Stick To Me - Awesomeness

Milva and I played and grazed for 2 hours today. A little while ago I started to let her go free outside the pasture when we do our grazing time. She always comes back to me when I call her or when I engage her hindquarters. Which is pretty cool I have to say myself. So while she is off doing her thing I often read, work on my suntan and if no one is looking I do some yoga.
Today there were people riding in the paddock though so I couldn´t do any yoga and it was too hot to read. Milva grazed in the big field and out of boredom I started to walk around. Obviously Milva must have thought I got too far away cause she started to talk again and came trotting after me :). Luckily the 22-foot line stayed on her back. I always put it on her back while she is grazing, if it falls down and she steps on it she figures herself out which hoof to lift to move forwards. She is never freaking out about having the line between her legs or if she gets all tangled up. Anyway isn´t that just the coolest thing that she came trotting after me??? When I kept on walking she still followed me - ignoring the lucious grass around her!!!
After walking around for a while and having her following me like a dog I sat down again and she started to graze around me, getting farther and farther away. Instead of calling her back to me again I started to walk in the opposite direction to see if she would come running again - and yes, she did :))).
I have to say that was the best undemanding time we had so far :).

Milveroni At Midsummer

Shawn filmed Milva coming to say hi to me. She is always like that - even without the carrotbag in my hand.

June Shipment

June DVD: "Lots of Learning with Linda"
Kat and her horse Gruly, a Left-Brain Introvert, have a lesson with Linda on ground skills, psychology, fluidity, and saddling.

Mastery Lesson
Lesson 1 - Energy Management Through Time and Space
Lesson 2 - Ask Linda: Taking Care of Remmer

Audio CD:
"Horse-Man-Ship"
Pat discusses the definition and the deeper meaning of the word "horse-man-ship."

Summer Summer Summer

It´s beautiful out today. Finally summer has arrived in Sweden! The horses are doing fine in the pasture. Not giving them any extra hay was such a good idea. Milva is finally loosing her babybelly.
So today we did 1 hour of undemanding time. I had her loose outside and was reading a book while she grazed around me. Everytime I thought she got to far away I called her and she came back - sniffing me and wondering what I want, then she blows out air and off she goes again to graze some more, same reaction every time. How wonderful isn´t that??
I wonder how many people can have their horses loose like that and call them back any time? Especially Trakehners... I read alot in the german Trakehner Forum lately and it seems to be that a lot of people have problems with their Trakehners....hm..... I wish it would be possible to transfer Parelli into their brain. It would solve so many problems...
Oh well, when the student is ready the master will appear.
We also did a very short session in the ridinghouse. Circling game in both direction - walk in snailspeed. But she did give me 3 laps in each direction and waited for me to call her in so I was satisfied with that.
Well and then we played a bit with the spanish walk and kneeling down. It was alot of chewing and yawning for her - nice!

Back To Work

After having 9 days off I started to work again today, therefor just a short playsession with Milva. We worked mostly on the spanish walk and kneeling down. I can see some progress coming :).
Malin offered me a lovely mare for trial. I have to think about it some more though. I´m not sure if I really have the time for a second horse right now.
It´s kind of tempting though cause the mare competed in high classes in dressage but after a while the owner couldn´t handle her anymore because of her bucking - especially in the canter. She is checked from several veterinarians, x-rayed and nothing is physically wrong with her. My guess is that she is just another missunderstood horse with a strong character - typical mare I guess.
Well, we will see...

Back In The Game Again

I think I slowly get out of my depressive phase. Phuuu...it takes alot of energy to be sad so I didn´t had much energy for anything else. I´m not saying I´m totally through it but at least I see some light at the end of the tunnel.
I played 40min with Milva today.
Lately she always comes trotting towards me as soon as she sees me and talking alot. She doesn´t whinny one time but several times. It sounds like she is telling me a story - or complaining because I´m late. Too funny! And the trotting is a big thing. I mean she always comes but in a lbi walk - not too fast.
We played with figure 8s in trott and the circling game in trott. She was really putting effort in it and stayed foccused and engaged all the time. Another big thing for a lbi. Seems to be we are making progress on that front.
Lets see how it goes with the riding now...

