Field games part 2.

Strawberry became very insistent that B stay away from HER Star!

Star takes absolutely no notice as B calmly walks past. While Strawberry throws all her toys out of her pram.

I don't think B really cares about what Strawberry is telling her. She stares off into the distance as if to say 'whatever, yawn'.

Field games part 1.

I went out with B to the field after our ride today.

She grazed near me for a while then went off to join the herd.

Strawberry is very unhappy about B being friends with Star!

They all had a bit of a trot and canter around, arguing about who went where and with whom and some of the horses who were in the other field came to join in.

Big softie!

This morning I saddled B up, quite quickly and very nicely, and we went into the woods for a play and our first solo ride. I took these photos afterwards as she looked so content and relaxed.

We had an interesting play to the old woods. I asked for circle game by the wood yard. She couldn't maintain gait or stay on a circle and as I hadn't brought the c/s I used the end of the 22' line. At first she would explode but after some COD she settled and maintained gait and direction. Time to move on and we played weave and circle around trees along the way.

We were passed by a big ride from one of the local riding schools. I saw them coming and asked B to yield her HQ and backed her into the woods, a little off the track. She stayed calm until they had gone past and we moved on to the top of the old woods where I tied up the 22' line and asked her into position by the log. I got on more gracefully today! B stood for a while but then moved off so we practiced some one rein stop until I had sorted my ropes and stirrups out.

She wasn't exactly relaxed as we set off for home. She seemed quite bracey and not happy to weave or circle very much. We practiced some more lateral flexion and stopping which calmed her. We did some transitions from walk to trot and back down again which helps her to slow down and helps me preserve my confidence. Approach and retreat from the saddle lol! I remembered!

She stopped nicely to cross the side road, we took a few little detours in and out of trees along the way and pretty soon we were by the exit. I asked her to go past and she managed a little way then stopped and backed up. I asked her to wait which she did, so her reward was we left the woods. There seems to be no point in arguing with her about it, I learned that with Lizzie. It's not about making her go where I want her to. I want B to feel happy to want to go where I ask her in the future and having a battle of wills won't achieve that. We crossed the road and back to the courtyard where I asked her to do a little lateral flexion then yield her hindquarters. She seems a little unbalanced going to the right but she will get better at it, I am sure.

It took me more than two years to get this far when I had Lizzie. This time around it has taken a month with B! I have made such a lot of progress on my own confidence, it's amazing. Helping B along helps me focus too. I am loving this journey. Baby steps leading to bigger and bigger things.

Busy week.

I have been very busy at work this week so we haven't ridden much but played quite a bit and focused on a few things that B found difficult. She has learned not to tread on her rope and the one time she has done it lately (today) she stepped off it quite smartly.

We got all four feet on the pedestal for quite a while today although she has been able to do this briefly all week. In the school we have managed a lot of sideways . . . she offers this now. And sidepass over a barrel and poles but going to her left is easier than her right.
When B gets snotty sometimes or just plain not listening I have found COD in the circle game very helpful in settling her or getting her attention. B's falling leaf is lovely and we are getting faster. I have used the plastic bag on the c/s more and find it very helpful for being very light and gentle in asking. It feels very different from having the savvy string.

Today she was very expressive in her play and I could really describe it as play. I am really enjoying using more fluid body movements and suggestions. We seem to have taken a step back in the saddling though and she couldn't stand still. I managed to keep my cool and not get direct line but Breeze was not in a happy mood when we set off with Sandra and Bert for a walk then ride in the woods. I let her graze as much as she liked in between some sideways and weaving around trees. She was very happy to stand for me to get on at the logs at the top of the old woods, unfortunately not very gracefully. Seems we are both out of practice lol. I noticed B was unable to walk in a straight line, she is still unused to riding in a loose reined halter but she settles as we progress round the woods. It was quite windy today which made her a little spooky to the extent that she hopped sideways to avoid a puddle while we were trotting. I am learning to trust her not to go too far when she spooks and to help her feel safe with me.

Going all the way around the woods was great and we passed the exit without hesitation. At the first turn towards the old woods we turned and headed for home leaving Sandra and Bert to go around again. B was fine on her own which was great and we went home.

I rasped Breeze's feet again to day. It is getting easier and she is accepting it more easily. She seems quite comfortable most of the time although some stonier parts of the bridle path make her feet seem sensitive. But they aren't very long bits so I am not worrying too much yet.

Boy, oh boy! How interesting.

On the way to the field this morning Breeze and I had an impromptu play in the school. We did a little stick to me and falling leaf in trot, circle game and a quick jump, turn and face me. She walked by my side up the runway to the field and sauntered off slowly when I took the halter off.

