Linda Parelli's Rider Makeover Clinic Day 2

Day Two of Linda Parelli's Clinic started a bit later - we had a wee sleep in. 

I arrived after getting a soy latte on the way and cleaned the gear, fed Boaz, groomed him and took him for a graze outside - today was warm!



Then we warmed up using the techniques we'd learned the day before and hopped on once we had a responsive horse - that's all you are looking for with and Introvert most of the time.

Once on board we also warmed up by riding forward. I felt I had more trust in Boaz today and could trust him to ride forward and that he wasn't going to do anything silly. He spooked a little at the umbrellas along the side of the arena but nothing too bad - then at a little girl. Linda's advice was just to keep your focus - don't let the horse distant you from your line or what you are doing (maintain gait, maintain your line).

About half way through the session I asked Tori to help find me a stick - the carrot stick seemed to big for Boaz. And I'd left Christine's lighter one in the float. Once I had that it was a big improvement because Boaz had a tendency to stop or to slow down so this meant I could ride him forward more to get him to use his body more. Today was Finesse. So we started with casual rein then moved to light contact. 

Riding lines...rhythm and tempo.

Visualise a line, look between your horses ears and stay on that line, don't look round the corner. Look at your line. Do circles, changes of direction and figure 8s without losing tempo or rthythm...same speed. Soft touch, me don't worry about the body just the nose on the line. Keep the reins connected, no floppiness.
Hold reins with thumbs, move with shoulders and elbows. Soft fingers, releasing fingers when allowing a stretch. Turn with your shoulders. Melt down to a walk, keep the feel with your elbows. Look through ears to see if you are on your line.
If they lean on your hands don't pull, more hind leg action. If a horse looks like it has shorter front legs than back legs it's lost the angle in its hind legs, it can come back.
In a crisis...(example was the crowd clapping) stay focused and stay on your task or line. Stay the leaders your horse gets scared.

Riding hind legs up to front.

Hold front feet still, walk hind end up to front feet, feel what you are doing in your body, energy in seat, engage seat but sit tall.

Laterals in finesse.

Weight in stirrup of direction you are heading in rhythm with the horse, weight, weight, weight.
Haunches in / inside stirrup
Shoulder in / outside stirrup

Sideways

Sit up straight. Shorter reins. Don't lean. Look in the direction you are going. If you find yourself leaning reach out with the hand in the direction you are going to grab a glass of water.


Only use your calf, and tap what isn't moving with your stick. Only use heel as phase 4. Keep the neck straight, put weight in other stirrup. (Direction of sideways)


Not like this photo but it shows the grabbing of glass of water to correct the lean (it didn't "feel" like this lol.

All in all a fabulous two days - I of course could have had more but that's me - love learning and practising. Time to head home and soak. 

On the flight home I got an upgrade which was great because I could spread out and write notes while I ate lunch!

Thanks to Boaz and Christine - couldn't have done it without a horse! And he was so calm and cool. And thanks Tori for encouraging me to do the clinic.

Level 3 Online Video again

My Humanality/Horsenality report says I am a perfectionist and can spend too much time trying to make everything perfect. YEP - that's me alright. It said Garbo doesn't appreciate that much!

We went to Waimarie to film again - I was able to drive the float in and park it in the arena which was fabulous.
They don't have any barrels there and I couldn't fit them in my car along with the pedastal, so I used some rubbish bins!

Good things in filming;

1. Sideways was good, along rail and not....
2. Float loading was fantabulous on 22ft and from 6ft from ramp
3. He jumped a cavaletti, and walked over it as well
4. he was confident apart from backing zone 5 up to a jump stand
5. change of direction went well
6. he circled quite well
7. pedastal  - fab

Not so good;

1. I forgot to do the 2nd half of the yo yo!!!!!!  Good Grief - I think it's because Garbo is so good at it I have to really concentrate on getting him out on the end of the line and I got a little carried away!
2. I didn't really do a fantabulous squeeze - but we did float load 0 ultimate squeeze right?
3. Didn't canter for a whole lap
4. it was a bit disjointed and all over the show for some of the time
5. I could have moved my feet and my carrot stick less
6. the back up on 45ft was phase two not phase 1

ack... what do you think?????? 

Should I send it in???????

