Sunday again.

I wish I could ride more. I will just have to wait for Spring/Summer when the days are longer. I am still unable to just hop on and go for a ride in the arena. But I am thinking about it and once I get over this little hiccup about rolling in the sand I will try again!

Breeze was pretty relaxed today. We had a warm up in the arena as we usually do along with two dressage riders warming up. The minute we got in the arena we got a very nice online follow the rail going on again and Breeze really seems to like this. I got lovely driving game from z 5 and B stayed in the track even on the corners. Back up over poles, jump, turn and face, circle game, all the usual stuff. Breeze was in danger of going intro a few times but I really didn't want her to go there. She feels pressure when there are other riders around and I think it's time to work through this and find a way that helps her to not go there. If I time it right and 'catch her' before she starts to go using friendly game she doesn't go there and we can carry on.

Saddling up was great even with B standing on the pedestal while I put the halter on. We got to practice some 'put your head down' with just a hint of pressure on the halter. I got on from my huge bale of haylage just around the corner from the courtyard. Always good to mix it up and do things differently. We went and waited by the mounting block for Sandra and Bert then turned and made our way to the gate. B met some thresholds as soon as we got to the end of one stable block so I asked her to go behind the pony block and we met up with Sandra and Bert and crossed the road.

Breeze was very relaxed most of the way. We played eat and move on, trotted some of the mile and 1/4 and took it in turns to lead. Some of the trotting was hard going for me with B very joggy and me not relaxing. Sandra reminded me how I could slow B by my rising at my pace to ask for a slow trot and it worked. We then got some lovely relaxed trot along the old woods and in the lead.

We passed a couple of really big rides or 10 or more horses and riders. Breeze was really calm and didn't try to follow the first time. The second group were coming out of the pub car park into the woods as we got near the exitand it was too much for B. I had to ask for lateral flexion and we turned round and round until the other horses were gone and we could leave the woods.

That's another Sunday ride gone in a flash. I am sure this weeks hanging out and play has moved our relationship up a notch or two. Sandra noticed B had her head lower for most of the ride and her breathing was quite quiet instead of B puffing like a steam train.

I reserved the horse box the other day for our Parelli course in May. It's starting to feel like it's really going to happen now. Trying so hard not to be excited about it just yet!

Accomplishing a lot by doing very little.

It being Saturday B was 'in' for the day as she will be tomorrow. I had to work so I felt I should give B something to do out of her stable.

On the way to the arena we passed our local RI's six horse lorry with the ramp down. Too good an opportunity to pass up I thought. B immediately put both front hooves on the ramp but it took a little approach and retreat and some braciness for her to finally go up the ramp. I let her stand there for a while and gave her some treats. Much better than the last time we loaded.

Then it was off the lorry and into the arena, where I told the RI that she would find hoof prints on the ramp and thanked her for the use of it.

B didn't really want to do anything that didn't involve being next to me and that I was moving too. So we did a circuit of online follow the rail one way, then the other. B did really well when I played driving game from z 5. Circle game was as good as ever in walk and I just didn't even ask for anything faster. We did do a little fig 8 and then left it at that.

As we leave the arena, we pass the mounting block and today B stood exactly where I asked her to, even side passing to me and I stroked and leaned on her back. Today she didn't walk off like she usually does. Excellent. Great improvement on her confidence there.

And that was it until the evening when I got back late and we had the yard to ourselves. It was freezing cold again so all we did was go for a walk around the yard and a graze by the arena. I have been spoiled this week. Breeze has been very keen to spend time with me but tonight was different. She wanted to eat haylage and let me go home. Sometimes I am sure she can read my mind.

More play.

We have been having more success playing in the arena this week. Breeze is still very focussed on the area of sand by the gate, sniffing and pawing but she shows no sign of rolling lol. I tried mirroring her and then sitting down. When I sit down she just comes over and sniffs me lol.

Breeze is very itchy but she hasn't started shedding her winter coat in earnest yet. It won't be long despite it being freezing here again.

We had a bit of a play this morning although it was more of a leg stretch for B. I noticed she was stuck at the gate again. She has been doing this lately, sniffing the ground, going introverted but it doesn't feel like distress on her part. When I first saw her go introverted I could see it was from too much pressure. Now it seems she needs time to stand there and think, slowly breathing in the smells from the ground so near her nose.

This evening was a different matter. Breeze wanted to play. We warmed up with follow the rail and I got to be in z5 without any sign of claustrophobia from B. We had the most amazing calm 3+ laps in walk on the circle game each way and she maintained gait and direction. I found I was almost holding my breath wondering if she would lol. It feels so good to see her calm and trusting now. Very different from before when she just could not think and was so unconfident!

