Wednesday - Quick Ride - Sephira

Quick ride before day of preps for beach event. Jen helped. I was able to groom and ride Sephira then Jen showered her. Jen also bathed and clipped Try so she would get some attention as well.

Sephira

• 2 laps of canter--confidence building--actually she is slow, laid back, looks for the opportunity of a downward transition and takes some urging to be forward. Comfortable in new saddle. I did not feel anything worrisome from a safety stand point. I started with a light seat until we established a rhythm.
• Trot::2+3 my endurance aerobically coming along
• bending
• better at upward transitions and great downward from my energy
• easier relationship

1. next time canter laps on the rail in main arena
2. review dvd for driving game--weekend homework

At dinner Lissa filled me in on some background about Sephira and I had trouble sleeping. I wish people would only say positive things. Anyway she said of course Sephira is an exquisite, high$ horse. She said I got Sephira because when people came to look at her to purchase she acted up--not dangerous or mad but goofing up simple things on purpose which let the prospective purchasers know about her baggage. I can well imagine her pinning her ears, playing tricks at the mounting block, refusing to canter etc. which would not be desirable to someone looking for an upper level dressage horse or accomplished hunter. Actually I don't have a problem with that kind of stuff as I have seen it before and consider it a fun challenge to change. Also as I do not have performance goals and do not want to jump that is a plus. Apparently Lauren's mother Karen was Sephira's one human bonding at Townsend Farm but she was no longer riding. Lissa said Karen of similar size and temperament to me. (Who knows?) However, everyone at Rollover thinks Sephira is great and considers being able to ride Sephira a pleasure and privilege. (Catherine, Jen and I)

I have seen lately a real difference in relaxation--at the end of time together a real melting away of tension in the body and sense of peace.

However, we are at a stand still right now with the ground play and I think going back to dvds for inspiration etc on the driving game would help. Also DWELL time on the upcoming rainy days or hot afternoons to just spend time together!!!

Try: She looked gorgeous after her bath. Jen said of clipping, bathing--she is so good. (of course). I feel so good just being near her. Looking forward to playing with her in the western saddle tomorrow. I think Jen will ride Sephira while I ride Try.

Plan for Sephira and I for the next week
1. build my confidence into a nice hack on the rail
2. get MH help in suppling exercises for our rides
3. driving game on line
4. check Sephira's acceptance of soft feel, use of leg in bending 

Tuesday rides - Sephira and Try

Sephira first - new saddle/fitted/adjusted

• we really rode
• canter laps
• lots of energy
• we did a lot of bending on the circle and serpentine and sh in
• she was so sweet and connected at the end

1. spend more time with Sephira, more days
2. ?? how to teach driving from pt A to pt B--watch dvd

Try in western saddle Yee HAW!!

• I just love being with Try no matter what
• western dressage play or regular riding in western saddle LOL
• she had tons of energy--no sign of an intravert!!!
• great canter laps
• bending on the circle and in serpentines is a dream--from my body and it feels like dance
• offered to sidepass 6' to the mounting block

1. clipping/tidying up needed
2. I want us to have a new mental puzzle to play with ?? L4 or Dan notes??

Me

Big day for me--groom, tack up, ride, shower, treat rainrot, etc two horses. Weather wasn't as hot and a nice breeze or I might not have had the endurance. Shoulder did not hurt and Mr. Scott lifted western saddle onto Try's back for me. BA etc in Kinston so I was the only one riding and stayed careful riding Sephira while pushing my comfort zone with the canter as planned.

Sunday and Monday - Audit Dennis Callin clinic

Enjoyed watching--was able to absorb more today than last time as I wasn't riding, none of my horses were in the clinic and I wasn't responsible for lunch. Riders: Lisa from LaGrange (dressage), Laura Underhill Norment (hunter trainer/judge) LBE challenging very athletic horse, Bridget (McNair)--great session and Jennifer Hobbs, Wilmington with challenging horse--druthers. I was again impressed with how a warmup and a few simple suppling exercises yielded such results including coming up through topline and into the bit without using reins to ask. Big differences in the "difficult" horses as they became more balanced--especially the second day.

Some Exercises: serpentines, trot-to-halt transitions, shoulder in and haunches in canter and counter canter in patterns and in serpentines and simple lead changes. Photo taken by MH and posted at facebook.

Thursday - rides with both Sephira and Try

I over did it. Groom, play on the ground, ride, shower for both--and hot today.