The temperature was a lot cooler today so this evening I thought it would be fun to set the 'round pen' up and see what happens. I took two c/s to the pen, one with a savvy string, the other a plastic bag. Initially B was happy and eager to have a look. I used the plastic bag c/s and we played squeeze game through the gaps in the panels that I set up, then weave in and out. This went well until I asked her to come into the pen and just circle. At each opening she found a threshold and gave me COD. I let her do this to begin with but it obviously was too much pressure for her. Then suddenly she just switched off, head down, not blinking and staring at the ground. Oh oh I thought, she's gone introverted so I stood in neutral and left her alone. Didn't take her long to lift her head so I asked her in and we just chilled out and I stroked her and hung out with her and watched Sandra and Bert play.

It took quite a while for B to really come back to the here and now. I swapped the c/s for the savvy string one and we had a walk around the arena and then played some more outside the pen while Sandra and Bert were inside having a lot of fun. I can't always watch them but I hear Sandra giggling and laughing and praising Bert which makes me very happy.

Once Breeze was relaxed and looking at me with both eyes again she gave me sideways round the outside of the pen and then sideways towards me! Wow. So I decided to take her away from the pen as a reward and play in the rest of the arena, giving her a lot of time to relax and wait in-between and plenty of friendly game. Sideways without a fence diagonally then fig 8 around some cones, then weave from a distance. Then I got something I never managed with Lizzie and that was sideways along a pole!! I tried with a barrel but she couldn't get that. Either I asked the question wrong or the wrong question or it's just too much yet, but I am so thrilled we got the pole done! It took some time but I focused on being polite but persistent. I was smiling and laughing and could tell B was happy too. So nice to have that kind of feedback from her. She just looks so pleased with herself lol.

So we ended it there. The temperature was dropping a little more, the wind getting up and it was getting towards dusk. I looked at my watch and it was nearly 8.30! We had set up at 7!!

Breeze was very soft and cuddly back in her stable. I hung out with her for a while sitting on the floor. Breeze spent some time sniffing me and snuffling my neck which was very sweet. Then a quick groom. I try not to groom her all over, as yet she isn't too keen on some areas. I can touch her shoulders now, also her back and rump but nothing around the belly. That will come in time.

Round the woods

Sorry for the terrible photo but Breeze hasn't got the hang of a steady walk yet lol. (I suspect the camera on my new phone is nowhere near as good as the previous model). Yesterday was a pretty good day. Played with B on the ground in the woods and Sandra and Bert met us after their lesson. Breeze stood over the log while I got on which was excellent. We went around the old woods and home.

I had a great day at work and then back to the yard where I tried to delay the evening ride by going home to get my riding boots I had forgotten! Sandra was having none of it so I rode in my walking boots which was pretty nice.

To my great surprise we went all the way around the woods with Breeze alternating being confident and going in front to breathing fast and getting unconfident and asking Bert to lead. She is very curious about everything and not argumentative in the least. She just needs time to think about things sometimes.

This morning B didn't look rideable so we went for a play in the school with her saddle on before I got on. She is much less impulsive on the circle game now and no longer blows up. She also stops and comes in behind me which is quite funny so I stroke her, say thanks and send her out again.

Today she had her 'I am not listening to you and I will just run' head on. I let her trot for a while in traveling circles and then I stood still and asked her circle around me and then to change direction a few times. She is prone to making assumptions and tries to guess which way to go around. So I slowed it down and sent her to the end of the 22' line, wait and then ask for the direction I want and back it up with the c/s. Nice snappy send. I made the COD's shorter each time so it was just a 1/4 of a circle and in no time at all her head came down and she blew out, her expression softened and she could walk. We ended it there.

She stood completely still for me to get on from my steps and didn't walk off so we had a nice chill out and waited for Sandra to get on Bert and off we went. . . . . twice around the woods! Left along the mile and 1/4, along the 'uppy downy' bit, then the viaduct, up the straight, left at the old woods, right along the viaduct and back again. We stopped where the old woods meets the straight and Breeze looked up the straight and I knew she was thinking 'but that's the way home'. After a short wait she carried on and we caught up with Sandra and Bert. On the 'uppy downy' bit we trotted but as B is taller than Liz was I kept banging my head on the overhead branches and I could feel B was getting unconfident which made her go faster and faster and me get unconfident too. So I one rein stopped her, bumping into Bert who acted as a block lol. Our roles are reversed these days. Lizzie and I used to do this for Sandra when she first got Bert.

We walked the rest of the way back along the mile and 1/4 with both horses snacking along the way. Breeze was totally relaxed while my thigh muscles screamed in protest! I got off with difficulty, you lose fitness in 5 months. We hosed the horses off . . . it was about 26c by then and let them graze around the yard for a while before going back to the stable.

