Dancing in the Rain

Yesterday I rode Carmen with Cynthia and Irish. I was very happy with how well we did together. I'm starting to be able to use the tools Royce has given me without having that deadly 'stop and think' pause. It's not like there were no issues but I was able to deal with everything. And because I had tools I wasn't worried or tense so I wasn't buying into her tension and the cycle would end. Instead of having a tense ride with good moments, I had a good ride with tense moments. Slowly the balance is tipping towards a happy horse and rider. 

Today was misty and foggy when Royce called. While I waited for him to come I went and brought her in. She is quite easy to 'catch' these days. I spent some time grooming her and even braided her forelock. Not too long ago it took a while for her to 'consent' to me touching between her ears. When Royce arrived I was brushing her tail while she stood there with her head down.

Up in the ring she was fine. Just before I mounted it started to rain in ernest. Turns out, I've not ridden her in the rain before. It also turns out that she didn't appreciate the sound of the rain pounding on the leaves and grass. She was becoming quite ramped up. Royce asked if I wanted to continue or for him to get on. I decided that it made more sense - not so much that I was worried, but I knew that he could help her sooner.

Which is exactly what happened. When Carmen is worried she starts looking to fight.  It was neat to watch her go from seeking a battle to seeking to understand. In no time he had her listening and going everywhere. He hopped off and I hopped on.  We spent the rest of the time with Royce talking me through how to help Carmen stay focussed. I could barely see because of the rain on my glasses. It was also running down my neck. But we had a job to do and it was getting done. I don't actually mind the rain but obviously I've been avoiding it and didn't realize that it could be an issue.

We worked at a trot and then a canter. Where Carmen wanted to bulge in I tapped with my inside leg and made a wall with the inside rein. After a bit she stopped trying to jump in but then tried to race by. So I had to check her before the scary tree and keep her pace slower. Even if we broke gait, that was fine- just no racing.

We rested by walking the whole ring. I would give some rein and if she wandered in off the rail I just picked her up and brought her back. The idea was to allow her to make a mistake and then show her what I wanted. No holding, no punishment, just showing her what to do. Then when I rode down the quarter line she stayed perfectly straight between my legs and hands.

We finished by practicing some turn on the haunches. She has a much easier time going to the left then to the right so I had to figure out how to help her. A gentle tap with my left leg and a pulse with the rein so she didn't step forward helped a lot. We will practice it more. I was ready to be done.

When I let the horses out I grabbed a mix of carrot tops and overripe strawberries ( the local market saves those and gives them whoever asks for them). Irish saw me and started striding out
Irish: Come on, don't let her catch us.
Carmen: um, wait, I think she has those delicious greens and berries .
Irish: Hurry!
Carmen: you go ahead, I'll check it out.

I threw them over the fence and she dove in. Irish pretended that he preferred the grass.

Yesterday I tried to take some photos. But all the work I've been doing with Carmen on the ground (loose and on the lead) is making it difficult. She wants to check out what I'm doing and fogs up my lens.

I did manage to get her to canter but see her ear and shoulder?
She's cutting back to come in towards me and hang out

I found the poem- I'm not familiar with Holly Jamestone but I love her work so far.

Dance in the rain
With clouds at your heels
Rosebuds refreshed
The calming one feels

Life is the present
There's no need to wait
Throw back the shutters
And unlock the gate

Dance in the rain
As it cleanses the sky
No tears on sun's cheeks
And no need to cry

Life is what's happening
Through clouds or gray
Sunshine or snowflakes
They're all nature's way

Dance in the rain
It's all part of life
Let hope, your umbrella
Guide you through strife

Dance in the rain
And when clouds tend to loom
Welcome their darkness
Into the room

Life is for living
Through storms, joy and pain
Always remember to
DANCE IN THE RAIN

(7-2-2011)
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Holly Jamestone