Lesson with Jackie

Had a very brief lesson with Jackie Chant today - it was supposed to originally be a one day clinic - but due to not enough people (and a three day clinic on the weekend before down south Auckland), it was changed to lessons... anyway - with the float being returned and the lesson having to be here instead - coupled with someone else wanting a lesson before me at the last minute, my 3-4 hour lesson ended up being just over 1.5 hours. But - the results were awesome.

Garbo was cantering point to point and in circles round the point to point on the 45ft line!!!!! I was so happy and it was actually very simple... I was (as I had suspected) being too boring and needed to be more provocative...I just wasn't entirely sure how? But Jackie suggested initially just driving him on the 45ft to the barrel and rest, then in a circle and back to the barrel and rest, then add another barrel, circle, travelling - to next barrel and rest. Voila!!!!

We added a couple of jump stands on another part for him to trot/canter through, and a trot pole (which he jumped over lol).... he was having so much fun!

Then she said he 'got that' so to change the rules of the game - ie go past that barrel and stop at the other, go inside that one outside this one, stop here or there, but not the same both times.

Then - we did sideways from one barrel to the other - he got it on the 2nd time, half way along and you could see the lightbulb go off.... Jackie said this would lead to him going sideways to the barrel as they were our focus points.

Then we did sideways from Zone 1 - haven't done that before...

So lots to ponder on and practise... she said I need to put everything in a different place every time I play!! That'll keep me fit!

Thanks for organising everything Jane and for looking after and playing with Mr M.

Back to the forest after 8 months

Once I start not going to the forest it tends to drag out and get this whole new life and energy of it's own. Garbo was not happy (his hip was sore) last time we went in February, so we turned home early and ended the ride. So I had todays ride planned from ages ago - well not the day - but leading up to it - preparing. I had done a little work with Garbo online and a little riding so it was time for a 45 min walk in the forest. I got a little nervous before hand and wondered how my rule of not getting on nervous would play out, but it was all good... let me tell you....

So - Garbo loaded really well - my new thing is to put the rope over his back as a signal to load. I'll let you know how that progresses...

We arrived early which was great - time for me to settle down - I can't think of any reason why I am nervous (certainly not of Garbo) but Bronwyn pointed out that it's the other peoples horses who we tend to worry about - they canter up behind you without warning or whatever - well that has never happened - but I think she's right.

Garbo was so calm tied up to the hitching post waiting while I fluffed around getting him saddled. So calm - when I think what he was like 4 years ago, even a year ago - and the carpark was full of horses too!! Loading, unloading... I heard the mother ask the daughter with the horses next to us "do you want the crop?", "what for?", "To smack her if she spooks"... hmmmmm

I ignored it and so did Garbo.

Emotional fitness is what it's all about hey.

So horses came and went as did trucks, there were forest staff there too having a meeting. A few trucks left and it seemed to quieten down. Bronwyn and Critey arrived and parked on the opposite side to us - another challenge - but he was great!! Even at the end of the ride when we went our separate ways he just happily stood over by his hitching post with his leg cocked.

So - by the time Bronwyn saddled up, I had put on my fluro jacket, and hat, and got my camera, locked my car, we headed over to the mounting lock - aka picnic table, I was calm and was not nervous - yay I could get on!

Off we set and basically Bronwyn and I chatted the whole way so I can't really remember the scenery much but it's always nice in the forest - lovely and cool.

Things that came up on the ride and I how I dealt with them;

• Garbo trying to hurry Critey along by biting her bum - I got Bronwyn to wave her whip behind her, and at one stage we went ahead - he was so confident - I really do have a new horse on my hands.
• Trying to rush down hills... I used sideways as a distractor so we zig zagged form one side of the track to the other, all the way down. That worked really well... Pat's idea of course but as usual a blimmen good one.
• He sometimes got a bit jiggity so I used a little partial disengagement - as usual awesome result - thanks Linda!!!
• He spooked at something behind him at one point and ran forwards, I wasn't quite balanced enough not to tip back - but I didn't lose my stirrups. And my adrenalin didn't come up either.
• The lead rope part of my hackamore came undone from my saddle without me realising - Garbo kept stopping and pawing and putting his head down - Bronwyn noticed it trailing along the ground - thanks Garbo you are so clever.

