I should really update this more often!

So... general has got over his back problem at last and is back in full swing. Playing etc. BUT we've had a million more changes.

Most of you will probably know of the million and one problems General and I have had together, be it health, behaviour, or confidence. These problems have not gone, but we're restarting our journeys in the hope of ironing them out once and for all.




So, we have made a LOT of changes. I have branched out a LOT. We will no longer be 'solely studying parelli'. I know for a while Ive been combining Parelli with my own ideas but now I'm branching out further and going for my dream. Something I've dreamt of for a long time, I mean since I was about 7 or 8, is to perform with horses at liberty, such as in Cavalia, and Jean Francois Pignon, etc etc. After seeing Jean Francois live when I was 8, I was amazed and have always been so intrigued by his work (or should I say play!). I always wished I could do something like that, but never really believed it was possible, thinking he must be some magician to get his horses to do those things! otherwise how would he teach them?! Even while doing parelli, I never really understood how he did it. I hope I can now find out. I will be studying his work religiously, I have already found out a lot, how he teaches, why he does it, and I love it! I am hoping to go work with him very soon, to learn even more. I will also be studying other horsemen/women such as Mirka Pitts, Stacey Westfall and the 'dancers' of Cavalia.



This morning, I started using some of JFP's methods on General. OH BOY OH BOY OH BOY. He picked up - collection at a standstill at liberty with a simple cue. The beginnings of spanish walk on a simple cue. wowowowowowowow.



Ok, other changes we've made. General is being 'restarted'. Right from the beginning. As if he's never ever been ridden. I have decided this is our best option to solve all the bad habits we both have! So, for 2 weeks, Ive been laying over him, jumping up and down next to him, racking the stirrups, slapping the saddle, and finally, getting on and off, bareback and with a saddle, halter and a bridle. We took our first walk a few days ago. Today, we walked for 10 minutes alone. halter/bareback. No emotional moments. no silliness. No bucking. no rearing. AND I WASNT SCARED!!!!!!



The other thing, is I am now using a normal headcollar as opposed to the parelli halter. I have many reasons for this change.

1) General is a very sensitive reactive horse and I have felt for a long time that the halter is too thin for him.

2) Most of the bucking he did was when riding in the halter/hackamore.

3) he had a sarcoid right where one of the knots fell and i was worried about the pressure.

4) I was interested to see how well he responds to pressure after a year and a half of natural horsemanship - the ultimate test is my lovely padded headcollar

5) its pretty ;)



Heres the changes Ive seen:

1) He is a lot more responsive.

2) He has not fought the pressure at all since the change.

3) When riding in it, he allows me to move him around and doesnt threaten a buck.

4) He doesnt toss his head anymore.

5) He doesnt go RBI when fastening the buckle.



hmmmmmmmmmm how interesting!!!



So, as you can tell, we've made a lot of changes. This doesnt mean we have left parelli. It just means we are opening our minds and trying new things too. I am still studying parelli, because I still love the program. In fact Ive been trying loads of things from the L&HB set which have made some great changes too. So dont think we're leaving you, and please dont judge me for changing things, using a different halter/headcollar (ive already had a student criticise me for it, and as I told them, i value your opinion, but he is my horse, and this is our journey).

I have been doing everything at liberty the past few days, and its made such a difference. I realised actually, that General and I didnt have such a great relationship outside the roundpen/arena. He left me a few times, but you know what, it was ok! I let him wander off, go eat, and I just went and did some jobs around the stables, then suddenly, a little face would appear round the corner.. 'can we play now mum?' No ropes to hold us together, just letting him do what he wanted and making the most of it.


We started having short trots and riding for a little longer, ive taken him out on his own too - and he's been great. Using my 'new' methods, he handles himself better ridden.however last night we had an 'oh boy', i got on and he went uber RB, terrifed of the sabre toothed butterfly in the hegde, and froze on the spot, grew to about 18hh with his head in my face. Stroke, reassure, turn away, retreat.. he's ok, a bit bouncy, but ok. Suddenly, the butterfly moves a wing and we spin back to stare at it. rub, reassure, turn away. 'I'm gonna turn away with ya mum, but your being slow!' spin like a barrell racer, leap up with all for feet and freaaakkkk out. I got myself in a position where i was rooted to the saddle, thinking 'he's gonna rear, he's gonna rear, craaapppp...'




he didnt rear.


WHAAAAAAT.



ok, he jumped up and down and tried oh so hard to pull me home, but he didnt rear! result!


I got off promtly and rubbed him and led him around for a bit to relax him, he was soon ok again.

It was a weird evening. he rarely goes right brain. since coming off the racetrack, he's pretty mch ALWAYS in LB land. the odd RBI moment when learning but nothing too bad anymore. So I was shocked at his reactions, but please with how he handled it. When i decided it was time to get off i think he understood, as he stopped jugging and stood still, as if to say 'yes, mum, get off, now!'



