Hi Shirley, Cash is sure looking good! Thought I had already sent this note, but can't see it so am sending again. Cheyanne is such a sweetheart...she is the only foal out of that nice 8 y/o mare I had to put down. Like I said, at first I was not pleased to find out the dam was pregnant, but what a gift this girl has turned out to be. And my old T/B mare is also so dear to me. Am so fortunate, and so grateful...
How is Cash these days? Did he heal up well? Cheryl

Thanks! Yes, he's really friendly! I definately know what you mean. We have a great time riding but I love the quite time we have together. Sometimes I bring a book in his stall to spend time with him but I never get much reading done because he wants all the attention! lol

Glad to hear Cash is behaving himself for you, we have had 5 days strait of over 35C WITH 3 DAYS OVER 40C so it's dryer that an Afgans sandle here at the moment. Not much horse riding after 9 am just too hot !! Have another youngster to re-start, I broke him in 2 years ago and he's been sitting in a paddock all that time untouched. I'll have to see if I can get some pics up of him later . Took him out on the long reins this morning before it got too hot , went really nicely . The Event season starts in march so I started to do alittle work on Itchy ,having to get up REALLY early to beat the heat . Not doing me any harm though , having a battle with the bulge after xmas hoovering up all the tucker. Cheers Geoffrey

It's Friday! The week-end off! I hope you will be able to go for a drive & see your guy.
This week has been 20's (F) as a high & chill at 0 often. Once I'm in the barn it's pretty warm so if I keep moving it doesn't feel terribly cold.
The ice must be especially challenging for you. Is your leg fitting better & more comfortable? I hope so!
With it being so cold, I've been trying to stay home every 5 days or so. This worried need to go check Cash isn't good. It is a short drive but when it's icy heading out on the curvy road isn't very sensible. Even the people with the 4 wheel drive trucks come much less then I do. It's not just the worry that brings me, I do get such a pleasant sense of peace there taking care of Cash and the others as much as I can.
I have been spending part of each day writing letters to try to keep the wild horses free. They did call off one round-up yesterday but the large one of 2500 horses is moving on now.. So far they have gathered about 400. One stallion escaped by getting over a six foot gate (after falling and getting his underarm caught up on the top) Once he finally got over he had to go thru a barbed wire fence to be free. They do not know how bad he is hurt but his whole family was left in the pen. Absolutely sickenlng. And, they don't know what they are going to do with all these horses once they are gathered. They 'say' they are going to send them to large pen areas in the mid-west. They already have 33,000 penned up in Nevada or Utah. The government spends ooooodles of money doing these round-ups and then more $$$$$$$$$$ keeping them in pens indefinitely. They WERE talking about sending some to slaughter but FOR NOW that discussion has been shelfed. I have no doubt it will raise it's ugly head again. It's so sad and maddening cause if they'd just leave them alone things would be okay except the cattle ranchers wouldn't like them free on public graze lands. Money talks! Even when it's whispered to keep the lies hidden.

She is willing to ignore which side I put the saddle on from and holding the horn. So with those issues behind us we are progressing again. I don't think either really matters in making me a good horsewoman. And I'm enjoying my lessons. That little distance between the mane and horn makes everything in my balance feel way off. Of course with any added tension every little thing feels exagerated. As I relax, I can work on that. Last week we worked on paddling my feet while riding. Cash loved it and then he'd move nicer and more willing so "Yes"! This is really where we needed to continue from. This is right where we were with my original instructor when she took time off from giving lessons. She took 6 weeks off cause she was feeling burnt out. She just is coming back to doing lessons but for now I'm going to stay with the Parelli instructor cause in the long run that is what I want. To progress with the ground stuff too which the 1st lady is not into at all. My personality meshes more with the first one but am doing fine with the Parelli gal and we are sorta just getting to know each other. I've had two ground lessons and 2 riding lessons. I'm not using a bit -just the Parelli halter and lead for reins. I have it rigged for a rein on each side rather then one rein but try to use only one at a time. It just feels right. For some reason I relax more and don't feel a need to grab the horn as often. I'm still way behind where I was at my previous barn. I hope one day it will just start feeling right for us and things will be much easier from then on. It's hard to progress at all if you can't keep the horse going. That has always been the biggest thing for us. How do you develope a good seat when they stop every few yards. I'm back to useing the string to hit myself and then Cash if he doesn't go by my seat request.
I don't remember parelli saying to start looking back when mounting. I'm focused on Cash & not really 'looking' but I'm very aware of my surroundings.

