It's been so LONG!

Phew!

I'm back! Sorry for the SUPER long departure and for abandoning you!

Things have been great with Aravis, she's being a good girl and finishing parts of level 3 but we really need to do more liberty. :) Getting there!

Her freestyle is fabs. Spins and back ups have improved in leaps and bounds.

Her online is super. Got some flying changes under my belt. :) (I haven't FINISHED my level 3 online audition yet! I didn't do the resubmit for circling and obstacles... must get in gear.)

Her liberty is... well I don't know.

Her finesse is coming along. Working on flexion and engagement in the trot, stretching.


SO! I'll talk later when I have more time!

-Priscilla

Sherlock (funny lines)

"... and honey, you should see me in a crown!"

My my!

I've been sorely neglecting this place. Time is doing weird things... like flying. :)

So as for my audition, it passed mostly but I need to send in 3 canter laps in each direction with a change of direction in-between as well as showing playing with more obstacles. Over all our score was 3+ with a level 4 driving game. I just have to submit that clip of our circling. :)

Aravis and myself participated in a Trevor Carter (4 star Parelli Profesional) clinic hosted by Rene'! It was really fun and Aravis progressed a lot in those 3 days. :)

She's doing super ... but I have a problem. I need an arena (some space at least 150' by 100') to do more of my level 4 stuff). I'm seriously thinking of boarding and I'm praying something comes up.

I've been "sick" the past day. I can't put a finger on it, it's really sore muscles especially in my back and shoulders without doing a hard workout to deserve it. Uhg! It may have something to do with riding a ton more recently.

I also recently watched Linda Parelli and Colleen Kelly's Rider Biomechanics DVD. It is awesome, I didn't know that such small changes in the rider's body actually make such a difference and do so much in guiding your horse! Did you know that pressing your foot more in one stirrup over the other can guide your horse in the direction you want? No reins needed? I didn't! :) I did circles bridless at the trot without corrections for the first time. Made me pretty ecstatic.

So I've been really getting Aravis to use her elegant body to do something... like finesse and precision riding. Haunches in and Shoulders in are two things we need to work on a lot more as well as more lateral stuff at the trot. She's great and SO good and walking and trotting different speeds. For example, yesterday she picked up a really slow trot (for her) on a loose rein. With contact it's really no problem.

Her downward transitions are getting much better, way less work to get a different gait.

I got a lot of help from Trevor Carter to actually getting sideways, it was great and I felt as though I could actually tune my horse for myself... Because I was the one truly getting better. Super huh?

I learned in the clinic that Aravis is BIG, she's probably about 16 hands now, I need to measure her. She has a lot of potential. I want to be able to develop that. As you guys probably know, I want to do eventing. It's basically the triathlon of horses. I doubt myself sometimes weather I would actually be able to do it but Rene' said to work up to it. (Duh, Priscilla)

:)

Anyways..

That's all for now!

-Priscilla

Good news!

I got a flying lead change on the feather lines! :)

Priscilla and Aravis's Parelli Level 3 Online...

Yeah... this is what I've been up to!

I learned a LOT at my course and haven't written on here from being SO busy! :) I'm trying hard to get through level 3/4 and this is the next step... Freestyle and Liberty are next.

I sent this in yesterday and am looking forward to my results!

-Elrohwen

PS: Make sure you've turned off my playlist and turned up this video's volume!

I just got into Colorado Springs and my flight was great! :) I'm so looking forward to my course, I'm checking in Monday morning!! :)

I rode this evening...

...And it was wonderful! Aravis was well behaved and we were bareback. She trotted out beautifully and even thought of cantering.

Her transitions online have become wonderful! Her sideways both toward and away has also much improved and progressed. :) Her circles are better and her connection is stronger.

I ended up riding her back to Bobbi Sox and she wasn't trying to run, she was calm and trusting.

Aravis is ready for trails and clinics in my opinion. Trails anyone?

-Priscilla

PS. SO excited about Pagosa!

