Today Les and I went on a trail ride at the Flat Iron trail head, which is about 5-10 minutes from our barn. We love hauling Ilo and Koa out and they love getting out. Asher and Tovi came with us, Tovi with his forearm bandaged since he still has a sore ankle. The vet wrap did wonders, though, and he was still in good shape by the time we got back.

Flat Iron is super cool because it has lot of ups and downs. They are gentle enough you can trot them in most places, so we did! Day 2 of Ilo and Koa’s trail trotting careers! Both girls were super good. We even stopped to take some photos with the spring wild flowers. They’re tiny, unlike flowers you get in wetter climates, but really pretty accents to the desert colors. Ilo, of course, loves the camera, so here’s a silly picture that makes her look like a hippopotamus. Seriously cute.

Les and my legs and abs were uncomfortably sore from getting back into yoga, so we were processing some junk as we walked. It’s no fun how emoitonal baggage comes up with those physical releases. Ilo kept nudging me like, “Hello, Earth to Kali…” because I kept getting sucked in by my hamstrings wallerin’ I love yoga, but it’s hard when you spend so much time walking in sand. We’re doing a 6:30am vinyasa practice so we don’t stay out at the barn til 8:30 at night every day! Send some positive thoughts our way if you’re up that early!

Les works towards the first sketch of piaffe with Mustangs, Koa and Ilo. You can see Koa start to find the thought 1:15 seconds in.

This video shows the very start of the process, where the horse is learning balance and positioning – not expression and air. These sessions are about getting the horse to find the thought. Fanciness will come with time. We are doing it this way to avoid the “ugly” phase, where horses are scared, confused, and frustrated.

Koa has successfully offered several steps on her own without touch cues since, so it does work. The movement is not the end – the breadth, depth, and fluidity of communication is. We are working towards greater synchrony.