DANCING WITH BAILARINA

Onward bound

2011-08-09T10:58:00.002+01:00

Well Bally is most definitely happy in her newly adjusted Wow and we have found forwards...actually compared with last year we have found the turbo boost button!

What a revelation, she's marching out nicely and although we technically aren't supposed to add trot for another week and half she offered when we were in the school and I let her take me up the long side...Blummin heck there is power there!!

Her rehab work is coming along well, now up to 30 minutes walking and although the majority of this is hacking, we are still perfecting leg yield (side to side on the lane) flexions -down, side to side shoulder in and counter shoulder in all to help straighten her right banana default mode.

When I took her into the school on Sunday she was super, really working nicely, taking the contact forward and allowing me to alter her frame long and back up without hollowing. She does still have a tendency to lift her head into halt, which is the next thing we'll tackle.
She had me in stitches though, came round the corner on the right rein and as we walked past the gateway she let rip with almighty whoopee buck then without breaking stride carried on walking - hurrah for velcro pants..well the great position the Wow puts me in anyway lol!

Last night she was in full on go, go, go mode and had to be reined in a bit. Marched off before I'd even got my stirrups and then went to trot off up the drive...Nope, too rude! So I turned her and put her back next to the mounting block and made her stand and do flexions for a minute or so, then off we went.
Apart from a blip as we got to the gate "um, no I can't possibly stand that close to it" with a bit of persuasion and a big treat she manoeuvered around it like an old pro and we had a super hack out down the home bridleway through the woods and back.

For all I wish that Bally had not had such an awful year injury wise doing the long in hand and ridden walk rehab work really has brought it home to me how important the basic foundation and gradual strengthening work are, not to mention the benefit of leaving horses to mature before asking serious work questions. The difference in her attitude and power this year is astonishing!
Next scan in two weeks, let's hope for a good one!

Wow, Wow, Wow (Kate Bush Style)

2011-08-03T20:49:00.002+01:00

Today was saddle fitting day with Louise from FTE, the Wow Headquarters.

I love the concept of the Wow saddle and can't imagine using any other brand now - the flexibility of the Y bar tree, larger bearing surface, double stirrup bars, moveable flaps and total adjustability....what's not to love!

Louise does all Richard Maxwells Wow's and as he's just up the road she was able to pop in on the way back from two days up there, the brilliant news is that she thought the saddle was perfect for Bally - right size and panels, just very low on air and as she's lost condition and muscle through being on box rest and out of work she'd gone down TWO head plate sizes :-(

Bally was much, much happier as we walked down the lane and back, really stretching forward into the contact and tracking up. As usual the air had to be adjusted to suit my daft crooked back and dodgy hip, but she had us swinging along nicely in harmony again.

Really means we can push on with the increasing work in the knowledge Bally is comfortable in her back :-D

Oh that's what's up!

2011-07-30T19:55:00.004+01:00

Missy B has been a tad tense and inattentive the last couple of days, even out in her pen she seemed a little bit wired...not horribly but everything from grazing, to walking in and out, hacking and in the stable was accompanied by occasional bouts of head up snorting and her trademark four legged spook / teleport moments lol.

It dawned on me she'd finished her Hilton Herbs Rest & Recover gold last week! Just goes to show that these things do have an effect and a jolly good one at that! I'd decided that as she seemed so much more mature and is now out for 12 hours in her pen and actually doing some ridden work that she didn't need the calmer....hmmmm might rethink that one ;-D

No worries though, she's still her usual lovely cuddly, snuffly self and I'm used to her sensitivity so we'll take it all in our stride. B's looking lovely, still really needs to build muscle, but she's lost that awful skinny tucked up look she had in the horspital thank goodness. Her coat is gleaming and so dappled again....gorgeous!

This evening was a golden one, with a gentle breeze and we marched out down the lane in the sunshine, off down the hill to the start of the canter track (let's not open ourselves to temptation eh!!) turned around and pootled back up the hill. I'm throwing in some schooling whilst we're walking - leg yield from each side of the track right over to the other and now asking for a few steps of shoulder-in proper. I also work on asking her to work over her back to a contact, pushing her forward down and out to a free walk then slowly picking the contact up, all the while keeping a good rhythm and softness

Yep that all works really well until you hear the rumbling of an approaching combine (the yard is slap bang in the middle of a large arable farming operation) and B does a spectacularly good giraffe on crack impression *sigh* lol!!!
To give her her due she actually walked/ snorted / scuttled past within 15 ft of it whilst the farmer stopped but kept the engine running without actually ever feeling like she might take off...quite an achievement for a baby on semi box / pen rest without a mood enhancer I think lol.

New Shoes....

2011-07-27T22:09:00.002+01:00

A day off For Missy B today, as she had her tootsies done by John the farrier and I needed to be on the move taking RD home ready for her little brother's arrival.

Hopefully this was the very, absolutely and definitely last time those ruddy egg bars were put back on!!!

She was a superstar to shoe as always and John checked my front feet trimming and proclaimed them to be pretty good..then gave me a rasp as mine despite being not particularly old wasn't much use - his blunt one was still twice as sharp as mine lol!

Back to work and normal service will be resumed tomorrow :-D

Velcro anyone?

2011-07-26T20:09:00.002+01:00

Went for our daily pootle this evening, Bally on good form, a bit looky as she could see a couple of other liveries out across the fields, but responded well to an ask with my leg to flex then a rein squeeze to soften and come back and pay attention.

We went a little way down the lane then turned around and detoured off to have a walk in the school. I figure that the sooner I get her used to the idea of work in there again, even just straight line walking the better - there's an awful lot you can work on even when you're restricted!!

Lots of shortening and lengthening, leg yield, shoulder in, getting B to stretch forward pick up a contact without resistance...all good basic stuff that'll stand us in good stead when work starts properly. Yay!!

And the velcro...ah yes, we'd only just got into the school when the lovely but rather eccentric local lady Viv who patrols the village with her little dog, popped out of the big conifer hedge at the top end of the school just as we were walking up....cue B's ears up my nose and combined scoot, spin and rear combo whilst travelling backwards at speed....well sat even if I say so myself!!
Bally was quite upset by the whole thing, but didn't take too long before being able to listen and relax back into her work. It was actually quite a good training exercise for getting her out and about at ridden competitions where she'll be exposed to all sorts of sights and sounds and need to be able to re-focus.
Nicely relaxed again we finished with some centre line halts and walked back to the yard on a loose rein, what a good girl!!

Walk on.....

2011-07-24T22:09:00.003+01:00

So a couple of weeks in and we're now tootling along in walk for a whole 20 minutes at a time (whoohoo) lol!

Now if I'm completely honest I never really enjoyed hacking Bally out last year after I'd backed her, she was generally a little argumentative, a whole lot joggy and exceedingly spooky....not always an exactly relaxing experience (although she had me in stitches on several occasions with her shenanigans)
But now we've started her walk hacking rehab, well..... Baby B has grown up!

Being Bally she still likes to have her opinion heard and that's fine with me, but so far so good - she's attentive, forward, looky, but not flighty, she's walking out calmly and confidently and we're both enjoying it tremendously (well apart from the day the heavens opened and we got absolutely and totally soaked to the skin - we found the backwards and sideways crab style head almost up her backside buttons that day.

Tonight we went up through the woods which involved negotiating a big double five bar gate which has caused no end of problems before, reversing, jumping about etc...but not tonight - it was opened, walked through, and closed and latched both ways without too much fuss. What a good girl!!
That twenty minute walk, just the two of us, totally chilled and pootling along in the lovely late afternoon sunshine was absolutely blissful.

It's been so long (8 months!!!) I'd almost forgotten just how lovely she is to ride.......and I cannot wait to get back to being able to school her again, BD watch out!!

Anybody out there?

2011-07-19T09:04:00.003+01:00

We are back in business!

That little knock in February turned out to be a lot worse than I was hoping. After seeing the vet the swelling got worse despite penning and ice packing poor Bally, so she was hoofed up to the yard on YO's trailer (nearly breaking my wrist in the process, thanks B!) and into a stable.

Xrays clear for splint bone damage, so with 4 x ice a day plus bandaging, I got the swelling down enough to scan...and there right at the point the suspensory ligament branches above the fetlock was a fibre disruption and swelling. No actual tears or lesions thank goodness! Probable cause hoolying in the field. Her right hind scanned clear though so no inherent weakness, a definite injury and just sheer bad luck
And so began the box rest...and the injections and the joint supplements and the herbal potions, with the 4 x a day ice packing...oh and the ultrasound twice a day, and the massage and the 2 x 20 minute hand walks, not to mention the egg bar shoes!!
For a feisty little Luso girl who'd spent the previous year living out in a herd on 17 acres it was an awful big ask to go into solitary confinement in a box....but she took to it like a duck to water. I reckoned she loved having me as a personal slave on call to tend to her every whim lol....me on the other hand...well it nearly broke me emotionally and physically...thank goodness for wonderful husband and sympathetic bosses, who let me reduce my work hours as I really could not cope with everything. Dark days :-(
Several months down the line and Madam B was allowed some pen turnout again, so she came home for a few weeks with a companion, Polly.
All well until the day she was tied up in the gateway, spooked, bounced into the gate and went over / through it, the gate post snapped, the baler twine didn't...so Bally took of in a red mist panic with the gate attached to her. She bolted straight through three lines of post and rail fencing. I got flattened trying to hold her to get the headcollar off and finally the snap hook on the leadrope gave way.
When I caught her I could see she was badly injured, totally non weight bearing right hind, blood pumping from her leg, scrapes and cuts all over including a big gash under her elbow. My vet and my friend Di were soon on the scene and with a makeshift splint on we got Bally to the horspital. I felt utterly distraught and sick with worry as we were sure she'd fractured her leg.
Thankfully no fracture, but she had shadowing that looked very much like it could develop into a hairline fracture and metal shards from the gate embedded in her leg. Her front and hind on the right swelled terribly as did her chest and belly.
So B had three weeks in the horspital on strict no movement box rest having her leg scraped down to the bone and flushed and regular x-ray monitoring...unbelievably and rather miraculously she healed completely and apart from a few small scars that will fade in time is as good as new and signed off fit and well from the accident!!

When she came back to the yard she had four more weeks box rest, then I gradually introduced pen rest with in hand walking...the last scan two weeks ago was a good improvement and as Bally sat and launched herself into the trot up Conor my vet was just..."WOW look at her move!!!" He reckoned the swelling was so minimal now she's pass a vetting on the leg no problem. Bally is enjoying being allowed out all night in her pen too!
So we have the OK to start ridden work...yes a whole 10 minutes straight line walking only, but increasing 5 minutes a week until the next scan...then hopefully we are properly back in schooling business.

So blogdom begins again now we actually have something to talk about other than disasters and upset!

Bailarina Schooling Nov 2010

2011-02-10T14:12:00.001Z

Ahem...we are still alive!

2011-02-10T14:02:00.004Z

Oh dear

I really was bad at keeping the blog up at the end of last year...good intentions and all that!!

For anyone that's interested in an update the following photo's and video are from Bally's last ride in 2010. She' started her last baby holiday in November but a sunny Saturday and chance of a freebie lesson with a photographer and handy videoer in attendance meant she was dragged out of the field for one last ride.

Very pleased with where we got to, lots to work on this year, but I have to say that working with her has been hugely rewarding!

Sad news that as I was looking to bring her back into work this year she has picked up an injury to her left hind leg - not sure what as yet due to a lot of swelling and Bally being a big baby and being ouchy to touch from hock to hoof. We're keeping fingers crossed it's just a knock and with hot / cold therapy, pressure bandaging and restricted movement she'll be right as rain in no time

- I wanna ride her again!!

Pilgrim's Progress 19.07.10

2010-09-20T21:27:00.000+01:00

Had a good session yesterday, did what will be our regular Sunday hike up the road to the school, the mile and a half (currently in hand) is a great way to warm her up, prepare for the fact that we have a schooling session and keeps me fitter!

Loads and loads of cars out as the gardens at the big house were open so good traffic training on the way ...all ignored completely!

Got to the school and discovered all of the C end under water with the sprinkers on full whack...cue much eye popping and snorting, but I lead her down and we walked around for a few minutes just out of reach so she could see and hear the sprinkler but wasn't going to get an impromptu soaking! I find that If I remain completely workmanlike and ignore stuff she's generally picking up and that and taking confidence from it :-)
She was much better about the mounting block this time, but she's still not happy about it - odd when she's so good every where else :-$
Anyway hopped on and B was very forwards so popped her straight up into trot and worked on big shapes - changing the rein, serpentines and big circles. Have to watch her escaping out of her right shoulder!

Only had a few minor steering failures and some wibbly long sides...but discovered that she responds far better to a leg aid on the girth to straighten, than taking my leg back to move her quarters...it was quite a dramatic difference! I could also use the same aid to ask for a couple of steps of leg yield back to the track. To change the aid for a turn around the inside leg I deepen and lengthen my leg with a defininite rock forwards of my inner seatbone

Again I have to be very mindful of using my legs evenly in transitions - a couple of times B reacted to my stronger right leg and skewed off to the left. But we didn't have any pawing, when I asked for halt that was what I got!

I'm have a major wibble about contact though. I'm very conscious of keeping my arms connected to my body and keeping elbows and wrists loose and moving with her to let her take it forwards, but she doesn't - at the minute we're getting some nice moments, but there's a lot of fussing / head moving and it's very hard to reward the good moments as they are followed by a curl or her head going up. I know it's a balance issue on her part....but I wonder if by always following her movement I'm not being constant and offering enough of a steady contact to reach into, so it's a vicious circle of wobbliness...does that make sense?

Don't get me wrong I'm not asking for any kind of outline, just for her to stay between my hand and leg as quietly as she can at this stage and to take a stretch down to release her back when asked

Becky E is coming down to give us a couple of short lessons, so hopefully she can give me some pointers.

Thought we'd finish off by just asking for a hop up into canter from trot on each rein to see what we got and although she ran into it a little (note to self...do not drop the contact forwards!!!) she gave me a lovely steady few strides with a correct strike off both times and nicely back down :-D Until she's stronger that's pretty much all I'll be asking of her in the school. The majority of any ridden canter work will be out hacking.

Walked her off and stood her over by the mounting block whilst I had a drink and she stood like a lamb bless her!
The we hacked back down the road and she was good...another wibble at the same gateway as last week, but she let me pop her quarters back in and walked past without much of a fuss.

All in all really pleased with her progress, but really looking forward to a lesson so I can check we're on the right track!!

Hacked Off 16.07.10

2010-09-20T21:25:00.001+01:00

Well we went out hacking completely solo yesterday (in a howling gale again lol!!)

I did the first 15 minutes just hand walking with her, up the lane, past the scary fishing lakes and then got on her from a random fence as we turned onto the cricketfield bridleway (have treeless will mount from anything I can stand on...or get horse to stand in!)

Bally was nicely forwards and although a little looky at things she wasn't overly spooky which was great considering we hadn't been down that particular bridleway before
Had a lovely trot and she came back nicely without any bother, then we got slightly lost and ended up in a lightly harrowed bit that used to be a pathway...and had a lovely lovely canter along the edge where the ground was softest.
Ended up in a bit of a dead end and had to turn back and sadly when we got back onto the bridleway and headed for home Bally blotted her copybook a bit!

She tried to jog off so I halted her with my seat, asked for walk on...jog...halt...sideways evasion.... HALT with neck rope and seat...walk on..jog. HALT..foot throwing, re-applied halt aids and ooops up she went :-o

Cracked her once on the backside to get her forward as I simply will not tolerate that antsy tantrum behaviour then asked her to halt again. This went on for about ten minutes and it was extremely hard not to to be tempted in to take a pull on the reins and just keep my halt from body into a steady hand, although we did have a one rein circle at one stage as she was flinging her head at me and bouncing up again :-$

It was a bit of a battle of wills and I'm actually quite chuffed that I stuck to my guns, remained calm and just repeated my halt, walk on, halts everytime she did anything other than what I was asking for and didn't let her get to me...her frustration was understandable but not acceptable and I just wasn't going to get into an escalating fight about it

It worked thank goodness and she gracefully walked on, accepted a couple more walk, halt, walk transitions (with much less aiding applied) calmly and so on we pootled.

Stayed on her and rode onto the lane and presented her with the challenge of walking up the lane between the scary lakes, past a car disgorging a couple of excited children feeding the ducks.
She stopped and baulked a little and I let her have a breather and take it in then asked her to walk on, then trot past and she did, nicely straight no spooking what a good girl!!! YAY

Back onto our little lane and I let her take the rein a little longer, then hopped off half way down so we in hand walked the last five minutes to let her have a wind down.

So a good ride despite the shenanigans, nice to know that we can deal with them and move on as I'm sure there'll be plenty more!

Little schooling session 14.07.10

2010-09-20T21:23:00.000+01:00

Really nice short ridden session last night. Just in the corral but with saddle and bridle (and hat if hubby is reading!) I used the drop noseband (no headcollar) and B was happy in her mouth, nicely mouthing and steady.

Started with a bit of flexion work ....or boot nibbling if we get a good side stretch lol then on just to work in walk at me getting my positioning, seat and aiding clear so B can respond easily and correctly - aiming for softness.

I think we worked really well. B is now starting to reach for the bit and take it forwards so long I'm asking from my leg and keeping a strong flexible core. It's blatantly obvious when that strong core becomes a tense leg or seat though as Bally just grinds to a halt underneath me (oops!)

Much better turns and circles last night with the occasional flash of harmony as I got the aiding spot on and we glided around on just a seat aid!

We worked on getting good square halts without any sideways wibbling and she got it best if I concentrate on remaining central, straight and even when I put my legs on....then I lighten my seat and bingo up she steps beautifully square :-D

So what did we learn...well I cannot get away with any sloppy riding for a start lol!! and if I'm clear in my body and mind what we want...we generally get...hey she's bright that girl

Proper schooling 12.7.10

2010-09-20T21:21:00.000+01:00

It's been far too hot to subject the pair of us to a three mile round walk, plus schooling time but it was much nicer and breezier yesterday afternoon so we trundled off up the road for a session.

B was in a lovely mood and nicely marched out with me as we made our way up the lane (on foot at this stage) I'd gone back bridle and headcollar with reins attached to both for stability and B was happy with this arrangement.

Met Gi on his bicycle and B was happy to walk along with the bike at her side which bodes well for bigger hacks out.
Got to the school and she had a bit of a hissy at the mounting block. Odd as she stands pefectly happily next to fences and gates for me to plonk myself on from. She was a bit rude at one point and kicked out at the whip as I asked her move her quarters over from the ground as she'd swung away from the block as I stepped on it, so she got growled at!

After a bit of groundwork I got her where she should be and she stood nicely so I could get on :-D

Interesting session, I rode for about 20 minutes in all doing nice big shapes to change direction and bend and getting transitions on markers. We still had some banana issues, but had more success asking for a little flexion, then straight and repeating.
There was little issue at the top end of the school with birds flapping in the hedge and initially B was a bit tense and spooky up there, but I worked on ignoring it completely and B was able to take a lead from that

Bally was super in her mouth, no signs of irritability or discomfort at all so I do think it's a support issue and that a drop is going to the best place to start, then try a different bit if that doesn't suit.

She was also very nicely off my leg with good crisp transitions. One halt was a bit of a disaster and was down to me not being straight...I sat up and closed my legs on and suddenly found myself leg yielding across the school :-o

I wasn't 100% happy with her trot work, we seemed to veer between a rushed choppy trot and a slug impression as Bally struggled to find her balance within the pace. So I worked on getting her forward, then introducing the idea of using my seat to slow and lengthen and gave her a longer rein to reach forward to. Had a couple of nice circles with a much better rythmn.

Stopped there as pleased with how well Bally had worked and hacked her back all the way down to the field with Gi following on the bike to keep an eye on us
Had one moment of uh-oh as she took a bit of an exception to a driveway and crabbed sideways bum out into the lane. I turned her around and walked her back to it where she had a bit of a dither and I just sat until she relaxed then asked her to walk on and she did YAY!!

I felt her tense right up as we approached the big house as they were having a rather noisy game of tennis behind the hedge, but again just gave B a scratch and vocal reassurance and she walked past no bother, clever girly!!

Best bit of all, we had a little trot on the big raised verge on the little lane, I gave her an extra nudge and we had our first canter :-D

It was as lovely as I thought it would be, only a few strides, but she came back immediately when asked and she was beautifully light and balanced which bodes well for the future!!

In-Handy Stuff 07.07.10 pt 2

2010-09-20T21:19:00.001+01:00

Repeated similar work last night but altered the height of the bit in her mouth first..actually put it UP and popped my drop noseband on her, loose in case she is sore and so that she can still mouth (able to get three fingers under easily, but adjusted so that it could give a small amount of support to the bit.

Came to the conclusion that Bally really objects to me working her inhand directly from the bit but is much happier if I put myself further back and hold the reins as if I'm riding...and is even happier on longlines. If I was being really hamfisted I'd have thought it would be the other way round??

Anyway she was steadier in her mouth, not great, but nothing like as irritated as she was before, so a small step in the right direction.

Walked her up to the corral and popped on her again. Did a little work on reinback from a legs back / lighten seat aid accompanied by the verbal clunk I use on the ground and lot's of praise when she moved her weight back

She got it straight away :-D

Then we just did five minutes of working on walking straight with halt transtions added, trying to keep her channelled straight throughout.B was much better with her mouth and head ridden, I just tried to keep a soft elastic even contact and she took it forwards and was settled by it. I'm obviously doing something seriously wrong inhand!

We ground to a halt a couple of times as I got grippy with my thighs, entirely my fault and good in a way because at least I know my holding aid to step up into halt works.

I'll walk her up to the school tomorrow night to see how we get on on a nice surface rather than rutty potholed grass....I'm hoping I'll be even more pleasantly surprised by her.

She's such a lovely willing calm girl who really seems to be enjoying her work, but I worry she's not thinking forwards enough which is imperative at this stage, so lot's more hacking out on the cards

In-Handy Stuff 07.07.10 pt1

2010-09-20T21:16:00.000+01:00

Bally had Monday off after all the fun on Sunday - it was quite a long day for her - I was up at the field at 7, walked her home along the bridleways, bathed, plaited, loaded hung around and wandered about the showground, did a class, went for a ride around the showground and then back home by 2pm...phew!

Still her behaviour was exemplary and you really can't ask for more than that :-D

In an odd mood last night because of the sad news about my lovely girl Leyna, went up to the field and ended up having a good weep. Bally, Dee and Bonita stood with me, then over me as I sat and bawled my eyes out and gently whiffled my hair and nuzzled my shoulders. Bless them

Decided to do a little bit of in hand flexion work with B. Very unsettled with any sort of contact and I had to be almost whisper like to get her to mouth and not yaw at the bit or throw her head around.
I'm going to have to either rethink bitting / noseband or go bitless for a wee while as she's teething. She's much happier and steadier when the reins are attached to the bit ring and the headcollar so it feels more stable in her mouth (I use a Neue Schule loose ring bit) so if she's happy with the mouthpiece she may need a drop noseband just to support the bit & hold it steady in her mouth of maybe go for something like a half / full cheek..... Not sure will probably have a play and see what she's happiest with.

Well after I'd manage to get some nice calm and soft in hand work I walked B up to the corral and popped on her for a little bit of ridden walk work

Bareback :-O

There aren't many just backed babies I'd even think about doing this with but B has been so like Safi in her fabulous attitude to being ridden (and maybe I'm feeling a bit fatalistic atm due to recent events...no body protector or hat either :-$)

She was lovely, definitely better with flexing to the left after working her inhand, although still has a tendency to banana to the right whilst going straight - seems to be her default position and something I have to be very clear on correcting every time she starts it

One teeny nap by the fence where the rest of the gang had grandstand seats..she didn't move straight off my leg when asked to walk on from a nudge...so got a double nudge and a voice command...then a tickle from the whip which did the trick.

I've been holding off riding her on my own and only actually sitting on her once a week when I could get Gi or Jen to help me, but after her being so wonderfully amenable tonight I think we'll be fine so, as long as I can keep her comfortable in her mouth, we can crack on and start hacking out a bit more and have at least one school session a week on top.

I really have missed riding!

Show Time!! 04.07.10

2010-09-19T15:45:00.002+01:00

Took Bally to a local show today..turned out to be much busier than I envisaged as not only was there a horse show, but also a dog show, and EBG 12 mile ride setting off all day and a big driving competition on site so masses to see and a really buzzy atmosphere :-o

B was just brilliant, took it all in her stride and was very chilled, so decided what the heck and entered her into a class....it was choice of Riding Club horse / pony or prettiest mare :-$

Well we went into the RC horse class as I didn't want to deprive all the pig-tailed little girls and their doe eyed ponies and she was like an old pro, totally calm, stood up when asked without a hint of a fidget, walked out in the lead for the whole class, didn't flicker an eye at some behaviour issues from the mare behind her. Did a lovely individual show, trotted out beautifully around the ring and was just an absolute delight to work with.

Competition was stiff as there were two winners and a couple of second placers from previous classes in the ring with us, plus three of us the judge hadn't seen before.

Well blow me down we were pulled in second behind a stunning and immaculately turned out pony YAY!!!!!!

Afterwards I tacked B up and we had a ride around the showground. Got Superhubby to lead us through the lorry park for safety sake as I could feel Bally was on her toes a bit, but we went up into the showground proper where the rings were and other horses were working in and rode her around - just a bit of walk and trot and she was so good - no napping or silliness, but a very apparent lack of left bend when not in the confines of an arena! (homework ahoy!!)

Back to the box and we still had a couple of hours to wait for the inhand championship we'd qualified for and I decided to forgo our place and come home as I didn't want to make Bally stale and spoil the fabulous day we'd had.

I LUFF my gorgeous girl :-D

Lots of photos in this album http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/LarriDB/Bailarinas%20first%20party/

Going solo with video evidence! 27.06.10

2010-09-19T15:35:00.002+01:00

The whole gang are all happily back together now, and seem to have slotted back into herd like perfectly amenably

Well once again Ballyboo has been an absolute star today, she is just so laid back about this being ridden lark and she's such a joy to ride

I took her on her first proper solo / off lead hack, in fact she was never on the lead, Gi and Spuddy dog came with us and were supposed to be leading, but in the end she was so chilled out I kept a hold of it in case it was needed but nope, the girl was going solo with a vengeance

She stood stock still as I threw myself at her off the fence and we went out the gate and off up the lane for about half a mile, past the fishing lake, the (thankfully parked up) diggers doing the car park there, the wheely bins and then turned down the woody bridleway. She was a teeny bit cat creepy to start but as well as using my legs in time with hers I used my whip on my boot as a back up which worked really well. Once she got the idea she marched out wonderfully :-D

Once we got to the bit where the bridleway goes into the village I turned back as didn't feel quite ready for the main road just yet !!! Then we had a few little trots and she was nicely off my leg and easy to bring back down too, clever girl. One tiny baby stroplet when I asked her to stop and wait for a minute before moving on again, this brought on a minor fit of the Kevins in the form of foot scraping ..norty!!!

Happily pootled on when I asked her to, back on to the lane and home again, no fuss, no bother and big, BIG grins all round

On the move - 24.06.10

2010-09-19T15:33:00.001+01:00

Finally the girls are back down road at the 20 acre.

Got left in the lurch and ended up walking the pair of them the mile and a half down the road by myself.... Not something I would contemplate normally, but I just wanted to get them back out of the incredibly lush pasture as it was really damaging their feet!!

Popped every bit of hi viz gear I possessed on the three of us and just got on with it. Couple of spooky moments from the little one, and 3/4 of the way down the road she decided she'd absolutely walked far enough Thank you and wasn't taking another step :-o
Took some pressure / release work and a bit of wheedling to get Little Donkey Dee moving again lol

Bally was a star and just got on with it...she's definitely taking life as a grown up very seriously!!

Got them settled in and then Polly and Bonita magically appeared today, not sure why the boys haven't come down, but the girls were all getting on quite happily together...phew!!!

Rasp Ahoy 22.06.10

2010-09-19T15:29:00.002+01:00

Bally had her teeth done this morning and she was a superstar

Brought her up on the the yard and let her have a good sniff at Gary's tools, the she pootled behind me into a box (first time in one since December and no hint of the panic she had when she first came to me and I put her in her new stable! )
Gary made his introductions to her and put her and me completely at ease then got on with having a good look, Bally was so calm and accepting of the whole process, nothing more than a bit of eye rolling at the rasp and popped her head higher when she had the gag fitted, but a little tweak on the rope and she relaxed and lowered it again.

She had a good tidy up and four baby teeth / caps taken off all on a loose rope with no sedation, what a brilliant first time !!

He's recommended that she has her wolf teeth out as he rightly assessed that she's unsteady on the contact. He said to see how she is now she's been rasped as that might be enough to make her more comfortable, but he did think they'd need to come out at some point, especially if I ever wanted her to have a bit seat.

A far cry from the last dentist I used who almost left the yard with his rasps up his doodah he was such an arrogant unfeeling and abusive G*t and the vet who sedates them if they so much as flicker an eyelash

Highly recommended !!

