Spooking in the indoor at the open door: In my case I started letting Cash stand in front of this type of door when we were taking brakes (sometimes I'm riding & other times I'm on foot) and he got so he loved watching the things outside and then after a few times he quit spooking at the door.

Hi Kellie, I saw some video of Clinton Anderson training recently and he recommends if a horse avoids a certain area in an arena that you can use that area as a rest spot when you are working them. Eventually they should get to want to go there. Seems like it would work.
What kind of horse is your big black? Beautiful!

Hi Kelly,
One of the gals where I board has a very dark bay Morgan mare. She bred it to a nice Friesian and got a mare that is now 3 or 4 yrs. old and really neat. Beautiful to look at, especially when moving and such a nice temperament. I love how the Fresians are usually the first ones in the pasture to walk up and say "Hi". And their mane and forelock, awesome! What does he do when he spooks? Try to run off and swoop and slide sideways? Does he usually get control right away?
Today I was having a lesson in the indoor arena. It was very windy outside and Cash kept trying to watch and avoid the big door/gateway to the outdoors. He spooked a few times when I lunged him and then would canter really fast. She suggested that I make him keep cantering if he wanted to blow off the extra energy. He got better quick. When riding, I could feel him get nervous when we went past the door but he never did actually spook. The instructor had me do half circles, circles and serpentines rather then just going around and around the arena. He soon was paying more attention to following my direction then thinking about the door. Yeah! That was cool!!
Do you have someone sharing despooking tasks to help you? If not I can share some other things I got from clinicians.
I started riding Cash when he was just under three and bought him when he turned three. He just turned 8 so we've been through a lot of green things together. My impression of him is that he went through a blind faith stage from 3-4 and then got smarter & realized there were some scarey things out there. It seems like we have taken turns growing in being braver.
I always wanted a horse when I was a little girl. When I turned 15 and was able to get a part time job, I started saving for a horse. My girlfriends dad said I could keep one at their farm if I bought the food . So when I turned 16 I got a little 15 yr. old bay mare. Story short...I did not know how to ride well at all and had no help in understanding what makes horses tick. My Velvet didn't like a novice on her back making her very unhappy and naughty. She fought me all the time! Her favorite thrills were to run me under tree limbs and then straight for the barn to try to brush my leg along the barn wall. I had no idea how to better the situation but I kept riding. Then I got married and started a family. I wanted to stay home to be a full time mom and that meant a tight budget. I decided it was best to sell her under the circumstances. I figured I'd get another horse when the time was better. My husband kept encouraging me to get another horse. At one point he put a nice saddle on lay away for me and said, "Get your horse" & I didn't think we could afford it. Then he tried to get me to buy a beautiful little black yearling and I didn't think we could afford it. Some time went by, our three kids grew up and were on their own. Before he retired he gave me a nice chunk of money he'd safed from working over-tiem and said "buy your horse." I didn't think we could afford it and then I thought I was too old. The money went in the bank. Then things did a major turn. My son started dating a gal with a horse, then she got a second horse and had me come to see and then to ride and then I got spun off in a big bolt and run off. I decided I should take some lessons.
Within a couple of months I started searching for my own. Then I found Cash which I almost didn't buy cause I kept hearing friends say you can't ride a three year old...green on green makes black and blue. For several reason I just decided he was the horse for me and now it's been 5 years and I still think he was the horse for me. I went through a few stages of thinking I was never going to succeed with my young friend. But the thought of not having him in my life would make me more determined to succeed. I got alot of help while boarding at a training barn and then I started home study classes done by the Parelli's and even though it's been a long trip, it's been worth it. It's very satisfying knowing that we have progressed and learned together.
Ride ON!
Shirley

hey i bet he is very good in dressage and he would look very beautiful..
i am starting jumping lessons...
with my horse indy..she jumps 85cm
What breed is he? and would you like to be friends?

