New beginnings

I can't believe it's 2011! My last blog date was in 2009. It has been well over a year. Perhaps the most life changing year of my life since I was eight.

For the past couple years my life's atmosphere had become nothing less of asphyxiating and my spirit had sunken to where no natural method seemed enough to lift me out of bed each morning. On a midst of giving up hope and looking for help I started to render a picture in my mind of how I wanted my life to look like, and I realized it was the same picture I had had as a child. A picture that now had long been obscured by other peoples ideals and stereotypes. For years I had been living just to survive, doing things to make others happy, holding onto excuses to keep myself in a miserable life situation.

So a year ago on new years eve as I was welcoming the year 2010 with some family and friends I claimed that my new years resolution was simply to "get a new life." It was an overwhelming statement. Yet that vision caused my life to take a 180 degree turn, and last August I took my horse Madeira, and left California and my life there for the last 18 years to travel to the Parelli Natural Horsemanship university in Colorado.

I had dreamed about going to the Parelli center for years and it had always felt like such an unreachable dream. But I genuinely believed that someday it would come true. And so it did. (And I lived happily ever after...)

I successfully completed the four week Fastrack course in Colorado, and stayed on as a resident student.

I have stayed at the Parelli ranch now for fife months, and I thank God every single day for this incredible opportunity, as I realize there are thousands of people around the world who would love to be in my shoes...

After my Fastrack course ended I spend a month at the Colorado Parelli campus before we packed up and traveled to the Florida campus for winter.

My poor confused Madeira! Who ever would have thought that I would drag her all the way across the country. She lost a "ton" of weight during travel and arrived in Florida looking rather scrawny and wide eyed. But she has adjusted beautifully. She lives in a large wooded pasture called the "Woods pasture" in a herd of six horses. And just the other day when I took off her blanket for the day I realized that I could no longer see her ribs sticking out.

This journey together has done wonders to our relationship. I feel so lucky to be here close to my horse, to feed her and take care of her, and play with her everyday. I wasn't always able to do that .

Life here at the Parelli ranch is very busy. Being part of the team helping such a large ranch operate really tests our physical stamina, but it is concretely more satisfying than anything else in the world I could think of. And has great potential to keep me in a desired physical shape, apart from all the chocolate intake... and food at the lodge which is excellent!!! The cooks here exceed my expectations most every day. They keep us well fed.

Needless to say I'm having the time of my life, living at Parelli ranch, learning tons about ranch keeping and caring for horses, and eating chocolate:)

I also get to meet lots of new people, students as well as Parelli professionals, who come here to study from all over the world.

My first impression of Florida was a sweltering hot and humid climate with bugs galore. The Parelli campus has a "Jurassic park" like feel to it with all its groves of oak trees with Spanish moss, like gray veils hanging down their branches. Hazy mornings with an eerie mist laying low to the ground. Echoey choir of exotic sounds I had never heard, that simultaneously intrigued and startled me.

I live in a small trailer that sleeps 4 people. It is a very cozy, rugged and sometimes very interesting living situation in a "oh boy..." kind of way. But I (the odd person that I am) absolutely love it! At the very moment I'm sitting all cozy and warm in a candle light with a cup of hot chocolate, writing a blog. And oh boy it is COLD outside! Yes Florida does too get cold. The temperature changes are wide-ranging, which makes playing with the idea of "to blanket or not to blanket" the horses very engrossing.

Some mornings we have woken up to frozen-solid water pipes. Scraped frost off the feeding truck window. Found that ice has cracked the pipes of the automatic waterers in each one of the 14 pastures, so that later on when the day thawed out there were pretty little fountains and trickling rivers running through the fields. Those days mean "all hands on deck" fixing water pipes. And our main concern is not to run out of propane in the middle of the night, unless one wants to wake up with white, misty puffs of breath rising out of their sleeping bag.

But those same days when the sun creeps up and the horses are peacefully munching their morning hay on the white, frosty fields it's the most beautiful, serene scene, that sincerely makes up for all life's little challenges.

