So Friday was our first day with Gabi and Thomas back.
In the morning it rained and then the mule (electic mini truck) ran out of battery so we didn't do the Kakka force in the paddock paradise. instead we scrubbed the feed buckets and made lunch for everyone.
after lunch Gabbi asked us to film a ten minute audition of us doing something with our horses. i decided to work on my yo-yo as it has been bothering me for some time and had the brain wave of backing him into the hula hoop. Paris went very introverted which i read as RBI. i had had a conversation with Sanna about her horse not asking questions and i realised i had the same issue. i was waiting for Paris to lick and chew but it wasn't really happening and we ended up with 12 minutes of me standing and paris standing and nothing much happening at all!
On Saturday we had to do two days worth of Kakka force and all of the Sunday tasks because we had asked to have a sleeping morning on sunday morning as we were going to a party saturday night. In the afternoon we filmed another audition and this time i chose to show my liberty. Paris went through the motions a bit then buggered off, headed in the wrong direction... it just all felt like a disaster!
Gabi then asked us to get a youngster each and begin playing online. i was feeling a bit rubbish after my session with Paris and doubting myself and second guessing everything i did. i played with Romeo, with a focus on building his coordination and canter leads. he was picking up the correct lead really well and even gave me a flying change but he was oddly lame in trot!!
after playing with the horses we watched the first set of auditions and it was interesting to see how LBI Paris was actually behaving and that he was asking questions but i was not noticing because he did it sooo quick! one it was pointed out it got me thinking about my liberty session and what i should have done differently!
it was clear from the auditions that many of us had difficulties with our draw and Gabi promised to show us an excercise to help.
After watching the auditions we rushed back to the house to get washed and changed ready to go out to a local french countryside party. I didn't really know what to expect so i wore the dress my sister bought me and some high heels.
When we got to the party it was more like a fun fair with fireworks, disco and singers! Everything was very french complete with giant chicken! we had a great time dancing and drinking wine and crawled home at 3 in the morning!
Sunday morning was the glorious long awaited sleeping morning! in the afternoon we had a lesson with Gabi who showed us three exercises, one for improving draw, one for improving front end yeilds and one for getting the horse to go into the bit. the first excercise entailed using belly button focus on a yoyo game along the fence (which i gloriously crashed into as i ran beckwards). Next we worked on driving th forequarter whilst standing in zone four building up to walk pirouettes. finally we played with applying bit pressure from the ground until the horse would push down onto it.
I have been practicing these exercises for the last few days and it is definately improving things. Paris has been rather bored previously and this is now much more interesting for him! today i also worked on my send and having a different cue for when i wanted him to leave in trot or canter. he has also been pushing the ball and building to him being able to bring the ball to me.
Yesterday i went on a trail ride with Anna. She rode Quasi, one of the youngsters and i rode Bogus, the amazing horse of 2* Parelli Professional. it was brilliant to ride a horse that i knew was able to be hacked out in nothing but a neck string!
I have also been riding Paris bareback from the arena to the paddock - and jumping on from a low log!
Tomorrow I'm up at 5 am to let the horses into their pastures!
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Paris is in France!!!
Wednesday morning I was put to work on Kakka Force - which basically means clearing up poop from the paddock paradise. i texted the transporters who replied midmorning that they expected to arrive between 2.30 and 3pm
I had a lovely lunch with the other working students and they were planning on going on a trail ride with the youngsters but I couldn't go because i wanted and had to wait for the transporter to arrive. Instead i took Zippy for another walk and then took my car into the village and parked on the roadside waiting to see the transporter and lead them in to the property. It was the longest 20 minutes of my life and then all of a sudden a big lorry turned into the road of du plessis from the wrong direction! I raced after them and flashed them with my lights, they flashed their hazards to let me know they had noticed me and after a short while they pulled over so i could overtake and lead the way.
As they began opening the back of the lorry i grabbed my phone to film Paris' big arrival but they turned to me and said "Do you want to unload him?"
"Yes!" I shouted throwing my phone in my pocket - i just wanted to see him ASAP and see for myself that he was ok.
he just strolled off of the box and looked around, after a couple of minutes moving his feet he noticed some grass growing nearby and started to eat - he had no sweat on him at all! we waved goodbye to the transporter and the two kind men that had delivered Paris safely to his destination.
I put Paris in a stable to have a drink and some hay. i chose one of the main stables so Paris could be next to Salvia, one of the youngsters that is on boxrest. Once the other students returned from their ride we took our horses to the arena.
we all played on line and even had a little group bareback freestyle ride before two horses were taken away and Paris and Kaluwa, who would be going out in the forest pasture together, were introduced.
Kaluwa was quick to arch his neck and squealed and struck out when they sniffed each other and Paris just stood there looking indifferent and decided to stroll off. Well, Kaluwa was having none of it. He was circling Paris, heading him off every way he went. Paris simply accepted to situation and stood still and then he threatened to kick Kaluwa when he continued to block him. Suddenly it was as if they were best friends and they were mutual grooming! They were stood for about 15 minutes grooming eachother and oblivious to the fact that the other two student horses had entered the arena. Eventually Rox walked over to Paris and introduced himself and Kaluwa went to meet Tasha, the only mare in the group. As i was watching (and filming) Paris and Rox there was a loud roar from Kaluwa, who was trying to impress Tasha. it cought Rox's attention and he trotted over to see what was going on but Kaluwa ran at him and reared. Rox span and bucked out and Kaluwa did the same then they ran at each other and reared, shoulders colliding and they fell toward the bunch of human girls sitting around gawping at them ... until that moment at least! It became apparant that Rox and Kaluwa were fighting over Tasha and we had to catch our horses and think of a new plan. Our four horses will not be able to live together without one getting seriously injured. I'm glad Paris, having been castrated very young, was totally not involved in the dispute and showed himself to be a real sweetie.
i turned Paris out in the forest with Kaluwa and they trotted off into their pasture and began grazing together as if they had been freinds for years.
This morning I said hello to them and Paris had a minor graze on his face. he gets marks like that most days so i was not surprised. i continued putting all the other horses out in their pastures and went on the feeding tour with Anna. we then did some weedpicking before lunch.
after lunch we decided to play with our horses. i wanted to work on "push a ball" and lead by the hind leg. Paris pushed the ball but really could not see the point and was not interested in it. he lead by the hind legs beautifully as if we had always done it! so i spent undemanding time with him and then took him to the stable to give him something to eat. As i was getting hay for him one of the french men reminded me that i was supposed to use the student stables so i moved Paris. he was fine until i was out of sight getting him hay and water. he started calling and i sat with him whist he ate as i did not want to end our session together with him being right brained. Paris spotted Kaluwa leaving the arena and got upset and began rushing from side to side (like weaving but really big over a veeeerrrry wide door). i waited a moment but knew that he could be like this for hours and not really go left brained so i picked up the halter and rope, aimed at his hind quarters and threw the rope at them. Paris looked at me with both eyes and both ears and then went straight back to weaving, i did this a couple more times until he looked at me and licked his lips. this was left brained and i took it as a window of oppertunity to halter him and take him outside where i gave him some grass before heading to the forest.
i hope that i taught him to look to me and be left brained to find comfort... time will tell!
i watched some more of a Pete Ramey DVD and then cleaned out the student stables, swept the main stables corridor and put the hay in for the "diet horses" and then Thomas and Gabbi arrived. they have lived and worked at the Plessis for over two years and are responsible for the working student program, hoof care and nutrition. now the work really begins!
