Novi Equestrian Expo

Very nervous about my upcoming show...will be our first time in front of a crowd performing with some of the best people around here. As the day gets closer I am feeling more and more under qualified. I know lack of confidence is the worst thing I can have for Annabelle and I. The best I can do is be unique.

A Million Ways

I've decided to make this blog post due to common controversy over the training techniques I've chosen to do with Annabelle and every other horse I have come across with. Yes, there are a million ways to train/teach a horse. Has Pat created a way to make a lot of money? Yeah and good for him. Parelli is different from every other technique I have come in relation with. Other techniques get the job done and in many cases it gets the job done faster. I am not looking for a quick fix and at the moment I don't have showing goals. One thing I have learned quickly in the horse world is EVERYONE has a different opinion on EVERYTHING. Kinda like politics, and I try and stay away from conflict as much as possible.
Growing up I was the kid playing with worms, spiders, snakes, you name it I caught it and knew how to take care of it. I was born with a natural ability with all animals, and an everlasting love for animals. I love the bond and the connection, the kind you see in movies. Before Parelli I bonded with animals better then people. Growing up in a home of domestic violence, when I was scared I went to my 'best friend', my cat. I have never taken relationships lightly. Parelli has given me the confidence to talk with people even my peers who used to be the hardest people for me to talk to. On and off counseling since 2005 hasn't been able to give me that.
With that being said, Parelli has allowed me to have inner peace with myself and given me the greatest gift of 'talking to animals'. I'm able to communicate with her, she doesn't always agree, but she still understands me. Something I never thought was possible. I have been successful with Parelli and have no desire to seek out other ways. If you were successful and happy in a company why would you change? I don't mean to offend anyone or any other ways of training/teaching a horse. These are just my thoughts and beliefs.

Fun with grandma

Grandma, Grandpa and Dad came to visit Annabelle and I.

Article

A few weeks ago I was interviewed and the article is here! http://offtrackthoroughbreds.com/2012/10/02/shy-mare-and-owner-connect-up-what-a-team/

RIP Triton

Trying to keep perspective on losing Triton he was an amazing horse with an amazing spirit. I will really miss him.

Back at home

So far I have seen a huge difference in Annabelle. She has so much exuberance that I'm not used to. She came to me today when I whistled to her it was so cute, 3rd day in a row. I miss my Parelli lease saddle a lot. It's going to be hard to find something has good. Wish I could buy one. Going to be helping out with a rescue and their horses I'm excited for that it will be a great experience. I'm going to continue to write in my blog as much as possible. Thanks again everyone for all the support.

We passed!

We did pass our fast track (sorry for those of you who don't have a Facebook) I was so carried away I forgot to post it on our blog. Back home now made it safe and sound and Annabelle has been amazing when we played today we had so much fun.

Day 26- Graduation Day

WE PASSED!!! On to the next adventure! Will be leaving Sunday morning EARLY home on Monday night. Annabelle is spending the next 2 days in a 40 acre hay field to relax before the trip home. I can't wait to see everyone, this trip has been life changing and has tested my emotional fitness. So grateful for the opportunity. See y'all soon!! :)

Day 25- Fast track final day

Wow I have very exciting news so it's hard to write about what a crappy day I have had! Lol. Sorry dor no post yesterday we went to the hot a
Springs! Annabelle was able to participate in the testing, however I was riding a bomb. First off we were walking to warm up and she strikes out. So I tried to disengage her and do some friendly and driving point to point I never got the chance she started rearing striking bucking kicking so for a min I had to let her run around. Then I sent her over the cavelettis it wasn't long before she realized that she couldn't canter or go crazy over them. So I got her more connected. We trailer loaded and she didn't go in all the way but I rewarded her try. Then we did circle game which was really good when the coach wasn't looking and really bad when she was our liberty was AMAZING I got my flying changes lead by the tail and sideways from zone 1. The our sideways from zone 3 from point to point online was awful. Jumping over the barrels were really good hardly any hesitation in my 45 foot line. After lunch I felt terrible my mom thinks I had a heat stroke. And the riding was terrible I couldn't keep her still she wanted to go go go and I couldn't get the connection. Most things were really bad but we have made some really big improvements. I personally have made some huge improvements. Excited to go home. Test scores are tomorrow Oh yeah I didn't forget about the exciting news :) I have been offered and interview about my journey with Annabelle. I will post the site.
http://www.offtrackthoroughbreds.com

Can't wait to see everybody!!!

Day 23- Fast track

Very hard day emotionally, Annabelle's leg was doing worse today before dinner. This morning when I took her out of her pen she was running and bucking around, so I thought things were getting better. But then around lunch time I rode her, her trot was off so I got off. Frustration is my worst enemy and I know it. Testing begins tomorrow (just the written and tools). Hoping she is better by Wednesday. Already in bed because I just wanted to be alone hate this feeling, hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Day 22- Fast track

