Is It Friday Yet....

Spent most of the day at the stable, keeping my pony company. I let her go free for a little while, while cleaning her stall every day and she always stays close by, looking what I´m doing, keeping me company. Any other horse would jump and buck around or run off after being locked up in a box for two weeks, not the munch pony though. She is still her gentle, well behaved self - she even ground tied herself and didn´t move after the rope glied off her back.
Longing very much for Friday so I can let her out again with her herd and start playing with her again next week...gotta keep up the positive thinking....

Continued Boxrest until Friday

looking much better... still feeling frustrated though...
Vet will be back on Friday to check on her wound, unfortunatelly it´s not the nice one coming so maybe I shouldn´t bring my hopes up to high...

A Forever Horse

 

A FOREVER HORSE:
Did you know that less than 1% of horses are lucky enough to have a forever home? Horses give unconditional love and loyalty to their owners, t...he least we can do is commit to them and ensure they never know cruelty, neglect... or hardship. When their time comes, whether it be through injury or old age, they deserve a dignified end instead of having to endure the horrors of the slaughterhouse; their last emotions shouldn't be that of fear, panic and terror! The only way to guarantee your once loved horse doesn't end up on a plate is to be satisfied with them no matter what, and commit to them for life.
A FOREVER HORSE:
Before you consider or think about adopting me, realise I am a FOREVER HORSE.
I am not an.... until you get bored or lose interest in me horse.
I am not an.... until your child goes off to college or finds boys instead horse.
I am not an.... until I get old horse.
I am not an.... until I get lame horse.
I am not an.... until you have to move horse.
I am not an.... until you get a new younger horse horse.
I am not an.... until you get pregnant horse.
I am a FOREVER HORSE.
If you cannot promise FOREVER, I am not your horse.
I have been through too much already.

A Few Thoughts After the Aintree, UK Horse & Soul Tour Stop

A Few Thoughts After the Aintree, UK Horse & Soul Tour Stop

Parelli Aintree Volonteer Pic

Jenny emailed this picture to us yesterday :). Pat on Grey in the background.

Smiles Througout the Day

Keeping the pony company during the morning and again in the afternoon. I took a little afternoon nap in her box yesterday and when I woke up she was all cuddly and soft. Her wound seems to be healing very well now. I got some special honey from my savvy sister Anna from the south yesterday. Her and her man Gustaf came up for a quick visit which was super fun.
I´m gonna write more about the magic honey later, need to try it first.

Even though Milva is sick, life is still very good right now and I can´t stop smiling :)).

Vet Check...

 I forgot Milva´s vet appointment this morning - this never happened before... I still had a hairmask while eating breakfast when I got her phone call, the only thing left to do was putting a red plastic bag on, sprinting to the car and off I went.
The wound looks much better after last weeks infection. Milva still has to be on stable rest until next Monday, then we will see what the vet says. In case there is too much wild flesh growing she will cut it away but we don´t know yet...keep your fingers crossed...
I´m gonna order the Photonic Red Light next week and will use it for her recovery as well.
While doing my stable chores this mornig - with the red plastic bag on my head, I met another border, after a quick look at me she commented - see, if anyone else would walk around with a red plastic bag on their head I would wonder but because it is you doing it I don´t think it´s strange at all.... OKAY....lol

That´s What Friends Are For....

 

Helping Anita to take out the horses in her stable this morning. Anita, Hanna, Anna and Malin took care of Milva while I was gone.  It was super fun to see Orkan and to meet Nelson again. What a lovely boy this big guy is - I think I´m in love ;). Stable breakfast afterwards - nothing tastes better than breakfast in the stable.

Parelli Aintree Liverpool 2013

“It’s more than just about the horse,” reflects Linda Parelli. “It really dips into the personal development side of things. You learn about yourself, you learn about communication, about leadership, about truthfulness, about consequence and responsibility. You learn about love and imagination. The horse becomes the animal that tells you the truth about yourself in all these categories.”

It was an honour to work with such a fun and positive group of people! Being surrounded by like minded people is powerfully uplifting and we had a blast all weekend!
Monica and me worked in Jenny´s group in retail, which was a very pressureful job, 8 people in retail serving 2000 people but I think we all would do it again in a second. The teamwork was outstanding and everyone kept a positive attitude throughout the whole event.
We got there thursday at noon. I travelled with Anna and her sambo Gustaf and at the airport we met Monica, whom I shared room with.
We stayed at the Premier Inn at Albert Dock, right next to the Beatles museum and very close by to the Titanic museum (Maritime museum) and the Liverpool museum.

