So I always say to people, extreme frustration is followed by profound discovery. Yet somehow I am not applying that to myself. My frustration level is at an all time high. To the point of wanting to give it all up last night. I gave up on myself. I walked away from my horse, and proceeded to have a full blown temper tantrum/ sob fest. Emotional fitness? I think not. I debated blogging about it as I barely have the will to complain anymore. It is a good thing that I met a woman, who I hope to be my white night. She is making time for me this Sunday, fathers day of all days, but my husband said it was OK. I have not had a lesson in 10+ years, with the exception of a L2 clinic with Ann Kiser, back when the blue level 2 was brand new. I am picky as to whom I give my money to for advice. Way to picky some may think, but for me, I rely on my own good senses and the written words of my chosen mentors, before putting my money in the hands of someone who may steer me in the wrong direction. I have wasted too much of my life, and my money, to trainers who did little more than nearly get me killed. I audit a lot though, and study with an insatiable appetite. Anyways, why I didn’t think my own words applied to me, I will never know. Something big must be in store for me, as a mastery student just reminded me, “it is always darkest before the dawn”. (thanks Hilary) Well it is pitch black for me right now. And all I can say is, I hope, and truly believe, Maggie will save me from myself. Save me from self loathing and self pity, and a rage inside me that is building. Which is better than the deadness I was feeling before. Before, I was in total denial of my deep depression from the car accident, and lacked any kind of desire, and was doing nothing with my horses. NOTHING. But I woke up one day, and decided to do something with my horses, only to find I had lost myself, my skills, and my sense of discovery. Her words to me are foreign. While I know them and speak them to others, they are foreign in application to my self. The main theme……FUN. Now generally speaking I am a fun person, in fact quite silly. I have fun with other people, and truly enjoy helping others have fun with their horses. But I realized today, I have not done it myself in a long time. The only horse I ever owned, who I actually played with was TigerLily. None of my other horses had a play drive that was noticeable to me. Mainly because they are RB horses, and safety, comfort and harmony are their main drives. Rose is the only one with a play drive. Unfortunately I think fun for her is dominance. But I don’t know. It is such a foreign word to me. I can’t remember a time that we PLAYED in the sense that I am thinking of. Maybe she does have THAT type of play drive, and because I haven’t noticed and encouraged it…..it is being suppressed, and what shines through the holes is argumentative dominance games. A battle of wills. A fight to the death. I know "I" am not having any fun. So how can SHE be having fun? Seriousness, determination, and survival are all that has followed fear, inadiquacy and doubt lately. I am lonely, bored and desperate. I hope this woman is up for my challenge. I will be throwing myself at her feet, begging her to show me the way out of this darkness that has become my horse life. It is a tall order for sure, and she seems to me to have the goods to do so. I will try not to dump my entire mess on her shoulders. For that is a heavy burden to carry. In fact that is probably one of my problems. Carrying a heavy burden. I need to drop it to the floor and have fun again. I just need someone to show me the way home. Today my friend was a little peaved at me that I don’t let her or my son get caught in the trap of perfection, yet I expect it of myself. I can’t say that I blame her for wanting to bonk me on the head. She had some nice things to say about me, both about me as her instructor and as a friend, as usual, I had a hard time accepting her generous words. But I did. So I am going to go home, and PLAY with my horses, and try not to make a red hot mess of it.
Savvy On
Michelle
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Cha'Cote, trailer loading video
This is Cha'Cote's first time loading with ME on the outside of the trailer too! He does not do well with approach and retreat in the traditional natural way. He does better if you help him through it, than backing him away. He mistakes the "retreat" as part of the lesson and we end up farther and farther away from the trailer. He's an odd little duck, but it works for him! Also to note, I noticed he was having a harder time getting his back feet in, as he was not confident at all about backing them OUT. I decided it was time to turn him around IN the trailer, but still be safe at the same time. I noticed a big difference today letting him get out that way. He was more comfortable going IN, because he was more comfortable going OUT. This is as close as we came to OLL3 audition today!
Savvy On
Michelle
Savvy On
Michelle
OLL3 not today...VIDEO
Can't send this in. NOPE. Ugh. This video isn't too bad. BUT not good enough. It looks better than it felt. In the middle of the pedestal, the camera died. ARGH! Then my rope was FULL of stickers, from one end to the other. Double ARGH! Using the 45' tomorrow as it will take me hours to get all the stickers out. Why do I act like a moron with the camera on??? I got so mad at myself, I took the halter off, dropped it on the ground and just walked away in tears. SIGHS......she followed me to the garage as if to ask what she did wrong. I felt bad, it wasn't her....I keep letting her and myself down
No Savvy Today
NONE
Michelle
No Savvy Today
NONE
Michelle
Ok…………New Approach…..CHEAT dang it.
It has come to my attention…..thinking a lot the last few days…that I am stubborn and all too often realize it long after the realization could have helped me. I was thinking about my crummy sessions with Rose, and what it was I was trying to accomplish with her at that time. It seems to go bad when I am practicing my audition. So why do I do it? DUH….. Because I want to pass L3. So why do I have to do it with Rose? I don’t. But I want to. She is/was my levels horse before the accident. But why? Because she is the only one who CAN do OLL3. I put all the weight on her shoulders. Why? Because SHE is so cool, and smart, and already taught her all this stuff. It seems reasonable to me that it should be easy with Rose. Why isn’t it? That is the million dollar question for sure.
