Group lesson with Jerry Williams

Dec. 3rd. My 2nd group lesson

Arrived early so I could spend some time with Beau. Unloaded nicely , went to go play down with the obstacles at the far end. Included, ditch, squeeze between the man made ditch, car wash, and teeter bridge. Let's just say Beau said no way to the man made squeeze. So I did the cirlcing game around it.......then change of direction ......and finally yoyo up to it and then finally into and out. He did great...really tried to do what I was asking him.....I saw a lot of trust!! I am glad I didn't take it away from him. We moved on and went thru the car wash and even did pretty good with the teeter bridge. ( He hates bridges with the hind legs)

Then Jerry came out. Stated everyone was running late.....I had a private lesson for a little bit. Went over last lessons questions. Talked about where I am at in my journey.
So then he asked me to start playing again with Beau and we would start to deal with some issues. Like his punkyness at the circling game. Of course , he didn't do it then, but got a game plan for when he does. (Game Plan # 1 - Imd. stop the behavior....do what it takes to interrupt the pattern)
Then sent Beau out in canter.......got part of a lap.....game plan.(Game plan # 2 - imd. change of direction........don't worry what it looks like.....then ask right away to canter new direction....keep this up until he goes "I think it is easier to just canter") I am happy to say as soon as he suggested it ........it worked. Love that power of suggestion.!!!

Finally others showed ....we went out and played on the obstacles. What fun.....nice relaxed and responsive horse. !! THen it was into the ring ...going to try a little liberty. Beau did well. No circling game at this time, but all the other games at close range. Jerry suggested I start playing a lot of this since he did so well and seemed to enjoy it. So game plan #3 - Start playing liberty in round pen at home.

We saddled up and rode in the ring some. I asked Jerry to help me with Beau's oppisition to me picking up my reins. So he suggested I become a fence post - Game plan # 4. When I pick up and as soon as he starts to tug with nose my hands need to become solid no give until he releases. Started FTR with walk and trot to the corners . At the corner stop and ask for 9 step back up. That is where game plan #5 comes in......I am to only use 4 oz of pressure with my hands......if no backing .....then start with phases of feet or tapping of rein lifting up in phases. ( He suggested the feet , but don't be afraid to go to phase 4 if needed). It started working. The key to this lesson today was to not only get a mental picture of what I want but to also get a mental feel of what I want. So I stop asking for the back when it feels like I want it to feel. Soft and light.

SO ended with the homework of being prepared to log hours I spend with my horse.

I had to leave a little early because I had to get back to take mom to get a cat scan . Wow that only took 10 min at the hospital......can't believe it.

Rest of Nov.

SO the rest of Nov. just played online with both Shan and Beau.
Continued to work on yeilding zone 1 with both the porcupine game and driving game.
Both are doing well at it. I also started playing with Porcupine game zone 3 to develop a side pass . The driving sidepass is pretty good.....little bit of drag on the hindquarters. Shan will even sidepass to me on the left side. Haven't tried this yet with Beau.
Played sticked to me ......bring energy up in my body....walk......then trot .....energy down to a stop and maybe back up. The go and whoa are starting to equal. Hum Implusion?

Rode Beau freestyle one day.......mostly with just neck rope. A little walk and trot with go and whoa. Did good.

Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Turkey Day.!!!

Well today is the day to be thankful. I have many things to be thankful for. My family that allows me the time to play with my horses comes to mind 1st. They are the most important thing to me. They don't have the love and passion that I have for my horses but they try to understand that this is what makes Mom happy. A happy Mom is a good thing!!!

So spent the day with my Dad , up in Chiefland , and helped put up Christmas decorations. Then we came back down here to Dunnellon and picked up my Mom . We went over to Debbie and Jimmy's house for a 2nd dinner with the Love side of the Family. Both dinners were delish!!Yum. My poor horses have to carry me around now....Wonder just how many pounds I added to today?

After getting home , I went and got Shan out. Played online for about 30 min. Yielding zone 1 both porcupine and driving. Then played stick to me. Then some sideways next to horse trailer.
Worked on speeding up the game.....using energy....I am almost trotting at him. He wasn't to sure about that one but settled down to it. Ended with playing again at zone 1 yielding.

Plans for tomorrow.....Bath horses ........weather is finally perdicted to be warm some.

Playing with my horses

Sunday, Nov 23rd

Shan has popped an abcess RH . Small drainage from cornet band. Soaked footed. Him seemed like nothing was bothering him. Hopefully everything will work out with no problems.

With Beau I decided to soak his hooves in lysol mixture. He stood well and tolerated it all very nice. Then we went out on to the property and hung out some. Did alot of the friendly game. Slapping the ground and waiting to see some relaxtion before I would stop with the slapping. He is getting better with it. So now I have to keep working to get my better best. Did a lot of massaging of legs. He really got relaxed. Then we started to mosey some and began with stick to me from zone 2/3 area , go and whoa with energy. Whoa is good Go needs work. Also played with yeilding zone 1 with porcupine and driving game. Driving is much better than porcupine.......once again , need to get my good, better and by better best.

Monday, Nov 24th

Left Shan alone. Played with Beau on line for about 30 minutes. We reinforced yielding zone 1 . Then moved on to some circling game with change of direction. Also more stick to me , go and whoa . Nice relaxed horse.