We went off and did a few other things before trying circle game in trot. Breeze didn't explode but wasn't confident enough to do a whole lap so we tried some c.o.d on half circles. B loved it! Her energy came up and she kept both eyes on me, tossing her head as she turned. I hardly had to do anything to ask her lol. She makes me laugh to see and enjoy such joy.

She maintained gait as I led her nearer a jump, then she went over, turned and back over four times, trotting to me after the last one. She got a big handful of carrot bits for that. From then on every time I asked her in from what ever she was doing she trotted to me. Success!

When we went to leave B hesitated by the gate for some time again. We went in and out twice and I waited for her to be ready to go back to her stable. I have done this a lot with B. Simply given her time, that's all, just time. Never mind that I am late leaving the yard or don't get to do all I had planned. All that is irrelevant. It seems vital that all I need to do is give her this gift of time.

Some nights when I have done all the chores and I am ready to leave B ignores me and gets on with eating. Others like tonight, she doesn't want me to go. She offers 'carrot stretches' and has stopped pestering me for more treats once that's done. She licks my hands and now nuzzles my hair if I sit down. Sometimes she wants strokes or scratches or just for me to hang out and be with her, like tonight. Precious time that's for sure.

45' line half worn in

As I stood in the arena today, Breeze standing quietly behind me on the 22' line, throwing the coils of the 45' line and recoiling it, suddenly it occurred to me how comfortable this felt. In my peripheral vision I saw people going about their business at a distance. Four years ago I would have felt awkward and worried about what they might think of my fumbling attempts at rope savvy. Back then starting out on my Parelli journey with Lizzie the dominant extreme LBI my mind battled to understand the 7 games in the simplest terms. It was all about the games, pretty much in isolation.

Today I know the 7 games as well as any L2/3 student but I noticed my focus is on reading Breeze my sensitive RBI, how I ask and how she replies. Then how I need to ask the question differently to get the answer I was looking for or simply see what B needed to get it right.

Today we got 3 laps of circle game in walk in both directions although going clockwise she needed a little prompt with the c/s to maintain gait. Ages ago when She first came to me I was very intent on getting more laps but it was too much PRESSURE for her then. I feel it's time to re introduce that pres-shhhh-ure and see where we go with it.

I am starting to find it quite difficult to remember what exactly we do in our play these days because there's no longer a set definition between each game. They flow into each other and perhaps on the way to an obstacle we will do a little sideways or yo yo or travelling circles. Sometimes B will offer me something other than what I asked for which I take gladly. More often than not after that I will ask for whatever it was again and get it. Sometimes it's all I can do to remember the outstanding highlights lol.

So now we are focussed on more laps and maintaining a faster gait. She offered some canter today without blowing up. Nice! B forgot about turning around the cone in Fig 8. It maybe too much pressure so I slow it down and ask her to walk it and I think carefully about my body position and where I am looking then we wind it up to end with a trot round the cone and stop because she got it.

I swapped the 22' for the 45' and it was great. I think B likes the lightness and of course being farther away, although not right at the end of the line, lessens the pressure for her even more. We got nice trot on circle game and when we stopped B forgot she was still connected to me and tried to wander off lol.

I swapped the lines back and we wandered to the gate. Before going through the opening, B sniffed and pawed at the ground and I really thought she might roll. I mirrored her but in the end she didn't roll. One day I am hoping to ask her to roll or at least lie down. But that's for the future. She spent a lot of time with her head down just sniffing the ground. When she was ready to leave she did the same thing the other side of the gate. It seemed like ages before she was ready to be in the moment again and we could go back to her stable. Interesting.

It's funny. Today someone asked me if we were riding. I said no, sorry I don't have time but that wasn't strictly true. I actually wanted to spend as much time as I could playing with B online!

B's play drive is up!

Are you thinking hooray another fuzzy picture of our ride around the woods? Glad I could oblige lol.

But before that B and I went into the arena closely followed by someone having a lesson. So on went the ipod and B and I had a lot of fun. We started off quite slowly and B had a few bouts of introvertedness (incorrect word I know but I like it, so it stays!) especially when another rider came in. But I have noticed she is handling this pressure a lot better lately. I slowly moved the pace up a bit by asking for reverse falling leaf, travelling circles then over a jump to me in trot lol. Fig 8 was great again with walk one side, trot the other. that's when B's play drive started to come up and we spent a little time trotting around playing stick to me.

I had laid out two poles on a circle and we had a giggle asking for half circles and fast c.o.d at the poles. Then stopping B suddenly at a pole and asking her to mirror me and put one then two hooves over and back up. Nice! B's energy was up now and she happily trotted around me and jumped everything in her path, turning when I asked with the slightest movement from me. The expression on her face was so good. Both eyes on me, her ears towards me, asking me what are we doing next!