I had a lovely lunch with the other working students and they were planning on going on a trail ride with the youngsters but I couldn't go because i wanted and had to wait for the transporter to arrive. Instead i took Zippy for another walk and then took my car into the village and parked on the roadside waiting to see the transporter and lead them in to the property. It was the longest 20 minutes of my life and then all of a sudden a big lorry turned into the road of du plessis from the wrong direction! I raced after them and flashed them with my lights, they flashed their hazards to let me know they had noticed me and after a short while they pulled over so i could overtake and lead the way.
As they began opening the back of the lorry i grabbed my phone to film Paris' big arrival but they turned to me and said "Do you want to unload him?"
"Yes!" I shouted throwing my phone in my pocket - i just wanted to see him ASAP and see for myself that he was ok.
he just strolled off of the box and looked around, after a couple of minutes moving his feet he noticed some grass growing nearby and started to eat - he had no sweat on him at all! we waved goodbye to the transporter and the two kind men that had delivered Paris safely to his destination.
I put Paris in a stable to have a drink and some hay. i chose one of the main stables so Paris could be next to Salvia, one of the youngsters that is on boxrest. Once the other students returned from their ride we took our horses to the arena.
we all played on line and even had a little group bareback freestyle ride before two horses were taken away and Paris and Kaluwa, who would be going out in the forest pasture together, were introduced.
Kaluwa was quick to arch his neck and squealed and struck out when they sniffed each other and Paris just stood there looking indifferent and decided to stroll off. Well, Kaluwa was having none of it. He was circling Paris, heading him off every way he went. Paris simply accepted to situation and stood still and then he threatened to kick Kaluwa when he continued to block him. Suddenly it was as if they were best friends and they were mutual grooming! They were stood for about 15 minutes grooming eachother and oblivious to the fact that the other two student horses had entered the arena. Eventually Rox walked over to Paris and introduced himself and Kaluwa went to meet Tasha, the only mare in the group. As i was watching (and filming) Paris and Rox there was a loud roar from Kaluwa, who was trying to impress Tasha. it cought Rox's attention and he trotted over to see what was going on but Kaluwa ran at him and reared. Rox span and bucked out and Kaluwa did the same then they ran at each other and reared, shoulders colliding and they fell toward the bunch of human girls sitting around gawping at them ... until that moment at least! It became apparant that Rox and Kaluwa were fighting over Tasha and we had to catch our horses and think of a new plan. Our four horses will not be able to live together without one getting seriously injured. I'm glad Paris, having been castrated very young, was totally not involved in the dispute and showed himself to be a real sweetie.
i turned Paris out in the forest with Kaluwa and they trotted off into their pasture and began grazing together as if they had been freinds for years.
This morning I said hello to them and Paris had a minor graze on his face. he gets marks like that most days so i was not surprised. i continued putting all the other horses out in their pastures and went on the feeding tour with Anna. we then did some weedpicking before lunch.
after lunch we decided to play with our horses. i wanted to work on "push a ball" and lead by the hind leg. Paris pushed the ball but really could not see the point and was not interested in it. he lead by the hind legs beautifully as if we had always done it! so i spent undemanding time with him and then took him to the stable to give him something to eat. As i was getting hay for him one of the french men reminded me that i was supposed to use the student stables so i moved Paris. he was fine until i was out of sight getting him hay and water. he started calling and i sat with him whist he ate as i did not want to end our session together with him being right brained. Paris spotted Kaluwa leaving the arena and got upset and began rushing from side to side (like weaving but really big over a veeeerrrry wide door). i waited a moment but knew that he could be like this for hours and not really go left brained so i picked up the halter and rope, aimed at his hind quarters and threw the rope at them. Paris looked at me with both eyes and both ears and then went straight back to weaving, i did this a couple more times until he looked at me and licked his lips. this was left brained and i took it as a window of oppertunity to halter him and take him outside where i gave him some grass before heading to the forest.
i hope that i taught him to look to me and be left brained to find comfort... time will tell!
i watched some more of a Pete Ramey DVD and then cleaned out the student stables, swept the main stables corridor and put the hay in for the "diet horses" and then Thomas and Gabbi arrived. they have lived and worked at the Plessis for over two years and are responsible for the working student program, hoof care and nutrition. now the work really begins!
Monday, 18 July 2011
Bon Voyage
this week has been all about preparing to go to France...
On Saturday I managed to contact the transporter who said that they would be picking Paris up mid afternoon/dinnertime on Monday (today). I spoke to my Mum because I was worried if i waited that long there was no way i'd be back before lunch time. She told me not to worry and that she would make sure Paris got on the horsebox ok.
Sunday I helped out some friends who have MS and live in wheelchairs and they gave me an Onyx necklace for "safe travel". I then went to the yard and packed Paris' gear in my car.
i decided not to play with Paris this weekend as I was a bit stressed out and knew he would pick up on it and things would not go well. i went to the field and gave Paris an apple and a stroke and got all upset thinking the next time i see him he'll be in France!
when i got home i had to reorganise everything in the car to fit in a bicycle as well as 6 months worth or clothes, toiletries etc. i was at it until 1am!
This morning I got up and headed straight to the port but i should have got up sooner - i missed my Ferry by a matter of minutes and had to wait around for two hours for the next one. The crossing was really choppy and it took all my concentration not to be sick! then i started worrying about what the conditions will be like for Paris' crossing - will the horses be allowed to travel? will they be ok if they do?
i drove through Calais and was on the motorway by lunch time. i was thinking about how well i was doing for time and that i should miss the rush hour near Paris when i suddenly realised i had not adjusted my clock - france is an hour ahead! then i hit major road works that went on for about 5km! i was starting to panick but i hit the city border at 4pm and managed to get clear of it before the traffic got too bad. at 6pm i came off the motorway and got really excited that i was close to my destination but the Sat Nav had other ideas!
for an hour i toured the French countryside feeling hopeful when i thought something looked familiar but mostly feeling terrified when nothing did! finally i came to the village and saw a sign for Haras Naturel du Plessis.
i drove up and decided to head for the communal building and let the working students know i had arrived. then i unpacked my car, set up my room and connected the internet to my computer.
the working students all seem very nice... there's French speaking Belgian Joke (pronounced Yoka), who's birthday is tomorrow, then there's German Anna and Dutch Sonna! not a french person in sight!
Tomorrow i get a lie in and then i will help Joke with Kakka force!!
Mum and Hayley have told me that Paris selfloaded into the transporter lorry much to the amazement of the drivers and that Paris should reach me sometime on wednesday - but may have been to Spain first! I'm really missing him and anxious that he will be ok. i know he's in good hands but it's the longest journey he's done, at least since i've known him!
time for some sleep i reckon....
On Saturday I managed to contact the transporter who said that they would be picking Paris up mid afternoon/dinnertime on Monday (today). I spoke to my Mum because I was worried if i waited that long there was no way i'd be back before lunch time. She told me not to worry and that she would make sure Paris got on the horsebox ok.
Sunday I helped out some friends who have MS and live in wheelchairs and they gave me an Onyx necklace for "safe travel". I then went to the yard and packed Paris' gear in my car.
i decided not to play with Paris this weekend as I was a bit stressed out and knew he would pick up on it and things would not go well. i went to the field and gave Paris an apple and a stroke and got all upset thinking the next time i see him he'll be in France!
when i got home i had to reorganise everything in the car to fit in a bicycle as well as 6 months worth or clothes, toiletries etc. i was at it until 1am!
