Over the course of the week, Arianna and I continued to work on relaxation with the saddle. This involves a lot of rubbing her with it, moving it around on her back, walking away from and back towards her with the saddle on my arm in different positions etc until there is no 'brace in her body. One thing that has really helped this is playing a bizarre version of the friendly game with her.
By this point I was putting the saddle on and off without issue but I was aware I was being very delicate about things. Delicately laying the saddle on her back, slowly untying the sinch, gently lowing down the girth etc. So I remembered learning about 'big love' with my trainer back in England, Sue Edwards and something we worked on especially with a horse I rode called 'Big Lady'. We used to wave our arms around and jump up and down, practically skip up to her and fling our arms around her neck. Like friendly game on steroids!
With Arianna who can be super bracey when something is new, I started my leading her around and letting her following me and gentling slapping the stick and string on the floor in front of me, side to side as we walked. This is a great method because, even though it's scary at first, Arianna is still walking towards it. Gradually I made this bigger and bigger until I was making a full arch over my head and even 'helicoptering the string above both our heads (which weirdly she was totally unphased by from the word go!). In other sessions we did jumping jacks, just arms at first, then legs also. After the initial shock of "What the hell is my Mum doing now?!?!" she watched me with a bemused but relaxed expression. We've done bunny hops and high knee skipping around the arena with Arianna trotting behind me.
I didn't realise I had an audience one day until one of the other boarders at the facility called to me asking if I was doing some new kind of keep fit!
Incorporate the saddle in to all these fun and games and now I'm throwing up the saddle western style (but never dumping it on her back obviously) and letting the girth chink and twang and bump her leg a little as I do up straps etc.
Back up, walk and trot in the saddle have been going great and we've even cantered in it. She still spooks herself every now and then and does usually 3 rodeo style bronks but gets over it super quickly.
Day 32 Feet trimming
Tommy Roland (aka Super farrier for Lifesaver Wild horse rescue) came to trim Arianna's feet. I have to say, she was unusually stroppy that day and the give away was that before Tommy even arrived, she didn't want to stand still at the tie rail. She was pretty good to have her feet trimmed but we need to work on her keeping her foot on the stand (especially the back ones).
Seeing as she was in such a sassy mood, I turned her loose in the round pen where she had a mad 5 minutes of canter circles before she came back to me and we played at liberty. I can now skip around the arena and she 'skips' along behind me (well, I skip, she trots but it's close enough!)
Day 33
More friendly game on steroids, walk trot and canter in the saddle and figures of 8 and I had a good feeling about getting back on board.
Day 34- Getting back on the horse!
Cindy, my awesome friend at Shadow Hills came and helped me and I made sure Arianna was really relaxed in the saddle on the circle and with ropes and sticks thrown over her back. Cindy came in as extra hands, and moral support to remind me to keep breathing and just kept chatting to me the whole time which was great. We practised weight in the stirrup. No problem. leaning full weight over the saddle. No problem. Leaning over, getting off, leaning over, getting off etc etc. Arianna didn't move her feet once and so over my leg went over and I was on!!!
Beaming away inside, Cindy and I chatted away like it was just a normal day with Arianna wondering what on earth we were blabbing on about! I'm not going to lie, there were lots of carrots involved!! Slowly dismount, praise, remount, carrot and so forth. Arianna hadn't moved her feet at all and I had a feeling we were a little stuck. Cindy took one step back and Arianna took one step towards her. Follow lots of praise and standing and rubbing.
I dismounted and we repeated the whole process. On and off, on and off. One more step. Repeat, praise and rubbing. Then we went to take a couple of steps and Arianna almost quarter yielded herself but very quickly and scared herself. She did 3 little bronk/buck things and I just sat super quiet. Cindy drew the line slightly and she turned and faced her as if she was as in shock at what just happened as we were!
Cindy and I continued to chat as if nothing had just happened and Arianna just stood. After a few minutes and Arianna having a good lick and chew, Cindy took a few steps back and took a carrot out her pocket. Arianna reached out but couldn't quite get it. She thought for a few moment about her predicament. Then she tentatively took 2 steps towards Cindy and got the carrot. Such a good girl. We did this a few more times before I slowly dismounted. I was so proud of my girl and she looked proud of herself!
Tomorrow we are taking part in a clinic with 3 star Parelli pro Susan Nelson!!
Reining clinic with beautiful 'Rain'
Last weekend I was extremely privileged to take part in one day reining clinic with Pat Wickenheiser. My good friend Tina not only helped prepare me but let me ride her wonderful horse "Rain" and even took us there!
I was so excited and gave Rain a lovely bath the night before.
She was the perfect pony the whole day. From the moment I arrived at the venue, she was 100% focussed on me like I've never experienced before. We practised supple-ling and lateral movements and I was surprised to learn how similar to dressage reining actually is with the exceptions of stops, spins and roll backs.In the afternoon, we learned roll backs which is basically an abrupt stop (without using your reins I might add) and a 180 degree spin and blast off in the other direction! We also practised spins which are different to pirouettes as one foot stays planted in the ground and the horses literally spins around it. It was one of my best days and I'll never forget it!