We measured B for the first time yesterday too....I chased a snorty Bally in a few circles until she realised the pokey stick thing wasn't going to kill her...and .....first measurement was over 15.2, which I refused to believe and next was just shy of 15.2 :-o
My old YO always maintained she'd make 16hh but I couldn't see it at first...when I first saw her last year my first thought was OMG she's looking well lol...closely followed by OMG she's really diddy!!) Safi kept growing till she was 8, so I think B's got a fair bit of growing to do still!!

Back in the saddle

2010-06-20T22:01:00.002+01:00

Decided I was riding Bally today come hell or high water after her wangling 10 days off with scraped legs, a teeny new splint and a split hoof!!!!!

....and as usual we had to contend with some interesting distractions......

Set off down to the school and two of the kids on the yard came clattering down the path by the lane on their whizzy little ponies, went to go trotting past Bally which understandably wound her up a bit so I asked them not to scoot past, ten seconds later their ponies have planted as someone is making a commotion in one of the houses we pass and Gi, Bally and I have to give them a lead lol!

Discover that they are putting jumps up and having a short jumping lesson...now I'm all for introducing Bally to things going on, but I'm wondering if watching two PC ponies charging around leaping fences is maybe something to save for a ride when we're a leeeetle bit more established! ;-o

We had a ride round the school whilst they warmed up and before Mum turns up to put up the fences. B was a bit unsettled but as her steering was Ok I got Gi to let us off the lead pretty much straight away and Bally was really good considering. Tried a bit of a nap back to the ponies a couple of times but I just made semaphore size turning aids to get her back on track, then loads of praise when she went where I wanted her to. :-D

Transitions to halt good and nice crisp walk ons to follow. We managed a nice circle of trot on each rein - first time we've trotted off the line and by this point Gi had actually wandered off to the mounting block so I really was in charge and flying solo :-o

By this point jump wings were being dragged into the school so we had a nice walk down past all that and past the ponies, Bally got a big good girl for being totally unfussed!!

We walked off out the school and decided to have a 10 minute hack down the road. Bally had a couple of hesitant moments, but responded really well to me using the lead rope I was carrying as a Wip wop and suddenly discovered her forwards button lol
She was nice and calm as we had cars pass her from in front and behind (although I asked Gi to actually walk right by the side of her for support this time) and even gave me a little leg yield across the road after wandering off line a little
We also had a really good little trot and then turned around and walked back to the yard, past all the scary stuff..B had an eek about a mound of gravel, but happily went back to investigate it when asked.

All in all I was really pleased with her - what was that, fourth time I've sat on her???? Superstar girly (wub)

Making Progress

2010-06-07T13:37:00.003+01:00

It's been a good week to follow on from the great start :-D

Had another ride midweek - it's hard trying to rope people in to man the longline when we start, hopefully not be needed for too much longer. Gi came over after work and we only had a short session and I stayed on the line throughout this time, just moving her about the school in walk and halting at markers for accuracy.

Had a fab longline hack on Friday - what a beautiful evening!! Little bit of a wibbly start as B seemed to take exception to every leaf, so we had a couple of turntails and stampy feet moments before we'd even got on the bridleway :-o, but as soon as we turned off onto the track out of the woods she was brilliant.

Bally was super forwards, but still light in my hand. We practiced steering, straight lines, leg yields and some lovely crisp transitions. She was so good she even stayed in the lead through the scary yard and barns that I had to stop and lead her through the time before!!! No problem this time :-)

Well rode again yesterday afternoon and she was brilliant!!!

We went up to the school and before I'd even got on we heard some thunderclaps, looked over and saw the sky was looking rather dark and ominous...ah what the hell I thought, that's the benefit of having horses that live out 24/7, they really don't tend to be fussed about working in odd weather! After I'd given Bally a bit of a lunge warm up we wandered down so I could get on. She spooked away from the mounting block first time so just got walked straight back, then I leant over the once, leg over and on, sort out stirrups and off we went - on the line first of all for about ten minutes, but I made Gi stay about 15 ft away so all the steering and commands came from me.

Then we had some lovely trot work and I thought I was going to get a canter as she gave a little jump up into one of the trot transitions!! Came off the circle and opened her up down the long side (just to make Gi run hehehe ) and she trotted out beautifully *big grin*

Undid the line and we did some nice big shapes, circles, changes of rein and halt walk transitions with Gi staying reasonably close. Will definitely progress to trot next time too as she actually felt better off the line than on.

After B had had a lovely stretchy walk to finish the schooling session we made our way back to the gate and as she felt so good I thought what the hell and decided to stay on board for the walk back down the lane to the yard

B was a little hesitant but going forwards - she sort of creeps like a cat vereee, vereee carefully when she's worried about what's ahead, but she was willingly taking me forwards without any leg aids, so we continued. Good halt as we turned into the lane proper and stopped to check for cars and then down the lane we pootled, having a good look at the killer bush, the car with the cover on it, past the barky dog, and all to the accompaniment of whinnies from her oldy mates Cossack and Polly from the 20 acre who are in the front paddock at the yard for a bit and who could hear her coming, bless.

I hopped off as we got to the yard entrance as she's madly in season and Cossack was trumpeting away at his young lady...better to be safe than sorry, although in the end she barely flicked an ear at the old codger Lol!!

Clever girlie and here's a video to show just how clever!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tC_UnmIWwzc

Backing Bailarina

2010-05-31T21:12:00.000+01:00

BIG Baby Step!!

2010-05-31T19:48:00.004+01:00

Well we did it!! And what a superstar Bally was. All the prep work we've been doing over the last 12 months paid off and B took to her first ridden experience like a duck to water.

Picked a ridiculously windy day, but hey-ho, we never let weather dictate what we're going to do...well unless it's absolutely peeing it down lol!

As you can see B was a superstar!

http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/LarriDB/Backing%20Bally/

Today was if anything even better!!

Jen came with me for ground support and we started the session same as we did before, up to the mounting block, correct any movement, wait till she's standing and lean over. Got Jen to lead us a few steps and then slid off and walked her back to the block.
Then I got on her properly and slowly sat up, let her get used to the weight again and then off we went into the school with her on the lunge line - this time I'd attached stirrups..although they were set at "potentially whizzy baby" length - i.e not far off a jockeys ;-)

After we'd done a circuit each way I then asked for some big circles and changed the rein across the diagonal each way. Bally was really attentive and getting the turning aids clear so I asked Jen to let us loose, but still walk near us and so we went SOLO !!!

Bally was just fab, she'd got the idea of the steering from the long lining and working into the outside rein from the inhand work. She was fine with me giving seat and leg aids to turn, so it all flowed really beautifully :-D We used the whole school and lots of changes of rein and circles with odd halt walk transitions thrown in, she stretched down when I asked her to and gave no resistance when I collected the reins back....so.....

I asked Jen to pop her on the line again just to be safe, went onto a 20 metre circle at B and asked Bally to trot on...which she did and she was lovely!! Bit wobbly to start, but we soon found a nice rhythm so did a couple of circles, came down to walk, changed the rein and did the same on the right, her transitions were great each way

Asked her to stretch and let her walk off on a long rein to finish.

I'm still grinning...although my hips and thighs are a bit ooyah lol!

**Edit**
Just noticed that the skinny blog interface cuts the right hand side of the video off grrrrr

Link to the whole thing is now in a seperate post.

Back in Business....2...

2010-05-29T13:50:00.002+01:00

Have had another fabby couple of days with Bally, she's settled right down in the new surroundings and was a superstar in the school on Thursday night. Had to share it again with a rather naughty horse who was giving his rider a bit of a tough time...I'd liked to have given her some pointers about how she was blocking him and maybe contributing to some of the problems she was experiencing but didn't know her from Adam ...felt a bit mean tbh, but was worried she might be offended if I marched up and said things - It's hard when you're the new girl

Any way we just went over our lunging and inhand work and B was attentive, soft and willing (although she still had a couple of cheeky yeehaa's). Where she'd been quite resistant in the close inhand work the time before, this time she was really trying and the steps just flowed
Giravolta then change the bend out to half pass onto the fence and change again to shoulder in along tjhe fence line (which has caused her some bother before)....she gave me everything I asked for, what a good girl. I was grinning like a cheshire cat :-D

Paul the YO had given me a bit of eye rolling before, because I'd asked if it was ok if I lunged / did inhand stuff in the big school rather than the lunge pen because I need the straight lines and freedom of the big school to school her properly...he was very "oh right you know how to lunge then" (he's actually a very highly qualified and experienced horseman) and I was a bit ...well actually...um...yes ;-)
Well he came over to the school whilst I was working B and saw her in action and gave us a nod and a wink, then asked when I was going to stop fannying around and just get on her

Answer my friends is very soon .....hope to have news on that front shortly

Last night we went and had a lovely long line hack. I tacked her up and led Bally out of the yard as we had to negotiate the path with the scary roller and harrow just lying in wait to eat her, the lunge pen and walk past the field with the mental gelding before we got to the bridleway. Mental gelding went yippeee-i-yay as we went past, so that was a good call to lead her first!!

Popped the longlines on and off we went...for a whole hour, for the first time in ages and down a path that B's only ever been on part of once...going the other way!! She was just brilliant, happily took the lead and was mindful of my steering requests, we did a fair few transitions and had a trot and she was happily powering along in my hand doing everything like an old pro!!
I was so pleased with her
One minor wibble as we approached some industrial units, so rather than let her get wound up I hitched the reins up and just took the lead to help her past the scary bit, no fuss or drama and a good lesson learnt... then put her back in front on the lines and on we walked up the lane and back onto the yard.

I was absolutely thrilled to bits with how brave and forwards and willing she was - superstar girly

It's nearly a year since Beautiful Bally came into my life and she's made fab progress at a pace that's suited both of us...hopefully I'll be able to back her soon and it's onwards and upwards from there.

Back in Business....

2010-05-29T13:44:00.002+01:00

Sorry ......I have been hugely naughty in not updating the blog, but in my defence I have been a bit preoccupied with life.

It's been an odd couple of months really, major family crisis, getting Ardiente, losing Merlin, Bally been off work with her sore back, then a growth spurt, then teething and then her popping a splint - there was also the sadness over Little Dee.....

As I'd been getting on so well with Dee and tbh fallen completely in love with her I decided to get my own vet Andre (the guy that saw me through poor Safi's nightmare from start to finish and that I trust implicitly when it comes to legs!) to give me a third and final opinion on her forelegs - after much walking and trotting up the road and a gold star for behaviour from Uncle Andre he gave me the devastating news that he wouldn't even want to pass Dee as a prospective light hack. In his opinion because of her extravagant movement and the carpal deviations from her knees and fetlocks she'd not stay sound (although she's completely sound and not shown a hint of lameness to date) and would certainly not be able to cope with the level of work I'd want to be doing.
He was hugely sympathetic as he remarked on what a fabulous natured and super little filly she was, but he said I really didn't need to potentially be putting myself through more worry after the nightmare of Saf.
Had a long chat with her owner Steph and we decided she could stay with me indefinitely on a livery basis and we'll just let her grow up slowly without pressure and see how she gets on. She's such a plucky little fighter I just can't help feeling sure she'll come right in the end

So what have we actually been up to......

Still done a bit of pootling about with Bally although cut right back over the last few weeks as she had a small splint come up (ARGH!!!!) I'm stuffing her full of comfrey and also rubbing comfrey oil on it directly, so hopefully it'll reduce itself down in time. She's not at all sore on it - in fact it seemed to come up overnight cold and hard and hasn't given her a hint of bother...me just paranoid about legs....

We've just moved the entire herd from the 20 acre up to the yard so that the farmer can do some maintenance...it was a bit like the travelling circus :-D
The oldies Polly & Cossack went first, then two of the yard staff took Bonita and an hour later Gi and I along with three yard girls took Bally, Dee and the lovely new 2 yr old gelding up the lane - it's 1.5 miles and the big country house we pass on the way had an open garden day so quite a few cars.

Bally and I led the way as she's been up and down the lane loads so we hoped we could rely on her being sensible (hahaha) followed by Dee with new boy bringing up the rear. There were a couple of moments of skittery baby OMG from Dee & NB as cars went past, so I took Dee instead of Bally and she settled down, after five minutes she was like an old pro not batting an eye at anything driving past
Once we'd got them onto the yard they were all happily reunited and hooned around their new, much smaller home for the time being.

Great thing about being on the yard is that I can use the 20 x 60 school onsite without a 3 mile round walk .. So Bally and I have been in there nearly every night.

First time she had the horrors even walking up there - new place, new noises, lots of reverting back to refusing to move. Got her in there eventually and just led her round, tried a bit of lunging which was ok...but as I'd managed to lose half of my lunge whip not great and then some very unsuccessful close in hand work (leapy jumpy tense spinning hoohah a plenty) So just eased off the pressure and walked around in hand doing basic shapes and halt walk halt transitions.

Second night was much better, still a bit hesitant coming up onto the yard, but went to the school and worked whilst another girl was cantering her pony around - B was super fine about that and didn't bother when she left (the great benefit of always working on her own)

Got some really good focussed lunge work out of her - 10 metre circles in walk and straight between the markers, good half halts, halts and transitions (with a couple of reminders about what halt means when she suddenly went deaf) Got some nice steps of big trot- after a couple of yeehaaaa whoopee responses to me asking lol
Finished off with ten minutes of long lining to check our steering which was terrible after so long, but she was soft to the contact, not yawing or pulling which was good and we had a nice play with changes of rein and circles and finished with that as she was really trying hard.

Next update to follow....

I am SO Naughty!

2010-04-18T21:22:00.002+01:00

Poor Bally has been working her socks off in preparation for backing her shortly and I've not been on here to brag about it...very remiss of me! In my defence I was ill for nearly three weeks, but it affected my throat not my fingers lol!!

Her work is coming on well, she's in hand hacking out here, there and everywhere and doing brilliantly - doesn't bother at all with any of the traffic. She still has the odd stop and look, but she's done it since the day she arrived, so it's obviously her thing...we can work round it :-)

Her inhand classical work is good - she does prefer me to hold the rein a little longer than is the norm, but either my contact is steadier that way or it's more comfortable for her. Lunging is good and her long reining coming on nicely - would help to have a school for figure work though.

We've been regularly picking Bally up in the box from the field and driving her home then I'll walk her back round the variety of bridleways we have - hopefully she'll be a dab hand at hacking once I get on!

That's been put back a bit - she seems to be growing like a weed and looks very lean and lanky all of a sudden - Can't shovel too much food in her because of the grass coming through so she looks like a gangly baby again bless her.

Today Bally went to her very first party - just a little local RC show, but always really well attended. Everything is nicely spread out though so not too overwhelming for a newbie. Well she was just amazing, stepped off the box and strutted around the showground like she'd been doing it all her life! She was happy to stand around and watch, had horses warming up around and past her, stood and watched some jumping and some carriage trial driving. She had a ball and loved every minute

I sneaked her into the lovely new indoor dressage arena they have there and she wasn't bothered - we practised running up to prepare us for indoor shows - she was foot perfect but oh god do I need to get fit!!

Even when I popped her back on the box after we'd seen everything and had a good mooch she happily popped on and stood and munched her haylage - I can't WAIT to start doing this for real with her - we had so many admiring glances!

Gi took loads of fantastic pictures which are all on this album http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee15/LarriDB/Bailarinas%20first%20party/ way too many to post them all on here :-D

As well as having a fab time with Bally, Dee's been a poppet as always - had a funny Kevin the teenager moment last week, but they've all been a bit wheyhey with Spring fever - she does a very funny line in head shaking foot stomping I shan't - cracked me up completely!
She has also developed a great line in hippo impersonation - she actually gets right in the watering hole and rolls - plastering herself in wet mud, filthy little Moo!! Mind you once the mud is scraped off she's got the most unusual coat colour whilst she's shedding - her head and legs are black, her neck and shoulders are grizzled reddy brown and her back and quarters are white with red flecks and a black dorsal stripe - from a distance she looks like a blanket spot Appaloosa - I call her my little appa-luso ;-)

Anyway I'm promising faithfully to keep up with the blog from now on :-D

Oh and before I forget........in other news........ I bought a 3/4 bred Andalusian Colt yesterday.......... :-o

Playing catch up

2010-03-07T18:48:00.003Z

Sorry! We have been working honest, I've just been rubbish at blogging lol!

After going to the Heather Moffett clinic last weekend I have been fired with enthusiasm and I'm itching to ride....whoa there lady ;-) Even watching the ridden work gave me loads of stuff to work on with B and really helped get some contact issues clear in my mind which will come in very handy once B is backed

During the week we've had a couple of inhand / lunging sessions with much more emphasis on working from the bit and learning feel and contact. We start by having a little play at gentle flexions to make sure B is soft in her jaw and relaxed about the whole thing and then work on a circle asking for a little inside bend (and me constantly reminding myself to use the outside rein!)
We're now getting a nice transition from straight on the circle to leg yielding and shoulder in. I picked up the importance of slowing this lateral work right down, so that each step is precise, with energy and really doing some good by mobilising her shoulders and inside hind leg making her use herself correctly. We only manage a few steps at a time and even now we still get in the occasional muddle, but all in all I'm pleased with our progess.

Yesterday we ventured off out on a lovely long hack - one of those quick walks that just kept going because we were going so well! Bally was a bit looky, but I think she always will be when faced with something new - we just have to work on seeing as much new stuff as possible! Only slightly eek moment was getting over the bridge past the big duck pond. This is a congregating point for people to fed the ducks, geese and swans and you can imagine the racket! We had a lot of stop start dragon snorting and B went to whip round but I was more than ready for her, gave her a sharp correction and immediately asked for a back step then lowered her head and gave her loads of praise. As the road itself was quiet I let her stand for a minute just to look and then tweaked the lead for forwards and got it so on we went albeit a little shakily.

We ended up going all the way down the Easton road to the main road through the village itself, and walked along it til we got to the pub and then up the bridleway to make a circuit of about two miles

Bally was absolutely brilliant in the traffic, never turned a hair as we had cars in both directions, some slower than others, but all giving us a nice wide berth - I was almost hoarse from thanking people (daft I know but I always say it even to people cocooned in their cars)
Back to the field both tired but happy :-) I untacked B and popped some Hi Viz gear and the rope halter on Little Dee just for a pootle up the lane to the house - about 100 yards.

Well its always humbling to see your "lead anywhere" filly suddenly showing holes in all your training when the situation is different!

First thing I noticed is just how enormous her walk is for such a diddy little 'un - her stride is miles bigger than Bally's :-o, which then became a "er ..oh rude one, whilst it's wonderful that you are so bold, we do NOT got hoofing it up the road ahead of me" (well only when we progress to long lining lol!) A bit of a headshaking tussle ensued as she was enjoying herself far too much to appreciate the finer points of good manners and being told off, so Little Miss D got taken into the big layby and we had a five minute reminder of if I say stand I mean stand and back means back. No rope slapping or head beating here though eh Mrs Parelli, I can get control of an excited baby out in the open with voice commands and a bit of body language....maybe I should market that eh??

Back down the road and Dee was now responding to a half halt from a "uh huh" and stopping on a whistle and even when she had a little moment of forgetting herself - the BB and Bally galloping down the field alongside us was too much of a temptation, she immediately came back to a check and a voice cue. We then stood in the layby opposite the gate. I wanted her standing still and attentive, took a bit of work to keep those itchy baby feet still lol! But it didn't take long to have her standing nice and relaxed and then back in we went.
Really pleased with both my girls!

Went to the seaside today with my luffly Hubstar and Spud, walked miles along the beach blowing away the cobwebs...then had another wonderful session with the girlies...what a fantastic day ......will update tomorrow :-)

Reprise

2010-02-26T13:16:00.002Z

As ever not happy with myself and my own performance affecting B's on the inhand work we had a reprise last night to see if I could find some progress.
I brought both the girls in, put B in her bridle and rope halter (...never mentioned that she has completely outgrown the headcollar she came down to me in, proper grown up girlie now!) And left Dee in the corral with a pile of hay. As Bally and I ventured out into the field Dee came over to the gate once then happily went back to being enclosed on her own and ate her hay...now that's blummin progress!!

Gave B a few minutes circle work off the halter and then popped the reins onto the bit and tried again...Success!!
Not sure whether my attitude and feel were better or Bally was more accepting - probably a mixture, but things were much improved!! Although she was very mouthy to the contact it was a soft mouthing with a steady head and neck and I was easily able to direct her shoulders because everything was soft and flowing.
She was able to keep this feeling for a few minutes at a time, so got plenty of reward and praise. I found that standing further back than I had been seemed to help her and it was much easier to get a soft flexion of her neck. Must revisit my video of the session with Becky to check back what she was doing and compare positioning.
We even managed to get some really good slow sideways steps on each rein too *yay*

Let B have a good stretch out and then lengthened the reins and asked for two small circles on each rein with a fluid change of bend at a semi longlining distance...and got them as well!!!!

Stopped there as I was really pleased and I could see Bally was chuffed with herself too

One step at a time

2010-02-25T13:39:00.002Z

Bit of an up and down day yesterday. It was raining heavily so wanted to work Bally but leave her rug on...inhand was the perfect choice!

Once again B was generous enough to stand loose in the field whilst I popped her bridle and cavesson on :-D Dee most definitely wanted to get in on the act though and walked up bold as brass and started mouthing the whip and my reins

Led Bally out on to our flat and thankfully not too soggy schooling bit (with Dee still following closely behind! ) To start I'd attached my reins to the cavesson and passed them through the bit rings so she'd get a feel on the bit but not a direct contact. B was good, nicely forward and attentive and softening to pulses on the rein. Managed some passable inside flexion and a little leg yield on the circle Once we'd done about 15 minutes I thought I'd try a little close up long lining (me at hip / bum level) and got some really good circles and changes of direction from her...once or twice B thought about pulling away but as she was on the cavesson I could give a firmer "no!!" on the outside rein, release it and immediately bring the inside rein out and fowards to put her on a circle so she wasn't going anywhere *whistle*

Once I'd had another couple of good circles and 8's I gave her a good stretch and a break whilst I put the reins directly on the bit for a very short..this is OK it won't hurt you..session.
Straight away she was tenser and fussier as I asked her to walk on, so we had a minute or two of standing and me just gently vibrating the bit ring until she relaxed her jaw, then releasing as a reward. Went back to a few minutes of work from the bit...defintely a very slow work in progress as she remained unsettled. I have to be very, VERY careful not to fix my hand against her tension - I caught myself a couple of times - very bad habit. Bally made her displeasure instantly clear and threw her head about. She also felt a lot heavier on her inside shoulder throughout the bitted work than she does on the cavesson - definitely not working with me. As this is such an imperative stage of her training I will taking this contact issue very slowly and may well back her bitless...we'll see how we get on over the next six weeks or so.

Whilst pondering this we suddenly had a lot of commotion, bored by wandering around Dee and the BB decided to play.....so took off and galloped right past us :-o
Bally - understandably upset by this had a bit of a tap dance, I dropped the rein contact and held the cavesson and the front of her rug and brought her straight onto a small circle again. She did really well not to lose the plot as the naughty pair of so & so's then span round and galloped right back at us, wheeling around and bucking as they went past!!!!
Thankfully they galloped off again and although I attached the reins to the cavesson (taking no chances) I couldn't get any softness and Bally remained in giraffe mode :-( I worked for a couple more minutes until I at least had some semblance of attention and then stopped and led her in.

But...on the positive side she coped with a major distraction and I was able to keep her with me....so there is some benefit to working in the field with naughty babies - between Dee, the BB and football matches working in at dressage should be a breeze

D-Day

2010-02-23T13:22:00.003Z

Sunday was a Dee day!

I led her in from the field through a couple of streams and a monster puddle - this little filly leads better than any other youngster I've ever known...although under pressure she can be as "get awaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!" as the best of them lol!
In to the corral and all good, no panic from her as she realised she was in on her own without Bally....well until Bally and BB had a squealing faceoff at the gate and both beggared off up the field at high speed a bucking and a farting all the way *sigh* She went to pull away, gave me a headshake and brought her forelegs off the ground when she met with firm resistance, to which I just verbally reprimanded her and backed her up, then asked her forwards....calm and good manners restored!

I wanted to do some very baby basic circle / start of distance work with a bit of desensitisation thrown in. We were staying in the corral for safety!

Started with basic leading and checking we had a good reaction to following my body language / vocal cue to make turns in and away, halting and backing. Then I just asked for the same work but about 5 ft away from her and she seemed to pick it up really well...until she had a big nap over towards the gate - we had a repeat of her earlier frustration when I stopped her and treated it the same way...and I moved her even further away from the gate lol!

We then moved on to standing still and increasing my distance away from her, it took a few goes for her to pick up what I wanted. Each move forwards was dealt with by me simply backing her straight back to where I'd put her...no commands, but a "good girl" only when she was stationary.

I then played with touching her all over with the line - she's already excellent at being touched all over now (far, far better with her poll and ears than she was yay!!), tolerates leg straps and is happy being brushed everywhere you can run a brush ;-) so we didn't have too much of an issue with this. Then I introduced the lunge whip....ooooh now that was scary!

I tied the lash up and first of all let her sniff it and moved it around in front and to the side of her - she was watchful, but not too concerned, so standing to the side I rested it on her back...

And wheeeeee off she went!

I just asked her to steady and stand and as soon as she did I lifted the whip, after a couple of repeats I was able to stroke the whip along her back and down her legs with her attention on it, but standing still. I repeated this from the other side and straight away she accepted me touching her with it.

I gave her a little break at this point and let her off the lead for a munch on her haynet.

Back to work and she happily let me touch her with the whip again and even stood as I stroked it up her neck. She ducked her head as I brought it over her ears (going by her reaction to being touched here initially I expected fireworks!) and as I just repeated it slowly and quietly she lowered her head and accepted it! Lots of praise and scratches for being such a good girl.
I upped the ante at this point and unfurled the lash and just had a play wiggling it about and draping it over Dee. She had a scoot twice, but again just waited until she stopped, praised and lifted the pressure.

I ended up being able to gently wave it about over our heads with no reaction...couldn't really ask for much more than that so called it a day!

At this stage I'll probably only do one work / play session a week with Dee. Mainly desensitisation stuff - making sure leading is absolutely 100% over, under and through things and have the odd wander up the lane. This is on top of being led in every day and having her feet / rugs etc done. Plenty enough for baby!

Working and Walking out

2010-02-20T20:01:00.006Z

Couple of days to catch up on.....

Friday - lunging!

I had thought I'd have to go right back to the start again with Bally and the lunging, but should have known she's far too smart for that *rolleyes*
Led her in with no shenanigans, tacked her up and out into the field we went. Started with a nice marching walk on a large circle and then using the whip and my position in relation to hers added small circles, straight lines and corners (have to use my imagination as to where the markers would be...not many to hand out in the wild yonder of this field lol) Bally was like an old pro and did everything on the button Yay!!

On to transitions and half halts and as usual her left rein were sharper than her right, so she had a couple of corrections on the rein to remind her that halt means halt, not slowly creep another five steps and turn in!
Nicely warmed up I popped the running reins on (again very loose and not holding her anywhere, just for the feel of the rein on the bit) and we did some trot work, mirroring what we'd done in the walk, well again she was fabby. Great on her easy left rein... A bit rushed on the right so I added the half halts and smaller circles almost straight away to get her think and it worked a treat :-)

Finished off with some nice long stretchy walk work and then did a quick couple of minutes in hand work off the cavesson. Got some really really brilliant leg yield, just five or six steps on the circle, but she was so soft and flowing I was just *yahoo!!!!!*

BTW Dee wandered over and got in the way a few times, but obviously decided that B could do all the work Lol ;-)

On to today and I took Bally out for a lovely hack

First off I had to say hello to a very sleepy Little Dee

Like Bally she had no problem with me coming up and saying hello for a scratch whilst she snoozed in the sun...I am blessed with the looking after the loveliest girls!!

Anyway Bally and I wandered in and I tacked her up with her hacking tack...saddle, bridle and loads and loads of fluorescent gubbins. She didn't bat an eye at having her saddle on (first time in..yonks!) Popped her rope halter and long line on and off we went.

Much, much more forwards - yet far calmer this time, we went up the lane again. One moment of absolute heart failure on Bally's part about five minutes in. There are some beautifully landscaped fishing lakes across the lane from us and B took enormous exception to a chap sitting in his chair about fifty feet away completely minding his own business...this caused a full on, anchor slam giraffe necked dragon snorting meltdown
I had to coax her past as she did her very best Ayrab impression PMSL
On we went once calm was restored, we met cars coming both ways and were managing to just completely ignore them and keep walking which is a big step I think
We turned and went up the hill towards the yard, past some big signs advertising the garden opening (approach, sniff, click, treat *big Grin*) she saw horses in the distance and stayed calm and with me, she said hello to some decorative boulders..but had to be persuaded as they were obviously out to get her .....

