DAY 8- FIRST RIDE
TOGETHER (Morning): We had a day off. Today we saddled up Miss Annie and
went through a review of her ground work and round pen skills in the round pen.
After a little saddle adjustment we got things where they should go, including
a REAR CINCH and we got to work. Some half-hearted bucks happened in one
direction, more adjustments and then we were off to work. Overall she did
better than the last session. Performance and understanding was higher. We even
did some downward transitions on the ground and we were very happy with how
this concept was embraced. No complaints. We groomed and tacked up without
being tied to anything with the lead tossed over my arm. She did great.
Then it was time to ride. Since she has been ridden pretty
extensively on the trail without major incident (at least that what we were
told) and the fact that she understands impulsion we knew that very little
assistance from the person on the ground would be needed. This is good because
we had other things to work on. 1) Mounting Block: She was not quite sure what
that thing was and didn’t want to stand still near it so we combined some
Advance/Retreat and some active Sending. She got the message quickly “Stand
still = Easy. Itchy Feet = Difficult.” Laurie got to be the test pilot today. I
got to co-pilot on the ground. They did great. Lateral flexion with the Bridle,
Backing (she has some cue buttons), Turns (to the Inside), Walk and Trot were
all achieved! The footing is still not great and Annie is a little tender on
one foot so we took things easy with the added weight of a rider. Next week the
farrier comes out and she’ll get shoes. All in all a really good session this
morning!
Then the “Tree of Knowledge” was used. She does not like to
stand quietly when tied alone. So after the session and a nice long drink she
was tied to our version of a Patience Pole. She got to stand for about an hour
to soak in the lesson. This will be part of her routine now. Work a bit and
then stand tied for a bit.
Tuesday is Two-fer Day which means she’ll get another
session tonight when we head to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds Arena! We will
keep her second session short (at least in theory) and make it a review and
introduction of new exercises from the Fundamentals.
(Evening): We
hauled over to the Fairgrounds for the weekly “Spur of the Moment Ride” with
the Downunder Brumbies. Nice turnout! We reviewed the groundwork from the
morning session and then worked on Sending. LFR 2 and Circle Driving. Annie did
really well. Then she got to hang out in the pens at the end of the arena. She
was mellow and quite (in the past she has been pretty vocal). The “Tree of
Knowledge” certainly helped. It was another good experience for Annie. We feel
she has come a long way in a short time. Just proves that if you follow a
structured program that builds skills and confidence in a fashion that the
horse and human understands combined with letting the horse be a horse that
awesome things CAN and DO happen!
NOTE: From this
point forward we will be logging “lessons” and not days. The why of this reason
is simple. Some days our new Flame just gets to be a horse and that, while very
cute, does not speak of her progress. Since this blog is about her adventures
and development it seems like a wise things. So to dates she has had ten (10)
lessons in just eight days and has been hauled about five (5) times. Busy week
for little Flames Remedy!
Getting the LOVE!
Cruising!
Cruising!
Cruising!
All dressed up!
All dressed up!
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