Catching me.

I went to get B from the field as usual this eve and remembered to take a couple of photos. She spotted me a bit further away but I didn't get my phone ready quick enough.

Of course B always gets a carrot (or two) before I put the halter on. We walk back together and she waits for me to open the gates and to close them. Sometimes I ask her to turn and face me but that depends if there are other horses tied up by their stables directly opposite the gate.

The weather has turned hot and sticky. Too hot and sticky for me. I have spent most evenings this week with B until dark so tonight I gave her the evening off which seemed like a good idea as far as she was concerned.

Three great weeks!

Breeze came to London three weeks today and in that time we have already come a long way! Much further and faster than I thought we might and I cannot tell you how happy we both are. She is so happy in her stable she likes to stand in it and eat her haylage that's outside.

This evening B was up in the runway having followed Sandra and Bert. Over the last three weeks she has been nearer and nearer the gate when I have got to the yard and she now catches me, which is fabulous.

We played in the school briefly just to see what mood B was in and it was pretty nice. So it was off to get saddled up and get on. I used the hackamore for the first time instead of tying up the 22' line and got on using one of B's bales of haylage. I focussed on being patient and waiting for B to give me permission.

She didn't hesitate leaving the yard ridden for the first time. She tucked in behind Bert but grumped Eddie to stay behind. Mares, eh?

B only hesitated a couple of times down the straight and snorted a little along the turn into the old woods. We trotted along the up bits and it was interesting to note that although B sped up and slowed down, her long legs mean she can cover a lot of ground very quickly. So much so, we kept catching up with Bert lol.

I wasn't completely relaxed but more than I thought I would be. I understand that I need to be calm and support B which helps me not to be too nervous. I am sure the more hours we put in the easier it will become.

Although we are riding in the hackamore I can feel Breeze is a little unconfident with totally loose reins so I am keeping them quite short, more a concentrated rein and little by little I am getting her used to no contact at all. She is getting the idea about turning too and I give her plenty of time and exaggerated movements to teach her. Time to refine later. I reckon B will be very good at 'follow the rail' as she likes to do that out in the woods! I had to kick the fence a few times to ask her to move over lol.

Above are the sweat patterns after our ride. Nice smooth hair and dry spine. B wasn't happy about me drying her back with a towel. She will get used to it one day lol.

Trot in the woods.

Breeze and I went for a play this morning with Jan. I think B thought because Jan and I were chatting that she could ignore me lol. Perhaps my focus wasn't quite on her because she wasn't listening but some more assertive send on circle game and then 1/4 circles and COD helped her remember who I am. Today she could back into the 'log trailer' and jump out! Her reward for going past the exit again was some lush grass by the golf course.

This evening as I got to the yard Sandra was riding out alone with Bertie so I thought I would get saddled up, go into the woods and see if I could get on and ride home alone and maybe meet Sandra on the way round. Saddling up was ok again and B stood on the pedestal while I did the girth up. We played all the way to the old woods when Jan called me and suggested she meet me and we could ride together. So I got on nicely and easily after some pre flight checks at the logs at the top of the old woods and Jan was very surprised when she came along and saw me. B had done a bit of a spook and broke into a trot but I managed to do a one rein stop and she went back into walk. Nice to know she can do that and we both stay calm. It has proven to be automatic for me. Yay!

Jan and I headed down the straight and B took me too close to a tree stump and I bashed my left knee. Ouch! That's something to work on. We made it about a third of the way with B in front until she couldn't go any further. We tried with Kes and Jan in front but she had begun to stop more often and I thought it might be a good idea for her to turn for home rather than have to ask too much of her this early on in our relationship. She responded really well to my strokes and encouragement and it was lovely to have Jan say how well we look together and how in tune we are. Breeze walked quite fast and broke into a trot. All I had to do was stroke the rein and she would slow down. I did ask for trot in the end, how could I not, and it was lovely. Its a long time since I have trotted and I have been curious to see how that would be on B.

My confidence has come back and I feel just as good as I did on Lizzie despite the shaky starts lol. Little by little we try a bit more. I got a teeny bit of sideways tonight although B couldn't deviate from the bridle path to circle trees etc. It's so nice to have a responsive horse. B listens to me more and more and I feel I am capable of helping her feel safe with me, of being her leader. I never had that option with Lizzie, we had a different kind of relationship.

I stayed in the saddle to go across the road and home. B stayed calm and waited by the road until I said ok lets go. Nice. I checked her back when I took the saddle off. She no longer swishes her tail when I do this and her back was slightly warm but the hair still smooth. I picked her feet out and left her tucking into her hay knowing she was contented.

