Isis and I had a mixed ride today. I think it was more my fault than hers. I’ve been thinking about this a lot. She might have been reluctant because I wasn’t clear in what I was asking (probably because I’m still learning and figuring it out). She didn’t want to whoa when asked — instead she would walk for 6-8 additional steps before coming to a stop. She knows whoa. It’s the first thing we worked on.

My dressage instructor changed how to ask for whoa. So I worked on walk and whoa for quite a while. Instead of using my old cue, the new instructor has said to exhale and sit firmly in the saddle to whoa. So we did that a few times and each time Isis would pull on the bit and keep walking. Twice during our session I had to reach up with my feet and tap her on the point of the shoulder to get her to stop. (It’s almost
equivalent to tapping a horse on the chest — part of the cue used from the ground to get the horse to stop.) She stopped and it seemed to help her associate the new command better. After a few more times around, she started pulling again and walking through the whoa command. I raised my voice when I said whoa. No effect. So I had to hit her again. And she did get it after a little while. I hated having to do that. Every time she did it right I praised her and loved on her so she knew what I was asking for.

I feel like I used too much force. So I felt guilty from hitting Isis and having to yell at her a few times as well.

Before I got on, I had prayed for good communication. I don’t feel like I had very good communication — I shouldn’t have to get after my horse like that, you know? It must have been something I had been doing. (Of course, other people I’ve talked to have pointed out that some times your horse will test you and you have to push back so they don’t get away with things. Isis is back in training and that means we have to have more discipline than we have in the past year. Combine that plus PMS for *both* of us and I can see how the situation would have happened.

Maybe the point of the good communication prayer was just this: to have me review exactly how I’m riding and how what I’m doing is interacting with Isis.

When we were done riding in the ring, I opened the gate and we rode out to the fields along the path. Just a nice quiet trail ride (not too far, otherwise Rajiyyah would get really upset). When I untacked Isis she stood perfectly still. I took her bridle off and petted her. She pressed her head against me, and seemed really comforted by a cuddle. I apologized to her and pampered her.

I got a little frustrated with her and it could be for a few reasons. Isis is either in heat or just going out and I’m PMSing/cramping. I was also feeling frustrated with other things: taxes, another horse owner at the barn, and lack of knowledge about how the dressage instructor wants cues done. (I do have a solution for the lack of knowledge from lessons: I’ll call the other girl who takes lessons and see if she would like to ride together.)

Isis also tripped a few times. I think there might also be something going on with her hips. She wasn’t moving as well as she should. I wish the chiropractor was here.

Doh! I know what is causing the leg problems. Isis has been off of her supplements for the past few weeks and has rainrot all over her legs. That’s what it is! The rainrot makes her skin sore and causes her to move funny. I have to pick up some flax seed oil to mix in her feed to help the supplements be more palatable.

Jaia hosted a hafla (think open floor dance and music party) tonight. Talk about a blast! Mary Lou and I went and brought some food. Great food there too — people brought finger food that was really tasty. No potato salad or anything. Most of it was home-made goodness. Tasty.

There was live music (and the name of the group escapes me). They play traditional middle eastern instruments and have performed with belly dancers frequently.

Of the dancers who were there, we ended up dancing together and just having fun. We swapped ideas about how to work with zils and veils. It’s really fun when you can do something like this and just enjoy each others company.

I had a real ball. =)

I know I should be taking it easy with my knee and evrything, but some times you can’t keep a girl down. I had a riding lesson today on Isis. I was out at the barn by about 10:00 AM and met the other two ladies who were also riding. (Two sisters who own two Belgian/Thoroughbred horses who are brothers by the same sire.) They went first, so I had about two hours before my lesson. Rajiyyah had a good bath and the tack rooms were (finally) cleaned.

Isis and I rode for over an hour. We focused on bending, which is the foundation of collection. She had definitely improved and had figured out cues that we were asking. It was cool to feel Isis suddenly “get” what I was asking and how her body shifted. It’s been really useful having someone who can point out things that I”m doing wrong.

Towards the end of the lesson we cantered for the first time with the new instructor. Isis even stayed bent during (most) of the canter! I was really pleased with her.