This morning I got up and headed straight to the port but i should have got up sooner - i missed my Ferry by a matter of minutes and had to wait around for two hours for the next one. The crossing was really choppy and it took all my concentration not to be sick! then i started worrying about what the conditions will be like for Paris' crossing - will the horses be allowed to travel? will they be ok if they do?
i drove through Calais and was on the motorway by lunch time. i was thinking about how well i was doing for time and that i should miss the rush hour near Paris when i suddenly realised i had not adjusted my clock - france is an hour ahead! then i hit major road works that went on for about 5km! i was starting to panick but i hit the city border at 4pm and managed to get clear of it before the traffic got too bad. at 6pm i came off the motorway and got really excited that i was close to my destination but the Sat Nav had other ideas!
for an hour i toured the French countryside feeling hopeful when i thought something looked familiar but mostly feeling terrified when nothing did! finally i came to the village and saw a sign for Haras Naturel du Plessis.
i drove up and decided to head for the communal building and let the working students know i had arrived. then i unpacked my car, set up my room and connected the internet to my computer.
the working students all seem very nice... there's French speaking Belgian Joke (pronounced Yoka), who's birthday is tomorrow, then there's German Anna and Dutch Sonna! not a french person in sight!
Tomorrow i get a lie in and then i will help Joke with Kakka force!!
Mum and Hayley have told me that Paris selfloaded into the transporter lorry much to the amazement of the drivers and that Paris should reach me sometime on wednesday - but may have been to Spain first! I'm really missing him and anxious that he will be ok. i know he's in good hands but it's the longest journey he's done, at least since i've known him!
time for some sleep i reckon....
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Playing with Gemma
I have been playing with Gemma, my yard owner's horse as well as Paris this week.
Gemma fascinates me. She seems to be inately a balanced horse with traits of every horsenality but has learned a few undesireable behaviours. Her opposition reflex is quite strong and when she's confused she will go forward and over you.
And she is very clever!
In just one week we have played with the seven games - she can yo yo from a slight wiggle, porcupine from the gentlest feel, and yeild to a suggestion. she is a lot of fun to play with.
Today I showed her owner how to play the seven games. Jane did a great job and really understood so much of the concepts and theory that the practice was not too difficult.
The biggest highlight for me was Jane's smile and her face when she asked if we could do it again tomorrow!
Paris has had an easy week, with plenty of rest following the fast track. I have played a couple of short sessions with him, mainly to give him some fun. He has hated the hay we had and not eaten any at night and has lost a bit of weight. thankfully we have better hay now and he is eatig like crazy! In the few sessions we had this week Paris has been jumping the upright barrels! this is amazing since he was so terrified of jumping he couldn't do a cross pole!
Only one week left before we start our adventure in France begins!!
Gemma fascinates me. She seems to be inately a balanced horse with traits of every horsenality but has learned a few undesireable behaviours. Her opposition reflex is quite strong and when she's confused she will go forward and over you.
And she is very clever!
In just one week we have played with the seven games - she can yo yo from a slight wiggle, porcupine from the gentlest feel, and yeild to a suggestion. she is a lot of fun to play with.
Today I showed her owner how to play the seven games. Jane did a great job and really understood so much of the concepts and theory that the practice was not too difficult.
The biggest highlight for me was Jane's smile and her face when she asked if we could do it again tomorrow!
Paris has had an easy week, with plenty of rest following the fast track. I have played a couple of short sessions with him, mainly to give him some fun. He has hated the hay we had and not eaten any at night and has lost a bit of weight. thankfully we have better hay now and he is eatig like crazy! In the few sessions we had this week Paris has been jumping the upright barrels! this is amazing since he was so terrified of jumping he couldn't do a cross pole!
Only one week left before we start our adventure in France begins!!
Monday, 4 July 2011
The rest of the Fast Track...
Unfortunately I didn't manage to get on my computer again whilst I was on the Fast Track so I will cover the last three weeks....
On the Monday of week two we really got into learning... we had regular sessions on learning how to tie different knots, practicing skills for using our tools. We had workshops in which we had a choice of three or four focus topics that we could choose from or move between. I used the oppertunity to get used to playing with the 45ft line. we had demos on saddling, saddle fitting, introducing and advancing liberty, using patterns, zone five driving, long reining, change of directions and more. On the second friday we had our second coaching session and were given our "midterm" results - the scores we had been initially awarded on the various qualities we would need as professionals. I was pleased with my initial results but wanted to improve them, especially for social skills and team-ma-ship. I needed to give my RBI self a kick up the backside. On the Saturday we had the Parelli Games.
Paris walked out to the play ground looking slightly bored at first but soon sensed that this was not the same as every other day! I took him for a walk to see all the new sights in the playground and help him settle down. He was remaining calm and didn't seem bothered by the Parelli Gazebo at all but tow miniature shetlands went past and Paris froze. He grew another couple of hands, arched his neck and was fixated on the ponies. I stood with him and soon his curiosiy got the better of him and he wanted to meet these horses that looked like they'd shrunk! The Parelli Games included timed tournaments in freestyle riding, online and liberty tasks. I decided to give Paris' back a rest from riding as we don't normally ride that often at home and I was concerned about doing too much and making him sore. The online tasks quickly had massive queues so we headed to the honeycombe for the liberty tournament. We were given three minutes to pick up all four feet from one side, show stick to me all the way around the arena, do a 3 ft squeeze, sideways along a carrot stick and yoyo between some cones. I didn't expect too much because Paris was rather RBI and I had initially planned to do the online tasks first. Paris was so sweet and I we flowed through the tasks gently and before I knew it we had completed all of the tasks! I cheered on a couple of other people and walked over to the online area and waited my turn. we had to back over a pole, stand on a tarp for 7 seconds, do 4 laps of circle whilst standing on the pedastal, squeeze each way over barrels and sideways both ways along a fence. Paris was a trooper and i was enjoying the day and decided to put my self forward fo my first ever spotlight. I chose to try liberty and five minutes later I was in a round pen, music playing, doing extreme friendly, stick to me and lead by the tail. before i knew it our song was over and the heavens opened up. Paris stuck his bum into the wind and refused to turn and the audience headed off toward the precision pen to watch the last soggy spotlights in finesse. it was a sudden end to a fun morning.
That Saturday evening a large group of us went to the cinema and watched Pirates of the Carribean 4. It was a nicefun film and a bizarre encounter with "normality". At the end of the film Captain Jack Sparrow said "it's a pirate's life for me..." turns to the camera and says "Savvy!" - we all burst out laughing! It was sooo appropriate!
Sunday I spent quality time with Paris and went jogging in the evening.
On the third week we continued with a similar set up as during week two - workshops, demos, class room sessions and tool savvy. On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday Paris did not cease to amaze me. He was doing flying changes on line, canter stick to me at liberty and trailer loading from the fender!
On the final week I had a couple of days where our progress was not so amazing. I was wracking my brains thinking of what was different - was he just tired? had I asked for too much? I spent more undemanding time with him, asked less during our sessions and made a game of proving that i knew where the best grazing spots were. On Wednesday morning we had our final theory test and tool testing in the afternoon. On Thursday we were tested in all four savvys.
