He's a good lookin' guy...

Brego and I playing on the 45' line for the first time.

Hello!

My 45' line from Parelli arrived today!! I'm so happy with it, I love it!

Enjoy the video!

Priscilla

"Finesse"

Hello!

Cricket and I had an epic session today, one that I will remember the rest of my life.

We started out doing some Freestyle riding with just following the rail on one rein. I was trying to develop two of the responsibilities, "don't change gait" and "don't change direction". We have a five acre pasture that has a long stretch of fence running down it. I walked it twice, trotted it twice, and then cantered it four times. She was flawless at the end.


Then I thought, "Let's move on to some Finesse." I wasn't so sure but I wanted to try it again. We had done some back in Level 2 and we weren't ready for it so her head just pushed into the halter.
So, off we went to try some Finesse. We started at the walk and I kept the life running through my hands (it's where you lift them -one at a time- to the rhythm of the gait), I felt her back start to lift and her neck begin to arch. I stopped, smiled, and rewarded her. She was great! Then I moved on a bit to some shoulders in and haunches in, I was so happy with her! She was a-m-a-z-i-n-g! She did it with physical, mental, and emotional collection! All with just my halter and lead! I'm in love with my pony, I will be for the rest of my life!

Who thought that a 12.2 hand Haflinger pony and a 13 year old girl could do all that?

Toodles!

Priscilla

PS. I just learned how to spell "Finesse"

Introducing-- Cricket

To anyone new to my blog, this is Cricket:

She is fast and small (12.2 hands). Super strong! She stops on a dime, spins, does flying lead changes, has a build like a war horse, jumps 3' and like a scarred fairy, she is level 3/4 in the Parelli program, I ride her bareback only because she the best at it - even when we jump, I ride her with only a rope around her neck- mostly, she loves liberty, she is a Left Brain Introvert/Right Brain Introvert.

She knows how to spin, slide, burn, and turn; as well as collect, walk slow, walk fast, trot slow, trot fast, open gates, close gates. Shoulders in, haunches in.

Toodles!

Priscilla

~~My 45' line is supposed to arrive today~~

The estimated delivery date for my 45' foot line is today. It's still on time and the tracking gadget says it's in Denver! Mohahaha... Super happy! :) I have a few things I want to try with it but I was wondering if you guys have any suggestions? 

Toodles!

Priscilla

Your thoughts?

What do you think it means to ask nothing from someone yet demand they give their all?

A small session- mirror and circles

Hello Crazy Blog Readers!

So. Cricket and I had a lovely session today. It was windy. I was meaning to tape the video tutorial that Lydia asked for but mommy was taking a nap (aka, no one to film) and plus there was the wind.

We did some mirroring and circling at the walk close range. Oh! And we did some Freestyle with one rein. Lovely..

Toodles!

Priscilla

Absolute agony

I found out that you can force with phase one. It makes perfect sense and I think I do it a lot. *sigh*

I got an email from Parelli saying my 45' line is in the mail!! I get to track it with FedEx, it's on the second to last stop which is in Aztec New Mexico. ("Blah! I'm so happy!") It's the first thing besides an audition that I've actually bought with Parelli. I love my life. Notice how random I'm being? :)

So I'm in agony over two things, waiting to hear back on my audition and waiting for my 45' line to arrive.

"can you please--"... "Oh! Yes! Whatever you say!"

Brego is doing **really** well. He did a Level 4 back by his tail, I was jumping up and down I was so happy with him. He even did it at liberty. The lady with the miniature donkey walked by with her husband and I was doing the yo-yo game. She smiled at me and said, "Nice yo-yo!",  I smiled back and thanked her. Yo-yo game has been the second to hardest for Brego (sideways being the first). She made Brego and I's day, it was a great session. I was also a little suprised she knew what I was doing!!! YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!! **jumping out of my skin**


Toodles!


Priscilla

Ice

<--- Looking into the distance <--- The view

<--- The lovely sunset we got to enjoy

Brego: before and after pictures

<-- Brego about 2 weeks into his new diet and workout


<--- Brego as of today

This is Brego, what a transformation!!

Comment and toodles!

Priscilla

A stray Puppy!!

