Monday

Sephira

No one at the barn when I arrived so we played out back for connection and then did a good grooming after the weekend. (I had promised myself not to ride Sephira if there is no one on the farm.)

Anyway--good stuff
1. She has still got backup from the look--one step anyway--and that after not doing this for ??two weeks.
2. extreme friendly--she has no issues with slapping the ground standing in near her nor helicopter. If I slap the ground with intention directed to her she knows the difference.
3. circling game--she will make downward transitions from my energy down
4. She is so curious--explores when she gets out back and did the hunt for treats which went well
5. she enjoyed grooming and pampering

priorities
1. she knows move HQ from a look--??from other horses?? anyway, can we establish this and the backup as a consistent pattern?
2. ride!

Try

I had not planned to ride her today but oh well. Groomed in the wash stall and played around in the ring. She was in a funny mood. Started out draggy, then on adrenalin a bit and really wanting to trot out, then not interested in cantering then offering canter.

good stuff
1. I loved being with her
2. She had fewer insect bites
3. she was super at the mounting block/bridling and haltering
4. we repeated things calmly til they got done
5. sitting the canter in wintek saddle

priorities
1. time off for chiropractic
2. can I find a fun mental challenge/pressure for Try?
3. counter canter

Thursday - Try and I playing with the canter

The plan was
1. golden feeling
2. play with canter using HQ/counter canter and fitness
3. give a bit of attention to soft feel and also rhythm and freedom in the trot

When I arrived
Try was not in the mood to do anything--hot, humid and ??perhaps a stressful night out at the barn with some pasture changes for some of the horses.

What we did
1. We really took our time and started really slow. Hanging out and playing on line with a game we know and do well. Hanging out at the mounting block with massage and relax.
2. Slow walk and then little jog with transitions and rest in the shade.
3. Playing with trot and some soft feel just to check that Try did not have any negative feelings about the contact. Some trot for fitness.
4. Canter in the dressage ring--using HQ but no contact. Playing with change of direction and maintaining the lead to be counter canter--we were confused with mixed results. Then just asked on the rail for counter canter and I think that is the better way for us to establish that counter canter is ok and not a mistake to be "fixed."
5. A few canter laps in the main ring.
6. shower, hang out

Good stuff
1. It was a pleasure for me to spend time with Try
2. I liked that I recognized Try is in charge of the timeline.
3. We achieved some riding for fitness without stress or negativity
4. This was my first real cantering since the shoulder accident and it was great.
5. We have a plan for getting the counter canter established.

Priorities
1. freedom and relaxation in the trot--yeehaw
2. counter canter

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