Huge Learning

Well today was a huge learning curve for both Freya and Me. I have a wonderful teacher. Not only helping my horse understand but helping me feel and sense more with Freya. So much progress where to begin.

After i got my baby boy on the bus, i hooked up the horse trailer in hopes of being able to take Freya to Sue Solf's house tomorrow. We spent a lot of quality time at the trailer and with our front feet in and there came a point where i had to step up and say enough is enough this isn't an issue and its ok i am here....come on in and eat. So as soon as i stepped up with my leadership she come right in with all 4 feet. *sigh* big breath and relax. After playing with this for a few min i had my " friend,brains of this operation, my teacher/ dictionary" Sue L. walk around at the back of the trailer and Freya with no surprise reacted, the only difference was she didn't have to get off, which is huge progress. The next step was to wiggle and move the back door, this she did not like so off we got. We played touch it with the door and wiggled and moved the door until it was a non issue. Then we took a grass eating break.

The next step was a little bit of the squeeze game between me and the back door of the trailer. Today was all about being particular. I wanted her to stop in all of the zones, she did it and did it very well. The main goal in mind was to have her back into the door. We didn't quite get there but with the help of my dear friend, were inches away from touching the door with zone 5. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH. Enough trailer work for now, onto some driving.

Sue had a turn with Freya which was huge cause i got to see some more magic and have a better understanding of the leadership i need. I have a very hard time understanding my phases and how much is too much or how much is to little. Sue has a wonderful understanding of this and was being particular. Freya is so reactive to everything, and am now realizing that she is reactive cause i am, lol. When i can step out of my comfort zone she wont be so reactive, to new things. I think when my imagination comes everything else should fall into place. Sorry went a little off track. Sue worked on zone 3 driving with a walk, halt transition, and of course not turning to face you at the stop. By the end of the 30 min session Sue had her doing it on both sides. I had a little difficulty doing it on her right side, And then frustration and not knowing really what to do set in, so Sue had us do it on the fence and it worked well, then when i ran out of fence just carried on and we were good. Sue also played at the yo-yo game with being particular it was amazing also playing at yielding the hind with a little more pression. I know this is where my leadership lacks or should say did lack. This is for the most part the end of play session and i just let her graze, however i only wanted her to graze away from me and with me in zone 3, that was a bit of a challenge, trying to keep her nose away from me. We ended on a very positive note and as frustrating as it is cause i have the truck and trailer, we will not be making it to Sue's house tomorrow. Little bit more playing and consistent playing before i will be confident enough to do it on my own. The most important part of this session and play times to come is that my confidence and leadership is growing every time i play with her.

2 play sessions in one

Well now, i missed an entry for Wednesday's play day as well as Sue and i played today, so here goes 2 in 1.

Wednesday we had play group at Sue L. house. Everyone had the GRAND tour, and it really is grand. It is going to be a lot of fun over there especially come Spring and definitely when i can get my girl over for play days. It was a bit miserable out and rainy, but we had a bawl. Sue Solf played with her appy named ....get this Bling. Love that name and so suits him. Sue had a lot of fun playing with him. He is definitely dominant. I think they ended on a pretty good note, but like Lidlebit, can be a handful. Everyone else like Myself, Shelia, Sue L. and Miss Keri all had a turn with Lily, wow, such a nice mare. I only played with her for a few minutes. I really wanted to see where i will be with Freya in due time. Lily is so very light and has such a soft look about her. Its really different watching how a horse gets along with other people. Fascinating.