courtney xx

Hi Kelly! it's the week-end!! I am excited about tomorrow. One of barn friends (the one that has the half Friesian) is getting a new 8 year old. She is an off the track horse, Promise. She does not seem to have any noticeable issues from being worked hard in training for racing. She is going to be added to Cash's pasture family and I like to be there....just in case there is problems. I find it exciting watching how they all interact while trying to get used to everyone on the playground. Gets my adrenaline going!
I don't want to give you the wrong impression of Cash. He was trained when I bought him and a good boy but when they are just three and done with professional training there is still much to work through as they are confronted with new things and new stages of life. They may know riding techniques and cues but that does not prepare them for all the things they'll encounter for the first time with you/us, their rider. Nothing but putting the miles on them gets them to the point that they have 'been there and done that' and become what some call 'bullet-proof' (which I don't believe in)
For several years before I got Cash I drove by this very nice boarding place a few miles from my home on my way to and from work. The horses got top notch care and all looked very happy. healthy. frisky and beautiful. It was a highlight of life to see them all the time. I heard they were closing the stable. Soon after that I drove by and all the horses were gone. I got a big clue how much I'd been trying to ignore how much they meant to me when I had to pull off the road and have a big sobbing cry. Kinda silly but it was one of those wake-up calls that we give ourselves when we aren't being true to ourselves.
I totally understand what you mean by being proud to tell you'd fallen off 5 times. "I can do it" "I don't break that easily" Football players hit the ground repeatedly at every game and head in for more cause they love the game. Actually horses have taught me that I'm not as fragile as I'd thought. Each boo-boo and bruise and scarey moment that turned out okay were kinda gold stars. For a few months while I had Cash I was allowed to play with an abused, very large, very scared horse. I was scared he'd freak and he was scared I'd act like past humans but there was a deep bond with him that will always be with me. From the first night I met him when he'd been brought to the barn and left in a stall we had an instant trust of each other and it was sort of like a fairy tale story. But it did not have a fairy-tale ending. My experiences with that horse are a long touching story that I'll save for another time.

I seem to have a fear of loosing control more then a fear of the real possibility of breaking something from a fall .

Thank you for the compliments that I am being a little helpful to you. You will soon be giving out advice and sharing your accumulated horse knowledge. Sometimes the hardest thing for me to do is keep quiet when I want to help and my advice is not requested. I hate it when people pipe in to help and they do not know the situation well enough to be offering advice. When I respect someone as being a good horseman I'm eager to receive advice. Unfortunately it is often 'the wanna be's' that are free with their unhelpful advice. What is the saying " Free advise is worth just what you pay for it?" Often true!
It is nearly 2:00 a.m. and I can't stop yawning so I'm off to bed. It will be time to go meet the new mare before I know it.
Shirl

Thanks for such a nice note and please keep me filled in on your progress and I'll do the same with Cash and I.

Hey why dont you add more photos? lol
and is your name thing (still green) does that mean your horse is still green lol..

nice horse down a bit..

hey Still green

oh now i understand..
yea my mum is like that she is getting used to riding again coz she had a really bad fall..it was a TB we were riding along a dirt road and he got spooked and reard and mum fell off back wards and she hurt her head and nearly broke her neck sooo yea..
Oh my experience..well i have been riding since i was 3 or 4 and now 11 turning 12 in August and i am starting jumping..but i used to jump at sshows and stuff luke that but then we moved and i quit so now i am getting back into it. but i need to get my confidence back up on jumping...

ourtney xxx

Hi Kelly. Frank Grelo is a super fellow. He was taught in the past by the famous (now deceased) Nuno Oliveira in Classical Dressage. If he coming to your stable..please take advantage and join in. Frank will teach any rider of any level. The way that we improve and learn is by taking each step...whether as a spectator and/or participant. We are all green till we take the steps to improve and succeed in each stage. Then we in turn help the new "greenies". Where is your barn and when is Frank visiting?

Hi Kelly,
Is that your big black beast? He/she is really nice. Is he/she a Friesen, Canadian???... Got pics of you astride. Amanda

your horse looks realy preety:)!

