Being relaxed = better photos!

Breeze and I were both really chilled out today which was great considering I felt sick this morning as I knew I was riding. I am still puzzled by my fear but I respect it and listen to my thoughts. I do find that playing with Breeze and doing pre-flight checks really helps me feel positive and happy about riding. Knowing that B gives me permission to get on her back makes everything seem right.

With this in mind we went into the school first to warm up. Breeze immediately wanted to sidepass the cones instead of fig 8 so I let her give me as many side passes as she wanted to then asked for circle game very very gently. Breeze was happy to stay calm in walk and we did a lot of c.o.d. and we left the school.

Back in the courtyard Breeze stood still for me to put the saddle on and do the girth up for which she got treats. We played yo yo and lateral flexion then I asked her to stand by my steps and got ready to get on. When I asked to put my leg over the saddle she walked off so I jumped off and lined her up again. This time she didn't walk off and turned her head to look at me as I petted her shoulder. Nice. Then we stood for quite a while with Sandra, who was up on Bert, and chatted. I cannot stress how wonderful it is to have someone to ride with who respects all these little things we do. Sandra agrees with so many of the Parelli principles and always gives us time to do what we need to.

We had a marvelous ride. The horses took it in turns to lead. B still wants to bite Bert because he isn't fast enough for her, although she doesn't mind if she lets him go first when she gets unconfident. For the first time I managed to leave the reins on B's withers until I needed them, hence the non blurry photos. We did some lovely relaxed trotting for most of the mile and 1/4 and along some of the old woods. We are going on an 8 mile sponsored ride in a couple of months so it's time to start getting a little fitter.

So after having fun all the way round, including some 'off piste' dodging low branches, which Sandra has always wanted to make me go under ever since I got a taller horse than hers lol we got to the exit. Sandra and Bert carried on and B hesitated. I usually try to ask her to go past the exit but usually she won't be a partner and do so. Today was no exception. I waited and stroked her and asked her again. She turned and lunged forward under some low branches which smacked me in the face and nearly dragged me off! I was quite stuck for a second and, shame on me, I let out some expletives and told Breeze that I thought she was a very stupid horse! I remember grabbing the rein for lateral flexion and somehow staying on, extracating my head from the tree, while turning her (and still shouting ouch and stuff) we were trotting down the mile and 1/4 to where Sandra and Bert were.

When we stopped I realised how angry I was with Breeze and also how shocked and surprised. My glasses were bent and my face was stinging. I apologised to Breeze and let her spend a while eating as I stroked and scratched her and related the events to Sandra. After a while we headed back to the exit and the yard. Breeze was cuddly and didn't want to leave me again as I took her saddle off and put things away which was lovely and actually makes my heart sing. She stood close to me and wrapped her head and neck around me, probably just for a carrot but it was really great. Then it was off to the field with B trotting next to me down the runway.

This eve B's nose was still a bit snotty, but it's running clear now so I think she is getting better. I brushed the dried sweat from her back where the saddle had been, she tried to bite me and kept moving around me but I persevered. Approach and retreat, approach and retreat.

Passive, Polite Persistence or in other words Out-Donkey the Donkey!

The dialogue in my head began before I went to the yard this morning. . . trying to tell me that riding was a baaad idea etc etc etc. So I thought to myself I don't HAVE to ride, I will just see what horse is in the stable today, maybe saddle up and maybe go for a walk and maybe ride. Lol.

I took my time. B didn't want the halter on so we did some approach and retreat until she stuck her nose in the halter and lowered her head for me to do it up. I mucked out while B ate hay. Then saddled up, bumping her when she continued to walk forwards or backwards and rewarding her for standing still.

Breeze seemed unconfident again so I let her take her time with lots of resting and praise, sideways and HQ yields until we got to the old woods after some nice play around the trees. By this time she looked rideable and after a couple of tries she stood still for me to get on. She didn't immediately walk off but wanted to head straight home when I did ask her to move. I asked her to go down the straight but instead she turned and we headed down the old woods.

We didn't get far before B stopped and refused to move. I wonder if Pat and Linda know how many of us have their voices in our heads reciting just the right bit of savvy needed at the right time lol? Perhaps it's just me? But I heard Pat's voice in my head saying use passive, polite persistence and I just sat and let B think things over. Then I thought of Linda and how she says to give the horse time to stop if need be and take the time it takes to let the horse feel ready to move again. Every time she asked to turn I thought 'yes let's turn but let me help you keep turning until you face the way I would like to go'. Then I stroked and scratched her and waited some more, listening to songs on my ipod and singing along. This probably went on for 10 minutes or so, no more than a couple of songs on the ipod and several full circles. I stayed calm and remembered to breathe too! And then B gave a big sigh and set off around the old woods.

She needed a lot of praise and scratches to help her along. We trotted a few times but she couldn't maintain gait but that was ok because I got to ask politely a few times for trot and practicing transitions is always a good thing. Actually I am very grateful that she is so LB when we ride, despite the refusing to move. I think if she was inclined to be RB I wouldn't feel so good about things. As we got around the woods I felt her relaxing and blowing out and I just couldn't help but smile and thank Pat and Linda and appreciate all the savvy that has managed to get stored in my old brain.