I'm simply bubbling over! That fact that I'm GOING to Pagosa springs- to the Parelli ranch is just mind blowing!

(*insert major happy dance*)

I'm SOOOO excited!

pictures that I forgot to post! :)

I cantered Aravis for the first time!

More like she cantered herself.... Phew! Incredible, I know! :) She was amazing and we were bareback. She trotted two laps of the round pen with a lovely trot and then offered to canter and I took it.

Boy, she has a rolling, huge canter!

Packing like a crazy women for Pagosa!! :)

So nice! :)

Lovely ride today... 

Started online, we worked with our sideways towards, transitions, and our good laps. She was so good. 

Then I got on and we started doing some passenger lesson first at the walk and then I asked for the trot. At first she had the "poopy face" and then she brightened up. I would allow her to break into the walk but then the second after I would ask for the trot again- you have to wait for the mistake in order to correct. After doing that for about 15 mins she trotted a whole lap of the round pen and then I stopped and praised her like she won the Kentucky derby. 

-Priscilla

PS. ONLY 4 DAYS UNTIL MY COURSE?? Yikes! 

Onward and upward....

I think I can stop saying "Aravis day __" in the blog post title as we're over this go issue. The last I rode her she was tired so I gave her two days off then played with her on the ground. I will be riding her tomorrow and we'll see how she does... probably fantastic.

Must get to bed as I'm off to work tomorrow! :)

-Priscilla

PS. Sheesh! Only 5 days 'till I leave for my course!! This is scary.... but so stinking cool!

Aravis day 4

Great session. We're focusing mainly on a million transitions at the walk and trot. It was very good today, I had more balance and fluidity and she had a better expression.

Rene' helped me so much and now I can be more independent! :)

-Priscilla

PS. Rene' is letting my borrow her amazing balance saddle!

Aravis and Rene' day 3

Great session both on the ground and riding this morning.

:) So I'm going to be riding, riding, riding for the next two weeks and then OFF to Parelli!! :)

Aravis is really getting through this bucking/rearing thing with "just go!"

I'm going to ride tomorrow after work! Rene' is kindly letting me borrow her saddle... I don't know what I'd do without her... hehe..

Anyways... have a wonderful day...

-Priscilla

Rene's is coming again tomorrow!

Yes! Another lesson... phew! Then on through the rest of the week I'm on my own. We'll see how this goes. :) It'll be great I'm sure, I'm set up for success. 


I'm getting up early tomorrow to take care of the ponies and warm up Aravis because Rene' is coming at 8:00. 


So! This will be interesting and no doubt great! 


-Priscilla


Verse on my mind:


"But he was pierced for our transgressions, 
    he was crushed for our iniquities;the punishment that brought us peace was on him,    and by his wounds we are healed." -Isaiah 53:5


Chapter on my mind: Psalm 119... I want to memorize it. 

Things I need to memorize before my course

7 keys to success: (which I already know)


1. Attitude
2. Knowledge
3. Tools
4. Techniques 
5. Time
6. Imagination
7. Support


10 Qualities of a Horseman (3-1/2 for the Horse and 6-1/2 for the Human) (which I already know) 


1. Heart and Desire - Horse and Human
2. Respect - Horse
3. Impulsion - Horse
4. Flexion (lateral and vertical) - Horse
5. Attitude - Human
6. Feel - Human
7. Timing - Human
8. Balance - Human
9. Savvy - Human
10. Experience - Human



Eight Responsibilities: (which I already know) 

The Human:
Don’t act like a predator
Have an independent seat
Think like a horse
Natural power of focus

The Horse:
Don’t act like a prey animal
Don’t change gait
Don’t change direction 

Eight principles: (which I need to know better)

1. Horsemanship is natural
2. Don't make or teach assumptions
3. Communication is mutual
4. Eight responsibilities of a Partnership (see above)

5. Attitude of justice is effective

6. Body language is universal
7. Horses teach riders, riders teach horses
8. Principles, purpose, and time are the tools of teaching


It's great to know this stuff but I need to know it forwards (check!), backwards (nope..), and inside out! :) Soo.... now for backwards and inside out!

