Golly Jeepers

Only 5 blog posts all last month.
Sorry bout that.
It's just been so nice out - warm, mild, everything is blooming and spring is in full swing.
Been playing with Eddie every day, riding every day, working some more on lightness & softness - basically refining everything and building up a strong foundation to start some new things. We'll be doing lots of cantering this spring/summer, just waiting for it to dry out, and we've been working on our flying lead changes over a pole (groundwork). He's getting better and better, because he picks up the right lead now and changes within a few strides if he doesn't.
Well, I'm sorry for the lack of posts, but it seems the more I move away from the computer, facebook, blogger, forums, pinterest, the more I actually get done. Hey, whattaya know?! :-) I started a book that I've been writing in and researching. I finished my final and passed for Applied Equine Podiatry. Next month mom and I go to Florida again and then in August I graduate! Then for a graduation present, mom and I are going to see Buck Brannaman up in Bristol, WI. Stoked for that.
Well, maybe I'll post more this month, but if I don't - at least you will know what I've been doing. :-) I haven't disappeared, I promise!

Spr-ummer

Spring and Summer put together = Sprummer! And that is what we have been having this past week. The weather finally broke today and it looks like it's going to be cooler and cooler with every day that goes by.
Let's see... A lot of things have been goin on lately. Hence, my lack of postage. :-)
I'm starting to drive more and more after putting it off and forgetting about it for the past year. lol! But yeah, time to get it done and get my license when I'm eighteen. Good gravy, do I really turn eighteen in two months? Yikes! And that means we leave for Florida again in two months! Wowza! I don't know if I talked about it in my last post, but mom and I are headed to the sunshine state again instead of going to Pennsylvania for my next Equine Podiatry course. It will be fun - especially since we've been there before and we will know what to do and where to go.
Besides that, I've been reading, riding, playing, studying, biking, walking, riding some more, sweating, shopping, and last but not least working. Working = doing chores and trimming. Oh yeah, that's my kinda work! :-)
Anyways, I've been reading the latest issue of Eclectic Horseman and as usual, it is packed chock full of golden quotes, sayings, and ideas. Here is just one that stood out to me:

"Discipline happens before, punishment is after. A horse doesn't need punishment." -Buck Brannaman

I don't think I've ever run across a Buck quote that wasn't thought-provoking and utterly true.
Here are some pictures of Eddie and I when I rode yesterday and the day before:

Weee! Jumping!

Too hot for cowboy boots

Me & Eddie

 

Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Legacy of Legends

Wish I was there. The annual Legacy of Legends event was this past week and horsemen such as Martin Black, Buck Brannaman, Wade Black, Reata Brannaman, and others showed their horsemanship, worked with horses, and worked with cows.
From their website:
"Clinics will be organized and presented featuring students that exemplify the spirit and ability to communicate a level of horsemanship introduced and taught by Tom and Ray."
http://alegacyoflegends.com/
Our good friends went and said that there was incredible horsemanship all week long. I can't explain how much I want to dive into that horsemanship and learn all I can about it.

Lately I've been so immersed in Equine Podiatry, my horsemanship has taken 2nd place on my horse priorities list. And that's not a bad thing. I really need to concentrate on getting my degree this year. But next, I really, really, really, really, REALLY, want to improve with my horsemanship. Ever since I stopped Parelli, Eddie and I have been making progress, a lot of progress. But I never want to stop learning from our amazing teachers - the horse. God has given me an incredibly blessed life and I want to honor Him with it. If that means dedicating my life to the betterment of the horse and reaching out to their owners to show them God's grace, I'll do it. Gladly.
The Legacy of Legends this past week has shown me how badly I want to continue my horsemanship. It's a lifelong commitment.

