13th March

Here's my new herd! I am the biggest one in the blue NZ....



Hey, daddy, is that you?



Got any carrots??



Say does my bum look big in this?



You SURE you haven't got any carrots?



15th March

Scully - naked!!

23rd March

Scully's wheels

24th March

Having thrown a shoe a couple of days ago, it was a good job I had booked Scully in with the farrier for today - he has 13 horses to shoe at the yard and started at 7 am

I got her out of the stable as she was fretting ( her friends had gone to the field!) and she stood reasonably well while we waited for the farrier, she walked round onto the yard OK and once she found there was a haynet tied up for her she was content to let the farrier do his worst - which included hot shoeing ( he thought this might be her fist time )

Everything went fine until he just about finished, when a kid and a scooter appeared round the corner - she didn't like that at all and I had real problems holding her - at one point she was heading sideways towards the open rear door of the van with a nasty sharp edge to it but I pulled her round and she kicked a dustbin instead - I don't know who was most scared, her or me, but I calmed her and led her back to her stable where I found that pesky kid again!!

I tied her up to change her stable rug for the MW one and she pulled back so hard that she broke the leadrope! ( That is two leadrope catches and one leadrope broken in the last week! ) The baling twine stayed intact!! So she decided to take herself up to the field where she calmly waited for me to open the gate!

What she doesn't know is that her "settling in period" is over and this afternoon (and every afternoon from now on) she is going to get a good work out in the manège for an hour or so

Well she got her workout - I arrived and she was doing the door kicking routine - got her tack and tacked her up in the stable - funny she goes all quiet when she sees the bridle - then she walked to the manège as though butter wouldn't melt!

She wouldn't stand still by the fence, so got a jumping block in the middle of the manège and mounted from there. Walked three circuits on each rein and then trotted three on each rein - she has certainly got a nice big trot!

She became a bit twitchy when I asked her for some 20 metre circles and when I asked her to stand she backed up, dragging her front hooves through the sand - not something I have experienced before! She went forward when I asked and finally stood still - I thought that was an appropriate point to call it a day before I got out of my depth!!

Then she walked back to her stable, behaving perfectly! A little resistance going back in but nothing dramatic.

Untacked and rugged up again for the night she went back to kicking the door!

25th March

he adventures of Scully continue :

Went to catch her in and she wouldn't come till her friend Whisper came too!

But then she walked in front and behaved impeccably - nice active walk all the way to her stable - and she went straight in with no fuss!

So far, so good, got the bridle on her and went to take off her field rug and she kicked out - nowhere near me but good job I was watching

Saddled her up and went off to get my hat & gloves - came back and she had a wadge of half chewed hay in front of the bit

Walked her up to the manège and she planted about 10 metres away, tried circling her but as soon as she saw the manège gate she stopped - then two other horses came by on the bridlepath and she walked straight in!

Let her go in the manège while I got a block to mount from and she went off for a little canter! Caught up with her in a corner where she was looking after the two horses that had gone by earlier.

Decided to just walk her in hand so she could have a good look about and relax a bit. Once she was settled I tightened the girth and mounted. We were just walking round for 10 minutes, doing lots of walk / halt transitions with no repetition of yesterday's backing up problem, just had her warmed up ready to trot when the same noisy kid from yesterday appeared with Mum and older sister on a small pony. Scully was twitchy, so I told the Mum that I was on a young horse which was unpredictable and her son was upsetting her - she said OK, she'd take him away once she has popped her daughter & pony into the manège - I said I'd rather I dismounted first then she could come in - whereupon she turned round and dragged them all away!

Well Scully was well twitchy by now so that was the end of today's exercise!!

Walking back to the stable was no problem and she went straight in again.

Hehehe .... it's a bit difficult taking pics while dealing with 17 hands of ballerina horse

But here's one I took of Hayley putting her through her paces in the rain!



Doesn't she look brilliant ?

It isn't that she is difficult to catch at all - she will actually come to her name and stand while you hook on the leadrope or put on the headcollar if it is off. The problem comes in leaving the field! She is a very effective boat anchor!

The YO was there and agreed that the woman was a nuisance - part of the problem is that a public bridle way runs through the yard and anyone can cause a disturbance - Scully is just going to have to learn to cope with it!

Lunging is the first thing I am going to get Hayley to teach me ....

27th March

Went down in the first sunshine for a while to catch the Scullywag in from the field - she came half way over to meet me, but I still had to trudge through the mud to put her head collar and lead rope on - she really is very good at this bit!

Then we walked so far and had a think about it, but since Meg had already gone in and another horse was going too, Scully thought she might just follow along!

She ambled along behind the other horse having a good look in the boys' field but there was nobody there. Got to our yard and she walked straight into her stable with not a care in the world

So I took off her rug and spent the next half hour grooming her and spluttering as clouds of hair came off on the body brush - she really seemed to like this - mind you she was demolishing the hay net at the same time

I even got her to put her head down while I brushed her mane - it actually lies backwards down her neck and is quite silky once all the mud is removed!

She had been such a good girl, so I gave her some carrots & treats.

Now for the pics -

Hay - I lurv HAY - this is a HAY storm!



Do I look like that farmer? Do I??



Errr -- see how relaxed she is - the door is not even bolted!!

30th March

Went down this evening to find the mud monster has stolen Scully's stable!!!



She had obviously found the muddiest bit of the field and played hippos in it! It was all round her eyes, ears, mane, neck, legs - everywhere where the rug didn't cover! - amazingly her tail was clean!!

So having brushed it off her face and neck, I put the headcollar on - hey this isn't her head collar! - oops I see hers and it's broken - so that is one lead rope, two lead rope catches, one light and a headcollar broken in the first fortnight!

OK so I lead her out - she had already gone a bit dopey & relaxed from me brushing her neck - and she stood perfectly still on a slack rope while I took off her rugs and brushed the rest of her - after 3/4 hour she looked like this:



wasn't even phased by a dog running round or other horses coming & going - Andre came and tickled her nose and she looked round at me as if to say "WHAT is this strange man doing to my nose -- bleugh..."

when I stepped back to take the photo she tried to follow me!

I honestly think she would have stood there without being tied up at all - perhaps once they have mended the yard fence, we will try that!

31st March

She is not hard to actually catch - she stands while you put the head collar on her and clip on the leadrope - she might even walk halfway over the field with you but then she plants - today I just held the end of the leadrope and turned my back on her and kept constant pressure on the rope - after a minute or two she yields and we take a few steps forward before repeating the process - this takes you eventually out of the gate and onto the road where she walks along behind me on a loose rope! Actually only took me 20 mins to get her in and there was NO mud!!

