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!

Day 12- Fast track midterm day....

Ended early today, I had my midterm grade which was a 62. 75 would be like 100, I have to have a 75 to pass but my coach seemed enthusiastic said I was doing well and to keep it up. I held Annabelle's tongue today we did liberty jump over the barrel and played with our circling game. She was good so she ended early too, already cleaned my pen and fed her dinner. I'm thinking about showering now so that after dinner I can crash into bed lol. Another long week and my brain is fried from learning but it's good!!

Day 11- fast track

It hard to believe that week 2 is almost over. I'm having a blast, I'm learning so much. I'm trying to not put a lot of pressure on myself and just focus on the good things we have going. Im excited to get some quality horsey play time this weekend because we have learned so much I feel like I haven't been able to keep up with everything. My instructor told us a great story today about good horse psychology that really made sense to me. They are always playing a game with us. I got my lease saddle finally. It looks good on her but I think I like the lighter color the best. We had a pretty crazy storm today and I've never seen clouds so weird.

Day ten- fast track

Feeling tired and sick today. Annabelle is doing great we learned more rein positions. NO MORE TWO HANDED RIDING (for freestyle at least)!! The simulations are awesome it really shows me how we act like predators and don't even realize it. Now that I finally have a 'slow down' on my gaits I love cantering! And we jumped over a log today it was fun. I cantered down hill (just a baby slope lol). But at least I did it. We saw Linda today and my gosh her horse is beautiful and huge! Also it's bonfire night so Pat was playing guitar and singing. I miss everyone at home..but I love it here. I also got to see one of Linda's students riding Pat's new stallion. My jaw dropped, he was the most beautiful horse I had ever seen.

Day nine- Fast track

Last week it was going by too slow..this week it's going by too fast. I'm having so much fun getting emotionally fit. Really starting to learn and get it. I get this stuff so fast I don't have to try hard to understand it. We did simulations today on rein positions and WOW! Huge difference on how little you have to use your reins you can feel so much in your body and horses are much more sensitive then we are. Just from turning my thumb up instead of keeping it neutral she did and indirect rein. Got to use a friends Parelli saddle today and I tried a little canter in the big arena and it was BEAUTIFUL! So relaxed she was hardly bracing I felt like I was floating on a horse straight from heaven. I put her back after that. So exciting to keep on learning and get better. When I saw Pat today I froze, I smiled but I couldn't say hi and I have been so extroverted since I've been here. Best week and a half of my life so far. I'm so grateful to be here. Link to the saddle video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSVLpgpb_tk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I tried to keep this post a little shorter since my other ones have been super long. :) A picture of Annabelle with the darker saddle (I think I like the lighter one better) and my cabin.

Day eight- Fast track a crazy day

Wow what a day! Learned a LOT about my horse and most importantly my relationship with her. Turns out Annabelle had a serious injury either on the track or at the kill barn numerous vertebrae were out of place her pole was out of place her jaw was out of place (explains the dropping of food) the chiropractor couldn't even check her pelvis because when he was touching her back in her sore spots she was bucking and kicking and in a lot of pain. I was skeptical of him at first but I heard that someone who works here at Parelli was using him for his horse I felt a little better. As he began to fix her she was in a lot of pain and then as soon as it was done for that spot she would lower her head and lick and chew and yawn so I knew it was relief. He asked me if she has trouble with lead changes or riding and I said no...she tries to bite when I saddle her but when I get on she is good and he goes "your horse must really love you" I'm very proud of her and hate myself for not getting her looked at sooner he told me I will have a different horse by the time he is done (don't they all lol). He didn't want to do it all today since she was in so much pain and she was trying to kill him haha. So he will be back next Monday to re-evaluate and finish the rest free of charge. Also the Parelli saddles were here and we test rode one. Annabelle's mane by her withers flipped back as I was riding I was amazing and will never ride her without a Parelli saddle again. Leasing one for the rest of my time here then working my butt off to buy one. The chiropractor told me a lot of horses are thrown off the track because 'all of a sudden' they can't run fast anymore which is due to an unknown injury. He said its very possible that in training or while people were mishandling her she could have flipped over and landed on her back then the training and events that followed (kill barn) didn't help. Thank goodness that she never bucked me off in pain because I know she has been ouchy since I can remember. Excited to see the moves she has when this is all over. He even told me her gaits can feel different because she wont be bracing. Videos on YouTube of the test saddle to come :)