-Priscilla

Aravis and Rene' day 2

Aravis did GREAT today! She had a few moments where she felt blocked and one moment where she reared but we pushed through it and just said "Go!" :)

She was great and Rene' has helped so much. It's wonderful when you have someone on the ground telling you to do what and when.

I have a lot more I can do and some better strategies for better leadership. Rene' will come and help me Monday which will be awesome.

-Priscilla

Aravis and Rene' day 1

I was going to go to Rene's clinic with Aravis this weekend but it was canceled because a few of her horses got sick.... Then she offered to give me a private lesson instead.... It was wonderful and we eventually got Aravis moving nicely with walk trot transitions. It's great what you can do when your horse feels heard! :)

.... I don't so much like running as I do sprinting.... :)

God is great.

Cricket is at TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tuscon) helping kids and learning how to be a hippo therapy horse!! I didn't want to tell because I wanted to make sure it would work out. :)

This is Cricket putting all of the principles we've worked at to a purpose, it's great.. :)

-Priscilla

Yoga, minus all the new age "Omm", is really an excellent stretch routine. Mom and I did it after our bike ride and it was great. We're using a DVD called "Yoga for Inflexible People"... Haha! :)

I love 'im...

Quote by my funny brother while sitting on Cricket and Aravis snorting nearby: "See that hoof? You use it to cover your nose, I don't want your boogers all over me!"

Do you see it?

Yeah... That little count down to your right? It says 38 days until my Level 3/4 refining the four savvies course!! I'm stoked!

The reason why I haven't been writing much is because I really don't have much to write about.

I've been fulfilling my new years resolutions faithfully. Aravis is nearly level 3 online but on stall rest with her tendons still in the process of healing.

I've gotten Yoga and Pilates DVDs for kicks and they're fun, I like yoga best... Beginners yoga feels really silly but once you really start to stretch, you realize what it's all about. For us inflexible people, it's learning to relax through the pain.

I heard from a co-worker that Therapeutic Riding of Tuscon (TROT) was looking for a Haflinger to lease for their hippo-therapy program. At first I dismissed it, then I thought, "She could be useful to someone! It's perfect!" So I contacted TROT and they agreed to come and meet her, they really liked her and they would like to start with a temporary 1 week lease to see if she's what they need. If it works out they would go on to a year lease. Cricket would still  be my horse and I would be able to go and see her and volunteer. So for now, I'm looking for a horse to borrow to be a companion for Aravis when Cricket leaves. :)

Work has been great. It's very interesting how your brain can constantly be "on" for so long. I find it exhilarating. So LBE. :)

My dreams are ever before me, I'm keeping a big picture- glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I love that. :)

-Priscilla

PS. Still saving for a Natural Performer Parelli Saddle

Eventing- cross country helmet camera....

Look how happy this horse is! Ears forward the whole time!

the dreaded buck

Many of you have probably seen a little blog/facebook button that has two characters, one a horse and the other it's rider, up it the air. The horse is bucking and the caption is, "I do my own stunts"...


Well, I do.


As you people know, I haven't done much riding on Aravis yet... Indeed, I haven't even cantered her yet. Our online is Level 3 but the lack of riding has been due to what started as a respect issue, then weight, soundness.... and now saddle fit. :) 


So! She's been trying to buck me off... not very hard and not at all vigorously... just a left brain threat. How do I know? Well, mostly when a horse bucks with it's head down its left brain and when it bucks with it's head up it's right brain! :) 


So... I need to save for a properly fitting western saddle (more security) so I can get on and ride out the bucks.. :) I asked Linda Parelli on her ParelliConnect wall about this issue and presented all of the situation in the context of what kind of saddle I should buy/save for/ride in. 


My question: 


I have a saddle question. 

