The Weak in Revue
Mar. 16th, 2006 08:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dancinghorseIt has been A Week--in a good way, mostly, but I need to go thud.
Monday as planned, keed went off to college and Gaudia went home to her human. The trailer arrived at the dot of noon. Gaudia was dubious about loading, so I led keed on board--no problem at all. He tucked up in the front compartment with a bag of hay. Gaudia took a little while but did load and off we all went.
They are living in a lovely place 50 miles from here, past the Desert Museum in the Avra Valley, with a lovely old red QH and a tiny black-and-white pony who thinks she's a Lipizzan. She loves to do Airs. While I was there, keed was all, "Don't bug me, can't you see I'm busy?" As soon as I drove away, Teacher reported, he went screaming bananas and stayed that way until the next day. Since then he's settled down, but managed to remove a shoe ("I tole ya!" said I to Teacher), and Gaudia has attempted, seriously, to kill the pony (Evil Mutant Monster KILL KILL KILL!). Gaudia will learn about mutants and racial tolerance, as all young Lipizzans have to do. And keed adores the pony and thinks Casey the QH is great. Which is the reverse of what we expected, but that's keed. Predictable, for him, is a dirty word.
I'll see him on his birthday--the 29th--by which time he should be totally settled in and happy to see me and get his birthday baby carrots (not necessarily in that order).
Meanwhile, back at DHF, everybody seems to be unperturbed by the herd reduction. Capria called after keed as he drove away, but settled down immediately and let me know she is gratified to finally have all of me back (notwithstanding all the other Lipizzans). The Girlz do miss Gaudia, but they've closed up ranks and Ephiny is taking over the job of Tia's galloping buddy.
Pook could not be happier. The Evil Gelding is gone at last. Relief! Big happy sighs! Triumph!
The change in atmosphere is amazing. I thought it was just me, but Teacher noted it when she came to teach this morning. It's much quieter, and a distinct edge of tension is gone. Pook is still a stallion and there are still mares in heat and hormones raging, and nobody is any less Opinionated, but with the two busiest brains gone, the ambient energy is much less crackly.
So that was Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
smoemeth came to visit en route from Sandy Eggo to Austin. There was a wonderful dinner with Prime Rib, and a nice lunch, and other entertainments. Then today was lesson day, and there has been Work, though mostly I've been semicomatose (not helped by Spot and Hillary and their Patented Killer Sleep Vibes).
Lessons today were excellent. It was weird not to be saddling up keed for Teacher, and there was no buffer zone for me to cool down one horse and tack up another--must build in more time for that. First had a ride on Pandora--we hadn't had a lesson together in weeks that wasn't happening in a galeforce wind, so when this morning came up mostly calm, I grabbed her and saddled her up. We had some issues with a now habitual spook route off the north side of the arena where all the bushes are, but since I've been longeing and groundworking her all over the place without problems, I knew it was habit and not real fear. I could push a little more when she didn't wanna, and after a little bit, we had the whole arena back. Emphasis was on me in balanced seat, asking her ears to move away from me (using my seat), and riding lots of wiggly bits in walk and trot. Trot needed to be very forward, posting low and horizontal, and I was a little too locky with the hands--must let elbows just hang instead of locking on. She worked very very hard and was a tired pony afterwards, but it was a good tired. She's really coming along; Tuesday in her longe she raised her back and reached down, which means she's strong enough to use herself properly. I could feel it under saddle; there was lot more there there, and after her lesson her back was totally different. She tends to be rough-coupled and that is disappearing; she's developing actual back muscles. She's starting to look as if she does dressage. (Correct version.)
Camilla wanted the next round. She is so into this. Teacher has taught her to loosen that locked jaw which has always been a problem for her, she takes the bit and comes right out and demands her PT. The bit feels pleasant in her mouth--she loves the way it feels and she likes the fact she can learn to loosen up with its help. Once she had her PT, I got handed the reins and the horse and told to do in-hand work. This is French style with reins in riding position more or less, me up at her shoulder "riding" her, and her learning not to lean into me. If I raise my center of balance too high, she starts to throw her shoulder into my space, so I have to really get it down there as I do when I ride. Then she keeps to her space and is very patient with my fumbling.
Must keep outside rein--that's where the roundness and the turns are. Inside rein may position head or soften neck but doesn't steer. Whip touches inside hip to encourage inside hind, or makes sure shoulder doesn't fall toward me. Make sure she focuses and matches my stride (I'm moving together with her hindlegs). Shorten-lengthen to test this. Keep energy moving well out ahead.
I told Teacher she needs to write an article on installing a forward gear in not-forward horses. The world needs it. She said, "All I do is emphasize the release."
Right.
Once we'd done a fair bit of this, it was time for me to ride. Last time I felt different when I mounted--the edge of panic and borderline freakout (which was coming from her--like Pook and Pandora, she has one hell of an energy field) wasn't there. This time it was even better. She felt comfortable with me on her, was a little dubious about forward but when I applied the same aids I had under saddle, she moved on out. She was giving me her back on a platter with parsley and an apple in its mouth (astonishing in a horse this green, but then she has the strongest back I've ever seen). She didn't need Teacher nearby nearly as much, steered very nicely, and ended with a lovely straight line without me doing a thing. That was our end on a good note, and it was a wonderful one.
