My, oh my!!!

"Susan Coade1*Trainee Instructor said what an inspirational student I had today,calm,persistent,emotionally in control,natural with her equipmment and always putting the relationship first. Cilla you deserve the fantastic results you are acheiving with Breeze, the two of you are a joy to watch x."

This the comment on Parelli Central today from Susan Coade after our lesson. I am blown away by her praise, astonished by how much B and I have progressed in such a short time and so, so amazed by it all.

The weather was rubbish, windy and raining on and off. There were horses loose in the arena but we just got on with it. I didn't expect the breakthrough that we had when the lesson really got going. We eased into circle game but trot elicited sideways from B. This is her default setting, offer sideways. Sometimes it's unconfidence, sometimes it's calculated. Takes a lot of persistence on my part to coach her through it. But we got through it and established a nice even trot on the circle.

B can almost tell when I am going to ask her to canter, even if I am not thinking about it. She knew what was coming when I did ask and we couldn't quite maintain it. But we got it and when I asked B in she was quite sweaty but didn't go introverted. Tried again a little while later after some other games and wow! I tried to give her slack on the 22' to help her feel what it's like to canter. She has been so terrified of cantering. Of course I have no idea why and I won't be wasting any time speculating about this.

I have never really had the chance to see B canter online, not like this. It was hard work keeping up with her, trying to have slack in the rope, look where I was going, where she was going and keep a semblance of a circle. How joyous to see her NOT RB panicking as if she were running for her life! I can't even say how many laps she did! When I asked her in she had the most amazing expression, if horses could smile she was grinning. She looked surprised, pleased and proud all in one. ( I know, anthropomorphism). Usually she would go introverted and have to have a lot of hang time. This time she stood next to me, head down furiously licking and chewing. I got to make a fuss of her and I just could not tell her how clever she was enough times!

The rest of the session was just as amazing if not as exciting. A horse and a Parelli student can only take so much excitement. But we had that magical connection where she has 'that look', soft and focussed on me. We mirrored each other as she weaved the cones, getting exuberant at one end and going over a jump. Brilliant. She almost looks like she thinks she has done something wrong when things like this happen but as I never tell her off the thought entered her head and was gone in a flash. We got sideways from zone 5 and on a diagonal, very nice driving from zone 5 and got reacquainted with back up /lead by the tail.

Susan and I stood talking for a while, going over the lesson and Breeze just stood still, resting. A good way to end it for her, doing nothing.

Breakthrough!

So we have been nibbling away at canter on circle game for a little while now. It feels like longer somehow because it has been illusive...until this evening.

I had plans today to play in the woods and ride home this morning but we all know what happens to best laid plans. Yep, it doesn't happen! I didn't get to the yard until 11 so time was very short. Perhaps B picked up on this although I wasn't worried about it. Anyway, we tried to have a play in the arena but the usual gang of horses were loose in there and it is very distracting for her. Then it began to rain! Call me a lightweight but playing in the rain is not my favourite pastime and I suspect it's not B's either lol. She was bracy on the circle game but our driving game just gets better every time. We didn't stay long in the arena and the rain stopped as soon as we left so we stood by the mounting block and played with asking B to side pass towards me so I could spend time leaning on her back and stroking her. Then we headed back to the courtyard.

B is very unconfident when I am in zone 3/4, even more so if I am higher than the ground. In the courtyard I stood on the highest of the pedestals and we played approach and retreat with an empty shavings bag just for the hell of it. I rubbed her all over with it and she wasn't fazed at all.

Having B stand with me in zones 3/4 is too much for her so we spent a long time with approach and retreat until she could stand still and I could lean on/stroke her back. Interesting how she is ok when she has a saddle on her back?