We turned up the straight and I asked for trot again. Breeze got a little fast so I asked for walk with just a tweak on the rope and she slowed and relaxed some more. She was even lighter today in her response to me lifting the rein and asking for turns etc. I now try and see how little it takes to ask which is really wonderful. Even passing two other horses didn't make B do anything but continue on our way. How cool is that. She responds so well to me I can hardly believe it and it feels again like we are partners. I never get tired of feeling that.

Back at the yard she couldn't take her eyes off me and followed me wherever I went. We walked to the field but she didn't seem to want to leave me at the gate so we walked together into the field some distance. I scratched her a bit more and then she decided she could now leave and find the herd. I felt quite honoured if thats the right word, that she didn't want to leave me immediately. Nice to know I am good company, eh. There's nothing like approval from your horse, is there.

Breeze has a very snotty nose that I didn't fully notice until we got back to the yard when she wiped it all over my arms. Yellow and quite disgusting. I can handle blood, gore, vomit, and poop. Anything but snot. Yuk! Must be a mild bug that's going around. I will keep an eye on her and hope she feels better in a few days. It might explain her lack of confidence and that she drank a lot of water over night.

That's better.

We had a lovely ride in the old woods today. I was a little apprehensive probably because of the last time I went to ride in the school. But as soon as I got ready I forgot all about being nervous. I didn't play with Breeze much first, just some pre-flight checks which were really nice. I was much more relaxed and left the reins on B's withers until I needed to ask her to change direction. B seemed happier too and we went 'off piste' alone for the first time. Breeze didn't get too worried and I grinned a lot.

Bertie has got used to his boots very quickly and we did some trotting today with B in the lead. Her weaving and circling trees is wonderful now and she seems to enjoy it. She was very cuddly afterwards. She followed me 'at liberty' around the courtyard while I did some chores. I spent some time scratching and rubbing her and brushing her mane and tail.

This evening we played in the school. I focused on asking for circle very gently but Breeze blew up when I asked for cod. Today some very fast sideways and a long time to rest, changed her attitude and we had some lovely calm circle in walk and cod. She still got bracy once or twice when I asked her to c.o.d. so we spent a bit of time playing yield your hindquarters in between getting the circle nicely. I did stand at one point and out loud asked Breeze just what the problem was lol.

Breeze didn't want to do any fig 8. We did get clockwise to the right around a cone but the opposite was impossible. She would much rather show me how well she can side pass over them! Sometimes I wish she didn't like side passing everything. Perhaps I need to use barrels or jump sides in future.

I bleached B's hooves again. The thrush seems to have gone already but I want to make sure even though I hate doing it. Breeze isn't very obliging when I do this, perhaps I am too direct line about it but I don't want to splash diluted bleach on either myself or Breeze!

Walk in the woods.

B and I went for a quick walk in the woods before I went to work. She was a little unconfident to begin with but got a lot more relaxed and happy the more we played.

She can side pass the log in the front of the 'log trailer' which makes me smile.

Bertie walked out with a purpose for a ride in the woods with Sandra grinning happily. The hoof boots have really made a big difference to his comfort and I am sure it won't be long before his feet are a lot better.

Hoof boots

I am always intrigued to see how B will react to new things. As an RBI I usually expect some kind of reaction from her. This time it was Bert who jumped in the air when he took a step wearing the boots. Breeze did her lifting of the leg thing which meant I tightened the boots up holding her leg lol. Then walked calmly around like there was nothing different.

I rasped a little off her right hoof after trying the boots on just to make sure the hoof sat snugly in the boot.

These are Old Mac G2's which suit both Bert and B's round hooves. The boots are quite stiff and once you get the hang of all the velcro and straps, doing them up is quite easy but it will take a few wearings before they can be done up snugly enough. No rush. B has them 'just in case' so they aren't needed at the moment. It's Bert who needs them now so that he can be ridden out in the woods.

I left B out in the field Wednesday evening. I needed a break and I think she did too. I did wonder what mood she would be in and instead of asking her to do stuff we chilled and had a mooch about in the boots and that was it. It's surprising how much time is taken up by things like this. In fact sometimes I think time is swallowed up in some kind of black hole the minute I step out of my car at the yard.

I really need to remember B and I haven't been together very long and although she is keen to do stuff I must be aware not to do too much to soon. I forget we are doing stuff that is totally new to her and she needs time to lick and chew, as do I. Last night it was great to see she has stopped creeping closer when we stand and do nothing and how soft her eyes and expression are. I had to smile at Bert sneaking past Sandra while we were talking. I love LBI's and how they take back leadership bit by bit without their humans noticing. Lizzie did it to me all the time.

Another ride in the school? No! I don't think so.

I wonder if I made one too many assumptions this evening, or just expected the same outcome. Breeze caught me with more energy when I went to find her in the field. She was quite aggressive with a couple of horses that came too close to us. I gave B her dinner and time for it to settle, then I put the saddle, steps and my hat in the school and came back for B and a play in the school before I got on.

All was good. Breeze was calm and all the pre flight checks were lovely. As I was tying up the 22' line Merlin and his owner came in the school for a lunge followed by Sandra and Bertie. I thought nothing of it, make no assumptions...I lined Breeze up, made sure she was ready, put my foot in the stirrup, my knee on the saddle and she walked off! I got down and asked her to stand by the steps but she couldn't stand still or stop looking at Merlin.

