Groundwork then a hack and snack

 did the raised and widened serpentine 6 times. Then practiced the gate in hand a good bit. 

then decided to go ride. loaded up and hit the trails. soggy, slushy, and a bit drizzly but we only get really rained on at the very end. much more energetic in his trot today. maybe cause I put the bareback pad slightly farther back? maybbe coincidence? rode in western bit because of snacking and bareback and wet. no tongue. no real stress, but also didn't really seem to make him fancier. In order to get him from not bracing/inverting I had to have a pretty heavy contact, so... not really that helpful. had some good trots but not super soft or using his neck/back properly. argh. But very forward and energetic. did have a chunk of deer run across he path before us. 

finished our ride and his posture is just awful. His topline sucks, his trapezius suck, he's overmuscled in weird spots from pulling. Not sure how much is me, or lack of me, or just... lower cervical/brachial plexs trauma... ??? 

More lessons, less tack

 Today was Liz lesson day! Always a good day. And it was such a glorious day today too! The sun was out, the sky was gorgeous, and it is really starting to feel like Spring! Well, Summer actually. I got hot and sweaty today and sunburned! And poor Dan still has his winter coat. Poor guy. I really am hoping to not have to clip him, but dang, the poor guy might really need to be unzipped at the very least!

 

I did a very quick groom - would have been nice to do a much more thorough deshedding but I didn't want to keep Liz waiting. I tossed the bareback pad on and then, because I had to give the bosal back and mine hasn't arrived yet... and he was so unhappy in the western bit (and probably any bit to be honest), Liz and I decided to just ride him in his halter. So I put two lead lines on his halter and we headed up to the arena. 

 

Liz did some energy work on him first. She said overall he felt MUCH happier and more comfortable. He did have one spot on his right abdomen... and then one spot on his right gluteal that was HOT! That's where his tear was. So we both worked on it. She taught me that my right hand was my "moving" hand and my left hand was my "drawing" hand. So, his abdomen just needed to move so we used our right hand for that. The hot spot was probably somewhat of a "toxic scar" energy wise.. and probably some emotional component too, so we used our left hand to draw it out. But we had to then make sure we didn't hold onto it and gave it back to the earth too. It was kind of cool to feel and he definitely seemed to relax and release. Then Liz mentioned that his heart chakra needed some help and that it was stuck up in his hyoid area. Which makes total sense as I got a HUGE release with him there Sunday. And that fits with his tongue issues and the right hind being stuck. She thinks that it's not necessarily a physical issue with the bit, but a bit of PTSD if you will. Which, totally makes sense. And maybe we're getting too "woo woo" about things and it's just not that complicated, but... she worked on him and then told me I was going to have to keep working on it and she showed me how. She told me that I was going to have to talk to him too. So I was thinking "do I send him mental images? Do I just tell him?" and when I was thinking about the mental images, he relaxed a lot more and let her get more done. So... then she told me to try and told me to sort of think about imagining things.. maybe focus on the fun we're going to have... explain that there's no pressure.. he doesn't have to be perfect at this.. that *I* don't know what I'm doing either, so we're gonna figure it out together and have fun. And that we're going to find ways to make him happy and comfortable in his body. And we just want him to heal. And.. then I thought about my heart flowing into his heart and he gave a huge sigh and got all soft eyed. Neat! And then I got a little teary eyed. Man... energy work is odd and fascinating and wild! So, then we got a good release and decided it was time to get on and do some work. 

 

We started out at the walk and she was like... "that's a lazy walk, let's get more energy". And before she could tell me, I just sat up with my core and chest, and closed my legs on him (vs squeezing every stride) and he immediately got a bit more marchy. He didn't hold it though and then he petered out again, so I closed my legs a bit more and didn't get a response, so then he got a little tappy tap with the whip. (Which I remembered this time). And he got more engaged. We talked about his neck posture and how he needed to unlock just a hair and use himself so we could build his neck up. It's not about placing his head, but I did need a little bit of rein to help unlock his poll. So, if I sat a little to the outside (and sometimes to the left no matter which direction we were going) I was actually sitting square, which helped him straighten up and march. And I could use a tiny bit of inside rein, slightly lifted to help encourage him to unlock and allow the bend in his body. And then he could really march and use his neck properly. That's how he'll build that neck muscle. Aha! Okay. Then from there, we can ask for the trot. But not from a stuck neck. And when I asked when he was there, our transition to trot was much better and smoother. And the trot was better. Neato! We practiced that some and got some trot work in. Not a ton, but a little bit. And we got some really nice trot! Like.. even from the beginning he felt more marchy and less draggy in the hind end. Liz agreed. He was listening to my seat and body. Tracking to the left he was falling in with his haunches so she wanted me to fix that. I immediately pushed his haunches out and she said no.... now try it by fixing his shoulders instead. Okay... so I sat to the outside, lifted my inside shoulder and seat bone, and pushed his shoulders around to a shoulder fore, and... aha!!! He got straighter, his front end lifted, and he got more energy. Ooooh! That's cool. And duh! 