As I was running through this list of questions to my self, and it brought me back to all the years I spent trying to get assessed L1, way back in the day….green pack. I really didn’t want to cheat in any way and wanted to do it with my first ever, pure natural horse TigerLily. I don’t know where I got the idea using Snookie was cheating anyways. My own limitation/rules, not PNH’s. Cantering was all I had left when TigerLily began to have complications from her disease. I turned to Good ole Snookie. But she refused to get in the trailer the Parelli way. I spent months on this. Broke down and signed up for a clinic. But now, the program changed. Start over. Lily was better by then, so stubborn me, decided I HAD to do it with her. I had the whole thing taped, minus one task, on my computer and my computer crashed. Lost…..LOST I tell ya. Then Lily began to have complications again, so I found a way to buy Rose back from the lady I re-homed her with. I spent the next year trying to have the courage to canter her. By this time, I was thinking to my self, that it was crazy that I wasn’t just using Snookie. So I began taping my Level 1 (red pack) guidelines still pretty demanding, I wasn’t satisfied with a couple of tasks, so was in the process of re-taping those, but also started the cantering with Rose. BAM car accident. By the time I was in good enough shape to tape the couple tasks, ……program changed AGAIN! I gave up on taping long ago, and figured I would do it once, at the end, with Rose, when I made it all the way through the program.
So here I sit, post car accident, mind frame still in previous program. Wanting to become a PP and needing to pass the levels to do so. Expectations of a level of quality once required. But maybe they have changed. Am I being stubborn AGAIN? I thinks so. Cha’Cote is probably a perfect “current” level 3 standard. Minus trailering, cantering and lead from the tail. It never really occurred to me to teach him those things and tape it with him. Well it did, but again…..STUBBORN. I assumed he would never let me in zone 5 AND hold his tail at the same time. But he did. He learned it in one session. How great is THAT? He is going in the trailer now. He is cantering now. He is great at the weave. So why would using him for OLL3 be cheating? It’s NOT. But just try and get THAT through my thick head. So the plan is this…..I am going home tonight and taping OLL3 with Cha’Cote. Just to see what happens.
Savvy On
Michelle
As I was running through this list of questions to my self, and it brought me back to all the years I spent trying to get assessed L1, way back in the day….green pack. I really didn’t want to cheat in any way and wanted to do it with my first ever, pure natural horse TigerLily. I don’t know where I got the idea using Snookie was cheating anyways. My own limitation/rules, not PNH’s. Cantering was all I had left when TigerLily began to have complications from her disease. I turned to Good ole Snookie. But she refused to get in the trailer the Parelli way. I spent months on this. Broke down and signed up for a clinic. But now, the program changed. Start over. Lily was better by then, so stubborn me, decided I HAD to do it with her. I had the whole thing taped, minus one task, on my computer and my computer crashed. Lost…..LOST I tell ya. Then Lily began to have complications again, so I found a way to buy Rose back from the lady I re-homed her with. I spent the next year trying to have the courage to canter her. By this time, I was thinking to my self, that it was crazy that I wasn’t just using Snookie. So I began taping my Level 1 (red pack) guidelines still pretty demanding, I wasn’t satisfied with a couple of tasks, so was in the process of re-taping those, but also started the cantering with Rose. BAM car accident. By the time I was in good enough shape to tape the couple tasks, ……program changed AGAIN! I gave up on taping long ago, and figured I would do it once, at the end, with Rose, when I made it all the way through the program.
So here I sit, post car accident, mind frame still in previous program. Wanting to become a PP and needing to pass the levels to do so. Expectations of a level of quality once required. But maybe they have changed. Am I being stubborn AGAIN? I thinks so. Cha’Cote is probably a perfect “current” level 3 standard. Minus trailering, cantering and lead from the tail. It never really occurred to me to teach him those things and tape it with him. Well it did, but again…..STUBBORN. I assumed he would never let me in zone 5 AND hold his tail at the same time. But he did. He learned it in one session. How great is THAT? He is going in the trailer now. He is cantering now. He is great at the weave. So why would using him for OLL3 be cheating? It’s NOT. But just try and get THAT through my thick head. So the plan is this…..I am going home tonight and taping OLL3 with Cha’Cote. Just to see what happens.
Savvy On
Michelle
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Oh Ya! I Cantered.....BooYaahhhh
We were cantering like the wind! Ok, it was only for 1-10 strides at a time, but like the wind, none the less!
Reminder, cantering Rose was a huge problem that I was just tackling before the car accident. Have done nothing for 2.5yrs. I cantered her on memorial day weekend, in a round pen, with my friend in the middle helping at first. no more than a half circle at a time. BUT today it was in the big arena, with two loose horses.
Our first depart was a walk/canter transition to the right. we did it three times about 6 strides each............she is sooo light on the forhand, and VERY uphill. I love it, so smooth...........but then the LBE...........turned on me and she started to dive bomb things(barrels, green ball, horse, fence, friend) in the arena to get me to stop asking her. when that failed she got nasty. ears pinned, teeth grinding, head tossing, steering lost.......when THAT failed her.......she resorted to freezing.......with all the above too. I was calm, and used the only strategy that doesnt make it worse. which is to stay at phase 4 legs on, NO matter HOW loooooong it takes, until she moves.....then relax and go with what ever gait she gives me. I am going to have to get this on video tape, because I doubt alot of people would believe just how big a tantrum she throws to get her way. it used to work because it used to scare the crap out of me. but I spent a year working my way thru it, only to have all my hard word lost due to the car accident.....so now I gotta do it all again. but this time I am not scared.........woooooo hoooooooo
so once I got her moving again, she resorted to bucking instead of cantering. Her version of phase 4. but I held on, and pushed her thru it, as I am not going to let her bully me. if it was right brained even the slightest, I wouldn't push......but this mare oh no......it is deliberate, calculated and cunning
she never bucked going to the right, and it was mild on the left.....UNTIL.....my friends horse tore across the arena feeling very good about his kentucky derby winning sprint. Rose decided to go total bronc with him. Mind you, I AM in a dressage saddle. I don't know how, but I did stay on, and got her moving again. And it didn't scare me
I was only able to get her to canter from a trot going to the left, and only for a few strides, 6max. But oh, to the right, she was like riding a cloud. We even made it one time almost the length of the arena, but Snookie got in our way. I wish I could afford to board her there, so I could ride every day. Regardless, I now have a tangible hope of passing FSL3 this year. Of course I want it to be tommorow, but I know better than that
Woooooo Hooooooooooo
Savvy Me
Michelle
Reminder, cantering Rose was a huge problem that I was just tackling before the car accident. Have done nothing for 2.5yrs. I cantered her on memorial day weekend, in a round pen, with my friend in the middle helping at first. no more than a half circle at a time. BUT today it was in the big arena, with two loose horses.