I untied the 22' line and asked B to circle and what followed was Breeze showing me the other side of her nature. Time and time again when I asked for circle she would set off nicely and as soon as she got behind me she stopped and came in. So I thanked her for checking in, played some friendly and sent her again, lightly. This turned into 'no I won't circle but instead I will pull back on the rope, bug my eyeballs out and back up'. I tried circle against the fence. I tried travelling circles but B would just explode and try to get away. At one point I let the rope go and she just stood staring at me, the whites of her eyes showing, head in the air. I picked up the rope and we walked a little way but she kept turning her HQ towards me. We played a little hide your hiney and she seemed ok about that.

There is something about me asking her to hide her hiney on her right side and then sending her anti clockwise that bugs the hell out of her. I have noticed we struggle with this sometimes. And yet she will do it, but then change her mind and offer me sideways but with her head in the air and her eyes all googly.

I don't know if I was getting emotional or just fed up but B decided she wanted to just go backwards so I said 'ok, let's see how far and fast you can go backwards', while we head for the gate. It was obvious I wasn't going to be riding and I had had enough of her being right brained so it was time to leave it and not have either of us get upset. Only she doesn't seem scared or upset, more defiant and as if she is having a tantrum but certainly not being a partner. It seems to me she is saying I don't want to do any of this so you can just sod off!

Usually as soon as we get near the gate B will ask me how she should leave. Usually this is hide your HQ, back up to the opening, then back up around the open gate. Sometimes it's walk through the gap and turn and face me. Tonight, as soon as she was near, she couldn't do any of this. Her head was in the air and she jumped around not being able to stand still. After a couple of bumps she backed out of the school but didn't calm down. I carried on asking her to back up . . . all the way to her stable! I kept giving her the chance to stop and wait and calm down all through this but she couldn't. I asked her to back into her stable, took the halter and line off and shut the door, leaving her while I went and collected the rest of my stuff from the school.

For some reason Blogger won't let me remove this photo and I realise I put it in my last post. Oh well, it's a lovely photo. Enjoy it all over again, then lol.

I have asked myself a lot of questions all the way home in the car. There are no answers that immediately come to mind. Maybe Breeze just wasn't in the mood for anything. Maybe she is testing me, now that we have got to know each other a bit better. A different horse showed up that I seem to have trouble dealing with. By dealing with, I mean having be in a good mood and happy to be a partner. I would really have loved to repeat Monday night's ride but B had other ideas. I am trying not to feel I have failed her somehow. I feel somewhat frustrated that we weren't partners and it felt like she just didn't want to do anything but look at Merlin. I am also a little worried this will set me back from riding in the school again. I guess I will just have to tell myself over and over again that it's a different day, next time.

Sandra and I have ordered Hoof Boots. Sandra was very worried about Bertie this evening. She thinks he is uncomfortable while transitioning at the moment and didn't feel right. I cannot say either way. Who can be certain what goes on in our horses heads? Bertie isn't my horse and I don't know him as well as Sandra does. The trimmer said some horses are real wimps while their feet are changing. Bertie being a LBI is quite unmotivated to do much at all, so who knows if he is in pain or not, so all I can do is support Sandra over the next few weeks and try to find a way to help her not worry too much.

Riding in the school!!!

I thought I would take a quick photo of B's foot post trim. Not much different to look at but I know she is balanced now, foot wise.

Breeze caught me as usual this evening while I was saying hello to some of the herd. We walked back together to the yard and B had her tea. I took a few photos of her doing her standing in her stable after saddling up looking tired lol. I swear she hides in there hoping I will not be able to see her.

While Sandra walked Bertie for 10 minutes around the yard on the concrete I had a very short play and saddled her. She stood completely still for both the saddle to be put on her back and the girth done up loosely. Wonderful. We also went for a walk around the yard while I did the girth up some more. Then it was off to the school for some more play and for me to get on and wait for Sandra.

Didn't have to play much. Breeze offered me some sideways and I did some pre flight checks and she was so relaxed and chilled I thought it's now or never. I did hesitate a little and even told Sandra I wasn't sure I could get on. Her reply was to tell me to just get on with it lol. Which is what I did and Breeze was a star. She stood still while I got settled and moved off when asked.

I have had very little experience of riding in a school/arena except the boring circling favoured by most riding schools, some very difficult times with Lizzie and a traditional teacher and some hesitant but short times with Lizzie last year.

There were some horses out in the field who were hooning about and distracting me (and therefore Breeze) so it took me a while to relax and stop focusing on them and what B 'might do'. She didn't fight with me or be grumpy like Lizzie used to. She did get a little excited by the horses in the field galloping up and down but I found asking her to turn and weave and stuff helped her listen to me and be a partner. It wasn't until Sandra reminded me that I should not just talk to B but stroke her too when she did what I asked that I realised I wasn't doing that! Instead I was a little tense and holding onto the reins too much and pulling them down to turn not lifting up. This made me laugh and I then managed to drop the reins to stroke B with both hands and then relax and leave the reins alone until I needed to change direction.