Borrowed from Elisabeth´s Blogg:

Another easy way to use the law of attraction for your benefit is this:

Every night before you fall asleep, replay in your mind the good moments of the day, and give heartfelt thanks for each one of them. Think about the next day also, and intend that it is going to be amazing, that it is going to be filled with love and joy, and that all good is coming to you. Intend that it is going to be the best day of your life. Then when you wake in the morning, BEFORE you get out of bed, declare your intentions again for the day and give deep thanks as though you have received them all.
May the joy be with you,


Rhonda Byrne
The Secret...

Undemanding Time

Tinka, Milva & the Baby

Ali Riding Orkan

Anita was so kind to let Ali ride on Orkan after her jumping training :).

Auntie Ali From Texas Has Arrived :))

Milva´s auntie Ali ;).
It´s super fun to finally have met her in real life! Facebook really does bring people together. Even though I´m not so often on there anymore it does have it´s advantages.
After picking Ali up from the airport we went to visit Milva and let her graze outside the pasture for an hour. I also showed Ali some Parelligames - which she really liked :). Milva knows her jobb and did a really good work today!

Ponying Milva

I took Milva as a handhorse with me today - but just for a very short time to try how it works. And it did work well. Orkan is very patient with her ;)

Approach And Retreat

I had a very intressting morning in the stable today. When I came there I saw a message on the whiteboard from Malin: "Can someone try to put the halter on Mandrick again?" Mandrick is a lovely two year old gelding out of Magica The Witch - and a whitch she is indeed.
Mandrick is a right brain extrovert I would think. I haven´t played with him, it´s just from the observations I made watching him in the pasture. Mandrick lives in the turn out stable next to Milva. He is super shy and doesn´t trust people very much. Those times he gets handled are for deworming, putting on the halter - whenever he has lost it again, and usually it looks like that - someone is cornering him and forcing the halter on him. Oh yes, he also gets handled for the annualy shots and he was in the ridinghouse a few time for free jumping.
Oh but don´t get this wrong now. I´m not blaming anyone for handling their horses the way they do. Everyone of us has a different view of things and everyone of us thinks we are doing the best for our horses.
So I gave it some thoughts. Shawn is very fond of Mandrick and whenever Mandrick sees Shawn he is actually coming towards him and following with his eyes all the time. Knowing Shawn likes him so much I thought giving it a shot.
Well anyway. I called Milva and gave her some breakfast outside the stable.
I took the halter and moseyed over to Mandrick.
Thinking: It´s not about....the halter.
Approach and retreat.
Observing thresholds and retreat.
Take the time it takes so it takes less time.
No direct line thinking...
If you get no for an answer, you asked the wrong question or the question
wrong.
Make your idea his idea.
Never knock out the curiosity of a young horse - or any horse!
The dignity of the horse comes first!
Thinking of his point of view.
Putting the relationship first.
With all that in mind I just hung out next to him. Actually outside his stable cause I know how intimitaded he can become when people are in his pasture/stable.
After a short time he became intressted in me and sniffed me everwhere. I started to carefully find his itchy spot on the neck and head. And after a while I could scratch him all over his head and behind his ears!! I started to play with the halter and put it halfway on observing his thresholds. I kept doing that for while and whenever I scratched him behind the ear, which appearently he loved, he would stretch out his neck and oh see there, the halter would be there - him stretching in to it. It didn´t take long and I could put it on with no signs of fear or suspicion. Just to make sure I took it off several times and put it on again - all the time scratching and sweet talking. No problem at all. Sweet!
Not to mention that Parelli works in the civilian world as well. Meaning outside the equestrian world.
Milva and I spend some more undemanding time together. I will start playing with her again after Ali is going home.

You Know You Are Doing Parelli When....

