Messing Around at the Ranch.

Sidney has been spending the extra hours she gained (after Eh Capa was over) out at the Ranch.  Last week they had a playday evening.  One of the trainers set up all kinds of fun things.  She even dressed up in a crazy dinosaur costume.  Pigeon was definitely not sure about this one at first.  By the end of the evening, he seemed a lot less leery, but still not a fan.

Sidney has been working with Pigeon on a few tricks, one of which is to get him to lay down.  Apparently this is not something horses naturally want to do with people around, as they need to feel very safe and secure before laying down.  With consistent ques and training, Pigeon has learned to lay down on Sidney's command.  It is the MOST beautiful process to watch.  He will even look at her for a que to get back up.  I am sure the treats help:). 

Pigeon did not have much jumping experience at all before we got him.  Sidney has taken a few jump lessons with him, and they have been putting in some practice.  He is really getting it down.  He is quite an athletic horse.  I think the sky is the limit for these two.

I received a call from the owner of the boarding facility last Friday.  Apparently there was a private clinic happening the following day, and one of the attendees had to pull out.  Sabrina and the attendee had talked and they wanted to 'gift' the open spot to Sidney.  What a wonderful and amazing opportunity.  Sidney attended a three hour clinic with Dana Lovell.  It was like nothing she had ever attended before.  It was a very small clinic.  Dana worked with each horse and rider individually.  She rode each of the horses and tailored her instruction based on the specific needs of the horse and rider.  She worked with Sidney on recognizing when Pigeon was starting to feel anxious and how to push him, without pushing him over the edge.  Dana even took Pigeon right up to that edge while she was on him, just so Sidney could see what that would look like.  It was amazing.  Dana had a very kind an gentle horsemanship that Sidney wants to emulate.

Sidney basically spent the whole next day at the ranch, watching the other clinics and generally messing around.  The ladies at the Ranch have really taken Sidney under their wing.