We got some excellent stop and back up, go sideways, hide your butt, trot to me. Ah such fun playing, truly playing with her. But I was conscious not to push it and wanted to end on a good note as well as not getting too exuberant and freaking the others out. We did a little sideways towards the gate and timed it so that the others on their circles were the farthest away from us and we did a little driving game with B nest to the fence all the way to the gate. This time she wasn't at all worried or claustrophobic. We left the arena quietly, shutting the gate behind us.

A little bit of eat and move on then saddling up nicely. I got on, remembering to rest my leg on the saddle and asking before I swung my leg over. Oh yes I forgot to mention that the last few times. Ooops. But B stood still and I stroked and talked to her until I felt she was ready to go.

We had to go the back way behind the pony block to get to the gate but that's ok. B was pretty settled and happy and ate lots on the first bit of the ride.

Compared to last week she was a lot more settled. We had a couple of tiny spooks. Two others came up behind and passed us without B getting too emotional. She didn't want to trot to follow them either. She did get tense when two more riders trotted past on the road to the golf club car park and I let her move her feet and go ahead in trot leaving Bert and Sandra behind for a while

We half stepped over/jumped the fallen tree in the old woods and I didn't feel like I was falling sideways. Had some calm, then tense trots, some weave around the trees and then home.

B was a bit sweaty and seemed to like being groomed when I took her saddle off. Her winter coat is beginning to shed, no wonder she is itchy. Seems a bit early this year.

Online follow the rail.

We had a very LB play in the arena this morning. I asked B to simulate opening and shutting the gate as if i were riding her and then we started off with online follow the rail. I watched the Jan Parelli dvd last night and yet again it struck home that this is something I should be doing. Asking for a little more and progressing if we are to ride with a purpose in the arena.

Breeze just fell into the pattern like she had done it her whole life. We did one whole circuit in walk, rested, then did the other direction. I hardly had to correct her and most of the time she was quite far from me on the 22' line with me in z3.

Circle game was just as LB although B didn't always maintain gait but stopped at a cone so we played with c.o.d instead which helped her focus and we ended up with nice steady complete circles. I also asked her to yo yo and wait for as long as I wanted at the end of the 22' line. I am going to concentrate on asking for more laps now that she is more confident. We had slow fig 8 but she got stuck going around the right side cone so I thought she might need to do something more energetic as she seemed to be getting slower lol. We had some fun upping the pace to trot and she gave me some lovely jumps with c.o.d so we ended it there. No explosions or unconfidence. Marvelous.

B spent quite a bit of time standing on the pedestal outside her stable while I mucked out. Then I found her chewing on Chelsea's stable door! I wonder what she might be missing in her diet, or perhaps she just likes the taste. I am cutting out the chaff and going to give her dried 'ready grass' instead. I know she loves it and it has no molasses in it like chaff.

Undemanding time.

By the time I got to the yard this evening all the lights were out and someone, probably Sandra bless her, had brought B in for me. I got a nice welcome from B and went to get her dinner immediately.

We are experiencing a cold snap at the moment and the temperature was dropping rapidly so after shutting B's back door I swapped her turnout rug for her stable rug when she had finished eating.

I just got a curry comb and rubbed all the muddy bits on her neck and face. She loved it. We spent ages standing like that with B resting her muzzle on the top of my head as I groomed her neck up and down the jugular groove and under her jaw. Then over her ears where she let me massage and scratch them as far in as I thought safe. I got her brush and did her forelock. After a while she turned and offered her butt so I lifted her rug and spent some time using circular movement over her dock and her rump.

When it was obvious she had enough I sat down on the stable floor and did nothing. B stood over me and went into what Sandra and I jokingly call 'screen saver mode'. I could have stayed like that for ages but it was getting late so after a while I got up and left her dozing.

I love times like this. Makes me feel very close to Breeze, loved and appreciated by her and that despite hiccups along the way we are a partnership.

Oh, and since I got a bit more assertive the games she plays around haltering and rugging have stopped. Nice.

Playtime.

I gave up trying to get all the mud off B's neck from yesterday's day in the fields. Instead we went for a walk in the woods before work.

We didn't go far but it was nice to get away from rude people on the yard. I don't often blog about the petty rudeness but this morning really tested my patience. So I am going to vent all the same.