Now that the clocks have gone forwards an hour we have lots more daylight in the evenings. Nice to play in daylight. Driving game was great as was fig 8 in trot. Again B was bracy on the circle game but I had put the savvy string back on my c/s and B noticed. It meant I could do even less to ask her to move. When she stopped and backed up I kept my ask very light, even less pressure than usual and this worked. Her trot was nice and relaxed and she had her head down. The first time we got 1/4 of a circle in canter after which B exploded so it was rest, then back to walk, then trot.

The second time I asked she got it and didn't explode. It really helps to walk with her as I ask for canter. She seemed quite shocked when she stopped after lovely smooth canter. She stared at me but didn't go introverted at all as I told her what a clever girl she is. I asked her in and she trotted to me. I was so pleased I just kept on telling her how clever she is. I could have jumped up and down with joy. This is such a big thing for Breeze, to be calm after cantering. We stood together while she chewed and chewed and blinked and blinked. We walked around a little to cool off with a little driving game on the way to the gate and ended it there.

Back in her stable B was still thinking hard. I talked to her and stroked her. She seemed to need my company and the stroking turned into the best massage/scratch fest we have had so far. I am beginning to find the best ways to scratch her and she is allowing me to do more. Eventually she was showing me where she wanted to be scratched by positioning her body just right. Up and down her neck, along her back and all around her tail, even underneath it. I vaguely remember some TTouch terms and have found B likes what I call 'tiger paw' like scratches, in fast and light circular movements. When I did this on her poll she half closed her eyes and stretched her head down. Looked like she REALLY liked that.

The yard was quiet and empty of people, I never made a sound as we had our 'scratch fest'. I didn't even notice it had got dark either. Breeze was all scratched out and she let me know it was time she got stuck into her hay nets. I rugged her up, got her breakfast put out and left her for the night, relaxed and happy.

It's all good!

I ended up with five draft blog posts that I never did write, just sorted the photos for them before I posted about my lesson with Claire. I was still wondering how I could get so behind until it hit me as a BFO while I was riding in the woods today.

I used to write about everything I could remember, as each 'thing' was new and a real achievement. Also, if I leave the note taking too long I simply forget what happened when, so much is going on these days! And I think we are doing such a lot that it's becoming too complex and probably might be too boring to read anyway.

Before I had my lesson with Claire I blogged about cantering on the Saturday. We rode again on the Sunday but I didn't canter. Breeze was not as emotionally calm. Tuesday Sandra and I rode again and that was a ride with a lot of trotting.

Which brings me kind of up to date after the lesson. Breeze and I are continuing with circle game and upping the pressure to ask for canter. B can now trot faster without blowing up but canter is still illusive for now.

Breeze is going introverted especially when she does something really good but I have noticed she is doing a lot of licking and chewing too.

I get to stroke her head and face and then I crouch down and wait for her to surface. Usually she comes to stand next to me wondering what I am doing.

It being Sunday we had our usual ride in the woods with Sandra and Bert. We warmed up in the arena but I didn't push for canter on the circle game. As it makes B get RB, today we concentrated on getting a consistent trot. And because we were warming up to ride I focussed on seeing all the games and tested if B was listening to me and how in tune we were and of course, if she is ridable.

We left the arena and got ready to get on in the courtyard which was really quiet, soft and respectful. Actually I got watched by a new family who recently bought a horse already on the yard. I wondered why they were standing watching me but I was so wrapped up in getting on it wasn't till I was up that they asked if it was ok to move. They didn't want to disturb us, bless them.

We spent two hours out in the woods. The horses spent ages eating at first. We did a lot trotting again all the way along the mile and 1/4. This time I was relaxed and moved with Breeze. We went around the old woods twice! Both horses had thresholds when we asked them. Bertie did a lot of circling until he was ready to go back down the straight. B almost turned to but it seems she realised this pattern and waited for Bert to stop turning and carry on. I thought that was great!