On Friday we played Can You?s before getting our results for the course. I scored 70% overall which was enough to qualify me for the 1* course but I want to do an externship after I have completed my 6 month working student placement. I attained level 3+ in my online, liberty and freestyle so earned my level 3!
The journey home was slow with heavy traffic on the M1. Paris came off of the horsebox a little right brained, looking magnificent with his head held high and ears pricked. he was not sweated up and had travelled well. (We were unable to use our horsebox to pick him up so Brenda, who was also on the Fast Track, stepped in and saved the day by giving us a lift home in her trailer.)
I went to the Parelli demo at Ingatestone saddlery on Saturday whilst Paris enjoyed a day unwinding in his field. I gave Paris another couple of days off so far and spent undemanding time in his field reading a book.
I have been offered the oppertunity to play with another horse for a couple of weeks until I head to France on the 18th July. She is an Irish sports horse mare that belongs to the yard owner. She was apparently unpredictable and dangerous to ride and caused the yard owner to lose confidence and has spent many years as a pasture ornament. Today was my first play session with Gemma...
I thought that I would start with confidence and relationship building - I set up a variety of touch it obstacles a.with the plan of playing friendly game and touch it. I headed to the field and played the catching game.
Immediately Gemma knew I wanted her and began wondering off. I passively persisted in the proper position and it took a while for Gemma to think about coming to me then she suddenly realised i had treats and was instantly with me! hmmm interesting.
We walked to the arena and Gemma did not seem to care that the usually empty arena was full of buckets, barrels and tarpaulin. she walked around and performed touchit with no trouble at all. she walked over the tarpauline calmly and stood still whilst i did the friendly game. she apeared slightly less confident from zone four so i spent time hanging out there, scratching her and rubbing her. She has a strong preference for keeping me in her left eye.
I soon found that it was her natural tendancy to crowd me, she kept bringing her shoulder into my bubble and even shoved me with her nose so I had to be very clear about protecting my personal space. I began to tech her the driving game as I figured it was most important from a safety filter and that I could teach her porcupine once i was able to move he out of my space. As it was when I tried driving her from her right hand side she went quite right brained. she is inately leftbrained but gets fearflu and her first reaction was to try running me over. It was hot today and Gemma had be doing a lot to protect my space. We spent most of the session playing with helping her understand to yeild from rythmic pressure, not into it! I ended the session when she gave me a nice forequarter and hind quarter yeild from driving game in both directions. she has plenty of draw and hung out with me for a little while in the field after i removed her halter, which i view as a good sign. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's session with this smart and interesting little horse!!
On the Monday of week two we really got into learning... we had regular sessions on learning how to tie different knots, practicing skills for using our tools. We had workshops in which we had a choice of three or four focus topics that we could choose from or move between. I used the oppertunity to get used to playing with the 45ft line. we had demos on saddling, saddle fitting, introducing and advancing liberty, using patterns, zone five driving, long reining, change of directions and more. On the second friday we had our second coaching session and were given our "midterm" results - the scores we had been initially awarded on the various qualities we would need as professionals. I was pleased with my initial results but wanted to improve them, especially for social skills and team-ma-ship. I needed to give my RBI self a kick up the backside. On the Saturday we had the Parelli Games.
Paris walked out to the play ground looking slightly bored at first but soon sensed that this was not the same as every other day! I took him for a walk to see all the new sights in the playground and help him settle down. He was remaining calm and didn't seem bothered by the Parelli Gazebo at all but tow miniature shetlands went past and Paris froze. He grew another couple of hands, arched his neck and was fixated on the ponies. I stood with him and soon his curiosiy got the better of him and he wanted to meet these horses that looked like they'd shrunk! The Parelli Games included timed tournaments in freestyle riding, online and liberty tasks. I decided to give Paris' back a rest from riding as we don't normally ride that often at home and I was concerned about doing too much and making him sore. The online tasks quickly had massive queues so we headed to the honeycombe for the liberty tournament. We were given three minutes to pick up all four feet from one side, show stick to me all the way around the arena, do a 3 ft squeeze, sideways along a carrot stick and yoyo between some cones. I didn't expect too much because Paris was rather RBI and I had initially planned to do the online tasks first. Paris was so sweet and I we flowed through the tasks gently and before I knew it we had completed all of the tasks! I cheered on a couple of other people and walked over to the online area and waited my turn. we had to back over a pole, stand on a tarp for 7 seconds, do 4 laps of circle whilst standing on the pedastal, squeeze each way over barrels and sideways both ways along a fence. Paris was a trooper and i was enjoying the day and decided to put my self forward fo my first ever spotlight. I chose to try liberty and five minutes later I was in a round pen, music playing, doing extreme friendly, stick to me and lead by the tail. before i knew it our song was over and the heavens opened up. Paris stuck his bum into the wind and refused to turn and the audience headed off toward the precision pen to watch the last soggy spotlights in finesse. it was a sudden end to a fun morning.
That Saturday evening a large group of us went to the cinema and watched Pirates of the Carribean 4. It was a nicefun film and a bizarre encounter with "normality". At the end of the film Captain Jack Sparrow said "it's a pirate's life for me..." turns to the camera and says "Savvy!" - we all burst out laughing! It was sooo appropriate!
Sunday I spent quality time with Paris and went jogging in the evening.
On the third week we continued with a similar set up as during week two - workshops, demos, class room sessions and tool savvy. On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday Paris did not cease to amaze me. He was doing flying changes on line, canter stick to me at liberty and trailer loading from the fender!
On the final week I had a couple of days where our progress was not so amazing. I was wracking my brains thinking of what was different - was he just tired? had I asked for too much? I spent more undemanding time with him, asked less during our sessions and made a game of proving that i knew where the best grazing spots were. On Wednesday morning we had our final theory test and tool testing in the afternoon. On Thursday we were tested in all four savvys.
On Friday we played Can You?s before getting our results for the course. I scored 70% overall which was enough to qualify me for the 1* course but I want to do an externship after I have completed my 6 month working student placement. I attained level 3+ in my online, liberty and freestyle so earned my level 3!
The journey home was slow with heavy traffic on the M1. Paris came off of the horsebox a little right brained, looking magnificent with his head held high and ears pricked. he was not sweated up and had travelled well. (We were unable to use our horsebox to pick him up so Brenda, who was also on the Fast Track, stepped in and saved the day by giving us a lift home in her trailer.)
I went to the Parelli demo at Ingatestone saddlery on Saturday whilst Paris enjoyed a day unwinding in his field. I gave Paris another couple of days off so far and spent undemanding time in his field reading a book.
I have been offered the oppertunity to play with another horse for a couple of weeks until I head to France on the 18th July. She is an Irish sports horse mare that belongs to the yard owner. She was apparently unpredictable and dangerous to ride and caused the yard owner to lose confidence and has spent many years as a pasture ornament. Today was my first play session with Gemma...
I thought that I would start with confidence and relationship building - I set up a variety of touch it obstacles a.with the plan of playing friendly game and touch it. I headed to the field and played the catching game.
Immediately Gemma knew I wanted her and began wondering off. I passively persisted in the proper position and it took a while for Gemma to think about coming to me then she suddenly realised i had treats and was instantly with me! hmmm interesting.
We walked to the arena and Gemma did not seem to care that the usually empty arena was full of buckets, barrels and tarpaulin. she walked around and performed touchit with no trouble at all. she walked over the tarpauline calmly and stood still whilst i did the friendly game. she apeared slightly less confident from zone four so i spent time hanging out there, scratching her and rubbing her. She has a strong preference for keeping me in her left eye.
