5/31

Camping for 2 days!!  Melissa, Kendall, Summer and I at Indian Creek.

5/29

Time with Kris - worked on moving the fore and hind from the ground, then the hind in the saddle.  Also played with the send on the circle.  Then rode up the driveway and let her leave on the trail between Jena and Sue.  She went alone and felt for Rio to hit a threshold.

I had Starlet for the lesson.  Starlet struggled to find a neutral and she worked hard to eat grass.  She got better and her mouth feels improved and less hard.  She's getting quieter in the bit.  We'll keep working on it.  These quiet sessions are doing her good.

Gem, for the first time since I've owned him (5+ years), called for us as we left.  He stood at the end of the pasture and watched us leave.  He was the there the whole time until we returned.  I've never, ever seen him do that.  I wasn't sure I understood it, but I thought it was probably because he didn't want to be left behind.  He wasn't calling for the horses and he wasn't happy when we returned.  So I finished with Starlet and pulled Gem out, tacked him up and took him down the rode.  He was happy and didn't think about home a single time.  It was so interesting!!  He wanted to go out and do something!

5/28

Trail ride wtih Gem and Jen on Oso.  Just did a loop in the neighborhood.  Gem was fanastic.  Finished with some jumping on Gem.

Then started working on online audition filming.  Z5 driving was a little rusty, but we got some footage for me to study.  I have a few things to develop with Z.  Lead by the tail needs to be more responsive.

5/27

Finally, the wind has calmed down.  I felt like I was getting a little sick, but that subsided today as well.

Rode Starlet.  Her mouth and feel with the bit were all but ruined by the person who took her for a few months.  I'm in repair mode.  Making a program of softness with the bit.  We did figure 8 until her mouth got quiet.  Poor girl - she's just thinking brace all the time.  She might be my dressage horse someday, but for now we've got to rebuild fundamentals.

Then played online with Z on the 45'.  Really focusing on the relationship and listening to her.  Her maintain gait needs practice, but otherwise, she's nice and soft on the end of the line.  I think we're getting close to filming.

5/24

Kris with her Billy Cook saddle.  Played with the send, also.

Rode Z for the lesson.

Played online with Z on the 45'.  Progress!

5/23
Beginning of getting Liberty filmed with Z.  We have some things to address, but it was a great learning session for me as her human partner.  Jen was over and did some filming for us.

5/21

2 hours with Kris.  Went up the road.  Worked on figure 8 at the trot.  Played with moving the fore.  Then sideways from the saddle after leaving the property.  Rio struggled to move his hip to the left.  Hopped on him to help him figure it out.

Gem was a fantastic partner throughout the lesson!  so proud of him.  Did a 15 min dressage ride in teh arena afterwards.  Worked on light transitions and opening up the trot.  He did great.

5/20

Trimmed Ruby and Zari

Trimmed Z and played a short liberty session.  Very nice connection and great responsiveness.

Working on either connection, responsiveness or relaxation.  We had it all today.

5/18

Amazing day.  Connecting with Z, more ears forward than I've EVER seen.

Connecting with Gem and then jumping him for the first time over some of the higher jumps on my property.  I've always lacked the confidence to do it.  Big day for sure.

5/17

Lots of time with Z.  Building a connection!

Session with connection game, but modified from what I learned from Molly.  She's starting to consider asking questions.

5/14

Fantzy gets a great home!

5/14

2 sessions with Z

Connection game

Riding with contact and some posture

5/13

a couple great days with Jinita at Nancy's.  Took Gem.

Prepping for Liberty filming

5/

Played with Z in the round pen.  Looking for lightness and a connection.  Focusing on the shoulder and not letting it fall in.  Also practicing the draw... a LOT!

Trimmed Sky earlier this week.  He needed a good amount of rehab due to the time between trims.  He grows a lot of toe and had flared walls and laminae separation.