What a difference it was riding B, compared to my experience with Lizzie. She is so light and athletic and can 'turn on a sixpence'. It feels like she wants to move and enjoys it. We did circles and fig 8's sometimes inside the line Bertie and Sandra took, or outside so B could do more. Then we tried some Clover Leaf with B and I leading. I tried to do that with Lizzie and once we managed 3/4 of the pattern lol. Here were B and I, Sandra and Bert really enjoying learning the pattern together. Even heading down the school nearer to the horses in the field didn't bother B much and some smaller circles within each 1/4 ' leaf' kept her interest and my focus.

I realised there is such a lot for us to do! Tonight we just did the basic pattern in walk, there are so many variations! This is just the start! I have had the Parelli Patterns for years and never really had the chance to use them until now. I feel a little overwhelmed by the possibilites and because I like to think negatively sometimes (oh ok, most of the time!) I wonder if I am up to the task lol. Can I be a good partner and leader for B and can we learn all this stuff together? I have dreamed about this and watched fellow students at clinics and on dvd's do all the stuff I never could. Now I have the chance of a lifetime with an eager partner in Breeze. Wow! All I can do is try and do my best and give it a go!

20 minutes went by so fast and we thought it was time to finish as the light was going. We do have lights in the arena but Berts' feet need to be taken into consideration and I don't want B to think we go in the arena for hours just yet lol. I got off and stuffed B with all the bits of carrot I had in my pocket. I could have hugged and squeezed her but it would have freaked her out lol. She did look happy tho and kept licking my hands even when we got back to her stable.

I saw a Barn Owl fly overhead when I was finishing up in the courtyard. I have always been a city girl so seeing a real life owl is a real joy. A great end to a brilliant evening. Sigh.

Hoof day!

The Barefoot Trimmer Sarah came today and what a lovely person she is. Honest, open and tactful with a great sense of humour. She liked B's feet and gave her a 6 on the Spectrum Score which means 'suitable for low level competition, racing on turf and fun rides'. Both B and Bertie have low level thrush which we will treat with diluted sterilising fluid, the stuff used for babies bottles.

I was so excited that Bertie was getting his shoes off I forgot to take photos of B's lovely feet but took a lot of Berts! His feet are in pretty bad shape. He has wall separation and infection up to where the nail holes are. But despite getting a Spectrum Score of 3.5 he has good toes and heels. I think Sandra is quite stressed and worried and I will try to keep her cheerful and thinking lots of positive thoughts. We spent the afternoon, what little was left of it, surfing the internet for hoof boots! Bert really needs some and B can do with some 'just in case' but her right front foot is 3mm wider than her left and both our horses have almost round feet which makes finding boots to fit a nightmare. B's feet are rf 138 x 135mm long, lf 135 x 135 and Berts rf 138 x 137, lf 136 x 136mm. Bugger.

B and I played in the school before Sarah arrived and she was pretty snotty lol. Lately she has been getting resistant about circle game and changing direction so I think we will not play that for a while, or at least not so much. She was so snotty today I ended up asking her to do a lot of back up very quickly and sideways all the way around the school perimeter. She was happy to side pass anything around, weave the cones and falling leaf too. I did ask her to circle in walk at the end of our play and when she decided she could do it calmly and one full lap I left it there.

Sandra can't ride Bert in the woods until we get some boots for him so we are planning to ride in the school together. Somehow I must find the courage to get on and ride in there, so having Sandra and Bert there to help me will be great. Doesn't stop me feeling anxious and worried about it. But I really want to face my fears and come out of my comfort zone.

Cute or what!!!

Here is little Tinkerbell, isn't she just gorgeous? She is very nervous of people but is beginning to like me and my carrots! Her owner says if I ever want to play with her I can but I don't think I have the time, let alone a halter small enough lol. I am happy to just give her lots of love whenever I see her. She loves to stand next to me and be scratched and stroked if there are no other horses around except her buddy Eeyore.

Here Bertie and Eeyore share treats from Sandra. We had a great time this evening when we went to catch our horses. Nearly the whole herd came to say hello. I made sure I preserved our herd of two and didn't let any of them get too near Breeze.

Most evenings when I give B her tea I leave the stable door open and sit outside on the pedestal until she is finished. Today I wanted to see it from a different angle. Breeze hasn't left her stable yet when I leave the door open like this, unless I walk away and then she will follow me at liberty. This eve I asked her in and walked away. She followed me to the shed across the courtyard and when she saw me come out carrying her feed she trotted back next to me as quick as she could! Very funny.

I think it's really cool that she has settled in so well in such a short time and my leadership is becoming established. I like the fact that she is happy enough to stay put without having to be locked in or tied up. The other night I played the driving game from zone 5 to send her out in front of me past the farriers van. It was quite a tight squeeze but B didn't hesitate. The farrier looked very surprised to see Breeze walking ahead until he saw me lol. He looked startled and told me he thought B was a loose horse. I laughed at that and felt quite pleased and proud of our little game.

I have been throwing the rope over her back for a while when I ask her into her stable and now I find I have desensitised her enough to be able to throw the rope over her head, albeit gently. One day I would like to ride her with just one rein and know she won't freak out when I throw the rope over her head to change sides. Everything I do is done with setting things up for success, not just for that day but in the future. I remind myself that even if we don't get everything done to plan today there is always something stored up for future use. Sometimes I surprise myself by being quite inventive and suddenly remembering stuff to do instead of something B cannot do on that day. Sometimes I don't even realise this fully until I write it up in this blog!

