13th day

Poor Garbo has been a paddock ornament apart from about two play sessions in the last 13 days. Yes, almost two weeks since we have had a nice day together and a ride.

So decided today was a day to take a day off from painting fence posts and spraying weeds up at the farm and it was a horse day!

We headed off to Royal Oak and first of all I let him loose into the paddock which Scribble and Maraschino are in (his new paddock mates at our place)... to let them have a little run around and a play. Well it was all go as you can see...








Once introductions were out of the way "good to see you again old mate" and all that - Garbo could not decide if he should check out the paddock, or play, or both.


Garbo checked out the water trough, decided the water was crap (it is), and turned around to see he had two shadows. It was so funny. Maraschino and Scribble looked on as Garbo left his mark by rolling.... they kept looking at him like "ooooohhhh a big horse" ..


Garbo seemed more interested in the horse next door who was two years old rather than these babies which don't play!

The thing I have always loved about Garbo is that even though he is usually always the boss - he is very social. I have never seen him kick or bite another horse yet. He'll use phase one alot!


But at the end of the day they all really got on well I was really pleased.



So this is the most active they got...



After all that I took Garbo back to the stables and saddled up for a ride. My friend was riding her horse and then she stopped to help get some other people's horse loaded, which took a while. We did some walk and trot and a little canter in the arena and Garbo was cruisy as. Then we went down the back for a bit and moseyed. When I came back my friend was riding towards me and asked me if Garbo was really quiet today? I said he was.. and she said "because you don't have your helmet on!" Oh my goodness - I had completely forgotten to put it on! So we went back and I put it on. Just goes to show how relaxed I am now riding.

We went down the back and I had a trot around the bridle path and Garbo was really good. Then he headed straight for the water jump. I nearly rode him in - then I though - what if he jumps in, oh and my new Parelli girth will get wet - so I got off, took all his tack off, including his hackamore and he ran straight into the water. My friend did the same with her horse and we sat there watching them for ages.

The 2 year old was looking over from his paddock wishing he was there too - so we let him out and they all had a big run around, then ran back into the water...Garbo jumping in from the cross country end! Then they all ran out and Garbo ran up the bank and then cross country jumped off the end of it!

Talk about making up for lost time.

Ride today

I decided to ride today - even though it was back to bedlam at the farm. Tractors fertilising, kids riding bikes, wind, horses arriving (another new grazer), horses going out, two in the arena trying to ride their horses who seemed to be picking up on the extremely busy atmosphere...

Anyway - as crazy as it seemed I got on. Had carrots in my pocket.

Decided not to attempt the arena - much too much energy going on. We headed for the paddock down by the driveway (away from barn and other horses) and Garbo was doing the 'no - I want to go back that way' trick and just turning his head and bracing when I would try and lift his opposite rein and lead him back on the track....

So - I decided to take a leaf out of Cilla's book, and just keep at it. I kind of treated it like tit for tat crossed with follow the track/trail. After what seemed like ages we got to the paddock - the distance of about 30m took about 5 minutes - seemed like ages longer.

What happens, like Cilla, when he gets so determined to go back, and does a 180, he tenses up when I try to turn him the other way, or I do first perhaps, and then I get nervous he will bolt or buck. But I stayed focused and determined to be a leader. We got in the paddock and he would go up one side (the closest side to the barn) and back to the gate, but not any further away form the barn. We did a little bit of tit for tat to try and get further away but I didn't want it to turn into a fight so I reverted to PPL and let Garbo take me where he wanted to go.

Funnily enough he didn't go back to the barn/stable/tie up area, he went to the race at the back of the barn - which is of course the race which is lined with paddocks of 7 horses down one end and 5 down the other end. We walked down the race and I used follow the rail to keep him away from the electric fence. He tried to turn at one stage but I kept his head straight. We went into the paddock at the other end and there was a bucket in there - the horse was in the arena so I thought of a good game that someone on the forum does. Instead of handing Garbo the treats - each time we trotted or cantered to the bucket I threw a carrot piece into the bucket. So that was fun.

Heading back down the race after a bit, I felt a bit nervous getting too close to the tractor so I got off just before the barn.

So - fair way to go yet before we get to Cilla's page in the book with this. But I'll keep on doing what she has been doing as I think our horses are very similar.

Saturday - part one

Today - our last day before the dressage people of the yard arrived home, we had a digger and truck to contend with - of all things. Before I started Parelli there was a digger in the same place as it was today - and everytime I led Garbo towards it - at about 100ft away he would 180 degree spin, pull the rope out of my hands and high-tail it outta there - away from the digger.

Today I led him right past it - calm as - okay well he sped up a teeny bit (walking) and put me between the digger and him but we passed within 30ft of it - I was very impressed.

The truck kept backing past us while we were grooming too - Garbo was a bit worried but I just let him move his feet.

Check out the veins in his legs! Odd. It was pretty hot.

Liberty today

Well since it was the last day before the Dressage gang got back from HOY I decided to get some hay bales and put them in the paddock and play yo yo between them. Had two bales high on each side, and started about 5ft apart I guess - Garbo got it really quickly (and he didn't even try and eat the hay) - so I made them closer so they were touching his sides a little. After a few tries he got that ok too. The thing he had trouble with for a bit was once he was all the way through them (coming forwards to me - he had trouble yo yo-ing straight back from so far, so would go crooked. (The same problem we have in the stall door).

Anyway - he managed it in the end so I put two aside and laid the other two on the ground like a jump and asked him to send over the jump - he put his foot on it and tipped it over. I asked again - and again, after he would either go round the far end or my end!

Finally - he went through the middle of the two - seperating them - it was so funny - and the ultimate squeeze!

Then we went into the hill therapy paddock to do some liberty. I had some more videos but my camera ate them! I started with medium range stick to me and slowly got him out further. At longer range he bucked everytime I asked him to stay out but it actually helped his confidence I think in the end because I wasn't telling him off - just laughing.

When he was further out near the edge of the paddock I found moving back to Zone 5 and going closer to him would help him not change direction. He did less of the 'look out of the paddock and change direction' today.

Here's a little video - we got better later - but that one got deleted. Had the bucks and all it was so cool. I'll try again tomorrow.




The paddock we were in is next to the house where the yard owner lives, but her 'in laws' have been staying looking after the kids. About an hour later after I had put Garbo back and fed him the mother-in-law came rushing over to me and said "thank you for that wonderful display - it was so amazing". The Yard Owner was like 'what'? and the mother-in-law said 'her horse was dancing around her'!

Cool huh!

Liberty

Today was a great day for me and Garbo. We really achieved a lot with our liberty - in a big paddock. I realised that he does not like to be too far from me at liberty if I am asking him to do something. Fine if he can just do his own thing and graze.

We started with circle online on the hill (we were in the hill paddock).

No - hang on - back up - I missed a bit. I did some more desensitising with the plastic bag, then with the umbrella like in the Savvy Club DVD - except I didn't have another person so I had to hold the rope (22ft) and the umbrella.

He smelled it first and would have been okay except it's one of those automatic opening ones and I had forgotten it was, and had released the button and just as Garbo was smelling it it opened. I had to laugh! He snorted and backed up very fast about 5 ft. So then I closed it and opened it again and he snorted again and jumped away sideways.

I started walking away opening and closing it - he was pretty good -looking all pretty and cresty as they do when something is a little scary/interesting.