You Know You're Doing Parelli When...

* You constantly seek never ending self-improvement.
* You study in all four savvys (online, liberty, freestyle, finnesse).
* You put the relationship with your horse before anything else (principles before goals).
* You understand that Parelli is way more than riding.
* Your horse actually thinks you're brilliant and fun to be around.
*You understand that science is nature explained and you are working through the laws of nature.
* You communicate to your horse through understanding and psychology rather than force, fear, and intimidation.
* You considers the horse's point of view.
* You don't use artificial aids of restraint.
* You are natural with horses.
* You think like a horse before you think like a human.
* At the end of the day you can ask your horse “Was it as good for you as it was for me?”

Quotes To Keep In Mind

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
So watch your thougts".


“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" (Dr.Seuss)

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly". (Sam Keen)

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” (Maja Angelou)

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right." (Napoleon)

1 hour undemanding time with Milva - grazing and enjoyin each other companies.

Summerbreak

Ok, I might as well put Milva officially on summerbreak ;). No, we are not getting much done - besides undemanding time, some small walks and short playsessions in the ridinghouse or in the outside paddock.
I have to admit that I have lost some inspiration and daily life just keeps me busy - or my priorities are just not focused on Milva right now. Not that she suffers. She loves undemanding time and our grazingsessions.
I´m not going to put any pressure on myself or on her. Sure I wanted to finish my level 2 freestyle this summer but if not, what does it matter. The important thing is that we are both satisfied.
Over the last few days I got to the stable in the afternoon or evening which Milva thought was way too late. She is so funny. She greated me with a big loud whinney and wouldn´t stop talking until I had put the halter on her. You just gotta love her!
Next week we are getting visit from Texas :))))).
My dear dear friend Ali is coming for a week visit. We have never met in real life so it´s going to be super fun to finally meet!!! Ali is a veterinary, has three own horses and lives on a beautiful property near Houston. I can´t wait to visit her this fall!
I have planned some horse activities with her - if the weather is kind to us and I will show her Skåne and Helsingør.
And Milva of course....

Finally Summer

+20 and sundshine! Finally!
My kidneystone still bothers me alot therefor Milva is getting undemanding cuddling time.
Tinka and Milva seem to get along now. Today they were eating out of the same bathtube :). Tinka is such a fairy tale horse! Super pretty!
Basse has moved. Everyone was quite surprised and no one knew that he would move.

Balance

Sailing definitelly improves one´s balance! It´s like sitting on a bucking bronco and you try to hold on for your dear life. Ok, maybe not that bad, it is very pumpy tough. Super fun though!!!! I love it!!!
It´s alot to learn for the theory, all those sailingterms are not so easy and I´m a little bit slow when it comes to the wind and how it influences the sails and bla bla bla. Doing it is much easier ;).
Milva is getting alot of undemanding time, scratches and grazing time. So much to my big planes from last week....
My stupid kidneystone is back as well which restricts my movement quit a bit. Gotta go and get it fixed!

