Ride no 24. By self in field (3rd time)

Sunday 18th April 2010

Didn't get up until 7pm. fed and scratched D for a while as I've often been in too much of a hurry to do this lately. Something else that got me thinking this week was s saying how much D loves kids grooming him. he doesn't love me grooming him and, if not tied up, will walk off! I was wondering what kids do differently to me and I think it's probably less pressure and speed. Now I know D doesn't mind a hard grooming as M bites him pretty hard when grooming so I'm going to focus on speed first and investigate whether slowing down makes a difference. The first indications tonight were positive. I don't really like grooming either whereas kids love it so I'm sure that rubs off too!

I led D up to the top field to put the cones out and he was positively keen to get up there! he was saddled and bridled. Lots of chomping on the bit again. Will see how he goes with this. He's in the myler recommended for RBEs and young horses but he may need to move to the higher ported one for RBIs sooner rather than later. Depends if the chomping is because he feels his tongue is being restricted or he's just getting used to the bit generally.

I led D round while I put the cones out then did the same pattern on the ground as last time; Walk, trot halt, back up, walk, halt, treat! He was quite grumpy again and dominant when trotting, head tossing and plunging his nose down to the ground. He's also quite reluctant to stop! I used to get a bit concerned abut this - as in not knowing what to do - but I just ignore it now. I'm sure, as he gets sweeter about what I'm asking him to do, these protests will disappear of their own accord.

After doing a circuit on each rein, I got on. I was going to mount from the offside but I'm so unco-ordinated with the saddle, I left it with a view to practicing it when S is around in case I get stuck or hit him on the bum and scare D! Strangely, I'm fine with the bareback pad so it's obviously just my neural pathways blocking me!

Well, what a great boy D was. He was not nappy at all. I felt him bulging towards the gate slightly once but it was nothing even worth reacting to. he was so willing and really forward going. The back-ups were fab with him really bringing his nose in and powering back. Funnily enough, with my saddle on, I'm not able to get my legs forward onto his shoulders a la Parelli. With my legs back, I found them moving on instinct to keep the back-up straight. At first I resisted my "old ways" but then I thought, "it's working so what are you doing?!" I found myself back in my comfort zone but this time, instead of castigating myself, I felt grateful for the knowledge I've gained and actually thought it would be wrong to deny what works for the horse just because I'm not sure if it's the Parelli way! It might be Finesse instead of Freestyle but Hey Ho!

I was able to concentrate again on how the seat influences forward stop and back-up. D is so responsive once he's on board emotionally, he was such a pleasure today. So here's what I think so far:

• Walk on - lift life, push seatbones slightly forward then start moving whole body as Linda teaches in fluidity, leg on last. (I had no need to use whip whap today).
• Halt - drop life - seatbones stay forward - REVELATION! I have never got that before as in "dressage", you are generally taught to keep the hindlegs coming forward by keeping your leg on whilst "dropping your weight" which I realise now made me too upright.
• Back-up - seatbones stay forward!!! Another Revelation!! I was taught to lift my seatbones so the horse could lift his back. In Parelli, having trained the horse on the ground to go back when you lift the rein with rhythm, that's all you need to do on top. I was actually able to barely lift the rein but D still went back because my seat was heavy but my legs were moving. Amazing!!
• A good back-up really is the key to a good halt. We need to go back, back, back. The Americans do it but we don't in the UK. I think we're worried about making our horses nappy but I can feel already that D's halt has improved in one session so we'll see.
• I surprised myself by how gently I could ride D. At the end, I did a few circles really using my body to turn him and he responded beautifully. He's even more responsive than Ollie.

D started off a bit grumpy again today but finished off totally motivated and not wanting to stop. I was tempted to trot today as he was so good and I want to "get on"! Stopped myself as I need to establish a positive attitude in walk first. I'm committed to at least 7 repeats of this pattern but, if D gets fed up or perfect, I will of course change it a bit - but not because I'm getting bored, LBE that I am, no, no, no!

