The canter - freestyle

It's taken me a long time to get to this point. Before Parelli I would have lessons and we would canter in the arena, but it wasn't pretty and I always needed to carry a whip. Not use it, but carry it. Canter transitions were messy  - I could never remember which leg I was supposed to put back, and most of the time Garbo was pulling me forward anyway.
So then we started with Parelli - I removed the bit and let go of the reins. It took 3 years to build up to having 'loose' reins at canter and it did wonders for my balance. Finally we got that and I was cantering point to point and on corners but we hadn't done follow the rail for a whole lap (steering was still an optional extra at canter). We also had not done transitions to canter at my choosing - it had been more of a joint decision to canter as we approached the corner.

So - my friend suggested cantering on the straight after the corner - and coming back to trot before the corner - and using half halt... slowing Garbo down before the corners so he thought about them and didn't rush round them. He needed to get his balance and straightness.

Well - today we did it. I tied the savvy string to my wrist as my Phase Three and it only took me slapping myself gently around the shoulders (just twice) for Garbo to get the whole pattern. He cantered on the straight - then we went back to trot for the corner - then cantered again on the straight. I did a whole lap like this successfully and then realised it was his difficult side we had started on - even better!!

After a couple of laps like this we changed rein and did the easy side. On the last half of the arena we cantered at the corner too so did a whole 'half' lap of the arena at canter picking it up at the beginning of the long side and ending at the middle of the opposite long side. Garbo was up at the front I could really feel it - it felt amazing - like he was a dressage horse! And he was listening to me and not trying to eat grass - (it's a grass arena) - just incredible.

And you know what I did next?
I got off and hugged him!
Yay.

I knew when we started Parelli it would be a long road to this point - once I saw the videos and realised what I was going to have to re-learn. But it's been so enjoyable and I know there is way more of these moments to come. I am attending the Game Of Contact Course in Sydney (Linda) as an auditor so I really can't wait for that.

Bareback ride in the sun

I took these photos a week ago - decided to take Garbo up the road, by myself. Quite a big thing for me. The last time we rode bareback up there alone he got spooked by a dog and I fell off. Mind you I had no bareback pad. That was a year ago.

He was really keen to walk around the place so we did a tour of the front yard - stopping in at the office and saying hi to Tracey.
Then we jumped up the steep bank to avoid the stones and then out the gate and up the road. Keeping in mind my new rule I was really calm.

The dogs used to appear from behind those palm trees on the right hand side. But this time we went past the neighbours new geese, hens and ducks - which ha hadn't seen before - and he didn't bat an eyelid.

We got to the sheep and the farmers dogs (many) all started barking so I got off.... then I led him for a bit and then I got on from the fence again - he was so good and pushed up against the fence so I cold get on.

We mooched around for a bit and then headed back... it was a gorgeous day and you can see our view (that's our barn).
And the house... and the rest of the view - even better from horseback!

Maraschino was calling out - if you look closely to the right of the photo below, cloe to the house you can see him -he had spotted us.

What a great ride. And a big accomplishment for me.

Lovely trip out with the big boys

I took Garbo and Maraschino to Jool's place again today. I had in mind riding Garbo and Maraschino was just along for the outing - one of his glands is a bit swollen, and there is an airborne virus going round at the moment. So I think I'll get some echinacea tomorrow.

I got the boys in with the plan on taking them both, then decided to leave Maraschino behind today, and un-haltered him - he didn't budge - the gate was open but he stayed standing next to Garbo - I tried to lead him out but he kept coming back so in the end I thought - Ok - I think he wants to come!

So off we went, leaving Coco Monster behind. He was really good.

Anyway - Michelle came too - she was going to help me brainstorm on how to get Garbo to stay on the rail at canter. I started riding Garbo in the arena and Maraschino was in the paddock alongside.

As soon as we started cantering Jool's dog must have peeked out along the end of where Maraschino was, and gave him a fright so Maraschino started jumping, bucking (while we were cantering) and basically getting a bit right brain.

So Michelle did a bit of work with him online - he over-reacted at first to the downwards transition... as you can see... but soon after that he was trotting around nicely.