I soon found that it was her natural tendancy to crowd me, she kept bringing her shoulder into my bubble and even shoved me with her nose so I had to be very clear about protecting my personal space. I began to tech her the driving game as I figured it was most important from a safety filter and that I could teach her porcupine once i was able to move he out of my space. As it was when I tried driving her from her right hand side she went quite right brained. she is inately leftbrained but gets fearflu and her first reaction was to try running me over. It was hot today and Gemma had be doing a lot to protect my space. We spent most of the session playing with helping her understand to yeild from rythmic pressure, not into it! I ended the session when she gave me a nice forequarter and hind quarter yeild from driving game in both directions. she has plenty of draw and hung out with me for a little while in the field after i removed her halter, which i view as a good sign. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's session with this smart and interesting little horse!!
Sunday, 12 June 2011
The First Week of the Fast Track!!
I have finally managed to acquire electricity for my lap top so I can up date on this week's many events!!
Monday was an early start - 4 am to be up the stables, horse loaded and on the road before 6 am.
Paris was very extroverted but loaded well and we set off for Warwickshire. We arrives at Stoneleigh just after 9am and were greated by Terry Martinaus and Ruth. We parked the horsebox and were given a tour of the stable area before we unloaded Paris and put him in his box. He was alert and tense but not the right brain extrovert wreck he used to be when we unloaded him! He was not sweated up but had a graze above his eye and on his hock.
The stables are semi-permanent structures - made of panels, in rows of five with a feed room at one end. Paris is in number 13 - my lucky number! (I was born on the 13th so that has to be lucky!) Each stable had a pile of wood chips in it, I hung Paris' haynet and gave him a bucket of water before heading to the campsite to set up our tent.
My previous plans to test the tent and ensure all the parts were there had been foiled when I was told it would be better to borrow a friends tent as it was easier and would all be there. When we began setting up, we realised that it is only easier if you know what you are doing and all the tent pegs were missing! So I jumped in my car to find some shops and buy extra tent pegs. After over an hour of a team of five people trying to set up my tent, whilst a lone figure in the distance set up her own, much bigger, tent all by herself in a fraction of the time, we eventually had a tent! I threw all my belongings in and headed off to the lunch room ready to gather before we all headed to the class room.
In the class room we were explained about the logistics of the course and the general structure. We would be tested over the first few days, then focus on online and freestyle for the first couple of weeks before focusing on liberty and finesse and final testing in the last few weeks. We were handed some forms to fill in and then given an hour to complete a written theory test. After that we all gathered at the stables. We were told to bring our horses out as a herd into the "Stable Field" and were told how to use the power of the herd to mosey around and get our horses familiar with their new environment. I had expected Paris to be really extroverted after having been cooped up in a series of various boxes all day but the sight of grass, the such as he has not seen for a very long time, kept him occupied and helped him decide that this was not such a bad place after all!
My tent is set up near Fleaur's, who I had done the 10 day trial in France with and we set up the gas cooker and cooked soup and boiled eggs and had ham and rolls.
Tuesday morning we had to meet at the stables by 8.30 to have our tools techniques tested! we were split into groups of 5 and I was in Team A (The A Team!) we had to demonstrate how we throw a 45 ft line and coil it back in - with both hands! Then we had three balloons to try to burst with the "quickdraw" game. next we had to assemble a bridle with horsemans reins, demontrate the correct method of putting up a halter in the barn then show a series of knots... I eventually hit a balloon but it didn't burst, I assembeld the bridle but the reins were not tied on with the correct knot, and I couldn't remember any "knots" except the wrap!
Next we got our horses for the online testing. Task one was trailer load your horse whilst sitting on the fender - two minute limit and we had zip ties on our lines to test how light we were on the lines. I knew better than to attempt sitting on the fender - Paris loads in the horse box but we have not practiced with the trailer and I have never loaded him from where he cannot se me. I used most of my two minutes just doing squeeze game across the ramp and when Paris looked in I asked him to go in. he put all four feet on the ramp and his head and neck in before the two minutes was up. I was very pleased with him.
The next task was to drive your horse from zone 5 through a weave pattern then place the green ball on you horse for 7 seconds and bounce it on him - I drove Paris fron zone 3-4 and got from one end of the weave to the other with only one major hick up. It was raining by this point and I couldn't even pick up the big green ball to place it on Paris' back so I attempted to bounce it and got it to touch his leg.
The third task was to back our horses 45 ft, get them to trot back (without moving our feet), then (without moving our feet or using carrot stick, do a figure 8 around the barrels, and finally do a squeeze over a log, each way from varying distances. My back up was awful, draw was sooo slow, my figure eight was abominable and eventually we got the squeeze...!
Next we went up to the Hill Pasture and did Circle game testing - this seemed to go well although I know Paris can do better!! We had to do 6 laps in trot or canter with 2 changes of direction.
The final task was to stand still and have your horse do sideways away from you for 12 ft without a fence and then send them into the pond. Our sideways was rubbish and Paris decided to spend our 2 minute time limit drinking from the pond and as soon as Sally, the instructor, called time he marched straight in and nearly dragged me with him into the muddy pond!
We broke for lunch and reassembled for freestyle testing. I was assessed in saddling before I was told that the boots I had brought were not safe or suitable for riding and so I could not participate in the ridden tasks. I was unable to demonstrate bridling from my knees as I had not brought my bridle out for the test! (we had not been told it would be needed!) So I watched the others get tested in "controlled catastrophe", rein positions, canter clover leaf with carrot sticks and follow the rail with transitions.
That night I headed out and found an ASDA that was open late so I could buy more sleeping bags and an air bed as I had been just a tad cold and very uncomfortable the night before!
Wednesday morning arrived - half way through week one I could not believe it already! We had liberty testing in the morning and Paris was brilliant. We had to show yoyo and sideways at liberty - which we have not really worked on so it didn't go great, circling (which went loads better), front and hind end yeilds, a spin, stand on tarp for 7 secs and place tarp on back for 7 secs and finally squeeze over barrels and stick to me! Paris really acted like a partner!
At lunch time I headed with another student to the local saddlery so I could get riding boots and he could get a riding hat. We got back in time for the Finesse testing. I have not done ANY finesse with Paris because I had sworn that I would not ride with contact until I could do everything bareback first so that I had an independant seat. I decided to pop the bridle on Paris and mosey about on him, listen to the tasks and maybe attempt anything that was simple enough. The first task was legyeild and halfpass. I know Paris can leg yeild so I had a go at a walk (we were asked to show trot) and had a bash at half pass but that didn't work.
Next we had to show shoulder in and haunches in - and Paris was amazing! I was so proud of all the effort he was making! We then went into the honeycombe and had to place a foot on a target - Paris just did it as soon as I started! I think it was a fluke but it was very cool! Then we had to show turn on fore, turn on hind and 9 step back up. At this point the rain and wind picked up and Paris wanted to get his bum into the weather so it was a bit of a challenge but I attempted to use the weather conditions rather than fight them and got a goot turn on fore and back up but turn on hind was not happening.
Next was canter walk transitions - or not. Paris got very emgaged and impulsive and I struggled with the transitions.