The second time we were in the old woods we went 'off piste' which was lovely until we met a bunch of dogs. That scared Bert who bolted with Breeze following very closely. Great fun actually and Sandra and I were laughing. We got back on the bridle path and B had to move her feet still so we trotted off along the winding uphill part. I loved that, leaning side to side to keep up with Breeze as we dodged trees and overhanging branches. Funny how relaxing I find that rather than going in a straight line! Sandra said we were trotting so fast she had to canter to keep up.

Brilliant play, then ride, in fabulous warm sunshine. The clocks went forward today so we get extra daylight in the evenings. I think we will be riding after work pretty soon too.

Lesson with Claire.

My legs are killing me!!! I have walked half way around the world today...or so my legs would have me believe. Very interesting lesson and it seemed like I haven't seen Claire in ages.

Before our lesson B and I went for a long graze in the shade of the woods. She was a darling. Relaxed and happy, she offered to walk past the exit and stayed calm.

I am sorry to say, yet again, I have been told how well we have progressed! Gotcha!! Not just a little, but a lot. So pleased about this. Claire was impressed with our circle game. Today we spent some time asking B to canter and not getting it. But that's ok. I knew it was time to up my game and ask for more, I just didn't know how. Breeze is so unconfident learning new stuff and really needs care that it doesn't shut her down. Now I know what to do and I am sure, given a few days, we will get there.

The other focus in the lesson was driving game from zone 4/5. Me being the way that I am, I read this wrong and tried to go way back in zone 5 which made B lose confidence. It seems I get in a lesson and become someone who just wants to show how much we know lol. And blow it completely!

We did get it and pretty quickly once I remembered to stay close to her and support her. We got walk, trot, stop and back up, through obstacles like cones etc. I missed a couple of unconfident moments for B but she forgave me.

The last two evenings the horse that turned up was a brat! Definite LB I don't want you to touch me! I had to assert my leadership despite B trying to back up with her head in the air. We worked it out in the arena and got 12 laps in trot on the circle game. I did question how I handled it but Breeze was happy to see me the next morning both times and tonight she was happy and cuddly. That was good enough feedback for me!

How Breeze has changed lately from the spooky innate RB to the relaxed LB she is now. I was dragging the remains of the haylage bale, the remnants of a bag of shavings and a sack barrow across the courtyard. Another horse tied up was quite upset but not too worried because I took it slowly. Breeze, munching on haylage outside her stable turned to watch me. I dumped the stuff next to her and she sniffed the black plastic holding the haylage. Then she stuck her nose into the bag and started to eat the remaining haylage. Nice!

Spring and C A N T E R!!!!!

It's been a fabulous spring day today. Perfect for a day off work and a ride in the woods. And what a ride!!

Warmed up in the arena after a really good groom. Breeze is shedding her winter coat in earnest now. There were others in the arena which gave me something to look at when I allowed B to have a rest in between activity. B really appreciates lots of time to think. Circle, sideways, driving,weave cones in walk and trot, fig 8 in walk, trot and walk one way, trot the other. Just as we were leaving Sandra and Bert came in, while they played we got saddled up.

Breeze stood on a pedestal, I asked her to lower her head and took off her halter, replacing it with the hackamore. Nice. She stood still for the saddle and then we just hung out. I stroked her face and she closed her eyes. Bliss. We got on at the mounting block and B was the most calm and happy yet, leaving the yard with absolutely no thresholds or hesitation.

We turned right into the woods and headed for the old woods. B and I so relaxed I didn't use the reins for a long time. The horses stopped to eat and I found reaching my hand back to B's flank and scratching it caused her to move! That's a cool phase 1! Round and down the old woods was heavenly. The sun shone, birds sang and I was smiling. Sandra and I chatted and she suggested we might try some trot and maybe some canter up the straight and back along the old woods again. I was a bit unsure but B seemed very relaxed and I agreed to trot at least. Canter has never been easy for me. Breeze has cantered twice since I got her. The first time she went pretty fast and I had to stop her with some assertiveness! The second time she went totally RB which resulted in her panicking and me having to point her at a tree to stop her!