But you know what the funniest thing was? There was two non-Parelli horses 5 paddocks away and they were freaking out!!! Running around- eyes on sticks....

I hid behind the hedge so they couldn't see us do the rest. Basically after a few minutes he was pretty crusiy but I didn't try walking towards him with it. I stuck it on the ground open and the first time he sniffed it, the line moved it at the same time and he snorted again.

Once he was grazing I closed it for the day and left it on the ground - at the end of our hill therapy and liberty he just walked right next to it no problem.

So - back to the hill therapy - we missed a few days. He finds it hard to walk down the hill, so trots. I tend to do some travelling circles during the hill therapy but I walk in a large circle so that Garbo can make some bigger circles (sounds like a need the 45ft line doesn't it)! Means he can go in some straight lines up and down hill as well.

Then I took the line off and the circle game was a bit of a disaster - he ran off to the gate and changed direction. I tried backing more to Zone 5 so I didn't block Zone 1 unconsciously. That seemed to work. Then I decided that was a bit hard for him (he was about 45 feet or more away from me mostly) so I changed it and did some stick to me - he loves that game! We did it all round the paddock and a couple of changes of direction too.

I then asked for some circles again and he went to the outside of the paddock again and did a few gallops and bucks, when I asked him in (interesting) and then cantered/galloped in to me - slid to a stop and stood there all puffed and kind of trembling. A sure sign of a little bit of unconfidence still. We stood for ages and I let him graze.

Right at the end I asked for a circle around me and I managed to get a lovely canter circle about 12 ft away from me - that was the best he has done at liberty so we ended it there.

Once back at the stables we tried backing into the stall again but he still is unconfident - think I need an in between challenge for him. We backed into the wash bay and had a bath back to front for a change. Might set up some hay bales tomorrow while everyone is still away and slowly make them closer together.

Then I went to see Maraschino and gave him some dinner and introduced him to the bot knife - poor thing was covered in bot eggs. I don't have that problem with Garbo because the poos are picked up. Then I brushed him and led him and Scribble to their new paddock (new grass so they will be happy).

Monday

It was a quiet day at the yard - and lovely weather - everyone else is at Horse of The Year so I made the most of the peace and quiet and headed up there early.

I let Garbo have a graze in the race while I made up his dinner and breakfast for the next day, and then brought him in. The farrier arrived to shoe Deva so we had a brush (untied) while they were trying to control Deva while sticking hot shoes in his feet, while tied.

Once the burning smell started I headed off to play with Garbo - we went and did some great hill therapy and then some sideways and changes of direction.

Once they had finished headed back to saddle up - Garbo was quite hot at this stage so I think he was in a can't be bothered mood. He stood still for mounting and we went straight towards the paddock with the hill, that we had just been in. This means going partially down the drive way and he did his 180 degree turn a few times. I took a page out of Cilla's book and decided to be persistant and kept asking, like tit for tat, until we got there - really only took about 2 minutes - so not that bad.

In the paddock riding we did tit for tat also because he didn't want to go down the bottom of the hill (that would mean getting back up it again - also bottom of the hill is further down the driveway). But after some (lots) of 90 degree turns down the hill each time he veered more than 45 degrees - we got there! And then trotted back up - how I love trotting up hill.

Did that a few more times and then let Garbo decide where would walk to after that. He headed out of the gate and up the race (where all the other horses are) - surprise surprise.

We trotted down the race a few times also.

He spooked at the float park (in between the two races) because I had a towel drying in the sun - hanging off my car side mirror - and just as we were walking past - it fell off! (The towel not the mirror)... anyway - teeny tiny "what was that" jump and that was that.... didn't get unseated.

I consciously decided to laugh with Garbo everytime something interesting happened. :-)
After we unsaddled and washed - I led him back to his paddock at liberty.... well nearly...

Heading back to paddock....


Checking out that scary damn towel.


On the way Garbo decided to look in my car for treats....
Heading back to the paddock - inside the paddock we have a bit of a routine...we run to the feed bowl and I take his halter off, then give him a carrot...

7 games with Deva

I was going to play a bit with Garbo today as I didn't have enough time to ride and because the DQ yard people are away I let him out of his paddock without a halter and after a nibble he followed me to the float and then we went down to see Deva. Deva's owner was there and she suggested a play (she likes her horse to be a horse too). Sadly I missed capturing most of the action and acrobatics - but got a little driving and sideways on video

Wednesday - we rode today

Wow - nice to see that Viv from USA is reading my posts - I sometimes forget people find my blog (apart from the ones who I tell)! I kind of write it like I am writing for a large audience (lol) but I don't actually think anyone reads it! Thanks for your comments Viv and Cilla :-).

So - today we had a big groom - lots of itchy spots - I had left his cover off last night so he could have a good roll. Then we saddled up - all untied - rope hanging on the ground.

We started in the arena and I did follow the rail at walk a few times. He had a couple of little piddly shies but nothing too serious. I found that once I lifted my focus higher he went forward much better. (Learn something new every day don't you). I started with my carrot stick to try and stop the opposition reflex on some turns (if he doesn't want to turn that way) but because he was shying I needed both hands so dropped it. Why did i need both hands - well to do an effective one rein stop of course.

Then we tried going down the drive (away from stables, horses, barn) by ourselves but we got part way down the drive (that we got all the way down alone with me driving from Zone 3 the other day) and he just turned for the barn. Tried retreating and then going back - but he turned at the same spot each time.

Hmmmm - how interesting.

So - I was a tad annoyed so I said - ok fine we'll go into the arena again - but quickly got over it and decided to go into an empty paddock instead. Did a few point to points to the corners- but Garbo was getting crabby if I didn't give him a treat at every corner - and at one point tried to bite my foot - either that or get a fly - lol.

So - I decided to take charge and do a trot circle - he wasn't having it - so instead of getting more annoyed I decided to start with a walk circle first - what a good idea Vicki!!

After a couple of those without complaint we had a brief trot - and went out and turned left to go down the race. We started walking and the walking got fast so I asked for trot and then the trot got fast and next thing you know we are cantering down the race - it was great fun. Horses either side looking up going "what are those guys doing"?

We stopped at the end and I gave him a treat. We practised that a few more times and I rewarded him when he stopped with a light lift of the rein.

Then we went down the other race down to the babies paddock and then back - Garbo didn't head for the tie up area like he normally does so I left him have a graze beside the float park. All round this area both ways (it's all gravel) he squeezed through the gap between my car and float and the tractor and fence - as if to say - see my squeeze is getting better.

The ride was a disaster to start with but slowly improved as the ride went on.

Got back to the stable, left him untied, washed him and gave him some apples, took him back to the paddock - coverless again - backing him up through the gateway a few times.

When I arrived back with his dinner he came trotting over with his ears forward - very cute.

So - all in all - good day.

Didn't get to see Maraschino - sooo busy!

First day of play since Thursday

We had a storm over the weekend and then I got really busy yesterday with the land/barn/build plans so poor Garbo had 4 days in the paddock without any play or grooming.

So I got him out and gave him a big groom. It was really cool there was no one at the farm so we could just chill out and take our time.

After that we did some stuff on the ground, and I was trying to establish a nice trot in the circle - and I actually got it. He didn't stop too often and was good at going back into trot with just a point in the end.

Then we tried change of direction the difficult way and he did the most beautiful change so I disengaged him and asked him in for a rest.

