Team Sorting

Today we went to a Team Sorting up in Rupert. That was really fun! My mom rode Ute, but I just went to watch. I talked to a lot of people (me...I can't beleive that!), and had lots, and lots of fun. I Team Sorted on Brizzee once in January of 2008. But I thought I was going to die. lol. EVERYTHING was new to her, and I was arguing with myself, and was so nervous I was literally shaking all over. But, I didn't die...in fact I won 1st place in the Beginners, and third and fourth place. So, that was pretty cool, but I haven't ridden in the Team Sorting since.

Well, after going today, I decided that on the next Team Sorting we have down here, I'm going to take Brizzee. I probably won't Team Sort, I may not even ride, but I'm going to play with her on the ground, and see how much more confidence she has in me, and how she'll look to me as her leader. So, we'll just play around on the ground, and maybe after everyone is watching the Team Sorting, or getting ready to break for lunch, maybe then I'll ride her around, ride her in the pen, etc. Because I really want to start Team Sorting, but I don't want to put any more pressure on our relationship, so we'll just paly with it and see.

Yesterdya she was pretty funny. I was watering the horses, and I decided that while the watertrough is filling up, I'll give the horses each a treat. Well, Brizzee didn't even look at me, so I went into the corral, and crouched down right behind. She'd turn to the right, I'd go to the left, she'd turn to the left, I'd go to the right, etc. So finally she sighed, turned around, and came walking towards me. I'm like; "Oh, hi, nice to see you. Here, you want a treat," Yep, we sure have come a long ways. This time last year I could do that all I wanted to, and she wouldn't even flick her ears...she really hated me.

Course, I guess I wouldn't blame her. She's only known one man her whole life, and then I come along, take her away from him, and start changing everything around. Instead of making her "we have to get this done!" I'm becoming her partner, and I'd like to think that I'm beginning to understand her. I am very proud of how far she has come, very proud.

I was really upset yesterday. Last summer a friend of my mom's had this colt, and she was going to sell it, but we didn't have enough money. So mom ran into her at the store yesterday, and it turns out that the gal was trying to find us after Christmast to just give us that colt...JUST GIVE IT US!! Well, she couldn't find us so she gave it someone else. Mom told me that and I started crying...but hopefully he went to a good home. Somebody that won't beat him, or give him mixed signals.

Well, that's my update for today. I'm hoping that this wind will calm down sometime so I can take more pics of Brizzee's hooves, and spend some Undemanding Time with her!! The next Team Sorting is in 2 weeks. By taking her there, just playing on the ground, would that put a lot of pressure on our relationship, or make it better? I've been thinking about this an awfully lot, and I've come up with 50 50. What do you guys think?

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

"I don't Understand...What Did I Do?"

"I Don't Understand...What did I do?" - - Written By: Randa

"I try to stand still when he comes to me, but it's so hard. He pushes the halter up on my nose, and hooks it tightly. He then pulls on the rope hard, so I follow him closer, and then he yanks on the rope. What did I do wrong? Why is he so angry? What does he want me to do? I take a step back, and then he pulls on the rope again. I go closer to him, and again, he gets angry. I don't understnad what you want.
"When we reach the trailer, he ties me up tightly, I can't even move. I try to stand still as he runs the brush of my back and belly. Ouch, that hurt. I move away, and he slaps me, gets angry. I don't understand. When he brings the saddle out, he throws it on my back with a thud. I want to kick him, move away, but I don't dare, for I know what will happen if I do. He tightens the cinch tightly, and I hold my breath. Ouch, that pinches. I kick out, trying to get the pinching to stop. He yells at me, grabs the rope, and hits me with it.
"I then pull back against the rope, trying to get away. What did I do? Finally, when I knew there was no escape, I held still, trying not to twitch when I felt the sting of the rope. Finally, after every part of my body stung, he untied me, and shoved that metal piece in my mouth. I accepted it, hoping that I woudln't be beaten again. He shoves me ears forward, I too, tolerate it. I wait patiently until he steps up in the stirrup, and then I go, for if I wait until he is on my back, he will kick me hard.
"I go, and he jerks back on the reins, and hits my shoulders with them. I began tossing my head. I don't understand what he wants me to do. He kicks me to go forward, so when I go before he kicks me, he jerks back and I get beaten. I don't understand. What did I do? "When he finishes hitting, he gives me a good hard kick in the flanks. I take off at a full gallop, for that must be what he wants, kicking so hard. He leaned forward, causing me to stumble. How am I supposed to canter like this, with all of his weight on my shoulders. So, I kick up, hoping that it'll feel easier. Instantly, he pulled back on my mouth. I tossed my head, trying to get away from the pressure. He begins kicking me. I try to go forward, but he's pulling me back. What am I supposed to do? I don't understand.
"After the saddle is off, he ties me, and begins grooming me. Ouch, that's hard on my skin. I move away, hoping to get away from the pressure. I can feel him began to tense and get mad, but I feel him do that all the time. When he came back out of the barn, with the bull whip in his hand, I know what I'll be in for. The stinging begins over my body again. I toss my head, pull back, prance around, trying to get away in any way possible. He stops, and I stop. Maybe he's done. When he clipped the second rope to my halter, I knew he wasn't done. Now I have no where to go, and I have to stand still while the stinging continues. I don't understand. What did I do to deserve this?
"I tolerated this everyday. Everyday I got beaten, every day I got jerked on, and everyday he was angry. One day, I just couldn't take it anymore. He tied me up again, and got his bull whip. Before he reached me, I pulled back with all my might. It didn't hurt that badly. I pulled back harder and harder. He was running towards me now, yelling. I felt it loosen slowly, and I pulled back even harder until I was free! I spun around, kicked at him, knowing that I'd miss, and took off running. He could chase me all he wants to, but I am not coming back with him. I'm free!
"I ran through the day, that night, and the nexct day, until my legs began to feel weak, and I couldn't go on. I tried to push on, in fear that if I falter, he'll find me. I tried to push on, but I couldn't. I collasped on my side. I don't know how long I lay there in pain before I heard voices. No, please don't take me back to that place. I don't understand anything, and i get beaten. I'd rather die then go back there. The voices sound different, but I won't go back. I won't go back.
"I watched as a young girl came out of the trees. I felt her eyes on me, and I suddenly felt save, as though I was going to be okay. I gave one last sigh, laying me head on the cold grain. I know that my life is over, but at least I won't have to suffer anymore, and not understand what he wants. I'll be free....

