Its Cold

Today in the middle of the day it was 18 degrees. I had all these plans and when I get to the barn they go out the window! Lessons in the indoor. Big horses, teenage riders, ground poles.

What to do? I know undemanding time! I have tights, fleece socks and winter fleece lined breeches along with insulated muck boots on the bottom, and three layers of fleece and my Mountain Horse coat on top. Gloves and a hat to finish off the outfit. Get out the three legged folding camp chair and set it up on one of the paths in the snow.

At first I am admiring Cici and Casey's butts as they eat their hay. Its a nice day, okay a bit cold but I'm prepared. I sit and enjoy their appetites. I look around at the other paddocks that I can see from my hill perch and notice lots of hay in those paddocks. I look back at the pitiful amount left by Cici and Casey and know that they have been in hoover vacuum mode.

Within a couple of minutes Cici lifts her head and looks around at me. I wave. She slowly and carefully turns (care due to the snow) and walks over to me. All the way over me - head over my head - here is my view:

I reach up and scratch under her jaw. Her winter coat is thick and long and underneath here she is beginning to resemble a wooley mammoth. I scratch for a while and then take my hand away to rest. She lowers her head a bit. I reach up and scratch some more. Moving up and down along jaw bone. She stands very still and closes her eyes. I stop and she has her head in my lap!

Hmmm how interesting. Wonder if I can use this technique for bridling from my knees, or sitting in a chair!

Trotting Sideways

I didn't know that was where I was going today. But what a way to finish! The last five days have been dealing with snow snow snow. Today was my first time playing with Cici in the indoor. I was all full of energy and bouncing and dancing to the music. Thought Cici would be too. Oops.

Turned out today was one of those oh no not again duh!!! moments. One of those fleeting awarenesses that we have been here before, at this very ah ha moment. Again. My continuing ah ha duh moment concerns sending, really sending Cici. Not nagging, or begging, or pleading. Not being careful not to upset her. I need to go to an effective send.

And today I got there!!!! And after that moment I asked her for sideways along the wall and she offered a TROTTING sideways. A first! Wow!!!!

Undemanding time in the snow

With all the snow there is in the paddock I think I going to try and widen the paths, already trampled areas and around water trough. But a little bit each day. Hopefully. I happen to glance at the Friesians (3) paddock and it is trampled almost smooth. Maybe I'll ask M if I can borrow one to help me.

Both Cici and Casey greet me at the gate. This is definitely habit forming. And we nuzzle a while. Then I go off on my rounds. Shovel out their eating area, work on the path to Cici's hanging out with Cheeta place and also enlarge that space. Then dig out the other gate and around the water trough. Exhausted.

I get my folding camp chair that hangs in the shed and set it up for a bit of rest and undemanding time. Of course I set it down on a path. Get comfortable and think, "Hey great time and place for picture and video taking." And I have remembered to bring my camera. Cici is hanging out with Cheeta at the fence, enjoying (I hope) the larger area I have just shoveled out, and Casey is at the far end of the track watching me.


Get thinking that maybe Cici would like to hang out without her turnout. So I get up and take it off. Hang it on the gate and go back to stand with her. Casey removes it from the gate and is now trampling it. I go back to hang it up on the gate and turn around to go back to my chair...


Once I've brushed all the snow off I sit down again. Cici walks over to me on my left and starts nuzzling me and looking for treats. Casey is watching and since he is sure I'm giving out treats comes up the path on my right. Who's undemanding time is this? I just want to sit and they sure are demanding LOL.

I keep backing Casey up out of teeth range and Cici is now standing with her head hanging down, nose nuzzling my hair. This is heaven.

Of course Casey creeps into nipping range and disturbs the tranquility. Cici goes back to checking me out for treats. And then she decides its time to put your foot on it - only the "it" is me and the chair! I gently discourage that thought.

After another round of just hanging out all together quietly, Cici turns and walks over to see if any hay has miraculously appeared. She gleans the hay dust that is left in the snow and then sees my snow shovel and decides to help out.

Slot car Casey

We got a ton of snow on Wednesday. Okay maybe not a ton but close to 2 feet for sure. Too deep for young master Casey. He now only travels around the paddock in Cici's tracks. And she has made quite the circuit around the paddock. He fits right into the track and away he goes - like a mini slot car! Here he is standing by the gate where I've shoveled some of the snow away. And he is standing on the packed snow and not sinking!

