Ride in the sun

Today was a lovely spring day and I had about an hour window when I could ride. George doesn't like me to ride if I am home alone and he was due to leave at 2pm, so at 1pm after trying some figure eights on the ground (unsuccessfully) I got on to try them from above. I need to watch the 2nd to last Savvy Club DVD again carefully because all I seem to do is confuse Garbo - online as you can see.I didn't stick a saddle on (riding is so quick these days with no bridle or saddle - I just tie the other end of the 12ft line to the halter!) so I jumped on and Garbo put up with figure 8's for about 4 times...so then we did some carrot stick riding and went for a lovely walk round the track.

We did a little bit of disengaging the HQ and sideways but it was a bit messy.

Maraschino was so good - it's the first time I have got Garbo out of the paddock without getting him out too, he came cantering over to the gate when he realised but then just looked, saw we weren't going far, and carried on eating. He was such an angel.

In the afternoon my friend brought her horse around for me to have a play with. She describes his as naughty mainly. He freaked out at the Shetland Pony next door after he got off the float so I took him off her and backed him up alot - I would describe him as playful and dominant - just like Garbo actually. Her lead rope was too short so we swapped to my halter and rope.

After quite alot of yo yo I showed my friend how to start at phase one. It's funny watching others do exactly what you did once, she was clucking to make him go backwards - I asked her if he knew what that signal meant? She admitted probably not. I asked her if it meant backwards - I didn't suspect it did.

She is quite petite so he would try to dominate her quite alot especially when leading so much to her embarrassment I taught he the chicken flapping while leading and backing up.

Then we did some porcupine and I tried a bit of circle game (she told me he always comes in on the lunge). It was alot for them both to learn in one day - Tital was yawning flat out after a while, and I think my friend was too. I have told her to do yo-you and porcupine (and polite leading) every day for a week at least.

I saw her later and she said he normally chases the older horse when he gets in the paddock but today he just went and sniffed him and then started eating!

First trip out from new home

The boys went on an outing today to Royal Oak. It's a great place for a youngster because it has a large square pen right next to the arena so I can pop Maraschino in there loose with hay and water while I ride/work with Garbo and they can still see each other.

It's the first time either of them have been off our property since they arrived here.

I wasn't even nervous, maybe a little bit about loading Maraschino, but not about loading or riding Garbo. Since our marathon trailer loading day he has been an angel. I had not ridden him since early July.

Anyway - Garbo loaded straight on, and began munching on hay. Maraschino heard Garbo eating his carrot (I always give him a carrot when he loads nicely), and pricked up his ears looking into the float. I led him on and he backed out a little (after taking quite a few steps in), and he stood at the bottom of the ramp and chewed on the ridges on the ramp, and then pawed. Need I say more? We waited.

Garbo turned his head round as if to say 'c'mon we are going where the sheep are'...

My friend tapped him lightly on the hind end while I stood at Zone 2 and patted him. It only took a little bit more of this and he was in. We closed the divider and he only just fitted!! He didn't kick out, rush back, rear or panic - I was so impressed.

We arrived (the drive took about 15 minutes I guess), and opened the back door and ramp and undid his divider (I have an angle load), and he backed out quietly.

Next came Garbo - well for what ever reason - as soon as I undid his divider, he straightened up and rushed out backwards - he was covered in sweat. Two possibilities - he was hot -I had the windows open but not the top vent - and it was a really hot day today (17). Or he got a fright about something, or wondered where I was taking him - who knows. He was fine on the way home. Maybe he was just out of practice.

So I put Maraschino in the square pen and Garbo was a bit jumpy so we started straight away in the arena doing 7 games. He had quite a bit of energy and offered trot and canter transitions, we did travelling circle, sideways round and L shape pole (well two poles). It was great fun and I think Garbo thought so too.

Sorry - I have no photos.

Then I tied Garbo up next to his hay and got Maraschino out. Had to play catching game for about a minute to catch him, but after that he was fine. We played put your nose on that for quite a bit after reading about other RBI's liking this game. He seemed to really like it. We did a bit of circle, yo yo, and head down. He was quite tired by now.

Then I put a bareback pad on Garbo and had a lovely ride. Garbo was relaxed and happy and even happy to go round the arena and over poles. He seemed to be enjoying seeing all the horses there. Catching up with the gossip maybe.

My friend then got on him and I handed Maraschino's 12ft line to her - she was going to see how they both were with ponying. They were great. Maraschino had a couple of spooks but Garbo remained calm and at one point just told Maraschino to get off his hind end (he didn't think he was allowed up to Zone 3 so would keep following Garbo's tail instead).... with a little kick... but apart from that they were both great.

The float loading on the way home was just as good and Garbo didn't sweat on the way back either. Maraschino turned and came out forwards calmly which was great, then they both went off to graze. A great day out. I got sunburnt!

Lead by the leg LBI style

This is Garbo doing (or not) lead by the leg. He just can not see the point. He has a huge amount of opposition reflex as you can see. And as you can also see by his back feet he is not making any effort what so ever to move, or to rebalance. I just crack up laughing after a while.

Ok I'll move it one inch!

But that's it! This really is a boring game Mum. Why are we doing it?

Let me show you how it's done Garbo. It's a bit scary but I am getting used to it now. My leg doesn't shake as much.

This is Maraschino standing on top of the clay pile aka the new Parelli play hill.

I tried backing Garbo up and down (yo-yo) it yesterday but he went pretty crooked.... kind of turned the yo yo into sideways! Heehee.


This is Maraschino trying to eat one of the most prickliest ferns on earth!!!


What??!!

See this pile of clay

Well - I am going to cover it in top soil as soon as I can get a wheelbarrow in there, and plant grass on it and some horse herbs and it will be my Parelli hill - since this middle paddock is going to be my play area.

I stood on top of it today and Maraschino came rushing over to join me up there. We stood up there for ages with me rubbing him.

Planted some flaxes around the septic tanks yesterday (hence the photo)... I want to get it to a point where I can remove the tape and the horses won't go in that area.

