Wednesday - Day off from the barn

Tuesday

Try

THE PLAN
groom, check FQ/HQ yields lightness in porcupine game, warmup for MH
MH: ask her to check for suppleness, discuss freedom and rhythm in the trot and using HQ in the canter.

Let Try know MH will ride.

"I am loving my morning with the glorious, wonderful Try--spending time together is golden."

WHAT WE DID

good stuff

• It was delightful being in Try's company: grooming, warming up, hanging out, the mounting block and showering. So sweet, relaxed and a pleasure to be with.
• I saw a really pretty trot--may have some video
• It took a while to get canter but it was nice also--balance of rhythm relaxation and framing up
• compliment from MH for Try and I for how soft and light she was on contact

video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enZk4AfSYvI&feature=youtu.be

Priority

Play with canter and counter canter

Conversation out back

Sephira

THE PLAN
the mounting block, see if Catherine/BA want to play/discuss
picture in my mind Sephira approaching the mounting block and getting into place.

"Sephira is walking to the mounting block and positioning herself for mounting--happy to help and fully confident that her ride will be lovely."

Catherine rode Sephira--nice at the mounting block--did not go internal. Enjoyed grooming and shower but issues with coughing especially at the canter.

Both affirmations/visualizations did happen just as pictured.

Monday - lovely day with Sephira and Try

Sephira
groom, ride, shower

good stuff

• got canter lead both ways on first try
• posting trot with Dawn's suggestion was really solid and in sync
• Sephira was happy for me to clean her teets--first time
• enjoyed the ride and felt confident--no sense of anything scary
• Sephira was lovely to groom

priorities

• partner at the mounting block
• play out back
• take trot and canter a bit further

Try

groom, spa day, on line circling

good stuff

• awesome circling from the stand point of cueing and mind reading--no need for carrot stick
• awesome circling from the stand point of using HQ
• lovely to groom
• enjoyed spa day--shower, clip, treat rain rot, curry, being together
• happy for me to clean her teets

priorities

• set myself up for cantering in western saddle with HQ engagement
• check for stiffness/ areas to concentrate on suppling?

Phone coaching call Friday with Dawn

Conclusions:

It is time to get my act together over shoulder stuff and get back to being me!
Affirmations and constant conscious awareness for my confidence.

Misc

• Treats--plan them to teach but avoid the cookie monster (maybe not have them on my person).
• Approval can be verbal, stroking etc to let horse know she figured out the puzzle.
• Dwell time: this is when the magic happens

Canter--Try

• With Try for fitness, online circling is an option
• I don't have to ride it if it feels wrong--play with trot--long/short etc
• Options with Try: light seat, two point, California roll instead of casual rein
• Standing: Colleen Kelly exercise WTC

Trot--Sephira

• Rising trot--pubic toward my hand--helps horse use HQ
• think hip bone head lights shine over her ears
• upward 45 degree angle

Shoulder/injury fears

• I have been spoiled by how safe Try is--there are few horses like that
• Good for my growth to learn to be safe and confident with different horses
• Trust my gut feeling
• Stay rested and take days off
• Affirmations and blog it
• Go ahead and get it x-rayed.

Mind Reading Thoughts

There is no doubt in my mind that Try and Sephira read my mind when we are together and I look to see what they are thinking and feeling. I practice at home clearing my mind and sending messages. i.e. I just sent a message for Sephira thanking her and appreciating the way she took care of Jen in this morning's ride. Both Try and Sephira look at me in a very connected way--Sephira more intently  much of the time and Try knows me so well and is so comfortable about it.

Joey Barley (BA's hunter trainer/coach) who found me for Sephira said in message this week--

Elizabeth I can't express .how happy it makes me that u have sapheria I feel as if one of my life's missions is complete thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Joey said Sephira saved his horse Devon's life. Joey said he and Devon communicate by mind reading and can do that between Burlington and New Bern. He felt Sephira was terribly unhappy and it was his mission to provide a good new life for her.

Marie said that this communication method is what all great horsemen do.
Although I was confused and certainly have some doubts, I am very intrigued.
Of course, just because you can communicate and they understand, does not mean that what I want is top of their priority list. HAHA

Friday - Group Ride - Try

Today I rode Try, Jen rode Sephira, Catherine rode Nudie and BA rode Nelson in the ring together. After two 100 degree plus heat index no riding days, we were all glad to get back out there. Try and Sephira enjoyed getting groomed and showered/bathed. I enjoyed watched Jen (BA's daughter age ?12 or 13, tiny, riding Sephira and seeing how safe she was with just a bit of coaching from BA--really good for my confidence. Rode Try with left arm--she neck reins--etc--as shoulder has been sore again now that I have cut back on the ibuprofen. We did actually do trot laps and rode more and longer than before. Try has learned that it helps me for her to sidepass over the mounting block so I can dismount--she is so great. Sephira enjoyed having Jen give her a baby oil bath--her dry coat just lapped it up and Sephira seemed so happy about it.

Wednesday - thoughts about fears

If love and fear can not co-exist then the fear must go.

FEAR of being INJURED

Try: I do not recall ever being afraid of getting hurt BUT I also feel completely free to call a halt to anything that doesn't feel right.

What is the fear--the worst that can happen? That I am too old and not physically strong enough or a good enough rider and I will fall and be permanently disabled for a good long miserable old age.

Many injuries or falls in my riding past I have realized occurred when I was stressed in a lesson situation but not all. I also fell with Spiderman when he spooked. Also a factor several times was being over over tired.
When I am tired it is likely that my alignment is not good--rib cage collapsed rather than open.

Reminder:
1. not tired
2. open ribcage/shoulders back
3. trot on my balance point and more vertical
4. sync/mirror and match Sephira
5. soft feel for connection??
6. my legs resting gently on her body

I am safe riding when I trust my judgement and go with it.
I respect myself enough to rest and take a day off as needed.
I am enjoying setting an unconscious habit of riding physically for alignment and safety.

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FEAR of losing Sephira

I feel bombarded with negativity. I do not want to worry that if I am not safe I can not keep Facebook posts of riders falling, getting killed. This is fueling fear.

Yesterday riding Sephira I was careful to sync with her trot and transitioned to the walk frequently--partly for my shoulder and also to build confidence. I was never in any danger of being out of control.

I am enjoying riding Sephira's beautiful big suspended trot.

I love this horse dearly and have promised the both of us that I will care for her for the rest of her life. I think with my Parelli background I can create a wonderful situation for Sephira--admiration for her talent and her beautiful spirit, physically in shape in a moderate healthful manner, mental challenge of the Parelli program and philosophy and a great deal of love from me and others. Also a facility geared to the upmost comfort, safety and relaxation. On the other hand, Sephira can give to me--the chance to learn more about the physical development and capabilities of horses, the opportunity to become a better rider by riding a very different horse physically than Try. Sephira can give Try a break. Sephira and I can connect on a deep level.
I feel we must be together.

I am so grateful that Sephira and I have found each other. 
We are both enjoying getting to know each other.
Sephira and I are so very attuned to each other.
I am aware and not taking riding for granted until Sephira and I know each other well.
I can say no. I do not need to "tough it out."