Today now. Yet another amazing day with Sue and Lily. They walked over again, and we hung out with our girls and had a coffee for aprox 30 mins before we headed over to the play area. I truly believe now, that the undemanding time is so worth it. I can now say that it is fun to just hang out. Once we made it over to the rings Sue went and did her thing with Lily and i worked again with circling, and she was awesome, there was no stopping behind me going counter clockwise, however going clockwise she was getting a little excited, wanting to canter and pull just a little, so instead of staying in the big ring we backed through the gate and decided to play in the round pen. I decided instead of worrying about the rope i took it off and we did some liberty stuff. She was fantastic, and then when she was ready, she came to me, ( big sigh), i have waited a long time for me to feel that my horse really wanted me. and i felt that. I had her, she is now becoming a bff. After my girl and i were connected it was time to groom and saddle. I did it all without a rope on, pretty exciting if i do say so myself. Put the 12 foot on and did a little of stick to me and the connection was still there. Time to get on you say. Well ok then, that is what i did. I was on her for about 10 mins or so and didn't have any fear, in fact my confidence grew and is growing so quickly. We played a little of your idea my idea and follow the rail. After the 10 mins i had to get off and hand over the camera. I guess i like to have the proof of me riding, lol. Without hesitation i was right back on for probably 15 mins. I really didn't want to get off, but knowing i should end things on a good note.....it was time. Besides this is just the beginning.

Another Great Day

Every day seems to be more and more successful with both Sue and I. She has made it past a few thresholds with Lily. She walked with Lily across the highway and made it here to play. Wow. I look forward to the day where i too can make it down the driveway and cross the highway, big success. As for Freya and I we had some success, i hope. I am concentrating on her being not being reactive, and i think we are getting there. We played again at circling and Miss Freya didn't really like my leadership in the beginning. She has a tendency to stop when behind me and of course i would turn around and re send. Now anyone who knows Freya knows she can do more then 1 circle at a time lol. Sue had me instead of turning facing and resending just put the pressure on from behind, well Freya thought that was a horrible idea because she had to listen. By gees it worked. I had her circling and connected. It was wonderful. I did get on her today and ride a little not as much, the weather was kind of windy and blowy and then the rain started and it got a little cold, and well enough with excuses right. I had anticipated riding her in the big ring, but just didn't feel right about it, so i got on her in the round pen, we walked to the gate, lateral flextion, got off and did that again, this time when i wanted her to. I asked her to walk to the gate instead of being a passenger. yeah, A wonderful day with success all around.

Sue and I

I am so thankful to have my new neighbour she is a breath of fresh air. Its nice to have Sue come over. She thinks that i am helping her, but i know its the other way around. The amount of play we have gotten in is wonderful. I can see how addicting this is coming. Back in the day i guess i felt on top of the world, working with Ian Millars horses and all, always felt a little sad for not owning my own, but it was ok. Later on in life, much later on it was time to own my own. I felt i was ready for a young green horse, so that is what i got. We have had our ups and downs and yes i am sure there was a couple of times where i thought i was in over my head however this last week has proved the parelli program for me and i am hooked. I am like a little kid calling Sue to ask if she can come over and play, its awesome. Sue has been trailering Lily over which is nice cause then i have a chance to ask Freya to load up. And after the second attempt she loaded herself, something i have been worried about for awhile.

More great news Sue came over again and we had that much more fun. Sue did a lot of follow the rail with Lily and as always i did a lot of friendly, porcupine and we did a bit of zone 4 driving, or i hope that is what you would call it. I tried to use my imagination but boy is that hard. I cant think outside of what i know. The little jump i have set up is a lot of fun. I tried to get her to just have her front feet over, if i cant do it i guess it is a sure sign of my energy, i have to learn not to be so excited every time she does something that amazes me. Freya and also played at circling and we are at the beginning stages or walk trot transitions, again i have to be more aware of my energy lol. After Sue had finished i let her play with Freya, we have both come to the conclusion that she is just way too reactive to things, another area where once my leadership becomes stronger i am hoping it will all fall into place. All in all it was another wonderful play session. I rode her again. and longer then i have in over a year. I have noticed that my balance is coming which is definitely a positive, and not so fearful when on her, my confidence is building, i almost went into the riding ring......almost but i don't want to push myself or have more expectations of her.

October 26th

Play day at my house. Was so much fun, Rose and Miss Keri, Sue Solf and Sue Lanthier, Myself Shelia and My mom, (i think our group is getting bigger lol) We had so much fun. Sue and Keri brought over there horses Kalief and Prince and of course i had Freya and between Shelia and Sue L. they had Lidlebit, the wild one. We had an excellent playday. Sue and Keri practiced what they had learned from the Ron Pyne clinic did some riding and hung out, Sue L, who was pretty benifical to Shelia helped her to understand and have a better grasp on her own horses playing with Lidlebit. I played with Freya who i hadnt played with in months other than being friendly while i was feeding.