As a result of the great progress made today, I'm definitely up for doing a walk and trot dressage test at Felbridge showground in the near future. I love a challenge to focus me and I've been thinking that dressage would be a great grounding for D because it's a calm atmosphere to meet lots of strange horses in rather than the showground where there's lots going on and horses galloping about. I'm not bothered how D "goes" in the test. My only aim will be for him to travel in the right direction and hopefully have fun!

Ride No 23. Towards Dry Hill. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

Thurs April 15th 2010

Ooh, I really needed a good day and I really got it! Duncs was great today. S and I went right onto the main road and down to the bridge over Scarletts Lake. Then we went straight on up the path to Dry Hill! We haven't done this before. I put the boots on D - which is a struggle with the pads and inserts but worth it as he then has a spring in his step instead of lagging behind and is happy to walk on any surface.

D was very bold and often in front leading the way. He's so much more confident with Moet - need him to feel that confident with me!!! I lost my bottle when faced with going under a low branch, didn't fancy getting squashed! D's still not great when things touch my upper body (but getting better) so I had visions of him panicking if my head touched the branch. We went round the tree but the descent was vertical so I got off! Not very brave!

What I was most impressed with with was riding round the fields that lead to Dry Hill, D was totally chilled but forward going. Unlike many horses, he didn't get on the grass and think "Whey Hey"! I really like that in a horse - that they stay calm on any surface - usually it's because they have had a good education and not been bombed about.

Ooh, the other great thing was, D had the bridle on. Fabbo. I love it!! He chomps quite a lot on a loose rein but once a gentle contact is picked up, he becomes much more steady. What I really liked was, as he set off on his Icelandic tolt, I held a steady contact and pushed him forwards and he slowed down and gave slightly. GREAT! The start of going into the bridle. You can tell that, although he's a bit unsettled in his mouth, it hasn't been messed up. He's very much like Ollie who was very unsettled to start with but, with time and the right bits, settled down completely.

The weather was fab and I really enjoyed myself and so did D so what a great "upper". Just what the doctor ordered!

Extreme horse FG! Sideways ugh. Footy again. The bridle fits!

Saturday 10th April 2010

What a gorgeous, hot day! Unfortunately I got a bit hot under the collar with D too! My original plan was to take a walk up the road, come back and put the cones out in the field and repeat the same PTP exercise as the other day. I really wanted an easy day as, after an "incident", I usually need a few low-key sessions myself to feel more positive again (maybe D feels the same too!)

Anyway, God had other plans for me as, when I got past Pippas, the mare and youngster who were in the right hand woods were in the field opposite Joans ponies and the youngster wanted to play!

D went straight into tail kinked stallion stance - it's quite extraordinary to see. I've wondered if he were riggy except that he does calm down and I suspect that, if he had any seeds to sow, he would not! D has a tendency to want to stand on top of me when this happens which is my first clue that he's unconfident about the other horses. He doesn't try to drag me over to say hello. In fact, by the end of this session (it was a long one), I got the distinct impression that D is like an unsocialised dog who doesn't know quite what to do. His first reaction is to kink his tail, head up and go into an extreme brace - absolutely rigid - usually with one of those fearful snorts. After that, there's a lot of prancing but I'm not sure if he's just on adrenalin through excitement or fear or both!

So, to deal with the prancing, I decided I wanted to get D to go sideways but he had other ideas and kept squeezing between me and the fence or else trying to climb over the fence. I am not proud to say I got pretty mad at one point and made an "issue" out of sideways without going forwards. The fact that D was obviously footy didn't deter me either. Was I too hard on him. Yes probably but just as I was feeling repentant and wondering of I'd upset him, he grabbed at a bush to eat!

He was a bit confused that's for sure and it wasn't the greatest lesson - I was not a patient teacher - but when he got it right, I made a great fuss and rewarded him so that was something. Finally when it was good enough - or rather he was doing a crappy sideways but not trying to push forward - I went back towards home. Then I had the bright idea to go down the lane where all the horses are to seek out some new provocations! Oh boy, did we get some!

D was unconfident going down the path and very reluctant to go forward (worse than usual so I obviously had upset him) but I persevered - time will tell if this is a good thing or not I guess!

