Shake up

Trudi came over yesterday to help me with Remy and it was really good to have a new perspective on things. Today we worked on some of the things covered yesterday, fully relaxing through the neck as he's tending to hold himself a little, more trot transitions and keeping the trot for longer and moving him around in figures of eights, letting him use and balance himself,asking for softness by lifting the inside rein.
We also did our usual lateral work in walk, a bit of shoulder-in and turn around the quarters on each rein, quarters-in off the corner and we got some nice relaxed work.
I was out of my comfort zone yesterday, but I've been working alone for a long time and I needed a shake up and it was good for me, so thanks Trudi. I've got new things to incorporate into our work now.

One of those days

A day to write off, I think.  I did ride, but it probably wasn't a good idea, I was totally uncoordinated and quickly became very irritated with myself.  Not at the boy, he was his usual obliging self and I'm bloody lucky to have him!  Needless to say, it was a short session.
Hopefully, I'll be better tomorrow!

Just me and the boy

I took Remy up the track again today, just me and him, Jim usually follows us, but today it was just us. Remy was great! We went to the road and back, past the cows and past the leccy fence.
We took Bonbon up to the school, just a little in-hand, walk and a little trot. She wasn't in sparkling form and a little bit scotty, not sure what was going on, but the flies certainly were'nt helping. I got on, and while she wasn't sniping at Jim like the last time, she wasn't wholly happy. Jim led her around several circles on each rein with lots of halts and walk transitions and she settled to finish on a good note.
The wheels arrived today so hoping to get the car back on the road.

Fantastic attitude

Gareth came yesterday to trim the horses so didn't get to do anything with them.
Their feet are doing fine and Remy's showing no discomfort when I'm riding him on the tracks so I'm hoping that will continue, although there's always the option of getting some boots for him in the future. Bonbon's had a problem in one of her frogs, a deep central sulcus which I've been trying to keep clean. It's improving now and her frogs are looking much stronger. Hopefully we'll be able to keep it that way going into winter.

It was hot this morning with lots of flies, but I had a cracking session in the school with Remy. Mainly walk, one or two trot transitions, but mainly focussing on lateral work in walk. Shoulder-in on the circle, both reins, bearing in mind what Trudi said about having too much bend and losing the outside shoulder on the left rein. Aware of not taking too much bend and controlling the shoulder with my knee and thigh, the shoulder-in felt more secure and stable. On the right rein, comfirming her other observation that it doesn't feel as easy, but as he's starting to lift the inside shoulder, it's developing into a more correct movement, with the outside shoulder being more stable on this rein. She's a clever clogs - thanks Trudi!!
Turn around the quarters on both reins, much more fluid on the right rein today, I think he's realised that he can do it.
I want to start quarters in, and today I tried keeping the quarters through the corner onto the long side with varying results - one or two strides before he started to question it and tense up a little. I'm happy with that though, I'll take one or two strides until he realises that he can do it and stays relaxed. I'll try it on the circle next session.
My boy has such a fantastic attitude and I love him for it, I can only hope that I'm not letting him down and that I'm taking him down the correct road with his training.

Up the track and......

....continued on over the main road. Yay, what a good boy he was. Calm and forward, inquisitive and interested. Jim came with us which I'm sure helped both of us, but i feel great about how he behaved.  We were out about 40 minutes and I loved it. We did a little shoulder in past the leccy fence :-)
We then took Bonbon up to the school and I sat on for the first time in ages. Jim led her around  on the right rein and she was fine, but then on the left rein she got a bit snaky and ears back started snapping at him. I felt pretty secure up there, her  behaviour didn't seem to be aimed at me, but very strange behaviour, even for Bonbon who's certainly got her own ideas about the way things are supposed to be, so I got off. We checked the saddle which seemed to be fine, nothing under the pad that could have been irritating her. The flies were bad, but I don't think it was that. Jim walked her around without me on and she was fine, so I got back on and we tried again. She did settle and we left it on a good note. I did wonder if she was coming in season and this evening she was sniffing and squealing at Remy so I think perhaps that she is.  Hehe, moody mares eh, poor little thing must have been feeling a  bit bloated and weary. LOL We'll see how she is tomorrow.

Up the track....

.... this morning with Remy. It was a little breezy, but bright and sunny and I felt in the mood to do it! We stopped at the neighbours house so that he could investigate the back box off a tractor and an enormous vat being readied for the wine crop. He was a little jumpy, but didn't give me any cause for concern He walked calmly past the electric fence ( phew!) and checked the cows out all without any problem, went through the little wood  and halted and waited patiently just before the road. The farmers were busy getting the maize crop in and were going up and down the road, but he was fine with it. He came home on a mission, but stayed calm and we got a nice, relaxed, but forward walk.
I went in the school yesterday and although we were really bothered by flies he was a good boy and was pretty focussed.