Sephira first

1. we both enjoyed the new saddle (ba rode in it also and gave it a big thumbs up)
2. canter felt great in new saddle
3. S getting the idea of driving FQ on line
4. alternating FQ/HQ on line
5. we both enjoyed a cool shower

• more canter
• rhythm/relax find the happy trot--video

Try

1. we did ride
2. initial angry attitude went away when we played on the ground
3. nice trot and very sitable canter in the wintec saddle
4. being together
5. relaxed shower

• rhythm/relaxation as above
• review laterals

Ha even more Wednesday - MMJ

After a conversation with my sister about cutting back on spending $$ on horse stuff, I see on facebook that MMJ is offering an 8 week online course delving into her methods (on the ground only). So what to do?

Con
1. costs $
2. one more thing on my todo list
3. I might neglect the savvy pack study

Pro

1. I can work on it and apply on my own not requiring an instructor in person which is great for my confidence, independence and growth.
2. On the ground only is excellent in helping Sephira learn to think in new ways and providing Try with something new as mental challenge.
3. I think this body/mind/energy is central to my learning/study now anyway.
4. I can proceed at my own pace.
5. I love analyzing material in this way.
6. I will end up with a do-able text of MMJ approach.

Addressing con arguments:

1. its only $

2. take some other stuff off the list--keep Marie and Kathy as in person instruction

3. so what if you neglect savvy pack--perhaps you could have fun comparing the two??

So I guess that is a decision

More Wednesday - podcast re clinic Emotional Fitnes

So next today I came across email/link to podcast as publicity for upcoming Parelli Super Clinic with Linda Parelli and Jenny Susser on the topic of Emotional Fitness. 30 minutes. Below a few thoughts:

1. The greater our (including horses and humans) capacity to handle our fear emotions, the more the love grows given that love and fear can't occupy the same space.
2. Protecting child and horse from pressure by avoiding it stunts growth in emotional fitness! (Dan vs current golden feeling???)
3. Jenny spoke of worrying about her horse's health--fear of loss for her--resonated with me as I tear up just thinking about Try aging.

Any way--spoke of components of emotion in depth and apparently there will be a plan/pack to help us delve into this for our horses (selves).

1. Fear/spooking
2. Anxiety/tension
3. Frustration
4. Anger

Anxiety as sorta mild form of fear can lead to fear--often right brain. Frustration can lead to anger for horses often left brain.

Strategies differ. Our tendency with a fearful horse is to quit rather than help them through it to a new confidence. For people fear can express it self in tension in stomach, heart, head. People ignore anxiety in horse which can escalate to fear and be dangerous. Also both people and horses can get physically ill if it is not addressed. Frustration: again tend to ignore in horses--can lead to anger and danger for human. For humans FRUSTRATION IS MISSING A TOOL/LACK OF A RESOURCE. Anger for horse may be overload of frustration and often human punishes them for it. Human: Jenny says anger is IRRESPONSIBLE.

More Wednesday Affirmations and Study of Fear- Books

Affirmations

I went back to Louise Hay for new affirmations--started with most important topics--which all seem to center around fear/confidence in areas of horsemanship, especially after the injury. Done and list posted to wall over bathtub.

In the process, Louise Hay book suggested book: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. Available as ebook so I am now up to chapter 4. Summary and more to post on bath wall.

5 truths about fear

1.      The fear will never go away as long as I continue to grow.

2.      The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it

3.      The only way to feel better about myself is to go out and do it

4.      Not only am I going to experience fear in new territory, but everyone else does too.

5.      Pushing through fear is less frightening than living with the underlying fear that comes from helplessness.

Fear is not the problem but how we handle it

Wednesday - Sephira and Try out back in the afternoon

Sephira

1. mutual confidence
2. first sideways along the fence steps
3. big hq yield from my body language
4. dwell time - lots
5. first steps in driving FQ

• ride--see first Scale of Training dvd
• driving game put to purpose

Try

1. lots of dwell time
2. graze
3. lovely connection
4. draw
5. nice shower

• mental challenge
• ride as above

Sunday - viewing new Scale of Training Pack

New Scale of Training pack: waaay more helpful than the first pack to me--no doubt because of my increased knowledge since them.

1. First session with the pre-dressage horse and rider was the most helpful to me in seeing rhythm and relaxation and bending/leg yield creating the "happy accident" of contact. 
2. The second session was a very accomplished, natural rider--professional trainer in eventing who had worked with the O'Connors--working with young horse on the canter. 
3. Third is Linda and Jazz working on laterals/bending and I have only watched 30 minutes of it. 
4. The last with Mette and her Intermediate I horse with relaxation issues I also haven't watched yet.

