12 January 2012 Rocky and I joined up at liberty and walked around the outside of the covered arena for several laps. He started out with a good trot and gallop around the ranch with the minidonks but after that was definitely asking for direction, so I tried this. Each lap, he was more relaxed [...]
Filed under: Freestyle, Liberty | Tagged: parelli natural horsemanship | Leave a Comment »
Yeah, that’s me, up on my Atwood Ranch filly, all casual and relaxed. Of course inside I’m going SQUEEEEEEEEEE! I did the whole progression, with direction from Erin: stand and “pet” her with my legs, jump up and down in all zones, heave myself (with a boost, LOL) over her withers, lie flat on her [...]
Filed under: Freestyle, Lessons, Love | Tagged: horseback riding, parelli natural horsemanship | 1 Comment »
“The longest I ever cantered a horse on this pattern was an hour,” Pat said. He was referring to the series of figure 8s — infinity signs — that make up the barrel racing pattern of the Parelli Games. Here is a quickie video I took with my cell phone, to show you the pattern. [...]
Filed under: Freestyle | Tagged: follow the rail, freestyle patterns, parelli natural horsemanship | Leave a Comment »
Tuesday around 11pm, Dan, Jan, and I got our horses out and headed for the arena. Jan played with Salsa while I warmed up Rocky. I asked Dan to be our cow, but he wasn’t sneaky or fast enough to be very challenging, and then Rocky got excited about driving and almost nipped Dan’s hoodie. [...]
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In which I recount a small ride around the ranch and what I learned about the natural power of focus.
Filed under: Freestyle | Tagged: parelli natural horsemanship | 1 Comment »
In which I describe just the merest hint of all that happened today in riding Rocky, his first day (serviceably) sound since the abscess.
Filed under: Feel, Freestyle, Language, Leadership, Learning Experience, Lessons, Love | Leave a Comment »
In which I reveal in agonizing detail what I did with my horses today, although I took pity and separated it with a jump link.
Filed under: Freestyle, Language, Leadership, On-Line | Tagged: parelli natural horsemanship | 2 Comments »
In which I record today’s sessions with each horse, and include several pictures.
Filed under: Freestyle, Language, Leadership, Love | Tagged: horseback riding, parelli natural horsemanship, trail riding | 3 Comments »
In which I ask the gold hotline a freestyle riding question and get confirmation that I am internalizing the principles and applying them to day-to-day horsemanship.
Filed under: Freestyle, Leadership, Lessons | Leave a Comment »
In which I reflect on recent freestyle riding practice.
Filed under: Freestyle | 3 Comments »
In which I begin a trail program with Rocky.
Filed under: Freestyle, Leadership | Tagged: colorado, confidence, horseback riding, level 2, parelli natural horsemanship, trail riding | 2 Comments »
In which I bullet point today’s long session, resisting the urge to write 5,000 words about it.
Filed under: Freestyle, Language, Leadership, Love, On-Line | Tagged: grounding, horseback riding, point-to-point pattern, round pen, seven games, sketch, thresholds | 1 Comment »
In which I report on my second riding lesson with Erin, and feel encouraged.
Filed under: Freestyle, Lessons | Tagged: balance point, horseback riding, pushing passenger, riding lesson | Leave a Comment »
In which I confront an insecurity, celebrate a magazine appearance, and list for myself the number of things I’ve done this week that contribute to my horsemanship, even if I feel like I’m neglecting it.
Filed under: Freestyle, Learning Experience | Tagged: attitude, book larnin', insecurity, progressive, savvy times, yoga | 1 Comment »
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Dick Francis Novels
I re-read the entire collection of Dick Francis novels at least once a year.