Colossains 3:23
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

The Release

"It's the release that teaches."
Is a common quote amongst horsemen. It summarizes that vital moment in communication when you let the horse know what he did was right.
I've been working on that lately, because I have gotten vague in my direct communication with Eddie. I admit it, I've gotten a little bit rusty. Either that or I have nothing to compare or measure my capability with, unlike when I had Parelli to measure every nuance of my communication.
I'm listening to the horse now... And Eddie is a professor compared to a kindergarten teacher. He tells me EXACTLY when I'm doing something wrong or when he doesn't want to do something or when I am asking something wrong or with too much pressure. He is the horse. He is setting the standard high and I am climbing to that height.
Anyway...
It's the release that teaches.
Ride with 10% physical and 90% mental. - Buck Brannaman
I'm determined to get that right and release the exact moment he tries.
Lately, Eddie hasn't been wanting to follow me when we go from outdoor to track to paddock. But I don't blame him because the footing is terrible everywhere. Instead, he meets me at the gate. Eager, verses dragging his feet... I think I'm starting to get this. He knows where the good footing is. Or where the good grass is... lol! Anyway, when I do ask him to come up with me, I'm using small amounts of pressure and the moments he leans forward or I see a shift, I release. Even better.... Fix the cause.... Not the symptoms. That's what I'm taught to do in Equine Podiatry. Why not with horsemanship? So... My homework: Learn what causes Eddie's reluctance to move and create harmony between us so that he doesn't get left behind me.


Harmony - That should be my next blog post! ;-)

Wisdom from Ray

"In the boldest print of all, remember the word THINK. Be aware and alert, visualize what you want. realize you are working with a mind. A lot of people think it's just a horse, but there's a mind operating that horse. This mind gets him doing things because he wants to do them. Or you teach him to do things he doesn't like to do but feels he has to do them anyway."

You can't judge a book by its cover. And that certainly goes for Think Harmony with Horses by Ray Hunt. It's this itty bitty brown book that looks like it could be more of Beatrix Potter's illustrated stories than wise wisdom from one of the greatest horseman who ever lived.
In this little brown book, I've found a lot of truths that have changed my horsemanship and shaped it. As Eddie and I progress into more advanced things, these truths are more pronounced and I have to make sure that I continue to live by them.

I used to measure my aptitude in horsemanship by my ability to do things more advanced people could do.
Or I measured it by how many things I could check off a list.
And then I measured it by how happy Eddie was. That wasn't too bad of a way to go, but it was left to my own interpretation. As you can imagine, some days I got it right and some days I got it wrong and misjudged his mood.
Now I've switch my mind around, I did a 180 and after reading a phrase in Ray's book this morning, and after thinking about it long before that...
I don't 'measure' it anymore. We are where we are and that's good enough for both of us. My goal with Eddie and with all horses is for us to someday be in perfect harmony.
Then there's Ray's quote: "It's like a light at the end of the tunnel. It gets brighter and clearer all the time."

We'll always be working towards it and once you get a taste of it (which we have) you'll be chasing it for the rest of your life. You'd rather do that than eat.


~Lea & Eddie~

Sidepasses, Ray & Buck

Sorry for disappearance. I've been typing like crazy for the past three days. I wrote up three pages for my Applied Equine Podiatry online course, and then I went on a writing rampage in my 7th book and wrote about 30+ pages. So, my fingers are a little tired and I keep making spelling mistakes by hitting the keys out of order. lol!
But that doesn't mean that I haven't been doing anything with Eddie! Quite the contrary.
For the past three or so days I've played with all the horses and usually several times a day. Eddie and I go for a long trail walk in the morning, maybe it includes a little ride. Then in the afternoon I play with Diesel and take him for two laps around the property at a working walk and trot. He is really getting into it and yesterday we even did it all with long reins. He is such a champ.
Yesterday, I rode Eddie for the greater portion of our play time. 45+ minutes and we were working. I think he liked it and I liked it too. We did hard things that I usually avoid or think that they are too big for us. Not anymore. We were doing sidepasses and when I asked him for the trot, we even did two to three steps sidepassing. He never ceases to amaze me!

This video (in the first 10 seconds) shows you what we were doing. Granted, it did not look that fancy and Eddie was not that collected. But we did it nonetheless and today we'll work at it some more.
I've also been reading Ray Hunt's book over again - Think Harmony with Horses. I tell ya, I could read it over and over.