#1 Video

• Warmup: Parelli pre-dressage horse and rider. Warmup on the ground for calm, connected and responsive.
• Warmup ride as usual while Christoph Hess watches--Ride for energy, forward, relaxed and on the buckle at first-- at walk, trot and canter, holding saddle horn in needed for deep seat.
• Then shorter reins, using stick at shoulder (no spurs in this case) asking for more energy and using the back, swinging, HQ engagement. Whip and spurs are ok now and then--do not ride with them all the time. Rhythm/relaxation.
• Horse gets more relaxed--working through emotions. Liz learns what is forward rhythm for her horse is more forward/energy/faster tempo?? than she realized. Good tempo set by human and rhythm set by horse. For me: what is the correct tempo for Sephira and for Try?
• Goal: horse start to use his back with relaxed swinging motion. Learn the feeling.
• 2 Goal--bend on the circle to promote stretching and the desire to come into the bit more
• short whip at the shoulder to support the inside leg on the shoulder on the circle--to be more responsive to the leg. to bend on the circle
• later long whip at the leg for leg yield also to reinforce leg--NOT on the HQ
• Seeking bit and stretching neck down
• Horse to learn to maintain a good tempo
• Ride more and more with body language NOT reins
• Easier to find stretching with a curved line i.e. inside leg on the circle.
• Horse offers stretching she doesn't ask for it
• Is he accepting her driving aids??
• Sit, no reins to make downward transitions trot to walk.
• Trot and canter transitions
• Canter in a light seat
• easier for horse to find a good canter in downhill stretch feeling on the circle
• again no reins in downward transition to trot
• use body for transition (1/2 halt)
• LEG YIELD
• Why? better contact with the horse
• Training exercise not a competition maneuver
• Begin with curved line on circle at a walk first
• Prerequisite nice marching walk rhythm--accepting driving aids
• ask with inside leg--whip at the leg
• feel HQ moving (sideways and forward)
• get the step then better stepping with more energy
• not bending neck too much
• ok if breaks to trot--trying to understand
• halt without a backup--want horse to be in front of aids
• whip at the leg--check not too far back
• really crossing the front foot--Christoph pushed (porky) so Liz could feel it
• then alternate with trot to keep relaxed, forward motion
• then ride into the walk after dn trans trot to halt
• horse offering to use its back and ready to stretch. will stretch into proper contact. Contact comes from the horse not the rider.
• Homework and plan for the next 3-4 weeks after these two lessons
• More forward energy, learn the feeling, sideways/bend easier for horse to swing thru his body and stretch and offer steady relaxed contact.
• Sit and swing into the walk in dn trans. Ride with soft contact--do not throw reins away in dn trans.
• Later can do leg yield at the trot--happy horse.
• Get the RIGHT FEELING
• better contact and HORSE offers it
• use whip if you need it for something and then put it away

Saturday - Breakthru Day - Dawn, Try, Sephira and I

Saturday--Dawn rode Try and I rode Sephira and we swapped off. First we played on the ground: I played with Try then Dawn repeated the game with Try then I did the game with Sephira. Dawn said Sephira really watched me with Try. Sephira during the two hours or so the four of us were together got the most relaxed I have ever seen her--the habitual tension just drained right out of her. After I rode Sephira, I rode just a few minutes with Try (lots of energy again like last Thursday) and was able to ask for a bit of shoulder in and haunches in. Shoulder in was the best. It was VERY helpful that my lesson with Kathy was videotaped: To remember, understand and pick up on things I missed during the lesson! 

Sephira

1. most relaxed thus far
2. happy and enjoying herself
3. I enjoyed riding
4. I felt confident
5. She watched Try do on line and liberty games

• mounting block
• rhythm--my feeling

We did standing in the stirrups at the walk and closing my eyes at the walk on loose rein and soft feel.

Try : we did haunches in and shoulder in--I want to go back to bending on the circle using leg/stick only.

Thursday July 17 - Kathy and Try - sh in & hq in

First lesson since the shoulder injury

1. Worked on my alignment as during recovery time I have reverted to riding as if sitting in a chair instead of heels aligned with shoulder. New image that helped--lift leg away a bit then step back and down and feel it touching Try's side. Check it periodically until it is the new habit. Open my shoulders.