We got almost to the bottom of the path with the horses around us all remaining calm. On the way back, a field of 3 big TBs started cantering around snorting. D was away! I manged to get him to go sideways for a bit but after a while, as per a pattern I have noticed, he swings his bum towards me and does a protest buck (LB then?). Thinking about this as I write, I think I then feel too vulnerable to whack his arse to catch up to his head and his head's got too strong to bring back to match the bum.

Anyway, I reverted to a figure 8 (will watch this next time) and kept hold of him until the other horses calmed down. Further on by another field as a horse cantered over, I really noticed D's initial reaction and recognized seeing it before. In his extreme initial brace he looks at me for guidance!!

Now that is big. This time, described above, when I actually noticed AND thought about it (!), I cocked my leg and said "It's OK" and acted like there was "nothin doing". When I really concentrated on being casual, D didn't move, his adrenalin came down and he was much more malleable. Now I'm really wondering what the exact sequence was all those other times when he takes off prancing and whether I could have got him to stand still or rather - not caused him to move!

Interestingly, after this brief revelation, I walked past the 3 horses again with a more assertive body posture and then turned for home with a deliberate swagger! D visibly relaxed although he was still way more alert than normal! So....lots to chew on here. Goodness knows how swaggering translates to riding! But I'm starting to think.....!

Oh, tried my bridle on and it fits! I tried the myler on before and thought it was too big but, after trying my myler pelham, i could see the next size down would be too small. Then I also remembered that they look weird anyway as the rings stick out to the side. Just turning over that D may need more "hand-holding" when out on our own so the bridle may be more appropriate. He has absolutely no issues putting it on - he actually looked very happy about it! Good boy.

Ride no 22. Test of emotional fitness...meeting other horses in the woods!

Thurs 8th April 2010

S couldn't ride, I went in the afternoon as Ed was at Sue's for a visit. I decided to take D into the woods on the left which i have only done on foot once or twice. I walked through the fields and D came down with me most enthusiastically and waited at the gate to go out! He was disappointed when I took him to the shed to get ready!

A quick lick later and we were out. D was very happy to go out and I mounted at the bank at the end of the road (wearing saddle). D was reluctant to go into the woods at first, and the following pattern continued all the way:
1. Stand goggling a bit
2. Relax
3. Walk on at Lucy's request (I was aiming to get to a fixed point a few feet away)
4. Stop at Lucy's request (although may have been wavering a bit before)
5. Treat

When I asked D to go forward it was with very obvious pedalling and moving my upper body and seat. Basically, he was unconfident but obedient and didn't get spooky as I didn't push him across any thresholds (or so I thought!)

We got to the walled garden and were just coming out to the open field when a pair of horses that had passed us on the way out, came back towards us. I wondered whether to stay on then though better of it (TG) and got off. When the riders approached, the leader asked if I knew I shouldn't be in the woods. I gave a short reply but D was already getting his tail kinked up and there wasn't enough room for them to pass safely. I thought it would be safest if I went out of the woods first as I could see D was getting really excited.

I was OK in front doing falling leaf while D pranced & trying to keep up a conversation with the leader (inc telling her D was just backed!). However, at the first opportunity she overtook me and went off up a parallel path leaving me in the boggiest part of the woods with a wild pony trying to keep up. I tried to get D to go sideways as he kept pulling off in front of me but it was hopeless and I ended up clinging onto his head like the grooms leading the racehorses to the starting stalls! I shouted out "You may have a loose horse with you in a minute" at which point the leader turned and said "Oh really?! Shall I wait?"

I had actually dropped the rope as D pulled away but managed to stand on the end and he just about came back as I said "Yes I really would like you to wait!" She declared herself in a hurry but did wait and, once back on the road, I was confident of regaining control as 1. D calmed down back in the safer environment and 2. I had better footing from which to hold on!