I have learned so much while being a resident student. Amongst it driving the most incredible machines, which before I couldn't have even named, and towing the most incredible things, like the water tank. (I know, I may sound like a 3 year old little boy who gets excited about trucks and tractors, but hey, now I know why!!!) The coolest of them all is the harrow. Not because of it's size or mechanism, but it is the best tool to learn "feel" and "focus." (Remember the saying: "the best way to plow a crooked furrow is to look back to see if it's straight.") When Pat at a tour stop says that learning here is like the "wax on wax off" type of deal, it's no joke. No need to mention that feel and focus are profoundly important in good horsemanship, but It's a must learn to harrow with good feel, otherwise one may end up chipping a fence post. And trust me, that is immensely frowned upon! (Really, so sorry about that...!!!)

My favorite of all the things we get to take part in is the afternoon feeding, when I get to play "Kirsiana Jones" on the back of the hey truck. (Getting it done with a little fun...)

And yesterday I got to ride on the back of "thunder" and "Lightning", the draft horse team that is used for feeding half of the ranch horses. It was one of the best experiences here yet! A beautiful sunny afternoon on a hay wagon observing the driving master teaching one of the interns about driving the draft team.

I have truly had the most amazing past 5 months of my entire life! And fortunately I get to continue on as an extern starting January 15TH.

The picture in my mind of a happy life as I imagined it is starting to form clearer each day I spend here at the Parelli ranch. I have no idea what will be along-side the road ahead, but for the first time in my life I know where I want to go, and I am passionately excited about it. 2011 is going to be my best year yet!

Dave Ellis Clinic

For a few years now I have been dreaming about attending one of the Parelli instructor's clinic In November -09 that dream came true. Dave Ellis, one of only a handful of fife star instructors had a clinic in Gilroy, Ca. Close enough for me to make it possible to go.

I have to say though, that something had to change for me before I could decide to go to this clinic. For a long time I had kept myself in a state of mind, that I would never be able to attend any clinics, with a few good excuses like I didn't have the money to spend or I didn't have a trailer to haul my horse with. A bit of coaxing from a friend was in order. So in a car on the way to our Wilton Play day Joanne boldly told me that I was just holding myself back with all the negative thinking and that I can't just sit still waiting for my dreams to come true, I have to get off my... umm... donkey and make my dreams come true! It was a slap on the face. But one of those "thanks I needed that" moments (can’t thank her enough.)

That night I told Debbie, BASP director to save me a spot at Dave Ellis clinic.

Joanne had even offered to trailer Madeira for me, so she had picked her up a day before the clinic started. Thus Madeira was waiting form me at the Ruiz ranch when I arrived there early Friday morning. It was good, because she had had a bit more time to adjust and seemed fairly calm.

Dave started with introductions at Deb and Craig's courtyard while we enjoyed complimentary coffee and treats. Afterwards we gathered in the arena with our horses at the end of twelve foot lines. We spent the morning going through the first three games on the ground. Dave really empathizing on focus. Pat's lines flowed easily from his lips with a unique Dave twist. He was funny and clever the way he taught quoting both Pat and Linda in the most respectful of ways.

I always wondered if being taught by anyone other than Pat or Linda would be as gratifying and as much fun, but Dave was most definitely the next best thing to Pat.

It's funny how we have been playing these games for quite some time now, applying them to all sorts of obstacles and situations, and Dave took us right back to the basics filling in little holes that we either overlooked, forgot or never "got" before.

I know I have to appreciate how far I have evolved in my horsemanship, but I'm looking at the road ahead, excitedly, and seeing how much more there is in the depths of this program that I can learn. It's a never ending process and though I'm verging on level three I feel like I’ve only just begun.

We had another fabulous lunch at the Ruiz ranch huddled next to the outdoor fireplace and avidly reflecting back on the mornings activity.

In the afternoon we saddled up and after spending time on "pre-flight checks" we mounted with savvy. We played with lateral bends and rein positions. What I learned about myself was that I must really slow down and pay attention to all the little details, because each little step is meaningful for the horse. Madeira was really well responsive. (She was even responding to things I had no idea I had asked.)