But our circle game has been improving such a lot and she is getting progressively less emotional in anything above walk I did think I might just see about cantering. I am a little envious of others who have canter sorted! And if we never practice it, we will never get good at it.

We set off in trot up the straight and B quickly took the lead. Two other riders had gone off in front of us a long way ahead, so B had someone to follow. I sat back and off we went into canter! Sandra said B's trot was so fast she and Bert had already started cantering. I could hear B's breath as she cantered along and I struggled to keep my feet in my stirrups! I heard Sandra shout Sit up! Relax! I sat as tall as I could, my feet finding the stirrups, B's breathing coming fast and steady as we pounded up the hill! I found I was gripping the rein short in my right hand but the rest of me was relaxed and B seemed to be cantering steadily and happily so I figured this would have to do for now. But hell, we were cantering!!! Wow! Breeze has a great canter! Smooth and fast, so fast!

All too soon we were at the top, B slowed to a trot and Sandra caught us up. We turned left and walked back along the old woods again. It took B a little while to realise we weren't heading home and she quietly turned around as my focus had drifted. I laughed and asked her to turn around and carry on.

I tried not to grin! Sandra laughed at my joy but praised my courage and the fact that B stayed calm and focussed without going RB at all. We are coming along, eh?

We turned right and down the straight with B getting unconfident and turning back. I stroked her, let her rest and then we followed Sandra and Bert. Unfortunately, it being a Saturday, the woods were full of walkers. We came across a family with two boys who thought it was fun to make stupid noises and shout at us. Shouting usually upsets B and today was no exception. She had to move her feet so we trotted off to get away from them. It unsettled B for quite a while after that and I had to help her focus for most of the next mile or two. We could still hear the kids shouting as they saw glimpses of us through the trees. We stopped and let the horses graze as and when but B never quite settled after that until we got to the mile and 1/4. We took the lead and trotted for the last bit, Sandra and Bert cantering to keep up.

At the exit B was too unconfident to leave the woods so we waited for Sandra and Bert. There was another family in the play area and the kids called to us for a stroke. I suggested they all offer the back of their hands for B to sniff which made the girls giggle. Such a great way to introduce horses to people and vice versa. B gave one of the girls a lick and we said our goodbye's.

Oh no, run out of bits of carrot!

Here we are just coming through the yard gates after crossing the road here. You can see the whole length of the yard, through the arch and to the arena. Home sweet home!

I have been really trying to be balanced and careful when getting off, not dragging my leg on B's butt as I swing my leg over. Today I managed to get off from B's right side after we rode around a while and I asked B to stand on the pedestal. I wonder if getting off on the right made her go a bit introverted. She hung her head and 'switched off' for a while after I got off. We spent some time hanging out. We moseyed to the shed and she walked right inside to get a treat and have her saddle removed.

Then it was back to her stable and I sat on one pedestal. B climbed up next to me and hung her head over me and yawned and yawned. How interesting! I stroked her head and face and she rested her chin on my shoulder.

The sun is still shining, the sky blue as I type this. The moon is at its closest to the earth today since 1993 if I remember correctly and it's a full moon tonight. In two days time it's Ostara or the Spring Equinox.

Spring Blessings everyone!

Trot? Certainly!

Today our play was really, really good. I was able to take a few photos while B was out on the circle, happily maintaining gait and direction. Once or twice she threw what I can only describe as a small tantrum because she decided to be LB and change direction. To deal with this I found I could bump her to a stop and ask again. She will shake her head at me and try not to do as I ask. This makes me laugh and I mirror her by stamping my foot and spanking the ground with my c/s! (Not too much though, just enough rhythmic pressure to put my point across effectively). Off she goes nicely in trot in the direction I asked.

The other day I asked B to canter and we got almost a 1/4 circle before she got too emotional. She used to be like this with trot so I expect canter will happen one day. Taking the time it takes!