Catching game and play.

I never get tired of taking photos of the delightful Breeze playing the catching game with me. I only have to walk into the field most evenings and she comes over from a long way away. This evening I went and sat on the ground to wait for Tinkerbell to come over while Breeze gave two other TB's a lesson in grumpy mare behaviour. I didn't take a photo of Tinkerbell. She is a little nervous as yet but I will say she is the cutest little sweet Shetland I ever set eyes on. She is tiny and I have always loved her to bits. She doesn't belong to me, I wish she did, but it doesn't stop me sitting on the ground and scratching her when she comes and stands next to me.

Breeze was in a good mood this eve unlike last night when she really didn't want to do anything but eat and let me know it was time to go home lol. I had a day off work today and spent some time watching some video footage from the Parelli website vault. Mostly in response to the furore surrounding a demo at the Festival of the Horse last weekend at Parelli HQ.

As is usual when I watch some Parelli I feel inspired and want to play. I am not in the right frame of mind to ride at the moment. Sometimes my depression gets me like that and I know it's best that I don't ride. Certainly not so early on in my relationship with Breeze. I guess I am saying that riding is still a big effort for me and it doesn't come naturally to me. I have to do a lot of preparation in my own head and make sure I am as emotionally fit as I can be so that I can be a partner, not a scared predator. One day I hope to be able to just 'hop on' any time I feel like it when B is ready.

Breeze and I had a short play this morning and she was very relaxed and wasn't bracey or resistant. It's nice to have a little play session before I take her out to the field.

Anyway, after starting with sideways and falling leaf, this evening I focused on asking B to circle for more than 10 laps in walk and trot in both directions. She gave me some lovely relaxed trot with the belly of the rope laying on the ground. This is a first! So was Breeze giving me canter. I was pleased to see she is less impulsive now. Woohoo! She did end up getting resistant when I asked for cod with her not liking to go anti clockwise again but we played with that for a while and I think we had a breakthrough when she pulled back on the rope and stood staring at me, head high. I held on without putting more pressure on her and waited. Suddenly she just put her head down and walked towards me! Nice. She got a lot of praise and we spent a long time playing friendly game.

I wonder if it's the way I ask her to cod anti clockwise, I must be asking the question wrong and am not in the proper position lol. She gave me some lovely fig 8 around some jump sides although she does also try to side pass over them but the are a little too high for her to go over.

Breeze had trouble jumping the blue barrels again until I moved them over to the fence and made it easier for her. We also did some put your nose on this, sideways over things and sideways towards me. I backed her out of the school and then spent a little time asking her to side pass towards me while I stood on the mounting block and leaned on her back and stroked her. She is getting the hang of that too and is much happier. When we first started this she was very uneasy about it and would walk away and not want to come near the block. Slowly she gets used to me touching her.

Later she let me stretch out her legs as directed by Sue after her massage. In her stable she let me rub her over her shoulders and back in big sweeping movements which gave her coat an extra glossy sheen. Usually she tells me in no certain terms that I must not touch her by flicking me in the face with her tail. Bonus!

More feets!

I realised today that I mentioned I got the RidersRasp and didn't say anything about using it. I have also tried to take better photos especially as the trimmer is coming on Sunday.

The rasp isn't much easier to use because B's feet are as hard as nails and I managed to scrape the top of the knuckle on my thumb lol. But I think it's an improvement on using the large rasp and B hasn't had any more chips. It is still very, very hard work!

CAAANTERRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

I got to the yard pretty late this evening to find Sandra had tacked Bertie up and was going to ride in the woods. I asked her to wait while I went to find Breeze out in the field and have her catch me. I gave her a tiny bit of dinner and then got the saddle out. She didn't seem particularly happy about it and decided she didn't want to have the saddle on her back or be ridden. Saddling was ok but she was decidedly grumpy and didn't want to stand still for me to get on. I asked her to circle but she got very RB and resistant, definitely a bit of dominant behaviour, head up staring at me and pulling back on the rope so I upped my energy a little and spanked the ground with the rope and she was off! I stood in neutral and almost instantly she stopped being snotty and settled into a nice walk with some change of direction. Cool.

She stood still for me to get on but as we set off out of the little courtyard she was quite jittery and unsettled. Before my ppl with Suzy the other day (thanks again Suzy!) I would have been usettled by this but tonight I just soothed her and scratched her neck and gave her time to think about things and be a partner instead.

We had a pretty good start in the woods. Breeze seemed less sensitive hoof wise and after her massage she felt more supple too. She stopped a few times . . . I think she was testing me by doing this. Stopping to look to see if there was anything to spook at. I only had to lift the rope once and ever so, ever so gently, slap myself on the shoulders and she was off again. I peddled my feet and moved my upper body with her and we were soon past the golf course and on to the mile and 1/4.

Sandra suggested we trot and Breeze trotted beautifully and I was really relaxed and happy. We have really got it together now lol. It's almost as if I just think 'trot' and we are. Brilliant. Anyway, about halfway along I let Breeze go past Bertie and we trotted ahead. Sandra had said Bertie was very LB and didn't want to do much and we soon were quite far ahead.