2. Walk with shoulder in and haunches in--cueing:

• shoulder in
• turn my body inward while looking forward
• HQ stays on the track and outside sh leads forward inside sh coming off the track inward
• use inside rein?? and ??steady with outside
• moving shoulder not bending neck
• point of sh leads
• use stick on outside sh and ?outside leg to push
• make sh fore new habit when riding on the rail
• haunches in -- I understand this better
• turn body/belly button slightly to outside and look forward
• ask haunches to stay off the track and sh stay straight on the track
• ask haunches with leg/stick
• steady FQ with reins
• similar to turn on the forehand which could serve to warmup and give Try the idea
• See video on hard drive 2014 7 17 I am pleased to have video--now to practice this just a bit every time with Try until I am clear and it is an easy habit for us both. NOW is the time to get this!!

3. Played with image of ice cream cone for reverse. I know this from BA--just a different image.

4. Trotting: Try was full of something--lots of energy and not joyful which would have been ideal but a great opportunity to play differently anyway.

• Tiger and BFF energies to relax the trot and power it up
• Circles to slow and relax emotional energy--similar to leaving the gate situation
• Broke to canter and I was sitting it in wintec saddle HAPPY accidents
• my core and legs ask for using back and hq better

I liked the way Try looked on the video and the progress we have made in the last few months in both trot quality and canter, even if the trot wasn't the joyful exuberance we have had lately. (Compare to 2 years ago--let alone our freestyle L3 audition ?4-5 years ago.)

Other thoughts

1. Sephira  -- ground work for fitness is better for bonding and confidence
2. be wary of dressage with Sephira for a while
3. Creative on line circling games, cavalettis
4. She doesn't know how to think for herself and solve puzzle/find the good deal. REWARD her for tries that show independent thought
5. Go for passenger walk
6. Not good for Sephira to be so fit that she is too much for me.

Tuesday - Sephira

1. lengthened the trot on the diagonal going away from the barn
2. Contact at the walk and trot with a bit of framing up--H walk
3. I felt strong and confident about safety
4. I kept her mentally engaged
5. Mounting block was great carrying the carrot stick
6. Use little rolly sputs at the end for HQ engagement
7. lead line--she knows it and every day needs the reminder when we leave the ring

1. do more
2. head down--bridling and haltering the Parelli way
3. follow up and progress with friendly

Wednesday - phone coaching with Dawn - Update Month Plan to Aug 15

The overall plan is to remain careful until August 15 to give my shoulder a chance to heal. I am feeling really ambitious though. Any way discussed with Dawn using the monthly plan rather than weekly. This will need some refining into weekly chucks to avoid being overwhelming and some items are H-homework.

August 15: send in audition tape for level 1, On Line

For Try

• The golden feeling
• Listen to what feels right to her--is she ready for a conversation
• H film her expressions
• Ride for fitness and determine what that should be
• Trot and canter quality
• H stand in my stirrups
• H friendly game in motion

For Sephira

• Listen to what feels right to her--is she ready for a conversation
• H film her expressions
• Ride for fitness and determine what that should be to achieve partnership goals
• Lenthen Trot, canter and soft feel/frame up
• H stand in my stirrups
• H friendly game in motion
• Patience but track her learning to express herself and puzzle solve, retain learning rather than react and expect micromanagement
• H ride with my eyes closed

Me

• fitness - pilates etc
• riding for safety
• golden feeling
• 5+2/affirm/mind reading
• watch videos savvy pack/dressage

When the student or teacher is ready the student or teacher will appear.

Mark Depaulo youtube (horse,ulcers) 5 accupressure points

Opinionated rather than angry--complexity of intraverts

Friendly in motion--circle game and swing string over Z3. walk and trot--Try first. also stick to me.

Review the 4 agreements book

Health stuff

Sephira
Today vet came--BA lunged Sephira on the little hill out front--I actually saw the issue in the right knee as she came around the bend and started up hill. It wasn't present in circling or trotting on the straight away without the hill. Karen said likely arthritic to some extent. To watch it for a week and see if the ?new balance shoes have made a change. If not then she suggested to get back in touch for NSAID--likely prevacox.
A little tripping isn't an issue but falling is. Also for me--being careful that she doesn't get too tired when I ride her. Also that when riding she stays mentally engaged--going to sleep or tuning me out would be a good time for it to give and for her to trip.

Try and Sephira horsenality?

I have been thinking about this--actually both Try and Sephira move their feet if they are bothered. Try is super laid back until she is irritated and then gets going. I (and any Parelli instructors) have considered her basically LBI but when she gets emotional she moves her feet. Actually Dan says she is complicated and all over the chart as we see her go RBI/submissive when she is a little bothered/losing confidence. A kind of RBE anger, LBE joy and play I don't see as much.

