Cold but excited!!!

Today I was finally able to get out to see my boy! I was exuberant! Of course there were others in the arena and he was supervising. I got my goodies together and went in and he greeted me at the gate then gave me the cold shoulder! Little devil! Letting me know in no uncertain terms that I haven't been out there so there were more interesting things to look at and do other than be with me! Well, I sort of don't blame him. But after I poured my heart out for his forgiveness he allowed me to halter him up and in we went.

Deb (our awesome instructor) told me to warm him up! Immediately he went to investigate and the lesson quickly turned to focus! It was awesome! He was awesome! The hardest part for me was to give him quick praise because I was in awe at how much fun he seemed to be having! Asking me questions and all!!! We focused on a few things and he did them pretty easily then I focused on the bareback pad per Deb's request! Of course being the curious cat he is went right over there and I let him nose it and popped it on. He was totally fine with it. The next thing was walking the rail with the pad on. We did both ways and he did quite well. Then we did the weave pattern around cones. Deb had a great way of showing us how to do this! I was licking and chewing for ever after all this!!! Jiggies did great. I thanked him profusely for helping me and allowing my slip ups. I rewarded all the fun play with his favorite treat. All his herbs and Ninxia berrys. He loves them!

At 1p we had our workshop without the horse. It was about focus and leadership then we did some simulations with 22 and 45 foot ropes. It was quite fun! Deb keeps us motivated and is very kind in her teaching. She has mirrored alot of her teaching from Helen Topp who will be at KarMik acres in May. I am grateful to have such a wonderful teacher to help us on our journey! Thanks Deb! I will be out there tomorrow having fun with what we accomplished today! Can't wait! Thanks Jiggies. I love you buddy!

Now it's rain!!!!!!!!

Oh the mud to be sure!!! It's thundering, lightning! Yikes. Can't even get to the barn because I will sink! I got stuck a couple of weeks ago and there is still mud all over the bottom of the car and that's after I got it washed! Whah!!!!!!!!

I really want to get out to see Jiggies! I may need to get a boat! I will get there Sat. I will most likley need a chisel because it is supposed to snow and be icy! Whah again!!!

Hang in there my boy your new suppliments came today I will be there as soon as I can! Luv to you!!!

The Artic Tundra! Again...

It's frrreeezzzing!!! -4 this morning. I decided to play on the computer this morning. Around 2 this afternoon I braved the artic blast to go see Jiggies.

There were loads of people in the arena so I decided not to go in. So we played the "Im eating, I'm not coming over to you" game. I started to walk away and next thing I know, he's hanging over the fence looking at me! Funny little turkey.

We spent some undemanding loving time together. I gave him his herbs and oils then he decided I was too cold so told me to leave. Didn't argue!

I will be so looking forward to warmer weather. I want to take a couple of afternoon's off just so we can be together. WHEN IT'S WARMER. Maybe the air will warm just enough to evaporate all the melting snow and it won't be muddy! Yeah, that's the ticket!!! Tally Ho!!! We plan on having a great week!

It's White again!!!

Started snowing during the night. It is now about 8:30 still snowing. Wicked pretty. It snows alittle then snows alot. I was going to buz to the barn but...I have some things I must get done so I will let Jiggies frolick today and we can play tomorrow.

Tally HO!!!!

Yikes! It's raining, sleeting a few flakes yuck. Last night more of the same. I am sooo glad we have that indoor. Cold, but it allows you to play in the winter! Jiggies and I had a pretty good time last night. He made a bee line right for my coffee and knocked it off the steps when we got into the arena. Smelled like Hazelnutt in there! We worked on our sideways game. Julie was there with Lilly and she helped get me going better. Jiggies had enough though, he started cow kicking. Yeah, no keep going son!!!! Guess he wanted to stop. We also progressed on our figure 8. He did pretty well. I am going to try to get out there tonight too! :) I just love playing with him!

What a Great Day!

Early this morning is was beautiful outside. Cold but quite sunny. I went to visit some special friends early, stopped at the store then tore out to see my boy.

I was excited becuase I had talked myself into NOT having any expectations. So often I want to plan everything to do with Jiggs and he normally has another ajenda. Like being RBI!

So, today, I was feeling quite happy and greatful when I got to the barn. I didn't see the Jigster out in the pasture but when I seen a girl come out of the human door with her horse from the arena, I figured o'le Mr. Jig-saw was in there finding out what was up. Sure enough, I went in and there he was. A barn hand was filling up the water and Jiggies was supervising. Hee Hee...

I gave him a cookie and haltered him up to play in the arena. It was really quite cold. We played and not for about 2 hours. He was quite LBE today and I loved it. He had very little RB issues which was great. We did some leading by the leg, friendly game on the legs. He did alot of the lateral flexion on both sides. I was jazzed on that. We did a side to the side at the mounting steps ( he came in on the side of it instead of the front) That's ok. I was able to lay and love on him. He just kept turning and lipping my sleeve. I gave him all of his herbs and oils and we worked on his hooves for a bit. I was able to pick all of them up quite with ease & sand them a bit! He was very cooperative. In return, he got my sweat jacket full of Jiggie spit! LOVED IT!!!!! I was able to get some oils in the hoof as well. They look awesome. Thanks Mr. Mike!

Another girl was in the arena and her horse is out in the pasture with Jiggs so he was ok with them being there. He followed me around, we did some backwards stuff, squeeze stuff, mishapped figure 8's. But now that I saw Lea's video and told Jiggies tonight, watch out! He is up to the challenge. We have a date on Tuesday night. He is excited. I am splitting with excitement to get there.