 

We went to the right lead canter fairly quickly because I had told her about his struggles the last ride or two. She had me get a good walk, then a good trot, and then just ask for the canter. The first time I smooched and asked, he picked up the left lead and then immediately came out of it. She told me to be more supportive on the outside with my rein (don't throw him away just because I'm asking a little more with the inside for flexion) and to sit a little more to the outside...get that good neck relaxation and bend and then... smooch. And he picked it right up! We actually had a good canter!! I tried to go straight and we both collapsed to the right a bit so he veered in. I corrected it and sat him  up a bit straighter, but... it definitely took some quality out of it. We regrouped and tried again and it was much better this go round, with my being more supportive of the outside. Yay! At that point she was getting close to having to leave and we decided that it was a good place to quit because he really tried hard and we had a lovely canter, a lovely downward to a beautiful powerful trot and then a lovely downward to a great marching walk and then a halt! YAY!!!  And then, while we were talking about how good it was, I looked up and saw Funny standing in the pasture. The way the sun was catching on her coat made her look very white! At first I thought she was the water trough but it was the wrong place. And then she totally looked like Roany... and then a little bit like Fleck... and then I was crying again. But I was telling her that the trot feels so powerful! And it's neat because him and Funny are very alike but also very different. They are both so reactive to my body but she's almost hyperreactive whereas Dan does react, but it's a bit more of a slow controlled reaction. Which makes it easier to retrain myself because we don't get the slingshot effect. And how he gave me an epiphany today! Like.. THAT TROT was so powerful. It wasn't fast.. it wasn't big... but it was engaged. Oooohhhhhh! Fast doesn't mean engaged... finally I get what that feels like. It was super cool!

 

We chatted more and then Liz had to leave. She did suggest I keep riding Dan but don't do the right lead canter anymore. So... we ran through our WE test, which is kinda fun! I mean.. it's an intro test, but there's some 10 meter tear drops and a reinback, so.. kinda fun. And then we did the left lead canter. I forgot to sit up and collect him more, but it was still decent. And then we did the gate (WE style) and it wasn't great and he goes way too far forward before we turn back so we have to sidepass back, (while the cows are getting out!) but we did manage to at least do it WE style vs our style (smashing it open and shut with his nose). We hacked back in the pasture and did a tiny bit more trot and even got a few steps of right lead canter (whoops) and then I got off. He was sweaty enough and it was hot enough for a bath. And the butt foam! Oh my goodness, so much butt foam! 

Good pony! I really think we're both going to enjoy this WE, WD and trail riding adventure. And Liz kept saying how great he looked and how happy he looked and how he was going to just kill it in the western dressage! And she also mentioned that by building his body back up this way, she really thought in 6 months to a year he could go be a fancy show hunter too and do some jump classes. :) She made my day! She's like Kelly Eaton.... makes you feel like the worlds best rider, even if all you're doing is a simple 20 meter circle. And she gives you hope about the future. Which... is a great thing. And hopefully Dan (and probably me too, to be honest) can work through our emotional duress about things and go back to being a happy, friendly, and dare I even hope for cuddly, boy again!

Soooo angry!!!

 Vicky visit. Not a fan at first, but then liked her a good bit. 

not using his body because he's stuck in compensations. logan technique, PEMF, especially his heart chakra, made him bounce, then released his psoas. busy because he's trying to stall while he thinks.. called him not that smart, (But she's wrong!). 

told me to send western saddle photos when i get it

Groundwork WE homework and lunging

 Pillars, then side pass, trot poles, and worked on trick training the gate maneuver. Really need to set up a "gate". it's hard to use a real gate opening with the gate in the way and the other debris. better when used the mounting block as my post. can't lose those cows. 

side pass is hard but got better. then tried to lunge. tracking left was lovely.. even got some nice trot to canter to trots. and the canter isn't half bad. then went right... counter flexed and falling in on the right shoulder. then grabbed the line and bolted. galloped around the arena for a good bit. finally caught him and he did it again, and then a third time. finally got him tired enough I guess that I was able to scream and snatch at him. And clocked him hard on the nose once with the lash. oops. I bet that hurt! But you know what... so does getting the reins ripped through my hands and when you bite and kick me! was able to finally get a nice trot with good posture. got a decent canter but only a partial circle and not great, but didn't push it. 

turd! But.. also a good boy

Filthy from his bath though. orange now

groomed before dinner and adjusted. not too bad, but definitely sore in the stifle still and still wont' rotate his hips back. Need to check fascial lines

Working Equitation Clinic

 Turns out, we did the last working equitation clinic exactly 5 years ago! How weird!

