PLAYING "OUTSIDE"

DAY 16 – PLAYING OUTSIDE: Our schedules were pretty tight today but I managed to review the previous day’s lesson with Nike (our other two horses got to watch –grin). Saw improvements in her round pen work, Lunging for Respect 1 and 2, Backing (all four types), Yielding the HQ (both methods) and Yielding the FQ. We worked on her following her nose and moving forward (Turn and Go) and of course flexing and desensitized (even to the plastic bag). This season one of our challenges is footing. At our pace we have mud, grass and soft soil in lots of places. With the recent snow and rain working at any real speed is tough. Still we do what we can. Nike has nice breaks but needs a better gas pedal and refinement on her steering. She does not brace up, which is awesome, but she needs to improve on her responsiveness. Again, this comes downs to experience and time. We will get there. We then played a bit on the obstacles we have set up! A long box, a low jump, a serpentine course (3 tree stumps in a line), a sunburst pattern with logs and then a pool noodle f obstacle. We also went through a narrow pass between the HUGE pine tree and rock outcropping and then the tree and the arena rail. She took it all in stride. A really good groundwork session! Earlier in the day we got her a new cinch. All of ours were too big and we simply could not get the saddle snug enough to be safe and communicate with our seat clearly enough. We attached it to Michael’s Martin Saddlery saddle and put it on Nike before we started to work on the ground.

(In case you are reading this and are thinking –it is too soon to play outside – remember that Nike has had some trail experience. Don’t freak out. We’re refining and building on what she already knows, teaching her new things and helping her find out who she is as a horse. Of course who could read the Prelude and Day 1 for a refresher in all things Nike too.)

            Then we saddled up and took her for a ride around a portion of the trail course we have set up. Besides the obstacles noted we also have a small trench about one foot wide and a foot deep cut into the arena area to help with drainage and a turn box near one of the rails. Our trail course is a tiered affair with three levels. She rode up and down some of the inclines, played on the obstacles and even played with our bulldog George. It was a good ride! NOTE TO SELF: Check Nike’s girth three times! When I went to dismount, just as my boots hit the dirt the saddle slipped about 90 degrees. Spooked Nike badly. She can buck if she needs too! She did calm down quickly though and looked for leadership after this legitimate spook. Still we could NOT end the session on that note so we took the saddle off, adjusted it and put it back on and THEN gave her LOTS of rubs, reward and praise. A little more groundwork followed and then Laurie mounted up and did the same ride for a slightly shorter time. It went well. Ended on a great note. Took the saddle off and gave Nike some TLC…and cookies because it is the Holidays! All in all a very positive session! Very happy with her progress so far.