I had B tied up in the walkway while I mucked out. Person opposite wanted to bring her horse out and asked me to move B. So I stopped what I was doing and asked B to side pass away from me and stand right next to the stable wall so the way was clear. This wasn't good enough for this person who bitterly complained that I would have to move B all the way over in the opposite direction and away from her intended direction. I found myself saying something about it's ok and that B wouldn't kick her horse. ( we have done this a thousand times before) But I was wasting my breath because she started off on a tirade about her horse being 20 blah blah blah so I took a deep breath, untied B and took her well away from this person and her ancient, decrepit horse. Didn't stop me being childish, making a face and saying nah nah ner ner blah blah blah under my breath......it took me ages to calm down and feel less insulted and wrong for doing right. It's not my problem that this person is so terrified of horses and ignorant of horse behaviour that she can't do the simplest things without causing grief to everyone around her. Next time I am tempted to tell her to move B her $%%^**!self!!

But I won't, will I.

I will avoid this person for the next few days or so and mutter things under my breath every time I see or hear her, until I manage to get my emotions under control....sigh.

Anyway, vent over.

This evening after B had been in all day ( we are down to three day turnout now) I gave her dinner and mucked out. Then it was into the arena for some play.

B was very introverted to begin with so I let her rest and waited for her to surface. We walked about, tried some circle game, travelling circle and then with a jump and fig 8. B got quite energetic and then bracy so we did more travelling circle game. Which turned into a very energetic stick to me with us weaving and running and having great fun.

At this point I thought it was time to take the line off and watch the chaos. But there wasn't any chaos, Breeze stuck to me for a while then left and trotted/cantered around, coming back to me now and again. She rolled three times. We connected a few times but never for long although it's a vast improvement on the other times I have unclipped that 22' line.

Breeze let off some steam and then I thought it might be a good idea to put the line back on and walk her around to cool off. Then we did some play around the gate, asking B to side pass with the gate as we opened and closed it. She really has got the idea of this now. And that was it. Back to the stable and on with the evening.

Since I started being a little more assertive with B she has definitely changed her attitude. Rugs are less of a game to take off and put on. Putting the halter on takes less time but B is still thinking things over. She is looking at me in a more considered way and is less pushy. Watching her tonight she seems to have something on her mind and a lot to think about. I wonder what.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring you, the Predator!

But first, some photos from last night's play. We did some yo yo in and out of the stable.

Sandra got us a Hoola Hoop! Breeze was pretty cool about it even tho it had beads inside it and made a hissing noise when moved. We played approach and retreat with it over her head until she was so relaxed she took no notice of it and scratched her side with it resting on her neck.

Standing in it, sniffing it, pushing it around with her nose was easy for her and then she needed time to rest and go a teeny bit introverted. She often does this when I introduce something new.

We had been playing quite an energetic game of 'hide the hiney' before Sandra brought our surprise. Let me get to the point. I have a cold. I feel crabby and ill, bad tempered and fragile. Breeze was in her stable all day because it poured with rain and no other horses were out in the fields for her to be with. I felt she needed to have a bit of exercise to at least stretch her legs. And of course she picked up on my mood and didn't want to do things, as if she couldn't remember some of the games. I in turn wanted her to move her feet! She insisted on side passing the cones on fig 8 and got a bit bracy on the circle game if I stood still so we did some travelling circles which she seems to enjoy. So I ditched the c/s and we did some stick to me, me running, Breeze trotting and we played weaving and hide your butt. Great fun and it cheered me up so I was less crabby.

This morning I felt worse which is a shame because the weather was gorgeous and we could have done lots on my day off. There will be other days off!. I got to the yard and gave B a bit of carrot like I always do. Seems it was her turn to be crabby and one bit of carrot was not enough. B also likes to play a game with taking her rug off sometimes or rather not letting me. She has issues about the front fastenings and we usually play approach and retreat until she is happy to stand still and let me undo them. This morning it became a game of who can out crab the other. She kept bonking me on the head with hers, turning away, pestering me to give more treats and not moving away from the back door so I could undo the rug! Grrrr! She bonked my head once too often and I snapped. Out came the predator in me and I bumped the lead rope in anger and frustration and she backed off out of my way instantly. Sometimes B is too pushy and I am too soft. A timely reminder for me to be more assertive and also not to beat myself up about showing some bad temper once in a while.

I rugged her up and we walked to the field together where she hung around with me for a while then walked away slowly to spend the day with the herd.

Never a dull moment with B!

Can you see the sand?

We had the most interesting day today, Breeze and I. We moseyed about and she ate grass for ages before I saddled her up. We couldn't play in the school, there were three horses loose in there which is too many to play around.

B was relaxed and happy to be saddled, we did some pre-flight checks and I got on from a haylage bale in the yard. She was calm and happy as we left the yard without too many thresholds. Sandra and Bertie hadn't waited for us but gone ahead across the road without us.