We did a bit more going the other way and another couple of changes and then some backing up again.

He is still finding it very hard with zone 2-4 in a narrow space - so as I took him into the paddock I backed him up about 4 times back through the gate (half shut) with apples in my hand.

He did that really well.

Could have played for ages more but had to be up at the block at 4.30pm to meet the digger man and the power man.

Yukky day

The wind and rain have arrived in full force after a drought all year.... this photo was taken this afternoon before I went to the farm. No play today - Garbo was shivering even though he was dry under his cover so I brought him in and added another cover - dried his face and ears off and gave him his dinner and two more slabs of hay.

It's still raining - hopefully it will ease off tonight. It's not cold - just wind and driving rain so the rain kinda feels sharp.

Also added the rain radar piccy for you - YUK

It's finally stoppped now - we have had 67mm in 24 hours.

Backwards through a narrow space

Well we tried yo yo backwards through a stall gate again today and he was going left, going right, anything but straight through the gap (like it was going to bite him). So I sent him into the stall (and he found some hay!!) - he snuk a few bites lol..... then I asked for forwards part of the yo yo out - and he got stuck at Zone 1. Asking with more pressure caused him to pull back - I didn't release but kept the pressure on but walked forward a little - then I tapped him in zone 3 with the carrot stick and he came out. (I have been reading the old L2 booklets!!)

We tried it in the wash bay (wider and higher roof) - and he was fine.... so I sent him in again and tried coming forward just one step - then back - he rushed Zone 2-5 out and turned and faced before I could stop him.

After a while he didn't want to come forward because he knew I was going to stop him before he got all the way out.

Phew - tired just re-thinking about it. There was lots of licking and chewing - no snorting today.

Ok - so we left that for a bit and did some hill therapy..... Day 3.

Then we walked down the driveway with me in Zone 3 all the way - for the very first time.... he found lots of green grass and I allowed him to eat a few mouthfuls every now and again. By the end a kiss (smooch) noise was all it took to stop him grazing and walk on. He didn't even hit any thresholds.

So maybe I have really hit a confidence issue here..... yay.

So - leading back to the paddock (oh we did some sideways with more life up and down the hill along a fence - at about 12 feet I guess - I tagged him with the string on his butt when he didn't move. After reading the L2 booklet (Stage 1) and the Intro book - I have learned so much more....

1. Lack of positive reflex is from not starting at Phase 1 and or never getting to Phase 4
2. When you get to Phase 4 be assertive but not mean - life down again afterwards
3. You are aiming for no more than 4 ounces of pressure in all 7 games
4. New phase 1 is life up
5. Most people wiggle the rope for phase 1 yo yo - and not just their finger so not a true phase 1
6. Stand with your shoulder next to the fence/obstacle for Squeeze (facing your horse).
7. In the allow (circle) relax and smile. If horse breaks gait do something about it - but not before
8. In the send (circle) tag the zone that has not left the quadrant

And there is like 12 other booklets - !!

It tells you what level you should be with your 7 games before moving on to the next stage.
There is certainly alot more detail in these L2 booklets (like the L1 booklets that I missed so much after L1).

I would recommend anyone struggling with L2 to buy these booklets on EBay. You get them new. Just search Old L2 Parelli. Here's a link actually

So after all that - Garbo had resorted to his hugging of my knees and cuddling me routine which I find so hard to resist..... (he gets lots of kisses)....

I took him back to his paddock and tried backing him through the partly open gate (it was open about 4ft wide) - he went all crooked and tried to turn around again - so I sent him through then went into his paddock and backed him out the gate - twice. He didn't rush too much - it was a snappy back up - lots of chewing so I brought him in and gave him his carrots.

First Parelli jump

It wasn't on our list of things to do but Garbo has been getting a bit bored with point to point so today we went into the jumping paddock at Royal Oak and there were a whole lot of low jumps and trot poles set up. It's quite a large paddock so he went quickly into trot and trotted up on top of the sand hill. I asked him down again and he trotted back the other way - then we cantered back to the sand hill, he got a treat at each point. He had his ears forward and was full of enthusiasm about the new game. We went through some trot poles that led to a jump and Garbo picked up canter on his own and jumped it - then he stopped nicely with a lift of the reins. I gave him a treat. Ahh - he says - new game -lets go and jump another one - and he was off. It was hilarious - we had such a cool time.

Even when I tried to walk him back to the float he was trying to go the other way.

He and Maraschino met today - Maraschino was in a paddock nearby so perhaps Garbo was showing off!

Yo Yo threshold

I found a bit of a sticky point today. Garbo couldn't back up through a yard doorway (Quite narrow) with the Yo Yo game (22 ft line) - firstly he just went crooked so he missed it all together. So I sent him into the stall and slowly asked him out but he rushed Zone 2 and 3 through - so with Zone 5 in the doorway I asked him to back up and he hesitated, I asked again, hesitated again, one more time (bigger phase) and he ran backwards as fast as I have ever seen and then snorted!

How interesting!

We played with this some more - first in the wash bay which is a bit wider and not closed in on top so much... then back to the yard...but he did it again - I tried one step at a time both ways, then two.... he did lots of smelling of either side of the entrance.

We went and did some hill therapy for a bit and then I asked him to back through the partly closed gate - he rushed backwards after Zone 5 was through - so we played a bit more (other stuff).

So - we have some stuff to work on there!

Tuesday

Well I feel a bit down - have no clue why!

I decided to fix the 'don't change gait, don't change direction' online with Garbo today and I had to get assertive (but not mean) - but I felt mean afterwards! He did lots of licking and head lowering like he used to do when we first started so I am not sure if I went too far (licking good but head lowering - to my knees - may be a little unconfidence). I had to tag in the quadrant (three times rhythmically) to get him to have any energy what so ever. He still did not manage to do a whole canter circle without my bull horn facing him.....yadda yadda yadda!

Finished up with some sideways - which he does beautifully to the left and a little stiltingly to the right - nearly on the end of 22ft line.

Then I went to see Maraschino. The two paddock mates tried to shoo him away from me when I walked in so they could say hi - finally managed to distract them for long enough to get to him - and give him a groom - just loose in the paddock. Then we did a couple of head lowering, pick up feets and he looked pretty knackered again! No serious bites though - just a little lump. No skin broken.

Phew what a day!

Well my new guy arrived about 10am and all my worries about him getting hurt or scared during loading and travelling were unfounded. He wandered slowly off the truck like a little kid arriving at a birthday party (a fairly shy kid).

Got the lady to put him in the square pen and she was really nice and waited for him to come down the ramp in his own time, and lead him round the round pen, got the travel buddy horse out also so he didn't panic. But he was so not panicking! I got him some hay and water and he was like 'cool - hay - thanks - munch'. She left the halter on and un-clipped the lead rope and walked out. I said - 'oh you forgot to take the halter'. She replied 'he doesn't know you - so you won't be able to catch him unless I leave it on'....

(deep breath Vicki)... "I'll be fine" I replied with a smile. Then I zig zagged over to him and calmly took his halter off and handed it back to her. That was such a cool feeling!

After I spent a little undemanding time with him in the pen, we added another youngster for him to play with and they weaved in and out of the barrels, trot poles, jumps and the play ball. Not a worry in the world.