Sephira is really changing--her reactiveness scared me and she is getting so much more comfortable and therefor I am more comfortable and thus she is happier with me. Part of this is settling in at Rollover and part of this I attribute to Parelli on line and liberty play. Also everyone who rides her is very considerate. I am wanting to be the main person to ride her and am sure that is coming with shoulder healing and saddle on its way. I am seeing a kind of relaxation in her that I was unsure would ever be there. At peace so to speak. She is not, however, as laid back as Try. 

Try's ability to melt her energy is something I would like to be able to do myself. The closest I come to feeling this is when I am touching Try.

Incredibly wonderful day with Try!!

Got to the barn with a plan and through it away as often happens. My plan was to ride Sephira and I reviewed everything in preparation and then possibly review some friendly game with Sephira (film) and again that and some more games with Try.

Got there--BA asked if her daughter Jen could ride either Try or Sephira. I had to think and decided on Sephira because Try hasn't gotten as much attention from me lately, Sephira would get a better fitness session with Jen and I knew Jen would love the change to ride Sephira.  Also BA reminded me vet was coming and I want her to take a look at Sephira's right knee to see if she saw anything that could be part of the tripping.

So Try and I rode in the ring: WTC in wintec saddle. We got the nice trot rhythm back at times after last week with no energy. Also some nice sit-able canter with soft feel. Mostly just a pure pleasure to be with Try no matter what--its as if she could not think of anything to upset me if she tried and she doesn't want to anyway. ("The worst thing she ever did was wonderful.") After shower and dwell walk graze and back to her stall.

Then my friend Wendy came with her visiting niece AJ from Reno who just started riding horses the past week at Wendy's. Wendy thought it would be helpful to AJ in her understanding of horses to see Try's on line/liberty in action. Try was incredible--I demo-ed 7 games with explanation and then had AJ check out a couple of things with Try: the backup from intention, draw, walking a weave pattern, pushing the barrel, knocking the cone off the barrel and walking over a jump etc. I was impressed with AJ--lovely, soft manner connecting with Try. And of course--thank you Try!!

Jen riding Sephira:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORe1MLrACXI&feature=youtu.be

Possible Plan for the Month

As my shoulder still needs a month to heal and I want to ride sensibly and stay scaled back a bit, I am thinking a good weekly plan could be:

Try:
1. I ride twice a week for fun and to follow up on concepts--possibly in the fields. Plan is 2-3 rides for Try for fitness in total.
2. Lesson once a week as one of the rides with Kathy or MH or MH ride Try. Every other week Kathy or MH not weekly. Keep pressure low for Try.
3. Dawn ride Try up to 2x a week--low pressure easy walk/trot hack in the ring with lots of loving.
4. lots of dwell time
5. perhaps a bit of on line/liberty. perhaps teach something new if it can be fun and I can think of something.

Sephira
1. I ride 2x per week--practicing making safety habits unconscious competence. See list. Low key. 3-4 rides per week in total for Sephira.
2. Catherine perhaps up to 2x per week hack walk/trot/canter for fitness. Caution: hot weather.
3. ??MH ride for low key exploration of fitness level--where to begin with some dressage for fun?
4. Vary the above with short on line/liberty session learning level 1 Parelli basics--with the first priority being relatively low key and a pleasant time for Sephira. DWELL time in the back paddock at liberty.
5. Perhaps mid August we could submit a L1 audition video??

5+2 Sephira

I messaged Sephira how much I love her relaxation and thanked Try for being perfect and wonderful.

Sephira
The good

1. Draw/happy to see me--pick me
2. Curious
3. Relaxed
4. Lovely progress with friendly game
5. Lovely shower

Priorities

1. Follow up to friendly--see previous post
2. The inbetweens need driving game language

Try

I said Hi a couple times and gave her a couple treats. Unfortunately she also said pick me and it broke my heart not to accommodate her. Perhaps in the future it would be fun to follow up after Sephira with asking the exact same things of Try and filming!!

I am confused right now about Try. I don't know what is going on with her. Sometimes she is the Try I know and sometimes she is unhappy. Twice her face has looked older to me. Her body looks good. I do not want to do too much. Our relationship feels so golden and perfect.

Bethanna took this photo of Try last weekend--I was not there. I hate how she looks so sad and submissive.

Saturday - Level one, on line, friendly game

After viewing Friday's video, I decided it would be smart to get back to basics and review--so I watched the savvy pack, level 1 On Line, student pack and most of how to pack for just the friendly game.

