Comments for Xena26.com

Comment on A New Life in Just 76 Days by Linda

Linda — Mon, 16 May 2011 22:38:22 +0000

Hi Anne, Thanks so much for stopping by! :) I hope things are going well for you too. My mare has become the focus of my free time, and you’re right, I find peace and happiness whenever I’m with her.

All the best,

Linda

Comment on A New Life in Just 76 Days by Anne Barlow

Anne Barlow — Thu, 05 May 2011 17:04:37 +0000

Hi Linda,

This is your cousin here. Aunt Grace gave me your website. Beautiful horse. I’ll bet you get a lot of enjoyment and peacefullness from being around Xena. I’m glad that things are going well for you.

Keep in touch.

Anne

Comment on Hello Fancy by Linda

Linda — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:53:38 +0000

Gene, thanks so much for your comments here, and on Parelli Connect. My time with Fancy continues to be so rewarding, and I often think I’m the lucky one. Seeing her become the wonderful mare she was meant to be, has been well worth the years of effort. I’m really excited about what the future holds for us.

All the best,
Linda

Comment on Hello Fancy by gene jordan

gene jordan — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:42:53 +0000

Hi Linda,
I clicked over from P.C. and thoroughly enjoyed your story about Fancy/Xena.

As a first time adult owner/guardian of a horse with a long, well traveled history, I can appreciate your efforts to piece the puzzle of your mare together in an attempt to understand her and what created her “horsenality”. As a boarder on a horse rescue ranch, I get to witness a lot of interesting horse interaction and comprehend how the surroundings and handling or mis-handling of our equine partners can shape their behavior. Congratulations to you for all your time and effort taken for the sake of your beautiful mare. May you both have a long and happy life together!
Gene J.
Auburn, CA.

Comment on I’m in the Saddle! by Linda

Linda — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 13:33:37 +0000

Thanks so much for your note Isabelle. :) It’s true, baby steps are a life lesson in patience.

Comment on I’m in the Saddle! by Isabelle Greenfield

Isabelle Greenfield — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 07:19:53 +0000

Baby steps are often giant’s step in the making!
Isabelle
Parelli Regional Correspondent-Australia

Comment on Preparing to Ride by Linda

Linda — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 23:54:52 +0000

Thanks so much for your comment Marlene. :) Horses like Xena and Joe may force us to climb a steeper learning curve, but oh how much we learn in the process! I hope you have a wonderful summer in Montana – I envy you the mountains and big sky.

All the best, Linda

Comment on Preparing to Ride by Marlene Claflin

Marlene Claflin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:29:40 +0000

Wow…this sounds like my journey with Joe. Only you have documented it so well. I think we have done everything the same. I have gone through all the skills you have used. But I am stuck during the winter for the weather here in Montana has been fierce. Did do alot of sitting bareback and sliding off in the round arena this winter which is another good thing to do. Will start up again here real soon as soon as we can work in my outdoor arena again. Keep me posted. My greatest joy maybe this summer is to ride Joe and experience the Tennessee Walker gaits. Keep up the wonderful work with Xena…your friend in Parelli…Marlene

Comment on Desensitizing Her Back by Linda

Linda — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 23:43:42 +0000

Thanks Peter – that’s a good idea. Needle-practice is on my list for next summer. ;)

Comment on Desensitizing Her Back by PeterC

PeterC — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:37:19 +0000

Works for needles and fly spray too if you’ve prepared for it. :)

PeterC

Comment on A Valuable Lesson – under saddle by Linda

Linda — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 03:27:01 +0000

Hi Sue,

Thanks so much for your note! I really appreciate your guidance, because you’re the only person who knew the real Fancy, before life was cruel to her.

The last couple of months have been exciting, but at the same time grounding, now that we’ve crossed this huge threshold. I mounted Fancy about 8 times using the bareback pad, and everything went very well, with the exception of one Valuable Lesson. We’re now taking a break from mounting, until she’s able to wear a saddle – mostly for my safety.

I’ve bought her a brown Wintec Western saddle with semi-Quarter Horse bars, and a contoured Professionals Choice pad. I had a professional saddle fitter assess her back, and he described her saddle as a good fit. At the moment she’s cinch-shy, so I’m tightening the latigo in stages, but it’s not yet tight enough to mount. She’s wearing her saddle during our groundwork sessions though, and I’m sure it won’t be too long before we’re ready to practice mounting again. In the meantime, we have lots of other skills to work on.

Thanks for dropping by. :)

Linda

Comment on A Valuable Lesson – under saddle by Sue

Sue — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:10:57 +0000

Hi Linda,

It has been awhile since I have been to your blog. I read about your first ride and was so excited for you. You have come so far! After reading a valuable lesson – under saddle it makes me realize how well you know Fancy, how good you are at reading what is happening, in this case her warning signs. Now you know to really watch for them.

Yes two years of groundwork is a long time, but look at what you have accomplished. She has more trust in you than she has ever had in any other person.

Take Care, Sue

Comment on Our First ‘Ride’ by Linda

Linda — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:50:46 +0000

Thank Peter! It still seems a bit unreal to think of Xena and I as horse and rider. I always wondered how I’d recognize when she was ready to begin mounting. It wasn’t until we began making progress in Level 3 Online, that I finally understood the correlation between groundwork and riding. We’ll be moving on to Level 1 Freestyle in January or February, and as usual there’s so much to learn. :)

Happy Holidays to you, Cayleigh & Sunrise!

Comment on Our First ‘Ride’ by PeterC

PeterC — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:45:59 +0000

That is just so lovely. I feel the same way about Cayleigh, even though she doesn’t have too many issues I find myself surprise to be anxious to get up on her back. I never thought riding was for me but I know, when she is good and ready to let me, that it will be a wonderful thing.

Congrats to both of you , I am so very happy for you.

Happy holidays!
PeterC

Comment on Hello Fancy by Linda

Linda — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 01:11:44 +0000

Hi Sue!
Fancy is doing quite well this week. She had her scheduled trim on August 26th and farrier confirmed that the abscess has now healed. She’s still a bit tender at the trot, but she seems to be more stiff than sore.

Yesterday we had a huge achievement — she allowed me to wash her udder with the car wash mitt and tepid water! I’ve been working on building her trust around her hind legs since last summer, and she’s now very relaxed with having the insides of her hind legs rubbed. It was a hot day and she’s beginning her heat, so she was agreeable to having me gently wash away the thick layer of dirt and grit. I was so happy just knowing she’s clean and comfortable, and that she trusts that much. :)