Went away to get a coffee and leave him be for a while then when I came back I approached him again (this wee thing that is so hard to catch) - and put Blue's Parelli halter on him and he acted like he'd done it a thousand times. I did a little back up and lead forwards with very quick releases, a head down and release, some pick up your feet and released as soon as he tried...then a couple of turns where you out the rope over their head and along the outside of their body, round their butt and then apply steady pressure and they yield the other way and turn completely. He didn't panic and did it a step at a time - such a cool dude.

Then I led him to his new paddock - and he was so good - you know all the different surfaces, the gravel, the limerock, the grass... he didn't hesitate once. Good ole Stationbred hey!!

There he met his two new friends for a bit - Bob and D. A two and three year old. They followed him around for a bit - checking out the 'new guy' and then he looked exhausted and had a little sleep. I left him to it and went home for a bit.

Later in the day I rode Garbo - I really should have done some stuff on the ground first as he was very confused today - we would trot along the race and he would suddenly just turn sideways (facing the fence). He was a little hoppy - so I didn't push it - mainly stuck to walk. Garbo knew my direct line thinking for the day was to trot for 7 minutes all round the farm you see!

So I called it a day (mind you it was 5pm by this stage and we never normally ride at that time!) says Garbo

Different day

I was reading a blog this morning of a lady called Cathy who is currently at the ISC Florida doing a course. It was great - I couldn't stop reading it - she must make so many notes!! I love people that make good notes - I have only ever done it once in my life because the speaker was so interesting and didn't treat us like twits! Anyway her blog is http://www.freewebs.com/isccj/blog.htm in case you are interested.

So bearing alot of that in mind -mainly using life up and life down as phase 1 - I tried it out for yo yo - wow! Garbo picked up on my having my life up and mother in law face and took a step back, the blog also said to wait after one step and then do another - this really made Garbo lick and chew. I think this will help alot with his eagerness to be drawn back.

Before that we did friendly game with the plastic rustly bag and got up his neck (top and bottom) and between ears - not face yet. Took his mind off the truck backing up next to us anyway.

The other thing in the notes that struck a chord with me was at liberty leaving a door open during send.... often in circle at liberty (long range) Garbo will swap directions and look out of the arena. So I stepped back as I sent and also moved towards zone 5 - that kinda helped.

We then tried short range circle game at liberty and that actually worked really well.

So today - Garbo walk trotted and cantered round me very very closely at liberty - like he did not feel confident to move away, - sometimes when I asked for canter he would stick his ears back..... but - he didn't take off and leave!

We didn't stay on it too long. Other times he would go to the fence and do sideways instead of long range circle (very cute).

Did a bit of driving - man he hates driving FQ. Must do some work on that.

Then - after about an hour - I saddled him up - he must have thought - oh no - it was so hot and muggy but it was overcast so no hot sun beaming down - and the farm was unusually quiet so I just had to ride.

We started in the arena briefly and then went all over the farm and into all the open paddocks - trotted and cantered a bit - walked a big long walk to cool down, and did sideways - wow that's getting good.

Tomorrow I am going to trot everywhere for 7 minutes like in the book of Stephanie's.

Plastic bag

After watching Linda doing yo yo along side a fence, back and forwards, using a plastic bag on the end of the CS instead of the string - I thought - that looks cool - I wanna try that.

Guess what? Didn't play enough friendly with the plastic bag on end of CS!. Garbo loves plastic bags normally - they usually have food in them!! But on the end of the CS and moving - well that was a little hairy for him. A few snorts and jumps.... so more friendly needed! I'll do it every day for a while now.

Anyway - couldn't help myself - and my direct line thinking took over - tried the yo yo anyway. It worked but he was keeping a very close eye on that bag!

Then we tried change of direction!

Well what can I say - he is showing a new appreciation of the carrot stick.

I am slowly getting my head round the carrot stick being an extension of me, and it being like a horse would be - sometimes friendly, but with the upped energy and mother-in-law face it's a dominant horse being grumpy, snappy....

Before that I could not figure out how we would play friendly with the carrot stick and string and then use it to drive (the horse away) zones. But the penny is slowly dropping.

We did some sideways at trot!

Rode after that, didn't do much canter today - I think I had made myself a bit nervous after all the plastic bag stuff!! Went into the paddock anyway - Garbo was an angel though.

Cantering in paddock

I know alot of Level 2'ers did this in L1 but riding in a halter/hackamore was really a big scary deal for me - having only just started to ride 4 years ago....

Pre-Parelli Garbo had (once) spooked at a pine cone falling out of a tree in paddock and promptly did a 180 degree turn, when I fell off....hard ground - ouch - so since then I have been 'reluctant' to canter outside the arena. Funny how one thing like that gives you the heebie jeebies.

We have been doing so well cantering in the arena and riding out and about on the property. We went into the paddock briefly the other day - so I decided to go back in today - not really even planning on doing anything in particular (apart from walk round the paddock and trot over a small jump)....that was a big enough challenge I thought - but I was not nervous...those days have long gone (thank you Parelli)...

So we were doing some point to point and ride round things and back to jump (for a treat).....then he just offered canter. I could not believe how smooth and slow and relaxed his canter was - and he even offered it more than once. This is my LBI Swedish Warmblood....!! On the way back to the stable - (finishing on a good note) he started trotting down the race...had to pinch myself....but he stopped with one rein lifted (yay - I love my horse).

I love this programme!! The results just leave me speechless.

Best thing is I don't have to put my outside leg back to go sideways or canter, which always used to get me off balance.... this is a much better way....

*grinning from ear to ear* - which is really nice after all the crying last week after I had to put Blue to sleep

R.I.P Blue

That photo was the last photo I took of Blue before he passed away. And it's such a cute one.

Poor Blue had colic when I arrived on Monday 21st January 2008, at 3pm - I called the vet - they seemed to take ages to get there - they tried pain killers and anti-spasmodic injection. He improved slightly but about 6pm he started to get worse again. I knew at 9pm I was going to be faced with a horrible decision soon.... I couldn't bear to see him so tired - from all the getting up and down - and he was obviously in pain.

I called another vet, but then had to do what was best for Blue - as he just wa not getting better - and I could not see how he could recover from that point.

I stayed with him while Phil gave him a sedative first and then the injection - apart from Blue falling to the ground, it was reasonably peaceful - I stayed with him the whole time - in tears. It was hard to leave him - at 11pm we put some covers over him, and the next day he was buried in the paddock he died in - Garbo's paddock. Garbo misses him... and I do too - alot.

He was such a cute horse - and he was so loving and gentle.

Thanks for your time with me Blue - those 3 years went so fast.

Blue and the rope

Okay - so I do get it - Blue hates the rope. We spent ages today just playing friendly game with the rope to try and make him realise I was not going to hurt him with it. Blue spent the whole time trying to not let me get behind zone one with rope in hand. Phew - it was tiring - mentally and the fact it was so hot.

Finally I got to a stage where Blue was relaxed enough to graze while I half the 12ft line about halfway up and rubbed my hand all over him so the rope touched his sides and legs as I did. That took about an hour.

Then I took them both in for some grooming - this is them waiting to see if I was maybe going to bring them a carrot - cute hey!

Dante studying

This is my puttytat - he loves to watch (chase the rope) the Parelli DVDs with me!

Moving closer, staying longer

Today we did some more cantering - the transitions now are phase 2 which is great - need to get them to phase one - and I feel so comfortable cantering, with my thumb under my bum and loose reins! My legs don't grip and Garbo doesn't feel like he is rushing or out of control. It's wonderful.