I cannot tell you how good driving game is getting! I can direct her from almost the end of the 22' line. Breeze is so light! Closer, we are playing with moving B's front end while her back feet stay still. She's not so good with moving her HQ and keeping her front feet still. Yet.

I am learning to be light too and even holding the line differently. I think it's almost like not having a line at all...I realise now I used to rely on that line and direct B about with it. Great prep too for c/s riding, not to mention the holy grail . . Liberty.

I have begun to treasure the moments when B needs a rest, when she lowers her head and goes slightly introverted. I use this time to rest too and stroke/massage her head and ears. Sometimes it's not the appropriate thing to do but when it is, there's nothing like it. Once in a while she will let me wrap an arm gently around her head and stroke her cheek. The hair under her forelock is soft and fluffy and I get to scratch those lovely ears. It no longer worries me or makes me feel at all sorry for her.

I keep saying it, but it all feels different. Lighter. Better. Get your better best. Never let it rest!

Consciously competent?

Squeeze game/yo yo.

I used to write up my blog posts religiously, until lately. I am trying to think why this is but I haven't a clue! It's probably because the nature of B and my relationship seems to have shifted and our play sessions, in fact all our time together, is different. The play is definitely more intense and more importantly fun! And I seem to spend a lot more time playing which leaves less time for writing.

I was going to ride Tuesday but again I ran out of time. Also I thought it might be a good idea to do something less demanding especially as it seemed to be National Burn your Rubbish Day and the air was full of smoke at the yard, along with two other places along the way as I drove to the yard.

There is something about having lessons that have made one great big difference to my savvy. I 'get it'. I almost want to say, finally, but thats not really true. I have just progressed and I have found myself able to work things out logically. In the past I just did things, the 7 games, without thinking about them very much. Now I am being more particular and I can see what it is I am looking at/for and why. If I really wanted to 'wax lyrical' I could say it feels like I have been walking down a long corridor and finally reached a door that has opened and let me into a world full of sunshine. It's probably just Spring!!

I think this has also given B a lot more confidence and she isn't so RB about things. Consequently we are communicating. Having a real conversation. Driving game and circle game in particular are improving immensely. I am loving it!

After play we went across the road to the woods for 20 minutes of nice spring grass. Breeze was the most relaxed I have seen her yet.

Rainy Sunday.

It's been a fabulous week since my lesson. Things continue to step up a level, almost as if I have a different horse. I am reading her better, although that's always been pretty good. Breeze is giving me more. More obedience, more motivation, more energy. She is less extreme when she goes RB and less introverted when she goes inside herself and comes out very quickly.

For the first time in ages we got wet today playing in the arena. It was very interesting because Eve had driven a trailer in and done some loading practice with her horse. Breeze was quite shocked to see them in there..in her eyes they don't belong there, obviously. They left and we got on with playing. Circle game was marvelous, over a jump too. We have had a little unconfidence with fig 8 in trot so I asked for walk today just to get it in her brain again. Then the rain came down. I tried to ignore it but it got more wet and so we left and went back to the stable. I saddled up under cover and B was great.

The rain eased and I noticed Eve was back so we went and investigated. Eve had put her horse away so I knew we had a few minutes to have a look. Breeze stopped in her tracks when she saw the trailer was back in the arena but soon wanted to go see it. She snorted and stared at it but slowly inched closer and then stood on the side ramp while I stood leaning against the trailer side. She got off, then back on and stuck her nose right inside to have a look. We didn't hang around long because I knew Eve wanted to get the trailer back to the loan company. It was a good way to introduce it in prep for our journey to Stoneleigh which is coming up fast. I may need to hire a trailer for a days play myself.