I wondered if I could remember how to ask for canter, sat back, upped my life and all of a sudden we were cantering! Just like that! Breeze slowed to a trot at a bend and then I thought ok, let's ask again. Off we went in canter. Faster and faster went Breeze and it was like a dream. I could hear her hoof beats on the ground and I relaxed into the movement and grinned.

Breeze went faster and faster and it was then I realised we were coming to the end of the mile and 1/4 and a sharp 90 degree bend was coming up fast and Breeze showed no sign of stopping! I felt my legs shorten and the stirrups almost slip away. Oh s**t I thought and tried a one rein stop . . . nothing! So I grabbed B's mane in my right hand and pushed down on her neck pulling the left rein round as hard as I could and Breeze slowed to a trot and then stopped just before the bend!

I looked back down the bridle path to see Sandra trotting towards us grinning. She said, when she caught us up, that Bertie didn't want to canter and as B and I had disappeared in a cloud of dust she knew we had cantered off and she would find us eventually.

I was laughing and praising B and wondering how we had managed this impromptu canter so soon in our relationship lol. I aked B to carry on and she wanted to trot really fast (she was still a little excited) but it was too energetic and not calm so I asked her to walk which she did quite happily. We led the way back to the car park and then we crossed together back to the yard.

I am in shock! Happy shock! I never thought we were ready (or should I say, I didn't think I was ready?) to canter and not out in the woods either. But it just felt right. Had I planned it I probably would have been anxious and therefore made a mess of it. My goodness but Breeze can move! I have never ridden a Thoroughbred before, all my experience has been on old horses, mostly Cobs except for the quarter horse I fell off in Montana lol. Lizzie would only canter, if she really felt like it. This is a revelation and I love it!!!

Massage day.

Breeze had her first massage today since coming to me. I found she was a lot more relaxed and accepting than I thought she would be. Sue says B is quite stiff in her back end but it's not something that can be considered 'a problem' and I was glad to hear her say carry on with what we are doing.

Sue used to massage Lizzie and it is lovely to keep the continuity. Sue moved to the Isle of Wight a while ago but comes to London every 6 weeks or so and will travel to other places too if anyone is interested.

I quite missed riding today. We had a play in the arena after B's massage and then a walk in the woods in the evening although it was so hot and humid it wasn't as pleasant as it usually is and there is very little grass or foliage to eat. We noticed the other day that the park rangers have been and strimmered all the bushes and edges of the bridle paths. The lack of rain has taken care of everything else.

Our play over the last few days has been interesting and calm. I am focusing on circle game being consistant and without B blowing up. B's trot is becoming nice and balanced and canter is getting there although I have to be very careful when I ask for more energy as B usually stops thinking and goes RB. It will take the time it takes lol. Sideways without a fence is great now so the next concept will be sideways towards me. Yay! I bet that will make me laugh with glee.

The Equine Podiatrist/trimmer is (provisionally) coming next Sunday! I am hoping she will show me how to rasp B's feet easily and advise whether she needs boots or not. I have never had the pleasure of talking /working with a real life barefoot trimmer. It has always been my dream to have my horse barefoot. The experience wasn't for very long with Lizzie and Breeze has already been barefoot longer than Lizzie was. I have always believed it's the perfect way to keep horses feet and hated the idea of shoes. I am very excited about this, can you tell?

Cool ride at dusk.

How's this for the worst photo I have ever taken from B's back?! But it was getting pretty dark as we neared the end of our ride this evening around the woods.

I brought B in from the field, she caught me again, and gave her a tiny feed because she gets grumpy if she doesn't get her dinner immediately. B was very LB and I thought I would see how little I needed to do before saddling up and riding. We played yo yo in and out of her stable and when I stopped to chat to Sandra B gave me yo yo all by herself lol. I positioned her and lifted the saddle. She went to move off but changed her mind and stood still for me to put the saddle on her back. She lifted her leg again as I did the girth up loosely then stood on the pedestal. I gave her some bits of carrot and found that with her standing on the pedestal doing the girth up was much easier for me.

We played a little circle game out in the car park with cod at a quarter of a circle. She was giving me both eyes and turning lightly and easily so I left it there with some more carrot.

B has another trick when I mount from the steps! It's very funny . . . she doesn't want to stand still and walks around me while I am up on the steps. As she goes behind me she gets really close enough to knock me off so I jump down laughing. She tried this about three times until she could stand still and I got on, again asking permission to swing my leg over. For the first time we were ready before Sandra and Bertie and B stood still in the car park for a long time while I scratched her neck.

We had a great ride, despite me getting caught on a dead branch right in the entrance to the woods, ripping the sleeve of my favourite t-shirt. In fact on this ride she spent a lot of time on the side of the bridle path under all the treees and bushes where there is grass and less stones. I spent a lot of the ride saying ouch! I think this might be because the ground is incredibly dry, hard and stoney and although Breeze's feet are hard perhaps the barefoot transition is tough going on her as yet, sensitive soles. I am really wondering if she might need boots.