The lesson was brilliant - Hayley rode her first to show her what we wanted - she got the going backwards game today! Eventually Scully dropped her head in walk and lifted her back, tracking right up. Not so good in trot but the walk was reasonable. Then she did halt with her head down and got her to walk on without lifting her head.

Once Hayley was satisfied with Scully, I took over and did the same - Scully was great - she comes onto the bit and lifts her back so easily - just a couple of left/right/left/right "plays" on the bit and her head almost touches her chest!

What a difference from the RS horses!!!

Not so successful in trot - so my "homework" this week is to ride her and do the halt walk transitions in outline and when we have got her doing that OK then to keep the walk in outline and try the walk/trot transitions.

That should keep me busy!!

Tomorrow I have Liz Pitman coming to help me with the groundwork.

1st April

Sorry, no pics but we had an interesting time with Scully today.

First I think she thought that she was getting a repeat of yesterday when Hayley & I made her work so hard! She went into overdrive, grazing for all she was worth - in the end I had to stick my fingers under her nose to get the headcollar on. But then she walked really nicely towards the gate as I was explaining to Liz how she plants and won't budge - guess what - she walked right up to the gate!

So plan B - I walked her back into the field and she planted (awkward moo!) - Liz explained how to keep her moving at all costs by walking in to her and turning her constantly when she tried to stop - leaving a slack rope while she was moving. Eventually she dropped her head and was actually paying attention to me and Liz was satisfied that we could leave the field and go deal with the tying up problem.

We first did some backing up training getting her to take one step back and then yielding immediately she moved, after a little while I was able to make her take one step after another.

Then we put a long rope on her and "tied " her to a post - running the long rope round the post so I could pull on the other end to put pressure on her.
At first we had some strong pull backs which got less and less as the rope kept the pressure on she pulled, the only way she got release was to come forward - eventually I was able to walk her in a circle up to the post and "tie" her with very little reaction. Then we repeated this with the tie ring on her stable and after a few fairly gentle pull backs she realised there was no danger and even caught herself doing it and stopped.

After we had finished and Liz had gone, I tacked Scully up and took her into the manège to do some outline walk practice - we got quite a lot of it right but the wind was distracting her and when another horse & rider appeared in the manège it was just too much distraction, so I finished up with some turns on the forehand on each rein which she did quite well.

The trip back to the field was great - she walked along nicely alongside me with her head down and didn't even look up at the boys!

2nd April

Went to her field about 1/2 hr before coming in time and did some more work with her today.

Did lots of backing up and I was able to make her go as far as I wanted, one step after another.

We walked round the field and she was really good - even when the girls came to get the others in - I made her walk AWAY from the gate while the others were being led out !

Then we followed and she was just super - waited while I shut the gate and then walked along behind the others, head down and ear trained on me!

Well, until we got to the yard when she got a bit excited!!

5th April

Well I think we have cracked the leading problem - went this evening to catch her in from the field - she walks over to me by the gate once I call her. She puts her own nose into the head collar as I hold it up. She walks quietly to the gate and waits while I open it, she walks through and waits while I close it. She then walks along the road with her head by my leg, she fell over her own hooves twice, she was so relaxed! All this on an absolutely loose rope!

No problem going into the stable or being groomed & rugged - this is more like the Scully I first met!

7th April

I had a lesson with Hayley on Scully today.

She walked right up to the field gate - didn't even have to call her, she saw me walking down the road. No problem out of the gate and she was walking nicely alongside until halfway to the stable - then she planted, so I circled her and again and again and again but she was having none of it, even resisting the circling - so I just put on steady pressure and she pulled back then walked forward! Had to do this once more and she then walked OK but she tucked in behind me again, instead of walking relaxed alongside.

When we got to the stable she circled inside making it difficult to unrug her and then almost impossible to tack up - lifting her head and shaking it to avoid me getting the bridle on - managed it after a while and she then started rubbing the bit end on the door...

Saddling was equal fun - circling in the stable and it took me three goes to get the girth done up - she blows herself up like a balloon and I can only get one hole on the girth straps - later two more and in the school after a bit of walking another two!

In the school today she was all over the place - spooking at the trees and we had a mahoosive buck and canter from a standstill!

Hayley decided to put her on the lunge and we did walk & trot in outline quite nicely. Then we did the same off the lunge and she behaved herself reasonably well apart from one walk to canter transition which was unasked for!

By the end of the 1/2 hour lesson she had calmed down and even rode back to the stable with only a little sniff at the air outside the school gate.

Hayley said my upper body position was perfect but I still need to watch my legs coming back - for some reason I find it so much easier to sit correctly on Scully - perhaps it is just a better saddle?

15th April

Oh what a day!

Arrived at 10.30 - called her over the field and she walks all the way to the gate , headcollar on and down to the stable - absolutely perfect! :D

Groomed her, tacked her up with her new bit ( a copper french link) and she is fine - no circling the stable today.

Led her out into the yard and she stood still untethered while I put my hat and gloves on and got the whip. Well, almost still - she went to investigate the straw in a barrow in case it was edible ;)

Walked up to the school and mounted at 10.45, walked into the scary end a bit more each lap until she stayed on the track, then we had a nice trot after a bit of an argument about whether she wanted to or not and then a really nice canter - she didn't need persuading to go into canter. :D

Then I noticed the saddle was a bit wonky and stopped to check her girth - despite tightening it after mounting it was loose again - she blows herself out when being tacked up and obviously I will need to tighten the girth more than once!! :eek:

Anyway it was now gone 11 and Hayley was supposed to give me a lesson at 11 but no sign of her, so I just kept, walking, trotting & cantering and working on the outline till she turned up at 11.30! So that was a 3/4 hour "warmup" and Scully was working really well - we did another 20 minutes and then I asked Hayley to help me load Scully into the lorry.

Well, that's when the fun started - we got the same ramp pawing and sniffing I had yesterday when I tried it on my own but then we got rearing and all sorts of naughtiness! She found that she could avoid the ramp by going sideways to the left and squashing Hayley who was trying to encourage her on. After around 20 minutes of this she actually got on the ramp and suddenly galloped into the box - took me totally by surprise and of course she came up the wrong side of the ramp so she had her head where her bum should be, whereupon she bangs her head on the hay rack and gallops out of the box again! :mad:

No amount of persuading would get her back in, so I rang Laena (one of the yard staff) who came over to help, so now there were three of us with lunge ropes round her bum and through her bit - but still she avoided coming onto the ramp!