Sandra and Bert had joined us to play around the trailer and we all retreated to the other side of the arena to play as Eve drove away. By this time B had become quite RB and needed to move her feet. We had lots of circle game in trot, cod and back the other way. She wasn't too RB and was almost beginning to lower her head and lick and chew when the heavens opened again and we had to go and shelter. That was a good exercise in standing patiently and waiting which involved a little gentle bumping when B moved. This seemed to focus her intently on me which was pretty cool.

Back in the arena B was very calm and we didn't need to do much to ascertain that she was happy and ridable. Asking her to line up by the mounting block was brilliant and I was on. She needed to move her feet so we went for a walk while Sandra got on. Suddenly here was a very confident happy Breeze who took the lead after one small hesitation. We were off across the road and down the mile and 1/4. Lots of stopping to eat for the horses and chat for us humans which is a great way to start the ride. By the first turn B was eager to get going and we trotted most of it in the lead! I have stopped hanging on to the reins, relaxed and we can now trot on a casual rein again. Breeze doesn't have a very smooth trot, I have to say, but later on playing a million transitions helped her even out.

We had a great ride. B was listening to me and we did some circling and zig zag, as I focussed on using my whole body to turn, not just relying on the reins. Both horses seem to be more independent of each other these days. Bert tells B off for crowding him and she respects his space in return. They can happily walk side by side. We went 'off piste' with some marvelous squeeze game through gaps in the fence! So tight I caught my right leg and scraped my shin painfully on the way out. This took three goes of approach and retreat with B staying perfectly calm each time. Breeze was so confident she went in front all the way even though she didn't know the way. Just goes to show how much she has changed in her opinion of me as a leader.

We trotted ahead up the hill and then waited for Sandra and Bert. Breeze was so relaxed I let the reins rest on her withers, despite one spook, which had me automatically push my hands on her neck in the power position! Then we carried on again as if nothing had happened! She was like this all the way home. Relaxed and happily walking along. Me? I rode along grinning like an idiot.

Back on the yard B was cuddly and wanting to be with me as she usually is after a ride. One day I will see if we can do some liberty when she is in this mood although we already mosey around the courtyard together at liberty. We go to the shed and put her saddle away, when she comes right in! As you can see in the photo, she got up on both pedestals just for fun. I love my little girl!

Lesson with Susan Coade.

Susan and I met each other at a gym over 5 years ago just before I went to the USA for THAT holiday. We only met briefly a few times so it was a great surprise to meet up all this time later and for a Parelli lesson. Parelli has really changed my life in so many ways and given me a lot of lovely surprises.

It was very windy but dry for our lesson. Again the same 5 horses were out in the arena but we warmed up all the same. Breeze was totally unconcerned about the wind and the other horses, some of which followed us around quite interested in what we were doing.

It was a great lesson. Susan asked me if B and I had any difficulties and after going through some of the games it was clear there were some holes and our circle game needed some help too. I have been quite careful lately not to push B too far when playing in case she exploded or went introverted. But I have noticed some LB dominance creeping in and I knew we were about to step up a level.

Now we have circle game, in trot and over a jump. It took some doing, with B snaking her head at me when I asked her to carry on when she stopped. Seems I haven't been asking for long enough. Now I have learned to be persistent here too lol. It was so good to see B's attitude change, to watch her become relaxed and happy and looking at me with both of those soft brown eyes.

Breeze was a star, she gave me some lovely sideways and when I asked her to play the squeeze game, turn/yield her HQ and stop she got it straight away!

I have been buzzing ever since. Again I really feel we can progress and that our relationship is changing in incredible ways. Susan has offered to film us, with L3 in mind but that aside it would be great to have film of our progress even if I don't submit an audition.

I feel really spoiled too! Lots of lessons, some free again, from two superb trainee instructors. I am so proud to be part of their journeys too.

Change of plan.

Tuesday morning I thought B and I would do our usual play/walk in the woods, get on and ride home. That was the plan anyway. We went for a mosey to the arena and have some grazing time and found there were five horses loose in there. Usually when I have put B in there with others she has asked to get out of there pretty quickly. Today was different so I took her halter off and hung around with the herd. I have never seen her groom so many other horses or be groomed back. Looks like she has settled in finally. Whenever she got worried or spooked she ran to me tho. Good to know we have a bond as strong as that.