Today I dug out the back gate and a path up the hill to the indoor. I went down to the barn to check on things, chat with friends and pick up Cici halter. Figured I play with her in the indoor. Without her blanket, on ground that is not white and when she steps into it sinks up to her knees.

As I was walking up the hill to go through the indoor I had this thought - did I close the back gate after I dug it out? Was Casey running around loose somewhere? I looked over at their paddock and saw Cici eating her hay, but could not make out a little munchkin. I glanced at the paddock that is behind hers, on the other side of the path and noticed the two horses there were running around. When I got to the indoor Cici started to call to me - He's loose and up to no good!

I hurried through the ring and out the back. A large swatch had been plowed and my path led off of that. As I got outside there was the Casey trotting down the path. I hurried to block him and threw the lead over his head. He was the perfect slot car - he would not step off the shoveled path and he could not turn around. Stuck! Thankfully. I was able to put Cici halter on him and lead him back to the paddock. So much for his liberty adventure!

Playing, just playing

Today I had time blocked out in my mind to play and ride Cici. I have a next lesson scheduled, okay its still several weeks away, but I want to be ready for the next THING Avery will throw at me LOL.

When I got to the barn, M told me she was going to be working Max. I had looked at the schedule board yesterday and saw a blank space that I decided to use. I made the mistake of not writing down my initial on the board. Though with M I don't know if that would have made a difference. But I've learned my lesson. I will write down my times. Period.

Cici and I first played with her 12" looped around her neck. She was walking. Really walking forward with me at her side. Walked to the pedestal and got right up. I kissed her nose. Okay I kissed and kissed and kissed her nose that was just the right height.

We played sideways down the long side. We played with the ball, with Cici following it and kicking it forward and staying with it. I had to catch up!

I walked her over to the mounting block. And unlooped the 12' rope. Moved the mounting block against the wall and this is the second day I've asked her to swing herself sideways to the mounting block - preparing for mounting from fence. Took a bit of persistent tapping on zone 4 but she did indeed move over to me. Way to go little girl!!!!

Played online with 22' - circling game. And figure 8 around cones at trot. This is big as since we have been playing with the pedestal Cici has been more interested in playing put your foot on everything - the cones have a big attraction. But today nice figure 8 at trot around the cones. Whohoooo!

M was long lining Max, a RBE, ex racehorse who hasn't been used in about a year. He was having issues. He was not pleased. M was using lots of voice commands and encouragements. I realized how quiet I am. And also realized that I didn't want to deal with this while I was riding and practicing stick to the rail and maintain gait.

So instead of getting upset, I focused on what a wonderful time I had just had with Cici. How soft and focused she was. What an amazing partnership we are developing.

Snowy Trail Ride

Went out today for a trail ride. Checked out the footing yesterday with Casey and the old snow is a little crunchy and the new is light and fluffy. Turned out to be perfect footing. No snow balling in the horses' hooves.

Also tried out my new winter riding boots - Christmas present - Ariat barnyard jodphur boot. Insulated. Warm toes. When I first got into the saddle I felt like my knees were up under my chin. Wow, I got off and lengthened the stirrups/fenders one hole. Amazing what a difference one hole makes LOL.

You can hear the crunching as we walk along, along with some wind noise. And a bit of inane conversation from me.






Rob asked if V could tape me. Tired of seeing her and G's behinds.

In love with Pedestal

Cici just can't get enough of the pedestal. She goes to it, puts her foot on it, lifts herself up and puts her other front foot on it. And then relaxes. Looks so happy up there. I can't believe it. Okay I can because I took a photo!!!!

Up on the Pedestal!

I hardly slept last night going over in my mind what Avery taught me yesterday. A happy, oh goodie, can I do this again? kind of review. A I don't want to forget the slightest piece. A lets play this again Sam thought process.

When I finally managed to get to the barn late in the afternoon Cici was at the gate waiting for me. Now I had promised Casey we would play today, I have been focusing so much on Cici, that I told him we would be right back. Just wanted to check one thing out.

Walked into the ring and there was a lesson beginning. With horses that I know spook. But I wasn't planning on doing anything lively with Cici. Took off her blanket and we both headed to the pedestal.

She pawed at the top, I porcupined her with lead rope and she stepped up! Both feet. And stood with her nose in my hair as she is now soooo tall. I could upturn my face and kiss her nose. Just let her stand there. And of course impress everyone in the ring. "Did you teach her that?" Duh!?!??!

