Some bridless!

I rode Moon finally on wednesday. We used the cradle bridle for the second time too. Mostly following the rail, going sideways, backing and doing some weave patterns at walk and trot, and working on having a soft feel on the reins. It was a nice ride and I decided to leave the arena and ride her around the yard too. We rode around freestyle for a bit before returning to the arena. I got off, took the bridle off without putting the halter back on and decided to try something. I got my savvy string and put it around her neck and got back on. We rode around at a walk with me guiding her around things and changing directions with just that string and my legs. We even did a backup before I got off for the day. It was a really cool feeling to be doing that, we've never rode bridless before!
I rode her again today doing pretty much the same with the cradle and trying some more bridless riding at the end. It went ok, but there is lots of long grass in there that is tempting for her! I'm going to try using my carrot stick next time and maybe practice with a bridle/hackamore to make sure I keep things going good, but it's been fun so far!
I also had a nice ride on Buddy, I had a passenger lesson at the walk. We even trotted for the first time. I rode him with the cradle bridle on. He's never worn a bridle, so I used my halter with the savvy string attached and left the reins on the horn. I only used them a little at the end of the ride. He's doing good.
Copper wore my natural performer saddle for the first time today and looks good in it. He was accepting it real well so I sat on him in it for a while just hanging out.
It's so nice to be getting more horse time in now that the sun is back!

More firsts

In between all the rain I managed to get a few play times in with the horses. I was on Copper's back for the first time on may long weekend. He took it well. Shadow's been doing good too and we've had a couple more rides.
Today I drove my truck and trailer by myself for my second time. I took Buddy to a friends and we brought our horses to the town arena to ride. I'm happy with how nicely he took it all. It was his first time riding in the trailer, first time going to a new place and our first ride this year. I'm happy with how well he did, it was a good day and a lot of fun! I hope to do more of that.

Long time!

It's finally drying up outside! We had a couple weeks of rain making my yard very mucky and soft. I didn't get anything done outside. Now the sun's back and things are going well.
I've spent the past week playing with Shadow and putting some first rides on her. She's been doing great and it's been fun. I started just being a passenger and rubbing her all over, getting her to accept me on her back. The last few days we've also played around with lateral flexion, hindquarter disengagement and go and whoa. I'm very happy with how she's doing. She's fairly soft and everythings feels pretty good. Yesterday I rode her in my NP saddle for the first time. We've been using the bareback pad up until then. It worked well and seems to fit her good even though she's smaller. The more I use that saddle the more I love it!

7th key to success...

Pat says there are 7 keys to success, I found out I have a lot of the 7th, support.
I was feeling frustrated and like I had failed with my horse. I had let my emotions get out of control to a point of being no good for me, but my wonderful savvy friends were there, offering the support I needed, when I most needed it. It's amazing how that positive encouragement can lift me up and keep me going. I felt like I was stuck in a rut and they were there reaching out a hand to help me out. I realized that even though we are all on our own journey to personal excellence, we are also in this together, and it's a great feeling to know I am not alone.
I went out today and just spent time with my 2 mares. No expectations. We did lots of grooming and grazing and only for a few minutes Moon and I practiced some sideways over a small jump. I feel better and am happy to have finally gone back out. I will keep working at improving the relationship and also go back to my material to keep improving my savvy as well.
Thank you to everyone who offered help, support and someone to talk too, it really means a lot. My success will be because of you!

Take the time it takes...

After playing for a short time today, I realized I might have been getting ahead of myself thinking we're more ready than we actually are. At first it was pretty depressing. I ended up finishing what we were doing and taking Moon to graze, there's no point trying to do anything when I'm feeling frustrated like I was. I'm really bad for letting negative thoughts, people etc. get to me and that's really not helpful.
That was a few hours ago. Thinking on it more, I don't know why I was in a rush all of a sudden. I also realized I haven't actually spent very much time on some of the tasks. So I really shouldn't be focused on a video immediately but instead just be happy with where we are. I'm still going to have that as a goal this month, but now I'll go out thinking about progressing towards it, rather then thinking we're still not good enough. Maybe if I would take the time it takes, then it will take less time...
Where have I heard that before?!

Inspiration

I love it when I find a video or something to get me re-inspired to continue in my journey. Today I was watching some level 2 on line auditions from fellow savvy club members. They were great to see and got me excited to try making one of my own! I think with some practice, Moon and I might actually be able to submit one this spring. Who knows if we would pass level 2 but it would be good feedback I'm sure.
I went out with that in mind today. I had some obstacles in the arena and played as if we might do our audition, trying to include what was needed and checking out where we are. I don't think it was too terrible, and am even thinking of having a video done tomorrow just for fun and so I can see what it looks like. She's skeptical around the tarp so I only asked her to check it out once and then waited, she looked at it, hesitated, and then on her own crossed it slowly, no nervous rushed leap. I think in the past I was causing that panick by not realizing her horsenality and pushing instead of giving her time. Now it seems to go much better. She even offered to put a foot on the stump without me using a rope to help. We also got some sideways over a log both ways. I tried some figure 8's at a trot. It was ok except she was very full of energy leaping and flying around on the pattern! She doesn't have lots of room to move around where the horses are kept right now so I can understand that.
I'm surprised to say I feel more confident in our ability to do our level 2 online audition, and possibly this month too! Now that I seem to be doing better knowing her horsenality and with some more play time, this might just work! Level 2...how exciting!!

Paint day

I had some good "firsts" with both paint horses today. I saddled Shadow for the first time. She was good and didn't seem bothered so we went around the yard checking things out. We did some touch it with the logs and she even offered to go over one for me. She did it nicely too, slow and careful, not rushed. Last time we were near there she was a bit nervous but today it was better.
Copper wore the saddle again today. I've been using my old saddle but it doesn't fit the horses too well so I'll probably get out my natural performer soon. Can't wait to see how that looks on them! We tried our figure 8 pattern. This time I used bigger objects instead of my little cones. Maybe it will help him get the idea better. He can go right over the cones so it might seem pointless to him. I also paid attention to my communication, trying to be clear. It wasn't amazing, but it was better than our first attempt! He was also willing to check out and touch everything I asked. He put a front foot on, and was confident around the tarp. I liked that confidence so decided not to push for a crossing today. I went through some more ride preps. putting the end of my 22ft. through the stirrups and flapping them around. I played approach/retreat with my foot in the stirrups, hopping up and down, standing in one stirrup, rubbing opposite side etc. No problems there. It was going so well I ended up getting all the way on him! Just long enough to settle in the saddle, rub him, think "yay!!" and get back off :D I did both sides, he did well and that felt like a good place to quit. I've finally sat on my lovely paint, and it was great!! :)