A year Later...
"I watched as she approached the gate. I watched as her hand went into her pocket. Oh, I know what she has in there. I wiated until she reached the gate, looked up, and called me name. As soon as my name escaped her lips, I ran to the gate. I heard her sweet laugh in the air, and stopped in front of her, where she handed me a treat. I watched as she retreated into a shed, and came out with the halter and the stick that she loved me with.
"I approached her, and stood quietly as she placed the halter over my head. She rubbed me with it, spoke softly to me, and then tied it. She then rubbed her hands all over me, and then rubbed me with the stick. She then retreated, and I slowly walked behind her a ways, until she moved her finger towards her. Yes! I came running up to her, and she laughed. She put her arm around me, and together we walked around the corral. When she ran, I went beside her, when she stopped, I stopped.
"When we reached the barrels, she pionted her finger to it, and lifted the stick. Okay, I understand, you want me to go around the barrel. After I did this, we ran over to another barrel. She pionted her finger, until I was next to the barrel, when I felt the halter move slightly. I stoppped, and looked to her for the next sign of what she wants. I watched as she let her energy down. I looked around, breathed out, and began licking my lips. I understand this. I understand! I then watched as her energy came up. She tipped her head slightly, and began crossing her legs, flicking the string at the end of her stick at him. He knew exactly what she wanted, and began going over the barrel. He wanted to go over it, but he trusted his owner, so he put his faith and trust in her.

"When she removed his halter, he followed her everyway, ran when she did, backed up when she did, and when she lead him over to the fence, he obeyed willingly. When she climbed up on the fence, and settled down with ease on his back, he ddin't do anything. He loved the feeling of her sitting on his back, knowing that she was trusting him completely, and he trusted her completely. He move only when he felt her energy come up. He felt so lucky to have her now. He understood everything she asked, and he no longer didn't understand. For he has been saved, and is now having FUN!!"

It's amazing what Parelli Natural Horse Man Ship can do, huh? LOL. I kinda got this idea with my horse, Brizzee. He didn't beat her or anything, but as soon as he stepped into the stirrup, she went, and he pulled back on her...I just thought about that and looked through the horses eyes. So, what do you guys think?? This is kinda FUN!!

Oh, here's another one:

"Second Chance" - - By Randa.

