Day of “Firsts”

06 February 2010

First time that Henry put all 4 feet on the pedestal (and stayed there!).

First time that Henry gave me a “spin” at Liberty.

First time that I EVER went on a “winter hack” (in the snow) and it was Henry’s first too. Thank you to Deb who made it a very comfortable, confidence building ride – and for laughing with me, as my pony & I had an endless discussion of when it is “OK” for him to graze on grass (the Tit for Tat game, was mostly Tit – which is something I will have to work on!!!). I also had a few little trots in the snow covered fields which was totally outside of my comfort zone and I had FUN doing it!!!

Also, survived my first “interesting”, “oh boy” moment while
“riding” and that’s when we rode around the Llama paddock(s). Enough said. I could have done better (as a Leader) – but all was good in the end.

Many “Firsts” today, but obviously the one most to be remembered will be my first “hack in the snow”. Only took me > 40 years to accomplish that. But, better late than never and it was amazing.

Heather
Playing Naturally …

CLICK HERE for Video Clip of the Spins and Pedestal Work

Heather, Henry, & The Green Ball

http://sharing.theflip.com/session/b37ce0a1059deb7a85d5675c87565cc2/video/9910308

Separate, Isolate, and Recombine

Separate, Isolate and Recombine – Ingredients for Success

I have often heard the Parelli-ism of “Separate, Isolate, and Recombine” during my Parelli studies – but it really hit home when I attempted to Trailer Load Henry – “backwards”.

I knew that this was going to be a big work-out when during the first attempt to back up Henry towards the trailer ramp, he made an issue of it when his back feet touched the ramp edge. Oh boy! I thought – this is going to take some savvy! It was at this point, I knew I had to break down the goals into separate, isolated tasks and work my way back up. Also – I was adamant that the relationship would “always” be put first. I would take the time it takes, reward the slightest try and approach/retreat as often as necessary in order to preserve the relationship.

Step 1: Have Henry comfortable with his hind feet touching the ramp edge. Once Henry reached the edge, I released and had him “stand still”, quietly until he relaxed. Once he relaxed, I retreated and allowed him to come forward away from the ramp edge. We practiced this via an improvised “Yo-Yo” game – until he was quietly backing up to the ramp edge and would stand relaxed – “always”. After this game about – I then loaded him “forwards” into the trailer to ensure this game was not broken. Henry loaded straight away (normal style). We then left the trailer and played other games (with predominantly LBI Henry – this is key to preserving the relationship – if I push, I will lose all that was gained.

Step 2. One foot on the ramp. Approach/retreat, reward the slightest try, etc.etc.etc. I knew I could have him stand quietly, relaxed with his hind feet touching the ramp edge. Now, I wanted ONE foot on the edge. Back to Yo-Yo game. Once Henry gave me ONE foot on the ramp – off we went to play with other obstacles, games.

Step 3. Both hind feet on the ramp. Similar approach to Step 2 – but asked for more “yo-yo’s and for Henry to stand quietly, relaxed on the ramp with his front feet on the ground and his hind feet on the ramp. Once Henry did this successfully 3-4 times (pattern) – I re-loaded Henry “frontwards” to ensure that game was still good and the relationship was intact. Yes, it was – good – let’s move on to other games/obstacles.

Step 4. One-step backwards with hind-feet on the ramp. Similar approach to Steps 2 and 3. Yo-yo back and forth. Again –moving away from trailer once pattern was established.

Step 5/6 – now that I had a step up back/forth with hind feet on ramp, I asked for multiple steps (step 5) and an eventual back-up into the trailer (all the way, Step 6). We DID it.

To be quite honest – I really didn’t think we would get to Step 6 (all the way into the Trailer, backwards). I feel the most successful point in this exercise was to separate, isolate and recombine the steps which led to a very successful “end point”.