I felt really p'd off after this due to
1. My inability to be able to control D - I certainly couldn't have gone on the way I wanted to go!
2. The fact that he's so wild around other horses (even when he's with Moet)
3. That it's not about the horses really - it could be tractors or deer or buggies or umbrellas - he doesn't trust me as the leader yet. Yes, after all this time!!!
4. The fact I'd got a ticking off and the rider hadn't given a hoot about my safety either

Hey Ho. It's all a learning curve but I must admit that for the first time in a very long time I thought "I don't know if I'm up to, or up for, this!" Really D needs a lot more work than I can give him to make appropriate progress for his age. He could do with being around more horses more often and obviously needs even more leadership and ground work than he's getting from me. I guess I'm not used to feeling a failure as we've had such a good run that my emotional fitness is not at it's best! I'm not a quitter 'though so it's onwards march to work on:
1. Leadership on the ground - need to push out of the comfort zone to develop this now
2. Familiarisation with other horses

Ride no 21 - by myself in the field (2nd time)

Mon 5th April 2010

Luckily a bank hol so Rich had Ed (no pre-school) but it was late when I got there - 6pm. Got D ready inc saddle and walked up to the top field where I walked him round with me whilst I put the cones out. I had 2 along the road hedge, 1 along the church walk side and a bin by the trough and 4 more joining these to make a circle (giving the dogs a wide berth). Had a brain wave re putting cones in the middle - aha just had another brain wave re working towards the question box!!!

Well, D was NOT impressed! He pulled lots of faces and looked thoroughly grumpy. He gets a little wrinkle above his eyelids when he's grumpy! I walked or trotted between the cones doing touch it for a reward. D shook his head dominantly and tried to pull away from me a few times and was very spirited generally. After doing the entry re riding in the field for the saddler, I'd been wondering how much of this was LB and how much RB. This was LB behaviour but there is an underlying anxiety/skepticism causing him to make it clear that he is NOT up for playing!

I think he has been at the point of disliking schooling/lessons/arena riding in the past, perhaps even getting to hate it. Whether this was because it was boring, confusing or uncomfortable or a combination of the above, I will probably never know but to see his attitude transform over yesterday's session was an absolute joy!

To stop him rushing, I was doing a little trot followed by halt and back up He hadn't really simmered down completely when I got on but M was coming up to join us which I knew D would find a comfort and D had started to look at bit more engaged and was pricking his ears forward with his sweet pony enjoying himself face. I knew he wasn't going to throw a wobbly anyway.

He was grumpy when i got on and I did then think I should have got off and got on again but during the rub whilst I thought this, D cheered up and started to walk off! BUT...his intention was to go out through the gateway and down to the bottom field!!! Aha, thought I, we are not going to do ANY passenger today! No, no no. I must not let D think he can take me off where he wants at this stage in our relationship! So, there was quite a bit of flexing and disengaging just to get him to stand still and turn away from the gate but each time he made a good choice i relaxed very obviously and rubbed acting as tough I had all the time in the world.

D was very bracey and I could literally see the thoughts going round in his brain expressed on his face! I just kept rubbing and then very gently asked him to go to a cone. He was very sticky to start off with - more so than the first time I did this (before the saddler) but I persevered gently. Even the wip wop I had to do a couple of times, I did gently. I wonder if he was waiting for me to be bracey with him but when I didn't he started to feel OK.

Gradually, he got less and less sticky. I did the same pattern between cones. Walk, halt, back up, walk on, touch it, treat. I crossed across the field more than just going round the edge. He kept trying to drift towards the gate and made a couple more efforts to go off down there but they were half-hearted which was encouraging.

At the end, D was ears pricked really enjoying himself. In fact, when I gave the "grass" verbal cue, he ate for a short while then lifted his head and made for the nearest cone! I had to start guiding as no passengering at the mo and then we did a few more but I really wanted to finish so, during the next graze, I quickly hopped off!

Really delighted and this has confirmed too that lots of transitions are needed. Also reminded me that the way to a good stop is LOTS of back-up! Yay, I'd forgotten that! I started to really feel the different shapes my seat made when I stopped to asking for a walk on.

So, another 5 times on this pattern and we should be getting it going good. maybe even trotting between cones!

Car wash!!

