had a great day

[fantasykiger]

I had a great day so I thought I would share For the first time in a few years I saddled up Fantasy walked her to the BLM to ride her out thu' the brush. When I got there yes, I cried like a baby I have so many emotions attached to this darn horse . When I gathered myself together I found a stump and climbed in the saddle and rode out. We did good that is until we got to the actual BLM road. It seems Fantasy knows this road, to the left was home and right was not. After all these years I now have a barn sour horse, who is only willing to go so far. This is something I know how to fix. We returned to the brush got off the road and went back and forth between going her way and going my way. Never getting in a big fight, just alot of give and take. I dismounted and mounted a few times. She was so gracious and stood perfectly still everytime I remounted next to various stumps. When she seemed relaxed I rode her all the way home. I look forward to heading out again soon.

When I arrived home I saddled up Mystie to pony Super out to BLM. Super is still getting the hang of being ponied. Mystie started off not being much help Super wanted to stop to check eveything out today. As soon as we finally made it out to the brush everything got scary to Super bushes, trees, burnt out stumps. But I just kept him moving forward in and around everything. It was when we hit the BLM dirt road that Super really came to life and I was so delighted ;D Super likes to trot, he likes to move out, he snorts and blows not like scared, like he is relaxing into gait and just trucks along. We hit that dirt road and I just kept my mare ahead of him and let him move out for as long as he was willing. It was great fun ;D Granted it was not to long...LOL. It was only his second trip off my property. But I plan to keep taking him out and building on his endurance and the length he can maintain that trot.

[lindad]

Good for you. You must feel quite a sense of accomplishment!

[pepper]

Oh Tiff..i feel you pain!Amigo & Fantasy have a lot in common!I don't really see their reluctance to go down the trail as the classic "barn sour"more like..they can't figure out WHY ? go down the trail...??Leave home,food,herd & venture off just for the sake of adventure?the view? Mom wants to?what's the motivtion??especially & mostly when they're all alone.Amigo has been known to just ..STOP...refuse to go forward when alone ,not from fear,but just lost intrest...I get off & lead him & get back on & continue.Not so easy with such a big guy but we're working on it.There's a very well known mustang in endurance who was very difficult to start his career,couldn't stay motivated but one day it did click & he went on to Top Ten many rides & win many awards.
I'm hoping one day Amigo will learn to love just heading down the trail for the fun of seeing where it takes us....meanwhile I carry a bag of treats & a crop & try to be patient!
One good thing is he always remembers the way back to the trailer,if I forget which way on a new trail,I give him his head at the forks & he picks the right way everytime!Hang in there..p

[fantasykiger]

Yep' Pepper I think you may be right right about purpose, Fantasy needs to find a meaning in it all and reclaim the joy and wonder of what is around the next corner. I too carry a bag of treats a little extra motivation never hurt I am going to give riding with a friend a try soon, I may have to do some walking but I am OK with that we all need a starting point.

I forgot to mention on my way home there was a moment when we had to step off the road to allow a fed-ex truck to go by, when I was ponying Super. Mystie went forward to step over a low rock wall in weeds, Super would not. I had to drop the rope and turn around to retreive him. Super stood perfectly still after I dropped the rope, he did take a couple steps to eat some grass but I did not even have to dismount just reached down a gathered him back up and went around the wall

[sbutter]

That is sooo fun to hear! Looking forward to hearing more adventures.

[DianneC]

We all need a purpose and the joy and wonder of what is around the next corner. Well said Tiffany!

[fantasykiger]

I have continued riding and working with Fantasy each time my confidence grows and Fantasy gains more trust in me as well. I did go out on a trail ride with my daughter, the ride went well no balking, even when we stepped out on to the BLM road out of the brush, Fantasy thought about turning back home I saw the wheels turning, but she followed my daughter's horse instead. It was a successful ride.
I also took her Wed. to a friends arena where we worked on patterns at the trot mind you I am so proud of both of us picking up the speed and working harder, still without getting into to much of an arguement and still getting forward movement. I felt relaxed and totally comfortable. When Fantasy would drop back to a walk I had no anxiety about pushing her back up to the trot and asking for more.
Tomorrow another big step, I put her shoes back on yesterday. My friend is hauling Fantasy and I up to the woods to ride the Pacific Coast Trail for a few hours. We are going to get her away from home and out on a real working trail ...wish me luck. I will bring a camera

[fantasykiger]

The trail ride was a great success we moved out trotted 50% of the trail even got in a little cantering. She did great right behind my friends horse we did move her out front for awhile and she was very cautious almost spooky, ears and head up watching around every corner but never did spook. We then put the other horse back in front she was much more relaxed not having to lead but it was good for to be in that postition for a spell. This is the only picture I have of us together, my friend took it with her camera.

[DianneC]

Yeah! What good news...you two look great together and it sounds like you both had a ton of fun.

[lindad]

Excellent!

[fantasykiger]

We ended up going to the Elk Lake trail head sense we got a late start, but it was great fun. Fantasy had a real good work out it was hot and sweaty for both of us. But extremely satisfying we need many more rides like that under our belt

[kimk]

what fun!

[lindad]

Keep it up and she will eventually find the fun in it, too.