Q
- Become calmer under saddle (this goal is all for me in part) SUCCESS. Far from 100%, but we're much better than we were. She's really gained a lot of confidence in the last month. Ridding her of her scratches finally has led to a horse who really could care less about having her feet handled for the first time ever. When she does get cranky about being touched and is reprimanded for being ridiculous (hello, waving leg around in air to avoid further prodding), she isn't upset by the reprimanding action; she now ceases her behavior (which has become quite a game to her) and returns her leg to where I want it to be, sometimes sighing and licking and chewing after re-behaving. Additionally, Mike reported that for the last loop of RBTR, she led most of the way and had no big, dirty spooks! I've noticed increasingly fewer of these when I ride her, as well.
- Remain healthy and sound SUCCESS! We're rid of scratches now, though ever diligent about treating them. Getting rid of them this last time has truly afforded me a happy horse; I think the pain from them was contributing to a lot of her issues as her confidence is soaring more than ever.
- Continue with hill/mountain sprints and become the Lance Armstrong of horses SUCCESS. Though I plan to continue these workouts indefinitely. It will be hard to make them more difficult than they are, now, but she's really doing terrific.
Griffin
- Find more time to get off property with trailer SUCCESS. We got off property 3? 4? times this month. Griffin no longer gets the anxiety sweats on the trailer like he once did!
- Steadily increase length and intensity of workouts (but not necessarily at the same time!) SUCCESS! Kid is fit as can be right now. He's at a level of work that I am very comfortable with for his age and growth stage, too. Harder workouts are coupled with longer rests.
- Work in side reins MEH. We did this...maybe twice. Need to re-institute it more fully into our schedule though.
- Build rider fitness through downhill running SUCCESS? I did this a handful of times. Toward the end of the month I just wasn't presented with as many opportunities to do it, so I ceased. Will continue!
- Strengthen lower back muscles SUCCESS. Significantly less pain over the past few weeks than I'd had previously. Huge plus.
- Praise the shit out of Q in as many situations as I can to help her build confidence SUCCESS? Definitely got a lot better at it. She's gained more confidence. So I must have been somewhat successful...
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August Goals
Q
- Continue to be calmer under saddle (this goal is all for me in part)
- Remain healthy and sound
- Continue with hill/mountain sprints and become the Lance Armstrong of horses
- Work with snaffle and hunter tack in preparation for mini-show in September
- Jump
- Silly to add...but: complete RBTR safely and soundly (SUCCESS)
Griffin
- Hill/mountain work
- Work in side reins
- Introduction to jumping
- Remain healthy and sound
- Have safe and sound first LD experience (SUCCESS)
- Build rider fitness through downhill running
- Continue to strengthen lower back muscles
- Continue to praise the shit out of Q in as many situations as I can to help her build confidence
- Increase fitness overall through yoga, p90x, and HIIT workouts
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