Im just glad what ive been doing with him IS making a differencem because last month, he would have gone up vertically 6 or 7 times, and if it was too scary, he would have flipped over (he has done this before a few times!) and i would have been.. possibly not in a position to tell you the story! so good news



I also got Frederic Pignon's book in the post this week, it is so good! i really recommend it to EVERYONE on here, very inspiring and some fantastic ideas in there!

Joey is back with Karen now and as far as I know doing good, a lot calmer and doesnt get so emotional about stuff. She hasnt been able to do much riding but hopefully they will get started again soon :D

I've started giving lessons to a lady called Pam and her horse Robbie, who is a RBE/LBI.. quite similar to Joey actually, but a LOT more dominant when he goes LB. He is also terrified of poles!! Hopefully him and Pam are starting a journey they will never leave :D

Very excited about Parelli coming back to the UK next year!!! YIPEEEEE :D

all for now! I think!

savvy smiles x

Life is a rollercoaster, you've just got to ride it... right?

When I got back from holiday I was greeted by a none too pleasant thing.. my poor ginger horsey was not too good! I had no idea what was up with him, he looked fine on the ground, other than a bit of stiffness on tight turns, but riding, he was soo weird! He wasn't lame, and everyone who watched him said he looks fine, but I knew there was something not quite right. He wasn't happy, he would trot along feeling strained and his body felt out of sync.

I had a back specialist come to see him, and all was revealed.

Its his pelvis.

Again.

D: D: D:

She put him right, but said he's gonna be one sore horse for a while because he has got so used to being 'wrong', that it will feel weird now and the muscles all have to build back up.

He had a week off, poor boy to start with I couldnt even brush his back it hurt so bad, but finally, he was able to start again. So now he's on 20 minute hacks everyday, NO ground play allowed (!!), only straight lines. Poor thing, he's so bored, and so am I!! But he's been a star, hasnt complained.. well until today of course!!

was riding out and we had an 'Oh Boy!' moment. He played up in dominance, I think he was finally telling me 'Mum, this is booooooooooooooring!!!', and thankfully I hopped off in time, as he threw in a few lovely rears just after! He's not supposed to do that.. he needs to get better! darn LBE's!!

Anyway, I'm gonna bite the bullet and play with him thursday, it will have been 2 weeks since his manipulation, and I think he will be ok to do some gentle stuff. he just needs to have his mind played with again. Hacking on a loose rein in walk is NOT his idea of fun.. Or mine lol.

So yes. All good stuff :/

Joey, on the other hand, is doing great. He's had 3 rides on him now, all very good, he's becoming much more level headed now and spends more time in left brain land than right brain - woohoo!! Progress!!

hehe.

savvy smiles x

so much fun!!

isnt it so much fun to just play and not ask anything new of your horse? This evening General and I went out into the playground and just messed around for an hour or so. We played all 7 games with new variations, like driving/squeeze over a jump with me in zone 5, also tried out my makeshift see-saw.. HA well the wood wasnt strong enough and the whole thing collapsed! General gave me the 'MUUUUMMMM what are you like?' face ;)
Then I was TRYING to just let him graze and spend some undemanding time, but he had other ideas.. he kept veering onto the pedestal xD So we spent UDT.. on the pedestal. he was so cute. we just cuddled and talked - awh!

Then I walked away and sort of expected him to just follow me back to the yard. He stayed on the pedestal, giving me the puppy eyes 'but mum I wanna play some more!' I turned to him, and combed the rope gently with no pressure on it. And he pricked his ears, got off the pedestal and TROTTED to me!! he was licking and chewing and looking really excited to come to me!!! then he stopped at the right place and rested his head on my stomach, it was soooo cute!!! I wanted to cry!!! I love him so much.

Going on holiday tomorrow :) :(
The reason why I put two faces is because im happy and excited for it... but im going to miss my little boy so much. I hope he doesnt mind having 4 days off!! So glad we ended on a high tonight, put me in SUCH a positive mood for going away :D :D

savvy smiles x

Its a desire to understand...

We had a tough couple of weeks, I had a lot of decisions, a lot of tests on my trust, faith and emotional fitness with a lot of things, not just my horse! But, we've come out the other end in once piece and stronger than we went in.
Me and General are doing well, we're hacking out loads, just spending time! Whether its alone, or with friends, we're having fun :D His insecurities from racing are gradually fading, he is starting to accept other horses riding next to him, and yesterday we had our first trot alongside another horse, he was fantastic and didnt even think about racing. I was so happy!!
I have taken on Joey now as my big project, playing with him daily and putting him through 'Boot Camp'. He is doing so well, his confidence is getting so much better as is his response to pressure. Hopefully it wont be too long before I can start his ridden training, but not until he's ready :)

Off on holiday next week, so no playing for a few days :( HOWEVER that means lots of time to spend thinking up new play sessions, ideas and savvy thoughts. woohoo!

savvy smiles x

I am still here, promise!!

