Thurs 9th December 2010
I think I've mentioned before that I love Thursdays!! Had a great one this day. But, before I get into that, a few things have really got me thinking in the past week (dangerous, I know!!)
Firstly - and I know this is a bit of an admission but I bet loads of grown-up horsey girls do it - I re-read one of my kids' pony books; "Fly-By-Night" by KM Peyton. Here is what Amazon says about the book:
"Fly-by-Night" was not the best choice for an eleven-year-old girl who had never ridden before; but as soon as Ruth Hollis saw the sturdy, lively pony, she knew that he was the one she wanted. All her life Ruth had longed to own a pony and now that her family had moved from London to a new housing estate in East Anglia, she had persuaded her father to let her spend her savings on a pony. But having taken possession of Fly-by-Night, Ruth found that her troubles had only just begun.
The reason I picked this book up is because Edmund had pulled it out of the bookshelf. I had forgotten that Fly-By-Night is an unbroken New Forest Pony who was bought at the New Forest Sales prior to our heroine, Ruth, buying him for £40. Our own Duncan, also a NF pony, shares a similar history, having gone through the NF sales before being bought by Sharon for £50!
Once I had recalled that fact by reading a chapter in the middle, I decided to go back to the beginning! The "troubles" described in the book are basically all those to be expected (actually less than might be expected) when a novice rider buys a spirited unbroken pony! A lot of careering about on a wildly excited mount. Poor Ruth Hollis is constantly afraid but (I will get to the point in a minute!) she does not let this deter her from pursuing her dreams........So what did the book say to me?
It reminded me that you must expect "troubles" with young horses, even with the best foundation. New experiences generally cause great excitement! It's how you react that defines how long it takes your horse to become accustomed to them. The first show I ever took my previous (RBE) horse, Ollie, to, he was positively wild! Six months later, he was positively relaxed!
Now, this probably sounds foolishly obvious, but the book reminded me that you really do need a bit of mettle with a young or inexperienced horse and - Blimey - if 11 yr old Ruth Hollis can do it - so can I!!!
So, to our arena experience....I spent the best part of an hour helping P to dig out a track in the snow round the arena. Duncs was waiting happily in a stable (despite having no hay!). When I bought him out, P was trying to walk her black horse round but she got so excited by Duncs' presence that I took him back in until P had finished. Duncan himself was great. Although he kinked his tail right up in the air, he did not snort or cavort but kept looking at me expectantly for his treat (bit of apple) - a reward for paying attention to me. What a great pattern that is! Can't say how delighted I am about that one. I was also delighted that my adrenalin didn't go up at all either!
P then had to pick up the kids so I took Duncs back into the arena by myself. Got to do a lot on the ground including circling which we'd not done for ages (not too bad). I was then at the point where I thought he was ready to ride. I had a moment when I thought "Is this wise...I'm here by myself...perhaps I should ride in here once more with Pippa before I go it alone?" All sensible and valid thoughts but, with my new-found determination, I decided to seize the moment. It was just a case of finding a bit of mettle.
So, I took Duncs to a gate to mount (block was in the yard). He was absolutely fine, so we were off. What was really nice was that I was able to practice my Parelli moves, which of course I wouldn't have done if I was receiving instruction. We walked, stopped, backed up, flexed, disengaged the HQs, turn on the haunches and half circle changes of rein. Duncs was really chilled. I did err on the side of caution by not trotting, ground was very hard too, but I'm sure Duncs would probably have been fine. I was just delighted that he was obviously feeling really good about what we were doing. Of course, I am completely in my comfort zone doing schooling. I Love it! I tried Linda's game of contact with regard to the horse bending the "wrong" way - "Let me help you with that" - and it really does work!! Looking forward to trying it out further.