She even paid no attention to a couple flying a model airplane that was buzzing around in the sky above her. She looked at it a few times as it swooped about and just walked on unconcerned

We turned around after about 20 minutes and made our way back down the hill uneventfully

Here's gorgeous girl back on the lane approaching home

And this one really brings home why it's imperative to wear fluoro gear - this was lunchtime on a bright winters day.....in a car you'd barely see her next to the trees until it was too late :-$

A little lunging

2010-02-18T13:53:00.000Z

In hand and lunging session last night...in the field (I obviously haven't learnt my lesson yet)

Tacked Bally up in the field rather than drag her through the muddy gateway - totally fine with her bridle - she was standing completely loose so could have left at any point in the proceedings

I worked from reins on her portuguese cavesson and she was fabby - flexing, soft and very much with me. I was really pleased with this. We even had a little play at leg yield both on a circle and straight and she had a lovely try. I only asked for a few steps then clicked and treated but I'm sure we can build this up!
On to the lunging and It was just a short session to re-establish working on a line in the field with her calm, steady and listening. Well she didn't put a hoof wrong !!!! All her transitions were soft and she had a lovely forwards seeking the contact frame. We could have done with a touch more energy to get her to actually work herself, but for this session I was keeping everything quite deliberately steady.

I popped some running reins on for a couple of circuits each way just so she could feel the weight of the rein on her mouth and again she was quiet and accepting, mouthing gently as she got the feel on her mouth, but no hint of panic or soreness..yay!!

What did make me chuckle was the fact that Little Dee obviously felt she was missing out on all the fun, so she wandered over to us then tucked herself in behind Bally and followed her around the circle
Then she came over to the middle to say hello so I sent her out and she just followed B round again...if she keeps this up she'll be ready made at three! :-)

All done - I was really pleased with how well the session had gone so untacked B and gave the girls their evening feed. Once they were done I opened the gate and went to lead them out well the BB charged through the gate into the corral and set about winding Bally & Dee up to the point I had three of them galloping about, making great divots and skids in the grass, refusing to be herded out the gate ARGH!!
Eventually got both my girls out (they were actually quite meek about it once I caught them) but that Bloody Buckskin refused point blank to let me near and kept up a wall of death gallop around and around. I resorted to propping the gate open and waving a longline and cracking my lungewhip at her in the end :-o
Not my favourite pony at the moment!!

Wandering

2010-02-15T13:23:00.002Z

Roped in Superhubby as chief car watcher yesterday so I could take Bally for her first in hand hack from the new field. Just wanted an extra pair of hands on the ground as it had been quite a long time since her last hack, out down a new road...and she'd still been a bit flustered about cars approaching her when we were working last year - since she time the idiot woman nearly skidded into us (grrr!)

She came in OK, planted in the gateway as she realised Dee wasn't coming in...so dinner wasn't immediately in the offing! Bit of nifty feet moving and we were in.
Tied B up with haynet and got all the gear out (we have fluorescent EVERYthing) along with the clicker bag - specifically to help with the bridling...but Bally was really good, held her head a touch high but lowered it when asked and then accepted the bit without too much asking, no hint of panic this time thank goodness!

All togged up and off we went, plan was just to go to the end of the lane and back. Good start - we hadn't gone 50 yards before a lovely chap in a white van with ladders on the roof came round the corner, he pulled right in for us and I just kept Bally walking and although a little looky, she didn't try to speed up..yay!

She was on high alert though and wouldn't take food reward after clicking, always a sign she's finding what we are doing challenging. So I worked on keeping her calm, letting her have a look at things and praising quiet behaviour.

Passed by another couple of cars and again B was great, a look nothing more :-)

Got to the end of the lane and she could see a couple of horses hacking out up on the horizon which made her go into I'm not listening la-la giraffe mode, so as I had the opportunity and the coast was clear I asked for head lowering and feet moving to get her attention back on the task in hand - it did take a minute or two which is a bit concerning when we were by the side of a road - we won't always have that luxury! So long as I always keep my approach exactly the same when she does this (calm, low energy and focussed on what I want) then I'm sure we'll be able to keep a lid on her sometimes OTT reactions.
She'll be coming across lots of new scary situations again this year and I want to make each one a good learning experience, not a stressful one. I would use the clicker - and always try to, but I don't think she'll let me in those situations where we need it the most (just a bit frustrating!)...well time and lots more practice with it at home will help I hope!

Anyway around we turned once order had been restored and we walked and trotted back up the road, passing another car, all good - we even got up close and personal with a wheelie bin (good associations - I keep my chaff in one so as far as B is concerned they are full of goodies not monsters!)
On past the field and back down the lane to the gate where B did really well to contain herself as B B, Bonita and Little Dee all bucked and yee-haa'd and larked about as we came by.
Plan is to take her out for a wander at least twice, if not three times a week gradually building up the distance as it gets lighter in the evenings and exploring new routes, so that as soon as it's time to back her there'll be no surprises about where we're going :-)

....Followed by some Lows and Highs!

2010-02-13T18:51:00.004Z

Designated today as a spook busting training day for Bally!

Idea came to me as when I arrived at the field this morning they were just starting a football training session - it was the very littles - about 5-6 years old, so lots of running around and squealing and yelling (and that was just the coaches ...pmsl)

The girls led in just fine, tied up on the fence at the back of the goal they were using and contentedly munched away with the occasional head lift to check out the entertainment over the fence! Superstar ponies!

Obviously as crowd training going so well I had to up the ante slightly so planned a fun session for this afternoon, incorporating clicker work.

It didn't start very well :-(

Brought Bally in and she was hyped as soon as she realised she was in and Dee wasn't. So even walking her from the gate to the barn she was tense. I just insisted on forwards thinking every time she stopped and thought backwards... so keeping her feet moving, asking her to lower her head and getting attention and focus...well I got her up to the barn and tied up with a haynet.
I'd already decided to go back to the way we'd been working before the break - bridle on every session whether it's going to be used or not, and I felt it was quite important to tackle this asap as I thought she might be a bit hesitant about it after what happened on Tuesday.

A bit hesitant doesn't even come close........as soon as I lifted it towards her she reared and span, snapping the metal clasp on her rope and the top spar of the gate she was tied to.

Major issue to get round! I let her run herself down in the corral and just waited till she became calmer, got my long line, caught her and brought her back round to the barn.

.....And got the clicker straight out to work on changing her focus....

B worked really well through each step - bridle in front of her, stay standing....touch it with her nose....let me lift it and touch her, let me hold it close and touch her ears..then her mouth, right through in about 20 minutes to letting me put it on.

Phew!

Then with me working from a long line on her rope halter we just had a nice easy walk around the paddock working on halts, turning, backing etc on a nice loose lead...easy peasy stuff to build her confidence and trust back up.

Bally was back to her lovely sunny self now so I thought I'd give her a challenge and do some clicker work with spooky things like crinkly noisy flappy plastic food sacks to get her thinking and working out what behaviours to offer to get her reward.

We had the best session EVER! It really was the first time I think I really, truly realised the potential of the clicker with a horse of her nature - Bally is so sensitive and reactive and this makes her stop and think and most important of all try to figure out what to do rather than just slam the anchors on or run.

First off I dragged the sacks out, spread them around the corral and worked on clicking for her approaching and touching, and wasn't long before she was moving them about with her nose and merrily walking past, then onto and over them, and finally wearing them as I upped the ante to get the treat.

Bally was having a ball, completely relaxed and working so hard, so as I had about 15 treats left I got my pop up umbrella out and we worked through touching it closed, standing still and watching it open, walking with me carrying it up and finally letting me move it in an arc from in front of her, over head and back down to in front of her with her quietly standing head lowered and watching it.

I was running out of treats so stopped, used the last couple to get her bridle off quietly and calmly then gave her a jackpot (...her dinner) and taking the bumbag off ended the session there!
Bless her she really wanted to work and she worked so hard, but seemed to enjoy it tremendously...I know I did :-)

More Highs and Lows

2010-02-11T09:23:00.003Z

I checked Bally thoroughly yesterday morning, she wouldn't come over to me and my heart sank, but she let me approach her and pop her headcollar on, then led in nicely and tucked into her breakfast whilst I looked her over and she was fine, thank goodness!

I know everyone will think I am completely mad, but last night when I went up I put on her rope halter and a lunge line and walked her out to the spot in the field where we'd had the accident and asked her to work with me

She was very tense, not helped by Dee and the bloody buckskin (as it will henceforth be known) charging about bucking and kicking and generally looning around. But I felt it was crucial to have some attentive, quiet compliance out there. To know that I can get and hold her attention with distractions around, get her to listen and to remain or become calm even when she's on high alert and ready to run.

We did it!!!!!

I just worked on some head lowering, asking her to back on a light aid, using the rope to yield her quarters and then asking her to walk on a circle...
I'll be honest it took quite a bit of doing - B was very tense and nervy to start, but by keeping my energy very low and keeping my focus on exactly what I wanted from her - keeping my asks very, very small and quiet...making sure everything was an ask not a pressure inducing demand we built up to it and after ten minutes work I was able to get her to walk, trot and halt with her relaxed and stretching and feeling like she was happily with me.

We then had a lovely loose lead wander back across to the corral where the others were and she had a groom and her tea. I was so pleased with her for trying so hard and beating her demons

It would have been a lovely end to the day ....But, well as this week seems determined to be as crappy as possible, I then proceeded to have a car accident on an icy road when I was going to take my Daughter and Granddaughter shopping. Lost control on a hill where several cars had already left the road - one badly wrapped around a tree, and went into the back of someone.

If I wasn't already suffering because of being trampled and dragged on Tuesday I am now. I'm aching all over and feeling very stiff and fed up!!

And what comes after pride....

2010-02-09T20:57:00.002Z

A bloody crashing great fall.

As I said on FB I'm not sure what's broken the most, my confidence, Bally's trust in me, my thumb, my groin or my bloody Bvlgari glasses, but all are dented in a major fashion.

So what happened today? To be honest I'm not sure why it all went so catastrophically wrong today, over confidence, bad timing, no planning and poor judgement I guess.

Anyway I decided to re-introduce a little long lining for Bally and brought her in - she was a touch spooky, jumped and pulled back when she caught sight of her gear hung over the barn post (helloooooo clue number 1!!!)
I moved her feet to the side and asked for forwards and she walked in no problem, tucked into a haynet whilst I brushed and tacked her up. I did a bit of inhand work with her and she was fine, then proceeded to lead then long line her around the corral and as it was going so well thought she could do 10 minutes around the edge of the field (Yes in a field with 5 other loose horses *rolleyes* )
We started off fine Bally was nicely forwards and watching for my rein and body cues to keep her on track, I was feeling quite chuffed we pootled along. I asked for some halt transitions and she was quite antsy and a bit head tossy, not halting from my voice at all, so I brought her onto a circle, made it smaller and halted her off the head collar then asked for some backwards steps

All good again and on we went, a bit of a moment when the buckskin filly came screaming up the field, bucking and whinnying. I just halted B after a bit of a tap dance from her being a bit dithery and once filly cleared off, asked B to walk on.

Now as I was longlining from my lunge lines I had them dragging out behind me and what I'm pretty sure happened was that Buckskin filly had wheeled round, caught sight of the lines and started following...then trod hard on one and caught it...Bally still moving forwards got socked in the mouth and exploded!
She jumped and rammed her head down, pulling me off balance, then in a split second leapt, kicked out and span back towards me. She hit me as I was trying to get out of the way and the pair of us got tangled in the lines. I'd hit the dirt by this point shoulder first then got pulled onto my back as my right hand and I think my leg too was caught in the line so I got pulled. Completely tangled up - she'd even got one of the lines in her mouth :'-( Bally had tumbled over too and as I tried to get up she was flailing around on her back. I admit screaming and bursting into tears at this point.
I managed to scramble up and got over to her as she managed to find her feet and get up. The pair of us were shaking from head to foot. Bless her Bally stood stock still as I felt over her legs and untangled and completely untacked her where we stood. Thankfully she just seemed shaken, no rope burns from the line. I'm sure she'll be sore tomorrow (I'll pop her a Danilon in her breakfast) and I hate to think how long it'll be before she'll happily accept a bit again.
So there we go what a, excuse my language, fecking disaster.

After several Ibuprofen, wine, a hot bath and comfort food courtesy of my lovely husband, I'm sporting a wrenched shoulder and groin and a very bruised right hand and swollen thumb...oh and a completely snapped pair of glasses

Serves me right for my stupidity.

Tipping the balance

2010-02-08T20:52:00.003Z

So What did Diddy Dee Dee get up to yesterday?

Well I did mention that whilst Bally was having kittens over approaching the screaming hordes to come in Dee was merrily wandering along the fence line sticking her head over to say hello to people!

She's a proper monkey and doesn't seem fazed by much...except being manhandled by male vets, or being in a stable (and I can safely state that on the two occasions I've experienced her being manhandled by male vets IN a stable has just about seen WW3 breaking out...it was um hairy to say the least!) She has an absolutely super sweet nature, but like all youngsters by golly lets you know when she isn't happy...usually by going straight over or straight through you :-o

So we've been gently working on things she not keen on, using advance and retreat and the old calm, patient persistence with lots of reward for tries on her part.

Having seen her going vertical over having her head touched (she had a nasty cut on her forehead when she was younger that needed vet attention....you can imagine the rest!!) I can now pop her headcollar on and off over her ears like a bridle, touch all over her head, stroke her ears and I'm just working on being able to stroke around her mouth with the intended goal of being able to check in her mouth with her remaining happy and relaxed about it. She's absolutely fine to be stroked, brushed and scratched everywhere else, even notoriously tickly bits!

Other things I'm working on are her being happy about going into enclosed spaces...which now means I can't keep her OUT of the feed room lol! Tying up and remaining standing without trying to tie herself in knots (she's now tied up every feed and we've progressed to tying up and then bringing the feed out and remaining tied when she's finished...although this is definitely a work in progress.
We also need lots of practice at being foot perfect about hoof picking out and trimming.....So every day I pick her feet out and every weekend I "do" her feet - holding them up for longer at trimming height, holding her legs between my legs and resting her hooves up on my knees and using my rasp. I'm hopeful that when Ellie comes back in six weeks she'll notice a massive difference in Dee's ability to cope with all the palaver!
Her leading manners are excellent - I can walk , trot and reinback with minimal aiding, she's cracking the turn away whilst walking & trotting and she's 100% good to catch (helps in our situation!!)

So yesterday afternoon after Bally had been out on her road trip, I brought both girls in and tied them up opposite each other - Dee in the open barn (with the gate /bar across) and Bally on the fence by the road (good for getting her used to cars going swooshing past...I pretty much don't do anything without finding a training benefit / angle these days lol!!)
Then I gave them their dinner and a small haynet. Once Dee had finished her feed and was tucking into her haynet I started her trim practice....without thinking I went for her left fore first as it was closest (she's had a previous injury on this leg and can be a little sticky with it). Well she snapped it up and let me hold it, but as I put it down and changed to face the front then lifted it up onto my knee she went vertical and came down on top of the bar :-o So she was stuck - left foreleg over it and right just about on the ground with all her weight on the ominously creaking gate...eeek!
Thankfully she was completely calm about the situation and stood stock still whilst I gently manouevered her leg off the bar......oh boy was that a scary moment! But I kept a lid on my panic as best I could and calmly and quietly moved her back and lifted her foot again. Ok this time thank goodness and I was able to finish when I wanted.

I was able to work round OK and only had one other sticky moment, right hind this time when she pulled it away and rather than pull it out and put it down in a loss of balance which is fine...she cow kicked - and this time she got a real growling at and I backed her up sharpish - that's one I won't tolerate!

Leading her out she was still a little antsy and pushy as I think she was quite rattled, and not "with" me, so I did some feet moving - forwards & back and asking her to move her quarters, then asking for a flex side to side and a head lower with gentle rhythmical asks, praising for each soft try...and bingo, my sweet natured happy little filly was back...and why? I think her loss of control and her sensing my panic subtly changed her perception of the balance in the relationship and this was enough to either upset and unsettled her or push her to challenge me....interesting thought!!

I let her loose and she was super relaxed about me removing the headcollar, so we had a scratchy session and I stroked her face and around her muzzle...good stuff!

Bloody Fantastic

2010-02-07T19:33:00.002Z

Oh what a brilliant day!!!

It was great to have such a positive start back into training schedule on Friday and Bally seems to be really happy to be back doing things to make her think...and there's always the huge amount of praise she keeps earning herself ;-)

So this morning was a perfect opportunity to start crowd training as the pitches in the corner of the field had three lots of matches on - Loads of lads running around playing, balls flying everywhere, flags fluttering and parents and coaches yelling their heads off....perfect!
Well Bally didn't think so to start.....
I opened the gate to the corral and called the girls whilst I made the morning feeds up. Now what happened was fascinating to watch. B herded the babies up and they started to make their way over, but then as she got closer to the crowds I could see her struggling, wanting to come in, but very wary of the noise.

I called again and she milled about obviously worried about coming in towards all the fuss and shouting. Now I must point out at this stage Dee had already made her way right up to the fence line not 10 feet from the pitch and made the acquaintance of a couple of little girls watching their brothers play, what a cheeky monkey!
I went out to give Bally a hand, popped her headcollar on and she led in pretty well, tense and wary, but happy for the offer of leadership.

Once she had her face in her bucket of breakfast she forgot all about the crowd, so I gradually moved her bucket around so she was nearer the fence and the pitches. She had the odd start as we were behind the goal and the ball flew around a couple of times, but happily went back to her food.
When she'd finished I walked her around by the fence and I could see her growing in confidence as I kept completely calm & quiet. Now came the really important part..keeping her focus on me with all the distractions and asking for some work at the same time. So we tried a couple of circuits of semi lunging, me walking with her on a long lead asking for her attention with half halts and halts. Then I halted her a few feet away from the fence and did a couple of direct rein disengaging her quarters moves..all done really well by Little Miss B!

I was really pleased with how well she was doing so led her along the fence line and out into the main field. Then after a couple of circuits in walk on a 15m circle with her again nicely attentive I halted her and let her off the lad but stayed where I was and stroked and scratched her, telling her very effusively what a brilliantly good girly I thought she was!!!
So there we were 10 ft from the fence with hordes of screaming boys and yelling parents, B completely at liberty to beggar off and she stood happily and calmly with me having a scratch and watching what was going on...blummin FANTASTIC!

Funnily enough all we'd actually got planned for today was a small trip out in Bessie Horsebus as it was two months since Bally had even seen the box on her trip up to the field and on top of that we had an incredibly useful training session!

So this afternoon Gi brought the box over and I caught B, walked out the gate and across the lane to the lay-by to see how she'd load. Well considering the time lapse and the fact that she'd pretty much fallen down the ramp last time when she was spooked by a car as she unloaded I think she did brilliantly. Nice and calmly I gave small asks with minimal pressure on the rope - just enough to ask rather than demand a movement, then release and praise for each try. It worked a treat and 5 minutes later with only one slight pull back, but no reversing, Bally walked up the ramp and on the box.

We just took her for a 10 minute drive down through the village and circled back to the field. She had a minor heart attack over the branches scraping the side of the box - almost went into tap dancing full on paddy mode the first time, but as I remained completely calm, she relaxed a little more each time it happened till it only garnered the response of a slight twitch and eye roll in the direction of the noise.
Bally managed really well considering the fact we were on very small bendy up and down lanes, she still feels the need to move her feet to keep her balance, but it's done quietly and deliberately with no panic and she'll learn to balance better with time and practice.

She was very careful backing down the ramp, I could feel her tension and again just kept my own energy level very low and quiet to give her confidence. She stepped off nice and steadily and with no drama...couldn't ask for any more :-)

I have an update on Little Dee too, but that can wait until tomorrow :-)

Back to Basics

2010-02-07T12:43:00.002Z

So, a little earlier than planned, but pleased to say that I've started gently working with Bally again.

Of course even during daily handling we are always learning (about manners and more importantly each other) but this is "work" with purpose and goals.

I've been reading an awful lot during the break and mulling things over - mainly about me, how I approach things, how the way I'm feeling, how I react and what I want from a session can make or break it. Generally I don't think I'm too far from where I want to be ....and more importantly Bally needs me to be - I think we have each other fairly well sussed now. But It's absolutely vital that I keep myself grounded, calm and clear in my vision every single session. And if I'm not then don't even start one. There is no race, no time limit and there is always another day.

For all her perceived bravado Bailarina is incredibly sensitive and in the new herd has a position of responsibility which doesn't always sit easy with her. It's an incredible feeling to realise that she looks to me to guide her - most humbling to have that trust and scary as hell to have the responsibility myself!

Anyway enough waffling about esoterics!

First lesson on Friday was just a re-introduction to her working tack. Bridle, rope halter or lunge cavesson a long line, in hand reins, pad and roller. All put on, played with and taken off without a hint of anxiousness. Settling with the bridle, cavesson, pad and roller I asked her on to a 12m circle around me at walk, being very mindful of keeping her attention, and keeping her from dropping her right shoulder and falling in (discovering my timing is pants in the process and needs sharpening up big time!!)

I popped in a couple of halt / walk transitions and asked for a gentle upwards transition to trot and back down after a couple of strides.
We had to work on the halt transition on the right rein as B appeared to have forgotten how to stop on a whistle (despite being foot perfect on her left rein lol!)

I wanted to move onto a very short close in-hand session, and started straight from a direct contact on the rein / bit as she was completely amenable to me asking for a small relax and flex directly (last year we finished with it being fingers on headcollar and bit)

She was super, steady in my hand with no head tossing. She stretched out and down when asked as a reward, Halted on the button, reinbacked as soon as I changed my weight and walked off smartly on command. We literally did two circuits of the corral with a circle on each rein and stopped as she'd been such a good girl!

Back to the barn and she stood (with only one attempt to wander) loose as I untacked her, so she remembers the ground tying...actually the fact that I do her feet and rug loose in the field already means she should have this task perfect!

I'm going to update a little later on today's sessions...both of them ;-)

It's great to be back!!

Being Big Sister!

2010-01-25T13:02:00.004Z

The girls were due for their trim and unfortunately Ellie could only do them on Sunday...issue is that the Footy ground in the corner of the field is invaded by hordes of screaming children and rowdy parents...will be great for crowd training, but not great for bringing Dee in for her first trim with me...and I think even Bally might have had an issue being in the corral right next to the mob.

We decided to do them out in the field, but as I was bringing the girls down to the gate B bit D on the bum, who then walloped into me, so B kicked out at D....who proceeded to completely flatten me this time. Reader I tried to hold on to the two upset gallivanting Luso's but at risk of actually having my arms dislocated I did let go of one and ended up with a very prancy Dee dancing around me whilst I'm flat on my arse in front of a crowd of people. (repeat to self I Love Horses..Hmph)
Order was restored as I managed to tow Dee back up the field as a slightly shamefaced Bally made her way back down towards me.
Did Bally's feet first and pleased to report she was an absolute Angel. Foot perfect and the couple of months off work hasn't caused any issues with an excess of flaring. Still a little patch of separation on her right fore, but it's a small stone that's been trapped not an infection, so it'll tighten up itself. It was funny, we just expected her to behave because she's the eldest and suddenly she does!
Dee...well all that practise picking up and holding up her feet counted for precisely zero, because she took exception to being asked by Ellie. I could make my kiss noise and touch her leg and up her foot came.. but she kept refusing to do it for her! Persistance and patience paid off, even with a couple of rears, one body slam into me (I'm thinking of investing in body armour) and one cow kick at Ellie as she gave her left hind back we got all four feet trimmed both in hand and on the stand and given back when Ellie decided not Dee.
I had been hoping she'd behave impeccably but as she's been antsy being handled by both the vets first time when she feels pressured, it was no great surprise. It was important to get the job done, but safely and with as little stress and as much praise as possible which we achieved in the end.

What did make me laugh was the fact that Bally stayed around us and on the couple of occasions when Dee was "naughty" Bally snaked in and threatened her - she was looking out for me and putting Dee in her place! Suddenly she's the grown up mature one!!

Ellie said in her opinion Dee's Carpal valgus was very mild and the deviation in her movement was minimal, certainly better that the other Luso she does and he's supposedly clean limbed. We just have to be very sharp to keep her lateral balance spot on to alleviate any twist as she places her forefeet. She did say that she thought she moved really nicely - very elegant and cadenced

So that's two trimmers and my own vet not being able to fathom why her legs are enough of an issue for Chris Harris to fail her...that along with Steph's assurances that if I buy her she will enter into a written agreement agreeing to buy her back and offer her a home for life if her legs mean she can't be ridden, well I haven't changed my mind just yet, but something tells me it might not be too long before a certain someones passport will be sent back for a change of ownership *whistles*

*Sensible head on* We'll see how this year pans out ;-)

Enough of all that - I decided for all our sakes to start the clicker work with Dee in earnest - she is completely food orientated and quick to learn so it will be a very useful tool for things like standing still / holding feet up and to re-introduce it to Bally as I want to use it in combination with her foray into ridden work.

Will report back on progress........

Photo Blog

2010-01-09T22:20:00.005Z

Got some lovely shots from the field today thanks to superhubby and thought I'd share them

The girls are either really pleased to see me...or really want their dinner Lol!!

Some nice head shots...well except mine being missing

Sharing a moment with Little Dee

Took this one for Clare, Bonita's owner...Showoff!!

Beautiful Bailarina

Love this one of Determinada, she's really starting to blossom

Sharing the last of Dee's dinner...not sure she meant that to happen lol!

A bid for Freedom...yeeehaaaaaa

The Three Musketeers waiting patiently for chief slave to break the ice in the water bucket...they do have access to a natural spring, but I obviously need the exercise

Enjoying a snow day

2010-01-06T16:33:00.004Z

I attempted to drive to work today....30 minutes and a few miles down snow covered B then A roads to see the M11 with only one lane in use changed my mind and back home I crawled.

So I knew that driving to the girls wasn't going to be an option..out came trusty mountain bike and Spud the dog and I bravely went off into the wild white yonder!

Wasn't too bad a trip, but it was made much harder by having to carry my rucksack stuffed to the gunnels with soaked grass nuts and sugar beet...bloody norah it was heavy!! I'd better be svelte and fit after all this enforced exercise lol!

I think Bally & Dee heard me huffing and puffing up the lane as they were both lurking by the corral gate waiting for me.
Gave them breakfast and then we had a brush off and I tied them up for a hoof training session. Bally is pretty much sorted now in this department and stands patiently - she doesn't "lift a paw" on command yet like Safi used to but I'm sure that will come in time. She does get a bit impatient and lifts her foot away sometimes, but calm repetition and loads of reward when she gets it right is helping :-)

Dee...well here's a work in progress! Sometimes we have hooves thrown at me, sometimes gently given, I have hung on gamely to pistoning and cow kicking and other times she's popped her foot on my knee and happily stood like a lamb...that's babies for you...again just lots of practice and rewarding the good seems to be getting us on the right track. Trimmer is due in a couple of weeks so hopefully I'll have two well behaved girlies before then.

Off course with them living in a field that raises the where do we trim them quandry :-0

The open barn next to the feed room is a crushed hardcore floor and not level, so the only concrete I have to stand them on is in the feed room. This will present no problem whatsoever for Dee as she makes her way in on a daily basis to see if there is anything lying around to snaffle, but Bally treated it with trepidation...so some days I actually inch her bucket in the door then move it right in, she'll now happily walk in and stand and eat her dinner so...I'm hoping that this will do! Of course I don't have any electricity so will have to try and get Ellie to come of a weekend.....and then there is the fun of walking and trotting them up...on the lane.
Practice of this has gone swimmingly I'm pleased to say. So fingers crossed!

Anyway after the hoof work I let the girls out and Bally and I went for a wander round the perimeter of the field, just for a bit of fun and bonding and a sneaky brush up of leading manners. B was in fine form, all sparky but still attentive. She had a couple of yeehaa moments as the horses out at the back of the next farm had a hoolie but she gave me a couple of beautifully up bouncy still in my hand canter strides, did a circle round me with dragon snorts and a bit of a jog then settled down - never pulling away during any of it..brilliant!

We did a bit of controlled walking up and down one of the slopy undulating bits and that was all good too, so as we wandered back over to the others I let her loose and gave her a big scratch and cuddle.

Thouht what the hell I'll do some work with Dee too and made a funny discovery - I don't think she's ever been led from the right. Left - no problem she's really good for a baby, but I swapped sides (I always make a point of doing everything both sides) and she was "um...what??" it totally flummoxed her, so I did a bit of work on this and after a minute or two she got the idea and happily popped into place and walked along with me like a pro.
She's picked up the whistle stop and click for backwards already so we've got a great foundation to work from.

Back up to the others and Dee was let loose with loads of praise too.

I then got to see the whole herd have a play...instigated by Bally of course! She took off in a joyfully mad gallop and hared off in a big circuit...then homed in on the gang who all set off a bucking and a leaping as she approached, then Dee gave a squeal and a few bucks and took off closely followed by Bally and Bonita. Bonita does this hilariously funny whirligig move where she rears and spins 180, lands her front feet and spins another 180 with her bum in the air and leags out in all directions...glad I'm not the one who'll be backing that athletic little miss!
Then we had them all trying to out power trot each other, tails up, heads up snorting a plenty....I'd left my phone up at the barn so missed getting video :-(

As I'd managed to waste a good couple of hours I decided they could have their next meal now to save me having to struggle back down...it had started snowing again by this point so I didn't want to chance it.

So late lunch made up and scoffed and I popped Bally's rug back on, gave them both scritchy scratches and let them out.