Brill!

We've been busy the last couple of days chain harrowing and seeding our top field and fixing the fence on the side where next doors cows have been pushing to get some grass. It's hard work!

I had a lovely session in the school with Remy this morning. We started on a long rein with a nice active walk, soft in the hand on both reins. Then walk/rein-back/walk into small circles left and right and after a break on a long rein, shoulder-in on the circle and turn around the quarters on both reins. We then worked on trot transitions with good impulsion but staying nice and soft and round. He's getting nice transitions on the left, but still sticky on the right so tried transition to trot in the corner after shoulder-in on the long side. This worked great, helped to keep him up off my inside leg and kept a nice soft bend through the corner. His balance is improving in the trot too and he's able to keep a nice rhythm for longer. When we'd finished I rode him home and had a nice trot up the lane. Brill!

Need a tractor!

I didn't ride up the track today, but I rode to the school and back again. It was a good session in the school, we worked in walk first, loosening up on a fairly long rein, then halt, rein-back walk, with emphasis into walk with right bend which seemed to get him off the inside shoulder. We then did shoulder-in on the circle on both reins and turn around the quarters on both reins, with a noticed improvement on the right rein.
Before finishing we practiced a few trot transitions trying to keep the softness in the hand, some from reinback and some from leg yield on the circle. We're getting a much improved response now when I ask him to move his quarters which is good because he's a little sticky sometimes and I'm starting to get a much more comfortable feel on the right rein. Not like the left, but getting there, I think.

We spent the afternoon down the field tidying up the fencing after having someone come and top all the brambles, it's amazing how much more field we have now! It all needs keeping on top of now, so we really must think about getting a tractor. We have two in England, not much good to us there!!

A Little Wobble

I had a short session on the yard with Remy, walk on the circle asking for soft, even bend and then shoulder-in on each rein, nice and slow concentrating on each step.. A very short session before I took him out on the track.
I wanted to take him up the track towards the little wood as we've not been up there recently. He was a little jumpy but I expected him to be having a good look around as we've not been up there in a while. The farmer had put up his electric fence at the side of the track and some cows in there which Remy hadn't seen before. He was looking, but he's such a good boy and to be honest, he wasn't worrying me too much it was the bloody electric fence that had got me worried. We got past it and he was on his toes, not too much of a  problem, we practised a little sideways and regular halts to keep him thinking and by the time we got through the wood he was much calmer, not completely relaxed but ok.
Coming home he was really on a mission and while I like the forward I don't want the rushing so I sat up and thought slow with my seat, which worked well, it just felt that I had a whole lot of horse underneath me. Coming back towards the fence, the farmer had arrived with tractor and trailer to refill his water troughs, so Remy was looking at that, and to be fair he wanted to march up and investigate, but the bloody fence was just at the side of us and it was freaking me out. I didn't panic, at least I don't think it was panic, but I suddenly felt very nervous about the fact that I was responsible for this young horse and it was up to me to be calm and to give him confidence. I felt old and inadequate. He deserves better, because, he never really gives me a reason to be worried and I was letting him down. A wobble, definitely, and it came out of nowhere and took me by surprise and it's not like he took off with me or anything, which somehow makes it worse and a definite over-reaction on my part.
I've not felt like that in a long time and I'm a bit ashamed of it to be honest and sitting here writing, I think how ridiculous I was to lose my composure like that.
We can't hide these feelings from our horses and Remy knew, but he behaved like a little star.  I love my boy!

Jobs done

No horses today, too busy this morning re-seeding one of our fields which needed to be done before the guy comes to top it at the weekend. After that we had to cut the lower branches off the tree in the yard as they're nearly touching the ground and taking up quite a bit of space. It's good because now I've got a nice little circular area  to work the guys.

We now have a CT on the landrover thanks to the lovely man at the CT centre in the next village. He checked out the ID number, said it wasn't a problem, and 'voila' - done!!

We've also got the wood- burner chimney fitted in the gite now, so set up for winter guests and wood ordered to come next week.

I suddenly got the urge to drag my guitar out of its case for the first time in years the other day, it was under the bed covered in a layer of dust!  I've replaced a couple of strings and had a little play ( it's been a long time and boy am I rubbish) so we'll see how it goes. Ricky's already suggesting we look for some duet music!!
It's coming up to that dreaded time of the year when the chasse start to make an appearance and last week they were tooting back and forwards for no apparent reason, couldn't hear any yapping of dogs, Jim said that they're probably just getting drunk and practicing tooting their horns - I can believe it!! Anyway we'll see if they're around tomorrow, they're not supposed to start until the end of September, but they're like kids at christmas, can't bloody wait!

