Attempt at finishing Instructor App Video

Steve had committed to helping me get the final video bits done. We have a short list left before I go into full-blown video edit mode. I've still got to capture the freestyle section, 3 patterns on a casual rein, and some bareback riding and online.

We warmed up some, but our on online was definitely a little lack-luster. I made the mistake of using the 45' but then playing in an area too small to support that length. Then, Z was lacking energy and I was trying to bring her life up w/o causing her to get introverted. We got some nice things, but I think we could do better. I always think we can do better - hence the misery of video taping. I rarely think it's good enough. I just recently decided to get the freestyle video in the mail for L3 that I did a month ago. I want perfection. There's no such thing.

I imagine my Freestyle vid will pass level 3. Then, I can focus on L4. The thought of passing L4 is very exciting and motivating! I also need to pick a competition and get out there with my horse to see how we compare to others. Ok, I digress...

So, we did some liberty, too. It was just fun stuff. I'm teaching Z to spin when I spin. Right now, I'm only getting a change of direction when I spin. That's ok - it's a positive response and we'll develop it quickly, I'm sure. Also, I'm working hard on getting her to show exhuberance. She's more playful than ever and I think it's a direct reflection of my horsemanship improving. I'm getting better at having fun and being less serious - probably one of my biggest challenges.

We did some bareback filming, just a little as the ask on the application was to just show a little. Then, we went to do some patterns in the arena - specifically, we must show figure 8, cloverleaf and bullseye. Well, Miss Z had tons of energy to spare and I was having a hard time getting her to trot and not canter. We did PPL at the canter for several minutes, hoping she'd think slowing down would be ok. We finally started to get the trot consistently and I decided to quit there. We'd been at it for hours and she'd found a nice relaxed place to be. I guess I should be surprised since we hadn't ridden in 6 days and the weather was cooler.

I'll post some of the video moments asap. For now, I'm the video editor until I get this application submitted. Maybe we can get the freestyle and patterns done tomorrow.

Video with Z and Rain

Had a FANTASTIC session with Z today! Don't know why... I've been spending a ton of time with her. We did liberty in the arena and she was great. We did some close circle at the trot and just some good 7 games. I also practiced a backwards circle and the spin. The spin is looking really good. We are going to start speeding it up. I also practiced mounting bareback and bridleless and I've got that down too. Z stands nice and still for me. Things were going so well, I asked Steve to come out and get some video for me.

We got mounting, saddling and bridling as well as some nice liberty. The horses had moved out of site and she left me a few times at liberty. She came back quickly and ears forward, so hoping it looks ok on the video. Here's Z standing nicely for me while I bareback mount and stand on her back.



Then, I grabbed Rain for some time to see how she's doing. She didn't want to hit the trail alone and I don't blame her. I don't spend much time with her and I haven't ridden her alone in months. So, I rode her around the property. I just asked for different things and she's developed such a brace from being the "beginners horse". Darn it. At one point, Chrissy was working on groundwork with Cowboy and asked me to come over and help. She's trying to figure out the catching game right now as well as developing more feel and the ability to read Cowboy. I helped coach her and then I wanted to show her with Rain.

See, Rain and I had broken roundpen work. I had it very broken at the end of L2, the same point where I switched to Z about 2 years ago. I've never really gone back and fixed it with Rain. I was interested to see how it would go, as well as showing Chrissy how I handle it when my horse doesn't stick to me. Rain, as I expected, did not stick to me. What was amazing whas that 2 years of developing my horsemanship has changed me quite a bit. Within about 5 mins, Rain was bolting off... she was relaxed and sticking to me. It was pretty cool.

I played the catching game with Nina too, to demo for Chrissy. Nina didn't really know what I was doing, but she caught on quickly too. My skills have really grown. Neat.

Chrissy made some good changes and she's progressing so well. Proud of her.

Filming... Alone!

OK - I suck at filming myself. We had a good laugh over the footage though. I'd set up the camera, take a look at my viewing area, then take Z out to see how it goes. Well, when I watched it later, I had a ton of footage of me and Z in the upper left corner of the video and pretty small OR footage where Z enters the upper left corner and then disappears! Doh!