Everyone did so well. I had Freya who was a little hot and excited to have so many friends to visit and want to play with, it was a little difficult to get her focused on me however she came around and our relationship is that much stronger. We played at our friendly, porcupine and sideways. Porcupine off the nose, hind quarters and fore hand is really good, i know we need to work at the chest area a little bit more, but all in all she was fabulous. We also did some circleing which was hard without the round pen and again we made it through. After that i decided to ask her to jump. AAAAHHHHHH she did it. Not any hesitation at all, it was just something that was in her way. What a feeling.

Novemeber 10

What a wonderful day. Horsey group was at my house today and it was the second time i had Sue Solf bring a horse. She brought Kalief with her and of course i played with Freya. Sue Lanthier was here as well, she watched us and coached quite a bit. Sue Lanthier's way of describing things is phenomenal, she knows how I can understand and grasp the information. So we just did a whole lot of online play and my horse was wonderful, and wow did i surprise myself as well as i am sure Freya was a little surprised as my leadership is coming and i feel like i am finally getting it. We played at circles and figure of 8's which wasnt terriable, we did some extreme friendly with the carrot stick and she was so good. I can also say that she is offering to do so much. Yes she still asks a ton of questions but i get why. She is offering to jump now. AAAAAAHHHHHHH it was so nice to ask her if she wanted to and pop there she goes over the jump. wow. Once Sue Solf had finished it was my turn, am i going to get on or not. What do my fans think...............I did i got on my horse. I did pushing passenger and we would walk to the gate which is maybe 30 feet, do a lateral flextion and then get off, i did this 4 times. I was so happy.

i missed yesterday Day 6

Sorry that i miss yesterday. I decided to take the day off. Never the less i got right back on tonite. Had a great session. Even did a 3 step back up and when i asked for it. Tomorrow i am going to take her out to the round pen and see what we can do. I cant say i am going to get on her but i will play with her and see where it goes. I want to keep her away long enough that the rest of the crew stops screaming for her. Play it by ear.

Sorry i didn't write yesterday. I kind of forgot. Well another good session. For the most part. We walked around for a bit working on our turns and we were going to end shortly after that when i has asked her to back up a step. She did it perfectly, however after doing the first one she added 3 more that were not asked for. I think she was trying to boss me around. I stood my ground and didn't let it bother me enough to get off however once i got her turned around and we made it over to the mounting block we stood there for a minute and then i got off. I need to work on my confidence again so much more. I still loved it and am just happy i am keeping it up.

Day 4

Today was totally awesome. She was yet again wonderful. My girl, well lets see didn't really have a problem catching her cause i was ignoring her so she was kind of like hello mom did you forget about me, and of course i could never. So i brought her in and saddled her up. Got on and yet again did the same thing as before, however when i was thinking of finishing up i decided with the help of My dear friends to just do something small but yet different. Freya wanted to always get her head over the gate, so instead of just doing eyes, belly button, leg and then rein i added a step of backup and she did it and softly. The one thing i really need is to get more leadership and speak more clearly to her. I think she is getting what i am asking by fluke, not to sure. she is pretty soft, which is lovely but i am always looking for a little more snap, done a little quicker. I don't want to push it though because we are both just learning. Both very green. C ya all tomorrow.

Day 3

Couldn't have gone any better. I am anxious because now i am getting confident. I want to take it to the round pen and ride a bit. I have to keep myself calm and wait till the 7 days are over. I cannot explain the wonderful feeling i have. After i got off and let her go i was looking to do it all over again. She is such a good girl. She lines herself up to the mounting block and waits......and waits......and waits, she could stand there forever waiting on me. The funny thing is its like she is getting closer to tell me to just get on and ride me. She is so cool.

