End of the month !

Here we are already at the last day of the big contest month...  I better post some of our groundwork news from last week.

Mostly video -- and also pre-snow landscape.


we played with the tarp some with both girls. This was not too challenging as we play with tarps often here on the farm.

Sweet Bee has never been schooled in turning on the forehand and turning on the haunches...  I was looking forward to this task -- since it's something she needs to know anyway. I started out using a tire as a physical barrier, for both me and Sweets.  Keeps me and her focused on where the feet in question are supposed to remain. This exercise also helps get the gears engaged for side passing ..

After we are done practicing in the tire - Sweets knows just what I am asking for out of the tire and also under saddle.  Once you engage the gears in the rear engine...  side passing should come easily. Keeping the rear legs in the tire is a lot more difficult for a horse- and requires a well oiled engine .. which Sweets does not have after spending so much time giving lessons in the indoor with a slow walk and trot all day long. 

We were not completely sure about the barrel task -- but I am thinking this is what Denise was looking for.

This particular week was ground work week -- we also practiced the self loading (borrowed a 2 horse trailer for this challenge), completed our longe work - with a nice steady walk, trot, canter transition with voice commands. All worthy assignments that will pay off down the road with our horses listening and respecting. 

Yesterday, we got in a nice rain ride --  well.... it was more of a downpour into the ride and we got thoroughly soaked... but - Miss Susan - contrary to what you might believe -- fashion is NOT the priority....   POINTS are what it's all about :)  But of course if you can be fashionable while racking up the plus marks.. then it's a win/win !

AND -- guess what ?? we did manage to get in 3 NEW PLACES....  my number 3 son brought over a small handbook of Hiking trails in Vermont indexed by regions. After studying that - we were able to find a few places we actually have never been. One spot I admit - we had to travel on old ground for half of the way -- and the NEW place was only a 10 minute explore.  That was probably the toughest subject on the list of to-do's for us.

I won't pretend I didn't miss Keri this month --   but I had loads of fun bonding with Miss Sweets. I did get in a trot almost everyday with Keri too... just short trips to satisfy my Keri addiction.  Even after the RAC hiatus begins - we should all keep this type of month as a now and again personal goal... spending time with one special Curly checking in with our our skills in asking and receiving.

Betsy and Sweet Bee and  Zoe and Reverie in Vermont