The first casualty...

..of the year. Lizards, that is. We have them all along the barn wall and the last few days they've been sunning themselves. The kittens watch them all the time. I can understand the fascination, it's very theraputic watching them. Of course the kittens don't do it for the relaxation!!

Today, I decided to take Anky for a walk through our fields. This was an unusual thing for her. She was fairly calm until we went through the gateway towards the bottom field. She then started to get restless, shaking her head,trying to turn away towards home, which is exactly what she did when I rode out alone on Thurs.
Suddenly she rushed past me and set off trotting around me. Her eyes were saying OMG, whats going on! She really couldn't cope with it. I couldn't just stand still as it would have started a pulling war, but I had her on a long line so I tried to move with her, keeping the line slack, which was really difficult. I didn't say anything, just tried to keep my movements fluid and relaxed. After quite a few revolutions she started to look toward me so I slowed my walking and quietly came to a halt. I stood very still and she slowed to a walk and then halted about a yard away from me. I remained very still and she didn't move either, it looked like she was starting to relax. When I was sure that I had her attention I slowly turned away from her and lowered my arm a little and asked her to follow. Her eyes were calm and she followed me quietly down the field. I can't say how good it made me feel when I saw the calmness in her eyes and the relaxation in her stride. I think we've made a start.

A matter of trust.

Ok, so I take back what I said about Anky trusting me.
She trusts Corky.
Yesterday, having no-one to ride with I thought I'd ride Anky out alone.......... short story, she was totally freaked. After going 100 yards up the lane, she absolutely refused to go. I was tired and not in the right frame of mind to tackle her, so after managing to get her to stand and calm a little, we came home.

In the afternoon, I did a little in-hand work with her, and also some handling/leading work.


Today I rode out with Jim on Corky. Anky started off very reluctant, she's usually quite happy to head off in front when riding out in company, but not today. She was stopping, starting, looking, trying to turn. Jim was keeping Corky way behind and so Anky had to take the lead.

I was quite tired today, but very calm and relaxed. I sat quietly, I asked her to walk on, it wasn't my intention to make her go at all cost, I wanted her to choose to go at my request. I asked, she had to make the choice to go. Does that make sense? I think so. It was a strange ride, it took us quite a while longer to complete, she was more reluctant than she's ever been, but the farther we went, the more I got a real sense of communication. I felt like in no way was it me against the horse, but me and the horse against all the unknown and frightening things out there. Heehee, sounds corny. Anyway, I feel like we achieved something today, we'll see how she is tomorrow.......

Back on Track,......I hope.

Rode Anky out today with Jim riding Corky. We did the ride that Anky has done once before and she was in front all the way round. She was very well behaved, forward and alert.

Her job in our little herd is watcher and that is exactly what she does when I'm onboard. Its fascinating. She will hear/see something and she stands perfectly still, head cocked slightly on one side , concentrating intently. I'm sure it's not an evasion, she's just doing her job. If she hesitates, I ask her to walk on and more and more now, she does. I think she's really starting to trust me, if I say its OK, she accepts it.
I rode her with an open hand, reins held between thumb and index finger, asking for slight flexion with light movements of my fingers and she remained soft and light in her mouth throughout the ride. It was also a very beautiful, sunny morning!!! She is a good girl!!

No Riding but New School!

Haven't ridden in a few days, but today the guy arrived to dig out my new sand school!! Ooooh, can't wait.

I met the chasse today!!

Well I decided to ride Corky today, after yesterday I wanted a nice quiet relaxing ride.

Hmmmm, I forgot that it was Saturday and the chasse were out!!!

2 shots rang out pretty close to us and I could hear the dogs howling, so we headed in the opposite direction. Corky was brilliant, she's so trustworthy!! She was on her toes and seemed to discover that she has a back-end(she tends to forget this)so felt very forward and responsive.She was rushing a little, but slowed in response to my seat. As we carried on, she calmed down but stayed up and into my hand, quite a feat for Corky.
As we got farther away from home she suddenly decided she had gone far enough thank you very much, and started backing up and shaking her head. It's quite funny really, she is a love! Suddenly she spun around and jumped up the bank and headed in the opposite direction. Its only a token gesture really and after I turned her around she headed off again quite perkily. Corky's about 16 now, we've had her for about 6 years and although she can be a bit quirky,her bolshy days are way behind her!!
So we had a lovely ride, she was forward, responsive, carrying her head and neck, nice feel in my hands and we even got some flexion! Yipeeeee.
She also behaved like a lady when we passed the hunt, vans, dogs etc. blocking the road on the way back.
It reminded me why I love her.
It is a while since I've ridden her though, and she did feel awfully wide after riding Anky!!