Day 2

OMG i did it. I did it all by myself. No one watching, it was amazing. I went and caught my horse which was pretty easy, i think she could smell the treats hahaha. Brought her into the small indoor (thats what i am calling it now) tacked her up and then checked to make sure that the lateral flextion was there i hope that is right and walked around a bit and then layed across her a couple of times. I then put my leg over her a couple of times and decided that there was no one there to whine to about how scared i was and decided to get on. It was awesome. I even made 2 circles with her. I was really on her back. She is amazing. The test will be tomorrow when the Standish's are here. Will i be scared to get on with everyone watching or will i be more confident only tomorrow will tell.

Setting up for Success

Yesterday was the first of 7 days for me and Freya. I have to try something else to get over this fear i have inside me. We are 3 weeks away from the next clinic and i want to ride so bad for it. Lets get this done.

I worked on a lot of approach and retreat yesterday. She is so good. I wish i could get over this. So i layed on her and rubbed her and then i would put my leg over and off. Then i decided it was time to sit on her. She is wonderful. Let you know how it goes later though.

Quiet Day

Today was a very nice and relaxing day with Freya and Nigel. Sue was the only one to come today which was a little sad. We had taken the 2 horses out to check out the new ring. What a wonderful experience. Freya who i thought would freak out was brilliant. We had to walk past the baby chicks and there mommy, as well as the baby ducks and there surrogate mom and a tarp on the wood shed and the chicken coop, and to top things off a tight squeeze under all of the trees. The was amazing and perfect. So we got in there and hung out and let them graze and have undemanding time. We set up a couple of tires and brought in some cedar rails and my bareback pad and hackamore. Never got to get the pad on her though, i didn't have my big girth :( so we after about 30 mins decided to let them go and check things out themselves and graze, things we going good until Nigel started getting worried about where the other 2 nags were so i decided it be in our best interest to bring them back and have some lunch. Besides i had to go and get Jayda. lol wonderful day, wonderful company and a wonderful social day.

I'm Back

So much to tell since the last posting.... Where to begin. How about the beautiful riding ring I now have complete with a round pen. Maybe i am spoiled, but am so happy to finally have it. I have waited 20 years for this. So i have my horsey stuff now, and am also a proud mama of 13 baby chicks and as of 3 days ago 2 baby ducks. I also now have 2 baby bunnies which we have named Bert and Ernie I however hope that it is 2 of the same sex otherwise i will really have my hands full lol. Looking forward to a play day here tomorrow. It will be the first time the ring gets used.

Also. I have done some riding thanks to Kevin Douglas. He brought 2 horses last Friday and OMG i don't know how to thank him. I guess we rode for about and hour and a half. I was surprised at how well i did with nerves, i was a little nervous at the beginning and a little at the very end. Everything in between was wonderful, we did quite a bit of trotting and Boreal who is not much for Cantering tried her heart out to get into it, but couldn't quite get there. She is so sweet, i hope i can do it again very soon.

Buuurrrrrr

It was way 2 cold for me to do anything today, other than make sure everyone was ok. Snow was awful. The wind was cold. There was no sun :(

Playday at Sue's

Well what a beautiful day. Today was nothing very special in the beginning, but definately ended with a bang. Today i just watched and listened to Sue who was playing with Dina. I am still trying to figure out the direct and indirect reign, maybe someday i will get it. lol Anyway it was nice to watch or i should say audit Sue, i did get a lot out of it and every once in awhile it is nice to chat about what is going on. So just before lunch Kevin showed up with his horse Boreal. The sucking up began. haha. I came out and asked if i could sit on his horse and finally someone who would allow it said of course so after lunch i rode, ahhhhhhh it felt so good. I think he is coming back in 2 weeks and is bringing 2 horses, 1 for me and 1 for him. I cant wait. All of this excitement just makes me that much more confident in knowing that i do know how to ride and the only thing to fear is fear itself. I think that is what my friends have been telling me all along. So to go with that excitement we had some babies show up Thursday night, all 13 of them came.

