Trip out

I had planned to take Garbo to Jool's place to ride today, then she suggested she could trim his feet while we were there, so I suggested I bring them both!

Garbo loaded while George was leading him to the float!! So then I loaded Maraschino and it was all done in 30 seconds! Off we went. I have my Horsecam/Floatcam now which is really awesome.

There were lots of new things to see for Maraschino - chickens, roosters, little dogs, teepees! Horses that look like Coco!

I put them in the pens while I unpacked my saddle and saddled up Garbo - then I led them both into the round pen to begin with. Part of it has a willow tree overhanging and it only took Garbo a few times round the edge to teach me to stop under the willow and pick him some branches off (they were too high for him).. lol.

Then I led them both into the large arena after I was happy Garbo was calm enough - having not ridden him for a bit.

I let Maraschino loose and just rode Garbo in with him - they were both great. We didn't do much more than trot and follow the rail, some transitions. It was enough - and we were there for ages. It was sooooo hot and steamy in there. I played a bit with Maraschino too online.

Then the boys got their feet trimmed one at a time in the indoor arena which was a bit cooler, but the flies were driving them both crazy. We don't have that many up at ours. Wonder if it's because I pick up the poos.

Jools and I did some work with Maraschino in between trimming.

Five hours later I headed home!

Float loading practice for Mr M.

My float is all shiny - ready to go to it's lovely new owner - no one has bought it yet but I don't have my new one yet wither so I am not worried. The Universe works in mysterious ways.

After unloading Garbo it was a lovely day as you can see - so I took advantage of having the float on the new concrete - a great surface for some loading... Maraschino was happy to be haltered and I took him over to the float. Now - it was parked around the back of the house so Garbo couldn't see us - so it doubled as seperation training with Garbo - something I have been dreading doing. (side note for those of you who don't know this - he once jumped a gate from standstill to not be in the paddock alone as I walked away). So we made a few trips back and forth in between playing put your foot on the ramp.
Garbo called out a few times but eventually after seeing we kept coming back - he went into the main paddock instead of creening over the fence like below.

I know - Maraschino's front feet need trimming again - this weekend's job! So - then all four feet on the ramp... it was quite windy so the float was making all sorts of noises.... I had grain - and sat on the floor up the front of the float (holding the 12ft) and fed him grain handfuls everytime he took another step. Then we'd hear Garbo and go back to be 'in-sight' then return to the float. Keep in mind - Maraschino has never been on this new concrete nor has he been round that side of the house so he was doing so well.
I am lying down here to get this shot above!! How's that for two way trust.
Then we had four feet in and he found some of the grain on the floor which was great because I wanted him to keep his head down for backing out - which he did.
Afterwards he seemed to not want to go and be with the others which I thought was nice - and that I hadn't over done it.
He's such a trusting soul - I get a strong feeling Blue is with him and whispering in his ear - he seems to trust that anything I ask him to do will be ok - because I said it is. And that he will be safe, he tries so hard.

Parelli Catch Up Day

Great view huh

Jane came over today - she's been on the Fast Trak in September in Pagosa so we had lots to catch up on... and she brought me back a GREEN BALL - how cool is that - thanks Jane - and a really nice Parelli Carry Bag... too cool. I have yet to tell Garbo about the green ball...

We had some lunch and looked at all her photos and talked about the course - well - actually after Jane left I remembered heaps more questions lol.

After lunch we took Garbo onto the paper road next to our property - it's about 40m wide I guess and runs almost down the entire side of our property - the land owners who have it on their property haven't got it fenced off from the rest of their land but it's nice and flat and big and wide - so absolutely perfect for playing on - because then I don't have to worry about Garbo making a mess of the paddock at home... and we can still see (and play approach and retreat) - Maraschino.

Just a side note - some Italian friends of ours came over and she told me that the correct pronunciation of his name is "Mara-skeeeno".

So while it was windy - it was still sunny and Jane kept remembering little tips she had learned (her lease horse was LBI), while we were playing. She correctly pointed out that he hadn't been moving his FQ away correctly (and therefore easily pushes us with his shoulder) so she showed me how to fix that - and he learns so quickly.... he's a little reactive to the carrot stick making contact with him, so we'll do more friendly game on the move I think - but I think it's the intention he actually doesn't like. Being the boss horse he never gets bossed around.. so when I (or someone else) shows leadership over him he kind of gets all meek and takes short choppy breaths.

I think we had a good mix of rest and reward though - and by the end he was definitely listening to me and paying attention - and for the first time I let him stop and think and then relax on the end of the 22ft rather than in with me.

I had to take quite a lot of pressure away from him....

He made some nice relaxed looking circles at trot and he even went into canter nicely and easily. Great to see.

He's really using his back here and his diagonals are on the same 'angle'. Nice.

Jane and I both realised that we don't do enough of the things we find hard - so we are both going to make a list and remind each other to practise them.

Here's mine;

• Cleaning out and trimming Maraschinos feet
• Porcupine with Garbo
• Using the 45ft line
• Trotting bareback
• Green ball and Garbo (esp above ground level)
• Driving the front end away - Garbo
• Figure 8's

I'm sure a 2nd list will develop as I think of things...

So Jane left and we both no doubt had a big think about things as we do... all good-stuff.

Oh - Jane kindly gave me a hand with trimming the boys front feet where they have both got seedy toe - we took a slight different approach so I am going to maintain them every week and see how it goes, as they are just not improving with the way they are being trimmed currently.

Maraschino was so good for Jane.

Then I gave them all some parsley and celery and went inside.

Thanks for taking all the great photos Jane.