Finally da Pook got a short in-hand session, to his considerable delight. Flexions first as with Camilla--PT for his asymmetrical atlas. As soon as he came out and felt her hand on the bit, he rearranged his atlas, made it symmetrical, and won much praise. She did the left-rein work, as he still doesn't believe he can walk and rearrange his atlas, but I got handed the horse going right. Unlike Camilla, he was not inclined to cut me several miles of slack, and he insisted that my body language be exact, my outside rein not waver, and my energy be directed exactly right. It was not easy. But he was very pleased, and I have homework. Lots of it.
It was a good lesson, followed by an afternoon of actual work happening. But the best part was at evening when I went out to longe Capria (who is back to work after her layup). She was terribly stiff for her longe on Tuesday, but today was supple and relaxed and her back was 'way up. She was quite lovely. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I'll ride her.
That was excellent, but then all the rest wanted work--including Camilla and Pandora, who were not in the least inclined to take time off after lessons. Camilla in fact was rather Assertive about it. We did the Follow-Me game and the trot around me game, just to feel as if we had a hand in. And then Ephiny had to have some work on Not Dominating The Human Even If You Are 'Way Taller Than She Is, and Tia wanted to do it too, so she learned to Follow Me and not push into my space. And Ephiny learned to step over behind and move off at a touch on the shoulder and no getting in my face, I get in yours. And it was good.
I liked that I had remembered the body work from the morning and was able to use it with them all--I longed Capria almost without words; did it nearly entirely on body language, all three gaits plus a change of direction. That was very cool.
I really do think she loves her kid, but having him gone has made her feel she has me to herself again. It's odd because we have so many other Lipizzans pushing for attention, and some are deeply bonded with me--but I guess her kid is different. She's even a little less hateful toward Pooka.
This weekend allegedly we will have a repeat of last weekend, with wind and hard rain and maybe snow. I hope so. We need it so badly.
Monday as planned, keed went off to college and Gaudia went home to her human. The trailer arrived at the dot of noon. Gaudia was dubious about loading, so I led keed on board--no problem at all. He tucked up in the front compartment with a bag of hay. Gaudia took a little while but did load and off we all went.
They are living in a lovely place 50 miles from here, past the Desert Museum in the Avra Valley, with a lovely old red QH and a tiny black-and-white pony who thinks she's a Lipizzan. She loves to do Airs. While I was there, keed was all, "Don't bug me, can't you see I'm busy?" As soon as I drove away, Teacher reported, he went screaming bananas and stayed that way until the next day. Since then he's settled down, but managed to remove a shoe ("I tole ya!" said I to Teacher), and Gaudia has attempted, seriously, to kill the pony (Evil Mutant Monster KILL KILL KILL!). Gaudia will learn about mutants and racial tolerance, as all young Lipizzans have to do. And keed adores the pony and thinks Casey the QH is great. Which is the reverse of what we expected, but that's keed. Predictable, for him, is a dirty word.
I'll see him on his birthday--the 29th--by which time he should be totally settled in and happy to see me and get his birthday baby carrots (not necessarily in that order).
Meanwhile, back at DHF, everybody seems to be unperturbed by the herd reduction. Capria called after keed as he drove away, but settled down immediately and let me know she is gratified to finally have all of me back (notwithstanding all the other Lipizzans). The Girlz do miss Gaudia, but they've closed up ranks and Ephiny is taking over the job of Tia's galloping buddy.
Pook could not be happier. The Evil Gelding is gone at last. Relief! Big happy sighs! Triumph!
The change in atmosphere is amazing. I thought it was just me, but Teacher noted it when she came to teach this morning. It's much quieter, and a distinct edge of tension is gone. Pook is still a stallion and there are still mares in heat and hormones raging, and nobody is any less Opinionated, but with the two busiest brains gone, the ambient energy is much less crackly.
So that was Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday,
smoemeth came to visit en route from Sandy Eggo to Austin. There was a wonderful dinner with Prime Rib, and a nice lunch, and other entertainments. Then today was lesson day, and there has been Work, though mostly I've been semicomatose (not helped by Spot and Hillary and their Patented Killer Sleep Vibes).Lessons today were excellent. It was weird not to be saddling up keed for Teacher, and there was no buffer zone for me to cool down one horse and tack up another--must build in more time for that. First had a ride on Pandora--we hadn't had a lesson together in weeks that wasn't happening in a galeforce wind, so when this morning came up mostly calm, I grabbed her and saddled her up. We had some issues with a now habitual spook route off the north side of the arena where all the bushes are, but since I've been longeing and groundworking her all over the place without problems, I knew it was habit and not real fear. I could push a little more when she didn't wanna, and after a little bit, we had the whole arena back. Emphasis was on me in balanced seat, asking her ears to move away from me (using my seat), and riding lots of wiggly bits in walk and trot. Trot needed to be very forward, posting low and horizontal, and I was a little too locky with the hands--must let elbows just hang instead of locking on. She worked very very hard and was a tired pony afterwards, but it was a good tired. She's really coming along; Tuesday in her longe she raised her back and reached down, which means she's strong enough to use herself properly. I could feel it under saddle; there was lot more there there, and after her lesson her back was totally different. She tends to be rough-coupled and that is disappearing; she's developing actual back muscles. She's starting to look as if she does dressage. (Correct version.)