Not long after we mounted though the weather turned on us and we were soaked with a cold november rain while our horses wanted nothing more than to turn their hind quarters against the needling wind. Dave called for a break and we ended up keeping from the rain in one of Deb and Craig's garages where Dave carried out a small teaching session. After the rain died down we saddled back up and had an enriching rest of the afternoon practicing transitions.

I was very pleased of the outcome of the day. Madeira earned an extra treat, and after putting the horses up for the night a group of us went out to dinner. I certainly must sound like a broken record by now, but I can't stop empathizing what a great group the Bay area savvy players is. it is just so much fun to “hang” with these savvy people. We all had a great time and even gained a couple of new members who fit right in.

A few of us stayed over night at the ranch. After that full fun filled day I was ready for bed by 8:30 p.m. and slept like a baby through the night.

Saturday morning opened up cold, but sunny and beautiful. I just love waking early in the morning and seeing the horses right outside the window. After making some coffee and goodies ready for breakfast we fed the horses. Dave started again precisely at nine am. He talked briefly during breakfast and then we played ground games through the morning learning about circling game and changing direction to get a desired change out of the horse. Dave had periodically used a student’s horse to demonstrate various things and for the circling game he asked to borrow Madeira. It was exhilarating to watch him play with my horse. And I nearly floated away as he handed her back to me making a comment about what a cool horse she is. (I of course knew that, but hey, Dave said it!)

For the afternoon we saddled up and rode patterns. Again focus was a huge part of reaching the desired result. We learned a pattern at a walk, then practiced it at a trot and finally tried at a canter. That is when my emotions rose up and frustration got the best of me as Madeira became impulsive. What really stuck with me powerfully though, was the fact, that after I gave up in frustration Dave rode over and said: “Pet your horse now.” And I realized that not getting the task done was not the important thing, but the way I would handle the situation. Stopping to pat Madeira when she became right brain fostered our relationship, which should always come before the task. We could practice the task again in a better state of mind, but a dent in a relationship would have taken us straight back to square one.

I’m so very pleased at myself for deciding to take the necessary steps in making this clinic a reality for me. It was just as amazing of an experience as I had dreamed it to be.

The most important thing I learned, was that I really must use more focus. It makes such a huge difference for the horse when the person is focused on exactly what they are asking.

I also must slow down and make myself more clear by paying attention to all the little steps in the process of learning to communicate effectively. It is about so much more than just an effective phase four (which I still need practice on by the way.)

I must put more emphasis on the little steps leading to phase four. “What happens before what happens happens” has to be significant and clearly enough “spoken” so phase four becomes less necessary.

Now I also have broken the barrier I kept about not being able to attend clinics. Yes I still have to save like crazy and find a trailer, but no problem is too big to overcome with a savvy attitude. I can’t wait for the next clinic!!

Look at that nice straight line.

Hey, where is my FOCUS!

Dave coaching Lori.

Cici Bower, our own one star instructor who was assisting Dave at the clinic.

Joanne

Will with Debbie (BASP director)

And even the dogs had a great time.

Halloween playday

At the approaching of the very exciting Halloween playday, that Sherrill was hosting in October at the Summerwind ranch in Wilton Ca, I had placed a post at the BASP site looking for anyone traveling there who would have room in their trailer for two extra horses. It was a long shot, I thought, but within this amazing group of people it didn't take long at all for someone to offer us a ride. Joanne Beatty not only offered to pick us up all the way from Hollister in her four horse trailer with living quarters, but also offered us to camp under her awning, which turned out to be quite an adventure.

We loaded up midday on Friday and for the first time it was great to have such an experienced Parelli person as Joanne on our side. (Especially since I'm certain I felt more nervous than Madeira did, which I realized the first time Madeira stepped on the ramp as my hand tightened around the rope and Madeira pulled against the pressure banging her head in the sealing:(!!) Without any Badgering from outsiders we were able to take the time our horses needed to be comfortable before closing them in.