So, we had some interesting things going, but no big deal. We'll get more filming done with help this weekend.

L3 Freestyle Filming

I had big plans for the day to get Rain exercised (CTR race is in one week!) and Cowboy moving and Gemini on the trail. However, I did a quick session with Z practicing for our bridleless filming and we had such good stuff going that I decided to go for some filming time. Steve obliged and we spent an hour or two capturing some freestyle riding.

I feel very good about we've got going and the one thing I want to practice a little more on is the circle at the canter. We are using only the neck rope and 1 carrot stick. I realized at one point that I was being unclear with the stick and I went to phase 4 when she was blowing through my ask to turn left. You just can't be bridleless on an Anglo-arab and have the horse thinking they can do what they want to do! :-)

I may send in some of what we got on tape and I may practice the circle a little more and send new film. I haven't decided. Either way, we're nearly there! Feels amazing - my partner and I have come such a long way.

Amazing way to end the year!

The weather couldn't have been better. It was warm, the air was calm and I had a license from the hubby for a horse day. I wanted to finish my Online taping and get it to the ISC immediately as the assessment format changes with the new year. We had an online tape made from the other day, but I really thought our sideways could be a little better. And Steve was willing to play cameraman.

First, I agreed to help my boarder show her horse. I've been playing with Nina a little and giving her groundwork manners, teaching her the 7 games and just generally playing with her. The owner decided to sell her recently so I was going to show the prospective buyer what Nina and I have developed. She's an amazing Trakener/Hanoverian with a ton of confidence built in. If I could afford her, she'd be mine. She's about 2 1/2 now and full of energy and play drive. I started showing some things online and then went to the play area and her over the bridges and into the tire. Then, we went for Liberty in the round pen - something we've never done. She was happy to play and show her athleticism! I was quite impressed with her physical ability. She went straight up in the air several times, spun with amazing ability, trotted in to me and stopped with ease before overstepping her bounds. It was all quite cool and I think Loma started to reconsider selling that mare. I hope she does and I hope she'll let me help her if she keeps her. Not sure how I could help, but I'd certainly be willing to try.

Then, I went back out and got Mrs. Z. Time to film. We went through the whole thing - Online tasks 1-9. I feel pretty good about it. She wanted to gallop instead of canter on the obstacle course task, which was interesting. Not sure if she just felt good or if she was emotional. I'm watching the video to read her and see what I think. Otherwise, it was a good representation of where we are at this point.

Then, I took Cowboy out, did a little ground work and then took him into the arena for some passenger lesson. He was great. He cantered on the 12' line in my arena - surprisingly. He stood nicely for mounting, he practiced lateral flexion with me and showed nice improvement and then we did passenger riding at the walk and trot. We did more walk than trot as I'm trying to bring him along slowly and keep his confidence protected. I'm also trying to allow myself time to build up trust with him. I really like Cowboy. My dogs like to hang around while I ride and he is showing extreme cowiness by keeping them out of the arena! I've never ridden a horse that interested in pushing animals around. We'll have to develop cow-working together in the future. He's so cool.

I had 12 more hours of horse time in me, but alas, the day was closing down and I really needed to get ready for the New Years Eve festivities. I love my life.

L3 Online - finally ready to submit!

Had a great day! Took Kendall for a short ride, her on Rain and me on Z. Z was, once again, a nut. She was worried and jiggy and kind of like we've just taken a big step back with trail confidence. We only went a couple miles, but I hopped off and did some ground work at a very fast pace. She was better and I got back on and rode her home. We practiced stopping with no reins the rest of the way home and just generally getting her listening. Backing up, sidepassing, half-passing, haunches in, everything to get her paying attention and partnering up with me. Actually, I think I got some pretty things out of her. I was also not at all worried. She bucked a little at one point and I was surprised - but handled her with bending and lateral work.

