Trailer Loading

WooHoo!! It is going fabulous. I spent yesterday and today working on it, and really taking the time it takes to show Tuck how to safely get in and back out of the trailer. He's been real worried about stepping backwards off the step, but finally put it together today.
Yesterday he offered to put in one hind leg with the very tippy toe resting. I was stoked with that, and called it quits. Today he did that twice, and then I'd retreat, and on the 3rd time he got in! So he got all the way in and out 3 more times(stopping inside for a snack of course) and then I put him away. I can't wait to see how he progresses with that now that he knows what to do!
I really enjoy working on trailer loading. It tells a lot about the horse and you can really see the puzzle solving come into action(not to mention in the human too!). I'm still learning a lot about it, and am constantly having to re-assess the situation trying to decide, 'left brain or right brain? approach or retreat?'. It's a learning experience, and such a relief when those 4 hooves calmly step onto the rattling rubber floor-mats.

120 and counting!

One hundred and twenty days until our road trip!

I cannot wait to just be there. Not so much looking forward to the drive, but what can ya do.
I have much to do before then, and my mind is twirling with things I need to accomplish. Yesterday we picked up a hitch for the truck(have no idea where the other one went. weird huh?), so now I can safely practice my trailer loading. Also a big bag of grain for skinny ole Tucker boy.

We had a great ride yesterday. We worked on our transitions using my seat. He picks up things pretty quick, and likes a good puzzle.......as long as I know what I'm doing! Horses vote for their leaders every day! I'm planning on ordering the new level 3, and look forward to having the new material.

These are my biggest goals, and I think I'll have fun working on them. Let the games begin!

I'm starting to wonder if I should build a boat. I'm not used to getting so much rain all in one shot! We need it here so bad though, so I'm trying not to complain about it too much. Instead I'll complain about wanting an indoor arena! haha, just kiddin.

Though it has put a pretty serious stop on my progress with the ponies. In the house I'm trying to get in some studying. The savvyclub vault is filled with dozens of information/inspirational videos I haven't seen yet to progress my levels journey.

We had a snowday with the church over the weekend, and it was of course a blast for everyone. That night was a study night for our college group, which we spent in a cabin in the snow without power. What could possibly be more fun? I love the fellowship and always come away with something hardy to lick and chew on.

We came home far too early, in my opinion, but I'm happy to sit in my house watching the rain fall and studying all that I can before I take full advantage of good weather...whenever we get it. I'm already dreading the heat of summer, so a few more wet days with a cup of tea is fine by me.

This week I'm pretty sure the ponies have taken flight several times. The wind here makes it hard to stay ancored down!

I've caught up on some videos in the savvy club vault, and just wanted to get down some thoughts about what I've watched there. I watched a video of Amy and Prince, and she worked on using her seat to communicate to her horse. I loved seeing her use a real phase 1 and quickly get down to a phase 4 when nessacary with the string around Prince's neck, and 2 sticks. She also worked on her weave pattern, she would circle around one pole, and Pat would tell her to really look back at it, and use her stick when needed. She would circlecirclecircle, then move on to the next and do the same thing. I can't wait to try this.
Then I just finished a video of Susan and Dusty(mentioning names for those of you in the savvy club, or for back reference for myself). She was online and worked on the S pattern and the falling leaf. I learned that the S pattern is when you walk backward and ask for a change of direction, and it helps with confidence. The falling leaf is walking forward, and asking for a change of direction and build respect. I need to remember to have better rhythum with my stick. Doing the S patten you can get a nice beat going playing with the change of direction, "1-2. 1-2." It was great and really improved their figure 8.

I'm cold and wet and have a new cookie recipe to try. Snickerdoodles! The ones I've been making taste like egg to me. So hope this one is better!

The last couple weeks have felt like gogogo, and they are gone gone gone! The last week or so has been great with Tuck. We've done some carrot stick riding, and better with follow the rail. Our level 3 freestyle is coming slow. But we are progressing if just a little at a time.
I had a lesson on Sunday and Tuck decided he wouldn't be a part of it. He sauntered off and played with Rascal. Hmm, how interesting...said something about our relationship! But we played a lot that day, and played a lot yesterday, and had some undemanding time today. He's really enjoyed all that...and treats too of course :)

Rascal was automatically included in our undemanding time, but he demanded ALL the attention! I was extremely proud and soaked up the love that he was offering in his partnership. Today was absolutely the most left brain he has ever been with me in the year that he's been here. He played with me just like he does with the other horses! We even played catch me at the trot! It was spectacular and I loved every minute of it. He has taken to licking new guests that venture close enough to his fence, and chasing dogs that wander into his domain. Do you smell a LBE?

Happy 2010!!

December always seems to fly by doesn't it?

I spent most of the month baking. Which I have to admit I've come to love. I don't care much for cooking, but I love to bake. I've gotten a little over-loaded with the simple chocolate chip cookie, and have ventured in to other varieties. Russian tea cakes, chocolate crinkles(my personal fav these days), and snickerdoodles over-threw my kitchen! And it was delicious.

I've mapped out my level 3 online and freestyle and think I can get through them in the next couple months if I use my time wisely. Our online is going spectacularly and I think we'll breeze through it. We're almost through with loping on the figure 8 and touch it. Freestyle is a little harder for me. I've had a couple years of practicing being a good leader on then ground, but am having a harder time transferring that leadership to the saddle. I remember going through the same frustrations when I first began Parelli, not being able to remember what to do with my equipment, and hands, and body language, and feeling outright sloppy. So, more studying to be done there.

I've unfortunately lost the hitch to the truck for hooking up the trailer. I think it may have fallen out on the road some time back :( So we'll continue to advance our yoyo game until we get another and load safely in the trailer.

Reading back through my old posts I noticed my descriptions of Rascal are a little vague. So here's what we're working on - he is much more unconfident with me on his right side than his left. At every opportunity he'll offer me the left eye instead of the right. Having things tossed over his back is still difficult for him, but not at all like it used to be. But still, I'd like him overly comfortable with me tossing a rope over his back before I toss my leg over! Those are the current main issues. He's doing well with the 7 games! Except of course the things on the right side tend to be a little more difficult. But he's much more self confident, and easier to teach things to these days because he snaps out of introvertness almost instantly on the occation that he goes there. We all love to watch him run in his pasture! And the last couple weeks he'll sometimes trot up to the gate at feeding time! TWARDS me! hehe, makes me smile.

I've been avoiding getting wet, or frozen, and try to head out when the warmer weather does too. Lot's to do in 2010!