Now – what I am about to write was a bit bold on my part. When the halter comes off, all you have left is the truth. I wanted to try this at Liberty. There was a big risk to attempting this – I could break the game. But! I did believe the relationship was intact and that Henry would do this at Liberty. I drove him (driving game) backwards, up the ramp and into the Trailer. Success! At Liberty! I was so proud of Henry (he is a very smart boy!). I then retreated further and further away from the Trailer, driving him in each time. I maxxed out at about 20 feet (to ensure all stayed together, I didn’t want to risk losing the connection further than that). And the end result of the play session?

Henry – loading into the trailer – BACKWARDS at LIBERTY from approx. 20 feet away.

All I can say is that I was ever so proud of my very smart wonder Pony …

Heather … loving Henry

When humans are in awe …

Today, my friend Birgit and her young lad Echo, joined us at Blue Heron Farm for a 2:2 play day! The only title I could give to this blog entry is “when humans are in awe”.

We let the boys off line within the Arena and let them play to their own devices, at Liberty. Henry had us in stitches as the “introvert” was all over the “extrovert”, licking and chewing him in places, uh-hem – which we care not to disclose at this time

Henry & Echo from the first day that they met, have always been very close and have never threatened each other. We have commented, that we have no idea who is being dominant over who – as they just play when they meet up and neither one really pushes the other around.

Well, us humans decided to give the ponies a “push” and get them moving. This is where the “awe” factor comes in – as the horses moved off “in tandem” – they mirrored each other’s steps and movement so effortlessly and so perfectly. Birgit & I just stood there in awe as they weaved in an S pattern – flying lead changes and all – in perfect harmony. Even when they came to a full stop – their legs were still in unison at a halt. It was truly a magnificent sight to behold and of course – neither of us had a camera or video at hand to capture this beautiful moment in time. I replay the scene slow motion in my head, it was that beautiful.

After we let the boys play and move in harmony – us humans joined in and played with our ponies. I rode Henry bareback for a short time, trying to improve my balance and focus. I have a lot to work on. I obviously do not mirror Henry, as Echo – his beautiful Appy Buddy does.

Heather

Was it as good for you, as it was for me?

Henry offered me so much today. The wind was crackling, howling through the arena
and he didn’t bat an eyelash (unlike yesterday). Life is GOOD!

Towards the end, I wanted to clean up some poop and some obstacles, so took him off
line and he was exploring the arena and doing neat stuff such as playing with the big green ball on his own (tossing it forward with a flick of that big neck of his).

After I cleaned up, I had a thought to circle him at Liberty with a small jump
(against the arena wall, squeeze game).

He LOVED it … I used almost the entire arena as a BIG round pen and Henry had a lot
of energy (he hasn’t been running around the pasture because of the ice) – so it was great to get him stretching his legs and for a little while, even had him cantering. He jumped (very neatly, I must add) over the small jump I had set up and I praised him with a big smile.

He was so proud of himself! I did this quite a few times and whenever I asked for
the “bring back”, he would trot right back in. What an amazing day – this was the first time I tried Liberty at such great distance away from me and first time I tried getting him to jump over an object. Both went very well and Henry was VERY happy (which was the most important part).

What a great day. I almost didn’t go because of the weather (still de-frosting from
yesterday); but I am sooooooo glad I did!

I didn’t have the video clip to capture it – but today will remain in my memory banks for a very long time – we BOTH had so much fun and I can answer YES – it was as good for Henry as it was for me ;=)

Heather

Windy, Cold Day – OH MY!

It is COLD outside today! holy moley, the bright blue sunny skies is deceiving, that’s for sure!

Played for the first time, “alone” today in the arena. Of course, I picked a WINDY day and the arena was rattling and the ice slipping down the sides. Made for some very interesting moments. Henry sure got his exercise! He certainly can have a lovely suspended trot during these times – he CLEARED the trotting poles with zero effort

Once, he “came down from the rafters”, I then plodded along and banged the
sides of the coverall with my carrot stick such that more ice/snow would rattle its’ way down. I haven’t seen the whites of Henry’s eyes like that in a long time – LOL! We did work it out and we ended on a positive note.

Today, was a good tune-up for me, to protect my personal space and deal with a 1200 lb muscle machine on adrenaline

Looking forward to more adventures on Sunday!

