I try to get out with the boys early in the morning these days. It's just too hot!

I have been loving the back issues you can now watch on the savvy club website, there is SO much information! I watched one with Pat and his mare Magic giving a segment on bridless riding. It was sooo inspiring and gave me a lot to think about over the next couple days and weeks.
He spoke a lot of the old vaqueros, and how much our horsemanship sports are effected by it...and how far it's changed since the finesse of the vaquero. How you would HAVE to put the relationship first to really be able to have the precision exuberance needed for the sports they played. They rode like they had no reins. And that gave a clear understanding to me what Pat and Linda say when they tell you to bring up or down your energy. I knew it effected your horse, but I had no idea how much you could really use your seat to talk to your horse. How light can you be? And how can that lightness be applied to all savvys?
I really took a lot from the lesson, and look forward to putting it to practice!

I've felt so buisy lately. I don't know why...I don't think I really am.
Anyways, yesterday was a great day with Rascal. I spent some time sending him around the barrel while I was sitting down. And then we played with the big excersize ball. I didn't think I would get far with it, but with a little approach and retreat I was able to hold it on his back for 7 seconds!! What a brave little horse. I'll have to get pics...or a video.
Getting real comfortable on Tucker. I actually get excited getting on instead of nervus. What a change from where I was last year. Actually this time last year I think I was really coming around to riding Avery, and we had come SO far. But I'm working on follow the rail and tit for tat. Hopefully we'll be ready to assess for level 2 soon! We also have to work on bridling savvy. Tuck really hates the bit in his mouth.
Pep loads in the trailer like a dream...now if only I can get the other two...Tucker is fine with going in, but really nervus on how he's gonna get out. So I think it's just a matter of teaching him he can back out, and step off the ledge.

Well, I was looking forward to my first clinic with Ann Kiser in June. But That was cancelled due to her getting a 3 month trial position in Parelli. I'm stoked for her, and as a future professional always love seeing the program develop.
So what do I do now? I had goals! Well, now I still have goals, but just alone again. I'd love to get Tucker(well, all the boys) loading and traveling well, and at least go a couple places this summer to get used to working off the property. Pep is doing great with the trailer, and loads at liberty. Tuck I think doesn't mind getting in, but is worried about getting out. Can't blame him, he's a big guy!
I've set my eyes on level 3 ground, which is where I should be working having officially passed level 2 ground skills. But I can't seem to make myself believe I've made it that far. Like I still need work in level 2.
Riding is going well. I'm mostly riding bareback these days, and loving it! I can sit the trot now, so am able to work on our L2 riding without a saddle.
Tuckers weight and muscle are very slowly developing. He definitely could use a better topline, and I may experiment with hill therapy.
We'll see!

Cause your idea to become his idea, but understand his idea FIRST

That phrase has been on my mind today, playing over and over in my head like someone pressed the "repeat" button.
So as I pulled each horse out there it would come up in my mind "Cause your idea to become his idea, but understand his idea FIRST". Understand his idea first. Understand his idea first. Understand his idea first. OKAYYYYYY!!! It was practically a song at that point. I realized that "his" idea is going to be different with every horse. And can be different everyday. So I decided to experiment a little.
I brought THE ball into the roundpen. Just one of those big exercise balls. And I would observe. What was his idea about it? Hmm...how interesting! It was different for each one.

It's so hard to explain what "understanding his idea" means. It's easier for me to feel than to put into words. Expecially having just learned it myself.
So based on horsenality, the LBI(which I think Tucker is mostly) would be more interested in just hanging out, and getting treats. So I don't take him into the roundpen and chase, do jumping-jacks, cartwheels, and ballet. He'd hate me within a week. I groom him, scratch a little, graze on the way to the roundpen, and plan out what we're gonna do. I've been trying to match his energy. So if he's half asleep looking, and pushing into my space, I'll go half asleep looking and send him out on a circle, with a loooooong phase 1, and quick 234. And am very assertive about it. After awhile he got a look like "What now!? sideways to the fence? the ball? YOU? How about cantering two laps then troting in to you??" okay! haha, I LOVE to see that exuberance. And then I make sure he gets rest and treats(his idea) before putting him away.
I've also been working on getting him comfortable in the trailer. He's good at 2 feet, but unconfident with 4. Hmmm, how interesting! So we're taking that a day at a time, and will hopefully be ready for a clinic in June!

