December wrap up - Rain/cold/holidays

MH rode Sephira while BA and I watched. I am pleased at how complimentary she was and how much she likes Sephira. Then the next Friday and Saturday after days of rain etc., I rode both Sephira and Try with some ground play. On Wednesday I got some laid back time with Sephira playing games i.e. tarp and ball and a pleasant relaxed WTC.

Thursday Kathy and Try

Actually, reflecting on this more--I don't think it matters what Lynne does or doesn't know about any problems/successes Try and I may be having. Thinking back she has snapped at me in the past and one time even snapped, while Lisa and I were discussing BMe/Alchemy of lightness, that it was all a bunch of hogwash (or words to that effect). We are all different and at different stages of life. I will be prepared for the next time to just say to myself--"oh that's just Lynne."

I do love, love, love how well you understand Try. It is such a high priority for me that her life be good. I doubt very seriously that she has ever experienced a riding instructor who can come close to understanding what she needs to be happy. Also Try isn't all that thrilled with PNH instructors--she has said she likes Dan but does not like the way he has her work through problems. Haha Of course she is a happier horse for the psychotherapy she got from Dan!

On another note, I videoed BA and Rockwell. He seems to really enjoy the games on the ground and is relaxing more all the time. BA sent the video to the woman who bred/owned him (not a natural horsemanship person) and explained how much this sort of ground work is making a difference for him. Cute still shot attached above. The photos BA took of us not real good--the best when we were just standing there and Try could show off her muscular development from her past couple of years with you!

Thank you.

Elizabeth 

-----Original Message-----
From: rglielmi1@ec.rr.com [mailto:rglielmi1@ec.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 1:04 PM
To: Elizabeth Pope
Subject: Re: Yesterday

So sorry!  Lynne was having trouble with LF offering possible solutions to Lynne's aides, and without thinking, I mentioned Try offering solutions to you.  It was meant to help her understand that the learning/problem solving was found in horses of all levels of training.  I believe I also mentioned Suzanne's Connor doing the same problem solving.  I should have realized that Lynne is a talker and still lacks a greater level of understanding.  I will assume that she meant it as a support for her frustration with the learning process.  The success she had last lesson wasn't there that ride.  That if EVEN Try was having to process the exercise, LF was not being obnoxious just still trying to solve the problem.  I will not mention anything again, except You & Try/Sephira had a good ride. Lynne is not on the same page at all.  She is trying to learn more and is beginning to understand how important imagery is in communicating on a deeper level.  She has trouble holding the focus as her mind falls into analyzing her position and she loses the intent & purpose and LF falls apart.  This is a vast improvement as she is getting better on holding her focus.

  You & Try worked on some new concepts of feeling timing in the use of your aides.  The actual problem with the serpentine with 180' ToFH as you crossed center line was timing of aides and not picturing the 1/2 turn and walk off.  You rode up to the ToFH and didn't finish the image.  When Try gave you the 360, she was energetic and with you.  When you asked for 180 is was labored and frustrated Try, in my view.  Your torso turning through the turn and life up were hesitant, leaving Try wondering what the problem was.  It will all come together, as I know you.  This is something that you could also play with on the ground.

  That we finished with an emotional reward for Try with the trot & canter, was to help Try relax again and show she knew what was wanted.  I helped Try remember to stand up better in the canter and she showed us she understood what was needed and got comfortable. You and Try finished on a high note with strong success and satisfaction for Try.  She was very relaxed and happy with herself.  To me this is more important than completing the exercise.  The learning & processing will marinate and success is just around the corner.  I continue to be amazed at the bond you & Try have and the level of M-B-E.  You are so cerebral

Me  

---- Elizabeth Pope <ehpope@embarqmail.com> wrote:

> Kathy,

>

> I enjoyed the lesson yesterday and look forward to digging in to the

> new books!> 

>

> Today I have decided to tell you about something that bothered me. I

> went to the intro session for Pilates last night with Lisa, Paula,

> Lynn and Mary Ann--Lynn happily told the group that you had told her

> about Try backing up--her manner felt negative to me although I am

> sure what you said to her was not negative. (I enjoy hearing from you

> about your students successes as that is inspirational to me and I

> learn from hearing what Lisa is doing so I get a feel for the

> progression.)

>>

> Perhaps it would be good not to share about me with her?? I just feel

> that Lynn isn't necessarily on the same page with me. I want to view

> life as positive--when I do so successfully it really works for me but

> I must strive for it by reminding myself  and being conscious of my

> thoughts, especially if I start whining and complaining GGG. (I am

> sorry that I have fallen into the habit lately of complaining about the new arthritis this fall.