Finally we had the precission pen test, which was like a dressage test. We had to trot 6 10 metre circles with walk transitions on the change of direction then canter 3 20 metre circles with flying hanges for level four or simple changes for level three. I kept to simple changes and on the last one my left stirrup fell off. I halted, removed my right stirrup and completed the test, including a trot down the long side, turn down the centre line and halt at X, with no stirrups.
I was so over the moon with how Paris coped with being ridden in the bridle!
On Thursday we had a class room lesson on horsenalties and strategies. Then we were seperated into new groups and had online lessons in friendly, porkupine, driving and yo-yo at a new level. We had an after noon online lesson on haltering with excellence and vet, farrier, dentist and riding preparations.
On Friday morning we had lessons in knot savvy, particularly the barn knot, wrap and bank robbers knot. Then we could choose firgure 8, Weaves or circles. I chose figure eights because, despite having done millions they were not getting any better. As I pictured the ideal, me standing still whilst Paris trots a figure eight I worked out the ingredients i needed. Paris kept cutting in tight and throwing his front end around the cones so I used the porcupine lesson from the day before to help guide him out onto two larger circles and he soon realised that was easier and more comfortable. I then thought about how the figure eight was a type of circle game and about the mutual responsibilities of horse and human. I put Paris on a circle around the cones, step back to signal the figure eight and went back into neutral. And he trotted the figure eight. I only moved to correct him if he broke gait or "changed direction" from the figure eight. Soon we had done 5 perfect trot figure eights with me in neutral and I sat on a log and gave him a long rest whilst I rejoiced in our breakthrough!
The next session was a choice of "improve your back up", "increase your imagination" or "increase your distance". I used two cones to give us a purpose for backing up straight and worked on using my phases better. Paris goes very LB with yo-yo so I tried the long phase one, quick two three four. I realised my four was not effective enough and experimented with finding what I needed to do to me clear. soon the seession was over. We had made a small improvement, overshadowed by the success of the figure eights. WE then watched a saddling demonstration and got our results for our first tests.
I scored 53% overall:
about 50% online - a little disappointing but not suprising as I have realise just how much scope for improvement there is!
6.5% freestyle - not bad considering I wasn't allowed to ride!
60% liberty (WOW!)
52.3% finesses (brilliant for our first attempt!)
10% tools - plenty to work on!
85% theory - I've got to nail that last 15%!!
In the afternoon we were told how we would also be assessed on our attitude, mental emotional and physical fitness, horse care and team work! We were then given more forms to fill in and asked to pick two focuses for online and two for freestyle for our coaches to help us with in the week ahead. My coach is Larrisa, who performed a demo with her horse Rocho and Linda Parelli at the NEC Celebration in April. We discussed my long term dream and short term goals and the ingredients I would need.
Yesterday was a lot of rushing to shops and I had a short play session with Paris including a little ride.
We had fish and chips on Thursday night and a little camp fire - it was such a laugh. Then we went for a meal on Friday and yesterday! Today I have been doing my washing and computer work hiding from the rain!
Oh and I have made friends with loads and loads of lovely people, not least of all Mandy from New Zealand who has offered me the use of the power point and bath in her hotel room! Her boots are not waterproof so she bought a very pretty pair of flowery wellies today! - she told me I had to blog about them!! ;)
Loads to look forward to next week!
Monday was an early start - 4 am to be up the stables, horse loaded and on the road before 6 am.
Paris was very extroverted but loaded well and we set off for Warwickshire. We arrives at Stoneleigh just after 9am and were greated by Terry Martinaus and Ruth. We parked the horsebox and were given a tour of the stable area before we unloaded Paris and put him in his box. He was alert and tense but not the right brain extrovert wreck he used to be when we unloaded him! He was not sweated up but had a graze above his eye and on his hock.
The stables are semi-permanent structures - made of panels, in rows of five with a feed room at one end. Paris is in number 13 - my lucky number! (I was born on the 13th so that has to be lucky!) Each stable had a pile of wood chips in it, I hung Paris' haynet and gave him a bucket of water before heading to the campsite to set up our tent.
My previous plans to test the tent and ensure all the parts were there had been foiled when I was told it would be better to borrow a friends tent as it was easier and would all be there. When we began setting up, we realised that it is only easier if you know what you are doing and all the tent pegs were missing! So I jumped in my car to find some shops and buy extra tent pegs. After over an hour of a team of five people trying to set up my tent, whilst a lone figure in the distance set up her own, much bigger, tent all by herself in a fraction of the time, we eventually had a tent! I threw all my belongings in and headed off to the lunch room ready to gather before we all headed to the class room.
In the class room we were explained about the logistics of the course and the general structure. We would be tested over the first few days, then focus on online and freestyle for the first couple of weeks before focusing on liberty and finesse and final testing in the last few weeks. We were handed some forms to fill in and then given an hour to complete a written theory test. After that we all gathered at the stables. We were told to bring our horses out as a herd into the "Stable Field" and were told how to use the power of the herd to mosey around and get our horses familiar with their new environment. I had expected Paris to be really extroverted after having been cooped up in a series of various boxes all day but the sight of grass, the such as he has not seen for a very long time, kept him occupied and helped him decide that this was not such a bad place after all!
My tent is set up near Fleaur's, who I had done the 10 day trial in France with and we set up the gas cooker and cooked soup and boiled eggs and had ham and rolls.
Tuesday morning we had to meet at the stables by 8.30 to have our tools techniques tested! we were split into groups of 5 and I was in Team A (The A Team!) we had to demonstrate how we throw a 45 ft line and coil it back in - with both hands! Then we had three balloons to try to burst with the "quickdraw" game. next we had to assemble a bridle with horsemans reins, demontrate the correct method of putting up a halter in the barn then show a series of knots... I eventually hit a balloon but it didn't burst, I assembeld the bridle but the reins were not tied on with the correct knot, and I couldn't remember any "knots" except the wrap!
Next we got our horses for the online testing. Task one was trailer load your horse whilst sitting on the fender - two minute limit and we had zip ties on our lines to test how light we were on the lines. I knew better than to attempt sitting on the fender - Paris loads in the horse box but we have not practiced with the trailer and I have never loaded him from where he cannot se me. I used most of my two minutes just doing squeeze game across the ramp and when Paris looked in I asked him to go in. he put all four feet on the ramp and his head and neck in before the two minutes was up. I was very pleased with him.
The next task was to drive your horse from zone 5 through a weave pattern then place the green ball on you horse for 7 seconds and bounce it on him - I drove Paris fron zone 3-4 and got from one end of the weave to the other with only one major hick up. It was raining by this point and I couldn't even pick up the big green ball to place it on Paris' back so I attempted to bounce it and got it to touch his leg.
The third task was to back our horses 45 ft, get them to trot back (without moving our feet), then (without moving our feet or using carrot stick, do a figure 8 around the barrels, and finally do a squeeze over a log, each way from varying distances. My back up was awful, draw was sooo slow, my figure eight was abominable and eventually we got the squeeze...!
Next we went up to the Hill Pasture and did Circle game testing - this seemed to go well although I know Paris can do better!! We had to do 6 laps in trot or canter with 2 changes of direction.
The final task was to stand still and have your horse do sideways away from you for 12 ft without a fence and then send them into the pond. Our sideways was rubbish and Paris decided to spend our 2 minute time limit drinking from the pond and as soon as Sally, the instructor, called time he marched straight in and nearly dragged me with him into the muddy pond!