So, that leads me to my next blog post that I will post tomorrow. I gotta think about it first and make a list. Goals for 2012.
I'll let you know as soon as I make the list. :-)

Lotsa Cows

I have had an epic realization lately and I haven't really blogged about it at all. Yet.
You see, Eddie likes to be the herd leader. He liked to literally herd the ponies. He just did it today when we brought them in off of pasture. He runs behind Scout or Diesel and chases them/moves them to where he wants them to go. Also, he did it yesterday. I was inside, but mom said that he herded Scout into his own paddock and kept him there.
He knows this stuff. He gets it and does it naturally.
So, why not encourage it? I've been teaching him some cutting moves on the ground. Just basic things like rollbacks, fast back and forth movements and such. But hey, he can do it so much better without me teaching him! He just does it!
I'm really hoping that in a few years Eddie and I can go to a Buck Brannaman clinic. My mom and I really like his stuff and we're keeping each other grounded. We're not going to put Buck on a pedestal like what we did with Parelli. There are other great horsemen out there and I would just as soon go to a Mark Rashid clinic too. Only Buck has cows. Lotsa cows!

In order to go to one of his clinics though I need:
1. Money (lol!)
2. A Trailer
3. Eddie to be able to go alone and be ok with that
4. Prepare for it by going to a Martin Black clinic or going to the forest preserve a bunch of times.

And I know this isn't going to happen overnight. Heck, it's probably not going to happen for a few years. But God knows and I'm just trusting that some day Ed and I will be able to go to one. It's my new dream. :-)

A friend said on my facebook:
Once the horse knows to hook on to the cow, all you do is hang on and don't take you eyes off the cow!
Very cool.
I suggest that you all go to amazon and buy Buck's documentary. I've watched it twice and could watch it over and over again!

hehe, I also have to get myself a ropin' rope!


~Lea & Eddie~

Open Wide

Most teens my age have to have one big thing done after they get their braces off.
Any guesses?
They're big.
They're annoying.
And they have to come out.
You guessed it!
Wisdom teeth!


Today was my lucky day and I got they pulled this morning. I actually feel pretty good! Lots of jello, frozen pea ice packs and watching Buck Brannaman's documentary on the tv.

So hopefully I'll be able to get back to normal soon. I haven't seen the horses since this morning, but that's ok. It's one day. And besides, they ran around enough yesterday to tire them out today!

As I was watching Buck, I got the 'rancher' itch. Me, Eddie and a herd of cows. Some day, some day....


~Lea

Invisastyle!

Invisible long reins.
Changing eyes.
Going for walks.
That about sums up my day with the horses!
And the first two are from Buck Brannaman's DVD on groundwork. Let me tell you, I see a difference already! Especially with the changing eyes.
Eddie had a little bit of a hard time with it at first. He didn't really get where to go or what to do. But with quick releases and lots of reassuring, he got it. If you want to know what changing eyes is, go to this website and get the DVD! Or you can just buy it from Buck. He can explain it a lot better than I can.
http://www.giddyupflix.com/detail.php?id=282
http://brannaman.com/


Then we did some long reins. INVISASTYLE!

lol!
I would walk behind Eddie (and I did it with Scout too) and direct him with subtle cues. It was really awesome and I think both of the horses liked it! It was a lot easier too because I didn't have to worry about muddy lines.
:-)
I definitely recommend trying it! It's a lot easier than it sounds and the horses love it!

I played with Scout afterwards and we ran around out in the pasture. Trot. Graze. Trot. Graze. Trot. Graze. Trot. Graze. Canter. That was Scout's mind as we played. The grass was long, lush and green and he wanted to eat it all. But we trotted over some cavaletties and then went into the outdoor to do our invisastyle reins. I think he was a little confused and was thinking "Why are you following me?!" But he did good and whoahed when I dropped my energy.

They are such good boys! It was such a nice day, it didn't rain at all!


~Lea & Eddie~

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

EDDIE!

WE GOT TO PLAY TODAY!
YAHOO!!!
It's been 8 days since I have last played with him.
I think that is a record.
But ya know, he did ok! We didn't really have to do many 'refresher' things and he was eager to play and do stuff! We went in the pasture and just ran out there together. He bucked. A lot. He jumped around. A lot. But he was having a good time, so I just let him be crazy. :-)
After that we went for a little walk by the south line. Aka the scary, zombie-filled brush line. Eddie did ok though. We walked up and down it a few times and by the time we were done, he was feeling pretty good about it.