I have a 3 year old, appendix quarter horse, left brain extrovert, mare. She is my Levels horse. And she's having some issues (bucking). (She reminds me of allure sometimes.)
I'd eventually like to do eventing, be a parelli professional, etc... I'm saving for a Fluidity GP but since more issues with my young mare I thought it may be that it would be more secure and a bit smarter to save for a Natural Performer. I can only have one of them... it would take me a long time to save for two saddles (I'm 15). 
Is it easier for a young horse to launch you in a Fluidity saddle or in a Natural Performer? I know you rode allure in your fluidity and was fine... hmmm... 
I trust you to tell me which would be best.. I don't really have too much of a preference right now.... 
-Priscilla

PS. I wrote my instructor about the bucking... I'm getting help. :) I'll write you about it sometime. The bucking is left brained and not at all hard/big... not like allure.







Linda's answer:


"Great question Priscilla. I'll tell you what Pat said the first time he rode Allure. I asked him if he would like to use my English Saddle, and he said "No way! I've seen that horse buck and I need something that will help me stay with him!" Of course you don't want to have your horse bucking when riding, but when the horse is young, and especially LBE, the risk of this is rather high :)"

The horse Linda and I were referring to ('Allure') was a highly active, left brain extrovert, 17+ hand warmblood who probably had ADD. Hehe... Now he's so great and is competing in Eventing! 


So now I'm saving for a Parelli Natural Performer (basically a western all purpose saddle)! 


Aravis' bucking is dominant and dangerous and she tries to go higher if I ask her for more of whatever she's bucking about... Hmph! I DON'T intent to knock my brains out, I'm riding with a helmet and getting off when necessary. 


You guys should know how careful I am by now. :)


Talk later...


-Priscilla

100 steps (err... 45...)

This is something I started writing a long time ago... look where things lead.


So what does the Aravis path look like it's going? Where are my 100 steps leading to the goal?

1. Aravis's cut-CHECK
2. Start playing-CHECK
3. Introduce more patterns-CHECK
4. Get her Left Brain around the round pen-CHECK
5. Put more weight on Aravis-CHECK
6. Take a lesson every other week
7. Get her looked at by a massage therapist if she is still stiff in the hind quarters-UNESSISARY 
8. Do the old Level 1 for her starting foundation, etc-CHECK
9. Get our porcupine game good
10. Try some of Carolyn Resnicks ideas-CHECK
11. Do the patterns (figure 8s, weaves, green ball, touch it, tarps, etc) through Level 1-CHECK
12. Audition for Level 1- PASSED THOUGH SELF ASSESSMENT
13. To introduce her to Level 2, take a clinic with an instructor
14. Cavaletti
15. Buy barrels, jump barrels
16. Canter (freestyle
17. Use the old box Level 2
18. Do MORE patterns-CHECK
19. Self assess often-CHECK
20. Go to obstacle exposure and play dates
21. Overcome thresholds and separation anxiety
22. Take her on walks
23. Ride/play/walk with people
24. Begin Liberty 
25. Get her really comfortable with jumping, more than the usual Parelli horse
26. Take a Level 3/4 course at Pagosa Springs CO at the Parelli Campus
27. Pass Level 2 with her (before or after course)
28. Solidify patterns to a Level 2 standard 
29. Begin Level 3 (online)-CHECK
30. Take Clinic with instructor
31. Bridless riding
32. Refine games 
33. Play on 45' line... a LOT
34. Get online so good that our liberty looks like online
35. Ride with a tarp wrapped around my shoulders 
36. Get Level 3 self assessed
37. Take Fast track course at Pagosa Springs CO at the Parelli Campus
38. Pass Level 3 (before or after course)
39. Apply for Externship and Scholarship
40. Get scholarship for Externship
41. GO to Externship!! 
42. Buy some land and build my facilities... gradually
43. PROGRESS!!! 
44. ENJOY THE JOURNEY!!  
45. I HAVE MY WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF ME!! 

Divulgence

I haven't really written on here in a while. I've wanted to... just didn't. 


I've been doing a bit of school, a lot of work, some riding, a bit of writing, and a lot of general horse care and time. 


