Trail ride

Trail ride was very interesting today--I learned lots.

1. Ruby rode Tonka instead of Splash and Try keyed into his energy. I did not play with Try before riding and I know better--just because she is super calm and confident on a trail ride, doesn't mean that I don't want her looking to me for leadership. She trotted nervously for awhile then settled down and was herself. It would be interesting to either play on the ground or hack for 10 minutes before going out on the trail in terms of relationship.
2. I feel good that the ditch and one little spook were non events. The day was good for my self-confidence as I always feel that things can go wrong on trail rides.

Saturday Keystone AND Try

Keystone:

On Line: We were distracted in the ring but played with yoyo, circling diseng HQ stop, and sideways games. Backing started well but Keystone got distracted and I didn't get him focusing on the phases just backing. Three times in a row good HQ disengage to end the circling. On the rail nice sideways on his left side.

Freestyle: dressage saddle, rope haltamore, walking playing with concepts from latest SC dvd for fluidity/passenger/ and Keystone's confidence. Also a little trotting.

Then nice EQ bath for Keystone.

Try: Liberty: Try was feeling left out so we went out back to the round pen and reviewed the stick to me draw and backwards S draw from a farther distance then circling on the rail walk and TROT--backing to draw worked even from the other side of the round corral. Then shower/treats.

Good day with Try on Friday

On Line: repeated draw exercises but on a circle with just a hint of pinned ears at the send. Draw was good. Next time in round pen/liberty repeat the stick to me and backward S/figure 8 to be sure they are still solid for draw then move on to circling on the rail.

Freestyle riding:
For me: pilates and no stirrups--bareback pad
Bareback pad--weave--Try was great--only needed cueing at the ends of the weave. She really knew her pattern. Did weave at walk and jog. No reins/stick/leg etc.
Also bareback: two circles cantering tracking left--felt great when I got a good canter--not so good when canter was trashy--somehow I am cueing her to do this when I am bareback????
Saddling/mounting: reviewed pick me up at the pedestal, western saddle still too heavy even standing on the pedestal.
Western saddle: finished with 3 laps each way canter--casual rein--circling in the corners when she would speed up--overall nice consistent gait.

Thank you Try for a lovely day.

Joyous Day

Keystone: On Line: games 1-3 good, yoyo Keystone finally getting the idea of backing from phase 1, also learning to put his head down for the halter and picking up all 4 feet from one side. Also small circle online today was first day he diseng HQ to stop--took a few asks to get it--this just was not in his repertoire.

Lesson: Finesse: taking contact at the sitting trot, posting trot and canter--sitting the canter on my balance point. At the end he actually rounded up thru his top line--I was driving with my legs for it to happen. Is that a Parelli consistent thing??? I can see how I could really progress in my riding with Keystone. Also this was the first ride in the dressage saddle--it was almost as comfy as the western saddle and I loved being more upright as opposed to the forward system/close contact saddle.

Try: Liberty: great draw--did several backward S patterns, figure 8 and also sideways on the rail with change of direction.

Magic Day!!!!

Riding in the Field

Try and I rode in Matrix's pasture. It went pretty well but left me with questions.

Try wasn't in a bad mood, wasn't scared, some of the time was nice and relaxed and I could ride on the buckle and sped up going toward the gate. Although I was calm and fairly relaxed, I did not feel good about the speeding up as it was a sign she didn't want to be there. I thought we were doing this as something fun for Try!

I did canter clover leaf and think next time I would add small circles at each "leaf" where Try speeds wanting to go to the gate.

Partial disengagement and small circles--both relax the ribs??

Stop, consider, choose:

Stop when feel a negative emotion: i.e. that Try wants to go to the gate/rejection

Consider: Its not about me--so what IS the benefit of riding in the field then? exercise, my confidence in riding when Try is extroverted in a large space.

Choose: to add small circles to a larger clover leaf so Try and I can have good communication re smooth canter gait in the pattern and she chooses/takes responsibillity for staying on the pattern.

Pride

Well--is it ok to say that I'm proud of myself?

Today I repeated the basic riding of yesterday with Keystone. Just did it--no fuss--including the no stirrups and canter--no one else there at the time.

Also Keystone and I reviewed games 1-4 and touch it. He has improved in putting his head down (porcupine), easy 360s HQ/FQ yields porcupine and driving. yoyo--backing from phase 3 and no issues with the draw. Lots of friendly.

Try: stick to me in the round pen for a few minutes again with my backing and draw to me, occasionally adding the change of direction. Stopping/treats. Also played around with stick to me turning into and away from her. She enjoyed showing off for Katie and Jen.

Draw and Homework

Improvement!! walking stick to me on the rail in round pen--I back and she comes to me and gets a treat rubs etc varied with occasional change of direction and repeat other direction. This was really good and establishing the idea that my backing up like that is a great thing and cue for her to come to me. Did this before and after ride.

Homework: 2 laps each direction, trotting--2 point, posting trot, no stirrups and canter. 16 laps/2.6 miles. Even tho it was hot I was less tired.

Was home by 10am with energy to spare.