Thoughts:

1. I really like this pack. I especially like Pat's manner in teaching the student who was apparently an already accomplished professional from a different discipline. I thought the tasks/tests are so useful for everyone.
2. My purpose with the friendly game and Sephira:
1. Developing confidence and relaxation foremost
2. Developing an understanding of a new way of learning--puzzle solving--Sephira is so very smart and I believe she will love this if I make it fun and positive for her.
3. Friendly to teach Sephira a way to know that she got it--its the right answer.
4. Safety for me
5. Balance of rapport and respect
6. Teaching a relaxation cue--I think she is getting the rub to a stop--tho I want to be more consistent in its use. HOWEVER, I find I am rubbing her forehead a lot--this is her favorite place. But I may be overusing it for my own purposes--for my relaxation, going back to neutral, reset and time to think.
7. The timeline: If Sephira is in charge of the timeline--I want to know and respect it.
8. Distance--friendly and confidence at close, mid and "far" range.
9. ??rhythmic motion is friendly, rhythmic pressure is driving??
10. ZERO BRACE is the goal and will apply to everything we do.

Tasks:

1. Close range: Approach and rub everywhere. yes. I did find her sensitive spot in the girth area where she has been teased in the past. I can use grooming and tack-up time with approach and retreat to explore making this a non-issue.
2. Close range--Rhythm--swing string over her back 6x right and left sides--yes. And kudos to us both as it took several sessions for Sephira not to be scared of stick/string period.
3. Mid range--walk forward in a circle swinging stick/string from side to side. This way good. I was not confident in my ability to do helicopter without looking--so I peaked and Sephira has no issue with helicopter.
4. BUT when I turned and walked backward facing her--she was not comfortable--we made a bit of progress and we can explore this again.
5. Jumping jacks toward zone 1 from mid range to close: (well 1/2 jacks--my left shoulder--not a good idea). Sephira was ok with this. Skipping to zone 3 and hug--not so much. Skipping improved when I used approach and retreat--skipping with more and more energy. Another good one to repeat.

Video link at youtube with excerpts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUHRK7fdaA0&feature=youtu.be

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday--got out of Dr office--elated that I am healing and can ride sensibly. Went directly to barn to shower Sephira and Try and they were trapped in their stalls with farrier having his truck parked in front of both. Hot, unpleasant, bad smells etc. I sponged them both and gave them a treat and hung out with both.

Thursday--tired day for me so opted to play on the ground rather than ride. Katie filmed and took pics which were eye openers!! Perhaps better when I am too tired to only have dwell time.

Try

1. loved just being with her
2. super laid back 
3. Try was pleasant and happy
4. We played a bunch of games at liberty all on the tarp: yoyo, HQ yield away and toward, circling, turn on the haunches, sideways away and toward, etc.
5. Try enjoyed her shower

priorities/thoughts

1. Try was moving really slowly--she was doing those games, pleasantly with a good attitude and absolutely no energy and not just because of the heat. She was obedient and not into the games just into being with me. I DO NOT see the point after watching the video and I am sure she doesn't see any purpose in this. Also I don't see any reason when we are loving being together to up the ante and make her execute tasks with more energy. In sessions with DAN and MARIE both it seems CHANGE is in the air--riding for fitness is good and if there is sufficient mental challenge great then time on the ground can be primarily dwell time. GOLDEN relationship.
2. We had an energy level mis-match--even though I was cueing from intention and body language my energy was HUGE. Actually I am not sure I have ever had as low an energy level as Try! It upset me to see the video and I did not like what I was doing. I want to spend more time as least attempting to MATCH and MIRROR HER energy level.

Sephira

1. Safe and sweet and the most relaxed I have seen. A month ago I did not know she could be so relaxed. I love this. Caveat: balance is needed in this as in all things.
2. HQ yields were improved. Getting step now from a look, particularly on her left side. With porcupine I can get a good step--not surprising given her dressage background.
3. Backup: this is really improving and she is getting the idea, lighter and less resistance
4. We circled in the ring some--eye opener--she really prefers her right side/lead and it took a while to send in the other direction but stayed with it til we got it and she licked and chewed.
5. Going back to the barn she began to disrespect my space and I corrected it with more energy (3rd day working on this). She licked and chewed and stayed nicely at my side.

priorities

1. FQ yield and driving from one place to another, purpose i.e. back out of ring
2. For me--study on line level 1
3. ALWAYS film everything on line for the time being to check my use of phases, energy and timing

Weekly goals - July 8

horse development 9, rider 8
talent 23, skill 23, try 24, luck 25

Try

1. conversation
2. listen to what feels right to her
3. what does Try enjoy?

