Monday

plan was to set Try up for some relaxed zone 5 driving which actually did not go well AND I am not sure why. At a clinic she is a star at this--at home not. I started with one rein at z4, then used 22 joining to make 2 reins, then 2 22' lines. Moving HQ side to side to go forward was ok--stopping to eat grass was not ok. All right--respect issue.

Circled Try over small jump for some energy and relaxation as I didn't know what to do at that point--it went well, she licked and chewed and was with me better.

In the ring--warmup and no stirrups posting trot one lap each way without stopping. Then up the road and dismount for good clover. I keep thinking I need to fill her + bucket but maybe it is overfull already??

GoC: seeking the bit with cookie didn't go as well, but simulation to move into the bit from the ground she REALLY understood. Watched a little more--next step will be fluid rein, stretch, 7 step soft feel and check to see that she maintains the walk.

GoC day 1 2012

I watched the section of dvd 2 on getting started and read the support manual. Went to the barn to play with taking the bit and isolation.

1. Bit and cookie--Try very willing to take the bit but not seeking the bit--remember that for day 2.
2. Helped to see Linda do the isolation and I had it--Try struggled a little the first two times--I gave immediate release--the 3rd time she understood. I expected this as she is so great with the fluid rein--just didn't immediately understand my doing this from the ground.

Live video chat

Really enjoyed the chat and feel re-energyzed (?sp).

1. It might be fun to start over at level 1 On Line.
2. I would like to see how we are doing with the 45' line and play with confidence in one handed Z5 driving.
3. LBI: slooooow and intense, do the unexpected--which requires figuring out what the expected is LOL
4. Fun: check out L4 tasks for phase 1
5. Greater purpose?
6. GoC!! check out Linda and Aspen, be sure to start at phase 1 AND be provocative enuf with LB horse. Recognize the slightest try. Bit isolations on the ground. Stage 1 and 2 is good for every horse.

Thursday excitement

Had the facility to myself and decided to test Try at liberty coming in from the pasture with halter on only. This would have been fine but dropped contact with her to turn and latch the gate. She ended up leaving and going up to the geldings pasture to visit and then off to the good clover sweet spot. Try was really happy. It was exciting and fun but I will not be so cavalier about it all again any time soon.

Riding: warmup, a bit of contact, no stirrups posting trot and then walk up the road to all the good clover. Clean ups, more clover, etc.

Bareback day

Wednesday played in the round pen with sticking together, 360, liberty figure 8 which was good, and cleaning up sideways--being square, away and toward both sides. Then bareback in the ring--easy lots of lateral stuff, jog and a bit of canter to see how it felt after time off (good/strong--yahoo).

I'm back

January was a bummer with injuries, cold, etc. Rode only about once a week. Including lovely trail ride on Weyerhaeuser land. Yesterday--Try indicated that she wasn't excited about being saddled or going to the ring, so we went to the hilly field tho I thought warming up in the ring might have been a better idea. She got emotional about wanting to follow Devon into the field so we played for a long time with turning if she showed emotion. Then in the field played with transitions and speed within gaits--at first to see that she did not rush down hill, that we stayed on my focus, and to avoid the tendency of us both to speed up going uphill (yahoo). Then I needed to keep Try from breaking from jog or trot to a walk going downhill LOL. Finally canter--I am anxious about cantering downhill--afraid Try might slip--and footing wasn't great--but it went well and was nothing to be concerned about. Fewer and fewer fears.

Lovely trail ride

The first ride of the New Year

BA/Dorry and Try and I went for a hour+ trail ride on the Weyerhaeuser roads for the first time in at least 4 years. I like being on a road in the woods because there is plenty of space. Try led as that is her preference and gave Dorry confidence as this is his second trail ride ever. We came upon hunters but they assured us we would not be in the same area. Try got to choose which way to go when we came to cross roads. We passed fallen logs, brush and a rickety bridge--Dorry and Try were curious but confident. There was one more narrow area with deep ditches on either side which made me nervous and I shortened my reins. I know tho Try would absolutely not want to go in either ditch. When we came to the end of the loop both horses were both worried about the big yellow gate barring our way. BA had Dorrey play approach and retreat. Then I led Try into the narrow ditch by the gate successfully. Dorry didn't want to go so BA backed him. LOL. It was a lovely warm day for a relaxing ride after some cold weather. Also it did not hurt my back at all and hopefully I will be back to trotting and cantering next ride.