We didn't do much today - it was really windy so the boys had a day in the paddock, I brought them in about 3.30pm for a groom and then gave them their dinner.

This is Maraschino looking at the silly pony (his words) next door running around hoping for some food.

Figure 8

I don't have the patterns DVDs yet - but today I decided to try figure 8 with moth my boys - around buckets in the washbay.

Garbo got it pretty quickly and hesitated slightly when going past me from my right to my left, and Maraschino had trouble going from my left to my right at the same place (closest spot to me in both instances).

I read on the latest Parelli email that the lady commenting on the Patterns DVDs had tried Figure of 8 with her LBI and he really enjoyed it - Garbo seemed to as well.

Looking forward to trying it with barrels in the paddocks. They are nearly dry enough.

This is Garbo playing Figure 8 with Maraschino!!



Yes, I left covers off and Garbo has a Mud Bath.

After a lovely day of new grass on what was like a summers day today, I went into the middle paddock to get the boys about 4pm.

I haltered Garbo and thought Maraschino would just follow - and he did, adding in a bit of a spring buck and canter on the way up the hill... Garbo tried running forward on the 12ft line (with me on the other end ) and then realised I was attached/he was attached, and he turned and faced me. I bumped the rope and he calmed down straight away. Maraschino was intent on having a run and I just let Garbo have a long rope and reminded him politely to stay beside me no matter what. He did - he is such a good boy. It will be great when it's even drier and they can have a good run around. Mind you by the look of some of the paddock they have been doing a bit of Spring Fever action.

I tied Garbo up in the wash bay and Maraschino went into his yard (very cute) and so I gave him his apple and shut the gate.

Then I took their covers off and groomed Garbo - they both fell asleep in the sun. Garbo was in a very good mood, amazing what a bit of grass can do!! We even had some cuddles.

I then spent a bit of time in Maraschinos yard and he held his head low and gave me a cuddle too. So nice having content horses.

They didn't eat all their dinner and have been very quiet (usually indicating snoozing) in the yards all night.

2nd sunny day

Well today we had some more sun, shock, horror!


I did lead by the leg with Maraschino again today and managed to do it without 'leading' him from Zone 1 as well, ie just pressure on his leg. You could see the light bulb go off in his head actually.



This is Maraschino's little security blanket - he bites my zipper end on all my jackets and holds it in his mouth.


He still has it in his mouth here...

Rope leg tangle

Maraschino got his leg over his lead rope again today while tied up. As soon as he feels thre pressure on his leg he backs up - which makes it worse, so he backs up more, until finally the baling twice breaks (that the rope is tied to).

So guess what we worked on today??? Lead by the leg. Initially he just went backwards with any pressure on the rope so I just led him round like Pat did on last months savvy club dvd, with the rope round his leg at the same time. Slowly I began putting a little more pressure on the leg rope at the same time. He was holding his breath a bit and did a big swallow afterwards, but he manged a couple times round the wash bay... then he had a rest, and licked, and then we did some on the other leg too.

I am going to do it every day for 7 days!

3rd post for today!

I heard Maraschino jumping around in his yard about 3pm after putting them in there about 2pm when the rain started (after an hour of long grass). I think Maraschino had decided he wasn't finished eating grass!

After talking on Google Talk with Cilla last night I had a think about what I needed to do in my session with him to calm him down and yet not make him introverted. Isn't it great how you can talk to a Parelli friend and they have fresh eyes and ideas... and in turn it makes you lick and chew. Thanks Cilla.

So - we started with back in and out of yard initially rather than just leading him out - we did this about 4 times and then one step forward, one step back. I can do all of that at Phase one, Phase two if he gets stuck.... complete opposite to how Garbo was initially.

Oh - we had a break in the rain too!

Once in the wash bay (Garbo stayed in his yard and took notes) I did friendly without the carrot stick as Cilla suggested. He looks at me very suspiciously sometimes so I worked on any areas he didn't like me touching, lightening my pressure (touch) on his uncertain areas (near his hooves)... he started licking and chewing which was great. We spent ages just playing friendly and he seemed to really appreciate it, he gave me lots of cuddles - he is such a smoochy horse.



Then I tried friendly with the 12 ft line, just popping it over his neck and pulling it back over and back again... after a bit more of that he started yawning! About 6 yawns. He is so funny when he yawns he sticks his tongue way out - it's hilarious.



Then we did some polite gentle sends and he did a whole circle at walk!!

Then I asked for move your FQ and HQ porcupine at phase one and focussed over the top of him (even though I can't quite see over his withers!!).. and he moved a whole circle both ways - yay.

Then we stopped and waited. More yawning - about 10 more, and then head down and he licked my hands for so long Garbo thought he was missing out on some treats (ears back).... he seems to do that for comfort (Maraschino not Garbo).

And - it's been all quiet in the yards since.

Thanks for making me think Cilla!!

Then I did a bit of circle with Garbo since I have figured out how to do it in the wash bay with a pole in the middle! And some yo-yo and that was all for him.... sorry Garbo.

Worried turns to phew

I took this video today as well. It shows Maraschino a bit tense (how he looks) while I was filming and friendlying as well...and then he relaxes (breathes)..!!

Notice also in the photos above how much better he is standing. Jools trimmed his hooves and they were all uneven and he was wearing them oddly - and couldn't stand under himself on a circle...now he can and he is standing better.

Confident side

Here is the confident, cheeky, curious side of Maraschino - taken today also.

Garbo meets Cino

Cappuccino - or Cino for short was looking like he wanted to look outside today when I came in, after putting the boys in the yards. So I picked him up and showed him the other side of the door - Garbo was looking at him with the cutest face and ears forward.

So I took Cino closer and they both reached out with their noses to sniff each other, they had a wee sniff but them Garbo let out a breath and breathed heavily on Cino and Cino hissed at him...

Garbo was so gentle though.....

Now you see why I did the feather duster friendly game.!!