Breeze and I crossed the road alone and into the woods without thresholds or B getting tense. This is a first!

We caught up with Sandra and Bert along the mile and 1/4 where B wanted to play eat and walk on most of the way. We carried ok until someone came up behind us. For some reason B hates it when another horse and rider comes up behind us. While this was happening Bert had a huge spook and turned towards us which made B feel tense and probably claustrophobic. We did some tight circles asking for lateral flexion then carried on when she was calm in trot to get some distance away from the other horse. Further on we let them pass us. We tried trotting again but B was tense and it was very choppy so we walked for a while.

All went nicely for a while until a jogger appeared which B thought was too scary. We had a discussion about it and I waited until she could be calm again with lots of praise and strokes. The logs had gone from the viaduct and B took the lead up the straight and we turned into the old woods. We trotted for a while until she wanted Bert to go in front. We tried trotting again but she was too tense so I asked her to walk again until we reached near the top.

The ground is very sloppy and wet which the horses found hard going. We came across a fallen tree which Bert stepped over easily. B couldn't do it and got a bit unhappy because Bert was the other side. We did some approach and retreat and unexpectedly a man came up behind waving at us. This was too much for B who jumped the log with me almost hanging off one side! Phew! This is the first time we have jumped anything together...I must learn to relax more, especially if B is going to jump diagonally!

B offered trot at the top of the old woods which was nice to begin with but she got a bit RB and headed into the trees. I am so glad I wear a helmet I thought, as we crashed through the branches until I could grab one rein and stop her. I asked her to weave in and out of the trees along the way home which calmed her until we got near to the pub car park. Some kids were shouting up in the play area. B doesn't like shouting and I felt her tense as we passed them and left the bridle path.

Sandra got off to cross and we followed. The I had the bright idea to go into the school just like we did last week. Breeze was ok with that and we squeezed past the open gate and did a circle near the gate. I left B alone to rest and gave her a bit of carrot. I asked her to move again and she circled again to go back to the gate, sniffing the ground as we went. Then to my surprise I felt her drop to her knees and suddenly realised she was going to roll!

I managed to get my legs free before she hit the ground and threw myself away from her and lay there laughing as she rolled over. A few people were standing near enough to see and one called out to ask if I was ok. I shouting thanks as best I could while still laughing.

B looked surprised to see me standing in front of her when she got up. I didn't get back on but gave her a hug and we walked back to her stable to take the saddle off and a groom. I am so glad I have a soft treeless saddle that didn't get damaged lol.

Oh, I geddit now...

It's been a week of lots of rain, work and not very much daylight. Breeze got very fed up with being out in the field getting wet. Each morning through the week she was less and less happy to go out so I gave her a day in yesterday. She does like her home comforts. This usually means I feel I should give her some exercise because much as she likes to be stuffing her face in her stable all day I believe she should move around a bit some of the time lol.We have had some great play sessions in the arena over the last two days. Particularly today when she seemed to really understand what was asked of her. It was very windy but it didn't seem to bother B which I think is marvelous. It did seem to give her more energy than usual which I took advantage of. Last night and this morning we got canter online. Good, controlled canter for a 1/4 lap so I asked her in, gave her treats and a rest and we went and did something else. Next time we circled she offered canter and we had a whole lap of nice calm canter!

This mornings session was one of those times when everything seems to gel. My usual inability to think of things to do has gone lately and we were very in tune with each other. I have found asking B to do the things she likes with something new dropped in really works. Today we got weave backwards around the cones and backwards by the tail too. She is getting the hang of jumping to me over a pole and she is trotting to me more often now.

Sandra had a lesson in the arena around us this morning and this evening someone else was riding too. It's great to see B is getting used to having others around her and doesn't go introverted so much now. Today she was a little bracy but I don't let her fight me now. Lydia's help on our sponsored ride last year has really stuck. I keep the pressure on the line and wait for B to soften and come to me. It doesn't take long and she soon stops trying. Change of direction seems to calm her too when she gets a little RB on circle game and also travelling circle.

This week we have been doing some mounting simulation at the mounting block which is coming on nicely. B can now stand still while I lean on her back. Oh and we have been doing some opening and closing of the gate together. This morning she objected as I asked her to go sideways with the gate as we shut it and bucked a little and kicked out. I let her rest and we tried again and pushed the gate shut together.

This evening was just as good after some time grazing around by the gate. We did the opening and closing the gate again and B was ok with that. I love the way B now looks at me as if to say I know this one! She just gets it now and looks at me, eager to do what I ask next. Brilliant.