The gentle snow had turned heavier so I thought I'd better stick to the tracks on the estate roads (technically shouldn't be on some of them but needs must today) well Spud and I put our heads down and soldiered on our way home ...and on...and on...and I suddenly realised I hadn't got a clue where I was and the snow was a blizzard and I couldn't see any of the local landmarks to get my bearings!!
Thank Gawd for my iPhone and it's GPS locater thingy.!! Turns out I was heading in totally the wrong direction having missed a turning. I'm sure I would still have got home eventually, but I'd have been exhausted!
Directions sorted and I soon found my way back on track and home. Couple of hours later and I still haven't thawed out properly!!

Taking Stock

2010-01-01T20:46:00.008Z

Well what a rollercoaster year 2009 was - I started it with two horses - Safira and Merlin and ended it with two horses..Bailarina and Determinada, who'd have thought there could have been so much change?

Safi's blog the Long and Winding Road is on a private members forum, but some readers of that and this blog followed and supported me through the very darkest days...you know who you are and Thank you from the bottom of my heart for that x

So onwards and upwards from here I think .....well from rock bottom (as Yazz said the 80's)....The only way is UP!

Bailarina and Determinada continue to delight me on a daily basis, both so funny and full of character, but so fundamentally different!
Bally has always been the baby of the bunch in her life so far and I think she finds the job of being big sis to two yearling fillies a bit challenging sometimes...but oh Lordy does she rule the roost in the little clique which I've christened the Three Musketeers...Bonita and Dee certainly know who's boss in their little gang, but the cheeky pair delight in pushing their luck - I think they sense Bally's inexperience as herd leader. It's fascinating watching them all interacting. I could and frequently do spend ages watching and learning more about their individual characters!

We are all loving life at the new yard..well field! Much as running water and electricity would be nice I cannot complain at having the girls living out naturally in a stable herd.

The herd of 5 are all rubbing along nicely and I've seen them all pairing up separately, grooming each other etc. More often than not they are are in a loosely grouped little set all together keeping an eye and ear out for each other. They have so much space - I really am blessed with sensible yard owners who are adamant that they won't have more than six horses out in the 20 acre meadow.......most of them round here would have it sectioned off and put twenty + horses out on it :-(
Paul the new owner used to keep his youngsters here many moons ago and wants to keep it as it is...hurrah!!!!

I'm still "working" with the girls every day, mainly just at keeping their respect and good manners. This generally involves catching and leading them in (both fantastic considering the amount of land they have to run around in!), checking them all over, picking out feet (and practice rasping), rough brushing etc. Dee has head touching issues so I've made a point of working up to being able to touch her all over her head and ears stroking, scratching and rubbing her so she learns it's a wholly pleasurable experience :-)
I do the odd bit of mini in hand work with Bally just walking halting and reinback from body language so that when she comes into work proper again in March it's not too much of a shock. Once the snow and ice has gone I'll take her out for walks up the lanes and byways we have locally too...looking forward to that!

Today Superhubby and I rode our (new...New Years get fit malarky) bikes

on a 10 mile round trip across, round and over to the girls and took some pics & video of them in the smattering of snow we had today....enjoy!!! (we certainly did!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU5C_m46jLk

Bun fight at the OK Corral

2009-12-16T13:10:00.003Z

Horses are such jokers...especially at 6am!!

Got up to the field this morning...10 minutes behind schedule as I'd had a sneaky snooze (oops!)

No sign of the horses...

So I wander up along the fence line calling and rattling my nuts bucket, get suddenly confronted by all five thundering towards me in the dark and we have a mad dash down to the gate of the corral so I can grab the feeds...and shut the gate!

Of course as it's all been going so well I didn't have my headcollars, so there was a bit of a melee as I'm trying to get Bally and Dee in the corral and keep Bonita and the boys out.
Finally mission accomplished and Dee and Bally settle down to their breakfast...or not.

Bally decides Dee's looks better and we then have five minutes of to-ing and fro-ing between buckets with no eating going on until I actually park the damned things right next to each other and they settle down. I get to do my hands on daily check for any overnight lumps or bumps and I'm very pleased to find nothing, both all fine and dandy.

So then B decides she wants to have a wander and explore the corral, so off she trots, tail up...the frosty morning really has her on her toes! D meanwhile continues to stuff her face lol!

I pop in the barn to get B's headcollar so I can curtail her antics and she sticks two hooves up me kicks her heels up in the air and does her amazing passagy show off trot back down to the gate. OK...out you go and I open it.....nah only kidding says B and wheels off back into the corral taking Dee with her this time who thinks this is a great game now.

And of course as my back is turned Bonita and the boys let them selves in the corral too because numpty here left the gate open!!

ARGH!!

It's now 6.40am I'm late and I have the whole pack of jokers careering round the corral having a right old ball. It's so cold I'm puffing, wheezing and coughing at the overdose of extremely fresh air as I'm pegging it after them to herd them all back through the gate, pick up the buckets and make sure there's no collisions.

Finally with bucking, farting and snorting a plenty (and that's them not me!) I herd every last one out back into the wild blue yonder and as one they hoon off up the field delighted at giving me plenty of exercise to start the day

*sigh*

Horses don't you just love them LOL!

The Big Move

2009-12-14T20:26:00.002Z

So we were all set for operation moving yards and it was all a bit of an almighty faff in the end! Nothing is ever simple!!

When we'd been up to see the field and meet P & R a couple of weeks ago they'd shown me the barn (full of crap) pointed out the knackered fencing and gate down in the corral. The field had basically been left to go to rack and ruin which was a shame because it really is wonderful!

Once we'd set the date for all the youngsters to arrive they promised to have the work done....made slightly difficult by the fact they were only moving house & horses to the yard themselves the day before...best laid plans and all that ;-)
So I did B in the morning and left her in, packed up all the feed stuff and bits and bobs going with her and drove it up to the field....only to find fencing still down, barn still full of crap and lane full of cars as there was a football match on at the little ground next door :-o
No answer on Rachel's phone so we dumped everything and drove up to the yard = Poor Paul was just loading the fencing into his van - hugely apologetic, they'd had problem after problem and just hadn't been able to get everything done, but they were on the case.

Drove back down to the yard to find B going mental as all the others in her block had been turned out. Nettie had tried bringing B's neighbour Button back in but she was so upset that didn't work. I got there to see her sweating, shaking and attempting to take chunks out of anyone going past...poor stressed baby!! I went straight in and popped her headcollar on, talked to her and quietly stroked and brushed her...she calmed down straight away....which was a bit of lump in throat moment - she has so much trust in me now and that's really humbling.

I wasn't going to leave her in any longer so as we weren't going to be able to go anywhere for a couple of hours I put her out in her paddock for one last mooch (i.e gallop up and down to make it resemble the Somme just a little bit more :-o )

Finally got the call to say lane was clear, barn done, gates and fencing all fixed and Bonita arriving any minute so we could make our way over.

Gi arrived like the cavalry in Bessie Horsebus and B was brought in and I popped her straight on the box and off we went. I travelled next to her in the living just to keep my eye on her and offer her support. She still hasn't quite got the hang of this balancing lark, but she travelled really well considering we were off down some seriously little winding lanes. I'm so proud of her!

Got to the lane and had to park in a layby to unload, all absolutely fine till someone roared out of the carpark past us just as she was backing off, she slipped and nearly fell then clattered off the back of the box. I felt sick to my stomach - all that patient hard work and it could be ruined in a split second. Thank goodness she didn't hurt herself, she was a little shaky, but calmly walked up the lane to the gate.

In we went and I introduced her to Bonita in the corral, after five minutes of them having a sniff and a squeal as we wondered in awe at what P & R had acheived - barn spotless, all my stuff put away nicely, gate up, fencing done..blimey!!!, we let them out into the big field where they said hello to the other three...not too much argy bargy, but boss mare and Bally exchanged a few warning kicks and B & B went off to graze.
Then Little D arrived with Becky and Steph. I popped on the trailer to unload her and she walked down the ramp cool as a cucumber and I led her into the field. We had a little bit of excited baby jogging, but she halted and backed up when I asked her to. None of the others came over to investigate so we let her off.....

And Boss mare promptly detached herself from the two oldies and flew across the grass straight at Dee :-o Dee hot footed it out the way, then realising her bestest buddy George wasn't off the trailer set up screaming for him...cue George on the trailer yelling back and oh lord!!

Becky had to go to keep George calm and went...One very confused Dee ran around screaming for him as they drove away. Bally and Bonita kept approaching her and trying to stay with her and after five minutes of running to the gate she stopped a couple of times to snatch some grass...phew...another minute and she was happily grazing with them.

We left them to it and took the box back and then I popped back up to check and feed them. Happily the three Musketeers were off grazing a small way away from the Olds and both groups were studiously ignoring each other.

B & D were happy to be caught and led in to the corral where I stood with them whilst I fed them. Then after checking for lumps and bumps and finding none I let them back out to explore their fab new home!

I've been up again this morning and again it worked fine, they were waiting down near the corral, in, feed, scratches, check over and breakfast...done!

Tonight...no sign, but a couple of calls and shaking some grass nuts in a bucket got them over - unfortunately as I'm there at 6am and 5 pm in the week it's pitch dark..thank the lord for head torches lol!! Pleased to report that everyone seemed just fine and my girls wolfed their food down, had a little brush and some nice quality time before I let them out.

I'll try and get some piccies this weekend so you can check out their des res ;-)

Phew glad that's all over though!!!

Ch..Ch...Changes

2009-12-13T18:27:00.002Z

Well I can finally update my blog and let the cat out of the bag :-)

There have been changes afoot in B's world, first of which has been a winding down of the work - we've had a couple of walks out and done some inhand work just to check we both still had the right idea, but today she officially started her winter holiday...oh and moved...and met my new horse :-o

The holiday is three months off to let her grow into herself, mentally I think she'd have been happy to keep working, but as the next thing to do is back her and she's still not quite there physically as that lovely peachy bum of hers is still considerably higher than her withers, so no pressure on that delicate back for a wee while yet!
My YO had offered me a space at her other farm - an 8 acre field where she keeps her old pair and the two currently broken hunters...but then changed her mind. B couldn't stay where she was as our paddocks are too small and not sheltered so I was on the look out.
Managed to hit the jackpot through a post on the Horse and Hound Forum and was introduced to a couple just taking over my favourite yard in the whole area......oh and they also had a an old meadow....a 20 acre old meadow full of trees and natural hedging, lots of ups and downs and a spring fed watering hole..a barn and stable on site for storage and emergencies and a seperate corral to feed your horse in.....my idea of horse heaven!!!! They were looking for a couple of other horses to add to the four already there.

So who's the new horse????????

Well I'm now also looking after a rather lovely little part bred yearling Luso filly Determinada :-)

Dee was bought by my friend and instructor Becky's Mum Steph when Becky brought her Luso boys Ambar and Violino as she felt so desperately sorry for her. She'd been born prematurely out of a purebred mare that the owners hadn't realised was in foal and had been in work until a loss of form prompted a vet visit and a very late pregnancy diagnosis. Dee was born very weak and twisted and not expected to survive... but against the odds she did and showed such a spark and love for life that her name just fitted her perfectly :-) A very special little girl!
She stayed in Portugal until she was deemed strong enough to cope with the journey and arrived in the UK a couple of months ago looking a little the worse for wear bless her.

As Steph got to know me and my love for young Luso girlies she asked if I'd like to take her on. I went, I saw, I fell in love with this super friendly sparky little lass - very elegant, but going through a little bit of a fugly phase...sweet!
I'm not really ready to take the plunge and buy another horse after Safi, but as Steph isn't really looking to sell her and wants only for her to have a great start with someone who likes playing with youngsters..especially girlie Luso ones it was agreed that she'd come and live with me and we'll see where we go in future :-)

So today was the big day, both girls and another yearling Bonita - owned by Claire the fab lady who introduced me to Paul & Rachel the new yard owners made the journey and arrived at Perry Field...........

Tomorrow I'll tell you all about it, I think we've had enough excitement for today lol!!!

Monumental

2009-11-22T19:35:00.002Z

I'm so sorry for the lack of updates, life has been completely tied up with moving my elderly and disabled mum from her home of 25 years in London into a warden assisted retirement flat closer to us.

Long time coming and it's taken months of preparation, there have been some seriously upsetting moments and scary bits along the way - particularly this week!!!! But she's in, she's settling there and seems reasonably happy which is a better result than I dared dream of. Huge thanks must go to Superhubby who has supported me above and beyond the call of duty..much love!!

So on to the star of the show, the wonderful, amazing, lovely Little B..what have we been up to???

Well we've still kept up with our inhand work in the school and had a few lunging, loose and long lining sessions. Usually short ones due to the rather waterlogged state of the school *rolleyes*
Bally has been working beautifully, we're now geting half halts on voice command, no lary behaviour..work is work and play is play, so rewarding!!
I'd also had Bessie Horsebus serviced and MOT'd so when I had the opportunity I'd actually been able to practice loading and standing on with the engine running which was almost an anticlimax as B paid no attention at all and just loaded and stood on no differently to normal lol!

But today was a special day in all sorts of ways!

Firstly we had our first Becky Holden lesson - I wasn't 100% sure I was getting the close inhand work 100% correct as B found this the hardest part of out training to do, so as she was coming down to do a clinic locally I snaffled her for a lesson ;-)

Becky is brilliant, a true master at classical in hand work, but so lovely to be around too - She stayed over last night and together with my dressage instructor and friend Becky Ewart we had a great evening talking dressage, horses and dogs!

I knew that she used to work for Peggy Litton at Asoka Classical stud...who bred Bally's Mum Maravilha!!..and yes she not only knew her well, but her grand dam also!!! It was fascinating to hear about the history of her lineage.

So onto the lesson - Becky wanted to see how I was working her and what we could do, so I showed her our inhand stuff...great news is I just needed a few gaps filling in - my body positioning and contact are spot on (chuffed!!) I needed a little help on correction work - so that if B becomes at all heavy I give a lift with my inside hand to raise her poll and at the same time take the outside rein and give a "leg" aid with the whip. I'd tended to give her a little too much leeway as I was concerned about being heavy on her mouth, but with a clear "up" aid the pressure is actually taken off her bars and tongue and works only on the corners of her mouth..lightbulb moment!

We had some amazingly soft work - just like riding when you get the correct flow of energy from back to front on a soft relaxed contact it just flows and feels great. Lots of lovely stretches interspersed with good work and quickly feeling when to correct her if she was silly or tried to lean and make me support her meant a very worthwhile session - made all the more amazing by the fact that B had never worked first thing in the morning before and was having to concentrate when she could hear all the horses being turned out. Clever B!

I then drove over to Becky E's yard where Becky H helped her with Ambar & George - fabulous to watch and so very, very useful!

Back home and I roped Gi in to take the last small but all important step in the box training of Little B.....going for a journey!!

She loaded as she always does, slowly, carefully and at her own pace, then with the box running Gi did the gates and popped the ramp up. I stayed on with Bally for reassurance and to keep a close eye on her reaction....and there wasn't one!!! She had a little wobble and moved her feet to balance as we set off around the farm, but she kept completely calm throughout the five minute journey, alert and looking around her but no hint of panic, or tap dancing.

Once we'd stopped she unloaded (still backwards) and when I asked her to step back on the ramp did so!

I was almost in tears I was so happy - all that patience and calm methodical training paid off :-)

Happy Day!

Thank goodness for the Lovely B

2009-11-05T19:12:00.002Z

I have had a horrendous day, tensions at work have got so bad three of us would quite happily have walked out today....some idiots should never ever be allowed to manage people }-(

I also had the most ridiculously upsetting call from a researcher on behalf of Rossdales vet hospital who wanted to ask me some questions as Safi had received spinal xrays there.
Researcher "Could you spare some time to answer a few questions?"
Moi "Um, yes that should be OK"
"So could you update me on how your horse is now"
"....um...well...actually she's been PTS"
"Oh yes, well looking at the report and seeing the xrays I was expecting you'd say that"
"...stunned silence......"
"So you don't want to answer any questions then?"
"..um...no..."

Gutting

I got home and there in the post was a cheque from the insurers for the loss of Safi, I had actually thought that it being such a bad day I couldn't feel any worse, but wow that was a proper knife in the guts......I know it is ridiculous but I felt like Judas receiving my thirty pieces of silver.

So after some wailing and weeping I went to see the delightful Bailarina for some equine therapy. That lovely sleek little diamond you saw pictures of a few weeks ago is now a proper hairy, muddy, filthy beastie! Bless her she knew straight away I was feeling down. She glued her nose to my back as I walked around and poo picked the paddock, no naughty nibbling, just a touch and a connection the whole way up the field...such a precious feeling

I brought her in and took her into the school for a play, just a single line and her headcollar, some raised poles and a mini pheasant feeder jump, no pressure, not really 'work' just a play in walk. Thinking exercise, obedience, stretching and most of all relaxing and enjoying

B was her usual fun, inquisitive self. After a walk round with circles and changes of rein to warm up I asked her to walk over the raised poles...our first approach was met with incredulity by B who wasn't sure she could raise and lower her legs in the gaps provided...I led the way and she merrily followed, daintily making sure she didn't touch a single one.

We popped over them a few times each way and B very kindly followed exactly what the text books say, stretched her neck down and out and lifted those legs to have a lovely whole back and shoulder workout!!

We had a bit more wandering / circle / straight work and then I led her over to the 12" high mini pheasant feeder jump...."oh my LORD" went B with a snort Lol!

She tried to duck out to the side so I just walked her back and then up to it again. Bally very bravely took her life in her hands and popped straight over it second time of asking and received loads of praise

We had a few goes playing over it and after only a couple I could ask her to walk over (oh look at those leg lifts!!) or trot and pop it as a jump, what a good girl!

I let her off the rein after this so she could have a free wander about as I cleared our playground away and then we wandered back to the stable and tucked her up for the night as none of the ponies were out tonight.

A brush down..well more of a scrape off, tea and bed...

Bally just makes me smile.....therapy indeed x

So - About last night...

2009-11-03T21:22:00.002Z

In the grand scheme of things it wasn't much, just a 1/2 hour single line lunging session in the school, but Bally's work ethic, her intelligence and willingness to try her socks off for me just makes me feel so humbled and privileged to have such a special little mare in my life

We did our usual in hand walk around the school to warm up, making sure B is with me, attentive and watching for cues and relaxed enough to be able to pay attention.

Then it was on to walk work, starting with 10 metres circles and then back to going down the long side - all it takes now is for me to change the way I hold my lunge whip and B changes from straight to circle and back again - she just does it...seamlessly, effortlessly...Wow!
We worked at this on both reins and she's just so much better and settled, The idea that walk means walk and listen, stop when I say stop has taken root.

Then I introduced some poles - a set at walk distance and a raised set for trot - now this wasn't quite so perfect - despite the fact that she's been over through and round them a couple of times Bally took one look at the walk poles and said (quite politely lol) "No thank you!" So I just led her in hand over the first time, praised like mad and then popped her on a 10m circle to work it out herself. She needed the support of me framing the circle or she would do the first two and cut across towards me, so we worked on keeping her softly bent out on the circle and by go four she'd got it like a pro!

I then asked for freer and forwards at trot on a 20m circle to loosen her out, then for the first time I started asking for a verbal half halt - a "steady" cue to slow, relax and rebalance then straight on into working trot again - She just did it absolutely foot perfectly - I was stunned!! :-o

Back to the little walk / pole circle on the right rein and she did it with no hesitation, but still needed me to remind her to stay straight throughout the circle and then on to the large circle for the trot lunge work with half halts, walk and halt transitions, all done with no fuss whatsoever
* Yay *

I wanted to work on the trot poles next and this was just asking for B a short repeat of the same thing we'd done with the walk poles, but keeping a steady rhythm and stretching her neck and back over the three poles. Yet again she wanted my support to keep the circle, but after one uh-oh legs everywhere whizz over them I was able to ask her to steady, concentrate and step really well over them on both reins a couple of times - as if she'd been doing this for years :-)

Loads of praise and scratches - what a brilliant effort!

I let Baby B off to wander, relax and warm down whilst I put the poles away, then we just had a lovely sociable wander round the school together and then back up to the yard

So there you go, we aren't talking Grand Prix superstar dressage, just basic, nursery school stuff, but after only a few sessions Bailarina is working like a horse who has been doing this for years - she is just a joy to work with and it is so rewarding to see my efforts pay off!

Catching up on progress

2009-11-02T20:38:00.003Z

Well Friday was hack out on the long lines day and B was great..still a bit nervy going down the road, but before that we were just going down the drive to get onto it when I heard the sound of something very large and agricultural approaching, we carried on and then suddenly I realised it was Chris in his huge crop spraying thing..and he was turning and coming up the drive! Hmm ok let B see what it was and then we nice and calmly walked up the drive with the Big Yellow chunterer behind us, stopped by the field gate and I turned her so she could see, well she didn't bat an eye, even when it rumbled past!!

So back off down the drive and onto the road and like I said she was a bit tense (had the horrors about some discarded flowers in a bush would you believe!!) but not too silly. No problems with two cars passing us from behind.

Once on the bridleway it was long lines time and B was just great, nicely forward, one teeny plant at passing the first footbridge, but no attempts to turn back and walked on past it nice and smartly when I asked her to. No issues at all about spooky corner..in fact she walked up to and around it like she'd never dreamed of having an issue with it!!

Saturday was box training time, and Bally stood totally calmly right next to the ramp as we dropped it, but was quite hesitant about going on, even with the clicker - I know that it's never going to be her favourite thing, but she wasn't impressed with the proceedings - maybe we need to push things on as she just isn't seeing the point of climbing onto the shaky box just to get off it again..hhhmmm..one to ponder!

Anyway once on and standing tied, it was gates shut and ramp up with no problems. I then asked Gi to walk round and open the grooms door and the walk through, all done with a small snort but no panic *phew* I then popped through into the little living bit and on and off the box a few times. B was just great - a bit nonplussed I think!
After ten minutes of hanging around it was everything undone and backing off, went for a little walk round and then asked her to pop back on. Again she didn't exactly throw herself up the ramp, but she was on in about five minutes of me just standing and rewarding forward movement from her. It's quite funny - once she touches the ramp with a back foot that's it she's straight on with no messing, but it takes her a while to think about getting that far lol!

Tied her up , got off and did the gates and left her to stand again. Little Princess was not overly amused by this and had a couple of scrapes at the floor to which she got a growl! She settled herself down and after another five minutes I led her off. Really pleased with her progress!

Well Bessie the Horsebus is in at the mechanics tomorrow for her MOT, service and a new battery so all being well (touch wood!) we'll be starting the starting so to speak...repeating all the work we've done so far but with the addition of the engine running...then it's trip time -eek!

I'm going to post about tonight's session tomorrow - I was stunned, absolutely astounded at the quality of the work she gave me in the school and I think that it deserves a post of it's own :-)

Till tomorrow then....

..And even lovelier longlining!

2009-10-29T20:55:00.002Z

I'd had a teeny flicker of concern when I got her from the paddock tonight - She'd come in feeling a bit warm, but she wasn't blowy or tucked up, she had good gut sounds, no runny nose or eyes and her temp and respiratory rate were spot on normal...have to put it down to the unseasonably warm day we had. A couple of the other liveries had said their neds came in the same (and one was positively sweaty), so maybe there was a bit of illicit hoolying going on before we turned up...hmmmm!

Let B have a munch on some hay (no appetite problems either lol!) whilst I brushed her off, then popped her roller and bridle on and we pootled up to the school.

Did our usual of leading around for five minutes, adding some walk/halt/walk transitions, change of rein across the diagonal and a four loop serpentine in as we warmed up. (all good practise for school figures being ridden ;-) ) I wanted to see how she was in herself and , well, absolutely fine was the answer thank goodness!

So I popped the two long lines on and off we went - and suddenly it seems so easy! B was attentive and very locked on to my direction change cues. The blind leading the blind seem to have turned into a passable in-tune duo!! Safi never took to it and the pair of us used to end up in a tangle every single time, but B seems to be taking to it really well - especially now that there is a real flow to our work.

We did quite a few circle, baby leg yield to fence and along the long side manoeuvres, some nice changes of rein, some nice reinback and the pièce de résistance was doing a few nice neat figure of 8s around some jumps left up from yesterdays showjumping clinic...most impressive!!

I still need to concentrate on keeping a steadier contact - Far from being harsh... I'm guilty of letting the reins get a bit baggy (remember to work into that outside rein Mrs!!) We're still working off the rein attached jointly to B's headcollar and bit rings to minimise any chances of putting too much pressure on her mouth, but if she keeps on improving and being so good and settled in her work then I can't see any reason not to start working her directly from the bit.

Finished with a couple of short trots and then we walked off on a nice loose rein so B could have a good stretch down and then we walked back to the stable, both feeling very smiley!

Another super nights work from Brilliant Little B :-)

Lovely lunging

2009-10-27T20:57:00.002Z

No chance of walking Bally out after work now, it's just too dark, so it's time to brush up on the school work...keeping the sessions short and inventive to make sure they are positive :-)

So tonight I wanted to work on the lunge and I was looking for obedience, calm, straight and forwards from B. She was in one of her lovely amenable moods, so a great night to really make some progress with her. She'd had a few whoopees that last couple of times she's been on the lunge and I wanted to male sure there was none of that...free schooling is whoopee time if she needs to let off steam - If I'm attached it's a no-no.

In we went and I started off leading her, working off 10ft of line and walking to her inside, using body language and the lunge whip to keep her to the outside track and then after a circuit or two cue her to make small circles at chosen markers, then back on to the track again. I wanted all of this in a nice steady walk....and that's exactly what I got!
Left rein first and B was absolutely super..pretty much foot perfect, What a good girl!!!

Right rein is her worst / fizziest and she gave me a little evasion with a couple of jogs if I pointed the whip at her shoulder to move her out, so I used nice steady vocals and blocked her forwards by coming in front of her shoulder, then letting her walk on as soon as she half halted and praising her walk on so she could figure out what I wanted, she picked this up nicely. Once I'd got a good circuit with six circles we stopped again and Bally got loads of scratches as a reward.

Then it was in for a close up and asking for some lateral crossing by putting her on a 10m circle asking for her front feet to come in on a smaller circle so she is in effect leg yielding. The key with this is to keep the walk very slow and only ask for a few steps at a time. As soon as I could get a few steps with her soft in the hand and crossing nicely we stopped.
Soon as We'd done this on the left rein I pushed her out on a large circle and asked for a nice trot out to get her thinking forwards again. Bailarina gave me a lovely steady trot, nicely tracking up and working herself low to stretch.

So repeated the close work on the right rein and she was pretty much as good straight away which was nice, so again once I knew she'd got it I popped her out and trotted her off on a 20m circle, just a couple of circles and that was plenty enough. I was so pleased with how she'd worked :-)

Gave her five minutes loose to let her stretch her legs as a reward for working so well...and she certainly gave them a kick out and a stretch lol!

Was able to bring her back down to earth without an issue and that was us done. We stood at the gate for a few minutes chatting to my friend Di and B was patient, no fidgeting, just happily waiting to go in..all good stuff

In for a good brush and her tea, then off out into the paddock..great night!!

Short and very sweet!

2009-10-25T18:30:00.002Z

Just back from a fabulous weekend in York, a much needed battery recharge for both Gi and I :-)

First thing we did was pile down to the yard, with my daughter Jen and grand daughter Faith..who has inherited the horse gene it would seem! With her little toddler sized brush in hand Faithy asked if she could see "Ballyrina", so we did and she gave her a lovely brush off.

Later on Gi and I went back down so he could help me with Boxing B.

So I popped her head collar and long line on , we walked round to the box, B stood completely calmly whilst we undid the ramp and opened the gates. Popped her on with a couple of stops to think and tied her up whilst Gi shut the gates. This time I stayed on with B so I could just see exactly how she was coping with the new steps we were taking. As she seemed nicely settled today I asked Gi to take that last huge step

So he put the ramp up...yup ramp up, all the way - completely closed and no tap dancing, no snorting, a little bit of tension held in her body, but outwardly calm.

And so we stood calmly and happily on the box, tied up, closed in. Wow

Might not mean a lot, but for B it was a huge leap -such a difference from the last time!

Ramp undone with much squeaking from the springs (might have been Gi actually lol!) and still no reaction from B, so I gently backed her off took her for a little wander, came back to box and she popped back up the ramp and onto the box again. :-) I stayed on jut long enough for a click and a treat then let her back off again.

Phase one complete, one happy pony and one very, very happy me *Yay*

Pony progress and a wheee!

2009-10-22T21:56:00.002+01:00

Finished work late tonight so didn't have much daylight left, but quickly grabbed Bally, my clicker bumbag and a teeny net of very nice haylege and headed off round to Bessie Horsebus. I don't think I mentioned that I'm bringing clicker back into the training equation...mainly to stop her being muggy about food - odd as it sounds there is definite method to that particular brand of madness lol!

Won't be able practise loading for a couple of days so going all out at it this week to take a teeny step further each time we try this (B willing of course)

Bally was in a jolly mood tonight, pretty much matched by my own - it's been a tough week at work and I was damn glad it was over! So we got to the box and I popped the net on the ground and undid the ramp next to her - again accompanied by a couple of snorts, but with no pressure on the line at all B stayed put and didn't even move a hoof backwards!