We broke for lunch and reassembled for freestyle testing. I was assessed in saddling before I was told that the boots I had brought were not safe or suitable for riding and so I could not participate in the ridden tasks. I was unable to demonstrate bridling from my knees as I had not brought my bridle out for the test! (we had not been told it would be needed!) So I watched the others get tested in "controlled catastrophe", rein positions, canter clover leaf with carrot sticks and follow the rail with transitions.
That night I headed out and found an ASDA that was open late so I could buy more sleeping bags and an air bed as I had been just a tad cold and very uncomfortable the night before!
Wednesday morning arrived - half way through week one I could not believe it already! We had liberty testing in the morning and Paris was brilliant. We had to show yoyo and sideways at liberty - which we have not really worked on so it didn't go great, circling (which went loads better), front and hind end yeilds, a spin, stand on tarp for 7 secs and place tarp on back for 7 secs and finally squeeze over barrels and stick to me! Paris really acted like a partner!
At lunch time I headed with another student to the local saddlery so I could get riding boots and he could get a riding hat. We got back in time for the Finesse testing. I have not done ANY finesse with Paris because I had sworn that I would not ride with contact until I could do everything bareback first so that I had an independant seat. I decided to pop the bridle on Paris and mosey about on him, listen to the tasks and maybe attempt anything that was simple enough. The first task was legyeild and halfpass. I know Paris can leg yeild so I had a go at a walk (we were asked to show trot) and had a bash at half pass but that didn't work.
Next we had to show shoulder in and haunches in - and Paris was amazing! I was so proud of all the effort he was making! We then went into the honeycombe and had to place a foot on a target - Paris just did it as soon as I started! I think it was a fluke but it was very cool! Then we had to show turn on fore, turn on hind and 9 step back up. At this point the rain and wind picked up and Paris wanted to get his bum into the weather so it was a bit of a challenge but I attempted to use the weather conditions rather than fight them and got a goot turn on fore and back up but turn on hind was not happening.
Next was canter walk transitions - or not. Paris got very emgaged and impulsive and I struggled with the transitions.
Finally we had the precission pen test, which was like a dressage test. We had to trot 6 10 metre circles with walk transitions on the change of direction then canter 3 20 metre circles with flying hanges for level four or simple changes for level three. I kept to simple changes and on the last one my left stirrup fell off. I halted, removed my right stirrup and completed the test, including a trot down the long side, turn down the centre line and halt at X, with no stirrups.
I was so over the moon with how Paris coped with being ridden in the bridle!
On Thursday we had a class room lesson on horsenalties and strategies. Then we were seperated into new groups and had online lessons in friendly, porkupine, driving and yo-yo at a new level. We had an after noon online lesson on haltering with excellence and vet, farrier, dentist and riding preparations.
On Friday morning we had lessons in knot savvy, particularly the barn knot, wrap and bank robbers knot. Then we could choose firgure 8, Weaves or circles. I chose figure eights because, despite having done millions they were not getting any better. As I pictured the ideal, me standing still whilst Paris trots a figure eight I worked out the ingredients i needed. Paris kept cutting in tight and throwing his front end around the cones so I used the porcupine lesson from the day before to help guide him out onto two larger circles and he soon realised that was easier and more comfortable. I then thought about how the figure eight was a type of circle game and about the mutual responsibilities of horse and human. I put Paris on a circle around the cones, step back to signal the figure eight and went back into neutral. And he trotted the figure eight. I only moved to correct him if he broke gait or "changed direction" from the figure eight. Soon we had done 5 perfect trot figure eights with me in neutral and I sat on a log and gave him a long rest whilst I rejoiced in our breakthrough!
The next session was a choice of "improve your back up", "increase your imagination" or "increase your distance". I used two cones to give us a purpose for backing up straight and worked on using my phases better. Paris goes very LB with yo-yo so I tried the long phase one, quick two three four. I realised my four was not effective enough and experimented with finding what I needed to do to me clear. soon the seession was over. We had made a small improvement, overshadowed by the success of the figure eights. WE then watched a saddling demonstration and got our results for our first tests.
I scored 53% overall:
about 50% online - a little disappointing but not suprising as I have realise just how much scope for improvement there is!
6.5% freestyle - not bad considering I wasn't allowed to ride!
60% liberty (WOW!)
52.3% finesses (brilliant for our first attempt!)
10% tools - plenty to work on!
85% theory - I've got to nail that last 15%!!
In the afternoon we were told how we would also be assessed on our attitude, mental emotional and physical fitness, horse care and team work! We were then given more forms to fill in and asked to pick two focuses for online and two for freestyle for our coaches to help us with in the week ahead. My coach is Larrisa, who performed a demo with her horse Rocho and Linda Parelli at the NEC Celebration in April. We discussed my long term dream and short term goals and the ingredients I would need.
Yesterday was a lot of rushing to shops and I had a short play session with Paris including a little ride.
We had fish and chips on Thursday night and a little camp fire - it was such a laugh. Then we went for a meal on Friday and yesterday! Today I have been doing my washing and computer work hiding from the rain!
Oh and I have made friends with loads and loads of lovely people, not least of all Mandy from New Zealand who has offered me the use of the power point and bath in her hotel room! Her boots are not waterproof so she bought a very pretty pair of flowery wellies today! - she told me I had to blog about them!! ;)
Loads to look forward to next week!
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Take off! The Fast track starts tomorrow!
This week has been, as expected, manic!
I had an emotional mini breakdown mid week - I had gone into the bank to let them know I was travelling to France and check whether I had to do anything specific. I was told to phone up, which I did and they told me to go into the bank! I was not impressed. The horse transporter is still not formally booked and I don't think I will be relaxed until I have the booking paid for and confirmed!
I realised I was going very RBE and decided to try to be more left brained and make a list of all the things I needed to do. I still keep adding to the list but at least things are also being crossed off and I feel a lot calmer because of it. Simple and obvious I know but planning things and strategising are definately not my strong points... spending hours designing logos for T-shirts, now that's exactly like me!
So on Thursday I went into the bank and explained the situation and got it sorted, then I called my mobile phone network provider to sort out coverage abroad.
Friday was all about the work party! The solicitors that I have been working at were celebrating their 10 year anniversary on my last day of work! Very cool as it was as if they were throwing me a massive leaving party! They had booked an entire night club and provided us with free drinks vouchers and a buffet! Needless to say I really let my hair down and had a few too many....
Saturday I was dying! I couldn't leave the house until near 11 am despite my Mum's best attempts to urge me up. She gave me a glass of Resolve which I struggled to drink and keep down. I managed to crawl into her car (definately no state to drive myself) and cursed as she went over speed bumps and my already aching head smacked the window. After emptying my stomach completely I was like a half starved zombie. I perked up enough to muck my stable out but was quickly overcome with the urge just to lay on the concrete yard in the sun and sleep. Fortunately my Mum got me to snap out of it, or at least pull my self out of it, enough to get to the Saddlery and have a fry up in the cafe. I felt loads better after I had lined my stomache with fried egg and bacon and had just enough energy to help load hay bales into the horse box.
My non-horsey sister, Lizzy, had come to spend the day with me and so I said I would attempt a little demo kind of session for her to see what we get up to. I warned her that as I was hungover there was a good possibility Paris would not want to do anything for me. Paris didn't actually seem to mind my semi-zombie state but he was rather agitated by the fact that the horsebox was parked in the arena. I attempted to play a little at liberty but he kept running behind the box, where I couldn't see him and break gait or change sirection. I realised (maybe not as quickly as normal) that I was not going to be able to improve things at liberty and I needed to help him because he was forgetting his responsibilities more and more. I popped him on line and the change was immediate. We had some nice circle game and I turned him back out.
