Forty Degree Temperature Change – Winter to Instant Summer

Fancy ride in another 40 degree temperature change day..from 30’s to 75 degrees.

My first goal was passenger riding faster than a walk for ten minutes.  We did five minutes before she froze in place when the pigs made noises.  She did stay out on the rail at the very last two minutes before she froze in concern at little piglet noise from their pen just outside the arena.
Note:  Passenger Riding means human stays on the horse and horse decides where to go in the arena.  Horse always starts out making short turns or tries to go through a too narrow barn door opening…she did get her head through the too narrow opening.  We had a discussion about that….

I’m developing a Parelli Level 4 Freestyle (bridleless) audition and rode Fancy in an indoor arena. I got slightly overheated. Poor Fancy, she was the one doing the hard work. It didn’t occur to me that three arena doors could be opened along with two half doors for a breeze. Breeze is a term not pleasantly associated with winter. Plus there is a very nice usable outdoor arena at this stable…duh

Do not ever give Fancy the number to the Stupid Human Horse Abuse Hotline.

We tried the two foot jump, but she stopped, tried to step over the pole, and knocked over the entire jump. No more jump try today.  But we did try to consistently gait and canter over the pole on the ground.

We did some flying changes, but I held the reins.  Some of the changes were successful! I tried to follow Erin’s instruction to use more “enthusiasm”. I probably omitted another requirement or more.  It’s difficult to remember all the million and one flying change requirements at the same time…see much earlier post for detailed flying change requirements.

I tried to do my plan for the audition.  Some of the hastily made up plan didn’t work, even using reins.

We worked on my new side pass goal…side pass when my leg comes off her barrel and I assume the sidepass and head position.  Second stage is leg cue with opposite leg.  I’m getting a very slow “don’t wanna” response.  Third stage is to use more pressure.  Fourth stage is to reward with treat and rest when a quick side pass response achieved.  We followed up with gaiting around the arena with leg yields. Improvement was noted!  We need immediate leg yield for flying change!

We ended with her saddle off and a wonderful roll in the yummy arena dirt.