24 Days into 3 Months 5 days behind

That blogger motivation is still here but being a high school senior trying to graduate earlyyy just hasn't allowed my time of blogging... Everything for the most part is written in my calendar or text messages of her progress! I also keep mental tabs on every day so I know where I am but my recent blogging has been a fail...  Today marks Three Months and five days that Tiegan has been in my care! I am truly blessed everyday with her presence, she has made my goals rewarding and for that I am so thankful. My plan of getting on for the first time on my birthday was the most rewarding birthday present that I could have asked for... Tiegan had been backed before due to jockeys, and Lindsey getting on her a few times! At this time though Tiegan had been coming from pasture for about a year and half or so... So I just started completely over because to our partnership was completely fresh! After A month and 14 days of just lounging about 3-4 times a week for about 15-30 minute sessions, Tiegan and I had built up a foundation that we each understood that together we were going to take each step together frustrating or not we would get through it... 

Simple things as:

- Leading from the right side

- Backing up along with some poles some days

- Getting tacked up from the right side

- Learning to go right

- Learning voice commands

- Working out of the round pen to be able to lounge in any arena

- Simply standing after being worked

- Being worked at all hours of the day, no longer early mornings

The list goes on and on...

 The first ride was awesome! we just walked, my first thought was is she learning to walk in heals or with plates on her feet... It was a tipsy feeling! haha oh did I mention that I some how pick out the narrow horses? 

If I recapped each of my lessons that I have had since I have ridden her well its only like 6 but an hour lesson on a four year old equals a book of lessons and reminders learned and relearned.

 If I could put them all together in a short sequel of events this is about how it goes..

Each Lesson except for one Tiegan gets lounged in her usual bungee gear which is a triangle from the D ring on my saddle looped through her bit--> under her leg--> up to the saddle pad (hooked on the girth loops) She seems to go well in this, and it allows her to warm up on her own with out me having to fight any tension.

Poles have been in our lessons. We have jumped Three times total lets start out with I wasn't sure if she was going to take to it, well we figured out me not jumping for over a year didn't help much, and this last lesson was a total success! We are making progress! Granite I swear that the jumping off a lounge line with a bungee on (sounds restrictive but I swear she learned to jump over her back and they had lots of give) was a total bonus! I have come to find out that her left side is stiffer than a board and it's going to take some serious patience and lots of work... Now that right side... I am going to have to set timers on how long I can ride it because SHE'S FABULOUS! 

Basically we are just taking things slow and in her stride depending on the Chestnut Mare attitude that is being thrown that day... So far its slowly coming out when frustration strikes! We are getting through it!

Biggest accomplishments would include:

- Flying Lead Change right --> to Left lead (I thought she was trying to dump me when she did it and did a trot transition right after :( but we have potential with them yay!)

- Tiegan picks up the correct leads always going left and 3 out 5 times going right!

- I can sit light on the right lead, not the left yet! We can canter with me on her back! yay!

- Jumped a big X and cantered out!

- Building muscle and gaining weight!

Every day is a blessing and I am so thankful for this amazing mare! Louie is great and all snuggled into his blanket and thick winter coat! Extra hay at night for both ponies everyone is good!

Did I mention they both have matching Rambo Duos?(BTW I highly recommend them!)

Pretty cute hu Ma?

 :) Can't wait to get them together again and take some matchy pictures! :)

Here are my senior pictures that I was lucky enough to have my horses together for the first time ever, and they loved each other! I am so blessed to have my 2 best buds in my life! A new partnership coming along, and the other one that will never needs words... 

Take a moment and look around... Be thankful for what you have.. I know I am because  These horses truly are my life line.. Cheers!