Farewell, Bandit

On December 31st, my pony-friend Bandit lost his battle with cancer. This isn't a sad story though. We estimate that Bandit was probably close to 30 years old! (He was rumored to have come from the Tennessee mountains, and had been owned by at least three others before me. He had battle scars to prove it.)

My relationship with Bandit (aka, "Frito Bandito") began in late 2002. One day, a year or so after my low back surgery, I announced to the universe (and to my husband) that therapy and a gym membership just weren't cutting it - I needed a horse back in my life! (My previous horse having been given away in 1989.)

The next day, I was on a totally unrelated errand when I was killing time talking with a stranger and spied a field full of horses. I said to him, "I'm looking to buy a horse." He asked, "What are you looking for?" and I replied, "A middle-aged gaited gelding." He looked over at the field and said, "Well, my neighbor is selling one of those two" and pointed out Smokey & Bandit. Within days, we had negotiated to purchase both Smokey and Bandit. (I never was one to shop around for a horse..) Bandit was the first gaited horse that I'd ever ridden.

I had fallen in love with Smokey's studly attitude and looks, but multiple folks kept telling me, "That is the pony you need" while pointing at Bandit, so he became my "husband's horse." After fencing in our back yard, we brought them home early in 2003.

By late spring, I had allowed Bandit to founder - probably not for the first time in his life. A local vet advised me to sell him at auction or to give him away as a pasture ornament. Fortunately, I refused to listen to him, changed vets and found a good farrier (and eventually an even better farrier using Natural Balance methods). With ongoing attention to diet and hoofcare, he recovered completely.

By late in 2003, due to my fear and frustration with Smokey (who I've since learned is an extreme RBI with baggage), I had discovered Parelli Natural Horsemanship and attended two "tour stops." By early 2004, I had started riding Bandit to get my confidence back up, and even took him to our local fair to compete in a trail class. Here is a video of him with friends from 2004.



In 2005, I won my first blue ribbon ever while competing him at the fair! See the photo at the top of this post. According to a local gaited horse trainer, he had "an incredible overstride." Knowing virtually nothing about "gaited" horses, I had never appreciated this! Over the next two years, we went on to participate in all sorts of events including parades, fairs, play dates, jousting, and best of all, trail rides.

Turns out that this pony was a die-hard trail horse. When I got the courage to take him on our first gaited group ride, I was shocked and amazed! These folks were hard-core, fast-riding, and totally on adrenaline. Many of them recognized Bandit from before I owned him and weren't surprised when HE TOOK OVER THE LEAD HORSE POSITION for about 15 miles. I was pretty much out of control of the situation, but he knew exactly what to do. Apparently, his job was to show everyone the trails and how to take each obstacle. I gave him his head and kept calling back to the group to figure out where to allow him to turn. He became locally known as my "go-go" pony.

I have more stories to tell about Bandit than any other horse that I've owned. (Guinness may be catching up, but not quite yet..) Here are just a few:

• When I purchased him, I was warned that he had a tendency to lay down while crossing water on trail rides. I wasn't concerned since he wouldn't dare do that with me. Hah! I learned the hard way during our first hunter pace (where he was the only pinto, not to mention the only gaited horse). Our task was to walk a short distance down the creek bed, and when the water reached his knees, down he went. I was wet and embarrassed. After that, I made a deal with him that he seemed to take to heart: If he crossed water politely during our rides, I would untack him later and allow him to wallow to his heart's content.
  
  
• Bandit *loved* watermelon and would become obsessed when he detected it nearby. I once had to struggle to keep him from walking through a campfire to get some.
  
  
• Although he was small, sweet-natured, and willing, he a wasn't a "push-button" pony. Once when a nine year old girl came to visit, Bandit was happy to let her sit on him. But when she tried to make him do what she wanted, he had other ideas. Despite her years of lessons at a local stable, Bandit would "get stuck" in the corners of our pasture! She would patiently dismount, lead him back to the center of the field, and then start over..