Easter Saturday 3rd April 2010

Decided to set up a mini car wash after I realised I'd forgotten my Hoola Hoop! Luckily found some bubble wrap on the ground outside S & S's which I hung from the squeeze tree with a gap in the middle - thought I would progress over a couple of sessions to going through a whole screen!

D was fab. He was goggling from the gate but I just kept going a couple of steps forward then back up. When he was comfortable being close to it I went the other side but did the same again so in the end d was dying to get right up to the stuff! Soon he was going right under (actually when I hadn't asked him, oh well!) and at one point he looked comical standing with the bubble wrap right over his face whilst trying to bite at it. Not scared of it at all!

Today, I cracked down on the eating by ignoring the graze if we weren't actually doing anything but, if I was asking him to do something I leapt about a bit blocking him or, if he got his head down, by asking him to walk on then going quite quickly to a ph4 - otherwise he just sees the slow progression through the phases as an opportunity to eat more! seemed to work anyway. I will have to revisit the Parelli footage on this as I don't think you're supposed to interrupt the head plunge...let the horse make the mistake...then just ask again. Trouble with this - I think is - that the horse gets a reward for his efforts of a quick munch!?

Walked down the road and further down the path towards the Big House. Practiced Z4 driving mainly. D trying to sidle off to eat grass so I had to keep straightening him but he was good when he got the message that it wasn't a munch-fest today.

Went on past S & S's and into the top paddock where we did some circling - with no munching!! I realised after that we've come a way as I couldn't stop D from munching in there before without scaring him whereas he obviously trusts and respects me a bit more now. Circling very good! D will maintain trot of his own volition now. Cantering only a few strides but ground boggy, D unfit and he probably needs to do a lot of cantering in straight lines before he's strong enough for circles. Felt a bit mean as he was looking for a treat but I had decided that a graze was going to be his reward at the end and that's what he got! Really pleased with him today.

Ride no 20 - hit my 20 hours riding!! First ride in saddle (Scarletts Lake)

Thurs 1st April 2010

Whoo Hoo! Our 20th ride (20 hours riding needed to qualify to go on a Parelli course) and first ride "under saddle". It felt great to be riding in the saddle, tho' a bit strange and perched to start with. It slipped a little to the left but that's to be expected as D is a bit wonky - what unfit horse isnt?!

Firstly, I didn't ride on the Mon as had the dreaded "Vomiting Virus" Sun night and spent all Mon in bed, R took the day off bless him. Probably the rigours of the NCT sale Fri/Sat as no-one else got it! So I was bursting to try the saddle and was not disappointed. Walked my usual stretch and got on at the bank. D rather disrespectful scoffing grass. Let it go but made a mental note to start working on this now he's used to me getting on.

D was in boots with new pads and seemed very happy in them though not as sprightly as the first occasion he wore them! Did a bit of trotting. I'd wondered if I might be able to get him to soften by flexing him as I really don't like the way he braces his neck when he's trotting (tempted to start using a bridle for some refinement). He was bemused by this so I let it go - need to have a think about this.

Writing later, I have thought about this and the first rule with any horse is to get them going forwards, then work on straightness and flexion. Soooo, add in the equally important skill of learning to slow D from my seat without touching the reins and I realise I'm a bit off needing a bridle yet. Need to do lots of transitions and really get him off the leg, slowing to the seat and bending before trying to refine things further. My time with Zebs really taught me the importance of getting the HQs coming underneath before asking for any engagement. Need to keep that in mind as D very similar. Could easily shut him down if I try to start asking him to work in an outline too early.

Great ride, D led the way over the raging torrent bridge and was altogether nice and bold today. I was thoroughly delighted. I rustled my coat a few times periodically and when he trotted I kept just saying "wa-lk" and shutting down with my seat and also catching his eye which helps a lot. I really noticed today that he gets anxious when he gets left behind M and the rushes to catch up. Chatted to S about it and she thought it was probably habitual as that's what he's always done when led and knows he shouldn't get left behind. Lovely weather today so a great time had by all!

Extreme Friendly & zone 4 driving

Thurs 25th March 2010

Time has passed between the day and writing so hazy memory syndrome has set in! S not riding and I was short on time so I just stuck the b/b pad and halter on and went out. My focus after D's spooking was more extreme FG. Need to do one on-line session a week and incorporate extreme FG.