Own little world! tut tut

Been doing more thinking ( not sure it's good for me), and watching Jims latest vid it's obvious (why haven't I realised it sooner, what a div I am) that at times I'm not giving Rem enough length of rein. I'm concentrating on getting the release and I give immediately, but not enough sometimes.At the same time I'm guilty of giving too much outside rein.  Also, while I give him regular breaks on a long rein, I don't give him enough - I'm ashamed to say I get lost in my own little world and lose track of time, so really need to be aware of it.
We're having some problems on the right rein, he just doesn't want to be there, so we've been working on that more, trying to keep right bend, encourage to stretch the outside, but also keeping the inside shoulder up and not falling in and just trying to get more control of that inside right shoulder.
Today, I was really conscious of the length of rein and worked him with a longer rein and he really stretched and softened, I just moved him around the school and we worked on moving the shoulders and quarters and some trot transitions.  He felt more relaxed and gave me some nice soft transitions.

Generosity and trust

Had a good think last night about training Remy. What I realise is that I'm forgetting the very very basics (not good english, I know). Thinking first of all, above all else the mobilisation of the jaw, which I honestly believe is the key to the whole body. I've been thinking we're doing ok and I suppose we are, but he's only partly giving his mouth, only partly trusting my hand and even though it's so bloody obvious I've been missing it in my quest to progress.
Remy bends easily to the left, in fact he wants to be flexed left and I know horses have a weak/ strong - soft / hard side but if I offer him a treat from the saddle (or from the ground for that matter) he can stretch both sides easily, so I believe it's a refusal/reluctance on his part, for whatever reason, it's a contraction of his muscles rather than a real underlying lack of suppleness.
Today we started from the ground and started at the beginning, asking for the release from a lift of the bit to the corners of the mouth. He was hesitating, not releasing immediately and when he did release, he didn't retain it, but after a few attempts he started to respond and relax. I then moved to the left side, outside rein over the top of the neck and asking for the release and then a release into a left flexion, keeping the relaxation and allowing him to extend his neck, again keeping the release and relaxation and mobility of the jaw.
Moving to his right side, feeling the reluctance through the rein, but then the release and relaxation, acceptance, nice right flexion and then allowing the extension of his neck, still willing to give his mouth.
I wanted to sit-on but was loathe to muddy the waters, but I really wanted to sit on to see if the work could continue from the saddle.
So on I got and as I picked up the reins to begin he responded and I felt immediately the release and acceptance as he mobilised his jaw, with a beautiful soft, anything is possible feeling  in my hands. This is what was missing, the real gift of generosity and trust.
A calm stillness, self balance and self control, we walked a circle on each rein, just one circle, not wanting to be too greedy, retaining that beautiful feeling in my hand and softness through his body. It was a moment of pure joy. I got off with the realisation that I'm a very very lucky girl!!!

Guidance..

..required.
As usual for me, I feel like I've hit a block in my training. I feel like I need some guidance, I don't know if I really do, just feel that way. I go so far and then start to doubt what I'm doing and once that sets in I'm rubbish at dealing with it. Comme D'habitude!!
What it comes down to is going it alone, it's hard. How I envy those that have trainers, or just educated eyes on the ground. Remy's doing ok, but I need regular affirmation that what I'm doing is correct or suggestions for things I need to do to stay on the correct path.
I should be brave enough to post my work on the forums for advice, but I'm not.
I miss lessons and I miss clinics.  I miss words of encouragement from the side of the school and friendly debate over lunch.
I have my horses at home, a great school to ride in, I'm surrounded by beautiful countryside with miles and miles of tracks to hack out on, there shouldn't be any negatives, but ( and I'm ashamed to say it) unfortunately there are.

Incandescent.......

.....  with rage!!!!  Bloody ignorant, arrogant, bald french tw*t!!
Called into the CT (MOT) centre last week to arrange a rendezvous for the Land Rover. Really nice guy gave us a sticker with the date of the rendezvous written on (5.9.2011). Turned up on monday, nobody there, place closed. Waited for a while, still closed. Came home, rang them in the afternoon to ask why there was nobody there and was told 'non' the rendevous was for the 6th. Ok, but you have written the 5th. 'NON' the rendevous is DEMAIN le 6th!!! Ok, pas de probleme we'll come tomorrow.
Jim took the car and another guy, definitely not the nice guy, was frozen faced, took the sticky off the carte grise and without looking at Jim, threw it in the bin and without a word started the procedure.

Everything seems ok except he can't find the vehicle ID number on the chassis.. There is one under the bonnet, the other, where is it? Outcome - Refusé!!  It needs to be stamped on the chassis, you need to get it done!!