Our first depart was a walk/canter transition to the right. we did it three times about 6 strides each............she is sooo light on the forhand, and VERY uphill. I love it, so smooth...........but then the LBE...........turned on me and she started to dive bomb things(barrels, green ball, horse, fence, friend) in the arena to get me to stop asking her. when that failed she got nasty. ears pinned, teeth grinding, head tossing, steering lost.......when THAT failed her.......she resorted to freezing.......with all the above too. I was calm, and used the only strategy that doesnt make it worse. which is to stay at phase 4 legs on, NO matter HOW loooooong it takes, until she moves.....then relax and go with what ever gait she gives me. I am going to have to get this on video tape, because I doubt alot of people would believe just how big a tantrum she throws to get her way. it used to work because it used to scare the crap out of me. but I spent a year working my way thru it, only to have all my hard word lost due to the car accident.....so now I gotta do it all again. but this time I am not scared.........woooooo hoooooooo
so once I got her moving again, she resorted to bucking instead of cantering. Her version of phase 4. but I held on, and pushed her thru it, as I am not going to let her bully me. if it was right brained even the slightest, I wouldn't push......but this mare oh no......it is deliberate, calculated and cunning
she never bucked going to the right, and it was mild on the left.....UNTIL.....my friends horse tore across the arena feeling very good about his kentucky derby winning sprint. Rose decided to go total bronc with him. Mind you, I AM in a dressage saddle. I don't know how, but I did stay on, and got her moving again. And it didn't scare me
I was only able to get her to canter from a trot going to the left, and only for a few strides, 6max. But oh, to the right, she was like riding a cloud. We even made it one time almost the length of the arena, but Snookie got in our way. I wish I could afford to board her there, so I could ride every day. Regardless, I now have a tangible hope of passing FSL3 this year. Of course I want it to be tommorow, but I know better than that
Woooooo Hooooooooooo
Savvy Me
Michelle
Grain box masacre!
The fantastic four, after I cleaned up thier first mess, they got into it again! This time with the camera rolling. LOL
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
So smart!
Well get this. I got Cha'Cote out last night and the first time I touched his tail,,,,,he backed right up! Now I guess I am going to have to work on friendly vs porcupine with it, so he doesnt' think that everytime I touch it, he is suppose to move. But good for him anyways. We then proceeded to the trailer, as I have not played with him with that since last thurs. He went right in with his front feet, but of course those backs were in no hurry to get in. Eventually I got all 4 feet in. So I know I am going to have to do this every day, until he can do it easily with confidence, with out pushing his little RBI heart through his chest! Other than that, not much going on.
Savvy On
Michelle
Savvy On
Michelle
Monday, June 7, 2010
Cha'Cote ~ Lead by the Tail
Well, it took some effort on my part to find what would make sense to him.....but I found it! Here is Cha'Cote's first ever lead by the tail. A week ago I was excited he finally let me hold his tail long enough to brush it, then wash it.....now I am leading him by it, and still have both my knee caps!
Saddle only, no bareback pad :(
Well I rode again yesterday. I took the girls to the local arena to play with after a couple of lessons. I brought my saddle, but was not in the mood, to change out of my shorts in the heat, so I rode bareback. Now, while I did pass my L2 bareback, it is glaringly clear that I am not ready for this. It was hurting my back, to try to stabilize myself for so long and then I over compensated and while ponying Snookie, my shoulder couldn’t take it. I am paying a hefty price this morning for trying to enjoy my life as I knew it. But….still a silver lining. I spent 90% of the session using only the neck string, and only touched my reins a few times. With the exception of while I was ponying Snookie.
I also did not have the confidence needed to canter……DUH…..and trotting was too much as well. I think it was a fear based, pre-emptive strike, to secretly make me believe I was too lazy to change my shorts, so I would NOT use the saddle, thus would not attempt too much. ARG….my brain is smarter than me!
Hmmmmmm How interesting!
So for now, no bareback pad.......saddle only!
Now for some major pooh removal, and then I plan on playing with Cha'cote. I have this idea.....as dumb or irrational as it may be, of attempting OLL3 with Cha'Cote. So, tonight I am just going to see how he feels about me being in zone 3/4/5 and ask him to play yo-yo. I certainly cannot lead by the tail, if I can't even back him with a rope from there. We'll see.....I'll let you know what happens!
Savvy ON
Michelle
Saturday, June 5, 2010
I win...I win....the cones are mine....ALL MINE!