Another slow day, Annabelle isn't 100% and I don't want to push it before test week. I hope we have improved in the tasks they test us on there has been so much to work on its hard to choose. I came up with my own game today, excited to see how it works with her she was starting to get it as we went along. Had a good talk about people in the "non-parelli" world if they only knew the possibilities, but we can only lead by example. I also have been thinking...as much as I want to do western and cow stuff my RBI(sweet horses, great with contact, and finesse) isn't that kinda horse lol. So...I'm getting into the dressage world. Maybe even do some shows next summer for the experience ;) ;) I'd like to be well rounded anyway so I think it will be good for the both of us. Then I can get my LBE(playful horses always getting into trouble confident) later on hehe. We practiced bridling today as well, getting there but she still is holding it between her lips and teeth little stinker, the task is to bridle from your knees. She will load in the trailer with me on the fender but she isn't confident a comes out fast, still working on that. Tomorrow we go over the theory test and other things. Then Tuesday we have out theory test and tools test. Wednesday morning we have our online and liberty test, in the afternoon we have our freestyle and finesse. Overall these 4 weeks have been life changing, really realizing that it's hard to be away from home, this is harder then being away at school. Emotionally, going through the day to day routine, overloading my brain with learning. Making sure the best me shows up everyday, coming out of my shell has been the hardest, and only I can see that change and progress. No one else here knows that. It wouldn't all be possible knowing I have a HUGE support team back at home. Did you guys know that on average 50 people look at this blog each day, I don't think I can even name 50 people that I would think to look! I can't thank all of you enough without you this wouldn't be possible. I will be home soon..a week from tomorrow around 6-7pm. Change is the only thing in life that is constant, Change is good.

Day 21- Fast Track

Couldn't do much with Annabelle today. I don't think I mentioned her injury to you guys. Must have gotten caught in the bars in her pen. She has a lot of cuts on her right hind and one on her left hind. The left one isn't bad at all but the right is, it has been a little swollen but the first two days she offered the trot and canter. Today I could tell her walk was off so I rode her but only walked around to try and get the blood moving. I also started her on my new food program stay tuned for how it's going. She gets tomorrow off too so hopefully by Monday she is better. My friend and I ordered pizza tonight for delivery I got a $10 box which comes with 5 little garlic bread sticks a small pizza and 5 little cinnamon sticks instead got a medium pizza and 10 of each plus the gave us an extra pizza. It was so much food we have leftovers for a week!

A week from tomorrow(Sunday) I will be leaving and home Monday evening. I am excited to come home and see what we can accomplish. I think it's going to be a hard adjustment getting back to work and not seeing her as much everyday :/. Excited for what is to come :)

Day 20- Fast track

Sorry again for no update yesterday..still fighting a nasty cold and the wonderful bronchitis cough that I have had all my life is here. So everyone thinks I'm dying when I cough..good thing I'm used to it lol. A BRILLIANT day, ha the English folk have gotten to me. But it really was an awesome day I jumped over a jump cantering and got my flying change afterwards then had my coaches meeting...seemed to go well I hope. Then showered and did my hair for the first time since I've been here, and I must say for not being a girly girl it felt great to do my hair lol. We went out to a place called Nello's and my friend Kristen was invited to sing with Tim Sullivan (he sings at Pats bonfires). At the end of the night Tim moved the tables out of the way in the restaurant and taught all 30 of us how to line dance, the waitress were taking videos of us lol. Will be leaving a week from Sunday and I think it will be bittersweet. I am ready to come home otherwise my brain might explode from information.

PS. I got a picture with Linda yesterday, and she invited us to her Liberty Demo and it was amazing.

Day 18- Fast track

It seems like each day keeps getting better and better. With the pressure off I had a ton of fun with Annabelle today and I think she had a lot of fun with me too. No bitting when saddling or mounting. She didn't walk off when I mounted we opened an closed a gate without letting go of it. And we practicing some cantering, Elly (one of the coaches) helped a lot with my cantering in my body and I didn't get the fast trot before the canter since I was a lot more clearer in what I wanted. Overall awesome day, not ready to be in week 3 almost 4...still wish it was week 1.

Day 17-Fast track

Sorry for no post yesterday I was sick and sleeping by 730. I feel a bit better today. Really worked on my fluidity this morning. I was in a demo! I thought I was going to he nervous but being here has done amazing things to my confidence it didn't matter that all of my fellow students were watching me. I just wanted to learn and get better. Then I noticed she was a little sore in the back end and I have been treating a fungus for a couple days. So I hope it is just from that. So this afternoon we had a talk from Ann who really put things into perspective for me. I was so inspired I wanted to go and play with Annabelle. It felt good to not worry about our level 3 anymore. We played online and liberty while others rode since she was sore I didn't want to push it. Then the chiropractor was here, I thought oh good maybe he can get more done with her back. But I have never been more wrong and ashamed at my decision. The second she saw him I saw her expression change, I tried thinking to myself that it will be for the better in the end. She was going to kill him, me, or herself before she was going to let him touch her again. He tried but after no success he said 'we will have to run her to the ground next time' that statement sent me through the roof and I walked away. I should of known that in her case and the amount of months it took me to gain her trust. I shouldn't have put that on the line when I saw her expression. But it made a big difference in how I'm looking at the next two weeks. I don't care where everyone else is and where I'm not. I'm going to be the best me and put her before anyone or anything else. Which brings me to one of my favorite quotes..."saving one horse won't change the world, but it will surely change the world for that horse."

Days 14 and 15

Played in the Parelli games yesterday, we did okay she is still trying to leave at liberty but at least she comes right back. Then I went and did laundry..fun fun. But we stopped at Pagosa feed and I got her a different fly mask, one that she can see through and when I was there I realized I can put vetericyn on her eyes. They were frantically better today hardly any goop and no runs. Last night we went out to the Pagosa brewery and it was so much fun. Christian (who is from Italy) was teaching Kim old McDonald in Italian and then he did the Macarena. I am going to miss all the friends I have made here. Went on a trail ride today and Annabelle did amazing she could lead the cows didn't bother her I was so proud. Came up to bed at 2pm and slept til 630...I am now sick :( and in bed now it's 730 hopefully by tomorrow I will be feeling better. I mean BY tomorrow I will feel better. :)
When I went to see Annabelle after my nap she was tracking me and when I got closer she called to me it was so cute :) and made my day.

Ps that huge drink is a root beer float!