Christmas Parade

What a day this way.  Started out with going to the barn and bathing Bailey, working with her and then loading the tack for parade.  Finally left barn at 12:00 and arrived downtown Fort Worth at 12:30 pm.  We were the first to get there and had the parking lot to all ourselves. 

Everyone showed up in large trailers with weekend packages and motorhomes.  The party started around 1:30  We ate good food and talked a little, then we started the work of putting all the costume on the horse.
We each was given a container with their costume in it.
First saddle pad, then table cloth, next red rump cover, then saddle, attach breast collar.  Now start with garland around the breat collar and add net lights over the rump.  These were secured by the tiny red ribbons on the material.  Then move up to the breast collar and add the lights.  After these lights are on you added lights to the mane.  (all of these are power pack with solar connectors)  Lucky one of the husbands gave me a hand and secured the lights for me on the saddle.
 Add a touch of bells around each ankle then put red socks on front legs.
Last but not least, the antler ears on the bridle.

Now it is almost 2 hours later and we are ready to mount.  Bailey is doing very well with all of this and just kept eating.  However, she did try to eat the breast collar decoration.

Nowing really bothered her at all.  She just stood there and kept eating her hay.

Now it is time to ride.  She is wanting to move her feet and I just let her walk all around the parking lot.  Doesn't want to go to far.  When the group starts out, she is willing to follow and doesn't want to lose her friends.

We stand in line for about 20 minutes and then it is off on the street.  She settled right down and followed the leader.  She walked out a little more than some, but we stayed in place and watched all of the spectators and waved to them all.  Bailey's biggest concern was the manhole covers in the street.  She was sure we would fall into one of them and disappear.  There were a lot of people, noise, lights on the side lines, wands and colored neck bands, people cheering and whisling.  She was a real troupper.  I was very proud of my girl and new she could do it. 

Returning back to the staging area, we had to take the lights off in the dark.  This was really a chore.  Finally able to return all of the costume to the bag and return to the group.  We stayed a little longer and then pulled out of towndown around 8:30pm  arrving back home at 9:30

Long and wonderful day

Lesson

Monday night was a great lesson.  Jeryln taught me how to keep Bailey out and going on the cirlce without changing gate.  If she starts to change gate or stop, I bring her in very quickly and send her out with a hard sent.  She has to do 4 laps with me at the relaxed position.
It took Bailey a long time to realize that she had to stay out there and do the correct gate.  There was more canter than trot. 

We worked on getting her foot in front of the small barrel.  I have to ask for eat foot with the stick.  Keep the barrels in place with dirt or wood so they don't move out in front of her.

Learned to ride with Carrot Stick, hold like a sword and come in from nuetral at a 45 degree angle.  This is important for her to understand that it is direction ( the driving game).Nuetral can be either on the shoulder or down at the side.  When asking for a turn, first look, turn belly button towards the turn, foot and then stick.
Always use this pattern and she will go into the turn without even moving the stick.

Backing up with the stick, Tap on her front and  then drop the rein , after she back rub her.  She was doing it very easily.  (Super Mare)

Let your seat drop down and let the breath out for her to stop.  This also worked very nicely. 

Lots to work on.  Loved the lesson.

Jeryln rode her in small circle to get her to canter, I think she was out of gas and it was very hard for her to do.  I think that the long lines would have been better.  But she learns to use her rearend when cantering and sets her self for an easy transion.  We have to build on this.

Getting ready for Friday Parade

Went to the barn today (Wednesday) and she was sore from so much cantering (I think)  gave her bute and washed her tail, clean and oiled my saddle.  Got lights on cowboy hat and getting more things in order for the parade.  Must make a list of all the things I need to bring that day. 

Must go and make some banana pudding for Thanksgiving. 

Savvy

Weekend Rides

Friday night was fun.  Raining cats and dogs outside the arena and Bailey and I having fun.
The weather was not helping me make up my mind to go to the barn late Friday night.  But, finally I decided to go around 7:30 pm.  We did some great work going over the small barrels sideways.  She was really doing a great job and we were both very proud of our work.  Worn a little bareback,  but because she was not out all day on Friday there was a little more horse than usual and I had to stop the trotting.  There was some good work accomplished.

Saturday I went to the barn and helped Jo work with Doc and really noticed that he was getting much  better at the games.