School has been going well, I'm slowly understanding it. The best thing for me is to take it slow but always be doing it. Coming back from any breaks is really hard, I try to avoid them. 


My employer has given me more work which is so wonderful. It means more money, more savings, and more life experience. So I'm doing feeding, scooping, grooming, exercising, dishes, laundry, and a few little maintenence things. 


Writing is going well. It's fun and I'm really getting into one of my stories more. 
Here's an expert: "

Brun jolted bolt upright in bed, a erie cat call was heard again, long and weird. Brun winced. Distracted from his already sporadic sleep, he tip-toed down the stairs. The floor creaked but Adrin and Cyra slept heavily. He slipped out the door, he was without shoes but didn’t care. The village was silent. Then he heard another call, he followed it, his response involuntary. There was no wind but he smelled a strong musk, it came from a close-by house. It smelled like an un-kept stable, only slightly worse but not strong. He rounded the corner and two men with small swords looked on him with toothy grins. Before he could stand for more than a moment, one had put his blade to his throat and turned him around.

“Calmly and quietly make your way back to your house, lad. There’s a boy.” The one with the blade to his throat said, breathing down his spine. Brun could smell that slight stench he had caught earlier on him. Brun took careful steps toward the house, the blade was surprisingly warm. It bumped against his neck every step or two and made him somewhat annoyed. To Brun’s own amazement, he didn’t feel scared. He had always thought he’d be nervous with a knife to his throat."

Aravis and Cricket are doing well. Cricket is her usual wonderful, obedient, and hardy self.

Aravis is well but not as well as I'd like. She was 1/5 (1 out of 5, five being the worst and 1 being barely at all) lame when I had the vet over. She has a "break over" which is a conformational defect which means her pasterns are not supporting the weight of her body as well as they should. So... *drum roll filled with mixed feelings*... she has shoes now. Yes, something I try to avoid. But... if you want to do what's best for the horse, you can't be to extreme. So, I did what I think must be best for her. I need her to be sound. Don't judge me. I tried to avoid this, I have nothing against shoes, I just think that horses function better with just their hooves.

I tried to leave her barefoot and still work her and ride her heavily, she got a bit worse. Besides, I know MANY equine athletes with shoes. Rene, Tina Giordano, and Linda Parelli's horses being some of them. Cricket is a hard working athlete, she just doesn't need shoes, she's hardy and that works for her.

To make something clear, this was not me giving in to "peer pressure". I can think independently just fine. I'm just a person trying to do what's best for her horse.

There, I'm done being defensive.

Keep calm and savvy on...

-Priscilla

I'm going!!

I'm going to Pagosa springs! First time ever!

Of course, it's to go to the Parelli Campus. I'm going to the Level 3/4 refining the 4 savvies course. I'm leasing a horse from a friend, he's super. He and she are super stars together. I'm honored to have him for 2 weeks. :)

Ekks! This is SUPERB!!

-Priscilla

me and mine

So I vigorously wandered the not so far distance to the horse pen, saddle in one hand, halter and 22' line in the other. Purpose: have fun and get a little closer to that level 3.

As I haltered Aravis, I felt that heavy 22' rope and thought... "Hey, why not the feather-light rope?" So the rope I got.

She was PERFECT.

The feather-light line is a long, 22' savvy string. Everything was excellent. She did her sideways, circling, back up, weave pattern... all with excellence and without heaviness. All light. I was THRILLED. That kind of thrill that lasts to the present moment.

I rode her back and I remain thrilled, just as I've stated above

Moving on, moving on...

I've been encouraged to take a course this summer at the Parelli campus... so I am!

I'm taking the Level 3/4 Refining the four savvies course. I SO stoked! It's June 18-29

Aravis and I plan to audition for our Level 3 Online before we go... and pass... She is SO cool. Everyone agrees.

Things we need to work on and what level I want them at before we leave:

Trailer loading- Level 3
Circles- Level 3
Sideways- Level 3
Transistions- Level 3
Sideways riding- Level 2
Freestyle patterns- Level 2
Liberty- Level 2

SOO fun!