Breeze seemed more balanced than ever and I was certainly very relaxed, more payoff from Suzy's ppl last week in the arena. We had some lovely trot and I could feel her stretching out in walk through the treeless saddle as the ride progressed. It was a shame B was bothered by flies but it helped me get used to her doing little bucks, stamping her feet and dropping her head suddenly to scratch under her belly etc. I tried to help brush any flies off by doing some friendly with my legs swinging them back and forwards and scratching her sides for her.

B is still trying to bite Bertie's backside. He is such a sweet horse I feel sorry for him and asked B to halt every time she tried to bite him. Sandra and I think it's because Bertie, being a (mostly) LBI doesn't walk fast enough for B's liking but she doesn't want to pass him until she feels confident lol. Bertie spooked a bit on our ride and Breeze took no notice except once when I just happened to have the phone in my hand to take my bad photo and the reins on her withers lol. She jumped in the air but I stayed calm and then it was back to walking.

Breeze got her dinner when we got back and she was very cuddly again. She is a real honey! It was just getting dark as I left the yard, still smiling.

Solo ride

The RidersRasp (tm) came this morning while we were out riding! I can't wait to try it out lol.

I wanted to play with B this morning before saddling her but someone had turned a horse out in the arena that probably wouldn't appreciate us playing in there so we did a little around the yard and I saddled B in the courtyard. It was pretty easy and quick again but not as pleasant as it will be in the future. Breeze will stand still now for the saddle on the second try but today she was too inetrested in sniffing poo, treading on the rope and scaring herself. When I go to do the girth up she either walks off or lifts a front leg and waggles it foal - like, as if she is asking me not to hurt her. At least that is my interpretation of it and I may be wrong. I do it up so slowly and carefully with play in between and still she does this behaviour. Hmm interesting.

We played and walked to the old woods with some lovely circle game and weaving but B wasn't relaxed enough to get on. She seemed unconfident but not RB and would stare off into the distance listening for things. She did everything I asked of her calmly but she didn't really seem to be with me in her mind. I went through the usual stuff and tried to get on but I felt hesitant especially as she would walk off when I bounced in the stirrup. Actually she did not look rideable so I upped the tempo and asked her to sideways in both directions including turning a corner for a while, then jump the log a few times until she could stand still. That fixed it and then I got on!

She set off in a fast walk while I did the rope up and then I asked her to trot because it felt like she needed to move her feet. I am managing to let the reins stay long and I no longer have the desire to hold them tight lol. Casual rein I say to myself, casual rein lol. That calmed her and we had some nice trot but her walk was choppy for a while - you can probably guess that from the rubbish photos I have posted lol - until I stroked and soothed her and we did some half halts. Then we had a nice calm walk/trot home back to the yard.

Instead of getting off I asked B to continue around the yard and to the arena gate. This meant going past other horses and negotiating badly parked cars etc but she took it in her stride. We got to the arena gate where B spooked at a sparrow lol and carried on past onto the rough ground and back to the courtyard, then out again to the car park. All the time she changed direction with a lift of the rein very lightly. This approach and retreat to the arena bolstered my confidence and I plan to do this more often and for longer every time we ride.

B's backwards is getting easier and she immediately understands what I am asking for now and can do quite a few steps. Lovely. Fast learner, eh?

I am so pleased that I persevered and didn't give up the idea of riding today. I could so easily have made excuses and walked home but I didn't listen to the negative voice in my head but made sure we were partners and B was happy.

Feets!

Left front

Left back

Right front

right back

Breeze has been barefoot for about 9 or 10 weeks now. She was trimmed before she came to me and I let our farrier trim her again a couple of weeks ago. I have been trying to rasp the chips and splits as soon as I see them and try to do a 'mustang roll' but in the process I have rasped the end of one finger nail off twice!! Probably because I am stupid enough not to remember to wear gloves.

I have been reading as much as I can about barefoot trimming both in books and online. I think I am beginning to understand it now but am still worried about it lol. While reading stuff online I came across a tool called a RidersRasp (tm) and bought one. I am hoping it will make the 'mustang roll' easier and save me a fortune on plasters!

Chilling with Breeze.

When B has to stay in over the weekends I like to graze her around the yard and show her where all the yummy weeds are. This photo really reminds me of all the hours Lizzie and I spent doing this. Bittersweet memories.

Little Miss Grumpy.

We had a play in the arena before riding today. We had some lovely calm circle game with cod in walk and trot to begin with. Then when I asked for circle game over some objects she couldn't do it lol. Instead she braced and pulled back and then gave me sideways over the jump and the barrels. So I took that offering and laughed. Breeze has such a cute expression when she does this, so innocent.

Saddling up was ok . . . if walking into her stable was B's idea of letting me put the saddle on her back! But with a little bit of approach and retreat the saddle was on. I tried to put her hackamore on sitting on the pedestal but had to stand up to do it up lol. Not bad for a first try. Breeze gave me quite a quizzical look and probably wondered what I was doing - if horses actually do that.

Getting on was lovely. I am really working on sticking to Parelli principles and taking my time to ask to put my leg over. She seems to really appreciate this and stood still for ages while I did my rope up. Then the games began! First B wanted to put her head over every stable door as we left the yard and annoy it's occupants. Lots of squealing ensued. Then as soon as we got in the woods she wanted to stop and eat every second/third step. Aha, that's the game, try and annoy me by not maintaining gate. So I just scratched her and let her eat, then wiggled the reins until she moved on. Very amusing, and Bertie and Sandra were disappearing into the distance up ahead, which I thought was cool because it's obvious she feels safe with me.