Day six and seven- Fast track

Well had a very emotional weekend. One of my friends horses died from colic which lead to infection, when someone found her rolling her gut had twisted and hours later her colon had burst. My friend had been fighting to keep her alive for 3 days and nights with little sleep. One of the instructors stayed with her and the vet did everything they could. On the last day her tongue was purple (because of infection and burst of the colon) no money in the world could save her. My friend had no choice but to put her down peacefully. She was buried next to Pat's horses with one of Pat's blankets over her, she was only 12. It was so sad for all of us to watch it happen the past couple days. (She passed yesterday). I went to breakfast with her today and I wanted to take her to lunch so we decided to invite everyone, 20 people came and one stood up and gave her positive happy thoughts by the end we were all crying. Wishing her the best of luck on her journey home and her journey after. On a happier note I am having a lot of fun. I never knew I loved people so much. I can tell that this fast track will be life changing. Instructor goals are still in the back of my head, but improving my horsemanship has become my #1. Annabelle's horsenality has become comical to me now, very left brained today. I give up lol as long as I can tell in the moment what she is being and read each moment like it is. I will be more like a horse and a better horseman. As far as living on campus goes...not a fan hate being in the bear infested woods at night with no electricity and no lock on our door.
Overall very excited for the weeks to come. I miss everyone at home I'm sure Annabelle does too.

Oh yes and a couple questions for Lori, DM, Lisa and Tara since you know Annabelle better then people here. Cinching..she's still trying to bite. When I add pressure there with no saddle on she tries to bit me, ulcers? How can it still be that she doesn't want me there? Also on her top line she has been sore to the tips of my brush and I haven't been riding much, less then normal. Her mane is flipped there and a chiropractor is going to be out tomorrow. I have noticed more relaxed gaits bareback so it could be the saddle. Leasing a natural performer the last two weeks. We are both more relaxed bareback. I have heard ulcers can lead to back pain, but also to loss of weight and abnormal stool which she doesn't have. What are your thoughts?

Day five- Fast track

TGIF! Not as exciting learning things today, review on stuff I knew. But I'm starting to really see my relationship with Annabelle. I move way to fast and have too much pressure for her horsenality. I have finally completely settled on RBI I have been through this battle with myself for months because I couldn't see it. Is it possible that her obedience has gotten the best of her. She will push the barrel but is it playful or because she knows I will stop pressure and give her a treat or that she knows it makes me happy. She leaves me in liberty because I am creating too much pressure that she can't handle so she has to leave to escape it, but she comes back when I ask because she knows I will wait for her. Worked a TON in zone 3 trying to get her more comfortable with me there. Trying to make it a sweet spot, with much friendly game all around her body I put her to sleep today from zone 3! I was amazed. She loves undemanding time she loves cuddling when I have established a good connection and trust from the moment I walk in her pen. The hardest thing will be to slow down, and really work on her RB. We backed to the end of a 45, liberty circle game and had a slow calm relaxed canter at the end of my 22!

First picture is the cover-all
Second is Annabelle sleeping from zone 3
Last is reflection of cover-all in Annabelle's eye

Day four- Fast track!

You can probably tell my enthusiasm from the explanation point. Great day, I love learning about horsemanship. I've never felt this excited about learning something. We learned how to tie knots, tie our 22 and halters and we get to carry out 45 foot line everywhere now and if we don't have it on us it is a $10 fine lol. I got my test scores back they weren't great but good feedback. My liberty was a 74 and my theory was a 78, those were my best scores. My online was a 48, freestyle 38, and finesse 20. We haven't done finesse and Annabelle was very extroverted she is finally coming back to her RBI self today after a great demo. Having a lot of fun now! Yay for learning!

PS-DM: my LBE is coming out and it feels great!! I knew I had it in there somewhere I just had to get over my emotional baggage. I'm asking questions like a feen and I don't even have to think that hard....hehe

Day three- Fast track

Today was a much better day made some new friends and Annabelle did really well at liberty. Finesse..eh not so much but I'm not worried about it because we were with most people. She was a complete RBE all day and I felt lost. I want my introvert back!! I used a couple of things Jesse taught me at the clinic in May which helped but she was so extroverted. Then as soon as she got back in her pen and I took her saddle off and her boots she was relaxed and introverted. Can't win lol. It's hard to keep perspective, it's hard to have faith that everything will work out how it's supposed to. Tonight at the bonfire they played Annabelle and I's song...this song is unpopular you can't even buy it on iTunes. There is one video on YouTube for this song. (it's the first song on my journey video on my YouTube) and Pat played his guitar. It was like I was being told I was here for a reason. Kinda cool. Overall good day.

I am going to be posting around 9-10pm mountain time. Which is 2 hours behind Michigan time.