Bandit was my perfect partner except for one thing - his age. He was so easy to play with that I neglected to deal with my other two troubled critters (Smokey & Parlay -a young rescue). I decided that if I were to place Bandit, I'd be forced to progress with others. It was a no-brainer whom I wanted Bandit to be with. My farrier's wife, a veterinarian, was feeling a bit unconfident with horses. She was/is small, athletic and sensitive, and would become Bandit's new perfect partner! In 2007 (?), Bandit went to live with Deb and Dave. They had many more adventures together, before retiring him from riding last year when his age really began to show.

Here are just a few photos of Bandit and his new family, in his later years:










Thanks for the memories, Fritos. I hope to someday meet you in Horseman's Heaven.

Christmas Eve Update

I'm shocked at how much time has passed since my last post. At least I'm spending (slightly) more time with my horse than I am blogging. :-)

I was just outside removing blankets (sunny & 25 degrees) and feeding. While waiting for Smokey to finish eating, Guinness & Cody instigated a clicker training (CT) session with me. Cody has finally learned his first behavior taught entirely through CT. He can now "smile" on cue and is very proud of it!! He is well on his way to "shaking hands" (lifting his front leg) and next will be picking up a glove.

Guinness had two triumphs this morning:

1. I can now stand on the other side of a fence, tip my head in the direction that I want him to turn, then raise my opposite hand and make a spinning motion with my hand and he will spin in that direction and return to facing me. It works in both directions!

2. I can gesture at his front foot and tap his hind leg and he will lift his left forefoot high and right hind at the SAME TIME. This is the beginning of a piaffe on cue at liberty!

He will alternate lifting his forefeet depending on which side of his withers I tap. (I need to remember to play with asking him to lift alternate hind feet with a hip tap.) I think that I'm going to expand my cue for the forefeet into snapping my fingers and reaching with the arm that I want him to mimic, while facing him. Then I'll turn and teach it to him while facing the same direction that he is. This should allow us to morph it into a "stick to me" game with extension and/or elevation of the forelegs. How fun!!

While Guinness was smiling at me, I noticed that he has lost one of his lateral incisor baby teeth and another one is very loose. I think that he was showing them to me.

For more information on young horse dentition, visit this website: http://www.rrrhorseranch.com/howtoageahorse.htm

I've heard that it is supposed to warm up to near 50 degrees next Thursday, so I'm going to plan to spend the day playing horsey!!

Slo-Mo Passenger Lesson

This morning, Guinness and I went for a walk away from the other horses down to my septic field - where the grass is still green. He was overjoyed. There I spent a half-hour or so closely observing his halt-walk-halt transitions, shutting my eyes, and trying to work out where his feet were and how things felt. It was really educational. This is the second time that we've done this and I figured that I'd better blog about it while I can remember what I was thinking..

- It seems that when a hind foot is loaded with weight, that hip rises - and when it is unloaded, it drops. This is totally counter-intuitive to me!

- However, when a front foot is unloaded, the shoulder rises.

- If the rider's weight is back and we are trying to encourage the horse to use his hiney more, shouldn't the rider synchronize MORE with the horse's hind end?

- It seems that the rider should avoid "falling into the dip" created when the horse unloads a hind foot, since it seems that would tend to off balance the horse?? Should the rider strive to keep her own hips even - say at the trot?

- I tend to sit more on my seat-bones, and to stay off of my crotch, while riding. To do this, I tip my hips up. This is ok, except that I had a L4 discectomy after rupturing that disc during a sit-trot lesson about 10 years ago, so I can't over-do that position. In this position, it is natural for my thighs to move somewhat forward to compensate for me shifting my cheeks under me and my weight a bit back.

- To keep my thighs aligned under me, I have to tense the muscles at the juncture of my hip and back of my thigh. This is not pleasant and makes me feel stiff. Thus, my "chair-seat." (I admit that I have chunky thighs and short legs, and this may be a factor!) I can allow my lower leg to hang straight from my knees without having to tense any other muscles..