I tried doing drop to trot by removing the canter lead by lifting that side of the rein.

Then we ventured out to the race and we trotted half of the race (that's a first) and then went into the big end paddock and trotted in there too. Rewarded by munches of grass - Garbo seemed to be having a great time. Only got a little way into the paddock - almost to the other side from the gate but about as far over as the trough (it's the same paddock that Garbo spooked at something over the other side and I fell off - ages ago).

Oh - and we did sideways down the race also.

Q&A from Linda Parelli

This was in this weeks Parelli E-News....

Question:
Eeek - I have created a monster!

I have watched all the L2 dvds now, plus all the L&HB dvds and started using incentives in the arena when riding because my Left Brained Introvert (LBI) gets oh so very bored in the arena.

I set up a barrel at each end of the 60m long arena and had treats at the ready. We were playing point to point for the first time.

He thought this was the BEST game ever when he got a treat at each barrel. And, after placing a trot pole half way down the arena he offered canter after the trot pole for the rest of the way (and stopped at the barrel when asked even though it was placed at the arena exit- which is always open - (unfenced arena). Offering canter was something he has never done pre-Parelli! I was so pleased. That was two weeks ago....

Today I was going to work on some circles and straight lines and getting rid of any opposition reflex on turns (when he wants to go the OTHER way)...

I mounted, walked into the arena and he immediately takes off to the barrel at the other end - in a fast trot. Yes - my LBI - the can't be bothered working hard horse!

We play that for a bit and then try to do some circles..... he put his ears back, stopping dead, swishing his tail, snotty snotty snotty.... - he just was not having it. We did a little sideways practice..... then tried again - nope! Head down like he was going to buck etc. I tried shaking my reins to try and make him not be snotty (thinking of the snotty face example in the L&HB dvd) but he just stopped and did it again when we carried on trotting.

Keep in mind I have only been riding for three years....and confidence has been a big issue for me - cantering in a halter alone (for the first time two weeks ago) was a big deal. So I am not quite ready to go ride in big paddocks just yet hence my reliance on arenas for now.

OK - so now he just expects treats all the time and if he doesn't get them he heads for the barrel at full speed!

Three weeks ago I used trot poles as obstacles in the circle game on the ground, stopping him at the trot pole, and gave him a treat. We had a fantastic session and did some liberty afterwards - a fantastic day. Now everytime he sees a trot pole he stops (even in circle game) and paws it or bites it!

Help!

Answer:
So give him treats! The idea here is not to find out what motivates your horse and then try to do it without. It's more about how to use it effectively. When you get too repetitive then you set up an expectation, but if you can use the same thing for different reasons, you're ahead. Here's an example. Right now, you've had great success going from point to point. Now, ask him to circle once around the barrel before giving him the treat. Next day, ask him to circle a couple of times and then just rest at the barrel and have the treat in your pocket so now he associates what he does with getting approval and reward from you. You could also place a treat only on one barrel so he has to go around it and then back to the one that does have a treat. So you construct different games and puzzles for him to get mentally engaged in. You could plant treats around the arena and go to them in different ways: backwards, sideways, slowly, making transitions, etc. etc. Learn to think in your mind: Hmmm... I know there's a treat over there in the corner, so how will I get him there? How creative can I be? Pretty soon he'll get into the habit of doing as you ask because it is interesting, and because there's something in it for him... sometimes a treat, sometimes a rest, sometimes a scratch. Pretty soon you'll be able to have all these be just as meaningful for him.

I think what you've done is used the treats only for the point to point, but then asked him to do something different and he can't see the reason for it. So he has a tantrum. Rather than try to make him do it, sit there and pet him. Ask for things very slowly, just a step or two and then pet him. This kind of horse is looking for ways to dominate and frustrate you, but if you ask less than he expects, and you pet him when he gets obstinate he will run out of ways to do that. I know it probably doesn't make much sense to you, but really try to crawl inside his skin, understand his Horsenality and then you'll start to see how the smallest things can bug him when he doesn't see the reason for it.

This kind of horse (LB Introvert) is very frustrating for most trainers. Pretty soon the spurs and whips stop working. The tantrums get too big or he just plain flops on the ground and won't move. Force doesn't work, kindness and knowing what is important to him does. He keeps saying "No! Why should I?!" And you will learn to demonstrate to him, "Because I'll love you and give you what you like too".

I understand that you are worried about going outside the arena, but you've actually chosen the best Horsenality to do exactly that with. LB Introverts are super trail horses because they feel like they're going somewhere and life gets interesting. And they don't really want to use much energy so slow and steady works just fine out there. Getting them to perform in an arena is the hardest, so here's what I suggest: Start doing less in the arena and start venturing outside, little by little. First take him out on line, do walking trail rides with you on the ground on a 12' line. Observe his behavior, see how he reacts to things, get him to do interesting things like back through gates, up or down little hills, go around trees, over logs and ditches, etc. That will gradually build you the confidence to do it on his back. And the first time you are on his back in this situation, practice getting off every few minutes, even if you don't feel the need to. This helps build it in as an automatic response if at anytime you don't feel confident. Get off more than you think you should and it will actually build your confidence!

Linda

PS By the way, you did not create a monster. That monster was always there, potentially! What you've done is awakened the side of him that was dulled out to people, so look after it well and don't let anyone talk you into using punishment or higher phases instead or you really will find a monster in there.

Blue again

Garbo had a day off today after our really big ride in the boiling hot sun yesterday. We did loads of canter practice (I was practicing getting my thumb under my bottom - and omg it works so well - could feel my legs relaxing immediately). And it makes you lean back too. I felt so much more relaxed cantering and trotting around the place.... it was great fun. Muscles - particularly tummy ones and tops of legs are sore today!

OK - so Blue today - I squeezed him through the small gap between the wash bay and the stalls and in and out of the stall (he is a pro at that now) and up and down off the wash bay. He was so good. Then we did a bit of circle game and changes of direction (he was a little unconfident for those on the resend) and then friendly with the rope and lateral flexion, some sideways and a wash down! OH and we always start by squeezing through between mine and another float to the dandelions.

Blues progress

Think we are up to Blues 6th Parelli session (or 7th).... and I was amazed this last session how far he has come.

I have realised that the slack in the 22ft line dragging on the ground makes him speed up so I spent 30 minutes leading him around the paddock with the rope dragging along behind me (and beside him) until he relaxed and realised it wasn't actually a snake.

Russell Higgins said that circle game problems stem from a problem with driving game or friendly game - so in Blues case definitely the Friendly Game. So anyhow I decided just to do some sending through small spaces, squeeze game, and sent him into the stall, stop half way through the opening - that was hard, but got easier. Then up and down to and from the wash bay (ledge of about 1foot), through a gap where two open gates meet in the race - until he did it calmly. It all went really well.

So time to try the circle game again I think. After lots of friendly of course.

ps I can't go near him with the carrot stick yet - I actually don't need it yet..... he changes direction on the circle with the slightest signal....and I can easily drive him with air or my hands...

Water hole

It was a lovely sunny hot day today so we headed off to Royal Oak. Much to my surprise Garbo headed confidently for the water jump and went straight in when I asked him....

He had a great time!!