40 hours of no rain

Yep - we made it to 40 hours of no rain and I actually saw things drying out - so there is hope! I was watching the rain radar and left the boys out till it looked like it wasn't far away, then I took them up by the boundary fence for some long grass. They were both on a 12 ft line (each) and they were really good - even when the neighbour's dog came over to the fence (I glared at it) and their little pony..Garbo said hello very politely... it was quite cute because there is quite a difference in size - I was expecting a squeal from the little guy.

So that was all we did today.

When Maraschino saw the goats he would touch my hand, very cute, but other than that he was supremely calm. He came up to me when I went to bring him in from the paddock too.

The rain is here now and will be here till Wed - BLAH

Driving Maraschino

Today I taught Maraschino how to move his FQ with driving. The carrot stick connected a few times before he got it but boy did that make him lick and chew - and then later yawn so much - the most I have seen him yawn. We even got a little sideways.

With Garbo we got 8m of backwards by the tail... tried turning him round the corner backwards too but he got confused! (awww)..

What else did we do.... lead by the leg and gave him a treat when he did it... that worked well. I used treats with Maraschino today too - it really made him relax a bit more with extreme friendly!! I can jump up and down with my hand on his wither (both sides and facing Zone 1, and Zone 5) about 30-40 times now....

1am Parelli session

I woke up at 1am to noises from the yards (we sleep in the barn at the moment while our new house is being built, and the yards are backed up against the lounge wall). I heard snorting and blowing and noises like running from one end of the yard to the other. I sleep naked so threw my jacket (which hangs on the door to the washbay) on and went outside in the freezing cold with no pants and barefeet to see what was going on (as it seemed urgent)!! Yes, don't imagine it!

Garbo came over to me and snorted, then ran back towards the end of the yard - quite fast...quite panicky, and then would look to the north east of the property. I came back in thinking it wasn't life and death but it didn't stop so put some track pants on and my gumboots this time and went into Garbo's yard (Maraschino seemed to be just following what Garbo was doing but didn't seem upset). Garbo wouldn't stand still and raised a leg at me and at Maraschino if either of us went near him.

So I got his halter and pinned my ears back to get him to allow me to halter him. Once I did he was trying to run around still so i immediately yo-yoed him back...he argued and tried to rear and rush at me, but I stuck my ground. Finally he backed up to the wall end of the yard and licked and chewed. I yo-yoed him back and forth about 5 times, and then did some head down, and then went back inside as he was calm and had forgotten what it was he was doing before I arrived!

Boy - Hope I get a better sleep tonight!

Wash bay confinement

More rain last night so more playing in the wash bay!

Managed to jump up and down beside Maraschino today with my closest hand on his wither and I did it facing Zone 5 (standing in Zone 3) and facing Zone 1, on both his left and right sides - without his moving backwards which was great. I kept jumping until I saw any sign of no introversion - ear flick, or inside the mouth lick!

I was really pleased.

Managed to get the feather duster on Garbo's legs without him going backwards too.

Did some more work with the umbrella, Maraschino came and checked it out while it was open and the pokey thing on the end poked him in the nose and he jumped. Funny.

Oh - after doing lead by the leg with Garbo the other day - looked up today and saw Garbo had his leg in the air over the top of his lead rope... just waiting calmly for me to come and untangle him.

Ears back

Since we haven't been out much, and normally when I bring Garbo in for a groom and play etc, the little guy is there too (Garbo not impressed about that)... and he has been mugging me for treats and sticking his ears back (at me and at Cherry Boy) if I don't give him any (I don't if his ears are back).

Maraschino also has been eating Garbo's tail!!!!!! Eeek! Looks like someone has attacked him with scissors! So when ties up Maraschino likes to lean on Garbo's back end and snuggle in which aggravates the hell out of Garbo - so it's my job to move Maraschino away. I had to drive him back several times and then make contact with his nose when he ignored me - which sent him back at a great rate of knots. After that he was a little reluctant to come to close to me.. Gosh he gets so offended.

I did some squeeze game in the wash bay with Garbo and popped him on the bum when he looked out over the farm instead of turn and face.... that woke him up! It was too windy to use the carrot stick and plastic bag today. More rain coming.... one day I will be posting saying we need rain! Not anytime soon though.

Just an extra photo from the one day of sun in the last week!

Double yo - yo

Thought I would try yo yo with both my horses at the same time. Funny thing was that if Garbo was already back, he would keep going because I was still asking Maraschino...

Not good camera work since it was just me and a fence - but you get the idea.

Sunday - Sun Day

Well the name given to the day of the week today was apt. It was sunny all day and such a nice change.

I had some more great sessions today with both horses.

They both had some apply sauce.... with Garbo initially shaking his head but when he saw Maraschino coming towards me as soon as he saw the syringe and grabbing it, so Garbo thought hmmmm.. and sniffed it and allowed me to put it in his mouth and empty the syringe. Then I gave one to Maraschino as a treat!

While Maraschino was tied up to the hitching ring, I was doing something with Garbo and before I realised he had managed to get his leg over the rope and in a loop, then he pulled back! Luckily it was a slow reaction but still too fast for me to help... he was a bit jumpy afterwards (the baling twine gave way before his leg thank goodness) but otherwise unscathed mentally, emotionally, and physically. I had to give him a big hug after that... and he just leaned on my shoulder - he is so smoochy.

Started with the umbrella because I looked at the new Levels Self Assessment sheet on the Savvy Club site and it said L2 I should be able to open and close an umbrella next to Garbo. Initially he wasn't keen to follow me with it but in the end he was checking it out and I could open and close it with a reaction - just need some more 'relaxation' practice this week with that. Maraschino checked it out as well and when I had it open on the ground he picked it up by the handle and frightened himself a bit!



Then I got the carrot stick out and put a plastic bag (flag) on the end. Like in the Level 2 booklet I started shaking it gently next to Garbo - he was not very impressed so I did what the book said and walked backwards with it - Garbo hesitated and then came forward, so I stopped shaking the stick. We did this a few times until he sniffed it.


Meanwhile Maraschino was following us trying to see what was going on. I am thinking maybe he is more LB more often, than RB. !!