An hour passed by as I watched the herd dynamics and scratched some butts. All the other horses took it in turns to sniff the c/s and me. Lovely. Then they were gone and B and I had a bit of a play. Only this all happened two days ago and my head is now full of our lesson which I will blog about next! So I haven't a clue what we did, but it must have been good because B was happy and relaxed.

We left the arena and went back to the courtyard. A lot of time had gone by so I thought maybe we could play some approach and retreat with saddling up. I had given up on the idea of riding in the woods and with no agenda we could spend time taking our time. Breeze was very happy about this and we were ready in no time so I got on. We did a couple of circuits of the car park and around the back of the pony block, then went back to the arena gate for some grass.

While B was grazing I had time to reflect on how far we have come. When I started to recover from that damn accident I didn't think I could ever be this relaxed on a horse again. But here we are. Suddenly Steph came round the corner on Grace and we chatted a while. I suggested we go into the arena and B happily followed Grace.

We did some follow the rail, fig 8 around the cones and walked calmly around. I didn't want to ask too much of B so we left with Steph and Grace after that. But what a great success that was. My plans had changed and we then accomplished something big for both of us.

Didn't expect that!

As the week has gone by I have been getting a little too thoughtful about my relationship with B. In retrospect this usually means things are going to change, and for the better!

Wednesday was another 'turn out day' so I spent the evening scraping mud from B and little else. Thursday I had time to spend the morning with her so we got saddled up and went for a play in the woods before riding home. It went well but I found myself wishing for more. When I had got on in our usual place at the top of the old woods, the only direction B would agree to go in was home! She did act like a partner and go past the exit without hesitation.

Thursday evening we had a great play in the arena concentration on circle game, asking B to maintain gait and direction. We ended the session when B gave me a whole lap in relaxed trot but I could see a lot of resistance from B leading up to that one lap. Friday was another turn out day so it was back to mud scraping in the evening.

Saturday I had to work so didn't have a lot of time for play. It was more a case of exercise really so we did a lot of follow the rail online with circles at the four corners in the arena. Circle game has been great in walk but upping the gait makes B snotty, bracy and then unconfident. It took a lot of emotional fitness on my part to not get annoyed with B or myself. I just had to remind myself that this is how Breeze is and rather than focus on what we can't do, I was ok with being able to not push B and in fact just allow her to set the time line. Very hard for me when I am reading a lot about Pat Parelli and his new colt and what a stunning relationship they have in a matter of days. A little bit of jealousy there I wonder lol. But I am not Pat and B probably has a lot more baggage than Pat's colt. I can only guess anyway. I know, its a waste of emotion so I will put that to the back of my mind.

It was the same Saturday evening. Breeze ok in walk but ask for trot and you are asking for trouble. I persevere tho. I ask gently, quietly but persistently and reward the slightest try. It's not all frustration though. Other games are great and generally Breeze is very content in her surroundings and herself.

This morning we had the usual trouble with trot on the circle game. Although she gets bracy I can ask her in quite easily and she will trot to me! I didn't push her though and accepted what ever she could do. Which included a rather nice jump over a jump on the way out of the arena followed by turn and face and jump towards me. Nice.

We left Sandra and Bert playing in the arena and got saddled up. Here is where the surprises come in...B allowed me to saddle her from the left! That's a first! I just did it without thinking. Then we went to the mounting block and Breeze lined herself up and I got on. We hung out there for a while. Sandra was playing a lot longer than usual and told me later Bert was being quite snotty. Breeze and I watched them for a while then B just walked forwards right into the arena towards Sandra and Bert! They left to get Bert's boots on. Breeze and I did some follow the rail, weave in and out of the cones and some Fig 8!!!!! All the time B was happy and relaxed. I just let her do what she liked and when she was ready to leave we did. At the gate she stood for ages, relaxed and settled as Sandra got on Bert and we were ready to go for a ride.