Well, after that tragic display of the most hideous horsemanship ever, the battle of the cones is resolved again. Hopefully it lasts this time...though I doubt it. Rose is highly intelligent, and with my level on inadequacy right now, it will be easy for her to smell my weakness, when ever it crops up. Anyways, our next play session was thursday night. She was an angel! Boy she cantered around light as a feather. It felt good. I am getting a good handle of the 45' line too. I have only used it a handful of times, and am quite impressed with how quickly it is becoming a part of me, like the 22' is. Now I ain't getting crazy here, I did get my foot caught in a coil once. Luckily I am in perfect control of my horse (wink sneer) that I was safe, and able to get my foot out unharmed! We played with more zone 5 driving with one rein, and I think I may start up again with two reins, now that I am getting the feel of the 45'. I so badly want to tape my Online L3, but I just don't know if we are ready. I know it will be a long time before I am satisfied with the quality of my skills, but for the sake of the "fear makeover" I feel this strong push to do so. More like a desire. Again desire hasn't been my friend for a while. And now that we are getting reacquainted, I don't know how to proceed. I am in uncharted water here, as far as the fear is concerned. I have been consumed with nothing but DESIRE since age 2. It is a frightening feeling being without it. It is strange and foreign, though I have become accustomed to it's sensations since my return after the accident. For a long time, the desire was there, but since I couldnt' physically do ANYthing, I hadn't run into my nemesis.....FEAR. Once I met her.....desire split like a rat from a snake house! So I have been attempting snake removal....but it has been so hard. Anyways.....blah blah blah....I have been so depressed and nostalgic this week. I need to shake it!
Today is bath day again for Cha'Cote and who ever else I have the energy for. It is hot out, so I plan to wait till later to play with the horses.
Savvy On
Michelle
Today is bath day again for Cha'Cote and who ever else I have the energy for. It is hot out, so I plan to wait till later to play with the horses.
Savvy On
Michelle
Friday, June 4, 2010
All 4 feet in the trailer!
So tues night he literally walked right up and right in. No hesitation, but front feet only. And that was ok. I scratched his favorite spots and loved on him, and asked if he would like to come closer.
Wed night, he touched the bumper with his back cannons, so with a lot of patience, no push, he stepped up with his back feet. It honestly felt like it was his idea. Before I could snap a picture, he stepped back out again. And that was ok. I should have quit, but I didn’t. Quite mad at myself for missing that one, but it had only been a couple minutes, yada yada yada, all the reasons we all go direct line thinkin!
Any ways, the minute he was back in the trailer with all 4 feet, something spooked him and he turned around and ran out! He didn’t go far, and was more than willing to immediately put his front feet back in the trailer, but not his back feet. AND that’s OK.
Last night, all 4 feet, confident and stayed in and just hung out with me for quite a while. I got pics, but couldn’t get his feet and his head in the same shot. Will add pics tonight. After that we played on line and he is getting better at cantering, we are getting a whole half circle now, but still have leaps and strikes in it. He mostly trots anywhere he wants to go, rarely canters. I can’t wait to take him to the arena where he can let ‘er rip! I bet he is dying for a full on gallop.
Savvy On
Michelle
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Battle of the cones! AGAIN
Well, I had decided to practice my online L3 audtition. WRONG! Rose was an LBE Princess and true to the comments rec'd on my Liberty audition, she doesn't believe i will go to phase4. She doesn't think I am good enough to make her. And she is right. This session is a tragedy! Pre car accident.....phase one, 85-90% of the time.....post accident, it is a total crap/shoot. So when this session went bad....I decided to be particular about obtaining and keeping ownership of the cones and rope, ie; keep her feet off of them, and not let her choose if she was or was not going to go around them. at the end I let her "kill the cone" but that time it was MY idea. I about passed out from the heat, I just don't have it in me to run that long, and I shoulda quit one pass sooner than I did, as I am sure she thinks she ended the weave session, not me. Again, this looks bad and I hate it. Trying to follow the advice of PP and not let her get away with murder. No chump smell, though I don't think it is very harmonious. take a gander, some decent stuff peppered in there. but nothing to brag about for sure!
Savvy On
Michelle
Savvy On
Michelle
Too hard to describe in 100 words or less! I dare you to try!
I just had to try to explain to opposing counsels lawyer what Parelli is, why it is important to me, and just what the implication is, that I lost my mo-jo. So this car accident has robbed me of my dreams.....no surprise to anyone as I complain about it all the time. But how to explain to the lawyer...who by the way was grilling me like Tom Cruise in "A Few Good Men"
She wanted to know what the big deal was that I can barely ride my horses, and will never be able to start a horse undersaddle again. She asked if I can't complete Parelli levels, why would I keep doing it? To all of you......it's a DUH! kinda answer that needs NO explaination. But when you are under oath and having EVERY sound that comes out of your mouth legally recorded.....and.....um.....I was very emotional at the time, tears and alot of tissue, and I blurted (my only blurt of the whole 3 hrs session BTW) "Why does one pet thier dog?" Non horse people just don't understand. They don't get it. I don't think anyone can ever describe to perfection the bond between a girl and her horse. It transends words. Beyond explaination. Our husbands, and parents and kids don't get it.....how is the lawyer suppose to get it.
She told me not get defensive or something like that, and she needed to ask to understand why? In my mind, all I could think of was "if I don't have horses I will go stark raving mad. And without Parelli what is the point"
I have no Idea at this point what I ended up saying, I answered at least 3000 questions, and was instructed to be brief. BRIEF.....what the heck is THAT? They may as well have asked me to answer in French! THAT would have been easier. I don't know how, but I said the words "yes" "no" and "correct" more in 3hrs than I have in the last year.
I could have gone on for an hour about how this accident has stripped me of skills, timing, bond and sanity. How it has created fear and doubt where it never existed before. Risk.....can't live on that fine line anymore. But I wasn't allowed. Brief...be brief. I think I even confused myself by the time I was done!
Then she wanted to know why, if I have been doing Parelli for @9yrs, and I earlier stated under oath, that it should take 4-10yrs to complete the levels, depending on the aptitude of both the horse and rider, why had I not done so yet. I felt so depressed instantly and cried like a fool.......thanks for bringing THAT up !@#$%^&*(. Well let's see....horse changes, program changes, and TWO HEAD ON COLLISIONS have set me back a bit. But for the record, I was almost done when your client wrecklessly turned infront of me!