Back in her stable, after doing all the things I do before I leave for the night, I decided to sit in with her and have some UDT. Sometimes, as Pat says, it's the time after doing something with your horse that is the most important. I don't like to just put B back in her stable and walk away, especially if we have had a particularly good session. Breeze often tells me she doesn't want me around by just getting on with eating her haylage. the last two nights she hasn't wanted me to go. Last night she stuck her head over her door, rested her cheek next to mine and stood still for ages for me to stroke her face. Every time I stopped she nudged me to do it again. It's hard to leave her at such times.

So, I sat on her upturned manger and relaxed. Breeze stood over me, her muzzle really close to my face. I could hear her breathing and my glasses kept fogging up as she exhaled. She nuzzled my hair and licked my hands a few times and in return I stroked her face a few times. I really try not to interact with her but she makes it very difficult for me not to lol. Especially when she has a drink and then comes back and dribbles water on my legs and hands! Sigh. Then she turned her butt towards me and tried to squish me against the wall!! I got up in a hurry, put the manger back and scratched her butt for a short while. Definitely time to go home.

My confident little RBI.

My brain hurts! I think B's does too. We had another lesson with Claire today and it was even more incredible than our last. I knew B and I had made big leaps in our relationship but again, to have someone else see it, is priceless.

B and I went in the arena before Claire arrived to warm up. I let another horse be put in the arena while their stable was mucked out. It was AJ who has watched us (at a distance) before but was too busy calling to the herd out in the field to be bothered by us.

I took things really slow to ease B into our games. We did all the things slowly that she likes. Yo yo over a pole and some sideways and we just walked around playing put your nose on this. I got a yellow base from our round pen for her to sniff. We played circle game and it was going well until I felt B had stopped behind me. When I turned around she had put her feet on the yellow base and just looking at me expectantly lol. She cracks me up!

While we played AJ was getting more RB, tearing up and down almost screaming at the herd! Then he suddenly turned and charged at us! I stood in front of B and when he was near I smacked the ground with the savvy string on my c/s, protecting our herd of two. Breeze stayed calm and AJ abruptly about faced and went away. He tried it again a little while later and I did the same thing. Breeze looked at me with what I think was great respect, she certainly had a good look on her face. AJ went and stood back across the arena and left us alone after that.

Claire arrived and we got on with the session. I hope I am not becoming predictable and boring but I am stunned by Claire's praise of both how well B looks and how confident B has become. Claire said she looks like a totally different horse. Calm, confident and looking to me for leadership!

My timing was spot on and our play was fluid and fun. We had fig 8 around the barrels, trot one way, walk the other then did it in the other direction. Weave was good but I tend to rush her at the end and she gets unconfident. Claire suggested I slow right down when she shows me she can't do these turns. I guess I get RB and excited too lol.

Claire has set us some tasks. One of which is improving our draw by asking B to jump over a jump and trot to me. We tried this and it was ok her coming to me but she couldn't back over the jump. I will have to start low and gradually raise the pole to a jump height. Also play with yo yo right up to things in zone 5. Breeze gets very claustrophobic in z5. The other is to practice driving game in z5 with the fence the other side of B. At the end of the session we tried this and lo and behold it was too much pressure for B and she couldn't stay straight. She had to peel off away from the fence, circle and come back to me.

Half way through our lesson one of the horses let himself out of the runway and into the yard to go and eat everyones feed. This horse is always getting out and instead of calling the yard owner (?) I just left B with Claire and went and got him. He is a stubborn LBI and knows how to get his own way lol. He managed to squeeze me against a wall at one point but I stepped away, got my 12' line, hooked it on to his webbing halter and with a bit of persuasion got him back into the runway using a bucket of feed as a lure. The other times this has happened I have used the halter too and he doesn't argue with me then. All the time B watched me, she couldn't take her eyes off me! When I got back in the arena she wanted to be near me and lick my hands.

By the end of the session Breeze looked like she had certainly given her brain cells a workout! She yawned and yawned, licked and chewed and looked like she needed a nap. We went back to her stable and I let her rest and eat some haylage before she went out to the field for the rest of the day. It's incredible how one hour can feel like longer in the best possible way.

Wow! Breakthrough!!

After a bit of a frosty night the sun shone brilliantly today. We had a short but lovely play in the arena. Getting on was superb. I couldn't ask for better especially as others were getting on around us and I could here the clattering of hooves as these horses couldn't stand still. B ignored them and we did our thing quietly and politely.

We had a slight hesitation leaving the yard but B quickly decided she wanted to lead. Might be because we followed on behind three others and B got a bit emotional and wanted to catch them up. So we did some lateral flexion and circles and she soon forgot about them and got on with stuffing her face with bramble leaves. Sandra and I decided to let the horses eat for a while so that we got more distance between us and the others.