Also! I picked up The Faraway Horses by Buck Brannaman again. I read the first few chapters about a year ago and I honestly thought it was rather depressing, so I put it down. Well, after realizing that the book has to get better because Buck is an amazing horsemen, I picked it up again. About halfway through it now and it is amazing! Learning a lot and it's just a really good read. I definitely recommend it!
Buck has been through so much and he has such a positive outlook on life and has moved past so much. I really admire him and can't wait until he comes to Southern Wisconsin (Sunflower Farms) in fall of 2012.

So yes... A day that I get to play with Eddie is a good day indeed! <3

~Lea & Eddie~

Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart,
      I test the mind,
      Even to give every man according to his ways,
      According to the fruit of his doings.

Buck Trailer

Just thought I'd share this video again.
I can't wait to buy the documentary! Buck has such an amazing way with horses.

I want to be like that. :-)

When you think you need to use the reins more...

Well today was just totally gorgeous! Cool, sunny, breezy and just perfect! So, I took the day to play with Scout and Eddie and ride them both too. And Eddie proceeded to teach me a lesson.

Scout and I went for two liberty walks around the track. We cantered a lot, raced each other (of course he won) and I let him graze in the corners. Then we went into the outdoor and just rode around. Trotted here and there, walked over cavaletties and gave him some cookies. :-) A perfect, relaxing day with my super adorable pony! <3

Eddie and I played in the pasture and cantered (on the ground) quite a bit. He was pretty spunky, so I let him run around before we went into the outdoor. Also, we cantered because he's getting a little chubby. ;-) I don't like to admit that, but he is. So I put him in the outdoor for a little bit to graze it down and I think he thought, "I have to be in the Jenny Craig paddock?!" Yes, Eddie... poor Eddie...
We went in the outdoor and rode for a while and I learned a lesson. Eddie was pretty... opinionated. Which is not a bad thing. I'd rather have an opinionated horse than a dull horse. So the thought crossed my mind as he was pulling on the reins, "He needs to respect my reins!" The dominator in me came out for about two seconds as we walked a lap. Then the image of Buck riding his horse in his documentary appeared in my mind. Everything was at peace and he was offering a really good deal to his horse. The phrase popped into my mind out of nowhere:

Just when you think you need to use the reins more,
    You actually need to use them less.

I don't know where it came from. Maybe it was the inner-horsewoman coming out in me. Let me just say that I'm never going to forget it now.
So.
I laid the reins over Eddie's withers and crossed my arms. I only used the reins when I felt like my safety was in jeopardy. Like when he spooked at a shadow from a vulture overhead or pushed open a gate that led out of the outdoor.
Things went much better.
Naturally.
Duh.
He was relaxed, let out more sighs and was more responsive to my subtle leg cues than he's ever been. If you're a rider, then you know that legs cues can only be so 'loud' to a horse. They have to be subtle or else your leg would be floppin' up and down like a fish outta water.
Like Buck says:

“When you’re younger, you ride with 90% physical and 10% mental. But if you could learn how to use 90% mental and 10% physical you’d be better off.”

I think we all would be better off.

~Lea & Eddie~

Psalm 119:165
Great peace have those who love Your law,
         And nothing causes them to stumble.

Looking to the Future

Lately, Eddie and I have been making HUGE progress! It's like I'm finally immersing myself into a new realm where we can set high goals, achieve them and soar. I know that was poorly worded, but I can't really describe it. Here, maybe if I explain what what we have been doing lately things will be more clear.

First of all, Eddie and I have been jumping and cantering a lot. Wow. Am I actually saying that? Cantering? A lot? Yep I am and it is because I am confident and Eddie is ready.
Second, Eddie has taken up a new game. The cutting game with Scout! We opened up the round pen so now he has a very large paddock. It is SO nice! They have a ton of room to play and kick up their heels. Literally! Eddie was chasing Scout and cutting him. Going back and forth, you know, cutting!
Third, I'm really, really starting to like the idea of going to a Buck Brannaman clinic in the next two-three years.