I was about to tell her to call Pat or Linda themselves......maybe they could explain it.
Enough for now, I am crying so hard, I can't even type anymore!
She wanted to know what the big deal was that I can barely ride my horses, and will never be able to start a horse undersaddle again. She asked if I can't complete Parelli levels, why would I keep doing it? To all of you......it's a DUH! kinda answer that needs NO explaination. But when you are under oath and having EVERY sound that comes out of your mouth legally recorded.....and.....um.....I was very emotional at the time, tears and alot of tissue, and I blurted (my only blurt of the whole 3 hrs session BTW) "Why does one pet thier dog?" Non horse people just don't understand. They don't get it. I don't think anyone can ever describe to perfection the bond between a girl and her horse. It transends words. Beyond explaination. Our husbands, and parents and kids don't get it.....how is the lawyer suppose to get it.
She told me not get defensive or something like that, and she needed to ask to understand why? In my mind, all I could think of was "if I don't have horses I will go stark raving mad. And without Parelli what is the point"
I have no Idea at this point what I ended up saying, I answered at least 3000 questions, and was instructed to be brief. BRIEF.....what the heck is THAT? They may as well have asked me to answer in French! THAT would have been easier. I don't know how, but I said the words "yes" "no" and "correct" more in 3hrs than I have in the last year.
I could have gone on for an hour about how this accident has stripped me of skills, timing, bond and sanity. How it has created fear and doubt where it never existed before. Risk.....can't live on that fine line anymore. But I wasn't allowed. Brief...be brief. I think I even confused myself by the time I was done!
Then she wanted to know why, if I have been doing Parelli for @9yrs, and I earlier stated under oath, that it should take 4-10yrs to complete the levels, depending on the aptitude of both the horse and rider, why had I not done so yet. I felt so depressed instantly and cried like a fool.......thanks for bringing THAT up !@#$%^&*(. Well let's see....horse changes, program changes, and TWO HEAD ON COLLISIONS have set me back a bit. But for the record, I was almost done when your client wrecklessly turned infront of me!
I was about to tell her to call Pat or Linda themselves......maybe they could explain it.
Enough for now, I am crying so hard, I can't even type anymore!
Monday, May 31, 2010
ChaCote's first trailer load
Here is the video....this is the first time where Cha'Cote CHOSE to go in a trailer, instead of being run thru a chute and shoved in, terrified for his life. Even though it was only 2-3 times, I know it left a memory he never forgot. and I just love how he got in. Once he gave it his stamp of approval, he was good to go.....now for the back feet....but in good time.
I am in no rush.....totally on his timetable.
Savvy On
Michelle
I am in no rush.....totally on his timetable.
Savvy On
Michelle
As if it couldn't......my weekend got even better!
So I thought I would play with Rose and do a dry run of our online L3 audition, so I can look at it and see where I need to improve. Well let's just say....sometimes you need to get while the gettins good
I must have been direct line as all heck, cuz she went LBI big time. Some things were awesome....like playing with 45'line , zone 5 driving, and trailer loading from zone 5 and from me on bottom of hill, her and trailer on top of hill, all while Snookie was screaming and running around thinking we were leaving without her. Everything else was no where as good as the day before, and somewhere in there I think I got the middle hoof from a very indignant LBE! And justly deserved it
I was frustrated and gave up. BUT....
I didn't want to lose yesterdays high, so I got Cha'cote, whom I havn't played with for the last month....just undemanding time.
I decided while I had the trailer door tied open, I would give it a go and prayed for the best (out of me)
Would you believe..........
I was so good....I went from frustrated to patient instantly
..............
Why couldn't I have done it with Rose????
.............
He got in the trailer with his front feet
OMG! He really didn't put up much of a fuss either. Not like he went straight in or anything, but he only said no a handful of times. the rest of the time he WAS trying. even if he only bumped it with his shin. (he taught me.....a while back....it is no accident if any part of him touches any thing. he is aware of everything and would never accidentally touch something he didn't want to) In the end he got in 5 times!I am so proud of him, and am uploading video right now!
I cant wait to take him somewhere and show him off. he is soo pretty. and doing soooo goooooooood!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
FS/L3 Cantering Breakthrough! Edited version from savvy forum
Wow, the last three days have been a doozy....I know I won't be able to walk tomorrow.
So I have been mulling (avoiding by hangin on my couch) over my L3 freestyle audition. Ride good ole, but old and out of shape 26yo Snookie. Or let Rose carry her torch, and figure this thing out with her. Also, now that I have passed level 2, and just recently my Liberty L3....I am finding a desire to do L3 things online....desire is not something I have had for a while. But, I felt confident on friday and started some zone5 driving with one rein. things went well
My second big move back into L3. Whew!
I trimmed feet on sat, so that was a wasted day (fear causes many a wasted day) but had a playday scheduled for sunday at the local arena with my friend. So today I met her there, Rose and Snookie, saddle and bareback pad, 22' & 45", not knowing what I would have the desire, confidence or skill to tackle. I just knew I needed to play with L3, with someone. I saddled Rose, and my body was in total shaky tremors. As is the ritual...prior to taking her in the arena, I had my final cigarette to help calm my nerves.
Breakthrough:
Turns out, after a great online warm-up working on yo-yo transitions...... the thing that was in our way of getting back in tune......
I had a wonderful L4 Liberty session with Rose.....with other horses in the arena, one of them being Snookie and she was loose at liberty as well. I only wished there were more obstacles to play with. She never once left me. We did a 30' long sideways to me, stick to me, circling, change of direction, pushing a ball, sideways from zone 1 and god only knows what else. I was in such a blissfull state....I can't even remember it all.