Tuesday, Nov 25th

Trial ride at Pruitt trailhead. Rode with Tia and Kash. It was a great day to be out. Big blue ski and nice cool breeze. We started out the greenway but ended up going over to the Swift Mud side. I have never rode there before. It is more two lane roads thru pines and open marsh land. Some of those trails are suppose to take you down to the river. I will have to try that maybe the next time we are out there. Both horses did well . Beau started out alittle sluggish but came out of it and seemed to enjoy himself. As Tia and I were loading up some old friends of mine came riding up. Judy, Linda, and Craig which I have not seen in a couple of years. We got to chat some and see each others new horses. They are camping at Ross Prairie for the weekend.

Wed. Nov 26th

Beau kinda of snobbed me today. That is ok maybe he is a little tired and needing a break. So I just went and got Shan. He seems to be moving fine. Clipped up his legs (or should I say hacked at them) since they looked like a wooley bear. Then went out on line and played . Stick to me from zone 2/3 . Traveling circles, transitions , and change of directions. Sideways away and to me , worked on me being soft and focused...just how little does it take? Horse is very light and pretty responsive. After finishing with Shan ......went and just groomed Beau and turned all horses out.

Playing around the house

OK Today I went out to play with Shan the Man. It's been a while since I have done anything with him. Poor boy , I feel bad about that one. He is so wooly and dirty. I don't think I have ever seen him this dirty, but it's been cold so I guess he is staying this way for now.

Played on line . Decided to see how he yields zone 1. Better at the driving game but difficult at the porcupine game. Trying to get him to yield zone 1 and keep hind legs in a circle. We had a few moments of right brian but after we got settled down I had a nice soft responsive horse. We made some pretty nice circles. Then we played with sideways. He loves sidepassing to me. Now I am trying to have him sidepass to me without having to touch lightly on the opposite side. Just lifting my carrot stick and using some motion. Then he also went sideways away from me too. All pretty nice. Shan is such fun to play with...I really need to do more of this. I am thinking of taking him to the next play day at Beth's .....Shan has never been to a playday. It should be real interesting that is for sure.

Called for Beau and up he came from the pasture. At liberty we went around the property some . Then played with a plywood board , having him crossing it and backing on and off. He was staying calm ...making progress with his problems of placing his hind feet on something.
Then we also worked on yielding zone 1 with the porcupine and driving game. He is getting softer.
Also played friendly game , slapping the savvy string on the ground and seeing how it effects Beau. He did better with it. Stayed relaxed and did some chewing.

Level 2 Lessons with Jerry Williams

Nov. 19th Wed. 1st in a series of 6 lessons with Jerry Williams.

Meet Ingrid at 8 and followed her up to Willston to have our lesson at Forever Springs Farm.
The weather was very cool out......low 30's. Kandy , who I meet at the Don and Rachel Jessop clinic, and another girl named Vicky were in our lessons.
'
Unloaded Beau and he appeared pretty relaxed. AS the lesson started he got a little up. Mostly with friendly game slapping the stick around and then sensitive to Jerry trying to touch him for the porcupine game. That got all worked out. Reviewed the 7 games on line. Really trying to get the horse light and responsive. I have to remember I need to reinforce not teach at this point. Also several ways to up the game. Lightness , speed , distance....but not all at the same time for now. Later you can try two of them and then all 3.
Saddled the horses.....haha.....the worst I have ever done. I need to work on carrying that saddle upside down and then swinging it up. Warmed him up with saddle and even got him to walk up on bridge with all four legs. Not the most confident but up there.
Went in ring to get ready to ride. Learned how to tie up reins with extra lead line.
Mounted and rode nicely until right at the end .......a little RB came out when asked to trot with a sitting position. He wouldn't relax and trot slowly. Will need to address this if it should happen again. But all in all, I do think this will help me fill in holes and allow us to progress further in our journey.

Filled out horsenality chart and positive attributes chart.
Will turn in next lesson. Which is Dec. 3rd.

Camping McCulley Farms

Nov 14- 16th Camping at McCulley Farms in Jasper , Florida.

This was what I call extreme camping. The weather on Friday was warm in the 80's , wearing shorts and then by Sunday it was in the low 30's and all bundled up.
SO Friday , trailered up the interstate which was Beau's first time on the interstate. He did ok. He was very nervous at the inspection station because all the semis where running right in front of him . When we got to the campground we got the horses settled in and set up camp. Decided to go out for a short ride . The woods were so pretty , leaves changing up there so it reminded me of being up north in the fall. Lot of yellows and reds. Leaves covering the trails. The trails were marked good. Some single paths and others two track. Got to ride back to an old house which is were the great grandfather of the land was born and raised. Dates back to the 1800's .

Then on Saturday, weather started out rainy. Hung out and went into Madison , Florida. Cute little town. When we got back, decided to ride and rode for 3 hours. We ended up riding down along a hwy and under an overpass. We went along the banks of the Withlochoohee River. It was just beautiful. Then we wandered thru the woods and made our way back. But we did have to pass a field where people were bird hunting and shooting their guns. Beau was very well behaved and so was Kash with Tia. It started blowing and misty rain. Weather was dropping fast. Got the horses back under the barn and put sheets on and let them relax with some hay.
Had a great supper. Steaks cooked out .....YUM YUM! Also had smores out over the hot coals of the fire. Ran the space heater in the trailer and slept all toasty warm.

Sunday morning nice and chilly. Low 30's . We let the weather warm up and started packing. About mid morning we went out on the trail for about an hour. Came back and took pictures which is something I kept forgetting to do the whole weekend. Trailered back and got home around 4 . Got everything unpacked and put away.....set for the week ahead.

Can't wait to go back to McCulley Farms. The trails were great!! Had elec and water at sites.
Bathrooms and a shower area. The sites are out in the open but with hook ups no big deal.
Stalls for horse are ok, but wouldn't like the chicken barns.