Garbo loves to have a roll in the sand afterwards!! He was sweating from head to toe, and had an icecream bum.

We're going to go again next week.

I fitted quite alot into 3 hours

After a bit of a stressful morning (spending an hour on the phone to another business person giving them business advice they didn't want to hear), I called Garbo after hooking up the float and he came in. Awesome! The other two did too - so I gave them all some vegemite.

Gave Garbo a quick brush and a hoof pick and off we went... we were on the road 40 minutes after I walked outside to hook the float up. Garbo loaded nicely and with the rope over his withers after front two feet on... decided I am going to trust him to make the right decision.

Not a soul was at Woodhill Sands but as soon as I pulled up I spied a horse through the trees in a paddock having words with his cover - it was round his neck (buckles at the top) and around his front legs. I texted the facility owner and got no reply - and I could see he was getting tangled trying to walk so Garbo and I went to the rescue. I tied Garbo up to some baling twine on the fence and went under the electric tape to take this horses cover off - a horse I didn't know. I held out my hand and he sniffed me, then he looked quite relieved so I undid all the buckles and got rid of it for him. Garbo just ate calmly I was quite impressed.

So back to the float to swap ropes to the 22ft and off we went. I had decided not to ride since there was no one there at all... just to be safe.

We had some major squeezes to get to the arenas the back way - through trees and round X-Country Jumps, and one was uphill and round a tree 270 degrees round the tree!

We worked on - change of direction without panicking - he panics when I ask him in for COD and rushes past so I can't touch him with the savvy string... so I concentrated on asking for COD while maintaining walk. He got it after a few goes and lowered his head at the walk in both directions - yay.

Then I worked on disengaging the HQ on a circle - but - don't come in - just disengage - I feel I have not seperated this from disengage and come in - he thinks disengage means - disengage and come in. Didn't take him long but he looks so put out when I ask him to stay out - don't you think?

If I could sum up Garbo's day I would say it would be best described as an unconfident day - he had airplane ears alot - but it was good practice for him and me, and for him to realise I can be a good trustworthy leader.

We spent some time looking at the X-Country Jumps - I love the look on his face here as if he's saying "and you know I ain't gonna jump this right"?....

I had to go to Phase 4 at one point on the travelling circle and he lept in the air and bucked - honestly you would think the savvy string was an Australian Stock Whip at times.

This fence is our sideways along the fence and half circles fence - how cool is it??!! I am not even at the end of it.

This is what we get for sideways along a fence at the moment - bum trailing. Although Sideways without a fence is quite good...

There was a little back at the side of the arena with a large water pipe at the bottom of it so I sent him over the pipe and up the bank - and then down again - a few times. That was cool.

We checked out some more jumps as a wind down before heading back along the lane back to the float. A few times he tried to tell me which poop (horse email) he wanted to smell and which grass he wanted to eat so I bumped the rope to remind him who was driving who. Oh yeah - he says. He spooked at a bird jumping out of the trees along the lane... it was at that point I had been considering a ride round the car park - but I thought - nah - thats just silly.

I still feel like I have hit an imaginary brick wall - feels like I am boring Garbo - and he's like "yeah yeah" although there are some things we have not yet achieved. Either I don't know how to ask for them or he doesn't understand... or both.... Don't get me wrong I still enjoy our play dates but sometimes it does kind of feel like we have lost sight of the end result desired. Just at the moment. I know what needs improving; just a bit lost as to how to get there....

We loaded brilliantly and off home we went. Then I gave Maraschino a go at being a big horse...float loading practice.... I'll blog about that tomorrow - it's after midnight... tired...

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)

Brave the weather

I decided yesterday that if I carry on waiting for the weather to get better I may lose all of September as well. So not having played with Garbo since May (on any real scale) I re-read David Lichmans notes and took Garbo and my 22ft line to Woodhill Sands.

It's just round the corner from here, it's a naturally sandy surface and usually dry but it had a few puddles today. But no mud! He loaded well, on Pats scale probably a 2/10, i.e. he hesitated briefly and had a smell of the inside. Keep in your mind the wind was about 30 knots.

Maraschino didn't even look up from the paddock - just kept on eating.