Anyways... it was still a hair chilly this morning but Dan was disgusting so he got a hot bath! The amount of dirt and hair that came off!! Jeepers! He was shivering a bit, so I put his cooler on, then his back on track with the neck, and closed all the windows that I could. Hopefully he didn't freeze. But he wasn't shaking when I unloaded him. He was still damp but dry in spots. And so much hair still blowing off of him! 

 

He was chill at the trailer while I groomed him and got him "tacked up". Ha ha! Still in the bareback pad. We met up with Judy and Teller and went to hang out and wait our turn. We were about 10-15 minutes early, so we just hung out and chatted. We also ran into some friends and Dan got to meet Amos Moses, Mary Stuarts' awesome mule. He was actually pretty sweet to him until the very end when he made a grump face. And then he and Teller went to being silly boys and then Teller got mad at him! Goofies!

 

Then it was our turn. We went in and walked them around the obstacles. Sadly Kelli and Marvin couldn't come so Chris, the host, joined in with her mare. And for whatever reason, Dan had it out for her mare! She was quite up and almost frantic in her energy so maybe he just didn't like her because of that but he was SOOOO rude anytime she came anywhere near him. Or maybe he was "protecting" Teller. Regardless, it was a bit embarassing. And worrisome. I was a little afraid he was going to kick or bite her. He didn't... just made ugly ugly faces! So then we hopped on and walked around a tiny bit and then sat and listened to Laurie's lecture about all the obstacles. It was very helpful. 

Then we got to walk around and play with them on our own and she was helping us when we needed it. She gave us some good pointers. She gave us hints, like ways to earn points and how to avoid losing points. Pointers on the things to focus on for a better score. Pointers on how to make our tracks between obstacles. I did not know that you coudn't cross through an obstacle that you hadn't already done. Which, isn't that big of a deal in the ease of handling round, but in the speed round, it could! And pointers like that they judge a smooth even approach with smooth turns better than abrupt quick approaches. And, as I found out, if you aren't careful putting the garocha pole back in the barrel, it'll bounce out and you'll lose points. You don't lose as many points if you don't spear the ring as you do for having an awful line through or bouncing your pole out of the barrel. 

 

After we had all played a bit and gone through them all, she let us do three in a row to work on the approach and the whole "put it all together" thing. She made me go first so... I decided to do the things that didn't involve backing up. Dan was a very good boy doing all the obstacles but he was not a super happy camper about backing up, especially backing the L (which technically is not for the intro level). He was sticking his tongue out an awful lot today. Like... sea serpent tongue. I don't know if it was from anxiety in general, pain, anxiety he was going to hurt, or just the energy from the mare? Or maybe a combination of all the things. But it made me sad. And unforunately because he got a bit rude and anxious about things, I had to be a little handsier than I would have liked because I didn't trust that he wasn't going to actually go after the mare. And Chris was already struggling to stay on! A few times the mare popped up a little rear or let out a little buck, so I definitely didn't want to add to the drama. So, sadly, I didn't get to relieve any of his anxiety. Anyways, I chose the slalom poles (the paperclips) since those were hard for us, then the gate, and then the bull. The rope gate was down at that point and she didn't bother putting it up.But he had already done it earlier. So we did our paperclips and once I realized to make my turns tighter and my lines straighter, it wasn't too bad. Even at the trot. Then we did the gate and it wasn't horrible. I did have to sidepass a step or two at each halt, which she said would lose points. It was better to reach than to make him sidepass, but better to not have to reach in the first place. She also suggested to "trick train" them for it. Teller had gotten a little freaked out at the rope, so Judy had to drop it. So she suggested that we train them to do the first part of the move without touching the gate. Just teach them to walk up square, turn sideways, walk up to the gate and halt. Then reward them (clicker training, treat, rest, etc). Then add in the next sequence... Rein back two, turn two, reinback two, halt. And then reward that! Then put it together, still without touching the gate. And then once they are comfortable and "know" that pattern and can almost do it on their own. (Think of clicker training pillar 3... he does it without me having to ask), then you can add the gate. And then in competition, when you eventually have to do everything one handed, but at every point, the gate is one handed, they almost know the pattern and can do it on their own. Smart! So Dan was pretty good with the pattern minus not backing straight so I had to sidepass a little. Then we headed to the bull and I had forgotten to ask for it to be placed how I wanted it. She did tell us earlier that it's usually set at 11'o'clock but that some judges were sneaky and would put it elsewhere. You can ask the judge to reset it or ask to position it yourself (which is kind of cheating in my mind cause your horse gets to walk up and have you bang it around). But anyways, it was off a bit so I stumbled with it and hair but I got it. I didn't do a nice smooth flip with it but I did snare the ring! (again though.. that's the least amount of points). But when we trotted past the barrel and I dropped it in, it bounced out! Oooh, lots of points lost. She let me try it again later and we slowed the trot down so I could be more careful, but I slowed him down too much and he walked. She did say that was still a better score than it bouncing out, but it would have been a better score had I been able to slow him but not break gait. 

