Events and Happening.

I had a great trail ride on Da Dunc yesterday. Every time I ride up there I learn something new. For awhile I felt like I wasn't learning anything. I was frustrated because I knew what needed to be done, but could not do it, so I never advanced with Duncan. Now there is this whole other world that I want to understand. I was so opposed to trying Western, and so opposed to doing anything that wasn't dressage, and I've realized why not? I am glad I am struggling to understand something, because it means I will learn. I am 17 years old. I want to hop on and go western, go on a trail ride, go to New York and do dressage for kids, and go to the beach. There is no reason to limit myself. If I learn some western, it won't hurt me, in fact it will probably be good for me. What Buck and Terry do with horses is something I am only beginning to understand. And it really works. So why should I not stay there and try to understand everything I possibly can before I go to college?
For example... Duncan was trying to run away in the paddock the other day, because he's a Duncan. He's done this a lot in the past and I just get was too mad and chase him around. So I did my thing and blocked him, and then would turn him away from me, like usual, and like usual it did not work out so well. But Terry does this thing where you hook them on to you and get them to come in to you to change direction. It works a hell of a lot better than what I try, but I don't really get it yet. The main principal of it is to look at their body language and when they slow down you back up. They should turn in to you then, and you keep their attention. I watched a Buck video and they said do not do anything until the horse is ready. But you have to keep their attention on you by moving. I'm not sure if the horse is looking to the right, if you would look to the right or to the left. And then I think if you want a horse to go to the left you drive them from the right. But when you ride if you want a horse to turn left you use your left leg. Which is the complete opposite of dressage, but she did have a point. When you use your left leg, the horse moves their left ear. And when I first started riding, before I rode with Robyn, if I wanted a horse to turn left it made sense to me to ask them with my left leg. I just did it and didn't think of it. Not that Robyn taught me anything wrong, Terry just has a different way, and it really works for Duncan. I don't love it, but if it makes him happy I suppose I will give it a try. I will also have to try out one of these western saddles everyone raves about... We will see how that goes. Terry and I went on a trail ride yesterday. It was really fun. We went through a new bridge, around some trees that came a little too close to my knees for my liking (I literally had to put my leg on his neck one time so I didn't loose a limb), and went for an awesome gallop through the snow. Who thought Duncan would be the reliable gallop buddy. Miss Misunderstood Bella went a little crazy on me. I am SO glad I sold her. I love her to death and she will always have a part of my heart... but she is a pain in the ass. Duncan is so much better now that I realize it. And boy does she move like a draft. Duncan was a hard adjustment at first, but I'm liking him a whole lot better now. Thank God!
I've also decided I am going to dressage for kids. We will see how my new western techniques work out here. I feel like I am sometimes going in every direction, but I think that was because I had no idea what I wanted. I am glad I have finally reached a place I want to be.

Bella is doing well. She is at Hearts and Horses for a tune up. She came and would NOT move... no matter what. She would rear in my face, try to bite me, try to kick, run you over, buck a lot. She is doing well now. The groundwork I do with Duncan like disengaging the hind end and bending is both relaxing and makes her listen. She hasn't bucked once under saddle... except for when she bucked me off in the field, but that doesn't really count. I am very glad I have some new tricks to try with her, and hope they prevent some of the problems we had in the past. I also really want Bella's owners to understand how to do some stuff with her. I want them to do a Terry clinic. She can give them so much more to help them than I can.

Funny How Things Work

A lot has been going on lately. Bella is back at Hearts and Horses. She was not behaving herself very well for her owners, so she is getting a tune up. It is going pretty well. I've been doing a lot of the ground work stuff Terry taught me with Duncan, on her. It continues to surprise my how much it works. For her it's the shoulder. The fact that she has to move it away from me really makes her mad, but she has been getting way better at it. The first say she tried to run me over, bite me, kick me. She's a hot mess. But she is a fast learner, and doesn't stay too mad for long. She is like a 2 year old horse. I think I can help Bella, but she is not an easy horse to teach other people on.

As for Duncan, he is still at Terry's. He's doing amazingly well. I was looking at some of my posts before I went to the clinic or to Terry's. I was trying to make it sound alright, but inside I felt no hope. I wasn't riding, I wasn't happy, and I did not know where the future would bring me, but I was certain there would be no future with Duncan in it. Since I have been at Terry's everything has turned around. I don't even understand what she did, but she made him calmer. When Jan told me to send my horse to there at the SMDA banquet, I gave it a little consideration. But I didn't know just how much of a difference it would have. I didn't believe a horse could change this much, this fast. In fact, I thought the whole Buck Brannaman, natural horsemanship thing was a joke, and did not really work.

I had made goals awhile ago... this was the post I had made.
My Goals:
Getting comfortable in the arena/Lunging
Getting tack on and lunging
Cross Ties
Getting on him
Going around walk/trot/canter
Feel safe on him

I had gotten to everything except the last two. And they just weren't happening. No matter what trainer helped, none could make me feel safe, nor make me want to canter him. But now I do feel safe. I rode him everyday this week, and cantered, and have never felt better on him. I am so glad this finally happened.

He took care of me.

Wow. Just wow. I have never felt so right about a decision I have made before with Duncan. I have also never had these kind of results. It is just right. So right, and so awesome. I am soo thankful to have this opportunity, for both Duncan and myself. Duncan needed some help, and I need a lot more. I have this fear built about around him, and it is huge. It is getting better, and I am riding him, but it is still very much so there. Terry does great with him. She is confident in herself and in him, and does amazing things with him. I'm really glad I get to watch her with him, as it helps me a lot too.

She said something that really made me think. I asked her how she could just get on him, no helmet, no fear, and just ride him. She said she saw me ride him first, and I laughed a little. Then she said, "Well he took care of you, didn't he?" Never before had I thought of him taking care of me. I always pictured us as just scooting by, neither one of us taking care of the other. I certainly don't do much to help him. But he did take care of me. I didn't fall, he didn't spook, and he went along with everything. In the clinic, in Terry's arena, and on the trail. He took care of me. That's the kind of horse I've always wanted.

We went on our first trail ride. He was perfect. Went over the bridge like a pro. Trotted and cantered perfectly. Left the herd, came back to the herd, slowed down, sped up. Whatever I asked, he did it. This is such an amazing feeling. This is what I have been waiting for. It's been a hard year, but it came to this. And it makes it all worth it.

It's Not Easy Being Away

Duncan is off getting smarter, which is a really good thing! But I miss him! Which I suppose is also a good thing. I will see him tomorrow and I am really excited! I really want to ride him. I hope I will have a good ride. I really want to gain comfort on top of him from this. I don't care if he never does a dressage move in his life, if I am safe, I am happy. You know, as long as he walk, trots, canters, leg yields, trail rides, can do the occasional jump, maybe do a little driving on the side, is road safe, has nice movement, is lovable, but not too pushy. The usual. Just the basics.