I've been riding Stormy bareback, no work, no constant-lets spin circles or work on side passing or how about riding on the bit?-none of that. I decided her and I needed some laid back time together. Also with all the riding we've done, she needs shoes. I've never had her shod before because her feet have always been extremely tough- like, gallop over rocks and not get foot sore tough. Unfortunately I think all the rain we've been having thats kept the grass wet and the dirt mud has softened her feet a bit, so rather then force her to trek through rock strewn hills shoelessly I'm a have her shod.

I also ended up riding the buckskin, and I have to say I don't think her and I are going to work. I've always clicked with my horses, Celia, Stormy, Lila, Shine... there was always something there. Even ole Brandy was friendly for the time I rode her, so I'm not used to horses who won't even acknowledge my presence. I guess I'm spoiled, but I'd rather let someone else take her, maybe Rita, she after all did get Wily to love her. So there goes the number two horse on my riding string, I will probably ride her anyway though. Or maybe I'll try Twi instead, since I am gonna train her anyways.

This week we're headed to the mountains to put the cows on the forest so I'ma see how that goes with Storm and Gyps.

Week 1 and 2 Saturday and Sunday

Saturday 5/8/2010
Gypsy was once again the only one I worked with today. I just did the usual grooming and she was ok-ish but she could certainly be more responsive. We did end up going on another run which I think she enjoys it alot more then a massage, silly little thing that she is. It ended up being really long and it got dark so I had to rush her back rather then let her go as slowly as she wanted so she could graze like we normally do. Her fat little self dragging and me, walking beside her sucking a lolly pop while humming Hey There Delilah over and over again. Maybe I'll switch songs, maybe shes not a fan of the Plain White Tees, anyway thats besides the point, over all I think that I'm finally getting through to her.

Sunday 5/9/2010
I didn't get anytime at all to work with Gypsy today, because my dad insisted on us getting cows in. So I decided to choose Stormy so I could work with her while we rode. She was feeling really spooky for no apparent reason other then she likes to act like a space case for no reason sometimes. She was kinda pussy-footin' along too, but think it was just that she was a little footsore, which means I'll probably have to get her shod. I certainly don't envy the guy who gets to do that. I mean I really have tried to break her of the crazy right hind leg kicking but after the second barb wire mishap[when her moron owner turned her out] she refuses to let me get near it.

But speaking of her leg kicking issue she only had one little incident when she wanted to stand still and kick the leg that got caught in the wire. Overall though I think her kicking is better then her crazy bolting she used to do when ever her hind leg touched something that scared her.

She also getting much better at cow sorting and turning. It's gotten to where I can almost just point her at the cow I want and hang on for the ride. She'll tiptoe through the herd at it then chase it out with her teeth on its butt, without so much as disrupting the other cows. She does still have her moments where she gets confused and attacks every cow in sight, but besides that she a darling at cutting.

Thursday, week one

I worked with that little PIA Gypsy again today but missed out on yesterday because... I don't really remember why, skittles.
Anyway today we started out with the usual grooming and I tried some Ttouch on her. No response, at all. Maybe I did something wrong because the horses normally respond right away when we do Ttouch, but with Gypsy, nothing, no leaning into it or even sighing contedly or chewing, just nothing at all. I decided to try playing. I took her out in the pen next to Tiggy and took off running to see if she'd follow me or show any interest at all. It is so frustrating, everything I do nothing, I try to do things I think would fit her personality but constantly run in to dead ends. Finally I just gave up on trying to get a response out of her and drug her out on a walk, she seemed to enjoy that a little better. I slowly drag around and she grazes, very progressive. I did convince her to run with me and she seemed to enjoy that but that was the most response I got. After that I decided we had enough progress that I decided to end it.
Yesterday was Shining's birthday but I didn't get to celebrate it because I didn't have time to hunt her down and give her the customary party, poor thing. I think we might celebrate it Friday though.
Also apparently I'm having a comment glitch so until I ether a. solve the problem or b. change to a layout with a comment box that works my email is horsecrazee179@yahoo.com or cowgurl179@hotmail.com so yeah, hope ya'll have a great day!

Starting days

Gypsy
First day:
Gypsy freaked out with me just putting the halter on her, I can't say I blame her though, it's been along time since shes been around humans. But this lack of wanting to be haltered did cause me to change plans on what we were gonna do. Originally I was gonna brush her and then lunge her, just to get a rough idea of where shes at and if shes ever even been lunged before. But because of her skittishness and fear I ended up just giving her a good grooming and talking to her to get her used to the sound of my voice.
Second day:
I planned on working her after school today but unfortunately my fat little steer bloated again so I had to take a chunk out of my "work with Gypsy time" to pump mineral oil down his throat. I did get a little bit of daylight left so I decided to groom her, just because she needs that to help her be calm. She was skittery again but that's to be expected, one grooming is not a miracle exercise. She won't look at me though, its really weird and frustrating. I think that she thinks if she doesn't acknowledge my presence I'll leave her alone. No such luck though, poor Jips. As soon as I got home I went and dug out a few training books, and Chris Dyer's Plants, Potions and oils for horses, which I totally dig because I'm one hundred percent into the use of plants in training and remedies for things like her tight back muscles. While I was at it I found Linda Tellington's book, which I love simply for Ttouch. Of course I grabbed my favorite training book, Imke Spilker's Empowered Horses, which in my opinion is a revolution in training. I have been poring over all these books for little tips that would be useful for a resistant horse.
I didn't get to work with Stormy or Shining because they are both turned out for awhile.