We arrived and he unloaded too quickly for my liking - we'll make a note to work on that. There were no other horses there, but some grazing around the perimeter paddocks. He was walking fast along the sand pathway towards the arenas so I took the opportunity to drive him from Zone 5, focussing on moving him left or right or sideways as he decided to go see the horses or eat the grass edging. He moved sideways well with a tap on his side with the carrot stick and the feel of the rope on his side. I was standing behind his tail but close enough to touch his tail and I was thinking how many people would see me and wonder what I was doing! But you know what - I didn't care.

In the arenas there were all sorts of interesting things - flower pots, white boards, show jumps, cross country jumps, flags in cones, judge boxes, huge tress blowing in the wind, office, cafe buildings - oh and lots of puddles and horse email - otherwise known to us as horse poop.

I made a conscious decision to not react to anything he spooked at but to really keep his attention and focus on me. It worked really well. After 10 minutes he was completely confident and calm. I worked on Davids suggestion of doing circles but as soon as Garbo looks out (arching his body out) I would disengage him and politely ask him to go again. If he came in I would vigorously send him again.

It certainly got his attention on to me, and we worked a little with smaller circles and getting his nose in towards me, and hind end out.

I did lots of change of direction, then some touch it from the end of the 22 - like the show jumps, the start sign, the cone with the flag.

Then we did some stick to me - just because he likes it - we did it in and out and around the show jumps. They were a bit high to go over (about 5ft high), but great for sideways!

After a very quick hour, we headed back to the float and had a bit of a relax there. Then we loaded up and wet home, loading was about 2/10 again. I was able to ask him on from outside onto the float, but it wasn't immediate or fast.

On arrival back home Maraschino was looking up but not worried at all.... he called out once to say "THERE you are", and then just carried on. The top door rattled alot in the wind as Garbo was backing of the trailer and he rushed off so I took the opportunity to ask him back on, then a huge gust of wind did it again, so I asked him again, but this time just on to the ramp while I banged things inside, like the light and hit the side with the end of the rope. He volunteered to get up sideways on the ramp so I left it there and took him back to his bright green grass.

Day 2 stepping it up

It absolutely hosed down from 4am to noon (35mm) so the whole place was very wet and soggy and when I got the boys in to feed them it was threatening to start peeing down again so I thought - errrrr - I'll just not do anything today with Mr Maraschino (not having an arena or anything).... but he wasn't eating his dinner very peacefully - kept looking out over in the far distance - head high. So once I had done all the chores I haltered him and we had a wee play.

I backed him into things... the wheelbarrow, over a pole (backwards no less!), into the yard rails, the hayshed door, then we did some more sideways - all this while the neighbours were fluffing around outside and making sudden noises.... and their dog crying....

We did some more - step over the pole and stop.... it's amazing how small my forward please ask has to be to get him to not go all the way over....and to counter act too much forwards I lift the rope and he backs up over it again.... sheeesh... very very small asks for everything for this boy.

We had a big wait and he started grazing. After a bit he 'snighed' - that's my new word... it's a sigh snort....big breath in (like he's been holding it) and a snort sigh out. He does it alot. Usually after the scary thing - not in reaction to it. So after he snighed we did some more sideways, some more backing into things, some more turn and face slooooowly, and then I thought he'd had enough for one day. So we backed through the gateway (gate only a horse width space open) and backed into his yard. He's calm now and snoozing in the sun.

Garbo's so snoozy he's leaning on the yard rail.

Boy racers

I read an article just recently about managing a small acreage with horses, and it said that horses are innately boy racers and that there is nothing better than a quick drag up the paddock, of course even better with a sliding stop at the end. Which is sooooo true!!

Today my boys were completely crazy about something - they kept looking down over the paper road toward the highway - about 10 metres away from the fence the land drops away quite steeply - George said he could see some cows down the bottom - but maybe one was having a calf or something!! Anyway - something was upsetting them, Garbo would drag in straight lines with big sliding stops - so much so as he turned a corner he slid over! Maraschino was happy doing circles round the tree with a bit of chase Coco in between and buck as well...

Garbo mostly stood looking in the direction of the hidden cows but every now and again he'd toss his head and jump in the air and then chase the others down the other end. Mud and grass flying!

So you can imagine after about 20 minutes of this how much grass I had left in the track - and just after Garbo slipped over I decided to put them in the yards for the rest of the day. Except Coco.