- If I squeeze my upper thighs a little, it tends to roll my legs from a pidgeon-toed position and my toes will point a bit more straight forward. Is this good? I probably do this without knowing it.

- To cue a HQ yield, I can easily bring my inside lower leg back behind the girth and point my toe downward. To cue sideways, I could use a neutral leg with pressure at the girth. To cue a FH yield, I could squeeze my inside thigh/knee and allow my toe to point a bit in toward the horse which results in pressure a little in front of the girth. Is there any reason not to do this?

I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

It is snowing here.

But, I don't WANT to... (in a whiney voice)

I just read a very good blog post: http://central.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com/2010/11/expect-the-unexpected/

It got me thinking about how our over-thinking can box us in. Here are two of my current mental blocks:

1. I still feel distinctly uncomfortable with the thought of riding in my tiny back field (basically my back yard). Why?? Because about 7 years ago, Smokey threatened to run away with me. Did he? No, 'cause I got off. Since then, I've ridden Bandit back there a little, years ago. I've also ridden Guinness there about 4 times (with someone else nearby giving me moral support). Come to think of it, it may have something to do with my high-school horse running off & dumping me while in a field with his buddies. But, even when the other horses are confined, I get sort of anxious! I guess that I need approach and retreat. I'd really love for someone to bring a horse over here to ride with me!! I'm going to try to rope some friends into coming over. Perhaps I should host a playdate or try bribery?

2. My horses CAN NOT do the Figure 8 pattern. When I send them, they go the the barrel (or whatever) and try to climb on it (mostly Guinness). I get my rope tangled up and knock things over. I feel stupid. I've been half-a**ed playing with this pattern for a YEAR. I hate it!.. However, I used to feel that circling was impossible too, and breaking it down and rewarding each component is solving this. I suspect that what I need to do is to start circling around cones, then using the cones to mark changes of direction, and mixing it up to finally develop a Fig. 8 pattern. Any other ideas?

So what are YOUR mental blocks that are preventing you from progressing? Fess up!

Nitty Gritty Plan

Guinness and I are enrolled in Carol Coppinger's L3 camp in Bristol next May. Although she has already approved us to participate based on our performance last year, it seems only reasonable that we strive to officially pass L2 prior to the event. I'd like to have both auditions submitted by April 1st, at the latest.

Online Level 2 Try using a feather-light line or the equivalent to prevent "noise" in the line

We should be able to knock these two tasks right out:

• Teach horse to stand on 3 legs (hold each leg up for 30 seconds)
  
• YoYo back and forth from Zone 3 practice stick-to-me
  

Patterns: Break down into components, CT to teach/reinforce each component, then chain together with emphasis on giving Guinness responsibility for each pattern. study the Patterns!

• Figure 8
• Weave
  

Sideways: Guinness knows this behavior, but I need to allow him more responsibility in the execution! I need to focus on getting quieter in my body.

• Move sideways keep feet still
  
• Sideways without fence
  

Circles: Guinness has learned to circle me up to 4 or so laps at a time at a walk, but it needs to be reinforced in and out of the roundpen. Trotting is a bit newer to him. I need to help him to differentiate between my requests for walk vs. trot vs. canter (cue words) and to teach him to maintain the gait until requested otherwise, understanding that this is a *challenging* task for an LBI unless a game is made of it! (Break gait/change direction/tag where he was with a laugh. Jackpot when he "wins.") Once he masters the cues for the three gaits and the "game" and then all four of these will be achievable.

• Circling 2 – 4 laps without breaking gait at both walk & trot
• Circling 4 – 6 laps trot/canter
• Circling with obstacles and maintain gait at a trot
• Traveling circles
  

Freestyle Riding Level 2

• Passenger Lesson at trot
  We are ready to play with this NOW! I'd like to do this in Julie's small arena the first time and work up to doing it in my back field. Even if he canters a bit, he is so "short" that I should survive.. This is mostly about MY confidence, 'cause I don't intend to use the reins!!
  