He was happy and moseying out to the pasture upon my departure. As always, I hate to leave. But as long as he knows I'll be back to love on him. I think he looks forward to it as much as I. Thanks Jiggies for being my best boy! I love you.

Amazing Evening!

Hey there. What a great evening Jiggies and I had. He wanted to come in and play all the way from the pasture! We had a great time. Once I got him in the arena he was a bit high headed (windy) and I immediatly started to work with him and he turned left in a heartbeat! We worked figure 8 around the barrels (i need help with that) trotted over the 4 timbers, and I planted muchies around the arena and he had to find them! We did loads of stuff at liberty too!!! He did really great! I didn't want to leave and I can't wait for this weekend! I love you soooooooo much Jiggies. Thank you for helping me with OUR Journey!

WOW!!!!

I can't believe it is Wed! These days are blowing by! I need more time!!!!!! I haven't jotted since Sunday, went out to play with Jiggies that day and got stuck in the mud on the way out! Jerry pushed me out and I high-tailed it to the car wash. I am surprised they let me thru! But it's all good now. Of course it has been raining or the last couple of days...we need it.

Got to The Henzes' late due to the mud incident. Met Anne for a few minutes then she had to leave. Maryanne made these amazing biscotti's. OMG! They were awesome. I demanded that she post the recipe to her blog. I'm waiting....:)

Monday was a lazy night. Really tired from the weekend so I did laundry, cleaned up and played on the computer for a bit then hit the hay! HAY, JUST LIKE JIGGIES!

TUES, I didn't make it to the barn either. Really warm out (around 55 today) but quite muddy still. Got out to MA to visit and give the girls (Lea and Alli) the video camera so they could assess! I am so excited for them. Eddie and Scout are so cute. I will need to pop a picture of them on here next time I get out there.

More later.

Elements of Success
Pat Parelli
1. Talent – you’re born with
2. Skills – you can develop
3. Try – intestinal fortitude & dedication
4. Luck – flip of the coin
These are great reminders from one of the Parelli blogs. I love getting them. They, like all the other material I attempt to devour and are invaluble to me. It is constant reminding.

Like today. I went to the barn and just knew that Jiggies would give me the butt again. But that was cool. I decided this would be my lesson today. So Deb helped me with the catching game. I have not had to do this before because he usually always comes up to come out! So this is very new. Once we got Jiggs into the arena that is what we worked with. Deb was a wonder. She showed me exactly how this could happen and explained that out in the pasture it is a bit harder but I just need to keep at it. So at 11:30 I put him back out so I could go home and get some fresh unsopped socks and was a bit worried that I wouldn't be able to get him back out. Deb assured me we would.

I got back there just in time for the workshop. I went out to the muddy, poopie pasture and played the game. He was totally on to me however, he was quite more reseptive. I just kept telling him in my mind that we were going to have so much fun at the workshop. In minutes I was haltering him up and heading into the arena where several of his pasture mates and other pasture mates were in. He Loved It! He did so well.

We spent time near the mounting block. I finally got him to get close so I could lay on him! Twice! He did so well. He walked around with the tarp on his back. I made loads of noise with it and he did very well. All the obsticals were great. Deb does a great job making it interesting. I was so excited I had another successful playday with him!
I really felt like he was trusting me as a leader as well. I so needed this day as I have been feeling quite unconfident as of late. We shall see how tomarrow goes. I love this horse so much. I sometimes can't stop loving him but I also know I need to get provacative with him as well. It will be quite the balancing act!

It's Friday!

This week went really quick! We had our Parelli Pot luck last night which went way too fast! Great food! We watched another part of the L & HB some of which I had seen with Allure but who cares. I love that horse. He is so funny! Tomorrow I am having a lesson with Jiggies then the Playday! I hope he is a HappyAppy!

Pretty Day!

The sun was brilliant this morning. Creating a tube of light reaching far up. Amazing!
Late yesterday afternoon I went to the barn to see if Jiggies was up to having company. NOT! New Hay had just been thrown so therefore I was lower than a worms belly! Very good though. I just sat and watched as he forced everyone around the different hay piles...YIKES! Being the herd head does have its challenges I believe. It was all I could do to get out there and pull him out so someone could eat in peace!!!
After a bit they all settled in and were munching happily! They are a beautiful site to see with the sun setting behind them. I just love to watch them.
Tonight we are having a Parelli Pot Luck with a V-Day theme. I am out of work a bit early to prepare the fare! I'm excited. We are continuing with the Liberty and Horse Behavior series. Very cool. Having a great day!

Playday bust!

Well, Jiggs had no intention of doing any playing today! Got to the farm about 20 minutes b/4 start time and bam! Talk to the butt! Ok..did some approch retreat yeah, no he wasn't having any of that. So, we will try next week. Little devil as you can see he is happy munching... Enjoy your evening..

Just got these....

I just love these! Enjoy...

http://sports.aol.com/nfl/superbowlads/2008?videoId=2065836 & Budweiser_ClydesdaleAmericanDream2.asf.

You may need to copy and paste in your browser...I can't wait to see the one for todays Super Bowl!

Happy February!

Feb already! Yikes taxes! Yikes! It's all upon us. Today promises to be a great day! Warmer here (therefore possible mud! yuck) But it is better than -30!

Today is our second Parelli workshop at the farm. It is at Flanery Farms in Maple Park. This is where Jiggies lives. It is 100 acres of horses! He loves it there and he is happily the herd leader in his pasture. I can't wait to take him out! We are doing Parelli Patterns today! I will let you know how it goes.

Go Arizona!!!