Circling at a Trot

Well well well. We worked on 30 circles in each direction, and honestly i should have done it away from the rest of the horses. They really kind of get in the way sometimes. lol Not Nigel though it the 2 kids Poncho and Lidlebit that are just like toddlers. Funny farts. anyway she was a superstar. She did them clockwise with 14 corrections, that is the more difficult way and she needed 8 corrections going counterclockwise. Such a good girl. So we were hanging out after that and she ended up with the rope between her front legs and did a bit of a freak out and ended up pulling away and got away and of course was running around with the rope, then i was the one who had a freak out. Thank goodness for Sue she knows how much i panic, lol. Keri and Rose are the calm ones, they keep me a little more sane and dont worry about what is going on,they know she will stop at some point. lol. over all it was a good day and now i know i need to work on the rope all around her legs.....just in case it happens again.

She is home

So Freya got home Saturday morning early. Kate was right on schedule. The other horses seemed to miss her but she could care a less, she is such a mare lol. Anyway, today with the help of some friends got the one side of the barn cleaned out meaning all of the wood and nails. The sneaky butt heads broke into where we had some nice hay and well broke a few bales, so i wanted to get that cleaned out so they could get in there and clean up there mess. Another job done. In the next couple of days i have to build a bunny stall and pen for Bert and Ernie, they are so cute and the newest members of the family. With some help from Mike all will be good. I also need Mike to help me with a teeter totter for the kiddos. Busy busy busy. I also with the help of the same friends managed to get my veggie garden cleaned out and planted yesterday. Wow that's all i need. This motivation is incredible.

Clinic Day

First off i am going to say how much i wished that we could have video taped today. It was beyond my dreams the play time i had with Freya. INCREDIBLE I hope that my fellow naturalist agree. I totally believe it was worth it. I had so much fun and my confidence although not 100% is well on its way. I have a new play thanks to Sue. I am now going to work on My level 2 online and then my level 3 online and forget about my level 2 freestyle for now. I want to trust her and i think that is a lot of my confidence issues, or at least i hope. Now thats not to say i wont continue with my approach and retreat for my level 2, it just means i think i have decided not to put so much pressure on myself to get on her, its going to be hard, but if i can put in the work it shouldnt take any longer then it would have for me to get my level 2 this year, fingers crossed. Anyway, what i think i accomplished today, is the snappiness i was looking for and a much better understanding of what and how to be a better leader. I felt incredible. And miss Freya responded so well. We can now do porcupine like never before. Just by touching the hair on her nose. Mind you again it is not perfect. One step at a time. We also worked on Sideways which i never do, and again she got it. Circles we did well she did with Ron 30 circles to the left with 7 corrections which was brillant for her and then i did aprox. 15 going in the other direction with 1 correction. I had a blast and thanx so much to Sue for hosting and to Miss Keri for taking pics for me and Rose for being the best support for me and explaning things in my language and i have to say thanks to the Vandergrats for trailering Freya on Such short notice. To Ron for making me feel so good about what i am doing. He had me in tears at the end of the clinic. He told me that i am doing an amazing job and he thinks i will go far. He said that basically i had all of the theroy and that i understood the fundementals but had to put that to practice more. It is funny. I do not think i am doing as great as i should be but the comment made me feel like ok maybe i am doing ok. I hear my friends say it but when it comes from a stranger it justifys things i guess.

Progressing

Freya has just amazed me till no end. I guess the both of us have changed so much. We did some travelling circles today at a trot, now she wasn't perfect but ooooooo just so amazing. She also did some circling at the trot, and to my amazement she jumped the big log in her way, she didn't try to avoid it. I am trying so hard to work on my confidence on her back. I think that will be a never ending challenge. I have decided that i will lay across her and let her walk around, or at least walk away from the mounting spot so that i can get off of her anytime i want. And when i get comfortable with that i will take it to putting my leg over her. I think i should get hypnotised so that i remember nothing about the fall or the kick. Maybe then i will have my confidence back.