Then we went for a walk around the bridle path inhand to deal with some thresholds (alone) - this first picture says everything - we were under the willow trees and the sheep hide under there, and birds fly out of the river next to it.... - still never too nervous to take a bite of grass - nervous nibble....

The next day was alot better.... then we rode it too with someone walking next to us..... next step on our own....

Posing for the camera

Check out the rhythm beads!

Sunday at Royal Oak

Well today turned out to be a very good day - we sold our house! So as at Feb 21 we are the proud new owners of 3.5 acres of land so we can build a barn and live in it until we build our house - and - have Garbo and Blue at home on a track system - yay!

So - digressing!....

Did some ground work and riding today.... Garbo remembers the point to point game so well that he just takes off towards the barrel at the end of the arena (so unlike the pre-parelli him!)... it's so funny.....

I tried some circles today too but he wanted to play point to point. Rode a bit with the carrot stick - this is up doing a downwards transition from trot to stop.

Saturdays adventures

I had a really good day today too. Made a bit of a breakthrough with Blue. He would not let me be behind zone 1 while I was holding the rope on the farside (near side not so bad) - let alone the Carrot Stick! You know he is so sensitive (or scared) that I can do circle game on a 22ft line, changes of directions, and yo yo without even holding the Carrot Stick. He will never be a 'make me' horse....he will never be one I need to tag!

Complete opposites Garbo and him. Blue is Right Brain Introvert and Garbo Left Brain Introvert/Extrovert!! Garbo is mainly introverted but getting more extroverted as he gets more confident.

Anyway so I put my hand (standing on the far side zone 3) on his back while holding the balance of the 22ft line in my other hand with quite a lot of slack in the rope, and he just kept backing up and turning trying to face me - no way was he going forward if I was not in front of him. After about 10 minutes (and some on the other side reasonably successfully) he would take one step but turn towards me at the same time - so I had to drive his nose away from me (lifting my other hand towards his nose) - of course he still didn't go forward until finally he took a step and I rubbed and stopped. This went on for another 10 minutes. Then I led him for a bit till he started licking again, then we did some yo yo - he thinks if he is on the end of a line he must circle NOW, so unfortunately I had to do a few phase 4 shaking of the rope to stop him doing that half way through yo yo. Then he got the idea.....

Then I went back to zone 3 on the far side and managed to get him walking round nearly 1/4 of the paddock (not too far from the gate!) - so I used driving his nose again to get him to go away from the gate for a period of time and stopped when he had made some good steps away.

Then I rubbed him all over with the rope (slowly) - he was very jumpy - esp on the far side past zone 3.....but I persisted and stopped when he was still.... trouble is I had to be careful he wasn't actually scared and going introverted. Phew he licked finally......

Then we did some circles - just half a circle and come in - then the other way...he is always asking to come in like that Paint on Level Two dvd with Linda (Garbo doesn't do that - he just comes in regardless!)..... and then the other way - of course makes sense now why going to the right is harder for him....

I also noticed he would go faster when the slack in the 22ft line would drag on the ground - so I decided to walk him round the paddock with me leading him and the rest of the 22ft rope dragging along beside him until he was better - from both sides!

So after about another 20 minutes - he was licking and YAWNING - first yawn. So I ended there and untied him - put the rope and halter on the ground and gave him a rub all over.....he sniffed the lead rope and halter and then off he went and did a few blows and chased Alle! Funny. Alle is his paddock mate she is a 16.3 black warmblood mare - and he bosses her around. Go figure.

Oh - and after playing with Blue which one of the grazers told me must have been over an hour, I rode Garbo - he is a bit itchy and grumpy from grass allergies so I need to get some more herbs for him, but I watched all of the DVDs now from Liberty and HB and there was one where they had to wipe the snotty look off the dominant horse's face - so I did that with Garbo today.

He was trotting beside me in the arena (stick to me) and his face was like "what the f**k are we doing this for so I shook the lead rope Phase 4 and he stopped like Whoa Nelly!!..... then I asked for trot again and he had the same look so I did it again..... then he was ears forward sweet as pie.

When he is in his paddock and I take his feed in he has his ears back as he is walking beside me to the place I put the bucket....has always done it although like the Parelli Q&A this week - I can pat him while he is eating, and he is fine, no ears back at all.....only when I am carrying the food in his paddock (he is fine if I am leading him back in while holding the bucket)... so today I drove him away (waving arms at him) each time he did it - hoping like hell no one else saw what I was doing - they were already giving me those looks while I was riding in my hackamore..... and it worked - took about 4 goes but then he was like ears forward, ok Mum..... YAY!!

OK - my ride - I rode down the race (even past a new young filly that Garbo soooooo would have been keen on saying hi to - and risked her running along with us - but she didn't.... always nervous he will buck when others get excited.... but since doing Parelli none of the other horses have got excited when we ride down there!! Hmmmm how interesting!

Then we went into an empty paddock and I tried doing figures of eight on a casual rein but that was a disaster, then I tried sideways along a pole - got one step.....then he took a bite of the pole!

.... then just did a couple of point to points, tried doing tit for tat but still have this niggling fear that he will go to a corner and spook and do a 180 and run back to gate..... he has done that ONCE before when a pine cone fell out of a tree (a really high tree).... so we just walked back to the barn, past the horses, and the filly and he was so good. So apart from the things I was trying to do which didn't work today - well I tried.... hey!

Always tomorrow!

Canter

After spending some time improving our changes of direction and sideways online today I saddled Garbo up and put his beads on and we went riding. I stood on the side of the arena to get on and realised I had forgotten something so left Garbo there and went back to the stable. I headed back to him and he was just standing there looking at me - so sweet.

I had some trot poles still laid out and we trotted a bit over those. We just headed off towards the other end of the arena and he offered trot (this was so not normal 5 months ago) - and then he offered canter, and kept offering canter. The only hard part for me was the circle (turning) I keep leaning in - I have to remember to keep my focus above my shoulders (weight to the outside).

It was so much fun.

Then I got off and put the rope over his neck and ran around the arena and he followed me and stopped when I stopped and trotted when I ran. We did this all the way back to the stable.

No bucks now since August and no lameness either.

Didn't get to work with Blue today - time just flies! Tomorrow!

Rhythm Beads

Today we tried out our new beads - they are wooden and they match Garbo quite well. He wasn't too sure at first when I tried putting them over his head but he was fine with me hanging them over his ears - so off we went for a ride. I think the part that annoyed him was the mane clip...I shall have to get inventive.

My rhythm beads you ask? Well I like the sound and the look of them (secretly always wanted to be a red Indian) - here are some google reasons!

• Modern rhythm beads emulating the beads, bells, shells and feathers worn according to the American Indian customs – intended to both attract good spirits to the horse and rider and protect them from evil spirits. The eagles feather, for example, was said to aid the sharpness of the eye and make the horse fleet of foot. The make up of the necklets also identified tribe, warrior status and chiefs.
• Beneficial qualities of wearing certain colours to influence both the body and spirit – turquoise said to be a very powerful protective and healing colour.
• The powers of crystal vibration affecting the body at cellular / subconscious level to both heal and influence the body both emotionally and physically.
• The sounds of the bells aiding the horse and rider at a conscious and subconscious level to aid concentration.

Water jump

Yesterday was a fabulous day weather wise and Parelli wise - or savvy wise.