HI good to hear from you! I hope the new year will be a good one for you and Cooper and that great husband of yours.
The trick training DVD's arrived but are a weird situation. The play nice as far ans viewing and there is music but you can't hear the lady. She is obviously talking and instructing but you can't hear her. They did reimburse all my money including shipping and said I didn't need to return them. I was told they are probably 'boot-leg' and not reproduced properly? I have no idea. The Brannaman DVD is interesting. It's actually of a clinic he was doing with a few people. He was a wonderful kind hearted man and it comes thru when he's instructing. That has a little scratching or something so that it doesn't play real well in places and they reimbursed all my money on that too which I did not ask for.

I like doing any learning off DVD's with someone else so we can help each other to see little things that can make a huge difference but so far that has not been an option with no one else interested.
I'm finding the cold is bothering a bit more this year but I think it's mostly because my inner heater is burning cooler. I hope that will come to be so in the summer too cause the hot weather is a iller for me.
Initially I was taking turns on which side I mounted but gradually I just quit doing that over time. Getting on and off from opposit sides wouldn't bother me. But I can barely get that heavy saddle up and on Cash nicely doing it with muscles I have built up over the past few years. So when I tried to do it from the opposite side I pulled some muscles and was very sore. I'm still dealing with some pulled muscles or something cause there is alot of tension in my shoulders. No more of that for now. As far as holding the mane rather then the horn, I know this is how they teach it and I do see logical safety reasons for that BUT, I told my new Parellie Trainer that it's just not worth stressing me out 'more' at the beginning of each lesson. Continued:

Happy New Year to you & Cash!!
Sounds like the trick training dvd's will be fun, have you got them yet and started them?
Like you, I have been watching and reviewing the Parelli & Jonathan Field dvd's over and over, as well as at the parellisavvy site. I am seeing little things I missed that might help me when I ever get back to it. Cooper really was doing so well with his training before I moved. It's going to be spring before I get back into training. I usually love the cold for working in but this year seems to be affecting me differently. Guess having no arena will do it too!
You wrote about mounting on opposite side and holding the mane. Parelli says to saddle from indian side (right), learn to mount from both sides and to hold the mane and not the horn. They also say to face the rear at start, grab handful of mane, put foot in stirrup and bounce yourself around into position to be facing forward and looking through his ears, then you are in correct position to mount. I really have been wanting to try this at my lessons but instructors say it is wrong and you have to face forward!! And I haven't been to lessons for 4 weeks, oh boy!
I may have a hard time mounting on the right side too as my knee is bad on that leg :( But if we keep trying and with time we do get stronger and able to eventually do it easier.
I still haven't got to see much of Cooper, with the leg and all.
Guess I better get back to work, it's almost 1 p.m. here and in the office. Boys are out for lunch so I get to play on computer LOL
Take care and talk soon
Margaret

I'm very glad someone was there to help you with the stirrup and that you didn't fall. When I had surgery on my ankle and rode with my cast on, I did a similar thing and slid off the mounting block and right underneath Cash. How did Cooper handle the situation?
Maybe by next winter a better solution for you and Cooper will surface so you can be closer. I sure hope so!
We have a new teenage rider with a new horse at our barn. She is going to some pony club things and has some fun ideas to play around with. I'm hoping maybe she'll let me hang out with her a little. Alot of horse people aren't as sensitive about the age thing but then others are. We'll see how it goes.
I hope something happens to get Cash and I back on a progressive path SOON!
got a set of DVDs on Horse Trick Training and I think that might be fun for both of us too. And I have been reviewing my Parelli packs and will get back on that path for sure...even if it's on my own.

I always find the holiday season difficult. I just get burnt out and nothing about it seems to be as it should be. So u have at least one person on your side with that. But I do hope you had some nice things happen too for your memory file.

Please keep in touch and I hope you find a way to see Cooper more cause I know how good that is for improving the funks!