On Thursday night I had taken my 17 year old autistic sister up to the yard. As Georgia, her friend, has started doing Parllei, Tammy wanted to learn more. She had previously played with Paris and wanted to be better than Georgia. I explained that Georgia will be better at Parlli because she practices and pays attention. Tammy very rarely comes to the yard and has only had a couple of Parelli sessions. I set Tammy up practicing a few friendly game simutlations with the barrel and then showed her the seven games with Paris. When I got to the YoYo game he just planted his feet. He would not move back and I suddenly realised he was being LBI with me! This so-called RBE keeps me on my toes. So On Saturday I explained to my friend Hayley, who is very experienced with LBI's about my YoYo disaster - two days before the Fast Track and our seven games is broken!! Hayley was planning to give me a "lesson" today, to help me find the effective phase four without me feeling guilty about it. Paris was in a much more LBE mood today and was having a great time bossing me about whilst I was bathing him - he even drank water out of the hose which he has never done before! I do love this smart brave athletic horse! Hayley turned up and said - "You probably won't have a problem with your yoYo now!" I asked Paris to back up and he just cocked a leg and fell asleep! I upped my phases and he stepped back, I quit and he came straight back forward. "He's being dominant" I said.
Why am I ststing the obvious? Second guessing myself? Knowing what the answer is but not doing it?
As soon as I upped my phases and became firm and consistent about him backing up his attitude started to change. He wasn't impressed about it but he became a little more respectful. then I invited him in and he said no. It was as if he said "you wouldn't let me in when I wanted too and now I don't want to" I guess that's part and parcel with the game really. He soon changed his mind and came in, happy to get a treat and a scratch. Georgia wanted to put him away so I told her to back him into his stable, which she did beautifully. She has developed so much confidence and had great "drive" energy. A couple of weeks ago she would not go near extroverted horses, today she was "catching", leeading, handling, backing, haltering extroverts! I'm very impressed!
The lorry is loaded up, my car cleaned and loaded also, Paris bathed and groomed ready for the big day tomorrow. It's going to be an early start, up at 4am to be at the yard by 5am to be on the road by 5.30am. We're aiming to arrive at Stoneleigh at 9am when the doors arrive so that we have as much time as possible to check in and get Paris settled and the tent pitched.
I am exhausted but know sleep won't come easy! I always wake up every hour before big events and for me, this is one of the biggest! Up there with starting a new job and heading off to France for the trial period!
I can't wait to see what this week has in store for us!
I had an emotional mini breakdown mid week - I had gone into the bank to let them know I was travelling to France and check whether I had to do anything specific. I was told to phone up, which I did and they told me to go into the bank! I was not impressed. The horse transporter is still not formally booked and I don't think I will be relaxed until I have the booking paid for and confirmed!
I realised I was going very RBE and decided to try to be more left brained and make a list of all the things I needed to do. I still keep adding to the list but at least things are also being crossed off and I feel a lot calmer because of it. Simple and obvious I know but planning things and strategising are definately not my strong points... spending hours designing logos for T-shirts, now that's exactly like me!
So on Thursday I went into the bank and explained the situation and got it sorted, then I called my mobile phone network provider to sort out coverage abroad.
Friday was all about the work party! The solicitors that I have been working at were celebrating their 10 year anniversary on my last day of work! Very cool as it was as if they were throwing me a massive leaving party! They had booked an entire night club and provided us with free drinks vouchers and a buffet! Needless to say I really let my hair down and had a few too many....
Saturday I was dying! I couldn't leave the house until near 11 am despite my Mum's best attempts to urge me up. She gave me a glass of Resolve which I struggled to drink and keep down. I managed to crawl into her car (definately no state to drive myself) and cursed as she went over speed bumps and my already aching head smacked the window. After emptying my stomach completely I was like a half starved zombie. I perked up enough to muck my stable out but was quickly overcome with the urge just to lay on the concrete yard in the sun and sleep. Fortunately my Mum got me to snap out of it, or at least pull my self out of it, enough to get to the Saddlery and have a fry up in the cafe. I felt loads better after I had lined my stomache with fried egg and bacon and had just enough energy to help load hay bales into the horse box.
My non-horsey sister, Lizzy, had come to spend the day with me and so I said I would attempt a little demo kind of session for her to see what we get up to. I warned her that as I was hungover there was a good possibility Paris would not want to do anything for me. Paris didn't actually seem to mind my semi-zombie state but he was rather agitated by the fact that the horsebox was parked in the arena. I attempted to play a little at liberty but he kept running behind the box, where I couldn't see him and break gait or change sirection. I realised (maybe not as quickly as normal) that I was not going to be able to improve things at liberty and I needed to help him because he was forgetting his responsibilities more and more. I popped him on line and the change was immediate. We had some nice circle game and I turned him back out.
On Thursday night I had taken my 17 year old autistic sister up to the yard. As Georgia, her friend, has started doing Parllei, Tammy wanted to learn more. She had previously played with Paris and wanted to be better than Georgia. I explained that Georgia will be better at Parlli because she practices and pays attention. Tammy very rarely comes to the yard and has only had a couple of Parelli sessions. I set Tammy up practicing a few friendly game simutlations with the barrel and then showed her the seven games with Paris. When I got to the YoYo game he just planted his feet. He would not move back and I suddenly realised he was being LBI with me! This so-called RBE keeps me on my toes. So On Saturday I explained to my friend Hayley, who is very experienced with LBI's about my YoYo disaster - two days before the Fast Track and our seven games is broken!! Hayley was planning to give me a "lesson" today, to help me find the effective phase four without me feeling guilty about it. Paris was in a much more LBE mood today and was having a great time bossing me about whilst I was bathing him - he even drank water out of the hose which he has never done before! I do love this smart brave athletic horse! Hayley turned up and said - "You probably won't have a problem with your yoYo now!" I asked Paris to back up and he just cocked a leg and fell asleep! I upped my phases and he stepped back, I quit and he came straight back forward. "He's being dominant" I said.
Why am I ststing the obvious? Second guessing myself? Knowing what the answer is but not doing it?
As soon as I upped my phases and became firm and consistent about him backing up his attitude started to change. He wasn't impressed about it but he became a little more respectful. then I invited him in and he said no. It was as if he said "you wouldn't let me in when I wanted too and now I don't want to" I guess that's part and parcel with the game really. He soon changed his mind and came in, happy to get a treat and a scratch. Georgia wanted to put him away so I told her to back him into his stable, which she did beautifully. She has developed so much confidence and had great "drive" energy. A couple of weeks ago she would not go near extroverted horses, today she was "catching", leeading, handling, backing, haltering extroverts! I'm very impressed!
The lorry is loaded up, my car cleaned and loaded also, Paris bathed and groomed ready for the big day tomorrow. It's going to be an early start, up at 4am to be at the yard by 5am to be on the road by 5.30am. We're aiming to arrive at Stoneleigh at 9am when the doors arrive so that we have as much time as possible to check in and get Paris settled and the tent pitched.
I am exhausted but know sleep won't come easy! I always wake up every hour before big events and for me, this is one of the biggest! Up there with starting a new job and heading off to France for the trial period!
I can't wait to see what this week has in store for us!
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