Another 1/2 hour later I moved the box out into the yard where there was more space and we tried again but Scully had the measure of my two expert horsewomen and if there was an Olympic Gold for horse stubbornness, Scully would win it hands down.

Here is a pic of the later efforts:



Once everyone had decided to give up for the day Scully just stood at the bottom of the ramp as cool as a cucumber, then walked back to her stable absolutely calm and as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth!

19th April

Today I dropped the ramp and put a big armful of hay in the box. Then went to get her out of the field - she walked right out of the field into the space between the electric fence and the gate all on her own - then I put the head collar on to lead her out the gate - down the road past three cars coming out - no problem.

Up to the horse box parking and she stops when she sees the box - a couple of gentle tugs and she walks up the the ramp where I immediately gave her a handful of hay and two carrots - then we walked off up the scary lane - much better than last time, even though the wind was rustling the ivy in the trees - out onto the lane behind and let her have a bite of grass - then back through the trees to the manège where we did some leading on the rope first, then off the rope - that lasted nearly the length of the manège till she realised she could canter off 

Back on the rope and then out of the manège and back to the box - I threw a lot of hay on the ramp and she tucked in - then I walked to the back of the box where the carrot bag is and rustled it getting some more carrots out - these went on the ramp too. She thought this was a great game and four carrots later she totally forgot herself and put a hoof on the ramp!!! 

Enough excitement for one day, she then went to her stable (straight in - no faffing) and had a nice groom and her tea.

22nd April

Today Liz came down and did some work with Scully - including some long reining.



Conclusion - Scully has a nearly total lack of attention to what we are asking of her and human beings are of little consequence in her world. 

While she will comply under duress, she has little motivation to comply because SHE wants to. But when she is working with you she is lovely.

Since she is food oriented, perhaps we will try clicker training - who knows?

One thing is certain - I will not be using force on her, I don't want compliance that way.

25th April

Life isn't straightforward with Scully - today she came straight in off the field with me and into the stable to tack her up - I had the usual avoidance of the bridle - round and round, mouthful of hay and stick her nose in the air but once the bit is in the right place she takes it and settles - no fight over the bit, just the initial "I don't want to - make me!" The saddle goes on fine but she blows herself up like many horses - I usually have to tighten the girth two or three times as she relaxes.

I led her out of the stable to the yard where I tried to get her to stand near a raised wall to mount from and as soon as I am higher than her she scoots sideways! I found another place on the loading bay where she would stand within mounting distance.

Then we went for our very first hack - and alone! The first part of the route through the scary trees and onto the bridle path is where I have been leading her in hand - so no problems there - then we met Cobby & Nicola coming the other way and other than stopping to chat as she passed, Scully was happy to walk on - maybe best part of a mile out and she is looking everywhere, but I pull her into line gently each time she strays - she has a few detours avoiding a white painted tyre in the grass and she isn't too keen on clumps of yellow rape. She also stumbles occasionally, I think she suffers from Cleo's "don't pick my feet up" syndrome!

I didn't need to push her on at all - we had a nice walk at a constant pace - I just sat and went with her motion, riding her quietly with my hands low and wide to encourage her to come onto the bit.

Half way back along the bridle path she settles and even starts to soften and work on the bit - I can certainly tell as she feels so different when working from behind, there is a spring to the walk and it is much more active plus a darn sight faster!

Rode her back to the stable where I untacked her and popped her into her stable for tea. Later I got her out in her headcollar and groomed her, not tied up, just standing, with the leadrope in one hand, every time she looked up or moved off, I gently brought her back to me and then I just draped the lead rope over her back while I groomed and conditioned her tail & mane she didn't move a muscle.

So a nice progression from the in hand work getting her used to the scary trees and the bridle path - I am sure she will take it all in her stride once it becomes familiar and comfortable for her.

I see this as a progression from what Liz was trying to do in the school - I just feel more comfortable and in control on top of Scully rather than on the ground - saves me walking too

The other common factor starting to emerge is that this is all time related - the longer you work with her the more she pays attention and works - my 3/4 hour warm-up waiting for Hayley the other week had Scully behaving impeccably - much to my chagrin as I told Hayley how difficult she was to get clean transitions - then she does every one perfectly!

Contrast that with this week - I was having real arguments with her, so got Hayley to school her for a few minutes, when I got back on she planted and I only got her moving again by turning her, then a slow walk then a trot on each rein, canter was nowhere - I asked in every corner and she just trotted faster and faster (hehehe.. on Scully that is FAST!) then I changed rein and she went straight into canter - now this is not the usual RS canter - this is proper, posh, balanced, collected and very fast canter which needs no leg to keep going but you do have to lean in on the corners! - a couple of half halts and she drops back to a collected trot - those moments are just precious!

So like the curates egg - she is good in parts, a moo when she wants and all mine.....

13th May

Well, my faith in Liz Pitman was well rewarded today.

After some leading work and some training in using the Dually halter I got for Scully - Liz said let's try walking her over the ramp of the lorry.

So I backed it out into the open and we had the usual reaction from Scully - going off to the left and then rearing.

So Liz had me take of the ramp fence and hold it alongside the left of the approach to the ramp - hey, scary or what!

Scully carried on rearing and resisting but after asking again and again and then backing her off and letting her come forward herself, after 10 minutes Scully was standing on the ramp like it was perfectly normal behaviour!

A few more minutes and she loaded right in - not once but 3 or 4 times - just up and in, turn, peer out and then walk down without a care in the world!

15th May

The back lady came today to check her out and did several horses on the yard, Brema (the horse next door) was done first and because it was the first time for her, she was asked to be trotted up the road.

I anticipated being asked the same so decided to go and get the Dually in case Scully played up. We got the nose waving in the air which I never get with the ordinary head collar - I am sure she now associates the Dually with "work"! Anyway, once on she was calm and when we were asked to trot up, I thought we'd try the bottom ring first and not a training ring - well, she walked smartly out of the stable straight onto the road and trotted up to the tack room, turned, trotted back and went straight back into the stable with no trouble at all!

Perhaps it was partly because I was determined that Andre wasn't going to have cause to make comment - so I was super positive and Scully was just a star!

Anyway she said Scully had a lovely swing to her hips, a good strong, well built back and was very athletic - so no problems there!

31st May

Not much been happening - we've been away but Hayley has been riding her for me.