The day before (Sunday) I had taken Garbo down to the large water jump at Royal Oak - on previous occasions he had just avoided looking at it - but on Sunday three other horses went in for a play Both Sunday and Monday were really hot days) - but still on Sunday he just looked and watched and took it all in. I walked around the edge but didn't ask him in, then we went home.

Had a great ride before that - we were doing point to point - Garbo offered canter and his canter is so much nicer now - this was all in our new hakamore. He enjoyed the game and so did I!

So Monday - I was going to ride but it was so hot that Michelle said she was going to take Taz to play in the water jump so we went along too. After Taz going in a couple of times and making big splashes I could see Garbo really wanted to go in but wasn't sure how. He was a little unconfident.

I asked him in (once) and then waited while he thought about it. I just waited calmly not too focussed on him, until he turned away or stopped trying - then I would back him up a couple of steps quietly and ask him again..... he would look at the water, sniff it - pretend to nibble the grass on the edge while looking at Taz playing in it.... then we would go round the side and say hi to Taz.... so then I would ask him again.... at one point he got his nose in.... (wet) - it was so funny watching him think.... he was blinking and chewing and licking...... and gradually his confidence came back.

He never once panicked which was great.

After about 5 or 6 minutes of this I asked him again and I stood on the very edge of the ledge on a piece of grassy mud - and he went straight in.

I took his halter and rope off and sat on the grass in the sun and watched him and Taz play in there for 20 minutes. Taz thought she could make a big splash until Garbo started pawing in the water - first with one foot - then the other... it was so funny.....

After a while they both got out and we played with them at liberty for a while and then washed them off and I took Garbo home - he loaded straight away - he was so cool.

I didn't ride but it was a huge achievement today - first time in the water jump.! All without losing his confidence or trust or dignity.

Obstacles

Today at Royal Oak we played with three obstacles. The swiss ball, cones, and a tarp.

Garbo was so chilled out - he was investigating the tarp while I was getting poles to weight it down, and we played stop at the cone, over the tarp (even at canter). There were two poles holding down the tarp too so it was doubly tricky......

After a short ride he followed me back to the float with no rope.... and he just chilled out.

Liberty and Horse Behaviour

I am up to DVD 4 of this study programme and it has helped me immensely with reading Garbo and when he is being dominant vs confident vs playful vs unconfident.

Todays 'task' from the DVD was to play the 7 games with 3 obstacles using our new strategies and knowledge of reading horse behaviour and then applying the relevant strategies.

So - what did I do different?

Well after watching the demo with Mickey (horse) and Linda - he was alot like Garbo and did the head down thing too - so I realised the head down (head in the sand) was definitely a lack of confidence (he couldn't look at me) which I had suspected but wasn't 100% sure until today. Although he is confident he can be an unconfident learner. So today I was less 'firm' which Jackie had suggested for the dominance and I was more quiet but asking, and he responded really well and I didn't lose his confidence at all.

When asking him to change direction on the circle at trot from right rein to left rein he avoids it/evades it, so today I just brought him back to walk and did it all in extra slow motion. And it worked. I think getting all dominant back at him was just making him less confident and a little fearful.

I am also very aware of not ruining my rapport and not ruining by draw....

So we also did some driving from Zone 3 nearly at the end of the 22ft line which I had not done before. I got him to stop at the cone on the circle so he didn't get bored - he picked that up pretty quick - and his trot was even better - more relaxed.

I was actually in the sloping paddock with Blue as the arena crowd wouldn't have liked my obstacles (a swiss ball, trot poles and a cone). And Blue just watched! Garbo was great, cantering past Blue without getting all wound up....

Then I took the rope off - large paddock, Blue loose in same paddock - not really setting it up for success but I had my treats for incentives! So we did walk/trot/walk/halt with me beside him and for the first time he learnt to back up and or stop with just the carrot stick to the front and side of him (not in front of him).

Then we went and investigated the swiss ball again (at liberty), then we did some small circle game at walk and trot and ended it on a good note.

I walked away and he kept following me. I went to fix some electric tape and he went to have a drink (and smell some poos - as you do) and I was about 50ft away. He looked up, ears forward and came trotting over to me - so cute!

I was really happy with todays session.... lots of good stuff.

Oh - the other things I did differently? I didn't stay on one task too long - did it once good and moved on, I didn't focus on the obstacle, at one point I tried to play 'don't touch the swiss ball' and it worked - he stuck his nose on it.

I released my energy alot and had lots of friendly breaks. I backed him up alot (good for dominance issues) and that fixed most things pretty quickly.

He offered sideways along a pole too!

Level 2 Clinic

Well I have decided after attending my 5th clinic that I am not a clinic kind of person!

I really don't get much out of them and like to ask my own questions without it being a 'group' question. Maybe I am introverted I dunno - but I don't imagine I will attend another.

Don't get me wrong the Parelli clinic was great, Jackie Chant was a good instructor but I feel it's down time learning stuff that I had already done myself at home. Also it was 50/50 ground/riding and I didn't feel I was ready to do that much/that level of riding since I had not really started the Level 2 riding as yet.

Anyway - Garbo was a little on edge when the whole 8 horses went into a big paddock (really windy weekend) with their humans to 'play'. For a horse that at home I have trouble getting much energy out of on the circle he was circling me on the end of the 22ft line at canter every time another horse looked like he was coming near us.

Jackie used Garbo in a couple of demos and everyone was impressed with his draw and his bring back - I have always had more trouble getting him to go away from me.

So - Jackie worked on some dominance issues with him, and we worked on them too - ie not crowding me on the bring back.

Jackie had him going sideways along a fence at trot which I was quite impressed with - didn't know Garbo had it in him to be honest!

My one criticism of Jackie would be that she 'does' alot herself, with your horse, and is not that good at telling you what to do 'while' you are doing it. She's more of a 'watch me and I'll show you' person - which I find is not the best way of learning for me personally. I have to be able to 'do' it for myself - more than once, for it to stick.

But - I picked up some good tips and met some other people doing Parelli which was a nice change. Everyone was pretty friendly.

This piccy is of Garbo in his yard at the clinic checking things out at lunch time.

Sleep over

I left Garbo at the clinic - in this really steep paddock. He had a friend which was great.

This is him having dinner while the other horse waits patiently for left overs.

Heading home

This is a quick video from yesterdays threshold work.

Moving away from pressure

Since starting Parelli Garbo has stood on his rope loads of times. Initially he would over-react as if I had done it to him - now he figures out the pressure and what to do... check it out...

Thresholds

We dealt with thresholds for Garbo today - recognising when he becomes unconfident and then retreating a little and going back again - a bit further. It was only the drive way but he doesn't have a lot of confidence down there so we just took it slow and had lots of grass stops along the way - a few circles. We stopped and chatted to the other horses along the way and played with some obstacles along the way too.

It was lots of fun.

Today also for the first time the 22ft line felt too short! Didn't think I would ever say that....

He is still a little lame on the right circle initially if lacking impulsion..... and reluctant on the left circle (quicly changes directions as soon as I look away)... really looking forward to the clinic next weekend.

Passed Level 1

Great news - just found out I passed Level 1 - yay!!!

Sent my DVD in to Jackie about a week ago and she emailed me last night - yay! She said a good effort and a pass, some things need a little tweaking but I am going to her clinic at Labour Weekend - double yay.
2nd good news....
Played with Garbo today in the paddock not the arena - Rachel said he was a bit tight in his back end left muscles and to canter him lots. Well she was talking about riding and I am not up to that yet so I decided to get a paddock with a slope and start some hill therapy. She was saying I needed to take him to the track but that's a bit scary for me at the moment - little steps!