We were told a tree was down on the mile and 1/4 so we thought we would just head on down there via the straight and see if we had to turn around. We met a Land Rover parked up and passed without incident although B did stop and have a look. B was happy to plod along for a while and asked to turn into the old woods. I asked her to carry on and she did without getting snotty. She got a scratch and lots of praise for that. We went past the scary logs as if they weren't there! Woohoo! B got a bit emotional from then on and I got frustrated by being scraped and scratched by bushes because she insisted on trying to side step puddles. I realised I wasn't really helping her, sitting there being annoyed! My brain finally kicked in and we did some zig zag and not surprisingly this calmed B down.

The ground was very slippery and muddy so we walked most of the way until the last bit of the mile and 1/4. Breeze and I took the lead and had a trot which became a bit difficult for me when B decided to dodge some puddles. I had to really concentrate on staying with her lol. The exit was coming up fast so I focussed on going past. Although B hesitated she did trot past the exit so I asked her to stop and gave her a treat. Marvelous. Sandra was behind us, turned for home and we followed. We crossed the road together and I headed for the arena.

I don't know what made me think of the arena lol. The gate was shut and three others were in there. Two being led and one having a lesson. Despite this, we got the gate open and someone kindly shut it for us. We were in! Breeze showed no signs of tension at all. Such a difference from when I first got her. It's been nine months since we really went into the arena to ride with a purpose. We have been in for a treat and a rest but that's all other than playing online.

Today was so different. We went to the middle where all the jump sides, cones and poles were and waited so that B could rest and get the feel of things. We did a little circling, fig 8 around jump sides and some yo yo between cones. Each time B did as I asked I let her rest and gave her a treat. She loved it! So did I! A happy, willing horse who showed no sign of the stress she showed previously. (What a contrast to the lesson going on around us, I only heard snippets and was glad Breeze and I don't do that! None of my business lol).

I don't know how long we were there. Who cares! We did a few things, had lots of rests and then before she could get bored or tense I asked her to trot to the gate, we opened it and left the arena! I tried to shut the gate but realised we haven't done this on the ground so that's something to work on now.

I am ecstatically happy! I am also shocked and surprised that we really did it. I have wanted this so much and been both too terrified and worried to even think about it. Both Lizzie and it seems, Breeze, had baggage from previous lives and showed me in no uncertain terms that 'schooling' was not fun.

It looks like I have taken the time it takes and given Breeze a different experience that doesn't make her unhappy. There will be more! Freestyle and then ( a long way off!) Finesse, in due course! Doesn't get better than this, does it?

Balance.

I don't think I have ever ridden so much in one week! It's been brilliant too. I have had a totally horse filled holiday with nowhere else to be and no one else to please but myself and Breeze.

Today we played for quite a long time in the arena. Breeze jumped some pretty high jumps but it made her introverted. There was a lot of rest and hanging out in between, waiting for her to be back with me. She definitely isn't going anywhere near as deep inside herself. We had some great sideways at 22'...I think it might be time to get the 45' out now. We had some good fig 8 in trot but B decided to snake her head about and explode! It didn't appear to be unconfident RB fear based, just enthusiasm. Circle game was great with lots of trotting and c.o.d. in trot too.

Saddling up and getting on was, dare I say it, perfect. I do a lot of friendly game while putting the saddle on and a few judicious treats help too. I love the way Breeze gets up on the pedestal once the saddle is on which helps make sure the skin under the girth stays smooth lol. I love how she stands still for me to get on and doesn't walk off until I ask her to.

Leaving the yard wasn't totally happy. Breeze is still a little bracy but I let her stop and waited to ask her again. Despite this glitch B was the most relaxed I have ever known her to be. She wanted to eat and didn't care if Sandra and Bert disappeared out of sight. She didn't get stressed or want to catch up either. So we moseyed along stopping to eat, catching up with Sandra and Bert, walking together and chatting, all the way round the old woods.

Again we turned to go down the straight to visit the scary logs and again B didn't want to. Today was different 'tho because she was less tense and when I asked for her to turn round she was happy to turn calmly. I forget how many times we turned. It can't have been more than four, each time I asked her to move on and finally she did. So nice to be pleasant and light hearted about it. The horses were ok with the logs so we walked past and then turned for home up the straight.

B still felt calm so I asked for trot and although she didn't maintain gait, every time I asked again she trotted happily. She was balanced and smooth and in the lead all the way up despite wanting to look all around for danger lol. I am starting to really enjoy trotting now that she is less emotional about it! Hopefully at some point in the future I will be writing the same about canter!