Today the equine dentist lady came - Scully had  a few sharp edges to her teeth and the dentist thought that was probably the cause of some of Scully's behaviour in the school when she tends to look out of the school on bends.

The initial exam over, the dentist removes the gag and starts on the teeth - Scully isn't too keen and starts walking in the stable and throwing her head up, so back on goes the gag and I get the task of hanging on to the right side and staying in the centre as she circles - first one file than another goes in as the teeth get filed down and we circle with me determined to keep her head down - at one point I had both hands on the gag and she had my feet off the floor! But we persevered and eventually she settled down and kept still. The dentist said she wasn't at all scared by the experience and was just being bolshy. The sweat was running off all three of us by time we had finished, but at least now we can settle down to some serious schooling now I know her back and her teeth are OK.

7th July

Been doing some long reining and in hand work most days with her - with varying amounts of success - recently she has become very mardy in her stable to the point where when I went to tack her up the other day she span and tried to kick me in the stable. 

So today, Liz came out to see her and she reacted the same way towards her when she first entered the stable. So Liz worked on the problem using the usual pressure & release methods and brought a plastic bag on a stick into play - Scully had to think really hard to work this new one out - will it eat be or is it edible? you could see the cogs whirring in her brain!

Eventually I had her leading round the yard, following the bag and nice & relaxed - I still find it amazing how these seemingly unrelated exercises "cure" the problems!

Afterwards she was quite happy for me to be in her stable but Liz got the ears back - until the bag reappeared - then Scully came for a cuddle and a rub as soft as butter.

8th July

Opened the door and went to put the Dually on and she pokes her nose in the air but no spinning, just backs off with her ears back.

So went to get the plastic bag stick from outside the stable and "Oooer, Dad, what you got there?" Ears forward and turned towards it so I drop it down and she comes to explore - show her the Dually and she goes away again. Plastic bag again, stroked it on her neck and away as she responds. Swap Dually for normal head collar and she lets me put it on OK.

Led her out onto the yard and gave her a good groom and made her stand still while I did it - if she moved I put her back, when she turned I walked her in a circle and back to where we were. Then I walked her up the lane and made her trot all the way back and into the yard at the trot - I dictated speed and direction. You should have seen the look on her face while we trotted! "Are you MAD? we don't trot out!" 

9th July

Scully & I had one of the IH RAs out today in the pouring rain to look at me & Scully riding - she doesn't go forward well for me.

After the usual issues after mounting, she identified a couple of position problems with me which we corrected and then got Scully walking forward more actively for a while till she got bored again. Then we used the whip just as a noise maker above her head to engage her and that worked quite well in walk - then I asked for trot and she went full canter, OK I thought, I can do canter so sat to it and off she went - so fast round the top of the school that I was thrown up & over her outside shoulder, try as I might, I couldn't get back in the saddle before the long side and exited over the side as she turned! Fortunately I don't seem to stick my hands out at all and just forward rolled into the soft sand of the track - I had sand absolutely everywhere, not helped by the rain!

Back on again, she didn't want to play anymore so I just got a bit of a walk out of her before we called it a day. 

Aren't horses fun!

The RA said she is a nicely put together horse and yes, she has potential to do whatever I want, but we have a communication problem and I need to relearn how to ride her! RS horses really can't be compared with her... even if she is trusting, kind eyed and soft to handle.

10th July

Hey ho - another "I don't want to play" day - she is definitely in season again ... this weather is playing havoc with her hormones, but at least the Oestress seems to be helping.

11th July

No options today, young lady, hiding in the corner is not going to be tolerated! So out came the plastic bag, but the reaction from Brema next door was more than Scully could muster - she really is an equine Catherine Tate - "bothered? me? whatever!" but it did allow me to get alongside her neck with her ears forward and give her a good scratch behind the ears and then she followed me to the door and we got the headcollar on.

Led her out and she stood in the sun and accepted the bridle & bit with only a couple of backward steps, then not even a snarl when the saddle went on and the girth did up 3 holes straight away! Usually I struggle to get the first hole caught as she blows herself up.

Hayley spent around half an hour schooling her and got exactly the same as me on Wednesday but eventually Scully settled and started to work nicely - she finds it hard to maintain an outline but does try for as long as she can - then relaxes and tries again.

Here's a short video of the last few minutes of the session.

14th July

We still have the avoidance issue in the stable - it seems to be a deep rooted behaviour pattern  but is actually quite shallow - by that I mean I only have to persist and she gives in - today I got the spin and the bite (this time aimed at the rugs!) but when I approached with the brush, she stood there and let me groom her, brush out her mane & tail and even plait her tail for a bit of fun! Then she let me drape the line over her neck and as soon as the line was over her nose she stood still for the headcollar to go on.  I think I shall just have to factor in time to go though the process every time I get her out! Perhaps one day she'll just give in if I don't.

Having got her out she was fine and walked out of the yard head down, listening to me. Today we went round the triangle 3 times doing stand / walk / trot transitions on a big smile rope. We only had two resistances, the first time we went past her winter field where 2 of her friends have their stables - she hadn't seen them for some weeks so I suppose it was to be expected, but she got told to pay attention and we had no problems there the 2nd & 3rd times past. The second resistance was going past her stable the first time. I was just using voice commands and my body language - no rope - and she soon got the idea and was only a bit slow on the trot the first couple of times - after that I got the transitions up and down, sometimes we did a fair distance, other times just a few steps, overall I tried to keep her paying attention to me.

My reasoning is that if she will respond to my voice only on the ground, she may respond in the same way when I am riding her - not sure I can do the canter one on foot, but then she doesn't seem to have a problem going into canter!! :-)

I ended up giving her apples & carrots in her trug and leaving her in peace!

21st July

We had a really good day with Scully today - my more positive "You will do what I want" approach to her is paying off - she came out of the stable and was tacked up with a bit less resistance than last week and she didn't pull against being tied up at all - twice she got to the end of the lead rope on the ring, once backwards and once forwards, both rimes she just stopped and came back on her own. Despite a fair bit of planting and hiding from the scary bits of the school, I got her walking nicely with me before Hayley turned up to continue the schooling work.

She was much more forward going today and Hayley got some good work out of her, she improved greatly in working through from behind and was actually working up to the new Myler bit all on her own by the end of the session - even on the walk/trot and trot/walk transitions.

Hayley said she will build up her top line quite quickly if she continues to work as well as this and she isn't in bad shape now.

28th July

Hayley schools her in the manege

The ground stuff is going really well following the Kelly Marks (IH) approach and despite Scully having her off moments (usually when in season) we are bonding very strongly.