After a short time of releasing when Garbo relaxed or came towards or looked at the bag, I was able to touch him on the side (see the video) with it. It was hilarious at the end of the video after I put the stick down to turn the video off - Maraschino picked up the stick and drove Garbo backwards with it!

So funny. You can hear me giggling!

Then it was using 'release' to do some serious stuff like spray vinegar/baby oil on Maraschino's legs and put cream on his mud fever.

Another rainy day in

It started raining about 5am and didn't stop raining steadily until about 10am I guess. I left the boys in after that because it was still cloudy and the grass back to it's sodden state.

I spent a good couple of hours with both of them in the wash bay doing various Parelli things.

Garbo had some apple sauce wormer, while Maraschino was looking longingly at the syringe saying where's mine? This made Garbo more interested in the syringe as if he was saying 'hey maybe this guy knows something I don't'. As Pat says - make sure at least 6 out of 7 worms are pleasant tasting. It's the negative association with the taste they don't like. Garbo wasn't shaking his head as much today and I got a whole syringe in nearly - and Maraschino had the left overs.

I also did some extreme friendly with the carrot stick and savvy string - Maraschino was just loose in the wash bay getting used to the 12ft rope hanging over his withers. I accidentally hit Maraschino with the end of the popper during 'helicoptor' with Garbo - but he is so keen on getting in on the action this week. Then I slapped the ground around Garbo with the savvy string and Maraschino was really good too! Cool!

I have to move him away from Garbo alot as he wants to hug him constantly. So I worked a bit on Maraschino alone while Garbo had a break with some hay. I did lots of friendly with tossing the carrot stick and savvy string over his neck and body, and some back up - especially when he thought he saw something scary and Garbo wasn't around to hug - he tried to hug me so I only had to use Phase 2 to get his to back away and then he licked and chewed. His confidence seems to be improving by the day. Even his haltering and un-haltering is getting better.

I groomed them both, and the ate hay together quite nicely which was nice to see. I decided now would be a good time to move Maraschino to the middle yard so he is next to Garbo, now that they know each other a little better and there is no #3 anymore (well Maraschino has moved up a slot by default).

Managed to get the feather duster on all of Garbo's legs all the way to the ground without him moving backwards - big step!

Started to try holding his tongue but it's a slippery devil. When I came inside I found that section in the booklet so I will try again tomorrow.

Going to try the plastic bag then too (on end of carrot stick) as I have read up in the Level 2 booklet on what to do.

Apple sauce wormer

Today we did two things...

Lead by the leg and worming practice.


Firstly the apple sauce worming.... as soon as Garbo sees a syringe he shakes his head up and down... so I had to get it close enough for him to accidentally get some apple sauce on his nose.
I managed to get 1.5 syringes into his mouth in the end - still with a little shaking...and Maraschino had half a syringe - he just bites the whole thing!

Then we tried lead by the leg. While I had the rope round his leg holding it out to the side, Garbo would look away or straight ahead, and I waited, then he finally shifted his weight and took a step. The front right leg was fairly easy but it took a little longer with the left front..but he took three steps with both legs to the side. So I was really pleased with that.

I have not been doing big 'sessions' with Maraschino - mainly just tying him up at the same time as Garbo morning and night while I;

Morning; change covers and spray legs with vinegar and baby oil
Evening; change covers, wash off mud off legs, grooming, putting on mud fever cream, and any Parelli tasks.

So while I am doing that I do body blocks, move him away from Garbo (he loves crowding him and Garbo hates it), and a little bit of yo yo . I have also spent alot of time grooming him and massaging his tail because he has a very tight tail (clamped and J).. and that seems to be working well. He hasn't gone introverted for a week now. And he has not pulled back on the rope while tied up either.

All good.

Still getting showers on and off - looking forward to Sunday - sunshine all day apparently.

Monday sun day

Well kind of anyway. The sun was out for about 70% of the day interspersed with heavy and light showers.

My friend's friend's Dad passed away today so she couldn't come and help with Maraschino as she needed to help her friend out with her horses.

So we were all groomed and ready for our walk when I got the text and I thought - well I don't want to stick them back in the mud again... so I had to make do.

Garbo seemed happier to be groomed today and I also groomed Maraschino in between times. Maraschino was really good - I haven't tied him for very long so I just put the rope over the rail and he usually just stays there.

I stuck some molasses in a syringe to practice paste worming ( I have never managed to worm Garbo orally and always taken the easy route and put it in his food).. as soon as he saw the syringe he started shaking his head so I can't get it near his mouth. I let him sniff it but he wasn't fooled. I managed to get him to lick the syringe but only briefly got the end of it far enough in to do much with - but it was a great start.

We did some extreme Friendly with the carrot stick over his head and hitting the ground, and then did friendly with carrot stick and savvy string so Maraschino could see.

Then I got the feather duster out!


Garbo hates the feather duster.!!

For some reason he hated it on his legs so I had to start on his neck and slowly try and move towards his legs. Then he would spend ages sniffing it. We made a little progress and it gave him something to think about anyway! So perhaps today I was a little more interesting even if we didn't get to go for our walk.

I tried the syringe with Maraschino and he tried to stick the whole thing in his mouth! Didn't worry him at all. He wasn't phased with the feather duster either.



I played friendly with carrot stick and savvy string and Maraschino went a little introverted, I slowed down, then when he tried to move his head away from me while the string was going over it, I pulled his head back gently and he went a little right brain, tried to run forward to Garbo, so I bumped the rope and he panicked more, so I had to do it again to stop him running to me for reassurance as well. Then he stopped and licked and chewed. I told him that it's fine to react but it's not ok to run into me.

When I was rubbing the feather duster on Garbo Maraschino came up to him and started licking him. Garbo gave me that look like 'get him off me'. It was very cute.

Then I did some friendly with the 12ft rope on Maraschino.... he is getting better, sloooowly.

My side of the deal

I think I have let Garbo down this last few weeks.