Settled

I have been taking my 3 yr old Patterdale/Jack Russel dog Frank to the yard these last few days and he and B have got on very well. In fact Frank seems to love yard life and following horses out to the field with myself and/or Jan which bodes well for us three, me, B and Frank riding the woods together. I don't think I am terribly good with dogs, despite having two English Bull Terriers and Frank but he appears to have excellent re-call and is very OK with horses. I am beginning to think all three of us could soon be 'hooning' round the woods together!!!

I got the distinct impression today that Breeze has really settled in in her new home. She catches me every time I go to get her in from the field and she has calmed down so much I don't have to tie her up very often outside her stable. She is a lot less spooky and 'on her toes' and is so quick to learn things she already offers me things like getting on the pedestal.

Breeze is slowly becoming tolerant, if not quite happy yet, about being groomed in her ticklish areas. I noticed this evening that her coat is already developing dapples. Lovely. She is like Lizzie in a lot of ways, at least she reminds me of Lizzie which is very comforting somehow. But I guess most bay horses are the same no matter what breed they are lol.

I have had to give B soaked hay this last week because I missed ordering haylage in time. But she seems ok on it although the chore of wetting the hay has worn off somewhat. Today I had the joy of dragging the huge haylage bales to my shed only to see B try to break through the black plastic this evening. Must mean she likes it? And now I have a better and higher mounting block to play with!

Now that I have got over the first hurdle of riding B in the woods I now have to get my head around riding her in the school and beginning to try the Parelli Patterns. How interesting to find how resistant to 'schooling' I am! Now, is this plain old fear because I knew Lizzie hated riding in the school? Actually I hated riding in the school because I knew Lizzie hated it. But B has no hang ups about it at all, so why do I have a mental block about it? I fully intend to make the whole experience fun for Breeze. I will stick to my Parelli principles and follow the program so B's experience with me will be positive and never boring. So I guess it will be approach and retreat more for my benefit that B's, the same as it has been riding in the woods.

Anyone that followed my progress with Lizzie back at the old Frontshoesonly blog will remember we used to go to Radlett and hack for miles/hours around the Herfordshire countryside quite regularly. There is a ride planned for the end of this month but my sensible head says no, not yet! My more easy going/reckless side says go for it! How hard can it be? But I need to feel B is more accustomed to being ridden in a hackamore and 'following a feel' before we take the plunge and go hacking around all that gorgeous countryside. After all, we do have the next 20 years to get the hang of it. Oh and my thighs need a little more conditioning first!

Yes!

Breeze was happy to see me again this morning. So nice to be greeted with a whinny and not because she is hungry.

We went for a mosey around the yard but she didn't want to eat grass so we played move over here and then jump the telegraph poles. I am really enjoying playing with B as she is so sensitive. Day by day she gets more relaxed and settled and our partnership develops.

So, I got the saddle out and Breeze stood still for me to place it gently on her back. Then she stepped up on the pedestal!! What a sense of humour she has, and it made doing the girth up easier.

With Sandra and Bert tacked up we all set off for the woods online. It's interesting to see how Bert has changed and taken over Lizzie's role of the unmotivated LBI while Breeze delights me with the ease by which she does stuff. Sandra copes very well though but I like to think three years of watching me might have helped lol.

So we played all the way to the top of the old woods where someone passed us and B needed to move her feet. I asked her to jump over the log until she could stand still again. I stood on the log and she came to me and waited. I remember standing there thinking briefly that I felt a bit scared and telling Sandra I wasn't too sure about getting on. Sandra offered to give B some treats and maybe hold her but I thought that wasn't the thing to do. Instead I took a deep breath and stood in the stirrup a couple of times. B didn't move so I swung my leg over and was on. She walked forwards a little and I asked for lateral flexion and B stopped really nicely.

Sandra and Bert led the way and I began to relax even more as Breeze just walked along like she had done this a thousand times before. Her walk was choppy to begin with but the she lengthened her stride a little and we did a bit of weaving around the trees. Her steering wasn't too good to begin with but she got the idea pretty quickly. When I got on B Sandra offered to take photos on my phone and I laughed at my shaking hand as I passed the phone over.

I noticed my legs were aching after just a few minutes but it has been about 4 months since I have ridden so they are bound to protest. All too soon we were walking past the exit where I got off, took Sandra's c/s and 22' line and she left me to get on Bert and go for a ride all the way round the woods.

That'll be us, soon. Watch this space.

That went well!

Breeze was in a very happy, cuddly mood this morning. We played in the school for a short while before I went to work because I knew she would be in her stable all day. She doesn't seem to mind that at all lol.