Re contact; I kept Duncs on a contact but towards the end, when he was really tuned in to my seat, I let the contact get longer and he maintained his confidence. That felt pretty exciting as I actually thought, for the first time, "I can see us going bridleless one day". As soon as he is consistently confident on a loose rein, I will go back to the hackamore and carrot stick. I am also excited by how comfortable I am in the bareback pad. I used to feel quite vulnerable but now realise that that was just because I was quite vulnerable!! At the time, I blamed it on my crappy seat. I still have the same crappy seat but I'm not worrying about it now because Duncan feels so different! Not sure how I'll feel about cantering on it, mind you!
The week before:
On 2 occasions prior to my arena ride, I'd played with Duncs. The first time, we went down the lane and I got on coming back - but very near to home due to ice and not having anything to stand on! Gave up trying to vault on last year after ripping my shoulder muscles really badly! Hey, why don't I teach D to lower his head for me, great idea!
Anyway, I dropped my rope shortly after getting on and had to turn back and get it. Duncs was sticky but, happily did go back after I waited and whip-wopped a bit. He then went past his home entrance and up to J's to look over their fence.
The second time, I walked up to the main road and then went across the pinneger paddock to Duncan's own (resting) back field which was deep in snow. Oh Boy! Did he get excited. He wanted to run about and play so badly and was biting at me with frustration. I was just (so I thought) calming him down with a squeeze game through the open gate when he spotted a huge digger coming our way. He reared up, kicked out, spun round and plunged all over the place. At one point, I thought I was going to have to shut the gate and let him go free lest I get hurt (foolishly only had 12' line on him).
In the event, I was able to keep hold of him whilst he cavorted back across the resting field (away from the advancing digger!) to Moet. It was a bit hairy to say the least but we survived and, instead of thinking "Help!", I was actually thinking "I wish I had a longer line on him!" Yes, I can definitely say, I've got a bit more mettle these days - not quite Ruth Hollis yet though!
Monday, 13 December 2010
Friday, 10 December 2010
Moving on and catching up
A lot has happened since I last blogged, lots of emotional stuff, the upshot of which is that my time with Duncs may now be limited.
So, what I really need to focus on now is continuing to transfer the trust he has developed with me on the ground to when I'm riding. Then I'll feel I've really accomplished something for him - and with him. Thankfully, this is already happening in a big way.
Strangely, there's no mystery formula to achieving trust. It's all recorded for you somewhere. It's the finding out for yourself which is the hard bit! For me, the most dramatic changes have started since:
a) Starting zone 5 driving (long-lining)
b) Understanding how to deal with thresholds
Now, I have to admit I recently found myself wondering, "If I'd just long-lined from the beginning, could I have got to this place a year ago? After all, that's what happens in traditional horse breaking" but No! Without the understanding of thresholds (previous entry of 14th Oct refers), I would have just ended up driving - or trying to drive - Duncan through them.
It's been the combination of both and probably more the second because, when you're behind a horse, you have more thresholds to deal with and less "control" which means if you don't have trust and rapport, it falls apart (which is why I went back to one-line driving!)
Fascinating stuff which I'm now able to apply to Rosie, a very interesting mare, I'm getting to play with once a week or so. Also, all the knowledge I've gained through hours of (extreme) friendly game with Duncs are helping me with a gorgeous foal too (LOVING that, I could really get into foals, so inquisitive!!) So, it's all good for the future.
I didn't write about my first lesson, and it's a few weeks back now, but you could tell I had a blast! That was on a Thursday. The following Monday, Duncan had a massage which brought lots of things up, including saddle fitting problems. He had to have a few days off afterwards so I didn't do anything until the Friday when I took him into the woods and then rode back up the road afterwards. His right shoulder was very stiff but he felt better behind.
Monday 29th Nov 2010
S took Duncan to a local private yard on foot and with the help of Amy along the main road. I met them there with my saddle as I had to drop Ed off at pre-school. None of the saddles presented fitted Duncan, including mine which was too narrow and slipped forwards. No use adjusting the headplate either as Karen (saddler) thought it would then be too long for Duncs. She pointed out that he has a very small area in which to put the saddle and we'd be looking at a 16.5 extra wide. That was disappointing for the long term but I was actually looking forward to riding in the bareback pad again in the short term!
