Uhm...what happened?

How the heck has it been so long since my last post? REALLY bad! Shame on me...and shame on all of you who should've been nagging me for an update, LOL!!

Ally update: hurt my back, and i'm much, much slower these days. All my lofty goals of training horses this summer basically got lost. Thankfully, the trainer who took on Frank was able to continue- and how he's as push button as they come- and oh so much fun! I only dare riding for about 10 minutes at a time...but boy those 10 minutes are fun!!

Faith- she's doing well. She just recently moved to a new barn- with much bigger pastures and arena/ places to play- which she needs if she is ever going to get that hind end in shape. the other arena was just too small and was an injury waiting to happen to her. She's reminded me not to slack on the 'mental' exercises- which she needs in order to be OK with life around her. Just this afternoon, we were in the round pen- a short spell- 10 minutes. That was uneventful- until we decided to leave. For some reason, oblivious to me, Faith decided that she wanted to RUN through the gate. I haven't seen that behavior in ages from her- but it made me realize how much I'm slacking with the Parelli stuff. OY. So, back into the pen we go, play a few yielding games, and then we play the 'back out of the gate game'...and then 'squeeze game' through the gate...a few times each, mixing it up, until we were cool with the gate. then we played games from the point of the gate to the post where she'd find her dinner.

I couldnt believe how oblivious she was to my presence- it took A LOT of work to get her paying attention, and for her to use her brain...prior to, she was on autopilot and more focused on the horizon. YIKES. [insert rolley-eye emoticon]

Cassie, my CBER horse, has been off all summer- well, the past 2 months. Before i did myself in, i had her up to accepting the saddle, she wore a bridle, and she could longe- sort of. I even experimented with putting my weight on her back, from the mounting block. She was going so well!

I've been tossing it back and forth in my head, and finally, I came to the decision to find training for Miss Cassie. As much as i hate to admit it to myself- my body just isn't up to it. To add to that, my 'real job' is getting much more intense. So when I ask myself if i can dedicate the time and physical strength to train...it looks pretty grim.

I asked Juliane to put Cassie on the waitlist at Serenity Training. With my trainer going back home to Europe, Juliane is about the only other person I'd trust to work with Cassie. I know she's got the 'stuff' to work with Cassie. Cassie will be in very good, competent hands.

So, as we wait for a spot to open up, I am working with Cassie on the ground- gently & patiently. Foot placement, and thinking exercises- as much as i can do with little risk to reinjuring myself. It really irritates me that I can't do more. It makes me sad, because I wanted to be the first one to ever ride her. Heck, I am having a hard time scooping poop...nevermind training :( ARGH!!!!!!!!!

Now that i have internet access at home, (yes, yes, before the year 2007...only took 3 years for me to break down and do it, LOL)... i want to plan on updating this more.

TTFN,

Ally & the Equine Gang