I am at a loss for words...

Needless to say... I am extremely happy... beyond words.... very shocked. I never in my wildest dreams expected that high of a score! I got a Level 3++, making me an official Level 3 graduate!!!!

2010 Video highlights

Here is a short video of highlights from 2010. It was a really great year for Prince and I!!



Naturally,
~Keri

Ruffian: Watching cars...

January 8 2011

Ruffian and I had a really interesting playtime today. We walked up our road and just watched the cars go by. At first we met two thresholds on the way up but once we got past those we didn't come across any others. Ruffian at first wasn't to sure about the vehicles, especially because it was slushy and they were making a lot of noise. So we just stood there and it was good though because the road turns so the vehicles would come towards us and then go away... approach and retreat!!

After about 5 or 6 cars it didn't bother Ruffian as much and after every one went by he look at me and lick and chew. I want to continue getting Ruffian more confident with different things. After that we went to the garage and I want to give Ruffian his supplements. First we played friendly game with the garage door. Then once he wasn't scared of it opening I opened it all the way and we went in. Ruffian isn't really bothered being in there but he had never been around when I opened the door before so it was a new experience for him.

Of all the horses I think Ruffian is the one that is bothered the most by things like this just because he isn't brought out enough to experience them... but that is totally my fault because I am the one who isn't bringing him out enough :) So it is my personal mission/goal to get him more used to and confident with potentially scary things. It should be fun!

Naturally,

~Keri

Prince: Doing some small things after trimming.

January 7 2011

After I trimmed Prince this morning we played a little bit on the front yard. We did some sideways and yo-yo's on the 12ft line, which were really light and Prince was amazing. Then we backed all the way from the garage, across the front yard and to the corral gate by the tail, which included making turns because it isn't a straight line. Prince did really well and put a lot of effort into it even with out me asking! By the end we got our turns really light and even though they still need some work and time to improve, I was really happy with them!

It is always fun doing these little things when I trim. It gets the horses into a good frame of mind and it gives us a chance to test things that we don't do a whole lot, plus it also puts a purpose to a lot of the things we do on a regular basic :)

Naturally,

~Keri

Prince: Lightness, speed and distance on the back up.

January 6 2011

Prince and I also played with yo-yo's and back-up's. Prince backed up to the end of the 45ft line and it was a lot better than it used to be but after about 22ft he would loose speed. So we played with backing up farther than 22ft and maintaining the same lightness and speed. We started with porcupine game backing up by the nose. Prince did well with the lightness, speed and distance but he wouldn't go straight. So we had to play with that once that was going well we did yo-yo's to the end of the 22ft line and then I would start walking forward and ask Prince to continue backing up. 

This helped a lot and things were going well. Prince was keeping the speed up and stilling being light and responsive. Then I noticed though that he was still going crooked just a little bit and he couldn't give me two eyes all the time. I played around with different things and found that it was because I had just a little tiny bit to much energy and so Prince would just slightly tip his head to one side and then after a while he would go crooked, because he wasn't looking at me with two eyes. 

After that we got extremely straight yo-yo's, with lightness, speed and distance!! We then put it to a purpose and backed all the way to the gate and Prince was superb! He was straight, light and totally attentive, and also asking loads of questions!! 

We ended with backing down the path and then from 22ft away I asked Prince to turn his forequarters and touch the latch on the gate, which he did and got it on the first try :) One thing I had to particular about was at one point I had to ask Prince to turn and back with me in zone 2/3 but he thought he still had to keep two eyes on me so I just had to make sure I was really clear in what I wanted an to make sure that Prince knew that he could back up with out giving me two eyes, but when it was my idea :) 

Prince stayed with me even after I unhaltered him and so I scratched him and we hung out for a while before I had to go in and get ready for work. 

Naturally,

~Keri 

Twosox: Yo-yo's!

January 6 2011

After I had cleaned out Twosox 's eye I decided to play with him a little on the front yard. We started with zone 5 driving with one line zone. Twosox was a lot better than last day and he was able to walk, stop, and back up confidently and not have to turn and face me. Then I put the 45ft line on and we played with Yo-yo's. That is pretty much all we can do because everywhere else is ice, except the path for the hay truck so we played up and down that and it really opened my eyes to just how much Twosox's doesn't want to back up. 

We played with that for a long while until Twosox was able to back up about 20ft with lightness and a little bit of speed. Then we ended there. So I know exactly what we are going to be playing with next time!! Yo-yo's! 

Naturally,

~Keri

Twosox: Playing doctor...

January 04 2011

For the last couple days I have been playing doctor for Twosox, who we believe has an eye infection. So we really haven't been doing a whole lot other than going from the corral to the garage to clean his eye out and also to give him his supplements (salt, Hoffman's minerals, sunflower seeds etc). He seems to be doing much better. He is able to open his eye completely now, unlike last week where he could barely open it half way. Plus it seems to be cleansing it's self well and it is looking a million times better.

It has been good though to have a reason to get out with him every day! All in all he is doing much better and I am very happy, and relieved!

Naturally,

~Keri