I popped on and tied the net up and B followed to the bottom of the ramp. She took a click for two feet on, then another for inching up, but then stopped. I let her think about it and after a minute or two and a look around outside she took the rest of the ramp in one go earning herself a jackpot!

Tied her up and I noticed she was far more settled - happy to move about but no quivering at all tonight, bit snorty and still obviously tense but loads happier for some reason...bizarre!

After a while chilling out whilst B snacked I popped off the box and shut the loading gates, had a wander round the box and then went to the ramp.

Well I got the ramp and lifted it and lowered it a couple of times up to about 7/8's shut..and apart from a bit of a snort at the squeaky springs we had no reaction - no tap dancing at all!

I won't actually shut it for the first time until Superhubby is manning the ramp and I'm onboard to monitor her, but that is the next step after a couple more sessions like tonight....I can't believe we're here already. But under no illusions she's ready to take to the road yet...we've got to start from scratch with the engine running. Bessie is booked in for new battery, MOT and full service in November so it gives us a couple of weeks of practise with the ramp first :-)

Anyhoo after hoiking the ramp up and down a few times I undid everything and backed B off the box, took her for a wander and brought her back to load again - exact repeat performance of first loading, but this time we just stood for a minute and I backed her off again...with masses of praise!!!!!

Still had a little light left so I thought we'd go for a nice wander around the yard, but as the school was free and there were some jumps left up in the manege from yesterday's clinic we popped in there for a play instead. We had a wander round and then I put them down to a couple of 18" x poles and with Bally on the longline just walked up to them...bless her she had a good sniff, looked at as if to say "what?" and popped over the first one neat as you like! :-)

So suitably in the mood we had a pootle round and popped them in both directions, singly and in the pair - B didn't put a hoof wrong...and more importantly didn't fizz up at all just approached every time completely calmly in walk - even when I had her loose! She'd canter a stride or two on landing but as I clicked to signal well done she walked back to me for her reward.

We then had a lovely loose trot around the school and lead on back up to the barn, both grinning ear to ear *YAY*

Groom, scratches and tea then I left in her in her box whilst I went to pooh pick in the extreme twilight (think I might have missed one or two lol!!) then off out she went to join Button - last two left out at night on the yard - what a shame, lovely mild night as well!!

All in all, great effort from the delectable Princess, Brilliant fun and much chuffedness going on!

A Funny Five Minutes and other stories

2009-10-21T20:26:00.002+01:00

I know, I know, I'm terrible at this keeping up to date lark, but to be honest we haven't been up to a great deal this week.

The funny five minutes was Sunday morning, and oh lord Bailerina had me in stitches :-) She started charging and dodging the wheelbarrow as I was pooh picking and it eventually prompted an all out hoolie up down and around and round the field - I was treated to extended trots, canter serpentines with perfect flying changes on each bend, some beautifully cadenced collected trot, some gallopy bucks, some hand stands, some buck rear spin combos and a fair bit of flat out whooooohooooo gallopy gallopy (me with hands over my eyes as she executed sliding stops approaching the fence :-o )
Someone was feeling particularly well lol!
Once she'd had her blowout she stopped and wandered over to me and started grazing calm as you like...funny girl

I've missed being able to practice box work for the last few weeks as someone had parked a car right close up to the back of my box and it took me a while to figure out who owned it, then after I'd asked if they could move it they forgot, so it was only Monday night I got hold of them and they very apologetically and sheepishly moved it for me.

I brought B round and with her on a long line actually opened the ramp whilst she was there so she could hear the noise of the springs, she had a little snort and a jump, but walked straight up for a sniff once it was down
And then refused to go on it...*sigh*
It took me 15 minutes of gentle persuasion in pressure / release mode to get both front feet on, Bally was just planting like she did right back at the start. I was setting myself up for a long haul when a chappy at one of the industrial units suddenly pulled his metal shutter down....well you've never seen a horse go up a ramp so quick :-o
Once on I tied her up and let her have a nibble of feed, then shut the loading gates, all good. B was still nervous - she doesn't sweat up but I can feel her tiny tremors and her eyes are a bit worried, but bless her she let me move her around the box without any panic at the movement. After five minutes I backed her off , gave her a minute to chill and asked again
Not much better, she was still quite sticky, but eventually wandered up the ramp and I let her back off straight away with loads of praise.
Third time lucky and a much better effort, B took maybe 2 minutes after getting her front feet on and fair motored on up the ramp. This time I tied her and shut the gates...and walked off the box for a minute or two for the first time!!! B watched me without showing a hint of panic - nervous and tense still, but no tap dancing *YAY*

I let her straight off after that to huge praise!!

So on to tonight and straight back to another box session as I really want to try and move things on a step each time (B willing of course!) So again I undid the ramp and lowered it whilst she was on the longline behind me - better, still a bit of a snort and a step back but again as soon as it was down she walked straight up to it..banged a hoof and put both front feet on. What a good girl..I asked for another step and...she walked straight on the box in one go!!!

This time I tied her up, did the gates, stayed with her for a couple of minutes and let myself off. Again she was nervous but steady. I got back on and off a couple of times without provoking any kind of reaction...so keeping a light chatter up I lifted the ramp up half way and nothing but a snort. So I lifted it a little more, but Bally thought that was a step too far and had a shuffle so I brought it back down to half way and kept chattering to her and she stood nice and steady again. Gave it a minute (I must have arms like popeye) and then lifted it again - just a snort this time so I lowered it again, undid the gates and popped on the box to give her lots of scratches and a cuddle. She was still a bit quivery and it's a testament to her wonderful character that she can be so obviously worried and still try her heart out to be brave abut this - quite humbling!

I gently backed her off and gave her loads of scratches and praise and walked her round to the stable where she had a quiet five minutes and her tea. She's perfectly settled in her box even when she's in the barn on her own which is a big improvement :-)

All those little baby steps are really starting to add up to quite a journey!

When she was good she was very, very good.......

2009-10-16T19:57:00.002+01:00

...And when she bad she was horrid..... an absolute minx!!

Went to work Bally on Wednesday evening and the school was booked solid so I thought I'd work her out in the hay field. All well and good, she was a little on her toes - a bit feisty and not really focussed...
Well any hint of focus went out of the window as Holly and Button headed out on a hack off down the path at the side of where we were working...oh dear!! B was going with them same as she had the night before...well no she wasn't, but she seemed to think she could and got just a little bit frustrated when I wouldn't let her.

When I say a little - we had an attempt to take off across the field, followed by leapy, bucking head shaking and general frustrated stroppiness as I firmly held my ground.
B really doesn't do heavy handed, she's way too sensitive and new to the feel of contact on her mouth (reins are still attached via the headcollar rings on to the bit) so I had to balance taking a hold to keep her with me and releasing the second I had any kind of response down the rein and get her on a circle ASAP :-o
So we had a minute or two of legs everywhere whizzing with B really diving onto the reins and trying to lean into the bit and I just kept myself still and calm and repeated asking her verbally and with body and rein cues to slow down, calm down and listen.

Eventually started to get some sense and managed a bit of nice big long lining shapes...until Chris & his daughter Rosie came out from behind the hedge and rode along the edge of the field on their horses...argh!!!!
Cue another take off in their direction and a repeat of the plunging and a leaping accompanied by head throwing when I stopped and blocked her...so back onto a circle and lots of G & R play with the reins.

It worked thank goodness and pretty soon I was able to get some really nice longreining in walk, doing lots and lots of changes of direction and figure of 8s to keep her brain as busy as I could!

Bally was showing me that she needed to stretch down to release the tension she'd developed by bracing, so I encouraged nice soft stretches down in walk and halt, then adding a slight bend to the side in the stretch - B liked this, think it felt good!

Finished on that good note!

Well I learnt that B needs a lot more work on keeping her focus on the task in hand in the face of distraction and I need to do a lot more close in hand work on getting a calm happy acceptance of a contact from B - I'm not liking the diving onto it I was getting from her.

Chatted to Dawn (YO) about how it had been going and she said she could tell that I really love the challenge of working with youngsters - which I do, it's such a bloody great buzz when it all comes together , knowing that it could all go so horribly wrong if you don't get the right approach...so - slow, calm, steady, sensitivity and conviction is what I'm aiming for...oh and a good sense of humour helps lol!!

Which brings me on to tonight :-)

Bally came in really happy after giving me a huge neigh hello when I came round the corner.
She was chilled but alert and on the right side of cheeky - just exuding a good feeling!

Gave her a nice brush and popped her lunge cavesson & bridle on - B has only had the cavesson on a couple of times and isn't too keen on the feeling of having jangly stuff on her nose yet...well her happy go lucky mood seemed a good basis to work from, so I figured we could have a change of tack and concentrate on calm acceptance of the bit and noseband.

Once we got in the school I just walked around with B on a loose lead - she had a couple of little scoot moments accompanied by chucking her head about when she felt the pressure on her nose from the noseband, but as she realised it was her putting pressure on herself this stopped..clever girly.

I put out three blocks in a circle and two individual poles in the top corners of the school and just quietly attached the reins and long lined her around and about and over, again working on the fact she had to concentrate and listen to what I was asking and not be distracted. Of course we had a few moments of steering failure when I wasn't clear or quick enough in my directions but all in all I was really chuffed as B was trying so hard - a marked difference from Wednesday night *YAY*

Then just popped her on one rein and did a couple of minutes each way on the lunge - I was after a good slow steady walk with B going exactly where I wanted her and on as light a contact as possible...and got it!!

I let her off to have a good stretch and had a very quick walk around the blocks and over the poles loose, I love doing that with her - think she gets chuffed that she's so clever too!

Great way to end the week :-)

Out with the big girls again!

2009-10-13T21:02:00.003+01:00

Fabulous long reining hack out with Michelle on Holly and Nettie on Button tonight :-) We're all making the most of the last few weeks of actually being able to hack out in the evening before it gets too dark and as much as I like making sure B is completely OK hacking out on her own, it is lovely to have company sometimes :-)

All of us were decked out like Christmas trees in our Hi Vis gear - not taking any chances on this route as it's all lanes apart from the last bit. We were doing the reverse route of the last group hack we did, so technically another first (amazes me that you can still have sooo many firsts!)

Part one was down screeching car lane and we were back markers so I had some trepidation, but B was marching out so well I only led her the first couple of hundred metres then we were straight onto the long lines. I forgot to mention that as she's been so consistently good on the lines the last few times I'm now attaching them to the bit and headcollar side rings together, so she's learning all about working into the contact in a safer steadier way...almost grown up!

We'd been passed by two cars from behind already at this point. Bally was a bit eek about the first and had a mini tap dancing session at the side of the road as I'd moved her over and halted her - I think that was as much about my tension as hers, but the second time I just kept leading her and following the others and she was much better - a teeny bit tense but acceptably so.

On the lines she was great, we had a few more cars in both directions and bless her she was super going past them from then on, I could feel her confidence growing and her becoming at ease with the situation, so I just pushed her on from behind still long lining and B just kept on a marching past them.

We also had to contend with a couple out on bikes, a Landy haring across the fields to the side of us, a woman walking her dogs behind us (B was craning her neck and wobbling all over the road trying to keep peering behind her to have a nosey lol!) The most scary bit of all was passing a garden full of young boys yelling and leaping around on a trampoline, despite asking them to be quiet for a minute as all three ponies pranced past with eyes on stalks the temptation to make the horses go clattery whee down the lane past them was too great *sigh* Still I got to experience Bailarina's wonderful dragon snorting passage again lol ;-)

On down the bridleway and through B's nemesis field where she's had a proper paddy each time we've gone down the path through it ....and......nowt, she walked through on a nice stretchy long rein without a hint of trouble whoohoo!

All the way back down the flitch way now it was properly dusky and on to the yard with no problems at all, brush off and cuddle, dinner and out into her paddock

Bloody brilliant!!!

Nice and Easy

2009-10-12T13:10:00.004+01:00

Really lovely day yesterday Bally had the wind up her in the morning and was having a whale of a time following me and the wheelbarrow then scooting off at high speed a snorting and a leaping. Gi had brought the dogs down and she seemed to find their presence quite provocative - a good excuse for a headshake and a hoolie!!
It's been good having rain over the last week, the fields needed it so desperately, but that wonderful sleek babe you saw in the photos last week has been replaced by the dreadlocked bog pony :-o

Brought her in and brushed her off then tacked up for a walk out / long line. I did take her back out down the lane where we had the car incident and she was hesitant and wary (understandably) and wanted me to lead her all the way down that part of the lane for security. I don't have a problem with that.

Rather than come off onto the bridleway I took her down another extremely quiet little lane and unhitched the lines so she could exercise her brain as well as her body and she was super - one of the houses down there is a bit spooky at the best of times, but it's now adorned with scaffolding so doubly scary. B had a look and gave it a fairly wide berth, but walked right on past it without a hint of a start or attempt to turn...brill!

We then joined the bridleway at the end and longlined all the way back by the side of the stream with me asking her to leg yield from side to side by changing my body and the rope positioning, she's picking that up really well.
One eek whassat anchors on moment when a bird few out in front her but again, no attempts at turning or running which is such a big improvement from when we first started this. Her confidence has blossomed and she really seems to enjoy going out and about taking the lead.

She still had a sticky moment at the corner of the hayfield onto the path between the fields though but this is now down to walking a very wobbly line as she evades to the side and I catch her and push her on instead of frantic circles and planting :-)

Gave her some treat stretches and a brush off once we got into her stable and wandered out with her hay and dinner with the intention of having a quick loading refresher. We passed Dawn's box with the ramp down on the yard and B made a beeline for it!! Ok says I, on you go and blow me down she did - gave the ramp a sniff and walked herself onto it! I backed her straight off and then we went around to the car park only to find someone had parked right across the back of my lorry so I could use it anyway grrrr...ah well at least we had a bit of a practise and a very good one at that!

Downs & Ups

2009-10-09T21:40:00.002+01:00

Sorry for not posting, had a BAD day Wednesday, really knocked my confidence and just needed a day or two to get my head around the whys and wherefores.....

I took Bally in the school as I didn't get to the yard until late, she came in wired, very very jumpy and tense. The intention was to lead her around get her to focus and listen and relax....as the school is next to both the drive and the road it was also a good opportunity of having cars go past her in a safe secure environment.

Well we managed 1/2 a lap of the school before we had the first panic stricken, leap, barge and spin as a car went past on the lane as we were at the road end of the school, closely followed by several more leaps for no reason I could see - B was actually shaking she was so fired up with adrenaline.
So we stopped and we stood and then I worked on lowering her head and moving her feet, just tiny little asks, keeping my own energy very low, completely calm, never upping the pressure just remaining very flat.

This worked OK, to the point that although she tensed, we were able to remain standing still when the next car went past with nothing more than a jump on her part.

I tried a little inhand work with her but she found the pressure too much, holding her close on her face just made her brace her head and neck and I couldn't get any poll flexion as she was too tense. If we tried walking forwards she was worse - just planted or barged through the aids and I had another couple of leaps and spins to contend with so I just very softly asked for stretches down in halt which I was able to get with a small vibration and a leading hand.

I stopped it there as I knew I wasn't going to get much better than that.

Popped her back in the stable whilst I sorted her hay out for the field and she just box walked and pooped..poor babe :-(

I felt really disheartened as I thought this was all a bit extreme considering how well she'd long lined the night before once she got off the road.

Made matters worse as when I got home I caught sight of some Safi pictures on the computer - a couple from just a few days before she was pts and her eyes, oh god the look in her eyes: just said she'd had enough and seeing them along with some from when she wasn't much older than Bally is now..her future bright and clear ahead of her it just made me weep my heart out....as I said, it really was a BAD day.

I had a think about the whole Scary B situation and the only thing I could think of that had been any different for Bally was the addition of haylege to her hay ration over the past week. Thinking back she'd been jumpier on Monday when she had her feet done too...then the big reaction to the car on Tuesday, only one thing to do - cut it out again, and go back on to plain hay in the field

Gave her yesterday off to let her chill and went tonight with a fresh head and a hope for a better day!

Well Bally boo was waiting for me at the gate, walked in on a loose rein, tied up in the stable, stood loose in the stable whilst I sorted her tack out..hmmmmmm much better!

I took her into the school again and let her loose as I put a few poles out in a fan, then attached double lunge lines and off we went....

Well Bally was lovely to work with, had one tense up and little jump at a car, but otherwise she walked and trotted and halted when asked, happily let me move her about the whole school doing figure of 8's, lunged and long lined over the poles on each rein...she was like a different horse - back to the sweet fun happy to try little mare I've got to know and love Thank GOODNESS!! I let her off to loose school and she happily and calmly used the whole school even the lane end, no leaping, no silliness...Yay!!

So something may have completely freaked her out in the field, but I'm hoping it was just the haylage that was too much for her, time will tell I guess, but I was absolutely relieved that she was such a good girl again tonight..phew!!

So Bloody Angry!

2009-10-06T21:28:00.002+01:00

Lovely blowy evening, B was quite on her toes when I brought her in...funny though, she's passaging up the path past the other horses on a loose lead but no attempts to shoot off - we like that kind of hoolying!

She was nice and calm in the stable though, had a brush of her muddy bits, then I kitted up ready for a long lining hack out. Although I had already got a fluorescent sheet for her and a jacket for me, I'd been out at the weekend and bought some Hi-Vis leg wraps, a neckband and a tail guard as well to make sure we were easily visible in the darker evenings if we are on the road...hahaha might as well have saved my money!

We walked out of the yard and on to the lane, B was nicely marching on in hand. We'd only been out a couple of minutes when I noticed a car approaching back along the lane, I watched to see if it was going to go into the yard, but no it continued so I walked B along to a bit of road where she could stand at the side to let it pass...now this car took a good minute to get close, so I'd seen it from ages away......unfortunately said car was being driven by some idiotic blind arse that shouldn't be allowed on the road..... I'd already halted B so I stood out to the side and waved my arm to slow the driver down...nothing...till she was almost on us ...and suddenly must have seen us, slammed her brakes on so hard they squealed and locked and the car started skidding towards us...what a complete and utter F***ing IDIOT !!!!
Poor B was terrified and clattered about in the road as I tried to calm her down. The girl got out of the car and her first words were "I didn't see you"
Words fail me...well actually they didn't, I went ballistic, absolutely mental yelling at her because I'd not only seen her all the way along the road, but done everything I could to keep us safe and her utter stupidity had almost caused a serious accident. Yup, despite being decked from top to toe in bright yellow fluorescent gear she didn't see us!!! I was running on adrenaline from the shock and I know I was really abusive but I make no apologies for it - she needed a bloody wake up call - what if I'd been a kid on a bike?? (which incidentally there was about 5 mins down the road!)

After she'd gone I just stood shaking as much as B was and chatted to her and stroked her to calm us both down. Of course Bally was on edge after this, but coped admirably with a couple of cyclists and a car coming towards her I just stopped her asked them to slow and gave her heaps of praise as she stood and watched them pass. She did however get panicky when another car approached from behind. This driver was kind enough to slow right down and creep past, but poor B was still far tenser than she had been :-(

I was glad to get off the lane and on to the bridleway, where I unhitched her lead and set up the long lines. I was a bit concerned she might be too flighty to cope with taking the lead, but no, it seemed to focus her and help her to settle right down.
Bailarina excelled herself and we long lined all the way home along the bendy path by the stream, not a flicker of interest in the scary bridge or that corner that she had issues with before, never once did she try and turn back.

All the way we went around the hay field where she had a little plant as we approached the path back to the yard, but it took barely any persuasion to get her walking forwards again...a million times better that the last couple of attempts!!

I actually got her to lead all the way back onto the yard and the entrance to the barn...BRILLIANT!!!!!

I met my YO as she was coming out from finishing her horses off and she asked if we'd had a spot of bother - apparently back on the yard they'd heard the screeching car...and my ranting!!! She said they'd fully expected to see B galloping back onto the yard on her own, but she was really impressed that not only had we carried on but had actually managed a really great session.

I gave Bally a really good scritchy scratchy groom and a couple of treats to stretch for before her tea. She walked back down the yard to her paddock like a lamb, so hopefully the good outweighed the bad in her mind.

I'll take her back over to the bridge over the dual carriageway where she can see and hear the traffic without it coming near her again the next few times we go out, hopefully that'll help to desensitise her again..poor baby!!

Glamour girl!

2009-10-05T20:48:00.011+01:00

Superhubby got a new camera and lens and as he was going to come down to the yard yesterday, he asked me to get Bally to strut her rather wonderful stuff so he could take piccies :-) All of them are thumbnails so if you click on them you'll get the bigger picture

So he took some in the field..saying hello!

And putting her headcollar on.

Then we went out and did some mounting block work...B was her usual extremely well behaved self and let me lollop about all over her This was B getting a telling off - look at her face!!

Off into the school where I just baby lunged off the headcollar - not asking for anything other than forward movement..preferably when and in the pace I asked for.......She showed off her stunning trot ....

Oh and And her amazingly uphill...um whoopee... er...canter / leap/buck combo (unasked for I might add!)

Once she'd calmed down and we got some sensible walk and trot work I let her off and
We played with the blocks off the lead ...and she happily wandered around completely loose

So it wasn't a fluke!!!

Then off to Bessie Horsebus to have our weekly loading training.....

B went on OK, let me move her around..then with some trepidation I got Gi to bring the gate across...and I clipped her onto the leadrope in the box, so she was tied in for the first time!!

She was brilliant, no bother at all. We even got the second gate shut whilst we were there, but for safety sake Gi was on standby to open them in case she wasn't happy...but as you can see she remained calm and relaxed throughout!!

All in all we had a lovely and very successful day, B looked gorgeous and loves showing off for the camera...as one so very beautiful (who knows it) should!!!

Just lovely!

2009-10-01T21:22:00.003+01:00

I'd been feeling increasingly poorly today -felt like a cold creeping up on me, but felt awfully tired and a bit zonked out with it.

I'd pretty much decided just to bring Bally in for a nice groom, but on the way I saw that whoever had been in the school last had left loads of poles and a few blocks out...never one to turn down the opportunity for a bit of fun I though we could make some obstacles and have a play :-)

Had a wander up there, B in just a head collar and I took 1 lunge line. I gave her a little bit of a lunge first and someone was feeling far better than I was - she had a proper funny five minutes kicking up her heels and larking about - never trying to pull away though (thank goodness I don't think I had the strength to do anything about it!)
She settled really nicely and I gave her a go on both reins followed by a little in hand refresher work which went well.

I then walked her over a couple of single poles - I say walked - the first one taken with a massive leap and a wheyhey whoopee buck! I halted her, had a word (lol along the lines of "how RUDE!") and then we tried again...much better! Once I could walk her calmly over both poles on either rein on a loose line I let her off to have a sniff about whilst I made some shapes with the poles.

We had an L shaped corridor to which I added a single pole at 45 degree angle to make a fan on the internal corner....on the longline we walked through the straight part of the corridor then I asked her to back up, interspersed with walking over the poles like a maze to make her think about where she was putting her feet because the distances between them were all different. We actually managed to work up to backing up all the way along it even managing the corner without putting a single hoofer over the poles!!! She was so focused and trying really hard.

Then we moved on to doing clover leaf patterns and figures of 8 round three blocks I'd put out..more great fun. We were really having a great time B was loving having to think about what I was asking and was chuffed to bits at getting it all right

And then.....

we did it all over again

at liberty!!!!!!

I unhitched the line with the idea that we were done and went to put the poles away and Bally just followed me so I went through the maze..she kept her nose at my shoulder and followed me through, then along the corridor, over to the blocks and round each one changing the rein to the next....she was just BRILLIANT! I couldn't believe it, what an absolute SUPERSTAR!!!!

Back to the stable for a groom and dinner, then we pootled to the field where I sat down after putting her hay out and she came over and grazed around my feet, having her ears rubbed and her face stroked - today was one of those days when I felt truly honoured to be sharing my life with such a wonderful little mare (and wishing to high heaven that superhubby had been there to capture our little success on video ;-) )

Out and about again

2009-09-30T20:58:00.004+01:00

B came in today with two more splits in her front feet, she's growing the walls like mad and where we're growing out the bits of flare it doesn't take much to get a crack to form.. Ellie is out to trim her next week but I rasped the splits out tonight and tidied everything up - she's also exfoliating sole like mad leaving really nice concavity...lovely little hoofers!!

Popped B's long-lining tack on, plaited her up (so pretty!) and just in case of shenanigans with the lines put a set of sports boots on ;-)

Attached the lines and hitched them up - here's a pic of how I do it Claire, not sure if that makes it any clearer tbh?! Once I undo the tab through the ring it all shakes free in a second so not too much of a faff

Off out we went stopping off at the mounting block for a good standing still /stroking /leaning practise and she was brilliant, walked straight up, kept walking as I climbed the steps and stopped when I did, didn't move a step until I asked her to walk on. My friend Shirley had been sitting in her car watching and said how absolutely brilliantly she thought we were getting on and how gorgeous B was ..aww!

Off round the back where we had to stop and wait next to a parked car as a transit van with a smashed up car on a trailer came past...Bally didn't stress at all so looks like no harm done on Monday Yay!!!

As soon as we got onto the set aside I unhitched the lines and set off we had a lovely little session again working on transitions and just keeping her nice and forwards. We negotiated a couple of tricky corners OK so the steering is getting a bit better (it couldn't have got worse!) I tried to get a bit of video on my phone but it became apparent pretty quickly that I can't video , walk and long rein at the same time hahaha , but did get a sweet shot of her, shame it's a bit dark though.

Once we got back round to the hay field I asked her to trot on out across it, it's got such good springy grass cover it's about the only place we can whilst the ground is so shocking.
Well B didn't need asking twice and launched into power trot mode, cue me leaping along, laughing my head off as she then kicked up her heels and had a little canter, she was having a ball and I was laughing so much trying to keep up, great fun :-)
We only had the one sticky moment (and a little temper tantrum :-o ) as I wanted her to long line right to the end of the field and up the path...I've always led her this bit, but she knows it well so I figured it wasn't too much of an ask.
Well we had a bit of sideways leaping, some planting, head shaking, trotting off etc, etc, to which I'd just put her straight on a circle and make her work then ask for a walk on in the direction I wanted her to go in..got a few more foot stomping little paddy moments, but she did it!!

She went all the way up the path until we got to the fields with YO's horses in and I led her from there - what a good girl!
Had a lovely groom and a cuddle when we got back to the yard I think we were both as pleased as each other :-)
Bally led back out to the paddock like a lamb on a completely loose lead as I'm lugging the wheelbarrow full of hay bless her and followed me round whilst I poo picked getting scratches and cuddles....She's such a sweetie x

The good, the bad and the downright infuriating!

2009-09-29T12:47:00.003+01:00

Lots to report...bad me as usual for not taking the time to update, so this is a long one!

Had an interesting long reining session on Friday, we went off down the flitch and the aim was to do the slightly shortened version of the hack out we'd done with the other horses

As it turned out we had a very shortened version as Little Miss B had a proper full on waaaaaaaah moment along the bridleway through the ploughed field and we weren't going anywhere till I'd untangled her, me and calmed the pair of us down. It had all being going really well, she hadn't been hesitant till we got into this field and then she'd had a bit of a moment turning the corner into it (a bit of sideyways threatening to drop her shoulder and turn back)

Got her forwards again and then wallop, she full on dropped her shoulder and plunged off into the plough argh! I gave a strong hold to which she went up skywards and span, getting the reins around her front legs..cue much praying from me and lots of "steady" pleading...luckily she's not one to panic when she feels the lines and I managed to pull her up before she fell flat on her face.

Horrible moment...once again I'm glad we're still doing this on the rope halter!

Got us back on track and she excelled herself by carrying on up to the scarecrow, turning in the lane and coming back with no problems...until we got back into this bloody field again and she blew again!! This time I was better prepared and stopped her dead, calmed her down, hitched up the lines and led her through...no chance of a repeat performance!
I really have no idea what's setting her off but she wasn't happy - may have been something in the ditch???
At the weekend we had another box session accompanied by Gi. Again she was hesitant to get on, but walked up without too much in the way of persuasion with one step back off the ramp and she stood warily but happily as Gi shut the loading gate. We we stood on for a good ten minutes and had the gate opened and then shut again - no accompanying tap dancing at all which is great.
We'll repeat this a couple more times and if she remains calm enough I'll take the huge step of doing the ramp next!!

Last night we had a great session - I took her off down the lane, but much further than she's been before and in the opposite direction to normal. I just led her in hand with the reins hitched up. She was a little tense and hesitant, but this just meant she walked slowly and carefully with a watchful eye on everything around.
We were passed by a car from behind and B didn't give it a flicker of interest. 5 minutes later and I saw another car approaching at speed behind us - I waved him to slow down and he didn't - so I put my hand up to ask him to stop and the bugger just drove past us like he didn't even see us!!! (I'm in a big fluorescent jacket and Bally has a fluorescent exercise sheet on so unless he was too blind to be on the road it was just sheer ignorance!) Thank goodness she didn't react at all, just stopped and watched...phew!
Then we had cars from both directions at once so we stopped, waved the one in front past, and then the one from behind and again she was just brilliant, so pleased!

Off onto a bit of bridleway I hadn't taken her down before and I just unhitched the reins and longlined her...and she was an absolute star - foot perfect!! Walked, trotted and halted when asked went round a wiggly bend without too much steering difficulty..just fantastic!!

