Saturday - Internet research on Sephira/Razmataz

What I learned from internet research. Sephira is registered as a Canadian Warmblood. Her registered name is Razmataz which does not fit her look or horsenality. She was bred by Lisa McLeod who has a small warmblood breeding farm in Picton, Ontario. She has a bit over 1/4 TB in her breeding. Lisa also trained her and showed her according to the following ad--showing 3rd level and training Intermediate-1. She in messaging me intimated that Sephira was not "nice."

She has had at least one baby still owned by Lisa--Sephira colicked severely and had to be taken to the vet school at NC State--recommended she not be bred again. 

She was sold at age 10 to Karen Hopper for her daughter Lauren to show. Apparently this was not a good match (show history below) and Lauren did not continue to show her. Rumor has it that Lauren would intentionally tease Sephira. Also rumor that Sephira hated Lauren. Karen basically gave her to Anne Morgan and Lucinda who kept her for several years. Joey Barley felt Sephira was too lovely a horse inside and out and needed a home that where she could have a "job" she could enjoy. Thus, Anne was the agent selling her and she came to Rollover to live.

Friday with Sephira

Few comments:
1. mount and relax was awesome--we both nearly went to sleep
2. warmup: walk/trot and 3+3 trot laps - freestyle - on the buckle or very loose rein
3. Played with soft feel peppered in--practicing for my relaxation, position, following and truly maintaining connection. Also for Sephira to maintain rhythm.
4. Did not play with lateral flexion except at the halt and on a few circles and curved lines.
5. ground: much better with spray in the shower but today forelock comb out was worse?? think about it
6. no easter egg hunt--just not the right thing to do today

Weekly Plan Updated

Try

• Syncing with her energy
• Peppering in soft feel
• Stretching
• Yeehaw

Me

• Study ways to remove the power various tension producing fears have over me

Sephira

• Mount and sit to create relaxation
• Soft feel and gait transitions
• Maintain rhythm
• Maintain my body position
• Relaxation for us both
• On the ground--moving her feet from intention
• After shower--easter egg hunt out back?

Starting level 1 with level 4

In considering MMJ approach to begin with a horse with body, mind and energy, I am comparing it to Parelli. With Parelli--the first levels are about teaching the human not the horse. The horse is ready to start from body, mind and energy as that is his language anyway. Level 4 is level 1 with level 4 quality. I remember a discussion with Dan that I no longer need to start with a horse at only what I knew when I was level 1--the horse is ready for us to begin with what I know now. If Try is loving cueing from body, mind, energy or intention, then so will Sephira.

Fear vs Love - Coaching Session with Dawn

Ok fear and love can not occupy the same space AND that state of "love" or "all is right with the world" is a great frame of mind to be in when I am with my horses. So it then makes sense to identify fears and tension and find ways to handle their power over me.

This is MY emotional fitness journey. Also horsemanship study--why do I do it list--add my spiritual development.

The trick is what are the hidden fears I don't really acknowledge but stew over.

A few I have identified:

1. tension over scheduling my time with two horses

Thank you Dawn Roth for pointing out the tension I was having over wanting to get to each horse x amount of time each week vs my own need to not be too tired and thus not at my best with horses and eventually even burn out. I have done this to myself in the past and do not want to repeat this pattern.

Suggestions:
Most important is to have a plan of what is REALISTIC for me, includes what my horses may need from me within that--a weekly 5 day plan based on that with FLEXIBILITY build in and no guilt/tension when the plan goes awry for weather etc.

Plan to try: Try and Sefira each get my main focus and good ride 2 days per week--lessons would fall into this category. For the second horse that day, less focus. Some suggestions: dwell time, grooming, go for a graze, play some ground games or even a quick bareback ride around the farm etc. The fifth day is for whatever--totally flexible. Note lessons--I would like as a maximum--one a week only for each horse.
Other possibilities: very quick groom, quick ride, quick shower--starting early in the am is do-able for me without being too tired. Quick ride could be warmup and "work" on one thing only for a few minutes.