Camilla wanted the next round. She is so into this. Teacher has taught her to loosen that locked jaw which has always been a problem for her, she takes the bit and comes right out and demands her PT. The bit feels pleasant in her mouth--she loves the way it feels and she likes the fact she can learn to loosen up with its help. Once she had her PT, I got handed the reins and the horse and told to do in-hand work. This is French style with reins in riding position more or less, me up at her shoulder "riding" her, and her learning not to lean into me. If I raise my center of balance too high, she starts to throw her shoulder into my space, so I have to really get it down there as I do when I ride. Then she keeps to her space and is very patient with my fumbling.
Must keep outside rein--that's where the roundness and the turns are. Inside rein may position head or soften neck but doesn't steer. Whip touches inside hip to encourage inside hind, or makes sure shoulder doesn't fall toward me. Make sure she focuses and matches my stride (I'm moving together with her hindlegs). Shorten-lengthen to test this. Keep energy moving well out ahead.
I told Teacher she needs to write an article on installing a forward gear in not-forward horses. The world needs it. She said, "All I do is emphasize the release."
Right.
Once we'd done a fair bit of this, it was time for me to ride. Last time I felt different when I mounted--the edge of panic and borderline freakout (which was coming from her--like Pook and Pandora, she has one hell of an energy field) wasn't there. This time it was even better. She felt comfortable with me on her, was a little dubious about forward but when I applied the same aids I had under saddle, she moved on out. She was giving me her back on a platter with parsley and an apple in its mouth (astonishing in a horse this green, but then she has the strongest back I've ever seen). She didn't need Teacher nearby nearly as much, steered very nicely, and ended with a lovely straight line without me doing a thing. That was our end on a good note, and it was a wonderful one.
Finally da Pook got a short in-hand session, to his considerable delight. Flexions first as with Camilla--PT for his asymmetrical atlas. As soon as he came out and felt her hand on the bit, he rearranged his atlas, made it symmetrical, and won much praise. She did the left-rein work, as he still doesn't believe he can walk and rearrange his atlas, but I got handed the horse going right. Unlike Camilla, he was not inclined to cut me several miles of slack, and he insisted that my body language be exact, my outside rein not waver, and my energy be directed exactly right. It was not easy. But he was very pleased, and I have homework. Lots of it.
It was a good lesson, followed by an afternoon of actual work happening. But the best part was at evening when I went out to longe Capria (who is back to work after her layup). She was terribly stiff for her longe on Tuesday, but today was supple and relaxed and her back was 'way up. She was quite lovely. Tomorrow, weather permitting, I'll ride her.
That was excellent, but then all the rest wanted work--including Camilla and Pandora, who were not in the least inclined to take time off after lessons. Camilla in fact was rather Assertive about it. We did the Follow-Me game and the trot around me game, just to feel as if we had a hand in. And then Ephiny had to have some work on Not Dominating The Human Even If You Are 'Way Taller Than She Is, and Tia wanted to do it too, so she learned to Follow Me and not push into my space. And Ephiny learned to step over behind and move off at a touch on the shoulder and no getting in my face, I get in yours. And it was good.
I liked that I had remembered the body work from the morning and was able to use it with them all--I longed Capria almost without words; did it nearly entirely on body language, all three gaits plus a change of direction. That was very cool.
I really do think she loves her kid, but having him gone has made her feel she has me to herself again. It's odd because we have so many other Lipizzans pushing for attention, and some are deeply bonded with me--but I guess her kid is different. She's even a little less hateful toward Pooka.
This weekend allegedly we will have a repeat of last weekend, with wind and hard rain and maybe snow. I hope so. We need it so badly.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-03-16 08:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-16 10:33 pm (UTC)Glad things are going well.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-17 03:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-17 09:02 am (UTC)When the residents yelled at her, she dropped the pony. The pony landed with a thud, stunned, but otherwise unharmed. Joy does Not. Like. Ponies. And in shows she has a DISTINCT bias against Icelandic Horses. They are EVYL and Should. Be. Kicked. *eyeroll* My horse is a racist....
I told Teacher she needs to write an article on installing a forward gear in not-forward horses. The world needs it.
Yes. Please.
Lovely neep.
And Energy Fields! Do you do reiki? Our horses THRIVE on Mom's reiki treatments.
no subject
Date: 2006-03-17 09:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-03-17 10:26 am (UTC)*snerk*
no subject
Date: 2006-03-18 12:32 am (UTC)Tonight I am a bear of little brain. Sleep needed . . .