She had a bit of a wibbly in the corner approaching the farm (she'd had an issue here before) so I just asked her to stand, then asked for a reinback, a couple of steps forward and then I took the lead and led her past. Soon as we were round the corner I long reined her back up to the hay field...such a good girl, I was absolutely chuffed to bits!

Back on the yard and we had a real setback - she was walking towards a bus with it's engine running - first time she's dealt with this, so she was quite wary but I was just leading her calmly and letting her know it was OK...well the stupid Bliddy bus driver let the air brakes off when we were literally 10 feet away just about to walk past...poor B was scared witless and even I jumped! Cue panicky clattering and me getting jumped on...oh my lord the air was blue as I told the stupid man what I thought of him. They're normally brilliant but this guy didn't have a clue it seems.
So right back where we started traffic wise, I hope that a few sessions taking a step back and just letting her see them around the yard again will reassure her.
Back in the stable I gave Bally really good grooming and we did some stretches for treats to take her mind off the idiot bus, pleased to say she walked back down the yard completely calmly when I was taking her back to the field so I hope it hasn't affected her too much

So a few up and down days...let's hope for better!

A bit of this and that

2009-09-24T12:53:00.002+01:00

Wowsers Little B was in an odd mood last night, she came in completely wired, very jumpy and tense to the point where I quickly abandondened all thoughts of taking her out down the lane for a walk.

In the stable she was very unsettled and as Button was taken out for a ride she became pretty agitated. So I just worked on calming her and asking her to stand still where I put her...just quietly and repeatedly putting her back in the position she was when I tied her up if she jumped about or tried to swing round.
There is absolutely no force involved in this - I keep my own energy levels very low, I don't speak, no waving of arms or telling off just keep everything I do slow, steady and pretty monotonous. It seems to work like a charm with her

Once she had a slightly more sensible head on I gave her a good brush and conditioned her mane, then plaited her up - such a pretty girl!

I took her out to the mounting block and we spent a nice 15 minutes there, I'd lead her up and ask her to stand and once she was get up on it and stroke her ears, neck and sides, lean over her to stroke the other side - once again if she moved I just turned her and put her back and started again so a nice easy continuation of the work in the stable.
I worked up to rattling and flapping the side reins on her roller and actually putting a bit of weight into my lean and after a couple of goes where there was movement backwards or a fidget she quite happily stood and let me get on with it...loads of praise and scratches. Oh forgot to mention...whilst this was going on there was a farmhand whizzing about the car park on a quad with two of the yard dogs running after it barking and a big red van stopped next to us and and asked me for directions to one of the units.......all good stuff lol!!

Then we toodled into the school for a quick five minute lunge practise. Just in walk, I wanted to have nice crisp transitions up and down and get her really watching my body language and whip for instructions (big circle, small circle, go large)
She was super tried a half hearted nap to the gate a couple of times but was easily corrected..and every halt was a lovely square one too, what a bonus!

Finished off with a wander up to the hay field for a trot in hand where she can really open up and worked on trot / halt / trot, again she was really nice and receptive..and she completely ignored all the lads out at the top end of the field haring around on the quads and mini motos :-)

Back in the yard and I put her back in her stable as Button went back out to the paddock but once she heard me sorting out her evening feed she forgot any thoughts of being worried because her pal had gone..funny girl

Pondering

2009-09-23T10:48:00.002+01:00

Bailarina had a day off yesterday as she'd had quite a workout for a baby on Monday, and to keep me occupied I'd arranged to meet up with my friend to go out for a hack on one of hers. I hadn't been to her new yard or seen her horses for nearly six months, so long overdue

Well I rode out on hunky Hercules - a 15.2 cob / friesian / trotter cross. Not the handsomest chap, but sensitive, willing and honest - a real sweetheart. She'd got him in to sell on and wanted to know what I thought of him

We walked and trotted round lanes, jumped a couple of fallen logs and a ditch, went over the dual carriageway, under the dual carriageway, had a gallop across a stubble field, went into the river for a paddle, down through one of the villages where Hercules had to give the other two horses a lead past a skip with tape flapping around out of it. - He was a dream to ride, completely sensible but responsive off the leg, stopped on a seat aid..just a delight.

I was singing his praises when we got back to the yard and was completely floored to be told he had only been backed three WEEKS before.

They just got him in, popped a saddle on him, her son worked him in the field to get a bit of steering and brakes then took him straight out hacking. He'd had his first set of shoes just before I turned up!!
They're not cruel or heavy handed - their horses are happy - living out most of the year, their own two boys come to call and walk on to the yard like puppies - no lead ropes required, it's just that they work on the premise that the horse is in to learn a job and he'll learn the job whilst doing it, so get on and get on with it!

It really made me think about the way I'm doing things, the slow, steady approach building everything up gradually...am I just faffing about uneccesarily?? I like to think not - the horses temperament has to be considered and this chap is a saint in horse fur, nothing like a hot headed little Luso lol!

I can't see that I'll change my way of doing things or speed things up - Once B's brought back into work in the Spring she will be learning to cope with more being asked of her - but She will aslo continue to be worked in hand etc and do things at a steady pace with new stuff introduced gradually. This is the way I was taught and it's worked tremendously well on all the babies I've been lucky enough to be involved with.
Yesterday did make me see that there is another way.....another way that certainly effective but it's not a path I chose to follow.

Interesting!

Out with the grown ups!

2009-09-21T20:35:00.002+01:00

Another fantastic new experience for Bailarina tonight...this is what I LOVE about working with youngsters :-)

Three of my friends on the yard were going out for a hack this evening and as I'd already planned to have a walk out with B I asked on the offchance if we could tag along for her first experience out and about in the company of other horses.

B was a little excited by the prospect to start with as we made our way onto the Flitch - we were at the rear and we had a few jogs, a little head tossing and a couple of 'ooops mum is that your space' wandering straight into me moments. She was still a bit silly as we walked past a field with a couple of ponies in and had a reminder tug or two on the rope ask her to mind herself and her manners, but as we ventured off onto a bridleway she hadn't been on before she settled down and started to enjoy the walk and the new sights and sounds.

She very bravely made it past Sunflower House with the beautifully well dressed Sally Scarecrow with just a little start and a snort, but then paid no heed as she walked past.

Off onto one of the local lanes past house after house with wheelie bins outside with no bother, passed by a couple of cars without even stopping to acknowledge their presence. B was a superstar.

We even had a couple of little trots, she was great in hand: slowed when asked, trotted if I wanted her to, no getting ahead of herself or pulling.

She had a stop and a look at a couple of things without being too silly about it and wasn't bothered in the slightest if the other horses got ahead of her, just happily and steadily trotted on to catch up if needed.

We did quite a big circuit with a variety of paths, bridleways and lanes and came back along the road where we had a few more cars and a van come past again without a flicker of interest.

Back round to the yard where she blotted her copy book by doing a monster spook at the cones to the side of the entrance. One of those real comedy la la la WAAAAAAH moments as she suddenly caught sight of them and teleported 6 ft backwards in a single snorty leap. So she left the yard highly excited and arrived back the same way, but the important bit in the middle was a great effort from B - with such a lot to take in, new company & new route - she did brilliantly.

Shirley, Nettie and Michelle all said how impressed they were that she'd taken it all in her stride so well

What a good girl, so proud of her - all that work getting her out and about on her own has really been paying dividends!

Boxing..progress!

2009-09-19T20:11:00.003+01:00

Thought it was time to push the boundaries a little with Bailarina's box training. She was now completely comfortable with the loading, standing on and being moved about and reversing off.

So next step was to tackle the part that had sent her into orbit when she travelled down - gates / partitions.

I don't use the partition in my box, but have the two side loading wings that have to be closed up before the ramp can be lifted and I wanted to gently and slowly add these to the mix.

I needed the help of superhubby Gi, so duly press-ganged into service he came down to the yard this evening ;-)

Loading went well, Bally took her time but moved on up the ramp when asked and straight on. Once she was settled I asked Gi to start moving the first gate across. As soon as B heard it and sensed it coming across behind her she had a slight tap dancing moment, but calmed down enough to stand still but tense and wary. I got Gi to move it back to release the pressure on her, lots of praise, then across again until it was almost closed behind her.

Another tap dance, but minimal, and Bally calmed down as I stroked and talked to her - again she was still tense and wary, but once she stood nice and still I got Gi to open it completely. I gave B loads of praise and let her stand with no pressure again for a few minutes.

I wanted to try again, but this time I moved B across the box at more of an angle and let her turn her head to see what Gi was doing to see if that gave her a little more confidence to deal with the situation.
Again she just gave a little start as he began to move it and the gate squeaked a bit (a case for some WD40!) but this time she was happier to watch him close it completely behind her...success!!! I can see that just as we've slowly acclimatised her to being on the box and accepting the strange feeling of movement whilst still we need to repeat this stage several times until it's just another accepted part of the process.

I'd actually prepped Gi as to what to do / expect if she found it too much and made a run for it, so we were prepared for the worst but bless her Baby B was less tense / stressed with this new step than she was over the initial standing on the box and feeling it move as she moved, so I'm hoping this slow patient approach really will pay dividends when we have to take the big leap of actually moving!! (not to mention the rather huge one of closing the ramp)

Going by how well it went today and her acceptance of feeling closed in on the box I'm feeling more confident that we'll crack it eventually.

Onwards and upwards with those little baby steps

Saddle up!

2009-09-17T21:39:00.004+01:00

Just fancied a bit of a play with Little B tonight so I thought I'd see what she thought about being saddled for the first time

Got my Fhoenix out with one of my lovely scrummy lambskin pads and just let B have a good sniff, decided enough was enough when Bally actually started licking the seat though!

So with her just loose in the stable I sat it on her back, attached the girth, fastened it, tightened it, wiggled the saddle....and nope, no response at all :-o
Bailarina did what Bailarina always does and acted as if it was the millionth time she'd been saddled up.

I popped her bridle and cavesson on and took her for a wander down to the school, thought it was safer just in case there were any shenanigans!
But no, B happily did a couple of circuits in walk on the lunge each way, then had a little trot with absolutely no drama whatsoever ;-)

So I let her off to have a wander around and she had a lovely free trot, did hump her back once, but no broncing - even when one of my stirrup leathers fell off...she just stopped and went back to have a good sniff at it lol.

I put a couple of poles out and we played follow my leader through, round and over them and B and I had a whale of a time ...especially when I raised them - B made a sterling job of walking over them

All done we went back to her stable for a nice brush down and her dinner, well deserved!!

Back to School

2009-09-16T13:58:00.002+01:00

Not been in the school for ages, so thought it was about time we had a little refresher last night.

Just very simple close in hand work a la Becky H, followed by a little long reining.

I just started us off with a good march around the school, walking at her side very gently holding on to the inside rein - more of a feel than a hold, just to ask her to keep with me and follow...felt really nice and light, not forced - we did a few circuits, changed the rein up and down the centre line, did a few serpentines..nice work! Any hesitation was dealt with by a whip waggle to the side of her, she's got the hang of this now.
Then on to the right rein for some work from inside aid to outside hand - really good, I was able to easily control the pace and bend and got some lovely baby lateral steps :-)

Onto the left rein and she was fussier in her head, it must be something to do with my contact I think. I know my right hand is my dominant one..but conversely means it's more sensitive so when that hand is at her head she's steadier.
It wasn't horrendously bad on the left, but she gave me a few shakes of her head to say she wasn't entirely comfortable. I released the contact shook out my hands and arms to make sure I wasn't tensing and holding and then asked again - better. I'll really have to moniter me very carefully as Bally appears to be a very good mirror of tension!

On to a spot of the same sort of work but on the longlines, poor B, it's like the blind leading the blind - I had issues with my positioning on the left rein again, I keep getting too far in front of her shoulder causing her to make little circles or grind to a halt and then when I ask for the move into the outside rein to straighten I forget to change my whip position....... my steering went to pot entirely then! I actually think I'm not being positive enough in the outside rein contact - I'm not working her into anything but the black hole of my baggy contact which is compounded by the wrong body language.... hence the lack of steering
Still on a positive note the entire session was in a lovely calm walk, no rushing or trotting, she was listening and attentive...all good!!

I finished off working at halt and using the whip as a pointer to move her feet individually when touched...a precursor to jambette and Spanish Walk - also good for ensuring a square halt or standing up for showing.
Well, she's certainly desensitised to the stick and has no fear of it ....um there was absolutely no response to stroking, tickling, flapping or tapping anywhere on her legs. Bally just looked at me with a bored expression lol! I may have to be a bit more inventive (back to the clicker!)!!

Night off tonight, I'm out backstepping in the carriage with Di & Prince :-)

Naughty Bad Blogger!

2009-09-15T12:52:00.002+01:00

Whoops, where does the time go??

We've had a fun week, mostly just having a wander about chilling and having fun whilst going out and about seeing new things. (always working on voice commands, transitions etc at the same time ;-) )

We've been down the lane a little more, with cars approaching and coming past us...we even had a a 4 x4 and trailer pass us..very pleased to say B paid no heed whatsoever and just carried on walking * clever girl*
The bridge over the dual carriageway has been well and truly conquered, I took Bally for a nice long wander over the bridleways at the other side on Friday evening and after I let her stand and watch the traffic she quite happily walked across like it was the most normal thing in the world
There was lots of new stuff to see, a couple of our famous Essex ditches to go through...dealt with in usual Bailarina fashion...
"oh look big hole in the ground..is it ok?".
.."yes, come on, lets have a go"
"ooh ok down we go then"
No panicky leaping, she just quite happily walked into and back out of them with a little jump at the bottom! We also walked over some fallen logs in the woods, went under some low branches, all very low key and just such great training for when she starts hacking next year

We've also done some more box practise, not the best loading - it did take her all of a minute this time with two stops to have a think about it ;-)
On the box I was able to ask her to move about a little, forwards and back and a step to the side all making the box move and not a hint of tap dancing!! No panic at all this time, so excellent progress.
I need to get superhubby to give me hand for the next bit and try closing the gate behind her whilst I hold her....watching very carefully for a hint of a reaction. Once we've got that without any panic it'll be time to try closing the ramp - I don't have any definite time frame to work to but I'm hoping we'll be able to try that in a month or so.
Of course then we have to start all over again with the box running! Slow but steady, I know we'll get there.

Bally has also been learning a bit of standing still and patience...next to our mounting block :-o
Within a couple of tries I could lead her and stand her up against it either side, climb on to it and stand over/ above her, stroking and scratching both sides of her body and even just leaning a little bit of weight as I did it.
It's the sort of thing that I'll just throw into the mix now and again, no drama, just another thing we *do*

Bathing Beauty

2009-09-08T20:43:00.005+01:00

Gorgeous hot day here today and we're due to have another tomorrow with it remaining warm overnight, so I decided that B could have a proper bath...shampoo, conditioner, the works!

I don't think she's ever had a full on bath before (?) But certainly hasn't done more with me than have the hose sprinkled over her to cool off when it was really hot in the summer.

So I tied her up in the wash box and set to with a bucket of soapy water - Bally LOVED it as I sponged her and then massaged the shampoo right into her coat with my rubber curry comb - lip quivering a plenty.

She happily let me do her mane and sponge her face and even stood as I poured the water over her from the bucket bless her!

B wasn't quite as keen to have the hose on to wash her off, same as before, but this only amounted to a little bit of a jiggle about, better if I just ran it and still used the sponge. Anyway soon had her all rinsed clean, scraped and sponged all the excess off..oh and got soaked as she had a big shake!!

Took her off for a wander and a graze in hand up in the cut hay field - lovely warm breeze blowing to dry her off, then afterwards popped her back in the stable to give her a last brush over and condition her mane....all lovely and beautiful I fed her and then we made our way back down to the field - gorgeous girl on a gorgeous day!!!!

the Bally Goat Gruff....

2009-09-07T20:44:00.005+01:00

.....Went a trotting across the bridge today :-)

She came in in such a good mood today :-) I wanted to take advantage of a nice warm and not windy night when she was feeling amenable and see if we could visit one of the big bridges over the dual carriageway!!
So after a lovely groom I tacked her up- with the addition of my fluorescent exercise sheet - first time I think she's had the pleasure!
I did a bit of desensitisation work with her first - a glaring yellow 5 x5 rustly sheet could be construed as pretty damn scary if you haven't had one thrown on your back before. But B was absolutely fine about it. I was taken the precaution of that plus my own tabard just in case anything untoward happened, I wanted us to be totally visible to the traffic. (To get to this particular bridge we also had to cross a main road)

So off we went, apart from the first ten minutes this walk was completely new to Bally and we had a lovely time just pootling along.

I let her stop as we approached the main road - we came around the side of a field and the road is right there through a cut through in the trees - makes it a little difficult as cars don't see you till you are right by the road, so they don't slow down. We approached it nice and slowly, B started a couple of times as cars whooshed past, but realised there was nothing to worry about and just relaxed. I walked her forward to the edge of the trees and we had a gap so we walked across.

Off through an old farm yard, across the stubble field and we were in sight of the A120 and the track leading to the bridge.

Once we got on the track I stopped and let Bally watch and listen to the traffic again, then off we went, up nice and slowly...onto...and straight over the bridge!! She was a little nervy and stuck to me like glue keeping her ear locked on me the entire time - I just stayed totally relaxed and kept a nice steady walk, chatting away and stroking her neck and shoulder to reassure her, but she didn't show any signs of wanting to panic or being overly scared, what a brilliantly brave girly she is!!
I led her on over to a lovely patch of grass down the bridleway and let her have a nice graze for being so damn good :-)

Then it was time to head back on over and Bailarina was totally chilled about the whole experience, so much so that I was able to stop and take pictures on my phone to mark the occasion!!

On the approach

Almost half way, still unfazed, ears pricked and calmly standing when asked to and watch the cars and lorries passing underneath her.

She still gave a little start if something particularly big went past, but nothing that made me think, eek we'd better get our booties off the bridge.

So we kept going as as we came off the other side I let her stop and just watch for as long as she was happy to and as you can see, she was completely happy about the whole thing :-)

Didn't want to rush off, no paddy and most importantly no fear of the traffic.

I'm pretty sure we'll be spending quite a while going over the bridges now so we can go off and explore the fabulous hacking (and walk back home to my house once she's a bit fitter!!)

And that was it, a nice wander back to the yard, she stood by the side of the road waiting for a gap in the traffic, watched plenty of cars go past her and stood stock still patient as a saint waiting for me to give the OK to cross

Back to the yard for a brush off, feed and massive good girl cuddle

To say I am chuffed and very proud of our achievement today is a bit of an understatement

One step forward, two steps back....

2009-09-05T20:21:00.002+01:00

...intentionally of course!

Friday's blog, sorry for the delay!! Firstly our step...actually leap forward :-)

Did a little bit of boxing, just brought Baby B straight over from the field to the box, stood her at the side of it whilst I popped my hat and gloves on, walked over to the ramp, I got on the box and b*gger me Bally just walked straight on!! She did stop midway if I'm going to be really picky about it, but I just said "come on then" and she did *huge grin*

We stood on the box for 15 minutes, she had her dinner and I moved about creating a bit of wobble. She had a bit of a waaaaah moment when I leaned over and opened the slide down window - cue about ten seconds of tap dancing (which seemed like forever!)...but once again even though she had a paddy she didn't attempt to turn and leap off the box *yay* and she calmed straight back down again *double yay*
As ever I asked her to back off once we'd had a good few minutes more of nice calm behaviour and she very daintily walked backwards down the ramp getting loads of praise.

Then I took her out for a wander, just me, her a simple rope halter and the lead - a step back from roller and longlining - I wanted just a me 'n' ma pony wander, not a schooling session (of course it is still beneficial as there's always something to work on...just wanted less pressure tonight after the longlining tangle)

We had a lovely time pootling around the fields, up and down the steep bit of track because we both like it lol! We did some trot, halt, walk, trot, back, trot, walk transitions - working from voice and body language as I wanted to get the idea (particularly halt) back in her head from voice as it had been noticeably wibbly when we'd lunged.

We did have a proper OMG moment out on the flitch path on the way back to the yard - she spotted a very large and very old unused gatepost to the left - this thing is about 5ft high and 12" x 12"...pretty substantial - she's been past it a fair few times...but she caught sight of it, slammed the anchors on, went in reverse and started dragon snorting at it!!
I was pretty much nonplussed as, like I said, she's walked past this post no problem before....
So I walked over and stood by it, a couple of snorts and wibbly wibbles later and she very bravely joined me. I just stood there and let her have a sniff and then we worked on getting her happy and comfortable to circle past it with her between me and the post...she got it - and without trying to barge me out of the way to get away from it lol ;-)

Back to the yard through a couple of fairly hefty puddles (which were happily tippytoed through) and we were done.

Great fun!

It dawned on me that with the extra hours I'm doing at work I'm rapidly going to be running out of daylight to continue or walks out in the evenings...we have a floodlit school, so playing about in there during winter is no problem. So for the next few weeks I'm just going to concentrate on the box training and wandering out and about whilst we still can in the daylight and save school stuff for when we can't. I'm vaguely planning on keeping this current level of "work" up through to the start of January, letting her have a month or two off (hmmm that'll make for an interesting blog... ;-) ) and then come March next year re-starting work seriously on an escalating 8 week programme to work on fitness and preparation and actually backing her at the beginning of May (whoohoo!)

Down to Earth with a bump - literally

2009-09-02T21:02:00.002+01:00

Well tonight started off really well - we were going to have a walk / longline session out down the stream bridleway.

I tacked Bally up in the field and she was brilliant stood nice and still as I faffed around, then once we were ready I led her out and just did my usual method of gradually letting her take the lead until I was long lining her from behind (off the headcollar)

She had a couple of leaping moments going up the field, one of which caught me, so she got growled at and using the outside rein and strong body language I moved her to the side away from my space. We carried on and as we went past the fertiliser pile she went to whip round, I just caught her in time and used one rein to ask her to flex back to the right with the other dropped to the side of her quarters to block, this set her off in leapy plungy daft as a bat mode. I just stood still and repeated a steady command until she stopped and walked forwards again.

We walked on all fine and dandy but then she did it again, this time as I corrected her she twisted away leapt into the ploughed field and got the long line down around her legs causing minor panic from me. I halted her and started to ask her to move back to step over the rein...and wallop, she jumped straight into me and flattened me again...twice in two days was more than I could take and I let her have it verbally with both barrels. I was, not to put too fine a point on it, bloody well fed up with her complete disregard for my space or safety, sore as she hit the same side she did yesterday and downright disappointed in her behaviour and my stupidity for being in the way...so I ranted and swore..quite a bit!

I backed her right away from me as I did it and then stood to one side to get my breath back and make sure I had calmed down enough to deal with the situation in case she went dotty again.
I tied the lines up and re attached her lead rope and spent a few minutes doing the forward, back halt and repeat until both of us were completely ok again. Then I led her for a few minutes until we got onto a long straight bit of path and with the faith that she did know what she was doing and the believe that she could and would manage this, let her off on the longlines again

Well I'm delighted to report back that we had a totally uneventful walk all the way along the path to the turn with a few halt and walk on practises thrown in. Stopped and she had a treat and we had a scratch and properly made up..no hard feelings! Then I got her to walk all the way back again.

We had one eek moment approaching a footbridge over the stream that she had to walk past, but I blocked her attempt to whip round and went and stood with her. Then I asked her to be brave and walk on - she had a good think about it, a minor wibble...but she started to walk on albeit tentatively. As she'd made a great effort I halted her and tying up the reins again, put the lead rein on and showing her that it was absolutely fine led her to the bridge so she could have a sniff and investigate.

I led her her the rest of the way back home along down the back of the fields - the farm lads were out on the wretched mini moto bikes screaming around, but as they came down the path they spotted us, stopped, waved and all turned round and went a different way - B was a bit tense as they approached, but stood still and just looked at them. They might be a bit roudy sometimes, but they're good lads when it comes down to it..thank goodness.

The rest of our walk passed uneventfully. I practised a little reprisal of yesterday's work close in hand asking for a little flex and a stretch down on both sides and Baliarina just did it perfectly. It was just how I'd hoped the whole walk would be, a nice wander around the fields, such a shame we had that altercation

BUT all in all although I hate the thought that I did lose my rag, it was necessary to get her to respect my space and get out of my face - sometimes she just doesn't seem to have any concept of personal space whatsoever and that's not funny!!
Thankfully there is no harm done to our relationship or working partnership and that is the important thing, she still trusts me and wants to work together...phew!

Blowing a Hoolie

2009-09-01T20:49:00.002+01:00

Dear Lord it was windy today, but as Little B had had a few days off I decided we had to do *something* constructive. Fresh from watching the fabulous Becky Holden in action on Sunday - and in particular watching her start Impy a lovely just about to turn 3 yr old Fell cross pony with her brilliant in hand and long line work, I thought we'd see how it went.

Now I've done a lot...an awful lot of inhand work over the years - learnt my skills at Turville and proceeded to practise them throughout Safi's life. But Becky works slightly differently to start them off...and it does make perfect sense in that they learn about opening the shoulders, accepting the outside rein contact, leg aids and stretching into the contact...all from you on the ground. The classical work is brilliant for suppling, collection and the lateral work...but that will all come later.

Anyway...windy...very, very windy. Bally came in like a coiled spring with the occasional Tigger bounce, so it took a while as we walked steady, stopped and backed, repeat a few times...add a few minor head tossy little minx moments and we finally got into the yard.

I was going to work her from her normal headcollar tonight, with her bridle on as it always is for work now -once she's established I will start to ask for flexions from the bit and work her off it (with a transition period of bit and headcollar clipped together)

So duly kitted up with roller, and her driving reins and normal reins we toddled off to the school....if anything it seemed even windier and we had a good five minutes of twitchy fidgeting being gently corrected before I felt that she had her mind on the job enough to have a walk in hand round the school - even then she forgot her manners once or twice, but a few walks round and a change of rein and we were able to have a very short lunge.

She was a good girl - transitions good, but once again slow to halt...oh and I forgot to mention one 10 second blast of total lunatic leaping and broncing on the right rein - completely stayed on the circle - didn't pull just went YEEEHAAAA then trotted when asked...one of those "do I really have to sit on her one day?" moments lol!
Then I brought her in to the side to change to the short reins to introduce the inhand stuff...I was just fixing the rein on when something spooked her and wallop, because I was standing right in the way she shoulder charged me and I was left sitting on the ground hanging on to her...Madam at least had the decency to stop and look at me with a hint of chagrin

I dusted myself off , finished attaching the other side of the rein without any further leaping lol and we went off to have a go...... well blow me down she was super - she zones in completely when she has to think about stuff and was concentrating really hard on what I was asking. Walking in time to my circle, not dropping her shoulder or drifting out through her quarters, moving off my hand and whip aid, listening to the outside contact and stretching forward and down when invited to...couldn't have asked for a better start!! Repeated on the other rein and again, really good try from Little Miss B :-)

As she was now so focused on her work I wanted to finish of the session with a brief try at the same stuff on the longline and she was great - we only did five minutes each rein, but I could manoeuvre her in circles, on to a straight (ish lol) line and back onto a circle, all at a nice forward and calm walk. Brilliant for her first attempt...any wibbles were down to me not being quick or clear enough with changing my contact or positioning, so she did brilliantly considering I'm such a plank with two lines sometimes. The difference in her attitude when she's being worked is incredible - once you have her attention and occupy that fiendishly clever brain I think you could let a bomb off and she wouldn't notice (Larri feverishly prays that this works in dressage test environments in future!! LOL!)

All done and both feeling exceptionally pleased it was off back to the yard where Gi had just turned up so we all wandered down the field after Bally had been untacked and brushed to have her dinner and some hay

It's a Beautiful day

2009-08-27T21:31:00.002+01:00

I think I must either be boring the pants off you all with the constant stream of Bailarina is wonderful posts, or you'll think I'm some sort of horrible bragger :-(

Oh dear..... I hate to say it but we had yet another great session tonight... :-o

Just a quick go at box training tonight..it went like this...

We walk up to ramp, Bally stops, has a sniff

I walk up the ramp and ask for forwards with a tweak of the line...Bally puts both front feet straight on and stops

I give another tweak, Bally walks front feet further up and stops

Another tweak, Bally puts back feet on and walks straight up the ramp

Me and B stand on the box together, she has some hay and then I give her some dinner

Minor panic moment from B as she moves and her bum touches the side of the box...for first time this doesn't make her tap dance then leap off- just a teensy wibble that I talk her out of, calm is restored

After nearly ten minutes chillin' on the box as she sniffs about and nibbles the hay I slowly ask B to back off down the ramp, which she does beautifully - so dainty and careful!

We go back to the field...I am ELATED *yahoo*

Chuffed to bits

2009-08-26T21:27:00.002+01:00

I think I'm still on a high and grinning, Bailarina surpassed herself today :-)

I thought I'd try going over to the busy dual carriageway again, we had only tried it the once a few weeks ago and although she was good, she still found quite nerve wracking and showed a bit of tension (no wonder really!!) so I wanted to have a no pressure wander over and back, with the plan of stopping, standing and turning round if she started finding it too much.
It was fairly wild and windy and drizzly, but never one to let a bit of weather get in the way I just spent a few minutes doing the calm standing / back / walk/ halt routine which seems to work brilliantly at getting her focussed when it's all a bit hairy

Well then off we went down the flitch path with Bally leading and me on the longline directing operations from behind, then on to the lane with her close inhand where we were passed by a couple of cars one each way and Bally paid them no heed whatsoever yay!
Onto the next bit of the flitch and over the scary horse eating cut through gate.....Bally once again stepped over it without a second thought (oh what a star!) and I let the line out again and asked her to lead on and have a trot..which she did.