Duncan was a star going there and back. He loved being out and doing something different and was very well behaved. Even coming back, he was calmer than last time coming back through the woods (been getting better).
Tues 30th Nov 2010 - SNOW!!!
I could not get to the field for a week. My car is not good in snow and we have a hill at each end of the road. Luckily, S has a 4WD so the horses didn't go hungry!
So, what I really need to focus on now is continuing to transfer the trust he has developed with me on the ground to when I'm riding. Then I'll feel I've really accomplished something for him - and with him. Thankfully, this is already happening in a big way.
Strangely, there's no mystery formula to achieving trust. It's all recorded for you somewhere. It's the finding out for yourself which is the hard bit! For me, the most dramatic changes have started since:
a) Starting zone 5 driving (long-lining)
b) Understanding how to deal with thresholds
Now, I have to admit I recently found myself wondering, "If I'd just long-lined from the beginning, could I have got to this place a year ago? After all, that's what happens in traditional horse breaking" but No! Without the understanding of thresholds (previous entry of 14th Oct refers), I would have just ended up driving - or trying to drive - Duncan through them.
It's been the combination of both and probably more the second because, when you're behind a horse, you have more thresholds to deal with and less "control" which means if you don't have trust and rapport, it falls apart (which is why I went back to one-line driving!)
Fascinating stuff which I'm now able to apply to Rosie, a very interesting mare, I'm getting to play with once a week or so. Also, all the knowledge I've gained through hours of (extreme) friendly game with Duncs are helping me with a gorgeous foal too (LOVING that, I could really get into foals, so inquisitive!!) So, it's all good for the future.
I didn't write about my first lesson, and it's a few weeks back now, but you could tell I had a blast! That was on a Thursday. The following Monday, Duncan had a massage which brought lots of things up, including saddle fitting problems. He had to have a few days off afterwards so I didn't do anything until the Friday when I took him into the woods and then rode back up the road afterwards. His right shoulder was very stiff but he felt better behind.
Monday 29th Nov 2010
S took Duncan to a local private yard on foot and with the help of Amy along the main road. I met them there with my saddle as I had to drop Ed off at pre-school. None of the saddles presented fitted Duncan, including mine which was too narrow and slipped forwards. No use adjusting the headplate either as Karen (saddler) thought it would then be too long for Duncs. She pointed out that he has a very small area in which to put the saddle and we'd be looking at a 16.5 extra wide. That was disappointing for the long term but I was actually looking forward to riding in the bareback pad again in the short term!
Duncan was a star going there and back. He loved being out and doing something different and was very well behaved. Even coming back, he was calmer than last time coming back through the woods (been getting better).
Tues 30th Nov 2010 - SNOW!!!
I could not get to the field for a week. My car is not good in snow and we have a hill at each end of the road. Luckily, S has a 4WD so the horses didn't go hungry!
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Ride no 42 - our first dressage lesson!!
Thursday 18th November 2010
Well, who would have thought it? After 2 years, we have at last had a sensible ride in an arena! In the end it has all happened rather quickly but really it is the culmination of hours and hours of preparation.
The evening before, I looked up the level 2 freestyle checklist and audition details and pondered over what I needed to tell Pippa about how Parelli is different. In the end I settled on
1. If I want to get off, I will
2. No tight nosebands
A very short list - which made me feel good as I realise I now have enough knowledge and confidence to apply Parelli principles to alternative training. Now, the observant reader will have noticed that I have not yet mastered Freestyle riding so why am I receiving training in Finesse?
I have long held the theory that some horses need to be ridden into a contact before they feel confident enough to be turned loose and I believe Duncs is one such pony. I'm sure it's probably an initial training issue; if a horse is trained the Parelli way from the beginning, it's not likely to turn out this way. I don't ride in the hackamore - at the moment - because Duncan is much more confident in a bridle (wrote about this in a previous entry).