Ferrier Time

I was at the stable twice yesterday. I fed the horses in the morning and checked if they were all ok. When I got there all of them were grazing on the far end of the pasture. Tinka was grazing pretty close with the other ones as well. But when it was feeding time she was not allowed to eat with the them so I gave her her hay farther down. But then Basse decided she wasn´t allowed to eat there either so I gave her an extra pile of hay even farther down and that worked.
Helene came in the afternoon to do her hooves and it worked out pretty well. She got there a little bit earlier and saw me walking up to the stable with Milva following me - without the halter or leadline attacheched and Helene gave us a nice compliment about that. Well, Milva always follows me around like a dog. Stick to me is surely not a problem ;).
Helene started with the backlegs this time which was a good idea. Milva is easier to trim on the backhooves. This time it wasn´t that bad with the fronthooves either.
It think now she is getting more used to Helene. Helene also found out that it´s easier to trim her if she doesn´t hold the legs to tight or strong and that she has to hold them in a special way. What is Pat always saying - horses are claustrophobic, ...
Like when I clean Milva´s hooves I often kneel down and just put her leg on my knee without holding her much and Milva just keeps her hoof up there until I´m done cleaning.
It´s too funny how different she is treated compare to other horses in the stable.
I´m so glad Helene has such a big understanding for my Parelli pony and she really tries to find ways to cooperate with Milva.
We also had a good conversation about routines. It´s all about routines for horses. She mentioned that when she is working in Flyinge - the swedish national breeding station, they all have to treat the horses in a certain way and for exampel everyone opening the doors to the stalls in the same manner.
Milva´s hooves looks good now and Helene was very satisfied with her hoof quality :). Nice!
When we were done Milva started to chew and lik her lips alot. Lot to think about and to diagest. After the trimming when we were standing there talking, Milva walked over to Helene and stood in front of her, just looking at her and giving Helene permission to touch her neck and scratch her. Milva is really too funny, such a personality!

Introduction To "Tao Of Equus" written by Linda Kohanov

Einstein knew exactly what he wanted in life. For fifteen years, he had worked diligently to master his craft, and though he wasn´t ready to retire, he desperatly needed a change of pace.
He refused to jump over any more hurdles. He couldn´t stand teaching the basics to a bunch of trendy dilettantes who had no real appreciation for the subtle insights he tried to share. What he craved was a sensitive, well-educated, female companion who at least had the potential to match his talent, someone who was more interested in acquiring knowledge than amassing fame, a patron willing to support him in exchange for private tutorial sessions in his area of exptertise.
The problem was Einstein had four legs and didn´t speak any of the local human dialects. Instead, he became who is known as a "difficult" horse, and his owner wasn´t sure if she´d ever find him a good home.
People came to admire him, and some even brought large wads of cash, but Einstein wasn´t impressed by expensice clothes and shiny new horse trailers. He didn´t give a hoot about other people´s visions of glory or their hard-won show records. In fact, the flashier and more self-involved his prospective buyers seemed to be, the more likely Einstein was to give them hell during the test ride. He would shy and bold and sometimes even succeed in tossing the offending party, methods he had perfected during a short but frustrating career as a schoolhorse.
Other times, he would sidestep, rear, and fidget before anyone could get a saddle on him, espcially in the presence of men who had aspiration of jumping him.
Finally, his owner solicited the help of Tamara Solange, a trainer who was not only skilled in the classical riding style known as dressage, but was also versed in various intuitive techniques.
After spending some time gathering information on his background, silently meditating in his presence, and using a method called "muscle testing" to confirm her insights with Einstein and several other horses around him, she wrote up the following ad with the horse´s blessing: Dynamic Imported Holsteiner Gelding. Beautiful presence in arena. For educated dressage rider or professional. NOT a schoolmaster. Only skilled, sensitive horsewoman need reply.
When Allison Randall saw the notice in a national equestrian magazine, her heart raced. As a trainer with twenty years´ experience in dressage and eventing. Allison felt she had arrived at a crossroads in her career. She needed an advanced teacher, someone who knew all the upper level dressage moves and was patient yet demanding enough to hone her skills, someone who could instill a refind sense of precission, timing, and balance in her technique that she could then transfer to the younger horses she was hired to train and show. She had been searching for a horse like Einstein.
The day Allison arrived at the gelding´s stable, she endured an hour-long interview before she was even allowed to see him. The owner and the trainer who had written the ad wanted to know everything about her, including her intentions towards this horse.
Ultimately, however, it was up to Einstein. By the time she stepped into the stirrup and swung her leg over the saddle, Allison was so nervous she wasn´t sure if she was up to riding a horse of this caliber. Yet despite her vulnerable emotional state, perhaps even because of it, Einstein seemd to second guess what Allison wanted and graciously compensated for her lapses in concenctration.
The horse responded to her clumsiest aids, and though she made several mistakes that would normally have thrown Einstein into a rage, the two were able to perform the intricate movements of a highly skilled team.
When Allison finally dismounted, Einstein followed her around the arena as if he had known her all his life. After watching this spectacle, everyone in attendance had tears in their eyes, and the owner went out of her way to help Allison finance the deal.
For nearly a year, Einstein had systematically developed a reputation as a troublemaker, and some people even thought he had gone completely crazy. Still, he had a certain genius of getting his point across. Though he has since become more demanding of Allison as she continued to perfect her skills, he remains a consummate gentleman in her presence and seems to take his job very seriously. Each day, after Einstein has been ridden, groomed, and fed, he stands outside his stall, facing the arena, watching Allison train the other horses as if he´s mentally taking notes.
One of my favourite parts of this book and whenever I read it I still get tears in my eyes. I first read this book when we spend Christmas in B.C, 2005. Still love every page of it.

