Farah's Lesson Today~

It seems this spring as though Farah has been cycling every other day!  Either she's witchy, or she's a sweetie.  Today was a "sweet" day & I think it worked to our advantage.  No bucking this time, a more lackadaisical attitude- which contributed to a smoother stride & nicer ride for Sandra. 

Farah is collecting up more & more on the trail, she's naturally athletic & yesterday... when under saddle, she stopped, I felt something brush the bottom of my inside stirrup - then looked down to see the toe of her hind foot, up & scratching the side of her cheek~!  Wow!  Now that's "talent"!  :-)  A definite first for me!  The last thing I wanted was for her to somehow catch that foot in her headstall, so Very Carefully asked her to put the leg back down!  :-)

Today Sandra was working to see where Farah seems the most comfortable with her head set.  We might try my Mylar combination with the nose piece next time to give a little more tilt to the nose - since I do get this when I'm riding her on the trail.  More for me to learn, more for us both to work on.  Sandra's help has been invaluable - it's the journey~

Canter Collection!

Today Sandra worked quietly with Farah, collection at the trot is now Very nice!  Farah gives with her head at the first request.  Moving up & into the canter this week was much less eventful that last weeks big buck!  This time it was smooth & looked more effortless too. 

Getting the toes knocked back off the hind feet helped.  Now I'm working to keep weight on Farah.  She's fit & Dean loves the way she looks, but Sandra wants more weight!  :-)  I know that she will show much better for the upcoming rescheduled inspection in a couple months - if I can get some weight on top of those muscles.  A certain gold mare has her stall about "bedded" in the nice, expensive Timothy from Dayville - so on top of the rice bran, we're going to add alfalfa pellets & see if I can keep her weight up with the miles we're doing.

Was hopeful of getting in an afternoon ride after we were at Ensbrook, but it was raining harder than before by the time we were done :-(

Another Training Day~

Today both Sandra & I felt that Farah is making progress.  Though we only get up there once a week, Farah is remembering, paying attention & building on what she'd learned.  Last week when I had her out on the trail, I felt that she was listening & paying more attention to me.  That's always a good sign.

As Sandra works with her - she is understanding what it is that we're asking & doing her best to get it done!  As with so many horses, when the speed goes up, the anxiety level rises too.  When Farah starts lifting her head & trying to get away from the bit, Sandra backs off, slows her down & asks for the head.  Once Farah complies, away they go again.

I'm hopeful of getting out on the trail in the next couple days & working with her there too!

Horse of a different color~

Khari & Connie at Blanchard

How quickly things change - or at least it seems quick in retrospect...  Last year at this time I was riding a lot, only it wasn't Farah - it was Khari.  I'd decided to get her sold & the best way to do it was to continue to put on the miles & get her as fit as I knew how - ready to move up to the 100-mile rides that I had no ambition to do.  It wasn't until she was sold in June that I had the time to really concentrate on Farah.  I'm always impressed & amazed by people who have several horses & find time to work them all! 

After our lesson today with Sandra, I think both Farah & I had brain fade!  :-)  Finding out that it's not just one cue that alerts your mount to your wishes - it is - I'm learning, a combination of cues that tells Farah what it is that I'm asking her to do.   At least, when I manage to cue correctly & avoid the bad habits that I am working very hard at unlearning!  Farah is willing, tries very hard & does her best.  Her best is much better when it's Sandra doing the riding!  When I'm on-board - we have moments of feeling everything right & that's motivational - at least for me.

Jentry brought the girls up to meet me & Skyla wanted to ride.  Without much adieu I lifted her up & Jentry spotted from the off-side.  Farah - more than happy to be done with her lesson - walked off with her swinging "I'm going somewhere" gait & Skyla was on her way!  She glanced back once at her mother - a HUGE smile on her face!   Not one to give up easily - I'm still hopeful that at least one granddaughter will want to do some riding as she gets a little older! :-)

As a side note - after years of riding grays - I'm SO Happy to have COLOR!  :-)

The More I Learn...

Sandra schooling Farah~

...  the less I know!  Watching an accomplished rider & what Sandra can do with Farah is really something to see.  As Dean told me early on, it's much easier to learn things the right way, than unlearn old habits & replace them with new.  Having always admired riders who make it look so easy - I'm now understanding a little more about how difficult it is to attain that level of competence!

To watch how Farah responds to clear signals, gives me the motivation to continue to learn all I can & be able to communicate with her well enough that she can understand me that well!  :-)  The new bit came in the mail in time for our class & worked beautifully.  I appreciated the way Sandra takes the time to answer my questions & her explanation of how the bit works & why it works the way it does.

Not having the time this month to practice between lessons, we have to go back to "refresh" mode each time.  Even that is a good thing for me though - as each time it reinforces what it is I'm working to achieve.  Watching Sandra gives me the visual picture to keep in my mind as I ride, trying to remember how & when to cue!  It could be frustrating - like the first days of any new goal you decide to work toward...  Baby steps - it's all about baby steps.  Again, when Farah does understand my clumsy attempts & I feel her respond & just the feel tells me it's right - another star goes on the plus side of the board :-)

Like Butch told someone the other day;  "Connie's ridden for over twenty-years & now she's taking lessons!"  :-)  It is fun on a cold rainy day to get out, spend the morning working & feel good when we're through!