Monday, October 4, 2010

Bareback Walk



Another lovely sunny warm day today - so even though I spent all weekend washing and detailing my float, as it's for sale, I took Garbo out to Woodhill Sands again... it's a 5 min trailer ride away so really a fantastic place to ride... a natural sand area so the footing is better than any man made arena. Up until recently I have not wanted to ride there as it was not enclosed enough for me, but now I feel ready and today went really well.

Loading at both ends was fantastic... as was the unloading - 6/10 for both!

The walk from the float to the arena takes about 4 minutes I suppose so I have been driving from zone 5 during this time and making sure I am more particular and not letting him wander off to visit the horses or collect horse email... I think this will ultimately help with my leadership from the saddle too. So today I managed to get him to move back onto the track sideways from Zone 5 which was pretty cool.

Garbo - this bareback pad really doesn't suit me!

We didn't do alot on the ground, I could see he was relaxed and happy, head down, so I got on bareback (with bareback pad) and we walked all over the place - I kept my carrot stick with me this time. I think Garbo was actually ready to go exploring so we'll do that on Friday. We also did some nice sideways while walking forward too. I added in some transitions and we backed up into the Start Box just for a laugh.

After I got off, Bronwyn and Critey left to go wash her tail, and it was a good test for my leadership - because suddenly Garbo was 'without' horse backup. It took a strong send on a circle to get his focus back on me and we got some lovely canter - I was careful to stop after half a lap, and we worked on him arching in and not out - with me wiggling the rope each time he looks out.

Then we walked 'away' from Critey in the opposite direction and practised our sideways along a fence at the end of the 22ft. It's improving and I think Garbo is finding it easier now his hip is not sore.

This is Critey....

Then I drove hi, all the way back to the float from Zone 5, and all I can say is that he (and I) were so relaxed for the whole trip - it was just awesome. This being a place where he has been one super stressed horse in the past. A place with lots of scary spooky things going on. But not today. He was calm, sensible and listening to me. Wow. 3 years work has paid off. Of course we are not yet cantering here (that's my goal), and then of course to add other strange horses.... (one step at a time) and then to do that while a competition is on....

We came home and Maraschino had not moved a foot from where I left him - he had found a stalky weed we had pulled from the garden a week ago - so it was all woody - he's teething at the moment.... I threw it over the fence for him and he started chewing it as I loaded Garbo - he didn't even look up as we drove off. When I returned he didn't really look up - and didn't call out - he had about a foot left of the stalky trunk - he had spent two hours munching away... I'll have to find some more of those! It's was his birthday today!! (4)



5 comments:

Cilla said...

Wonderful progress! Happy Birthday to Maraschino xxx

Unknown said...

thanks.... nice to be doing something after a wet winter

Emma Kline of Northwood Farms said...

What a great place to have so close!
Sounds like due to prior and proper preparation u had a blast! Coooool:)

Unknown said...

Hi Emma
Yes, I can't believe really that I have not used it more - been living here two years LOL... confidence mainly...
Vicki

Parelli Central said...

Like Emma said, prior and proper preparation is the key. Good for you Vicky for hanging in there, now you can harvest :-)

Petra Christensen
Parelli 2Star Junior Instructor
Parelli Central