THEN....I mounted with cookies. After reading the little article 'nothing to brace against" pg 74 this months savvy times, she never even tried to bite me while I mounted or saddled either Which worked way better than just the loving and petting I was doing. I haven't "defended" my space while saddling or mounting for years, unless she actually got close enough to bite me. I have honestly tried EVERY technique known to man and the best one was loving her through her defensiveness to protect her dignity & body, as she will not tolerate things being done TO her. IE: you better have the right attitude and skill or you may not live through the experience to tell another of your failure. So I am proud of myself, helping her through this and being one of the few that she respects to touch her and preserve her dignity.
So off we went and we were in total harmony. I was using a neck string, walk and perfect trot transitions, sitting trot was AMAZING, porcupine sideways and turn on FQ/HQ was light as a feather, backing...perfect. I was in heaven and remembering how much I love this horse and what a magical and wonderous LBE she is. I'm gonna yada-yada-yada over the next part, where someone came in the arena couldn't respect that Rose has SEVERE issues with other horses not respecting her personal bubble,
and rather than asking ME if I would LIKE help and if so, how THEY could be of help to me, they way "I" would like to be helped....they just kept acting as if I don't know WHAT to do and barging into our bubble...........aaarrrggggg....unless you bring cookies....stay the heck away from me! 
I would love to have a session with other like minded riders, and have them approach us and give her a cookie and leave. Lather rinse repeat. It has been a great tool in changing her perception of saddling and mounting, and works INSTANTLY. So I have a feeling, it would change her perception of other horses encroaching into her space. The other thing I would like to try, which my friend and I were doing before interrupted, and was working well, was to have ME be a good protector of my herd, and ME keeping the other horses out of her space with the carrot stick. The problem is that she doesn't trust me to protect her bubble while in the saddle, so she assumes the leader position and attacks anyone who comes too close to her. So my friend obliged and let me shoo her and her horse away with the carrot stick. And it changed Rose's mood about her horse coming close. So my position on this is.... if you don't respect the way I choose to fix my horses problem, then at least respect my request to keep your distance. I don't force my ideas on you, please don't try to force yours on me.
So we left the arena....as I couldn't take it anymore, but was not ready to give up my fun day. I ponied Snookie and we went on a trail ride around the ranch. I had my hands full with ropes, but it was fun and I was enjoying myself. It was hot, but I didn't care (not a good idea....heat exhaustion soon to follow).
After the trail ride my friend was done and dismounted and I told her wanted and needed her help cantering in the round pen. Her eyes got big and she asked if I was sure. "YUP" lets go. Snookie tied to the outside, friend in the middle of round pen, one fat old lady, and a leaping LBE.
I asked her to point and support with carrot stick, when she could see me asking for canter, I grabbed a bunch of mane and went for it. I porcupined with seat and legs and cantered with my body, she supported me...and Rose was a leaping. I held on, disengaged and asked again. She leaped again, and tossed in a kick for good measure. Lather rinse repeat, third time I kept asking until she quit leaping and actually cantered. woooo hoooo. We went both directions with her cantering from my cues only, no support from friend in the middle. About 6 laps each direction.
It was spectacular.....well I am sure hideous to watch....but for me it was SPECTACULAR. I couldn't have been more thrilled if I was riding a cloud.
Called it a day and got off.
I then proceeded to pass out! It was just snowing 2 days ago in the hills and now it is so hot I got heat stoke
I managed to make it to the barn, pack up, get home, unload and jump in the ice cold pool. AAAHHHHHH!
The best part was that I wasn't afraid when I decided to canter, and I wasn't afraid at ALL while I was cantering. NONE.....maybe it was the heat and I was delirious! But who care's....I wasn't afraid!
I can feel EVERY muscle in my body aching.....but I don't care.....today was a GREAT day!
I plan on getting my OLL3 taped VERY soon, maybe even today.
And now I have hope that I don't have to leave Snookie at home to go to the arena to tape my L4 Liberty, I should be able to do it with Snookie loose or at least tied in the arena with us.....whew! And I have hope that I can tape my L3 Freestyle before the end of next summer With ROSE! Then I will be getting close to where I was before the car accident, minus the Finesse and Freestyle, and can start to focus on actually continuing my education, instead of just trying to get to where I left off.
Thanks for a fun day Brit! Probably one of my best days in the last year....and if it is NOT.....I can't think of any that were better!
Savvy On
Michelle
So I have been mulling (avoiding by hangin on my couch) over my L3 freestyle audition. Ride good ole, but old and out of shape 26yo Snookie. Or let Rose carry her torch, and figure this thing out with her. Also, now that I have passed level 2, and just recently my Liberty L3....I am finding a desire to do L3 things online....desire is not something I have had for a while. But, I felt confident on friday and started some zone5 driving with one rein. things went well
My second big move back into L3. Whew!I trimmed feet on sat, so that was a wasted day (fear causes many a wasted day) but had a playday scheduled for sunday at the local arena with my friend. So today I met her there, Rose and Snookie, saddle and bareback pad, 22' & 45", not knowing what I would have the desire, confidence or skill to tackle. I just knew I needed to play with L3, with someone. I saddled Rose, and my body was in total shaky tremors. As is the ritual...prior to taking her in the arena, I had my final cigarette to help calm my nerves.
Breakthrough:
Turns out, after a great online warm-up working on yo-yo transitions...... the thing that was in our way of getting back in tune......
I had a wonderful L4 Liberty session with Rose.....with other horses in the arena, one of them being Snookie and she was loose at liberty as well. I only wished there were more obstacles to play with. She never once left me. We did a 30' long sideways to me, stick to me, circling, change of direction, pushing a ball, sideways from zone 1 and god only knows what else. I was in such a blissfull state....I can't even remember it all.