> Apologies)

>>

> I am very pleased that this fall I have had two extended periods of

> time of really getting that lovely, golden,

> "all-is-right-with-the-world" feeling going and using it with joyful

> results. Needless to say Try and Sephira appreciate it!

>

> > Thus for a session with Try or Sephira it works best for me to focus

> on what we did well and what we can enjoy improving on in the future.>

> ______________________

>

> My notes from yesterday's lesson:> 

>

> I am grateful for ...

>

> 1. Lovely time with Try, slow passenger warmup walk and a trot at her

> pace until she felt good and her trot and walk were lively.

>

> 2. We had some beautiful turns on the forehand from a walk to a halt

> in an M pattern.

>

> 3. We enjoyed some free yeehaw trot and canter at the end

>

> 4. Some lovely strides of canter.

>

> For next time: I did not act on my little voice that said to stop and reward Try for the simple turns on the forehand before we went on to doing them maintaining the walk rhythm--something new to both of us. Then I was confused causing frustration for Try. As homework Try and I can play with variations of walk/halt/turn on forehand--not necessarily even 360 degrees--even in different patterns until we are really comfortable with it. We can do this!

>

> I learned a new way to sync--feel her shoulder swing from side to side > and my opposite leg moves in sync with it. Felt very natural and I was > able to incorporate it into the pattern some. I do have to stop and > think to get it and then can maintain for a while. Great feeling!

Wednesday and Sephira

Big ride today w/t/c--including 2 laps of canter. I did a pretty good job and I feel the bond between us growing. Issue is how much fitness can I myself provide both Try and Sephira--how much do they need, how much do I want others riding them and how much am I able to do physically.

Monday and Tuesday

Warm, sunny weather. Christmas Glow and Flow. Time with my horses--Try offering uphill canter as the answer to everything and awesome at liberty in the field--no ropes or sticks etc and Sephira lovely to be with and relaxed and melting into the ground. Happy horses. Life is good.

Thursday - Lovely day with Try

Went out to the barn early and moved Parelli toys behind the round pen.

Then went to see Try in her pasture. Began thankfulness time sitting on log and Try came to me within a couple seconds and we breathed on each other. I thought she might be ready to play then but she was not--so played with liberty--GM then quickly into alignment--she was great by the 2nd attempt so asked for catch the thought part 1 which was lovely. Put halter on and into barn for grooming.

Barn: high energy level with guest farrier doing Richmond's feet--stallion and scarey smells for Try. She was uncharacteristically a bit up and nervous. Left for ring and a lovely ride--decided to ride there as I thought Try would enjoy riding with Ramone more than being in her pasture with Lexie tho Lexie was good about leaving Try alone today.

Took plenty of time to warm up--walk/little jog/walk/suppling etc. Then a couple of laps of trot, some nice cantering.

Finished with more B Me--GM good, alignment-good, catch the thought part 1 fabulous, part 2 softening and bringing head in/down from the chest I am confused a few tries but not so good on my part--need to review. Went on to direct the shoulder for the first time--in the beginning Try offered other stuff and was confused--then I helped her a little with lead--she got it, quickly rewarded the thought and 2nd time was fantastic. Quit--treat--goooood girl--session over.

Back to the barn--second farrier had arrived--both ends of the barn blocked--got Try in, tack off, brush--Try nervous then back out to her pasture and visit/dwell time.

Monday - Try and Wednesday - mostly Sephira

Monday: Today I enjoyed Try's company

• She seemed happier, relaxed, responsive
• nice turn on the haunches
• enjoyed the canter
• weaves were fabulous
• BMe good and also stick to lme

next time: canter on the rail

watched BA ride Sephira--BA is enjoying getting to ride Sephira to learn dressage and I enjoyed watching Sephira being good at learning. BA trimmed her mane and she was amazing and not in a good way!

Wednesday: I enjoyed reviewing with Try the B Me lessons in her pasture and she was just lovely in all ways. BA gave her a partial clip on Tuesday and she is looking good also.

Sephira--I rode her and loved it

• She was pleasant, relaxed and responsive
• We did 2 laps of canter on the rail and she broke gait only one time to poop--I was able to easily catch any other potentials breaks of gait.
• Her canter is fabulous
• We had a lovely fluid serpentine with the changes of bend flowing nicely
• She was agreeable about a bit of vertical flexion--a non issue

next time: I have a plan including canter on the rail 2 laps.

Sunday Nov 30 with Kathy and Try

We discussed habits--mine

I would like to make good progress in replacing several old habits:

1. maintaining my leg by the horse's side--bounce leg to correct/cue

2. maintaining hands close together

3. make turns with my torso while I look where I am going

4. open upper torso

Today I really liked mini serpentines going forward without asking for a bend.

Today we played with the concept in bends of asking for more bend in the HQ.

I am truly loving the difference in Try's canter using her HQ!