"When you look into those big, brown eyes, with the long lashes staring at you, your heart reaches out to him. He is longing to be loved, cared for, and get the attention he needs. He deserves a second chance, he deserve to run naturally and free. As you stare deeply into those eyes, and his yours, a flash of bond, protectiveness, and hopefullness passes through you both. You may be his only hope, so you break down mentally.
"When you must leave, you feel him watching you, you hear him calling for you, and your heart melts in your chest. You're his only hope, can you really walk away? He's begging you to save him, to help him, to give him a happy, and natural life. You felt the bond when you stared into each other's souls, you felt his need, you felt the love pass through you, can you really just walk away?
"You want to save him in any way possible, but you just don't have the money. By the time you reach your vehicle, he's calling for you, running around, staring after you. You feel terrible, leaving him, knowing that you are his only chance, but what can you do? You drive away, and glance in the mirror every so often. Even after your out of site, you can feel him staring at you, and you can still feel that bond that spread between you and him.
"That night, he haunts her dreams. You wake up and all you can see are those big, dark brown eyes staring at you, begging you to save him. You can't sleep that night, you toss and turn, cry, and the next morning, you pick yourself up, trying to forget about him, and put him out of your mind. You keep yourself busy so you won't have to worry about him. You do some research on the internet, and you run across a video about horses that have been forgotten. "You break down as those dark brown eyes flash through your mind. You grab your care keys, the only money you have remaining, and you drive like an idiot until you reach the place. Even before you come into view, you can feel the hope spreading inside of him, and you can feel him watching you. Sure enough, as soon as you come over the hill, he's watching you, running around, nickering, for he knows that he has been saved. You have no money, don't know how you'll be able to buy hay, but you know if you don't spend what money you have to save him, he'll die, and can you live with yourself after that?
"You kill the engine, jump over the fence, wrap your arms around his neck, and bury your head into his blacke mane. He stays calm, absorbing the moment in, knowing that he'll get a lot more of it, for he knows that you have saved him. It'll be okay if you make mistakes, it'll be okay if you don't understand, because he'll be willing, patient, and he will try to teach you over and over again, until you understand him...you understand each other.
"You rub your hands lovingly over every inch of his body, and you wince when you can feel his bones beneath your hands, and every curve and piont of his ribs. But you keep moving your hands over every inch of his body; down his back bone, under his belly, down his legs, his tail, his rump, his head, ears, jaw, neck, everything. And when you look at his face, his eyes are closed, head is down, and he looks content. He's never had this kind of attention before. He will be as a patient as neccessary with you, because you have saved him. He'll let you lean on his shoulder, he'll let you get frustrated, until you understand.
"You pay for him, and call your friend to bring their horse trailer, as you can't leave him, in fear for if you leave, he may not be there when you come back. You stay beside him, rubbing him, giving him treats, letting him know that there is a better life ahead of him. No longer will he have to suffer. No longer will he go hungry, and have to stand still and quiet, as somebody is taking a bull whip, lashing it across his body. He wants to kick, but he doesn't, he tries to be patient. No longer will he have to watch every car that goes by, wishing that someone will stop and help him. No longer will he have to watch people walk away from him, and his heart trails after them. For now he has been saved. Now, he will run naturaly over the green pastures, run with other horses, and run to his human, for she will give him love, care for him, and rub her hands over his body just like she is doing now. He will have a second chance in life, he will be a horse again, and not just some "work" animal, that has no feelings, and doesn't care.
"A year later you step out of your house to hear him nickering at you. A smile touches your lips, and before you look up, you know he's standing there by the gate, waiting for you, watching for you. You move off the steps, and begin walking towards the corral. You make a few twists and turns, just to see if his eyes stay on your every move, and you aren't surprised when they do. You enter the pasture, and again, rub her hands lovingly over his body. You smile when you don't feel his ribs or bone, and instead you feel muscle, power, and fat. He is no longer a walking skelton that is about to die, he is a powerful, lively, spirited, and very beautiful horse. He is a great teacher, and has had never ending patience with you.You've made a few mistakes, maybe even hurt him once or twice on accident, but he forgives you, and stays patient. He is presistant with teaching you, until you finally understand. He is willing to be patient, and take however long it takes before you understand, for you have saved his life, and now, you have a great partnership.
"You laugh as he rubs against you, and takes off running across the green pasture, beneath the blue sky, and against the Eagle, racing beside him. You watch his every move, and laugh when he comes galloping up to you, only to do a slide stop in front of you, and look at you with those big, dark brown eyes that you fell in love with. You run your hands over his body, and when you are sure, you jump onto his back. He tosses his head, and when you are ready, he walks forward. He can feel that you trust him completely. This is different for him, not being "micromanaged", having a bit in his mouth, a saddle on, or even a halter. For you are riding him bareback and bridless, you are trusting him completely, and he can feel that.
"You give the slightest hints in your body of what you would like him to do, and he follows it immediately. And with your beautiful rescue horse, that was near death when you got him, you gallop over the green pasture, beneath the blue sky, towards the setting sun. His warm, and beautiful thick black mane whips into your face, and you become one with each other."

What do you guys think??
Savvy On,

~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

Greeting me at the gate!!

Oh, I'm so excited!! I went outside today, to spend some time with Brizzee and the other horses. Storm, Brizzee, and Ute were all down by the second corral, so I just hollered at them. Brizzee turned around, looked at me for about five seconds, and then came GALLOPING up to me!! OMG, MY "lazy" LBI, GALLOPING TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That was so AWESOME!! I was able to give her a treat before Ute pushed her out of the way, but I was still so excited. I can't get the picture of her running to me out of my head. YES!! I played with Storm today also! That was fun. Ute and Brizzee were sqealing, kicking, biting each other, etc. as Brizzee is in heat (seems like she always is anymore. lol)

So, why they were doing that I played with Storm. She followed me everywhere, trotted after me, backed up with me, it was really fun!! And I've only played with her a few times, so it's been exciting! Today was really fun. I guess RBE's can be a lot of fun!! lol.

I feel like I actually have a plan now. Like when I go out to spend time with Brizzee, I actually feel like I have a plan now, and a "foundation". Before I was just kinda stuck, but now that I know what's wrong, I know what to do to "fix" it, and I know where to go, what to do, what to do when I get there, etc. THANK YOU FRAN, HANNAH, LEA, OLIVIA, AND EVERYONE!!! SHE GALLOPED TO ME, YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the amazing part, I haven't played with her since that day when she wanted to get away from me. Was she able to "sense" in my body language or something that I "figured it out"...? As Pat says "Hmm."

Savvy On,
~Brizzee~ & ~Randa~
ps. only 25 more days until TWILIGHT COMES OUT!!