 

We watched the other two go and they did great! Teller and Judy were rockstars! Then she had Judy lead and the rest of us played follow the leader and we did all the obstacles non-stop. It was fun! That was when Dan and I redeemed ourselves with the garoccha pole (mostly). 

Afterwards he was very good and stood at the trailer munching hay while I watched a few others and chatted with friends. We headed home shortly after though because the sun had finally come out and I wanted to go hack Funny at Ashland! I'm so proud of him. He really did good, especially considering how stressed he was. I just hate that he was so stressed. I don't know if the bosal will make it better.. or if it will just make me not realize how stressed he is? Or if he will be just as bad with his tongue?? Guess we'll see. Hopefully it'll come before the clinic in March, but.. that's only two weeks away so I doubt it. 

Minimal Shenanigans!

 Honestly, I'd say Dan was on his best behavior today! 

 

We went to Charlie Elliot and rode with Sharon and Baylor, but also had Jamie and Duval and her dog Sailor and then Jessica Strott and Poppy join us. Which, is kind of a big group for Dan. Especially because I wasn't sure if they would all tolerate him leading a good bunch of the way. But all the animals were really quite cooperative!

 

We got there and there was another group or horses there almost tacked up. They were about ready to leave and when the Dad got on his friesian it bolted across the parking lot... and then bolted/squirted at the start of the trail. It got our guys all amped up! Gracious! Luckily they managed to get going and we weren't ready to go out right behind them. Once we all got tacked up (or barebacked up) and hit the trails they were gone. Phew! 

 

We had a good ride. Dan started in the lead because he was a bit amped up and bouncy. And Poppy was a hair jiggy, but everyone was pretty good. After the first mile for sure they had all settled and we took turns being in the front, middle and back. Dan was great with the dog! He did try to nose her a time or two when she was right in front of us, but he never tried to chomp her or stomp her or run her over! Good boy! He was a bit rowdy when he was in the back some and made some serious snarly faces at Duval and Poppy and Baylor a few times, but never more than snark faces. And he didn't bite Baylors butt today. He did pick up the canter a time or two to catch back up to everyone but he was fairly polite about it. We also didn't (purposely) trot any because it was so slick. So the whole trail ride was at the walk, other than a few trots of them being silly and fighting for the lead or getting left behind a little and trotting to catch up. 

At one point we all realized that there were no hoofprints so we guessed that the other group had gone the other direction. Which meant that we were likely to come up against them. And sure enough, we did. They had all gotten off and tied their horses to a tree.. the two on one side of the trail and the friesian (who acted/seemed like a stallion) on the other. With their reins... sigh. We stopped and the kids were like "Pretty horses"... and we were like "cool thanks, but can we pass?". After a minute the Dad managed to get back to the horse and pulled the stallion farther into the woods off the path so we started to pass. Then the paint horse turned his butt to us and was swishing his tail, so the horses got all weird and Dan spun sideways and I was so afraid he was going to smoosh that little girl! Luckily he didn't... and we all made it through unscathed. And once we got past them, the horses settled again. 

And then we had no more antics the whole way home other than the occasional slip in the mud. It was a great time and I really like all of them! We definitely need to do that more often, and Dan needs to learn how to behave himself in bigger groups. But he did today. I was quite proud of him!

 

When we got back to the trailers I was giggling because it looked like I murdered an animal at the trailer because of all his hair! He's definitely going to have to get a bath in the morning before our clinic!

 

Tonight at bed check he was snoozing. I guess he was tired after his fun day!