Once we got to the bend in the path where we start getting close to the traffic whizzing by I halted her came back round in front and gave her loads of praise then calmly walked on.

Well blow me down Bally just calmly and totally happily walked with me - not minding the traffic at all, I mean literally ignoring the fact that not 20 ft away from her separated only by an open wire deer fence and a barrier is a major dual carriageway. Cars. lorries trucks...not a flicker of interest.

We walked all the way down past where she'd had a bit of little strop before, on through a narrow gateway and up the slope (so now above the traffic) to the start of the bridge itself. (WOOOHOOO!)
I didn't want to push my luck so she stood at the foot of the bridge and watched the world go by having lots of praise, scratches and rubs. Then we turned and walked all the way back the way we came...again steady as a rock, and even before we'd got to the sheltered quiet bit I'd asked her to take the lead and she did!

She did crack me up though - her one and only oops moment was as we were nearing the end of this path and passing a picnic area...when she caught sight of the big table and went OOOOH WHASSAT and did a little spook...funny, funny girl.

Back over horse eating cut through gate then we stopped near the exit to the lane as a big lorry went down, then a Golf GTI with the noisiest exhaust on the planet...all watched without any bother.

Down the lane again, onto the Flitch part two, no rushing because we're heading home, just a lovely walk in hand...ooh we come face to face with a sweaty man on a mountain bike who Bally does a giraffe statue impression at as he peddles furiously towards us ignoring my slow down signal...ah well no worry Bally just stood and looked and then walked on again back to the yard once he'd gone past (maybe I'll use a different hand signal next time lol!)

And well, that was it, a brilliant brilliant session today, I think it will have done wonders for her confidence and trust, it certainly did wonders for me!

Testing, Testing

2009-08-25T14:33:00.002+01:00

Interesting lunging session yesterday!

I knew it would be fun as Tuesday (a slightly neurotic TB mare) was in the paddock next to school and she was greeting the entrance of any horses in there with squealing and neighing, charging up and down and round and round, then running up to the fence and windsucking on the posts…..just what you need when you’re training a highly bred youngster who still doesn’t fully appreciate the concept of concentrating on the job in hand.lol!

Ah well I thought Bailarina will have to get used to stuff going on a shows and competitions - I want her to be able to focus on me with distractions so now is as good a time as any to start.
To start I just led her into the school and asked her to simply stand still – any movement from her was calmly corrected and she was put back into her spot again. Then I asked her to walk around the arena in hand with me between her & the fence. Poor Bally was quite tense and jumpy about this as Tuesday was being a proper P.i.t.A. charging along the side of the fence squealing and bucking.
Once again I just asked for forwards in walk nice and calmly and if that’s not what I was getting, requesting a halt & step back - just keeping my own energy level very low and calm.

Bally got the message really well and before we’d got half way round the school on the first lap I had her nice and attentive – still tense, but trying so hard to listen to me and not be put off by Tuesday. I then just kept it up adding halt transitions in once in a while, then a change of rein, a three loop serpentine and then on to a circle and by the end of this I think we’d both forgotten buggerlugs was next door lol!

At this point knowing I had a nice calm Bally I attached the side reins to her bit and lunging her off the cavesson sent her out onto a circle…..Ah…seems like we need to practise a bit more often as most of the super work I had last time seemed hard to grasp..oops!
Good points – Bally was happy to be sent right out on a large circle and stay there, When she halted she halted square and if she wasn’t she corrected herself (wow!)
She didn’t turn in once halted, Up transitions were good and she was easily directed with the lunge whip.
Bad points - Halt took forever to get, downward from trot to walk better but only just. She seemed very unsettled with the cavesson on her nose and she was not altogether steady in the speed / rhythm of her trot work.
Shame about not getting the halting on my cue as she’d been such a good girl about it before.
I just did five more minutes of walk / halt / walk in hand and let her have a nice stretch out to finish on a good note.
So plenty to keep working on, I’m not happy to move up a step to double reins or asking for a contact until we’ve got the basics solid

She's having a pedicure tonight, let's see if all that practise (and the bruises on my knees) have been worthwhile ;-)

Wibbling

2009-08-21T13:06:00.002+01:00

I've had a bad couple of days - just hit full force with grief over Safi, not sure why now in particular, but just feel floored with it.

It's also knocked my confidence thinking about the why's and what could I have done differently, then the whole guilt thing starts about getting on so well with Bailarina...how could I love having her so much yet still feel such heart wrenching pain over Safi...it all makes my head hurt just thinking about it.

Little B bless her got copiously wept over on Wednesday. I just chucked her halter and long line on and we went out for a long walk where I rabbited away to her like some mad old woman....then justified the tag completely by getting to a spot where I always used to have a lovely canter with Saf and just bawled my eyes out with my arms slung around B's neck. She sure has to put up with a lot, poor pony!
Managed to pull myself together and we actually had a really lovely time in the end, even ventured along the lane for a bit, went up the steep track and let Bally take the lead when she was feeling brave.

We did a bit more box practice yesterday with mixed results and looking back although we ended on a good note I could have ended on an ok note a lot earlier...so much for my good intentions about always pushing but not pushing too far.

I led her up to the box and she was up the ramp with only a little bit of gentle persuasion on my part, but she reached the top and backed straight off...ah, not what I intended.
So back up again, we stood and had a little chat about life in the box and then I slowly asked for her to start turning, step by step. Stopping if she tensed...down onto the ramp.....(all the while thinking OMG, OMG she's doing it!!!!!) but as soon as her back feet were on the ramp the wind rattled the roof of the box and in a panic at the noise she launched herself off.....Ooops

So back on again...Bally not particularly amused about it, but it only took about five minutes (considerably better than the hour it took before lol) We had some stroppy head tossing and mane waving and a lot of clattering and banging about it but up she went and taking me by surprise launched herself into the box taking the last bit to get on at speed this time...which of course caused the box to sway, which sent her into freaked orbit and accompanied by the thundering tap dancing Luso I left the box...again :-(

Took time out for five and just chatted to her her and stroked her till we had some mouthing and noticable relaxation...back again.

Once more Bailarina was generous enough to make her way up the ramp, and when I felt her shift her weight backwards to back off before she was on the box I took up the tension and she moved forwards again, which was brilliant ( I couldn't face much more up and down the blummin ramp myself!!) Once I got her on and she was able to stand calmly (tense yes, but not stressed) I gave her a few mouthfuls of feed and backed her off step by step, slowly and steadily.

I think I might forgo teaching her to turn and lead off forwards, she obviously isn't happy about it and as she can travel in whatever position she likes on the box depending on where I tie her or use the partition I'll stick with where she's happiest for the moment.
So next step is standing on for longer, then standing tied, then adding shutting the gates..then ramp...then starting the whole sequence again but with the engine on.
As I sort of semi joked to Pauline maybe by Christmas we might actually be able to drive somewhere! Ah well it'll take as long as it takes, I want her travelling happily and any amount of patience and effort is worth it.

PS I'm experiencing B being in season for the first time...goodness, what a mix of absolute tart and obnoxious stroppy teenage temper tantrum!! When I got to the field this morning she came over shaking her head at me, to which I sent her away using body language, so she promptly turned and chased Spud my dog across the field....then went over and screamed at Button- tail up & squirting (not what I want at 6am thank you very much!!) As she was being totally ignored she set off after poor Spud again, so got moved away again.
I got on with the pooh picking but could see her looking at me so I dropped my shoulder and hip and turned away to invite her in and she finally came over to say hello and have a cuddle.

She still had the raging hump though and after I left I watched her rag her hay around and then turn and gallop off through it!

Something I'll have to watch when she's ridden no doubt, some mares really do seem to suffer - sometimes I can totally sympathise!

Ding Ding: Round 2

2009-08-18T21:08:00.008+01:00

Our second bout of "Boxing" this evening ;-)

Got a lovely hello whinny when I went to bring Bailarina in...always makes me feel like it's going to be good if she's pleased to see me

We wandered straight round to my box and kept everything exactly as before, rope headcollar and long line and I quite simply walked up the ramp leaving her standing at the bottom to see what she'd do.

Well she had a couple of tentative paws then popped both front feet on, took a few more steps up until her back feet were touching with me just giving her a stroke and praise with each forward movement, but she stopped short of lifting her back feet on and instead calmly walked herself backwards off the box.

I gave her a minute to have a think and then repeated the exercise, just asking for forwards, and if she got a bit stuck moving her weight to the side until B moved a foot, then praised and stroked her again...this time we got all four feet on and had a little stand, but again Bally didn't feel able to make the final push and actually get on the box...no worries, we just calmly went back down again (which in itself is a good lesson each time ;-))

My blummin phone battery had died by this point so I don't have any more piccies..ggrrrr but onwards and upwards for try number three. I asked her to step up and she did, then after a good bit of snuffing and snorting she took a few more steps up...all four feet on the ramp again.

I asked her to move on gently and she stiffened, so I left well alone, Bally had another sniff around then just walked straight on up the last little bit of ramp into the box..whoohoo!

This time I just let her stand nice and quietly, but I moved across the box and back so there was a little movement that she could feel, but kept a constant stream of soothing chat and scratches going, I could see her chilling out so I offered her some feed, then put it down and left her to it.

We stood around for a good five minutes and then calm as you like I carefully backed her off down the ramp and Bailarina just gently made her way off step by step without a hint of tension

What a SUPERSTAR!!!!

You spin me round / patience

2009-08-17T21:53:00.003+01:00

Take your pick from the song title, both eminently suitable for tonight!!

Back to school for a little more work on Bailarina's lunging today.

Started wonderfully as she gave a full on neigh as she saw me walking down the path...I always shout hello back lol! I caught her and led her in round the back way so we would be heading towards the lorry park...and walked her straight in there and up to my box with no fuss whatsoever...Bally is AMAZING! Her spirit and outlook on life and work is such a joy to experience...I'm a lucky girl!

I wasn't going to do any more than that tonight, that's saved for tomorrow ;-)

On the lunging front we were just going to work on voice commands and precision today, not actually *working* her on the lunge, so it was a simple rope halter and 1 line job.
Down the car park and towards the school making a point of walking over the drain covers and making as much noise about it as possible lol.......then as we got to the school gate she tensed, stuck her head in the air giraffe style and shot through the gate at speed...oh dear!

I stopped her, calmly walked up and soothed her, asked for a few steps backward and some head lowering, then walked straight back out the school, calm halt, step back, walk a few steps forward and back then towards the gate. I halted her right in the gateway and then asked a for slow steps in...and got them.

Bally was still quite tense and scooty though, every little noise had her jumping so every time she moved I just calmly placed her back and continued talking to her quietly. Didn't take long before she relaxed and gave me some licking and chewing so we could sensibly move on.

I revisited some work we last did a while ago, walking the perimeter of the school, changing the rein, working with her to the fence and me to the fence all the while keeping everything steady and relaxed. Once we'd got this we repeated in trot...she had one almighty lets forget our manners whoohoo moment and I just stopped her and went back to the backwards / forwards / standing still routine until I had her full attention and totally back on side.

Lunging time! Did some desensitisation with the lunge whip, wanting movement away from me touching her body (but not a scoot) and a lifting of each leg from a touch on the leg..all good, then just standing still whilst I ran it over her back - she did move off at this but I kept it on and repeated my slow and stop verbal commands until she did, then immediately lifted the whip and praised to let her know she'd done well.

Then I lunged her for five minutes each rein...with no fuss whatsoever, no running off, no napping towards the gate just nice steady walk, halt and trot work on my voice commands. Good relaxed head and neck, nice regular strides, able to increase or decrease the circle with the whip...as if she'd been doing it for years, what a superstar!!!!!

She halted on the button every time and not a hint of turning in...Bally is now lunging better than several other well established, much older and more experienced horses on the yard...a pat on the back for the pair of us I think *grin*

A couple more easy baby sessions then the same with her proper working gear on and I'll start to introduce the second rein to give her something new to think about (the all important outside rein contact...very grown up!!)

With her being so tense and jumpy when we started in the school today could have been a complete right off, but patience really won the day :-)

Boxing Clever

2009-08-15T19:33:00.002+01:00

Time to face little B's demons today and introduce my horse box into the training mix.

First off I must say that it's going to be a long old haul before she's ready to just pop on a box and go! Even going from the success of today I'm not daft enough to think this is going to be easy....
This is something that I'm not something prepared to rush / bully her about, at the end of the day I want her to want to load and travel and not see it as a stressful scary experience.

So...she'd already seen the ramp of Dawn's box and been a good girl about stepping towards and popping her front feet on, so I wanted to build on this today.

Ideally I wanted her to have all four feet on the ramp during today's session - see if she'd get on totally from there and if so stand and get off calmly, quite an enormous ask considering how stressful we all found the experience only a couple of months ago when she came down to me.

Well I'd already got the ramp down and the side wings up. The box was in the enclosed & secure box yard so even if it all went horribly wrong (God forbid) she couldn't go anywhere. This yard is next to a motor body shop which was fairly noisy, but I've never seen the point of doing box training in a sterile silent environment....horses have to learn to cope with loading at shows with a million other distractions so best to start as we mean to go on!

Initially I'd wanted to use the clicker for loading training but Bally seems to zone out from food as a reward when she's having a good think about things so this was going to be down to me, a rope halter and longline, patience and praise.......

Anyway I brought B straight round from the field into the box parking yard, no problems and she walked straight on up had a good sniff at the ramp and with barely any encouragement put both front feet on so got a lovely scratch and rub. Well it didn't too long with a bit of pressure and release work to get all four feet on at which point I gently backed her straight off and again let her know just what a good girl she'd been :-)

As she seemed pretty amenable I asked again and once we'd got all four feet on asked the next question - further up the ramp and into the box. Bailarina was super - wary yes, but willing and not scared so I knew I could ask.......and bingo we were on the box!!

I'm not sure if the next bit could have gone any better, but we went back a few steps at this point :-( let me explain......Once on and standing calmly I let her have a sort of half hearted nibble at her feed bowl (again noting this zoning out from food when her stress level is heightened) she wasn't overly happy about the movement of the box when she moved and of course her first reaction was to move herself out of the situation - causing the box to move more! I could see she was worried so immediately turned her and the strength of her unhappiness at the situation manifested itself as she clattered about on the spot and then with no regard for her or my safety she leapt off the box at top speed.

I thought something like this might happen, she really was not happy when we loaded her to bring her down here - this is exactly what she did before and the memory is still fairly fresh in her mind

I reassured her, gave her a wander around to chill out and made our way back over to the box...I now felt that I needed to finish on a good note and that most certainly wasn't it. Bally was generous enough to come straight up and put both front feet on, but at the slightest hint of a pull on the rope made her displeasure quite clear, went up vertical and span round...ah back to square one and not a good place to be :-(

So a bit more ear and face stroking once we had all four feet on the ground and standing calmly next to the ramp, I asked again and yes, both front feet on the ramp. I stopped asking and just let her be, after a minute or so she started sniffing the ramp, and pawed at it..I gave another ask and she tensed, but as I could she wasn't actually scared or stressed at this point (that floppy bottom lip was giving her away!) I asked again..bingo she moved forward until both front feet were right up the ramp and her back feet were at the bottom of it. Again I stopped asking just walked up the ramp onto the box myself, stood at the back holding the longline and let her think about it...choice was now hers....

A couple more bangs and scrapes and about five minutes later (actually at this point it could have been an hour or all night, I'd have waited a week to get the result) she DID IT, walked on up the ramp all by herself!!!
Once she was right up the ramp and in the box I gave her loads of praise, but kept my body language to a minimum so she moved as little as possible. We both stood and chilled, Bally had a nibble of feed and then this time instead of asking her to turn and risk rocking the boat so to speak I asked her to move back step by step....slowly slowly and very calmly we moved back down the ramp till we were off and clear. I was absolutely elated and let her know in no uncertain terms just what a good girl she'd been. YAY!!!!!
I stood her well away from the box and popped back on, fetched the remain of her tea and an apple and let her eat it.

So now you can appreciate just what a task this is going to be - I've totally given up on the idea of getting out and about to any shows / clinics this year...Bally needs to be 100% happy about loading, travelling and going out before adding the stress of competition into the equation. I know we'll get there, but for the moment we have several mountains to climb first....watch this space.....

Wandering pt 2

2009-08-14T14:29:00.003+01:00

I'm off to see U2 tonight (WHOOOHOOOOO!!!!!) so Bailarina had an early walk this afternoon

I wanted to have a nice non work-like wander, just a simple rope halter and longline all relaxed and fun...chuffed to say that's just what we had too!

Off down a part of the Flitch Way I hadn't shown her yet and she just pootled along with me, walking when I walked, trotting when I jogged (my new trail running shoes are coming in very useful). I took her down and back up a tiny narrow and very steep little trail off the main path....just to see if we could lol and she followed me like it was an everyday occurrence.

We even upped the pace and a really nice steady and calm canter in hand on a grassy bit, she stayed right with me, no yeehaa, no getting all full of herself, then back down to trot and walk from my voice command. She was so good!

And that was it really, back to the field for some apple stretches and a brush off / hoof picking session.

A not very eventful, but very meaningful good day's "work" :-)

A wee trip around the block

2009-08-12T21:43:00.002+01:00

Brought a slightly damp and soggy Bailarina in, but the rain had already stopped and the sun was coming out so we were on for our long reining hack attempt this evening!

I gave her a nice brush and plaited her mane up to keep it out of the way of the reins - I'm not sure if she's had a full crest plait done before..(Pauline?) but she seemed quite amenable, even coping with me scraping my step box around. She had a couple of little fidgets, but stood still once I moved her back. I did have one problem - B's mane falls on the opposite side to Safi's and I had a right job - all fingers and thumbs at first, because I was on the wrong side to what I've been used to plaiting.

Popped all her gear on - pad, roller, cavesson (adjusted much better today) bridle and the long reins attached to the cavesson. I also attached her lead rope around her neck so I could lead from it in case she had a sticky moment. And off we went!!

I led her through the car park to be on the safe side and as soon as we got on to the path to the fields slipped back and let the rein out...and Bally happily marched forwards.

We negotiated a couple of turns Ok but had a bit of a blip in the big hay field as B went to trot off I moved myself to bring her round on a circle and then attempted to change rein flipping the reins over to the other side of her back as I moved over behind her...oops nope - WHHHEEEEEEE went B in a messy oval / circle sort of thing. Then I couldn't for the life of me get in the right position to get forwards and straight lol so rather than get the pair of us frazzled I brought everything to a stop and led her to the next corner ready to start again on a straight line.

Off we set off again and I used the length of this path to work on good transitions to my voice commands - walk on, halt and trot, with a bit of steady and heaps of whaddagoodgirl thrown in too. I was really pleased with her as she gave me some really good transitions.

I felt her start to tense up as we approached the spot where she had a little argh moment and turned tail last time we tried this long reining lark... twice she went to drop a shoulder and spin, but because I'm getting more in tune with her reactions and reading her better / quicker I could block with the rein and my body.
I really don't want this bit of path to become an issue though, so once I'd got her standing steady I hitched up the longlines, reattached the lead rope and nice and calmly led her the last bit. I really have no idea what is so scary there but she was quite stressed about it???
Anyway as soon as we reached the end and turned the corner she was totally fine, so back to long reining :-) And she happily took the lead along the back right up to the combine and past the big blue haylage bales - Yay!

Had one more OMG moment has we came up the path past the fields - my friend Di's big Friesian lad Prince came haring across his paddock at full pelt - he's like a war horse / charger when he's cantering, quite a sight to behold!! - Well Bailarina stuck her tail in the air like an Arab and launched into Power Trot mode with me doing that hilariously funny running / leaping thing trying to keep up and not waterski off the reins, all the while giving it "steady, steeeeeeeaaaady!!!!!!" I'm quite pleased and very relieved to say that she did after a couple more huge strides - I'm sure it must have looked quite amusing lol!!

Back down to walk and we got back to the yard fairly uneventfully - another couple of fairly half hearted attempts at turning back on me that were blocked and then she did her "actually I'm going to stop here for nooo good reason" as we reached the end of the path so I countered it with an "I'm going to flap these reins along your sides and be really annoying about it until you move your behind" which after about a minute of stand off worked a treat. She walked on for about ten more strides and I halted her, hitched up the reins, gave her loads of praise and scratches and then led her back into the yard.

All in all a good session - once again pushing her boundaries just a little further and asking for a bit more each time but taking a step back to reassure her when needed. I think that's so important - don't push too far, just far enough and never see taking the lead / responsibility as a failure which I know once upon a time, many moons ago I would have done - taking the lead is showing her she can trust me and look to me for guidance, not "giving in" That was a very important lesson for me a few years back!

Happy Birthday Bailarina!!!

2009-08-10T21:44:00.004+01:00

3 today bless her and no party!!!

Cruel Aunty Larri even made her dress up in lots of gear and do circles before she got her pressie - some Stud Muffin treats lol!

It was quite a big day for her as she had boots, a lunge cavesson and even very very loose side reins on for the first time today as I was going to work on the lunging.

Any way she came in and had a lovely full groom then I got all the new gear out (new to her, some of it I've had for years ...and years..lol!) and let her have a good sniff at the boots ( overreach and brushing) before putting them on.

Bless her she did the big stepping baby oooh what's on my leg thing for a couple of steps but then pretty much forgot they were there.
Popped the cavesson on..not massively happy with the fit, but I'll have a play with all the straps and buckles and see if I can get it better next time - I didn't want to be fussing around her face too much. She's had this on once before for a walk, but I was actually going to attach the rein and side reins to it for the first time - nothing attached on the bit yet.

Pad & roller on and she doesn't bat an eye at this now, so it'll not be long before we have a go with my Phoenix saddle.

Off up into the school and then I let her go so she could get used to the feel of the boots and the cavesson...hmmmm it was an interestingly athletic response is all I'll say lol!!

Sadly I didn't manage to capture it on camera for posterity!!

Once she'd had her funny five minutes I free schooled her using voice and lunge whip and got this really lovely shot of her

Sorry it's a bit lopsided, but I only had my phone and it's a rubbish quality picture because I had the zoom on...superhubby will be called upon to take proper shots, hopefully at the weekend

Anyway as you can she trots so beautifully in balance with a lovely length of stride and she wasn't fazed by the boots or cavesson being on at all once we were in work mode.

So I popped the lunge line and the side reins on - very loosely attached to the side rings on the cavesson. She has a bit of a princess head tossing moment..it all made quite an interesting jangle which I think Little B found quite amusing!

We started on the right rein and tonight I sent her straight out onto the circle, she was a little nappy to the gate and it took a couple of circles before she clicked into concentrating as she gave me a bit more head tossing as got used to the feel of the cavesson and a rein on her nose. Once she settled she was super, very good to my voice with a good steady trot, down into a nice swinging walk and a lovely halt transition. She doesn't even attempt to come in or swing round once I ask her to stand, which is just amazing for a baby.

Heaps of praise and then I sent her out on the left rein for five minutes, much steadier this way, in fact I had to position myself behind her to push her forwards. I asked for a couple of walk trot transitions on this rein to sharpen her up a little which were just lovely, then another couple of circuits of trot, a bit of a long drawn out walk, but an on the button halt again.

What a clever girl!

We then stood and chatted to Roz one of the other liveries who'd been watching and she had an in my face moment then got silly about stepping back out of my space - cheeky little Moo. I growled and firmly walked into her space with a finger to her chest and praised as soon as she moved her weight, then asked again normally and she stepped back nicely....sometimes I think she's so chuffed at doing things right she just forgets herself in haze of I'm so clever smugness and needs a little reminder lol!!

Back to her stable for her Stud Muffin treats and a little feed, a brush off and back to her field.

Tonight she was untacked loose and didn't move once I'd placed her..she really is getting the idea of this standing still lark, bless her

She'll have tomorrow off then we'll be out and about on the long lines on Wednesday, can't wait!

Pushing the boundaries

2009-08-05T20:32:00.006+01:00

Mine and Bailarina's!

We had a bit of a full on day today and Little B had quite a few firsts to contend with, I'm pleased to say pretty much all positively too thank goodness!

She was in quite a feisty mood and before we'd gone ten yards out of the gate to come in had been asked to back up twice as she was in full on head tossy wheee mode the little monkey! She got the "ahem, behave yourself !!" message after that and walked in nicely and attentively on a loose lead.

Gave her a good grooming and detangled her mane then tacked her up for a walk out in hand again.

This time we added proper long reins attached to the bit for the first time, then run through the low roller rings and tied up and attached to the top of the roller...to use if the opportunity presented itself, but more importantly to add the feel of a tiny bit of contact on her mouth with the weight of the rein. I was actually leading off her rope halter in case of any shenanigans

I decided to really ask her some questions tonight, but not any that I thought would be too difficult or totally blow her brain.

So we went off down the flitch way, we'd already gone down this part before, but I was planning on taking her to the end of that section, and if she was accepting and calm, on down the road past the banana depot and up onto the next section which runs alongside a busy dual carriageway and leads to a bridge across it.

She was nice and fowards but being a good girl, so I led her onto the road, she was a little tense because it was something totally new, but still happily following, over a big slow sign on the road, past some wheelie bins (which we all know contain horse eating monsters!) and onto to the next bit of bridleway where we could have a nice trot on in hand.

We pootled along over the gateway with the horse arch to step over with me leading until we got to the part where she could really see and hear the traffic through the fencing and I could feel her tensing up - she was a good girl though and stood and watched without getting too skitty...in actual fact she started objecting to the boring standing still part and kept trying to walk off towards the bridge nearer to the traffic noise! All a bit rude for my liking so I brought her back to stand again and she had a little hissy fit...managing to land one on my poor foot (in trainers to aid the running as she trots...oooh ya OUCH!!!) 'fraid she got growled at for that misdemeanour!

As you can see she did settle and was happy to watch the world drive by.

Big trucks were still a bit scary as they whooshed past, but honest to goodness I wasn't expecting her to even want to get anything like this close, so I know we at least have a good foundation to work on (the best bridleways are all over this bridge so it's definitely going to figure in our future walk outs) She trusts me enough now to stay with me even when it was scary and she got a huge fuss, praise and scratches. This is the biggest question I've asked of her yet and although it was a big ask she managed it really well.

We turned around at this point and I let her take the lead back along the track back to the lane and then round to the yard.
Back in for a really nice groom and her dinner then off out for the night to chill out after the exertion! Tomorrow she'll just come in for a brush and feed.

Thought I'd add a few more piccies from the other night in the field with the inhand / baby lunging...just look at the articulation of those hocks!!

A feel good day

2009-08-03T20:38:00.002+01:00

Must have been something in the air tonight, but I just had a feeling it would be a good one...and it was!

Little B whinnied and trotted up to the fence when I came to bring her in, led like a good girlie, popped into the stable block without any fuss and tied up like a lamb :-)

For the first time she was totally relaxed in the stable, not tense or fidgety (up till now she's been gradually better each day, but I could see that she'd still had vestiges of tension but not stressed as she had been the first few times coming in on her own)
She had her feet done without any moments of forgetting how to pick them up when asked (cheeky mare lol!) and just generally seemed really happy in herself. I gave her a good groom with lots of scritchy scratches and cuddles and tacked her up in her bridle, roller and rope halter so we could go for a good wander out in hand.

So off we went and I took her down the path between the fields, around the far perimeter, past the yappy dogs and round towards the big fertilizer mound...oooh potentially scary hazard...yeah as if lol! Bailarina has that real Luso courage - yes you can see she's alert for danger, but takes a cue from me being completely unconcerned and marches over to investigate.

Off we went again and I took her on the river bridleway for the first time, we had a couple of trots where I was looking for a good crisp transition up and down to my voice command and working on keeping a nice rhythm (whilst bemoaning my lack of running fitness hehehe) and she was super. I didn't want to do the whole circuit yet as it would take about an hour so picked a good spot to turn about and walk back.
Got to the little hill leading back to the hay field and asked her to trot out up it...such a good workout (for both of us) and she didn't disappoint giving me super powerful balanced lengthened strides (I'm so red and puffing by this stage I wanted to crawl lol!)

When we got back to the yard we stopped to have a chat to Ellie the yard groom so Bally had to stand still for ten minutes - she had a couple of bored baby fidgets but moved back to my click every time she moved her feet, several cars and vans drove straight past her and she paid no attention whatsoever. She was mildly tense when the bus depot started lowering the big shutter door, but stood and watched without being jumpy - luckily the chap shutting up shop has horses so he was watching out for her and doing it slowly to make sure she wasn't overly phased by it - a really great lesson for her!!

Off back to the stable and she stood stock still where I put her as I untacked (I'm a real stickler for this and she's picking it up nicely yay!) brushed her off then let her go in the stable whilst I went to get her dinner.
Again she was completely relaxed, she's really learning that it's Ok to be in the stable block by herself, it's something she has to get used to in the summer when she's coming in to be tacked up / groomed / washed off / etc whilst her field buddies are still outside so it's important that she sees it really is a nice place to be and certainly nothing to stress about. She'll be going out and about in the horsebox on her own so it's a good lesson in that respect too.