HelloOOOooo There!!
I see You've joined the "Rusty Riders"
Very Glad to have you as a member of the group!!
~ Barby

Hi Kelly..I knew you would love Frank and his clinic. Frank does a lot longing and fast work. It seems that once you "let go" and relax..ones balance improves and any fears of staying put on your horse (for whatever reason) are lifted (if speed in itself is fearful..or the percieved lack of control under certain circumstances). You get the "raw" side of one's seat by riding "by the seat of your pants...correctly) ...then it's back to complete control and finesse. I rember one time he sent me off at an energetic canter around the arena with out my reins until I relaxed and stayed stuck to the saddle and when I could breathe again..ha ha (he had the longe whip.)...he then said "Amanda would you like to stop now?" I said "yes"...he said.."well now take a deep breathe, sit deeper...pull your shoulders back"..I did..the stallion stopped perfectly on a dime!!!! He never approaches teaching you ...like you don't know 'cos you have never done that before.....he can throw you into a class that is doing a half pass (and the others and the horses know how)..and soon if you get the aids right...Voila...you can do it !!! Glad you had fun!!!

Hi Kelly!
I thought I'd replied to your last message but there is no evidence of that so something didn't go as I'd expected. May just be a malfunction in my brain file. But, I'm too young for that!!!!! Not so!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway....How are things going?
I see from Amanda's note to you that you went to a clinic. Love to hear all about that. Did you ride or observe? Did you take the big black handsome fella? What new stuff did you learn?
I think the last I wrote we were getting a new TB, Promise. She has a new name Demi. Fits her better then Promise did. She settled in pretty easily but it could have been better....or alot worse. The first night we wondered if she was going to be a weaver but after three or four nights she quit pacing at the front of her stall so that ended up not being an issue. The second day she got kicked just right on her upper leg and had to get it all cleaned out and a few stitches. Then they noticed that the stress was causing her to tie up...hold her stomach like she was cramping/colicking...so they put her on pain med for the leg and Ulcer Guard to help her tummy. After that everything just got better each day till she seems fine. She is a little buddy sour with one of the mares in her pasture. I think that will improve when her new owner can spend more time with her. The owner was sort of in remission from some on-going health issues and it appears all the commotion took a toll on her cause she is not feeling well again. She is the same lady with the 4 yr. old half Friesian and a yearling that is Morgan/Warm-blood. i asked and she gave me permission to play with both of them and to ride another horse of hers but for now I just want to work with the first two on the ground. The one she said I could ride is the momma of the other two and is Morgan. There is a couple other people paying some attention to her so for now I'll not do that unless I just take a ride on her to get the feel of another horse besides Cash. I think that's interesting, fun and good for me. I've waited over a week to do anything cause I kinda wanted her to be there the first couple of times I did anything with them just so she could give me some information on them but she just isn't making it to the barn much and when she has made it out she's been tired and not able to stay long. I hope she adjusts and the 4 horses aren't too much for her. She has a full time job too so that is alot of horses needing her time. She may lease out the momma to a gal at our barn.
There is an exercise that Parelli teaches that is interesting. It really helps with gaining a good seat and more confidence.. They have you saddle-up and hop on as normal and then cue the horse to go but let him go where he wants to go but just keep moving. They have you start out at a walk. If the horse starts going to fast they have you stop them with the one rein stop. So you learn how to do that safety move which is an important thing to know. Then when the rider feels good about that they have you do it at the trot. And stay at the walk as long as you need to. don't go on to the trot till the walk feels safe and comfortable. It is good at building a good seat and keeping your seat in transitions. I need to do that more at the trot. It's too easy to forget about this kind of basic stuff that really makes us sound riders and then go on to regular riding. As long as things go smoothly that is fine but we need to know how to respond when things don't go so smoothly. And once you feel it and know you can handle it our confidence blossoms. I'm really kinda sharing as I'm thinking on the cues cause I should do more of this. I have used the one rein stop a couple of times when Cash got excited and said "oh boy! Let's go!!" He wasn't spooked or being naughty, he just seemed to think I was ready and he wanted to. I do ride with a loose rein alot which is what we need to do with this exercise if it is going to really work the way it's suppose to.
I'm hoping to ride Cash around the barn-yard or just outside the outdoor arena later today. I think/hope it is time to start being a little adventurous and spread our wings. Cash has been waiting for this for such a long time. But I had to be ready too cause I know there will be new experiences facing him/us and I need to be a brave leader to keep him feeling safe when he does encounter something threatening to him. Like a new cow at the neighbors or spooking a deer up on the lane or a newly placed haywagon with a bright orange tarp swaying with the wind or a turkey flying up. Those are things that I know we;ll encounter and then there is always the unexpected.
Hope to hear some horsie adventure from you soon.
Shirley

