Horseplay

As Jet and I concurred, motivation is slowly but surely coming back. What is most important to me when Jet leaves the pasture is that our time out is just as enjoyable for him as it is when he's in front of a pile of hay. Keeping up with his "yoga" and following the chiropractor's instructions have been a big help too because that is something that Jet NEEDS. And if there's one thing I do, it's make for damn certain that Jet stays healthy and comfortable. 

It was an absolutely gorgeous day at the ranch today. High 70's with gentle breezes. I was pleasantly stunned when I went to say good morning to Jet that he led me over to the gate and started tugging at a halter someone had tied to the pipe fence. I thought, "For serious?" and untied the halter and held it out to him, figuring I could take him over to my tack shed and switch it out for his regular one. And waddayakno? He stuck his nose right in. Unfortunately the halter was too small, so I had to run back to the shed sans Thoroughbred and by the time I came back, he figured I was gone for the day and went back to eating. But when he saw me come back, he was more than happy to put on his normal halter and just about ran to the gate.

This is NOT the LBI I adopted!!!

We went over to the barn to say hello to Jill, Sally and Mom as well as knock over a few garbage cans (Jet has this thing for turning them over and sticking his hoof in them). Then we met up with Dave, Rookie and Numerous and decided to go for a walk around the property. Tanya, who's leasing an OTTB mare, Reason, who lives in Jet's pasture, also tagged along. Reason is a bit of a grouch and likes to skulk around the pasture with her ears pinned, but with both out of their normal element, they touched noses like old friends and seemed to find comfort that they were embarking on an adventure with familiar faces. Jet's gone on walks with Rookie and Numerous before, so I knew he would be that much more comfortable.

Jet was alert and alive, eager to sniff every molecule in this unfamiliar part of the ranch. I expected him to be on his toes more since we were in newer territory but I couldn't get over how even though he was extra lively, he was NOT a bundle of nerves. He was enthusiastic and COMPLETELY left brain. While he sniffed the trees and the rocks, he was listening to every command I asked. No tension whatsoever in the rope, his ears were on me and he carried his tail in a perfect little curve. I asked for trot and he jogged happily beside me. If he got ahead of me, I'd jiggle the rope just a little and he'd slow right down and get in stride with me again (which couldn't have been easy for him. Try as I might, I just can't stretch my legs as far as he can!). Ever since, images of us riding around the property have danced in my thoughts. Once our communication becomes this strong and in tune in the saddle, he will be a BLAST to take out into the desert.

He was still in great spirits when we returned to the pastures. Deonna and Dave's daughter, Darien, was celebrating her birthday in the Cherry Pie and everyone had gathered for cake. Normally I would have taken Jet back to the Cuckoo's Nest, but he was so interested in sniffing Reason, who had been put in turn-out by herself, I figured let the two of them hang out, especially since neither of them had taken a bite out of the other or ripped any blood-curdling shrieks yet. Tanya and I watched in delight as our two Thoroughbreds raced around the arena like foals, bucking, squealing, racing in circles, playing tag and nuzzling each other. They had a grand old time, and settled down to groom each other's necks. I loved seeing Jet so playful and happy. Later on, back in the pasture, he and I even trotted around and played Tag some more.

Might I add, the last time I was at the ranch before today, Mom and I took Charmin and Jet into the Parelli bushes for some good old fashioned Patterns. Thanks to our initial experience with Jet, which as you all have read included a LOT of trial and error, Charmie is progressing far faster and more fluidly in his Level 1 exposure. He and Mom are really building a great relationship of their own. As for MY boy?? I was getting sick of holding the lead rope, so I decided to noodle around at Liberty again. And that Thoroughbred...he weaved around the cones...he did beautiful figure eights...he did a small circle...he did a big circle...and he went SIDEWAYS. That day, the rope came off, and all that was left was the truth.

And I think the truth is, my horse and I are becoming real partners. I think Jet is starting to truly love being with me.

Finding Motivation

I must admit, I have been thoroughly unimpressed with 2009 so far.