I was working on follow the rail and trot/walk/trot/canter transitions with Garbo.

It was very hot and he got tired quite quickly. But he tried hard.

Then Michelle hopped on Maraschino and we had a nice walk round the arena rail together. So Maraschino ended up doing something anyways!

Then Michelle had a ride on Garbo and gave me some ideas for strengthening and straightening his canter the rail - then she cantered him round the outside of the race - the one I am hoping to trot/canter him round soon. He tried to jump over the areas of long grass with his head down so I am kind of pleased it wasn't me for the first time LOL.

After that he was very very hot so it was bath time for both.

They both loaded impeccably!

Circle with Mr M continued

Well the day after the over-reaction day was so good!

He was calm and thinking right from the start and we got some lovely trot circles, and a beautiful canter transition. I kept it really short because he did so well.

Maraschino and the circle

I played with Maraschino tonight - about 6pm it was a bit cooler (it hasn't been cooling down at night the last few weeks but tonight was just nice - just right).

I decided I was going to get Maraschino confident enough on the circle to relax on it - not ask to come in and to relax. At trot.

We started off ok - he stopped at the pole and tried to paw it. Off we went again - send again - and he kept asking to come in before a full circle. I gently asked him out again every time. We also backed up a bit each time too so rather than getting closer he was getting farther away.

It took about an hour, and in that hour he; reacted to the carrot stick being lifted gently off the ground to 'send' by running away, rearing, - or should I say over re-acting. At one time he pulled back so hard I couldn't hold on the rope and it dropped to the ground. He didn't go far - just a few steps and then stopped at snorted at the rope on the ground in front of him and snorted at it.

He reared about 4 times I think - just little ones, usually changing directions at the same time. Then each time I just resent. Not sure if that was the right thing to do or not - but I did.

Then I asked him to change directions each time he went over the pole, and turn face and wait. Then we tried circle again. Finally he did a few nice circles - lovely curved body, nice trot. I asked for canter and he did the most beautiful upwards transition, he canter about half a circle and I asked him in. He seemed pretty pleased with himself. I let him rest for a bit.

As soon as he got distracted and looked elsewhere I sent him on a circle again.

So - by the end he was circling fairly calmly.

Tomorrow I hope the relaxation will come.

Riding again

It was over a month since I rode Garbo and that was bareback!

Off we headed to Jools to use the grass arena. I asked a friend to come so I wasn't riding alone, and it's more fun then too. Well I am pleased to say we walked, trotted and cantered!

I was so happy, and so hot!! We've had some scorching weather with humidity too. Add to that, Jools arena is surrounded by trees so you get no breeze.

Anyway - Garbo seems really sound and happy. I decided the arena is perhaps a little small for him to canter in (for now) so I decided next time we'd go in the race around the arena and three neighbouring paddocks. It has three sides, and each is about 150m long I guess.

My confidence is certainly improving. I'm so pleased about that. My new rule is working just fine - if I am nervous, don't get on, or get off. It's working fabulously.

We went back a few days later - I got there early to walked Garbo round the race inhand so see if there were any issues or thresholds. There weren't - just willow trees to nibble on!

I rode in the arena again - wasn't quite ready to canter in the race, and I worked on getting Garbo to canter on our difficult side, right rein - I got a couple of good strides. He stops in the middle (and eats)... I think he thinks it's a reward for cantering. So next is to get him cantering for longer down the rail, then work towards a whole lap. But I might try the race next time too.

We did walk round it (freestyle). One step at a time. Trot next.

My seat is getting much more consistent in canter which is allowing me to think about steering now. Yay.

Head Shyness

Maraschino is a wee bit sensitive with ropes and his face, ears, head - so today we did a bit more work on that. You can run your hands up his face and over his ears back and forth - no problem but add a rope to the equation and his head goes up.

So - I got my stool!

Tied the Savvy String round his neck and started moving it up and down again on his neck. Initially he didn't like it so I kept going and lowered his head at the same time, until he relaxed, then I stopped. We did that a few times - quite a few - and eventually got closer to his ears. I was only moving the rope from one end of his neck to the other fairly slowly - approaching his ears - sometimes just going over one at a time.

