Catch up

Well, I have been posting at Target's page or PP page. We have been having 1/2 week of heavy rain 24/7 with few breaks so largely a week off.

Yesterday BA and I had our riding lesson indoors primarily discussing what I experienced at the clinic last weekend with Kelly and phone conversation with Dan and preparations for the next week and a half with Bethanna gone on her honeymoon.

Got a break in the rain mid afternoon and came back to the barn to play with Target in his pasture--first 3 games. Lovely, confident horse.

Joyous clinic

Saturday and Sunday clinic with Kelly Sigler. Joyous celebration of the journey past, present and future including two private riding lessons on making the transition from freestyle to finesse riding and level 3 finesse fluid rein, stretching.

More on this in PP sub blog soon.

Great day today with Target

Spent 4 hours today with Wendy's horse Target. I am blogging separately for Target--also notes from Dan Thompson are under PP.

This weekend clinic with Kelly Sigler.

New HORSE!!

Today my friend Wendy is loaning me a horse to play with for a couple weeks. BA and I brought home Wendy's Target 15'2 paint, lovely canter. I am so excited. Photos soon!!

easy bareback day

Monday, with still a little bit of warmth in Try's back leg, rather than do nothing we got out and walked a bit. On the ground played with the life up idea, riding leisurely walking with some attention to indirect rein on the right side and 7 step soft feel.

Afternoon: phone call with Dan Thompson on questions/follow up to visit a few weeks ago. Will post notes later here or under the PP/clinic sub-blog.

Go to Plan B

Well, I was so excited--in my riding lesson with Bethanna we were going to play with bridleless canter yoyos--yee hah!! I arrived at the barn and found Try's right hind leg was swollen so no lesson, no riding.

BA suggested I just go ride Angel (medium pony) for fun.I was hesitant as I am soooo used to Try or Keystone and Angel is a goey little pony with a pony stride. Also I've not ridden her for two years. Anyway, saddled up and trotted, (posting, two point) and canter. BA was out in the ring riding Haylie and told me to go with Angel's canter with my arms and .t was really fun. I could feel the improvement two years of riding has made for me. It is strange to be hovering over a pony at the trot when I am used to the 15'1 15'2 horses.

Gave Angel and then Try great long showers and cold water on Try's leg/bute.
Thinking very seriously of getting one of Wendy's horses for awhile to play with--with two great months of fall weather, why not spend a 1/2 day Mon-Fri with horses??

What a glorious day!!!!!!!!!

The weather was wonderful and we had so much fun!! We were both in the mood to canter and canter we did.

Playing with concept of Energy, focus, intention, I've tried to figure out the best games to play to get the idea across. I decided best is games where she sees me clearly and the action required is simple--not requiring a complex combination of movement. So today we played with backing--Try really got the idea of my focus and mother in law face--but not the idea that my friendly face means stop. Hmmmmmmmmm. Then HQ disengagement from a look--took a phase 4 one time to get the idea across and then it was good--Try could see/feel the difference in my intense energy wanting her to move the HQ and the friendly I love you I just want to massage your butt.

Circling game: ?? how do I get Try to leave the rope on the ground?? I did quit both directions when she had the best attitude.

Canter: lateral flexion nice, indirect rein to the right--opposition reflex. 7 step soft feel nice. Counter canter--I do believe we had it! We also did cloverleaf at a canter and just cantered about.

Riley: today--followed me, curious and enjoyed playing the easter egg hunt on his own, spooked a little at the wind.