(no subject)
my pony is so damn smart!
Pam, my coach, is very knowledgeable about equine massage (so my spoiled pony gets massages whenever Pam has free time). So lately, Pam told me that she has been trying out some relaxation techniques with Tipsy because she is SO nervous about being in the indoor. Pam read somewhere that when a horse drops its head, endorphins are released, so she decided to try to teach Tipsy how to drop her head on command. It took 10 minutes. She started with gentle pressure on the poll, then moved down the neck until she would drop her head to pressure on her back.
so the other day, Pam had Tipsy in the indoor (which has a tin roof, mind you) when a ton of snow and ice fell off the roof. this normally causes a significant reaction in ANY horse, and Tipsy likes to drop as low to the ground as possible, launch herself up and bolt forward and/or to the side; you never know which way she will go, and she WILL run you over if you are in her way. So Pam let go of her lead line in anticipation of this, and my little pony, shaking from head to hoof, dropped her head to the ground and didn't take a step.
She has already learned to associate dropping her head with relief from anxiety and fear! when Pam told me this story I couln't stop smiling; it is just so damn cute! I cannot wait to try this with her and see it for myself.
FITNESS
30 mins cardio? YES
30 mins strength training? YES
riding? no
NUTRITION
60 oz. water? YES
multivitamin? YES
# fruit servings: 4
# vegetable servings: 4
# whole grain servings: 3
# junk-food servings: 1
OTHER
2 hours on school work? YES
money-making work? YES
shower/skin care? YES
today was long but i got a lot done. tomorrow i have clinical and then i have to do some homework and study for a test on friday, but that's ok because i get to see phil this weekend and we are going to a SUPERBOWL PARTY!
Pam, my coach, is very knowledgeable about equine massage (so my spoiled pony gets massages whenever Pam has free time). So lately, Pam told me that she has been trying out some relaxation techniques with Tipsy because she is SO nervous about being in the indoor. Pam read somewhere that when a horse drops its head, endorphins are released, so she decided to try to teach Tipsy how to drop her head on command. It took 10 minutes. She started with gentle pressure on the poll, then moved down the neck until she would drop her head to pressure on her back.
so the other day, Pam had Tipsy in the indoor (which has a tin roof, mind you) when a ton of snow and ice fell off the roof. this normally causes a significant reaction in ANY horse, and Tipsy likes to drop as low to the ground as possible, launch herself up and bolt forward and/or to the side; you never know which way she will go, and she WILL run you over if you are in her way. So Pam let go of her lead line in anticipation of this, and my little pony, shaking from head to hoof, dropped her head to the ground and didn't take a step.
She has already learned to associate dropping her head with relief from anxiety and fear! when Pam told me this story I couln't stop smiling; it is just so damn cute! I cannot wait to try this with her and see it for myself.
FITNESS
30 mins cardio? YES
30 mins strength training? YES
riding? no
NUTRITION
60 oz. water? YES
multivitamin? YES
# fruit servings: 4
# vegetable servings: 4
# whole grain servings: 3
# junk-food servings: 1
OTHER
2 hours on school work? YES
money-making work? YES
shower/skin care? YES
today was long but i got a lot done. tomorrow i have clinical and then i have to do some homework and study for a test on friday, but that's ok because i get to see phil this weekend and we are going to a SUPERBOWL PARTY!