Farrier came and Bailey was a little toot.  Didn't want her feet done and was trying to bite me.  Kenny was very good with her and finally we did managed.  She is going to wear a size 2.5 in the Easy Boot Glove.  Kenny helped me fit her and it looks good.

Jeryln called and gave me the phone number of Deb Abbock.  They have an opening for The Fort Worth Parade of lights this Friday.  There is an extra costume and all we have to do it be able to wear bells, and a skirt over her rear end.

I am so excited to be able to go with these girls and learn the ropes.  Finally, something to do with Bailey.

Sunday night I went to the barn and put bells on Bailey and she was very good about them.  Lights didn't bother her either.  I then got the western saddle out and we got the breast collar on and bells and rode around the arena.  She is good with all of this.  Put lights on the Carrot Stick and plastic bag, nothing she is a Super Star. 

Got a black cowboy hat to wear and we will be set to go.

Tonight I was trying to get Bailey to go to the end of the arena where there is water standing and walk through it.  She was not doing it.  Kept going sideway around it.  Finally, I decided to just sit tight and wait for her to figure it out.  We waited not too long and I asked her again and she went through it.  This was so  much better thanb getting her upset to go through it.  Patience is what I need to work the program.

Four more days until the parade.

Bailey

Bailey and I had a very nice session last night.  We did a lot of circling on line moving around the arena. Sides ways around obstacle.  Backing up between to barrels, figure 8 and little weave.

Then I got on her and we did some sideways and then went around the barrels and stick to the rail.

Worked on the whoa.   Decided to go around the arean and find different point to go to and stop.  When she stopped we rested and I pet her.  We did this for a little while and she got really good at reading my body for the whoa.

Tonight a lesson with Jeryln.

Ride is getting som much better

Saturday I went to the barn and there were so many new people there with all of the new horses.  I finally waited until they brougt Bailey up and then put her in the round pen.  Of course, shew was upset and I had to feed her.  Then we did some work with the ball and change of direction.  This worked out nicely.  We did around the pen sideways and off to ride.  After putting some shims in the front of the pad, we rode out into the woods.  Bailey wanted to trot so we did.  Then back into the arena and more trot.  I love the feel of this saddle.  Bailey and I were really going nicely.  I was so excited.  Fun to be back riding (really riding again)

Sunday

Went down to Janet's and we took Magic over to Jan's to play in her round pen.  It was really very nice. We played some games, and then Janet long lined him and I got on him for the second time.  He really isn't too small for me.  I may end up keeping him.  (God help me to find the way to pay for all of this).

Quality time on Saturday

Today we played in the round pen, she was going on the lunge and then I let her off, we played change directionsa and stop.  It was pretty good.  She would then come in an get a pet.  She never would come in on her own.  I had to ask her in.  I guess the send was too big and she was not confident with me then. 

Used the Western air pad and it was good, we did a lot of trotting, follow the rail, sideways three steps, back up, stop.   Used the cones in the arena to go around.  She was doing very well tonight.

Upset with the barn management, Ramon was leaving Bailey in the field and getting all the rest of the horses and she was getting very upset and running the field.  He thought this was pretty funny.  I was not happy when I came in and saw her running

THE CROWD WENT WILD

We did more ground work this time.  I got her going over  the barrels and turning and waiting.  Sideways over the small barrel   again.  Put the barrels in the arena for a weave pattern.  Rode her bareback and we did the weave, squeeze throught the barrels. backup, halt and then sideways along the wall. 

Finished off with trotted bare back several length and the finale was doing the length of the arean trotting.


AND THE CROWD WENT WILD........

New Saddle

I was able to purchase a 20" seat Duett Companion Trail Saddle from a lady on Ebay.  She didn't get any bids on it and I emailed her and asked if she would consider taking less of the saddle and she did.

The saddle arrived on Friday afternoon.  I took it to the barn and loved it.  This saddle reminds me of the old Albion Original Comfort I bought is 1993.  It has the wide twist and really fits me good.  It is a 34cm wide tree, but I think Bailey will do find in it.  I was good on my balance point and it was very confortable.

Will no more with longer rides in it.  Saddles can really be hard to fit and find.  The price was half of a new one and this one is like brand new.  Will take pictures of it and post.