We had a fabulous play and she really got the idea of weaving around cones at the end of the 22' line. I found I could ask Breeze to weave in and out simply my moving my own body slightly. Wonderful!

This evening I played approach and retreat with the saddle and finally I got the timing right. As soon as she let me put the saddle on her back without moving away I gave her a treat. She got the idea very quickly and once she had sorted that I swapped it to taking the saddle off her back when she stood still. So it seems having a saddle put on has become a pleasant prospect. She is very funny when I do the girth up, she always bends her head round to watch what I do very closely and it makes me laugh.

So we went for a walk, saddled, in the woods and I did some preparation for getting on by the 'log trailer'. It was nice to hang out together although B was a little watchful. I walked back holding the pommel with one hand so that I was in zone 3.

Back on the yard I got my helmet on and took B to the mounting block by the school and we played line up so I can get on. That didn't take too long and I did get on! Breeze stood still so I gave her a treat but she caught my finger and bit it and while i wasn't focussed but going 'ouch!' she walked off quite fast and headed into the stable block! I got a bit messed up with ropes and stuff but stopped her before long and got off.

We went back to the block and I got on again. This time she was calmer and we walked around the yard to the little courtyard where she walked right up to the pedestal and got up on it! That felt quite weird I can tell you. But she got down carefully and again I got off.

Then while she happily munched on her hay I got on again and sat there for a while. It is important to me that both of us are calm and relaxed and that B learns to do nothing when I first get on her back.

I have found the extra 2" difference between B and Lizzie quite a lot! It's definitely further to get on and jump down! I guess I will get used to it soon. You can see in the photo how relaxed Breeze was this evening, I didn't have to tie her up.

Ahh I geddit

My little girl is definitely 'in season'. I had forgotten all about that stuff as Lizzie was very old and not really interested in 'boys' lol. No wonder Breeze has been a bit crabby lately and this evening 'squirted' in front of Bert!

I have given her a few days off by not asking very much of her and just letting her hang out in the herd, bringing her in and stuffing her full of forage and small feeds. Since she was a teeny bit resistant to being caught the other evening I focussed on catching her with no difficulty as I walked to the furthest field to find her last night. The minute she saw me she trotted to me! She got some big juicy carrots as a treat and I felt like the horsey pied piper as Bert and Patches followed me too.

This evening when I got to the yard B had come to the runway so Sandra brought her in for me. Looks like the positive reinforcement is working. After her dinner we played some approach and retreat with grooming and throwing the 22' line on her back as friendly game, kind of simulating swinging a saddle on her back. It seems that for the time being little and often is working nicely.

Blah blah blah!

Well, our honeymoon seems to be over lol. Breeze is pretty annoyed with me asking for my space all the time. She continually pushes me to see how far she can go and I just persist and focus on being consistant. We played the game of who moves who today out in the woods and I asked her to move from one lush spot to another. It's as if she has always got 'her own way' so to speak by being a baby and very cute.

Now I am asserting my leadership she has become a little snotty at times and has tried to barge me when I have asked her to do something she didn't want to. It's as if I ask her nicely to do something and her attitude is 'blah blah I am not listening' but I up my phase and sometimes back her up so that I get both eyes and her attention. Very LBI lol.

She gets too energetic on the circle game but I have discovered asking her to go sideways calms her quite easily. Last night we got sideways down the width and the length of the school! She is learning to jump and turn and face me which really focuses her mind too. Traveling circle at trot is superb as is Fig 8 now.

Last night when going to get her in from the field she came to me very quickly even though she has buddied up with Chelsea. Chelsea came with us but only so far and then cantered off. When B realised her friend had gone she tried to go too but I was ready and stopped her before she got to the end of the 22' line. Phew!

There is the whiff of hormones in the air now spring is here! A few mares are in season and there is a little 'argy bargy' in the field I notice lol. This eve when I went to catch B she was playing hard to get. After three attempts at getting the halter on her . . . she would take a treat and as soon as I lifted the halter she would walk away. . . . I gave up and just sat down on the ground. In no time at all she came over to sniff me and see what was happening. I calmly put the halter on and we went to her stable.

Once in her stable she was eating as if she wasn't settled, snatching at her haylage so I got her dinner and sat and did nothing while she ate. Chelsea was in and whinnying quietly to her but B didn't seem to care. So I thought it best to leave her to her haylage, put her rug on her and left. We will see what horse shows up tomorrow.

Brilliant Sunday and prep pays off.

We played in the school this morning and I paid particular attention to the circle game, having watched the latest Parelli DVD. Breeze was a little RB when we first got in the school so I let her move her feet and get it out of her system. We ended with some COD at 1/4 of the circle in both directions which was a joy.

