I had a dental appointment this morning that went well. After I returned home, Betty and I worked with Morgunn and Sugar some more. Yesterday, Sugar had a not so great day while today she did really well. Yesterday, Morgunn did pretty well and yet today Betty had some difficulties - but she worked through them well. Just a reminder that horses are like us - they good days and bad days, they have their own thoughts about what they want to do and we have to work with them to show them a better way.
Here is another group of thoughts about riding from Dominique Barbier:
Move your walls so that you can change the horse's direction the instant he is wrong.
Get impulsion; imagine the horse dancing in mid-air.
Float with the horse; melt into them.
Believe that when you leave them alone they will do things for you.
Remember to smile.
Ask the same simple sentence every time.
Know what you want - strong minded - no doubts.
Patience must be infinite.
Let the horse slip; he will learn his own balance.
Consistency will eliminate stress.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Posted with Blogsy
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
A Night Away
Two summers ago at the Galloping Grace Youth Ranch Dinner and Auction, Betty and I bid on and won a free night stay and dinner at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort on the Santa Ana Pueblo.
Fortunately, it was good until the end of 2012 as various events in our lives kept us from taking advantage of it - until yesterday. We spent Sunday afternoon and evening and this morning enjoying the resort.
Here's the view from the balcony on our room. Betty is looking out at the one heated pool that's open this time of the year.
After checking in we went for a walk along a mile long trail that goes through the Bosque and along the Rio Grande River.
After our walk, we had a glass of wine on the patio and watched the sun set on the Sandia Mountain. Then we had a great dinner in the Santa Ana Cafe.
The next morning we walked around the property to get a better feel for all that is available. It's a beautiful setting. There are three different pools available when the weather is warmer. Only one was open this time of year, but it was heated. The large pot-shaped structure behind Betty in the picture below is actually a fountain with water flowing from the top down into the ground. There are several of those around the courtyard area.
After we left the Tamaya Resort, we drove to our favorite restaurant, The Range Cafe, in Bernalillo, New Mexico for a late breakfast.
A good time was had and our money went to a great outfit - Galloping Grace Youth Ranch.
Fortunately, it was good until the end of 2012 as various events in our lives kept us from taking advantage of it - until yesterday. We spent Sunday afternoon and evening and this morning enjoying the resort.
Here's the view from the balcony on our room. Betty is looking out at the one heated pool that's open this time of the year.
The next morning we walked around the property to get a better feel for all that is available. It's a beautiful setting. There are three different pools available when the weather is warmer. Only one was open this time of year, but it was heated. The large pot-shaped structure behind Betty in the picture below is actually a fountain with water flowing from the top down into the ground. There are several of those around the courtyard area.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Sunday Reflection - Freedom and Love
Betty and I enjoy going to the movies and watching movies on TV - especially old movies. In almost every movie that's been made, the hero/heroine is looking to be free and/or to find love.
God has created us to be free creatures who are loved. Why do we have such a hard time finding both in our lives? Many of us are captive to things we choose, or the choices made by others that affect us. Many of us seek love in all the wrong places (sounds like a song).
We often substitute other things for freedom and love - work, activities, sex, drugs/alcohol, etc. - thinking they will provide the freedom and love we seek.
The answer to both is simple - love and freedom are found in our relationship with God.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God." (1 John 4:7)
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1)
Sometimes the answer is right in front of us and, yet, we have a hard time seeing it.
God has created us to be free creatures who are loved. Why do we have such a hard time finding both in our lives? Many of us are captive to things we choose, or the choices made by others that affect us. Many of us seek love in all the wrong places (sounds like a song).
We often substitute other things for freedom and love - work, activities, sex, drugs/alcohol, etc. - thinking they will provide the freedom and love we seek.
The answer to both is simple - love and freedom are found in our relationship with God.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God." (1 John 4:7)
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1)
Sometimes the answer is right in front of us and, yet, we have a hard time seeing it.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Riding Thoughts 2
Betty and I had another good session with Morgunn and Sugar yesterday morning. Betty is getting more subtle and consistent with her cues and Morgunn is responding more consistently. Sugar is becoming more collected and her gait is smoother and more consistent over time. All in all, a good day.
Here are 10 more thoughts from Dominique Barbier about classical riding...
If you expect problems they will come to you.
Have no doubt about what you can do.
Take time to enjoy the pleasure of each new contact with your horse. Remember, you are both experiencing the ongoing process of getting to know each other.
Visualize what you want before you ask; everything must come from the brain.
Don't steer - use mental projection; picture where you want to go.
Let it come from the horse, let them teach you; have a "clever seat bone" that will listen to the horse.
Your body must tell the horse everything is alright; calm, relaxed, and light.
Don't waste energy on anger; rise above it.
Don't get involved personally and/or emotionally, especially when things aren't working as expected.
Be in two places when you ride; sitting on the side watching yourself as you ride.
Here are 10 more thoughts from Dominique Barbier about classical riding...
If you expect problems they will come to you.
Have no doubt about what you can do.
Take time to enjoy the pleasure of each new contact with your horse. Remember, you are both experiencing the ongoing process of getting to know each other.
Visualize what you want before you ask; everything must come from the brain.
Don't steer - use mental projection; picture where you want to go.
Let it come from the horse, let them teach you; have a "clever seat bone" that will listen to the horse.
Your body must tell the horse everything is alright; calm, relaxed, and light.
Don't waste energy on anger; rise above it.
Don't get involved personally and/or emotionally, especially when things aren't working as expected.
Be in two places when you ride; sitting on the side watching yourself as you ride.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Intriguing Movie
Tom Hanks is the star. Even though I don't agree with his political leanings, I think he's one of the best actors around today. He has shown that he's willing to take on many different kinds of roles and this movie gives him that opportunity.
It's a long movie - 2 hour and 53 minutes, but the time passed quickly.
"Cloud Atlas" demands your whole attention as you watch it. It weaves together six different stories from six different time periods and six different places. The heroes in each story, time and place are all looking for the same things.
That's about as much as I care to share about what happens as I don't want to spoil it for anyone who might go see it.
It's a violent movie in spots as there are evil, violent people in each story. There's also some nudity and sex in some of the stories. So, it's not a movie for young people.
The production quality is excellent.
This movie is not for everyone, but if you like a movie that challenges you and takes you to new places, then you might want to consider it.
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