Not Much Horseying Around

I checked in on the horses this morning and they were doing fine. Milva, Orkan and Paulina were all the way down in the pasture and Basse and Tinka were close to the stable. We decided that the horses are just going to get haywrap once a day now. I will feed them when I get there and while they are eating I´m going to clean out the stable. If they are not occupied with eating they can be pretty disturbing. Especially Milva and Orkan love to know over the wheelbarrel while I clean out and both of them are constantly in the way. Talking about having social horses. Paulina is the only one who is not in the way - wise old mare as she is.
Milva greeted me again whith a big loud whinnie and came trotting towards me - with her big belly wiggling from direction to the other. I hope she will loose some weight now when they get less to eat again.
She is just the cutes ever when she comes running towards me talking to me all the way :).
Well, plans for next week will be: some online play, liberty play and freestyle play.
As Pat was mentioning in the last audio - it should be 25% of each savvy. Hm, guess I have to work harder on that one ;).
Farrier tomorrow aftenoon and in the evening sailingcourse with Shawn. Just hope I don´t fall into the water!

Uffington White Horse

The Uffington white horse is undoubtedly Britain’s oldest and most famous hill figure, which has recently been dated at 3000 years old by the Oxford Archeological Unit. 1000 years older than previously thought. This the oldest hill figure and inspired the creation of many of the other white horses although and particularly its closeness to Uffington castle may have inspired the creation of the first Westbury horse by Bratton camp, which also faced right. The earliest reference to it was in in the 1070's when white horse hill was mentioned, the first actual reference to the horse itself was in 1190.

The horse is unique in its features, the horse being a very long sleek disjointed figure and this leads some to believe it represents the mythical dragon that St. George slain on the adjacent Dragon hill or even his horse. However others believe it represents a Celtic horse goddess Epona, known to represent fertility, healing and death. It may have been created to be worshipped in religious ceremonies. Similar horses feature in Celtic jewelry and there is also evidence for horse worship in the Iron Age. The scouring of the horse is believed to have been a religious festival in later times, giving more creditability to the figure being of religious origin. Others believe that it commemorates Alfred’s victory over the Danes in 861 AD or that it was created in the seventh century by Hengist in the image of a horse on his standard, however the recent scientific data upon its age seem to discount these more modern theories. Several Iron age coins bearing representations of horses very similar to the Uffington horse have been found and would support the theory of the horse being from an earlier period than the seventh or eight centuries.

Also unusual is the fact that the horse faces to the right while all other horses and other animal hill figures face left, with three exceptions, the very first Westbury horse, the Osmington horse and the more modern Bulford Kiwi. The earliest record of the white horse is from Abingdon Abbey in the late 12th century, although white horse hill was mentioned a century earlier. There are many records after this period with a very good historical record from the 18th century in which the horse has changed little in appearance from then to the present day. There were occasions when the horse became overgrown, 1880 for example and was in danger of being lost like some of the other hill figures. There is no danger of this happening now, with English Heritage caring for this Ancient monument.

