Set backs, Step ups, and Stellar Care- Damo Update :)

I got to spend the afternoon with my special lady here in Pagosa Springs at 4DS Ranch. It was SO phenomenal to see her! Even better than that was to see her mental and emotional health completely and perfectly intact, despite 8 weeks of stall rest ... and I know that is completely due to amazing care by the incredible crew at 4DS! I just can't thank them enough.

As I have been so strongly focused on Damo's full recovery I have chosen not to write an update about her recent adventure, but I will share that now. The original injury was a tendon tear in her Left Front ... that injury has been healing extremely well. However ... unfortunately about 10 days ago she decided to deliver some sort of complaint to her next door neighbor. Maree found her in the morning with injuries on both hind legs ... and more significantly to her Left Hind ;(.

Anyway, despite this newest set back ... as usual she is facing the challenge with the best possible attitude, and grace ... and I humbly hope a reflection and reminder of what my attitude about it all should be ;)!

I wanted to write a short blog ... because I couldn't think of any way to better thank the two institutions that have made Damo's recovery so incredible! Dr. Brit Harris, and Dr. Greg Bell ... of Centennial Equine Sports Medicine have doctored and supported me and Damo across CONTINENTS during this healing adventure and I can't recommend or commend them enough for their compassion, communication, and outstanding education and talent as veterinarians. And of course, I am completely indebted to Maree Stewart and Debbie and Don Stinnett of 4DS Ranch in Pagosa Springs ... I know that it is their decision to go above and beyond is what has made Damo's recovery possible.

PLEASE keep your positivity and your thoughts coming ... as we tackle the next endeavor of healing from the Left Hind Injury ... as well as the Left Front ;). What we believe we achieve ... so I am still looking forward to a 2015 and 2016 full of Demo's and sharing our relationship and horsemanship with others. 

South Australia Fun!

Great camp these past 4 days in South Australia! Looking forward to Day 5 tomorrow! Here is a grey photo of the group from last night during sunset! YEP, that's right, we started at 9:00 AM, and didn't finish until 7:00 PM, ... and we had happy, connected horses (we did take a break in the middle of the day to avoid the heat!) This photo was after an evening session on Monkey Riding

(riding with a fixed rein position in order to build your horse's confidence with traveling in a frame and preparing for Finesse), as well as a session on the mechanics of good simple lead changes, and another fabulous Demo from Carmen Smith on warming up strong to ride soft with an extraverted horse!

A sunset ride up the hill in the golf cart!

We have also had some fabulous fun on the 45' line! Remembering to help our horses experience the freedom of cantering and galloping truly forward is a fantastic way to develop mental, emotional, and physical fitness! I had a super fun demo on maintaining gait at the canter, focusing on "IT'S NOT ABOUT THE LAPS! ... its about causing your horse to think "I should CHECK in with my human before changing gait!""

Lastly! For my own personal development I got to play with a very fun horse and do a bridling demo ... sharing the importance of having both Obedience and Exuberance in your bridling! It was a great demo for me, because I was able to cause the horse to make some great changes ... and not get direct line about putting my goal of bridling the horse in front of the importance of the relationship! 

PHEW! We have been up to a lot! When was the last time you got to spend 5 days immersed in Savvy? Tomorrow will be all about Fun, Purpose, and a little Fancy Dress! Bring it on! and make sure you get yourself and your horse to a clinic soon ;)

Lillan