Trotting circles

Another great day with Freya. The kids and i headed out to Sue's this morning to have a play date. My kiddos and her kiddos, and my horsey and her horsey ;). Sue had played a little with Freya the day before and said that she had done some travelling circles, which excited me so much, today i really just wanted to c if i could get the bareback pad on. Its been awhile, she couldnt have been any better then she was, She was like an old pro. Sue said that she needed a little more work on the porcupine game, so i worked on that quite a bit as well as stepping it up and working on circles at a trot. She was amazing. She did 4 rotations each way and i was so tickled pink. After playing around Sue decided to get on and make sure that the steering wheel and brakes still worked and of course they did. Sue was making it sound like i was going to get on and ride a bit so of course i tried my hardest not to let her down, but i could not get myself to do it. I really dont know how i am going to get over this fear i have, i certainly hope that Ron can help me. I pray every day that this will be the day i do it, and it never happens. I am heading back out Tuesday afternoon to do some more work, so with any luck, i will do it.

What a good Day

Today we met at Sue's house, but what was extra special was that we all had our own horses to play with. I had Freya trailered out to Sue's this morning after rounding up Poncho and Lidlebit. The 2 of them decided to escape, crazy brats. So once we got there, i just let Freya graze a little and off to work we went. She was amazing, other then the tarp, she would not get on it. I know what i am going to work on when i go back, hahaha. We played some games today. We backed up through some barrels, and worked on sideways over a log, which she didn't really do. She has no problem walking over the log, but i could not get her to jump them, something else to work on. Anyway, she did do sideways along the fence, not brilliantly but good enough for me since we don't work on that enough, but what really impressed me was the circles. I think she has come so far in her circle games. Last week she offered to trot in circles and this week she was trotting around and did 4 circles, with the help of the round pen. Wow, she was just so good. Ahhh i almost forgot, she stood on the pedestal which really is nothing special, but she yielded her hind end and pivoted which was so cool. I thank god everyday for sending me her, even though i still have a fear of her. I hope that will go away a lot next Friday.

The Reason

The reason i love horses so much. Yesterday, i just went out to get a tire to put up a tire swing for the kids. I was amazing. I had all of the horses come and say hi to me so of course i have to say hi back. The only problem with that was that i stayed out there with them for 45 mins. lol, so much for getting the tire swing up and finished earlier. Anyway i had my hands all over Freya and then i tried to ignore her and give some attention to Poncho and Lidlebit and she wouldnt leave me alone, it was so cool. I then decided to give them some more of my undemanding time and went and sat on the mounting block, well.........what an experiance. There i was sitting all quiet with my head down and not touching anyone and i had Poncho, Freya and Lidlebit huddled around me, like they were waiting for their orders, i tried to call Mike for a pic but he had already gone into the house. So the next thing that happened.....You are never going to believe it, Freya touched me. OMG she actually touched me first. So i then again had my hands all over her. She had her head so nice and low that i was able to take the burrs out of her forelock. Wow. I was so distracted with Freya that i didnt realize that Poncho was playing with my foot, well my shoe to be exact. I just remember watching him pull my leg into the air. He bit the end of my shoe and almost my toes and tried to get away with it. So of course i shoed him off and startled him, and there is Freya just waiting for more love. My horse wanting love. AAAAAAhhhhhh that was so cool.

Finally caught up

O my, what a great day. It really couldnt have gone any better for Freya and I. Wow. my mare is pretty special. After having a rough play day with her 2 weeks ago, it was so incrediable today. My girl for the first time did circles and did 4 of them at a walk and offered too trot a circle. Circles have been a problem for us for a while. I could not believe it. She stood on the bridge that i made with her front feet, and i made it into zone 4. The milestones we have crossed are huge to me. I was a little dissapointed in myself for not sitting on her again, maybe next time, i will have a little more courage. I cant figure out how to get over this fear of coming off of her again. She is just to big and i of course am all my kiddos have. :(

Back to Sue's

Well here we are a week later. Today i hung out with one of Sue's crazy arab's. Dina. cute little thing but a bit too high for me. I like my warmbloods they are a lot quieter then them arabs. She was a good girl though, This little on really just needs to be hung out with a lot and a lot of friendly. Nothing too exciting. Keri and Rose had their 2 boys picked up and they got to play with them at Sue's and i guess they did some riding in the afternoon. Which anyone can read on Keri's blog i am sure. I usually dont hang out for the afternoon cause i dont have a horse their to ride or really play around with. Maybe i should man the camera when that happens. lol I have a beautiful pic of Prince and Keri that i am sure she will share with our readers as well, They are so cute together that if someone sees it 2 times they will love it just as much