Heather

Happy New Year! Twenty-Ten

Today was a great day to start off Twenty-Ten. I played with Henry for 4 hours in the Arena with fellow Parelli Students. Lots of games played and I also climbed aboard for a bareback ride, upon Henry’s toasty, warm back.

Just a fantastic day and what a way to welcome in 2010!

Heather

December Updates

I haven’t blogged in a while, simply because a lot has happened in my personal life.

December 11th – my father passed away at the young age of 73.
December 14th – my senior and most precious cat, “Alex” passed away at the age of 18.

From that point, I was trying to recover emotionally and was thankful for special friends who kept me busy – including a great movie night at Birgit’s towards the end of December.

On December 29th, Henry moved again. Yes, I know – but this time I found him a VERY natural barn (Parelli students only) and he settled in very fast into his new routine. His new buddies are 3 Icelandics and 1 Canadian boy. On December 30th (next day), we had a fantastic play session with two other Parelli students and their horses. I am very thankful that I was welcomed with open arms to the new barn and surrounded by everything “natural”. Special thanks to Auntie Burgie for getting us there, “safe and sound”.

Heather

05 Dec 2009 – Hiking with Friends

Echo, Henry and Heather

It’s been a rough month with my dad ill and other challenges that crossed my way this past month. My friend Birgit decided to give me a “picker upper” on the 5th of December and picked Henry and I up to play and take us to her beautiful farm.

Henry loaded very well and off we went. My friend Birgit tacked up her LBE Echo and I tacked up my LBI Henry. OFF we went for a hike that lasted almost 4 hours. It was so beautiful and fantastic. We hiked/rode with the forest along the “Bruce Trail” and it was such an amazing experience. This day I will never forget and it really picked up my spirits.

Thank you Birgit and Echo for an amazing, beautiful, inspiring day,

Heather

CSC Play Day – 22 Nov 2009

What an incredible Play Day we had on Sunday November 22nd. My friend Birgit and I were the pit crew of the day and we set up two areas for horses/humans to play in.

The first area was a “Focus Camp” where either you could decompress yourself (after the obstacle course), or work with the pedestal, ball, barrels – while the nearby spectators tried to mentally distract you by chatting, or distract you with physical objects such as a carrot stick and flag waving about.

The second area was the timed obstacle course. This was the main area of play and play we did! There were 7 stations set up:

1) Queue: Line up and await your turn for the course. Purpose? Practice your art of standing still for 5 minutes (or more).
2) Log: A nice big log in the arena to play the 7 games with. With most obstacles, use your imagination and play the 7 games.
3) Pedestal: Fantastic pedestal, with compliments from Birgit. Tall, wide – can you get those feet up there? For my shortie Fjordie, it was a big streeeeeeeeeeetch!
4) Teeter Totter Bridge: Can you say Handywoman Birgit? WOW! She made this obstacle in 1 ½ days and it was the belle of the ball! What FUN we had with this one.
5) Pool Noodle Gate/Car Wash: I wasn’t sure what to call it – but it was a lot of fun making it and watching humans play the Friendly game as many horses were not too sure of this weird looking, colourful contraption. In the end, all could be proud of how they used their savvy and friendly game to ensure their horse went confidently through the spongy gate.
6) Think-Box: A square made out of poles, the intention was to put your horse inside it and let go – then walk around the box, ensuring your horse stayed within the boundaries. Well? Humans let go and thought “outside the box” and became a Think-Box with some crafty savvy games being played with it.
7) Squeeze: A line of cones along the arena wall. Humans were challenged to get their equine partners between the cones and the wall. Again, imaginations were let loose and it turned from squeeze to yo-yo’s to weaves to sideways – oh my! Great stuff!

Each person had 5 minutes to work at each station and then had to move on to the next. If you didn’t get it the first time, you could always re-work the course.

I had such a fun time with Henry. We did the course on-line and then at Liberty and then Freestyle. What a great, challenging, fun day.

Heather