Then we played fig 8 and circle game with an obstacle which was the saddle. I asked here to stop when she passed the saddle and put your nose on it. With lots and lots of approach and retreat and finally Breeze let me put the saddle on her back. It fell off when she walked but she didn't care and we got the chance to play some more. When the girth was done up we left the school.

I asked Breeze to stand by the steps which has already got easier for her but she didn't want me to get on so I left it and went for a walk with Sandra and Bert in the woods.

We played sideways and traveling circle games and walked farther than we have before. I kept an eye on Sandra and Bert and passed on some of the things I learned in the DVD about sending more assertively.

We made it all the way down the straight, with B showing me her napping trick as I was walking in zone 3 with my hand on the pommel. She was snorting and breathing quite fast because she hadn't been in this part of the woods before. I let her rest and we did some half circles against the fence and then she was calm enough to carry on. We went past the viaduct and it was fun to see how B was interested and keen to go ahead because she was curious about the new places.

There was lots to eat and B made the most of the stops. Sandra and I marveled earlier on how both horses could go sideways and eat at every step from the bushes! By this time we realised we had been out over 2 hours so it was time to head back.

B decided a little bit of 'I want to go ahead of you and fast' was in order so I played helicopter etc with my rope and reminded her about my space and leadership. She got snotty at one point and I had to go to phase 3 to get back up and all was jolly from then on. Sandra got on and I suggested she trot on ahead and leave us to walk home alone. B didn't even care that Bert left us. Brilliant. We caught up with Sandra and Bert in the pub car park and crossed the road together.

Back at the yard I just thought I would try getting on again and B was happy to line up. After a little approach and retreat she stood still and I tried the stirrup a few times. That was ok too so I swung my leg over carefully and got on! Sandra had been watching and was busy stuffing B with treats which really helped tho I don't know if it was entirely proper lol. But hey, it worked and B was pretty relaxed. We did one circuit of the pedestal and I played friendly game and got off. Grinning.

Preparation

Firstly, I will apologise for the crappy photos. My Blackberry doesn't like low light situations.

After a short but very nice play this morning, I had to go to work. So this evening I spent a couple of hours with B. We played approach and retreat with the saddle until B could allow me to place it on her back. I let her walk away whenever she wanted to but then asked her to walk around me until she stood still. Then we braved the chilly, almost raining, weather and did a lot more approach and retreat playing with getting on in the courtyard. After letting B move whenever she wanted, playing circle game and giving her treats when she did stand still. Breeze finally stood still for a good minute or so. It was quite a 'full on' session and has given her a lot to think about.

Eventually I got to lean over her back and we both just rested and did nothing. This is going really well and is boosting my confidence (and B's) about actually getting on in the not too distant future.

Breeze appears to be under the impression that saddles mean pain and discomfort and having learned a little about her past experiences with saddles (thank you Kayleigh) I am not surprised.

It is very weird to see my treeless saddle on Breeze after only seeing it on Lizzie. But it seems to be settling on B's back quite nicely without too much adjustment of the shims. She played with the saddle after I took it off, licking and biting it gently on the pommel and lifting it up by the stirrups and dropping it on the ground. She couldn't leave it alone so I put a few treats on it a couple of times as a reward and she left it alone.

Sandra thinks she can see a big change in B's whole demeanor, as if she has changed shape already. I am definitely getting to see the top of her head instead of just the underside of her muzzle! She trod on her rope this evening whilst tied up and she didn't leap in the air. She calmly lifted her foot and stepped off it. Wow!

I can now run my hand over her back without her stepping away. She still swishes her tail but I am sure that will change soon too. I have done a lot of this since she came. Just touching her briefly, running my hand over her back and hind quarters and walking away, stroking her gently and trying to help her accept this, as well as doing nothing, as a reward instead of treats all the time. She is very food orientated! Very. Oh and by the way can I have a treat, please. Now!

Progress.

Breeze is a very fast learner. I am astonished by the progress we have made in just one week. She accepts the c/s everywhere and is so much more relaxed that I thought possible in such a short time.

She was a little spooky at the start of our walk and quite alert. She took a left turn and we went down the mile and 1/4. So I drove her from zone 5 from the end of the 22' line. We got trot too! She got a bit upset that I wouldn't let her follow some riders that passed us by the 'log trailer' but once given something to do she settled really fast. Today I concentrated on more ride simulation so I asked her to walk with me, her poll in line with my shoulder 'in the pocket', not in front or behind. We played some circle game with C.O.D. I have noticed these last couple of days that now she isn't scared she is becoming more confident and with that there is some dominance/LB coming through. I like this as it helps her be more thoughtful but sometimes resistant in that 'I don't want to do it and you can't make me' kind of way. But because she is sensitive I only have to ask a little firmer and she is fine lol.