What really delighted me was reading Linda's article in the Savvy Times about her breakthrough using the "Game of Contact" with Allure. She now finds she can at last ride him Freestyle too. Aha......
I need to go to bed so, alas, will have to write in full about my lesson tomorrow. Just for now, I will say he was FANTASTIC! "Oldencraig" (dressage competition centre) here we come! I also got to play with a GORGEOUS mare with a rearing issue afterwards which was great and on Monday I'm going to practice my catching game skills with a feisty filly foal!
Well, who would have thought it? After 2 years, we have at last had a sensible ride in an arena! In the end it has all happened rather quickly but really it is the culmination of hours and hours of preparation.
The evening before, I looked up the level 2 freestyle checklist and audition details and pondered over what I needed to tell Pippa about how Parelli is different. In the end I settled on
1. If I want to get off, I will
2. No tight nosebands
A very short list - which made me feel good as I realise I now have enough knowledge and confidence to apply Parelli principles to alternative training. Now, the observant reader will have noticed that I have not yet mastered Freestyle riding so why am I receiving training in Finesse?
I have long held the theory that some horses need to be ridden into a contact before they feel confident enough to be turned loose and I believe Duncs is one such pony. I'm sure it's probably an initial training issue; if a horse is trained the Parelli way from the beginning, it's not likely to turn out this way. I don't ride in the hackamore - at the moment - because Duncan is much more confident in a bridle (wrote about this in a previous entry).
What really delighted me was reading Linda's article in the Savvy Times about her breakthrough using the "Game of Contact" with Allure. She now finds she can at last ride him Freestyle too. Aha......
I need to go to bed so, alas, will have to write in full about my lesson tomorrow. Just for now, I will say he was FANTASTIC! "Oldencraig" (dressage competition centre) here we come! I also got to play with a GORGEOUS mare with a rearing issue afterwards which was great and on Monday I'm going to practice my catching game skills with a feisty filly foal!
On-line and ride no 41 in the woods
Tuesday 16th November 2010
In between the last entry and ride no 2 with Amy on the above date, I did 3 sessions driving from zone 5 then getting on board to ride back. One time, I just had to sit on Duncan's rug as he was soaking wet and I put a rug on to dry him (didn't work!) Nice and comfy though!
I can't remember much about the riding bit (uneventful apart from one sticky bit coming home) but on-line, he is coming on really well and getting bolder and bolder. We even went into the spooky woods on the right and went all the way to the bottom. He was a bit tense but I got him busy. Now doing shoulder-in on the ground and lots of sideways to try to supple him up. He's picked them up well and puts a good effort in too.
Ride with Amy:
We got all the way into the woods and almost to Amy's field where we met Amy. Duncan was raring to go! I was a bit perturbed to see Amy on a new horse - a huge TB - which she told me had not hacked for a year - and is an ex hunter. GULP! Visions of us galloping out-of-control round the woods filled my head, not assisted by the fact that "Henry" was not keen to stand still to be mounted. Duncs was fine for me to get on and we both stood for a while.
As it turned out, Henry was a real gentle giant whilst Duncan pinged along generally bracing against contact and rushing off my leg in a rather unpleasant way. Basically, he wanted to go! At one point, he was so frustrated he fly bucked and I thought "here we go" but it came to nothing.
Still only walking, slowly, slowly does it! Maybe I will feel like trotting next week if/when:
a) Duncan is more responsive
b) I'm sure our babysitter will not come too if Duncs does take off a bit!
I was pleased overall but it did highlight how badly in need of "schooling" Duncs is (what is this called in Parelli language I wonder). I need to be able to move him about when he gets whizzy - he wasn't keen on listening at all! The positive was that I ended up really looking forward to my lesson!
In between the last entry and ride no 2 with Amy on the above date, I did 3 sessions driving from zone 5 then getting on board to ride back. One time, I just had to sit on Duncan's rug as he was soaking wet and I put a rug on to dry him (didn't work!) Nice and comfy though!