Our Relationship

I was reading Fran's blog last night, and I realized what I am doing wrong. The signs were there for the last couple of times I played with her. I would send her out to do the Circling Game, and she would move Sideways, etc. but wouldn't leave me. I had to wiggle the rope hard to get her out, and go up to the "promise phase", etc. And then when I took her halter off that one day and she just stood by me. So, the signs were there all along, and I just didn't SEE THEM...? How could I have not seen it/known it??

That would make sense why the last time I played with her she wouldn't come to me, acted up, pulled me to the gate, wouldn't try, etc. I had gotten SO DIRECT LINE, about getting "tasks" done and Auditioning, etc. that I wasn't thinking about our RELATIONSHIP! When I played with her at Liberty on Thanksgiving day, she just stood over me, and wouldn't leave me. I felt so good about that like"yes, she finally trust me!" So I didn't put "as much" effort into our Relationship as I should have. I guess I kinda took her for granted.

Summer was the last time I did Undemanding time with her =-( I don't blame her for wanting to get away from me. I turned into a Direct Line predator asking/telling/promising her to do this, that...I don't blame her at all for pulling me towards the gate and trying to get away from me, and acting up. Her partner turned into a predator! I'm so sorry Brizzee.

So, the next time I play with her (I didn't play with her Saturday or yesterday because I wasn't feeling very good at all...figures the one REALLY nice day, and I don't feel good. If I get to feeling better today I might go out there) I'm going to do LOTS of Undemanding time. I'll open the gate to the "PLAY pen", let her go through, and then just sit and watch her, spend time with her. Maybe even throw in a flake of hay and just sit by it. Or maybe just put the halter on her and PLAY. Just hang out, put my arm over her, go where she does, and just hang out. I really need to do a lot more of that!

There is so much to learn!! lol. But that's okay, because I LOVE learning...IF it involves horses and not school. LOL. I have learned so much from Brizzee, and every day I'm learning more and more things. Horses truly are teachers if YOU are willing to listen and learn. So from now on, I'm not going to focus on Auditioning or any of that stuff, just on our Relationship, and having FUN togethere. Maybe we'll be able to audition before May, maybe not until next year, but I don't care. Fran was right on her post, a relationship and partnership does mean a lot more then a string and certificate. Fran, you're great! And THANK YOU!

Aren't things funny like that? You try and try and try to figure out a problem. You read through the site, and you see things about the Relationship and such, but sometimes it just takes a CERTAIN thing before it clicks! I'm glad I looked at her blog last night, otherwise I would probably still be thinking. "What is it about this time of year that makes her so cranky? Oh, wait a minute, it's ME and our relationship." hehe.

Oh, and guess what?!?! My mom bid on the Liberty and Horse Behaviour last night on Ebay and we GOT IT!! Yes!! I can't wait till it gets here. I hope that will help me with understanding Brizzee (and any horse for that matter) better. I can't wait to get it!

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~
www.myspace.com/naturalpaints

Tomorrow - -

Hey everybody. Tomorrow is supposed to be a gorgeous day!! My mom will be Team Sorting again tomorrow, and I think I'll stay here and play with Brizzee. She thinks I should take Brizzee, but after our play session day before yesterday, I don't want to put any pressure on our relationship/partnership, so I'm just going to play with her tomorrow, and see what kind of a mood she is in, and hopefully she'll be in a much better mood then she has been these last couple of days. Course, our old Thoroughbred Mare has been acting funny lately also. She's really restless, even when she has food. My mom said that if she didn't know any better Maple would be about to foal, but that would be impossible as there are no stallions near us.

But yeah, tomorrow I'm going to play with Brizzee Online, and "practice" our "Compulsaries" (however you spell it). Depending on how her mood is, I might try doing some Liberty and maybe Freestyle!! But I'm going to put the relationship first. In the Savvy Club Magazine today I read that whenever you go out to play with your horse, you should have a plan, but be prepared to change that plan according to your horse's mood. I usually do have a "plan" when I go out to play with her, but once I get there, it's like I go blank. So I wrote some things down of what I would like to do with Brizzee tomorrow, and I'll fold the paper, put it in my pocket, and take it out with my tomorrow, so I won't be boring for my horse. I hope that'll work.

I might take the camera and take some pics of her, I don't know. I'm also hoping to take my radio out there, and listen to Mary Ann Kennedy and Katie Drake while riding her, but I'm not sure if the extension cord will reach with my radio, but we'll see.

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

My Space

Hi, I forgot to tell u guys earlier that you can check out my MySpace page at :
www.myspace.com/naturalpaints
You'll need to add me as a friend though to see my profile!

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

"When I look into your eyes will I see a better me?" - - Mary Ann Kennedy "Mirror, Mirror"

My TWILIGHT POSTER!! ONLY 29 MORE DAYS UNTIL THE MOVIE COMES OUT, CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Four books are defiantly not enough! lol Yep, I'm a TWILIGHT fan!!