THEN....I mounted with cookies. After reading the little article 'nothing to brace against" pg 74 this months savvy times, she never even tried to bite me while I mounted or saddled either
Which worked way better than just the loving and petting I was doing. I haven't "defended" my space while saddling or mounting for years, unless she actually got close enough to bite me. I have honestly tried EVERY technique known to man and the best one was loving her through her defensiveness to protect her dignity & body, as she will not tolerate things being done TO her. IE: you better have the right attitude and skill or you may not live through the experience to tell another of your failure. So I am proud of myself, helping her through this and being one of the few that she respects to touch her and preserve her dignity.So off we went and we were in total harmony. I was using a neck string, walk and perfect trot transitions, sitting trot was AMAZING, porcupine sideways and turn on FQ/HQ was light as a feather, backing...perfect. I was in heaven and remembering how much I love this horse and what a magical and wonderous LBE she is. I'm gonna yada-yada-yada over the next part, where someone came in the arena couldn't respect that Rose has SEVERE issues with other horses not respecting her personal bubble,
and rather than asking ME if I would LIKE help and if so, how THEY could be of help to me, they way "I" would like to be helped....they just kept acting as if I don't know WHAT to do and barging into our bubble...........aaarrrggggg....unless you bring cookies....stay the heck away from me! I would love to have a session with other like minded riders, and have them approach us and give her a cookie and leave. Lather rinse repeat. It has been a great tool in changing her perception of saddling and mounting, and works INSTANTLY. So I have a feeling, it would change her perception of other horses encroaching into her space. The other thing I would like to try, which my friend and I were doing before interrupted, and was working well, was to have ME be a good protector of my herd, and ME keeping the other horses out of her space with the carrot stick. The problem is that she doesn't trust me to protect her bubble while in the saddle, so she assumes the leader position and attacks anyone who comes too close to her. So my friend obliged and let me shoo her and her horse away with the carrot stick. And it changed Rose's mood about her horse coming close. So my position on this is.... if you don't respect the way I choose to fix my horses problem, then at least respect my request to keep your distance.
I don't force my ideas on you, please don't try to force yours on me. So we left the arena....as I couldn't take it anymore, but was not ready to give up my fun day. I ponied Snookie and we went on a trail ride around the ranch. I had my hands full with ropes, but it was fun and I was enjoying myself. It was hot, but I didn't care (not a good idea....heat exhaustion soon to follow).
After the trail ride my friend was done and dismounted and I told her wanted and needed her help cantering in the round pen. Her eyes got big and she asked if I was sure. "YUP" lets go. Snookie tied to the outside, friend in the middle of round pen, one fat old lady, and a leaping LBE.
I asked her to point and support with carrot stick, when she could see me asking for canter, I grabbed a bunch of mane and went for it. I porcupined with seat and legs and cantered with my body, she supported me...and Rose was a leaping. I held on, disengaged and asked again. She leaped again, and tossed in a kick for good measure. Lather rinse repeat, third time I kept asking until she quit leaping and actually cantered. woooo hoooo. We went both directions with her cantering from my cues only, no support from friend in the middle. About 6 laps each direction.
It was spectacular.....well I am sure hideous to watch....but for me it was SPECTACULAR. I couldn't have been more thrilled if I was riding a cloud.
Called it a day and got off.
I then proceeded to pass out! It was just snowing 2 days ago in the hills and now it is so hot I got heat stoke
I managed to make it to the barn, pack up, get home, unload and jump in the ice cold pool. AAAHHHHHH!
The best part was that I wasn't afraid when I decided to canter, and I wasn't afraid at ALL while I was cantering. NONE.....maybe it was the heat and I was delirious! But who care's....I wasn't afraid!
I can feel EVERY muscle in my body aching.....but I don't care.....today was a GREAT day!
I plan on getting my OLL3 taped VERY soon, maybe even today.
And now I have hope that I don't have to leave Snookie at home to go to the arena to tape my L4 Liberty, I should be able to do it with Snookie loose or at least tied in the arena with us.....whew! And I have hope that I can tape my L3 Freestyle before the end of next summer With ROSE! Then I will be getting close to where I was before the car accident, minus the Finesse and Freestyle, and can start to focus on actually continuing my education, instead of just trying to get to where I left off.
Thanks for a fun day Brit! Probably one of my best days in the last year....and if it is NOT.....I can't think of any that were better!
Savvy On
Michelle
Friday, May 28, 2010
Hold on to your knickers, my kid is gonna RIDE!
Well, of course I am not holding my breath on this, but Jason has decided that he wants to complete ALL of level 2 including riding. He has no desire to try and ride Spirit, of which I doubt I would let him attempt it anyways. Spirit just isn’t a riding pony. And certainly not a good choice for a new rider to get his feet wet with. So of course there is better choice than good ole Snookie. No guarantee’s with her either, but she is a pretty safe bet as long is Rose is nearby. She is old, and tired, and as long as she is not pushed into an RBE panic by Rose going walk about without her, she should be perfectly lazy and forgiving for Jason to learn on. So I am debating bareback or a saddle. I do not have a saddle Jason’s size, but she has such a high wither for bareback. Hmmmmm descisions, descisions. Likely it will be bareback, and since it will be walking only for a while, I think we will be ok. I plan to have him start tomorrow, after letting every one out to graze for a while, as it has been raining for 3 days. For goodness sakes……it is almost JUNE……..and it is STILL raining!
Cha’cote has learned a domestic trick of destroying a fence to get the grass on the other side. We are going to have to take action tonight before he pushes the whole thing down. I planned on having him in the back with the others by now, but have been waiting for it to stop raining for good. Maybe July? At least that is how it feels. My only worry is that he will bond to the herd, or get hurt. Descisions, Descisions!