I can't remember much about the riding bit (uneventful apart from one sticky bit coming home) but on-line, he is coming on really well and getting bolder and bolder. We even went into the spooky woods on the right and went all the way to the bottom. He was a bit tense but I got him busy. Now doing shoulder-in on the ground and lots of sideways to try to supple him up. He's picked them up well and puts a good effort in too.
Ride with Amy:
We got all the way into the woods and almost to Amy's field where we met Amy. Duncan was raring to go! I was a bit perturbed to see Amy on a new horse - a huge TB - which she told me had not hacked for a year - and is an ex hunter. GULP! Visions of us galloping out-of-control round the woods filled my head, not assisted by the fact that "Henry" was not keen to stand still to be mounted. Duncs was fine for me to get on and we both stood for a while.
As it turned out, Henry was a real gentle giant whilst Duncan pinged along generally bracing against contact and rushing off my leg in a rather unpleasant way. Basically, he wanted to go! At one point, he was so frustrated he fly bucked and I thought "here we go" but it came to nothing.
Still only walking, slowly, slowly does it! Maybe I will feel like trotting next week if/when:
a) Duncan is more responsive
b) I'm sure our babysitter will not come too if Duncs does take off a bit!
I was pleased overall but it did highlight how badly in need of "schooling" Duncs is (what is this called in Parelli language I wonder). I need to be able to move him about when he gets whizzy - he wasn't keen on listening at all! The positive was that I ended up really looking forward to my lesson!
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Ride no 40. Into the big woods!
Tues 9th Nov 2010
Now, before I set off for the field today I was thinking "Is this wise?"
Because:
a) I had only sat on Duncs twice since June
b) We were going into the "Whizzy Woods"
c) To meet a horse we didn't know
d) In fact, we had never ridden with another horse full stop
Patently the answer was No! But Hey! I thought, the worst thing that could happen was that I fell off - and it's a soft landing in the woods. I had committed to doing it for better or worse! Luckily, it all went swimmingly!
I walked down the lane and into the woods. At the "New Forest" clearing, we saw Basil coming towards us. Duncs was surprised to see him but all the horse familiarisation is paying off as he didn't get wildly excited. I explained that I needed to stand on something to mount or my saddle would slip and followed Amy back to her field to use the mounting block. Duncs was very keen and I walked behind him due to the narrow paths (glad of that zone 5 driving practise!). He was perfect to get on - totally LB - even looked at me for his treat for a long time until I said What are you doing?" then remembered!
We rode for about half an hour, chin wagging all the way, just walking. Duncs LOVED it! He led most of the way and was very forward going, quite joggy at times. I couldn't fault him or have asked for more. When we parted company with Amy, he was a bit sticky to leave (I got off before parting) then a bit too keen to get home but nothing worrying.
This was a great boost for me. In a blog entry in around Sept I declared I needed a hacking partner (as Moet was out of action) or I would die of boredom! Melodramatic - but that nearly came to pass. My enthusiasm, anyway, was slowly dying but now I'm alight again and plotting like mad. Next week I am going to have a traditional dressage lesson!!!!! Is this wise? Probably not.........but the worst thing that can happen is I fall off - and it's a soft landing in the school!!!
Now, before I set off for the field today I was thinking "Is this wise?"
Because:
a) I had only sat on Duncs twice since June
b) We were going into the "Whizzy Woods"
c) To meet a horse we didn't know
d) In fact, we had never ridden with another horse full stop
Patently the answer was No! But Hey! I thought, the worst thing that could happen was that I fell off - and it's a soft landing in the woods. I had committed to doing it for better or worse! Luckily, it all went swimmingly!