After seeing his documentary and hearing great things of him from our friends at Karmik Acres, I really like his approach and he is just a legend. Well, I guess there are lots of other horsemen like Mark Rashid or Martin Black or... I know there are others I just can't rattle them off at the top of my head.
But yeah, I'm shooting for going to a clinic with Eddie sometime. We have lots of great friends and they are very willing and generous with their trailers. And I think Eddie would be ok. He hasn't left the farm since April 21st, 2007 but after seeing Diesel leave and come home just fine, I think Eddie would be ok too. We'll see. God knows what is in store for us. :-)

~Lea & Eddie~

...And Summer's Here

Temperatures in the upper 90's, humid, slight breeze... Yup, it's summer.

I took a day off with the horses yesterday because it was hot and we were so busy. My mom and sister went shopping and I was home alone. Naturally something eventful happened...
Quack, quack!

8 little ducklings were huddled together in the round pen. I gathered 6 of the up (2 ran off) and mom and I took them down to a wildlife rescue. According to the gal at the rescue, they had just hatched and according to dad, he saw a dead mallard duck on the road, on the way to work.
Poor little dears! So, I saved more than half of them and I feel really bad about the other 2, but hopefully they'll show up today.

Then, we picked up my friend and she came over for a while!! It was really fun and even though it was so hot, we just hung out with the horses and hosed them off.
After a few hours, we packed up and headed to Barrington, IL to see Buck the film!
It was so amazing and I really, really liked it. The film was well done and the more and more I see of Buck and Mark, the more and more I want to learn. They are so humble. They're so quiet, and truly understand horses. Buck is coming to Karmik Acres in September 2012, so I'm really looking forward to that!! It will be phenomenal!

Today's another hot one, so we're keeping the horses cool, going swimming and just doin chores. Oh yes, and I'm also looking for a nice outback hat to buy! :-)

~Lea & Eddie~

Really Excited

Today was the sort of day when you just want to be outside ALL DAY LONG!
So... That's what I did!
At 9am I trimmed Eddie and his feet are looking superb. That made me really excited to start trimming more horses for a job. I already have 14 horses waiting until August when I take my next hoof trimming class. Which is KC's course and then I'm going to take another hands-on class by Ida Hammer. Hopefully over winter I can also do KC's online course. So, I'm very excited about those things!

Anyway, at noon, Eddie and I went out to play.
He was SO sleepy! We played out in the pasture and did a few small things until he woke up. Then, we jumped lots of things, did a weave, cantered together all over the pasture and I let him graze some too. I got LOTS of pictures, so I'll have a picture post coming up after this one.
We went into the outdoor from the pasture and we rode in there for a long time. We trotted a lot, worked on some sidepasses and he was a little goofy/clumsy, so I was trying to get him to pay attention to where his feet were. I think if I had some poles set up in the outdoor it would have helped, but he was so tired I didn't want to ride too long. Believe it or not, we ended up riding for 40 minutes and ended on an amazing note! I tried to put a few things I learned from Buck Brannaman's book, Believe, into practice. Like using a little less than what you think it would take to get it done. I'm really excited to start being more light with Eddie. He can feel a fly land on him, but won't respond to a little pick up of the reins. I know it's me, I just have to become more aware of the braces I hold in my body or the cues that I unintentionally give him.
:-) Yay, something new to work on!

Next, I played with Diesel in the outdoor!
He was rather tired too, so we didn't do too much. We trotted around together, stood on the pedestal went through a narrow space and he took a little lap at the trot. He is such a good boy and he was so confident, he even bit my finger! lol! Even though it was unintentional. :-) It was still funny!

Scout and I went for one of our fun liberty walks! He wasn't so keen on the walking part. More on the "Hey, there's grass over there!" part. We trotted together and then I let him rip and run into the pasture. I could just imagine him going, "YIPPEE! YAHOO!!" as he cantered into the lush, green, grass of the pasture. We did some weave out in the pasture together, stood on the pedestal and took a few laps at the walk and trot. He was just so excited to be out there, I let him have room to move around and take big mouthfuls of the nom noms.

So, it was a WONDERFUL day and I can't wait for tomorrow. Looks like it's going to be just as nice - if not nicer! hehe, is that even a word? Ah well...
Hope that ya'll are having a great week!

~Lea & Eddie & Scout & Diesel~

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything there is a season,
      A time for every purpose under heaven: