Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team

Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. Mandi has been doing very well.

Physically, her wound has completely healed.

Emotionally, she has definitely figured out her new life. While she still isn’t too sure about other horses, she has definitely checked her emotions and has settled into the routine of the barn. With people – she loves to be groomed, to be coddled, and also loves doing anything with her handler.

She has two riders now, myself, and another volunteer.

Last night I rode Mandi in our indoor arena with 2 other horses. Initially she was a bit nervous, she wanted to know where the other horses were at all times, but she settled in and we even did some “pairs” work with the other horse. Mandi was guarded, but never took a step out of line.

Afterwards, we all sat in the center of the arena and chatted, giving Mandi the time to relax amongst friends.

It was a positive experience for her, and one she took well.

Whoa, exciting times at the barn yesterday! Had tons of chores to do, and then took a lesson on Mandi.

Initially Mandi was a bit nervous when I took her out of her stall. There was a ton going on at the barn – few boarders tacking up and walking their horses down the aisle to ride outside, a lesson going on in the arena, and another rider riding around the perimeter of the barn. Mandi isn’t used to so much hustle and bustle, so she was on edge. She never did anything naughty or out of control, but she was a bit alarmed and tried to step forward in the cross ties a bit. In order to help her, I allowed her to move, but passively corrected her by moving her right back to her original spot. Once things quieted down she was fine.

I did longe her very lightly in our roundpen while waiting for our lesson. I don’t use that space often because I do find it a bit small, but Mandi actually liked it, and it seemed to relax her. So from there I took her to the arena and we started on our lesson.

We did a ton of trotting, and really worked on Mandi’s ability to bend – through her body. She very much just wants to brace her neck and plow along. So I was tasked with unlocking her neck, and her body. It was hard work. Physically, but really more mentally, which is why having a trainer there to keep encouraging is so helpful and priceless. So once she started getting it, even a miniscule amount, i’d give her freedom by loosening my contact and letting her stretch. A few times of that, and then a walk break, she licked and chewed and thought about it, and when I picked her back up in trot, I got a few more really good bends.

We then worked on the canter some, which was great. By then Mandi (and I) were pooped, so we did a  long cool out, playing on bend at the walk on the long rein.

All in all it was a great lesson. Mandi is a very sensible horse, and she tries real hard.

Mandi had a really fun ride today.

One of the rescue’s members came out and was able to take some shots of us at the beginning of our ride. Photos never turn out well in our indoor, which is why she stopped trying. I probably should’ve ridden outside to get better pictures but I wanted to stay out of the sun, plus a couple of training opportunities were available in the indoor, and I wanted to take advantage of those.

Mandi got to ride with another horse in the arena today. Not only that, she also got to go over poles, one on the ground, and one slightly raised. Because of these things, plus having an audience, she was a bit spooky, but nothing bad- she just scooted forward a time or two and then relaxed.

The poles- she trotted over it a few times, but also took the raised one as an itty bitty jump. It was cute. She’s not so sure if she wants to put in the effort to go over fences, but she did try, and she was rewarded.

We also did some canter work, and after everything, we gave her a bath.

All in all it was an awesome day!

Mandi and I had a really nice session today. We started off with all the basics we’ve been working on. Once on her and warmed up, I decided to start teaching her how to do changes of direction at the trot, serpentines, circles, half circles, figure 8′s - anything to get her to start understanding the change of rein and all that encompasses. She did really well.

When it comes to overall balance, her left shoulder is the heavier one. the left side in general is where she wants to lean.

So with that work done, I decided to ask her for canter, and asked her to go to the right first, knowing that is easier for her on the longe. She doesn’t have a canter cue, so we trotted into it, and I kissed to her, using the same cue she knows on the longe. She picked it up just fine, and kept it for a few rounds. She’s your typical green horse- unbalanced. But no funny- business. So, then we went the other way, and after doing some shoulder moving work at the walk, I asked her to canter to the left. That direction was a bit tougher balance wise, but she did it willingly.

Had a nice long cool-out, grooming session, and then dewormed her.

She was a good girl for everything.