I love riding. I have missed it so much! I have always wanted to ride bareback and barefoot, I don't know why. Maybe it's some girl thing. So that's what I did! I loved it. Maybe not the safest thing, and I suddenly realized how close we ride to trees, and just how tall my horse is...but I had fun.
It's been a litle bit difficult to me to get on and not get into my old habits of micro-managing. I constantly am reminded that to be a good passanger, and not to drill. Same with the roundpen. I don't have to get in there and run my horses around. I don't even have to circle at all! So now it's really a matter of breaking MY old habbits.
Rascal is adorable. I love just hanging with him. He take my hat, and plays with my hands, and always checks to see whats in my pockets. He's doing great with his feet, and letting me swing the rope and play friendly game all over his back and legs. I'm excited for him. I like seeing horses comfortable and not in fear.
Pepper is doing great with the trailer! He loads at liberty, and I actually have a hard time convincing him to come back out!

Well I haven't been feeling so great the last couple days. But I can't stand just sitting here and not progressing in some way!! So I've been out with my boys while I feel up for it.
I spent about an hour riding Tucker today. Follow the rail really gave me a plan! I LOVE our roundpen!! Tucker isn't so great with turning, and just kinda leans into the pressure. So we started our FTR, and I kept redirecting him until my hands and legs no longer had a meaning to him. Okay...where's my carrot stick!? Took me awhile to remember that I could use that, and be sooooo much softer on his face. So we did walk and trot on the rail until he was moving softly off my hands and feet again. The whole time I had running through my head, "give him the best deal possible", "be as light as possible and as firm as nessacary". It really got me to thinking, HOW could be as light as possible? and HOW could start by giving him the best deal? I loved it. And I loved how light he was by the time I quit.
I also found a coule things for us to work on. One being sideways twards. I really think he'll enjoy learning another task, and I know it'll be cake for him. The other is to lift me onto his back with his neck. He can get his head waaaaaay down, and I don't think would have a problem tossing me up! So we'll take the time we need, and see how it goes.
Also been working with Pep in the roundpen. Can you say FABULOUS at liberty!!!?? What a treat after all our hard work to see his exuberant desire to play. He even loped a little for me yesterday. I'm so proud of how far he's come, and how much he's trying to trust me as I ask for more advanced things.
Sooooo, I'm basically having a blast. Good Boys.

Wow. What a day today. I was actually not really wanting to get out with the horses today, but am SO glad I did.
First of all, I have a new round corral! It's gorgeous. We built it like the ones the Parelli's have, and I couldn't be more stoked about it. Its 3.5ft high and 50ft across. When I tell normal horse people about it, they kinda raise an eyebrow and after pausing for a moment ask, ".....won't the horse jump out?". I grin with my reply. I have always hated being in a roundpen with a horse. I feel trapped. And no doubt the horse does too. Now if the horse really wants out, he can go. I want to be careful not to push him to that point. Don't I want to encourage the horse to be with me? If he's willing to leap three and a half feet to get away from me, there's something wrong with the relationship. The one thing I put first with my horses.
Anyways, so I convinced myself to try it out with Pepper. He's always been tense in round pens...and I'm sure I didn't help. We started online with the 22' rope. Once I felt he was really with me, and took my ques, we went to liberty. WOO-HOO! He made great circles, had FABULOUS drive and DRAW! My goodness, I have never felt more harmony from this horse. I'm so proud of him, and can't wait to progress our journey!
I have way more hope for him than I ever have before.