Another trip to the track

Wow what a gorgeous day it was today. I headed out early before it got too hot - taking advantage of the fine days and the holidays!

We arrived by 9am and were ready to ride by 9.30am. Michelle was there with Flipper and she suggested she pony Maraschino while I rode Garbo around the track.

The track has a great surface on it so it's super for tender feet (they were just trimmed yesterday) and with Garbo collecting abbesses this year - it's a great way to get his fitness up again now they seem to all have finally burst out.

So we spent most of the time walking and trotting. On the first lap Garbo charged out ahead and he went into trot without me asking him so I applied what Linda said at the Clinic in November (which isn't always easy for me) and encouraged him forward. He soon came back to walk :-)

During a trot lap where Flipper and Maraschino were ahead of us, Garbo went into canter and I just allowed it and while I didn't go so far as encouraging it, I didn't do my normal panic and think he was going to run off. Michelle looked around at one point and said "oh you're cantering"! YES.

It actually felt really good.
We cantered a few more times too. His squeaky belly relaxed after about 3 laps.

Tori helped me decide on my new mantra.
Garbo is not the same horse anymore, you can trust him, he won't hurt you. 
I love it.

Trip out - much needed

Garbo was getting a little bored at home - to be expected... I have been busier at work this summer and not had much time at all and we have not been to the forest for ages.

So I took him down to Woodhill Sands - which I intend to make good use of this winter, as it's a natural sand trap, so no mud - at worst - wet sand.

I only used the 45ft line so I was pretty happy about that, and first off he wasn't happy about being tied up to the float so he couldn't graze! LOL

Then we walked to the judges box to sign in, and then we went straight into trot and canter on the end of the 45ft - he was pretty interested in checking out the place so I let him drift off the edges and sniff things as his resting spots. I tried a couple of changes of direction too.

Then we had a big walk through the crunchy leaves on the ground - the 45ft making the strangest noise in them - Garbo kept getting a little spooked but not too bad - not enough to spoil his fun.

We used the Dressage arenas as obstacles, no one else was around - it was fab.

Building confidence

Well - it seems a full time job to keep Maraschino confident when playing - but we're getting there slowly.

 I started today by doing travelling circles to get to the round pen, from the yards. I stopped him on the circle at the tyre and he nibbled on the grass growing in there. Then I asked him to go back the other way on the circle - btw - he trots of canters everywhere - never walks. He didn't like the other way so much and so we changed back again and then he went to the tyre on his own....

Obviously he was finding the pressure (yet again) too much - if Garbo was there he'd be like *Yawn Say What?* 

Then we worked a little more on friendly on the move from Zone 3.... he's getting better. Every few things I would stop and wait for him to sigh or breath - he takes a long time.

I even sat down and he breathed in my ear for the longest time.....

Into the round pen we went and this is the question I get at the gap between the barrels (squeeze)....

So we tried yo yo to see if that was easier.... and then backed him up all the way through and forward, and back and forward.... then big rest.....

Soon after this I got him to sidle up to the fence while I sat on it, and just patted him - by now it was nearly dark.... then we trotted all over the paddock - with me next to him, over the pole, changed directions etc - to get him used to going fast and not adding emotion.

I led him back to the wash bay finally and he was fairly relaxed by then - but only when I take the halter off does he do a big big shake and a big breath in.... funny hey.... anyone else's RBI do that???

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.

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!!!

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!

Waiting for the Right Brain

I heard Linda talking about Horsenalities on the last Audio CD and as usual I was riveted. It was so interesting how she developed the concept and tested it out.

She was saying a lady gave her some feedback after getting her report on her RBI. She hadn't realised how much she needed to wait. She asked for send and waited, waited, waited... until finally the horse let out a big breath and moved.

So I decided to do a little experimenting with this with Maraschino. On asking him through the barrels I waited (but my send arm got sore after 5 minutes lol)... but I think generally he really appreciated the extra time before lifting the carrot stick.

I am making great progress with Maraschino - he's now trotting and cantering on the circle on the 22ft and yesterday we did our first successful change of direction at trot.

I've been float training him every day too...

Day 1. Sniff the float all over and find surprise carrots, put foot on ramp for carrot.

Day 2. Put two feet on ramp for carrot, rest on ramp. Then finish.

Day 3. Four feet on ramp and lead into float for carrots... with Garbo in there.

Day 4. Send in to float with me outside - to find carrots - goes half way in

Day 5. Lead into float to find bucket of grain at front (no Garbo).

Day 6. (today)... send into float from ramp to find bucket of grain (well not a whole bucket full but you get the picture)...

Plan for next 2 days...

moving hind quarters over, doing up dividers, doors closed, short drive. Yikes. Lesson with Jackie with both boys off the property on Tuesday. I have asked if it all turns to custard can we do the lesson here.

Liberty Lovely.

Oh my goodness... I got some lovely liberty trot circles on the edge of the round pen today from Garbo - first time ever!!!!!

I hadn't tried much liberty lately but until now I have never tried liberty apart from in a large arena or a large paddock!! He's never had the security of the round pen, either online or at liberty. I heard LInda say it's nice to use the round pen as they have a boundary initially - and I have just realised what a help it can be. Hmmmmm.

Also - I added some barrels.... and Garbo could not stop playing with them so my hunch was right - he was bored. The 7 games were becoming the 7 tortures!

I am so busy focussing on the fact that he has never really done nice relaxed many laps at canter on the 22+ circle that I forgot to add obstacles in as well.

So initially I made a small gap between the two - we are leading up to jumping the barrels - they are quite tall as you can see. Garbo stopped and moved them with his nose - everytime. And you know it kept him out on the circle because they were by the railing. I worked on getting him to go through them without pausing LOL - that was a challenge in itself - as it was obviously too much fun moving them round. He really is so much more confident with some things now.

Then I took the rope off and I got the most gorgeous relaxed trot circles on the 30ft point, at liberty that I have ever had. Boy I was pleased. I even did a successful change of direction (after two attempts) at liberty!

Clever boy.