Playday at my house

So yeah we had Sue L. come to our play day here. That meant that everyone had a horse to play with. Keri had little Pony boy Nigel, Sue Solf played with monster Poncho, and of course i had Miss Freya, and Sue L played with a baby Lidlebit. what fun it was. Sue L did amazing with Lidlebit, she totally saw the dominate baby that we all see. lol. Keri had a great day with Nigel and played with him so well, he is such a passive and sweet pony. Sue S. made terrific progress with Poncho. Come the end of playing Poncho wouldnt leave her alone. He followed her everywhere. Freya and i had a not so good play time. Its funny Sue L. asked me over lunch what was the difference between today and any other time and all i could say was that the diffence was her. I am not used to playing infront of anyone else and i truely believe that was our issues for the day. I couldnt seem to get along with Freya. I think it comes down to showing Sue L. what i had accomplished in other words trying to show off and it backfired. Our connection just wasnt there. There will be better days to come. I however did end on a great note of actually getting on her. aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh it feels great sitting on her. I just have to get that fear out of me somehow.

Playday at Sue's

Well i had another great play day. We gathered today at Sue's house and i played with Sage and then spent a little time with my pal Eeorya. What fun. I could not believe how good Sage was considering she is a bold little girl. She is just so unsure of everything. She responded so good to my energy levels, she is very sensitive. We worked on a lot of friendly and then a lot of yeilding the hind end and front end or i should be correct and say quarters lol. She was so good and i hope that i did a bit of good for her. She had some issues with the string and carrot stick in the beginning but soon turned it around and was fine with just about everything, maybe not fine but she tolerated anything i did. So when all was done with Sage i took out Eeyora and she is just the coolest little donkey in the world. What can i say just look at that face. Priceless.

Well, where to begin... I had another fantastic day with Freya. We covered the friendly, the porcupine, a bit of yo yo, we did some driving and i worked on the figure of 8's and backing up through 2 barrels, which was so good. I really cant believe how good she is. Something she has never done is the backing up and i was totally amazed at how good she did. I walked her to the front side of the barrels thinking she would have a bit of an issue with it because she used to be very unconfident of squeezing, so i only brought her half way through. the squeeze didnt even fizz her, the next step being back up, and she did it and was very straight. Yeah, so having it be that easy i tried again except i brought her all the way through, and lo and behold she did again, and i made sure that she was all the way through the gate. (barrels) Things just keep getting better and better, I love my girl

1 YEAR TOGETHER

What a fantasic day. I gave the grand tour after we finished with the upstairs of the house, and then showed the ladies what we have gotten done in the barn. The four stalls are finished complete with heated water buckets and feed buckets as well as everyone has a mineral block to lick on. Yesterday we finished the tack room and am loving how rustic it looks. We celebrated our 1 year anniversary with our little horsey group, and i dont think any of us can believe that it has only been a year. I feel like i have know everyone for so long. Come to think of it, i cant believe what i have accoplished in a year. Wow how time flies when you are having fun. As far as playing, i did a lot of friendly with Freya, and then worked on yeilding her front and hind end with a little more snap. The Sue came along and decided she would take Freya cause she is going to do a little bit of Backing/ Riding with her just for my sake, because i dont have the confidence she has. Freya was wonderful. Sue even went as far as messing about with getting her leg over her and she was totally fine. Keri played around with Nigel today. Miles and Mikel (I hope i spelled that right) came for a play day with my pony, so Keri made sure they were safe playing with my sweet little pony, and i think things went very well. My darling Rose took a lot of pics for us, i hope she knows how much they mean to me. Anyway, as a tribute to staying together for 1 whole year my darling Keri made a cake, boy o boy was it ever good. We had a good social and looked back on some pics, and basically reminised. It was so wonderful. Thanx to everyone.