Goat licking!

There is a very fat mini-goat called Tim (!) that lives on the yard. He gets to run around at liberty to try and lose weight. This was the first time B has set eyes on him and she was very curious and keen to meet him. Tim is very cute and is prone to going up on his back legs if you approach him too quickly lol. Breeze loved him and wanted to lick him for a long time lol.

We saddled up after a very good grooming session including cutting a good 7 inches from the end of B's tail. Breeze showed me all the ways she can get on the pedestals! She does make me giggle with her antics. Then we went into the arena for a quick pre-flight check.

Breeze was in a lovely playful mood and we didn't just play but almost danced together in falling leaf and HQ yields which melted into stick to me as we danced around the arena. All this on the 12' line of the hackamore and no c/s, with someone jumping and cantering around us.

Three of us went for a ride. B was a little hesitant about leaving the yard again. But I persevere and give her time to stop and think about it. The ground was soft and B decided she would lead the two geldings as soon as we got onto the bridle path, if you don't mind lol. She did get quite grumpy with the boys on and off the whole ride. Except of course when she felt unconfident and needed Bert or Coch to lead lol. Bertie did a huge spook when we all stopped suddenly because the horses spotted some golfers searching for their ball in the bushes. Humans bending down seems to really freak them out! We ended up squished together with the poor horses not knowing which way to turn. We all sat and waited for the horses to calm down, gather their thoughts and feel ready to carry on.

We had some great trots with B feeling very relaxed and balanced. I rather like being in the lead. I find it interesting to watch B's ears and see where she is focusing and how she feels. By the time we got past the golf club car park B was getting a little tense so Bert took over for a while. B decided she was ok and led again and then she was doing her annoying jigging so I asked for trot and it was still balanced and nice.

Along the viaduct the two geldings led, I knew B was getting ready for passing the logs and was tense. I kept a loose rein and then led the way to the old woods. Coch wanted to bomb off at the bottom of the straight but settled down. I decided to zig zag for most of the old woods to give B something other than spooking to think about. Doing this continues to help her be calm and probably me too. Then we got to weave the trees and I managed to bang my knee as we took one weave very tight.

As we got nearer the exit B needed the others to lead but she was nice and relaxed enough for me to take a photo or two. Then it was back on the yard and time for a little moseying. Breeze has decided we must always go and unsaddle by the new shed now. It might have something to do with there being carrots and apples there lol.

A ride with Jan and Cochise and the scary Morris Dancers.

I got to ride with Jan for the first time since getting breeze. I wasn't sure it would go ok because I didn't know how B would be with a horse we haven't ridden with before. We may have got into too familiar territory with Bert and Sandra and it's always good to mix it up! I wasn't worried about it, just aware that it might feel different.

It turned out Breeze was feeling very confident! We didn't warm up in the arena, there were horses in there and it was raining lightly so we went for a mosey around the yard. She was very LB so saddling up was quick and easy. We had a wander around the yard then met up with Jan and Coch and headed off over the road. It took some approach and retreat but B decided the minute we got into the woods that she would be lead horse today for most of the time.

Cochise is so like my old Lizzie, so laid back and typical LBI! We spent a lot of the ride stopping, the horses eating and waiting for each other lol. I let B choose where to go and it was around the old woods. We went along towards the viaduct to where the new pile of logs are that B is so worried about. It took some time for her to be able to go anywhere near them after some discussion about actually going to the viaduct! With a lot of circling and waiting she could eventually go near them to sniff them and guess what she did? Ate some bark!

Then it was turn for home and up the Straight. We did some zig zag then I asked for trot and we got a very even, balanced trot all the way to the top. Nice. I have found if anyone suggests trot I get nervous but if I don't pre-arrange it I can just ask B and we have nice trot with the option to go back to walk. So Sandra and I have made a decision. We won't ask, we will just trot and it's up to the other person if they want to follow or not. Cool!

Breeze got tense as we got to the exit...it being New Year's Day the local Morris Dancers were putting on a show in the pub car park. Breeze was happy to wait and let me watch for a while but after about 20 minutes she couldn't stand still and we asked to be let through during a break.

I am glad we did because they were just doing a play when we watched. A little while later, when I took B to have a look while they danced properly, including waving hankies, it was all too much for her!

What a great start to a new year. I cannot put into words fully how much I am enjoying being with Breeze. It feels like my savvy has grown hugely in the last few weeks and I am really starting to enjoy riding. I mean really enjoy, not just sigh with relief because I got through another ride with some idea of what I did, consciously. What a relief after all these years of fear and terror! I feel so lucky. So privileged. To be able to share my life with a horse called Breeze and have a partnership. Brilliant!