Okay, now back to my "beautymiss" horse, hehe. Well, I played with her yesterday. We did the Figure 8 pattern, and that wasn't very good. Lately it's been very difficult to "draw" her towards me. I have to pull on the rope a little bit, before she'll come up to me, and I reach out to pet her, and she pulls away. Maybe it's just a winter/spring thing, I don't know. But again, it's always when we go around the barrel to the left that she goes really wide around it, and then just stops and won't come up to me until I pull on the rope slightly, then she'll come to me. And we played the Circling Game and she went into a really fast trot, and turned RBE. I don't know if I was giving her wrong clues or what, but she suddenly just jumped off all four feet, pulled against me, and started prancing sideways (it looked like a dominant/argumentive thing, but not sure). I had two big "semi" cones out there that I was going to try to do the figure 8 with, and she kept prancing towards that, and she wasn't paying any attention to it at all. And then she ran into it!! Boy, she jumped, braced up, looked at it, and snorted like "How did that get there?"

I know it's horrible, but I couldn't stop laughing! Her expression was so funny, and the way she acted was just really funny. She was RBE the rest of the day. She wanted to be close to the gate, she had to move her feet, and she kept like dodging ahead of me (she hasn't done that in a long time). I don't know what her problem was yesterday. I know aroudn this time last year she was a lot more "crankier" then usual, so maybe she just is cranky this time of year...hmm. But, she did stand still while I was grooming her, she relaxed her tail, was almost asleep when I massaged alll four legs (I was actually considering going under her to see what she'd do, but decided against it), and she went sideways nicely. After she learned how to go sideways, she's using it to "win" the games!! lol. She's quite funny with that. Maybe she's trying to test my "leadership", I don't know. But I ended it on a good note, and I didn't allow myself to get mad or frustrated...although after I stopped playing with her, and was in the house, I felt bad. I think I must be doing something wrong with the relationship, I don't know. :(

But last night when I fed, she was really funny. Simmer-On (my mom's mustang, which u can check her blog out at http://myheartpartners.blogspot.com/) was in his pen, minding his own business, and I was just gettting ready to feed. Suddenly Brizzee just laid her ears flat back against her head and went charging at him, teeth bared, and he was minding his own business. In return, he bit her on the rump. She acted shocked like "Why would he do that to ME?" After I hollered and broke it up, I began to laugh again..I'm horrible, I know, but the expression on here face was so funny. She's quite a character sometimes. Maybe she's in heat????

But today I went out there (it was so nice today. I was just wearing a Parelli Hoody, and that was warm enough) and Brizzee was standing on the cement. I went into the middle of the corral, and started "drawing" her towards me. She looked behind her, which she always does before she comes forward, and then she came up to me. I didn't have any treats, and when I reached out to pet her, she turned away. Before she walked away, I very casually put my arm over her withers and went with her. She was okay, and then suddenly her ears went flat back against her head. But, Storm (my uncle's Arab mare) was also walking towards us, so I'm hoping that she was doing that at Storm, and not me. I was going to play with her some today, but I didn't really feel good.

Last night when I was putting the dishes away, a glass fell off one of our pans, and hit me right in the mouth...OUCH! I thought I was going to loose my teeth. I cut my upper lip pretty bad, and now it's swollen, but the pain isn't too bad right now, it was earlier. It's hard to talk...Oh, it's time for dinner, so I guess I'd better go.

Has this kind of thing ever happened to you and your horse? And if so, how did you overcome it?

Savvy On,

~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

***TWILIGHT FAN***

2009 Plans!!

Here are my plans for 2009 with Brizzee:

Online >>>>
Play the Friendly Game in every zone
Do "Helicopter" in every zone
Massage/hold her hind legs
Massage her tail
Pick up all four feet from one side
Keep head lowered until I cluck
Lift front legs when I tap them
Lead by her front legs
Back up with tail
Back with the Stick from Zone 4/5
Do four laps at the Circling Game at the trot & canter
Change direction
Transitioins
Go sideways without the fence and over a barrel
Jump!
Load in the trailer without another horse in there!
Stick to me at walk and trot, and hopefully even the canter
Work on bowing/laying down
And play all Seven Games while I'm sitting down, and/or up on a fence!
Patterns:
Figure 8 ~ Weave ~ Circles ~ Falling Leaf ~ Trailer ~ and Push A Ball

Liberty>>>
Play all Seven Games
Stick to me at the walk and trot
Be confident and relaxed while playing the Friendly Game in every zone and with the "helicopter"
And all the above (including the Patterns)!

Freestyle>>
Play the Friendly Game
Don't ask anything, just sit there and do whatever she does
Teach her that I'm not going to hurt her

After she is confident:
Lateral Flexion
Indirect/direct rein
9 Step Back up
Pushing Passenger Lesson at the walk and possible trot.
Focus: Go from Point A to Point B
Patterns:Figure 8 ~ Follow the Rail ~ Weave
Eventually I'd like to do more in my body, and do less with the riens and her respond to my body and "mirror me"

Finesse>
To be honest, I have no idea.