ITS ABOUT TIME!!!!!

Finally i make it back to my blog. Its about time. Where to start....i have moved into a beautiful old farm house and boy have we been busy. We have the entire upstairs redone, from ripping off the wall paper, to repainting the upstairs. Beautifully done by my Mike, i will give him all of the credit, however i did contribute, lol. As far as the horses go i have been maintaing with the meet ups and i thank god for them. At least my nags were getting a little something every 2 weeks. My new addition Lidlebit, has settled in better than i ever could have imagined and ooooooo she is so cute and fiesty, funny, fearless, she is just like a bouncing baby girl, into everything, not like i am refering to Jayda at all. ;). So i have now settled in for the most part and am anxious to get busy with the horses. I do spend a little bit of time with them everyday, which of course helps my Freya with confidence. Today though i put my mind to it and got busy with Freya. I PLAYED TODAY and feel great. We didnt do a whole lot. I knew that i was going in there to clean her up a bit, and do a lot of friendly. She was in heaven, when i started curring her. She loved it. She had her nose on the ground, she was loving the massage on her cramped up neck. That is why i want so bad to get out there and massage her neck. She will feel much better when the tension is gone, more relaxed. So to top it all off when i was finished with a little bit of friendly and hangin out, i set up the barrels as a jump. I asked a few times and then would re-send, and bang she did it. She actually jumped for me. I was so thrilled, i got it on video so it will be nice to share on Friday. Not only did she jump once but then i asked again and she did it, with so much more confidence. Yeah. I hope i didnt push her too much. The first jump scared her because she hit the barrel with the hind feet and shot off cause the barrel was coming for her, but the second time was so much better. Any little bit is progress, and i am happy with that. Cant wait till Friday. This week we have all of the little kiddies. March Break. should be fun. I hope the Standish boys come to play with Ryland and Jayda. I think they had fun.

My Dearest Appoligies

Sorry to all of my fans :). It has been two long weeks and i wanted to make sure to post something from the play day that was here 2 weeks ago. It was amazing. So much fun. Not only am i building my confidence, but working on the relationship between Freya and I. I think it is going so well. I had so much fun. I hope everyone else did. Lets see, who came that day. We had Miss Allison, and Miss Kate as well as Miss Marie came out, they had a great chat with Sue while i played with my girl. I also had the wonderful Rose and Miss Keri playing with Lidlebit and taking pictures left right and center. I cannot forget Darling Kris, who watched my babies, thank heavens otherwise i wouldnt get to play as long or concentrate very well. I will post a lot of pics sometime soon.

Anyway Freya and i worked on the sideways just over a log, and believe it or not....she was getting it. I was so amazed, considering it really was the first time we had tried it. I also had her touching a few things, but that little mare really is reluctant. The biggest news for myself is that i was all over her. Leaning on and laying on her. My biggest dream would be to have the confidence to ride with confidence again......Like the old days, and the fact that i am working on it.....i am on a natural high. Love it, and love her.

Parelli Play Day

Well on Friday we had our meet up at Sue's house, and had a chance to play with her horses again. Wow, her horses have energy. Not what i am used to. I had a chance to hang out with Tia. A very nice little Arab. Keri played with Kaliff, don't know if i spelled that right, and Sue played with Blossom. Later on Andrea showed up and i had no problem letting her have Tia. I like them a little quieter so i went for Eeyora the donkey lol. She is so cool. Sue had us use our energy and see how our energy works with the horse. My energy is hidden. They don't think i have enough umph. I am much to concered with the horse instead of just forgetting about the horse and having the horse respond to me. I guess i am a poor leader, or at least with someone else horse. I don't want to mess things up. Keri and Sue decided to make a clover leaf pattern in her riding ring, and of course at this time i had Eeyora. Poor wee thing. The snow came to her belly and she couldn't, or maybe i should say didn't want to move or go anywhere. It was too much work for her. lol I cant for get our darling Rose, for if she wasn't there i would not have been able to play at all, and we all wouldn't have the pictures to post on Facebook, our blogs, or just for our own personal use. My darling Rose is a very important person to our little group. Love you all.