It's been muddy, raining and windy - so I have only had a few fine spells and a concrete wash bay to do some brief sessions with Garbo and Maraschino. Of course Maraschino is just starting Level 1 so most things we can easily do in that space. But poor old Garbo - all we have been able to do is yo-yo, driving, friendly and a little bit of squeeze. Not really very exciting and I found myself basically doing these to adjust his attitude as he's been a bit pushy and impatient while tied in the wash bay.

So then I end up feeling like all I have been doing is telling him off.

He hasn't been to the forest for 12 months, I would like to take him soon inhand but I need to teach Maraschino to be ok alone first. He hasn't been off this property since the day he arrived actually (April 18)!

This afternoon after having a day in some sunshine finally and some grass, he was bucking and showing off for the neighbour's mare, and then when I brought him in he was calling out to her. I took this really personally and took it as he prefers to be with her over me.

So I texted my friend and asked if she could play with Maraschino tomorrow for 30 minutes and Garbo and I are going for a walk down our road. I need to be more interesting again. It's so hard with all this rain and mud!

Once the ground dries up (it would take two weeks of sunshine non stop) I will be able to do more with him again at home including parking the float in the paddock and working on loading (without me leading him in).

Wet Saturday

Well it's the weekend and again it's raining. Not quite as bad as last Saturday which seems like an eternity ago! So I planned on keeping the boys in today for two reasons;

1. It was due to rain alot
2. The track is looking a bit worse for wear - water logged and pogged now too.

The track - the hay at the beginning is my mouldy hay soaking up some mud.

The middle paddock looks ok but actually it has 3 inches of water on the surface!



So I also decided I would play with Maraschino today as well so he didn't get worried again about being in the stalls (or have too much energy or both).

I had to have a nana snooze myself after breakfast and doing the yards and we had managed to avoid most of the first front of rain.... so I got up with a plan (it was lunch time) of playing with Maraschino - opened the door and he was lying down alseep too! I snuck back in and waited a while longer.

Then I took some time to halter him.... he sniffs the halter and then as soon as he sees you don't have a carrot he backs up and or puts his head up and gets all 'no you can't halter me' - as soon as the first part is on his nose he's fine..... I had not been doing it the way Pat says to - by putting the halter over his neck because that was spooking him (working on that too) so I put the rope over his neck to put some the slack into the halter, then I managed to get the halter over his neck.... then I played a while with that and got his nose in. The other thing he kind of reacts to is doing up the knot - one day I accidentally flicked him in the face with the end as I was un-haltering him..... so I flicked the end around alot until he turned his head towards me, then I stopped, and did that a few times until I did it up.

Walked him a whole 9-10 steps to the washbay (concrete) and we mainly played with the carrot stick and savvy string today. I got the CS around his ears and face, and then managed to get to the stage where I could hold the CS over his head and swing the SS round to the other side of his neck and drape it back towards me.

He thought initially (especially on the far side) that the carrot stick over his head and moving meant driving game but he got it in the end. After that he was turning his head with every drape and biting the carrot stick gently.

We played a little in his mouth as he eats both ends of the carrots stick.

Did a little Yo Yo - Garbo helped when he decided he wasn't doing it right (that made Maraschino lick and chew!).

He is so funny with his introversion and his mouth and tongue. He gets his tongue all wiggly and sideways and licks with his tongue way out the side sometimes.

Still very hard to read.....at one point while I was doing the savvy string over the head and drape back over neck he started eating a pile of hay I had in the washbay.... hard to know if he's secretly an LBI!

Oh - and we accidentally did circle game today....in the stall just after I haltered him I played a bit with putting the rope over his head and it got caught on his ear and he circled round me a couple of times at walk. OK so that's not really LBI but not really extreme RBI either hey.

Anyway - wait works for both, food seems to work for him so I'll keep on keepin on.

Enough sun for a small play today

When I got home Maraschino's neck cover (combo) was undone and flapping around so I went down (he didn't care much) and did it up and then they both followed me through the sodden track back to the yards. I opened the wash-bay and they both came in. I had the idea that I would wait for the mud to dry and brush it off as they say hosing removes the natural oils (mud fever) but it took sooooo long to dry so I hosed Garbo's legs. The scabs have all gone but they are a bit pink looking.

Anyway - tied both of them up and took their covers off so that they could relax in the sun on the concrete. Got a hay bag for them to share and they shared nicely which was good. I wiggled my finger at Garbo a couple of times when he looked like he was deciding to be dominant towards Maraschino. Maraschino was calm as a cucumber today - he let me brush him all over and wash some of the molasses off his face! (Yard toys).

Then I got the carrot stick out and make a pattern with the carrot string over the top of him, with the savvy string hanging on the far side, and then draping it back towards me over his mane, did this about 20 times before he turned and looked at it. Then we did some friendly again and some squeeze game for the first time (between me and the wash bay wall). We did a little bit of yo yo and 'back when I back' which he didn't understand entirely, but good progress.

Then I tied him back up to finish grooming Garbo and he licked and chewed for quite a while. So - needless to say - calm in the yards tonight. Yay.
I am keeping them in tomorrow because more rain is due and the paddocks are just so wet - so I may have to get Maraschino out a few times and have some play time.

Jumpy bum

Maraschino had been a bit jumpy over the last couple of days. Not sure why, but he tried jumping out of his yard after dinner last night so I let him out and he ran off down the track bucking and then grazed till well after dark, then happily came in.

So today when I brought him in he was the same I decided to do some Parelli with him. I think we spent about an hour, in the rain on and off, in the washbay, doing all sorts of games. Started with friendly with the rope as he was jumpy with me stroking him with it.

Then friendly with the carrot stick, then with the savvy string moving around. I tried skipping up to him with low energy and smiling but he freaked out and ran backwards so retreated and skipped away from him and in front of him (not a huge wash bay) when he stopped following me (threshold at one point of the washbay).

Then tried the plastic bag/pulling back exercise form the last savvy times but he didn't move. Hmmmm.

He is very introverted - and could easily fool someone... he cocks his leg, stares and stands very still and clenches his jaw and lips. But if you look closely he is shaking and his little heart pounding.

We then did lots of head down, with me doing a Pat and crouching down on the ground and combing the rope. This worked really well. I finally started to get some lip licking and then a bit later a baby yawn.