Our local garage can't do it, but suggested we go to the CT centre in the next village. We take our other car here, but they don't do 4x4's hence going to monsieur angry. So, Jim takes the land rover to see if he can sort it out and it turns out they now have the necessary equipment to do 4x4's which is good to know for the future. He brings out his trusty manual which tells him that the elusive number is stamped on the chassis just visible underneath the windscreen, having checked both numbers he pronounces 'bien' and today,armed with this information Jim goes down to see mr angry to get the certificate.

I wasn't there but I can imagine the scene as Jim described it. Mr ANGRY  wouldn't accept this, despite the fact that we had already been told that it was correct, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms, saying  'non' and getting redder and redder. Wouldn't listen, wouldn't even look at Jim, just kept prodding the car and waving his arms. Apparently it needs to be underneath - the manual has told us where to look - stamped under the windscreen, in full view, readable and everything, but 'non' it has to be underneath!!!
Jim had to just walk away - being locked in a french jail for gbh of a french, bald, arrogant tw*t is not really an option so, tomorrow we go to our friendly, in the next village CT man to see if he can do it. 

Our french is not brilliant, but also it's not too bad, we always speak french and try really hard to get along with people, we're not arrogant English folk who think that everyone should speak english and we don't expect them to. I don't know if this guy hates the english or he's just like that with everyone, but, what I can say is that I'm so glad that I didn't have to talk to the arrogant, bald french tw*t as I probably would be locked up in a french jail now - which really isn't an option!!!

Great feelings

Continued with the same with Remy today and achieved some lovely soft work, consistent even bend on both reins, much more fluid and improved on the right rein. We worked on rein-back, shoulder in and leg yield down the long side and small circles with lots of changes of bend. Great feeling and really enjoyed the session.
Another bridle session with Bonbon on the yard, relaxing her jaw really well, giving nice flexions left and right and extending the neck into a nice soft contact.

I need to find some homes for our young hens, they'll be laying soon and we have too many. I'm surprised at how fond I've become of them and can't bear for Jim to put them in the pot. He keeps threatening, but they're so beautiful, I can't let him do it. I'm pretty rubbish at being a chicken breeder, I just want to keep them all and watch them happily pecking around. We have a young cockerel who is stunning and I've seen him grow from a plain little black chick.How ridiculous am I.  Aaaaghhhh!

Work in walk works wonders

A great session today with Remy, working in walk, really concentrating on correct bend especially on the right rein. Asking outside shoulder slightly to the inside, keeping the inside shoulder up, relaxed through the neck , inside flexion and soft in the hand. A breakthrough, I think, on the right rein where he's been a little reluctant and resisting, he really started to 'get' it and relax into a lovely soft contact.  A really satisfying and enjoyable session, we finished with lots of changes of rein, neck long and relaxed with fluid changes of bend.
A short flexion session with Bonbon on the yard and she's starting to respond really well, relaxing her jaw to a small upward movement of the bit on the corners of her mouth.

Musical Soiree

Sounds posh doesn't it, but really just a bunch of people getting together to make music and drink lots of wine!
Ricky organised it at her place and we were treated to piano solos, duets, choral works, light opera and an impromptu jazz session at the end of the night when the wheels were well and truly oiled.
Ricky's been on at me for ages to do a little something with  piano and sax, but, apart from not wanting to subject the listeners to my ramblings, the thought of performing in front of that lot freaks me out just a tad.
Ricky has her friend staying with her who's a pretty good pianist and composer, so I've dragged the sax out of it's case (where it's been sitting for the last few months) and we're going to meet up for a session later in the week.
Feeling a little bit under the weather this morning, ahem, perhaps a little too many 'verres du vin', and it was raining so put the horses out and spent the day getting my playing muscles in order and finally got around to replacing the keyboard in my french laptop for a UK one. It's not that I mind using a french keyboard it's just that my other laptop has a UK keyboard and to have both is just confusing for the fingers!

Getting going

It's been a slow start getting going after my visit to the UK. It's been changeable weather here, hot and close, then cloudy and stormy with lots of flies, I think they're having a last fling before autumn sets in!

I've had a few sessions with Remy over the last week, a lovely hack around the lake, Jim accompanying us but Remy taking the lead, forward and interested. Also in the school working on bending and softness, his reluctance to bend to the right, getting him to stretch his left side, trying to activate his hind legs especially the right hind, keep his inside shoulder up - young horses eh, so many things to work on!
After introducing trot work before my visit to the UK, we're now starting to work more on that, which comes with another whole set of issues to work through. Trying to keep the softness into the transition,  the forwards without rushing, the neck soft and relaxed. I'm feeling my way through it, he's being a star and coping admirably with my efforts!

We've had a couple of sessions with Bonbon in the school, groundwork and then a sit-on - especially good yesterday as the farmers were getting the maize in and the field was filled with big noisy monsters. She had a little squeal and a buck on the lunge but then settled down really nicely.