• Circle with Casual Rein, 4 laps at walk and trot
  Should be a cinch after mastering circles online, but need to exit the roundpen for trotting.
  

• Sideways 20’ facing a fence
  Practice traveling up to 20' feet with subtle cues.
  

• Freestyle patterns: FTR, Fig.-8, Weave, Transitions, Question Box, Obstacles
  I have a vision of creating a Question Box in the center of my roundpen and leaving both gates open. This would allow us to ride within the roundpen, just outside the perimeter of the roundpen, and in large loops from one entrance to the other. I have plenty of barrels, logs, poles, etc. to provide variation & amusement - I just need to take the time to set them up. Our practice with this will probably be at the walk/trot due to the likelihood of slippery footing. When the roads are ok, I could haul to a friend's place with a large outdoor arena and firm parking area.

We have 4 months to prepare, but they tend to be rainy/cold months, so it will take perseverance. Michelle's husband gave me advice about lighting my roundpen/back field with two 500 watt halogen fixtures mounted to the rail of my deck, which should help a ton. Thanks, Rick!

I should probably plan to enroll in "lessons" at my local indoor arena in Feb/March, just to have a back-up place once per week to practice (provided that the roads are passible).

Time to git 'er done.

For the Record

To date, here is my inventory of Guinness' and my remaining L2 & L3 tasks to master:

Online
Level 2

• Patterns: Figure-8, Weave, Circles
• Move sideways (keep feet still) - need to test
  
• Teach horse to stand on 3 legs (hold each leg up for 30 seconds) - we're so close!
• YoYo back and forth from Zone 3 - need to test
  
• Circling 4 – 6 laps trot, canter - we have 4 laps at a trot, on a good day
  
• Traveling circles - sort of
  
• Circling with obstacles and maintain gait at a trot
• Circling 2 – 4 laps without breaking gait at walk, trot - how does this differ from above?
• Sideways without fence - needs to be straighter

Level 3 (we haven't done anything with the 45' yet)

• Massage with clippers - need to test, ok with messager
  
• Lead backwards by hind leg -usually
  
• Point A to Point B, 45-foot Line
• Drive from Z5: one rein - great on the trail, but in an open area?
  
• Back and draw towards you (45-foot Line)
• Jump towards you, stop, back to obstacle
• One hind leg and front leg over a pole - straddle?
• Circling 6 – 10 laps at canter
• Circling walk, trot, canter transitions
• Simple change of direction at canter
• Obstacles, hills, maintain gait
• Sideways fast (on 22 or 45-foot Line)
• Along log or fence, keep my feet still

Freestyle Riding
Level 2

• Passenger Lesson at trot *very soon!
  
• Circle with Casual Rein, 4 laps at walk and trot
• Sideways 20’ (facing the fence)
• All Freestyle patterns, except Follow the Rail

Level 3 (I haven't tried riding with two carrot sticks yet)

• Passenger Lesson at canter
• Bridle and unbridle from your horse’s back - I bet that we can do this now
  
• Canter, stop and get off - with the sticks?
  
• Refined Direct and Indirect Rein
• Lateral Flexion, 2 Sticks
• Disengage with two Carrot Sticks
• Full turn - with sticks?
  
• Transitions: halt-walk-trot-canter (2 Sticks)
• Circling carrot Sticks on your shoulders, canter 4 laps, with less than 4 corrections total (1 per lap)
• Circling simple change, bowtie
• Circling with Casual Reins: canter 4 laps with less than 2 corrections per lap - is this correct?
  