He was jumping initially at all sorts of things like George coming round the corner in his new raincoat and at the farmer riding his motorbike next door (which he does every day) but I did lots of yo yo when he was distracted to get his attention back on me and that seemed to pay off in the end.

He started to look quite sleepy so decided I had given him enough to process, and that he would not likely get too excited about being in his yard, and I was right - even though we had really stormy conditions again (again!!) he settled well.

Umbrella

It rained again today. So Garbo and I played in the wash bay (it's about 8m x 8m) while the other two watched from their yards. I got the umbrella out (since it was raining in the uncovered half of the washbay)!! and I walked with the umbrella up (facing Garbo and not facing him) with Garbo on the 12ft line. I allowed drift but he was pretty good.

He's just like Cilla's Lizzie - not too fond of new and unusual things... very skeptical and un LBI like.

Then I put him into his yard and gave them all dinner.

Tomorrow I head to London so won't see my boys for 8 days!

Green ball

I had a cunning plan today - it was really sunny so I bought all three into the yards at 2pm and let them chill out instead of pacing the gateway when I bring Garbo in. Then I brought Garbo into the washbay and groomed him - he was really enjoying the sunshine and the groom.

Then we did some head down by combing the rope - trying to 1. lighten the response and 2. get him to keep his head down for longer.

Then I practised driving the HQ and FQ by just using my fingers and energy (like saying tut tut with your index finger - but with both hands). It worked - got a full circle of FQ and a full circle HQ.

Then we reviewed lateral flexion by combing the rope only.... and then I got the green ball out - it's not as big as Pat's - it's actually a Swiss (exercise) ball.

Garbo was ok if it was on the ground but as soon as I lifted it up off the ground it wasn't the same green ball as before. Tried bouncing it towards him, and letting him follow it. It doesn't bounce that well though. Then I touched his shoulder with the ball and he jumped away, so kept on with that until he didn't jump -he wasn't happy about it but finally he stopped staring ahead and turned his head towards it, and I let it down. So we didn't get it up on his back or anything....

Then I put Garbo back in his yard without his cover so he could stand in the sun for a while, and eat hay - and I got Maraschino out. Started off giving him a groom - he is so good now...lets me brush and curry comb him everywhere and keeps trying to eat my zip on my jacket.

Then I got the ball out and he was very confident with it (he has a blue ball tied to the side of his yard and I put molasses on it), on the ground -he was licking it and moving it round. I didn't try lifting it up today.... but we bounced it.



In between his unsure moments he would bite my zip again- kind of like a security thing. In the video you can see his leg is cocked but he can seem fine but he is quite introverted. I have not decided if he is LB or RB though. Need to find my charts - wonder what box they are in!



He is really good at leading - he leads with suggestion only and keeps touching me as we walk - he never passes me.... funny how they are all different.




Then we did some yo yo - check out how clever he is on Phase 2...just need to get it to Phase 1 now.

Winning the Yo-Yo Game

Objective - to have your horse Yo-Yo snappily backwards and happily forwards with no more than four ounces of pressure.

1. Play the Yo-Yo Game. If your horse goes backwards slowly and leans on the rope when coming into you, he does not have Positive Reflexes!

The main cause of a sluggish back up in the Yo-Yo Game is wiggling the rope at Phase 1! The problem is that this is actually Phase 2, and if your horse can feel the halter move this is in fact Phase 3!

Phase 1 involves wiggling only your finger - the rope should not move.

Troubleshooting - Your horse is backing up but he's dragging his feet.
This is typical of a horse who does not have Positive Reflexes, even though he no longer has Opposition Reflexes. If you tolerate this, your horse will actually become slower and slower and his attitude will become more disrespectful.

First, notice if your horse is dragging backwards. Second, do something about it!. Accelerate through your phases to Phase 4 and when he snaps to attention and responds, quit and relax instantly! Allow him to rest for a long time (about 30 seconds) to add incentive.

Your horse leans on the rope when you bring him back.
Teach him not to lean on the rope by using your four phases more effectively.

Phase 1 - comb the rope towards you with open flat hands, have no tension or "drag" on the rope itself.
Phase 2 - keep the rhythm going and slightly coil your fingers so he can feel a little drag on the rope.
Phase 3 - Close your fingers a little more and add more drag so it feels insistent while your hands keep moving in long strokes...
Phase 4 - Lock your hands onto the rope, lean back and wait. The moment he moves his weight towards you (even before he takes a step) open your hands and return to Phase 1.

If at Phase 4 your horse is still leaning against the rope, here is another technique to add...

Walk backwards away from your horse, gradually increasing tension on the rope by increasing your pace. As soon as you feel him lugging against the feel, lift the carrot stick and string. Hold the tension in the rope, lean back, and rhythmically slap the ground towards Zone 3 until he jumps forwards towards you. Release, the start again. Pretty soon your horse will jump forward as soon as he feels any pressure from the halter and lead rope.

When your horse comes in to you play the Friendly Game and allow him to rest.

Note - make sure you are leaning back when you do this and not reaching forward trying to touch your horse. This will only drive him backwards! You need to touch the ground or your horse behind the Drive Line so he feels compelled to come forward. Work towards being able to keep your feet still again.

LOL Garbo has no problem coming to me unless of course I have been backing him into a narrow space and he arrives there finally -he doesn't want to come out again because he knows I will stop him half way and make him go backwards again so he thinks - I'll just stay here - save all that tooing and fro-ing.!

Winning The Driving Game

It's been to wet to do anything so here's more from the old Level 2 booklet (1). It helps me to write (type) it out...

Objective - to be able to use the slightest suggestion and have your horse respond when playing the Driving Game.

1. Gradually build the distance and quality of your Driving Game from Zone 1 (backwards up to 20ft), Zone 2 (move the front end up to two full circles) and Zone 3 (move the hindquarters up to two full circles).