HI Kelly! I sent you that long message last Tues. and I was all excited about all I was looking forward to doing and this nasty bug worked it's way into my little body and stole my energy. From what I hear, I'm not alone, many have been his victim. Sooo all kidding aside I've been pretty whipped. I did groom the Friesian one night so we could get a little acquainted. The next night I worked with the yearling just rubbing on him and desensitizing him to being sprayed with bug-sprays. I just used water so I could spray very freely. His mom told me he'll rear/rare?? up at the spray bottle. I was able to get it on his front shoulders, neck, and chest with a great attitude from him so I called that good two different nights. I did ride inside one evening several days ago as the temp was just cooling and it felt so good. I didn't get home till 10:30 that night and didn't want to quit then. Friday night I was just really missing playing with Cash so I went to tell him HI and fix him baggies. Two hours later I was coming home. We played off line and had much fun. Cash was in a very cooperative mood and did all our stuff in a soft and easy manner and then would just come over and get a carrot bit and it was just pleasant. One of those times when it feels like they really do like you too. Made me feel better.
I'm hearing if this cold thing doesn't go into complications that it's lasting about 10 days so I'm hoping each day now will keep getting a little better and then maybe by Thursday or Friday I might feel lots better. HOPE HOPE HOPE A girl can always have HOPE. Right?
Shirley

Did you make it to the clinic you'd talked about?
The picture is of grape vines at a winery in Traverse City, Michigan. They are covered with this fine meshing to keep the birds from eating them. It was very beautiful. People can bring their horses here to board while they are traveling. I'll send another pic of the hotel area, This is called Black Star Farm. I joined their wine club so I get a couple of bottles of wine from them 4 times a year and sometimes they ship the members bottles of wine that were from small batches so they sell out very quickly. So far I have gotten one like that and it was fabulous.
Looking forward to hearing about a good horse day from you! Shirley

HI Kelly! I just realize....Kelly Green! Need some sleep. I jsut spent an hour writing you and answering the questions yoiu put in your last note to me and I hit the wrong key and poof!! It was all gone. And I was just signing off too. I was actually checking for typos. How disappointing.But I'll have to try again tomorrow. 3:15 is a bit late to start over again.
Take care and enjoy!
HOpe you are doing okay with your long term guests. Wow!! Eight weeks!! I hope they end up being nice and fun.
Take care!
Shirley

Okay now I have written three messages that have gone poof and disapeared.
Cash and I are doing well. We did ride outside of the ring and he's more feisty and that will help me learn to be a stronger, more active partner for him. He was very good but turns into a "go" horse that I am not used to. It's all cool!
I hope you enjoy your guests and make some nice memories to put away in your memory file. I don't do well with guests staying right with us. I get over stimulated and very uncomfortable. It's kinds sad really cause I miss out on alot of good times.
Things are going well with my two new equine friends. They are very different from each other and even more different then my Cash. The Fresian is strong willed and can be quit intimidating but so far I have held my own and gotten her to do what I ask even though her initial reaction is "make me" I made her but didn't feel too confident about it. I hope next time she will remember and be nicer about it all but I don't see that as being her character till I prove myself to her to be a strong leader. There's a challenge! The yearling is easier and I have spent more time with him. So far he's much more comfortable with me in his stall with him and me with a brush in hand and useing it all over him and then the spray bottles with just water. I have never been with a horse that was scared of all those normal things but my Parelli training gives lots of help with that kind of stuff too and I am vrey much enjoying the progress that's being made. He's getting much braver. He's very curious and I allow that behaviour so that's fun for us too. He's starting to like me. Can't say that for the Fresian but I'm not discouraged cause I've had such little time with her. It has taken three weeks to start feeling myself at all and I'm still not totally over the cold thing.
I hpe yu get to spend more time with your horse then you originally expected.

Continued. ...I figured I'd send that much before it disapeared never to be found again.
If you get a chance, look at some of the information on the wild horse progress. There is a bill that in the works that is trying to put the mustangs back where they were 30 years ago. They have been running them off and taking them off their land for that long and many horses have been killed in the process. There have been big threats in the works by some of the government agencies that looked like the mustangs were going to be even further reduced in numbers and amount of land they could be on. I'm very glad to see things looking like there may very well be an improvement soon. The bill has passed the house and will soon be on to the Senate for their vote. It is just amazing what has been going on in the west by the very organizaton that is suppose to be protecting them It's really horrible. I so hope a good change is in the near future.
Anyway, please drop a note when you can and fill me in on your horsey goings on. Giddy-up Girl!
Shirley

Darn that ground is hard!

