Phew it's Full On Top Barn Challenge. We are smashing it so far. Can we keep up the pace for the next 10 weeks? Hell Yeah! Even though this week I have dot a dold.....(moan moan). It's the 1st cold I have had for about two years, so I shouldn't moan...But i will!! It is PANTS. And the reason why I am still up this late....I can't breathe. I know with PAH I have trouble breathing anyway, but this makes it worse......So Moan Moan Moan!!! And Charlie in particular can feel I am weak, and is taking the mick big time. Makes for funny vids tho!!
Last week (the first week of the challenge) we totally killed it!! I explained to Charlie that he couldn't push me around, and gained trust with Lily by walking her alone in scary places. Jo became Stormin Norman!! Hacked Lulu out alone in a proper Hoolie and came back grinning!! Now we can't stop her!!! To be fair, Lu has become a different pony. Being the Herd Leader, she gets worried when left alone too long. She feels all the responsibility for the safety of the herd. She is highly intelligent, and when she has nothing to do except look after the herd, she overthinks everything and gets stressy. In the last 10 days, Jo has taken control, taking Lu away from the others, and by taking her out of their comfort zones, has shown Lu that in fact, she is not in control. Lu has visibly relaxed, knowing that her Mum is in charge.
Week Two. Lulu is still relaxed and happy that her Mum is in charge. Charlie on the other hand has been on the phone to Horse-Line complaining that his Slave is trying to sit on him. They obviously told him to stand up for himself, and use his strength. Sensing my weakness (Yup THE COLD), he has been a total TWOT!! Today, I ignored him and took Lily out. Himself didn't like that, and followed me along the fence line, grabbing at Lil's headcollar, and waving it at me. Hey Charlie...You Snooze, You Lose!! Meanwhile Lily has been a star. She is a pleasure to walk out with, and is eager to work, coming over to me as soon as she sees I am holding a headcollar.
BTW....Daisy is beginning to feel like she isn't loved!! Jo brought her in Monday and gave her some love and grooming. Maybe I should have entered Daisy into the Challenge as well, but doing Lily and Charlie is more than enough hours. However Daisy would love to get out. So if anyone would like to come and ride her out...she is ready to go. She is a great hack. Bombproof, but not a slouch. Real fun... Meg? Viv? Shona?
And so my verdict on the Rhythm Beads? I think they work. They have definitely calmed Lu down. Lily seems laid back when she is wearing them. And I have before and after Videos of Charlie going from wild to calm after I put them on. So I have been busy making Rhythm Beads for all our ponies. At the very least, when they are wearing them, they will understand they are working, and at the very most, the bells will distract them from scary monsters, and soothe them into a rhythm and calmness. These Rhythm beads were first used by Native American Indians....and what they don't know about horses isn't worth knowing!
I am starting to make these bead necklaces for sale on Ebay #theriverrat66 and Etsy Suffolkbeachcombers.
Yes its here at last!!! The Top Barn Challenge 2020 began today. Woohoo. For those that were not following our blog last year....This is what its all about.
Top Barn is a centre in The Cotswolds that holds a Facebook Challenge every year. There are a number of levels to join depending on how many hours you can achieve each week. Bronze level is only 3 hours a week. Silver 5, Gold 7 and Platinum 10. There are also Mini Challenges to achieve. The amount of Mini Challenges depends on the Level picked. The Mini Challenges for Groundwork include things like 'Pick up All Four Feet From one side', and 'Back into a Stable'. This year there are also Plus Levels. For instance Bronze Plus. Each week a surprise Challenge will be issued for the Plus-ers. This Challenge lasts for 12 weeks.
I did the Bronze Challenge with Charlie last year. We had a heap of fun. The group is one of the nicest on Facebook, with everyone encouraging each other. The main object is to challenge yourself. Its all too easy to do nothing with your horse in the Winter months. So this is mega motivation. And working through the Mini Challenges is basically a self challenge.
And so this year I am doing the Bronze Plus challenge with both Charlie and Lily. Thats 3 hours each a week. Meanwhile Jo is doing Bronze Plus with Lulu. I will be videoing everything, and posting on my YouTube channel weekly, so keep your eyes peeled....or subscribe to my channel so you don't miss it (its free!!).
So Day One today. We started well. I started this morning with Charlie. As I have been reading up on The 100 Mile Challenge (which involves walking 100 miles with your horse to gain trust and a bond), we went for a walk. There is no way I can cover a 100 miles with my lungs, but the general idea is there. You start in places that your horse is comfortable in. So we went for a half hour walk round the Farm.....in fields Charlie has grazed in. Ok so it was windy and the mares were yelling but it was like flying a Cobby Kite. I was very impressed with the 'Airs Above The Ground' Stuff!!! Yes my stocky cob is quite capable of doing Caprioles!
After the poo picking, haying etc, Jo and I got Lu and Lily in. Lu had a lunge session and Lily had a tidy up, and a play with a very scary football. As Lil's tidy up doesn't count all three ponies clocked up 30 minutes each today.
You may notice Lu has a jangly necklace on. These are called Rhythm Beads.Its basically a necklace made of beads and bells. Rhythm beads are an ancient Native American tradition. They supposedly help the horse by minimizing distractions as the horse focuses on the bells rather than spooky situations. We shall see in time if this works....but its a great idea to let the horse know it is at work. Like a guide dog in its harness. When I worked at the RDA we had special neck straps that had handles on. Not only did this give the rider a hand-hold when needed, the horses also learned when they were wearing them they were at work.