Under saddle though it is a different matter, I rate lower than a horse fly or a rain drop in her world! I have the greatest respect for my RI who schools Scully for me - she rides very firmly without whip but not in the IH way.  Here is a couple of videos of her last session - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUsoaQ2-OAw & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRCYH4YZn-4

You'll notice how Scully slowly starts to pay attention to her  rather than everything else and ends up in the session actually trying to come onto the bit and carry herself better.

1st August

The girls on the yard were going over to Shoplands (about 1/2 mile away)  for the dressage competition, so I arranged to walk over with them on Scully.  She came out of the stable fine and stood, untethered, while I groomed and tacked her up. So far, so good. Then I mounted and stood in the yard while Jess got Brema sorted out and we walked up the lane and into the field just fine - the field was a new experience for her as we waded through wheat crop.

Then we crossed the road fine - no drama at all, along the lane to the yard until we came to some overhanging trees which I had to duck for - well she decided to trot forward and then back up before going through at the trot with me hanging onto her neck! Then came the black tarmac speed humps on the concrete road and she skips over them. On into the yard where we met the other 3 girls coming out after their rides - Scully was up on tippytoes looking everywhere - so excited!

I was a little worried about what she might do if I tried to keep her there for too long with everything going on around her so I followed the other 3 back the the stables - skip over the humps again and OK back to the road but she was getting a bit strong in my hands and didn't want to stop at the road while someone stopped the traffic for us - then she cantered over, slowly forward but her feet going 13 to the dozen - almost dancing! Fine back into the field, then after 20 yards or so it all got too much for her and she bronced me off into the wheat - one of the girls caught her reins as she went over to the other horse and I clipped on the leadrope I had taken clipped to the saddle, just in case! I then walked her back and she was really bargy until we got back to the lane and familiar ground - she was then fine again.

Having put her away she stood and kicked the door and whinnied so loudly and constantly - I think she enjoyed her adventure! I must say that it is starting to knock my confidence a bit - that is twice she has had me off in the last two rides!

6th August

Visit from Suzanne Marshall -

I had her all tacked up ready to go after not too much of a struggle! I climbed on board and Scully did her usual statue impression - ignored my leg and only walked a few steps if I turned her and kicked her on. So Suzanne got her hat and had a go. She was riding Scully really firmly but still only got a few  steps out of her - then she tried the wip wop (short frayed rope) whizzed over her shoulders - nothing - then she whizzed it round over and alongside her head - a few steps! Swapped wip wop for whip and whizzed it very hard over her head - lots of noise - and Scully trotted forward  for a dozen steps then back to walk and stand. Got off and put her on the long reins - you have to almost run at her backside (keeping out of the kick zone!) to get her to trot - otherwise she just dawdles along with her nose in the sand...

I think this is an issue she has with the manège - she goes forward off the leg down the lane!

7th August

Today I had a lesson on Hovis at the RS - I must say I was a bit nervous - especially as Hovis has thrown a couple of people recently. But I needn't have worried, he was his usual good self, in fact he was working in a nice outline at walk for me. The RI was one I haven't had before - she made an awful fuss about getting us into canter - pushing the trot on till they broke into canter -  I am afraid I cheated and just sat & squeezed and off he went as usual!

The RI got me sitting back more (I do tend to tip forward on transitions) and it did help.

So, I feel a bit more confident again now, thank goodness.

Aug 10

Just got back from spending the afternoon with Scully.

When I got there she was eating her bedding straw - empty hay net - so put 1/2 flake in net and she emptied it, gave her the rest of the flake and she scoffed the lot.

Had emptied the red water bucket and won't drink from the black one - so I tipped the black one into the red and she drank for some while!

The swelling has gone down but guess what - she is in season again!

She kept on trying to bite whenever I went near her head with my hand so I did some work with the bag stick, I stood outside with the bag under the door lip and every time she came to the door with ears back and to bite I flipped the bag up and when she was good I stroked her.

She was still a bit off when I left, but nowhere near as bad as when I first arrived.

I will talk to Steph about her feed - there isn't much grass in the field and she shouldn't be that hungry, should she? 


There is a pattern of the biting and sensitivity to touch which coincides with her periods.

She has a cluster of fly bites on her flank and I wouldn't be surprised if the swelling under her chin is the same.

I wonder if it is worth exploring a heart monitor as one way she can tell me something about how she is feeling which is scientifically measurable.



Aug 11

Went down today and she practically put her head into the head collar
and came out to be groomed, let me feel under her chin - no adverse reaction at all.

Walked, turned, backed up - had one little nibble at me while backing up.

I have asked the yard to up her hay ration - I wonder if the misbehaviour was because she was just plain hungry! 


Aug 15

Scully loading with Liz

[image]http://www.octarine-services.co.uk/riding/scully/img_0249_1.jpg


[image]http://www.octarine-services.co.uk/riding/scully/img_0250_1.jpg


Aug 17


I had Steph have a look at the cluster of lumps by Scully's nearside girth and she walked into Scully's stable, whereupon Scully ears back turns her head and bares her teeth!

I walked in with the head collar and Scully stuck her head over the partition but let me put on the head collar without any ears back at all.
I guess she is saying "well i'll do it for you dad, if I have to!"

She stood outside the stable quietly while I held her and Steph had a good poke at the lumps - not mud but skin scabs - Steph thinks she may have rolled on some nettles and then bitten at the stings - anyway she dislodged the loose scabs and then washed it over with Hibiscrub, hosed it down and then put some cream on.

Scully was happy to stand in the sun having her neck rubbed!

She isn't at all sensitive there so I am going to ride her tomorrow - I'll get Hayley to come over and give me some feedback on my position while I see if I can get her going forward under saddle.

I have made another new friend - the stable that had Andre's Taiti has now got Katie's Star in there and somehow the weekend staff got Star's & Scully's headcollars mixed up so that was a nice excuse to introduce ourselves!

18th August

Lesson with Hayley

The last two weeks have seen my RI schooling her really firmly to get any forward motion and Suzanne Marshall having a go too without a huge amount of success. Forget wip wops - she really doesn't take any notice, a schooling whip whizzed over her head got some reaction but not for long.

Today, rather than my RI schooling her, I rode her under my RI's eagle eye and, after a lot of whizzing the reins over her shoulders and firm nudges on her sides I got her going forward albeit slowly and in fits & starts. Our path round the school resembled a drunk's and her ears were everywhere but on me.