Quiet Day In The Pasture

I left Milva in the pasture today so she could get acquainted with Tinker. Princess Milva didn´t get the chance to say hello to her though. First Orkan wouldn´t let her near Tinker. He was chasing Tinker away as soon as she tried to approach. When Anita took him out Paulina took over and would protect Milva for "evil" Tinker. Too funny.
And yes - I did go out there at 6.00 this morning and yes, I did have a quick look out there yesterday after work ;).

May Shipping

Audio CD: "Possibilities"
Pat discusses the immense possibilities that horsemanship presents - for us as people, and for our horses.

Mastery Lesson
Lesson 1 - Balance & Counterbalance: On Line & Liberty
Lesson 2 - Ask Linda: Stiffness in Finesse and Cantering Tips

Login to the Savvy Club vault to watch this Mastery Lesson now!

Magazine
Articles include "Principles, Purpose and Time" and "The Game of Contact."

Welcome Tinka!

I just texted with Malin and Tinka - Patricia´s friesian mare has arrived. According to Malin everything is going fine and more or less quiet. Milva and her haven´t interacted yet though.
I so wish I could be there right now!!
Otherwise we haven´t been doing anything besides udt aka grazing.
Anita offered me to ride Orkan. She said I need to get started with riding again and to find my balance. Good point! I haven´t been riding for almost 2 years now - since Saxon got sick. Starting a young horse under the saddle without the feel for balance might be not such a good idea after all.
It´s going to be nice to take Orkan for trailrides maybe it´s even possible to take Milva as a handhorse with me - maybe.
So early morning tomorrow - very early...lol...I think I go the stable around 6.30 to see if the horses have survived. I´m kind of thinking going there after work for a short visit. Ok, it might be late - around midnight but I think otherwise I´m going to have a sleepless night ;).

Cleanup

I took Milva with me down to the paddock. I cleaned up the Pulvermanditch. It was full with bushes growing around. I had Milva loose with the rope attached and she grazed and came to look what I was doing a few times. I´m glad she didn´t get rb!
More undemanding time after that and that was it for today.
The new friesian mare is coming on friday morning :)). Just hope she and Milva will get along!

Books I´m Reading Right Now

Farrier Science:
169 pages (8.5" x 11") of information, pictures, and illustrations for farriers. By D.M. Canfield, Farrier Instructor, Agriservices Foundation Inc., Middle Tennessee State University
Table of Contents

1. Anatomy
2. Physiology of the Foot
3. Frequency of Shoeing
4. Preliminary Examination
5. Raising the Feet
6. Farrier Tools
7. The Natural Angle of the Hoof
8. Hoof Preparation
9. Shoe Selection
10. Farrier's Forge Tools
11. Working at the Forge
12. Shaping the Show
13. Driving the Nails
14. Ideal Conformation
15. Abnormality Created in the Ideal Horse
16. Corrective Shoeing
17. The Severity of Corrective Shoes
18. Advantages and Disadvantages of Corrective Shoes
19. Features of the Shoe
20. Making a Hand Turned Shoe
21. Pathological Shoeing
22. Classification of Lameness
23. Bursitis, Arthritis, Ankylosis
24. Laminitis Operation
25. Analysis of the Gaits
26. Anatomical Comparisons
27. Shoeing Requirements of Various Breeds
Product Reviews



This classic revision of Adams Lameness in Horses represents a detailed, comprehensive review of the development, cause, diagnosis, and treatment of lameness in horses. The book includes descriptions of the anatomy, physical features, and radiographic examination procedures, as well as nutrition, and the development of diseases.

Stormy Weather

It was/is super stormy here today. I spend 2 hours of undemanding time with Milva. She was pretty relaxed being outside her pasture with me in the storm. We walked a little round and she was allowed to piknic on the way.

Online Level 2 Audition Result

Great job Marion!! You have some very nice things going with Milva. As you continue to make progress think about getting your horse to move his feet more than you and keeping more slack in the line to give her more responsibility.
assessed by: Hillary Rose
passed: 02/04/10

March 08, Saxon & Milva