2. Phase 1 should take no more than a "Schwiegermutter look" and the slightest point of your finger. From there the phases become bigger motions until Phase 4 is actual contact with the horse. Make sure your horse is able to see it coming (end of the rope, the carrot stick or your hand), and has the option to do something to avoid it before you make contact.

Success Tip - Rhythm is an important ingredient in the Driving Game. Make sure you develop excellent rhythm in your fingers and arms when teaching your horse to move away from suggested pressure.

Pitfalls - not starting at Phase 1 and not being prepared to go to Phase 4 if necessary.

Yards

I am not one who really agrees with yarding horses. I like to keep them as close to being a natural horse as possible. Neither of my boys have shoes, and I try not to over-rug.

Our new property has quite a bit of mud being that it's winter so I have been yarding them. The yards are outdoor with half of the 8x4m yard having a roof, but they are open air. It saves my grass for half the day (night) and keeps them out of the mud for 12 hours too. I designed them so as far as yards go I am pretty happy with them. The boys seem to enjoy being in there at night. Every morning they have post peelings all through their tails. So - for winter - I like my yards!

So - to make myself feel better - we have had some fun giving them some stable toys... an empty milk bottle with holes in it, and some molasses inside.

Very entertaining!

Paper Road walk

Next to our property there is a 10m wide road which is what's called a paper road -meaning it's on paper but not formed (just grass). So Michelle and I took the three boys for a walk up the right of way and then on to the paper road. It was good for them to have a change of scenery...there were two lots of neighbours dogs running to the gate and barking (two alsations in one and a great dane and boxer in another). The grass on the paper road was about 4 ft high so they thought it was very cool. Garbo led the way and I didn't have any problems with him stopping - mind you Michelle had the boys right behind us.

We had some sun too!!

I found a large fence post that I'll be able to use for a log in my playground that I am putting together slowly. I have some tractor tyres down by my office - just have to figure out how to get them home. Then I'll fill them up with dirt.

Nothing

I haven't been doing any Parelli lately - it's been raining. Garbo is showing signs of grumpiness because of it - and dominance. That in turn has caused me to be a bit grumpy with him so hopefully the rain stops soon.!

Umbrella Friendly

Did a little more with the umbrella today. I can open and close it about 6 ft away from him, he jumps, but if I don't point it directly at him, slightly off to the side, then he doesn't jump. I walk backwards with the rope having some slack in it and he follows...(maybe there might be a treat in the umbrella if it stops for long enough!)

More rain today - two and a bit months till Spring!

Extreme Friendly - Umbrella

It was a puddle paddock this morning after a night and morning of rain, and when I got Garbo back in at about 3pm it was still soggy - and so was he. After a groom - well the beginnings of one - we played with the umbrella. He was mugging me looking for treats and wouldn't let me pick out his feet - so we stopped that and went to Extreme Friendly.

Started off walking away with him following while I put the umbrella up and down (and twirled it) and then facing him while I walked backwards. He wasn't 100% happy and was a bit introverted (a stranger would have thought he was fine), but eventually he licked his lips. Then I closed the umbrella and swished it around making lots of noise while walking beside him. Everytime he turned towards it with Zone 1 I would stop and he would sniff it.

This is him sniffing it while it was 'dead' on the seat.

Anything to get treats

I thought I would show you some of the challenges I have with Garbo - being the LBI that he is.

The first videos are of me asking him to back up by the tail, before much other work. His mind is TOTALLY on treats and where are they hiding! The look on his face is priceless. You will see some of my new subtle with energy as phase one backing - and also a part where I realised I was not standing up straight while driving him. For some reason I find it hard to do the Schweigermutter look while standing up straight!! - hmmm seems the video is over 100MB so I need to try and shorten it. Wish the blimmen blogger site would tell you that rather than just making you wait for nothing while it's pretending to upload!

Ok - here's the short version and then part 2





I took another video after we played some games on the ground.

Today on the ground I decided to focus on feel and subtlety. I watched the Savvy Club DVD this month, today and that horse that Ginger had - OMG I was crying with laughter - that was me and Garbo exactly. I had not realised it! He would just stand there and watch me dance. I did exactly that the last few times we played with barrels. He would look at the barrels and pretend like he didn't know what he was supposed to do... hilarious.

So armed with some new awareness and not new arrows, but reminder ones, I went out and was very specific about what I asked for, trying to do as little as possible first, and then backing it up up with a REMINDER . Phase two Garbo gets very offended so it doesn't take much to spark him up again after realising I was letting him become dull.

I had him trotting and maintaining trot on the circle with me not moving or picking up the stick, and some lovely sideways.

Then we tried the leading by the tail again.... it was a little more focused.



Oh then we did some more extreme friendly - I started skipping towards him then got self conscious thinking the neighbours could probably see me and wonder what in the heck I was doing, so we retreated into the tie up area (where no one can see us) and I started doing jumping jacks. I couldn't go alongside Garbo without him moving so I was doing them at the front of him and going from one side to the other - he was just looking at me like "what is she doing now!?"

Then I rode bareback - by myself, no one else home - just us - AND it was at 4pm. I never used to ride Garbo at 4pm because it was so close to dinner time and he would be all grumpy and pretend to spook just to get me off. Very clever boy - that savvy club segment reminded me all about that cleverness.

Anyway - the bareback ride was short and sweet but cool...

Here's the riding video - even with a pan shot to show I was actually bareback. He got a bit fast over the muddy bit - hence the wobble - I lifted the rein for him to stop. He had his ears back at one point but he was pinning them at Scribble as we rode past (my Human!). Thought I did quite well to ride bareback, hold the lead rope, and take a video!!



I have just finished watching all the Savvy Club DVD - that Beni reminded me of Garbo too - when I first got him! And especially that nose stuff - as you will have seen in the first video!

I have just come in after cleaning out the yards of poo so far tonight - before I go to bed. Garbo stands by the door into the barn so that he can get a treat before I go in - he doesn't budge from that spot - like a toll collector!

Funny.

And the blooper!!
His face is priceless - after you watch Gingers horse on the June Savvy Club DVD - doing kind of a "what is it you want ? I am confused" look but sniggering to himself like Scoobey Doo... lol

Winning the 7 Games

Back to Stage 1 booklet - Level 2.