Eventually, she started to soften & even come on the bit for a step or two and we started to get down the scary end of the school - then we changed reins and went right back to the beginning!

After 20/25 minutes of this she suddenly gave in and we did a perfect couple of laps of the school on the track in a nice active walk, head down, ears sideways and without me having to nudge her on.

So I turned her into the middle and jumped off to give her a big hug.

22nd August

Kelly schools her in the manege.

She mounted in the yard and I led the way round to the school, Scully following me quite happily - I warned Kelly of the nap point by the barn and she wip wopped Scully past it - I sped up to open the school gate and I had Scully trotting after me!

She went into the school at the trot and trotted round for a few minutes doing circles & figure of 8s right into the scary end - she was really lively and trotting nicely. Stops and walk on with a bit of wip wop and some leg.

As she started to lose impulsion Kelly took her out of the school and we walked round the triangle of roads back to her stable - she tried to take the short cut of course!

So another brill forward going day with no arguments this time!

Plan for next week is to take her into one of the empty paddocks and start with leading one day, some of Kelly Marks's ground work pole exercises the next, long reining the day after and Kelly will ride her in the paddock on Friday.

Hopefully that will give her lots to think about, some more fun and get her keen to come out and play!

29th August

Kelly schools her in the paddock

Kelly climbed on in the yard again and we walked to the boys paddock.

Scully was quite lively and behaved like she did on our trip over to Shoplands, much more forward going and paying much more attention to what was being asked of her. Kelly was still working quite hard to keep her going initially but once she had settled she was trotting nicely.

Kelly said she had a nice powerful trot and was concerned not to take advantage of it and just letting her trot round without doing transitions to walk & back. 

Sept 5

Went down the stables & in the tack room there's a note on the cupboard saying "Beware of Scully" :o

It advises she is getting aggressive, not to go in stable, hold headcollar while leading so she doesn't bite, leave headcollar on in field to aid catching.

I went to take her out and she was as soppy as ever with me, led just fine. I think she has found someone she doesn't like much ;)

She is now on 3 sections of hay per day and STILL has no hay left at 1 pm! She ate another section I gave her in less than 1/2 hr so for an 8 hour stay in the stable she would in theory go through 16 sections!!!

With no grass to talk of in her field she is also on a starvation diet out there for the other 16 hours of each day. :-/

She is putting a little weight on - she started at 656 kilos in the spring, dropped to 610 kilos a couple of weeks back when I asked for her hay ration to be upped and now is 640 kilos. She is on 1/2 scoop hard feed per day.

I am going to go and talk to Tina at Shoplands to see what she reckons the correct feed regime is for Scully - I think at least some of her behaviour must be food related.

I have established that her current stable is the same size (12 x 12) as her old (home) one. Still it could be bigger! The only larger stable is Oliver's next door - but as that is the owner's horse I doubt I would get it for Scully. It is also much more cut off as the partition is 12" higher.

The Lawn's new barn is going to be ready in October, so that is a possibility. She would be in a big barn with 10 stalls - perhaps more sociable for her - but with individual turnout.

But at least it is closer to home and on DIY livery so I could make sure she always has enough hay!

On another issue, she has a new roller for the longreining - took her out yesterday round the triangle - she leads from the front easily, from the back she really doesn't move much, no matter how much I jump, shout, clap hands, throw the end of the line! I tried leading her to get her moving, but as soon as I stop, she stops! I've trained her to do exactly that so I can't complain... I will have to find someone to help me by leading her from the front while I work from the back, unless I have a very long stick with a carrot on the end 


Sept 6

I have no difficulty in turning her on the lines nor of stopping her trying to eat the grass verge! So she isn't planting as such.

I think the issue is that I have trained her so well at standing and stopping when I do that she now automatically stops if I am not walking beside her head - as an aside, I don't even have to ask with the line for trot now - I just leave a loose line, run, say "trot" and she trots to keep up!


Sept 28

OMG :o - I am going to have to learn to jump - the wag loves it!! ;D

Gave her a bath in the sunshine today - put her cooler on and took her for a trot up the lane and then into the manège - set up a foot high pole on X and trotted her round as per yesterday - then steered her to the pole - she refused the first and second times and then on the third occasion popped straight over once then twice - same on the other rein. Then I put the pole up to 2 ft and she went straight over again - really tidy and a lovely jump!! 8-)

Tomorrow we are going to try for a canter in the stubble fields - let's hope she has a stop switch too!!!


Sept 29

Extra brakes in the form of noseband & flash!

Also decided to put my test pilot onboard (Hayley)!!

She decided to wear her BP as well!

Result - totally controllable and sane! She napped a bit towards home but nothing serious. Hayley thinks I will have no trouble taking Scully out in the field.

OMG - there is some serious GO when the button is pressed - I timed her over nearly 1/4 mile at an average of 22 mph and on the last run she covered that distance in 55 strides - 19 ft per stride...

Here's a video - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aknmL4NxpCs

Note that Hayley is riding without a whip and is now much gentler with Scully since I had a chat with her about the way I am trying to retrain Scully! I think I may have another convert to the IH way!


Sept 30

Raided Ingatestone saddlery today - Mollie wanted a silk & crop in purple/pink! I treated myself to some new gloves and a BP for when we go cantering out in the field! Scully got a new red headcollar and a Lickit ball to play with in the stable!

I hung up her lickit and watched the cogs go round - you can too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dfKYYpvopc


Oct 2

Tacked the wag up this afternoon and jumped on to take her round the field - just a quiet walk & trot I thought. Turn left out of the yard and she plants next to the boys gate! Turn her to go the other way and she plants outside the yard! Eventually get off and lead her to the manège - thought if she was going to be awkward I'd do it in safety!

She was going OK when Emma came in on another horse and suddenly Scully was up for an active walk while following - not so when asked to go the other way!

Then Laena turned up and I asked her to have a go and tell me what she thought - well Scully did her statue impression - I am so glad Laena now understands what hard work the wag is - and she was having a real off day too! After getting her walking, trotting & cantering, Laena was puffing and "glowing" nicely - Scully hadn't even broken a sweat!

I popped back on and we did a few more laps working on getting her on the track and not stopping at the gate - once she had managed that I called it a day and she led back to the stable impeccably.

With Hayley and Laena's help I am going to up Scully's work regime so she works hard each day and only gets Sunday off! Let's see if we can break her lazy habit!



Oct 15

Brema was being clipped for the first time today and was trying to kick Steph who was wielding the clippers.

So they stood Scully with her ( she had just come back from an abortive visit to the cows, who weren't there today) and Scully was totally chilled out so Brema was too.