They were filthy by this stage so I decided to give them both a warm shower to get all the mud off and let them dry in the sun all afternoon. I locked Maraschino in Coco's yard (since he ran in there).. and haltered Garbo and washed him first - he wouldn't stand still while I tried to get the mud off (initially with the brush) so I bumped him a few times quite assertively - I had had enough! He wasn't seeing me as a leader and I decided to change that. I felt like my emotions were rising but I guess noticing that is the first step, then you can rectify it.

I hosed him down and was using the water scraper near his back legs when he lifted his left at me, so I instantly hit him with the towel on the leg, didn't hurt him of course, and I realised I did it in anger, but he improved his attitude somewhat after that.

I don't think they settled much even though they were fine (and yawning away) when I left - I went out for 4 hours and when I got back there were only two runny poos and no hay had been eaten - so I decided the time had come for some more Parelli (I did a wee bit putting them in the yards after the shower)...

Garbo had a turn first and we did the three mastery tasks so far on the DVD;

• Back up from Zone 3 and move FQ away at the same time to teach horse not to move HQ away while backing and to back straight.

• Sideways - walk like a monster then disengage the HQ, walk around the horse awy from rail so you end up on opp side and sideways back the other way

• Squeeze game - use flick fingers towards nose as you send past to keep them going out for further and away from you longer before turn and face.

All three went well - well the sideways was a bit hard in the wash bay - but I think Garbo figured out my monster walk! He licked and chewed anyway.

Then I got out the plastic bag - which I have been avoiding because Garbo hates it (unless it has food in it). One thing I have learnt with Russell's lessons is that sometimes you have to see the 'reaction' and deal with it, get through it without giving up. I am usually doing everything in my power to calm my horses and not rile them up - so I took a different approach. I started with the plastic bag in my hand and rubbed him all over, retreating back to his wither if he looked worried. But really - I have done this before and he'll stand there all day looking 'a little worried' and we simply don't progress. So I moved the bag up his neck and to his ears and between his ears - his head would go up and I kept going until his head came down - we did this about 4-6 times before he quickly learnt that putting his head down meant I would retreat back to the neck or wither.

After a few times I got the bag on his head between his ears (and moving) without a severe reaction. Then I did it all over from the other side.

Then I put the bag on the carrot stick (in for a penny, in for a pound).... and he freaked out a bit more - but I made a point of going beyond just a little uncomfortable and rubbed him in places like his sheath, between his legs (front and back) - retreating to his wither. He was licking and chewing alot. Then I moved the bag up his neck and his head went up, he froze and snorted and looked like he may either strike out or try to run so I slowed down and waited (still moving the bag) until he lowered his head - then I stopped. We did this a few more times, then surprisingly (well actually not so much) - he was better with it all over his body.

After that he yawned and yawned and shook his head for ages. Then I put him back in his yard and got Maraschino out!

The backing straight was pretty easy because I had the carrot stick by Zone 1 to back up - so he avoids touching that! He also backed with the rope under his neck from Zone 3 and his sideways (monster walk) was pretty cool - think I need to tone the monster down a bit though lol. We didn't do the plastic bag or squeeze game as it was nearly dark and I still had poos to pick up.

They all seem calm now - Coco came trotting up from the other side of the track when I whistled to say his dinner was ready.

Going to try and do the Plastic Bag every day for a bit with Garbo if weather prevails.

Ok - I got 'em

I actually got my scorecard in a format I could view from a lovely lady in the office called Renee - she is so lovely.

As I have mentioned - or was it just in my head.... when I submitted this video audition I felt when watching it afterwards that it wasn't a good snapshot of where we actually were. I think because the filming had been arranged, plus props (not on our property) there was this invisible imaginary pressure to get it done. Silly me.

So - score wise - interestingly rapport is my highest score, and respect is lower... sideways was the worst (crumbs) - no excuses - it wasn't a good sideways, yo- yo or circle day. And my driving mark was down too - I think that's the key - too much draw and not enough drive... it's been that way all along our journey - he wants to sit in my lap 150% of the time.

Good marks (could be better though) for technical, obedience, draw expression, relationship... (on a positive note)....

But you know - now that I realise his hip was out all along - he tried so hard for me. And only the following week I had a nice soft less than phase 1.