Hi Margaret! Good to hear from you. Sorry you sound in a funk. A big funk. Things gotta start going better soon for you. I hope they get that new leg fixed the best you've ever had one feel! Dec. 31 would be a great time to get it too! Start the new year off right.
Sounds like you think maybe the traditional training isn't helping Coopers attitude? Very possible. It is so hard to leave our guys in the hands of someone else.
Cash was in his stall too much with his sore leg and he's gotten a little cranky with me. A lady at the barn suggested not visiting with him for a couple of days or at least just do what I had to do and then leave him to himself for a bit. So I've only played with him 1 day in the past five days and today I didn't even go see him. I was in a big funk. Tomorrow I have my third session with a 1 Star Parelli Instructor. So she is certified to do the online things only. We've done one online session and then one riding lesson (not certified but allowed) Tomorrow we will be doing a session of on-line and then a riding lesson. She had to do 50 free hours online with different people/horses to finish her certification so I don't have to pay for those two hours and she is doing an hour with another gal at our barn tomorrow when Cash and I are done. She wants me to saddle from the opposite side, and use the mane to mount rather then holding onto the saddle. I am not liking the idea of holding the mane cause it just starts my whole ride out feeling really off and that isn't what I need at this point to start feeling more comfortable again. I think the program directs you to mount from the opposite side as usual. I figure we are sort of in a trial period right now and if it doesn't feel right then I won't continue. The lady that WAS helping me has taken some time off and I'm not sure when she's going to restart. She makes me feel really good in the saddle and our lessons always have ended with Cash and I both feeling really good about things. Con't~~

Hi Shirley!
Hope all is well with you & Cash.
I haven't got to see much of Cooper lately. Distance, time, health, all kinds of things happening to keep me from getting there. It's hard to walk around right now and have had to use crutches occasiionally. Leg is so sore and they are working on my new one again, it won't be ready probably until next year, 2 or 3 weeks away.
I haven't been doing natural training, someone else has been doing regular training and his attitude has not been good. Even if my leg wasn't bothering me its hard to get to the barn in the winter now.
I think I told you I moved him back to the first barn I was at end of September. The grazing and pastures are better for him, he’s happy and fat . But it's not good for me with it being so far away and no indoor arena to work in. I tried to get on cooper a few weeks ago and he moved away and I got my foot stuck in the stirrup. I didn't fall, the barn manager was there, and got me out quickly. I need to do lots more ground work, de-spooking, tarps and stuff to really try to get him bombproof. I was thinking also of trying to lay over him bareback, since it would be easier for me to slide off (if I can get on LOL)
I am not looking forward to the holiday season, can't get out to shop, need money for that anyway, and not really in the spirit.
If I don't talk to you before,
Have a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Take care and talk soon.
Margaret

hey
how are you? i hope cash is alot beter. ive been really busy these days whith horseriding and ive only got 2 more days of school left!!! ive had friends coming out and weve been going on trail rides and having jump offs{whitch partytime wins every time she loves jumping she gets reall strong on the body and wnts to keep going}
the foal nighed at me the oter day it was cute and i can touch her all over and over people can hardly pat her! she seems to be going brown but its probley just babby fur brcause her nose is black.
ive lso learend that party time is a highly educated stock pony you know when they keep there front legs on the spot and there back legs move in a circle ? wellshe can do that shell stop dead at a canter if ipull on rope around her neck and she can back up bow and has super reflexxs shell turn on the spot in a canter and she is soo fast!
she is my dream horse i love ecverything bout he i just wish she was taller! o well
see ya around!!

i cant get photos up sorry!!

HEY
i hope cash gets beter soon!! we had swine flu over here a while ago and it was preety bad although there was no cases in the region i live in but it seeems to be preety much gone now. jhons foal is geting big shes black whit a star and so fast!!!! ill recon she win all the races! a couple of days ago there was fires about half n hour out of somerton (were i live) there was smoke every where and we were geting ready for fires but the fire fighters got them under control after a bit and we didint even see a fire.. casper and grace are going great they have both got there summer cots and grace is really shinny. party time is great were doing a lot of jumping and hack work and trail riding. and your never to old to ride i no a 65 yearold who trains racehorses stright of the track and turns them into dressage stars and a 80yo man who has his driving licence! frogs have taken over our tolite!! we take them outside and next momet there back!! and there is around 40 of htem when we put music on they all croak and at nite they sit all over the tolite bowll. we dont mind much though its kinda cool. they live inside the flush thing and it looks really dirrty in there but its not coz we clean it . im just saying that for the photo i included!
im not sick and im happy!!
well i hope your well and cash is beter
cheyenne