Before the trail ride, I played a little with Cowboy. I tacked him up and rode him a bit. We played with the teeter-totter and he did great - no worries or concerns. I asked him to jump a few things and we played a little with sideways. I had him wear a bit the whole time and once I mounted, I focused on looking for quietness in his mouth. I waited for him to feel calm and confident and then I hopped off! It's not going to take much to bring him around and I have to say, today I felt like I'd rather develop him than Gemini - because I think he's more predictable to ride. Maybe Gem and I would just need a little time to develop the bucks away, but Cowboy doesn't seem to have a buck - which is nice. One less thing to deal with. I wanted to play with him longer, but Kendall was ready to ride and I wanted to have enough time to get the Online taping done. I'm excited about the possibilities with Cowboy.

Taping was a pretty good success. Z did everything I asked. She was a sweaty mess when we were done. She went into the trailer with gusto! She cantered almost non-stop on the 45. She jumped the 3' jump and she went sideways nicely. I hope they pass this submission. If not, it's ok - means we weren't quite ready. However, we did things the best we know how at this point. I'm pleased with both of us.

L3 Online - Almost on Film

We were out there for a couple hours today, but the footing still isn't quite good enough. Z is not comfortable jumping 3 ft with a slippery ground. Steve was out there with me and we moved the jump to a flatter, somewhat drier place and I started asking her to give that a try. She was definitely better with the new jump location but it was slipper enough still that I decided to bail. We went to the round pen and captured the circle by the flank task.

She's moving into the trailer with such gusto! I have to be careful to make sure it doesn't appear that she's escaping into the trailer (how profound is that!). Our sideways is better than ever and I can feed her rope while she goes sideways now. She's pulling a little at the canter on the barn side of the circle, but I think we're still more than 75% soft and willing.

Cowboy is here and I want to get some time with him. I've been focused on getting these ground tasks assessed and done and the other horses need some time from me.

Also, got Nina trimmed by myself. I changed my attitude and gave her the time she needed and she did great. She was giving me a little trouble in the prior trim and I realize I had started getting a direct lined attitude. Good for me - I'm learning. Need to catch up Gem and Rains hind feet and then everyone has happy feet for a few weeks.

Practicing the Online Obstacle Course

Every day lately, I check the weather, check the footing, check my time and wonder if it's going to be the right day to film my L3 online. Today could have been that day. The footing was much better, the wind wasn't blowing, Z was ready to do what she needed to do and things were looking pretty good. The only thing that wasn't great was with her jumping the 3' jump. For some reason, she was lacking confidence about the jump. She was cantering into the trailer beautifully, the sideways looks pretty good, she's backing straight up the hill and trotting back into me easily. A lot of things feel pretty good and I'm proud of what we've developed.

She got pretty sweaty and with the cold and snow on the way, I was a little concerned about putting her back with the herd sweaty. She hung out in the barn and ate hay with a fleece cooler on for a bit. Then, I decided to double blanket her for the night.

We need to get our video made and move on.

Attempting to Tape L3 Online

My sister was willing to video L3 Online of Z and me. So, I got my act together, moved my trailer, gathered my horse, and went out to warm Z up. It was cooooold. However, my horse was very uncomfortable with the idea of cantering on the icy and snowy ground. She was slipping and doing her best regardless, I just couldn't ask for her best on crappy footing.

I was feeling disheartened and I sat on my front porch with my sisters while Z ate what's left of the landscaped grass. It was good undemanding time, but I got no video-taping done.

I'm struggling with my drive to finish this year. Maybe the audition won't suck that bad. If the ground doesn't change, I won't have a choice.

L3 Online - Making sure we're ready

My job has been overbearing this week and the weather has been even worse. We had arctic temps and broke records that were 60 yrs old! One of the nights, it was 15 below, no wind, no snow, just butt-a** cold. I couldn't bear to ask my horses for anything in that!

So, today I found time to get out and practice our online routine. It's about time to tape it and I think we're close to ready. I couldn't do the obstacle course with Z because when I asked her canter she was slipping all over. No pulled muscles or tendons! So, I just asked for a nice, slow trot and just a small circle around me. We practiced a nice, calm change of direction, and then worked on getting sideways a little faster. We played yo-yo up the hill and I tried to help her understand to trot back to me. I asked for a lighter response to backing by the tail and by the hocks. Finally, I loaded her into the trailer from at least 30 ft multiple times. I timed the trailer loading when she was ready for a break from the other things so the trailer could feel like a really good place. She bounded into the trailer each time I asked.