It was the longest trailer ride Steal and Madeira had taken since... well, for at least 10 years. Two and a half hours. I was hoping they would be completely desensitized to the trailer by our arrival, but they were both sweating nervously when we finally unloaded at Sherrill's ranch.

Aahhh... What a beautiful ranch it was. A nice little ranch house on the front with a garden. A brand new looking breezeway barn. Additional covered paddocks and turnouts. Huge pasture. Lighted arena with a sound system (wow!!) And the best of all, a huge playground with a fantastic set up of toys including jumps, platforms, "carwash," teeter-totter etc. A dream place!

After stretching out a little in the arena Steal and Madeira settled in their paddocks with dinner.

And as everyone had arrived we all went out to a local restaurant for a really great dinner with great friends and great savvy stories to share.

Steal and Madeira are of course just fine where ever they are as long as they are together. And together meaning less than a meter apart from one another. But on Saturday as we began our great play day event and Steal drifted off to a different group, Madeira's other horsenality, MADeira kicked in. Right brain, very extroverted and flighty with ear piercing neighing. Luckily I was pared up with Deb, who was quick to recognize, that Madeira, although unconfident and nervous was not nearly as scared as she was just mad. She was snaking her head at me, giving me her "hiny" and pushing her shoulder on me. And as I was quite passively accepting this rude behavior she was paying no attention to me. Deb gave me some great tips on how to get her attention, keep her feet moving and focus on the task, thus we were able to connect a bit better. However there was a point where Deb took Madeira on a backwards stroll around the playground and it was amazing how her persistent energy demanded Madeira's full attention.

Once again we had a great potluck lunch. This group really knows how to feast!

In the afternoon it was time for the riding games. And voila! Madeira was cool as a cucumber. Of course Steal remained in the proximity of about 30 meters of us, but she was so calm that I felt very comfortable about getting on her and riding around, through, over and under potentially scary objects.

Virpi lucked out being paired up with Andrew, who as it turned out would make an excellent instructor. One of my highlights was to observe him so enthusiastically sharing his knowledge and skills while helping Virpi and Steal.

Later in the evening he also gave us a lesson in controlling our emotions while delivering an effective "phase four." I had actually thought I had a good phase four. Tuns out I'm a total wimp. The object was to hit a trash bin with the carrot-stick as hard as one could and then immediately be able to bring down the energy and hug someone. Much harder than you would think. And quite surprisingly for me the first time I hit the bin I found myself very shaken. Hmm, how interesting.

Most people headed home after the riding session, but a few of us stayed for dinner and for an extra night. We sat in Sherrill's garden for yet another great meal and a good bottle of wine. Cats, dogs, donkeys. Horses peacefully munching their hey in the background. Dusk. Fresh country air. Rising moon. Our bubbly laughter echoing in the night...

We packed up in the morning and after an all American breakfast at Bert's diner, and a visit to the local tack store it was time to load up the horses and head home.

What a great weekend! Once again I have to praise this wonderful group of Bay area savvy players. Such experienced horse people who are always willing to step up to help others and share their knowledge. Virpi and I are so lucky to have found this group and to be part of it.

Special thanks to Sherrill for hosting this awesome playday. Joanne for making that huge loop to pick us up and give us a ride, and for letting us bunk with you (no room for spiders in this story! :) Deb for paring up with me and helping out with Madeira. Andrew for the lessons. And everyone else for great company and great food!

Sherrill and Summerwind

Stand on the tarp with a devil aoutfit for 7 seconds.

Slalom on liberty

In the haunted cave.

Andrew coaching Virpi.

Stephanie, Deb and Greg.

Andrew's horse got bored waiting on him and played with the obstacles on his own.

Straw bale maze.

Phase four blow... and then a hug.

The Birthday girl!

This was where we slept. With Okey and Dokey!

Lesson with Cici

Well, it has been a very busy summer for me. I haven't had nearly as much horsey time as I had planned. And here we are, the end of September. And although the last few weeks we've had pretty much the best weather of the whole summer, it seems that the autumn is creeping up on us faster that we are ready for. Bright orange pumpkins decorate the fields of Half Moon Bay once again, and the excitement of Halloween is in the air.