I walked down the lane and into the woods. At the "New Forest" clearing, we saw Basil coming towards us. Duncs was surprised to see him but all the horse familiarisation is paying off as he didn't get wildly excited. I explained that I needed to stand on something to mount or my saddle would slip and followed Amy back to her field to use the mounting block. Duncs was very keen and I walked behind him due to the narrow paths (glad of that zone 5 driving practise!). He was perfect to get on - totally LB - even looked at me for his treat for a long time until I said What are you doing?" then remembered!
We rode for about half an hour, chin wagging all the way, just walking. Duncs LOVED it! He led most of the way and was very forward going, quite joggy at times. I couldn't fault him or have asked for more. When we parted company with Amy, he was a bit sticky to leave (I got off before parting) then a bit too keen to get home but nothing worrying.
This was a great boost for me. In a blog entry in around Sept I declared I needed a hacking partner (as Moet was out of action) or I would die of boredom! Melodramatic - but that nearly came to pass. My enthusiasm, anyway, was slowly dying but now I'm alight again and plotting like mad. Next week I am going to have a traditional dressage lesson!!!!! Is this wise? Probably not.........but the worst thing that can happen is I fall off - and it's a soft landing in the school!!!
Down in the doldrums!
It is now Thurs 11th November 2010
I have had a roller-coaster few weeks emotionally but rising back out of the ashes now!
The slippery slope into the doldrums started a few weeks ago when I just couldn't seem to make the time I needed to make progress with Duncs. There is a lot to do at home but it's really all about time management. I waste an awful lot of time - and I go to bed too late so I'm always tired. I'm my own worst enemy! I also feel guilty about my horse time so will let other things squeeze it out.
I had got into a pattern of getting to the field with only an hour to spare and having to take D out with the dog. Then I didn't feel it was worth tacking up etc. etc.
Then, along came Ziggy! We looked after a spaniel who needed rehoming for 2 weeks from 23/10 to 7/11. He took over my life completely with his need for 2 decent walks a day and lots of entertainment in between. The trouble was also that I enjoyed it! Striding across the fields and along routes I hadn't walked for years (pre-Edmund) was really invigorating. I found myself comparing my tame ramblings up and down the lane with Duncs most unfavourably to these cross-country expeditions!
It actually came to crisis point on the evening before Ziggy went to his new home - I seriously considered giving up horses altogether. We could have kept Z and he would have been the catalyst. Of course my husband was very much in favour of me giving up the horses - but questioned whether Ziggy was the right dog and whether his acquisition would actually cause the longed-for "horse lobotomy" or not! In the end, we let Ziggy go to a far more suitable home, and the next day, I started to feel more normal again!
All the moons were lining up for a big change as Sharon (Duncs' owner) had also been doing some thinking about what she wanted for Duncs. Firstly she wanted him to do more and was thinking of asking a local girl, Amy, to help. I was galvanised into action by this and arranged to ride with Amy myself! Other things are afoot too but I will write about those another day!
I have had a roller-coaster few weeks emotionally but rising back out of the ashes now!
The slippery slope into the doldrums started a few weeks ago when I just couldn't seem to make the time I needed to make progress with Duncs. There is a lot to do at home but it's really all about time management. I waste an awful lot of time - and I go to bed too late so I'm always tired. I'm my own worst enemy! I also feel guilty about my horse time so will let other things squeeze it out.
I had got into a pattern of getting to the field with only an hour to spare and having to take D out with the dog. Then I didn't feel it was worth tacking up etc. etc.
Then, along came Ziggy! We looked after a spaniel who needed rehoming for 2 weeks from 23/10 to 7/11. He took over my life completely with his need for 2 decent walks a day and lots of entertainment in between. The trouble was also that I enjoyed it! Striding across the fields and along routes I hadn't walked for years (pre-Edmund) was really invigorating. I found myself comparing my tame ramblings up and down the lane with Duncs most unfavourably to these cross-country expeditions!
It actually came to crisis point on the evening before Ziggy went to his new home - I seriously considered giving up horses altogether. We could have kept Z and he would have been the catalyst. Of course my husband was very much in favour of me giving up the horses - but questioned whether Ziggy was the right dog and whether his acquisition would actually cause the longed-for "horse lobotomy" or not! In the end, we let Ziggy go to a far more suitable home, and the next day, I started to feel more normal again!