Might work on getting him 100% confident with the plastic bag on the end of the carrot stick over winter and try Emma's idea after her lesson with Linda.... he's a big scaredy cat when it comes to plastic bags on sticks - or green balls above ones head...but if said plastic bag is in my hand with perhaps carrots inside well - different story!

Wintery squally weather today - hoping for some sunshine next week - also waiting to hear is grass arena is ok to use...

Level 3 Online Video

I haven't put this up on You Tube because I don't want to take the music off....

Garbo had fallen over two days previous so his canter was a little stiff and he didn't stay in gait hence the more driving than normal in the Circle game.

Anyway - I have sent it off..

Fingers crossed.

ps our circle game has improved alot since this video.... and our back up - it's back to being nice and polite and subtle. Funny how they yo-yo. Actually I look at this now - only 4 weeks ago and cringe at my 'barking' ! Yikes!

Ok - my critique (4 weeks on)..... too higher phases needed on yo-yo, didn't maintain gait in canter, didn't stay out on canter, sideways could have been straighter..... rest ok - actually the lead by tail and leg very good. :-)

Level 3 Online Audition

Hana and Jane arrived at my place at lunch time and Garbo decided he didn't want to be caught today and ran off chasing the others. I had originally caught Maraschino first with the idea I would play with him first but Garbo followed along badgering him, so I thought - ok your turn first then - and he ran away - what games he plays with me! You could almost hear him giggling. When I walked back to the wash bay he saw we had visitors and the curiosity of course got the better of him!

I had a quick play with Maraschino after they all got a brush since we had one person for each horse... and he was very good. Backed into the yard like a pro.

Garbo loaded fine and off we went with the pedestal and ball in the back.

Arrived at Jools and set up the arena and parked the float next to it. I had a wee trial run and of course Garbo proved me wrong and did the weave perfectly, and everything else, so I said - ok lets film before we lose it.

We started on the pedastal, got all 4 feet on, then he backed off it and back on again (offered that) - actually I think he was saying "errrr you missed it - scuse me I am on the pedastal - where's my carrot??"

... then we went to the ball - he sniffed it - didn't push it - oh well.... sideways along the fence at trot both ways - one way was better than the other....

A couple of half circles from the fence, then trotting along the long side with a transition, to the cones for the weave, he did it perfectly.....

then jumped the barrel, added in some circles somewhere there.... he was a bit sore I think so didn't stay in canter for long (after slipping over the other day), change of direction x 2, then trot to me... yay.

Rest...

We also did sideways over a pole, and backwards squeeze through the barrels.

Oh I forgot - we started with Extreme Friendly - he couldn't have cared less really - added in lead backwards by the tail and the hind legs (both at once)

and then trailer loaded, and a yo yo on the 45 - phew - not quite sure how we fitted all that in to 10 minutes but it was a rap!

He's such a good horse!

Thanks to my two amazing friends Hana and Jane for helping today - your photography and videography skills were amazing - not to mention the ginger cake and just 'being there'. Thanks guys.

Ride and Saddle Fitting

Under the willow having lunch together.

After a quick burn in the Falco down to Whitianga for breakfast I took Garbo to Jool's place for a ride.

We played on the ground a bit as Critey didn't come because Bronwyn's leg is worse and she is on crutches! So he was a bit tense, but that didn't take long to sort out.

I have been thinking alot about how he was in the forest and I read a question in the Savvy Club Vault about it as well - it said to keep your horse busy like sideways or back up (for a mile if need be) and to only ride with Parelli understanding people. I think what I did today was what I need to be able to do in the saddle as well.

Anyway - I got on and he was not very motivated so we didn't do alot - and I got off again - his saddle is a bit tight and Abbie is coming tomorrow to fix - and it was really hot too!

We are going back on Sunday.

Next day Abbi came and she was awesome - she was so pleased to be taking the extra wool out of the front of the saddle finally and she couldn't believe how much bigger he was at the front end. I had not seen her since starting Parelli.

She complimented me on the work I had been doing with him, which she said was obviously doing him only good, and also on riding without contact - saying that many 'good' riders cannot do that - they just don't have the balance - and she wishes more of them would because then she wouldn't have to try and fix up horses/saddles that can't really be fixed (due to the way the rider rides).

So - she was really pleased with the outcome and it will be interesting to see how we go on Sunday...