Super Nice Weather, Super Nice Play Time

I had a really good play session with Jewel this afternoon. We played with the 45' line. I used Pat's suggestion from the new Parelli level 4 on line dvd and used some leather gloves with the line. The gloves helped immensely. One thing that Jewel and I definitely need to work on is her not being flighty when 25+ feet away from me. The minute she gets that far out, she is like "WHEE!!! FREEDOM!!!" Then she decides to do whatever she wants. She usually picks up some serious speed and enjoys changing direction. This issue is at the top of the list to have Kristi help me with. I know I just need to bring out my inner extrovert and shut her down, but it tends to be hard for me.
Jewel and I also played around with sideways over a barrel. She hates the fact that a barrel is between her legs, even though the barrel is tiny compared to how long her legs are. She did pretty well though. That is another thing that we are going to play through with Kristi's help.

Update

I have had a few good play sessions with Jewel since my last blog. I got to ride her the other day too. She has improved quite a bit with all of our pre-ride checks. It used to take at least 30 minutes, if not over an hour before I was given permission to tack up let alone ride. Now it takes at most, 20 minutes to tack up and get on. Of course, that could all change at any time. We're working on brushing up our carrot stick riding skills. Jewel has a hard time respecting the carrot stick. That's one of the things that I'm going to have Kristi (Smith) help us with.
One of our other play sessions was with the 45' line. I'm starting to develop a pretty good feel for it. I'm also getting a lot better at coiling it. Jewel and I worked on thresholds a lot. She still has a lot of issues with going a certain distance out into the pasture. She actually did a lot better than she usually does. She became calm enough to graze and not worry where her pasture buddy had wandered off to.

Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I have posted anything. I haven't had much time to play with Jewel lately. I still see her at least twice a day though. Personal commitments are an ever present thorn in my side when it comes to my horse and me. The freezing cold weather hasn't helped much either. Little Miss Jewelsie grew a halfway decent coat this year, but she still can't handle the cold as well as most horses. I'm hoping to get through the winter without having to blanket her. I want Jewel to grow and shed her hair as naturally as possible.

At the end of this month, Jewel and I are having a private lesson with Kristi Smith. I look forward to picking her brain and obtaining more arrows on dealing with right brain extroverts.

Jewel and I are finally going to audition for our level 2 freestyle soon. I just couldn't afford to send in an audition last month. We are slowly working on level 3. I need to brush up my skills with the 45' line.
Like most people, I usually create some goals to strive to obtain in the new year. Some of my goals that are horse related are:

• Graduate Level 2 (just need to pass freestyle)
• Pass at least one savvy of level 3
• Spend at least 10 hours a week playing with Jewel
• Help Jewel become more confident in new places and while away from her buddies
• Learn to pull a trailer by myself confidently
• Sell all of my grandparents' horses that are for sale to good homes
• Learn to trim Jewel's hooves myself (halfway there)

I'm sure I'll have more to add later. I'm always coming up with new things I want to do.