I have a fun day planned with my friend this weekend to take the wonder twins to the local arena for a fun play day. Maybe even get my FSL3 or OLL3 taped. But not holding my breath. The girls have been depressed in the rain, and who knows how they will react at a new place having not gone anywhere in 9mos. Wish me luck and fun. And may all of you enjoy your extended weekend with your furry friends!
Savvy On
Michelle
Cha’cote has learned a domestic trick of destroying a fence to get the grass on the other side. We are going to have to take action tonight before he pushes the whole thing down. I planned on having him in the back with the others by now, but have been waiting for it to stop raining for good. Maybe July? At least that is how it feels. My only worry is that he will bond to the herd, or get hurt. Descisions, Descisions!
I have a fun day planned with my friend this weekend to take the wonder twins to the local arena for a fun play day. Maybe even get my FSL3 or OLL3 taped. But not holding my breath. The girls have been depressed in the rain, and who knows how they will react at a new place having not gone anywhere in 9mos. Wish me luck and fun. And may all of you enjoy your extended weekend with your furry friends!
Savvy On
Michelle
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
OH….. MY………GAWD! Jason Passed with a 1++
Well, it’s official. Jason Passed with a 1++, and the little darling got higher scores than I did on my OLL1! 3 of his scores were in the 1+, 6 were 1++, 3 were in the 2, and 11 in the 2+…..AND he got a 2++ on rope handling skills and a L3 on his squeeze!
Comments:
Fantastic audition Jason, very well done. Your rope handling skills are excellent and I was impressed with your squeeze game too. Being RBI continue to grow Spirit’s confidence onto your 22’ line. Well done!
Now, I can only imagine his head is gonna be soooo big it won’t fit through the front door…..and heaven forbid I be able to continue to tell him how to do things. All I can do is cross my fingers and hope his itty bitty ego doesn’t get the better of him. Since he is terrified to ride horses, at this point his Parelli future will only include online and maybe liberty. But, one never knows what the future holds for anyone, let alone a child. So, as always, one day, one step, one task, one pattern, one level, one savvy at a time.
May we all...
Savvy On
Michelle
Comments:
Fantastic audition Jason, very well done. Your rope handling skills are excellent and I was impressed with your squeeze game too. Being RBI continue to grow Spirit’s confidence onto your 22’ line. Well done!
Now, I can only imagine his head is gonna be soooo big it won’t fit through the front door…..and heaven forbid I be able to continue to tell him how to do things. All I can do is cross my fingers and hope his itty bitty ego doesn’t get the better of him. Since he is terrified to ride horses, at this point his Parelli future will only include online and maybe liberty. But, one never knows what the future holds for anyone, let alone a child. So, as always, one day, one step, one task, one pattern, one level, one savvy at a time.
May we all...
Savvy On
Michelle
Monday, May 24, 2010
100th post! A no halter hoof trim for the mustang!
Well after a grueling 3 hrs raking and picking up leaves n such with my son at the local cemetery for one of his Boy Scout service projects. I was spent. My back, arms, shoulders and neck, had enough. I came home and rested a bit. Then went out and turned Cha’Cote loose. I followed him around, spending undemanding time in zone 5. Previous to the last week, the best I could do was to pass THROUGH zone 5 to get the other side. He mostly was standing still for this. But still every once in a while would have to take a step sideways in the back to help me hurry along. I have NO desire to get kicked, so I was in no rush to complete this task. So I started about 10 feet behind him just standing there as he grazed. If he moved a bit so he could see me, I just moved to stay behind him. Eventually I was close enough to be just out of hoofs reach. I spent about 15 minutes back there, and he was quite ok with it to be honest. I however, took a little more time. Later I haltered him for a pedicure on his front feet. This time I left the hoof stand in front of him, for him to start to get used to it being there when I trim. I am hoping next time I will get to use it so I can do a bit of a better job without dying. When I finished the front left, my body couldn’t take any more. I decided to do the other foot later in the day. I took the halter off, and walked into the garage, turned around, and he was still standing in the driveway. I went back out, petted him, and walked back into the house to get the camera. He was still there. So I snapped some pictures, went back in the garage, and again, he didn’t move. Well who couldn’t take advantage of this opportunity? So I started to trim the right foot…..no halter! I got a ways into it when Miyagi the terror came waltzing up to him. I ran her off, but now he was too uncomfortable to stay without a halter as Rose and Snookie the dynamic duo were headed our way! I haltered him, finished the right foot, set him free, and collapsed on the couch. Sunday I was still weak, so did nothing again. However, I turned Cha’cote loose again, and saw my mane and tail brush near by. So I picked it up to brush his mane, and decided, with no halter again, to attempt to brush his tail. This has been taboo! I could touch it, and hold it for a few seconds, but not long enough to brush it. Well no more. He stood and let me brush the ENTIRE thing! I just love that little mustang. So here we are 5 months after him never being haltered or gentled, to having his tail brushed and hoof trimmed with no halter! What a good boy!
Savvy On
Michelle
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Jasons OLL1 Parelli Audition Pass 1++
Well he did it! My 11yo son has completed OLL1. Here is his audition. I am sending it in tomorrow. This was take 2. Take 1 he was a little chatty in between tasks and we went over in time. So take 2, is a teeny bit "rushed". Spirit of course is still working on getting better in the "back" after trotting, but he is getting better. As an EXTREME RBI, he basically has his throttle on the floor, with the brake pushed down hard too. If you let up on the brake.......he spins his wheels and burns rubber! I am so proud of him. He has trained him all by himself, and is following the Parelli Levels Pathway to a tee. We rescued Spirit from a VERY abusive situation almost nine years ago and he is partialy blind in his right eye from the abuse. After getting kicked by Spirit 7 yrs ago falling off of him, Jason hasn't gotten "back in the saddle" till they started thier Parelli Journey only 6 weeks ago. They still need to refine things, but what a wonderful start they have going. Hope you enjoy, I know I did!
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