Our neighbor found this puppy in his yard, so far it's a stray. He brought it over to our house wondering if it was ours, it wasn't of course, yet we let it stay the night. I think its really cute. It looks like a Norwegian elkhound or an Akita. It's a female and it looks like it's about 2 months old, it's really friendly and it acts like Lottie.

"Cormamin lindua ele lle!"
Cricket and I rode around last night with only the savvy string around her neck. She was wonderful and her "true name" really came out and she was so..... wait, I already said that..... I should be in caps lock right now but I'm restraining myself.

We lived our dream for another day.

--Elrohwen

Cricket and I have always had our own private names for each other. I have never told anyone the name I call her, do you think I should keep it a secret? It's really random I know. I think I should tell you in case it comes by surprise... What do you think? Should it stay personal and just for us or only spread to my close friends?

Toodles!

Priscilla

Fun time riding

So...

I went riding yesterday with Joe Randall, Cricket, and Leah. I rode Leah and he rode Cricket. It was SO funny.. Cricket started to trot then canter and he fell off, bareback. It started to rain harder than we could really ride in and if it was only me I'd of stayed out there with the horses in the loafing shed, but it seemed better to go inside.

A few hours later:

After dinner. Joe asked to ride again, we went out and he picked Leah. I kinda wanted to lead her because she's so sensitive. He asked some questions on how you stay on, do you ever use a bridle/saddle, etc etc.. It was LOTS of fun... :):)

Toodles!

Priscilla

Great Liberty Session

First, we started out bareback and bridless and Cricket shut down. I was a little upset, then I remembered to keep it positive, so I switched to Liberty!

THAT WAS THE BEST THING EVER! She was so GOOD/COOL/AMAZING/GREAT! Raise your hand if you've seen/read Lord of the Rings... ?? I have done both many times and I'm always amazed at the bond Gandalf has with Shadowfax! Well... Cricket was a miniature, bright sorrel, female, Shadowfax! YES! THAT'S RIGHT! --*Btw: I left caps lock on for a reason!*.... :) :) :) :) :D :D :D :D :D

(**Lydia, I'm going to try to film a video tutorial about your question --- tomorrow**)

Toodles!

Priscilla

Some ideas for Liberty

Pop Question:

What can you do with a small bag of potato chips, your carrot stick, and your savvy string? Btw: this is at liberty, with out a rope.

So... Cricket and I played the other day and here's how it went:

I got my stick and grabbed a small bag of potato chips and sat in the pasture for about 30 seconds before she walked up to me. She was very motivated - which was cute! :) The other horses followed her, so I said hi to them and then shooed them away. I did some friendly game and stick to me, she was fabulous.

Summing it up, we did:

Catching game
Friendly game
Circling game at the walk
Yo yo game
Spins
Figure eights
Stick to me
Canter Draw

--and much more! :) We had fun and I encourage you to try it!

Toodles!

Priscilla

to the left...

... Cha-cha now ya'll!

"... in all four savvies.."

AH! You know what I haven't been doing? I'm so naughty! I haven't been learning in all four savvies equally, aka. --I'm uneven.

Online (with rope), Liberty (without rope), Freestyle (riding on a loose rein), and Finesse (concentrated/collected rein) all need to be equal! Well.. not really for all you level 1/2 people but by level 3/4 you should be trying to even them out! As I begin level 4 I'm realizing that we are really uneven, so-- I need to stop sweating it and fix it. Right.

Conclusion. Mow the small corner arena and make that a Liberty/Finesse play place. Aka, a sanctuary. Liberty is getting better! She has the general idea of the spin down, it was sloppy but now it's really nice! :) Shes doing circles one at a time at the walk, close range. Also, she is doing figure eights in the pasture too! :) I'm so happy with her! :)

Comments welcome, toodles!

Priscilla and Cricket

YUM!

I just died and went to heaven.... I think....

You see, Mother bought this Jalapeño Cheddar Bread.... IT'S SO GOOD!

Did I mention it's good??!!!!!

Feeding

I went to feed the horses this morning and Cricket did the cutest thing! :)
So I was walking toward the barn and she nickered at me and came to me first! :) She is so sweet.

Toodles!

Priscilla

PS. I'm going insane, I can't type my own name without a spelling error.
PPS. The picture is from a few weeks ago, I forgot to put it on my blog. Isn't it cool?! :)

Parelli Audition

Hello Priscilla,

Thank you very much for your audition. We have received it and it is
in process. Please expect about 4-6 weeks for regular members or 3-4
weeks for Gold and Silver members before receiving your results.