Oct 16

I have been spending lots more time with the Scullywag over the last couple of weeks and I am pleased with the progress we are making.

There is one behaviour of hers that is puzzling me and I can't work out why she might be doing it.

If I stroke her neck or go to rub her forehead when her head is over the stable door, her ears go flat and she tries to bite.

If I lean over the door and do the same thing she is fine, if I get her out of the stable she is fine, in fact sometimes she nuzzles my hand gently until I stroke her.

I have no problems with headcollar or bridle either inside or outside the stable - yes, the occasional avoidance but no nastiness.

I had to laugh though - I had washed Scully's stable fleece and had to ask her to move away from her stable door so I could put it back in there, no probs until I came to let myself out and she had moved back over the door - I tapped her on the shoulder and she jumped a foot in the air! 


Oct 23

I sent VIDEO LINK TO GO IN to Suzanne and her comment was:


This is great, you have been working hard! She looks so much happier and relaxed too, I think she is starting to enjoy it, which is so important. The girl that is riding her is doing a good job.


I also sent it to Becky Chapman, who said:

It would appear that she is a very willing and big moving mare (great for dressage.)

However, her back is very hollow, therefore she cannot be impulsive or reach in to the rein (sometimes known as "on the bit" although I prefer not to refer to it as this as it implies it is bit rather than body related.)

I do not believe that horse need to "learn to come on the bit", when they are ridden bio-mechanically correctly they automatically lift their backs and genuinely reach in to the rein. This allows for the gradual building of top-line, strength, suppleness, stamina and impulsion necessary for dressage.

There is nothing from your video to suggest that Scully is not ready to do this, in fact I would suggest it is essential for her development and, perhaps more importantly, her long-term soundness.


My Danish semi pro rider friend said:

There are some very basic elements of the riding, which would take me very long to write about, but the general idea is Scully hasn't been taught the proper respect for the riders aids and you need to think about how she carries herself, as what I've been shown on the vid, she doesn't activate her back muscles properly and she might end up with a sore back.

It seems she doesn't get the right aids and therefore doesn't respond well, it also makes it much harder for Scully to get her balance when the rider uses the inner rein as the controlling rein.
Quite a few times during the 10 min vid, the rider pulls her out of balance, there's a lot of balance in the head, as it's quite heavy
and when it's forced in a direction, the horse needs to regain her balance again. If the basic schooling was in place, the rider wouldn't have to pull the head to one side to make her go where she wants to.


So that is two votes for getting her to work in outline, one for basic schooling and one jolly good job!

As a novice owner I find it frustrating to say the least!!

Today both Laena and I rode her, we both had our work cut out to get her going forward at all - but we did get trot eventually - I have found if I wriggle my heels against her side it really annoys her and we get lots of little bucks and head raising before she gives in and goes forward then I need to catch her as she is thinking slow down to keep the momentum - she naps at the same place each lap so I can anticipate that and catch it easily - elsewhere in the school I really need to be on her case 110%, boy it certainly exercises my legs!

I am going to give it another 4 weeks and see how she goes - but I am 50% convinced to take her up to Becky for a fortnight's intensive schooling for her AND me!


Oct 24

Scully had her first clip today.

Lead rope through the baling twine loop with me on the other end just in case she pulled back, but the training has done its job there and she was good as gold.

Scully stood like a statue (OK her nose was in the haynet) and let Steph clip her - let me hold her front legs up (one at a time ;) ) so that Steph could do the bit underneath - not a wriggle or a shuffle until the very end while Steph was working under her muzzle.

[image] http://www.octarine-services.co.uk/riding/scully/scullyclipped.jpg


Oct 27

Scully has learnt to run off kicking thin air when anyone approaches her with a lead rope.

The girls were having problems catching her and have been leaving the head collar on her in the field.

I have tried pressure & release, turning / walking away when she moves towards me and have got her to come right up to the gate, but as soon as the lead rope clip gets within a foot of her the ears go back and she canters off, kicking.

Today she wouldn't let me anywhere near her head with or without the lead rope - even though I had a carrot - so Hayley tried to approach her with the lead rope and Scully ran straight to me!

Once clipped on she is just fine.


Oct 28

Well - I went down there at 1 pm and tried initially to get up to Scully WITHOUT the lead rope.

I played it low key to start, but she showed no interest in what I was doing - when I approached her she walked away and if I put any pressure on her she turned towards me (ie going in to the pressure) and she was giving me such strong GO AWAY signals that I went and got the camera so you can see what she is doing -

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rCRvTxKzQYg

Then Laena came up to help get her in for the saddler - I hid out of Scully's sight to see how she reacted to Laena - after a few minutes of the same and running around she just stood still and allowed Laena to clip on!

Sorry about the very wobbly video but I had the camera on long telephoto - my conversation is with Mike who came up while I was filming

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yRgBDlglmgg

The saddler adjusted both saddles with a narrower gullet in the Bates and extra flocking in the back of both saddles - so now there really is no excuse for the Scullywag not going forwards comfortably.

PS She had me off again on Monday - spooked in the scary corner at walk, went sideways 6 feet, turned 60 degrees towards the gate and pinged into the air - four 9 inch deep holes in the sand where she took off. 


Nov 4 


Went up to catch her in for Mish and she was in the far corner of the top paddock - she saw me and cantered full belt across, clipped straight on and walked nicely over the field and to the stable, stood quite well but while Mish was poking her back Scully decided to have a bite at my arm which was resting on the stable door - she knew she had done wrong and immediately threw her head up and hit it on the beam over the door - I think she saw stars! She looked a bit dazed but Mish checked her and she was OK - no blood!

She was fine after that - perhaps she has taught herself not to do that over the stable door!

Laena rode her when Mish had finished and Scully led perfectly up to the school - no hesitation at all.


Nov 26


Got the lorry out to load her today to take up to the vets for an X ray.

Got her out and put her travel boots on and led her to the lorry - she scooted off to the left as usual - popped her in an empty stable while I got 2 jump wings & a pole erected along the left side of the ramp and tried again - she stomped right in.

She got a bit excited when I closed the gate - she jumped up & down (only a few inches) and when I shut the ramp we had serious wobbling of the lorry!

She quickly settled and I drove really gently up to Rivenhall and she came out of the lorry easily.

Ben checked her thoroughly and had her lunged in trot and said she was sound - very pleased but still X rayed the knee - result, nothing wrong, she has "good bones & joints for a six year old" ben said.