Hi Shirley, just leaving a comment on my page is perfect. Once I have a little list, we can go from there. :)

Hi Shirley,
Been busy getting back to normal after our cruise. My fiance' left a day after we got back to go help his mother go to doctors app'ts, etc. So I have been batching it, hee hee! Going to breakfast with my horsie girlfriends although I have not ridden yet. We were going to go riding on the cruise in Saint John, NB, Canada but it was miserable and raining so we opted to go back on the ship and enjoy the heated pool and hot tub. Too bad. But other than that every port was really beautiful and we had a lot of fun.

No have not seen mustangs in quite some time but I did put front shoes on my mare and am trying to get to the point where I can go ride. I cannot ride her off the property away from the gelding. MAJOR MAJOR PROBLEMS THERE!!! And I just think she's too old to retrain (24 going on 25) and I don't want to stress her.

I am currently awaiting a load of hay (orchard grass this year) and while transitioning over to one bale of orchard grass my mare got a little belly ache. Perhaps I gave her a bit too much too soon? But she's ok now but now she's refusing to eat it, how can I transition over if she is refusing her food. She's a pretty stubborn little girl too! I'm just on the edge of canceling half the order and going down to the farms about 60 miles from here and hauling some alfalfa./bermuda grass mix and it's much cheaper too! Hmmm, but I do need the grass for my gelding, he's a real snot when I feed him alfalfa so I keep him strictly OFF the rich hay. Only thing is I separate them when feeding because she was losing weight and he was gaining (Mr. Piggie). The winter presents new challenges because I have an open portable stall for her which I lead her in and out of but in winter it's a bit colder and I feel she needs some cover. Hmmm will have to think about this one.

Other than that, things are ok. Of course my back has been sore for weeks now and I'm afraid to stress it out for fear it will go out. Me thinks me needs to go to the chiro. Yes AFTER the hay gets here.

Thanks for writing.....Talk to you soon.
Janet

Thanks Shirley. They are really sweet dogs. Lots of fun !!

Hi, yes funny how what is seen as a curse, turns out to be a gift. Shows you what we know!!!
Cheers,
Cheryl
and yes, Cheyanne does get burrs in her mane and tail, but I'm sure she does it on purpose as she loves to get groomed and fussed over. What a princess.

Hey Shirley--Cash putting his ears back may just be him telling you that he still hurts. My horses used to signal me, and it took me a while to pick it up and understand. Good for you for noticing his signal!!!
May Cash regain soundness soon.

Good morning Shirley, glad it is not an abcess and really hoping Cash is back to himself in the near future. Also glad to see you picked up Mark Rashid's books. I sure enjoyed them. How did the Parelli Celebration go? In regards to the filly in the photo...funny how things work out. I had a nice Q/H mare who was accidentally bred by our Q/H stallion that got loose at the farm. She was in reining training so I was NOT happy that she was in foal. At any rate she had the filly in the photo last May. I ended up giving this filly to a friend of mine (whose horse we had to put down), as we have too many horses. I knew they would provide her with a great forever home. Well, ended up having to euthanize my nice mare about a month ago (she was only 8 years old) as she twisted a gut. Horrible business, but now am sure glad she did have this baby. Am going to post a couple of photos of her in the next while. So, after all that, Cheyanne is a long yearling (will be 2 this spring), Q/H filly and she is a stellar individual. Just a sweetheart (like her mom). You cannot walk into her pasture without her running to see you. We were trying to sneak in there to get some candid shots of her, but she spotted us and just came hustling over. Did make for a fun photo though!!! Have been playing Parelli Games with her over the summer and she is going to be a super horse. Smart, kind and willing. Most of them are though, until they get set back by a human.
Keep us posted on how Cash is making out and will look forward to hearing how the Celebration went.
Cheers,
Cheryl