Well, after a session of zero communication between me and Anky I think that the realisation has hit me that I am both mentally and physically unable to do this!

I am totally doubting my ability (or lack of ),and, other things aside, I don't think I have enough knowledge.

Anky was neither stroppy, over the top , dangerous today, but I came away thinking that I haven't a bloody clue what I'm doing!

I'm not impatient, it's not only that we've had a bad session, I just wonder if its a real moment of clarity and everything else is just delusion.

Christ, I've just read this back and it sounds pathetic. Well, it's how I feel and I've written it now, so it stays.

"Unconscious" Aids.

Slightly alarming title, I know, but what I mean is this;

Riding out today with Helen I noticed Corky really starting to stride out ( I know, miracles do happen!!) so I asked Helen to slow the movement with her seat, keeping a nice feel on the reins. Corky understands this and I was hoping she would engage her back end a little and become lighter in the hands. As I was explaining this to Helen, I felt Anky grow underneath me, actually felt her back end coming under and she became very light in my hands. Of course, I had asked her for it, but hadn't realised I was doing so. It felt good.

After a long day yesterday, I overslept this morning!!! I raised my lazy body at 10 am.
So the horses are out loving the warm sunshine, Anky seems fine. I will ride tomorrow. Think I might do some gardening today, it certainly needs it!!

Day off today, Anky seems ok. Will see how she is tomorrow, may ride.

Seasons.

Had arranged to ride with Helen again today, but I think Anky is coming into season and she quite often gets pain. She was lying down and when she got up she stood stretching her back with her back legs stretched out behind her for about 5 minutes. So I gave her some devil's claw tablets and turned them all out. Kept an eye on her all day and although she looks a little quiet she has been eating and mooching about normally. I've ordered some herbs for her so hopefully that will help.

Rode out today with Helen. Anky was in a particularly negative frame of mind!! It was cold, starting to snow and I haven't ridden her for a few days. She wasn't too impressed. I was pleased, though, as she settled very quickly. Having settled she was much more responsive in her mouth, more relaxed. I think the in-hand work is having a positive effect on her. A good ride. My dad sent me this video, he's really a big softy like me!!

One little moment.

We have 4 horses, it's quite hard work and sometimes I think it is too much for me.

Today I took Anky on to the yard with just her bridle on. We did the raising of the bit and she was nicely relaxed, tried some flexions, good, lots of moisture and relaxation in the mouth.
I was standing quietly at her side and it suddenly occurred to me that not too long ago , when I brought her on to the yard she was very restless, looking around, worried,didn't want to stand still, and now she was standing quietly, mouthing on the bit, focussed on me(well, probably on the rewards, but, hey, I can live with that!).
I felt good, it swept over me like a wave. (sounds corny , doesn't it) and I knew, what I've always known, that one little moment makes it all worthwhile!

I love my babies.

In the School

I had arranged to ride with Helen today, but a very pregnant ewe put paid to that ( Helen has sheep) so I started in the stable with stretches, then raising the bit and flexions. Not done these for a few days, but Anky was very relaxed. Wasn't going to ride, but really wanted to so I took her down the lane towards the school. She felt very easy so I took her in. She was responsive to my leg, but her walk was too quick, I think, and needed slowing down, which I tried to do with my seat with varying degrees of success. Managed to keep her attention, though and practiced walk to halt/halt to walk transitions, again with varying degrees of success.LOL. Anyway, a good day...

More New Places

Rode out today with friend Helen, Corky was mortified when Helen asked for a contact.LOL Nice and relaxed ride, Anky out in front, forward and responsive. Again, a completely new ride for Anky, she was a very good girl.

The Sun is Shining.

It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining , the horses are enjoying themselves in the field. One of our chucks has gone broody. The garden definately needs some attention......