Too cold!

I knew a storm was coming as I had a headache all day. By the time I was done work and had mailed Rebecca and Lisa's parcels I knew I couldn't spend much time with Dancer?

When I arrived at the barn both the wind and the two dogs were howling.  I gave them extra treats as it was so cold.  Dancer was all snuggled in his stall with a huge mound of hay. He was in his glory!  I brushed him as he munched and was not surprised when no hair was falling out.  It seems with the cold snap he is no longer shedding!

I spent a little while just leaning on him and petting him. He was so soft. All his hair was standing up. He looked like a teddy bear.

I'll ride tomorrow!

Cooler Today!

I kept my coat on until I rode, it was quite cool today.

We began by entering the arena with the squeeze game right into the porcupine game in both directions - both front and back, them the yoyo game.  We finished with the following game.

We spent a few minutes at liberty, but Telma and the gang arrived...too many visitors for us today.

Dancer no longer was not responding with his usual enthusiasm. I wonder if my headache affected this?  Also we had visitors to the arena too!  He was not focused in the circling game, however once we did the sideways game he began to pay attention.

Once in the saddle, we had some practice with transitions.  These went well. I rode in the Parelli halter and he remained responsive despite our circling game earlier on.  He was particularly responsive to the walk halt transition. That was great.

Camp Kids!

The camp kids are exceptionally exited about riding today.  They were shrieking in the hay mow providing me the opportunity to practice my emergency stops.  Dancer and Shirez spooked! I was on Dancer and Telma was on the ground.  After a few episodes the camp kids went on their merry way!

We had fun with the sideways game, porcupine game and laying down!  While laying down was a little slow, he put his head down when I asked!  Eventually he went down.  Today I just let him roll. Tomorrow I will be asking him to wait!

We cantered both directions and using my position he went from canter to walk! I am very pleased!  

One thing I have learned from Todd Owen, my Parelli instructor, was to show that I am pleased and Dancer sure responds!

Melting Snow

There is still knee deep snow at the barn. I stepped off the path and found out the hard way!

Dancer has a new friend. Strawberry, a small pony keeps escaping his paddock and ends up hanging out with Dancer.  I'm glad they get along so well. Now Dancer doesn't have to be alone! I have mentioned it to the barn owners that it is ok if the pony stays once the fences are secured....it seems this will be ok!

Dancer is shedding and shedding. Spring must be around the corner.

We played at Parelli for 1/2 an hour on the ground, then for 4/5 minutes in the saddle.  I spent some time working on the ground against the wall moving his front end around his hind, turn on the haunches.  He is doing very well.

 I asked him to lay down, but at that moment the arena was invaded by spring camp kids, so I am putting it off for a more quiet moment.

We worked on walk halt, lengthening his stride at a walk. Trot halt and a wee bit of backing up.

Had a great ride!

We Are Back!

It has been a long time since Dancer and I have posted!

We have had an exciting few years. Last Christmas Dancer was kicked in the central tarsal. He ended up with two fractures and a chip. He had months of recovery and is now well again.

Luckily I had decided to learn Parelli. The ground work, with lots of play, kept us sane.

Well for the last few weeks I have been working on teaching Dancer to lay down.  It is very exciting. He now lays down within a minute of being asked. However, he still wants to roll.  We are working on this and I managed to keep him from rolling or getting up for half a minute by petting his face.  I'll try it again on Monday!