Winning the Friendly Game Up until now you've just been 'playing' the Seven Games. Now it's time to 'win' them! To have your horse more respectful and snappier in his responses. Objective - to advance your Friendly Game and encourage relaxation in a more extreme situation. Turn up the heat. See how much more your horse can take without getting upset. Gradually turn up the energy until you can;

• Flap the ground vigorously with your CS and SS
• Do jumping jacks around him
• open and close umbrellas or flap a coat around him
• Skip up to your horse

... do this until he's really desentitised and can stand still with calm confidence totally relaxed, head low. Pretty soon, commotion will be his signal to hurry up and relax!

I have done the first one with the carrot stick and savvy string twice in the last two days now, He is not totally relaxed but getting better.

I also tried running backwards today and getting Garbo to trot to me (that's easy for him - he always wants to come to me) and then I added swapping the carrot stick into the other hand and holding my arms out to the side, and he changed directions, both ways, easily. Hah!

Extreme Friendly

I tried the extreme friendly game tonight with Garbo. On a side not - I am really looking forward to having more daylight each day (counting down to shortest day on the 21st I think). There doesn't seem to be enough time for doing everything each day at the moment.

So I had never tried the whacking the ground with the savvy string and CS - so I did today. Garbo looked initially worried until I really relaxed and smiled and turned away from him. Then I stopped and gave him a treat and repeated it on the other side and he wasn't worried at all.

Worked on just moving him backwards with energy up rather than touching him, worked well. Then we practiced sniff your tail again.

Then I put them to bed. They are so cute in the morning with post peelings in their hair!

Stage 3 booklet, L2 review

Thought I would add a bit from the old L2 booklets each day...I have so much to do in these little pocket guides.

Changing directions at the trot on the 22 foot line.
Objective to smoothly change directions at the trot on the 22ft line and horse to maintain trot.

You have to have accomplished first;

1. The bring back and allow in the circle game. Your horse should be able to maintain trot at the circle. (hmm - need to work on this I feel).

a. Have your disengagement so finely tuned that you can just look at his hindquarters (phase 1) and have him come to you. If not go through your phases: lift your carrot stick and savvy string directly toward Zone 4. Do not pull on the line and keep your feet within your circle.

b. If your horse speeds up rather than disengaging and facing you, shorten the line, then slap the ground hard again, then shorten the line, and slap the ground hard again, repat this until he disenages and faces you, or until he's close enough to tap Zone 4.

c. When he faces you, relax and wait until he licks his lips, and then Send him out again and repeat the experience. Each time you repeat this your horse will respond sooner, until finally it will take just a look from you at those hindquarters and he'll snap around without you even slapping the ground.!

2. A good Yo-Yo game- there should be no resistance, especially in the come forward part. You should be able to run backwards and comb the underside of your rope with the Carrot Stick to draw your horse in to you at the trot.

a. Walk backwards abd comb the underside of the rope with your carrot stick, all the while drawing your horse towards you. At first, your horse may be skeptical of this but pretty soon he'll read your friendly invitation and his growing confidence will be reflected in his willingness to come forward.

b. Slow and right will build fast and right. Get to where you can run backwards while rubbing the rope and reeling it in, and your horse will run to you. Don't expect this to happen consistently after just one session! Take a few practice sessions to get good at it.

This exercise is a great key in preparing for changing directions at the trot on the 22 foot line. Once your horse is confident in running to you. It will be easy to redirect him onto a new circle in the other direction.

I shall post more once I have all of this sorted!

Goats

I have yarded the boys for three nights now - counting tonight. The night before that the young boys saw the goats next door (horse eating goats obvioulsy) and froze and ran - actually turn face and re-assess to be technical. I couldn't get them near the yards (which were closer to the goats than not).

Two nights on and they both went in to their yards at liberty. I had used yo-yo (rightly or wrongly) with Maraschino - (his yard is closest to said goats!)..each time he looked at the goats I yo-yo'd him backwards so he looked at me - then asked him forward towards me. Took three yo yos the first night - two last night - and none tonight - yay.

All is quiet in the yards now apart from occasional hay bag banging... that's yanking at the hay so the hay bag swings out and then bangs back on the wall (our wall).

Parelli wise I have been really studying the old L2 booklets and getting everything just so.... ie the one rein transitions - by sliding your fingers down the rope like a trombone lightly three times until the horse bends his head to you.... you close one finger at a time (Indirect rein position) and then walk on... eventually they will slow or go down a transition by pumping/lifting the rein.

I am trying to get everything soft and gentle as opposed to L1 hard and rough on the edges. But also trying to be effective at the same time, assertive but not aggressive....

I can yo you Garbo back and forward one step at a time just by energy and a look now.
He can back by leading from his tail...
He can sniff his tail (can't hold for 10 seconds yet)
Stage 3 booklet has the canter passenger lesson.... hope the track dries out soon so I can try it.

Bareback pad

My friend loaned me her bareback pad to try out today. Garbo was a bit spooky so we didn't go far. To be honest I didn't prepare properly and should have seen the signs and did more on the ground first. But anyway - after a couple of spooks, bareback, I got off and played the 7 games online.

I guess I was quite tough on Garbo because he was sticking his ears back a bit in the tie up area, because he ended up in a pose I hadn't seen for quite a while - head down by my knees and quite unconfident/submissive.

Still no jumping over the barrels but if I move the circle away from them he leads me back again to them.

Bareback ride

I can't really believe it but I rode Garbo bareback today! I had ridden him round the track in my saddle and then was unsaddling and thought - what the heck! I was only going to walk around the wash bay and then I went out onto the track - so much fun!! Even did a little trot too. And didn't wobble all over the place.

I have not ridden bareback before apart from sitting on horses as a kid (just sitting) - this is a pretty old photo!! It was taken at my Mums farm in Silverdale one school holidays. Yes, I have no shoes and a skirt on! Let alone no helmet.


I thought it would be harder but it's great being able to feel the movement of the horse.