Breeze was a little resistant to leaving the yard. She tried to nap and we ended up doing some lateral flexion to calm her, then she just got on with it. We let the horses eat for a long time down by the 'not so scary today' green banner by the golf course. We tried some trotting but I just could not relax and neither could B. I seem to be developing a bad habit of shortening the rein instead of just having a loose rein with one hand. Tsk tsk. It was a good ride tho. The horses even rode side by side and none of the spooks either horse did were too bad. Breeze was calm enough to let someone go past us from our yard and she didn't want to follow. She did want to lead Bertie tho and I always enjoy being in the front lol.

So. What a surprise to have B offer to go into the arena and for me not to get stressed about it. It's a big thing for both of us and took me by surprise. Makes me think, no matter how down I get sometimes about my perceived lack of progress with B, we are making a lot of progress just by me letting B tell me what she needs. I should perhaps not just listen to her but believe I am making the right choices too.

Partnership and Patience

That nasty thing fear arose in the pit of my stomach this morning. Simple because last night I told Sandra I would be riding today. I had to have a word with myself about what it was exactly I might be afraid of and that I wasn't riding just any horse. I might be riding my own lovely Breeze, not an unknown one that might throw me onto some rocks again.

I woke up with a rotten headache, further discussion with neighbours made me think it was a bug going round. I thought perhaps I wouldn't ride after all, but having been re-reading Dr Steph Burns 'Move closer, stay longer' I though I could do some approach and retreat for me, not just B.
Did my chores after taking B for a graze around the yard. I groomed her as she ate lol. As soon as she saw the saddle she backed into her stable and hid. I know what she thinks of that then. We played stick your nose on it with bits of carrot popping up now and again on the saddle. We had a little resistance about putting the saddle on her back but she soon settled and wanted to play with the pedestal. In fact she was on and off both pedestals all morning. Very sweet. I even got to brush the mud from her legs as she stood on both pedestals. You get a good look from the ground lol.

We set off and met lots of thresholds. i waited or just stroked the line and we soon got over the road and into the woods. B was pretty unconfident and I really did think perhaps today was not a riding day. I didn't really help either because to begin with I just couldn't find a way to ask her to do stuff. My head just wasn't in the right space lol. But I realised I wasn't being effective so I asked for sideways and a lot of yo yo in and out of the log trailer. More sideways towards home and some yo yo in between two trees. Breeze softened, relaxed her head and blew out! This was a definite sign so we moseyed to the bit of tree stump just the right height for getting on. I stood on the stump after tying the 22' up into reins, Breeze positioned herself exactly right and I got on! Seemed like a definite invitation to me! She didn't exactly wait for me to daisy chain the line up but I relaxed and she slowed down so I let the reins sit on her withers and tied it as we went along.

We were only a short ride from the car park so I asked for some zig zag, turning away from the exit before we got to near and then going past. B offered no hesitation or brace so we left the woods and went home.

Back on the yard I asked her to do a circuit of the car park. I didn't feel brave enough for the arena, I was getting short of time but didn't want to get off. Also I wanted to see if she could continue to be my partner. The first go around the car park she was slightly hesitant, blowing and snorting and finding things to be worried about. The second time we went the other way and although she snorted she didn't hesitate. We stopped off and chatted to Steph grooming Kes and I am very happy to say B stood still and relaxed. Talk about patient partner! I could have hugged her neck and squeezed her till she couldn't breath I was so happy! Instead I smiled on the inside and it felt great to be there at that moment. This is the horse that just could not be relaxed and didn't understand the concept of neutral lol. I lifted the rein, thought about walk and she walked forwards, light as a feather. We went around the back of the courtyard and then to her stable where I got off. Brilliant.