Moi

1. Golden feeling
2. positive attitude
3. my physical fitness
4. trot habit: unconscious competence and safety

Sephira

1. Walk/trot hack this week--how to add variety?
2. Retaining learning?
3. The backup
4. Dwell, fun, ??play hard??

Conversations with Sephira and Try

Qs for Sephira

1. Are you pleased to be living at rollover now?

2. How can it be improved?

3. I am still injured and waiting for saddle that fits you...I hope I am not boring you riding.

4. How can I let you know that I want us to have the lightest possible cueing? Not reins but my seat for example 5. I am pleased when you from the ground yield hq or back from a look...how can I help you remember it farm day to day?

6. Is there anything you want me to know?

1. and 2. Yes, shower every day it's hot

3. Boredom is tolerable because the ride is not exhausting like some.

4. and 5. Let's work on it...don't know how to cue walk to trot...could try doing it from seat Remembering. Seems pointless, not fun, not the kind of connection yet that she will do it for me out of both love and understanding Can I make it fun?

6. Prefer not to be with Mimi annoying and Try because of her bond with me. Would like variety, changes of energy and fun.

Qs for Try

1. Why were you so sluggish today
2. I feel like you are not happy at times. Is it anything I can help with?
3. What would you enjoy doing
4. Do you want to do the spotlight...I don't much but I will if you would really like to do it.
5. Is there anything you would like me to know?

1. Chiropractic and heat

2. It's hot and I am tired of being by myself. I am not comfortable. I am pretty healthy. 

3. Go places, be with other horses, hang out together, not just ride.

4. spotlight: Don't know 

5. Love, fears getting old, losing me to Sephira.

MRI results

bummer
1. small tear some where
2. AC cuff separation
3. rotator cuff tear
4. possible small fracture

I am surprised I didn't think they would find much of anything. Disappointing as I am ready to be back riding fully. In fact, I am not interested in letting this disturb my current positive energy.

Monday - rode Sephira and Try today

I was pleased and proud to ride both horses today and feel strong and good. It was uneventful--just a nice day. A cool happening: Jen is now in charge of Skunk and playing with him on line in a Parelli like way under the watchful eye of BA. Jen is excited and Skunk loves to play. She got him to step on the pedestal with BA's help. That would be a great pic for the Rollover web page or facebook page as Skunk is just the cutest little yearling+ pony. Jen intends to be the one to start him next year. (She has decided she isn't interested in showing but is still loving riding.)

Try
She was absolutely not in the mood to expend energy which is highly unusual--perhaps the heat, perhaps the chiropractic session last Wednesday? Anyway I listed to her and we walked a lot and trotted some then went in and showered off.

Good stuff
1. golden feeling--I just loved being with her
2. I didn't push her to go beyond what felt right to her
3. Lots of draw and desire to be with me
4. We rode in the western saddle and I tacked her up myself
5. Try was lovely and relaxed

Priorities: 1. do a little more at least, 2. dwell time and enjoyment

Sephira
Groom, walk trot ride for confidence. Please that my endurance is getting back to normal. I felt fully confident and we were the only ones in the ring. She enjoyed a lukewarm shower and could use some clipping and a really good bath this week.

Good stuff
1. She stood tied in the ring patiently while I helped with something.
2. We got HQ yield from a look
3. Got one relaxed backing step from a look
4. I was confident riding and did not even think about the concept of confidence.
5. I had better endurance riding her big trot.

Priorities
1. Can we PLAY on the ground? (Am I too cautious and boring?)
2. What does it take for learning to carry over to the next day?
3. How do I convey to Sephira that the goal is for us together to learn ever lighter cueing?

Stuff to carry over into 3rd Quarter

1. Joey Barley exercises for the trot
2. Safety habits
3. Marie--circling game
4. Savvy pack for Sephira
5. Lighter cueing
6. What is western dressage/Try

Saturday - Ride Sephira - groom and shower Sephira and Try

Sephira

1. confidence building ride--just the two of us in the ring walk/trot
2. saddle coming!
3. backing--improved
4. turning from my body position
5. got to practice my safety riding habits

priorities
1. backing
2. walk to halt from seat, walk to trot from seat

Try

1. draw and conversation
2. my enjoyment
3. shower
4. citronella
5. treats

1. more time together--dwell
2. consider the spotlight?? ask her again

Thursday and Friday - Hurricane and July 4

Did not go to the barn except to give Try herbal stuff Thursday am.

Wednesday - Try's chiropractic session with Linnea

Summary of Second Quarter

Summary of Second Quarter

Try: we achieved a glorious, free trot while framing up a bit. We are happy riding with a soft feel. We achieved a break through in the canter and counter canter with soft feel. BUT most important of all we have reached a GOLDEN time in our relationship whereby its hard to think of a way she can frustrate me. I love just being with Try--it makes me feel so good. I feel totally safe AND the worst thing she can do is WONDERFUL. Also I am wondering about considering what is western dressage?

