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

LBI Humour

Last night went to go and ride Henry. He came in from the fields sopping wet and FILTHY (nothing like a good roll in the mud). Well? There was no way that I could dry/clean him up good enough for a ride, so took the opportunity to drill on the ground.

Well, we were doing this and that – and I thought – hey! I have this entire arena to myself (well, except for my friend Chris who was with me), so why not play at Liberty? Took off the line and away we went. Henry was amazing – we did loads of stuff and for the VERY first time tried the Circling Game at Liberty – and HE DID IT. Mind you, he was very much into my personal space, but he was doing so – asking lots of questions. We worked it out.

Then, it came to side-passing over the pole. Henry can be one-sided when it comes to this – and sure as beans – over the pole from his left-side, no problemo. Change direction (driving from his right side) and completely fell apart (he left … LOL!). Well, then the game was on … Chris/I were laughing from our bellies as Henry would take off, I would tag him (well, if you want to go, then GO) and he would be tossing his head, cantering off – full LBI temper tantrum, to only return to me shortly thereafter. In which, I would take him back to the pole … over one way, ask for the other – and OFF he would go – LOL! Again again again and again! Until, he FINALLY complied and side-passed the way I wanted him to and then he snorted all over me.

It was a great night, with loads of laughs.

Heather

Bareback and One-Rein … trying to obtain Balance …

I haven’t blogged lately – so here I am My latest adventure in trying to develop balance and coordination is to take away my “security blankets” of saddle and reins. I am therefore now riding Henry bareback in his halter and 12′ line (one-rein).

My first attempt was Friday, November 13th. Anthony stood by as I took a deep breath and climbed aboard. I was very nervous and the butterflies were going off like mad. Henry took it all in stride – BIG strides that is. He felt the new found freedom and eagerly walked on with great freedom of movement in his shoulders. My butterflies flew a little higher! All went well, I simply was a “pushing passenger” and practiced a few change of directions (throwing the one-rein over his head) and a back-up at the end. All was good.

Second attempt was Sunday, November 15th. I was doing groundwork (arena was quiet) and decided on my own to climb aboard. There was no one around. I have never ridden Henry without ANYone in my presence. Therefore, I crossed two emotional fitness, comfort zone thresholds. 1) riding alone and 2) doing it bareback with one-rein.

I sang like a canary. Really! I did. The only song I know is “doh a deer, a female deer … ray, a drop of golden sun …” – you get the picture. Let’s just put it this way – it kept me breathing and on Henry!

Again – all went well, Henry’s length of stride was fantastic which makes me a wee bit concerned about his new saddle and “fit”. I’ll deal with that one later.

Heather

07 November 2009

Almost a week since my last ride. I have been so busy at work with a project, I just have not had the energy to work/ride with the boy.

This morning – we did a lot of groundwork to ensure/reaffirm our relationship. We went through all the 7 games in one form, or another. Also, did a lot of driving from Zone 3 and ventured into Zone 4 (successfully).

Rode in the indoor ring, outdoor ring and went for a very short hack. A great day overall (except for my very sore back).

Did very short spurts of trotting in the indoor arena – just to test the waters (my back did not hold up for it).

Heather

01 November 2009

Had an extreme LBI on my hands today – Henry did not want to yield towards the left and basically – you could see him sticking his tongue out at me!

We eventually worked it out and had a good ride indoors, outdoor ring and then a very short hack.

Heather

31 October 2009

Went to the barn this morning with zero expectations (except for a nice morning of grooming out burrs!). The morning was cool, rainy, and windy – not too pleasing for the fair weather rider!

Upon arriving, I decided I would do more than groom. I set up an obstacle course within the indoor arena and thought of doing some great ground work. My friend, fellow boarder, Allenna asked if she could use the obstacle course as she long-lined her mare, Summer. Of course, my answer was – OF COURSE! At this point, I decided to not only do ground work – but follow it up with a ride as now I had a human partner to share the morning with. While Allenna did her long-lining, I worked on the ground. When we were both finished, we had a good ride within the indoor arena and then spur of the moment – went outside to play!

The ground was soft and muddy, but we enjoyed our walk in the WINDY outdoor ring, me riding in tandem with Allenna and her lead mare, Summer Rain.

I thoroughly enjoyed my ride today, there were so many positive, confidence building points within it. Thanks so much to Allenna & Summer for their positive energy and excellent company.

Heather

30 October 2009

Rode for about 20 minutes tonight (short, but sweet). Follow the Rail, Weave and Figure 8 patterns.

Anthony sat with me and offered great moral support!

Heather

29 Oct 2009

Had a very good ride. Special thanks to my friend Chris who gave much moral support and cheering me on as I plugged away at Freestyle Patterns. Tonight, we accomplished “Follow the Rail”, Figure 8’s (even through a pool noodle car wash), Clover Leaf Pattern and Weave Pattern.

Great night!

Heather

The Day After – 27 October 2009

The day after an intense 3 hour private lesson with Ron and my muscles were aching. On the ride home from work, I wondered if I could manage the trails again (my own personal emotional fitness). Well? I did it. Ground work and a bit of “ride the rail” in the Indoor Arena, then I did some Figure 8 patterns (Freestyle) in the Outdoor Arena – and then we hit the trails.

Allenna/Summer led us out and Henry & I rode, while my friend Chris gave emotional fitness rallying support from the ground (walking with us). As Allenna/Summer grew more distant – emotional fitness began to wail – but Chris kept me breathing and talking. At one point, I did feel a tiny bit of worry from Henry (probably feeling it from me!) – so … I GOT OFF! yes, in a positive manner – I got off and Chris/I walked Henry deeper into the trails. Then, as Allenna/Summer returned from their gallop – I got back on and rode back to the barn.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (or shall we say hoof!).

What an incredible “day after” and intense work out lesson session from the day before.

Heather

Lesson Day – 26 October 2009

Lesson Day – 26 October 2009 – details to follow.