I had my 22ft line and we started with yo yo - then circle - and got him up to canter - it was actually easy - he did it on the downhill because it was easier so I just asked him to stay in canter. Did both sides quite well and started travelling so he could canter more straight lines too.

Then - I took the rope off - this paddock is big - probably 5 arenas big. I did yo yo first and then asked for a circle and he trotted round me - as he was heading down hill (towards the open paddock area rather than towards the fence/gate) I thought - this is where he'll just keep going and not circle if he decides to.... BUT he didn't he circled me and then came in! We did it again and he did it again - both ways.... I was so proud my pony! Gave him lots of hugs.

So then I started driving from zone three and doing the stay with me....at trot (to each patch of grass) turning both left and right.... (no rope still).... and he followed me and mirrored my gait (not canter though - have not tried that yet)......

He wandered off once and I zig zagged towards him - really just to re-attach the rope thing to myself - test it at liberty, fix it online, when he turned towards me ears forward so I made the noise Linda tells you to make for going in the saddle in L1 and came trotting over to me!!

I trotted him over to a scary part of the paddock and he wandered away from it after checking it out, so I thought - oh well good time to go and get the rope and take him in..... so started walking back towards the line over the other side of the paddock.... and when he saw I had got like 50ft away he came trotting up to me and walked beside me the rest of the way.

WOW.... so cool

Still worried about this lump on his head though... vet coming Tuesday.

Waiting for the rain to stop

Just squeezed in a ride before the rain - well in between showers actually on Sunday.

Garbo waiting patiently

Today it's been hail, thunder, lightening!

October already

We are officially into month 4 of Parelli.

We have been having our challenges and also making progress.... (with Level 2).

Garbo appears to lack confidence out on the circle at trot and canter (but not so at walk). Also I can get him to do sideways - with and without a fence, from close but get further away and he takes no notice what so ever.

I have been working on strengthening my Sends for the circle, Jackie suggested just practising sends and come backs, and let the circle sort itself out in time.

Done quite a bit more driving from Zone 3 to build his confidence. Even did some at walk trot and canter at liberty in the square pen which was pretty cool.

Riding wise - have not done alot more since the filming but getting more confident. Happy to go in and out of the arena with the rope halter and one rope - went down the race a couple of times as well - it was most relaxing - the kids were away and no one else was at the farm and the sun was shining!! Couldn't ask for much more really.

I have signed up for the Labour Weekend Level 2 clinic plus have a private lesson on the Tuesday. Cool!

Level one assessment filmed

We finished filming my assessment today! It was a nice fine day and I taped off the gate to the arena and off we went. Well we started with saddling without being tied up (loose rope), and then went on to mounting from both sides, dismounting from both sides, and then the 21 minutes Pushing Passenger lesson at trot. Garbo kept doing the same route it was hilarious, down to the dandelions then back to the gate. Everything they say about LB horses needing incentives and being food orientated is so Garbo (and seeing the arena as pointless)!

Well I think it was 20 minutes in the end - but we made it without too many stops in between. He even went into canter a few times (at the same spot each time). That was a first for me - in the rope halter and one rope.

Then we did follow the rail for 2 laps each way and then the emergency dismounts from both sides.

Hopefully I'll pass.

Garbo was pretty knackered after that.

Liberty - 1st try

Today *big grin*

Did our first games at Liberty today - we had done sideways and driving from Zone 3 in the jumping arena at Royal Oak - to get to know the paddock then I did some PPL (building up to 21 mins at trot for L1 assessment!!)... I don't think Garbo has ever trotted for 21 minutes in a row - let alone me!

Anyway- PPL - there were two hills of piled up sand in the paddock and he kept going up onto the top and looking around like he was thinking - "I'm the King of The Castle" - it was so funny.... coming down was interesting!

So - we then went into the round pen and I took the rope off... did some driving game, then tried Yo yo - he kind went sideways, but the come back was FAB! (ears forward looking very pleased) so then I asked for a circle and he circled and then I asked him over a jump - he went over and turned and faced - I asked him back the other way and he hesitated - once he started chewing the pole on the jump *rolleyes* ..... I asked again and he lifted up one foot (I nearly cried - this was from 20ft away and no rope).... I backed him up and asked him again and he circled over the jump - then he just kept jumping over the jump and turning and facing the jump again!

He looked very pleased with himself. I was extremely pleased!

I asked him into the middle and he came trotting over, didn't crowd me....

I think he was relieved to have the rope off! Yay.... fantastic progress today.

Worming - solving problems

Ok - so next challenge on the Solving Problems lesson was worming. ANd today he had a whole syringe of apple sauce - and I was crouching on the ground - yay!!

So happy.

Sideways without a fence

Sideways was always an issue for Garbo and I - and I knew it would be a major breakthrough when we could do sideways from both sides.... I was actually really surprised how quickly he got sideways with a fence from one side so quickly. When I saw in L2 it was sideways without a fence I though holy moley - I better get practising with a fence! Couldn't ignore it anymore.

The circle game had sort of come undone on the 22ft line also lately and I had to think about being more subtle as he really only seems to need subtle aids - any more than Phase 1 he gets unconfident and takes it personally....

Well -here's what I tried today..... and it worked!

1. Friendly in between circles but I did lots like rubbing all over, finding itchy spots - so kind of rewards... and stayed away from Zone One (didn't just pat his head) - I stood back by his wither and he seemed to relax heaps quicker - even snorted heaps

2. I added a jump on one side of the circle (yeehaa)... he had lots of fun

3. I upped to phase 2 after a long phase one for the send and added more energy

4. I looked out of the corner of my eye and listened while looking down for him to come in behind me on the circle and I just waved the savvy string in his direction and he kept going - AND he didn't come in on top of me on the bring in

5. added some poles in a line on the ground for the sideways without a fence and every time he made a few good steps I took him over to the side of the arena for some dandelions - he loved that - and OMG - sideways without a fence - we did it today!!!

Oh - Garbo figured out what happens before what happens happens, some more today - I was yo-yoing him back to start the circle game and he just started circling!

I love my pony!!

Injections

Well today we did loads.....

Started off in the paddock - on a slope redoing the short range circle game to the left to try and build up his confidence again on the left. Then slowly let him drift out. I tried not to let him come in too much. He seems to be worried about me using >phase one while he is circling (maybe since we started transitions) so comes in before I get a chance to do anything. Anyway - we made some small improvements.

Then I did some driving from zone 3 on both sides - towards this big cow - which came running at us! and Garbo didn't freak out.

Then we did some sideways down the outside of the fence paddock - up and down the hill plus round the corner also - lots of fun...

Then some circle game up and down a bank, with some grass stops (to the left to build confidence) on the circle...

Back at the stable we worked on Solving Problems injections.... with my trusty toothpick I simulated the injection and he was shaking then turning his head towards me and then down... but while I was working on getting rid of the shaking he shook his head and turned towards me real fast and bonked me on the head - now I have a lump on my head.!

I carried on after some ice and the shaking appears to have stopped! He kind of looked at me like OOOPs... when it happened.... the instinct was to slap him for hitting me - but I didn't.... just went OUCH!

So a good day all in all....