She had one little explosion on the circle game out in the woods by the wood yard because she trod on the rope again. This time it was fast and easy to slow her down and give her time to think about it.

At the top of the old woods we did a lot of sideways and she is getting it really well now. She jumped the logs this time (and what a lovely jump she has) quite a few times and turned to face me every time. Then I asked her to line up as if I was going to get on, in the same place Lizzie and I used to do it. This time it didn't take much at all and I gave her lots of rubs and treats and we set off home. I walked with her in zone 3 with my left hand on the handle of the BB pad and used the 'rein' to guide her with my right. At first she set off in a fast walk but with a few very slight one rein stops she settled into walking at the pace I asked for all the way home.

I watched her go out to the field and join the others. Lovely to watch her interact and see where she is at in the herd so far. She is neither clingy or out on the edge, but happy to hang with Ginny and Bert and say hi to everyone. Everything about Breeze is delightful and so enjoyable. I am spending a lot of time with her to build our foundation and set us up for success, sometimes to the detriment of everything else! But its not a minute wasted and has really made a difference to my life.

Busy doing nothing.

Lydia visited today! Lovely to see her and to get her input as another Parelli student. Plus she took these cool photos of us playing in the school. We didn't play for long but hung around chatting about B and letting her relax and do nothing. Breeze loved it. She stayed out at the end of the 22' line and just relaxed more than I have ever seen her do in the short time I have known her.

We talked about the saddling issue I have noticed and we found when Lydia simulated getting ready to get on from a jump side again B couldn't stand still or let Lydia anywhere near her back.

So this evening I spent a good 2 hours with B in our little courtyard hanging out and playing approach and retreat with mounting simulations. To begin with B couldn't stand still or let me go near her back. At the end of the session she could stand still and let me lean over her back. She got a little frustrated a few times when she didn't get a treat immediately and actually tried to bite me. I just took no notice and she stopped.

B has learned the pedestal is a safe haven and she can go and stand on it whenever she likes and she gets to relax there. I tried to use it in the mounting simulation but she kept getting up next to me lol. So I got the steps out instead. Eventually I got to rest my arm up on her back/withers and walk around with her and direct her using the rope as a rein. So my own fears about riding a new horse are receding as B and I get to know each other. I have noticed I wasn't scared about riding her but just anxious that she accepted me and that she would give me permission.

B's back up is getting so much better too and she managed to back out of her stable today. It's also marvelous to see her spending more time with her head down and not up in the air. That top line will develop in no time at all. At one point this evening she got the line wrapped around a front leg so we played lead by the leg! B looked a little surprised by that but it didn't faze her at all. Neither did the green ball I showed her this morning after she had licked it lol. I even put it up on her back and she took no notice at all. That's my girl!

Quarantine over!

Can you see that dark horse like figure in all the expanse of green field? That's B!! She went out in the field with some of the herd yesterday and had a great time. I found her asleep on her feet when I went to the yard last night. Bless her.

I have been spending so much time with her and we have been doing such a lot I can hardly remember what's what. But the time spent on personal space and who leads who is really paying off. B gives me a lot more space now.

Building the relationship.

Yesterday B was in a RB frame of mind again. Perhaps it was the windy cold weather, who knows. She had a blast in the school and actually cantered around a bit. She is so easy to catch despite this. I crept up to zone 5 and as soon as I was near enough she turned and followed me. We had a trot and canter together at liberty and went for a walk in the woods. We didn't do much except practice keeping my personal space.

Today, although she was a little RB when I asked her out of her stable she soon settled and we went for a graze. She trod on her rope again today but her reaction was less explosive.

We had great fun in the school. She is getting less bracy now and circle game was lovely and calm. We even got traveling circle down the longest side three times. Lovely, just lovely. We did some weave and fig 8 around cones and some circle game with an obstacle, which was a jump! Boy, oh boy, can she jump! Incredible and beautiful to watch. One day I will do that on her back!

Next we went for a short walk in the woods and she didn't try to barge past me once. Lovely. She jumped out of out 'log trailer' too. I let her graze for a while next to the golf course and watched to see how she coped with the golfers rustling around in the bushes looking for their lost ball. She only spooked once and it was pretty much on the spot. No running away. Cool.

Back at the yard I got my saddle out and she sniffed it while I looked for the girth. I lent the girth to someone the other day and I didn't put it back so it took a while. Which was actually quite cool because it gave Breeze time to just chill and I did a lot of approach and retreat. Back in Cornwall she didn't want to be saddled and I only got as far as starting to tighten the girth.

