I got Cricket in fall 2005, she was almost two years old and a testing Left Brain Introvert (smart, pushy, argumentative). The first time I fed her, I was scratching her all over and she kicked out at me. I was quite a bit surprised and was wondering what could have provoked it. Not knowing what else to do, I lunged her around the pen, wasn't smart but I was all I knew. She wasn't at all a problem horse, she was smart and I didn't know what to do about it. We started riding without having much foundation on the ground, almost every trail ride ended in tears of frustration. I began avoiding working with her, complaining it was to cold to do so. As spring came, Mommy bought Parelli Levels 1-3 and I began watching them with my sisters. I was intrigued but I was not convinced that anything could really help where we were. I spent one session after another trying the concepts and games all the while beginning to notice I wasn't crying as I came inside but I was smiling. Cricket got safer and safer on the trail, and she knew the seven games. I wasn't savvy yet but I was starting to be safe. Daddy's job took us to Colorado, it was a big change and downsize for me. I was used to 40 acres of woodland and now we had 10 acres of prairie grass and sage brush- not a tree in sight.
In Colorado it was a bit lonely, I had not much else in the day to look forward to besides Cricket. I would spend more than 4 hours in a lot of heat (90 degrees or hotter) finishing level 1 and starting in level 2, I was driven. I didn't know what I wanted to do when I grew up, but when I heard of the University program, it sounded like what I wanted. Emily went away to college, I remembered seeing her getting Leah to canter and Leah throwing herself around not wanting to. It was something new and I wanted to make it work, I watched a lot of videos on impulsion and lead changes and for about 2, 3 hour sessions we circled and circled. Eventually we started to do weaves and now she can canter, trot, and be in control of herself more.
Even though we're still in level 2 for the circling game, everything else in mostly in level 3/4. Auditions help me keep track of myself and Cricket. She does so much for me now and I haven't cried from a session in a long long long time. :)
Thank you for all for your support!
Elrohwen
2 comments:
It's amazing that you have taught Cricket so much. It is so inspiring.
I think my Sisters, Mr Edwards, Pat and Linda Parelli are more owing to my knowledge than anyone. Cricket has taught me more than I've taught her. Thank you!
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