Virpi and I had the most exciting weekend since the BASP playday we attended in July. Cici Bower, a licensed one star Parelli professional, came over to give us each a two hour private lesson. It was amazing!!

We often feel so disconnected from the natural horse world being stuck in an environment surrounded with the "normality" of the traditional horse handling methods.

Working with Cici was incredibly eye opening and empowering. She has such a great energy. Her knowledge and experience is so prodigious I felt as if I was getting a lesson from a three star instructor instead. It was amazing how fast and accurately she evaluated both of our horses, Madeira and Mei Li, and knew exactly without thinking, as if it was an embedded insight in her, what to do in each spontaneously arising situation. I was thoroughly impressed. She brought with her a vibrant, vivid atmosphere we were left basking in for the rest of the day.

Pat Parelli often says: "you don't know what you don't know, until you know it." It's a wise saying. Virpi and I now know a little more about what we didn't know, we didn't know before. I have been working so hard to get Madeira to be left brain and calm, (see horsenality chart) that she has become a very calculative left brain introverted horse who challenges my leadership to the fullest. It has been easier for me to internalize that she would be innately a right brain extroverted horse, which she appeared to be for the longest time. Cici helped me realize, that she only becomes unconfident in new situations where she doesn't trust her leader. She literally remained right brain until she became to trust me. Now with her unleashed left brain she is bored out of her mind and thinks I'm a "jolly ball."

Having always picked the unconfident, more energetic horses to work with (surprise, surprise) I have concentrated the majority of my studies on the right brain extroverted horsenality and now have plenty of strategies on how to calm a RB horse. However I have to admit that I have no insights to handling a left brain horse. Reflecting back on Cici's lesson I need to find ways to become more provocative for Madeira and formulate a learning state of mind by kindling a bit of that right brain back into her. My journey into the mind of a LB introvert starts here.

One of the most powerful lessons from Cici came through simulations. Although we have seen Linda Parelli do countless of simulations on videos, and as interesting it is to see how people react to them, it almost seems silly to compare a human with a horse, because afterall we know what is happening and can logically think through the task. It took me completely by surprise how powerfully it affected me to be the one on the place of a horse. To feel what the horse feels.

I have been struggling with the figure eight pattern. Above all having enough draw to bring Madeira back around the barrel. She would get stuck behind the barrel. I had no idea that me focusing on her was creating so much pressure, that she did not want to come toward me. When Cici "clipped" a rope on me and send me around the barrels just as I had done with Madeira it was an instant light bulb flicking on in my head. I learned to redirect my focus to where Madeira felt no pressure and it instantly changed the result. Now our figure eight works beautifully.

virpi took her lesson with Mei Li, her new center of attention, who came to us back in March. Mei Li is a delightful little Arab mare. Playful and curious. But has a bit of a right brain introvert side, which is why she had a reputation of a "Crazy" horse. Virpi has enjoyed her very much though. The two of them are a great fit and make a fantastic team.

Someone asked me after our lesson about natural horsemanship and whether it really worked on my horse. I told him I don't know, but it worked on me. We must realize while interacting with horses, that it is not the horse that needs to change for our convenience. It is us humans, who must adjust our attitudes and open up our minds to understand horses, to learn to read them and to communicate with them without force. Horses never bargained for humans to bully them around. They are forgiving animals who love to be our partners, play with us, work with us and win with us if only we can learn to be affective leaders, prove to them that we can be trusted, and treat them with respect and dignity. Love, language and leadership (in equal doses.)

Finally a playday!

Ever since Virpi and I joined the Bay area savvy players group, we have been wanting to attend to one of the Parelli playdays they host each month. It has been difficult to plan the trip with our horses, not owning a trailer, But last month when I read about the upcoming playday it sounded like so much fun, that I decided to call the one person we know who owns a trailer, Ronda.

We were in luck. Ronda was available with a short notice and so on Sunday morning at 8 am after a "piece of cake" trailer loading we were on a way to our first ever Parelli playday.

We were excited about the day and laughed the whole one hour and fifteen minute drive down to Gilroy.