My Dreams and Goals in the future with Brizzee:
Passing all four levels in all four savvies by Fall/Winter of 2010 or early spring of 2011 (before I'm an adult, which will be in December of 2011...YIKES!
Running to the gate to greet me!
Backing with me standing a long ways from her, at liberty!
Lay down and get on her that way
Load into the trailer just by me pionting at it
Standing up on her back, and her be confident and calm
Ride bareback and BRIDLESS AT THE CANTER!!
And too many things to list! lol

My Dreams & Goals in Parelli!
Be the Best I can be for my horse
Be a Parelli Instructor by 2013 (I'll be 20)
Have my own Natural Ranch
Major/Specialize in Mares & Foals, Resuce Horses, and Mustangs
Help/teach people
Help horses by giving them a "natural" second chance
Play a lot with foals and teach them PNH right from the get go!

So, I have many dreams & Goals in my future. There is a saying my mom once told me:

"If you have a goal, you need to make a date of when you will accomplish that goal. It is better to have a date and miss it, then not have something to strive for, and never accomplish your goal."
And here's a saying of mine that I made up--
"If you have a dream, you need to reach out and make it happen, while you can, before it's too late."

I can't beleive that I'll be 18 in 2 years and 10 months!! YIKES. I don't want to be an adult...ever. lol.

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

Audtion Plans

Well, I am very, very excited. We bought a new camcorder yesterday, so we can actually hook it up to the computer so we can do our AUDITIONS!! My mom (which she now has a blog. Her link is: http://myheartpartners.blogspot.com ) is hoping to pass some of the Auditions, I'm not sure what savvies and levels thought.

My Audition Plans:
Online: Levels 1, 2 & MAYBE 3 & possibly 4
Freestyle: Level 2, would like to do L3, but I haven't tried cantering yet.
Liberty: Level 3, and depending on how she is, maybe try Level 4.
Finesse: NONE

I'm hoping to "officially" pass Level 1 and get my red string, and also Pass Level 2 (which is Online+Freestyle) and get my blue string!!

And I have made up some plans that I would like to do with Brizzee this year, but will post that either tomorrow or in a few days. Also, I just started a YouTube! account today, and I have no idea how to do anything on there, or do like the "photo slid" videos, with just pictures...does that make any sense? If anyone can give me any advice on how to do things on there (like adding music to your video, put wording in, etc.) I would greatly appreciate it! :-) THANK YOU!!

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~
OH Yeah, I am also hoping to Audition for Level 1 & 2 Online with Sweetheart (our friend's horse) maybe, and then my uncle's Arab mare, Storm. I have my Uncle's permission, but need our friend's permission to Audition with his horse, Sweetheart. I hope you can pass Level 1 with someone else's horse...? Hmm, I'll need to look through the Q&A's again. lol. ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY!!

Let me rub her with the Tarp!! =)))

I played with Brizzee yesterday! My dad watched me playing with her, and I was pretty excited. At first she was kinda, "Not goin' do it", but we started playing with some things, and finally she became interested and curious. We played a little bit of the Circling Game with me standing on the tarp. She'll go 2 to 4 complete circles around me without stopping at the walk, but she won't with the trot. She won't even do one lap without stopping. And she pulls me against me. So, we need to play with that a little more.

After we played the Circling Game, she crossed the tarp. I then picked it up, waved it around, etc. and she just stood still, head down, looking at me like "What?" So, I was able to pet her with it!! Her head came up, and she became a little tense, but I just rubbed for a few minutes, and then went to something else. We played with her front end being still, while moving her hind quarters, and vice versa. For some reason when I ask her to just move ONE part of her body, she thinks she has to move her WHOLE body. But we're playing with it and she's getting it little by little.

We played Sideways Game, did the Figure 8 pattern, Played Stick To Me (she trailed behind me at the trot, but she was trotting), and she backed up with me standing in zone five and using my Carrot Stick. She wasn't backing up "straight", but it was good enough for me! Then we played with the Pedastal. She was thinking about stepping up on it, but she didn't, so I just lifted her foot on the pedastal. I thought she was going to step up there, but she didn't, that's okay though, we'll just play with it! The thing I'm really excited about is that "usually" after I take the halter off, she'll wait until I give her a treat, and then she'll leave, but not yesterday! I took the halter off, gave her a treat, and then she started walking forward, but stopped. Her rump was right there, so I just started petting her rump. She turned her head and looked at me (her back feet were on the tarp!!). So, I took advantage of that and started massaging her tail standing behind her. I was so excited! She stood still and relaxed her tail almost immediately. Luckily my dad had the camera ready and he got a picture of that. I was excited! I was actually the one that left first, so I was/am totally HAPPY about that!! :)

I am hoping to tape and send in my Level 1 tape before May. It's free until May 1st. Maybe I'll be able to pass Level 1 and 2. Probably just Level 1 though, because we aren't that far into Level 2, especially with riding. So, I'm hoping to just Pass Level 1!! So I've been freaking out about that. My mom is hoping to pass Level 1 with her Mustang, Simbo, too...YIPPEE!! There's a few things in Level 1 that I still need to play with, like keeping her HQ still while moving her FQ, and vice versa. But, we'll get there!! I'm totally excited and happy!! I don't think I'd sell Brizzee for a million bucks if someone offered it to me. Here are some pictures of our play day yesterday (yes, I did groom her, but she still looks icky, course what can I say, it's winter):

My hair is a mess from the wind. lol. I am very happy with how our play session ended!! She went Sideways reall well too. I'm EXCITED, obviously. Oh, there's a book titled, The Outsider that I'd really like to get. I read five pages of it at the place today, but coudln't buy it. From what I read, it sounds like a good book!! I have to count my savings and get it. lol.