Backed her off and we went for a walk - lead wrapped around her neck for stick to me. But I was careful due to the lesson and riders. Around the ring and back to the pedestal. A light feel on the lead and up she goes. Two feet on pedestal. Like she's been doing this forever. What was the big deal? LOL.

Moving to the next level of relationship

Lesson with Avery today. Hmm where to start. I spent an hour on line before she came. Wanted to be ready. For everything!

Started out showing Avery the new pedestal. And interestingly I had never played with Cici at the pedestal when she was tacked up. For her things were different. She just stood in front of it. Quietly. No pawing. Nothing! Avery told me to play porcupine game with lead - steady pressure - pulling her toward me on the other side of the pedestal. Ah ha. A missing piece. I've been waiting to Cici to figure it out. I mean she figured out how to paw it. And now everything else in the ring. But she never figured out the stepping up.

The challenge for me was porcupine her nose and manage with driving game her sides. Whenever she drifted one way or the other I needed to keep her straight. Comfort, safe place was standing straight to the pedestal.

Then next challenge was to release on her slightest try, slightest shift of weight forward. The pedestal is small. I thought it would be easier for her. But after a while, Avery laughing said let me show you. And she got Cici thinking quickly about the comfort spot. But when she lifted her foot, it was too easy for her to just walk over the pedestal.

Dragged out M. humugeous one from the corner and Avery played with Cici on that one. She again played porcupine game as a support on Cici's leg - savvy string around foot and steady pressure to help her lift her foot up on the T A L L pedestal. All the while maintaining steady pressure on the lead. Before too long Cici stepped up!!!! First with one foot and then both front feet! Yippee! Hope I can continue this with her. Avery suggested that once she is offering on the large one to bring out the small pedestal.

Next played circling game. Saw that the pedestal work had taken Cici way outside her comfort zone and she was worried. Her trot was fast and her canter turned into a gallop. Avery voiced that I needed to be more particular with her gaits. When I ask for trot I need to correct Cici when she goes to canter. Hmmm yup I've been careless with this. Maybe inattentive is a better word. No I've just not been particular.

Finally got a nice trot on both directions. Then Avery had me play friendly game swinging the carrot stick savvy string back and forth over my head while Cici was out on the circle. She was not a happy camper. Ask her to come in to me pulling on the rope zone 1 while backing away toward her zone 5. At first felt like rubbing my stomach while patting my head. The purpose is to have Cici come in to me - quickly. Safety with me. Avery said that when she spooked on the circle I should be able to slap the string on the ground and she would run into me.

Oh and whenever there was any slack in the line to shorten my hold and keep slapping the string and keep backing away and keep moving toward her hindend. Wow. Cici sure can run. Around and around and around. And around and around. Don't think I could have done this without Avery coaching me from the sidelines. When Cici finally came in she was blowing! Hard! And I noticed that yes some of it was physical and most definitely some was emotional.

Moving to the next level of our relationship. Well this is what I want to do. Been feeling so stagnant. What next? Well I found out today! And I made arrangements to continue with monthly lessons.

Even rode. Cici was exhausted and played stick to the rail perfectly LOL. Trotted a bit. And this time Avery suggested I back her when she stops trotting after a few strides. And then immediately go back to the trot. Hmmm. Sure has both Cici and my minds spinning. So much to think about. So much to play with. Can't wait!!!!

Upcoming lesson

I've been feeling lost. I've been struggling. And I decided I needed to contact Avery and have her come. And I need to have a schedule with her to keep me on track. Of course I don't want to totally embarrass myself so I've been putting extra effort into my play sessions. Thinking about how to be more provocative. How to be more particular but not nit pick. How how how.

I've noticed that Cici uses sideways when she doesn't understand what I'm asking. I've noticed that she is offering to put her foot on things - like the cones when I'm asking her for figure 8s. How to encourage her and still have her listen to my requests is a question.

Yesterday I was asking for her to back with me in zone 3. She offered sideways instead. I used phase 3 on the rope to stop her. And then she floated back with me. Being more particular here made what I was asking for more apparent. Is this what Pat means?

We rode freestyle today in the indoor. This is the third day in a row and we are both feeling more comfortable. I was lighter in my touch on the reins. Cici was lighter in her response. There is hope after all.