Steal and Madeira, who haven't trailered for at least 3 years were unexpectedly calm as we unloaded them at the the most beautiful place, a real horsey heaven, the Ruiz ranch. 

The arena was set up with various, potentially scary obstacles in the most imaginative way. Virpi and I were put into separate groups and at first Madeira was quite right brain and nervous. She kept calling for Steal at the other end of the arena and Steal called back. It was like some Romeo and Juliet drama. I had to get her nervous feet moving, do lots of changing direction and focus, focus, focus to bring down her adrenaline. And the result completely exceeded my expectations. Although every once in a while she kept calling for her Romeo, she was still connected with me and completed each task with dignity. I was incredibly pleased and so very proud of her.

We played ground games until noon with a finale of firecrackers, which were set off in the middle of the arena. I was prepared for Madeira to be leaping  thought the air in panic at the end of my 22 foot line as soon as the firecrackers would go off. Amazingly, I was wrong.  She spooked at the first set of firecrackers, but her feet never moved. The second set of firecrackers, she never even flinched. Unbeliveable! Astonishing! Dumbfounding!  

Aawww, my extreme right brain extrovert has come such a long way. I know I've said this before, but again, it is truly amazing what can be accomplished with horses, using only one ingredient, trust! 

Madeira and Steal had a well deserved break in one of the paddocks in the barn while we ate our potluck lunch. They lounged about happily munching their hey. 

After lunch it was time for mounted games. Virpi and I had planned to only observe the riding part of the playday, since we had expected our mounts to be pretty much unrideable. However it turned out, that Madeira and Steal were both so unexpectedly calm, that we felt comfortable getting on them and trying out the obstacles.

It went fantastically. all we did was walked around the arena for a few minutes surrounded by other horses and riders playing with the scary obstacles. And when we got to a point that we felt the horses were in a desired state of mind we decided it was time to call it a day. 

We had so much fun! It was the best day! Thank you so much Deb for welcoming us to your beautiful place, and for everyone involved organizing such a fantastic playday. 

Steal and the ferocious green ball.

Madeira on the teeter-totter.

Steal backing up under the huge tarp.

I love this one with her hind feet tipi toeing, just barely on the pedestal.

A shot of savvy

It is the middle of May and sparkling snow still decorates the rocky tops of Sierras surrounding the "biggest little city in the world," Reno, Nevada.

Tall, colorfully illuminated casinos and hotels, the Reno lights were a welcoming sight as we drove into town late Wednesday night excited as ever, not about the usual Reno scene, gambling and shows, but the 2009 Parelli Celebration held in the Reno livestock center. 

I was one of the few lucky ones chosen to volunteer at the event and needles to say, I was ecstatic. 

Thursday morning we were at the event arena at 7:50 AM. After a short orientation, we spent most of the day setting up the retail area for the weekend.  Teamwork seemed effortless with like minded people, who all had such a positive and progressive attitude. It was great to work along with the Parelli celebration team. People who are nothing less but celebrities for us. And on the brakes we had the opportunity to watch some of them play with their horses in the arena.

The chosen "savvy spotlighters"  had also arrived and getting ready for Friday's show. Heaps of savvy filled the arena as everyone was playing various versions of the seven games with big smiles on their faces (except for the occasional "shwiegermutter" looks) having so much fun and doing the most amazing things with their horses. Amongst them Cici Bowers and her horse Magic from the Bay area savvy players group.

My job for the weekend was to answer questions on the floor and to help people sign up for Share Parelli. And oh boy was it busy! I bet most of the nearly 2000 people that attended wanted to sign up. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many new people who all share the same great passion, as well as reuniting with friends we have made at various other Parelli events in the past. This is truly a community where everyone speaks the same language and what is best, everyone is smiling, happy and united no matter what level of savvy they are at. I am so honored to be part of it.

It was also interesting to be on the "other side of the curtain" and see what happens behind the scene.

At the end of each day Alain Martignier, the celebration manager asked what were the highlights of the show. There were so many to pick from, but for me, just one of the many a hug from Walter Zettl. 