He would be fine for one go then not fine the next, so we were making progress. Sometimes he would move away from me (and my stool) but I was quick enough (this time) to ask him forward, then I would stop.

In between all this I would talk to Coco (not focus on Maraschino), brush Coco's tail while the savvy string rested on his ear..., do some more, brush Garbo....

At one stage - just after I took this photo - he got a fright at the cat walking by so I thought ok - he's not 100% focussed on me - that means he's not scared.

And so I thought - oh well - in for a penny - and I moved the savvy string back and forth on his neck and mane really fast, so fast it flapped him on the neck - he reacted by lifting his head and moving back - but I asked him forward again and for his head down - and then stopped.

He did a big sigh and chewed. I did this again a few more times - from my stool.!

Then I did it same speed over his ears and back again many times - he kept his head up - I asked for head down...then stopped. Another big sigh.

This is the result - I am pretty pleased... I'll do it again tomorrow....

Then I haltered Coco and tok him for a big walk. For him to stop thinking I was going to 'do' something to him while he was on the end of a lead rope, and relax and eat grass, I had to sit down on the grass and face away, shut my eyes and just feel.... about 3 minutes later he started eating grass.

Third ride and I rode him!

Michelle came up again today and she noticed Maraschino took less to get focussed on the ground (only a few minutes) and also he had more rhythm. So after a small play in the round pen she hopped on, then off then on again - and I got on Garbo bareback too!

This way we 'led' Maraschino - first round the round pen, then round the middle paddock.

It was so much fun. We had little stops for grass and a couple of times (while Garbo was eating)

Michelle rode Maraschino away and then trotted back to us. I even have one on video!

Then I got on!

How cool is that - third ride for him.

I hopped on and Michelle led him - not with the reins just by walking at liberty. Then we had a little go going off by ourself, and then I had a little trot! I just smiled with all four cheeks, Michelle trotted on the ground and off we went. OH MY GOODNESS I can sit bareback to his trot - it's so much less bouncy than Garbo's. Yay!

He is so soft - he follows a focus, and sticks to it! I am so pleased. What a dude is all I can say.

I had goosebumps after the trot (and it was 29 degrees and 70% humidity!).

*Big Smile*

A friend recently said when she heard I was going to start him soon - "Oh you have to ride them out - don't hold them back" - but Michelle and I discussed this at length and basically - why? Why can't it be calm like this and just take one step at a time and do exactly how you would do on the ground online. One step at a time till they have confidence, then the next step.

2nd ride - Maraschino

So today Michele played with Maraschino while I got more obstacles into the round pen - added the small green ball (then we'll add the big one!), jump stands and yellow pole.

She had a little play and then bounced the green ball around him, then bounced it on him, he was a little jumpy at first, but got better real quick - then she rolled it along his back, up his neck... all good.

So she got on after a few bounces, and then off again, then back on - all the while Maraschino just stood there looking totally relaxed.

Once on again I led him round and over trot poles, fast walking, slow walking like stick to me while Michelle rode Red Indian style (no reins just the mane)... then we tied the other end of the lead rope up and she had a go at directing him from a-high. I stayed where I would be if I was leading him and we added in the smooch everytime we walked off, and I would tell Michelle when I was slowing or stopping and she'd relax in her body. He was so good - didn't put a foot wrong.

Next she said ok go a bit faster at walk and we'll do a wee trot - and we did - and he was great!!

Cool huh!!!

2nd ride prep - Maraschino

My friend Michelle came over for a playdate with us today and I played a bit with Maraschino in the round pen. I have trot poles (pink ones) in there now, barrells, jump pole and stand....

We did a bit of circle but with a transition and stop at every quarter so that he had something to focus on every little bit, instead of just running. This got him quite focussed and very calm.

We set up trot poles for him and he conquered those (3) no trouble at all.

I also did a bit of 'unwinding' - you know when you put the rope over their head and over their back and round the back end and you stand at their head with the other end of the rope, and gently flex their head by pulling the rope, then unwind them basically.

He panicked a little feeling the rope behind his legs so we did half unwinds till he got confident again.

Then we left it at that - he had a lot to think about!

What a clever boy!