We caught up with Sandra and B gave the plastic bag wafting in the breeze, the hairy eyeball while Bertie ignored it. When asked to trot B was quite relaxed and not rushing but she couldn't maintain gait. It was like riding Lizzie all over again! Are mare's all moody or do I make them like that I wondered. Breeze has even decided Bertie deserves a bite on the bum or face or shoulder if we get too close and Sandra was savvy enough to block her as I didn't want to yank on the reins and didn't want to spook her by using the popper. I asked her to halt and wait while we were moving but she decided to try it whenever we stopped which wasn't very nice.

We trotted quite a bit this ride. I feel much more confident now since my ppl with Suzy. And since we have played with maintaining gaits on the circle game Breeze definitely feels more balanced and didn't rush. We will carry on with that.

Breeze became more relaxed as the ride went on and after some lovely trot around the old woods we did some weaving, fig 8's and circles around the trees. I am still in awe of having a horse that does as I ask happily. Breeze doesn't get bracey or resistant and seems eager to play. She really is light and responsive and it's wonderful to feel it and move as one. I hope I never lose this admiration for 'my' gorgeous Breeze lol.

Back at the yard we played briefly with backwards. I tried some sideways in the woods and although B could position herself to start it I think she doesn't understand what I am asking her to do. Plus I am probably unable to ask her correctly as yet. That's something we will practice in the arena soon. Then it was time to get off and get on with mucking out etc. Breeze makes that quite difficult sometimes as she likes to stand in her stable and eat from the haynet outside. She does make me laugh.

Oh boy! How interesting.

Breeze was quite pushy and trying to bite me when I went to feed her this evening. I wondered if this was dominance on her part and thought that after her feed a play was in order with a lot of back up and sideways. The yard and arena were empty and quiet so we had the place to ourselves.

We moseyed along into the arena and played some friendly, extreme friendly, backwards by the tail, sideways over barrels and then circle game. Breeze went off on the circle in a wild canter, snaking her head at me! She kept going then went into a ragged trot and when I asked for cod she kept stopping to stare at me, head in the air and pull on the rope. Aha! I really didn't want a fight and spent some time working out how to ask her to cod quietly but effectively. She really didn't want to go anti clockwise.

We played travelling circle over to the fence so she could cod at the fence to begin with and calm down. Whenever she stopped and looked introverted I let her rest then scratched her and this time she didn't stop for long or go quiet. Nice.

Back on the circle game again and I found by asking her in a little and slowing down I could bring her to me and then ask her to change very softly and because her head is down she doesn't brace. Then I sent her by slapping the c/s on the ground!

After a good few laps her ragged canter faded to a ragged trot and then she relaxed and we had some very good steady trot. On the anti clockwise direction she tried to blow up again but it wasn't so explosive, I used the fence again and pretty soon she could trot calmly and then walk. We have some way to go before she can circle in trot or canter calmly and with any slack in the rope but I don't think it will take too long lol.

As soon as she softened and I could see she was relaxed I asked her in for scratches and carrot and we ended that game there. By this time she was pretty sweaty and I wanted to cool her off rather than just finish so we walked about for a while and she did some sideways over things oh and....sideways without a fence! Woohoo! Breeze will also sidepass towards me if I hold the c/s over her back/rump and bounce it gently. Thanks to Suzanne for that!

Without me realising over an hour had passed when we went back to B's stable via the rough ground for a graze on some succulent weeds, where I managed to lose another hour scratching B on her neck and again she let me groom her all over. I think me having Polo's had something to do with her eagerness to be with me but finding something else to motivate her is excellent.

So, there we are, somewhere towards B finding confidence in herself which has been quite a revelation for me. I find a sense of purpose in everything we do which is so interesting. It also brings me confidence, knowing I can push B a little further and then bring her back. What a wonderful, interesting horse she is!

Still partners.

Thankfully there aren't many photos of me riding because the light was a bit low. I am a very vain person it seems and whenever I see photos of myself all I see is a fat person and feel bad lol. I have been licking and chewing on our ppl with Suzanne and having nice dreams about it. My stomach continues to flutter very slightly when I think about it but it's nowhere near the level of anxiety it was before.

Last night when I went to catch B I was told the horses could stay out 5 nights a week while the weather is good, as long as they are all in at weekends. This is a new concept for me! I am so stuck in 'Lizzie mode' who never wanted to stay out, that it never occured to me that B might want to.

But I thought why not let her stay out. It's normal for horses and probably the best way of keeping them, after all. I lay down on the grass and relaxed to watch what she did. B came and snuffled around me, eating grass and the mints and bits of carrot I had brought for her. Then she wandered off and other horses came to say hello so I stood up to scratch them. Breeze wandered off even further so I made my way back to the yard.

It was very strange for me to leave her out. Such an alien thing for me to do and waking up this morning and not having to go to the yard felt just as odd.

This evening I went to the yard and there was B waiting by the gate for me! I didn't expect that and was very pleased to see her. I groomed her and our routine was returned to it's usual normality.