I gave her a small feed and left her to it for five minutes and she happily polished that off and stood & ate her hay totally happy and relaxed - I'm so chuffed!!

A really positive and useful day today, she was such a star!

Pole to pole

2009-08-01T20:11:00.002+01:00

Only a quick session tonight as I had to get home to cook dinner for my 2 yr old granddaughter.....

Brought Bally in and did her feet as usual, noticed the start of a split on her left fore so into trimming mode to rasp it out.....Eleanor probably won't need to touch her feet next time she comes lol!

Gave her a brush and treated her mane to some Megatek (gotta keep that hair in perfect condition lol!!) then on our way back to the field I thought sod it let's have a play in the school.

I took her in and we had a walk round - oh dear B had one of her "princess" moments and went into I'm not listening lalalalala mode because one of the other liveries was walking her horse out.

I moved her feet back to gain some attention and then dealt with a whizz round by placing her right back where she started then as she froze and went into giraffe stance I used an old NH method of gaining attention (as taught to me by a Texan cowboy & horse trainer by the name of Lewis Blackburn)......very light, quick but short downward pulls on the rope , never increasing the pressure...it's an annoyance, not a punishment and as soon as you get any response (in this case a lowering of the head which brings the horse out of an alert state) you stop and reward.....worked a treat :-) and so I now had a nice attentive Bailarina on a loose lead walking happily by my side yay!!

Now that we'd got that little hissy out of the way I let her loose while I got some trotting poles out. I love watching her at liberty, Little B gave me some super trot and that wonderful uphill floating canter - I cannot wait to experience that as a ridden partnership :-)

Anyway I put out a full line of poles for the first time (she's walked over the odd one before) - set them at walk distance and off we went - well sometimes I wonder if B has lived before, because she wasn't fazed in the slightest, we walked over each way a couple of times with her being absolutely foot perfect.

So I moved them out to trot distance and asked again.... yes!!!! Lovely elevated trot and she didn't touch a single one.

So we'll practise this in hand a few times interspersed with building on the great start to the lunge work and then eventually combine the two, there is nothing like pole work work to get the back swing and work the shoulders and quarters.

Such a great positive session - and the whole thing was less than 15 minutes of play time!!

By Jove she's got it!!

2009-07-31T22:29:00.002+01:00

Lunging that is, only baby steps still, but we clicked with it yesterday

I thought Bally could do with a spell in the school as it's been quite a while since her last session in there, so bridle and rope halter on with a single lunge line.....I prefer to double lunge / long line, but at this stage in the proceedings I think 1 line is safer - at least until they've got the idea of it....much less to get tangled up in or drop lol!!

Started as usual with a walk in hand around the perimeter of the school to familiarise her with it and then added a change of rein, all good
Then I changed my position and added a 10 metre circle once on each side as we went along. This is similar stuff to what we've done out in the field, but now in the constraints of the school..a little more precision required lol!

I then sent her out onto a bigger circle - a little stop start and not very circular, but she was getting the idea! Her trot was still a bit rushed but I think she was just unsure at the lack of direct contact.

After a circle or two she really got the idea and we had a nice steady trot on a circle with a great walk and halt transition.

On to her left rein and again a similar start, unsure and wibbly wobbly - more so on this rein so I shortened the line and went out to her to give her some support - better!!!
So I gradually increased the distance again and bingo! Let her have a couple of circles at a nice steady trot with lots of praise and asked her to slow...um nope...steady...a little...so I just repeated the waaaaaaallllk and brought my own energy level right down and it worked - Yay!
On to a good halt right on the button and we stopped for a big cuddle and loads of praise, what a good girl

And that was it end of session

Tonight I wasn't feeling too great, bad day generally :-( so definitely not a night to be working a baby, even such a good girl as little B. So she just came in for a brush and a little foot trim practice, a good brush and a feed, all good, bless!

Bailarina is back in business

2009-07-28T19:55:00.009+01:00

Poor little B had a bit of a raw deal over the last few weeks, I'd been in such a state there was no way I could work her, but she was, as always, generous with her hugs and snuffles as I spent time just sitting with her.

My friend Di did a sterling job of looking after her whilst I was away (am I allowed to be secretly chuffed that she wouldn't let Di approach to cuddle her when she was lying down and always got up...I feel honoured having had some lovely cuddles from her as she piggy snuffles in her sleep!!!)

I was a bit down when we got home from our lovely surprise holiday in Corfu - it was exactly what I'd needed and we had such an amazing time, being in a completely different setting so far removed from reality lulled me into a bit of a false sense of feeling OK....but as soon as we got home and I saw the empty paddock I was sunk...and opening the post to see the vet bill for Safi's euthanasia finished me off.....

But life does go on and I have the amazing Bailarina to keep my mind occupied now - Bless her little soft nose! We went straight down to the yard yesterday afternoon and she whinnied and came over as soon as she spotted us which cheered me up no end :-) The fact that she hung around in the gateway as we went convinced me that someone was missing having things to occupy that bright as a button brain too!

So on to today and we were getting back to work with a vengeance. I brought her in for a good groom and noticed she had a bit of a split in her right front hoof that needed tidying before it grew and caused a problem, she was a little diamond and spent five minutes nuzzling me as I rasped it out.

Then it was bridle and rope halter on, roller done up and off for a workout!!

We went out down the path and practised our halt, walk on and backwards to voice and body cues she was a little reticent to start but soon clicked into concentration mode

Then it was into the big open field for an inhand / baby lunge session which I'm chuffed to say she remembered really well and was super!

At this stage all I want is her going freely forwards from my cues and (despite the fact she's in a wide open space) remembering that I'm on the end of the line and she needs to watch what I'm doing / asking for lol!

She gave me some lovely trot work, but alas we didn't get a really good shot on Gi's i-phone.

We did however get this one......now that's what I call an uphill canter depart yeeehaaaaaa!!!!!!

Great fun and a fab effort from Little B, she'd taken on board everything we'd done before the break in work and given me all I'd asked for and then some :-)

We finished our walk around the back of the fields and came into the yard from the back where there were some rather large puddles to negotiate..aha something new, I had no idea if she'd be brave about water.......I really should have known lol

It posed no problem whatsoever, except me discovering that I had leaky boots...yuk!

Off back to the yard for a brush down and a small feed, with lots of praise to let her know just what a superstar she'd been tonight.

Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings :-)

(ps...if you have eyesight like mine and you can't see the teeny pics I think you can click on them and make 'em bigger...works for me!!)

For Safira

2009-07-17T19:45:00.002+01:00

Bailarina's blog is written today in memoriam for her big sister Safira

So many people, some across the world, sent her their thoughts, healing and Reiki over the last few days and I know without a doubt that they helped my beautiful girl on her way this morning

It had been raining all morning ....weather to match my misery, until just before 10am when unbelievably the sun came out for the only time all day and stayed shining until we left her.

Safi was Safi till the very end - I'd groomed her and plaited her mane up and as soon as I'd done and stood back to tell her how beautiful she looked she promptly flopped on one side and had a roll. Even Andre laughed when he got here to see one side of her gleaming and the other plastered in mud.

I wanted to let her go before the van came to collect her body as I knew that seeing a horse box would stress her (and me) so after Andre had come and said hello again to Safi and explained everything to us about what he would do we took her over into the front paddock where Andre sedated her. Safi didn't bat an eye, she'd had so many injections from her Uncle Andre that she knew he wouldn't hurt her.

She had a few more nibbles of grass then as she got wobbly she lifted her head and rested her nose on my chest as I held her whilst he administered the last two syringes. I had time to stroke and kiss her face, tell her how loved she was and then say my last goodbye as she sighed a couple of times... then Safi went so peacefully and calmly.. she just dropped to the grass with another sigh and lay still.

Gi and I just sat with her for a while until Andre came back over and checked her heart and confirmed she'd gone - finally pain free after so long. We hugged her, gave her all our love and left her poor broken body - her spirit won't ever leave us

I know I made the right choices about the who, how and where and she couldn't have have a more peaceful send off. It hurts like hell and I need time to grieve her loss - I'm staring out of the window through my tears and no matter how hard I look she isn't there anymore, but there isn't one single part of me that regrets what I've done or how it went.

After she'd been through so much in the last 14 months I desperately prayed that her end would be a good one - and it was, seems funny to say it, but it was. To share her life to her last moments was an honour and a privilege I will be forever thankful for

God speed you on your way my darling Safi xxxx

Little Update

2009-07-09T13:03:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the lack of updates - As most of you know I've been a bit preoccupied with making the arrangements for saying my last goodbye to Safi next Friday.
Everything is sorted now, booked and paid for. My vets have been amazing, taking over all the arrangements as I've been a complete emotional wreck over the whole thing and completely incapable of dealing with any of it. Low point was going in to pick up my last box of Danilon from the office and just howling like a banshee and running out of the door when Jane asked if I was ok...sorry Jane

I'm just in a limbo now counting down the days and trying to enjoy every last precious moment with her. She's moving back into her favourite front paddock tonight where there is some really nice grass so she can have a week of happily stuffing her lovely face. I'm going to take her out down the bridleway at the back of the house a few times for a little wander too - change of scenery and all that .

Little B has been taking her job as clown and chief cheerer up very seriously and never fails to raise a smile, bless her.
I had a whole apple for her the other night and she was taking little bites, then took the whole thing realised it was too big and flapped her lips about, dropped the apple into the wheel barrow then jumped when it thunked, had a little scoot away, shook her head at it a la Naomi Campbell having a strop and looked at me as if to say "Oi slave fetch my apple out of that there sh*tty barrow" I was in fits - the look on her face was hilarious!
I've brought her in every evening, just for a groom and to keep working on acclimatising her to the stable, she's doing really well on that score. Also keep working on the ground tying / not fidgeting when I ask her to stand...I need the patience of a saint for this one lol!
Other than having a mooch around the back of the fields to make sure she's leading properly and not lagging behind or walking into my space (her favourite little testing the boundaries trick at the moment) we aren't doing any "work" but she's learning all the time and all in a positive way.

Ups and Downs

2009-07-06T14:35:00.002+01:00

Had an interesting day yesterday with some really great stuff and some really not so great stuff.....

Started really well, I brought B in and we went straight to the horse box for our daily stand around - she marched up to the the ramp as usual and then spent a couple of minutes hammering the ramp with alternate front feet - the banging was getting a little too much so I asked her to move forwards and she did - both feet up on the ramp!! We stood like that for a little while and I gave her loads of scritchy scratches.
Unfortunately she then backed off - I specifically wanted the back up to come from me - So After a minute of just chilling I asked her to get on the ramp again, cue a couple more bangs and bingo she stepped on with both feet...and then actually moved her back feet towards the ramp as well!! lots more praise and scritches and I walked down past her and asked her to come off - her face was a picture..."er I thought you wanted me on the damn thing"

In to the stable and I thought we could go for a nice walk and if all went well try the long lining again. So all kitted up in her roller and bridle with halter over the top to attach the long lines to.
I changed her bit as well and popped my NS starter in to see if it was the straight bar of the baby bit she didn't like - she was still very mouthy in it but she actually seemed to settle quite well...although she wanted it quite high in her mouth...I'll monitor this closely.

Off we went just for a mooch around the perimeter of the livery fields and as she was marching foward from the word go I slipped in behind her and on we went. Once we were in the hay field I asked her to circle me in the long lines and again, she did a great job, just one circle each way and she was listening to my voice commands really well, clever girlie!!

So then off down the back track we went....All was going smoothly until something spooked her and quick as lightning she whipped round and flattened me!
I have no idea what it was but Little B was really upset, broke out in a sweat and was tense and quivering, She didn't want to walk on at all and went to whip round into me again - So I had to move damn sharpish and hang on as this time she was off in no uncertain terms. Luckily she stopped at the pressure from the halter!
We had a shaky five minutes whilst both of us calmed down and I asked her move around me and back up to get her listening and respecting my space again then I walked her back to the yard with me leading although she was still tense and very jumpy
Got back and I took her into her box to chill out - she's still a little wary in there so I just went and sat on the back of her bed and talked to her. She had a bit of a walk around and a jumpy snort, but then stopped and grabbed some hay, came over to me, walked off and repeated this a few times...then she finally came over sighed and snorted and then popped her head down for scritchy scratchies and a lovely cuddle...phew, all still well between us!!
After we'd had a nice mutual grooming session and I'd checked her legs to make sure the long lines hadn't caught her anywhere when she went doolally I took her straight back out to her field and she led just fine.

Checked her over this morning and she was spark out asleep when I got to the yard at silly O'clock.
Bally opened her eyes and rolled up onto her side as I approached so I sat with her and stroked and cuddled her until she flopped back down to continue her beauty sleep and she let me check her legs all over again..even stretched them out for me and wiggled her nose whilst I was doing it - I've never ever known a horse so comfortable around people!!

So where were we...

2009-07-04T18:54:00.002+01:00

I've not been having the best of weeks for me personally and I firmly believe that there is no point in working a horse when you aren't in the right frame of mind...so Bally has been cuddled profusely instead ;-)

I've still brought her in each day, but have deliberately taken a few steps back in her training just to consolidate our basics and check we have everything in place and then we can move forwards again...what am I wittering on about......???
Well - leading in - making sure she's with me and at the tempo I'm setting, not dawdling behind or looking at the sky / trees / other horses.... tying up and standing where she's put, not fidgeting, standing still whilst we chat to other liveries..and not fidgeting. Being sprinkled in the wash box and enjoying it - that sort of thing :-)
We've also said hello to the scary horsebox every day which involves us trundling up to it and me going up the ramp and seeing what Little B thinks - well she's now completely voluntarily putting both front feet on the ramp - admittedly one single one on at a time, but this is done with no ask and no pressure from me, it's entirely her decision.

Now I know she's completely comfortable with it at some point next week I'll set her up to ask for a little more from her and I'm using clicker target training to help with this - no surprises that Bally as taken to this like a duck to water! Today she actually came across the field to hit my hand as the target, I'm so chuffed she's enjoying this as it's a very useful tool with a horse like Little B who really seems to need a reason for doing it to want to do some things.

I had to laugh the other night - I was just taking her back down to the field and approaching the corner I could hear someone on a mini moto coming up the path around the corner - I stuck my head and arm round it and waved him down...so he screeched to a halt spraying gravel everywhere which Bally found a teeny bit challenging and gave it her best eyes on stalks snort!
he very kindly turned the engine off and well - Bally took it upon herself to march straight up to the bike and start giving it a sniff all over - wowsers!
Then I couldn't believe it from behind us came the sound of another blummin one. Luckily Tom saw us, stopped and turned his engine off as he saw B was tense...well around she turned to give this one the once over too - unbelievable!!
As part of her traffic training the guys have agreed to help me by slowly but surely introducing the bikes whilst they're running, building up to approaching us on the yard at a distance and hopefully getting to a stage where they can ride past - Pauline I hope to be handing back a thoroughly bomb proof young lady at the end of the day - well actually she's almost there all ready having seen tractors, buses, fork lifts, lorries, cars and vans on the yard already lol!

Let's see what tomorrow brings, I'm really looking forward to it :-)

Skool daze

2009-07-01T21:01:00.002+01:00

I love the fact that Little B is coming right up to the gate every evening ready to come in and have a play!
She still likes to stop and have a think about things on the way in which is fine when there's a fair bit of stuff going on around her.
We did our usual wander up to the horsebox and I don't even have to lead her now, she's straight there, head down having a good snuffle up the ramp- she actually lifted her foot up against it tonight but then plonked it back down, it'll come, I'm not in a desperate rush... I want her to want to go up and I'll know when the time is right
I decided to work a little more on introducing the idea that I don't need to be next to her to direct things - making her start to work out what I want out from a distance, but still pay attention and watch me, so I took her into the school kitted up in her roller, bridle and rope halter and I brought along my long lunge whip so I could start to get her used to an aid being applied through that.
Quite a lot to ask tonight, so I tried to break it down into little steps for her - firstly with the whip.
We started just standing nice and relaxed as I held it to each side and then I placed it on her back - she wasn't sure about this and had a little dance and a wiggle. So I lifted it, halted and relaxed her then tried again - better! Still a little tense, with her ears going every which way but at least standing.
I then asked her to move her quarters using the whip as an extension of my arm so backing it up with a move towards her and she got this straight away on both sides - clever girl.

Then it was on to asking her to walk on, just in hand as we've already practised, but with me holding the whip in a "driving" position - to the side and ready to ask for forwards if needed which she managed really well - not phased by the aid and moving forwards nicely from a wave or a gentle touch on her quarters - obviously always backing this up with voice commands and body language as she has already learnt these.
This is so important - that she accepts the whip as an extension of me and not something to be scared of - and I think we made a great start with this.

On to me moving away from her but keeping a connection to start the idea of lunging and long reining, we had a couple of quite sticky moments with this with her deciding to pull away - naughty! I just held firm and moved myself behind her to push her forwards again which worked - we then had plenty forwards...maybe a leeetle bit too much lol as her little paddy set off Quest who was in the paddock next to the school so I had the pair of them going wheee for a couple of seconds

Brought her back to me and started again, just gradually distancing myself to the side by about 10 ft but keeping in time with her and it was much better second time around - we had a lovely soft calm walk in a circle and a straight line so finished the session there.

Gave her another nice hose down once we'd done - she's really getting the idea now and still likes to have the spray gun in her mouth and flap water all over me - can't say I mind too much ;-)

Day off tomorrow, she'll just come in for a groom and a cuddle :-)

Bally takes the lead!

2009-06-30T21:41:00.002+01:00

Another scorcher today, so just wanted to build on from yesterday and go for a walk and see how we did....we did great!

Bridle on and B immediately started flipping the bit over and twisting the cheekpieces again - which then sits the bit way too high in her mouth, so I dropped it a hole each side....and she stopped flipping it, just picked it up and held it .... All she'd been doing was trying to get it comfortable but couldn't as I'd adjusted just a touch too high for her the first time - doh!

I thought I'd try a new route today - a there and back down the Flitch way which is a combined use path / bridleway that runs behind the farm. The idea was that we'd pootle along to the gate / step over bit, turn around and come back.

She was really nice and forward despite the fact this was new territory, so I gradually lengthened the line and let her take the lead which she did!!!!
I stopped after a couple of minutes and thought lets go the whole hog, brought my long line around her bum and fastened the other end to the rope halter to make proper long lines, went to her quarters ......
and asked her to walk on again.....
And walk on she did !!!!

We had a little trot too and she was working really nicely from my voice commands, I was so chuffed with her!!!

Once we approached the gate I asked for halt and came back round to lead her again as I wanted to make sure she didn't spook at the sight of it - It's a metal gate to stop vehicles using the path but has a big cut out with a rubber covered step in the middle for horses to go over...only some horse hate it and take a flying leap as they won't just "step" over the scary 9" high rubber bit for love nor money (...ahem...Safi lol!!)

We walked on up and I asked Bally to have a sniff at it and blow me down she just walked straight up to and then over it as if she'd done every day of her life - I know horses that have to be taken on a 20 minute detour as they won't walk over this thing! What a star!

Gave her loads of cuddles and scratches then we turned round and stepped over it again to head back home. Once we were nice and forwards again I flipped the reins over and let her lead and long reined her back down the path. We had a lovely walk / trot / walk and then I asked for halt again and took over at the front as I thought she'd been plenty brave enough for one night bless her

I took her into her stable for her good girl treats and then into the wash box to see if she'd like a wash off to cool down......well it didn't take long for her to accept the hose all over...this being the second time we tried it! - She wasn't keen on her legs being hosed just yet so I just used the sponge on them, but all up her neck, back, body and chest she stood and let me spray her and sponge her off - really enjoying it!! She kept sticking her nose over to sniff the spray gun bit and ended up standing there as I squirted water in her mouth then flapped it all back out over me lol!

I gave her a nice going over with the lovely scritchy plastic curry comb and then massaged some Eqyss Survivor into her gorgeous mane and ran my fingers through to detangle it - what a gorgeous girlie

Off back to the field for a lovely roll in the long grass, what a fantastic end to the day!

Whoops..catch up!

2009-06-29T20:41:00.002+01:00

Yesterday was one of those hot sticky days when neither Bailarina or I felt much like doing anything, but we had a little play in the school, just because!

As usual she was nice and attentive in hand and I had some lovely work at liberty with her, where she walked, trotted and halted following me just from body language and voice commands....mind you when she'd had enough she stopped and looked at me..just saying "errrr it's too hot, ain't gonna" as I walked away to ask her to do another circuit....can't blame her - I'd had enough of running too!

She had a couple of mad moments on the lead rein prior to that too, feisty little missy!! Went to have a hoolie while I was still attached so I stopped dead and brought her round, walked forward again - ooh we had a bossy mare head shake and another attempt at boinging around. So I stopped and using fairly strong body language backed her up to remind her that on the lead she has manners! Our first real proper madam moment!!
I'm delighted to say she was a sweetheart after that and I knew she'd taken the lesson really well when she was happy to work at liberty with me :-) (Yes the fluffy bunny part of me wants a partnership and her to have a say in it, but I also need her to learn that sometimes we play and sometimes we work -if I'm on the end of a rope there are manners required and a body to be avoided!!)

Tonight was a fun night, with some really great lessons learnt, I was thrilled to see how pleased she was to be coming in to "do" stuff !

We came in and had a nice scratch and groom...after saying hello to the horsebox again with no pressure - she's happily walking right up and having a good sniff and snuffle up the ramp - tonight she was leaning right up it with her feet touching the bottom - I don't think it'll be too long before she takes a step - and it will be all her own idea - I'm just standing there clicking and giving her bits of apple when she's brave!

Popped her bridle and roller on - with no reaction whatsoever, I keep expecting her to at least go ooh whassat? but no, Little B takes it all in her stride :-)

We went out for a really nice walk down round the back of the hay field and the rape field, I just walked and jogged with her on a loose 10 ft of lead so she was just playing follow my leader, sometimes behind, sometimes to the side, but all just with a loose connection so that she's encouraged to move forwards freely herself in preparation for when we learn to long rein out and about
We had a bit of a whoohoo moment as we walked back past Sky and Alfie's field - they bombed across squealing and Bally did the eeek slam anchors on combined with a jump and a scoot...then lifted her tail and popped into the most amazing passage at my side - when I picked my jaw up off the floor I just walked with her as showed off in that spectacular Luso way - WOW!!

Back to the yard to untack and have a little handful of nuts, then as we were both quite warm I took her into the washbox to sponge her off and see if she would be willing to let me introduce the hose.
She was so good, enjoyed the sponging so as I'd had the hose in my hand all the time I was sponging her I just added a trickle of water from the hose over her legs too. She didn't seem at all bothered so I moved the hose up to her chest and ribs and again just keeping on with the sponging, but with trickle from the hose washed her down -she was a star.
I'll bring her in most sunny days for a nice cool down like that, so she appreciates it and it remains something nice to be enjoyed. I don't think it'll be long before she's accepting the hose all over, but I like to take these sort of things very slowly so she never associates it with being pressurised or scared...all good!

After all that excitement we just had a nice slow meander back to the field where I left her happily grazing - a really good day!!

A quiet day...a bit sad

2009-06-27T23:29:00.003+01:00

We all trooped up to the farm this morning: Superhubby, Ben & Leyna the rottdogs, little Spuddy and moi. Bailarina came a pootling up to say hello to B& L as she hadn't met them before.

Ben was up for a game of tag - he still tries it with Safi, but she won't play any more - Little B was more than happy to give that wonderful Luso "I AM the boss" headshake at him and play for a few minutes showing off that wonderful trot - and a foot perfect half pass!! - But it was lovely to see her turn to Leyna who, as a rather stately and rotund old lady, doesn't really do games of tag any more and go to herd her then stop, give her a little nudge and a sniff and gently walk behind her...bless her!

Bally then proceeded to follow me round whilst I poo picked and then stood and had a lovely scratch..all good!

After lunch Aunty Louise (another crazy Luso lady lol) came over to meet Bailarina and....... we have another member of the fan club, she loved her! Very taken with how well she's matured and thought her lovely temperament was a real testament to a good upbringing :-) She said that Little B had come into my life at just the right time and was there to help me through the pain of the loss of Safi...if ever there was a little mare that loved having a hug and a scratch it was her and she'll help me through the heartbreak

Louise is a qualified Bowen therapist who's treated Safi many times over the last few years and she was coming over to see if she could make her a little more comfortable by giving her a treatment this afternoon....
Sadly Safi didn't want to be touched at all, made it quite clear that she wasn't going to be treated and even with very gentle massage she was tense and trying to move away - this is a horse that used to stand on the open yard and fall asleep during her Bowen therapy. Lou and I both ended up in tears because Safi was just saying no more. The only place she was happy for Lou to treat was her head - the one place on her body that she doesn't actually have a problem.
It made me so sad because I know I'm running out of time with her and it's hurting so much. It's odd little things like that and the fact that she is stripping the willow tree completely despite the heavy dose of painkillers, she still feels the need to self medicate so must be in pain still and I can't bear that. She is still interested in life though and oddly is being far more cuddly with me - which makes it even harder to bear
Lou was great though, sat me down and made me start talking about the hows and whens...
but after she'd had gone I just sat with Safi and cried and cried :-( No surprises I'm writing this and blubbering again.

Did my evening check on Bally and I think she sensed my sadness as she followed me around the field as I poo picked, never leaving my side, she was very gentle and let me have a good cry all over her too, then made me laugh as she tried to steal my laces...nearly pulled me off my feet, funny girl...bless her x

Why oh Why???

2009-06-26T19:18:00.003+01:00

Didn't I take my camera to the yard today...it was monumental!

We pootled on in from the field and had a wander up to Dawn's horsebox again, no hesitation this time and Bailarina just walked herself right on up to it! I stood to the side and let her have a good sniff in her own time, one more step and she'd have been on it...all without any prompting from me. A bit too early for that just yet though - Lots of clicks and treats were had for her sterling and very brave effort!!!

As we arrived in the yard one of the regular yard farriers arrived too, so we stood and watched him work (good standing around practise..we like a bit of that) He took one look and said "Lusitano?" (Blimey!! thinks I) then "really nice sort, well put together" Another member of the Bally fan club then lol! He's not quite patient enough for my liking so I wouldn't use him, specially not on a youngster (even if he does like like Little B ;-) )

Into our yard and I tied Bally up, did her tootsies, then fetched my work bridle...and my roller.....

Bridle on, lots more chewing, she has this habit of sort of flipping the bit over in her mouth so it twists the cheek pieces...didn't matter how many times I turned it back...it's odd because it means she prefers holding it with the curve of the bit going the wrong way..funny girl!

Whilst she stood having a good old chew I popped the roller polypad on...no reaction, let her have a good sniff at the roller...all fine, popped it over her back...nowt, flapped it around her sides...couldn't have cared less, reached under and slowly did the first buckle....absolutely no reaction whatsoever, and did the second strap....and then tightened it......Bailarina just turned and looked at me then carried on flipping and chewing her bit !!! Each step was clicked and treated..what a fabulous start!

I took her down to the school (all kitted out!), she had a bit of a blip going through the gate - I want her calm steady and in walk, Little B walked til she was level with the gate then had a bit of a scoot and a trot through, so back we went the other way in walk, clicked and treated. Turned her to walk back into the school and she trotted again! So we repeated and broke it down into single walk steps coming in this time, which worked well.

Today I walked her round in hand one circuit each way, and although she was wary at the caravan end, she stayed forward and walking, just a little tenser than I would have liked.

Then for the first time I let her off to loose school....whoohoo and off she went!. The idea is that as she trots I say trot, if she walks I say walk etc so that she starts to pick up the voice commands under no pressure.
She looked spectacular as she trotted, cantered, span and hoolied around for five minutes...why didn't I bring the bloody camera argh!!!!

Only one minor eek moment - the polypad started to slip out from under the roller, a couple of wonderfully balanced and extremely athletic whoopee bucks saw it sent flying......whoops!

Once she'd settled down and it wasn't all quite so exciting I wandered around and let her follow me into the corners, then nice and calmly popped her lead rope back on and finished off with another circuit in hand each way - she did go to have another whoopee, but a firm no and a check brought her straight back, bless her she really does try so hard!

And then.....as there was one in the school......to finish off the session we walked over a coloured pole!

She had a little sniff as we approached it but as I walked over it she just followed, no change in tempo, no skittishness, just walked over it as if she'd been doing it all her life - most horses at least have a bit of a leap the first time - I'm astonished at what she will take in her stride - Superstar!!!! I like to use poles for mazes, fans etc to get ponies using their backs and abs better, and to think about what they are doing with their legs also makes schooling a lot more interesting, so unless it was a total fluke, she's going to be really good at that play / work stuff.

So what a brilliant day - we walked back down the yard and I gave her a lovely grooming and scratch and a little handful of nuts so she knew she'd done really well, then we wandered back down to the field and had a ten minute chill out together as she grazed around me whilst I sat and just reflected on just how clever she's been x

We'll have another day off tomorrow to let her relax in mind and body after taking so much in today :-)