Last night after work, I went out to the barn to worm the girls and check on how they are doing. Rajiyyah’s leg looks so much better! The girls are day on turnout so I finally got to see Rajiyyah’s leg after she was out for a while. Swelling was minimal, which is a great improvement. She was also moving with out her usual limp! Wonderful news. The only thing different is that I’ve been using the arnica-based gel on her leg and DMSO (not at the same time). The DMSO is supposed to help break up the lump that has grown in where the cut was.

I spoke with the vet earlier this week. She said that Rajiyyah’s leg definitely sounds like it’s improving, but there probably was some tendon damage. Recouperation should go slow — light lunging for two months before getting back on her. Since Mom has bought the farm in Maryland, I’ll be shipping Rajiyyah to her before the end of the year. So right about the time I’d be able to get back on Rajiyyah, she’ll be in Maryland.

My knee was acting up again last night. I put my legs up in bed and stayed off of it for as long as I could. I think sitting in the kneeling chair is okay, but not when I’m spenging 8-9 hours at work and then an additional 5-8 when I get home. I’m trying to make a point to get away from the computer and do something else — knitting or reading — that doesn’t require me to be standing or bend my knees. Helped last night. My knee definitely feels better today. (Of course, being off of the glucosamine for a few days doesn’t help either. I’m back on it.)

Just cause you gotta do them some times…

My blog in LOLCat form! http://lol.ianloic.com/feed/ceffyl.net/wordpress/feed/

I was way too busy this weekend. Saturday started early with dance practise at 9:00 (arg, not a morning person!). That lasted about 1.5 hours. I went to the barn and worked with Isis for another hour and half. From there, I went home, fed my neighbor’s kitties, and then helped with a community dinner in the kitchen (read on my feed for another six hours). I was exhausted Saturday evening. My knees were hurting by the time I got home.

Sunday morning I cancelled my riding lesson. I couldn’t face the idea of riding when my knees were so sore. So what do I do? I mowed, of course, that evening.

So now it’s Monday and my knees are really killing me. Two ibuprofen haven’t helped. I’ve had to go home early and just try to put my legs up. I’ve configured my laptop so I can work from home. This is bad. My knees haven’t hurt like this in months.

Definitely not going to dance class tonight, as much as I really want to…

I talked with my dance instructor… We have a ton of upcoming performances with the troupe. It will definitely be exciting! As things are confirmed, I’ll post them here.

Poor Shadow. Shelley dropped Shadow off on Tuesday so I could take her to the vet’s for her surgery. Shadow wasn’t very happy to be dragged around in a carrier and taken to the vet’s. Considering everything, she was quite well behaved though. She spent part of the morning in the carrier on my kitchen counter. Quiet, luckily– my other kitties didn’t notice her.

The entire procedure — initial shots, spaying, microchipping(!!), and tattoo showing she has been fixed — was free. I couldn’t believe it. (I was also relieved, too.)

Unfortunately, Shadow couldn’t have her surgery. When she was shaved, the vets discovered a rash. The surgery was postponed and Shadow was sent home with 10 days worth of antibiotics. The appointment has been rescheduled for this coming Tuesday.

The amazing thing? Shelley can actually give Shadow her medicine!

Remember the momma kitty and kittens behind my house in July? Well, the momma kitty has been adopted by my neighbor, Shelley. I had no idea until my other neighbor, Nancy, went door-to-door to find out who the black and white momma kitty belonged to. I had made an appointment with the free spay service (the Spay Shuttle) for momma kitty for September 13th. Nancy told me to contact Shelley.

Momma kitty — now named Shadow — loves Shelley. Shadow purrs around her, comes when called, and in general acts like a well behaved kitty. Yay! It will be so much easier to get Shadow to the clinic since Shelley can actually pick Shadow up.

So I’ve met two cool neighbors and Shadow has a new home. Three of the kittens are also hanging out at Shelley’s house. Unfortunately, the little black kitten I thought was so cute has disappeared.

I got a notice from classmates.com that I had a message waiting from Maria T, my best friend in high school and in middle school. She was the only person I was close to during those years. She married when I was a sophomore in college and joined the navy. I haven’t heard from her since. Until today. She sent me an email with her email address and phone number.

So I called and left a message on her cell phone. She got divorced and has two kids. She moved to Maryland and works as an airplane mechanic. Kinda funny because she was always petite. You think of mechanics as being these burly-men.

Any way, so I’m really excited. I’ve left a message on her cell phone. She is probably at work. So we will see. =)