First I did some spook-busting with a blow-up goal of Sarahs's by the pine trees which D soon walked past. I hung it from the trees. D was a bit goggly at first but approach & retreat soon had him keen to have a look.

Then we went out. I can't remember which bag I used now...I do remember that D was alarmed about it to start with. Went down the road and into the woods on the right and down to the mare & foals field. The mare has still not had her foal and is huge. D grazed happily and they didn't come over so there was no excitement. I did FG the whole time practically so that I was able to get the bag on his back on the way home.

Started walking back in Z4 now, not yet behind D in Z5 but that's the aim. He's pretty good at it but does try to take advantage a bit and with one rein it means the C/S has to come into play and I'm not sure if I'm doing that right. Have so little time to watch TV, still trying to catch up with old recordings of Parelli and haven't watched the last 2 Savvy Club DVDs. Sigh...poor pupil!

The saddle fits!! A few holes revealed too

Wed 24th March 2010

The good news first. The saddler, LH, arrived promptly. With very little fuss she checked the saddle, said it had the right head plate in it (size 4) but could see why it might have been slipping forward. She moved the front girth strap forward onto the anchor at the points as she said this would hold the girth in the girth groove. She thought it was likely the girth was slipping forward into the groove and because the front strap was anchored further back, it would pull the whole saddle with it. LH adjusted the air too so that it was "flocked" evenly.

Then came to trying it out!!! So, going back a bit to my prep......as we know PPP prevents PPP. I had taken D up the road and ridden back. he was a bit slow and reluctant due to all the construction traffic outside Pippas. Then he saw Elsa (who'd come to help me) with her red saddle cover. He soon followed her when she walked off but he was a bit sticky and RB. I had then planned to ride round the field but I realised I had 10 minutes left - then LH arrived 10 mins early!

So, back to post-fitting, Elsa led me up to the top field and around in a kind of circle. The first spook was due to M cantering up behind D on the way up. I got off, sent D around a bit then got back on. E led me again and, although D was pretty spooky, I was glad to know he couldn't go too far! That said, he spun round or swung out a few times or spooked at my coat rustling!

After about 3 times of him spinning his bum out towards the gate, LH asked if he was being nappy. Strangely this had not occurred to me as I was just thinking about going forwards and had not noticed the pattern. I said it would be great if so - I can deal with napping!! My analysis is that he felt as if he was napping because he was nervous and trying to run away from the situation rather than saying "sod it, this is too much like hard work!" I think he was rattled by the new situation and people and he's not yet in a place where he takes leadership from me on top. As soon as I got off, he switched the energy off which was telling.

Lots to think over and work on. What it did definitely reveal is that D is still along way off being bombproof and more extreme FG is needed! Also, lots more riding in new situations and by ourselves by gradual degrees. If I'm honest, I was a bit disappointed with D on the one hand as I thought he'd got a bit further in his confidence but I was more frustrated with myself for not setting him up for success.

The great news was that the saddle stayed securely in place - and so did I!! It fitted, hurrah! I have to say, I felt great riding in a saddle again.

I must admit, after LH had gone, I said to E that I was going to go back up the field and "sort things out" with D. However, fortunately I recognised this was NOT a Good Idea! In my frame of mind, it might have turned into a battle or I could have put too much pressure on D and made things worse. What I did do was go into the little paddock and let D graze while I sat on his back and he went very sweetly from point to point when I asked so we finished the day on very good terms with each other and D watched me avidly as I left. Ahh.

Ride No 19 - Scarletts lake

Tues 16th March 2010

I am writing on 4th April so my memory is too fuzzy to be of much use! S couldn't ride on the Monday so I think I did stuff round the house and we rode today when Rich was off. Lovely weather and D great but not quite as sprightly on his feet. Wondered if it was because the pads were not new - second time of use.

I really can't remember any more which is good as it means we're really starting to put mileage on now. I guess it's like when you've driven your car 100 miles, you couldn't describe every road along the way!!!