First was the job I was working around the clock that made me too tired to even WANT to play with Jet in the all-too-infrequent times I saw him. Then, our place was robbed. Then, I got into a car accident visiting my Grandparents in Florida. Then, my boyfriend and I split up. A wise choice given what we each want out of life, and thankfully a very friendly and civil parting, but now I am living with my parents, and out of various bags tossed around my car, and stressful just the same. Now, I'm not working, awaiting the start date of my NEW job, my triumphant return to bartending. That job tells me I will start, "Hopefully some time in April." Unfortunately, the way things are going these days in the land of Tourism, "sometime in April," could very well mean "June of 2012." News reports that the Big Three casino giants in Las Vegas are throwing their last dollars on the long shot at Hollywood Park, Race 6, or selling employees livers on the black market in hopes of gaining some sort of return to pay off their frightening debts are not helping my state of confidence. A Vegas advocate must always trek on with the attitude that The House Always Wins. Us social misfits who have that screwball wiring in our brains that render us to not only survive living in this city, but LIKE it, are still finding it in us to smile tightly over the lumps in our throats and say, "Vegas will rise again. Vegas always survives."

Given the state of the world, and the state of my life, I found myself shockingly in NO MOOD to play with Jet or ride him. All I have wanted to do for weeks is sit in the pasture with him. My blase attitude towards Parelli had me so disappointed in myself that I posted my frustrations on the forum. Even just posting about how UNmotivated I've been made me start thinking about assessing and playing again. More relieving and supportive were the stories other SC members shared about their own bouts of procrastination and comfort zones, and stresses in their own lives that have put progression on the back burner. It's always such a relief to know you are not alone. 

Another good push in the motivation area was the recent visit Charmin and Jet were paid by an equine chiropractor. What a positive experience that was. The boys were mellow as cellos after their various cracks and stretches. The EC was very natural-minded, and while Parelli was never brought up by any of us, she felt very strongly about putting the relationship first and looking at things from the horses' perspectives. I also felt all sorts of warm fuzzies when she went on and on about what a good boy Jet is, and how he has one of the best attitudes of a Thoroughbred she's ever seen, and she could tell we have put a lot of work into both our guys. She left us with an armload of herbal samples and a list of exercises recommended to keep their toplines developing and keeping them fit and comfortable. For Jet, this included 15 minute sessions of walk-trot. The chiropractor felt that he would benefit more by doing this in open areas instead of round-penning. I was already thinking in that direction, and knew that if I turned his cardio into one long Sniff This game, Jet wouldn't even know he was working out.

I read all the time about how hard it is to find something that makes an LBI tick, and I feel like if all else fails in a play session, I can always suggest Sniff This to Jet and he is happy as a clam to go to that game. His "yoga sessions" are no exception. Jet walked and trotted cheerfully all over Shiloh, saying hello to horses in other pastures, nudging hitch posts, and of course, sniffing poop. At first I would zone in on a particular object and either walk or job over With Purpose. Then I'd start slowing down in a vicinity of interesting things to touch down on and Jet would choose for himself. It was so cute, because he would check out his object of choice, then give me both ears and eyes, then come over to check in. At one point I aimed us towards his own pasture and - wonder of wonders - Jet didn't want to go back. "Aw, Mooooom, just a little while longer?" "Of course, honey." He was thoroughly fascinated with Shiloh's Very Best Pig, Jimmy Dean. I called Jimmy over (he knows his name!) and Jet came to a dead stop. No snorting, no terrified look in his eye. Rather, his ears aimed right at Jimmy, and was slowly blinking his eyes. You could almost hear him: "That. Thing. Is. AWESOME!!!!!!" And then he rushed over to our white, pot-bellied friend, sniffing like a hound. Thinking he was being abducted by an enormous, black alien, Jimmy scurried away in terror, which of course only fueled Jet's curiosity. Eventually, Jimmy Dean stood long enough to check out Jet suspiciously, probably because I offered Jimmy a cookie and a belly rub. However, it may take some more convincing before Jimmy accepts Jet's request for friendship.

Even as we focused on one activity, I noticed more how the Seven Games can be applied with purpose. As Jet trotted beside me, I was able to drive his FQ away from me so we could go in another direction (actually, so he could take me in another direction at my suggestion). He got a little ahead of me at one point and I would have ended up smushed between him and the tack shed row. That gave me a chance to practice Sideways, and he sashayed right off, giving me room to walk through. It made me realize that it's not about progressing quickly. It's about progressing continually, regardless of how much or how little life thwarts your plans and intentions. With each offer that Jet makes, whether he puts his hoof on something, or hangs out on the open playground AT LIBERTY with me instead of taking off on a merry romp around the ranch, it's progress, and its value can never be diminished. Neither can the value of undemanding time. To this day especially, when I get impatient with myself, I still constantly repeat to myself, "Jet is 6, I am 25. We will grow old together."

At the end of our adventure around Shiloh, I rubbed Jet's neck and told him, "Slowly but surely, we'll start getting motivated to do more." Jet's attitude is, "So long as treats are involved, I'm game."