Today she was happy to be saddled and what a joy to do the girth up and not be bitten! I never did get Lizzie out of the habit of biting me when I tightened the girth. So it was on with my hat and out with the steps.

Breeze could not stand still. So we played approach and retreat and then I stood on the steps and let her circle me and do some change of direction too. It didn't take too long before she could stand still and I got her balanced and ready by moving the saddle. We made it as far as me putting my foot in the stirrup until she walked away. I let her move around some more and then when she accepted my foot in the stirrup I left it there. I think that was enough for both of us for one day. I will only be happy to get on when she gives me permission. The last thing I want is for something to go wrong for either of us. It is paramount that I do everything at her pace, preserving our relationship and her dignity. It will take as long as it takes.

The other side of the shavings

How cool is this! I have a horse that likes to play! I have borrowed a treat ball to see if B likes it and I think it was a success. We will see if it's empty when I go back later.

The weather was awful today. The temperature has dropped to 6.5c, windy and it's been raining all night and today. As you can see the school is a puddle.

There was a different Breeze waiting for me today. A little agitated and needing to move. While I mucked out she watched next door make up a bed. I tried grooming her but she is very ticklish so as I stood in the middle of her stable she walked around me and I brushed the bit that passed by lol. I even had a try at rasping some of the ragged bits of her hooves. She is a darling to work on and lifts her feet and stays very still.

While there was a gap in the rain Sandra rode Bertie and I walked B in the woods. I let Sandra go off around the old woods alone and was pleased to see B didn't hesitate or get upset. She was definitely more alert than yesterday and spooked a couple of times but it wasn't off putting for me. She was a little resistant today and was annoyed at being asked to go sideways up the hill at the top of the old woods so I asked for backwards instead! She had wanted to walk slightly ahead of me but kept looking back at me to check in which was nice but I did wonder who was leading who. We met up with Sandra and Bert again and walked home.

We had to do more on creating a bubble of my personal space which included stretching my arms and extreme friendly with the c/s and tapping the fence as we went along. We did a lot of stop and back up and by the time we got to the exit Breeze had got the message. Will need to do a lot of this so that it becomes a habit for her. Sandra and Bert went on down the mile and 1/4 while we played keep your distance as we left the woods and went into the car park.

I thought it might be an idea to let B stretch her legs in the school. I thought she might have a run around but to my surprise she just followed me a little at liberty. I let her wander off and when she found me again she got treats. She wandered off into a far corner but as soon as I walked to zone 5 she turned and followed me so we did a little 'stick to me' and then I put the 22' line on and we went 'home'.

Is it really Saturday?

What a day. My first saturday off work for a while and time to spend ALL day with B. We played in the school to begin with and it was fun, circle game, yo yo, sideways the length of the school but when I asked for circle again she blew up. Off at a very fast trot and then when I asked her to slow down and then come in she pulled back and careered off again. RB alert! I interrupted the pattern and let her hang for a while and we did a lot of friendly game. . . . . calm restored. In the space of two days she has completely accepted the c/s and I can touch her everywhere with it, which really helps friendly game work lol.

It was great to see that although Breeze noticed Bertie had gone she didn't panic and want to follow.

We went for a walk with Sandra and Bertie and B was really really chilled out to the point of eating everything in sight. Including bark off the trees! We didn't ask much of either horse today. I am focusing on letting B get to know her surroundings and making every experience a good one. We took our time and hung out when we felt like it, basking in the sunshine as it filtered through the increasingly leafy trees.

We did play with some sideways and going over the log at the top of the old woods. B steps over them very carefully and calmly and daintily. Very funny and lovely to watch.

I found at one point B went quite introverted and hung her head low and 'switched off' after a bit of sideways following Bertie. She had put her head down to sniff the ground and just went introverted. I let her hang and waited and in a matter of minutes she was head up, blinking and with us again. Lots of friendly game followed to make sure she was ok.

I showed B the pedestal yesterday and after a little hesitation she got her front feet on it. Today she was far more confident and climbed up and asked for her treat lol. I tried some mounting simulation by asking her to stand ready for me to get on. She couldn't stand still so I left it. No pressure. It ended up a game of approach and retreat for both of us. At one point as I was standing on the pedestal she decided to get up next to me. Very funny.

When I went to see B in Cornwall I did saddle her but she was quite unconfident about it. So I didn't push it then either. I am determined to set this up for success. My confidence in riding can be quite fragile and easily broken. I am making no assumptions about why B is like this about saddling up but I will take the time it takes to get it right. She was fine today about the bareback pad. I need to spend some time working out if the shims are ok in the saddle pad for her too.