Day 1 of My Intenrship with Emily Larramore

I woke up this morning with the jitters. I quickly rushed to get all my bags together and before I knew it we were off!

I really had no idea what to expect at Emily's as I had never been there, never met her horses, never been to her barn. You get the point. 

I was excited and nervous. I wanted to learn as much as possibly could an\d I knew I would because Vanna (the horse I am playing with) is Level 3/4 which means everything is Phase 1/2 with her.

We had a rather lazy afternoon. It was all good. Picked up baby Jewel (Emily's kitten) from the vet then was off to the barn. At first it was so miserable we didn't do anything but sit in the shade and talk. 

Finally we went to go halter the horses. I was struck with a flash of extreme nervousness. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! What if Vanna doesn't like me? What if I offend her? What if she doesn't understand anything I ask?

Luckily it was only a moment of hesitation. It passed quickly and I began to play the 7 games with Vanna. 

Friendly Game ✔

Yoyo Game ✔ (Oh my gosh...I am in love with her Yoyo!)

Circling Game ✔ 

Squeeze Game ✔

Driving Game ✔

Porcupine Game ✔

Sideways Game ✔

And guess what? All of them amazing!

We had two moments where I got confused or didn't have a clear picture in my mind of what I wanted and so she got confused and frustrated and so we lost the connection. 

But ;;when we were connected  it was simply amazing. I got a small taste of what it was to dance with a horse. I hope by the end of the week we can dance together, Vanna and I.

I rode Vanna after  playing on the ground. Emily asked me to work on 4 things.

-Indirect Rein

-Direct Rein

- Lateral Flexion

- Not using the reins.

I found the experience very enlightening. It was similar to when I rode Blaze (Hannah Willis's horse) back last summer. Reins was the last thing on her mind. Your body language is all you really have to steer her. 

I tried to trot once. It started out slow and relaxed but Vanna sped up a bit and I tensed, causing her to become right brain. I had to lateral flex her to stop. Something we are definitely going to have to work on. 

Emily told me to find a good point to stop. A few minutes later she followed my focus- just my focus- to turn while her ears pricked....what better place to stop?

Its so enchanting here. I really like it. I know I will have an exciting and amazing time.

- Julia

PS- After watching some of Emily's friends ride, I REALLY want to trot & canter calmly on a horse- AND ride Casper.