Sephira: This magnificent mare has come into my life. 16'1.5 warmblood, gorgeous mover, beautiful and very open to connection. She is not as safe as Try as I am not in sync with her big gaits as yet and we do not yet really know each other. She is very confident and very smart. Not as laid back as Try and coming to me with baggage from competition et al much as Try did. She is definitely "mare-ish" and is very clear that she wants to be treated with respect and gently and with love--grooming, tacking up/down and showering as examples. I am thinking she is cusp LBI/LBE. Conformationally her gaits make her feel LBE as compared to Try. But she doesn't play in the pasture, prefers to go slow, happy to stand quietly etc. She is open to the Parelli  on line/liberty and very smart--learns quickly. However she has a dominate streak and can be less responsive than her knowledge would indicate. i.e. she really doesn't want to back. LOL. Because of the fall I took I am riding her from the stand point of creating unconscious competence in using my body to ride safely. I am looking forward to a new saddle that will fit both of us well.

Lessons etc. I have had one session each month with MH--riding Try or coaching us. We have been working on trot quality mostly and also using HQ in the canter. With Kathy we have had five lessons--three with Try and two with Sephira including the infamous fall. We concentrated a good bit on using laterals to achieve desired gait quality. I would like to explore laterals and how light is light. Also a weekend with Joey Barley which was a break through for Try and I on trot quality. And a session with Dennis Callin that was a break through in canter and counter canter with a soft feel and sitting the canter in the wintec saddle! Five coaching sessions with Dawn with great riding hints that helped as well as helping me to get out of ruts of negative thinking over the shoulder and associated fears. I had two sessions with Marie and have high hopes for adding back in some structure into the Parelli philosophy: conversation/checklist and 5+2 I am enjoying using. Also after the fall, starting back riding Sephira, I am grateful to Bethanna for passing ideas for safety my way and letting me ride in the ring while she ride to boost my confidence.

Wednesday - Backing isn't Sephira's thing--yet!!

Lovely day with Sephira--gaining confidence--thank you BA for corrections and ideas on being safe. Also helped to raise stirrups one hole (11)!

Groom in the barn, played in the ring with friendly, backup and yield HQ. Rode walk/trot--felt much more solid--paying attention also to bending in the turns--curved lines helping Sephira with suppleness.

The good stuff
1. HQ yield was super and she got it the first time from a look
2. Mounting block was better--took a big of urging to get her in place but was able to do it from the block without any backup steps. Mounting and wait continues to be great.
3. Playing with backing in the yoyo--I used phase 4 for the first time and after she was relaxed and sleepy.
4. Sat quietly while I moved my stirrups up a hole.
5. We were able to play effectively with stick to me--her nose to my shoulder on exiting the ring.

Priorities
1. backing

Tuesday - July 1st - Sephira - curious, smart and confident AND sweet

Sephira

Prep todos
1. cueing riding transitions--walk/backup/trot
2. my confidence
3. trot 45 degrees concept
4. patterns and variety
5. rest in the shade
6. canter departs
7. HQ yield from a look on line

Affirmations: confidence and enjoyment, canter depart, mounting block and HQ yields and asked Sephira about mounting block steps.

What we did: started out back with liberty and curiosity. Played about 5 minutes and got HQ yields from a look--can we get it tomorrow? Groom and tack up at liberty--she took one step when I lifted saddle. ONLY that.

Riding: I didn't feel as strong in my body as last time then there was some tripping and coughing and BA came and rode in the ring to help me with confidence. Said I went through that with Try--not to make a transition to regain confidence--to work through it a bit and transition on a good note. REALLY important for confidence and respect. We did trot a lot more than before. Canter departs were great and likely no longer an issue. I did affirmations about enjoyment and I really didn't love this ride.

The good stuff:
1. groom and tack up at liberty in back paddock
2. HQ yield on line from a look
3. more trotting than before
4. better at the mounting block--issue getting into place and not taking a step--less and easily fixed. Still great about the actual mounting and wait to walk off.
5. canter departs and go from halt to walk from seat cue

Priorities
1. learning to respect my space--teach on line with yoyo and on lead line
2. confidence and joy in the saddle

Try
She scared me--looked old around the face for the first time ever. Dawn rode and bathed Try. Tomorrow the chiropractic/vet checks out Try--hope she will really enjoy it.