Thanks again for your dedication to your horse and to the Parelli
program. We look forward to viewing your future success. Have fun and
keep it natural!


Yours Naturally,

Stacey Atkins
2010 Parelli Audition Team

Undemanding Time-- Mohahahaha!

Hello!

I spent undemanding time with all the horses today in the pasture. It was so fun! I was sneaking out there hoping it wouldn't take long for them to notice me, they noticed right off. :) I brought an apple core to hand out once they approached and was hoping they wouldn't notice my bowl of Banana Split Ice Cream. I sat down and proceeded to eat my Ice Cream, they flooded around me. Well, you can't expect a Right Brain Extrovert, a Left Brain Introvert, and two Left Brain Extroverts to not notice a bowl of Ice Cream once they finish off an apple core! LOL! Did I mention this was supposed to end in a sigh and me leaving rather than a tickle fight?? Well! It was a tickle fight and even Brego nibbled a bit. He he... **Someone**, I shall not mention names to protect the innocent, dropped a bit of hay in my Ice Cream... "Mmmm! Tastes like Sticks!!"... :D

I had fun in case you didn't notice and the horses each got to try some Ice Cream!

Toodles!

Priscilla

Body Clocks

I woke up at 5:17, it's 5:29 now. Either it's my body clock or the charlie-horse. I think the charlie-horse, I tried to stretch it when I was laying there but it didn't work. I jumped out of bed and stood on my feet, I guess it worked then.

It's nice to be up this early, it always gives me more energy for the rest of the day.

Got to go get ready for the day!

Toodles!

Priscilla

THIS IS GOLD!

Some Ideas For “Doing The Opposite”


Go get your horse and take him grazing.
Go and don’t get your horse. Give him a treat and hang
around and scratch him for a while. Do you know his
favorite itchy spots?
Go pet and scratch another horse!
Chase him around the pasture then go sit down and
ignore him. Read a book.
Play with him before you saddle him.
Hold a cookie with the bit and see how long it takes him
to put both in his mouth. Do it every time until he starts
looking forward to the bridle coming his way. Then start
giving him the cookie after he takes the bit.
Go to the arena and unsaddle him, scratch him, play
“Sniff This, Sniff That” (Level 2 Program).
Get him some toys and interesting conversation pieces:
a big green ball to sniff, follow or push around, a pedestal /
stump to stand on, a Frisbee to put his foot on.
Plant treats in strategic places, in corners of the arena,
on a barrel here and there, at different spots around your
riding areas. Pretty soon he’ll feel your focus on going
somewhere to be really positive and become amazingly
willing.
Underwork him. If he doesn’t want to go forward, sit
there and pet him, give him a cookie or four. If he wants
to keep changing gait, ask for it before he does it and pet
him. Walk and trot slower than he wants to. Pretty soon
he’ll offer to do more.
Think about new things to teach him on the ground…
anything, especially if there’s praise or a treat for him.
Take trail rides…even if you don’t have trails, think
about going somewhere around the property, through the
barn, to the arena and out again, or to delicious grazing
patches. Left brain horses are stimulated by new things,
they’re curious. When you stimulate their curiosity, they
become more willing to go.

Some more Parelli gold on the Savvy Club Site!

"..think about your horse being in a herd of 10 and he’s poor number 10. He drinks
last, gets pushed away from his food and spends his whole
day watching out for number one and dodging numbers two
to nine as they constantly move him out of their space. Then
on Saturday he hears the gate creak as it opens and you walk
in. He rubs his hooves together and thinks “Oh boy…here
comes number 11!” And that’s just if he’s number 10, imagine
if he was number one!!" --This is talking about Left Brain Horses!

Priscilla and Cricket's Level 3 Online Audition!! YAY!

This is the Audition!!! AHHH!!! I'm so excited! I sent it in yesterday and the day before I became a Savvy Club Member! :) :) THIS IS MY DREAM! :) :) I only have 2 more savvy's (videos) to submit, that is if this is a Level 3 pass....

Toodles!

Priscilla

This is SO funny, you must read it!!!

Typical Left brain introvert-ness that I often see in Cricket... I found it on the Savvy Club Website! Read on...