• Sideways with 2 Carrot Sticks
• 20’ Sideways without fence
• A log (12”-18”), turn, face and wait, 2 sticks

Liberty
Level 2 - Done!
Level 3

• Lead backwards by hind leg - most of the time
  
• Lead by ear, chin - most of the time
  
• Stick to Me at canter
• Stick to Me Transitions: walk, trot, canter, halt and back up - most of the time
  
• YoYo transitions: halt, walk, trot, canter and back up - not sure what this means
  
• Circling 6 – 10 laps (trot and canter)
• Circling walk, trot and canter - transitions?
  
• Circling change of direction at canter with simple change
• Circling 3 laps with a barrel - what does this mean?
  
• Circling single spin - working on it!
  
• Circling change direction at trot

Finesse

• All Level 2 and up - I'm not planning to ride him in a bridle until he will follow my feel without reins

A lack of impulsion is our main obstacle in many of these tasks. Looks as though we need to let go of the roundpen and to focus on practicing the Patterns, both Online & Freestyle, in our small pasture. It is time to truly let go of my historic reluctance to ride outside of the roundpen at home. Funny - I confidently ride him everywhere away from home.

* Please post a comment if you can offer me insight into any of this! *

Our Second Anniversary Together

On November 21st, Guinness (my cookie-monster) and I celebrated the 2nd anniversary of our partnership by going to visit our friend Julie for the first time.

Julie, who has lots of dressage & eventing experience, and her partner, Shadowfax, are playing somewhere in L2/L3. Julie recently purchased Karen Rohlf's study materials and is busy integrating it into her studies. She encouraged me to watch some of it with her, and I admit that I'm captivated too! I'm now trying to figure out how to wrangle her Everything Pack for myself for Christmas (probably wishful thinking..).

In several of her videos, Karen plays successfully with young LBI horses (often bareback and using only a halter) as she laughs and coaxes them along. I find these both instructional and highly inspirational. (As I have found those of Linda P. and her LBI, Remmer, to be.) I had held the mistaken belief that I wasn't "worthy" to study Karen's materials yet since I'm not even close to being a L4 student, however she offers strategies for issues that I am having this moment with Guinness. I'm especially appreciative that her philosophies mesh perfectly with those of PNH.

Julie, the horses, and I played with driving game on a circle. The focus was to see if the horses were able to match our energy to make appropriate transitions. It was totally different from anything that I've played before with Guinness and I could see the wheels turning in his brain.

We played at liberty including the catching game (which I find incredibly helpful to set the tone for a playdate). When Guinness showed her his new behavior of holding each leg folded up high on cue, she commented that Karen R. uses tapping on the side of the withers as a cue for the same behavior. In a couple of tries, I was able to morph the cue from tapping the point of his shoulder to tapping his withers and he got it! He was even able to figure it out for each foreleg while mounted. :-))

It was tons of fun and I hope to do it again very soon. Thanks, Julie!

**************

This past year has been very eventful for G. and me. (The photo is of the two of us this past January. Note that we are still on a leadline.)

To recap:

• I began seriously riding him in April, utilizing a local indoor arena
• We participated fully in a Carol Coppinger L2 clinic in May
• We attended two informal trail competitions this summer, and he placed in both
• We successfully rode in two 6-mile American Competitive Trail Horse Association rides
• He went "swimming" in the river several times
• I rode him in our local July 4th parade
• We've hauled all over the place to visit friends for playdates and to ride the trails

In a mere 8 months, he has met all of my expectations for a horse partner (unlike my previous partner, Smokey - age 18 - who still couldn't handle all of this after 8 years with me & PNH). I attribute this to his outgoing, friendly, rock-solid LBI temperament and to the use of marker signals in conjunction with treats in his Parelli Natural Horsemanship education.

Guinness is now about 3 1/2 years old. He stands about 15 hands tall and weighs about 850 lbs (compared to our other Rocky who is 12, about the same height, and weighs about 1100 lbs).

This photo is of us at our second ACTHA ride on October 16, 2010. Note how much he has grown in 10 months. Wow.

I can't wait for 2011.