We dressed her again and the girl helping tried to lead her on the lorry - no way! She was tugging and madam was going backwards - "Here, I'll do it" I said - I walked in the lorry and just held the line with a tiny amount of pressure and up she stomped!

Ben says straight back into work - so as I was 1/2 way to Becky's I gave her a quick call and agreed to take madam on up.

She came out of the lorry again nicely and walked straight round and into her new stable - it has a back area for her to sleep and feed and a covered "patio" to socialise with the other horses!

She went in for a mouthful of hay and back out to see the others, in for hay, out, in , out - happy as larry!


Dec 2

Went up to see her working today.

At last I feel I have found someone in Becky who not only understands Scully, but sees a way though her problems!

Scully has given Becky a bit of a reality check - she has not come across a horse who can so effectively blank out people and pressure. She said that there have been times over the last few days when she started to understand why people hit horses! (of course she didn't!)

In Becky's view Scully would seriously test even professional handlers and riders and thinks we have done well to get where we are.

So what she thought would just be a matter of building topline and getting Scully going forward is far more complex and she has abandoned that goal in favour of getting Scully more motivated to be with people and has been clicker training.

Scully has taken it in her stride and on her terms - we were doing "happy faces" today - clicking and treating every time we got ears forward and our direction. Scully still sloped off for some hay from time to time - just to remind us that she didn't HAVE to play!

Scully is still suspicious and is constantly waiting for something "nasty" to happen - we can't be being nice unless there is a catch in it somewhere. Trust level is low.

Apparently she was much brighter today for seeing me again - so that's good - she may now wonder if I haven't just dumped her with more strange people and perhaps one day she will come home!

Becky hopes we will get a breakthrough soon - in her experience once a horse like Scully cottons on then there is no stopping them.


Dec 5 

Becky is still working with her - today's comment was "This is one messed up mare!"

Yesterday's lesson was about brakes - not barging thru, apparently well learnt as today we wanted forward softly and Sculls put the brakes on! She is either set in the concrete or forward fast!

I feel a bit sad for Sculls - clearly her childhood was not a happy one and she missed out on the normal learning & socialising with other young horses - so while she may seem sane and sophisticated, she is actually a very nervous girl who doesn't know how to relax and enjoy her work. So the conversation continually goes - please do something : NO : please : no : please : oh OK then! Becky just wants the NO to go and for her to just say OK then.

Becky won't be drawn into saying how long the road is going to be - poor Sculls is taking some big and uncomfortable steps right now - the only thing that keeps me positive is that Becky thinks she will be fabulous once we get soft and this will translate into the riding.


Sadly, I think her breeder had no idea what she was doing, nor any clue as to what the consequences of her actions were going to be.

It really begs the question, should people be allowed to breed horses without suitable facilities and environment for the youngsters?

It certainly is buyer beware - despite taking professional advice over buying Sculls, her problems lie under an apparently calm exterior - it is only Becky's experienced eye that reveals the conflict within.

It is this aspect more than any other that worries me - despite the progress we have made to date I doubt myself in having the skill to read Sculls and get the timing right - I am going to ask Becky to let me do some of the training under her direction - I am hoping that Sculls will find it easier to trust me rather than Becky and that I do have a feel for the timing required to progress her.

I think this won't be the only visit to Ashen!

The choice is an easy one - I am in it for the long term and Sculls gets my full commitment and support ( I just wish she would stop trying to bite me! ;) ) and yes it probably is going to be expensive but probably cheaper than rearing 4 kids! 


Dec 7

Went up to see her this morning - Becky had a breakthrough yesterday afternoon and is now getting what she wanted out of Scully - finally she is convinced there is no nasty trick involved and is participating in the games.

She has also had a holiday romance! A big grey gelding up for the weekend was in the next stable and they were smitten with each other!

Becky plans to get the tack out tomorrow to see if Scully will still play while tacked up - I am hoping, if nothing else, she gets over this hurdle. Becky says if she stays as soft and gentle as she now is on the ground, she is going to be so easy to ride. 


Dec 9


Oh I am so proud of my girl - you should have seen her today!

Becky leads her towards a mounting block in the corner of the school, climbs up it and Scully positions herself alongside!

Becky calls the game "bringing the saddle to me" - this is clicker training with a real outcome that is useful! 

Becky uses it all the time and it certainly suits Scully - the treats don't have to be high value, she is happy with a bit of her ordinary feed!

We click for a happy face, a soft walk, or anything she gets right - it can be almost constant treating, which surprised me.

Becky will be teaching me to do it with her next week.

It was just great to watch the cogs go round today - she worked out what Becky wanted alongside the block , got the click to say that was right and immediately backed up to get the treat!

She is also getting a good lesson in manners from her next door stable mate - he nips her on the bum if she gets above herself!


Dec 15

Scully is doing really well @ Becky's even if it has taken 3 weeks rather than 2!

Today she started handing the training over to me (I have booked S & me onto a CT course with her at the end of this week to make sure I have the skills!)

The first thing she explained was how we ask the horse to move by sliding the "forward" hand (the one nearest the bit or headcollar) up the rope or rein to signal the horse we are about to ask something - she suggests this is done with the hand over the top of the rope/rein with little finger closest to the bit/collar.

She suggests this is a "politer" way of asking since you can't apply as much pressure as with the hand the other way up and the "ask" is made by rotating the arm rather than by pulling.

Easier to do than explain!

This is opposite to what Kelly Marks suggests that the hand should by upward facing. 

On the positive side, in 2 hours today I learnt how to get Scully off that left shoulder and also to get her circling round me, stepping right under with her back feet! She is way better on the left rein than the right but I guess that will come in time. I also found that my timing was good and I had her leading on the left rein with her almost wrapped round me - head in front and shoulder alongside - totally focussed on me for a lot of the time and when her attention wandered I could bring her back with the gentle slide up the rein & little twist.

The trouble is I now have to "run" to catch her up in the learning - she quickly gets frustrated if I don't click when she thinks I ought or if I am slow with the treat... ::)


LOTS MORE TO ADD INTO THIS GAP  – WHEN I GET THE TIME! REALLY MUST DO THIS MORE OFTEN!

23rd September 2009

Today I was late going down to get her in – we had been to a funeral – when I get there she is already in, apparently she had been cantering up & down in her field because her best mate Beauty was in the school and Scully wanted to join in. Jo took Paul up to get her in – she was worried she couldn't cope with a big excited horse and was surprised how easily Scully led with no drama at all! (All the groundwork we have done has really paid off!)