All the moons were lining up for a big change as Sharon (Duncs' owner) had also been doing some thinking about what she wanted for Duncs. Firstly she wanted him to do more and was thinking of asking a local girl, Amy, to help. I was galvanised into action by this and arranged to ride with Amy myself! Other things are afoot too but I will write about those another day!
Thursday, 14 October 2010
I get to play with a LBI youngster. Thanks for the learning Duncan!
What's happening to me? I find I'm really up for a challenge - on the ground I hasten to add!
I went to visit my old friend Ursula (she's not particularly old - I've known her 24 yrs) for the weekend 9th/10th Oct. Urch has a 3 yr old Andalusian mare, Chenoa, who is most definitely LBI.
I was hoping I'd be able to have a play with her and, what joy, I got to play with her for a couple of hours each day. I really loved it. She is typically dominant but very switched on. She needed a lot of convincing that I was serious about her staying out of my space. It was a great chance to really work on getting the basics right and being particular without critical. Surprisingly, I found I had a lot of patience (?!) and stayed the course on each game until I saw a change. In the past, I would have quit at the first sign of a improvement, partly through lack of knowledge and partly through boredom (!) but I'm getting better at knowing when to keep going and when to quit.
The main themes we worked on were:
Amazing...at last, through playing with other horses, I'm becoming thankful for the hard time I've had with Duncs! I have a benchmark of how much I've learnt, and am learning, with him. Other horses have a lot more innate confidence than Duncan which makes it much easier to play with them. Duncan is the perfect guinea pig for me. I naturally bond with the extroverts, it's the introverts' respect and trust I need to learn how to win. I'm not there yet but I'm getting closer.......Thanks Duncs!
I went to visit my old friend Ursula (she's not particularly old - I've known her 24 yrs) for the weekend 9th/10th Oct. Urch has a 3 yr old Andalusian mare, Chenoa, who is most definitely LBI.
I was hoping I'd be able to have a play with her and, what joy, I got to play with her for a couple of hours each day. I really loved it. She is typically dominant but very switched on. She needed a lot of convincing that I was serious about her staying out of my space. It was a great chance to really work on getting the basics right and being particular without critical. Surprisingly, I found I had a lot of patience (?!) and stayed the course on each game until I saw a change. In the past, I would have quit at the first sign of a improvement, partly through lack of knowledge and partly through boredom (!) but I'm getting better at knowing when to keep going and when to quit.
The main themes we worked on were:
- Follow a feel from zone 1 - she was very sticky which made you feel like you wanted to flick with the stick! Worked on long and very clear phase 1 moving to quick effective ph 4.
- Yo-Yo - again, sticky so long, light ph 1 through to quick, effective ph 4. Good improvement here as she was very "Blah, blah, blah" initially!
- Circling - being very clear about the 3 elements of back-up, send and allow. Chen was a bit stressy about this, especially to the right when she wanted to either turn back, turn in or take off farting. I was extremely persistent with fixing each element as required and really happy with Chen's progress.
- Mounting Prep!! - I ended up lying over Chen's back, flexing her head towards me and "dismounting" into a run back. What I was delighted about was that this all felt so natural to me and I felt so confident. I'm sure, in a few sessions, I could be sitting on her thanks to the months of work I did with Duncs in this area - and the fact that Chenoa is a LBI with no hang-ups of course!
Amazing...at last, through playing with other horses, I'm becoming thankful for the hard time I've had with Duncs! I have a benchmark of how much I've learnt, and am learning, with him. Other horses have a lot more innate confidence than Duncan which makes it much easier to play with them. Duncan is the perfect guinea pig for me. I naturally bond with the extroverts, it's the introverts' respect and trust I need to learn how to win. I'm not there yet but I'm getting closer.......Thanks Duncs!
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