Savvy On,

~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

P.S. Feel free to check out my Myspace Page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=448907184

Hooves!!

Well, today I cleaned out Brizzee's hooves and took pictures for my Science Fair Project. I think I should have just done my project on our wood burning stove. lol. Anyhoo, today went really well. We put all the horses in the second corral, and then my mom held Brizzee while I massaged her legs. And then we just looped the rope around a panel, so that she could move if she needed to, but the rope was out of the way so my mom could take pictures. I got down on my knees, starting massaging her leg, then lifted her hooves (I was holding her left leg while kneeling down on her right side!!). Here's a picture of me holding Brizzee's hoof while kneeling down. My eyes look a little weird in this picture, but oh well. (Yes, I'm wearing the light blue Parelli hoody (you can see the hood). Birthday present!!). She looks a bit icky. She's full of manure and mud...YUCK. But you know, the Curry Comb can only do so much. hehe.



I'm wearing my black overalls. The wind was a little nippy today.

Brizzee's right front hoof...I think. She's been foundered from too much green grass. Apparently her orginal owner turned her out on real green pasture...too much grass can do this to their hooves. Grass isn't the only thing that causes founder. Founder can be caused by a lot of things.

This is her left back hoof..I think. As you can tell from the dirt flying, lol, that I was right in the middle of cleaning it out. The outside wall is longer then it should be, thanks to the founder...plus she needs to be trimmed again.

Right back hoof. Some of her frog is coming loose. I can't wait till our shoer has time to come out and trim these guys, they need it!!

So, today was fun. Walking down to the corral where the other horses were, Brizzee and I played Stick to me. I didn't have the Carrot Stick or anything, and she trotted when I ran. Course, she was anxious to be with the other horses. But she stopped and backed up when I did!! YEA!! Today was a good day, even though I wasn't even out there even 30 minutes. She was really relaxed and stuff when I picked up her back feet. I have this fear of her back feet and legs. I'm getting better with standing behind her, but I'm really unconfident with messing with her back legs.

Today (I hate to admit this) was the fourth time I picked up her hooves since I got her in 2007, and the FIRST time I cleaned her back feet out. She's fine when the shoer does her hooves. She doesn't pull against him, kick at him, or anything, but I'm still unconfident about it. But today I did it, and I feel better about it. Brizzee just relaxed her leg, and turned, trying to smell me. It didn't bother her at all. So, that was a releif. HOpefully it won't be so bad now. Which, I have to do this every week until April. FUN STUFF! lol. Least I can actually do something with my horse, so it's worth it!! =)

I started a book last night. So far I have 5 pages in it. My mom read the pages this morning, and liked it, so I'm excited!! I start a book about every week. I've finished several, but like the other day, i ran across a book that I started writting, and I had no clue what it was about! hehe. But I figured it out once I started reading it. I have 3 Vampire books started, 1 werewolf book, Countless horse/country/romance books. The one I'm working on right now is about horses, ranches, and romance. This girl's mother dies, and she is living on her step father's ranch. She moves to Idaho, and is considering starting her own "Natural Ranch". The day before she buys it, she gets a letter saying that her step dad died of cancer a few days ago. She goes to his funeral, and she finds out that he left his ranch up to her! So, she is having a tough time getting everythign straightened out and to work. Plus, she has to deal with old friends, and the man she once knew, Zack. She also has to deal with somethign that happened in a past when a teenage girl comes to the Ranch. It's only a matter of time before the truth has to come out, and everything will change when it does. She has a lot of things to figure out, to deal with, and to change. Can she and Zack fall in love again? Can they be a "family" again? The Ranch, is the title.

I'm also reading further into my book that I finished in Janaury titled, Hello Again. It's funny, I wrote the book, I know what's going to happen, but I still find myself crying in certain parts, and laughing in certain parts. This one part the boyfriend and the girl's father are playing checkers. hehe. Her father says that if he wins Checkers, he wants the boyfriend to leave...LOL. This is the book where the guy, Luke, can read minds. Pretty weird, huh? I'm hoping to finish reading it soon, and then have my mom and sister read it...maybe. And then hopefully I can send it to a publisher!! I hope he'll like it!

I have to spend the night at my sister's tomorrow and babysit for her on Saturday. I'm hoping that after I'm done babysitting I can spend the night at my dad's. Ghost Whisperer will be on on Friday, the one I've been waiting FOREVER for, and I won't be able to watch it :( Oh well, it's okay. My dad will record it!!!! HEHEHE. Well, I'd better get to bed, I'm sure tired. I might have to go to the mall tomorrow, yea. I hate going to the mall, there's PEOPLE there. Weird people. I don't fit in at the mall, or anywhere really where there is a lot of people and teenagers, unless it's something to do with horses. Well goodnight,

Savvy On,

~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~

Sidepasses!! :)

Today was on AWESOME day with Brizzee. We took her, Ute, and Sugar up to the Arena today. We took 4 barrels, a tarp, a ball, 4 cones, and we drilled holes in old Milk and pop bottle jogs, and stringed them on twine! That's kinda neat. It makes a bunch of racket and looks neat. So, we took all those things to the Arena today. Brizzee did very well before we even left. Mom loaded Ute in the stock trailer first. I squeezed Brizzee between myself and the trailer a bunch of times and then she just loaded right up. I was happy with her.