I haven´t laughed so much in ages!! We fell asleep giggling and woke up giggling so now my new nickname is giggles ;).
It´s interesting how certain  people can trigger the extrovert in me cause I sure was very far away of being an introvert this weekend.
The working hours at the event were long again, but we know that before hand. Friday we started at 9.00 am to 6.30 pm, Saturday we started at 6.45 am to 07.00 pm and Sunday from 7.30am to 08.30pm which included the dinner with all volonteers and PP at the Aintree´s Jockey Club.

Friday evening we went out with two english friends and one friend from Norway and our swedish group including Patricia from my stable, Anna, Gustaf and me and Ralph from Austria.
I only knew Hayley and Julie from Fb and it was super fun to meet them irl!
Just love my Parelli friends!!!!!

Happy Valentines!

Off to Liverpool/Aintree tomorrow to volonteer at the Parelli Horse & Soul tour.
It´s gonna be a super fun weekend shared with dear friends.
I´m gonna be sharing room with Monica, whom I met in Sälen a few years ago and then we worked together at the last Parelli Celebration event. Patricia from my stable will be coming as well and so will be Anna from the south (there are so many Annas in Sweden you need to put something extra on their name), also we gonna be going out for supper with Hayley and Julie, whom I haven´t met irl yet but we have regular contact otherwise and we gonna meet Sandra from Norway as well.
For being a LBI and not social at all ;) - I do have lots of contacts it seems....
Milva will be taking care off by her little private slave army - Anita, Hanna, Anna - Paulina, Malin.

Dressing Changed

Looking good :)
Strict boxrest is definitely overrated ;)
It was a nice young vet who came to change the dressing. She was patient with Milva, who behaved btw very well, and had a completly different aura compare to the other vet.
The vet will be back on thursday to change it again, that´s when I´m in the UK so Anita is so kind and will take in Milva.
It doesn´t feel quite alright that I´m leaving for the UK but I really really wanna go...

Leg Problem - Fixed

Thanks to Ulrika from http://dramahastar.blogspot.dk/ I fixed our leg problem. Ulrika encouraged me to trust in myself and see there, a little change in my attitude and the problem was fixed.
Now Milva is standing still again and acting like the well behaved horse she usually is. I still let the vet coming tomorrow though to change the dressing cause the whole episode will be paid by Milva´s sickinsurance anyway so I might as well use it.

The Girl And the Horse

Big Epiphany!!

I had a very good talk with my mentor PP Petra Christensen about Milva´s defensiveness when it comes to her legs/hooves.
I tried to cut off a bit of her dressing today which had come loose and Milva became very defensive when I tried to touch her sore leg.
It kind of surprised me becaue I "assumed" (mental note - never ever assume things) that Milva completely trusts me - especially because she is laying down on command which I thought must be one of the biggest sign of trust, well think again....
When a horse is defensive about their legs they really havent 'let go', this will cause you issues when riding sooner or later, so better fix it now. It really means you havent won your friendly game yet and that's game number one! She tolerates but doesnt accept...
I had a blog friend tell me a really powerful story about James Roberts. He firmly believed in the horse being 100% ok with his legs before starting them under saddle. There is also a video online from a guy Pat learned from, its on youtube
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=p9_TithvFIs&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dp9_TithvFIs
Back to James Roberts.

He got a horse in that had bucking issues and he told his apprentice to get to the feet first.... Nevertheless, his apprentice got bucked off and James said 'which foot was sticky when you picked up his feet?' and his apprentice said the right front... and James said 'that was the foot he pushed himself into a buck...'

I thought that was one of the biggest epiphanies I ever had, thinking about the fact that if they dont truly 'give' you their feet they are holding back their trust and are not 'letting' go...

Another level of the onion to peel ;).

I called the vet again and her assistant will be coming on Monday to change the dressing. No need to discuss with Milva and maybe damage our relationship by doing so.

Speedy Recovery

Milva seems to be doing fine. I started her with her antibiotics orally and painkillers in the form of powder, mixed with sugarbeets and a bit of oats. Giving Milva medication orally is not a problem - luckily. I always did alots of friendly game with a syringe so she absolutly doesn´t care.
I was at the barn a few hours in the morning and went back there for a quick visit in the evening together with Anita.
Milva is all cudly now - more than usual and we took a little nap together at lunch time.
When I took her out for a brush and scratches she started to walk towards the riding house for a playsession - our daily routine...awwww little munchkin....
It snowed some more today and the ground is still frozen so she still can be outside with the herd. Fingers crossed that the weather won´t change now.
I´m heading to the UK next week for the Horse & Soul tour where I´m gonna be volonteering - or so I hope. Should Milva´s condition change I will stay at home of course...

Oh Milva....