I think Cash spooked?? He went right, I went left and down.

I went to ER. He stayed at the barn.

He did stay at my side till they moved him to help me get up.

I am sore and bruised but not broken.

He seemed glad to see me when I came to let him see I was okay

and get some bug spray on him and a few kisses. He nickered as he hurried to the gate!

The leader of his pasture was taken down last week and on solitaire rest now

with a very damaged muscle on his hip. Actually knocked the old guy off his back feet

and they had to pull him back up with Bionic woman power.

Can't wait till I'm able to hop on that nice copper back again.

Vicodin certainly makes the world a better place ....

Still Green! How are you doing? It's been too long since we've touched base. Are things okay with you? I hope so. I have healed and am riding again. We are having a late warm period here so I'm not getting in much time in the saddle as I'd like. It is just hot and humid enough to make me feel whipped. The mosquitos are horrible. Every night I come home with more bites.Getting bit in the indoor arena too but outside is miserable so I have been coming in. I don't even like leaving Cash out to graze. The picture is just a couple weeks old. The barn manager wants Cash to come in a little before the rest of his pasture buddies cause he keeps getting all excited and running around which gets all the pastures running around so then they come in hot sweaty and full of it. I'm glad, I'd just as soon have them come in a little earlier.
Hope to hear from you soon and that everything is okay with you.
Shirley

Kelly!!! Good to hear from you again. I hope you got to do lots of fun things with your extended stay guests.
Sorry to hear 'The Big Black' is having problems. Do you think he could be mad at you for being gone so long? Is his owner able to spend more time with him now that you are back so you will be able to start riding him soon? I hope your time schedule will allow you to spend lots of ground time with him.
If you want to participate in an active group on Barnmice, the one called "Am I an old fuddy duddy or something like that is interesting and often entertaining. There is lots of disagreement and everyone is trying to be polite about the differences in opinion. We aren't always successful and that's when it gets rather entertaining. Then there is another group about horse mentors, should you choose one or more and who do different people like. That sure jumped around and again folks get a bit testy and critical and defensive. Personally I'm finding it a great way to expand my ability to express my opinions even when I know they will be ridiculed and disagreed with. That is big for me! I'm liking being more outspoken....finally at my age! Better late then never.!!
The horses I had mentioned to you that I was given permission to play with are leaving the end of this month to their very own home. Their mom has just 16 days to get the fence up. The four stalls are spoken for as of Oct. 1 so they gotta be gone from my barn.
Between my cold and then the injuries from the fall, I did not get to play with them near as much as I'd hoped. The Morgan mom was supposed to be sold but at the very last minute before money was to change hands, the horse spooked on a lone trail ride and dumped her new rider.Right after she came up lame with a abscess so the expectant buyer backed out. Fortunately the owner didn't really care if she sold or not. Owner and potential buyer are friends. The owner doesn't really want to sell the mare unless it is to someone that just absolutely loves her and thinks she is great. That was originally the feelings till the two issues came up. I'm sure she thought it was a bad omen telling her to not do it. She has a different horse coming this week-end that she's very excited about. She's getting a young small QH instead of a mid-age large Morgan.
Anyway, so when you take lessons now will be riding different horses?
I'm happy with my lessons. I've had two now since my fall. We are working on consistently moving forward instead of stopping whenever he feels like it and increasing the pace of his walk and decreasing the pace of his trot & all that is going good. I've also on my own been trying to get him to back up faster. I think that takes a bit of trust in me on Cash's part.
I've got to get some pics of the 4 horses that are leaving.
Cash has bulked up this summer. I don't know if he's 'just' muscling up or if he's putting on more weight. I don't want him to get any heavier.
It is cooling here in Michigan. It was 50 F when I got up at 9:00. At 1:00 it is 63. I hope to get in a good amount of time riding this afternoon.
Gotta run. Gotta get some vacation reservations made.
Keep in touch!
Shirley