So then we got to the Arena, put everything out, and then unloaded the horses. Sugar went a little Right Brain Extrovert at first. Luckily the Team Sorting pens were still up from yesterday, so my mom just put her in the pen and let her calm down. I brought Brizzee inside. She was really calm, confident, and paying attention to me. The white's of her eyes were showing a little, but not bad.

We did the Figure 8 Pattern, she walked across the tarp, stood calmly and confidently while I moved the tarp around and do all sorts of things with it. She stood on it calmly, and was fine. And then I moved to the ball (not the green Parelli ball. It's just a little orange ball I got at the dollar store). She was a little unconfident about that, but she was blinking and watching it, I was happy. Then she backed again with me just moving the carrot stick. I have gotten a lot more Savvy with moving the stick around. I'll be out on the end of the 12 foot line, and Brizzee was going to things, over things, around things, all kinds of fun stuff! =))) I was extremely happy!

We played Stick to me and she was okay with that. She was a little sluggish at the trot, but that's okay. Mom played with Ute and he did really well also. He stood on the tarp and played with it. hehe. He's so curious. Then I groomed Brizzee. I just looped the lead rope over the fence pannel and started grooming her. Mom let Ute loose, and so he was running around, showing off. Well, he had calmed down, Brizzee was relaxed, so I groomed her tail. She relaxed it for a few seconds off and on, but it was mainly tight, but that's okay.

So, I was just getting done grooming her tail when Ute went balistic and ran over to Brizzee. Ugh! They ran into each other and he was trying to go between her and the fence, and under her lead rope. Ugh!! How INTERESTING!! I'm really surprised that neither of them were hurt. So, we played a little bit more and then I took her out to saddle her. Once we were out of the gate, she started whinnying, prancing around, couldn't keep her feet still, etc. I thought, Oh boy! So, I saddled her (which was hard because she was going around all over the place). But I saddled her and as soon as we got back into the Arena, she calmed down.

I played all Seven Games with her, stick to me, and a few other things. Then, I got on her. Immediately, she went to the gate and just stood there. And whenever I suggested turning her or something, she would fight against it. I felt so helpless. I'm starting to feel like I know a little bit about what I'm doing on the ground, but when I get on her I just go blank. And I've watched the Fluidity DVD in the Success Series a million times, but I still feel like I don't have a clue of what I'm doing.

So, I would suggest going over here, and she would fight against me. My mom moved the tarp, the ball, and a barrel into a line. We started doing a figure eight then. We went around the barrel, over the tarp, around the ball, over the tarp, and around the barrel again. So it was a pattern! It didn't take long before Brizzee was really tuned into that. Then we did it at the trot. At first it was a bit of a challenge because she kept wanting to go to the gate, but then she got more relaxed and it was much better.

Then, hehe, my mom lifted the tarp, and dragged it around. I was totally focused on that, and so was Brizzee. We were following her all around the arena. hehe. Then Brizzee stepped onto the tarp. Boy, her head shot up, but she didn't jump or anything. My mom was funny. Here she was, walking along pulling this tarp and all the suddenly her arm was being yanked out of her socket. lol. It was quite funny to see. Then she grabbed the bottles and was pulling the bottles and the tarp around. It was really fun. OH. We've been having a bit of a challenge doing Sideways ont he ground, but it's gradually improving. Well, while riding her my mom suggested sidepassing. I laughed, shaking my head. I didn't even know what to do, she kept insisting (just like she keeps insisting that I learn the canter...I feel like I'm not ready for that, but she thinks I am). So, we went over to the fence, I leaned, and my mom pretended to have the Carrot Stick. And the darnest thing happened, can anyone guess what happened? SHE SIDEPASSED!! It was a really great/AMAZING feeling! I would have never thought she would have done it with me ON HER!! I was very, very, very HAPPY!!! So, we ended on a good note.

Loading didn't go to well. I stepped up into the trailer with Brizzee, and then something happened. I'm not sure what but she just liked exploded all of the sudden. She was spinning around, whinnying really loudly. I was crammed between her and the wall, couldn't move or do anything, except really push against her with my elbow, and she darn near went right over the top of me. And then when I could finally move, Brizzee was standing right where she was supposed to be, except she wasn't facing forwards, she was backwards. My mom said to just shut the gate and we'll haul her that way. It was getting dark, and the arena has no lights outside. So, she hauled that way. When we got back she kinda exploded out of the trailer, and I sprained my ankle, but it was okay.

So, the next time we have a play session we are going to play with the Trailer. That's going to be fun! So all in all, today was a very good day, except for loading, but, I just have to get more SAVVY with that! It's me that's doing something wrong with it. I know I get a little nervous when it comes time to loading, so that was probably what set her off. It's me, not her, and I just have to get CONFIDENT!! "Oh Boy!!" Sounds like a fun journey!

Savvy On,
~Randa~ & ~Brizzee~