My little warrior pony got the glorious idea to protect our herd of two today and picked a fight with another mare in the turn our stable next to ours who dared to look at me. Milva reared up and got her hoof over the wall and got stuck with it, when she pulled her leg back she got this big cut you can see in the picture.
She couldn´t stand on her leg for a while and it was bleeding alot - me going RBE thought she is gonna die - yeah, I know...what you mean I´m a nurse ;)....
I called the vet and she got stitched up - 2 stitched internal and 10 outside. I did have a discussion with the vet though who was very rude and I´m sure not gonna use her anymore - not that I think she would come to us anymore anyway... She screamed at Milva! Seriously?? NO ONE, is gonna scream at my horse. I never scream at Milva so dare anyone else doing it.
I told the vet very firm but polite not to scream at my horse because she doesn´t understand what that means anyway and if she screams one more time we can quit right there. It helped - she didn´t say another word and I guess my vet bill will be much higher than it would have been otherwise.
My horse, my responsibility, my money, my rules - very simple!
I remember so many stories where horseowners get unhappy how the vets or farriers treat their  horses - well, stand up for your horse! Your horse sure can´t say anything - it is our responsibility to protect them. I don´t care what they think about me but I do care what my horse thinks about me!
A big thank you to Anita who came by with coffe and cake as soon as I mentioned that I´m waiting for the vet and stayed with me all afternoon and assisted with the treatment even though she didn´t feel so well herself.
Milva is now back with her herd and feeling much better already. She is on antibiotics and some reduced painkillers. Boxrest is not an option for us even though it was of course highly suggested.
Yeah, I know - I´m a nightmare client ;).
Thanks to all of you who sent messages during the day, especially one particular person... it sure helps to get so much support!

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

“The Four Agreements
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don’t take anything personally.
3. Don’t make assumptions.
4. Always do your best. ”

“The human mind is like a fertile ground where seeds are continually being planted,” writes author Don Miguel Ruiz. And that is why books like these are so important and refreshing!

I have read a number of Buddhist books in my life and The Four Agreements is very much like all of them in its simple philosophy of Right Living.

“We make the assumption that everyone sees life the way we do. We assume others think the way we think, feel the way we feel, judge the way we judge, and abuse the way we abuse. This is the biggest assumptions that humans can make. And this is why we have a fear of being ourselves around others. Because we think everyone else will judge us, victimize us, abuse us, and blame us as we do ourselves. So even before others have a chance to reject us, we have already rejected ourselves. That is the way the human mind works.”

The ideas are extremely simple, but incredibly profound and sensical. It's a practical guide to communicating with yourself like a child. The Four Agreements are these: 1. Be Impeccable with your Word, 2. Don’t Take Anything Personally, 3. Don’t Make Assumptions, and 4. Always Do Your Best. This coupled with mindful breathing and loving prayers, one can become a Spiritual Warrior in the Toltec tradition.

These kinds of books are important for reminding us that we are all very much alike in our programming, that we can find personal happiness by lifting our personal fears long enough to see them for what they are, and that we deserve to feel the miracle of heaven around us. This world can be either "good" or "bad" or neither through the prism of our own eyes, and regardless of our programming, that lens is focused by our power of personal choice. The Four Agreements isn't just a meaningful reminder that we can be happy, it's also an extremely condensed read that can be absorbed in a day. It makes the possibility of reading it over and over again probable.

“We must forgive those we feel have wronged us, not because they deserve to be forgiven, but because we love ourselves so much we don’t want to keep paying for the injustice.”

One of many incredible insights into a magical guide towards self-love.

TTeam & TTouch clinic At Gustavsborggård in Skåne

http://www.ttouch.com/

I mitten av maj kommer Robyn Hood, Linda Tellington Jones syster, till oss för att hålla häst- och hundclinic.
Datum inte helt bestämt än, men runt den 16 maj.
Vi ska försöka ha en tvådagars hundclinic och en tvådagars hästclinic med förhoppningsvis en gemensam dag för TTouch.
Priser osv meddelas senare.
Du kan komma med eller utan djur.
Vill du låna häst så har vi ett helt gäng underbara PRE att välja bland.
Här av dig snarast om du är intresserad att vara med.

I read Linda Tellington Jones´ books when I was 12 years old, when I turned 18 I did a course with her in Austria and used it alot on my old horse Tjelvar - not so much on Milva I have to admit, but this will change.
My plan is to bring Milva to the clinic as well - but let´s see if I really dare too ;).
So looking forward to the course anyway! It´s gonna be super fun and interesting!

First Trail Ride

First trail ride on Milva today - a big thank you to Patrica & Tinka for being our lead equipage!
On a personal note - I just spent a wonderful,  magical weekend in Halmstad with the most amazing man - having tons of butterflies in my belly - Life is Good!!!