Linda and Remmer did beautifully under Walter's coaching. It was remarkable to see how Linda always put the relationship before the task, and how Remmer seemingly enjoyed the lesson as much as Linda did. 

Kalley Krickeberg with the Atwood ranch yearlings was phenomenal!!! 

Lauren Barwick, a gold medalist at the China 2008 special Olympics performed her winning program and after ending her story with a thank you to the Parellis... Wow! Not a dry eye in the audience.

And of course it is always so refreshing and inspirational to observe and listen to Pat. It was most fascinating to see how much progress he made in such a short amount of time with the rescue horse donated by the United states humane Society.

The savvy spotlights on Friday were fantastic! It was so great to see ordinary people, like us doing such amazing things with their horses. There was an extraordinary aura of support and understanding in the audience even when horses fell right brain and things didn't go according to plan. This is definitely not something very often seen in the normal competition world.

Amazing, amazing weekend!

We were still in high spirits on Monday as we left the snow caped mountains behind and headed home.  Car packed with new Parelli tools, singing along with Virpi on the guitar. All excited to see our own horses again.

Lauren Barwick and Maile
Kalley Krickeberg with yearlings from Atwood ranch.

Pat playing with the rescue horse

Pat and Walter Zettl.
Linda Parelli and Remmer getting ready for a private lesson with Walter.

As nearly 2000 people watch, pat sets the rescue horse up for success, then takes cautious steps to ensure she is left brain and calm before getting on and riding around. This is just minutes after she blew up into a bucking fury. But Pat's timing was perfect. His ability to read the horse is so profound. I wish I could just "right click" on his brain, copy all the knowledge and paste it into mine.

Virpi's L1- Online

Here it is, finally. Virpi's level 1- online audition.
Steal, the poor old fella has not got much speed, but he is attentive and clearly asking questions.
They did a great job!

Level 2 stuff with Madeira

Thinking under pressure

So much has happened since Kim passed...

Little Candy moved into Kim's old stall right next to Madeira and although Madeira would never admit it, she really, actually likes her there. We regularly turn the four of them, Madeira, Steal, Candy and baby Leila out together and they all get along just fine.

Madeira and I have had a couple of break throughs in our journey this past few months. Despite the fact that she kicked me, she is really trying to communicate and do the right thing. Sometimes she tries so hard, that she anticipates what I want from her and does it before I even have the chance to ask. (She is reading my mind.) Sometimes her anticipations are incorrect and she does something I wasn't going to ask her to do, but I don't make her feel wrong about it, but just take what ever she offers. At least she is trying. 

She is really starting to become more confident and left brain through our training, though she is innately a right brain extrovert. It is fun and interesting to observe all these different horsenalities emerging out of her. She still shows off her "wild" side every now and then, but I'm starting to detect more exuberance in that behavior instead of fear. She is also really trying to think her way through stressful situations instead of "flying off the handle" when she gets into a sticky spot. Here's the proof, that what ever I am doing is really working for her advantage, and as a result she is getting smarter and calmer, and able to think under pressure.

One day Virpi had gone to the ranch and taken Steal out into the arena. Then before she had gotten to Madeira she had stopped to chat with Debbi. In a mean while Madeira had grown impatient and started pawing in her paddock, wanting to get out. Virpi had just hollered at her to stop pawing and in her amazement she had soon stopped as Virpi and Debbi chatted on for about another 15 minutes. What Virpi didn't realize  was, that the water hose, which was tied around the paddock fence had become loose and somehow Madeira had pawed her foot through the loop and gotten stuck!!! Just imagine a few years ago she would certainly have panicked and struggled to get free, most likely braking her leg in the process. But now she just stood there not moving a muscle until Virpi finally realized what had happened and went to free her. What a smart horse she has become!

This is why we play with our horses in all sorts of "funny" ways, letting ropes and hoses and Christmas tree ribbons tangle into their feet, to set them up for success when things really go wrong.

Christmas time came and went and of course we shared that special time with our loved ones, the horses. Here are some of our precious Christmas moments.