2. Dreading clinics/being judged

Another source of tension/worry is dreading clinics. I always have fun, am excited, energized and full of joy in the session itself. But, especially with an new instructor, find myself wishing I had never signed on until I get into the session. I think this is a fear of being judged. AND really how much does the opinion of the instructor or observers matter--its my opinion. This likely relates back to my dance background and is part of the baggage I bring to the present. JUST get out there and do it to handle fears and expand my emotional fitness.

3. Setting unrealistic standards

Other areas of tension: natural vs traditional, hunter vs dressage, wanting to please everyone. There is often such a great sense of compatibility and camaraderie among the different folks at the barn that I am so happy to be there. On the other hand I have the tendency to cause tension for myself by wanting to work to the standard of professionalism I see that is not right for Try, Sefire or for me.

So not that I have recognized a few fears--how to get rid of them? Replace those thoughts with something else. Visualize. Watch my self talk. Get rid of physical tension. Hmm Have to think about this in the coming week and have suggestions leading to a plan.

Another worry identified: protecting my horses--this has been foremost in my mind going all the way back to Lucky. As a beginner, I need instruction, but always I am the one responsible for whether that instruction is good for my horse. That can conflict with my need for people pleasing.

Wednesday is Try’s day

I woke up feeling bad about neglecting Try yesterday—I know she would have enjoyed getting out of her stall and doing something but I was too tired. So today all about Try and not Serafina.

Went to the back paddock just to see where we were—dwell time and Try was wary and not anxious to come to me. I messed around with seeing what she might offer in the way games with obstacles and kept a low energy—her choice. Touch it, roll the barrel, sidepass sorta the jump and sorta straddle the pole. Decided we needed more connection and took over the game with more energy. We explored from standing 6’ or so in front of Try that I prevent z1 from moving toward me with hand up like stop sign and then asking for HQ to bring Try’s side parallel to me and then sideways to me. This was not beautiful and impressive but certainly interesting. 

Try enjoyed being groomed a liberty--scratches and rubs in good places. We used western saddle and w/t/c in the ring. Pretty good for fitness. Canter rough but able to protect my back by standing in the stirrups. Try had TONS of energy—no one would ever think she was an introvert! Yeehaw—we just went with it.

Interesting though, I asked Try to stretch down in the trot and remembered to use my center and I swear she came up through her topline. I WANT video so I can be sure what I see matches what I feel. Also we peppered in a little soft feel (sliding reins) and she maintained rhythm and did not have any reaction. When I was sure there was no slack it went the best. We played with a few walk/trot transitions so I could concentrate on my form and relaxation also.

Finished with a big old full spa bath and treats. Not a magic day but a good day.

Tuesday - Surprise Lesson with Kathy

Today was a day for Sefira and I.

We went out back to the paddock and I took everything off Sefira. I have decided we will learn for now at liberty to help me be sure I am not forcing anything on her in her mind. Interestingly she kept coming up to me when I intended dwell time. Took the kid stick and ribbon and today she was fine with circling the ribbon onto her back. Well, why not? She is a confident horse--just unconfident I guess about sticks/crops/whips/etc. So mission accomplished--went inside for grooming.

MH loaned me her County saddle as my Wintec has served its purpose and headed out to the ring to play when Kathy drove in. We had a misunderstanding about the day for lesson--I thought it was with Try on Thursday. It was fine. Kathy was very happy to meet Sefira.

What we did:
1. walk--lovely on the buckle--then took a soft feel to test maintaining rhythm and relaxation then alternated soft feel and on the buckle. Repeated at the trot.
2. suppling for relaxation: asking for a little bend/HQ displacement then release
3. using just my body on the short side for straightness/versus falling in and for staying on the curve of circling.

I look forward to playing with this just Sefira and me.

Kathy said Sefira was licking and chewing and seemed happy. She felt relaxed to me except for a few moments toward the end when I believe she may have been thinking she had enough. Kathy said she looked really happy to be pampered with shower, etc. in the wash stall after the ride.

I am gradually getting more comfortable and less "fear" so hopefully Sefira will be able to feel that and we can both just keep getting happier and more trusting of each other.