Please, Come Back Winter

 

 

Soul On Fire

“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”

Promise Yourself

“Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing
can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel
that there is something in them
To look at the sunny side of everything
and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best,
and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others
as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past
and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,
and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world,
not in loud words but great deeds.
To live in faith that the whole world is on your side
so long as you are true to the best that is in you.”
― Christian D. Larson

Warrior Pony

When I came to the stable yesterday morning Milva was like always waiting for me at the gate. Only this time she almost gave me a heartattack. Her whole head was full with blood. She has a big cut 5cm long above her eye and it´s quite deep too and the wound was open. Because of the skin being so thin around the eye I decided against stitches, also it already started to heal up while I was there in the morning. After I cleaned up her head ít din´t look so bad anymore.
For exercise we are taking alot of walks right now. I think we both need a little break of our level 4 attempts ;) and just hang out instead.

Winter Love

Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind,...

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Kærlek - Love

30min liberty session this morning.
For a warm up we played stick to me and everything was going fine and she was tuned in with me...until I asked her to circle, off she went to the other side of the arena, crocked her leg, closed her eyes! and fell asleep...really Milva.... well, I guess I have to blame myself cause I rewarded her when she did it the last time...lol... and that I rewarded her this time as well and gave her lots of scratches didn´t help either I guess...lol...but then again, who cares! Whatever makes us happy!
When we did play the circling game she choose to canter immediately - because usually we stop after she puts in some effort in cantering ;), super smart pony, isn´t she. After giving me 3 laps in each direction and one flying leadchange we stopped - of course. So it was a very short session after all ;).

Snugglebug!!

Did I mention that I LOVE my wonderful, beautiful baby!!
-15 this morning, well it felt like -15 ;), the same temperature as yesterday. As you all know as soon as the cold kicks in Marion is getting an extra energy kick and off we went...
Warm up with a brisy walk around the pastures. You just gotta love winters!! It even snowed a little bit. I´m wishing for a tons of snow on my days off so Johan can take some magical pictures of us again ;).
This week we have been playing lots with draw towads me and now she canters towards me with her ears forwards. The funny thing is as soon as I don´t run back in a straight line neither does she and then she is doing flying leadchangs while coming towards me! How awesome is that!!! Talking about being a natural! At one draw back I got 3 flying leadchanges in a row. When I called her breeder to tell her once more that she sold her way too cheap to me and how awesome and intelligent Milva is her reply was - as always, that´s what she is bred for, it´s nothing special.
Well, it is very special to me! Milva is just a magical little pony to me!
Milva´s breeder also said I should stop calling her pony...lol...
Oh and also the barn owner was doing some work in the ridinghouse when I was in there and she gave some really good advice about collection and how to build up muscles right.
So much information...need to put in some extra hours Parelli next week...

Early Morning

Yesterday - warm up with a walk around the barn, playing touch-it with all kind of machines.
20min online on the 45`, circling game, change of direction and draw towards me in trot and canter to get our change of directions better, especially in canter. Milva offered one very nice flying lead change.
Today we played for only 15min mostly in walk.
In the aftenoon I went up to Halmstad to visit our 1* PP Sofie and picked her brain.
On a side note - Patricia, Hanna and I got some nice closets in the turn out stable for our things.
In mine I have most of my Parelli ropes, the bare back pad, a red step up stole and a bucket of oats in the step up stole - the pad on top of that.
When I muck out (which I still do every morning, even though we have a mucking schedule - talking about being a perfectionist) Milva is always loose outside the stable, munching hay, checking out things, teasing the other mares that are behind the fence,.... also, she has been watching me getting the oats for her.
This morning she sneaked up to the closet, always having an eye on me, opening the closet! pulling out the stepping stole with her mouth, pushing away the pad and the lid of the bucket and munching away oats. There wasn´t much left and she looked so adorable satisfied so I let her - guess I just tought her it is ok to open closets...lol....but that´s ok, after all she is my spoiled bratt ;).
For my memory - I bought a salt stone and a mineral stone last week for our horses.

Milva trailer - Hilarious!!!

Our neighbour thought Milva and I need our own little trailer....too funny!!!!
Note at the end - script written by Milva - ain´t that the truth...lol

Blue Hour

Love this picture!
Yesterday playing with liberty and then online. Milva was mighty tired of my liberty sessions and left me a few times to walk in snailspeed to the other side of the arena and then she fell asleep there.
Instead of motivating her or calling her back I went to her and gave her some long scratches and we just stood there, after maybe 20min she was ready to play again.
Do not have a timeschedule when you play with LBI ;):
Today I took her for a walk in the mist. I had actually planed to ride her but forgot about the dressage trainings that take place every Tuesday mornings.