I know its been sooooo long since I last posted. I used to post while on lunch break at school, and now I've left i havent got round to it! But I have sooo much news!!!

1) I have been offered a scholarship with Pat and Linda!!! OMG!!!! :D :D :D :D :D still havent got over it. Hoping to get out there next summer!!

2) I am planning to intern with Mirka Pitts in Florida early next year, she has given me the thumbs up to go when I want! Yeeeha :D

3) I can ride General BRIDLELESS!!! had our 4th ride with nothing today, and our first canter, he was great!! he's still a bit of a buckaroo in canter, but we're working on it, today i worked out that by using an indirect rein to turn and ask again when he bucks, it stops him in his tracks. He was also better bridleless than with the bridle/hackamore!

4) Me and general jumped last weekend!! yeahh!!!

5) We've been hacking out all by ourselves!! what a confident boy I have :D

6) He LAID down for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

7) We hacked up the bridlepath the other day, and had to cross a bridge, he made nothing of it and did it first time no issues :D

8) Ummmmmm so much more hahahah!!

So much news!!! So much excitement!!! I bloomin love my horse!!!!!!!!!!!!

Off to Festival of Horse tomorrow to see Pat and Linda! and Sunday too! Very excited :D

Phew. I can breather now :)

Savvy smiles x

School school school

my exams are looming in front on me so it means im spending ridiculous amounts of time revising. needless to say, i've been making time for general, still playing everyday (as long as the weather's good!).

A couple of days i've stolen a lift from a friend straight after school so i can spend a few hours worth of playing, by god i think i may have found the answers to all my problems! i'm realising a few hours of playing a week just isnt enough to stimulate general's overactive mind, but instead, a few hours a day. obviosly, i cant do it EVERYDAY, due to school and stuff, but i try as much as i can, then more at the weekends.

Heres the improvments ive seen already:
On the ground just to lead around he stays with me more rather than yanking me around.
He is being less dominant when online and liberty.
He is more focused.
He listens and doesnt argue when i ride.

:D :D :D

The best thing was last night. I played online for half an hour, then rode him for an hour. Just in the paddock, i wanted to work on a dressage test i have been given to try. He was PERFECT. he didnt get strong, arguementative, threaten to have me off, try and run away or anything. he just wanted to please :D
extra mints that evening ;)

So yay!! i'm so happy at the moment. He's being a superstar again, and we're taking things at his pace, not worrying about where we're going, just focusing on the now.

I have somthing to work on, which is very interesting. His jumping has always been very rushed, and he tends to run fast at it, then jump it flat and knock the pole down. I always wondered why nothing i did would slow him down, now i've worked it out. As he raced (he only flat raced but was trained over hurdles), they teach them to run as fast as they can and jump flat, as they can jump 'through' the hedge. so thats what he's doing. he thinks its right, then cant understand why the jump ends up on the floor. So, i have been playing with reverse psychology and getting him go EVEN FASTER (just online), then he starts to ask if he can go slower. So, its gonna take some practice, but we'll get there :D

savvy smiles x

I havent forgotten you!!

Ive only just realised how long its been since ive posted on here!!

Right so, I'll update you on General first. He started being silly in canter again so we went back a step and are taking things slooooowwww. But his walk and trot are good, i think its just me really, i need to stop getting direct line and start following the level 2 freestyle stuff properly, i keep drifting off and trying things we're not ready for *slaps face*.
 But, we're hacking out sensibly now, he's had about 12 hacks now and they've been great. After the first 'OMG i'm FREEEEEEEEEEE' scenario, he settled down and i've been able to ride him out on a loose rein with no trouble :)
 Oh, and my reins snapped! I was leading him out to get on, and he put his head down to try some of the tasty grass and stepped on them, breaking the leather :( anyway, i was so thankful he can be ridden in just a halter, so many people would have panicked at this point lol!
On the ground, he's doing so well. We've built a pedestal, its not finished yet and not quite sturdy enough to hold all four feet, but 2 feet is fine :) general, and holly in fact, took to it straight away and love stepping up and down from it. His direction changes are AWESOME!! he'll turn right the way when i step back now, and in canter he's offered flying changes very regularly!
We've started liberty too! I built myself a round pen and got started, and he's sooooo good. He sticks to me so well, plays all seven games (sideways is a little sticky but he tries so hard!!) and does the figure 8 and direction changes patterns with ease. what a superstar!

Ok, Joey next. I spent all easter seeing him pretty much everyday, getting all the 7 games up to scratch and Karen (owner) started riding him! We've taught him to do lateral flexion and i taught her how to ride with fluidity and had a pushing passenger lesson. She's pretty proud of him and herself that she can ride her horse in just a halter!

I've got tickets to festival of the horse!! im soooo excited. its going to be awesome!
ooh, i got featured on parellitube too, heres the link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPytalDgv6Y

and heres some pics of general on the pedestal :)

savvy smiles x