there thirty minutes. Three times I tried to do the savvy mounting--got him in position, gave scratches. Waited. Big sigh, so I tried to rock him, and then grabbed mane and rein softly and put my leg on his side, he walked away. Repeated this multiple times, once tried to put my belly over his back and do friendly. He walked away again and never would get by me again. Pawed fence and ground. (I took this as a sign tension was building so I quit asking anything and just petted/scratched his mane and when he gave me his hind I scratched that). He did use his head to wipe me out once, or tried to. I did body blocks.
Seemed worried although I didn't ask anything except to have him stand by me and receive friendly scratches.
Finally I took off the bareback pad and halter/reins, put it on the fence and let him sniff/bite it. He seemed very interested to do so.
I am very disheartened. This horse was raised DAY 1 with Parelli and STILL I can't get on him with his giving permission. I"m sad today. Did think "this is for tomorrow" but DAMN, how many tomorrows does this take? I"m ready to ride and planned just to go passenger and bending, but if I can't even get on then why do I have these horses?
Had camera to take pics but never even thought of it once I got outside.
I AM very pleased that I know to ask permission, but would be pleased to advance some. Trying to rein in my emotional fitness, but just reporting how I feel.
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