I think we're really ready. Our circle by the flank is good to go, driving with the horsemans reins is solid, it's time to tape. I'm looking forward to focusing on riding... RIDING! Maybe I can have the riding assessed by summertime 2009.

Passing Level 3 Liberty!!

I got some great news this morning. My Level 3 Liberty submission was good enough to pass! Yes! It feels good to have something passed in L3 since I've been working in this level for 1.5 years. I'm going to next submit OnLine and I think Z and I are ready to put a good video together. I have to practice a little with her loading on the 45' into the trailer and make sure her sideways is not forward. A pre-video session is probably all we need.

I'm re-motivated. And I'm super proud of my horse.

L3 Liberty - Not so much!

OK - today, my great friend Jen came over to help me get Liberty on tape. She gave me some good feedback. Z hates the L3 Liberty Assessment. I'm too intense and Z doesn't want to play with me anymore at Liberty. I knew this, but hearing it makes it more real. I realize that the Parelli program is changing it's assessment methods for a reason. I'm a perfect example of a flawed assessment methodology. I've worked hard and I've tried to play well, but at the end of the day, I can't figure out how to not make it about the tasks once the video camera turns on. It's a tough thing.

We looked at some older attempts I made at Liberty and decided I should just send those in. If they don't pass, I'll go for the new assessment and audition. I'll have to get creative, but maybe it'll be the best thing that could happen to my partnership with my horse.

Z's a tough gal. She's got lots of opinions and is very quick to tell me I suck. For a moment, I considered starting over with Gemini. I realized I can't run from this. Z is making me better and it's a challenge I need. I'll be fine. It takes the time it takes.

Bowing and L3 Liberty

I had a short bit of time available to get some things going with my horses. I also was able to snag Steve for some video footage. I got some video of Rain doing tricks:

Rain fetches her doll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd6pxo1qYgE
Rain Bows: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ5DBooNE60

Z and I got some Liberty taped (again). Ugh - each time has a blemish I'd like to fix. This is a hard, hard thing to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQpE0i0Gel8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BgjiPp-TOU

Sometimes I'm having fun, sometimes I'm just pushing my horse and I into a brick wall. I'm learning to take it easier on myself and my horse... slowly.

Bowing and Riding Z

I've been practicing the bow with Rain for a few years now. I started about 3 yrs ago and barely new what I was doing. She understands the concept, but she would never stay in the bow for long. Recently, I started working on it with her again and now she bows beautifully. I'm going to get some video and put it on youtube. It's pretty cool.

I recently started teaching Z to bow, as well. I'm using a very different technique with Z. We'll see how that goes. A horse has to have a lot of trust and confidence to get in such a precarious position as the bow. It's much easier for Rain than Z, as Z is not near as trusting. I also asked Z to circle me and practice transitions up and down. Her down transition is not as good and she tends to break back into a trot. This is important for us as we go back and retape L3 Liberty.

Kendall and I rode our horses bareback in the round pen after bowing. I asked Z to follow the rail at the trot. We also had the Equiball with us, so we had our horses kicking the ball around. A fun little session.

Then, I tacked up Z and we went for a ride. We practiced canter/walk transitions in a figure 8, snakey bends, sideways over a log (very softly) and canter transitions in a straight line. She gave me the nicest canter depart and down transition so I hopped off and let her eat grass. She's giving me more and more great stuff. My leadership is better and I'm expecting more. She also offered me a very vertical trot, nearly a piaffe, and a rode that a bit asking her to maintain. So cool.

More Video and Canter transitions

We got the best canter transition EVER and the softest canter EVER!! Sooo cool.

Taped the online stuff. Sideways isn't ready. Lots of things looked pretty good, I think.

3 ft jump and a trailer

We practiced our L3 online skills, trying to prep for shooting some video and assessing. Z has never been much of a jumper, but she is getting better and more confident the more we practice. I decided to incorporate treats and see if she responded to that. She really started to put some serious effort into it! What a complicated mare. So, we squeezed over a jump I put in the front pasture, starting at around 1.5 feet and increasing it as she felt successful. We got to a 3' jump in no time flat. I guess I was a little surprised. Was it the treat process? Is she just better at jumping these days? Dunno...

