A Proud Moment!

Yesterday was a big day for Cavallo and I. I got on him for the third time! This time, I was barely nervous, and he was SO calm! I didn't really plan on doing much when i was on him. My thought is, it took so long to get his confidence up with just standing at the mounting block and lining up, why rush it when I get on? So that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm just going to take what he gives me and go with it! Of course, still learning lateral flexion! We need a whoa before we can go! =)
So back to last night! I am so proud of him! He would turn and sniff my boots and then take a deep breath, almost as if he knew how much I cared about him. Then, my mom walked away with her horse, and Cavallo followed, and I could tell he was waiting for me to pull back like he was so used to, but I didn't! He took a deep breath a walked again! I think it was a big relief to him that he could move and not be held back! I am so happy and proud and I am still on cloud 9! (=
Savvy On!

I Love My Horses!

I had a great weekend filled with horsey wonderfullness! (= First of all, I am so impressed with how much Cavallo is learning! He can now do stick to me at the canter with slack in the rope! How awesome is that?! He barely ever had his little OH MY GOODNESS spooks anymore. Also, his skin used to twitch every time I would go to pet him (I think his previous owners would "pat" him any time they touched him) and now his skin stays still! All of this in about 6 months! He is SO brilliant!!

I also had an awesome day with Solo! When we started, I knew that we had to work on our send during the circle game because right now, it's not very snappy, which is also affecting his impulsion. Plus, when he has poor impulsion, he can't do flying lead changes. So first we worked on the send, which he fixed right up so that was awesome! Next we worked on our flying lead changes, which we have been struggling with for a while, mainly because we haven't been able to work on it much due to the immense amount of snow on the ground! Well after a few times of running into the savvy string, he sure got those flying lead changes down! After that, I let him have a break to graze. Then we worked on some long-lining which was pretty fun! I'm hoping tomorrow after school I will be able to get outside, since now its light til 7!! YIPPEE!! (=
Savvy On!

March Means Spring!

I'm so happy it's March! And what better way to start it out than a beautiful day!! I just wish I could play with my ponies today! Well, speaking of my horses, they are doing great! Solo is such an awesome partner and friend. We did some zone 5 driving with long lines yesterday and everyday we do it I can tell his confidence rises another notch! It was a good confidence booster yesterday too! My mom and I traded horses, and right away Solo lost his confidence, but he was trying so hard! I taught my mom's horse, Boomer, how to jump half-way over the barrels, because that's something they've been struggling with and it was cool when she finally got it because she started licking and chewing before her front hooves even touched the ground!!
After we played for a while, we took them over to eat some grass for a while, and I was sick of standing, so I jumped on Solo bareback. He then decided he wanted to follow our barn kitty around the driveway, so we went for a nice little ride with just our halter and 45 foot line coiled up! =)
Cavallo was pretty awesome this weekend! I can't believe how fast he catches onto everything!! He really is brilliant! My biggest challenge with him is keeping our sessions interesting and playful enough for him. He has definately brought out the extroverted side of me I didn't even know I had! He already understands stick to me at the canter and we've only worked on it about 4 times! The best part is how sensitive he is! I love that boy!
Savvy On!