The new float - dahdahdadaaaaaaahhh

So Garbo got on after a few asks... and a bit of a smell and some carrots..... the float wiggles around a bit more than the other one so he has some new things to get used to... or is that just me making excuses?

The 2nd day, I took Maraschino there too to see if I could tell if he was going to fit in spot #2, and after getting Maraschino in but not turned on an angle George took him round the side of the float and Garbo panicked - must have pushed against the divider, I must not have done it up completely - the divider opened and off Garbo came backwards at a huge rate of knots!

So I loaded him again and asked him off backwards slowly - he was still a bit 'up' so I backed him on to the 2nd spot - for some reason backing in to the float was always so difficult for him, but with some assertiveness from my part I find that if he succeeds he gains confidence.

So - at least I know Maraschino will fit!

Circle game update

Ok - so this is what we have been working on.... staying out, backing up nicely - amazing what a treat at the end of the back up will do - he now offers to back up! AND - he doesn't run back in when I turn to walk back to the end of the rope. Yay.

And - staying out - not really staying in canter for much - but you know - he does half a lap each time... guess he needs to get fit hey. He also still curves his body the wrong way (in) especially on the right rein.

This video really makes me laugh.

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.

Today at Jool's

Critey has been having a mini-break at our place for a couple of days before she heads off to Bronwyn's place for good - finally Bronwyn was able to buy Critey! Yay!

We decided that when Critey left we would go somewhere for a ride and then both of us go to our own places so that he didn't call out for her for hours like he did last time she visited. It worked really well - they were both really settled once at their respective homes. He loaded well both ways too - even with the added stress of him wondering if Critey was coming too.

The ride at Jools was just fab - considering we haven't ridden there since the New Year, and only been to the forest once. He showed me he could even do Change of Direction today too (properly) and transitions down with the carrot stick were marginally better too.

It was really hot but I didn't notice once we were doing stuff.... he went into canter really well with me putting my rail arm back under my bum to get the right lead, and cantering with my other hand. My canter position felt really secure today too.

His back up was finger light - his sideways a bit sticky but we can work on that.

Yay.