We also started playing with trailer loading on the 45'. We practiced that plenty of the past year, but it's been a while. She was willing to load from a decent distance, but she turns around once she's in the trailer. I think I'll have to put some grain in there or something. Not sure how I'll keep her facing forward. We should work on it from much closer and build. The trailer is so large, it's easy for her to turn around. I believe the task is supposed to demonstrate backing the horse out of the trailer. I'll play with that some more.

Video Liberty... again

Well, I tried to get some chores done. I dragged the roundpen yesterday and today the arena. I moved a 3ft jump to the front pasture for my online savvy video assessing. I want to try to get the Liberty video done. I had it down the night Capaill got hurt.

Today, she started turning to the outside on the FLC at Liberty. That's a new one. So, back on line we go. Trying not to be frustrated, but I've made the fatal mistake of setting a time line for us for this week. I can't push it, I'll only make it take longer.

Then, just as it started to rain, I decided to take her to the trailer. I loaded her and got in with her. My 2 pound puppies jumped in, too. There was hay and carrots on the floor from our trip home from the Parelli ranch. We sat through the storm in the trailer - about 30 mins of hail and hard rain with a stray thunder roar here and there. The hail hitting the trailer made her nervous, but I was able to relax her fairly easily. It made me snicker, thinking of my horse, 2 dogs and I in the trailer waiting for the rain to stop.

I've got Z in the run for a day or 2 to get some extra bonding time in before I go to Cali. Tomorrow, I'll focus on getting the online stuff covered.

Tough, Bloody Night

Monday night, August 18th. I was right in the middle of getting a great Liberty assessment on video when I noticed Capaill was stuck in the fence. His right leg was stuck in the wire. I dropped everything and ran. Steve was my cameraman and he instantly jumped on the ATV to meet me there. We did a first try to free him, but the wire was too embedded. We needed to cut him out.

Steve drove back for wire cutters and a lead rope. I stayed with Capaill and tried to keep him calm. I was hoping to avoid him wrestling any more and embedding the wire deeper. He was bleeding profusely. There was a steady stream of blood dripping. It was like a faucet. I knew he could bleed out and we had to be swift. After Steve came back with wire cutters and we freed him, I had to figure out what to do to get the blood flow under control. I tried a tourniquet at first. It made a difference. I was using bailing twine. Capaill was not a maniac, but he wasn't very cooperative. He would rear and move periodically, but I just stuck with him. I'd give him a 5 sec break and get back on it.

He was still losing too much blood. I tried compression by putting a towel around the wound with medical tape as tight as I could. That was ineffective. Finally, I decided to try to simply bend his leg at the knee and hold his feet as close to his barrel as possible. Bingo. Blood flow came to nearly a halt. I really thought we were going to lose him. As I was trying to stop the bleeding, I was also trying to get a doctor on his way. Tom's on-call service wasn't working right (Dr. Squires', actually). Finally got a callback from Dr. Meuller, but Tom was already on his way.

I was holding the leg, Nancy showed up and was holding the lead, Pat was passing Nancy carrots in an effort to keep him eating and alive. He was sweating, shaking and shivering, and he seemed to be in shock. He had loose stool frequently. I really thought he was a goner.

Tom showed up with all his calm reserve and I could finally start to see us coming out of this with a horse on this side of the grass. He blocked him from the knee down Capaill calmed. He was then able to get the wire out. It was fugly. He then bandaged it enough so that Capaill could walk to the barn. He was in the west pasture and would have to traverse about 5 acres of pasture. It was dark and I was amazed we'd gotten done what we had with only the lights of the ATV and later a small flashlight.

Tom decided not to stitch it or cast it. He didn't think Capaill would do well in a cast and it would require that for any stitches to hold. So, he cleaned it up nicely and wrapped it tight. Capaill severed a major artery and one of two nerves to the hoof. However, he's going to live and we are all so relieved. We'll have to watch and see how it heals. Oh boy.