Posture and Goal Setting--

The May 2005 Issue 9 Savvy Club DVD is such a great compliment to what I have been focusing on with both of my mares. Linda talks about and actually marks the areas of some horses to show posture issues that should be addressed to preserve your horses well being and soundness.

Since both of my girls have things about their posture that could use some improvement, this was a compelling segment to watch. I also watched a segment called "Swinging Shoulders" on a recent Savvy Club DVD, that I feel would be a great exercise for Pokey!

They have been great and having them here at home is nice. I am hoping to turn them out this weekend in my neighbors pasture for part of the day, to give them some room to romp around and play. It is looking like maybe Sunday will work best to do this... I will take some pictures; I am sure Gypsy will let loose.

I have only done short sessions in their pen, just encouraging movement and working on my bond and relationship with Gypsy. Our relationship is growing in leaps and bounds since she has been here at home! I feel my trust for her growing and she seems much more confident in me. I can finally pick up and clean her hind feet; which was a big fear for me. I didn't have this problem with Pokey and I knew it was just a trust and relationship thing between Gypsy and I.

Gypsy has also made great progress physically. She was real stiff in her hips and hind legs, and when she picked up her hind legs she could not walk off. This issue seems to be subsiding progressive, which I am thrilled to see. I can now visualize us working together: ground driving, playing on the ground, and even riding! Usually I can only do this with Pokey, so it is nice to have these thoughts and feelings with and about Gypsy.

Gypsy is also helping the bond between Pokey and I grow... Pokey usually engages me for attention and seems to be eager to interact with me; which is a pleasant change to her usual "bug off" demeanor.

I would also like to share a recent blog post from Parelli Central that was encouraging to me and gave me some tools and ideas that I think will help me stay on track both in my horsemanship and in my lifestyle in general...

Petra's Pick of the Week-Get Off Your Butt- Goal Setting Ideas-

I often set too many goals and try to accomplish too much at once. This leads to an end result of burn out or it leaves me feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. The tips and ideas from the Zen Habits link on her blog, I think are a simple and effective answer to my problem!

It mentions started small and he uses related to exercising, which is actually something that I am trying to incorporate into my schedule right now! But my focused goal and ambition related to my horses is to save for and buy a saddle. So I am using some of the tools and ideas from that sight to achieve this goal... I am publicly voicing my goal! I have set a date November 20th to start my plan for the goal, it will probably take about 4 to 5 months to have enough saved. So I will keep updating on my progress here. Thanks Petra for your post and for following and commenting on my blog!