-priscilla

there's something about this picture...

1 Peter 2:22-24

²²  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. ²³  When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ²⁴  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.


My favorite verse right now... the words, "by his wounds you have been healed" are running over and over in my head..

Home school seminar

If all goes as planned I will be giving a demo at the CHET-SE Home school seminar. 

Apparently, a few other horse people canceled and mom got an email asking if I would be interested in coming!

Here's the dilemma: Who do I take, Aravis or Cricket? 

A bit nervous but it will come naturally once I'm there... 

-Priscilla

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me- Phil. 4:13

In two days...

Aravis has gone from a real dislike of the bridle and bit.... to trying to bridle herself!

Life of late....

Hi!

So you're probably wondering where I've been and why I haven't written lately.

Well, school, horses, work, writing... etc..

School is going well, I cracked Saxon Algebra 2 to see if I was ready for it. I could understand it so that sent me over the moon for a day or two. Math is so horrid, I don't like it. There's no space for imagination.

Aravis has some proud flesh that is still recovering. She's doing well. I took her out on a small ride with a friend and I just had the halter and feather-light line. She did very well and she's such a leader and adventurer. She had a lot of energy and was still leaving a lot of slack in the line as she got her gallops and bucks out. We have a MUCH stronger bond since she's been hurt, we just live in companionship.

Cricket is great. I love her lightness, responsiveness, partnership, harmony..... and trust. She laid down twice with my friend on her... she wanted to roll in the sand! :) She's not done that before. We got to get really close to her and lay her out flat. It was amazing. So many people think she's a slug, but with me, we can do amazing things that people only dream of. "You wait for rain.... and I chase the stars..." (Kyler England) We're amazing opposites that have met in the middle.

Work is going well....

Writing! I've been somewhat lax in the past few days in adding to my stories but it's been great.

I have a wonderful trip coming up!!! I'm going to Virginia from the 3rd-13th! 10 days with friends and family. I'm so looking forward to it.

I miss you guys... those who I'm writing for and to.

-Priscilla


Psalm 66:20
"Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!"

THINK

Before you speak...

THINK

T- is it true?

H- is it helpful?

I- is it inspiring?

N- is it necessary? 

K- is it kind?

I'm going to try to do this more... not just when I speak... but when I write, on here and in my stories. 

-me

just a wish....

New goal!!

Attend the fast track fall 2013. I'm about saved up. :)


.... you know me though.... :)

time without demand

About a week ago, Aravis got a small cut on her fetlock and the next morning she cut it open more. Providentially, the vet was coming out anyways to look at a small access (which turned out to be taking care of itself) and he looked at the cut and it was infected and had Cellulitis! He put her on antibiotics and had us changing the bandage every 24 hours. It was quite serious but it's doing a lot better now.  


I think our bond has grown more in the past week she's been unworkable than she and I have since I got her. 


Tried a new thing with Aravis. I grabbed the support bar on the horse's shade and hung there as she walked out from under me then dropped behind her and she didn't mind! Yay! (now *both* my ponies can do this!)




She and I are growing closer....




Elrohwen

























These pictures inspire me.... (but they don't belong to me)

Resolutions

What I want to do this year horse wise

• Pass Level 3 Liberty with Cricket (she's so ready)
• Pass Level 2 Online with Aravis
• Pass Level 2 Freestyle with Aravis
• Build Aravis to be mentally, emotionally, and physically rounded
• Do lots more Patterns with Aravis and have them down as a strong foundation for her Level 3
• Learn more about equine massage
• Take more workshops, clinics, studies, etc
• Start giving more lessons
• Develop a stronger bond with Aravis
• Take Aravis on frequent walks
• Ride with Rene more
• Take a Parelli Lesson every other week
• Improve my jumping
• Go to play dates and obstacle exposure things with Aravis

If you're wondering if I've passed Level 2, I have. With Cricket. Not with Aravis. Aravis is still playing in Level 1.

:)

Priscilla