The "I gotta pee" stance. (when he doesn't really have to go)

The "yes I'm listening to your reins with my head, but my feet are gonna keep going where I want to go" walk.

The 'slightly faster than usual walk whilst your asking me to trot so that I get to the back of the ride before you actually manage to get me into trot!'

The 'I know you can't steer so I'm gonna cut right across the middle of the menage & go to the back of the ride'

Oooh I have the worst itch ever and can't possibly move until you have stood and scratched it for me for 10 minutes.

What that? That looks scary! Is that a lovely patch of grass right next to it! I had better eat some to help me get over my fear!

The minute I pick up the reins, "Oooohhh wait I gotta scratch an itch--on your leg!!!".

I just gotta scratch my leg... la la la scratch scratch BITE OF GRASS scratch scratch YUMMM.. Honest i'm scratching!! Mwahahaha she'll never be able to lift my head....'

"I'm done riding now so I think I'll just lay down here to take a rest"

Pretending to get a drink of water--from an empty bucket.

Pretend lameness.

Won't do the thing you asked for - but offers another behavior that has earned a reward in the past.

Flying

Cricket and I did some Bare-back and Bridless trotting zig-zags today in preparation for canter zig-zags (flying-lead changes). She did so well!  I got some really nice zig-zags and at the end she cantered and I got to select the lead... !!! :) :) This is something I've wanted to do for a while! Dreams coming true!

Toodles!

Priscilla

Cookie Face

Harrison and I were sitting at almost opposite ends of our dining table. He was typing on his computer when he made a face-- which I copied.

Me: "We're making the same face..."
Harrison: "Like... A serious face?"
Me: "No... More like a 'Who stole my Cookie' Face."

LOL!

What do you need to be for your horse?

hmmmm.....

I was thinking about what I need to be for Leah and Brego as I worked worked with them tonight.

What makes you a predator? What makes you a predator is what you are for your horse. For example, when you exude Dominance and Aggression when you should be showing Confidence and Leadership, that would make you a predator. When you're being Rough and Frustrated when you need to be Patient and Persistent, this also would make you a predator.

Dominance:

Dominance (you) encourages the horse to challenge you as he/she would think you're a threat to him/her or the herd. He may also just get frustrated if his Horsenality is more on the meek and obedient side.

Aggression:

Aggression (you) encourages the horse to head toss it's head, bite, and/or strike and he would think you're annoying and not at all worth it's attention. If the horse has more obedient tenancies he would have troubles out of fear.


Being Rough or Frustrated would only make you slide further down the totem-pole, aka- less chance of you making alpha. You have to take things cooly, and, even if it wasn't kindly meant, take everything offered you and make sure you make the horse feel right. No matter what Horsenality, it will *blow his mind*! Trust me! I have this new line that I've been using around the horses, "What would Jehu (alpha in our herd) do?"

Every response in your head should sound like this, "Hey cool! I'll take that..... and while you're at it, lets try ______!"

What are you having trouble with? Please leave a comment!

Toodles!

Priscilla

Isn't it cool....

Hey There Everyone!

Rachel and I made a Cloak! It's so cool! (She did more of the design. aka - All the work and I just sewed)

I hope you like the pictures! It's so fun! Toodles for now!

Priscilla

I can almost see it.
That dream I'm dreaming, but
There's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm takin'
Every move I make
Feels lost with no direction,
My faith is shakin'
But I gotta keep tryin'
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down, but
No I'm not breaking
I may not know it, but
These are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most
I've just gotta keep goin', and
I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on, but

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waitin' on the other side
It's the climb

Keep on movin'
Keep climbin'
Keep faith 
It's all about, it's all about
The climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith

"... don't act like a predator"

Hey There,
Yes, I still exist. I know I've been gone a while, but I'm back now! :) Well... Not a whole lot has been going on since I last posted.

Cricket and I are taking a small break from each other, I think it's what we both need. I need more time to collect more savvy as she is able to whip out more arrows than me, at the moment.

Arrows I need to work on:

"When things go wrong, get slower - get friendly"
"Undemanding time with your horse."
"It's not about the_____, it's about the relationship."
"Human responsibility: Don't act like a predator."  

There are so many more, but these are the ones that need special attention.

Toodles for now!

Priscilla