Christmas time in Southern California

December Photo Shoot

FLASHBACK: Then 6/29, 8/25, 10/15

The coolest thing about working with horses who've had no human experience is that you get pure feedback on your communication skills. They already know the language so if you are not getting results then you need improve you language skills. They are fluent. Been communication since the day they were born. Their mommies showed them everything they needed to know. The pasture mates continue and if we are lucky, we might get an insight into their inner language. The sutlies of movement and energy. How they must adapt to our voices and human tendencies. I swore I wouldn’t speak baby talk to her and now it’s like “oh my goodness, how’s my little Violet today”. If anything, perhaps our voices help us to calm our energy levels down to make us more relaxed when we need to be.

online, liberty and justice for all....

Developing a whole new interest in my round pen again and working everyone online and at liberty. Those is still my weakest areas so I am spending some quality time with all of my guys in there. The up side is, it’s nice and shady on these 100 degree days. I rode August bareback and bridleless at the canter the other day. Something I’ve only done a few times before. My round pen work made the process so much easier. In there I also worked with Violet on her sideways game. It was the last game for her and she picked it up in no time. I quit after the slightest try and then the next day she achieved the task that much faster.

more whoa than go?? maybe

Took her out on the 45 ‘ line and let her move about the arena and obstacles. She is good about following the feel. A couple of strong moments but never stronger enough to make me lose my grip. Her draw is better than any of me other guys, as well as her change of direction. I find that if I can make it fun with my energy, she has more fun. She is so left brain so not a lot of go but August was the same way. Once the play drive is initiated they move, move, move. As always with the left brainers, you must make it interesting of they get bored. So far nothing seems to scare or startle her. Plastic, bridges, tractors, fire trucks (my husband has a fire truck)

suppliments and new challenges

Have played most of the seven games with her. I groom her a lot. She has dry itchy skin so I’ve added some nutritional supplements to help her coat like rice bran, platinum and some corn oil. Very little grain if any on the vet’s recommendation so she didn’t grow too fast. She has long legs and big ears (they say smart horses have big ears). She will hopefully be as big as Wizard if not taller (15.3). she still isn’t totally comfortable with the spray bottle and I have not given her a hose bath yet.

fun with worming paste

Before I left town I had been trying to practice giving her worming medication orally with a syringe and applesauce. But she hated applesauce! I gave it to her and she rubbed her mouth in the dirt. Must have been too tart. While I was gone she did develop a taste for cookies and carrots. No doubt the girls were enticing her while I was out of town. As long as she is polite about then I am ok with it. I am not over doing it though. Release of pressure is the comfort zone everything else is just icing and if unchecked can lead to some pushy horses.(Like my August ☺ ) Her new love for sweets did make it easy to disguise the worming meds in some rice bran and molasses.